Randy Mayeux

What is the First Friday Book Synopsis? A Short Video Introduction 15minutebusinessbooks.com/blog/2022/06/1…

The stunning revelation that Trump held classified documents, including one well beyond Top Secret, for personal financial gain, underscores even more how vile and disgraceful is Judge Aileen Cannon. In any normal time, she would be impeached and removed from office.

Who else agrees? ✋

A fascinating answer from Gen Stan McChrystal to the NY Times on what he thinks about War Secretary Pete Hegseth's bravado culture. Worth remembering he commanded a green beret platoon, an airborne battalion and a Ranger regiment, before running Joint Special Operations Command.

Imagine Calvin Coolidge forcing Henry Ford to shut down production of the Model T and invest in horses and buggies instead. Because this is essentially Trump’s energy policy.

The Far Side from 1987

@hwinkler4real It wasn't me...

Thoughts ??

@shesova @BasedMikeLee @CoachEdBoyce @SenDuckworth I live in Texas, which is the second highest population state in the U.S. I have a real ID driver's license. I just read it front and back. It does not identify me as a citizen.

@BasedMikeLee @CoachEdBoyce To my Senator @SenDuckworth you are absolutely deranged. I’m embarrassed for you.

1. This is a lie 2. Read the damn bill 3. The text beginning on page 12, line 22 makes abundantly clear that what you’re saying isn’t true 4. Why can’t Senate Democrats argue against this bill without lying?

I’m a high school teacher. We have policies. Late work gets points deducted. Turn it in on time or take the hit. That’s how students learn responsibility. Senior year. Final paper worth thirty percent of the grade. Due Friday. Monday came. Still no paper from this one kid. Smart kid. Never missed assignments before. Called him to my desk after class. “Where’s your paper?” He looked down. “I don’t have it” Waited. He didn’t elaborate. “You know this tanks your grade right? Might not graduate” He nodded. Still wouldn’t look at me. “Do you not care?” His voice cracked. “My dad died Thursday night. Heart attack. Paper was done. On my laptop. But I’ve been at the hospital. At the funeral home. I forgot. I just forgot.” My chest tightened. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?” “Because it sounds like an excuse. Everyone has excuses.” He finally looked up. Eyes red. “Just fail me. I deserve it.” Closed my gradebook. “Email me the paper tonight. Full credit. And take this week off. Come back when you’re ready.” He shook his head. “The policy—” “I’m the teacher. I make exceptions when life happens. Your dad died. That’s not an excuse. That’s a tragedy. Go home.” He graduated. Top ten percent. Spoke at graduation. Mentioned a teacher who showed him that rules and compassion can coexist. I was in the audience. Crying. Sometimes grace matters more than policy. —Mr. Hayes, English teacher

@DavidSchwartz70 So quick. So smart. -- And, I could not see the heckler, but no "piggy; low IQ" snark. Refreshing.

Zohran Mamdani is being heckled right now at a press conference in Brooklyn, NY, by someone whose words I can't hear, but watch how he's dealing with it. Mamdani has the unique skill of knowing how to handle and walk into every room and engage with people, no matter how toxic they are or how their feelings are against him. And many times, make them feel heard. Elected officials, nonprofit and religious leaders, advocates, and activists on both sides of the political spectrum who met with him told me that. Don't take my word for it, President Trump is pretty public about it. That's why he's currently the mayor of New York City. If you don't like his politics or you're like me, who opposed his candidacy and is still troubled by some of his actions and statements, then don't take this post the wrong way; read into it how you should be better to communicate your message. Yes, putting ego aside for any public figure is not easy.

A bit of job-related news. I'll keep one foot in the Justice beat.

When Charles de Gaulle led France, he treated public money as something untouchable. At the Élysée Palace, there was a strict rule for him: no personal expense could ever be paid for by the state. His wife, Yvonne, kept a small notebook in which she meticulously recorded all family expenses — from food and electricity to clothing and even soap. At the end of each month, she would send a check to the state treasury, reimbursing every last cent. Once, an accountant remarked that this was not really necessary. She calmly replied: “Everything that is not public is personal. And for personal matters, we pay ourselves.” This principle applied without exception. Their children and grandchildren were not allowed to use official cars for private matters. De Gaulle himself refused any privileges of office: he paid his own bills at the palace — even for the smallest things, such as soap or family meals. Moreover, he did not use his presidential salary, living only on his military pension. After his death, there was no wealth or luxury left behind — only a modest house in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, purchased before the war. It is said that he would sometimes personally send money to the treasury if he suspected that any personal expense might have accidentally been covered by the state budget. This was not a formality. It was a principle. ✨ An example of true integrity, honor, and responsibility in public service.

A thought about Markwayne Mullin. I don't say that a former plumber with no college degree & no expertise is not qualified to do his new job. But...is it possible that there were some folks more qualified to do this job that could have been selected?

After the win in Trump's Mar-a Lago back yard; Democrats have now flipped 30 seats in special elections since Trump won. Maybe...maybe...American voters are realizing what a mistake it was to give Trump another term.

Most books are timely. A few become timeless. These five did both. Very few books ever do. --- Five Books That Defined the Moment -- The biggest best-sellers from 28 years of the First Friday Book Synopsis 15minutebusinessbooks.com/blog/2026/03/2…

@nut_history $1.50 for an egg salad sandwich. Sign me up!

I know it’s impossible to get a ticket but why can’t teams charge for food or drinks like the Masters does? One of the most historical events ever charging $8.00 for beer and a chicken sandwich at most when a team 45 games under .500 charging you $54. Make it make sense. Make going to a sporting event affordable

So..she has proof that Russia tries to influence American elections… Interesting… — Keystone Kash Patel’s Girlfriend Posts Bonkers Claim She’s Target of ‘Foreign’ Op thedailybeast.com/keystone-kash-…

@miles_commodore Add in ice cream. Then it gets even harder to lose weight. I tweet from experience.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to lose weight while eating lots of bacon and cheese on everything? My methods haven’t worked out to well.

“The girlfriend of FBI director” stories have never happened in my lifetime until this FBI director.

It's absolutely insane that Texans would even consider a despicable reprobate like Paxton over John Cornyn, a basically decent, conservative, and effective senator. It's also hard to care that much when Cornyn runs away from decency, conservatism, and effectiveness to hold on.

this is not a joke