Understanding the US - Again

[A_Gupta]

Deutsch Bank pressure index, as reported by Axios.
https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/trump-stocks-gas-index

How it works: Maximilian Uleer, a strategist at Deutsche Bank, came up with a "pressure index" that considers the one-month change in Trump's approval ratings, stock market performance and whether people and bond markets are expecting higher inflation.

Where it stands: The index is higher now than it was even during "Liberation Day," when the S&P 500 tumbled on the announcement of huge tariffs on basically every country in the world.

[A_Gupta]

Drones over mainland US bases???
https://abcnews.com/International/multi ... =131245527

[uddu]

Will Donald Trump Change 250 Years of US Exceptionalism? • Prof RV
Is the United States at a historic turning point? For over 250 years, American exceptionalism has shaped global politics, economics, and military power. But with Donald Trump back at the center of global decision-making, is that doctrine under threat—or evolving into something new?

In this discussion, Prof RV analyzes whether Trump’s policies—on trade, alliances, military intervention, and global leadership—signal a break from traditional US exceptionalism or a redefinition of it.

Key questions covered:

What is US exceptionalism and how did it shape global order?
Is Trump dismantling or redefining America’s global role?
How do tariffs, NATO tensions, and Middle East policy fit into this shift?
What does this mean for allies like India and Europe?
Is the world moving toward multipolarity faster than expected?

[A_Gupta]

Trump wants to rename the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Trump.

[A_Gupta]

Trump: I hang out with losers because it makes me feel better. I hate guys that are very, very successful and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people that like to listen to my success.

[g.sarkar]

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/call ... 260328.htm
Call was between...: India on Musk joining Trump-Modi call claim
Hemant Waje, March 28, 2026
India has officially refuted claims that Elon Musk was involved in a recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.
India on Saturday rejected a media report that said billionaire Elon Musk joined a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Tuesday's conversation was between the two leaders only.
The New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials, reported that Musk participated in the call between Trump and Modi, adding it was an "unusual appearance" by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state.
"We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on March 24 was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only," Jaiswal said.
"As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," he said.
.......
Gautam

[Tanaji]

NY Times just making up news now? Must be a day ending with day…

[krisna]

This following may help explain why the US is in such deep doo-doo.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/20 ... rally-bad/

Interesting quote from the article of pew research

Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic Party are much more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to rate fellow Americans as morally and ethically bad (60% vs. 46%). And previous research has shown that rising numbers of both Republicans and Democrats say people in the other party are immoral.

[uddu]

The leftists' Jihadi's hold on U.S is tightening.
https://x.com/MeghUpdates/status/2038067870727655913
@MeghUpdates
BREAKING :

Historic protests against Trump across the United States; more than 9 million americans across all 50 states out on street calling to end Trump madness.

"No to monarchy, no to extremism, no to wars, our forces are not for sale."

[uddu]

https://x.com/PoisonOfChoice/status/2037579094079242441
@PoisonOfChoice
Hacked an Indian dude's mail and found only wacky travel pics. Nothing creepy or scandalous. W for Kashyap.

https://x.com/IntCyberDigest/status/2037543795265274179
@IntCyberDigest
BREAKING: FBI Director Kash Patel's Gmail account was hacked
by Iranian nation-state hackers.

They have published his entire inbox, including mails on his home in India, private life, personal data, business dealings and travel history (Havana, Cuba!).

[A_Gupta]

The No Kings movement’s core message—"No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings"—asserts that no American president should act as a monarch.

[vera_k]

They can protest the Supreme Court immunity decisions of course. Buts its a fundamental feature/flaw of the US constitution to separate the executive from the legislature to allow the president to take independent action. I wonder if this was a setup that worked best while the US was not a great power and mostly focused on domestic issues like the Civil War.

[bala]

Tis funny how Americans think they have some control over how decisions are made in the US. The prior El Presidentes all acted on their own whims and fancy - the many wars, the uncontrolled, unbridled immigration hordes into the US, Bill Clinton turned the whitehouse into a brothel, Obummer blew up the US deficit numbers and more. The US Deep State of course is laughing behind the scenes duping the US public into believing whatever, while furthering their agenda worldwide. The agendas of Dems and Repubs are going to be at odds forever, each one protesting the other thinking it would make a difference.

[A_Gupta]

They can protest the Supreme Court immunity decisions of course. Buts its a fundamental feature/flaw of the US constitution to separate the executive from the legislature to allow the president to take independent action. I wonder if this was a setup that worked best while the US was not a great power and mostly focused on domestic issues like the Civil War.

Yes, it does seem like a Parliamentary system can respond faster and more effectively to changing conditions than this executive vs legislative split in the form that is there in the US. But Parliamentary systems need stable coalitions or majorities. I'm not sure there is any good solution.

The "grant great power, but be able to hold accountable for abuse of power" model that obtained in the US for some decades is badly broken. The Congress is toothless; and the courts rely on the executive to enforce their decisions. The President can abuse his pardon power and give immunity to any Federal official who defies court orders.

Even the Congress's power of the purse - the executive must spend money that Congress provides and only as Congress provides - itself is broken; and has been for years. The DoD accounts have been effectively unauditable for decades.

[drnayar]

They can protest the Supreme Court immunity decisions of course. Buts its a fundamental feature/flaw of the US constitution to separate the executive from the legislature to allow the president to take independent action. I wonder if this was a setup that worked best while the US was not a great power and mostly focused on domestic issues like the Civil War.

Yes, it does seem like a Parliamentary system can respond faster and more effectively to changing conditions than this executive vs legislative split in the form that is there in the US. But Parliamentary systems need stable coalitions or majorities. I'm not sure there is any good solution.

The "grant great power, but be able to hold accountable for abuse of power" model that obtained in the US for some decades is badly broken. The Congress is toothless; and the courts rely on the executive to enforce their decisions. The President can abuse his pardon power and give immunity to any Federal official who defies court orders.

Even the Congress's power of the purse - the executive must spend money that Congress provides and only as Congress provides - itself is broken; and has been for years. The DoD accounts have been effectively unauditable for decades.

Apparently no one wants to touch it..let alone mention it !!



source: https://potus-geeks.livejournal.com/472793.html

[vera_k]

The "grant great power, but be able to hold accountable for abuse of power" model that obtained in the US for some decades is badly broken. The Congress is toothless; and the courts rely on the executive to enforce their decisions. The President can abuse his pardon power and give immunity to any Federal official who defies court orders.

The Westminster system of today had a less than 100 year record when the US constitution was written. At the time, going back to the bill of rights in 1689, the world was trying to find ways to curb monarchial power. If there is now a King again, all this convoluted effort was for what exactly?

[A_Gupta]

The Westminster system of today had a less than 100 year record when the US constitution was written. At the time, going back to the bill of rights in 1689, the world was trying to find ways to curb monarchial power. If there is now a King again, all this convoluted effort was for what exactly?

There is no human created system that has not failed. Question is - is a recovery possible?

[vera_k]

In 2.5 years at most given a president is anointed for 4 years. Unless the elixir of life is found

[pravula]

The "grant great power, but be able to hold accountable for abuse of power" model that obtained in the US for some decades is badly broken. The Congress is toothless; and the courts rely on the executive to enforce their decisions. The President can abuse his pardon power and give immunity to any Federal official who defies court orders.

The Westminster system of today had a less than 100 year record when the US constitution was written. At the time, going back to the bill of rights in 1689, the world was trying to find ways to curb monarchial power. If there is now a King again, all this convoluted effort was for what exactly?

The roman's did a pretty good job (Senate controlling purse, for example) and influenced US more than the British system (after all, they were breaking from their model of governance)

[A_Gupta]

From the first issue of Spy magazine, 1986

[A_Gupta]

“ “It would take an hour and a half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles. … I think I know most of it anyway.” DJT quoted in Spy magazine, inaugural issue 1986.

^^^^ AI says: "Every time this quote has resurfaced—usually in retrospectives about Spy magazine—journalists, historians of the magazine, and the magazine’s founders themselves have treated it as authentic and undisputed. There is no counterclaim, denial, or correction from Trump, his representatives, or any contemporary source."

[drnayar]

MAGA sign: “Morons Are Governing America.”

[chetak]

कुत्ते की पूंछ टेढ़ी की टेढ़ी

America refuses support to India in case of war against Pakistan: Report

The US has also refused to isolate Pakistan diplomatically in the event of an Indo-Pak crisis.

The United States of America has conveyed to India that, despite New Delhi being a strategic partner, Washington won’t unconditionally support if a conflict breaks out against Pakistan, said a report by the Sunday Guardian. According to critics, this again underlines the fact that the US cannot be a reliable partner for India in times of military conflicts. Notably, even during Operation Sindoor, the United States had refused to back India while claiming to mediate the ceasefire. Critics say that this is one of the main reasons India chose partners like France and Russia for defence collaborations, rather than America.

According to the report, the US officials have conveyed to India that its decision will be guided by Washington’s national interests. The officials made it clear that while India sits at the centre of America’s Indo-Pacific policy, New Delhi shouldn’t expect unconditional backing in a conflict scenario with Pakistan. It said that the US is prioritising a rule-based international order over supporting hard-nosed national priorities.

https://zeenews.india.com/india/america ... 31787.html

[vera_k]

That Spy magazine quote may seem flippant, but it is a sign of the times with morons on all sides if you will. At that time, the US non-proliferation industry was busily overlooking Pak and China collaboration.

Seems the 1980s are back again -
'Grab their oil installations': Trump shares his 1987 interview against Iran

[uddu]

https://x.com/rishibagree/status/2038861142974697804
@rishibagree
The man is identified as Mohammed Rizwan , member of CAIR

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2038686445628780813
@MarioNawfal
A man was caught on camera inside a Southern California Whole Foods allegedly pulling down his pants and pressing his genitals against a woman’s ear.

Absolute insanity.I hope they find this pervert quickly and lock him up.

[uddu]

https://x.com/ShefVaidya/status/2038992274965852236
@ShefVaidya
Sigh! A cousin of Diya Mirza, I bet!

https://x.com/DrewPavlou/status/2038967293343096896
@DrewPavlou
“Is it a little bit homophobic to focus on the straights of Hormuz rather than the gays of Hormuz?”

No Kings protester, completely serious: “Yes, absolutely, I agree.”

[bala]

Only 3% from Persian Gulf - So Why Are US Gas Prices Up 25%?
PGurus March 31, 2026

So what’s really driving the spike? This episode breaks down the global oil pricing mechanism, the role of chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, and why oil is priced globally - not locally. Even a small disruption in the Middle East can send shockwaves through supply chains, insurance costs, shipping routes, and market sentiment.



// btw the ripoff state of California, charges >$5 per gallon and the rest are >$4. Why the $1 difference? California has stringent EPA requirements which makes the formulation of gasoline different than the rest of the nation. However its benefits are yet to be proven. Costco is huge seller of gasoline and they have blend of ethanol in their gasoline. Recently refineries in Californa and Texas were set on fire by someone, so supplies are crimped.

[Jay]

btw the ripoff state of California, charges >$5 per gallon and the rest are >$4. Why the $1 difference? California has stringent EPA requirements which makes the formulation of gasoline different than the rest of the nation. However its benefits are yet to be proven.

They are proven beyond doubt at this point in multiple research papers and EPA readings and the same reduction is in respiratory diseases.

https://eta.lbl.gov/publications/impact ... %20fleets.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5560027/

https://oehha.ca.gov/air/press-release/ ... ne-related

https://www.aol.com/32-vintage-photos-r ... hTxHBv53pD

https://keck.usc.edu/news/southern-cali ... %20asthma.

[Amber G.]

Judge Amit Mehta rules Trump is NOT immune for key Jan. 6 conduct—including his Ellipse rally speech, outreach to officials, and related actions—finding they can be treated as campaign activity, not presidential duties.

That means civil lawsuits can move forward. The court also rejected Trump’s First Amendment defense and blocked a DOJ effort that could have shielded him from liability.

[bala]

They are proven beyond doubt at this point in multiple research papers and EPA readings and the same reduction is in respiratory diseases.

Not clear whether it is due to the catalytic converter which is different for California cars and/or gasoline formulation. There is no study with regular gasoline from other states on catalytic convertered California cars.

[Jay]

They are proven beyond doubt at this point in multiple research papers and EPA readings and the same reduction is in respiratory diseases.

Not clear whether it is due to the catalytic converter which is different for California cars and/or gasoline formulation. There is no study with regular gasoline from other states on catalytic convertered California cars.

Bala ji, it's a combination of more than one thing. It's California Reformulated Gasoline, newer EPA since late 70's, California Air Resources Board, along with their support of renewables in the years past contributed to all this. Yes, this does mean that the state's residents pay more for fuel, especially automobile fuel, but it does bring a lot of quality of life benefits.

[Amber G.]

However its benefits are yet to be proven.

Thanks @Jay for taking time to educate, adding:

If someone thinks this is unproven, they’re about 25 years behind both atmospheric chemistry and public health literature.

California’s gasoline isn’t just “different,” it’s chemically engineered to reduce VOCs, benzene, sulfur, and evaporation—precisely the compounds that drive smog formation. That link (fuel → emissions → ozone) is well established in EPA and National Academies work, and California’s own long-term monitoring shows corresponding declines in toxic exposure and pollution levels. The health side isn’t speculative either—large epidemiological studies consistently tie reductions in traffic-related pollutants to lower respiratory disease burden. You can argue about cost (it’s real), but claiming the benefits are “unproven” is simply out of date.

Here’s a clean, data-backed - 3 points for example..



1 - California gasoline is explicitly formulated to reduce:

VOCs. Benzene and aromatics (toxics),Sulfur, Evaporation (low Reid Vapor Pressure)

(Translation: this is targeted atmospheric chemistry, not “green vibes.”)

2 - Emissions → Air quality improvement (well established)
The whole point of oxygenates and reformulation:
(Oxygenated/reformulated fuels reduce CO and VOC emissions → less ozone formation
lower volatility fuel → less evaporation → less smog formation)

==> This is why LA smog today ≠ LA smog in the 1970s. The improvement is large and measured.

3) - Air quality → Health outcomes (this is the “beyond doubt” part)

Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution is linked to:
Respiratory disease, Asthma, Cardiovascular effects

Reducing traffic pollutants → measurable decreases in respiratory illness burden

==> This is not controversial in environmental epidemiology anymore.

[bala]

Bala ji, it's a combination of more than one thing.

No nothing to do with California's moronic gasoline reformulation. Gasoline is pretty much similar across the board in the world. The catalytic converter is the one doing most of the work in clean up for cars.

Nowadays electric cars are roughly 50% every other one in crowded urban settings like bay area, southern california, SF and so on. But Tesla's Elon musk is despised by the dumb crowd with hilarious stickers like "i bought it before ... " and "my car is Toyota" etc, f?ng stupid people. Electric cars have brought down emissions drastically, so have hybrids - toyota and honda return 40-50 miles per gallon. In short, gasoline in california is a major rip off wherein the state is making close to $ B per day extra revenue due to high taxes clamped on prices at the pump and extra moolah for reformulation (blah).

[Amber G.]

Saying ‘the catalytic converter does everything’ is like saying antibiotics make sanitation unnecessary...

The claim conflates two different control mechanisms. Catalytic converters primarily reduce exhaust pollutants, but reformulated gasoline targets evaporative VOCs, sulfur, and aromatic content, which directly affect ozone formation and toxic exposure before and during combustion. These are complementary, not redundant. For example, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review of U.S. reformulated gasoline programs concluded that they produced measurable reductions in ozone precursors (VOCs, NOx) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene, consistent with observed air quality improvements.

EVs and hybrids do reduce fleet emissions, but they don’t eliminate the relevance of fuel chemistry for the large remaining internal combustion fleet. The cost argument is legitimate—California’s fuel is more expensive due to tighter specs and supply constraints—but the assertion that the environmental or health benefits are “unproven” is not supported by the atmospheric chemistry or epidemiological literature.

The only part that’s actually correct here is that California gasoline is expensive—and yes, taxes and boutique refining contribute. But calling it a ‘ripoff’ while ignoring why the formulation exists is like complaining about a catalytic converter because it isn’t free.

Amber G - Not impressed by mash-up of half-truths and slogans.

[bala]

More on Califorina gasoline prices and its so called advantages....
Here are facts:

Nice monopoly:

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (or EIA), very few refineries outside of California can even meet the state's blending requirements, which adds to refining costs.

Traps everything:

The Los Angeles basin still gets a hearty amount of smog due to its geographic location

Ooh rip-off from the state:

According to EIA as of last spring, the feds want a modest piece of the action at 18 cents per gallon of gasoline — from all states — whereas California's taxes amount to an additional 72 cents per gallon. State excise and sales tax, as well as an underground storage tank fee, comprise this princely sum.

Right there is $1 extra.

This is Costco ethanol mixed gasoline wherein a majority fill up in California. BTW India also has ethanol mixed petrol nowadays.

By allowing more ethanol in California's blend, total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ethylbenzene are reduced.

BTW California is the largest consumer of aviation fuel in the US. So there goes the Ozone layer.

[drnayar]

More on Califorina gasoline prices and its so called advantages....
Here are facts:

Nice monopoly:

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (or EIA), very few refineries outside of California can even meet the state's blending requirements, which adds to refining costs.

Traps everything:

The Los Angeles basin still gets a hearty amount of smog due to its geographic location

Ooh rip-off from the state:

According to EIA as of last spring, the feds want a modest piece of the action at 18 cents per gallon of gasoline — from all states — whereas California's taxes amount to an additional 72 cents per gallon. State excise and sales tax, as well as an underground storage tank fee, comprise this princely sum.

Right there is $1 extra.

This is Costco ethanol mixed gasoline wherein a majority fill up in California. BTW India also has ethanol mixed petrol nowadays.

By allowing more ethanol in California's blend, total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ethylbenzene are reduced.

BTW California is the largest consumer of aviation fuel in the US. So there goes the Ozone layer.

Recent scientific reports and satellite data indicate that several aspects of climate change are progressing more rapidly and severely than previously projected by models.
Global temperatures rose by 0.35°C in the last decade, significantly higher than the 0.2°C per decade average seen over the previous 50 years. This indicates a 50% to 100% increase in the warming rate.
A 2026 study found that roughly 90% of hazard assessments underestimated baseline coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot due to a "methodological blind spot".
The oceans are warming at an unprecedented pace, more than doubling their warming rate since 1993. Oceans absorb roughly 90% of excess heat, which fuels extreme weather.

[Jay]

Bala ji, it's a combination of more than one thing.

No nothing to do with California's moronic gasoline reformulation. Gasoline is pretty much similar across the board in the world.

100% it is not. The gasoline that goes in cars in India is different from let's say what goes in let's say California, or Chicago, or Vancouver. Basic example is leaded gas. Japan banned leaded gas in 1980, with western Europe and US doing it in 90's and India around 2000. Similarly, there are additives in the gas that are mixed during the refining process based on where the gas goes. Colder climates need a certain mix of additives, and places with different environmental standards will have a say in what additives they will allow. Same with the Octane levels which effect the power and miles per gallon/liter that is extracted from gas.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gas ... gasoline.

[A_Gupta]

Amber G - Not impressed by mash-up of half-truths and slogans.

The day you are impressed is the day I quit here.

[uddu]

Shady Oil Bets: Trump's Friends Making Money Off Iran War? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G
Experts have flagged possible insider trading in Polymarket and the oil markets ahead of Donald Trump's delay in power plants strikes. Did the president's close aides make money off this announcement? Palki Sharma decodes the trend.

[uddu]

Forget about French President. He mentioned two things.
One the understanding of the threat from Iranian missiles to the U.S.
Second is NATO failing the U.S.
Trump Targets Macron | 'His Wife Treats Him Extremely Badly' | Takes a Dig At NATO | N18G
Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after making a personal remark about French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife while discussing NATO and the Iran conflict. During his speech, Trump criticized Macron’s response to U.S. requests for support, but also took a swipe at his personal life—drawing attention and backlash. The comments come amid broader criticism of NATO allies, with Trump questioning their reliability during global conflicts