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Tidbits-Feb 26- Reader Comments: State of the Union or of the Confederacy; Justice Department; Minneapolis Victory; Last Week’s People’s History – a Correction; Need To Take Action: Cuban Americans Say: Engagement Not Escalation; More and Cartoons

https://portside.org/2026-02-26/tidbits-feb-26-reader-comments-state-union-or-confederacy-justice-department-minneapolis
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In the longest State of the Union speech in history (almost two hours), Trump did not use the words "poverty," "democracy," "inequality, or "human rights" even once.  Despite mentioning that this is America's 250th birthday, he understandably made no reference the Boston Tea Party, Abraham Lincoln,  movements that expanded the right to vote, our national parks, the dangers of extremism, Americans who invented things that changed our lives - the steam engine, the car, the airplane, the TV, the air conditioner, the polio vaccine, the heart transplant, the dramatic decline of infectious diseases due to public health measures and vaccines, the computer, etc.

Trump's biggest gaffe -- clearly an unscripted, spontaneous comment -- has so far gone unnoticed by any of the pundits I watched and listened to after the speech.  After he asked Melania to present the Congressional Medal of Honor to Capt. Royce Williams, Trump said, "I’ve always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself, and I wouldn’t know why I would be taking it. But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday."  This is said by someone who was a draft dodger - whose wealthy father got a doctor (who owed him a favor) to write a letter saying that Donald had "bone spurs" and couldn't serve. He didn't avoid the draft because of principled opposition to Vietnam, but in order to go into the family real estate business which he would eventually take over from his father.  Trump's comment was clearly off-message but it appears he is completely unaware of how his comment about wanting a Congressional Medal of Honor of his own might sound given his own draft dodging during Vietnam. Of course, if no news outlet mentions it, then he will have gotten away with it.

After watching MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN pundits review the speech, I listened to the BBC's take on the speech. Among other things, its newscaster said that Trump's statement  “In my first 10 months, I ended eight wars” was a "contested claim." In its article fact-checking Trump's speech, NPR called that statement an "exaggeration."  Why can't they just say that it is a "lie."   Because that's what it is.

Tonight's speech wasn't all that different from his 2015 announcement of his first presidential campaign at Trump Tower. Demonizing immigrants was the key theme then and now.  He spent a great deal of time attacking immigrants as criminals who are destroying the country.  It was the speech of a fascist, fill with lies and appealing to racism, nationalism, militarism, religious zealotry, and anti-immigrant nativism.   He may get a small bump in his approval ratings for a few days, but it will quickly wear off as Americans pay bills, try to make ends meet, and contemplate his threat to expand the use of federal troops in our communities.

Peter Dreier
February 25, 2026
Posted on Facebook
 

[Re-posted with permission of the author]


 

 

Re: Why the Longest-Ever State of the Union Address Was the Most Inconsequential

 

I did not watch a minute.

The Democrats should have walked out en masse when he said they were crazy. My opinion, obviously.

Maria Schafer




 

State of the Union  --  Cartoon and Commentary by Rob Rogers

 


In the first year of his second term, Trump has attempted to completely erase African American history and deport our immigrant population. He is transforming our melting pot of a country into a haven for White Nationalists.

Rob Rogers
February 24, 2-26
TinyView
 




 

The Hottest Country - So. Damn. Hot.  --  Cartoon by Kevin Necessary

 



Kevin Necessary
February 25, 2026
Kevin's UnNecessary Things
 




 

Re: Trump’s Epic Loss on Tariffs Is Even Worse for Him Than You Think
 

Populist nationalism? It's naked totalitarianism. His contempt for the constitution, our three independent branch government of checks and balances, his demand for loyalty to his person, not to the constitution, a personal loyalty none of his appointees or any other American owes any individual, his definition of patriotism as being loyal to him and whatever he wants to do, all of this is anti-American, anti-constitutional, blatantly seditious. If he's "populist" then so is the government of North Korea.

Felice Sage
Posted on Portside's Facebook page
 




 

The Just Ice Department  --  Cartoon by Mike Luckovich

 



Mike Luckovich
February 19, 2026
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 




 

Minneapolis Victory!  Minnesota pushes back  --  Cartoon by Steve Sack

 



Steve Sack
February 13, 2026
The Art of Sack
 




 

Re: A Coup Is Coming. Only the Socialist Left Can Stop It.
 

The coup came when JFK was assassinated.

Kathryn Evann Wegner
Posted on Portside's Facebook page




 

Skip To the Fun Part of the War  --  Cartoon by Ted Rall

 



Ted Rall
February 25, 2026
Ted Rall
 




 

Re: NYU’s Full-Time Contingent Faculty Are Poised To Strike

(posting on Portside Labor)
 

This is a much bigger deal than it looks. Job security is an immense issue. In the 1970s, something like 70% of all instructors had tenure - now it's about 30% (and dropping). The universities want to treat faculty - the reason they exist - the way corporations do employees.

mark




 

Kash Patel  --  Cartoon and Commentary by Nick Anderson

 


In a stirring display of federal law enforcement priorities, Kash Patel bravely infiltrated the most dangerous environment imaginable: a victorious Olympic hockey locker room stocked with beer.

Nick Anderson
February 23, 2026
Pen Strokes
 




 

Helpful USA  --  Cartoon and Commentary by Lalo Alcaraz

 


Mexico sought to capture major cartel head El Mencho, and he ended up dying as a result of the military attack. The United States apparently helped Mexico with intelligence and training for this mission. Cartel violence ensued across 13 states in Mexico. However, some say that the US has not only been helping Mexico with military level assistance. 

Lalo Alcaraz
February 23, 2026
Caló News
 




 

Re: This Week in People’s History, Feb 25-Mar 3, 2026
 

I was surprised to find the term "Eskimos" used several times over. I believed this term had been dropped from usage years ago by indigenous people for its origin as a colonial name imposed by non-Indigenous people.

Ruth Horowitz

     =====

Moderator Response:

I accept the criticism, thank you for it, and can only plead ignorance as an explanation. It has been many years since I last wrote anything about the indigenous people in Canada's north, and I blindly followed the usage that was prevalent in what was written about the land claim in 1976.




 

Re: Wuthering Heights Is at Its Heart a Story of Class and Race. Emerald Fennell Has Got It All Wrong

(posting on Portside Culture)
 

The last thing the people who'll see this movie want to see is a story of class and race.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Posted on Portside's Facebook page




 

Cuban Americans Say:  Engagement Not Escalation



 

As Cuban Americans, we condemn the Trump administration’s latest escalation against Cuba. His executive order threatening tariffs on countries that sell oil to the island uses deprivation as a tool of foreign policy. It purposefully deepens scarcity, destabilizes a fragile economy already devastated by decades of embargo, and endangers the lives of our loved ones while doing nothing to advance democracy or human rights.

For too long, Cuban Americans have been used as justification for policies that inflict suffering on ordinary Cubans. We reject that completely. We know exactly who will feel the impact of these measures: our parents, our cousins, our friends. Denying fuel only means worsening blackouts, food shortages, and impossible choices. As Cuban Americans from across the political spectrum, we say clearly: not in our name. Our identity will not be used to starve the island we come from.

We call for an end to the current oil sanctions, a full end to the U.S. embargo, and a renewed commitment to engagement and normalization between our countries. After more than six decades, the blockade has failed morally, strategically, and politically; and every new escalation only promises more suffering for the people we love. It is time to turn the page on this failed approach and prioritize dialogue, cooperation, and respect between the United States and Cuba.

 


Watch video - Click here 

  ===


We are Cuban Americans united by a common goal: to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba and advocate for a just, humane, and prosperous relationship between the two nations. For far too long, outdated and harmful policies have divided families, stifled progress, and perpetuated unnecessary suffering. It’s time to turn the page. 

We want a future where Cuba and the United States are no longer adversaries but partners in progress. A future where Cuban Americans can engage with Cuba freely and contribute to its growth without the burden of restrictive policies. A future where both nations can thrive, benefiting from mutual exchange and respect.

Contact: cubanamericansforcuba@gmail.com
 

Source URL: https://portside.org/2026-02-26/tidbits-feb-26-reader-comments-state-union-or-confederacy-justice-department-minneapolis