CITIZEN OPEN THREAD.

Broward….still a mess from the days of election problems.
“The governor’s comments come at a time when the school district — the nation’s sixth-largest — is under intense financial pressure because of declining enrollment and project mismanagement. It is currently trying to cover a budget gap of nearly $100 million by closing schools and imposing a hiring freeze to save money.”
https://www.wlrn.org/education/2026-01-12/broward-school-district-receivership-takeover-desantis

“Havana manipulates Venezuelan statement to disguise the cooling relations with Caracas following Maduro’s capture”
https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-01-12-u1-e207888-s27061-nid318349-habana-manipula-comunicado-venezolano-disimular

Trying to find pictures.
“The social media post by Miguel Díaz-Canel asserting Cuba’s readiness to defend the nation “to the last drop of blood” incited a surge of criticism and ridicule among Cubans. Instead of rallying support, the leader’s words were met with sarcasm, fatigue, and a widespread feeling of exasperation toward the official rhetoric.”
https://www.cubaheadlines.com/articles/318339

Story Time
America Obliterates Half North Vietnam’s MiG-21 Fleet In 13 Minutes – Operation Bolo
The Fat Electrician

Buddhist Monks walking for peace from Texas to D.C. to arrive in Charlotte North Carolina on Thursday

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/news/2026/01/12/buddhist-monks-captivating-america-while-on–walk-for-peace–to-arrive-in-charlotte-thursday

Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion (anyone who thinks woke is dead isn’t paying attention)

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/business/2026/01/12/mattel-autistic-barbie

U Haul driver under arrest for driving into Iran protest rally in Los Angeles

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/public-safety/2026/01/12/protest-in-westwood

Cuba’s president says no talks scheduled with U.S. after Trump threatens it

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/international/2026/01/12/cuba-s-president-no-talks-u-s–trump-threat

Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as death toll increases

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/international/2026/01/12/trump-says-iran-wants-to-negotiate-protest-deaths

Boss, are you monitoring the reported “rumors” saying that Governor Walz will resign before week’s end?

—

I’ve seen chatter, but mostly from the right.

Protesting farmers might have the wind at their backs. All countries have to agree.
“The treaty entrenches a structural asymmetry between a Mercosur that is highly competitive in primary production and a European Union increasingly constrained by regulatory, climate-related, and political costs in its agri-food sector.”
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/meat-soy-and-power-why-brazil-emerges-stronger-from-the-eu-mercosur-deal/

-Dude hit accept and connected.
“Attorney John Yanchunis of Morgan & Morgan is representing Siefke. “Data is the new oil,” he said. “The largest companies on the face of the Earth don’t make anything. They take consumer data, and they use it for profit.”
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/how-much-car-tracking-polk-county-man-suing-toyota-privacy-violations/67-843030d6-efa1-4a8e-8af4-fb80372b6ce6

Using security in the quest for power.
https://tallahasseereports.com/2026/01/12/floridas-democratic-congressional-delegation-seeks-to-tps-for-venezuelans/

“Two China-flagged supertankers sailing toward Venezuela to load crude for oil-for-debt shipments have reversed course and are now heading back to Asia, according to LSEG shipping data, quoted by Reuters.”
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/two-china-flagged-supertankers-heading-to-venezuela-for-oil-for-debt-shipments-make-u-turn-2850915-2026-01-12

I don’t know. Maybe it’s because noticing things is what we of a certain generational cohort do.

Does Jake think maintaining a bad haircut will distract people from noticing the receding hairline?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Tapper

He looks like a dork, he talks like a dork, he thinks like a dork, therefore he commands respect?

Marquis v. Massachusetts DENIED Cert… [FP comment: We need Congress and the Senate to pass HR 38 and S 65, sending cross-border carry legislation to President Trump’s desk for signature…]

The Supreme Court, holding its first conference of 2026 on Friday, and considered a few Second Amendment cases, including one case that could have far-reaching implications for the right to carry across state lines.

Marquis v. Massachusetts is a challenge to the state’s ridiculous laws regarding non-residents and their ability to legally bear arms once they cross the state line. Massachusetts doesn’t recognize any permits issued by other state; instead, non-residents are supposed to apply for a non-resident permit from the state police. Philip Marquis, a New Hampshire resident who was arrested for carrying without a license, contends that Massachusetts has an unconstitutional “may issue” permitting regime for non-residents, because the law allows the colonel of the state police discretion to deny permits without any objective criteria or standard of proof if he deems the applicant “unsuitable.”

The law states that “[a] determination of unsuitability shall be based on reliable, articulable and credible information that the applicant or licensee has exhibited or engaged in behavior that suggests that, if issued a license, the applicant or licensee may create a risk to public safety or a risk of danger to self or others.”

https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/011226zor_3d9g.pdf

“India proposes requiring smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures, prompting behind-the-scenes opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-forcing-smartphone-makers-give-source-code-security-overhaul-10467935/

U.S. ambassador-designate to India. Modi says Trump calls him 2 in the morning D.C. time.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/trump-friendship-with-pm-modi-real-sergio-gor-underscores-india-us-bond-shares-update-on-trade-deal/articleshow/126479376.cms

For you hockey fans and Michiganders, Sergei Fedorov is getting his number retired tonight. Absolutely fabulous hockey player. His story is free on tubi tv..The Russian 5. Great story !

https://x.com/woodwardsports/status/2010732413052395598?s=20

Moldovan leader-
“Maia Sandu publicly stated for the first time that she would support reunification with Romania if a referendum were to take place on this matter.
Maia Sandu granted an extensive interview to British journalists Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, conducted in Chișinău.”
https://spotmedia.ro/en/news/politics/maia-sandu-says-she-would-vote-for-moldovas-union-with-romania-in-a-referendum

Keep away from that ‘prince’ Mr. President.
“A country sitting atop vast reserves of oil, gas, and natural resources does not collapse into poverty by accident. When inflation devours livelihoods and public services disintegrate, the problem is not sanctions alone, nor abstract “mismanagement.” It is a ruling elite that steals, represses, and exports terror while leaving its own population destitute. That is why every so-called “livelihood protest” inevitably transforms into a political indictment. Bread leads to freedom, and freedom demands the removal of those who have looted the nation.”
https://irannewsupdate.com/news/insider/beyond-shah-and-mullahs-irans-uprising-rejects-all-forms-of-tyranny/

Within each human there is pride. The good kind.
“Another question: “Malay name but Chinese writing… We all understand, don’t think we’re stupid.”

Several commenters expressed frustration that a store using a Malay name featured predominantly Chinese text, with some calling it cultural appropriation.”
https://www.therakyatpost.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/12/this-isnt-china-kls-kampung-co-store-faces-criticism-for-prominent-chinese-text/

Time to pick the ‘new’ leader. Silence!
https://www.thevietnamese.org/2026/01/vietnamese-authorities-crack-down-on-online-dissent-ahead-of-party-congress-facebooker-hoang-thi-hong-thai-arrested-under-article-117/

https://en.vietnamplus.vn/public-expectations-grow-ahead-of-14th-national-party-congress-post335822.vnp

1/10
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-s-security-forces-stage-rehearsal-for-14th-national-party-congress-5004167.html

Will the ‘bamboo’ snap?
https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/01/10/vietnam-faces-a-strategic-crossroads-in-2026/

Marco Rubio ready to travel to Mexico to deal with the Cartels!!

Morn’n from beautiful Arizona

We should sue them.

The protestors are definitely paid, as we already suspected since 2020 or earlier.

https://substack.com/@justindeschamps/note/c-197702980

Manic Monday!

Go here to sing along: Bah Bah Baaah

https://x.com/NgocThach74/status/2010490336897024462?s=20

Good morning folks!!! Still hanging around. Got plenty of coffee left for those who need an extra dose 😊. Been spending my time fiddling and trying to avoid the rabbit hole of outrage news!🎻

Baggage worker trapped in plane prior to take off. Passengers heard a banging noise and screams 😂😂

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s12ZUZCEeNI
DD

Strategery?
“Jiang replaces Li Yongjie, who in October was named as China’s representative to the World Trade Organization, as Beijing prepares for an April visit by US President Donald Trump. At the same time, Beijing is turning its attention to pressuring Japan over remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, by leveraging its export control frameworks.”
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/china-news/article/321334/China-taps-export-controls-veteran-for-senior-trade-post-ahead-of-Trump-visit

“Trade diplomats say Beijing has upgraded the calibre of its negotiators since Trump first targeted China during that previous term in the White House, with some believing that China may now hold the upper hand at the negotiating table.”
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-taps-export-controls-veteran-senior-trade-post-ahead-trump-visit-2026-01-12/

Good morning all. Its a new week and the sun is out. That is a rare occurrence in January in Michigan, believe me!

Zohran Mamdani’s family tree

https://x.com/SoveyX/status/2010418563878912289?s=20

Thanks to The Patriarchy and its electronic banking systems, good communist Rene Goods ‘wife ‘ is now a millionaire.
After this example of selflessness I’m sure that more communist will ‘help’ their Life Partners become Good Communist too.

Morning CFP ☕️☕️