2025 … and oh what a year it was!  But here we are at the beginning of another new year and I am increasingly optimistic that the beginnings of the end of our Trumpian national nightmare are starting to unfold. Sure we have three more years of this s..t show to live through and there will be plenty not to like, but I really think he and whatever his movement was about is beginning to unravel. Not that much because of what our political figures have done, but because of what every day Americans have.

But just as there is renewed hope, it’s a time when someone so unpredictable and increasingly unhinged may attempt and do some strange and dangerous things, like a trapped feral animal that is being cornered. Venezuela for starters, Greenland, the Trump Class Destroyer, the East Wing tragedy, ICE insanity, Epstein coverup, the lame and grammatically stupid renaming of the Kennedy Center, the midterm elections and much more.

Yes all of this could happen. 2026 just kicked off with the stunt in Venezuela, coming right after  the release of the former Special Counsel Jack Smith congressional hearing transcripts and Justice Department’s continued lack of compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.. Funny how that works.  But the more Americans stand up, the stiffer the backbones of politicians will become … same goes for the legacy media, law firms and universities … at least that’s my hope!

So don’t get discourage and don’t give up. That is what they want and it’s the only way Trump and the true believers that surround him … the Vances, Millers, Voughts, and Patels of the worlds will win.

And here’s something else … have fun and do what makes you happy. That’s what maintains a healthy balance during these trying times! So how do you do that? Beyond friends and family make time to get out there and photograph, and yes, develop your film and print some meaningful pictures!

So let’s all together make a resolution to make 2026 a great year, for all the right reasons!

Stay well, be vigilant and have a happy, healthy, and photographically wonderful New Year,

Michael