Retired former US Ambassador, NSC Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, NSC Director for Nuclear Materials Security, and Deputy Exec. Dir. of the International Energy Agencyhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlcxj7wqyk26Yes, small 'Mom and Pop' businesses are under pressure and shrinking. To understand how serious this is, remember that throughout the period from the end of WWII until 2016, job growth at small and medium enterprises equaled more than 100% of total job growth.08 May 2026 05:07 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcxj7wqyk26https://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlcjjltcbk2qAs Trump continues to rant about pulling US forces out of Germany and the rest of Europe, consider this: The flight time from Germany to Iran is less than 6 hours, while the flight time from Nellis AFB to Iran is over 18 hours. Fighter pilots cannot fly 18 hours, engage, and then fly 18 hours home08 May 2026 00:56 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcjjltcbk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlciyqtbqs2q08 May 2026 00:47 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlciyqtbqs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlciu2o63c2qFYI: It costs only about 3% of face value to buy a futures contract. That means that a $28 million investment paid over $125 million in profit in just 70 minutes. 500%+ in 70 minutes. That's why Trump makes he bogus announcements; so his buddies can reap illegal profits like that.08 May 2026 00:44 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlciu2o63c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlcigal2322qThe French Embassy is getting feisty! Good for them. Diplomacy is not just about trying to play nice. Sometimes, countries--even long-term allies--near to hear the simple, unvarnished truth.08 May 2026 00:37 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcigal2322qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlchyixfz22qA CIA analysis has (reportedly) concluded that Iran can better withstand the implications of a closed Strait of Hormuz than the USA can. It's not a surprising conclusion. Iran has been under sanctions for decades and has become adept at working around them. US consumers do not like sky-high gas.08 May 2026 00:29 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlchyixfz22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlcgudvb3s2qThe US military in once again bombing sites inside Iran in retaliation for Iran attacking US naval vessels. The Iranian attacks were in retaliation for the US attacking vessels headed to/from Iran. Trump's war of choice has become an endless cycle of violence, with Americans paying the cost.08 May 2026 00:09 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcgudvb3s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mlcgjzvkws2qFYI: The last tanker of Middle East crude that exited through the Strait of Hormuz before Trump started his war just arrived in the USA yesterday. That's how long the delay is. While oil prices in the US skyrocketed when war began, they won't fall for months after it ends (if it ends).08 May 2026 00:03 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcgjzvkws2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mla42esuks2mTrump and Rubio are decimating the ranks of career, non-partisan professional diplomats to bring in loads of newly-hired MAGA partisans. It is hard to describe how seriously this is damaging US security and our ability to anticipate and react to world events.07 May 2026 01:50 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mla42esuks2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3ml7zauoy7k26Kash Patel, who is suing the Atlantic for $250 million for publishing an incredibly well-researched piece into his drinking habits, has his own personalized bourbon bottles that he hands out rather than 'challenge coins' or other more traditional, less alcoholic, swag.07 May 2026 01:00 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7zauoy7k26https://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3ml77pd3a4k2zWhile the candidates backed by Trump dominated in the Indiana primary for US House seats, the open question is whether this will ultimately become a victory or a defeat. If the nominees are too far right even for Indiana voters, Trump's interference could wind up costing the GOP seats in November. https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/05/politics/takeaways-indiana-ohio-primary-elections06 May 2026 17:23 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml77pd3a4k2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3ml77gqa6pk2zUsing the national police to raid and harass political opponents has been a classic trait of dictators for ages, from the communist autocrats of the USSR to fascist dictators. It is now the go-to move of the Trump Administration. https://www.thedailybeast.com/fbi-raids-office-of-top-trump-critic-state-sen-l-louise-lucas-in-criminal-probe/06 May 2026 17:18 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml77gqa6pk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3ml77catwik2zA parable about what Trumpism has done to America: In the past, movie, video, and music artists could rely on a special unit of the FBI to track down and prosecute pirates. Under Trump and Kash Patel, now the FBI is the pirate. https://www.npr.org/2026/05/05/nx-s1-5812509/kash-patel-fbi-beastie-boys-spike-jonze-ai06 May 2026 17:15 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml77catwik2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3ml2etms4e22tI'm genuinely surprised. Alito, who is in charge of cases originating in the 5th Circuit, comprises (along with Thomas) the most partisan, anti-democracy, segment of the Supreme Court. Perhaps he decided the ruling against a safe, effective drug would hurt the GOP in fall elections. https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/04/politics/supreme-court-abortion-mifepristone?source=sub_web_wall-met04 May 2026 19:11 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml2etms4e22thttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkycoc5elk2sAs a US Diplomat (serving back in the days when the USA supported democracy and human rights), one of my duties was to attend the 'show trials' of individuals being prosecuted for not agreeing with the regime in power said. At the time, I would have never guessed that the US would have such trials. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/03/james-comey-indictment-instagram-post-seashells03 May 2026 23:27 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkycoc5elk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkxqdiby6c2dThe "price" is being paid by Americans. The bill is measured in service members' lives and health, billions of tax dollars wasted, reduced security as allies are alienated, and billions more dollars in higher prices paid by American consumers. All thanks to Trump's ego, stupidity and hubris. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/03/trump-says-iran-has-not-yet-paid-a-big-enough-price-as-he-reviews-new-peace-proposal03 May 2026 17:59 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkxqdiby6c2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkvxwbpcq22sTrump wants to shut down US bases in Germany, but Trump also wants his war on Iran. Ramstein Air Base in Germany is serving as a central node for moving troops, personnel, air defenses (including Patriot systems), and supplies to the Persian Gulf. US drones in the ME are controlled from Ramstein.03 May 2026 01:09 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkvxwbpcq22shttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkvxlgpdlc2sNearly half of all US troops in Germany are stationed at Ramstein Air Base. That base provides key support for US operations in the Middle East, including Trump's ridiculous war on Iran. It also hosts a key hospital for treating injured American soldiers. Ramstein does not protect Germany.03 May 2026 01:03 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkvxlgpdlc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkv74e4u6k2hIn multiple recent cases, the Supreme Court has ruled that federal district and appeals courts lack the authority to issue nation-wide injunctions and must limit their decisions to the parties involved in a case. A trio of right-wing judges just issued a nation-wide ban on mailing mifepristone. https://www.courthousenews.com/fifth-circuit-blocks-mailing-of-abortion-pill-nationwide/02 May 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkv74e4u6k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkum7a4px22wUS Troops are stationed in Germany for one reason: to protect the United States. They are NOT there to protect Germany. In the event of a genuine attack from overseas, troops stationed in Germany (and elsewhere) greatly reduce the US response time. Trump is punishing America, not Germany. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-orders-withdrawal-5000-us-troops-germany-trump-escalates-feud-merz02 May 2026 12:07 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkum7a4px22whttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkulvuulgc2wWhen Trump declared that the US Navy is now "like pirates," he was (for once) not lying. Under Trump, the US is engaged in high seas piracy, a war crime both under international law (the Law of the Sea Treaty) and US law (18 U.S.C. § 1651). Under US law, the penalty for piracy is life in prison. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/02/trump-us-navy-pirates-iran-blockade02 May 2026 12:02 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkulvuulgc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mktltdupe22vUnder Trump (who promised to eliminate the deficit), the US National Debit is now LARGER than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). That is an amazing, and scary, statistic. Other nations that crossed that threshold uniformly faced a serious, painful economic reckoning. Are we next?02 May 2026 02:28 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mktltdupe22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mktl7s2dm22vMore accurate headline/analysis would be: "Trump shoots US National Security in the foot during an unhinged rant" Factually, Iran has completely humiliated Trump. Trump actually knows that, which explains why he is lashing out. Trump never admits his mistakes. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/01/trump-threatens-withdraw-troops-italy-spain-strait-hormuz02 May 2026 02:17 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mktl7s2dm22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mksoxnif7s2xTrump's ego-driven war in Iran shows no sign of ending and the cost to Americans, in terms lives, billions of tax dollars wasted and billions more dollars spent on energy and other necessities, continues to grow. The problem we face is that Trump won't admit his mistake so he won't end the war.01 May 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksoxnif7s2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkskhfitos25Under Roberts, the Supreme Court stands firmly against the foundations of our democracy and Constitution. In a democracy (or representative republic), the people choose their representatives. Under Roberts perversion of our system, politicians choose voters to keep them in power. RIP Constitution01 May 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkskhfitos25https://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkppmompec22Trump rarely delivers on campaign promises, but this time he came through in spades. During his campaign, he promised oil execs that if they donated a collective total of $1 billion to his campaign, they would make it back many times over. With oil at $126, Trump is delivering.30 Apr 2026 13:25 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkppmompec22https://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkplvmb7qk2rEven if you believe Hegseth's absurdly low $25 billion estimate of the direct cost of Trump's insane war against Iran, you still need to add in the more than $25 billion extra that Americans have paid out of pocket for gasoline, oil, and fertilizer, yielding a total of AT LEAST $50 billion.30 Apr 2026 12:18 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkplvmb7qk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkpj57zcqk2rOn the very first day of Trump's war-of-choice in Iran, I warned that (1) it would take months to unwind just days of oil supply disruption, and (2) gasoline prices shoot up like a rocket but fall like a feather. With oil now above $125 a barrel, that feather will have a LONG way to fall.30 Apr 2026 11:29 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpj57zcqk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkphv5kgm22pCadet Bone Spurs now claims to have always been so physically fit that he would have had no problem becoming an astronaut. The looks on the real astronauts face is priceless. I can almost hear them thinking 'I willingly risk my life for my country and to advance science, but this is too much...' https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/trump-space-travel-artemis-ii-visit_n_69f28b23e4b084a938d7cb3e30 Apr 2026 11:06 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkphv5kgm22phttps://bsky.app/profile/portlandken.bsky.social/post/3mkosgye2q22rTwo facts to remember: (1) There was no reason or even plausible excuse for Trump's war other than his own ego, hubris, and stupidity. (2) Trump and his oligarch backers do not care how much average Americans suffer. Trump is willing to sacrifice you for his ego trip. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/30/politics/trump-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-analysis30 Apr 2026 04:43 +0000at://did:plc:2mknbvj4ecbfyqhmm23nzvvc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkosgye2q22r