Tag Archives: Ukraine
Let’s Ask Arty About President Trump’s UN Speech
Let’s Ask Arty uses existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to query LLMs about politics in these troubled times.
Query: Can you please fact check the speech and statements that President Trump gave at the United Nations on 09/23/2025?
President Donald Trump’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, included several claims that have been widely fact-checked and found to be misleading or false across multiple topics. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable inaccuracies:
🌍 Claims About Ending Wars
Trump stated:
“I ended seven wars… Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
Fact Check:
- Cambodia and Thailand: A truce was reached, but it involved mediation from other leaders and was not solely brokered by Trump.
- Kosovo and Serbia: No war was actively occurring; Trump’s administration previously brokered an economic agreement, not a peace treaty.
- Congo and Rwanda: Fighting continues despite a peace agreement; rebel groups were not part of the deal.
- Egypt and Ethiopia: No war existed—only a dispute over a dam project.
- Pakistan and India: India denies Trump’s involvement in the May ceasefire.
- Israel and Iran: A ceasefire followed U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, but the situation remains volatile.
- Armenia and Azerbaijan: A peace declaration was signed, but its long-term impact is uncertain.
🌡️ Climate Change and Renewable Energy
Trump called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and claimed renewable energy sources “don’t work” and are “too expensive.”
Fact Check:
- In 2024, renewables and nuclear accounted for 40% of global electricity generation, with solar and wind surpassing coal in the U.S..
- Over 90% of new renewable projects are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives.
- Solar PV and onshore wind were 41% and 53% cheaper, respectively, than the lowest-cost fossil fuels.
📉 Economy and Poll Numbers
Trump claimed:
“I have the highest poll numbers I’ve ever had.”
Fact Check:
- Public polling averages show his approval rating around 42–44%, down from 51–52% earlier in the year.
- No public data supports the claim of record-high approval.
🛂 Immigration
Trump described U.S. immigration laws as “suicidal” and blamed them for economic and social decline.
Fact Check:
- These statements are opinion-based and not supported by data presented in the speech. Experts widely dispute the characterization of immigration laws as inherently destructive.
🕊️ Criticism of the United Nations
Trump said:
“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter and then never follow that letter up.”
Fact Check:
- While the U.N. has been criticized for slow responses, it continues to play active roles in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and global coordination. Trump’s portrayal oversimplifies its functions
My Take
I’ve given up on President Trump ever speaking truthfully about anything. Whenever he opens his mouth, lies spill out. Lying is his default setting.
I can’t see how anyone with even an ounce of intelligence could watch that speech and not be embarrassed and ashamed of who we put in office.
We all knew the speech (like all of Donald Trump’s speeches) would be littered with lies and misinformation, so no surprise there. But the boorish and self-congratulatory tone was off the charts, even for Trump. If the delegations had any courage at all, they would have stood up and walked out.
Book Number 2
Hi folks,
I’ve just published “Imagine There’s No Donald” on Amazon.com.
Imagine There’s No Donald is a lyrical collection that channels the melodic cadence of (mostly) Beatles songs to deliver searing poetic indictments of Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and their corrosive impact on American democracy.
Each poem echoes the structure and emotional resonance of iconic musical tracks—think “Rocky Racoon” reimagined as the tale of Donald Trump’s destructive path to the presidency, or Terry Jacks’ “Seasons in the Sun” transformed into a lament on Republican cowardice and lost democratic norms.
Through this fusion of pop nostalgia and political critique, the collection:
- 🎶 Harnesses Familiar Rhythms: The song structures serve as scaffolding for verses that are both accessible and subversive, drawing readers in with rhythm before confronting them with truth.
- 🔥 Excoriates Authoritarianism: Trump and MAGA are portrayed not just as political figures but as symbols of a broader erosion of truth, decency, and constitutional integrity.
- 🕊️ Defends Democratic Ideals: The poems mourn the fragility of American institutions while fiercely advocating for civic engagement, accountability, and moral clarity.
- 🎤 Amplifies Dissent: With a voice that is at once satirical and sincere, the book invites readers to sing along in protest, turning melody into a megaphone for resistance.
Whether riffing on “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” to expose the sycophantic rot of the Trump administration or twisting “When I Saw Her Standing There!” into an elegy against oligarchs and authoritarianism, this book is a poetic rebellion—an artistic act of defiance that refuses to be silent in the face of democratic decay.
Most free thinkers, poets, and essayists are but a thorn in the side of the authoritarian regime that is running roughshod over America’s democracy. Writing and speaking truth to power sometimes feels like screaming into the void. But with critical mass and momentum, art can influence public sentiment and mobilize opposition to repressive policies and tactics, making it a powerful adversary to regimes that rely on propaganda and control.
Verbal resistance alone won’t revive our democracy. If we’re going to right the ship in America, we’re going to have to do more than sing and complain. We’re going to have to take to the streets and, as the honorable Georgia Congressman John Lewis famously said, “get in good trouble, necessary trouble” by the millions.
Get your copy of Imagine There’s No Donald on Amazon. Please feel free to share the link with others on your social media or simply by giving the book to a loved one as a gift.
Peace (and FUDT).
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my first book, My Paper, My Words: Rantings from a Progressive Boomer and Peeved Parent, from Amazon. And if you feel moved to write a review of the book on Amazon or elsewhere, I’d be honored.
My Paper, My Words is a collection of essays, stories, and poems that reflect the challenges of a middle-class husband and father trying to navigate a rapidly changing political, religious, and technological landscape of post-9/11 America.
For the Benefit of Vladimir
Sing to the tune of Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite by the Beatles
For the benefit of Vladimir
A sourpuss that’s insincere, a criminal
JD and Trump will kiss his ass to lend support for his morass
is seminal.
Soldier men and forces, bombs and bosses,
Jumping through a hog’s head of real fire.
with a sneer Vladimir will challenge the world!
Inebriated Vladimir
lays down a beat on Saturday, at Ukraine’s gate.
A Russian Bear will dance and sing
As Rubio bows to a King, a coward’s fate
Mess’rs P. and T. assure the public
their protection will be lesser than none.
and of course, NATO the Horse, dances alone
The bombs begin at ten to six
When Vladimir performs his tricks without a sound
And Mister T. will demonstrate
There’re things he can’t resuscitate from underground
Having stuck the knife with devastation
A bloody time is guaranteed for all
And tonight, Vladimer is having a ball
Cash and Ka-Ching
We live in the land of cash and Ka-Ching
led by a thug who wants to be king
crushed like a bug if you don’t kiss the ring
watch Atlas shrug and the pendulum swing
Democracy’s dead
America killed it
There’s Ukrainian blood
and America spilled it
There’s a new world order
and Trump has fulfilled it
Democracy’s dead
and America Killed it
An anthem of hate
is all that we sing
we ransom our friends
on the end of a string
“You don’t have the cards”
we have all the bling
give us your minerals
we’re racketeering
Democracy’s dead
America killed it
there’s Ukrainian Blood
and America spilled it
there’s a new world order
and Trump has fulfilled it
Democracy’s dead
and America Killed it
We live in a world
of billionaire chums
chewing on steak
and tossing off crumbs
pigeons and porridge
cogs on a wheel
hope suffocates
in containers of steel
don’t tell us about
the pain that you feel
you pigeons on porridge
you cogs on a wheel
America’s dead
Donald Trump killed it
there’s American blood
and Donald Trump spilled it
there’s a new world order
and Trump has fulfilled it
America’s dead
and Donald Trump killed it
Let’s Ask Arty about the War in Ukraine
Let’s Ask Arty uses existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to query LLMs about politics in these troubled times.
Query 1: How did the war between Ukraine and Russia start?
The war between Ukraine and Russia began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This invasion was preceded by years of tension and conflict, including Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine2. The full-scale invasion in 2022 marked a significant escalation in the conflict
Query 2: Did Russian Forces commit war crimes against Ukraine citizens?
Yes, there have been numerous credible reports and investigations indicating that Russian forces have committed war crimes against Ukrainian citizens since the invasion began in 2022. These war crimes include deliberate attacks on civilian targets such as hospitals, schools, and residential areas, indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas, abduction, torture, and murder of civilians, forced deportations, sexual violence, and destruction of cultural heritage.
Query 3: Is Vladimir Putin responsible for war crimes against Ukraine?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. This is part of broader allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces, including deliberate attacks on civilian targets, abductions, torture, and murder of civilians, and destruction of cultural heritage.
Query 4: As an American citizen, how can I support Ukraine in its war with Russia even when my government seems now to be siding with Russia?
It’s commendable that you want to support Ukraine despite the complexities of international politics. Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to humanitarian organizations: Organizations like People in Need, the Ukrainian Red Cross, International Medical Corps, and CARE are actively providing aid to those affected by the conflict. Your donations can help provide food, shelter, medical aid, and other essential services1.
- Support Ukrainian businesses: Purchase products made in Ukraine or from Ukrainian-owned businesses to help support their economy.
- Advocate for Ukraine: Use your voice to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine. Write to your representatives, participate in peaceful protests, and use social media to spread the word.
- Volunteer: Look for local or international volunteer opportunities with organizations that support Ukraine. This could include anything from fundraising events to providing direct assistance to refugees.
- Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the situation in Ukraine and share accurate information with your community. Knowledge is power, and spreading awareness can lead to more support.
- Support cultural initiatives: Attend events, concerts, and exhibitions that promote Ukrainian culture and raise funds for the cause.
Query 5: Was Donald Trump financially beholden to Russia?
The relationship between Donald Trump and Russia has been a topic of much discussion and investigation. While Trump has consistently denied having any financial ties to Russia, investigations and reports have revealed several connections.
- Business Ventures: Trump has pursued business deals in Russia since the late 1980s. Although he never successfully concluded any real estate deals in Russia, Russian investors have heavily invested in Trump properties.
- Financing: Following his bankruptcies in the 1990s, Trump borrowed money from Russian sources. His children have also acknowledged that Russia was an important source of money for the Trump businesses.
- Associates: Several of Trump’s senior advisors and business partners have had financial and business ties to Russian financiers.
Despite these connections, Trump has maintained that he has no financial ties to Russia. The full extent and nature of these connections remain a subject of ongoing scrutiny and debate.
My Input
Before I get going, I need to jettison some of my anger about America’s shift regarding the war in Ukraine.
I’m angry that millions of Americans don’t seem to care their President is a fucking liar. They don’t seem to care that under Trump’s authority, America has flipped its position on Ukraine, signaling support for the nation that unlawfully invaded them while committing war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
This past week, in America’s name, Trump stood on the world stage and knowingly lied about who started the war in Ukraine and then regurgitated Russian talking points about President Zelensky being a dictator.
Let’s get to the point. As Arty states clearly, there is no ambiguity about what happened on February 24, 2022.
After Putin unlawfully invaded Ukraine and committed war crimes against Ukrainian citizens, America stood shoulder-to-shoulder with law-abiding nations around the world in condemnation of Russia. America and our Western European allies offered humanitarian, military, and moral support to help Ukraine defend and fight against Russia.
Before Trump became President again, standing up for Ukraine wasn’t a sticky wicket politically. Ukraine was not threatening Russia. Ukraine was simply next to Russia—there for the taking. The “right and wrong” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was so clear that even our divided Congress came together almost immediately to support President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.
I was proud of our government’s stance, but honestly, it was a no-brainer.
Right??
Now look at where we are today. Trump is working directly with Russia while excluding Ukraine from negotiations and labeling President Zelinsky a dictator.
What we need to remember about Donald Trump is that he’s purely transactional, has no moral compass, and has a penchant for revenge.
Why is this important regarding the war in Ukraine? Whether you curry favor or scorn Donald Trump, you can expect reciprocity—he’s a tit-for-tat president unfettered by morality or the rule of law.
Donald Trump dislikes President Zelensky because, in 2019, Zelensky didn’t agree to Trump’s request that he “do us a favor” and investigate Joe Biden, his political rival, and his son Hunter Biden.
Trump threatened to withhold military aid and a White House meeting as leverage to strong-arm Zelensky.
A House investigation found that Trump’s actions constituted an abuse of power (pressuring a foreign leader for personal political gain) and that he obstructed Congress by instructing his administration to ignore subpoenas for documents and testimony.
Donald Trump hates the fact that Zelensky would not be bullied and probably blames the Ukrainian President for his first impeachment.
Trump likes Vladimir Putin because Putin and Russia curried favor with Trump by interfering in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election to undermine Hillary Clinton’s campaign and boost Donald Trump’s chances of winning.
Russian interference included hacking and releasing emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton’s campaign chairman, as well as spreading disinformation through social media.
The U.S. intelligence community, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation all concluded that Russia engaged in an extensive campaign to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump.
The people who know Trump best – the ones who served in his administration and the high-ranking officers in the military that he commanded, spoke clearly before the 2024 election, telling Americans in no uncertain terms that Donald Trump was a fascist and a threat to our democracy and democracies around the world. However, the price of eggs was through the roof, a handful of trans athletes competed in events, and the local library hosted Drag Show Readings. And so millions of Americans turned a deaf ear to the warnings and voted for a convicted felon and serial sexual abuser. Today, the consequences of that decision are unfolding before our eyes.
It’s clear that Congress, which has the constitutional authority to check the President’s powers, lacks the courage to do so. And we can forget about the Judicial branch, which granted Trump immunity from criminal prosecution.
American citizens will have to right the ship. The longer Trump’s actions go on without protest or dissent from citizens, the more momentum Trump and the MAGA movement gain, and the more dangerous and difficult our task becomes.
With each passing day, more executive orders come, and Elon Musk swings the DOGE wrecking ball at federal institutions and agencies to weaken the government and solidify executive power and authority.
It’s up to American citizens to demand a moral, competent, and just government that supports democracy and works for the people instead of an autocratic, oligarchic government that demands fealty from the people.
The clock is ticking.
Put on your cape, we have a job to do!
More than two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Its army murdered civilians, raped women, and kidnapped children.
In a recent speech, Donald Trump said he would “encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want” to NATO countries who don’t pay their fair share.
In November 2024, American voters must become Guardians of Democracy, swarm to polling places in droves, and drive a stake through the heart of the MAGA movement once and for all.
Donald Trump wants to end American Democracy and Democracy around the world.
This November let’s end him instead.
Sustainable Outrage
At first, it was difficult to brush aside the carnage.
We see the horror of war and empathize with those engulfed by it.
We get angry at the senselessness of it.
We get agitated that one man’s evil ambition can wreak havoc on millions of innocent people who just want to live their lives.
But as the war drags on, we’ll grow to accept it as part of the global landscape.
For Ukrainians, outrage and anger fuel their fight and their will to survive.
For Ukrainians, outrage is ammunition. Outrage is necessary.
But for us watching the war from a safe distance, in 3-minute segments on flat-screen TVs, maintaining the same level of outrage we felt initially is not sustainable. Not because we’re callous or ambivalent, but because that level of outrage interferes with our daily routine and our need to get on with our lives.
Humans are not wired to maintain a constant state of outrage when their environment does not merit it, or when their survival does not depend on it.
For those not directly impacted by war, extended outrage is an impediment. To move on with our lives, outrage gives way to a begrudging (and guilt-laden) acceptance of other people’s suffering.
In a way, turning off our outrage becomes a survival mechanism.
Putin understands this.
Putin is betting that the world will get tired of feeling outrage.
Putin knows that outrage has a short shelf-life and all he has to do for victory is wait us out.
We need sustainable outrage to stand up against the enemies of freedom and democracy.
The Hum of the Drone
Bucha and Kiev get blasted by rockets
Widows and orphans – dead soldiers in lockets
Cruise missiles fall From Ukrainian skies
Putin’s foul mouth spewing nothing but lies
Train station platforms with panicked civilians
War crimes and weapons, with aid in the billions
Switchblades and Javelins seek tanks with their eyes
Dead Russian generals provide food for the flies
Thrust on the world stage
An actor turns hero
Europe is burning
as Putin plays Nero
Nuclear sabers, they rattle and clang
The world anxiously waits
for that one final bang
The EU and NATO Fight Russian aggression
While Russian civilians live under suppression
Doomsday on doorsteps, a knock at the door
Mankind is dead on the living room floor
Sunflower seeds in dead soldiers’ pockets
White teeming maggots in bloody eye sockets
Children lie dead under rubble and stone
To the flutter of birds and the hum of the drone
The Belled Tiger and the Bull in Democracy’s China Closet
‘Let he who tied the bell on the tiger take it off’
So said China’s President Xi Jinping, alluding to who is responsible for reigning in Vladimir Putin from his vicious and unlawful military assault on Ukraine.
So, who tied the bell on the Russian Tiger?
I would suggest:
The first bell was tied on the Tiger when Trump sought Russia’s cooperation in a US election.
The next bell on the tiger was Trump’s un-ending praise of Putin and other autocrats.
More bells were attached with 4 years of Trump trashing NATO alliances.
And then there was that big bell when Trump sided with Putin over US intelligence agencies, for everyone to see, in Helsinki.
Another bell on the Tiger was the Trump administration turning its back on the Kurds and letting Russia have its way in Syria.
So, President Xi is correct; America did indeed put the bell on the Tiger. A fuck-load of bells. Christ, with so many bells, we could name that Tiger Jingles.
Biden is dealing with a Russian Tiger, belled by 4 years of praise and appeasement from a thug-loving autocratic-wanna-be President who hated our NATO allies.
And now Putin, the belled Russian Tiger, is terrorizing Ukraine, murdering innocent men, women, and children.
I have my own proverb:
The belled tiger is less restrained and more dangerous after 4-years of an orange bull in Western Democracy’s China Closet.
Like a bull in a China Closet, former President Trump obliterated the norms of liberal western democracy in favor of autocratic principals, opening the door to a terroristic Tiger.
