Lots to Catch up On - 14 April
It’s been a wild few weeks since I last posted here, but trust me—I haven’t exactly been quiet. I’ve been all over my own Facebook page with daily rundowns, digging into what’s actually happening, doing the research, and trying to sprinkle in some humor (even though, let’s be real, none of this is actually funny).
Today was out of the ordinary for me—I posted twice. I usually try to avoid double-posting because, honestly, it can get overwhelming. But there’s just so much going on, I couldn’t help myself. You’ll see the most recent update below, and the one before that was just a few hours earlier. I have a feeling there’s a lot more coming, because I’m pretty fired up about all of this. Buckle up!
Jenny
One more post that needs attention - as a Vet, this really bothers me that they chose to go after him. Yes, he committed a crime - however, he served his time and was released...yet now he's about to be disappeared.
Jose Barco’s story is a stark illustration of the tangled intersection between military service, mental health, and America’s current immigration crackdown. Born in Venezuela to Cuban parents fleeing political persecution, Barco moved to the U.S. at age 4 and grew up in Miami. He enlisted in the Army at 17, served two combat tours in Iraq with Fort Carson’s 1st Battalion, 506th Regiment, and was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded by a car bomb. Like many in his unit, Barco returned home with severe trauma—diagnosed later as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD—but, as his wife Tia notes, he received little meaningful treatment, just “medications thrown at them.”
Between tours, Barco applied for U.S. citizenship with help from his commanding officer, but his application was lost in the system and never processed. In 2009, after a violent incident at a Colorado Springs house party—where he fired a gun and injured a pregnant woman—Barco was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 52 years in prison. He served 15 years, earning parole for good behavior, teaching English and math to fellow inmates.
Upon his release in January 2025, instead of reuniting with his wife and daughter, Barco was immediately detained by ICE. Despite having lived in the U.S. for 35 years, he is not a citizen, and his conviction bars him from naturalization. ICE attempted to deport him to Venezuela, but Venezuelan authorities refused him entry, questioning the authenticity of his birth certificate. He was returned to U.S. custody and has since been shuffled between multiple detention centers in Colorado and Texas, effectively stateless and in limbo.
Barco’s case is emblematic of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, which have included mass deportations—even of veterans and legal residents. The administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used law from 1798, to justify deporting Venezuelan nationals, sometimes sending them to notorious prisons in El Salvador if their home countries refuse them. Barco’s supporters, including fellow veterans and his wife, are advocating for a pardon from Colorado’s governor, which could allow him to reapply for citizenship and receive the mental health care he needs in the U.S.
Barco’s story has drawn national attention as a tragic example of how bureaucratic failures, lack of mental health support for veterans, and hardline immigration enforcement can combine to leave even decorated soldiers abandoned by the country they served. As of April 2025, Barco remains in ICE custody, with his future—and his family’s—uncertain.
Go Cause Good Trouble, with your Elbows up.
What happened today – 13 April 2025
Market Update: Are We Headed for a Recession or Depression?
Well, the market’s been about as stable as Trump’s Twitter account at 3 a.m. J.P. Morgan just bumped the odds of a U.S. and global recession to 60%—that’s right, 60%—thanks to Trump’s tariffs spooking business confidence and slowing growth. S&P Global and Goldman Sachs are also raising their recession alarms, with the S&P 500 down over 8% year-to-date. So, if you’re feeling like your 401(k) is on a rollercoaster, you’re not alone…it may even go OFF the RAILS.
The market closed higher today after a wild, choppy session that saw investors riding the rollercoaster of Trump’s surprise tariff exemptions. The Dow Jones finished up 312 points (0.8%), the S&P 500 rose 0.8%, and the Nasdaq gained 0.6%—all bouncing back as tech stocks like Apple surged on news that smartphones, computers, and semiconductors would be spared from the latest round of tariffs. Apple even saw its market cap climb back above $3 trillion. Still, the day wasn’t all smooth sailing: all three indexes briefly dipped below the flatline as traders tried to make sense of the ever-changing trade war headlines. Bottom line: tech stocks led the charge, the market ended solidly in the green, but volatility and confusion are still the name of the game
Tariff updates
Let’s talk about those tariff exemptions—because, surprise, surprise, they’re not for you or me. Apple is the big winner here, getting a golden ticket to keep importing iPhones and laptops from China without paying the sky-high 125% tariff Trump slapped on everyone else. The exemption list reads like a tech CEO’s Christmas wish: smartphones, computers, semiconductors, you name it. Meanwhile, regular folks and small businesses are still getting hammered with higher prices on everything else, because unless you’re Tim Cook, you’re not on the guest list. And just to make things extra spicy, China’s now got us at a 125% tariff on all U.S. goods—up from 84%—which means American farmers and manufacturers are basically locked out of the Chinese market. So, while Trump’s busy handing out favors to the Fortune 500, the rest of us are left holding the bag. If you think you’re safe from the fallout, just remember: in Trump’s America, you could be next to get hit with the bill—or even deported, if you’re not careful.
Just to remind you… Trump swore up and down that he wasn’t going to change any tariffs—he even called reports of a pause “fake news.” But, true to form, as soon as the markets started tanking and businesses began to panic, he did a complete about-face. Suddenly, he’s all about “flexibility,” announcing a 90-day pause and dropping tariffs to 10% for most countries—except China, which got slammed with a 125% tariff. When called out on the flip-flop, he gave some nonsense about going “around the wall, under the wall, or over the wall.” Translation: he changed his mind the second it made him look bad, not because he cares about you, me, or anyone else. In Trump’s world, the only thing you can count on is chaos—and the fact that he’s always looking out for himself, not the rest of us.
Trump Approval Ratings as of April 14
Trump’s approval ratings are dropping faster than his patience at a press conference. The latest poll from a Republican-leaning firm puts him at 49% approval and 48% disapproval, but other polls show even lower numbers—Quinnipiac has him at 41% approval and 53% disapproval, which is a record low for his second term. Maybe people are finally catching on that he cares about as much for the average American as he does for a salad.
Where is Garcia? The El Salvador Saga
Remember Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador? Even El Salvador’s President Bukele said, “How can I send him back to the United States? Am I supposed to smuggle him in?”—and then flat-out refused to return him. Trump, meanwhile, used the moment to attack CNN instead of addressing the actual issue. Garcia, who’s never been charged with a crime, is stuck in a Salvadoran prison because of an “administrative error.” The Supreme Court called his deportation illegal, but the administration still can’t get its act together. And yes, the administration is now considering deporting American citizens—so if you thought you were safe, think again. “Home-Growns are next,” was reportedly picked up on a hot mic from Trump to El Salvador leader. Oh, like you and me – “Us, homegrowns?” Yes, us—any of us.
Trump’s Physical: Height, Weight, and the 4.8% Body Fat Fantasy
Trump’s latest physical claims he has 4.8% body fat. I work out every day and KNOW I eat healthier then Trump and I don’t have anywhere near a 4.8% body fat—unless you count my left arm. He also claims to have gotten the “highest mark” on his cognitive test, but can’t seem to remember what’s on it. Did you draw pictures dude, did you see pictures, did you have to spell…like wow, the HIGHEST – you sounds like a literal idiot.
Balmer, Shapiro, and Afghanistan: Whose Mess Is It Anyway?
Balmer’s plan to “beat Shapiro with a hammer” is about as subtle as a Trump tweet. And let’s not forget: it was Trump who mandated the pullout from Afghanistan. Biden inherited the chaos, but Trump keeps blaming him for the mess he started. Balmer, meanwhile, has been trashing Biden online since 2021, posting memes like “Get in, loser. We’re leaving Afghanistan,” then “*Drives off without you*.” Classy.
Harvard Rejects Trump’s Demands
Harvard just told Trump to take his demands and shove them, refusing to accept policy changes tied to nearly $9 billion in federal funding. President Alan Garber said, “The University will not negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights.” That’s what standing up to a bully looks like.
Deporting American Citizens: Yes, It’s Happening
At least seven U.S. citizens have been detained or deported by the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. One man in Chicago was detained despite showing his Social Security card. A family rushing their U.S. citizen daughter to the hospital was deported to Mexico. A Virginia man was surrounded by armed officials because they thought he was someone else. If you think you’re safe, think again—Trump’s policies don’t care about your passport.
Trump vs. CNN: “They Hate Our Country!”
When pressed about Garcia’s case, Trump lashed out at CNN, saying, “They hate our country!” CNN anchor Dana Bash had to cut in live to clarify, “CNN does not hate our country.” Trump’s go-to move: attack the press instead of answering real questions.
Trump’s Response to Russia’s Attack on Sumy
After Russia’s missile strike on Sumy killed 34 people, Trump called it “an error” and a “terrible occurrence,” but stopped short of criticizing Putin. His administration officials were more direct, but Trump’s reluctance to call out Russia is as obvious as his face paint.
Trump’s False Election Claims
Still pushing the lie that he won the 2020 election, Trump blames everyone but himself for his loss. If denial was an Olympic sport, he’d have more gold than his bathroom fixtures.
Trump Cares About… Trump
If you’re still wondering if Trump cares about you, just look at his record: wrongful deportations, attacks on the press, blaming everyone else for his mistakes, and policies that put even citizens at risk. The truth is, Trump cares about Trump. The rest of us? We’re just extras in his reality show—and you could be next to get voted off the island.
Trump certainly doesn’t care about North Carolina
People in North Carolina are absolutely livid after FEMA denied the state’s request for an extension on 100% disaster reimbursement, and the anger only grew over the weekend. Governor Josh Stein was out in western North Carolina meeting with families still living in temporary housing, and he didn’t hold back—calling the decision “a slap in the face” to communities still digging out from Hurricane Helene. Local officials spent the weekend scrambling to find emergency funds, while residents put up new signs along highways demanding federal help and vented their frustration at town hall meetings. Social media lit up with stories of families still waiting for debris removal and basic repairs, and even some Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in blasting the administration for leaving North Carolinians high and dry. The mood? Pure outrage, with people feeling abandoned and warning that if this is how disaster recovery works now, nobody’s safe—not even if you’re next in line.
Trump’s policies and actions show he cares nothing about ordinary Americans. If you think you’re safe, just remember: in Trump’s America, anyone could be next.
On a different note – this weekend I finished a book called Careless People – A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. It’s basically a front-row seat to the dumpster fire that is Facebook’s leadership, with Sarah Wynn-Williams spilling the tea on how a handful of privileged, clueless execs—think Zuckerberg and Sandberg—make world-shaking decisions without a second thought for the rest of us. The book’s theme is all about the dangers of unchecked power and the moral rot that sets in when tech elites start thinking they’re untouchable. Wynn-Williams doesn’t just point fingers; she owns up to her own blind spots, but she’s got the receipts—emails, timelines, and enough jaw-dropping stories to make you want to delete your account twice. Sure, it’s her perspective, but reviewers agree it’s a well-documented, credible look at how the people running the show are the last ones cleaning up the mess. Bottom line: it’s a cautionary tale that’s as factual as it is infuriating, and a reminder that when the powerful stop caring, the rest of us are left holding the bag. At this point I just consider that anything I post will be reviewed and possibly flagged – but guess what ZUCK…this is called Free Speech. Change your algorithms all you want…I’ll still find ways to get this as far and as wide as I can.
There was no press briefing today…so I don’t know if Karoline has her cross on. Maybe she spent the day shopping for a more bigly one today.
Please continue to spread truth, feel free to share this anywhere – I am looking at ways to drive this away from my personal account because I’d like to get back to posting about photography, dogs, gatherings, cycling…like life, but will keep you updated. Also have some contributing writers that will be added as we transition that makes me super excited.
Go Cause Good Trouble, with Your Elbows Up!
**These are facts that I researched and verified – AI helped put together some sentence structure, but the words and tone are mine. These are my views based upon facts, research and thoughtful consideration using logic. I own the copyright to this image, which signifies that I’m comfortable to stand alone to uphold truth. Feel free to check me, but do not attack me. I am only causing good trouble.**