On 4-29-26, the Washington Post penned the article, "Trump greets King Charles at White House, hails U.S.-U.K. friendship", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Early Tuesday, Trump declared on social media that “I’ve always wanted to live in Buckingham Palace!!!”

That sounds like a declaration from the cheap seats and does nothing but continue to cause me embarrassment for our Republican party's representation of our Republic.

       On 4-14-26, the Washington Post penned a contribution: "Opinion | The Justice Department’s position on presidential papers is astounding", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Let us recall why the DOJ's opinion is unremarkable. The law as written had decades of precedent involving past Presidents which have never challenged the laws meaning or application. An opinion from a mere lawyer at the Department of Justice at this time is just that. An opinion. Until that lawyer wears a black robe and handles a gavel of judicial authority their opinion is just an opinion and carries no more authority than an opinion from you or me. Why WAPO doesn't opine that fact of law to show the Trump administration's resident incompetency brings into question their journalistic obligation to keep the public informed, rather than giving legitimacy to the Trump lack of governance ability. But I thank them for not leading the article with still another pic of Trump or his collection of Dunces.

      On 4-7-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "How a little-known contractor helped direct operations at FEMA for a year", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Hardly a day goes by without new discoveries of corruption and incompetence in the Trump run administration. While an impotent Congress sits on its hands, a Trump pocketed Supreme Court dishes up excused judgments (not thought-provoking interpretations of Constitutional law), and A biased and non-independent Department of Justice chases political foes (that are US citizens) for retribution sans justice. Trump is truly taking our government in a head-long crash to an “Evil Empire”. I for one citizen cannot remain silent any longer.

       On 4-5-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Trump threatens Iran with ‘Hell’ over Strait of Hormuz in profane post", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"...a crude and expletive-ladened post on Truth Social..." I guess that was necessary because the President ran out of diplomatic reasoning to justify his little ego-driven war. His claims of getting rid of this illegal regime aren't being reflected in the continuing air and missile strikes that seem to continuously count civilian deaths. The same game Putin plays in Ukraine that has earned him an outstanding warrant for war crimes by the Hauge.

        On 4-1-26, (April Fool's Day), the Washington Post penned an article that: "Trump says he plans to attend Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

What a horrible example of a morally corrupt and inelegantly unequipped spectator to have in the courtroom of our governments' ultimate legal representatives. What do you want to bet that he's just there to make with the intimidating stare.  (And as a footnote, it was noted that Trump showed up at 10:00 AM and left at 11:10 AM just as the ACLU was starting its arguments for the birthright decision)

       On 3-25-26, the Washington Post penned the article that: "White House’s Iran memes horrify many veterans of U.S. wars", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

A president seeking war authorization SHOULD lay out the reasons for action and spell out his objectives. Trump failed to do either. Our ego driven and delusional president has taken us to war all on his own. Trump gives us every reason not to trust him yet demands unrepentant loyalty. He's turning our military defense forces into the same type of administration enforcement arm he created with the ICE thugs, only with a bigger mission.

       On 3-22-26, a Meta (Facebook) posting expressing displeasure with President Trump's remarks about the recent death of Robert Muller resulted in the following remark from the Enlighted Prisoner,

Trump's unhinged and petty remarks about the passing of Robert Muller that were expressed on the "Truth (Un)Social" social media platform, a business that is owned by the Trump organization and one that pays him for his use of it, truly represent what an unethical and totally vindictive mean-spirited individual he is. His record of actions disgracing the Constitutional duties and protocols for the elected office of President by abuse and misuse is only exceeded by the inactions of the elected members of Congress who refuse to hold him, his Administration and his Cabinet in Constitutional accountability. A duty which Congress has abandoned but is being pursued by our Judicial Branch, an independent Constitutional authority for the legal administration of our government.

        On 3-19-26, the Washington Post penned the article: "Trump threatens to blow up major Iranian gas field as energy prices soar higher", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Maybe it's time for a historical reminder. Remember the Berlin wall coming down? It was the poster event that announced the destruction of Russian's Communist government. The public perception was the failure of communisms' ideology when the actual cause was economic disaster. That's right, the arms race between the US and Russia had bankrupted the Russian economy. It was the later discoveries of Russia's vast oil and gas reserves that brought the country back and Putin's regime that created Russia's Oligarchy fussed totalitarian government.

Now, fast forward to the strategy being used to force the US into these expensive incursion wars that's rapidly burning up our military resources and the huge amounts of money going to our military Industrial complex to replenish those resources. Just thought I'd point out something overlooked about history effects.

       On 3-19-26, the Washington Post penned the article: "Drones over base where Rubio, Hegseth live raise security concerns", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

This report was made for show and lacks substantive basis. No definitive evidence was offered to establish its authentication as threating. This is an example of WAPO adherence to the administration's gaslighting campaign and an example of appeasement reporting and the shame of compromised media.

       On 3-17-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Judge reinstates 1,000 Voice of America employees, deems firings illegal", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Public opinion is in and reports, this is the most cruel and arrogant administration to ever run our government. But bad as that is, his first and now this Trump administration owns the title of most incompetent. And it's unfortunate we need wait for an election to punish an even more incompetent Congress.

       On 3-15-26, the Washington Post penned an article that the "FCC chief threatens broadcasters as Trump criticizes coverage of Iran war", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

How rude and empty WAPO's coverage of news has become. The President gives a typical childish truth social network rant that shouldn't pass community guidelines, and you chose to make a headline story that does nothing but add to his list of embarrassing displays of communication incompetency.

I'd preferer to hear the intelligent wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King included in your story who said, "It is immoral to seek the humiliation of an opponent rather than win his understanding."

But an immoral President is what our money infused elites bought for us, isn't it.

       On 3-14-26, the Washington Post penned the article: "Trump says U.S. bombed Kharg Island, striking core of Iran’s oil economy", and on that date the Enlighted Prisoner responded thus:

Remember the "Pentagon Papers"? Those, (that a government employee snuck out to the media), that represented an analyzed evaluation by qualified people in the Pentagon. They said the US cannot affect a regime change nor win a costly ground battle to change the Communist government of Vietnam. The Republican administration, (of Richard Nixon), was forced to admit their own military and civilian advisors advised against warfare they couldn't win. But the Nixon folk kept the report secret and started one of the most prolonged and unpopular wars in our history. In fact, the Vietnam war was a huge expensive affair that started the national debt we have today. Well, the critical thinkers in the Pentagon also said the same thing about our "incursion", (War is such an untidy term), into Iran. And further that "incursions" into Venezuela and Cuba would also not result in regime change. But our President is mad because none of those "incursion" countries talk nice about him. And we're paying for his hissy-fit?

       On 3-10-26, the Washington Post penned, (upon discovering) that now: "Pentagon says about 140 troops injured in war with Iran, 8 severely", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The corruption of this administration has no boundaries. And frankly owns a huge national attitude for lack of confidence. What a time to have an impotent Congress.

       On 3-9-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "A wartime presidency defined by Trump’s unique political style", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

"But he has also found space to post on Truth Social eight times about a dispute with comedian and talk-show host Bill Maher, whom he declared was a “highly overrated lightweight,” joke with Latin American leaders about whether to charge money for his endorsement in their races, and opine on the physical attraction of the star soccer player Lionel Messi and the entire Inter Miami championship team." (Quoted from the Birnbaum essay.)

Sounds like the moves of a wartime President?  Nay, sounds more like the same old unhinged war-lord mentality we've come to expect from Trump's addled mind.

       On 3-7-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "DHS feeds talking points to Republicans as opposition to ICE warehouses swells", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

It’s time to “follow the money” on just who benefits from the purchase of these abandoned warehouse properties. And let’s hear about the lack of public or Congressional oversight for determining why the purchase was necessary, (do we really intent on maintaining these properties for long-term housing of who?), and the intent to create a work force to man & maintain them?

       The Washington Post penned an article that the: "Long-delayed Jan. 6 plaque honoring police quietly erected overnight at Capitol", and the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

An absolute shame on you Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, an absolute shame. You own this disgusting delay Mr. Speaker and the discourteous respect it represents to our law enforcement community.

       On 3-7-26, the Washington Post penned an article about the "DHS feeds talking points to Republicans as opposition to ICE warehouses swells", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

It’s time to “follow the money” on just who benefits from the purchase of these abandoned warehouse properties. And let’s hear about the lack of public or Congressional oversight for determining why the purchase was necessary, (do we really intent on maintaining these properties for long-term housing of who?), and the intent to create a work force to man & maintain them?

        On 3-6-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Most Americans think their fellow citizens are bad people, survey says," and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

This is scary. We have now been presented with factual evidence of how our political theatre has changed our society's social attitudes towards one another. The fact that we have sunk that low is cause enough to condemn our wealth inequity as causation. Afterall, it is those who control our social media and news sources that feed the fear that we're victims of a lower class, not the upper.

        On -3-2-26, the Washington Post published the poll results of: "We texted 1,000 Americans about U.S. strikes in Iran. Here’s what they said." And on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The entire resources of our country are being used by a wanabe King to enforce his whims of power politics when the nations very infrastructure, economy, wealth distribution, mental and physical medical services and representative government actions are in the tank and you WAPO, published the irrelevant results of a poll for gaging Trump's follies. Just how distracted are you from your obligations to your readers? Now we know.

       On 2-28-26, the Washington Post penned the article on the sudden Israeli/US military assault on Iran, "Trump: ‘Freedom’ for Iran is goal of ‘major military operation’, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

A dirty rotten old man who admits he has no need of our nation's military except to enforce the power-driven whims of his self-serving agenda just sent (without permission of our elected representatives) the youth of our nation in harm's way. You know, the one who dodged military service when of age himself and who has been convicted by a jury of his peers for 30 some counts of fraud in his US business practices. What a mess he and his minions have made of our country's legacy.

       On 2-14-26, the Washington Post penned an article about: "What are your thoughts on President Trump's decision to hold a campaign-style rally at a military base, considering the tradition of keeping the armed forces separate from partisan politics?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

No message carries a louder sound bite than finding out that Trump had to beg for applause before a captive audience of Constitution warriors gathered to hear his campaign speech at a military base. Why would the President be exempt from the law that makes this an illegal act by public servants.  His reign proves his abilities lack Presidential performance, so why not public servant status?

      On 2-14-26, the Washington Post penned the article: "How do you think Don Lemon's arrest has impacted his career and public perception?" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The actions of Trump and his micro-managed administration are clearly on the table of actions against this licensed and experience journalist.  These repeat offenses to protect the dissenting into hell reputation of the unqualified Trump for his disregard of our Constitution and its laws is impeachable.  Action is required before mid-terms because it will be the primary grounds for candidate voting preference.   

       On 2-11-26, Attorney General Pam Bondi gave sworn testimony to a Congressional Committee looking into the somewhat released records of Jeffrey Epstein and of that testimony the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

I cannot think of anything so incriminating of Pam Bondi's tenure as Attorney General of the US than her own testimony before Congress that it's her job to serve the interests and agenda of the President, not the Constitution that her oath of office pledged. Grounds for impeachment?

        On 2-10-26, the Washington Post penned an article of: "What are your thoughts on the bipartisan calls for an independent investigation into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"Lyons, (the designated director of ICE operations), said ICE has made 379,000 arrests in the first year of Trump’s administration, a figure that he said included 7,000 suspected gang members and more than 14,000 “known or suspected terrorists” — although he did not define who is given that designation. Federal data has shown that the majority of people who have been arrested do not have criminal convictions." (Quoted from the article.)

And here again, no reliable source cited for accountability. So, we pad the numbers that make us look the best??? And let the numbers speak for themself because we have no one we report to except ourselves?  Talk about fraud at the federal government level, it has now been written into the Congressional Record.

      On 2-3-26, the Washington Post penned an investigative report of: "How do you feel about the use of administrative subpoenas by federal agencies without judicial oversight, as described in Jon's experience?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

The angst I felt when reading this WAPO investigative report was absolute. But in considering the intent and effect on the national conscious that its content may inspire I must expend lofty praise to the writers and the editorial staff responsible for its print.  It represents what an unfettered press can do for our collective wisdom at this time of threat to the nation we've all come to love and respect.  Not the ugliness and disrespect for the rights and opportunities for all this administration choses to deny to those it considers, "not like us".  Keep up this type of good work WAPO. 

       On 2-1-26, the Washington Post penned an article for: "What are your thoughts on President Trump's approach to humor during the Alfalfa Club dinner, as described in the article?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

“If they start yelling, spitting in people’s faces, punching our people, punching our soldiers, our patriots, they will get taken care of in at least an equal way,” he said.  (Trump's comment at the Alfalfa Club dinner in Washington, DC)

Please note citizens, his reference to the ICE agents of chaos and abuse of citizen rights in his campaign against our communities and their people.  He calls them "our soldiers".  There you have it.  Our rouge and deraigned country's leadership has unleashed his private army upon citizens expressing strong disagreements with this administration's illegal tactics to instead suppress dissention which we were led to believe otherwise for their intent.  Be wary citizens.  Your country is being dismantled for the purpose of MAGA cult's attempt to remake it in their image plan. 

       On 1-26-26, the Washington Post penned an editorial for: "How do you think the lack of accountability for federal officers impacts public trust in law enforcement?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"Our moral failure lies in the frailty of our vision and not in our hearts.  Our undoing is in our collective willingness to trust those whom we shouldn't, those who invariable used our best instincts against us."  (Quoted from the Epilogue of James Lee Burke's book "Crusader's Cross.)

Maybe there's something more mortal than accountability that is the causation for lack of public trust in law enforcement.  Maybe we have government leadership that undermines the sources of accountability being kept from the discovery of sunshine.  Maybe the media is remiss in the task of keeping the public informed for needed expansion of their thought process, eh? 

       On 1-25-26, the Washington Post penned an article for: "What are your thoughts on the actions of the federal agents during the incident involving Alex Pretti in Minneapolis?", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

And why is this unorganized militia even hanging around streets after the fact of arrests? There's no reason why they can't leave and let civil authorities deal with civil protesters. There's seems to be a motive to promote angst and incite reaction. They're not on federal property or in the act of protecting any fellow agents. They're a lawless posse gone amok.

       On 1-22-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Trump sues JPMorgan, Jamie Dimon over cutting off banking access", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner commented thus:

What about the "rest of the story" WAPO? Why no investigative effort to assure US citizens, (I'm sure there's a lot more fans of Jamie Dimon out there than just me), that no income tax-paid assistance was given Trump in this frivolous endeavor. And, if Jamie succeeds in putting this evil litigation to rest, will we get front page coverage on that? Will we hear that as loser Trump must pay for Jamie's lawyer expenses and that the court decision is available for public inspection? After all, the President spent time putting this suit together while his salary was being paid by the public, right?

       On 1-21-26, the Reuters news reported that US Solicitor D. John Sauer used this argument for the Trump administration's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her post.  The argument was being made before the US Supreme Court.

"The American people should not have their interest rates determined by someone who was, at best, grossly negligent in obtaining favorable interest rates for herself," Sauer said. 

To that the Enlightened Prisoner who seeks and exposes the most ironic happenings found in our daily lives responded:  That's the argument used by the US Solicitor General?  When the President, Donald Trump, was convicted by a jury in May of 2024 at a New York state court of 32 counts of felony fraud which include falsifying business records to obtain favorable loans or lower tax rates on properties.

Or, that President Trump recently pardoned Brooklyn real estate manager Jacob Deutsch who plead guilty in 2022 for receiving $50 million in loans for overstating the value of his apartment buildings.  Oh my, does not that reek of irony?

       And again on 1-19-26, the Washington Post penned another article for Trump's continued performance as our Statesman, "Europeans see alliance at risk as Trump stokes trade war over Greenland", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Here it is folks, continuing evidence of Trump's unhinged buffoonery as an incompetent Statesman representative the good old US of A.

       On 1-19-26, the Washington Post penned the article: "Trump plans to charge $1 billion for permanent seat on ‘Board of Peace’", and on the date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

Well, it you were awaiting further proof of President Trump's continuing buffoonery as a statesman, it just arrived.

      On 1-18-26, the one-year anniversary of Trump's inauguration and a period of extreme unrest in the country, the Enlighted Prisoner states the following:     

If you're beginning to realize the country's in trouble, blame Trump.  He has been the catalyst, the cause and his entire rhetoric is the blame for insurrection in these United States.  An Impeachment for that cause and effect is long overdue. 

 He is attempting to eradicate the very standards of the Constitution.  That standard being that it is a joined Republic to uphold the rights and justice of those it governs and not install the power of one to operate it independently.  

That type of government exists in those countries lead by communistic and extreme religious standards.  And that's not our cup of tea.  A concerned citizen. 

       On 1-15-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Native Americans are being swept up by ICE in Minneapolis, tribes say" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

My Gawd, we don't have a trained and educated cadre of Immigration agents (no, they are not law enforcement officers) effecting the round up of thieves, rapists and murders in our country. We have an unorganized militia of racist thugs, intent on physical control to kidnap and detain anyone who looks the least like their vision of an American citizen, or not. This ICE fiasco is fortifying a message to the rest of the world of how far the US ineptness has fallen on the scale of being a nation for domestic security, economic opportunity and justice. We're badly in need of elected officials with a conscious, post haste.

(No AI assist was used in creation of this essay, maybe a little spell check.)

     On 1-13-26, the Enlightened Prisoner found a Facebook entry that bears repeating.  It was taken from a US Military booklet (published during World War II, Circ. 1944) that was made available to all US troops in a guide on how to recognize a fascist movement.       

The War Department thought it was important for Americans to understand the tactics fascists would use to take power in the United States. They would try to gain power “under the guise of ‘super-patriotism’ and ‘super-Americanism.’” And they would use three techniques:

First, they would pit religious, racial, and economic groups against one another to break down national unity. Part of that effort to divide and conquer would be a “well-planned ‘hate campaign’ against minority races, religions, and other groups.”

Second, they would deny any need for international cooperation, because that would fly in the face of their insistence that their supporters were better than everyone else. “In place of international cooperation, the fascists seek to substitute a perverted sort of ultra-nationalism which tells their people that they are the only people in the world who count. With this goes hatred and suspicion toward the people of all other nations.”

Third, fascists would insist that “the world has but two choices—either fascism or communism, and they label as ‘communists’ everyone who refuses to support them.”

       On 1-12-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "Trump is trying to change how the midterm elections are conducted", and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus: 

Over 30 civil suits filed by Republican aligned groups were considered by our 3rd Branch of Government, (the Judiciary), after voting was certified in the 2020 presidential election. They all claimed that some form of illegality was involved to cause Trump's defeat. Not one of them was found to have merit. Yet here comes another election and the Republican MEGA radicals are already in full court press to try again at subverting election rules or standards to influence the mid-term elections. Why? Because Dear Leader is in chronic fear of the accountability that a Democratic Congressional majority will use to hold him up to the light. 

In the 2024 presidential election 89 million, (or roughly 36%), of US registered voters failed to cast votes. Trump's bully tactics are at work hopefully to keep those numbers even higher. Come on folks, it's time to say this is not the way we want the country run.

      On 1-11-26, the Washington Post penned an article that: "More federal agents headed for Minneapolis as finger pointing over shooting continues, and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

"No people on earth can be held, as a people, to be an enemy, for all humanity shares the common hunger for peace, fellowship and justice." Dwight D. Eisenhower (former 5 Star General of the Army and a Republican President who served 2 terms.)

       On 1-7-26, after a woman in Minneapolis was shot and killed in the car by an ICE officer and in the aftermath, this was our President's response to the incident.  To which the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:  

“We need to stand by and protect our Law Enforcement Officers from this Radical Left Movement of Violence and Hate!”  (This was taken from a Truth Social post by President Donald Trump)

Ironic isn't it.  The man who by action and word drove the scenario that resulted in the insurrection at the capital on Jan. 6th, 2021.  The same guy who implied to the Radical Right Movement of Violence and Hate that his Vice President and the House Speaker were fair targets for causing his defeat by a rigged election.  The same guy who went to a private room to watch the happenings on TV and ignore pleas to quiet the crowd or get more help for the overwhelmed Capital Police.  

        on 1-4-26, Washington Post columnist George Will penned the opinion "Trump goes monster-hunting, untainted by a whiff of legality" and on that date the Enlightened Prisoner responded thus:

As Bishop Joseph Butler (1692-1752) said, “Everything is what it is, and not another thing.” Narcotics trafficking is a serious crime. It is not a terrorist activity. Neither is the "self-poisoning” of Americans who ingest drugs.  (Quotes the article)

And so it goes, still another misrepresentation by our President of the world we live within.