Bookends of Hope

April 7, 2026

I voted this morning, which means (if you’re keeping track at home) that I live in either Georgia or Wisconsin. This year marks the 50th anniversary of my eligibility to vote, and while I don’t want to rush summer, November will not come soon enough for me. Voting is the one thing We the People can actually do to stop the idiocracy in Washington.

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Last night I watched an interview with a retired Air Force officer who talked about what constitutes a war crime. Turns out, even threats to destroy civilian infrastructure can be war crimes if the threats terrorize the general population. So threatening to bomb Iran “back to the Stones Ages” or warning Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight”—those are war crimes.

“First of all, the law of war, that’s not just international law. It’s U.S. law. And our military members are deeply trained and steeped in this law. The law of war prohibits measures of intimidation against a civilian population, including threats of violence whose primary purpose is to sow terror amongst that civilian population.” — Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham (ret.)

Video and transcript of interview: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-international-law-says-about-trumps-threats-to-bomb-irans-bridges-and-power-plants

Remember what President Never-Mind-What-I-Said-Yesterday said to the Iranian people after the first attack? “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.” Well, not if they all die tonight as he bombs them back to the Stone Age. He doesn’t seem to be at all concerned about the Iranian people anymore. Indeed, he told journalists at a press conference that he is “not at all concerned” about committing war crimes. Does he think he’s immune to prosecution for those?

If he’s negotiating with the regime, why would he issue such threats? And now he’s bombed Kharg Island again. How does this help him if he really wants to make a deal? Iran’s leadership is clearly not shaking in their boots, and President No-I-Am-Not-Losing-This-War-Not-A-War is furious that they are digging in their heels in the face of his bullying, intimidation, and threats, instead of bending to his will as he expects. This only makes him more impulsive, reckless, and dangerous. And it puts the U.S. at risk of retaliation from Iran or one of its proxies. Does he not see that?

And oh, hey, Congress, are you “not at all concerned” about any of this? Do you not think that the behavior of the Despot-in-Chief warrants an early return from recess? Mike Johnson, are you paying attention, or are you turning a blind eye so that when you do come back you can say, “I don’t know anything about it”?

Meanwhile, oh look, there’s JD at a rally in Hungary, endorsing Viktor Orbán for his fifth term as president. And JD called President Strongman-Wannabe on the phone and held the phone to the microphone so the people in attendance could here him speak in support of Orbán. Then Vance had the gall to accuse the European Union of “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that [Vance has] ever seen or ever even read about” because they are not fans of Orbán.

Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyv16lq2rp1o

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One more thing. In response to President Not-Going-to-Heaven’s gracious Easter message to the Iranian regime, Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote a thoughtful response, calling out the administration for what it is and is not.

MTG’s post: https://x.com/fmrrepmtg/status/2040789438494585175?s=46

Never ever thought I’d say this, but here I go: Amen, Marjorie.