ICE Branching Out Into Family Court Corruption

In a story that would be comical if it was not so indicative of the deep corruption within the Trump Administration, One of Trump’s Friends Reportedly Asked ICE to Arrest the Mother of His Child in Custody Battle Gambit.

Paolo Zampolli, the man who introduced President Donald Trump to his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and is currently serving as U.S. special representative for global partnerships at Trump’s behest, asked ICE to arrest the mother of his child last June, according to The New York Times.

After learning that his Brazilian ex-girlfriend with whom he had a son, Amanda Ungaro, had been arrested on fraud charges in Florida, Zampolli allegedly “saw an opportunity” to land a potentially killing blow in his custody battle with her.

To make the matter even more surreal:

In 2016, the Times reported that Zampolli “secured Ms. Trump’s visa to the United States and introduced her to her future husband at a 1998 party he hosted at the Kit Kat Club,” and ” flew with Mr. Trump on his jet to attend the mogul’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago.”

This is the way - of Trump. 

Erika Kirk Comments

I was never a fan of Charlie Kirk, nor his organization Turning Point USA, nor his wife Erika Kirk. Their politics and values are, in my opinion, antithetical to fundamental American values and human morality. 

But, I do not agree with the outrage over Ericka Kirk's recent comment which, quoting, was, 

"Don't let anyone disenfranchise you because you're a young man, especially a young white male man. Don't ever let anyone talk down to you. We need strong men out there, strong men who are convicted that will be good leaders, good husbands, good fathers." 

Maybe the "especially a young white male man" is a bit much but would anyone be outraged it was "especially a young black male man." I think not. The issue is that people need to recognize discrimination and injustice wherever it occurs and to whomever it happens to. 

Now no doubt my experience of losing several million dollars due to fraud and other crimes by my ex-wife, her lawyer and others in the legal system play a large part of that. But clearly I would have lost nothing if I had been male. Indeed my ex-spouse would have paid me money and could very well have  gone to jail if our genders had been reversed.  That is just the truth. It does not negate the fact that women are often the victims of discrimination but to only recognize discrimination as against some groups and not others is a form of discrimination itself. 

Dirty Divorce Tricks

A few weeks ago I posted a video of the top 10 dirty tricks in a divorce. Here is another take on dirty tricks people use. It is sad to see how hate and especially money drive people to do truly awful things. 

Frozen River

My book club, which has two men and eight women, recently read Frozen River. which is based on the real-life diary of Martha Ballard, a late 1700s midwife who journaled her activities, including over 800 births. I liked the book but, as many historical fiction books do, the author put her modern self into the historical character. It just did not feel realistic. Also, as one woman pointed out Martha's husband was a total female fantasy of a man. It was laughable. 

The strangest thing for me was in our discussion where many woman relished a scene where Martha cut off and burned the penis of an unarguably bad and violent man. 

I do wonder, and did point out to the group, how they would feel of a male character cut off and burned the breasts of a bad woman. I'll bet they would have all hated the book and many would have read no further. 

Yet Another Protest Song

I have a feeling I could post about a new Minnesota ICE protest song every day and never catch up. 

This one is a bit different. It was created by a guy named Jimmy in Sweden using AI and then put into a video by Marc Skjervem, an Assistant Dean at the University of Minnesota. It is way better than you would think. It sent a chill down my spine. I'm very proud to be a Minnesotan. 

One More Protest Song

Yesterday I posted songs from Bruce Springsteen and U2 protesting ICE in Minnesota. As I was driving this morning I head another protest song, this time from The Roe Family Singers. It's pretty good. I do love the creativity in people. It give me hope. 

ICE In Minnesota

We have had a lot of ice in Minnesota this year. Both kinds. One we are used to, the other not so much. I recently got back from a trip to Asia which included time in Vietnam and Cambodia. Both places felt ridiculously safe. I don't believe I saw any military forces and police presence was minimal. At home we now have volunteer watchers outside of daycare centers, schools and small business to warn of ICE presence. Cambodia, pretty much a dictatorship, and Vietnam, a single party state, felt safe but at home citizens are protecting other citizens from the government. Surreal.

And yes they are protecting non-citizens, most of which are here legally, but also many citizens as ICE is harassing and even murdering law abiding citizens. 

One of the most ironic aspects of ICE activity is they are targeting citizens who are protesting their actions. Possibly even more than the illegal immigrants they are supposedly looking for. Our country was literally founded by people who protested their government's unethical and immoral actions. We call such people patriots. 

Seeing all the citizens protesting, watching, delivering food to those afraid to go out, supporting small business as well as all the anti-ICE signs (many humorous) makes me prouder to be a Minnesotan than ever.  Carry on!

And a big thank you from all Minnesotans to Bruce Springsteen and U2!