We do not suffer fools gladly...

"She has enriched herself nicely while serving the good people of California. Maybe she is not the fool after all. Maybe the fools are the people back home in California who keep sending her to Washington. Just saying..."

For the title of this article, I am going to borrow a version of a phrase which Saint Paul used in his second letter to the people of Corinth. Actually, it could apply to many folks these days, but my choice is now (and has been for a while), Maxine Waters.

You know who she is, right? She is the crabbiest looking person in the House of Representatives. The one with a perpetual frown on her face. She is the 78 year old Democratic representative from California's 43 Congressional District. And along with her running mate from the great State of Texas (Shelia Jackson Lee), they have said some of the dumbest things on this planet.

Sweet Maxine wanted to have President Trump impeached. That is okay - it is her right as a member of the House to voice that opinion. However, it is not alright to suggest that before the President is even sworn in! His crime in the view of Maxine? Beating the anointed one - Madame Hillary - in the general election.

Yesterday, Maxine was on The View (no, I don't watch that show).  The subject of "leakers" in the White House came up. Representative Waters, who has been in Washington since dirt was invented, said she liked the "leaks". She could learn stuff from them. Huh? Maxine, those "leaks" are a stain on our national security. She did not care. She still liked them.

The good people of California have once again voted for someone who they deserve. But Maxine is always on top of her game, and loves to entertain us. For example, she has recently accused Russia of invading Korea. Huh? And she has outwardly praised the mass murderer Fidel Castro. She has called the riots in Watts a "rebellion" instead of a riot. She has accused the CIA of planting crack cocaine in the inner cities to ruin black lives. The list goes on and on.

One more interesting fact about good old Maxine. She is not only looked upon oddly by those on the Right, Citizens for Responsibilities and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a Soros funded group, has named Maxine one of the most corrupt members of Congress.

She has enriched herself nicely while serving the good people of California. Maybe she is not the fool after all. Maybe the fools are the people back home in California who keep sending her to Washington. Just saying...  

The Mueller Menace

"If anyone is a plant for the Russians, it would be Mueller. Why? The extra curricular snooping that Team Mueller is doing right now, is a drag on MAGA. And nobody would be happier to see MAGA fail than the Russians." 

Robert Mueller should have been appointed as Special Counsel in early July instead of May. Why? The astrology symbol for that time period would have been more appropriate - Cancer. Yes, Robert Mueller is like a cancer to this Administration. In some respects, it is almost bemusing. The fact the Left has allowed this very biased partisan (and buddy of Comey) to come in as an "arbitrator". Well Mueller is anything but. He is a witch hunter. Or putting it another way, a MAGA killer.

Now that the Left has scrubbed Team Trump clean looking for some kind of evil Russian connection, they are moving on to other areas. Why? There was no "there, there" with the Russians. So Mueller has convened a grand jury to look for ANYTHING. Cross walking, not leaving a tip at a restaurant, or even the famous Jimmy Carter "lust in the heart".

As a veteran of being pulled in front of a grand jury, I was amazed at the questions I was asked. Some totally unrelated to the inquiry I was involved with. And in a grand jury, you do not have your lawyer present. Just you, a judge, a disinterested jury, and a mad dog prosecutor. 

Why do I find this almost bemusing? With all the crap which has gone on in the Clinton universe, where was the Special Counsel then? The grand jury? The outrage? Anything? What the Left is doing to this President, who is still supported by many out here in the hinterland, will not be forgotten nor forgiven. Some day, the Left might get their act together enough to win back the Presidency. Whomever that person is, I feel for him or her. What the Left is doing to Trump will be paid back tenfold. I will be ugly.

Mueller has a small army of Obamaites and Clintonites on his staff. Many are just chomping at the bit to get some payback for the past election. Well here is the nut of this article, and I have gone through this before. Donald Trump is President for one reason only. He heard the voice of the people. He was able to connect with what the people wanted. The people wanted MAGA. The MAGA movement will still be there, with or without Donald Trump. 

Going into August, Congress will be home fiddling while Mueller is in Washington meddling. Despite all of that, Team Trump will continue to get things done. I am still waiting for Trump to announce a real top notch Communications Director. Why? So many good things are happening under Trump, we need someone with a loud voice and a large podium who can shout those accomplishments out. Right now, what most people see every night on the news is the face of Robert Mueller, which is starting to look amazingly like John Kerry's dour face.

Personally, I wish General Sessions would fire Mueller and his entire staff. Get it over with. What is the worst case? The Left will be ticked off at Trump? Been there, done that. If anyone is a plant for the Russians, it is Mueller. Why? The extra curricular snooping that Team Mueller is doing right now, is a drag on MAGA. And nobody would be happier to see MAGA fail than the Russians. Case closed.

Never Trump! Never, never ever!

"One more thing. Many in the press are wetting themselves over Trump's immigration reform. Why? Because they hate Trump. In reality, it is an idea which is long overdue. Bravo Mr. President! Now we can be like the rest of the world with our immigration policies!"

Boy, oh boy. The never, ever, never again (Trump that is) crowd is staying very active. And the MSM is just thrilled the latest poll numbers are out showing his approval at 33! Lowest in history for this early in a Presidency. Woot! Woot! Of course, it left me wondering - who are the 67% who disapprove? Certainly nobody who has a 401k, 403b, or IRA which is hooked into the stock market.

I was listening to some airhead on cable a week or so ago. She was a never, ever Trump gal. She had an interesting theory on how this country could have been cowed into electing a boob like Donald Trump. We are racists. Most of us. Electing Trump was a reaction from having our first black President before Trump. Then she went on to list all the horrible things that were said about, and done to this historic black President. 

Now before I go any further, can I clear something up? I was never going to bring this up, but when airheads on the Left keeping playing the race card, I decided this time I would.

Barack Obama is not "black". To be precise, he is of mixed race. Any truthful sociologist or demographer would tell you that. In fact, Barack was more white than black. Huh? How can I say that? Lets suppose his mother was 100% Caucasian. And his father was 100% black. That would split Obama's gene pool 50/50. HOWEVER, he was raised almost totally by his white mother and white grandmother. So even though he was 50/50 in the gene pool, his environment growing up was predominantly white.

Back to Trump. And no, this country did not elect Donald J. Trump because Barack Obama was "black". We elected him because Barack Obama was a lead from behind, spectator, President. Much of the country had no more tolerance for that approach with a President. The shout of MAGA coming from Team Trump played well in the heartland. We wanted America to be great again. So we elected Trump.

Has Trump been a bad President so far? I will give you my view. He has been a different President, not a bad one. Has he been or will he be great? Time will tell. We are less than one year into his first term. Of course, if you listen to CNN or MSNBC, he is Satan.

One of the things that is hard for many to get used to with this President is his blunt and spontaneous nature. Yesterday, he told his generals he thinks we are losing the war in Afghanistan. Are we losing, or are we playing to a draw? In any event, I think we now know how the Russians felt in the 1980's. We have been over there since 2002. That is 15 years. How do we win against an entrenched enemy that never seems to go away? Carpet bombing them 24 X 7? Nuke them? We will do neither. It might be time for us to exit.

Bottom line is this. Trump is Trump. Many people who voted for him are happy with the way he is. By the way, he is not going anywhere. He is not going to resign the Presidency. He is not going to be impeached (Sorry Maxine Waters). While he is President (baring an unforeseen catastrophe), the economy will remain strong. And the status quo with North Korea will no longer be the status quo. Something will change that. Why? Because Trump will not leave this mess for the next President.

One more thing. Many in the press are wetting themselves over Trump's immigration reform. Why? Because they hate Trump. In reality, it is an idea which is long overdue. Bravo Mr. President! Now we can be like the rest of the world with our immigration policies!

Our not so secret DOD inventory

"I am sorry, but this is a homeland security issue. We can't get onto our agenda with this nut ball still running around, getting stronger all the time. 24 hours. That is all he gets now. Surrender or end up as dust."  

Back during the Cold War, during Ronald Reagan's Presidency, the Gipper really knew how to rattle the Soviets. There was the Pershing II Missile (a program I worked on), the semi-real Star Wars program, and the very real Neutron Bomb. Anyone remember the Neutron Bomb? It was a piece of work. A nuke specifically designed to kill people but not destroy too much property. Anyhow - the Soviets gave up after hearing about what we had in the closet.

Guess what? The very scary Neutron Bomb (otherwise known as the Enhanced Radiation Bomb) is still around. And it has a nomenclature. It is known in the inventory as anywhere from the W-63 to the W-66. Yes, we have more than one version of this fearsome device. Some of these bombs can be fired from a howitzer, some dropped. To be on the receiving end of one of these investments of destruction can ruin the day for a whole bunch of enemy soldiers. Do I think we have these close to the DMZ in Korea? No idea - but if I were a betting man, I would say yes.

I also think we have some things "in the closet" which have not made it to the press as yet. Like what? Back in 1990 and 1991, I worked on high tech programs at FMC. I mean, very high tech. My job was to coordinate the different vendors FMC had working on projects financed by DARPA. Now that was 27 years ago, and I saw things I thought to be impossible. I believe today, we have things in the lab we can take out in emergency and use. Maybe things already in the field. Things like particle beams, platform lasers, electro-thermal, rail guns, and so forth. 

Back to the Neutron Bomb for a minute. If we are forced to go to war with North Korea, and if we are to strike first, I believe the order of battle will be to unleash total shock and awe on the batteries targeting Seoul. To neutralize those batteries will take extreme measures and lighting speed. I mean throwing everything at the Norks including the kitchen sink. Everything we have heard about in our inventory as well as some surprises we have not heard about. 

How bad is it going to be? Very bad for the Norks I am afraid. I always think back to what George Patton said to his troops in World War II- "I don't want you to die protecting your country. I want you to make the other s.o.b. die trying to protect his." And the same will be true today. We don't want to spill any more American blood on that soil protecting America. 

One of my frequent critics on this blog took me to task the other day. Said we started this war in the Peninsula years ago. That is a matter for debate, and I could not disagree more. I have studied the history of the region also. It was not the South with poured into the North in the early 50's, it was the other way around. And today, it is not the South threatening Russia and China with destruction - it is the North doing it to us.

Anyhow, it time to end this charade. We don't have time for this or this little creep trying to scare us. I think Trump should tell South Korea to evacuate Seoul as the "ship storm" is about to hit. Put our forces on the highest alert, and then give the Norks 24 hours to surrender its nuclear program. If they don't, we will destroy it and everything around it. Yes, that also includes a regime change.

I am sorry, but this is a homeland security issue. We can't get onto our agenda with this nut ball still running around, getting stronger all the time. 24 hours. That is all he gets now. Surrender or end up as dust.  

Fast forward to Calexit

"Will I miss California when they leave? Just about as much as I would miss getting a wood tick bite. There was a time in my life I really enjoyed visiting out there. Long before the cities turned out to be sewers and sanctuary cities. But no longer."

Last night on one of the news shows, I witnessed the most amazing segment. It was some west coast snowflake who was a "leader" in getting California out of the union, and to be a separate country. For those who thought in the past this was all just a big joke (myself included), this Calexit movement is starting to get some legs. Like, it might actually come to a vote where the nut balls in California would choose to secede. 

This man who was advocating to secede was talking like this whole thing was already a done deal. "We are not like you people in the United States. You don't like us - you think we are just a bunch of Lefties and snowflakes. Well we don't like your President and his policies either." Huh? The last time I looked at the flag, we still had 50 stars on it. What is all of this "you people in the United States" horse crap?

It they did manage to pull away from the rest of the Union, they would no longer have Donald Trump as President. Nope - they would have "Moonbeam". Good luck with that one! Anyhow, this nut ball for Calexit also said that California had the 6th largest economy in the world, so they would be fine. The moderator then reminded the guest that California has a 13% state income tax, huge pockets of poverty, a trillion dollar debt, and so forth. My take? If we let California go, the Republicans would probably never lose another national election. Ever.

What about our military bases in California? Oh, there could be a Status of Forces Agreement or something like that with this new country called "La la land". And here is another thought. Just like we named our capital after our first President, so could California. They could rename Sacramento, "Moonbeam". How fitting.

Just one minor detail California, before you go. We have a small bill we would like you to settle up on. It is your portion of the national debt. Since California holds 12% of the people, it needs to pay 12% of the $20T debt. That would amount to about...$2.4T. Mere chump change for the snowflakes and Hollywood high rollers. Just add that on to your already $1.1T state debt.

Will I miss California when they leave? Just about as much as I would miss getting a wood tick bite. There really was a time in my life I enjoyed visiting out there. Or being on business out there. But that was long before the cities turned out to be sewers and sanctuary cities. But no longer want to set foot in that place.

Good luck to the misguided people of California. We do all of us, get the government we deserve. And I could think of nobody more deserving of the bad government the nation of California is about to receive. Ta ta, and one more thing. Don't let the door hit you on your "Golden State" behind on the way out!
  

Our New Knights Templar

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"President Trump may just be a rich real estate guy from NYC, but he is about to get the best tutelage he has ever received. He just needs to receive it. Am I worried? Not a bit. If Jack Keane would jump on board, I would worry even less."

I have been asked many times by folks from both sides of the street how I am liking this new Administration. I have a qualified answer to that question. His lack of governmental experience and unorthodox style have made me nervous at times. But his choice of three of the best former generals of our time relaxes quite a bit of that nervousness. To some degree, they are the new Knights Templar. They are here to protect the institution of the President. And they will.

Truthfully - I debated with myself if I should call this article the Knights of the Round Table or the new Knights Templar. Both terms mean the protection of something important and/or sacred. I don't care what we call these three former generals - I am just so happy they volunteered to stand duty - once again. 

I put on my article this morning, that I believe we are headed full speed into a war with North Korea. I hate that thought, but I think it is going to happen. Having Mattis as Sec Def, McMasters as National Security Adviser, and Kelly as COS is a good thing in these uncertain times. If I were king of the world, I would make one final change. I would put Jack Keane in as DHS. Now that - is one hell of a team!

Do our Generals who are now in West Wing and/or Cabinet positions respect Donald Trump? I have no idea. I do know this. They respect the office of the President. They would protect it with their lives. And they would want to see that whomever is sitting behind "the desk" has the best counsel possible. 

For those who are worried that the Trump family is spinning out of control - don't be. Donald had enough foresight to put in the right kind of Generals in place to ensure smooth sailing. It was a bit bumpy the first six months, but with General Kelly as COS, trust me - the next six months and beyond will be much better.

Folks - we are going to war with North Korea. I wish we were not - I really do think it is going to happen. But going into that war, we have the new Knights Templar on our side. Plus they are trying to preserve the Presidency. And they will. If we did not have these three Generals, and had three hot shot Wall Street "wannabees" instead - would I be worried? Absolutely!


Good people of this country. Be at peace. If we go to war with North Korea, or if we have to stand down the Russians or the Chinese, or if we need to exterminate ISIL - the new Knights of Templar know what to do. They will make it happen the right way.

President Trump may just be a rich real estate guy from NYC, but he is about to get the best tutelage he has ever received. He just needs to receive it. Am I worried? Not a bit. If Jack Keane would jump on board as DHS, I would worry even less.

With or without General Keane, I think we are good to go. Thank heavens for our new Knights Templar! They will get us through what we need to get through during the next few months.



  

The death of a nuke

"I am sorry good people of South Carolina that your nuke did not work out. By the way - what do you do with a half built nuke plant anyhow? Convert it into a department store? A YMCA? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine."

It seems odd to report on a death of something which is not even born as yet. But that is what I am doing this morning. The long awaited VC Summer generating plant in South Carolina, which is partially built at the cost of billions, will never reach completion. The owners are throwing in the towel. And the sunk costs so far? Much of those costs will be borne by the customers who will never see a dime's worth of value out of this long awaited nuclear plant.

One might say "so what"? What does that have to do with me. First off, the benefits to nuclear energy are (or is), it is clean. On the down side, a nuclear plant takes forever to built. Why? First off, NIMBY. NIMBY = Not In My Back Yard. Nukes have a bad reputation (most of use remember seeing the movie The China Syndrome). Even though nukes have become much safer, many remember Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and the more recent Fukushima disaster in Japan. Accidents can still happen.

Then of course, there is the problem or storage. Spent uranium rods take a long, long time to cool down. Even longer to become benign. How long? Hundreds to thousands of years long. And with Yucca Mountain still being contested for long term storage, individual generating sites are stuck with temporary storage of the spent fuel.

Our nuclear sites are getting a bit long in the tooth. To update an existing system is a pricey deal. For example, the nuke up in Monticello, MN came on line in 1971. It is a single, boiling water type of unit - ironically, the same model as the Fukushima nukes. It was suppose to go off-line in 2010, but in 2006, it license to operate was extended to 2030.  

After a couple of decades of nothingness, we are getting ready to have a new nuke go online in Tennessee. This new complex should be up and running by 2020. That complex, as well as the South Carolina plant, were suppose to make a minor splash in our energy grid. No longer. The TVA plant will help, but the nuclear industry has a long, long way to go to make up for retiring coal plants.

Where does that leave us? With a murky future. Renewable sources are still being developed, and nuclear continues to be fraught with problems (as well as great expense). The only thing the average consumer needs to understand about our energy future is this - even though the cost of gasoline and natural gas seem to have stabilized, the cost of electricity has not. And there is no indication in the future that it will. Our desire for a more carbon free future, does come with a very expensive price tag.

I am sorry good people of South Carolina that your nuke did not work out. By the way - what do you do with a half built nuke plant anyhow? Convert it into a department store? A YMCA? I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine.