The Coming Year

2019 will bring war, pestilence, and strife. Happy New Year!

Full of It

The Never Trumpers and Democrats and assorted (sordid) other critics of our President need to stifle it. They are crowing about the economic downturn. These naysayers are saying since Trump took credit when the markets were going up, he needs to accept the blame for them falling. These obstructionists (some of them in the President's own party) have been doing everything they can to thwart Trump and turn back his agenda. They have succeeded in preventing Trump from implementing everything he wanted to institute to benefit the American people. Then, they have the nerve to blame Trump for the economic collapse they are deliberately causing.

If Aliens Came

If invaders from space came and tried to impose their will on the world, humanity would unite against them. If they came down to strip our individual rights, we would stand united against them. The aliens are here. They are the international Left, controlling countries like Red China, Cuba, Nicaragua, North Korea, and Venezuela, and rearing their tyrannical head in virtually every other nation. Those who love liberty should unite to defeat the international Left.

The Israel Election

I have mixed feeling about Netanyahu. I think he has not been aggressive enough in fighting terror. I believe he has buckled to international pressure to clamp down on the so-called settlement enterprise and made it illegal in too many cases to live on land granted to Jews by the Lord Himself in the times of the Bible. Netanyahu has been hard on Jews and soft on Arabs emboldening terror and destroying deterrence. He is still far better than any of his potential opponents from the Left, who would have done worse by the Jews had they had power.

A Bear Trap

Do not be fooled by a one day blip that saw stocks rise mightily. US stocks are on a downward trajectory because the powers that be, the elite, the establishment, the deep state, the swamp want to destroy President Trump. They want to take down his business empire. They want him and his family incarcerated or worse. They are deliberately tanking the markets by doing everything up to and including impeachment to make sure no outsider ever rises again to the US Presidency. Washington is their town and we are their subjects and they are perfectly willing to crash the country to regain control.

Our Anchor Stocks

Many portfolios started the year with great gains that made it seem like these were solid stocks. You could almost have picked a winner blindfolded. Now, even the formerly hottest issues seem to be going in the wrong direction. It seemed impossible to pick a wrong stock. Now, it seems impossible to pick a right investment in any realm. Virtually everything is going down but misery. The great investments that used to anchor your portfolio are now anchors pulling you under.

Climb Back Up

The markets will bounce back from the current debacle. It probably will not be this year, maybe not next year either, but in the coming decades or next century or two, I promise, "the markets will reach new heights".

Little Less Blessed

Some people are feeling horrible because their 401 K and stock investments are down. Do you still have food on the table? Do your arms and legs still work? Can you see and hear? Is your body being eaten up by cancer? You are still better off than many. Count your blessings- even if your portfolio is down- you are vastly blessed just to be an American.

A Brief Nocturne

Oh my gosh, the sun is coming up on Sunday! Daybreak already, I had better write something. May your Sunday be wonderful and Christmas week bring blessings in abundance!

Shut Down Blues

Have you noticed anything different with the government shut down? Me either- if the government jobs subjected to the shut down are "non-essential", why is there a great urgency to end the shut down? I believe the Federal government is vastly too large, too wasteful, and too intrusive. This shut down may show how well we can survive and even thrive without the government "helping" in so many aspects of our lives.

The Trump Recession

The so-called "Trump Recession" is the fault of everybody but Donald Trump. The blame for the economic downturn lies squarely at the feet of our President's opponents, from the obstructionist Democrats, to the never-Trump wing of the Republican Party and the weak sisters in the GOP generally who do not have the guts to stand with Trump, to the Federal Reserve that propped the socialist Obama up with free money but wants to make sure Trump fails and does so badly enough that an outsider never wins the White House again. All these Resistance members are willing to throw the nation into an economic depression just to restore the establishment to the unopposed status they enjoyed before the rise of Trump.

Standing Against Judas

President Trump and a handful of Republicans in the US House of Representatives have refused to lay down and are still demanding border security. The President and these intrepid few are willing to shut the government down to keep their promises to voters. I can not imagine how anyone could be opposed to a secure border, but that is where Democrats stand. Unfortunately not many Republicans have the courage to fight back. Ultimately, whether the President prevails and we have a safer America remains in doubt.

The Judas City

Washington is now inhabited with much worse than rats. Our politicians are beholden to party and lobbyists before voters and nation. With their lack of determination to build the border wall in spite of the promises of their party, Republicans are showing they are just as bad and perhaps even more craven than Democrats. They displayed just as little backbone when they reneged on their commitment to repeal Obama Care. I am absolutely opposed to the socialism offered by Democrats, but the lies of the GOP give me little comfort.

See Rat City

Never mind going to Chattanooga to see a natural wonder. See something amazingly unnatural in the betrayers in Washington DC. These political elite are not interested in keeping their promises to voters. They are only interested in perpetuating their own power.

Even Bigger Rat

James Comey complained that President Trump called Cohen a "rat". I guess Comey thought he had earned exclusive rights to be called a "rat". Comey damaged Hillary Clinton first, then started his campaign to bring down President Trump that continues to this very moment, and has done greater harm to America than any FBI director. Comey has sold out way more than Cohen did.

Recipe for Disaster

The "Land for Peace" formula has brought nothing but disaster for the Jews of Israel in relations with the Palestinians. Gaza is now nothing more than an enclave of Islamo-Nazism with Hamas churning out a generation of people who want nothing more than to murder Jews. Israel must not repeat the mistake of giving away land anywhere else in the Holy Land as a reward for not ceasing violence. The recipe to end hostilities must now only be "Peace for Peace" with no more territory given to those who would only use it to instigate terror and murder.

The Bowl Season

The college football bowl season kicks off today. Many Americans will spend thousands of dollars to take their families to a distant city to party, feast, and take in a ball game. Win or lose, these fans are all enjoying a life of prosperity that America affords while much of the rest of the world all too often faces the empty bowl.

The Simmering Cauldron

If Israel responds as it must to stop the spree of murder of Jews by Palestinians in the so-called West Bank, expect Hezbollah to use the opportunity to initiate conflict with the Jewish State from Lebanon and Hamas to attack the Jews from Gaza, forcing Israel to fight a multi-front war. This is bad news for the region and the world. The only good news from Israel's prospective is that Obama who wanted Israel reined in and withering is gone and Donald Trump, a US leader who actually supports the Jewish right of self-defense, is in office as President.

A War Brews

Escalating violence by Palestinians against Jews in the Holy Land including the murder of a baby, and now the shooting of several Israelis leading to at least two more deaths signals an impending war. Israel must react with massive and overwhelming force to restore deterrence. A "proportional response" or attempt to handle this as a law enforcement, apprehend the shooter(s) effort will be laughed at by the Palestinians and invite more spilling of innocent Jewish blood. Israel must put the element of fear back in those who contemplate jihad that even if their initial efforts at terror seem to be a success, the price that they and those backing them will pay will be unimaginable.

Appearing in Strasbourg

Why is there a terror watch list in France? If someone is a threat to launch murderous attacks, why are they allowed to roam around free or remain in France? If someone has a mentality to murder, they need to be locked up or deported!

New Injustice System

In the new Amerika, if you are a Democrat bigwig, you can do no wrong. You can carelessly leave national security secrets open to being stolen by placing them on an easy-to-hack server in your basement and have them stolen by a half dozen or more foreign nations. No problema, your intentions were good. You can commission a manufactured scandal out of whole cloth and use that to have your friends in the Justice Department and the highest ranks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation launch the infiltration of your opponent's Presidential campaign by operatives and informants in an effort to destroy that rival that continues to this very day. That is good work, forward planning, and thinking ahead. You can even sell a large portion of US uranium to Russia and profit handily from it but that does not mean you colluded with the Russians; no, only Trump did that. We can not survive as we were founded with the sick double standard that permits the Clintons and Democrat elite to skate on everything but seeks to impeach and incarcerate President Trump for nothing.

Staying on Track

President Trump was doing everything right for the US economy despite strong headwinds from the Left and all its components including the Democrat Party and the mainstream media, those Republicans who are "never Trump", and the entrenched swamp dwellers across the board who may be from either party or neither, but who find their suckling at the teat of government highly profitable. Trump was lowering taxes and diminishing Federal regulation to breathe life back into the private sector. Even his own Fed rebelled against Trump by raising interest rates. Still, our President pulled forward, but now with Democrats about to take control of the US House, even Trump's magnificent efforts may not be enough. Those who oppose Donald Trump are willing to crash the entire economy just to see that President Trump does not remain in office. Trump's opponents may indeed succeed, but the toll of their actions are harming the nation and may well weaken America beyond saving.

Not an Upset

The Tennessee Volunteer men's basketball team defeated the top-ranked Gonzaga cagers today. Some call that an upset. It certainly did not upset me.

Slaying the Retailers

It is hard to imagine being able to compete with Amazon. How can you beat being able to buy virtually anything at an extremely low price and having your purchase delivered to your door at no additional charge within a couple of days?

Next Pearl Harbor

America can never anticipate every possible strike against it but must be ready to counter them wherever they are attempted. December 7 was just another day until 1941 when it earned its infamy. September 11 was perfectly ordinary until 2001. No one knows the next date of blood and flame, but we do know we must be on guard against it.

You Hear Crash?

The Democrats, the mainstream media, and never-Trump Republicans are all willing to cause a recession to make sure our President is not reelected. The problem with undercutting your own economy is that you can never be sure where the bottom is and how long it will take to recover from your deliberate damage when you want to promote economic growth again. These "resistors" may unseat Trump but cause an economic depression to do it.

A Fitting Tribute

I just watched the very moving funeral service for George Herbert Walker Bush. It is a shame that someone has to die to bring the nation together in such a meaningful way.

Israel Versus Iran

With Israel revealing and destroying Hezbollah terror tunnels entering Israel from Lebanon, Israel is confronting Iran. In Gaza, Israel finds itself not only facing Hamas but Iran. Israel is facing new medium range, multiple warhead ballistic missiles aimed at them by Iran. Wherever the Jewish State looks, it is facing an existential threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran. These two regional powers are bound to come to blows greater than we have seen till now. I predict a Middle Eastern war soon, that may well turn into World War III. Either the Jewish State will disappear or the theocracy enslaving Iran will be vanquished in the end, but both the Shiite expansionist state and Israel can not continue to exist. My feeling with the world as it is, that sadly, by 2030, the Zionist entity will be no more and the Middle East will no longer be dominated by the Sunnis, but completely absorbed by Iran and the Shiites.

Garlands and Caissons

Whatever criticism I have of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George Bush, I find their Presidencies vastly preferable to those of any Democrat. I have never had the slightest doubt that GOP Presidents are patriots who love our country and are (or were) dedicated to service. George Herbert Walker Bush was an outstanding American and he will be sorely missed.

Gave Away Presidency

George Herbert Walker Bush enjoyed the highest popularity of any US President I know of in the wake of his victory over Saddam Hussein and his eviction of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Bush could easily have won a second term and sent the Clinton's back to obscurity in Arkansas, but he broke his "Read my lips, no new taxes pledge" to the American people and handed victory to Bill Clinton.

Legacy of Service

From the time he entered the US Navy and became an aviator, the late President George Bush served our nation. No individual I can think of wore as many hats in service to America as George Herbert Walker Bush did, from Congress to the Central Intelligence Agency to the Presidency. His contribution will never be forgotten.

Not a Mobster

Can you imagine if someone was given the power to go back and investigate everything you had ever done, and more than that, everything anyone you associated with had ever done, and then could use anything against them to compel them to reveal or even make up charges against you? That seems to be exactly what Robert Mueller is doing to our President.

The Dirty Tricksters

President Trump did not scheme with the Russians to win his election. Donald Trump did not try to fool anybody. Hillary Clinton and her crew, including Robert Mueller, are trying to trick America at this very moment!

Real Light Weights

A photogenic socialist might win an election to a seat in the US House of Representatives, maybe even a statewide race for US Senate, but we have not been dumbed down enough nationally for a Beto O'Rourke or Krysten Sinema to unseat Donald Trump. If Trump seeks another term, he would thrash either of these good-looking empty suits. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is too young to run for President at this point, but Trump would defeat her too if she was able to run against him.

Never Held Accountable

Back after the September 11 massacre, Patsy Murray said the Afghan people supported Osama bin Laden because he provided them with daycare. No joke, this Democrat politician spouted those words after the worst terror attack in world history. She is still serving as Senator nearly two decades later. Brian Schatz, just said Trump is using "chemical warfare" against the so-called "caravan of border breakers, but Hawaii will reelect him as their Democrat Senator. Krysten Sinema insulted her own state's voters in Arizona but somehow, by hook or crook, won her Senate bid. Democrats can say anything and are never held to account for it.

The Holiday Calendar

Every day is a holiday if you love what you are doing. Unfortunately, I never met anyone who loves what they are doing that much.

Day of Rest

For many, Sunday is the Sabbath. Today (Sunday), I will be driving around four hundred miles to pick up a rambunctious three year old. It will be a day of little rest for me.

Season of Peace

For many, the time before Christmas is the season of peace. With jihadists slaughtering Christians across Africa and the Middle East, and threatening the Christians of Pakistan based on fake charges, followers of Christ do not seem to be experiencing peace right now.

Consumerism As Virtue

People who are swept up in the buying frenzy of Black Friday may not be so bad. After all, how often are those obsessed with shopping out committing terror or starting wars? `

Your Blessings Count

If you are reading this, you are on the good side of the ground. Chances are, you will have enough to eat today. Are you relatively whole and healthy? Are those you love doing alright? Chances are that you have more blessings than you can even count. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Magic Act

Netanyahu has an amazing capacity to herd cats. If you told me after the disaster in Gaza, Netanyahu would remain Prime Minister, I would not have believed you. Somehow, Netanyahu is never held responsible for his failures.

The Tech Wreck

Remember when you were raking it in and said, "how high is up?" I long for those halcyon days too as my 401k withers on the vine. What went up is sinking now.

Stoking Race War

Democrats are telling African-Americans "their votes didn't count in Florida and Georgia". Democrats are proclaiming the reason Republicans won those states is racism and cheating. These instigators are trying to start a race war with their lies.

A Crazy Congressman

An idiot sits in the US House of Representatives. His name is Eric Swalwell and he represents the land of fruit and nuts, California. Swelled-head Swalwell suggests we should nuke Americans who want to keep their guns against the Democrat push to abolish our Second Amendment (and the natural right of self-defense it upholds). Does this moron not realize he would kill millions of Americans in his efforts to steal guns from fellow citizens? If you drop an atom bomb on an area of "stubborn clingers", you will kill not only the gun owners but people who never owned and never wanted a gun. Swalwell's attitude is what must be resisted, not our President who recognizes our natural rights.

Stop Global Cooling

After some hysteria generated over the last few weeks that a new study showed the earth was warming faster than predicted, the study had to be retracted due to error. It seems we are actually in a cooling period, with some even predicting a mini ice age. I do not know which scientists are correct, but know for certain we can not be warming and chilling at the same time.

The Perfect Leader

Maybe, Netanyahu will remain Prime Minister. He has demonstrated that he is deeply flawed. I would imagine whoever succeeds Netanyahu will have feet of clay as well. I bear no malice to Netanyahu but think Israel might move forward in greater safety with new eyes assessing the ancient problems.

Netanyahu Must Go

When an Israeli leader quakes at the prospect of fighting a terror organization, it is time for that leader to go. It is time for a new leader for the Jewish State. Any progress made regarding relations with the Sunni Arab states has nothing to do with Netanyahu's achievements and everything to do with the Sunni fear of an advancing Shiite Iran. The warming of relations between the US and Israel has nothing to do with Netanyahu moving the ball forward and everything to do with America replacing anti-Israel Obama with pro-Israel Trump in the US Presidency. Netanyahu has clung to power long enough. It is time Israel give new blood a chance to eliminate the threats Netanyahu has failed to tame.

A Shameful Capitulation

For Israel to permit Hamas to stay in power in Gaza, without their capacity to launch attacks seriously degraded, removes any notion of deterrence, not just about aggression from Hamas in Gaza, but Hezbollah in Lebanon as well. When a show of strength is most needed, Netanyahu is demonstrating weakness!

Very Little Difference

While Israel is under direct attack by Hamas, it bears remembering that Hamas is very much like its rival, the Palestinian Authority. Hamas wants to kill Jews and destroy Israel, just as Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority want to kill Jews and eliminate the Jewish State. Israel really has no partner to seek peace with in either faction of Palestinian leadership.

Middle East War

Israel has been in a low intensity conflict with the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip for months. The fight has just picked up intensity to enter what looks like a broader shooting war. Israel sent an undercover unit into Gaza yesterday in the wake of months of riots attempting to breach the border into Israel, particularly on Fridays, weeks of balloons being filled with incendiary devices being wafted into Israel by Hamas and its terrorist affiliates, and a Hamas member sneaking across the border in the last few days only to be apprehended by Israel after burning a greenhouse. The Israeli mission into Gaza was ambushed and an Israeli officer killed. Hamas then proceeded to fire hundreds of projectiles into the Jewish State, killing at least one Israeli civilian in Ashkelon and injuring more than a dozen Israelis. No nation can tolerate this level of aggression from a terrorist group and Israel should not be expected to either. The Jewish State must respond with sufficient force to quiet the Hamas terrorists, even if that means overturning Hamas rule in Gaza.

Day to Remember

We commemorate the end of the First World War today. If the Allies had not prevailed, we might all be subjects of a Kaiser today. If we had not prevailed in World War II, I (being Jewish) probably would not be here. Thank you to all those in the US military today and in the past for preserving our liberty, always with some sacrifice, and sometimes, with the loss of their own lives. Freedom is never free.

Drought and Fire

Some of the areas of California that are considered to be among the most desirable actually seem to have a lot of drawbacks. Most folks know or have heard how beautiful Malibu is, but with earthquakes, drought, and now terrible fire, I do not think I would want to reside there.

Guns Not Guard

An armed guard or guards at the entrance to a gathering place might not prevent a massacre. If a potential assailant knows the location of armed security, he may attack them first, by surprise, and end up having more guns and ammunition with which to commit a massacre. Attacks will only be deterred by preserving the element of doubt in the mind of an attacker. If one or several security personnel are dispersed within a crowd with concealed firearms, a potential shooter will never know who will be able to resist him with equal force. This is the only common sense measure that has a chance to work in curtailing mass shootings.

Sometimes No Reason

When a mass killing takes place, investigators often find the motive. No matter how twisted, the murderer's rationale is ferreted out. Occasionally, a motive is never found. In last night's California massacre, the reason may never be discovered. We now know the murderer was a veteran, but why he went off we may never understand.

No Blue Wave

There was a split decision in yesterday's elections. Some of it was good for the nation and our President. Some of it is undeniably a setback. The Republicans hold the US Senate. Governors' races were split. Unfortunately the dastardly Democrats took the House. President Trump may still be able to advance his agenda to make America even greater.

All About Prosperity

If you want a growing economy and a thriving nation, go out and vote Republican today. If you want higher taxes, ever more burdensome regulation, a slowing economy, a third world invasion, and government intruding more and more into your life, vote Democrat. What you do today will impact America for generations, for good or for ill.

The Dead Voting

Some folks seem to be voting from the great beyond. Either that or they happen to be one hundred and twenty. Either way, I bet these corpse ballots almost all end up being cast for Democrats.

To Be Undecided

At this late stage in the election process, how could anyone who intends to vote not have made up their minds? If you care enough to vote, have you not already educated yourself about the issues? What is going to change between now and close of polls Tuesday to shape your vote?

Peace and Pasta

Have you ever noticed that virtually every nation has some sort of noodle dish? Whether the multitude of different pastas enjoyed by Italians, to lo mein in China, to German spaetzle, to udon and soba in Japan, the varieties around the world are almost endless. If people could come together over most things the way they do over a pasta dinner, the world would be a better place.

Compelled to Vote

Did you ever notice that in many dictatorships, ninety-nine percent of people vote and all for the same candidate? Nothing gets you to the polls faster than the threat of a bayonet in the belly. Thank goodness we have a right to vote here rather than a mandate.

Exercise Your Franchise

In some countries, people do not have the chance to vote. In some places, candidates always run unopposed. In America, you have the chance to vote for real candidates with real differences. Early voting is wrapping up just about everywhere, but you can still vote on election day, which is next Tuesday. People have given their lives for your right to vote. Make sure to exercise that right.

Pointing the Finger

Those castigating our President for the mail bomber and the synagogue shooter are the ones who traffic in incitement. President Trump has condemned both crimes in the harshest possible terms, while those who oppose Trump have openly called for violence. The performer Madonna talked of "blowing up the White House". ANTIFA has encouraged beating Trump supporters on the street. Actor James Cromwell is walking back comments calling for bloody revolution if the Republicans hold onto Congress in the current election. There are a lot of folks in glass houses throwing stones.

People Blaming Trump

Is it not amazing that some of the very same folks who try to excuse crime and even terrorism by saying the perpetrator was poor, a persecuted minority, or oppressed, are now blaming the President for the mail bomber and the synagogue massacre? President Trump did not incite or endorse either crime. In fact, the President called both acts "disgusting" and condemned them in the harshest possible terms.

A Practical Solution

No single action will prevent mass shootings. Stricter laws against gun ownership will not prevent a gun massacre because the type of person who would carry out such a crime would have no compunction about violating any restrictions passed on the purchase or ownership of a firearm. One thing that would curtail these atrocities would be permitting law-abiding gun owners to bring their concealed weapons into places of worship or schools, so that the potential gunman would never know who might be able to oppose him with equal force if he tries to gun down parishioners or students and school staff. The element of doubt would be introduced into the minds of potential mass murderers because they would never know who or how many might shoot back. Gun-free zones are full of easy targets.

Follower of Trump?

Is the Pittsburgh murderer a follower of President Trump? President Trump has a Jewish daughter and Jewish grandchildren. No, the synagogue shooter, who frequently expressed hatred of Trump on social media, is a follower of Hitler.

Deep Enduring Sickness

Some folks hate Jews because they see us as weak. Some hate us because they think we are so powerful that we are the hidden hand behind everything bad that happens. We are neither. We are human beings like anyone else. Why are you eaten up by Jew-hatred? Antisemitism is an illness that can pass from generation to generation that has resisted reason for centuries. For heaven's sake, let us be.

Our Media Masters

The media were convinced they could manipulate opinion enough to control us. Donald Trump went over their heads right to the people. President Trump proved that media lies can not dominate our lives.

Beware of Packages

Public figures are not the only people susceptible to package bombs. We lost a dear friend Melba Lapidus to a package bomb in a crime decades ago that has never been solved. If something arrives that is suspicious, do not open or examine it and do not hesitate to call the police. That call may save your life and other lives as well.

Do Polls Decide?

Polls do not matter. Going out to vote is what determines who wins elections. I do not know if there will be a blue wave or a red wave and until the votes are tallied, neither does anyone else.

Straight Republican Ticket

I voted today. Early voting is taking place in Tennessee, and I assume many other states. It should come as no surprise to my readers that I voted straight Republican ticket. Let that be my endorsement. For the sake of the nation, I hope you vote straight Republican ticket as well.

The Libertarian Sham

I embrace some Libertarian principles but will not help Democrats by wasting my vote on Libertarian candidates. A vote for Libertarians from someone who would otherwise have voted Republican greatly enhances the possibility of Democrat majorities. The Libertarian candidates can not win but they can siphon off enough Republican votes to hand victory to Democrats.

Only in Dixie

Other places may well grill out but in the South, bbq is king. You may have arguments whether Carolina or Texas make it best or Tennessee or Alabama, but anywhere you go down here, you find mouthwatering ribs, delicious brisket, and chicken almost no one can resist. Whether it is smoked in mesquite the Texas way or hickory like they do in Tennessee, one bite and you are hooked.

A Southern Saturday

Christianity is definitely the religion down here, but on Saturday, football grabs the glory. From Texas to the Carolinas, a lot of folks gear their Saturday around the college gridiron. Football is big in the Midwest too and Pennsylvania, but nothing approaches the fever for it here in Dixie. Whether it is Alabama, Clemson, or those Longhorns in Austin, our modern-day gldiators have in person audiences of many thousands every Saturday in the fall.

Peace or Pieces

The Saudis have developed a unique way to deal with dissent. If you speak out against the regime, they chop you up while you are still alive. That way the rulers get very few complaints.

Keeping Himself Scarce

A friend suggested that the Saudi journalist who disappeared in Turkey may have been "warned" that he needed to tone down his criticism. She said, " Maybe, he is just keeping himself scarce until things blow over". I would say when you are chopped up and either dissolved in acid or carried out in multiple containers to be buried, you are pretty "scarce".

Everything Is Relative

Given the choice of continuing to tolerate Saudi crimes or leave Iran unchecked in the region, it is still in US interests to back the Kingdom. This is similar to the devil's choice America had to make at the end of the first Gulf War to leave Saddam Hussein in place in Iraq as a hedge against Iranian expansionism. Saudi Arabia is not good, but the Mad Mullahs of Tehran are even worse.

Curing Petroleum Dependency

Our dependence of foreign oil can be curbed. Synthetic oil has been around since at least World War II. We already have electric vehicles available. Electricity can be generated by burning petroleum, but nuclear reactors and hydroelectric plants produce abundant current without relying on Middle Eastern or Venezuelan oil. Solar and wind energy are not reliable enough yet to depend on but progress is being made. I would not want to be forced into mass transit, but buses, subways, and commuter trains spare drivers from using gasoline. We will not always need oil from countries that loathe us.

Our Oil Addiction

If we could find reliable alternative sources of energy, we could tell the Saudi despots that they can drink their oil. We could hold the Kingdom responsible for their crimes.

Are Saudis Guilty?

I firmly believe that Saudis in Turkey murdered a journalist. There is nothing a kingdom that chops people's heads off in the public square would not stoop to, after all, this is the country that spawned almost all of the September 11 hijackers. The only question is how the rest of the world will react to such barbarism.

In Our Control

How monumental an ego must you have to think you can change the climate? What sort of hubris must possess you if you think you can change the weather through your actions?

Not Climate Change

A hurricane is a weather event. It has nothing to do with human action or greenhouse gasses. There were hurricanes before the automobile. There were hurricanes before the industrial revolution. Human kind can not stop a hurricane, but human activity has never caused a hurricane either.

Such Nasty Lies

Kanye West is being besmirched for thinking for himself. West is more creative, intelligent, and talented than those that are now criticizing him for meeting with President Trump. I rarely care who celebrities endorse, but I hate to see Kanye being "Kavanaughed" for daring to defy group think, particularly for reaching out and trying to elevate prosperity and peace in the black community with the President.

Real Hurricane Dangers

The best way to survive a hurricane is to get out of its way. I pray for those in Florida who were unable to escape Hurricane Michael.

Earth Shaking Change

Do you realize how little actually changes as Brett Kavanaugh joins the nation's highest court? The revolution will be inconsequential.

Real Abortion Story

If the US Supreme Court ever does reverse Roe v. Wade, women will still be able to kill their unborn babies in many places. The decision about legality will simply go back to the states. While God-fearing states like Mississippi and Utah might make it hard to find an abortion mill within their borders, states like New York and California will keep the baby-killing business up and running. Dread not promiscuous woman too dumb to use protection, there will still be plenty of places to legally terminate your burden.

Court's Avenging Angel

I wish Judge Kavanaugh would stick it to the Left for their smears and character assassination against him. Unfortunately, he is so honorable that he will immediately put the attempt to destroy him in denying his confirmation behind him and simply rule on the merits of the cases that come before the US Supreme Court.

Day of Judgement

Today, the US Senate will likely consent to Judge Brett Kavanaugh joining the nation's highest court. They will be demonstrating great judgement in elevating a great man.

Lies Destroy Lives

When people lie about being victimized, it can undermine the credibility of people who really were victimized and can destroy those who have been falsely accused. Too often, real criminals are walking free while the innocent find themselves behind bars.

On Kavanaugh's Crimes

So, Judge Kavanaugh drove a car off a bridge and abandoned a pregnant girl to drown in it? No, that was liberal icon Ted Kennedy. Kananaugh forced himself on a waitress in a DC restaurant with Chris Dodd- nope- that was Teddy too. So, he had a sex partner who was running an escort service out of his basement, no, that was Barney Frank.So Kavanaugh was having sex with an underage intern- no, that was Democrat hero (praised for his courage in coming out) Gerry Studds. So Kavanaugh was importuning against a grieving lady and separately, a business associate in a hotel room- nope that was Bill Clinton. Exposing himself to a state worker and having an adulterous affair with an intern around the same age as his daughter- not Kavanaugh either- that was Bill, he kept himself busy. Have you ever seen such a disgusting display of hypocrisy as what these any sexual thing goes Democrats are inflicting on Brett Kavanaugh and his family?

Mocking the Victim

Donald Trump has been called out for "mocking the victim". The President could not have done that because Judge Kavanaugh and his family are the victims. Dr. Ford seems more and more to be a political operative who targeted Brett Kavanaugh for political and personal destruction.

The Smear Mongers

Two weeks ago, Brett Kavanaugh was exemplary. After this barrage of character assassination backed by no evidence, Judge Kavanaugh belongs behind bars. Great job hypocrites- where was your outrage against Bill Clinton for his alleged rapes or Ted Kennedy for killing a girl?

What Should Happen

If someone is sexually assaulted, a rape kit should be collected to preserve the evidence. DNA is solid proof. There is and never will be any proof Judge Kavanaugh offended against anybody.

Presumption of Innocence

I do not like this new system. I do not know how anyone can prove a negative. How do you prove something did not happen? As nebulous as Dr. Ford's allegations are, you can not even establish a date certain when her alleged attempted rape occurred. Judge Kavanaugh can not produce an alibi showing he was somewhere else if he can not even firm up the date the supposed crime took place. It is a scandal to hold an honorable person to an impossible standard and to wreck his future with charges from the distant past that are impossible to refute but also and more importantly lack a scintilla of evidence.

The New Nostradamus

Dr Ford might not have remembered her (alleged) attack or attacker for thirty years but she sure has a better grasp of the future than anyone else. She testified that in 2012 she told her therapist that the fellow that attempted to rape her could be appointed to the Supreme Court. In 2012, Obama was President and almost everyone thought Hillary Clinton would succeed him at the conclusion of his second term. Democrats like Barack and Clinton do not appoint Constitutional Originalists as Federal judges, let alone to the nation's highest court. With this testimony, Dr. Ford reveals herself as a calculated Leftist operative positioning herself to keep a blameless and capable man off the Supreme Court and more than that, ruin an innocent man's family, life, and reputation.

Right for Truth

We watched yesterday's Senate spectacle. The Left wallows in filth and lies. The Right seeks truth. The truth is Kavanaugh belongs on our nation's highest court.

One Million Accusers

If a million women came forward accusing Brett Kavanaugh of rape without any evidence, that does not mean he actually raped a single person. If evidence exists, those accusing Kavanaugh need to produce it.

Multiples of Judas

We face all kinds of betrayal from politicians. I think a huge factor in this is a complete lack of political courage among most in Washington. It would take pages to chronicle the pledges made but not delivered but only a few lines for promises kept.

Chase Antifa Away

I just watched the disgusting spectacle of white Antifa terrorists chasing Hispanic Texas Senator Ted Cruz from a Washington restaurant, weeks after chasing Candace Owens, a thoughtful and eloquent black conservative from a different establishment. The police need to be chasing Leftist thugs away and allowing these upstanding conservatives to enjoy their meals.

Triumph the Righteous

Truth and justice will prevail, if not in this world, then in the next. Judge Kavanaugh is certainly just and deserves just treatment, which is better than he is getting.

Time for Truth

The Republican Senators are going to give a forum in the United States Senate to the lying Leftist partisan trying to destroy Judge Kavanaugh. Then, I believe they will soft-peddle her lies and not call her on the carpet for the false witness she is bearing. This is not because these Senators want to be fair, but because they are craven political cowards.

When It Rains

Do you find it odd that on the rare occasions that it rains in a desert that the low-lying areas often flood? A wadi that can be bone-dry for five years can become a deathtrap in minutes. It is also amazing that people can survive in areas where monsoon rain falls for weeks at a time. If humankind could change the climate, those would be some good places to start.

Standing for US

President Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marsha Blackburn are fighting for us and our Constitutional rights. The Democrats who oppose them want to take our money and our freedom.

Contrived and Concocted

The allegations against Judge Kavanaugh are made-up. They are a lie. Anyone who does not recognize this is willfully blind. Just as the Left tried a high tech lynching on Associate Justice Clarence Thomas during his nomination to the US Supreme Court, they are trying to destroy this nominee. The Left have overreached.I believe Kavanaugh will be confirmed.

Scheme, Scam, Smear

This is the playbook of Democrats and the Left: To promote utterly corrupt scum within their ranks (see the Clintons or Ted Kennedy) while besmirching absolutely honorable patriots of the other side. Only partisans or idiots buy the smear of Judge Kavanaugh.

Our Globe Warming

If every appliance, light bulb, machine, and vehicle on earth was turned on, we could not make a winter day feel like spring or summer. Does climate change? Certainly, it does, but humankind is not powerful enough to cause the changes.

Al Gore's Hurricanes

There is nothing human beings can do collectively or individually to cause or prevent hurricanes. It is monumental stupidity to think otherwise.

Then, Now, Forever

Israel was not created by guilt-ridden Europeans in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Israel has been the land of the Jewish people for over three thousand years. There has been a continuous Jewish presence in the Holy Land across the millennia. The Jewish people will never be forced from the Jewish nation!

Talk About Progress

Can you imagine how high the death toll would be from hurricanes (or typhoons) without the modern technology that forecasts them fairly accurately and gives people several days of advance notice to evacuate? Thank the Lord for the ingenuity of human beings.

Despicable Democrat Tactics

Judge Kavanaugh may have committed some offense four decades back in high school, this according to the Leftist Diane Feinstein. How disgusting to bring this up just as Kavanaugh is about to join our nation's High Court? This is worse than the Anita Hill allegations against Clarence Thomas. These Democrats have no shame.

Might Be Methodists

You can not impugn the "refugees" pouring into Europe, no matter how many crimes they commit. If you speak of the crimes these migrants commit, you are a racist who will soon be "deplatformed". If you mention the religious motivation of those throwing rocks and firebombs at Israelis, you will find yourself losing access on Facebook and Twitter. It is perfectly safe to malign white, middle class Methodists, and even blame them for the crimes committed by jihadis. You will not lose your ability to post on online forums for slandering white Christians or Jews but you will for telling the truth about Muslims.

Must Be Martians

Suicide bombings- it must be Martians. School massacre in Beslan- must be Martians. Theaters attacked in Moscow and Paris- must be Martians. If you identify the actual attackers in these events, you may be banned from social media and even prosecuted- so remember, it must be Martians.

Prospect of Peace

On the anniversary of the worst attack ever against our homeland, let us assess the chance we have to call a halt to the war on terror. Afghanistan remains a bloody boiling point. Talks have been held with the murderous Taliban. These same Taliban shielded Osama bin Laden, even after his terror group launched the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Taliban sheltered and aided Osama before and after the massacre of thousands of innocents on American soil. I would say there can be no productive talks with the Taliban unless it is negotiating their surrender (which will not happen). The US and the civilized nations that stand with us must destroy the Taliban root and branch. Those in Pakistan who have aided and continue to aid the Taliban should similarly be annihilated, hopefully with the cooperation of the Pakistani government, but if necessary, without it. Only when al-Qaeda and their Taliban backers and their successor organization ISIS are wiped out will the war on terror be over.

Embracing American Greatness

Barack Obama did not embrace America's greatness. Obama mocked the uniqueness of our great enterprise. That is a huge difference between the last President and this one. Donald Trump truly believes in our exceptionalism and has made our nation even better.

The Trump Judas

It does not really matter if there is a turncoat in the Trump administration because Donald Trump ultimately is bigger than all his advisers and makes all his decisions. Trump relies on himself, his intellect and instincts and is not tied to the opinions of those around him as previous Presidents were.

Professional Football Implodes

By catering to troublemakers, the National Football League has alienated large numbers of fans. One of those fans who used to buy NFL merchandise is me.

Acting Like Anarchists

Democrats are not acting like a major political party in the Kavanaugh proceedings. They are not acting like a dignified opposition. The Democrats are acting like anarchists in some Third World legislative body. They are not representing law or even order but showboating like clowns.

Antics of Idiots

If you are watching the Kavanaugh hearings, how could you ever vote Democrat? How can you stand to see such an obviously decent man as the Supreme Court nominee demonized? How can you support the protesters and the Democrats who facilitated them being there when they display no decorum and such contempt?

Disgusting Childish Theatrics

The Leftists disrupting the Kavanaugh hearing are making fools of themselves right alongside the Democrat Senators trying to block the President's eminently qualified Supreme Court nominee. They are not going to be able to block the nomination no matter how many stunts they pull.

No to Nike

Over the years, I have purchased a lot of Nike gear, mostly shoes and shirts. With their decision to promote America-hating Colin Kaepernick, I will NEVER purchase a Nike product again for myself or my soccer-playing daughter. If you love the USA, buy any brand but Nike.

Winning for Labor

I am fifty-one years old and Donald Trump is the first President of my lifetime who is actually fighting for American workers. Other Presidents have lent lip service to job creation but Trump has actually helped labor!

Is Freedom Free?

Freedom for a nation, a people, or a person comes at quite a cost. The price paid is in blood and treasure and eternal vigilance for any nation or people. For the individual, the cost of freedom may be life itself.

Not Very Bright

I can not predict what voters will do. Sometimes, people engage in self-defeating behavior. Voters have been known to foul up. People might vote in Democrats, facilitate an impeachment, and cause an economic crash. Stranger things have happened and sometimes, folks cut their own throats.

A Numbers Game

If the economy continues to flourish, so much so that the anti-Trump media can not conceal it, I would doubt that people will vote in Democrats who have vowed to reverse everything the President is doing. So long as folks have more money in their pockets (not worth less because of inflation) and see opportunity improving, they have every reason to vote for GOP candidates that support Trump and no reason to burst the balloon of prosperity that our President has created.

Targeting the Enemy

The DC elite are not particularly worried about our foreign adversaries. They are instead all-in on bringing down the President of their own nation.

Real Election Interference

Russia or Russians may have (unsuccessfully) attempted to influence US elections. The tech monopolies Google and Facebook certainly have interfered with the fair process of elections by stifling the Right.

Just Carry On

I'm always swimming upstream// Without the chance to spawn// Losing this American dream// It's hard to carry on Chorus: Just carry on// Just carry on// Until your problem's gone// Until your trouble's gone (repeat verse, then chorus)

An Authentic Maverick

The real maverick who came to turn over Washington was not John McCain, but the outsider Donald Trump. President Trump came to drain the swamp that McCain and almost all DC politicians occupy.

A Fitting Tribute

As praise pours in from both Republicans and Democrats for Senator John McCain, I think the best tribute would be that those extolling McCain's virtues would work more together for the good of our nation and people as the late Senator did. It is fine to say grand things about someone who crossed the aisle when it helped the country, it is another thing to actually put the needs of country above party yourself.

Coup Against Trump

If Trump is ousted from office or if his Presidency is crippled by unending investigations, it will not be because of any collusion with Russia, or anything the investigations seem directed at uncovering. Trump will be removed from office or have his Presidency destroyed because he is trying to give voice to the common man and ignoring the establishment. If Trump were upholding the deep state and ignoring the working folk, his Presidency would not be in peril.

Establishment Strikes Back

Those against President Trump in the opposition party but also in his own party do not merely want to remove him from the Presidency, but to destroy his business empire and even his family. They want his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner thrown in jail. The establishment wants the Trumps so utterly broken that no one ever dares rise to challenge them again.

Almost Any Means

Those opposed to our President will stoop to almost any means to remove him. They do not want to root Trump out because he is ineffective, but because he is the one man standing in the way of America's otherwise inexorable lurch left.

How It Works

The mob enforcer will burn down your shop and your home and may well kill your family. You have an offer you can't refuse that will prevent this. You let him break your leg and tell the cops a couple of torpedoes from the rival family busted you up. They get sent up the river. You limp the rest of your life, but nobody destroys your home and business and your family stays safe. That is the way the mafia supposedly operates but in actuality, is remarkably similar to the way the Special Counsel is going after our President.

Too Many Turncoats

A lot of people take a devil's bargain with prosecutors in cases where they are the only guilty or most culpable party. They give the prosecutors someone- guilty or not- in exchange for a lesser sentence. This may be happening with the prosecutor determined to bring down our President. He is catching a few little mice, hoping they will rat out their former boss, even if they have to make something up. I hate to see this happen to anyone, especially the leader returning America to greatness.

Hero or Coward

A number of conscientious objectors became medics or corpsmen because they did not want to kill anybody. They often went unarmed into the teeth of the enemy, not to kill but to try to save lives. In my mind, these men were even braver than the men carrying guns, who at least had a chance to shoot back as they were targeted.

Great and Glorious

Alvin York and Audie Murphy were both hailed as great heroes. Did they cure cancer? Did they save dozens of folks from a burning building? No, they slaughtered a whole bunch of their fellow men. And they got rewarded substantially for it.

Wondering About Motivation

Do you think the bomber pilot who destroys a city thinks he is doing a moral good? Do you think SS mass murderers thought they were doing wrong? I think most people think they are doing "right", even in the midst of doing enormous evil.

Ladder of Success

It is much easier to tumble down the slope of failure than climb the ladder of success. It also requires a lot less effort.

Legal Versus Moral

If you sell an addictive and hazardous product like cigarettes, you may be perfectly within your legal rights, but are your actions morally acceptable? If you sell liquor legally to someone who then kills someone while driving intoxicated, are you culpable for the loss of life? My family made their livings in the liquor business, which undoubtedly led to harm of some people, but I think my parents and grandparents saw themselves as decent people.

Virtues and Vices

I met a fellow who was a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He had a down-home style of idiom with a lot of "oh shucks" and "by golly" when he was around "ladies", but in private conversation, every other word was an f-bomb. He told me that he had not spent a day sober since the battle at Chosin, where he had seen so many friend killed. This man was an authentic hero to the country in my estimation yet in the eyes of many, he was a drunk.

Choosing Own Vices

I read an article by a clergyman that "good men" are being ruined by pornography. I would disagree that they were "good" at the start or they would not be seeking porn.

Radicals Against America

Black Lives Matter and Antifa are radical rabble-rousers, who resort to disrupting order, and in the case of Antifa, violence on the streets. In some instances, the rhetoric of these organizations amounts to encouraging violence to the extent that they could be accused of being terrorists.

Rally Against Hate

When you have people protesting against "hate" who attack police and a journalist, the attackers seem to have quite a bit of hate in their hearts as well. There is plenty of bile on the far right, but just as much apparently on the far left.

Israel's Hamas Strategy

Just as Hamas seems to lack a coherent strategy for dealing with Israel, it appears Israel has no strategy to deal with Hamas. Israel can not be content with periodic rocket attacks against it and daily assaults against the Gaza-Israel border by Hamas supporters. Yet, Israel seems to lack the will or ability to stop Hamas. A long war of attrition between the two may be ahead.

Hamas Strategic Objective

I do not think Hamas has a coherent strategy for their rocket attack campaign against Israel. They are not going to be able to destroy Israel or drive the Jews into the sea with these attacks, and if Hamas succeeds in drawing Israel into ground combat in Gaza, Hamas will lose. It does not appear Hamas has thought through the consequences of their aggression.

Pull Tiger Tail

Hamas is firing projectiles into Israel. They have wounded several Israelis, at least one critically. These terrorists had better watch out. They are grabbing a tiger by the tail without realizing there are a lot of teeth attached to it.

Victory in Ohio

If the Democrat had won the special election for the Congressional seat in Ohio, the Left and their media parrots would be screeching today that the Trump Presidency is over. There is still plenty of life in Team Trump because the GOP held the seat!

No to Censorship

The solution to speech you disagree with is not to censor it, but to point out where and why it is wrong. No one, including Alex Jones, should be censored by government or corporations.

An Unlucky People

The Venezuelan people have been afflicted by two successive murderous dictators, who silenced the opposition press, murdered critics on the street, and rigged elections to keep power. The Venezuelan people deserve better, and eventually will overthrow the despots.

A Lucky Dictator

Someone apparently tried to kill the despot who oppresses the Venezuelan people. Unfortunately, the tyrant survived the attempt.

Lot of Goats

I heard breaking news yesterday about more than one hundred goats invading an Idaho neighborhood. I can honestly say I never heard a comparable story in my half century of news consumption.

On Crypto Currency

If you think the US government does not know how to track crypto currency, you would be wrong. If the government can follow bitcoin and the other block chain currencies, it can also confiscate them.

Iran Welcoming Mahdi

Iran may be lead by such fanatics that they really want to initiate End Time chaos to bring forth the 12th Imam. With Trump as President, the US might oblige Iran to the extent that the rule of the mad mullahs is brought to a violent end.

A Negotiating Ploy

When President Trump stands up to North Korean or Iranian threats, do you think he is bluffing? I, for one, believe our President is absolutely determined to protect America.

Another Neo War

Those who claim that the "neocons" and their Israeli masters are trying to start a war between the US and Iran must not have paid much attention to the news since the mid-1970s. If they had, they might have noticed the Iranians seized our embassy, took Americans hostage, and have been hostile ever since. It is only now that the US has a leader who will not put up with escalating aggression by the mad mullahs of Tehran.

Filled with Hubris

The lay members of the climate cult think man is more powerful than the Lord of All Creation. Al Gore may be a bit more shrewd than that. He and the high priests of man-caused climate change have managed to profit from the climate change lies they tell.

Ever Worsening Hurricanes

Do you remember after Hurricane Katrina that Al Gore assured the world that man-caused global warming would cause storms like Katrina to become the norm, except that the hurricanes would become more frequent and even worse? Thank goodness Al Gore was wrong.

Cutting Off Oil

If Iran or Iranian proxies disrupt the free flow of oil, they are attacking commerce all over the world. This in itself is enough of a reason for the US to go to war.

Free for Everyone

Facebook, Twitter, and Google are all for free speech, so long as the speaker is not conservative. These organizations are monopolies in restraint of speech.

With Due Respect

I like Tucker Carlson and generally agree with him, but he has posited the wrong proposition regarding President Trump taking America to war against Iran. The Shia fanatics that oppress the Iranian people have been at war with America since the fall of the Shah. Iranian proxies, most notably the Sadrists, have killed hundreds of Americans in Iraq. Iranian proxy Hezbollah has murdered Americans in Lebanon. America has only responded a few times to these provocations that amount to open warfare by Iran against the United States. America has ample reason to declaw Iran. The regime of the mad mullahs has been at war with America since its inception. No sane person wants a war, but if the Iranian people can not bring down the theocratic regime that enslaves them, war between the US and Iran is bound to happen.

The Greek Fires

I have read that some of the horrible fires in Greece may have been intentionally set. If so, this is a crime that deserves the harshest punishment.

On "Event Parking"

In a city like Nashville, where there is some sort of concert, performance, public taping, or sporting event virtually every day, it demonstrates a special kind of gall to charge people a premium for so-called "event parking". If these garages charge event parking virtually daily, it really is not "event parking". It is just the exorbitant amount the garages are charging you because they can.

A Genuine Idiot

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a fool. Consequently, anyone who votes for her is a fool. Cortez is telegenic, but that is about her only virtue. She is an anti-Israel Marxist in the city that happens to have the largest Jewish population. An independent or perhaps even a Republican can defeat her in the general election and take a seat in Congress that has been securely Democrat.

Up Our Preparedness

If one addled gunman can murder someone and hold hostages in a grocery for hours, think what dedicated and trained terrorists could have done. Our law enforcement needs to up its game and we each need to increase our own situational awareness.

War Nor Peace

Israel and the Hamas terrorists are shooting at each other, producing death on both sides, but it is not a full-fledged war yet. It serves Iran's interests to keep things stirred up, and that is exactly what Iran is doing. A war is not far away though as Israel will not tolerate soldiers being gunned down by snipers, as just happened, very long.

Our Ally Putin

Just as Stalin worked for a common purpose with FDR, the US and Russia can now work together to defeat international jihad. That does not mean Vladimir Putin is a friend or has our interests at heart. It simply means that the US making common purpose with Putin to defeat a greater evil makes sense.

Antagonists Against Reality

Those blasting Trump fail to recognize that he has produced the strongest economy the United States has ever enjoyed. Not only are shareholders seeing their wealth rise, minority unemployment is at all-time lows. I loved Ronald Reagan, but even Reagan did not accomplish these economic miracles that President Trump has.

Really Want War?

A war with North Korea would kill millions, yet Trump's critics bemoan our President sitting down and talking to them. They say it elevated North Korea's stature. I say it saved lives. A nuclear conflagration with Russia would likely mean the end of human life. I believe talking is better than war.

President Trump's Critics

The Democrats who are attacking our President for talking to Putin were NOT staunchly anti-Russian until Trump became President. The Republicans who are attacking Trump had animus for him from day one. In their eyes, Trump can do no right. The media that assail Trump kissed Obama's ring as he was weakening America. None of Trump's critics are worthy of a moment's consideration. Let them squawk while the President "makes America great again".

Words Beat Warfare

I was delighted to see our President and Russia's leader talking. No US leader could have managed the summit better than Trump did.

Value Every Moment

Each birthday we celebrate necessarily means we will have less in the future. The calendar and the clock only work in one direction and that direction is not toward longer life.

Tell Me Story

What do you do at four in the morning when your three year old wakes up and asks you to tell a story? You tell a very short one, I guess.

Sacha Baron Cohen

I absolutely abhor anyone pretending to be a wounded US veteran. I also fervently believe that if Sasha Baron Cohen did this, that it is firmly in the realm of free speech protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution, that trumps the "Stolen Value Act". Political satire, no matter how obnoxious is clearly an exercise of a protected liberty.

Stealing an Election

Russia did not steal an election. Donald Trump did not steal an election. Hillary Clinton and her supporters in the FBI tried to steal an election and are still trying to cover up their crime.

Superb Supreme Selection

President Trump knocked one out of the park by picking Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh is absolutely brilliant and fair-minded. He interprets the law rather than trying to legislate from the bench.

Our Little Trooper

Someone on the staff at the vet's office said Curry is a "real trooper". She is an amazing fighter with an unbelievable will to live. Curry had a really rough surgery. There seem to be more staples holding her together than there is dog there, but she has made it home. She ate and drank and even let us administer a pill which is always difficult with her. Thank you for your prayers for her.

Pray for Curry

The sweetest little Keeshond girl in the world is having another breast cancer surgery in a few hours. Please pray for her.

An Ice Cube

I left a glass of ice on the porch to let the dogs in the back door. I came back about five minutes later and every cube had melted. I can not imagine how Mom endured the heat when her AC went down. How did people live down here before air conditioning?

Southern Summer Saturday

You are not really down South until it reaches into the nineties on a summer Saturday. You know you are down in Dixie when the thermometer touches three digits. At that point, I yearn to be a Yankee.

The Heat Wave

Why is it that your air conditioner always seems to go out on the hottest day of the year? Ours did and it put Mom in the emergency room.

Her First Fireworks

I watched the fireworks display of the country club across the street with my three year old daughter. She certainly does not understand the magnitude of the sacrifice that brought us our liberty or the blessing of freedom, but she certainly liked the show. She can't wait for tonight's fireworks. I am afraid she might be disappointed on that score.

Blessing of Freedom

Prosperity did not make the United States free. Freedom made the United States prosperous. The freedom to risk is the freedom to fail, but also to succeed in creating wealth unmatched and more fairly and broadly distributed than anywhere else in human history. America expunged slavery over a century and a half ago and since that time has afforded opportunity across the board for those native born and immigrants alike. Nowhere else can someone come from abroad, open an ethnic eatery or a motel and have children that graduate from Ivy League schools and go on to be at the top of their professions. Only the opportunity that liberty creates enables the prosperity we enjoy today. I hope you remember the blessing of liberty today and have a happy Indepence Day.

Prosperity for All

Richard Branson proves you don't have to be smart to be rich. His latest brilliant idea is to have America give cash to the poor to eliminate inequality. I have a better idea. Branson should sell off his assets, including his private island,and give all the proceeds to those less fortunate, or he could just use his jets to transport the homeless to his lavish island paradise where they could luxuriate on Branson's tab.

The American Powerhouse

The United States has sufficient resources and a remaining industrial base to win a trade war against anyone (and everyone, if necessary). We have everything from domestic iron ore and oil to enough rare earth minerals to survive. America will prevail.

Always on Sunday

I write on this forum as a daily blog. This means that even if I have writer's block I have to formulate an idea with cogent thoughts about some topic. The well is somewhat dry today. I hate onion rings but love raw onions. I like white potato but not sweet potato. I like bread but not toast. I like creamy but not crunchy peanut butter. I like orange juice without pulp.

A Tad Confused

Too many folks are excited by what should disgust and disgusted by what should excite.

Killed the Messenger

The newspaper business is somewhat dear to me. My grandfather published a daily newspaper in Covington, Virginia. He is in some ways the inspiration for this blog. I was heartbroken when I heard of the massacre at the newspaper office in Maryland. There is never a justification for murdering innocent people. To the folks blaming our President for this newspaper attack- BACK OFF. President Trump suffers under the weight of an abundance of fake news, but the lies being told against Trump were not what inspired the murderer. A personal grudge against the newspaper motivated the killings. Maybe if those exercising their First Amendment rights by running the newspaper had been exercising their Second Amendment right by carrying a loaded gun, the massacre could have been stopped with less loss of innocent life.

Need More Security

GOP officials from Washington to Florida have been harassed or worse. They need to have bodyguards provided at public expense until the threats against them abate.

Resolve with Words

American conservatives are content to talk over differences because they know they will win the arguments against liberals and progressives. The Left in America know logic prevails over their arguments, so they shift to emotion. It looks like now that their emotional appeals are failing, the American Left is ready to become violent.

A "Civil" Society

The international left has always agitated for violence on the streets. They do fairly well at this until they stir up the right enough to respond. Then, the left usually loses the clashes that follow. I want to keep America civil because I do not want to witness another American civil war.

Absolutely No Civility

Maxine Waters is calling for the harassment of Trump administration members and those trying to enforce our borders. What Waters is demanding is the height of incivility and borders on criminal incitement.

The Democrat Zealots

When a Virginia restaurant throws out President Trump's spokesperson and her family, they are wittingly or unwittingly telling about half the country that they do not want their business. What sort of moron would do this?

Not Even One

There used to be some conservative Democrats. JFK was for a strong defense and was fervently anti-Communist, with an emphasis on using Special Forces for counter-insurgency. He was also a tax cutter. Henry "Scoop" Jackson was strong on national defense and determined to end Soviet tyranny. Sam Nunn was a defense hawk. There is no Democrat in the House or Senate today who carries conservative beliefs like these great Democrats of old held.

Only a Handful

There are just a few true conservatives representing the people in Washington. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee are down the line with the right in the Senate. Tennessee's Marsha Blackburn is a real conservative in the US House. I would characterize President Trump as a populist who embraces less intrusion into business by government. If there were more conservatives in DC, we could make America even greater.

Republicans Betray Voters

An amnesty for illegal aliens is the quickest way to destroy the GOP and our country as it was founded. That is why I am fairly certain that is exactly what Republicans in the House and Senate are going to force down the throats of the people who voted them in with the main expectation that those they voted in would protect our border.

Air Conditioning Miracle

Some parts of the United States would be virtually uninhabitable were it not for air conditioning. Thank goodness, we in Nashville are mostly comfortable because of the innovative minds that gave the world air conditioning.

Free But Fair

Donald Trump is a free trader who has reluctantly had to impose tariffs because of unfair trade practices and currency manipulation. When the world economy is once again a level playing field, President Trump will happily give up tariffs. Our President is simply tired of seeing the US lose in trade deals because of lousy negotiators and lose in trade itself because of foreign cheating.

David Whips Goliath

In the soccer world, Mexico is considered an average team. Germany was thought to be a powerhouse. Somehow, Mexico defeated Germany in this weekend's World Cup action. This is a real stunner. Bravo Mexico!

Futbol Versus Football

Soccer is a game I played a bit of in middle school. It demands skill and rigorous conditioning. It goes without saying that every player in the World Cup is a great athlete. To the sensibility of many Americans, soccer is still a boring game. Americans, who love a 38 to 35 football game decided on a last second field goal, just can't see the beauty of a 1-nil soccer match,where the winners kick the ball around their own side of the pitch most of the game. Football players are undeniably powerful but very few could be in constant motion, often running at full speed for ninety-plus minutes. Soccer is called by its enthusiasts "the beautiful game". I think there is room in the world for more than one beautiful game.

Russia's Possible Terror

A driver plowed into spectators at the World Cup in Russia. The driver claims it was an accident, which might be true, as those committing jihad often proclaim it proudly if they survive the event.

More Terror Thwarted

Israel has reported that they have recently prevented more than two hundred attempts to launch major terror attacks. If Israel's intelligence agencies were not so successful, hundreds if not thousands of innocent people would have been murdered. Israel also shares intelligence with other countries that has enabled them to stop terror attacks. The irony is that this plucky little nation that is under siege from constant attempts at terrorism is widely regarded as a pariah and singled out for opprobrium at the United Nations. Israel is the front line but make no mistake that the whole civilized world is a target.

More Terror Attempted

A so-called "refugee" has just been arrested for manufacturing the deadly poison ricin in Germany. Most of the nations of Europe have welcomed "refugees" with open arms. Germany has demonstrated great humanitarian efforts and the reward they receive for extending the hand of help is street crime, rape, murder, and attempted mass murder now with a deadly toxin. I am glad German authorities stopped this mass poisoning, but the more people admitted to your country and continent who are from disintegrating countries where no vetting is possible, the more certain it becomes that terrorists will succeed in killing innocent Europeans.

The America Haters

A leader was elected in Barack Hussein Obama who wanted to knock his own country off its pedestal of leadership in the world. Obama succeeded,but President Trump has already reversed Obama's "managed decline". Donald Trump has already kept his pledge to "make America great again". It is such a relief to be led by someone who does not go around the world grovelling and apologizing to foreign leaders for America. We now have a President that loves our country and will never apologize for it.

To the Naysayers

I am amazed that people who would be calling for Barack Obama to receive a second Nobel Peace Prize if he had a summit with the leader of North Korea are condemning President Trump for sitting down to talk. These fools, many of whom have advocated unilateral US disarmament, are now saying Trump has demeaned America by talking to Kim. These are people who rarely don the uniform of our country to go defend it, and are almost universally anti-war except in this one instance when Trump is defusing a crisis because they despise our President so much they hope he fails at everything, up to and including preserving the peace. Trump may have just staved off a shooting war, possibly a nuclear war and all credit should go to him for that.

Peace and Opportunity

If North Korea gives up its nuclear capacity, it will be just as prosperous as South Korea in a few short years. If North Korea does not, the North Korean people will continue to starve.

Believing Own Poverty

So long as a person is not trapped in a poverty of the mind, they can rise above their current circumstance. Starting poor does not mean ending that way. Hope for a better future can kindle the effort it takes to make it so.

Seeing Real Poverty

America's poor are somewhat luckier than those who are impoverished in other parts of the world. In the US, there is a safety net of government aid that literally feeds people. We are not like Venezuela, where thousands are on the brink of starvation because of mismanagement by a socialist government. We are not like North Korea where a government finds it easier to murder people than allow them any liberty, including the economic freedom it takes to prosper. We are not like the continent of Africa where drought and famine still claim lives. We are truly blessed that freedom and a social safety net mean even our poor usually enjoy a decent lifestyle (unless they have immense substance abuse or mental issues that keep them from accessing what is available).

Money and Happiness

We were very close to a developer who made hundreds of millions. The funny thing is that even with all that money, he was not particularly happy. There were people living near our liquor store who never had a hundred dollar bill in their hand who were always joyful. I can tell you money does not necessarily make you happy, but will also tell you that a lack of money can certainly make you miserable.

Who You Wearing

I understand a very well-known and wealthy designer offed herself in middle age this week. Suicide is nothing funny. If you are considering it, get help (not help in killing yourself, but in dissuading yourself from the permanent solution to the temporary problem). I heard this designer hanged herself with an Hermes scarf. Hermes certainly would never endorse suicide, even if the person that kills themself is a competing designer.

Hickory Versus Mesquite

I like barbeque. I was raised on hickory-smoked meats, which is typical around my hometown of Nashville. Tennessee-style bbq is still mighty enjoyable, but as a teen, I was introduced to Texas-style bbq smoked with mesquite at a place near the former Hickory Hollow mall called Texana Grill. I found mesquite to be just as enjoyable as hickory. I would say that mesquite holds its own with hickory, although it is relatively rare around Nashville to find a restaurant using mesquite. I imagine out West that it is rare to find a restaurant using Tennessee Hickory. As much as I like bbq, I would never say no to either.

Mixed Bag Decision

In America, religious liberty still trumps hurt feelings, at least for the moment. So-called "gay marriage" is the law of the land, but people can not be compelled to participate in it (yet). Two justices voted to force compliance to whatever homosexual activists demand. Freedom is in peril on many fronts, and the Supreme Court is not the defender of liberty it once was.

Markets Moving Monday

Some years back, I made a call that the markets would rise sharply at the start of a particular week. Instead, they took a tumble. A bit later, I was certain the markets were going to sink on a particular Monday. They actually rose over a hundred points. I figured the only thing I could pretty much count on was that the markets would move. I could not predict up or down- but the markets were certainly going to go one way or the other on a particular Monday. That day the market actually closed unchanged.

Captain D's Sunday

Our family's Sunday tradition was fried fish from the West End Avenue Captain D's. I was the kid that dug malt vinegar on everything. I not only poured it on the fish, but on the fries and hushpuppies as well. I don't know if I loved the food, but I sure did like that malt vinegar! What I loved most of all was four generations of my family being together. I sure miss those Sundays.

Saturday at Greer

I remember those lazy Saturdays taking in two at Greer Stadium. Maybe it wasn't Major League baseball, but it was baseball and that was mighty fine. It was great if the Sounds won, but even if they didn't, it was still baseball. If Nashville won both, you left walking on sunshine. If Nashville split, that was better than nothing. If Nashville, dropped both, there was always the next game to buoy our hopes. The only thing that dampened our joy literally was a rainout.

Best Tasting Products

Stouffer's lasagna and macaroni and cheese are about as good as I have ever tasted without having to expend the effort to make them from scratch. I used to buy the huge family-size lasagna from the freezer case and eat it by myself in two settings. Remarkably, I kept my weight between 140 and 169 pounds back then on a 7000 calorie a day diet, but I guess I had a much faster metabolism back then. Now, I walk past the freezer case in the store and gain a pound without eating a bite, but that is another story. I don't think there is such a thing as bad mac and cheese, but if it isn't really great, I add Worcestershire and hot sauce and that makes the macaroni delicious. With Stouffer's, I never have to add anything to savor the mac and cheese. It stands on its own as a great tasting product.

Worst Tasting Products

I can eat virtually anything. I hate to waste food. Many years ago, Conagra's Banquet came out with frozen chicken nuggets that we decided to try. I bit into one and the taste was so horrible that I had to spit it out. I tried another just to make sure with the same result. I offered one to our one hundred and ten pound Flat-coated Retriever who loved to eat roadkill, and even he would not eat it. Yuck, one of the worst commercially-made products ever. I do not want to pick on Conagra. They probably make many good products, but back decades ago, we also tried their first Fat Free Ranch Dressing. It was like pouring vomit on a salad. No one could finish the lettuce with the nauseating Ranch on it. Worst dressing or condiment ever. These experiences were both thirty-plus years back, so I would guess if these products remain on the market, they would have to have been vastly improved, but I can tell you I will never find out.

When Italy Sneezes

The political turmoil in Italy knocked world markets down yesterday. US markets were hit hard. I never realized that US stocks were dependent in any way on events in Italy.

Not a Bargain

If you think your dollar value menu item is a great deal, you may actually be eating highly-processed, sodium-filled food with little nutritional value that would not have been a good deal for you even if it was free. By eating your "good deal", you are actually harming your body.

Great Value Meal

Your holiday turkey may seem expensive, but when you consider how many portions you have from it, the price does not seem so bad. For a day or two you enjoy it as traditional turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce. Next you have it as sandwiches. Then, you probably finish it off as an ingredient in soup or casserole. What initially seemed pretty costly has become a part of a lot of different meals.

A Terrific Side

I happen to like spinach in almost all its incarnations, but my grandmother's spinach casserole was the best of all. She used frozen spinach well-drained, sour cream, Lipton onion soup mix, and bread crumbs. I could literally eat the whole casserole, if the other folks enjoying the meal had given me the chance. It was made with good ingredients- plus the one thing Polly always added- LOVE.

Best Dessert Ever

Forty year or so back, my grandmother made the best dessert that I have ever tasted. Amaretto cheesecake with a cherry topping made us all feel we had gone to heaven. Mom and I have tried to duplicate the deliciousness but never even come close. Sometimes the best things in life turn out to be a one off.

Really Dirty Martini

I was at the grand opening of a luxury car dealership once, when the old bartender dropped the bowl of olives he was going to use in the Martinis he served. He scooped them from the floor back into the bowl thinking no one had observed the event. I stuck with Evian that night.

Worst Culinary Experience

Years back, when I was a child, my parents bought some frozen monkfish. They thawed and prepared it according to the directions on the package, baking it at 450 degrees for 45 minutes. Mom served the fish and our accompanying sides. We cut into our portions only to find live worms crawling all over our plates. We called the health department in Nashville, and they instructed us not to eat the fish (not that there was any chance of that). I will never knowingly eat monkfish, but you have to admit after being frozen and then cooked, those are some remarkably resilient worms.

Should Not Eat

After consuming some nearly killer tuna salad years back, I would say it is NEVER a good idea to eat mayonnaise when you can not read the expiration date! I certainly felt like I was dying after that mistake, but the Good Lord spared me.

Miracle of Pineapple

When I was a child, I was scheduled to have surgery to remove my tonsils. The night before, my parents took me to our favorite Chinese restaurant. The proprietor saw me looking glum and was concerned as I was usually the opposite. When we told him that I was down because my tonsils were to be removed tomorrow, he brought me canned pineapple, and told the story of how he was spared an operation to remove his tonsils back in his home country by the enzymes in canned pineapple that eliminated the inflammation of his tonsils. Miraculously, the canned crushed pineapple had the same effect on me and saved my tonsils that remain with me as a fifty-one year old today.

Apple a Day

Eating an apple every day is a good start, but we need more fruit and vegetables in our daily diet than a single apple. I have rarely, if ever, seen an obese vegetarian.

Life Without Pepper

Life would truly be bland without pepper. I would not want my morning eggs or steak at night without a bit of freshly ground pepper. Pepper really adds the spice to life.

Miracle of Garlic

Garlic is one of the few foods that is both delicious and good for the health. I can not imagine eating pasta without it.

Came Pretty Close

I was a huge Minnesota Vikings fan as a kid in the seventies. I loved Fran Tarkenton. Then, I rooted for Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills during their streak of AFC dominance. These great teams managed to make it to the Super Bowl quite often back then, but never managed to win a single one of them. This is how I learned to deal with disappointment.

Greatness Over Decades

Only the New York Yankees and Boston Celtics have sustained greatness across the decades. Like them or not, no one can deny that these teams have contended for and won championships, not simply for consecutive years, but spanning different eras of play. It was not simply the Ruth or Russel Dynasty in the respective sport but multiple titles with different personnel over the course of more than a century for baseball's dominant team and over a half century for basketball's Celtics. And it continues into this very year with both teams still vying for titles.

Guatemala Answers Call

Guatemala has become the second nation to move its embassy to Jerusalem. This move recognizes the reality that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish State. Moving the embassy is also morally right and courageous.

Error of Terror

When terrorists attack a democracy determined to defend itself, the terrorists lose. Israel has just proved this again.

Blame the Terrorists

If you use your own women and children as human shield cover to conduct terror attacks, it is no wonder women and children are killed. It is not the fault of the nation trying to defend against terror, only of the cowardly perpetrators of terror who are hiding literally behind what should be noncombatants to launch attacks. Do not fault the IDF, fault Hamas.

Nations Will Follow

The United States is the first country to move its embassy to the real capital of the Jewish State, but it will not be the last. There will surely be more to follow because anyone who knows the Bible is aware that the Jewish people have the first claim on that part of the Holy Land.

Logic Over Emotion

You can not expect people to behave like robots. In many instances, for good or ill, emotion is bound to come into play. You just can not permit yourself to be carried away by your feelings. Careful reflection saves a lot of misery in life.

Emotion Over Logic

People all too often let their feeling overwhelm their thoughts. They almost always do this to their own detriment.

The War Begins

Iran and Israel are now engaged in open warfare in Syria. Iran and Iranian proxies have been attacking Jews all over the world for years. Their terror campaign against innocent Jews has stretched as far away as Argentina. Let us hope that Israel is able to vanquish the End Time Shia extremism that has held the Iranian people hostage since the fall of the Shah.

Bad Attorney General

It appears the Attorney General of New York was doing exactly the same things for which he was prosecuting other folks. When sex involves coercion or force, it becomes a criminal offense.

An Unwanted Drive

I spent the night in a motel room, not travelling for business or pleasure, but to go to divorce court in a few short hours. I do not believe in divorce, but it takes two to tango. I pray our daughter, who is innocent in all this, never suffers because of decisions other people made.

Blood and Oil

Oil prices are soaring as the world anticipates conflict between Iran and the US. A war with Iran would drastically reduce the supply of oil, but thankfully with fracking and with President Trump opening much more of the US to oil exploration and extraction, America's domestic oil supply will tide us through any contingency.

Assuming a Risk

I certainly wish those living near the Hawaii volcano well, but an eruption should not be a surprise to anyone living near an ACTIVE VOLCANO. They must know the risks.

Truth About Trump

Whatever you think of our President's seemingly outsized ego, he has reduced Federal regulation enough that we have a booming economy. Black and Hispanic unemployment are at all-time lows. If a Democrat were presiding over this recovery, the press would be heralding it as miraculous.

Had a Few

I certainly regret that my marriage is ending. I believe in marriage as a lifetime commitment. I will never regret that the union produced our spectacular daughter.

Living Without Regret

Anyone who does not wish they had conducted themselves differently at certain points probably is a sociopath. I can not imagine anyone with a conscience who has not felt remorse for some of their actions.

Pray for Curry

I have been blessed to interact with one of the sweetest and most determined little dogs anyone could meet. She is a rescue Keeshond with no front teeth. Our vet thinks she lost those teeth chewing through a chain to make her way to freedom. Curry has had some health challenges in the past, including battling cancer. Now

she must wage the fight again. Please join us in her corner and pray for Curry's recovery.

World War III

Israel released some bombshell material that it had stolen from the Iranian nuclear program yesterday. It looks like Israel will soon square off against Iran,possibly with Saudis on Israel's side. If a war between the Jews aided by Sunnis against the Iranian Shia starts, it will not be limited to the Middle East, but spread worldwide.

Just the Thing

I have had a couple of tick-borne illnesses, one that made me chronically ill (Lyme Disease) and ehrlichiosis that nearly killed me. Now, right before I have to appear before the judge for the first time in the divorce I did not initiate, I am struck again, sick and hurting. I need this like a hole in the head.

Pro Basketball's Best

I used to be a huge fan of professional basketball during the Magic-Bird era, and then, watching the incomparable Michael Jordan. I know any list of this sort is a debate starter, but here goes:Starting five by skill level not position- Twin Towers of Bill Russell from the Dons of San Francisco and the force behind so many Boston Celtics championships and Wilt Chamberlain with his brief stay at the University of Kansas and on several National Basketball Association teams and perhaps oddly, the Harlem Globetrotters on a team of showmen that with Chamberlain probably would have been capable of beating any team in the NBA. Wings of the aforementioned Magic Johnson (out of Michigan State and leading the Lakers to their second era of dominance), Oscar Robertson from the University of Cincinnati, who won only one championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, but who was the first and one of the few pro players to ever average a triple double (points, rebounds, and assists), and last but certainly not least, Michael Jordan, the North Carolina Tarheel who with the Chicago Bulls was virtually unbeatable once he had a quality team around him. To summarize these starters would have the greatest defensive force of all-time in Russell, the only player to score a hundred points in a single game in Chamberlain, the most balletic point producer in Jordan, and two assist kings in Robertson and Johnson with Magic being the first one through five positionless player to be dominant in the game.

Ever on Sunday

I would never question the Lord. I am an infinitesimal being, less than a speck to the Grand Creator of all things. I offer myself humbly as His servant on Sunday and all other days.

Chose Somebody Else

Maybe, Muslims should be the "Chosen People". After all, there are a couple of billion of them as opposed to around fifteen million Jews- if even that many- thirteen million might be the more credible number. There is one tiny Jewish State as opposed to fifty-seven Muslim nations (with many other countries likely to soon have Muslim majorities). Islamic nations have vast natural resources, including most of the world's oil while the Jewish State has almost no natural resources. Is it too late for the Lord to change his choice?

Now the Floods

As a Jew, I often wish we were a little less chosen. As if generations of persecution, including genocide was not enough, now ten Jewish teens have just drowned on a hike in Israel. We have too much tragedy to contend with to think "chosen" is a good thing.

Not Great Britain

The British seem to be marking disabled babies for death. After murdering Charlie Gard, Britain is determined to kill Alfie Evans before he reaches his second birthday. The English are allowing themselves to become as warped as Germans were just before World War II.

Now Knife Control

Great Britain has long had stringent laws restricting the possession of firearms. Now, with knife attacks on the ride, England is instituting bans on carrying knives and even screwdrivers. These laws will not work. If someone is determined to murder, they may do so with a rock, a branch, their hands, a piece of broken glass, or any number of other items that are readily at hand everywhere and can never be legislated out of existence. The murders are not due to the presence of knives or guns but due to the absence of morality in those doing the killing.

Was Toronto Terror

I have no idea if religious or political fervor caused a man in a rented truck to mow down over two dozen people in Toronto or if the driver was just crazy. What I do know is that whatever the killer's motivation was, the injured are still hurt and the dead are still dead.

A Sovereign Citizen

The Waffle House murderer may well be clinically insane, but he also seems to be part of a fringe political movement known as "sovereign citizens". Sovereign citizens have murdered before, notably Lynda Lyon Block and George Sibley, who gunned down a policeman in Alabama in 1993. They also routinely fabricate liens to harass those who oppose them and refuse to recognize the authority of US courts. I hope the shooter is apprehended quickly and put where he may not be able to do more harm.

Waffle House Massacre

An evil person murdered at least four innocent people at a Nashville Waffle House. An assault rifle did not commit the crime. An individual, who was wicked, or crazy, or both, did.

Two for Five

How do we measure success? I suppose a lot of that has to do with whatever particular endeavor we are engaged in at that moment. Let us say a fellow is an athlete who plays both basketball and baseball. In the last basketball game of the season, he is held to two made shots in five attempts. He and his team probably feel that he did not play a very good game. Baseball season starts and this same sportsman goes two for five in his plate appearances in his first game. He has batted astoundingly well. If he keeps it up all season, he will have batted .400 and be a superstar. In both sports though, he is two for five.

Throwing Blessings Away

Some of us are so fortunate- our children are healthy. Others are not as lucky. Last night, someone we have known casually for a few years, since before her pregnancy and birth of her son who is now less than a year old, told us her child is blind and likely has cerebral palsy. We will keep her and that precious baby in our prayers. We, who have not had to contend with such a challenge, should count our blessings. We have been so blessed so far with a healthy daughter and I thank the Lord for that. As older parents, that healthy youngster was anything but a given. We are not strong. Our time is not long. We take far too much for granted.

Just as Brutal

The new dictator of Cuba may not have Castro as a last name, but he will likely be just as ruthless in putting down any dissent. I do not see any leader in a line initiated by Castro as loosening up on tyranny and allowing Cubans more freedom.

War or Peace

North Korea is talking with South Korea and the US. If North Korea can be persuaded to give up nuclear weapons without a war, the talks will have been a great success.

Public Relations Disaster

Having two black men arrested for trespassing at a Starbucks in Philadelphia is an awful a corporate image. In this day and age, treating a customer who is a member of a minority like that is suicide for a business.

The Russia Menace

A few years back Barack Obama laughed at Mitt Romney, when Romney said Russia was the greatest threat to US national security, during a debate before the Presidential election. I don't think too many folks are laughing now.

The Loyal Opposition

Democrats always seem to rally around their trash. Whether it is Bill Clinton with numerous marital infidelities and possibly rape, to the late Ted Kennedy with a drowned girl and with Chris Dodd, a "waitress sandwich" sexual assault, to Barney Frank with his male lover running an escort service in Frank's basement, to Gerry Studds being applauded and re-elected after his sexual relationship with an underage boy, who had been brought to DC as a Congressional page, or Hillary with her Clinton Foundation slush funds and unsecure server leaking national secrets, Democrats never condemn a high ranking Democrat, no matter what is alleged against him or her. Republicans, on the other hand, can not wait to turn on one of their own. Look at the difference between how Democrats put Bill Clinton's accusers and Ken Starr on trial in the court of public opinion, and how different it is with almost all Republicans talking about the integrity of Robert Mueller and the objective nature of his investigation. When allegations against a Republican arise, maybe Republicans think if he is knocked off, they will be the one that rises to replace him.

Russia Promises Retaliation

After the US and her allies struck the chemical weapons capacity of the criminal Syrian regime, the poisoner Putin has promised retaliation. When Putin is not trying to murder Russian defectors in Western countries, he is propping up other dictators, some even more bloodthirsty than he is. One of Putin's worst allies is Bashar Assad who has used indiscriminate methods of killing against the Syrian people, including barrel bombs and poison gas. After the last outrage, a gas attack that killed women and children, America and the West had little choice but to respond by force. Not punishing Russian client Assad would have been an open invitation to the Syrian butcher to use WMD even more than he has. It would be a terrible mistake for Russia to follow through with their threats but knowing the nature of dictators, particularly Napoleon-complex little men with big egos like Putin, I am absolutely certain Russia will attempt some foolhardy ad ultimately self-defeating act of revenge.

War Seems Inevitable

The US may launch an attack on the Assad regime that has been oppressing Syria tonight. President Trump has affirmed that America believes Assad has used chemical weapons against his own people yet again. Unlike when Obama was President, Trump really means to enforce redlines, even if it means World War III.

A Brief Reprieve

World War III has not started yet in Syria, but could happen at any moment. I can not imagine why Russia continues to be enchanted by the Assad dictatorship, but they are. In fact, to keep the bloodthirsty despot Assad in power, it seems that dwarf despot Vladimir Putin is willing to fight the US and the West. Tyrants of a feather, I suppose.

War on Wednesday

Will this be the day the US and her allies make the bloody-handed dictator of Syria pay for his crimes against humanity? Forces from the US, UK, and France are reported to be readying a strike against Assad's forces of oppression. Israel, for its own reasons, already launched an attack in Syria this week. The problem with any military action is that while you can plan the beginning, no one can predict how it will end.

A Prosecutorial Disgrace

Our President's private lawyer has just had his records seized by prosecutors. This travesty would not have been permitted with a mob attorney or a lawyer representing a street thug, but has been inflicted on President Trump, the leader of the free world!

Miracles on Monday

Thousands of babies were born today, Those enjoying the miracle of life can thank their mothers in later years for not murdering them through abortion.

Syria's Bloody Barbarian

It appears the bloody-handed dictator of Syria has used chemical weapons again, killing innocents, including women and children. With his indiscriminate murder by poison gas attacks, barrel bombs, and even use of nerve agent, Assad has condemned himself. America, France, and the civilized world should finish off this mass murderer and his regime of thugs.

Containing China's Menace

President Trump may have acted just in time to prevent Red China from becoming the world's hegemon. America was being crushed by unfair trade, currency manipulation, and espionage by Red China, but while the US still has the industrial capacity left, Trump said "ENOUGH" and began to fight back!

Israel Is Innocent

Israel is being roundly condemned for efforts at self-defense against the swarming mob of jihadis in Gaza. All Israel is trying to do is protect innocent life. Hamas is orchestrating aggression, conducting continuing incitement to murder Jews, and using women and children as human shields for terrorists trying to infiltrate Israel. Only one side bears the blame for loss of life in Gaza and that side isn't Israel.

Matter of Context

Rush Limbaugh said the EPA administrator should "hang". Oh, I should add that Limbaugh said "hang in" as in hang tough, hang in there, and hold onto his job.

Real Invasion Force

If America does not have rigorous border controls, what is going to stop committed jihadists from strolling into the US to do great damage? Already, people not from Mexico or Latin America are sneaking into our country. Why couldn't someone who has been fighting for ISIS buy an airline ticket to Mexico and simply join the thousands of Latins already streaming across?

Fake Refugee Caravan

Mexico is allowing invaders from the South to pass through to infiltrate the United States. If I were President, not one of these leftist Latins would be permitted to break into our country. If Mexico will not stop them or send them back, our military must defend our border.

An Unusual Pope

The current Pope seems like an anti-capitalist who is less devoted to God than former Popes have been. This Pope apparently declared there "is no hell" in an off the record conversation with a reporter. While John Paul II was one of the most fervent anti-Communists in the world, Pope Francis often sounds like a Communist.

An April Fool

I will gladly admit to being a fool on the first day of April. Leftists can claim that title all three hundred and sixty five days a year.

The New Censors

Facebook, Twitter, and Google have become bastions of progressivism, hunting down speech that runs counter to their Leftist ethos. Corporations pulling their advertising from people and programs that do not tow the liberal line are also attacking freedom.