HOW IS THE USA DOING?

Italy faced formidable problems heading into opening day of the 2026 Winter Olympics:  funding shortfalls, warm weather, nagging delays in construction and unsaid worries of the International Olympic Committee.  Surprisingly, even for the government of Italy, all went well.  In fact, it was all a true success.

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  "They have been fantastic," IOC President Kirsty Coventry said in her address to members at the Olympic body's session. "It could not happen without incredible teamwork... and we had it every step of the way."

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  Italy itself earned its most medals ever, including 10 golds.  Francesca Lollobrigida won the 3000 meters race in an Olympic record time on her 35th birthday, and added a second gold.  She is the great-niece of the late legendary Italian  actress Gina Lollobrigida.
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  While there were no major terroristic threats, the Games operated under extreme security, cyber-sabotage by Russia, uncontrolled drones and, yes, a Penisgate Controversy:

Reports emerged of "penis-enlarging injections" (hyaluronic acid) used by male ski jumpers to alter suit measurements for a competitive advantage, leading to investigation by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

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  For the first time, a South American athlete won a Winter Olympics medal.  Lucas Pinheiro Braathen got a gold in the giant slalom.  However, he was born and raised in Norway to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother.  In the past, he had been competing for Norway.

Okay, now on to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.  About the USA, here are some latest developments.

• Iran.
• The USA has sent sent two carrier task forces  in striking distance to apply pressure.
• Students in country, no doubt influenced by American instigators, demonstrated at five universities in Tehran and Mashhad over the weekend.
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  "Bad things will happen" if Iran doesn't sign a deal, Trump said last week. "You're going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days."  Also hinted about replacing their leaders.  He already did this in Venezuela.
• Nuclear disarmament talks resume on Thursday in Geneva with the U.S.

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  President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tomorrow at 9PM ET, amidst sagging approval ratings, a partial government shutdown and public rebukes from both the courts and his own party.
• When he last addressed Congress in March 2025, his approval rating was near a career high.  Now, near record lows.
• In particular, he's in trouble with Independents.
• No doubt he'll say something about Iran.
• Said it's going to be a long speech because he has a lot say.
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  Three days ago the Supreme Court ruled that Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs are illegal.  A day later, Trump increased the global tariffs to 15%.  In the meantime, our trade deficit had jumped 32.6% despite those Trump tariffs.
• The Epstein files fallout are hurting influential people in other countries, but not the USA.  Why?  Trump's Department Justice is protecting him.

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  Donald Trump's Board of Peace met on 19February2026.  
• Trump wants to replace the United Nations with this group.
• The U.S. pledged $10 billion, while nine member countries agreed to a total of $7 billion for all.
• The following countries declined to participate:  Austria, New Zealand, Sweden, Croatia, Norway, UK, France, Slovenia, Vatican City, Germany, Spain, Ukraine and Ireland.
• Invited, but have not yet responded nor participated as observers:  Australia, Netherlands, Singapore, Brazil, Oman, South Korea, China, Philippines, Switzerland, India, Portugal, Thailand, Japan and Russia.

Countries by status: 

  Member

  Observer (plus the supranational European Union)

  Invited

  Declined

  Invitation withdrawn

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  How is President Donald Trump doing?
• Officers, including Secret Service agents, fatally shot an armed man at Mar-a-Lago yesterday morning.
• Health and competence?

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  His official golf handicap is 2.8, the lowest of any U.S. president in history.  
• Wow, 79-years old, and with that handicap.  
• The lowest I ever got was 13, in my prime.
• Joe Biden 6.7, JFK 7, FDR 8, George H.W. Bush 11, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford 12.
• Barack Obama was a 17 when he first took office, and this dropped to as low as 13.  He played 333 rounds during his 8 years as president.

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  NASA’s moon mission could be delayed until at least April after data showed a problem with helium flow to the rocket.
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  In 2025, the U.S. was the only tourist area to see a decline in visitors, with 2026 not looking any better.  
• The decline for the U.S. was 6%.
• In particular, Canadians dropped by 28%.
• The USA is now  third to France and Spain in tourists.
• Tourism grew worldwide.

Blizzard warning effective today for 50 million Americans.

• Historic Nor'easter slammed the Northeast.  This article said only 41 million.
• 5000 flights have been cancelled.

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  New York City is paralyzed.
• Snowfall:  Providence, Rhode Island 32.8 inches, Long Island, NY up to 29.1 inches, Newark, NJ 27 inches, North Stonington, Connecticut 26.5 inches and Boston area around 20 inches.
• Called Winter Storm Hernando by The Weather Channel.

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