This smells really bad

This smells really bad: Back in August 2022, I watched the Biden administration send agents to former President Trump's home. I told my wife that it was crazy overreach and would backfire along with all the other lawfare. The explanation was that they were…..

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https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/this_smells_really_bad.html

Repeated objections? So why did they approve the operation when there were repeated objections?

This smells really bad - American Thinker https://t.co/NaJro7bjQq

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) December 18, 2025

Back in August 2022, I watched the Biden administration send agents to former President Trump's home. I told my wife that it was crazy overreach and would backfire along with all the other lawfare. The explanation was that they were searching for documents that the former President was not releasing. The whole thing just looked like a banana republic operation.

Well, a new article by Byron York provides some new information that may confirm that my "banana republic" reaction may have been on target. This is the story:

As the FBI raised doubts that a search warrant for Donald Trump’s Florida estate met probable cause standards, the Justice Department under President Joe Biden pushed to expand the search’s scope, refused cooperation with Trump’s attorney, and discounted the agents’ concerns about the optics of the raid, according to newly declassified emails turned over to Congress.

The new evidence that surfaced Tuesday may have more than political impact, as a top congressman warns it may give Trump cause to sue for civil liberty violations or prompt prosecutors to pursue a criminal investigation.

"This is going to go down as a very dark chapter in American history, and President Trump may have recourse now to be able to seek damages at some point in time," Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., told Just the News.

The new emails were turned over to Congress after Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel declassified them. They show the FBI in summer 2022 raised repeated objections to raiding Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, expressing doubt that there was sufficient “probable cause” to believe the then-former president had broken the law in handling classified documents. 

The memos also show that the bureau's Washington Field Office and its agents repeatedly tried to find alternative solutions to a contentious raid of the property, including having a “reasonable conversation” with Trump’s lawyers and limiting the search warrant to avoid private areas of the estate.

 Repeated objections? So why did they approve the operation when there were repeated objections?

My answer is that they knew that it was "a banana republic" operation by people who thought that a Democrat would be elected in 2024 and the whole thing would be pushed under the rug. It reminds me of Director James Comey protecting Hillary Clinton on the assumption that he'd be given a nice job when she was in the White House. Maybe I'm too cynical, but we are talking about very calculating and ruthless people.

So it's up to the Congress to pick up this ball and move forward. A former President's house was raided and now we learn that there were doubts about the whole thing. It smells bad and should smell bad even if you hate Trump.

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2013 podcast: Christmas and "war stories" with Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen

Christmas and "war stories" with Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen....

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Listen to "Christmas and "war stories" with Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen" on Spreaker.

Happy # 82 Keith Richards

We say happy birthday to Keith Richards who was born in the UK on this day in 1943.  

Keith made a big name for himself as the lead guitarist for The Rolling Stones.  Along with Mick Jagger, Keith composed most of the group's big hits.  He is one of the most influential rockers in rock history. 

In fact, Rolling Stone ranks Keith among the top guitarists in rock music history.

Keith has also led a crazy and fast life.  Frankly, it's hard to believe that he is 70-plus!  He must have good genes because Keith "has had a lot of fun in life".

Click here for "Jumpin' Jack Flash", one of the best examples of Keith Richards' guitar.

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We remember Ty Cobb (1886-1961)

Ty Cobb was born on this day in 1886.  He died in 1961. 

His career was all about consistency,  

Cobb played his first game in 1905 and set all kinds of records along the way:   .366 career batting average, 1,937 RBI, an unbelievable .433 on base average and 4,189 hits!

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Christmas 1958: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Christmas song

THE CHIPMUNKS

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

"All right you Chipmunks! Ready to sing your song?

I'll say we are! Yeah! Let's sing it now!

Okay, Simon? Okay! Okay, Theodore? Okay!

Okay, Alvin? Alvin? Alvin! Okay!

Christmas, Christmas time is near Time for toys and time for cheer

We've been good, but we can't last Hurry Christmas, hurry fast

Want a plane that loops the loop Me, I want a hula hoop

We can hardly stand the wait Please Christmas, don't be late.

Okay fellas get ready. That was very good, Simon.

Naturally. Very good Theodore. Ah

Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it.

Ah, Alvin. Alvin.Alvin! Okay

Want a plane that loops the loop I still want a hula hoop

We can hardly stand the wait Please Christmas, don't be late.

We can hardly stand the wait Please Christmas, don't be late.

Very good, boys Lets sing it again!

Yeah, lets sing it again! 

No, that's enough, lets not overdo it

What do you mean overdo it?

We want to sing it again! Now wait a minute, boys

Why can't we sing it again? Alvin, cut that out Theodore, just a minute.

Simon will you cut that out? Boys...."

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We remember Zoilo Versalles (1939-1995)

Zoilo Casanova Versalles y Rodríguez was born on this day 1939 in Marianao, Cuba. He broke with the Senators (now the Twins) and became a pretty good shortstop in the early 1960’s.

In 1965, Versalles won the AL MVP and led the Twins to the World Series against the LA Dodgers: .273 with 19 HR & 77 RBI’s plus 42 doubles, 13 triples and 126 runs scored. It was a great season for the young man from Marianao, and one of the many who played in the Cuban winter league and later in the majors.

Zoilo died in 1995. In 2005, he was posthumously honored by induction into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.

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The Ronettes and "Sleigh Ride"

The Ronettes were one of the great girl groups.     

They were Veronica (Ronnie) Bennett (1943-2022), her sister Estelle (1941-2009) and their cousin Nedra Talley.   They grew up in New York City's Washington Heights.

"Be My Baby" was one of the first 45s in my collection.   It is one of the greatest songs of the 1960s. 

The Ronettes, one of the great "girl groups" of pop!  Their version of "Sleigh ride" is a must at Christmas.

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A chat with Leslie Eastman, Legal Insurrection.

Guest:  Leslie Eastman, Legal Insurrection.    We will review the first year of the Trump presidency and some of her recent articles about climate change and other stories.

Chile goes right, Big Apple goes left

Chile goes right, Big Apple goes left: In two weeks, New York City will inaugurate a new socialist mayor. In a few weeks, Chile will inaugurate a new president from the Right. In Seattle, a socialist is now the mayor, but in Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Bolivia, and…..

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/chile_goes_right_big_apple_goes_left.html

What in the world is going on? Socialism is dead but alive and well in New York City and Seattle.

Chile goes right, Big Apple goes left - American Thinker https://t.co/jn84xU57Jd

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) December 17, 2025

In two weeks, New York City will inaugurate a new socialist mayor. In a few weeks, Chile will inaugurate a new president from the Right. In Seattle, a socialist is now the mayor, but in Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Paraguay, leaders from the Right are governing or starting to govern.

What in the world is going on? Socialism is dead but alive and well in New York City and Seattle. Of course, they don't really call it “socialism” but rather the "affordability" crisis. Did you ever read about a socialist country that made things more affordable? No. They make people miserable and poor. They make things more affordable by rationing everything or rent controls that turn pretty buildings into slums. Have you a recent picture of Havana? I mean that part of Havana that the tourists spending dollars don't get to see. Yes, the part where Cubans live and the hospitals are falling apart. My family used to live in that pretty part of Cuba that now looks recently bombed for days.

Chile's victory was massive, as NPR pointed out:

Kast's victory follows years of left-of-center rule in Chile. It also reflects a broader regional trend in Latin America in which security and migration have become decisive electoral issues.

In elections this year Bolivia ousted socialists who had ruled for nearly two decades. Argentina's La Libertad Avanza won legislative elections, boosting President Javier Milei's influence in Congress, and Ecuador re-elected center-right Daniel Noboa.

Far-right libertarian President Javier Milei of neighboring Argentina welcomed Kast's win, calling his "friend's" victory proof that Latin America is casting off the "oppressive shackles of 21st-century socialism."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tweeted his congratulations, saying Washington looks forward to "partnering with his administration to strengthen regional security."

 By the way, Secretary Marco Rubio is a big winner here too. He is convinced Latin American leaders that the U.S. has their backs in the battle against narcos and that doing business with the U.S. is a better bet than China.

As we celebrate Chile and other examples of the good guys winning, we also look with shock and horror at some of our cities. Who told them that socialism works or that you make things affordable by telling people what they want to hear? Well, they will learn the hard way and maybe follow the example of Chile and others in rejecting this garbage.

 P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

We remember Pope Francis (1936-2025)

We remember Pope Francis who was born on this day in 1936 in Argentina and died in 2025.

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article following the "Person of the Year" recognition.

I loved Pope Francis' "down to earth" approach.  It was very refreshing.  However, he did go down "the climate change" hole too often and lost me in the process.

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1903: Orville and Wilbur Wright

It must have been a very exciting 12 seconds for the Wright brothers.   Orville piloted the craft and the brothers flew 120 feet. And we've been flying ever since!

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2015: Christmas books and poetry of the season with Frank Burke

Christmas books and poetry of the season with Frank Burke............. 

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Listen to "2015 podcast: Christmas books and poetry of the season with Frank Burke" on Spreaker.

A pre-Castro Cuban Navidad

Getting ready for 'Navidad" is one of my favorite Cuban traditions, in part because my mother's kitchen had a wonderful smell all month!

For a little pre-Castro nostalgia, see Postal de Navidad - Christmas Card!

Again, have a good Noche Buena!  Feliz Navidad to all of you!

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Happy # 87 to Leo "Chico" Cardenas

Leonardo Lazaro (Alfonso) Cardenas was born in Matanzas on this day in 1938.  

 

He made it to the majors in 1960 where he got the nickname of “Chico” and “Mr. Automatic” because he was so good at playing shortstop.

 

Cardenas was a 5-time All Star.  He played 9 years with the Cincinnati Reds and 3 with the Minnesota Twins.    He replaced fellow Cuban Zoilo Versalles as the shortstop for the Twins.

 

Overall, he hit .257 over 16 seasons.     Along the way, he hit 20 HR & 81 RBI's in 1966 and 18 HR & 75 RBI's in 1970.   Back then, those were huge power numbers for a shortstop.

 

Cardenas played in the 1961 World Series with the Reds and in the 1969 & 1970 ALCS with the Twins.   He is best remembered as the man who made everything look easy at shortstop.

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Elections in Chile and more Latin American countries moving to the right...

Elections in Chile and more Latin American countries moving to the right;  Chicago is a mess; Battle of the Bulge 1944 and other stories.

Chileans glad they have a First Lady again

Chileans glad they have a First Lady again: Elections have consequences. For some strange reason, the current partner of incumbent President Gabriel Boric chose to avoid the First Lady title. She succeeded his first partner, who also avoided the title. One of the nice benefits of having….

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/chileans_glad_they_have_a_first_lady_again.html

As usual, Mr. Kast will now have to govern and that's always more difficult. Nevertheless, the Chilean people voted for change and will get it.

Chileans glad they have a First Lady again - American Thinker https://t.co/9KGG2il7G4

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) December 16, 2025

The Battle of The Bulge 1944 with Barry Jacobsen, military historian

Guests: Barry Jacobsen, military historian....We will remember the 81st anniversary of The Battle of The Bulge.........and other stories....

click to listen:

Listen to "The Battle of The Bulge 1944 with Barry Jacobsen, military historian" on Spreaker.

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Birthday parties & the Cuban kitchen with Marta Verdes Darby and Sonia Martinez

Birthday parties & the Cuban kitchen with Marta Verdes Darby and Sonia Martinez ....click to listen....... 

 

Listen to "The Cuban kitchen with Marta Verdes Darby and Sonia Martinez" on Spreaker.

"Brief encounter" is intense but very nice

A few years ago, I caught a portion of Noel Coward's "Brief encounter" on TCM.   It is a movie from 1945.

It is the story of a married woman who meets a doctor at a train station.  It's a chance meeting and they begin to see each other.    She is Celia Johnson and he is Trevor Howard.

I had no idea that the movie is considered a romantic classic.    

Also, the movie's soundtrack is fabulous, or Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto exquisitely dropped in at different moments of the story.

Very nice movie.     What happened to the married woman and the doctor?   Watch the movie and find out!

 P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1951: The best "The Christmas Carol" with Alastair Sim

We will watch several versions of "The Christmas Carol" over the holidays.   

My favorite is the 1951 movie with Alastair Sim as "Scrooge".   In fact, it's hard for me to watch another version without comparing it to this one.

It is great every year!   

You can get a copy here:   CLICK!

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We remember Mike Flanagan (1950-2011)

We remember Mike Flanagan who was born in New Hampshire on this 1951.   

Mike broke with the Orioles in 1975 and turned into one of the best lefties in the American League.     I remember watching Mike pitch game 1 of the 1979 World Series, a complete game 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh.

His best year was 1979:   23-9, 3.08 ERA, Cy Young Award and a trip to the World Series.

Overall, he won 167 games with a 3.90 ERA.   He also pitched with Toronto in 1987-89.

Mike Flanagan died of an apparent suicide in 2011.   Very sad ending to a pretty good baseball life.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Jane Austen was born on this day in 1775.   She wrote some of the most popular novels of the 19th century.   

In recent years, many discovered her novels because of movies like "Sense and Sensibility"  "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma".   Jane Austen was one of the greatest writers in English history.   A few years ago, a BBC poll named her one of the "100 Most Famous Britons of All Time." 

She died in 1816.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Christmas 1957: "Jingle bell rock" by Bobby Helms

Normally, I am very traditional about Christmas music.   However, there are exceptions, such as Bobby Helms' "Jingle bell rock", a classic from 1957 that we hear every year.   Helms was a 1950's rocker who recorded other hits like "My special angel". 

 This is "Jingle Bell Rock":

"Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell,Jingle-bell rock,

Jingle-bells swing andJingle-bells ring.

Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun,

Now the Jingle hop has begun.

Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell rock,

Jingle-bells chime in Jingle-bell time.

Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square In the frosty air.

What a bright time; it's the right time

To rock the night away.

Jingle bell time is a swell time

To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh.

Giddy up Jingle horse; pick up your feet;

Jingle around the clock.

Mix and mingle in a jinglin' beat;

That's the Jingle-bell rock.

Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell rock,

Jingle-bells swing andJingle-bells ring.

Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun,

Now the Jingle hop has begun.

Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell, Jingle-bell rock, Jingle-bells chime in Jingle-bell time.

Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square

In the frosty air.

What a bright time; it's the right time

To rock the night away.

Jingle bell time is a swell time

To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh.

Giddy up Jingle horse; pick up your feet;

Jingle around the clock.

Mix and mingle in a jinglin' beat;

That's the Jingle-bell

That's the Jingle-bell

That's the Jingle-bell rock."

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Happy birthday Mr. Beethoven (1770-1827)

We remember Ludwig van Beethoven born on this day in 1770.    He died in 1827.

During his life, Beethoven composed some of the great masterpieces of music, from the symphonies to sonatas. 

To be fair, there is a bit of confusion regarding his actual date of birth.   I have seen both December 16th & 17th.   Nevertheless, we will go with the birthday greetings anyway and remember the amazing composer.

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The week in rerview with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda

The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda.  Terror in Australia.  Shooting in Brown College.  ObamaCare subsidies.  Glenn Miller 1944 plus other stories....

The week in review with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda

 

 
Listen to "The week in rerview with Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda" on Spreaker.

Trump has a point about Europe

Trump has a point about Europe: A few days ago, President Trump said this: President Trump said the cultural and ideological changes caused by mass immigration are…..

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/12/trump_has_a_point_about_europe.html

A few days ago, President Trump said this:

President Trump said the cultural and ideological changes caused by mass immigration are "decaying" European nations, to the point where they may no longer be U.S. allies.

"They should be freaked out by what they're doing to their countries. They're destroying their countries," Trump told Politico's Dasha Burns in an interview aired Tuesday. "It gets to a point where you can't really correct it. There'll be a point, and it's very close to that point."

"It will mean that they're no longer going to be strong nations, or they won't be allies," Trump said. "They'll change their ideology, obviously, because the people coming in have a totally different ideology. They'll be much weaker, and they'll be much different."

Well, the Europeans are freaking out. They don't like to be insulted, they say. Deep inside, they must know that President Trump is right. This is not your dad's Europe, to recall the old car commercial.

It sure looks like a perfect storm has hit Europe.

As we know, they grew accustomed to being protected by the U.S. We defended them and they spent all their money on generous social programs. It worked until U.S. taxpayers told them to spend more money on their own defense. It's tough to defend people who won't spend any money to defend themselves. To be fair, they are paying more but are their armed forces combat ready?

Furthermore, they are not reproducing, and God only knows what Europe is going to look 30 years now. It certainly won't look it did on VE Day 1945. Watch a video of Londoners celebrating that victory 80 years and see if it looks like London does today.

Last but not least, their immigration policies did not bring them people who want to be Europeans. They want the welfare program but not the integration into whatever country they are residing. Just ask the women who can't walk their streets safely anymore. To be fair again, they are talking more about it now, but it may be too late for some countries.

So Trump can be blunt, but sometimes you have to be, as the Europeans are finding out. The truth hurts, as someone said.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

So Trump can be blunt, but sometimes you have to be, as the Europeans are finding out. The truth hurts, as someone said.

Trump has a point about Europe - American Thinker https://t.co/Y9LvOMOL2D

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) December 15, 2025

Glenn Miller and the tunes of Cuba

Glenn Miller and the tunes of Cuba: It’s another December 15, and a time to remember the great Glenn Miller.   His career was brief but extremely consequential. The best part is that thinking of Miller’s music reminds me of my father.  

Click to read:

Glenn Miller and the tunes of Cuba - American Thinker https://t.co/iforNFNnuP

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) December 15, 2024

 It’s another December 15, and a time to remember the great Glenn Miller.   His career was brief but extremely consequential.

The best part is that thinking of Miller’s music reminds me of my father.  He was 18 and living in a small town in central Cuba called Sagua La Grande, 30 miles from the ocean.  As my father tells me, it was a sad day when the news broke on the radio of Miller’s disappearance.  I’m not sure when they assumed that he was lost over the English Channel, but probably not too long.

Down on the island, there were many clubs of youngsters who loved this music.  Miller’s big band sound influenced Cuban bands like Perez “Mambo King” Prado and others. 

I learned over the years that buying a CD, or LP, of Miller’s music was always met with approval.  My father died nine years ago, but I’ll tune in to one of Miller’s songs and enjoy some father-son memories. 

His music lives on in the many recordings still available.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Happy # 83 Dave Clark

Happy Birthday Dave Clark.   He was born in Tottenham, North London, on this day in 1942.

Clark was the leader of The Dave Clark 5, a great British band that followed The Beatles to the US in 1964.   In fact, they were probably the second biggest band in those early days of the British Invasion.

Dave was a great drummer and the band recorded some super songs.   They put 17 songs in the Billboard Top 40!    I believe that "Because", a ballad, was their best selling record.

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1944: Glenn Miller's plane lost over English Channel

1944 was a very tough year, from Europe to the Pacific, to D-Day, the Battle of The Bulge and the loss of Glenn Miller in December.

Miller was travelling to Paris for a Christmas concert and his plane was lost over the English Channel.     His plane was never found and Miller is still listed as MIA.

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Who remembers watching “Marcelino pan y vino”?

Many years ago, my father took my brother and I to see “Marcelino pan y vino” in Cuba.   I don’t remember when we saw it but it should have been around 1962.   The movie was shown at a church.   My guess is that it was not a public event because the Catholic schools had already been shut down.

The story is absolutely beautiful:

“Marcelino is an orphan who grows up in a monastery. One day when he eats his small meal in a room full of old things he gives a piece of his bread to an old wooden Jesus figure – and indeed it takes the bread and eats it. Getting a wish granted for his donation Marcelino wishes to see his mother…”

Years later, I found the movie in the US and watched it with my parents again.   It brought back a lot of memories to all of us.

The Spanish version came out in 1955.   The English version, known as “The Miracle of Marcelino” came out in 1956.

It is not a Christmas movie but a good one to enjoy with family at this time:

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Talking Texas with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.....

Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.......US-Mexico water treaty; Crockett leading Talarico; Wesley Hunt future; Redistricting and the 2026 midterms; Fernando Mendoza wins The Heisman trophy plus other stories.....