I’ve called Trump’s America a pariah state. As I watch the Iran fiasco play out, I’m thinking it would also be right to describe it as a Confederacy of Dunces.

“President Vance exudes confidence in future, hints at desire to set new tone; statesmanlike approach lauded by world leaders; Will Dems shed their Trump Derangement Syndrome?” — Ross Douthat, NYT

Roger Stone and Karl Rove were active in college Republican groups.

The College Republicans of America have named Kai Schwemmer as the organization's political director. Schwemmer is an avowed and overt supporter of racist antisemitic white nationalist Nick Fuentes. www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwat...

Photo of a huge crowd carrying a coffin

Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex X.com The funeral of Father Pierre El-Rahi, Maronite parish priest of a Christian village, is celebrated today in #Lebanon, as these villages once again experience the tragedy of war. I am close to all the Lebanese people in this time of grave trial. Fr. Pierre was a true shepherd. As soon as he heard that parishioners had been wounded in a bombing, he rushed to help without hesitation. May the Lord grant that the blood he shed become a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon. #PrayTogether 8:00 AM • 3/11/26 • 412K Views

Father Pierre Rahi was laid to rest in a massive funeral in Lebanon.

He was killed by Israel.

The Pope commemorated his life, calling him a “true shepherd.”

“Congress”? How about identifying the real entity responsible—the Republican Party, with an assist from the Trump-Roberts Supreme Court.

Why Is Congress Stuck? (with Maya Kornberg) A new book offers a path forward for a more functional, accountable legislature.

Congress’s failure to function is the biggest story in American politics. How did we get here, and how can we fix it?

Brennan Center Senior Fellow Maya Kornberg will discuss her new book "Stuck" on Wed., March 18 at 3pm ET. This is a free virtual event: bit.ly/4s5vXYG

I wonder if it’s as much the longstanding Dem cluelessness about general political communications & messaging in this completely asymmetric media environment as it is intentionally taking Latinos for granted.

These ants navigate with a newly discovered ‘Moon compass’

Bull ants use a first-of-its-kind lunar compass to find their way home.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4uc9zy6

* chanting * contempt contempt contempt

* louder now * Contempt Contempt Contempt

* climbing on top of a table * CONTEMPT CONTEMPT CONTEMPT

The final stage is where the teachers and students themselves are AI. Most of the humans are laboring to maintain the data centers and the energy grid that powers them.

I was in a 2 hour briefing today on the Iran War. All the briefings are closed, because Trump can't defend this war in public.

I obviously can't disclose classified info, but you deserve to know how incoherent and incomplete these war plans are.

1/ Here's what I can share:

I love that Trump's toadies are wearing comically large shoes because the boss bought them and they're too chickenshit to mention that he guessed the wrong size.

Literal clownshoes worn by literal cucks.

Who could possibly have foreseen that war on Iran would (a) make Iran retaliate by closing the strait of Hormuz, which (b) could disrupt world oil markets, enriching Russia and penalizing most everyone else?

Who, indeed, except EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER THOUGHT FOR ONE MINUTE about the situation.

I guess Joe Biden should have just said “Freedom is not free. Americans are gonna have to make some sacrifices and pay more for eggs” and Republicans would have stood and cheered.

The world is being set on fire by a 79 year old with a ten year old’s vocabulary whose adult advisors interact with him like he’s a hangry toddler who skipped his nap.

In the run-up to his war, Trump ignored warnings that Iran could retaliate across the region and stop oil shipments, the NYT reports.

He downplayed risks as a short-term concern that shouldn’t overshadow the mission to decapitate the regime.

Now the energy markets are in chaos.

Investigation: DHS increasingly targeting U.S. citizens A new Wall Street Journal investigation finds the department is increasingly turning its wrath on U.S. citizens, punishing them for filming or observing officers.

A new Wall Street Journal investigation finds DHS is increasingly turning its wrath on U.S. citizens, punishing them for simply filming or observing officers.

Belle Cushing is one of the reporters behind the investigation. She spoke with MPR News guest host Emily Reese about it.

Time to re-establish Radio Free Europe/Liberty.

Kristi Noem's $220M Horseback Riding Ad Dwarfed the Budgets of These 2026 Oscar Nominees Outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem used $220 million in taxpayer money to create a minute-long anti-immigration ad. That's more than the combined production and marketing budgets of nearly every 2026 ...

ICE Barbie spent nearly a $1/4 billion on one ad featuring her:
“The one-minute ad in question, which features Noem riding a horse intercut w/images of Trump & stock footage of police & military forces, cost more than nearly every film nominated for Best Picture at the upcoming 2026 Academy Awards.”

“The Defense Department burned through $93 billion that month alone [September 2025 was the end of the fiscal year], signing checks left and right in order to dry up its congressionally allocated budget, according to a recent analysis by the government watchdog Open the Books.”

Aw, Liddle Marco wearing his daddy’s shoes.

Marco Rubio greets Chuck Schumer in January 2026 at the Capitol Visitor Center

A close-up of his foot shows his shoes are too big

hmm

You can judge a family by the company it keeps.

The worst cabinet in American history And it's not even close.

“Comically unqualified, intensely partisan, and unflaggingly devoted to whatever ridiculous thing bubbled out of Donald Trump’s mouth five minutes ago” - @paulwaldman.bsky.social unpacks the general traits of a prototype member of Trump cabinet - the worst in U.S. history. Via @atrupar.com

I agree it’s an easy concept to grasp.