Take vacation or you get stupid.🇦🇼🏝️
Dad. Husband. Coach. Independent. New Yorker. Veteran. Host: @indyamericans.bsky.social. Founder: @indyvetsofamerica.bsky.social, Righteous, @amvets4ukraine.bsky.social, IAVA, Operation Liberty. Fighting for Democracy: https://linktr.ee/paulrieckhoff
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Take vacation or you get stupid.🇦🇼🏝️
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General Hertling has it exactly right.
Ultimately, the problem isn’t that the Alaska meeting happened. The problem is THE SHOW squanders any the real chance of holding Russia to account for what it has done to global security. This is dangerous — for Ukraine, and for America & its future My latest: www.greatpower.us/p/half-baked...
A diplomat from Russia buried her face in her phone to avoid seeing the crimes of her country while Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko addressed the UN Security Council. Svyrydenko was showing a photo of a child's body killed in a Russian attack.
A funeral is being held today for 2-year-old Anhelina and her mother Nadiya near their destroyed home in Kyiv.🕯💔 They died during a Russian attack on the night of August 28. The girl's father, Maksym, was at work that night.
Jeremy Lin retires: “Its been the honor of a lifetime to compete vs the fiercest competitors under the brightest lights…to challenge what the world thought was possible for someone who looks like me.…I’ll forever be the kid who felt fully alive everytime I touched a basketball”
Linsanity forever.
I’ve always liked UT, but Arch has got me all in this season. College football is back. Nothing like it in the world. A true American original and masterpiece. Let’s GOOOO!🤘🏼🏈🇺🇸
Ooof. Awful.
www.cbsnews.com/news/joni-er...
Soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division fired a pair FIM-92 Stinger missiles this week during the Super Garuda Shield exercise in Indonesia, a "milestone" first for the Alaska-based division. (from @wyattwolson.bsky.social)
The stories of these kids are truly tragic and harrowing. But how about the media stops interviewing kids immediately after an insanely traumatic experience? Their pain and processing is not your clickbait.
#LookForTheHelpers Minnesota Shooting Was Met With Acts of Heroism, Big and Small www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/u...
Watch/listen here: https://independentamericans.us/346-sam-bee-replay-the-kurds-are-being-slaughtered-democrats-debate-again-the-middle-east-jenga-game-sam-bee-at-the-dmv-the-daily-show-reunion-tour-fighting-back-with-comedy-djibouti-and-nau/
🎙🚨 Sam Bee live from way back in 2019. Sam doesn't hold back, delivering a blistering critique of the administration, the politicians who enable it, and the moral compromises being made in Washington to placate Trump. Sound familiar? 🎙🚨
Listen or watch the full episode here: https://independentamericans.us/348-aaron-mankin-replay-losing-your-face-in-combat-debating-sara-huckabee-sanders-in-high-school-how-to-survive-70-surgeries-aarons-playboy-mansion-story-scars-are-not-forever-operat/
🎙🚨 Our August break continues and we're throwing it way back to episode 34 with Aaron Mankin. It's a masterclass in turning trauma into purpose and people like Aaron are why we built this show. More at www.IndependentAmericans.us. Join us.🎙🚨
Listen now: https://independentamericans.us/349-jeffrey-wright-replay-westworld-and-covid19-fighting-the-virus-in-brooklyn-rallying-for-restaurants-ebola-in-sierra-leone-the-slave-behind-jack-daniels-whiskey/
Best of @indyamericans.bsky.social replay! One of my favorites. With a special I’m-on-vacation intro. Listen or watch! Jeffrey is amazing. And as the great Les Gelb always taught me, take vacation or you get stupid! 🎙️🚨🇺🇸🏖️
Ukrainian aviation carried out a series of strikes that wiped out an entire unit of Russian occupiers in Kulbaky, Kursk region. The air bombs hit: - the unit’s command post/headquarters; - personnel deployment points; - communications/EW team; - MANPADS crew.
The Chicago Sun Times Suntimes reported this morning on the discussions about Great Lakes, citing internal Navy emails. "These operations are similar to what occurred in Los Angeles earlier this summer. Same DHS team,” the base commander wrote to staff, according to emails cited by the Sun Times.
The acknowledgment comes after I reported Saturday for @washingtonpost.com that for weeks, there has been active military planning for a mission in Chicago as soon as next month that likely would complement ICE ops.
It’s happening. 🚨🇺🇸
Today marks four years since an attack on Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. troops and many more Afghans, and wounded dozens more people. It was a ghastly twist in a relentless crisis. Thinking of all involved. Thinking of all still struggling with their own scars from that long war.
On the Washington Post's "Post Reports" podcast today, I discuss ongoing military planning by the Trump administration to deploy troops to Chicago. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
It’s now fully on. It was only a matter of time before they clashed. And @govwesmoore.bsky.social was built for this.
No Trump deal with Putin after Alaska. And it’s long past time to stop caring about what Russia wants. I joined #ConnellMcShane on #NewsNationfor my weekly segment on what happens now. And why Trump’s entire approach is upside down. youtu.be/Dvvog_xBOgs?...
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I will not authorize the use of the Maryland National Guard for any mission that isn’t mission critical or mission aligned. Full stop.
One of the coolest views in all of baseball. Amazing for kids and like having a whole ballpark to yourselves. Highly recommended for your family baseball bucket list. Let’s GO Staten Island Ferry Hawks! #ILoveNYC 🗽⚾️🇺🇸
Continuing to shamefully tie Ukraine’s hands. Putin is thankful. kyivindependent.com/pentagon-has...
As expected, Chicago is likely next.🚨🇺🇸 www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hawaii beats Stanford! What a game. College football is back!
Let’s paint the world in blue and yellow — together for Ukraine🇺🇦 Check more here: www.instagram.com/p/DNsKPcwUCF...
It’s incredible to see this blue and yellow flag flying proudly in every corner of the world and to feel how many people stand with Ukrainians at a time when this support is needed more than ever, after more than four years of full-scale war.
Today, the bravest people in the world celebrate one of the most important days of their nation — Ukraine’s Flag Day🇺🇦
Was down at the D.C. Wharf tonight. Several groups of National Guard members were walking the area. All I encountered were friendly and professional. There's a bigger discussion going on. But small interactions like these are part of it, too.
One civ-mil affairs expert:
🚨BREAKING. 19 states. 19. www.foxnews.com/politics/nat... As I’ve long warned, the border, LA and DC are just the start. And Chicago and NYC are next.🚨🇺🇸
US Open Fan Week is one of the coolest things in sports. Free. Totally free. That doesn’t happen much in pro sports. And it’s one of the best vibes and experiences anywhere. And awesome for the kids. If you’ve never been, I recommend you add it to your family’s bucket list. #ILoveNYC 🎾🗽🇺🇸
…Hegseth also fired Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, who is chief of the Navy Reserve, as well as Rear Adm. Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL officer who oversees Naval Special Warfare Command, another U.S. official said.” 🚨🇺🇸
A busy August Friday of radical moves continues—as Trump’s purge of the military expands. apnews.com/article/pent... “Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse will no longer serve as head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency..
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”🚨🇺🇸
“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
But make no mistake, this is The New American Crisis.
They are crushing freedom, liberty and the soul of America one radical move at a time. And every patriotic American must stay vigilant and do all that we peacefully can to stop them. It’s not about the midterms. It’s about now. Every day. Every single day. Until it’s no longer necessary.
Don’t let them normalize these radical and toxic expansions of power and abuses of our military and federal security assets. None of this is normal. And none of it is acceptable.
More domestic military deployments. And more masked, intimidating and unaccountable forces with weapons. He finally has HIS military that he’s always wanted. And more. This has always been the plan to gather more power. And he’s ahead of schedule. It’s not about distraction. It’s about power.
The border was first. LA was next. Then DC. NYC or Chicago are probably next. Possibly in places like Times Square and Grand Central—and/or at the Statue of Liberty and on other high-visibility pieces of federal land.
Strategically timed for late August when Congress is gone and much of America is tuned out. And as Democrats (and of course his own disgustingly compromised and complicit Republican party) fail to stop him.
Step by step by step, methodically and predictably, Trump’s dangerous and unprecedented abuses of power continue to escalate and expand. As today, he now openly targets a vocal critic in Bolton with the FBI. As again, he accelerates militaristic expansion in DC. apnews.com/article/wash...
Meanwhile.
This would be a huge and overdue step that will save countless civilian lives.🇺🇸🇺🇦
Check out all of our recaps from the North Idaho tour on my other channels. Facebook, IG, and TikTok have most of our video content!
We wrapped up the North Idaho leg of our SUTS Tour, and now we're coming to Southern Idaho! Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls August 15-18. We had so much up North: good people, good food, and good views!
Russia launched the third-largest strike of the war thus far against Ukraine on the night of August 20 to 21. Russia likely prepared for this strike for several weeks, stockpiling drones and missiles over the backdrop of ongoing US-Russian negotiations and the August 15 Alaska summit. ⬇️(1/3)
A veteran-turned-oyster farmer is challenging Susan Collins for her Maine Senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections. @rieckhoff.bsky.social, @nicholsuprising.bsky.social and @denverr.bsky.social join Katy Tur to discuss their outlook for the Democratic party. www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/wat...
Yankees vs Sox, Liberty at home, Little League World Series, Jaxon Dart starting for the G-Men vs the Pats, and, FINALLY, Skattebo is suited up and ready to crush. I’m gonna need 4 TVs. Also, BTW, #DartShouldStart!
Let’s go.
They’re STILL not getting it. The D brand is shit. & good messengers are still gonna be dragged down by it. Because people in Maine (& nationwide) want true independence. We independents are the future. And now, the majority. And more & more, we’re winning. Join us @indyvetsofamerica.bsky.social 🐺🇺🇸
Gotta get that photo op. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202... 🚨🇺🇸
And one more disgrace. There’s a new one almost every week. This is the culture he’s created and tolerates. #MayorDisaster gothamist.com/news/mayor-a...
Crazy. Just another day in the shit show that is the 2025 race for NYC Mayor. And just another chapter in the disgraceful tenure of #MayorDisaster. He should have been removed from office long ago. www.thecity.nyc/2025/08/20/w...
Slava Ukraini!
This year's special drop: 1991 Borders of Ukraine COIN ✅ Made from recycled artillery brass ✅ Carries the spirit of 900+ days of resistance ✅ 100% of proceeds → Armed Forces of Ukraine ✅ Through United with Ukraine Fund The same brass that defended www.saintjavelin.com/products/199...
Their friendship forged in fire, entrepreneurship born from necessity, and unwavering faith in victory. Check out their full story: www.saintjavelin.com/blogs/our-im...
🇺🇦 The 34th Ukrainian Independence Day is approaching, and I want to share an incredible story that embodies the spirit of resilience... We visited the workshop of our partners – Ukrainian veterans Andriy and Mykhailo – who transform war into hope. 🧵Thread
Sometimes I see people like 20 tweets deep into an argument with Grok. Like, what are you doing brother? You are trying to win an argument with a vending machine.
Then the air defense started firing. The kids went silent for maybe two minutes. As soon as the shooting stopped, they were back to running and screaming with joy. Whenever I try to explain this to people who’ve never lived through war, I fail because honestly, I can’t fully grasp it myself.
It’s so strange, sometimes, to notice how we live. There are kids playing in the yard of my apartment building. Today I heard a drone and an air raid alert while a bunch of happy children screamed their lungs out, running around without a care. 👇
EXCLUSIVE: The Army agency tasked with protecting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under significant strain, juggling atypical needs and requests that have become increasingly untenable. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
There looks to be a coordinated reaction to The Washington Post's reporting today that falsely accuses the paper of publishing specific security vulnerabilities. Reaction like this comes after a string of undisputed WaPo scoops that have detailed dysfunction on Secretary Hegseth's team.
Yet another damaging and dangerous blurring of the line and the law to give this kind of political derision in the presence of troops. Secretary of Defense should be preventing it, instead is encouraging it.
BOOM. Big G is LOCKED IN. This is the best he’s ever looked as a Yankee.💪🏽
🎙️And tomorrow, I’m replaying on of my favorite and most inspiring #IndependentAmericans conversations with one of the bravest American heroes I’ve ever met: www.IndependentAmericans.us🚨🇺🇸🎙️📺
No Trump deal with Putin after Alaska. And it’s long past time to stop caring about what Russia wants. I joined #ConnellMcShane on #NewsNationfor my weekly segment on what happens now. And why Trump’s entire approach is upside down. youtu.be/Dvvog_xBOgs?...
There is NOTHING like the #LLWS. And Aruba is an easy team to root for! @LittleLeague 🇺🇸🇦🇼⚾️ It was also very cool to see the Japan player high five him as he ran around the bases. The sportsmanship and diplomacy is a model for the grown up world.🌎
Up next on NewsNation with Connell McShane. And, my bodyguards are with me today! 📺
Yep. Entirely predictable. www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08...
I’ll have more on this—and the dangerous and unnecessary National Guard deployments in DC—at 3PM on NewsNation for my weekly national security and politics segment with Connell McShane.
But transparency and accountability are not things this SecDef and team have ever truly prioritized. And they probably won’t start now.🚨🇺🇸 www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
No doubt his security needs are high. But it’s also all unusual. And maximum transparency and accountability are key. Especially in these unprecedented and dangerous times of expanding military and security missions and demands.
Stanton is on FIRE. And so is this entire Yankees team tonight. This is the potential they’ve always had coming together. If they can keep playing like this, they’re VERY dangerous.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s solo homer (22) Jazz Chisholm Jr. crushes a solo homer to right field and makes it a 6-2 game in the top of the 3rd inning
Todd Talks: Railroad Mergers, Monopoly, and Idaho's Economy These corporations will tell you that synergies will help the American economy; that is a bunch of corporate BS. Mergers like this are always bad deals for Idahoans — ⬇️
The latest dangerous, spiteful, unprecedented and extreme move to consolidate his power, attack his political enemies, chill opposition, erode our norms, and weaken our national security. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/u... This is not normal. This is not acceptable. And our enemies are celebrating.🚨🇺🇸
#AfghanEvac + IAVA just launched Battle Buddies — a new national effort where veterans stand in quiet solidarity with Afghan allies in immigration court. No slogans. No confrontation. Just presence. Watch the video + join us: afghanevac.org/battle-buddies #BattleBuddies #Veterans #StandWithSayed
This is what he posted today. Crickets on Ukraine.
THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.🚨🇺🇸
Great answer
A “red” alert has been issued for potential Kalibr cruise missile launches from carriers at sea, according to monitoring sources. So, here are the first results of the talks.
The proposal also includes a separate $50 billion agreement for producing drones with Ukrainian companies, according to the document seen by the Financial Times (FT).
⚡️Ukraine proposes $100 billion US weapons deal backed by European allies, FT reports. By tying its defense needs to a major boost for U.S. industry, Ukraine hopes to turn its request into an investment opportunity that appeals directly to American interests.
As President Zelensky visits Washington DC, our message is clear. Welcome back. We stand with you. We stand with Ukraine. Until victory. Slava Ukraine! And God Bless America! - @amvets4ukraine.bsky.social 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Good morning from New York. #ILoveNYC
Terekhov said that 12 multi-story residential buildings had been damaged in the strike.
⚡️Update: At least 8 injured in Russian ballistic missile attack ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting. At least eight people have been injured in a Russian missile attack on a residential building complex in Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.
Now we’re talking! With the relatively easy schedule ahead this is the time for Yankees to step up, reach their potential and roll into the playoffs. GO YANKS!