I’ve often referenced George Orwell’s 1984 when referencing the practices of leaders in Washington, DC lately. But I have to reconsider my references after the past week’s rhetorical whiplash in our nation’s capital. I have to think that what is really happening is gaslighting – and an epically bad case of it at that. Because the evidence of the truth is so transparent that even regular viewers of Fox News can see it.

We should begin with the war in Iran (oh, I’m sorry, the ‘military operation’ in Iran). It was just a week ago that President Trump threatened to bomb all of the utility infrastructure in Iran if they didn’t re-open the Strait of Hormuz. Then there was a 5 day period of negotiations with Iran (that were proceeding very well) – except the Iranians are not negotiating with the US and have expressed no interest to do so. As of this morning, we are up to 10 more days (as the ‘talks’ are going very well) – or the US needs to get more resources to the region and needs time to do it.

We began the war due to the threat of nuclear weapons, or ballistic missiles, or take out the ‘bad guys’, or make them less of a threat to the region. Now, apparently we are negotiating over the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass and substantial amounts of urea (made to make fertilizer). The President and his war cabinet didn’t worry about the Strait, as they didn’t position ships to defend it (they were too busy down in the Caribbean, taking out one little boat at a time). We are told repeatedly that ground troops won’t be used to fight in Iran. So, now, one thousand paratroopers are going to the region – making them the first ground troops that are paid to land somewhere that never will land. The IRGC are probably setting their targets and traps as we speak while the President uses a misdirection worthy of a has-been magician who has lost his rabbit.

Meanwhile, at home, the President and his lackies in the Senate have been whiling away the days talking about Department of Homeland Security funding. More specifically funding of the TSA (and FEMA and the Coast Guard and CISA) – everything except ICE and Border Patrol. Airport lines have gotten longer and longer (with some airports recommended 3 and 4 hour arrivals prior to departure) and Americans are really frustrated. Early in the week, Senate Democrats proposed funding the agencies that every Senator agrees should be funded without caveats (everything but ICE and CPB). Each proposal to fund these agencies was blocked from consideration. At the same time, Senators repeatedly told Americans that it was the Democrats that were shutting down DHS. Demonstrably incorrect. Then, during the week, the Republicans proposed passing funding for these agencies without ICE and CPB – the Senate Majority Leader took the proposal to the President and he said ‘no’. Finally, last night, the Senate voted unanimously to fund all parts of DHS but ICE and Border Patrol. (Note that ICE and Border Patrol are already being funded and paid by the Big Beautiful Bill – the rest of the agency, that actually helps citizens, is not). This morning, House leadership said ‘no’. Who’s not paying TSA agents?

Meanwhile elections are continuing in the United States. Citizens are voting all across the country. But the President insists that its all riddled with fraud (which Snopes outlines in detail how untrue this is). In particular, The President rails against mail-in voting, which he labels “cheating”. Just this past week, the President cheated – he voted by mail-in a special election in his West Palm Beach district (voting for the losing candidate, as the district went from blue to red in this election). His excuse? “I’m the President” – special privileges? Where does it say that in the Constitution? So the President says we need the Save America Act – which explicitly permits mail-in balloting (while creating more paperwork verification when voting). Do as they say, not as they do.

And the national disgrace continues…