Welcome 2026

I woke up on January 1 and decided not to look, listen, or watch the news. I was invited to two parties on New Year's Day. To be in a celebratory mood, I pretended that Trump and the current regime did not exist. People I spoke to at the parties said jokingly that I was looking at the world through "rose-colored glasses." I laughed and said, "just for a few hours." I needed a few hours of respite from the constant barrage concerning Trump's unconstitutional actions.

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t was merely a few hours before I saw the news about the tragic fire in Switzerland, at a crowded bar. Most of the victims were teenagers, since the drinking age in Switzerland is 16 for wine and beer and 18 for hard liquor. Evidently, the bar was not expensive--no cover charge and inexpensive drinks. The cause of the fire appears to be negligence on the part of the owners. Trump was eerily quiet.

Mamdani was sworn in as mayor by Bernie Sanders, cute gesture; however, both of their views on Israel leave me feeling uncertain. Mamdani would make great improvements if he had the subway stations cleaned and trash collection more streamlined. But let's see.

Given what I know about the president, I sensed trouble was coming. I was correct. A man I conversed with at one of the New Year's Day parties commented that future trouble was coming. The form and content would be a shock or surprise. In this case he was correct but not completely.

When I read the headlines today, I jolted but only momentarily. Here was the next bad news, somewhat predictable and certainly from an old playbook. Of course, Trump would pick a Saturday; when Congress was not in session; and when Americans were returning to normal life after the holiday season, expected behavior from him. I guess the oil he will literally siphon off is more appealing to him and his cronies than the fact that this kind of regime change has not been successful in Latin America or anywhere else. Frequently, I have thought that Latin America would boil over, since the United States has meddled in various countries for decades. Most of the countries have corrupt leaders, but the nations have made progress for themselves. Will this action tip the balance and cause more unrest and violence?

I pretended for a few hours. That's over. Now the accusations fly; the justifications (lies) are made; and the distraction continues. Many Americans have lost their healthcare; the National Guard are contemplating their navels in D.C; and the situation in the real hotspots of the world have not improved. ICE is active. The cost of groceries increases. However, Trump will get more oil. Nevermind that he has angered Cuba (an ally of Russia) and enabled more territory grabbing by the likes of Putin and Xi.

A party only lasts a few hours. Rose-colored glasses eventually obscure vision. I am not surprised that we are in another manic news cycle. Here we go again. Let's resist as we are able.

©Karen Levi 2026