An Easy Recovery?

It is never easy for a community to recover from a natural disaster. What Florida faces will likely be worse, with the supply chain already in proverbial tatters and a Federal administration hostile to Governor DeSantis. In perfect circumstances, parts of the Sunshine State might never recover. In today's world, it will be a miracle if there is much rebuilt anytime soon. 

Watch Disaster Compounded

When hurricanes strike, of course those near where the storm makes landfall have much to fear. Then comes the possibility of tornadoes spinning off. Next comes massive rains that invariably are dropped sometimes hundreds of miles inland even sometimes affecting my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee and beyond. Assuming the hurricane lessens to a tropical storm at some point, there is still great danger as huge amounts of precipitation swell rivers, creeks, lakes, reservoirs, and dams whether it is still a hurricane or has diminished to mere heavy rains. These events are killers, but do not blame your SUV- it did not cause the hurricane. 

Blame the Europeans

Before the Conquistadors landed in America, all the First Peoples were living in peace and harmony. The natives were prosperous with incredibly advanced civilizations. Nope- completely to the contrary, Indian tribes were at war with each other and killing members of other tribes with great regularity. Certain tribes had rituals involving their own people that would have made Spartans squeamish. Human sacrifice was common among the natives in Latin America and some in what became known as the "New World" even practiced cannibalism. Don't let the "woke" fool you- they are only mad at the so-called "colonizers" for being better at conquest than their predecessors throughout the Americas. 

Winters in Spring

I thought Jonathan Winters was one of the funniest folks out there. On one of Dad's trips to New York in May 1958 for the opening of the Seagram's Building, he said Winters was cracking jokes with him in a club, yes, but at the urinals, which is not necessarily where you want to hear a punch line. In any event, not many folks can say they had Jonathan Winters delivering one liners with them while they were answering nature's call, but Seymour Goodman could. 

I Liked Carlin

George Carlin was one of the funniest original thinkers around. He had a great take on baseball. I wonder what Carlin would have thought of the steroid-enhanced generation of players. They brought a football attitude of win at any cost to what was formerly a gentleman's sport. Baseball is probably no longer America's game, but then again the United States is not so united anymore. 

To be "Judged"

If you look for a home run hitter who probably is not "juiced", behold the massive and muscular Aaron Judge. Judge is so strong, he does not need any artificial help. He is the type of athlete (literally) that folks should look up to and at six feet, seven inches that is quite a ways up to look. 

Pumped Performance Pujols

Albert Pujols has certainly reached rarefied air. He has become the fourth Major League baseball player ever to hit seven hundred or more home runs. This feat is amazing, but how much did performance enhancing drugs aid this accomplishment? Pujols has the admiration of many fans, but those with longer memories may always consider those homers a bit tainted. 

Not an Insurrection

The events of January 6 were not an "insurrection" or as I read of them today, "a Trump coup". There was indeed violence, much of which I believe was instigated by informants or agents of government. I witnessed police remove barriers and wave demonstrators into the Capitol on video. I saw flash-bang grenades fired into what had been to that time a peaceful crowd. Two protestors died after being close to those explosions. I watched another protester pushed over a ledge by police and falling a great height (the victim of the fall apparently survived). I studied the video of police beating Roseanne Boyland when she was down and defenseless and the folks they pushed on top of her, although her death was somehow attributed to drugs. I was especially horrified by the officer who shot Ashli Babbitt to death with no warning when she posed no threat. I wish the event had played out differently, but one fact seems undeniable, that in the nation than has the most heavily armed civilian population on earth with more than four hundred million guns in private hands, a real insurrection would have been a much more bloody affair. 

Must Be Deliberate

If someone was aiming to destroy the prosperity of America and the wealth of Americans, they would do precisely what the Biden regime and the Federal Reserve are doing. The problem is not near full employment, which is a manipulated number anyway as the manner in which it is calculated was changed in 2010 during the Obama term, but overprinting of fiat currency. Inflation is not caused by people working, but by too much cash chasing too few goods. New government programs and tremendous boosts in spending on existing ones (like the supercharged Internal Revenue Service) pours gasoline on the inflation fires. Cutting off a nation's access to its own mineral wealth is cutting the throats of a country's consumers. The Biden cabal has done all this and more, and now welcoming the rest of the globe and inviting them to come for welfare benefits may well finish the United States off. 

Putin's Nuclear Threat

I do not think the modern incarnation of Napoleon who has launched the worst war of aggression in Europe since 1945 is bluffing. I also believe that the US and the West must not cave in to Putin's bullying. 

Mutually assured destruction is as powerful a deterrent now as it was when the Communists ruled the USSR. Putin might be sick or even dying, but I doubt he wants to hasten his demise in a glowing mushroom cloud. Whatever damage Russia might unleash on their enemies through an atomic attack would be countered with a response that would mean the end of Russia and with that, the end of their little Caesar. 

New Iranian Revolution

It is early days with an uncertain outcome, but the Iranian people may have had enough. Thousands have hit the streets in an attempt to overthrow the theocratic tyrants who hold the nation hostage. This happened once before with the Green Revolution during the Obama Presidency but failing to find US or international support that revolt failed. For the sake of humanity, let us pray this time the Iranian people succeed in throwing of their fanatical oppressors. 

Such Sad Pageantry

I have to hand it to the British. They really know how to hold a funeral. Of course, not every burial in England matches what they do for the Queen, but when they put on a spectacle, it really shines through. The majesty of this ceremony probably will not be repeated for a few years, if not decades. At least Charles hopes for a long reign, though it will not possibly be anywhere close to his mother's. Long live the high production values.

What Crowds Mean

Whatever you think of the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election, you must recognize almost no genuine enthusiasm existed for Joe Biden. President Trump would muster a crowd into the hundreds of thousands, while old Joe would have a few dozen people in their socially distanced COVID white circle outlines, some of whom were allegedly paid to be there on the rare occasion Biden would leave his basement. In the event of the vote (real or manufactured), none of that ultimately mattered in the slightest. Still, you must remember the admonition attributed to Stalin that it is only who counts the votes that matters. 

Thieves and Degenerates

There are flawed folks in any political party, but in America, only the DemocRATS have the worst scoundrels at the highest ranks of their leadership. From "I didn't have sex . . ." Bill Clinton, to subpoena ignoring Hillary, to the self-enriching Obamas with Barack's fingerprints all over the Biden cabal, to the "Big Guy" himself, fading, influence-peddling Joe, the DemocRATS are the WORST, but Trump sent out some mean Tweets, so we all know who the real villain is. 

Putin Almost Assassinated

I am not under any illusions that Russia's dictator is anything but evil. Putin has initiated the first war of aggression in Europe of the 2000s. According to press reports, someone apparently made an attempt on the tyrant's life. The attack failed, which may be just as well as it is highly unlikely a Jeffersonian Democrat will replace Putin but quite probable that Vlad will be followed by someone just as bad or worse. 

So Many Millionaires!

Pretty soon there may be one hundred million American millionaires. I just heard Maria Bartiromo talk about a twenty dollar grilled cheese sandwich. A cup of coffee and not your fancy Starbucks either, just ordinary old cup of Joe, may soon cost five dollars. The average price of new cars is nearly fifty thousand bucks, if you can find a new vehicle. You will soon have the buying power with one million USD that $50,000 had in 1960. Will you be able to enjoy your newfound wealth? 

Our Fractured Union

We may well go from being a nation locked down over COVID to one shut down by strikes. You see Joe Biden and the cabal around him kiss the ring of organized labor to the detriment of just about every American who is not a union bigwig. The teacher unions kept schools shut down long after it became clear that in-person instruction posed no risk to student survival and little risk to educators and staff. Coronavirus did not keep doors shut and then masks on young learners; the power of union leaders did at great and lasting cost to the children they claim to care so much about, but their true concern is remaining a cash cow to largely DemocRAT politicians with the influence that delivers them. Now our rail and port workers are being told by their union bosses to drive a stake through the heart of our already reeling nation. If they now have a strike, they will be kicking the rest of Americans while we are down, and they seem to really dig that. Where is Reagan when we most need him to shove these troublemakers back in their box? 

Saw for Myself

Thankfully, I had (and have) no need for a new vehicle, so I have not been on a car dealer lot since before COVID (or at least before anyone was concerned about the pandemic here in Nashville, Tennessee). I was astounded yesterday when I was killing some time by looking at cars while my Mom had her semiannual physical. I went to an Acura dealer where we bought a car over twenty years ago. They had no new Acuras on their lot (zilch, zero, absolutely NONE). I proceeded to the the Lexus dealer, where we purchased our last automobile. They had one sedan in their new car showroom, precisely a single vehicle in new inventory. They wanted seven thousand dollars over new sticker price for a 2022 Lexus with thirteen thousand miles on it on the used side of the Lexus agency. What America is suffering bears the hallmarks not of a recession but a depression. 

Not Even Close

Certain DemocRATS, including Biden, have tried to make Trump supporters out to be every bit as dangerous as Islamic extremists, if not more, even tying them together on September 11.  Washington State US Representative Pramila Jaydal smeared MAGA yesterday on what should be a sacred and unifying commemoration. Trump supporters killed exactly nobody on January 6, while jihadists murder someone somewhere virtually every day. If you want to tag groups that resemble the murderous terrorists, try DemocRAT stalwarts ANTIFA and BLM, which actually do kill folks and destroy billions of dollars worth of property. MAGA tend to be law-abiding police supporters who are the most patriotic Americans. 

They Mostly Forget

America was not attacked on September 11, 2001 by white supremacists, white separatists, Trump supporters, or MAGA Americans. We were hit by Islamists, or what might be accurately termed Muslim triumphalists. The one aspect that is open to question is whether the murderers that day were acting in faith to Islam or profaning it by slaughtering innocents? 

An Open Vote

If Britain had the chance to vote for their monarch, do you think Charles would be their choice? It is a good thing for him that royalty is hereditary, because with other candidates to pick from, there is no way most folks would select Charlie. 

Presidents and Kings

Cemeteries are filled with indispensable folks. To some, I suppose Queen Elizabeth II was the sine qua non that defined the Commonwealth, but even they will likely find little changes under Charles III. After all, Charles only needs to look at his mother's comportment as a sound example. 

When Forever Ends

Title suggested by Sherry Goodman: Sometimes an individual becomes transcendent, a person becomes an institution. I am in no way a monarchist, but even I recognize the significance of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was an enduring historical figure, who must be recognized for longevity, if nothing else. I also think she was the bedrock of the English royal family. Without her, it remains to be seen if the monarchy will even survive. 

Freedom of Press?

An essential aspect of liberty is free speech. If you have to be worried that what you say will get you murdered, then your words are anything but unencumbered. Rushdie is certainly an example of this, but so is the investigative reporter just stabbed to death in Las Vegas. A DemocRAT politician is alleged to have committed this crime. That particular assailant is no supporter of the First Amendment. We need freedom of press and speech to continue as a free Republic. 

Knife Gun Club

 I wish we lived in a world where people did not need to protect themselves and their families. That is NOT where we are today. If a coyote is trying to eat your Yorkie, I bet you want a revolver in your hand to save your dog. If you see on your security camera four guys in hoodies and masks trying to pry your door open, I bet you feel better if you have a loaded shotgun in your hand. The Canada stabbing spree that just happened demonstrated mass murder is quite possible without firearms. I bet over the history of mankind more folks have been killed by weapons other than guns than by bullets. Gun control is folly that leaves the vulnerable utterly defenseless. 

Angels of Death?

We NEVER agreed to have my father in palliative care. He had infections and chronic conditions that were treatable and survivable. Palliative and hospice care give up on the prospect of survival. Dad was diabetic. You can live with diabetes if you manage it. He had COPD but did fine on oxygen, which he basically only used at night. Dad had contracted three infections under Vanderbilt's care or lack thereof, but he had numerous infections over his ninety years and always bounced back after his antibiotic treatment. My father's advance directive was for life, and what we and he were pleading for was to honor those wishes. I will never forgive Vanderbilt for the medical murder of Seymour Goodman. 

Ask No Questions!

Republicans are not allowed to claim elections were stolen. Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and Stacy Abrams are permitted to contend the elections they lost were stolen, and Congress does not hold hearings about them. The FBI does not raid their homes. The Department of Justice does not investigate or charge them. The White House spokes lout does not smear them as "extremists". It is only supporters of Donald Trump who are subjected to this "special attention" by the DemocRATS that now hold power. 

Only the Best?

Joe Biden is yet another of the lowest people risen to the highest office. Joe has been credibly accused of sex assault. His own daughter in her diary accuses Biden of taking showers with her that were "inappropriate". He has enriched himself and his family members through influence peddling for years. Is this really the best America has to offer? Bill Clinton was much the same, except with many more allegations of sexual impropriety. Just look at Hunter Biden and remember apples don't fall far from trees. 

The Gauntlet Thrown

Joe Biden attacked American democracy last night. In our republic, we have had a two party system where each side vies for votes. We have never had a "controlled opposition" where the party in power dictates to their opponents what their platform must be and how they are permitted to campaign. Joe Biden believes it is his right to dominate the Republican Party from his perch as President. In reality, anyone watching knows old Joe is in cognitive decline and does not fully understand what he was tasked to deliver last night, but his message was anti-democracy and anti-American (at least how we have been since our Founding). Biden and those pulling his strings called for war against MAGA last night. MAGA must turn the other cheek and remember conservative ideas are winning. Don't take the bait. Just make sure your vote counts. 

Ranked Choice Shenanigans

Observe Alaska, a solidly red Trump state, that just installed its first DemocRAT United States Representative since 1971. Thank ranked choice voting and the mail-in ballot. Republicans won sixty percent of the first place votes, but a Pelosi rubber stamp now holds the seat. Push is growing very close to shove and the Arsonist-in-chief is deliberately pouring gasoline on the fire (the only place Biden still wants fossil fuels, to burn up his opposition).