June 28th
TBD vs TBD
June 29th
TBD vs TBD
Germany vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
June 30th
TBD vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
Mexico vs TBD
July 1st
TBD vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
USA vs TBD
July 2nd
TBD vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
July 3rd
TBD vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
TBD vs TBD
Monday, June 22, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Iran Agreement 14 Points
The 14 core points of the initial agreement include:
- End of Military Operations: An immediate and permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
- Mutual Non-Aggression: A commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force against one another.
- Respect for Sovereignty: An undertaking to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, specifically ensuring the sovereignty of Lebanon.
- 60-Day Negotiation Window: A commitment to negotiate and achieve a finalized deal within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
- Lift Naval Blockade: The U.S. will begin immediately lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports and will completely end it within 30 days.
- Strait of Hormuz: Iran will use its best efforts to arrange for the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, free of charge for 60 days.
- Reconstruction Plan: The U.S. and regional partners will undertake a plan of at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran.
- End of Sanctions: The U.S. commits to terminating all types of sanctions against Iran, contingent on nuclear compliance.
- No Nuclear Weapons: Iran reaffirms its commitment that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons.
- Disposition of Stockpiled Material: The U.S. and Iran have agreed to resolve the disposition of Iran's stockpiled enriched nuclear material.
- Nuclear Status Quo: Pending the final deal, both sides will maintain the status quo of Iran's nuclear program; the U.S. will not impose new sanctions or deploy additional forces.
- Oil Export Waivers: The U.S. Treasury Department will issue waivers allowing the immediate, unhindered export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and all associated banking and transportation services.
- Dispute Mechanism: Provisions for resolving disputes that may arise during the 60-day interim phase before the final agreement is signed.
- Final Deal Integration: A stipulation that the final deal will permanently confirm the termination of the war and codify the lasting provisions of the interim agreement.
Honestly, the treaty Obama had in place was much better. Trump is an idiot. That being said, I'm glad the killing has stopped and I hope that it will stay stopped.
World Cup 2026 III
OK, I'm getting organized. I'll do a round at a time.
Group A MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Mexico 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6
- South Korea 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
- Czechia 2 0 1 1 2 3 -1 1
- South Africa 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
Group B MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Canada 2 1 1 0 7 1 6 4
- Switzerland 2 1 1 0 5 2 3 4
- Bos and Herz 2 0 1 1 2 5 -3 1
- Qatar 2 0 1 1 1 7 -6 1
Group C MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Brazil 2 1 1 0 4 1 3 4
- Morocco 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
- Scotland 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
- Haiti 2 0 0 2 0 4 -4 0
Group D MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- United States 2 2 0 0 6 1 5 6
- Australia 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
- Paraguay 2 1 0 1 2 4 -2 3
- Turkiye 2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0
Group E MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Germany 2 2 0 0 9 2 7 6
- Ivory Coast 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
- Ecuador 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1
- Curacao 2 0 1 1 1 7 -6 1
Group F MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Netherlands 2 1 1 0 7 3 4 4
- Japan 2 1 1 0 6 2 4 4
- Sweden 2 1 0 1 6 6 0 3
- Tunisia 2 0 0 2 1 9 -8 0
Group G MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Egypt 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4
- Iran 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
- Belgium 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
- New Zealand 2 0 1 0 3 5 -2 1
Group H MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Spain 2 1 1 0 4 0 4 4
- Uruguay 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
- Capo Verde 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
- Saudi Arabia 2 0 1 1 1 5 -4 1
Group I MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- France 2 2 0 0 6 1 5 6
- Norway 2 2 0 0 7 3 4 6
- Senegal 2 0 0 2 3 6 -4 0
- Iraq 2 0 0 2 1 7 -6 0
Group J MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Argentina 2 2 0 0 5 0 5 6
- Austria 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
- Jordan 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
- Algeria 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
Group K MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Colombia 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
- Portugal 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- DR Congo 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Uzbekistan 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Group L MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- England 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3
- Ghana 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
- Panama 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
- Croatia 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
June 18th Games
Czechia-1 South Africa-1
Switzerland-4 Bos & Herz-1
Canada-6 Qatar-0
Mexico-1 South Korea-0
June 19th Games
USA-2 Australia-0
Scotland-0 Morocco-1
Brazil-3 Haiti-0
Turkiye-0 Paraguay-1
June 20th Games
Netherlands-5 Sweden-1
Germany-2 Ivory Coast-1
Ecuador-0 Curacao-0
June 21st
Tunisia-0 Japan-4
Spain-4 Saudi Arabia-0
Belgium-0 Iran-0
Uruguay-2 Cabo Verde-2
New Zealand-1 Egypt-3
June 22nd
Argentina-2 Austria-0
France-3 Iraq-0
Norway-3 Senegal-2
Jordan vs Algeria
June 23rd
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
England vs Ghana
Panama vs Croatia
Columbia vs DR Congo
Monday, June 15, 2026
The Iranian Deal
According to Trump, he has made a deal to end the fighting in the Middle East. Unfortunately, no one has seen the text of the deal and we're hearing contradictory things from Trump and JD Vance.
The best I can make of it is:
(1) The Strait of Hormuz gets opened but it's unclear if there will be tolls or not.
(2) If Iran doesn't rebuild its nuclear capability then it get access to money? I'm reading between the lines here.
(3) If it does rebuild its nuclear capability then it doesn't get access?
(4) The Gulf States and the US, according to JD Vance, are putting together a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iranian infrastructure. I assume this is the money they get access to plus the $100 billion currently frozen but I'm not sure. Trump has denied that such a fund exists.
(5) If the Israelis keep attacking Lebanon then the deal is off, and the Israelis haven't agreed to stop doing so because they're not signatories to the deal.
As you can see from the above, I don't really know a whole hell of a lot and apparently neither do the Israelis who claim they haven't seen the deal either.
More to follow when more information is available.
Saturday, June 13, 2026
The World Cup 2026 II
On to the next three days. You notice I'm not making any predictions because that would just make me look foolish.
Group A MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Mexico 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
- South Korea 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
- Czechia 1 0 0 1 1 1 -1 0
- South Africa 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
Group B MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Canada 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Bos and Herz 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Qatar 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Switzerland 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Group C MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Scotland 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
- Brazil 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Morocco 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Haiti 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Group D MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- United States 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
- Australia 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
- Turkiye 1 0 1 0 0 2 -2 0
- Paraguay 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Group E MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Germany 1 1 0 0 7 1 6 3
- Ivory Coast 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
- Ecuador 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
- Curacao 1 0 0 1 1 7 -6 0
Group F MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Sweden 1 1 0 0 5 1 4 3
- Netherlands 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
- Japan 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
- Tunisia 1 0 0 1 1 1 -4 0
Group G MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Iran 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
- New Zealand 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
- Belgium 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Egypt 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Group H MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Saudi Arabia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Uruguay 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Spain 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
- Capo Verde 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Group I MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Norway 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
- France 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
- Senegal 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
- Iraq 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Group J MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Argentina 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
- Austria 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
- Jordan 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
- Algeria 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
Group K MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Colombia 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
- Portugal 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- DR Congo 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Uzbekistan 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Group L MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- England 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3
- Ghana 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
- Panama 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
- Croatia 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
June 14th Games
Australia-2 Turkiye-0
Germany-7 Curacao-1
Netherlands-2 Japan-2
Ivory Coast-1 Ecuador-0
Sweden-5 Tunisia-1
June 15th Games
Spain-0 Capo Verde-0
Belgium-1 Egypt-1
Saudi Arabia-1 Uruguay-1
Iran vs New Zealand
June 16th Games
France-3 Senegal-1
Iraq-1 Norway-4
Argentina-3 Algeria-0
June 17th
Austria-3 Jordan-1
Portugal-1 DR Congo-1
England-4 Croatia-2
Ghana-1 Panama-0
Uzbekistan-1 Colombia-3
Thursday, June 11, 2026
How Social Security Works
I continue to be amazed at how many people have a mistaken impression of how Social Security operates.
Legally, Social Security is required to invest in special-issue US Treasury Bonds. And no, Social Security revenue NEVER contributes to the General Fund, so it has absolutely nothing to do with the deficit or the debt. Here's how Social Security operates:
All revenue collected is first used to pay current benefits. If there is a surplus, it goes into the Social Security Trust Fund which, by law, is invested in special-issue US Treasury Bonds because it is considered the safest investment and CAN NEVER LOSE MONEY. These aren't just IOUs, but blue chip financial investments. These bonds collect interest which also goes into the Social Security Trust fund. What is special about these bonds is that they can be redeemed at anytime at par value. In other words, they're basically cash collecting interest.
If there is not enough to cover current benefits, then first interest, and then bonds, from the Trust Fund are used to meet the shortfall.
Up until 2010 Social Security was taking in more money than it was paying out, so the Trust Fund was growing and all interest was reinvested back into the fund.
After 2010 Social Security used interest from the Trust Fund to make up the shortfall in tax revenue rather than investing that interest back into the Trust Fund. The Trust Fund reached a maximum size of about $2.9 trillion in 2020.
Starting in 2021 the shortfall exceed both the tax revenue and the Trust Fund interest so Social Security began cashing in bonds to make up the shortfall. The Trust Fund currently contains approximately $2.56 trillion.
Unless either (1) more revenue is added or (2) expenses are reduced or (3) some combination of more revenue and reduced expenses is implemented, the Trust Fund is expected to be exhausted in 2032. At that time benefits will have to be reduced by about 22% to match what's being collected in tax revenues.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The World Cup 2026
Despite Trump's attempts to fuck it up, the World Cup appears to be alive and well and the games will start tomorrow. Here are the Groups.
Group A MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Mexico 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
- South Korea 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
- Czechia 1 0 0 1 1 1 -1 0
- South Africa 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
Group B MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Canada 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Bos and Herz 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Qatar 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Switzerland 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Group C MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Scotland 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
- Brazil 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Morocco 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
- Haiti 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Group D MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- United States 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
- Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Turkiye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Paraguay 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Group E MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Curacao 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Ivory Coast 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Ecuador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group F MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Netherlands 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Sweden 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group G MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Belgium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Egypt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group H MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Capo Verde 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Uruguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group I MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- France 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Senegal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Norway 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group J MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Argentina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Algeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Austria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group K MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- Portugal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- DR Congo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Uzbekistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Colombia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group L MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
- England 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Croatia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Ghana 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- Panama 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
June 11th Games
Mexico-3 South Africa-0
South Korea-2 Czechnia-1
June 12th Games
Canada-1 Bos and Herz-1
USA-4 Paraguay-1
June 13th Games
Qatar-1 Switzerland-1
Brazil-1 Morocco-1
Haiti-0 Scotland-1
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Islamophobia
Yes, I'm Islamophobic. I don't trust Muslims. I've been fighting them for too long and I at least have not forgotten 9-11.
Islam is both a religion and a political philosophy, and that political philosophy is antithetical to western democracy. So now what do we do? As an atheist, in many Islamic countries, I could be arrested and face any number of legal penalties up to and including the death penalty. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and areas of Nigeria. Iran and Saudi Arabia still hold public executions.
Then there is the status of LGBTQ people in Islamic countries. In several nations, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is illegal and can carry the death penalty. Other countries, such as Kuwait, Egypt, and Syria, do not have the death penalty for homosexuality, but heavily criminalize it. Being gay can lead to imprisonment or prosecution under "public morality" laws. Gays are regularly murdered in Gaza by Hamas and by ISIS.
This is why I shake my head when I see these young college students wearing the keffiyeh while having no idea about the culture of what they're supporting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
