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Tuesday March 31st – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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Susan Kokinda Gives a Recap of the Latest U.S. Distancing from EU/NATO Alliance

Susan Konkinda from Promethean Action, touches on the recent developments where President Trump and Secretary Bessent have distanced themselves from the old regimes of the former global alliances. Striking out anew, by charting a new course for sovereign nations.

Susan Kokinda argues that RFK Jr.’s CPAC remarks—praising Trump’s use of power and saying JFK and RFK would back Trump on Iran, Ukraine, and rebuilding the middle class—cut through media narratives and signal a break from post–WWII imperial management. She says Britain and allied institutions are being sidelined, citing Chatham House’s warnings about UK limits and a “Not So Special Relationship” under Trump 2.0, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt convene in Islamabad to open U.S.-Iran dialogue without the UK, EU, or NATO.

Trump names Vice President JD Vance lead negotiator, presented as an anti–forever war interlocutor who has challenged Netanyahu’s regime-change expectations. Kokinda links this foreign-policy shift to a broader “American System” agenda: Peter Navarro’s protectionist trade revolution and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s rejection of Bank of England–style Fed models, framing it as American System versus British System.” WATCH:

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Secretary of State Rubio Gives Lengthy Interview to Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera is essentially the state run media outlet of Qatar.  Secretary of State Rubio sat down for a lengthy interview with Al Jazeera that will be shared throughout the Arab world.

In an exclusive Al Jazeera interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Trump always prefers diplomacy, with messages and indirect talks ongoing between the US and figures inside Iran. Rubio demanded that Iran abandon all nuclear weapons ambitions, end its missile and drone programmes, and stop sponsoring terrorism across the region. He rejected Iran’s conditions for ending the war — including sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and financial compensation — calling the strait demand illegal and a dangerous global precedent. Rubio declared that the strait “will be open one way or another” after US military objectives are achieved, whether through Iranian compliance or an international coalition.”

“He outlined those objectives as the destruction of Iran’s air force (achieved), navy (largely achieved), missile launchers, and weapons factories — all to be completed in weeks, not months. Rubio expressed disappointment with NATO allies like Spain for denying basing rights and airspace, warning that the US would re-examine its NATO commitment. He confirmed the US would welcome regime change in Iran but insisted it was not the official objective of the current military operation. The interview also covered post-Maduro stabilisation in Venezuela and called for serious economic and political reforms in Cuba.” 

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Air Canada CEO Resigns After Backlash for Not Offering Condolences in French

This story is absurd, but also typically Canadian because there’s a background of duplicity at work.

The topline story is that Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau is resigning from his office following backlash in Quebec after he released a statement of condolence in the English language.  The Quebec legislature and Prime Minister Mark Carney both demanded his resignation because they were offended that Rousseau did not speak French.

Air Canada was involved in a horrific crash at New York’s La Guardia airport.  While the airline was not at fault, the CEO released a public message of condolence for the pilots who were killed and the passengers who were injured.  The message was delivered in English.  That’s the substantive reasoning given for the Canadian outrage.

(VIA NBC) – Air Canada announced Monday its CEO will retire later this year, after Michael Rousseau was criticized for his English-only message of condolence following this month’s deadly crash in New York.

Canada’s largest airline, based in French-speaking Quebec, said Rousseau told the board he will leave by the end of the third quarter.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Holds a Press Briefing – 1:00pm ET Livestream

Today at 1:00pm, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing from the Brady Room at the White House.  Livestream Links Below:

AP Livestream – Video feed from Brady Room with audio active. [Often you can hear the corporate media discuss their intents and objectives before the briefing begins]:

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President Trump Presents a Strong Statement Toward Iran – Secretary Rubio Responds in Real Time

As Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears for an interview on Good Morning America, President Trump released the following statement:

The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran. Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet “touched.” This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year “Reign of Terror.” Thank you for your attention to this matter.” ~ President DONALD J. TRUMP

Secretary Rubio responded in real time to questions about the objectives.  Rubio impressively underlined the objectives in Iran, reemphasizing the core intent of the military operation to remove the capacity of Iran to pose a threat to the stable alliances that have formed in the region.  WATCH:

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March 29th – 2026 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day 434

In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Sunday March 29th – Open Thread

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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Tensions Surface Between Secretary Marco Rubio and Insufferable EU Foreign Affairs Rep Kaja Kallas

If you’ve ever watched the intrapersonal aspects of the EU as a governing body, you have likely noticed that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, is an annoying person always injecting herself into every discussion. The DEI infected bureaucrats always go along with it.

Last month, Kallas came to the USA to meet with members of congress sympathetic to World War Reddit and Zelenskyy. A cashmere dustup was created because Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn’t meet with her on the eve of Operation Epic Fury.  Mrs Kallas felt slighted.

According to insider reports, during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to the G7 foreign minister’s assembly in Paris Mrs Kallas took the opportunity to snark at Secretary Rubio.

(Via Axios) – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio when the U.S. would get tough on Russia during a G7 ministers meeting on Friday, sparking a sharp retort, according to three sources who attended the meeting.

She noted that Rubio had said at the same forum a year earlier that if Russia hampered U.S. efforts to end the war, the U.S. would run out of patience and take more steps against the Kremlin.

“A year has passed and Russia hasn’t moved,” Kallas told Rubio, according to the sources. “When is your patience going to run out?”

Rubio was visibly annoyed, “We are doing the best we can to end the war. If you think you can do it better, go ahead. We will step aside,” he fired back, raising his voice. (read more)

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Self-Appointed Iranian Opposition Leader Prince Reza Pahlavi Delivers Keynote Speech at CPAC 2026

As expected, overall CPAC 2026 has been a big dud with more than half of the events sparsely attended, and more empty seats than audience members.  CPAC has been rejected by the majority of the pragmatic MAGA base, leaving only a shallow lineup of regretful podcast voices showcasing their diminished influence.  It’s a hot mess.

That said, a large gathering of organized Persians and Texas evangelicals who support Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the outside opposition leader to Iran showed up for his keynote address.  While many in the audience likely had never heard of Pahlavi prior to today, they know they do not support the religious zealots who are being confronted by President Trump.

President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio have kept the Pahlavi crowd at a diplomatic arm’s length as they work through the optimal solutions; however, Prince Reza Pahlavi was well received at CPAC 2026 to deliver his remarks.

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