A very painful day...

"Yesterday, when each Gold Star family told their story and shared their grief, dry eyes were hard to come by. As a veteran, I am shocked at how poorly the senior management of our military handled our retreat from Afghanistan. As an American, I am ashamed."

If you were watching or listening to Fox News yesterday afternoon, it was a tough day. Why? Some of the thirteen Gold Star families were invited to speak about their pain and loss from that horrible day at Abby Gate in Afghanistan. 

August 26, 2021. A black mark for our new administration. President Biden needed to gather an early win as President and wanted all our troops out of Afghanistan by 9/11/21. Why? Who knows? The usual drawdown is equipment first, friendlies and American civilians next, then finally the remaining troops. But this new President did not see it that way. It was a cluster ((blank)) from the get-go. It was a disaster, with a catastrophe just waiting to happen. And it did.

Rather than have an orderly withdrawal, our neophytes in this new administration set up a target-rich environment for the baddies. Executing a complex attack, a massive bomb went off in the middle of all this humanity at Abby Gate. When the dust settled, one hundred and seventy Afghans lay dead, as well as thirteen brave American servicemen and women. Scores were injured. It was a day that would define what a Biden military would look like. Our allies and enemies also saw it. Some think it emboldened Russia to invade Ukraine.

Almost two years after this horrible attack and nobody in this administration has been held accountable. Over seven billion dollars of our military equipment was left in Afghanistan for the baddies to use. Bagram Airbase was also left for the baddies to use. We left thousands of Americans and friendlies in Afghanistan to fend for themselves. 

Yesterday, when each Gold Star family told their story and shared their grief, dry eyes were hard to come by. As a veteran, I am shocked at how poorly the senior management of our military handled our retreat from Afghanistan. As an American, I am ashamed. As for the thirteen families who lost loved ones at Abby Gate, you have our hearts. Nobody should have to go through what you did.     

Sino-Soviet Provocations - redux

"I am sick of bullies. I am tired of Russia and China walking around kicking sand in everyone's faces. I am sick to death of freedom and liberty taking a back seat to tyranny." 

What happened recently up in Alaska should send shivers up the backs of even the most stalwart of us. To see Russian and Chinese Navy boats, operating in lockstep off our coast of Alaska, was a Deja vu that many of us did not need. The question begs to be asked - what brought this up? Why try and poke this bear? Was this a test for Sleepy Joe? Are we just going to put up with this? Or is there a response? The DOD better cancel their woke diversity and gender classes and get busy doing what we hired them to do.

Yesterday I penned a post about how much of a laggard our military procurement system has turned out to be. Besides having a pedantic and didactic Commander-in-Chief, we also have a procurement system that has trouble keeping up. I was pleased (and amazed) to see we could muster four man-o-war ships to escort the baddies back to international waters. We are in a demanding situation right now. In the past, our military was built to fight two wars simultaneously. No longer. Ukraine has drained much of our munitions, and our diversity and climate initiatives have impeded our retention and weapon deliveries.

I know I mention this a lot. Having a strong military is unavoidable. We are to be trained so that in times of national need, we can project power anywhere in the world. If bullets start to fly, our men and women are to be trained to "break stuff and kill people". I know that may sound a bit esoteric to some, but it is the unvarnished truth.

And this "climate change" crap, give me a break! How much do you think Russia cares about climate change when it set much of Ukraine on fire? Or China, as they continue to build coal-fired plants? Meanwhile, Sleepy Joe has us all tied up in knots over this climate myth. And the Russians and Chinese are enjoying the heck out of it. 

I am sick of bullies. I am tired of Russia and China walking around kicking sand in everyone's faces. I am sick to death of freedom and liberty taking a back seat to tyranny. We need to put our "big boy" pants on and show the baddies they cannot have it their way. It is time for Sleepy Joe to wake up and do his job. CHINA IS NOT OUR FRIEND, JOE! And Russia is itching for a fight with NATO. 

These are dark and perilous times for America right now. We need leadership. We need a backbone. Bottom line - we need Donald Trump.       

Discussing Issues

"As you can see, our discourse, our 'family discussions', are acrimonious at best. What will be resolved in future elections? Not a thing. More warfare. More hatred. Is there any hope?"

This month the Minnesota State Fair starts. Covid-19 is not the threat it once was, and political season has started (for the 2024 election). In the days of old, the state fair was an interesting place to discuss issues, even when you did not agree. Today, however, the term "loyal opposition" has been replaced with "enemy". We no longer talk to each other. We talk over each other. Or yell at each other. Or call each other names.

Welcome to 2023 and the discourse we have with each other. You say up, I will say down. You say black, I will say white. Even the sky color is up for debate. You say blue, I will say aqua. And all that is before we discuss anything political. So, what is my point in bringing all of this up? Who will win the next election? Nobody. Now let me explain.

In the election of 2022, the Democrats won about everything. Everything except one very especially important. Consensus. The Republicans (yes, they still exist in Minnesota), HATE everything the Democrats passed, and Tim Walz voted into law. Rather than shaking hands after the election and wishing each other well, the Democrats took to St. Paul with a sledgehammer and destroyed what few things left the Republicans held sacred.

As 2024 approaches, the Democrats have a common smugness surrounding them, and the Republicans are bitter. What was resolved? Nothing. It was like trench warfare, where to the victor go the spoils, and to hell with the side who lost the battle.

What will be the result of the 2024 election? If it is more of the same which was the outcome of the 2022 election, the bitterness of the Republicans will be palpable. Many will continue to leave the state and take their money with them. Minnesota will be considered a lost cause by the "makers", and the Democrats can continue to pander to the "takers". Soon, as Lady Thatcher would say, "The problem with socialism is soon you run out of other people's money." And that is exactly what will happen to Minnesota should the Democrats remain in power.

However, if the Republicans win in 2024, hope will spring eternal. The Democrats will feel betrayed. Their "Great Reset", which they visited on Minnesota, was not appreciated. Even some of the churches turned against the Democrats for the evil they brought to this land. Democrats will vow revenge, and all eyes will be on the 2026 election when they can right this most egregious wrong. 

As you can see, our discourse, our "family discussions", are acrimonious at best. What will be resolved in future elections? Not a thing. More warfare. More hatred. Is there any hope?

Only God can fix this. But first, Republicans and mostly the Democrats need to again find God. And our churches really need to once again become the church. It is then we will have some hope for a better discourse, and then a better state.    

   

China - our friend or foe?

"Finally, remember the Chinese 'weather balloon' which loitered over much of the USA for over a week. For what purpose? To check our weather? To check on the weather over Malstrom Air Force Base. No, these Chinese cannot be trusted. Not by a mile, not by an inch. Wake up, Biden! Your naivety about China is killing us right now!" 

How about a show of hands out there? How many people trust China? How many think China is our friend? Or is China our foe? I will tell you what I think. China plays us for patsies. And Uncle Joe is the biggest patsy of all. That is the kindest thing I can say - that Joe is only being played. Many think of a much darker reality. The Chinese Party owns Joe. With the revelations coming out about Joe Biden via Hunter, we might find out more about this issue before winter arrives.

With all the nefarious things that China has done as of late, have you heard about the latest? They are stealing our seeds right out of the ground. It is agricultural theft. Theft? China? The master of disaster in stealing our IP? Really? Just talk to the good folk in Iowa about China. They think China is not only stealing our seed technology, but they are also buying up our farmland from naive Americans.

How much farmland do the Chi Coms own right now? About one-third of one percent. That does not sound like much, but two things: Thing one - Some farmers think China's end game is controlling our agriculture market. All they need to do is buy enough to make a difference. Thing two - Much of the farmland they have bought is close to our military bases. But every time this issue comes up in front of Congress, the Democrats call it "racism!". Remember when Trump called Covid-19 the "Wuhan Flu"? He was excoriated by the left for "being a racist". Meanwhile, people all over the world were dropping like flies from this China-manipulated virus.

This next thing really makes me sad to report. Two American sailors were recently arrested in Southern California for stealing American secrets and selling them to Chinese agents. This was no accident - these sailors allowed themselves to become traitors. But that is what the Chinese do. Turn Americans into willing or unwilling accomplices. Remember Swalwell's girlfriend Fang Fang? I wonder how much info she got out of good old Eric (Congressman) Swalwell.

Even though we recently sent both Janet Yellen and Lurch over to China to bow and cow-tow to their needs, the beat (and beat down) goes on. Those who think this is just a bunch of histrionic nonsense, consider this - China has made developed some hypersonic anti-ship missiles (DF-26) specifically to take out American carriers. Should war come to Taiwan (and it will), think about just one of those missiles sinking one of our carriers with 5,000 young sailors on board.

Finally, remember the Chinese "weather balloon" which loitered over much of the USA for over a week. For what purpose? To check our weather? To check on the weather over Malstrom Air Force Base. No, these Chinese cannot be trusted. Not by a mile, not by an inch. Wake up, Biden! Your naivety with China is killing us right now! 

    

 

Brandon, Part 2

"There is an old saying - If you are going to kill the king, you better kill him and not only wound him. Why? A wounded king would be very dangerous. Joe Biden - you have used your best kill shots on Donald Trump, and only wounded him. Made him stronger."

I am writing this, sitting in the middle of a country that is rich in natural resources. Especially fossil fuels. Before Joe Biden became President, we were on the verge of being not only energy independent but also an energy exporter. Life was good, and our gasoline prices were manageable. But then came Brandon, and his pledge to kill our fossil fuel industry. Huh? Why would any red-blooded American want to do that? That type of person is not a red-blooded American after all.

Here is the deal folks (as Brandon would say) - if the Saudis continue to cut production, we are no longer at the tip of the spear - we are at the end of the whip. In other words, there is nothing we can do about it. Gas prices are now up to $3.89 per gallon in Minnesota. Take that increase, add it to the constant increase in food prices, and you have a real Brandon misery index. But here is the worst part - Brandon does not care. Even the lying Bill Clinton always saying, "I can feel your pain", offered solice to a few gullible folks.

Donald Trump was able to put his finger on the pulse of America. He knew what the average citizen wanted and needed. Low inflation. Low energy prices. Low unemployment. RFK Jr. also knows what some of the issues are. Farmland. Immoral land grab by China. Labeling food is from America when it really is not. None of these things Brandon could give a whit about. Meanwhile, the ordinary folks are "taking it in the shorts". Trump and Kennedy appeal to those average Americans.

On another note, the most curious thing said yesterday was (allegedly) by Donald Trump. When he was getting ready to be charged in Washington, he said (allegedly), "I am one indictment away from locking up the nomination." Meaning - his base becomes all the more solidified when they see this injustice, perpetrated by the Biden Administration. Whereas Biden thought all these court appearances would destroy Trump, instead, they have made Trump a Phoenix. 

Should Biden win instead of Trump, what will our future hold? More of the same. High food prices. Scarcer food production. Higher gas prices. Out-of-control crime. Open borders. High electricity prices. More war. Is this the American anybody wants? Unfortunately, yes. None of the folks I hang with. But the Democrat socialists are loving this crap.

There is an old saying - If you are going to kill the king, you better kill him and not only wound him. Why? A wounded king would be very dangerous. Joe Biden - you have used your best kill shots on Donald Trump, and only wounded him. Made him stronger. Even Obama warned Biden about this. He told Biden that Trump could be stronger now than he was in 2016. Let's hope so. This country needs a strong President.   

   

"The talk"

"This being a policeman thing, is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Besides the daily danger, should a split-second decision result in the death of a young person of color, a policeman could go from 'cop to criminal' in a heartbeat."

When I first received my driver's license, I like many others my age, had the "the talk" with my dad. "When you are driving, and should you be lit up by a cop to pull over, do it immediately. When the officer comes to your car door, roll down the window and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Address him as 'Yes sir' and answer all his questions. If he gives to a ticket, don't argue."

Yesterday, we had another young man get shot by police officers. It should never have happened. He was pulled over for not having rear lights. Any police officer would pull over any driver for the same. But upon questioning, the LEOs found out he was wanted for questioning due to a felony warrant. That is when things went south. One thing led to another, and suddenly you have a young black man, bleeding to death, after being shot by white police officers.

George Floyd did not have to die. Daunte Wright did not have to die. Many young men, no matter the color or background, did not have to die "by cop". Did any of the young men of color who are shot by the police, did they do the right thing? Or the foolish thing of trying to flee in a car. Sometimes endangering the police by hitting them or dragging them. Am I trying to excuse all shootings by the police? Nope - but many did not have to happen.

This being a policeman thing, is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Besides the daily danger, should a split-second decision result in the death of a young person of color, a policeman could go from "cop to criminal" in a heartbeat. Suddenly in many big cities, senior policemen and women are retiring early. Or claiming PTSD. With all those vacancies (including the reductions in force brought on by leftist city councils), there are a lot of holes in police formations. Quality recruits are hard to come by. 

The results of the shooting this week make me sad. Do I blame the police? Usually, no. But I do blame the situation that leads to tragedy. To this day, I remember "the talk" my dad had with me. Have I been pulled over in all the years I have been driving? Yes. Did I receive a ticket? Once. The police when pulling me over, were just doing their job. That is all. The ticket I received, I paid the fine and life went on. As it should be.     

 

Neither Trump nor Biden go down...

"On the positive side, Joe is now recognizing Navy as his granddaughter. Atta boy Joe! Better late than never. Now please hang a sock for her on the mantle this Christmas season. And one more thing - please leave her out of your crime family. She deserves better." 

Seems our two front runners cannot stay out of the news. Why? Legal troubles. Right now, Donald Trump (if convicted of everything he is charged with), could go to prison for 140 years. But my prediction is he won't serve a day of that time. In fact, he will not even be convicted for most of it. Much of this has been an extension of "Russia, Russia, Russia".

The odd thing is (for Donald Trump that is), every time he is charged with another crime, his poll numbers go up. Why? For many, it is just another example of corruption in our justice system. The old "two-tiered" system of justice. And Trump? Part of him I think really loves this. It gives him another chance to show the people that he (Trump) is the sacrificial lamb. He keeps telling his crowds that "They are coming after you - but I am standing in their way."

How about Old Joe? Seems the noose is getting tighter around his neck. Or is it? His Democrat allies are really starting to circle the wagon. Technicalities. "Sure, Joe called Hunter when he had a business meeting going on. But it was not to talk business - only to check on the weather." We may laugh about this, on how stupid and ridiculous it sounds. But many in the hinterland know that Joe is a liar and a crook. But they don't care. They have become immune to emoting about either Biden or Trump. Will Joe skate? Probably. Why? Harris is his card up his sleeve. As bad as Biden is, NOBODY wants Harris to take his chair.

This stork dance will continue until the election. Blah, blah, blah. To quote Shakespeare, "Sound and fury, signifying nothing.". As much as some would like to see two newcomers, who are much younger and fresher, right now the tea leaves are not telling that tale. 2024 will be a rematch, with both sides throwing legal mud at the other side. At the end of the day, we will probably have an octogenarian as our 47th President.

On the positive side, Joe is now recognizing Navy as his granddaughter. Atta boy Joe! Better late than never. Now please hang a sock for her on the mantle this Christmas season. And one more thing - please leave her out of your crime family. She deserves better.