Retiring Guy's Digest: 2026-02-15

Saturday, February 21, 2026

GET ME REWRITE: MAHA moms get played …and lied to

Headline: New York Times, 2/19/2026

Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Hiroko Tabuchi report:

When Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threw his support behind Mr. Trump’s 2024 campaign for the White House, his corps of health conscious, mostly female, followers embraced the president, who pledged to address Americans’ concerns about “toxins in our environments and pesticides in our food.”

Some of the women, who call themselves the MAHA Moms after Mr. Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again movement, abandoned Democratic Party to vote for Mr. Trump.

But the executive order Mr. Trump issued Wednesday to increase domestic production of glyphosate — a widely used weedkiller and possible carcinogen that has been the target of thousands of lawsuits, including one brought by Mr. Kennedy — stunned and infuriated the activists.

Related posts:

2026

Crazy in America: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and MAHA work overtime to insure the spread of preventable diseases . (2/17)

Measles outbreaks: 2025 is just the start if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. MAHA congregation continue to get their way. (1/20)

2025

MAHA!! Retiring Guy assumes the radioactive shrimp wasn't packaged under the "Better Goods" label. (8/20)

Trump administration removal of “equal time” exemption has nothing to do with fairness and everything to do with censorship

Top headline: Associated Press

Bottom headline: New York Times

John Koblin and Jim Rutenberg for the Times:

Now, the Trump administration has effectively removed the exemption, with the newly aggressive F.C.C. making it clear last month that it would use the rule against late-night talk show hosts, who have been among the most relentless critics of President Trump.

Related posts:

2026

Stephen Colbert conducts a master class in pushing back against Trump and his bullies. (2/18)

Cretinous Rick Scott stars in latest episode of "Free Speech for Me for Not for Thee". (2/9)

Free speech for me but not for thee. (college faculty surveillance edition) . (2/5)

Free speech for me but not for thee: GOP hypocrisy in full bloom. (1/26)

July-December 2025.

In a snit, Trump threatens ABC's broadcast license. (11/18)

Ice Barbie gets her undies in a bundle when Zach Bryan exercises his rights. (10/13)

Government shutdown find GOP hypocrisy in full bloom. (10/9)

In wake of Charlie Kirk killing, many workers lose their free speech rights. Trump has yet to call for an investigation. (9/16)

And of course Republicans are too dense to see the irony here. (9/16)

Trump shows his true colors. As far as hes concerned, free speech is a limited commodity. (9/16)

Iowa GOP edition. (8/15)

Autocrats are hypocrites, too. (8/13)

Ted Cruz edition. (8/10)

Free speech for me but not for thee (Media Matters for America edition). (7/29)

Free speech for me but not for thee (PBS and NPR edition). (7/18)

Free speech for me but not for thee — “thee” being 6 Duluth EPA employees. (7/16)

Free speech for me but not for thee — “thee” being 144 EPA employees. (7/5)

January-June 2025

GOP hypocrisy in full bloom in First Felon Donald Trump's 2nd administration (Thin-skinned Elon Musk edition) (2/28)

GOP hypocrisy in full bloom in First Felon Donald Trump's 2nd administration. (2/25)

Freedom of speech for me but not for thee (Pete Hegseth edition). (2/3)

First Felon Donald Trump continues his master class seminar in GOP hypocrisy. (1/23)

Donald Trump gives a master class in GOP hypocrisy. (1/23)

GOP hypocrisy in full bloom on first days of 2nd Trump administration. (1/22)

The long road to a comeback in Gary Indiana

Gary's population peaked in 1960. Since then it has experienced a 62% decrease, with no sign of a reversal.

Sources: Wikipedia, U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Headline: Governing, 2/17/2026

Jared Brey reports:

It’s no secret that Gary is a poster city for deindustrialization and abandonment. U.S. Steel founded Gary in 1906. When the company grew the city grew; when the company shrank, starting in the mid-20th century, the city shrank. It has never recovered. This is what most people know about Gary, if they know anything about it at all.
The concentration of vacant buildings in and around downtown Gary is profound. City Hall sits at the northern tip of Broadway, just across a highway and a pair of railroad tracks from U.S. Steel. Large public buildings in various states of disuse surround it to the east and west. Directly across a long lawn to its south is a tall building with all of its windows punched out. For five straight miles down Broadway to the city limit, the level of dereliction rises and falls on a gradient from partial to absolute. Some parts of the sprawling city are lively and well-populated, like the Miller Beach area near Indiana Dunes National Park. But the downtown core is a place where nothing much happens anymore. The conventional urbanist wisdom says that eyes on the street make a city feel safe. Downtown Gary has gone so far in the other direction that it almost feels safe in its emptiness.

Donald Trump’s Fűhrer Complex

Related posts:

2026

From Hitler to Trump: It's deja vu all over again. (1/20)

Donald Trump and Kristi Noem lead America down a dangerous path. (1/16)

2025

Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump under the arches. (10/14)

Inane, insane Donald Trump tells general to train their guns on family and friends. (9/30)

Trump's authoritarian moves are making all Americans less safe. (8/25)

During the first 7 months of Trump's 2nd term, it's been one authoritarian move after another. (8/25)

What autocrats do. (8/14)

Ottawa County Michigan GOP is SHOCKED! SHOCKED! that precinct delegate praises Adolf Hitler. (2/27)

First Felon Donald Trumps GOP pro-Nazi affect (Kent County Michigan edition). (2/12)

2024

Demented Donald Trump channels Adolf Hitler at rally in Bemidji, Minnesota, (10/7)

It's a straight line from Hitler to Trump. (9/30)

Trump unleashes unhinged, hellscape rant in Mosinee, Wisconsin. (9/8)

Donald Trump promises dark days for America if elected president. (5/21)

2023

The irresponsible Donald Trump as Tocqueville's democratic despot. (11/20)

2024 presidential nomination poll: GOP voters continue to support the guy who will be goose-stepping with Hitler in hell. (11/17)

2024 GOP presidential nomination: GOP voters continue to support the guy who will be goose-stepping with Hitler in hell. (11/15)

2022

The Nazi roots of MAGA. (8/9)

2021

In 21st century America, businesses use roadside message signs to show approval of the Trump regime. (2/17)

Adolf Hitler:National Socialism:: Donald Trump:Republican Party (Uust Following Orders edition). (1/18)

2020

The Hitler Oath and the Trump Purge. (2/23)
Once again, Donald Trump threatens to take a page from the Nazi Party/Adolf Hitler playbook. (2/22)

This day in history side by side. (2/10)

Trump GOP/German National Socialists connection. (1/20)

2019

Donald Trump unleashes the Neo-Nazi, white supremacist beast. (11/1)

2018

Donald Trump serves as a megaphone for views of neo-Nazis and white nationalists. (11/5)

2017

White nationalists, neo-Nazis and KKK feel emboldened in Trump's America. (8/12/2017)

America First before Donald Trump. (1/21/2017)

2016

Donald Trump, Bible study, and white nationalism: 1 Timothy 5:8. (10/12/2016)

White Power and Donald Trump: The American Renaissance Edition. (3/1/2016)
Donald Trump and the white nationalists. (1/17/2016)

GET ME REWRITE: By his 24,056th day in elected office, 91-year-old Iowa GOP U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has certainly mastered the art of the grovel

Headline: Des Moines Register, 2/20/2026

Brianne Pfannenstiel Donnelle Eller report:
But Grassley has also voted against measures that would have blocked Trump's tariffs, saying he wanted to give the president's plan time to work out.
In a statement, Grassley said Trump is a "skilled negotiator" and has already succeeded in various trade deals. But he expressed a desire for Congress to have greater involvement.

Related posts:

202\5

Dear Iowa soybean farmers: Time to put Chuck Grassley on the spot. Your pain is far from over. Best, Retiring Guy. (12/18)

Grassley tries to explain why he shit on the state's farmers. (11/6)

Dear Chuck Grassley, You need to smack that dumb fuck Donald Trump repeatedly across the face until he wakes up. Best, Retiring Guy. (9/21)

91-year-old Iowa GOP U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley seeks answers to questions he should have asked 8 months ago. (9/9)

But wait, there's more!!

February 2025

Day 23,725. (2/11)

Day 23,726. (2/12)

Day 23,727. (2/13)

Day 23,728, (2/14)

Day 23,729. (2/15)

Day 23,730. (2/16)

Day 23,731. (2/17)

Day 23,733. (2/19)

Day 23,737. (2/23)

Day 23,738. (2/24)

March 2025

Day 23,746. (3/4)

Day 23,747. (3/5)

Day 23,748. (3/6)

Day 23,750. (3/8)

Day 23,761. (3/19)

Day 23,765. (3/25)

Day 23,766. (3/26)

Day 23,767. (3/27)

Day 23,768. (3/28)

Day 23,769. (3/29)

April 2025

Day 23,779. (4/8)

May 2025

Day 23,806. (5/5)

Day 23,814. (5/13)

Day 23,828. (5/27)

June-September 2025

Day 23,843. (6/11)

Day 23,876. (7/24)

Day 23,882. (7/30)

Dear Utah residents, Please send your measles thank-you notes to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. @HHS. Best, Retiring Guy

Column graph: Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Headline: University of Minnesota CIDRAP

Stephanie Soucheray, MA reports for CIDRAP:

Utah has confirmed 300 measles cases in an ongoing outbreak, with the virus now spreading in Salt Lake County and new exposures at high schools in that county, according to an update yesterday from the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD).
“The first measles symptoms are often cold- or flu-like, with cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, and fever, so you may think you have a common respiratory illness and can continue engaging in normal activities,” said Dorothy Adams, executive director of SLCoHD.
“But please stay home if you have any signs of illness, especially now that we know measles is actively circulating in our community.”
Salt Lake County has had 32 cases in the current outbreak, while Utah County has 41 and Southwest Utah health district has 194. Of the 300 measles cases, 58 have been identified in the past 3 weeks, and 255 occurred in patients who are unvaccinated.

Related posts:

2026

Crazy in America: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and MAHA work overtime to insure the spread of preventable diseases. (2/17)

At this rate, the number of measles cases in 2026 will be 11,686% higher than in 2023. (2/16)

Measles outbreaks: 2025 is just the start if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. MAHA congregation continue to get their way. (1/20)

October-December 2025

Hire a antivaxxer clown @HHS, expect a measles circus. (12/15)

First measles, now whooping cough: Lotta nasty shit goin' 'round since the inept Robert F. Kennedy became head @HHSGov. (11/11)

August-September 2025

Reviews are in for the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Clown Show @HHS. (9/27)

Remember when Caroline Kennedy urged the U.S. Senate not to confirm RFK jr. They should have taken her advice! (9/9)

Robert Kennedy Jr. parties like it's the early 20th century in the Nelson extended family. (8/12)

This is what life looked like before childhood vaccinations. (8/2)

March-June 2025

Robert Kennedy Jr., snake oil salesman. (6/6)

Anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr. is visiting Texas. Will he apologize for being hazardous to Texans' health? (4/6)

Hazardous to your health RFKjr @HHS has a cure for the accelerating measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. (3/10)

Antivaxxer RFKjr @HHSGov: Hazardous to your health and taste buds (cod liver oil edition). (3/6)

Antivaxxer RFKjr @HHSGov: Hazardous to your health (measles outbreak edition). (3/5)

Make America Spotty Again (MASA). (3/2)

Elizabeth Huckabone Van Ord (1943-2026) Warren High School class of 1960

1960 Dragon yearbook

Donald Lewis Funeral Home

1967 Warren City Directory

Huckabone Levi S (Helen M) machine operator 311 Pennsylvania Avenue West apt 3
Elizabeth and Howard live in Russell

1983 Warren City Directory

Huckabone Levi S & Helen M retired 1210 Pennsylvania Avenue West
Elizabeth and Howard live in Russell

The popularity of Elizabeth is graphed here. Let's take a look at Levi.

Source: Social Security Administration

Levi experienced a slow decline in popularity for 7 decades before sharply turning it around. From 1969 to 1981, he vaulted from #686 to #182. He entered the top 100 in 2009 and has spent 4 years in a row at #12.

Other members of the class of 1965 (41):

2025
Carol Morrison Ostergard. (12/18)

Sharon Wescott Emehizer. (8/19)

David Engle. (7/16)

Robert Hubert. (5/2)

Jean Elizabeth West Tome. (4/8)

Gloria Font Suppa. (4/7)

2024

Nancy Lawton Dunham. (11/3)

Daryl Mong. (8/28)

2023

Patricia Jackson Grubbs. (5/11)

Linda Jacobson. (4.30)

2022

Ronald Engle. (7/19)

John Laurence. (1/16)

2021

Charles Brant. (12/14/)

Kristy Lord Dailey. (7/23)

Jeanne Ann Manchester Jackson. (6/19)

2020

Edward Walter Buerkle. (12/28)

Mary Musante Anderson. (11/17)

Eugene Vavala. (10/23)
Ellen Theresa Waldeck. (8/28)
J ane Quackenbush Sweigart. (6/13)
Robert Ekey. (4/28/2020)

2019
Dennis Dodge. (6/29)
Linda Kays. (6/10)
William Lyle Shafer. (4/5)

2018
Loretta Frederickson Conlon. (8/7)
Bruce Shattuck. (8/2)
Michael Neizmik. (3/26)
Robert Faga. (1/27)
Joyce Andrew Camigliano. (1/26)

2017
Jeffrey Werner. (11/20)
Jeffrey Arnold. (7/11)
Blaine Otto Rudolph. (6/20)
Anita Farnsworth Madigan.  (4/30)

2016
David Bryan.  (11/23)
Candyce Thompson Wescott. (10/10)
Dianne Briggs Sherman.  (5/14)

2015
Catherine Donnelly Rice. (9/25)
Sharyn Steele Engle. (8/30)
Dennis Seymour. (6/25)
Alvin Whipple. (6/17)

2014
Susan Johnson Wolfe. (3/14)

MISCREANT PREACHERS: Rape in the Name of the Lord (#253 in a series)

Mugshot and headline: WSET, 2/19/2026

Alexia Stanbridge reports:

A rape trial involving a former Lynchburg pastor quickly came to a halt in court on Thursday after the defendant fired his attorney before a jury was seated, according to the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s attorney.
Garrett Harmon, the former pastor-elect at the First Baptist Church of South Lynchburg, is charged with raping someone in a car in October 2024.

Other miscreant preachers (which cover a multitude of sins):

February 2026

Cedric Monteze Sharp. (2/20)

Elco Vallier. (2/19)

David Rodgers. (2/17)

Robert and Jaclyn Dell. (2/16)

Rod Loy. (2/15)

Milton Otto Martin III. (2/14)

William Robbins. (2/13)

Robert Whipley. (2/12)

Jose Luis Lopez-Hernandez. (2/11)

David Lloyd Walther. (2/10)