Tensions Rise Globally and Locally - “The Sunday Political Brunch” June 22, 2025
Mark Curtis MINDSETTER™
Tensions Rise Globally and Locally - “The Sunday Political Brunch” June 22, 2025
“Israel – Iran” – Israel blames Iran for wanting to build a nuclear weapons program. Iran blames Israel for an unproven strike while Iran was negotiating a nuclear deal brokered by the Trump White House. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova says the warring sides are “millimeters” from a nuclear battle. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Trump sent her the following message Thursday: "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks." Of course, with this president, that could mean in two minutes, two hours, or two days. In short, we operate on “Trump Time” and the strikes came within just over 24 hours. According to a new Economist-YouGov Poll, 60% of Americans think the U.S. military should not intervene. Only 16% support U.S. military action, and 24% are undecided. A majority of Democrats and independents are opposed, but so too are 53 percent of the Republicans polled. I think it’s fair to say, Trump does not operate based on polling data.
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“Will We, or Won’t We?” – The number one question all week on the minds of many Americans is, “Would the U.S. get more directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran?” U.S. ships had launched anti-missile batteries to shoot down attacks aimed at Israel, so the military assistance was at a distance, until now, as the U.S. is now fully, militarily engaged. Trump had said on Truth Social, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.” Trump added. “He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.” My biggest concern right now is Iranian supported terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Be on guard, and if you see something, say something.
“More Political Violence” – The assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman (D), Minnesota, and her husband, and the wounding of State Sen. John Hoffman (D), Minnesota, and his wife, is the latest in a growing trend of political violence in the U.S. in recent years. We had the attempted murder of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband and the armed stalker outside Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home. Then, there were two assassination attempts against Donald Trump last year. This year, we saw two Israeli museum workers gunned down in the streets of Washington, D.C., and the firebombing at the governor’s mansion where Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), Pennsylvania, resides. Police say the gunman in Minnesota had a hit list with approximately 70 names. It included both Minnesota U.S. Senators and at least two members of the U.S. House. Not surprisingly, lawmakers in the nation’s capital are requesting increased security.
“Bury the Hatchet?” – At times like this, one hopes that people would set aside partisan politics and act with American civility. President Joe Biden called then-former President Donald Trump after Trump was wounded in an assassination plot last July. President Trump also called former President Biden after his cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago. No politics, just genuine kindness and concern. Fast forward to the Minnesota violence, and Trump is refusing to call Gov. Tim Walz (D) Minnesota. Trump said to Reporters on Air Force One, “I don’t really call him. He’s slick — he appointed this guy (the suspect) to a position," Trump added. "I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I’m not calling him. Why would I call him?” A spokesman for Walz said in a statement, "Governor Walz wishes that President Trump would be a President for all Americans, but this tragedy isn’t about Trump or Walz.” I think this was a lost opportunity.
“He Said, What?” – I’m sorry, social media is a minefield. Sometimes, people have no filter and click 'send' before really thinking if their comments are funny, snarky, or just plain insensitive. A case in point, days after the Minnesota shooting, Sen. Mike Lee (R) Utah posted on X a photo of the suspect in the shooting, Vance Boelter, with the caption, “This is what happens ... When Marxists don’t get their way.” Another photo of the suspect, labeled “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” is a likely reference to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, although Sen. Lee misspelled the name. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) Minnesota, whose name was on the suspect’s “hit list,” spoke directly with her colleague Sen. Lee, saying, “I told him what I’ve said publicly, that this isn’t one bit funny for my state.” After that, Lee removed the posts.
“Teach Your Spouse Media Skills” – Everyone has a cell phone video these days, so why not use it? When I attend any routine news conference or campaign announcement, there are at least a dozen people on both sides, filming cell phone videos. It’s fair game. But on Tuesday, when ICE was arresting New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, his wife Kathy was among those shooting video that got picked up by the networks and major news outlets. Lander is running for New York City Mayor and was ostensibly trying to help a migrant leave the building without adjudication. Federal agents stepped in and charged him with obstruction. It’s not unlike last week when Sen. Alex Padilla (D) California was tackled and handcuffed (then freed) following a similar incident. Call me crazy, but officeholders should not be surprised by this. On the other hand, opponents in the NYC mayor’s race thought Lander was grandstanding for the cameras, knowing it would give his struggling campaign badly needed publicity. The Democrats’ primary is this Tuesday, June 24.
"Trump Loses in Court Again" – A U.S. District Court Judge recently dismissed the Trump executive order banning gender-affirming health care in federal prisons. That could affect hundreds of prisoners who identify as transgender. Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said, "Neither the BOP (Bureau of Prisons) nor the Executive Order provides any serious explanation as to why the treatment modalities covered by the Executive Order … should be handled differently than any other mental health intervention." So, for now, things such as gender-affirming hormone treatments can continue. Critics argue that the government has no place in such matters, but the judge is asserting that all prisoners need equal access to medical care. Like the other recent Trump court battles, this case is likely to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
“On the Other Hand” – In a second transgender case the high court has handled this year, justices gave conservatives a victory. On a 6 to 3 vote, the majority ruled that a Tennessee law banning transgender care for minors was constitutional. A total of 26 states have varying restrictions on what healthcare procedures can be administered to transgender children under the age of 18. Given the Supreme Court ruling, more states could follow suit. The Human Rights Campaign estimates there are 300,000 transgender youth in the ages of 13 to 17. In a country of 340 million people, that amounts to .0009 percent of the population.
“Social Insecurity” – By contrast, 71.6 million Americans (including me) collect Social Security benefits every month. A new report from the Social Security Administration states that unless Congress acts, benefit checks will need to be reduced starting in 2034. The beneficiaries represent 21 percent of the U.S. population. I’m not minimizing the seriousness of issues to the transgender community, but what I am questioning are the priorities of our government. We have a problem that is being addressed, affecting 0.0009 percent of the population, and inaction on something that affects 21 percent of all citizens. Where are the priorities?
I want to thank all my readers for their support. I am excited to tell you I will be inducted into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame on October 14, 2025. I am blessed!