Thoughts for the Day, September 10, 2025: An onion for a political assassination
Onion of the Day: To what appears to be a political assassination of Charlie Kirk. I cannot condone political violence of any kind. We are better than this (or we should be). Per the NY Times, Charlie Kirk, the charismatic founder of the nation’s pre-eminent right-wing youth activist group, Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. His killing prompted outrage from politicians of both parties, who called for an end to politically motivated violence, and grief from prominent media figures.
More on destroying the Venezuelan boat
In Monday’s blog I spoke out against the Trump playing judge, jury and executioner by destroying a Venezuelan boat which Trump said was filled with drug dealers and drugs headed to the U.S.
Per the NY Times, the Venezuelan boat that the U.S. military destroyed in the Caribbean last week had altered its course and appeared to have turned around before the attack started because the people onboard had apparently spotted a military aircraft stalking it, according to American officials familiar with the matter.
The disclosures provide new details about a military operation that was a startling departure from using law enforcement means to interdict suspected drug boats. Legal specialists who have called it a crime to summarily kill suspected low-level smugglers as if they were wartime combatants said the revelations further undercut the administration’s claim that the strike was legally justified as self-defense.
Many legal specialists, including retired top military lawyers, have rejected the idea that Mr. Trump has legitimate authority to treat suspected drug smuggling as legally equivalent to an imminent armed attack on the United States. Even if one accepted that premise for the sake of argument, they added, if the boat had already turned away, that would further undermine what they saw as an already weak claim of self-defense. Here are some of their comments.
· If someone is retreating, where’s the ‘imminent threat’ then?” said Rear Adm. Donald J. Guter, a retired top judge advocate general for the Navy from 2000 to 2002. “Where’s the ‘self-defense’? They are gone if they ever existed — which I don’t think they did.”
· Rear Adm. James E. McPherson, the top judge advocate general for the Navy from 2004 to 2006 who later served in the first Trump administration in several prominent civilian military roles, including general counsel of the Army, agreed. “I would be interested if they could come up for any legal basis for what they did,” he said, adding, “If, in fact, you can fashion a legal argument that says these people were getting ready to attack the U.S. through the introduction of cocaine or whatever, if they turned back, then that threat has gone away.”
· Rear Adm. James E. McPherson, the top judge advocate general for the Navy from 2004 to 2006 who later served in the first Trump administration in several prominent civilian military roles, including general counsel of the Army, agreed.
· On Tuesday, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that the administration had provided no evidence that the boat was taking drugs to the United States. “If there’s a civilian boat that’s suspected of anything, particularly in international waters, you have to make an attempt to stop the boat,” he said, describing what he said was supposed to be standard rules of engagement. “You only fire, really, if fired upon.”
· Geoffrey Corn, a retired uniformed lawyer who was the Army’s senior adviser for law-of-war issues, said he believed Mr. Trump’s and Mr. Hegseth’s order was not justified as an act of self-defense. He expressed concern that what he saw as an apparently illegal order was passed down through the military chain of command and carried out and carried out. The apparent turning of the boat before the attack began, he said, reinforced that judgment. “I think it’s a terrible precedent,” he said. “We’ve crossed a line here.”
· Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who posted the following: “I don’t give a shit” Vance says killing people he accuses of a crime is the “highest and best use of the military.” Did he ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? Did he ever wonder what might happen if the accused were immediately executed without trial or representation?? What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.” This is my Quote of the Day
President Trump playing judge, jury and executioner against citizens of another country is a blatant disregard of the U.S. Constitution and I international law. Yet, Trump continues to get a pass from the Republican Congress, SCOTUS, the Democrats because of their passive resistance, and the media, none of whom are screaming for Trump’s impeachment.
***************************************************************************************************
Project 2026/2028: Chapter 7- A commonsense approach to the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms.
The second amendment is one of those hot buttons for which the extremists on both sides make the most noise and are not willing to give an inch when it comes to compromising and working toward common ground.
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed”—has been at the center of one of the most passionate and polarizing debates in American life. While gun rights advocates see it as a safeguard against tyranny and a guarantee of personal freedom, many Americans express growing concern over gun violence, particularly involving high-capacity, rapid-fire weapons. A practical, 21st-century interpretation must balance the right to bear arms with the responsibility to protect public safety.
In the 2026 and 2028 elections I am looking for candidates who understand the importance of finding common ground and finding a commonsense approach to honoring the second amendment and recognizing that deaths by guns in this country are out of control. I am looking for candidates who will work to enact the following. As with the previous chapters on Project 2026/2028 the following is a combination of my words and CHAT GPT.
1. Individual Rights, Not Unlimited Rights
The Supreme Court has affirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to own firearms. However, no constitutional right is absolute. Just as free speech does not protect the incitement of violence, the right to bear arms does not guarantee access to every kind of weapon under any circumstance. Reasonable regulations are both constitutional and essential.
2. Distinguishing Between Firearms for Defense and Weapons of War
Most Americans support the right to own firearms for hunting, sport, and self-defense. But military-style automatic or semi-automatic rifles capable of discharging dozens of rounds in seconds were never envisioned by the Founders. A practical interpretation supports banning or strictly regulating weapons designed for rapid mass killing while preserving access to traditional firearms for lawful use.
3. Embracing Common-Sense Safety Measures
Universal background checks, mandatory gun safety training, safe storage laws, red flag laws, and limits on high-capacity magazines are supported by broad bipartisan majorities. These measures do not infringe on responsible gun ownership—they enhance it by reducing accidental deaths, suicides, and mass shootings.
4. Honoring Tradition Without Ignoring Reality
The Second Amendment is part of America’s heritage, but it must be interpreted in light of today’s realities: mass shootings in schools and public places, gun trafficking, and increasing firearm-related deaths. A practical policy preserves the spirit of the amendment—protecting liberty—while adapting to current dangers.
5. Reaffirming the Role of Regulation
The phrase “well regulated Militia” signals the Framers’ intention for oversight and accountability. Regulations are not a threat to freedom but a means to ensure it is exercised responsibly. Just as we regulate vehicles, alcohol, and other potentially dangerous tools, so should we regulate firearms.
Conclusion
The candidates I vote for in 2026 and 2028 will work to implement a practical interpretation of the Second Amendment which recognizes that rights come with responsibilities. It respects law-abiding gun owners while acknowledging the urgent need to address the epidemic of gun violence. In today’s politicized environment, the goal should not be confiscation or absolutism—but reasonable balance, rooted in the Constitution and responsive to the needs of a modern, democratic society
******************************************************************************************************
Quote of the Day: See above from Senator Rand Paul
Orchid of the Day: The Detroit Tigers who scored nine runs in the seventh inning against the Yankees, breaking up a game that was tied 2-2 after six innings, with the Tigers only having three baserunners entering the seventh inning. The Tigers first nine batters got on base. Riley Greene, who led off the inning with a double, came to bat as the 10th batter of the inning with no outs. In all my years of baseball, I do not recall a game at JV level or higher in which someone came to bat twice in the same inning with no outs. Three Yankee pitchers had to throw over 55 pitches to get through the inning. The Yankee fans gave their team, the “Bronx Cheer” at least four times during the inning. The loudest coming when they finally secured the first out on an RBI force out by Riley Greene. The inning lasted over 30 minutes. See my Video of the Day
Question of the Day: Do you ever recall the first nine players coming to bat in an inning of a major league game without making an out? I don’t.
Lyrics of the Day: An angel's smile is what you sell. You promised me heaven, then put me through hell.
Chains of love got a hold on me when passion's a prison, you can't break free.
Woah, you're a loaded gun, yeah. Oh, there's nowhere to run. No one can save me, the damage is done.
Answer to Lyrics of the Day for September 8, 2025: OHIO by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Video of the Day: FULL INNING: All 9 runs from the GRITTY RALLY by the Tigers vs. the Yankees! 🐯
Feel free to share my blog with others. To receive the blog in your email, please use the subscribe button or send an email to me at thomasdbiggs@gmail.com and I will start the process for you.