Who’s more offensive? Kristi Noem or Pam Bondi?
That’s how Johanna and I started this one off. We disagree. But at least Noem is out; one down, lots more to go.
We also disagreed—a bit—on Noem’s replacement, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma (the state where Johanna was born and spent her early years). After a bir of back and forth, it became cleat that I failed to persuade her of my views on Senator Mullin.
So we moved on to the war front. I was hoping that the dedication and excellence of our country’s fighting forces would mean a shorter conflict. But just before we went live here on Substack (and so unbeknownst to us during this conversation), Trump declared on social media that he was demanding the “unconditional surrender” of Iran. Say a prayer.
When he started the war, Trump admitted his goal was “regime change.” Still, some hoped he meant by that fateful term the goal was merely getting rid of the Supreme Leader and his gang, but still leaving the system of government more or less intact. Now it is clear he wants the US to control Iran—that’s what “unconditional surrender” means.
So much for “no more forever wars.”
James Talarico won! Election night in our house was intense; Johanna sending me updates into the wee hours as I wrote Wednesday’s column.
And we ended on a high note. It’s Johanna’s birthday, and we take a little stroll down memory lane.
Allow me here a public wish for her: Happy Birthday to the most interesting—and loveliest—person I’ve ever met!
—Terry and Johanna
