Living in the land of hope and promise

 

"I am ready for a change. The country is ready for a change. The world is ready for a change. Out with the old and in with the new."

Is this it? The magic ticket? The ticket which will bring America back off the precipice of disaster? I was recently asked by a friend what I thought of JD Vance. I replied that I was good with the pick. Was Vance my first choice? Maybe not, but he was high on the list. He did not bring with him the problems that Mario and Byron Donalds would by both being from Florida (like Trump is). But this young man from Ohio does something the rest of the field could not do - he speaks Midwest. He lives in the Midwest. 

Wait a minute! Was it not JD Vance who said some unkind things about Donald Trump many years ago? Sure was. Most at some times have said some regrettable things. But the important thing is he does not feel that way now. Let bygones be bygones. We have bigger fish to fry right now. The enemy of the state (Joe Biden and the Democrats) are still out there. They need to be defeated. Donald Trump and this former Marine (JD Vance) are just the right folk to take care of business.

As a side note, many who are covering the convention have noticed something different about Donald Trump since last Saturday. He has a different demeanor. His countenance is different. Some say maybe it is because Trump is tired. The rigor of a robust campaign is catching up with this 78-year-old man. Others are saying is maybe a delayed shock of getting wounded in the assassination attempt. Still others think this near-death experience might have changed him. The look on his face reflects the gravity of living in this moment. 

What I hope that Donald Trump does now, is also announce some of his major cabinet picks. Just so folks can compare and contrast against the clown car that Biden has put together using the DEI yardstick. With the world being more dangerous than I have ever seen it, now is the time to show John and Jane Public that the adults are soon to be back in charge. Normal will be the standard - no more making outrageous picks, just to show the world how "progressive" we are.

I am ready for a change. The country is ready for a change.  The world is ready for a change. Out with the old and in with the new. But one more thing requires a mention before I close up. The Iranian threat against Donald Trump. Doe this one concerns me. Heck yes it does! If an outcast kid could make it close enough to kill Donald Trump at a rally, what about trained assassins from Iran? And with our wide-open border, they could be in a sleeper cell, just waiting for the right moment.

The convention is going fine, and the spirit of togetherness is visible and strong. Will this be the team which can do it? I think so. Why? Donald Trump was spared for a reason. 

Should DEI be labeled DOA ASAP?

"Before I get hate mail, please understand this. I am all for being different. None of us are exactly the same. I am okay with presidential cabinets being made up of shorter, taller, skinnier, not as skinnier, black, white, red, yellow and so forth. All I am asking is DEI be replaced with MOST QUALIFIED." 

I have said this since Joe Biden first put his cabinet together after getting elected. Whereas Joe wanted his cabinet to "look like America", it gave me pause to think - what did former cabinets look like? I think they too, looked like America. But Biden took this one step further. In many of his picks, he went for "shock value". Remember Sam Brinton? The non-binary whatever? The cabinet which "looks like America", started looking more like a freak show. 

Why is all of this starting to bubble up now, at the end of the Biden regime? The near assassination of Donald Trump uncovered more problems. It seems the head of the Secret Service is also a DEI pick of Joe Biden. This former security chief of Pepsi was asked to "reshape" the entire Secret Service cadre. Start a program called "30 by 30". In other words, by 2030, have 30% female agents. Is there a problem with that? Maybe.

For reasons only known to this DEI hire to head up the Secret Service, the number of agents available to protect Donald Trump was very low. In addition, the DEI hire was one of them. All 5' 5" of her. The problem is that Donald Trump is over 6' tall. Agents are supposed to be able to shield whom they are protecting from top to bottom. In other words, this gal did not belong in the Secret Service, much less leading it. And the 30% female they want to hire? They better all be over 6' tall. 

Before I get hate mail, please understand this. I am all for being different. None of us are exactly the same. I am okay with presidential cabinets being made up of shorter, taller, skinnier, not as skinnier, black, white, red, yellow and so forth. All I am asking is DEI be replaced with MOST QUALIFIED. It is a novel concept I know - but most reading this article have been hired at jobs they were the most qualified for. Not that they looked a certain way or "checked a certain box".

When Donald Trump becomes president in January, will he appoint any cabinet members who are gay? Absolutely, if they are qualified. Donald Trump will use the "best and the brightest" yardstick when he assembles his new cabinet. That is the way it should be. Our military should be the same way. Best and brightest. 

Should DEI be considered DOA ASAP? Please, yes. It is an experiment we tried, and it failed. Enough of the clown car please - let's get back to running, not ruining, our country.    

Tough, yet blessed

"As good as Donald Trump is, I don't want to edify him into something he is not. Donald Trump cannot save us - only the blood of Jesus can do that. But Donald Trump can use his talents as a builder and a maker to truly Make America Greater Again. We need that, and the world needs that." 

Yesterday, we came about an inch from losing our 45th president. We came an inch from losing the person who will most likely be our 47th president. And we came an inch from maybe from having a civil war. Why do I say that? A medical doctor was on the news this morning. He discussed the closeness of the wound that Donald Trump received. "It is a medical miracle" the doctor said. If Donald Trump had not turned his head to look at something, that round, fired from a sniper with a long gun, would have entered Donald Trump's brain. And then the doctor said, "If a bullet hits that part of the brain, the patient is usually gone - instantly".

Yesterday when Donald Trump was released from the hospital, his son Eric summed it all up - "My Dad is as tough as they come." True words Eric. But Donald Trump is also blessed. This close call was not luck, karma, fate or Juju. It was the divine protection of God Almighty. Donald Trump was blessed, and this nation was blessed. As the saying goes, Donald Trump may not be a perfect man, but he is the perfect man to heal this great nation.

Much is left to be learned about the how and why of yesterday. We can't ask the sniper any questions, as right after he fired, he was taken out by Secret Service counter snipers. Was he one of these sheeple who believed all the blather from the left that Donald Trump was going to ruin our democracy? Or was he one of these leftists who knew the left could not defeat Trump at the ballot box. 

Here is the bad news for the secular humanists on the left side of the street. There is an old saying that if you try and kill the king, you better not only wound him. And that is exactly what they have done. Like a Phoenix, Donald Trump will rise from this near-death experience as even a stronger candidate. Instead of killing Trump, they have made him even stronger. 

The similarities of Trump and Reagan are almost spooky. When Reagan was shot, the bullet lodged within an inch of his heart. If Reagan had zigged instead of zagged (as the expression) goes, we would have lost the Gipper early in his presidency. But we didn't, and Reagan went on to do amazing things, not the least was to end the Cold War without a shot being fired. Why was Trump spared? Why did he turn his head ever so slightly to save his life? I can only imagine...

As good as Donald Trump is, I don't want to edify him into something he is not. Donald Trump cannot save us - only the blood of Jesus can do that. But Donald Trump can use his talents as a builder and a maker to truly Make America Greater Again. We need that, and the world needs that. 

This morning in church, my wife and I will lead the staff in prayer before the services begin. We will offer prayers of praise and adoration for the blessings that God gave us yesterday. Yes, that was the hand of God protecting us all yesterday. And for that, we will give thanks.  

Time to desert the desert?

"Maybe the climate is changing that area of our country into a smaller version of Saudi Arabia. Could be - but I do know this much. Living in Phoenix this time of year means spending most of your time indoors. And praying the electric grid holds out."

It seems like it happens every year now. A big ugly heat dome moves over our desert southwest, and a vicious weather "cap" develops. Very Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico become like an oven. In fact, anyone who was visited or live down there (I have been there in the summer), testifies it feels like once you step outside, you ARE in an oven. No thanks.

This summer, there was a new record hot day at Sky Harbor Airport (Phoenix) -118 degrees. Having day after day of over 110 degrees now, is more common than uncommon. Las Vegas, the city which never sleeps, is also a hotbed (so to speak). And Death Valley, is the place in California which lives up to its name. Hitting 120 degrees in Death Valley is easy to do in July. And some fool hearty folks who decide to challenge this type of heat, end up dying from the heat.

What is the city of Phoenix doing in spite of all this heat? Growing. Right now, Phoenix is the fourth most populated city in the United States. The amount of water required to service those 1.6M people living there is staggering. Meanwhile, Lake Mead, which is a major source of water for the desert southwest, is shrinking. Even though Mead has recovered a bit this year due to the "atmospheric rivers" which dumped copious amounts of rain on the Colorado River, hydrologists expect the lake level to drip again by the end of this year. And 2025 could see the lowest level in Mead since the 1930's. That will be very bad for the region.

This weekend it will be hotter than blazes in the Twin Cities. However, by next Tuesday things should return to summer normal for the upper Midwest. I could not imagine having this kind of heat hanging around for month after month. It is brutal and can be deadly. For the folks living in the desert southwest, I know the winters down there are good. But the summers are far from good.

It might be time to desert the desert (as they say). Maybe the climate is changing that area of our country into a smaller version of Saudi Arabia. Could be - but I do know this much. Living in Phoenix this time of year means spending most of your time indoors. And praying the electric grid holds out.

    

As the sun sets...

"I know it is trite to say this, as we have heard this before. But this time it really is for all the marbles. Don't think so? Just ask our friends overseas. They have had it with Joe. They will tell you. The world needs a sheriff once again."

I have heard in the past four years that the sun might be setting on America. The once great country has intentionally throttled itself into a sameness with needless regulations and taxes. We have gone from the country of "can do" to a country of leading from behind - which has now become following from behind. How did all this happen? Joe Biden. The people who voted for Joe Biden. MAGA went from Make America Great Again under Donald Trump, to the new MAGA - Make America Guilty Again. Guilty? Guilty of what? Being great. Equal opportunity to do just about anything. Now replaced with the race to the bottom known as equity via DEI.

Last night, our soon to be gone President of the United States, held a "big boy" presser. It was "just okay" for Joe, as the bar has been set so low for him. However, for a normal president, it would have been a disaster. It reminded me of having an older relative when I was younger, with the older relative having some cognitive issues. When the relative would come to a family event, the question was always asked, "How is {fill in the blank"} doing today." The answer would always either be "okay", or "not good today". That is the question that everyone (especially Democrats) is now asking about Joe Biden. How did he do today? Again, the answer for last night was "just okay". 

Here is the fact of life. The sun is setting on Joe Biden. As an older friend once told me, it is hell when you brain goes before your body does. What does all this mean? Everyone ages different. Joe's brain is aging before the rest of him ages. In four years, by the end of his second term, Joe might not be able to recognize Jill. That is how cruel dementia or Parkinson's is. As hard as it is on a family to witness this decline, it would be catastrophic for a country, should that person be president.

When does Joe Biden need to retire? If it were up to me, tomorrow. Having Biden in charge right now is putting this country in grave danger. Even a gadfly like Harris would be better to have in charge until next January. Then when Donald Trump takes the oath of office for a second time, the rest of the world will know this country is not "sun-setting". On the contrary, as Ronald Reagan would say, "It will be morning again in America". 

Next week is the RNC convention. All eyes on Wisconsin for this major political event. Joe's handlers will keep him hidden and low key until this convention is over. What will America see and hear during the convention? Not a human gaffe machine, that is for sure. We will hear how we will once again have more secure borders. Less crime in our cities. More energy. A stronger defense. A more peaceful world. NO DEI ANYWHERE!! Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.

It is time to take a broom and sweep out the naysayers, the lackies, the grifters and get them out of our government. This time really do need a red wave. A tidal wave of red. I know it is trite to say this, as we have heard this before. But this time it really is for all the marbles. Don't think so? Just ask our friends overseas. They will tell you. The world needs a sheriff once again.   

Should he stay or should he go (Joe)?

 

"What do you think Joe? Should you stay or should you go? Are you the problem right now with the Democrat Party? Not a bit. You are only a symptom. The problems, the cancer of the Democrat Party, go much deeper than you Joe. You are only a fifty-year example of statism and tyranny."

Last this afternoon, is the take it or leave it prize. The pot of gold. The big bonanza (maybe). Or as it is called now, "Biden's big boy press conference." If Joe freezes up or refers to himself as the first black woman serving under a black president (again), it will be all over but the shouting. However, should the Red Bull work this time, and Joe comes across as sharp as a tack, then many of the naysayers will shuffle back into their corners and shut up.

But here is the elephant in the room that everyone seems to be avoiding. George Clooney nailed it. "The Joe Biden we saw at our fundraiser was NOT the same Joe Biden we saw in 2020." Ergo, that is the issue. This wreck of a man we are seeing right now on the national stage, is not the same man we will be seeing this time next year. Or maybe even this time next month. 

This reminds me of when a relative of mine had a cavity and was scared to go to the dentist. I had to remind him over and over again, that cavities do not selfheal. Only a dentist can fix a cavity. The same is true for dementia or Parkinson's. Only with those two diseases, they cannot be fixed. Maybe slowed down a bit, but not fixed. They will only get worse with age. They will not selfheal.

My biggest fear, just like it was four years ago, is that the sheeple will elect this ancient politician (warts and all), and then our White House will look more like Cozy Acres Nursing Home. The bad guys of the world will see this as a four-year window to ride all over us - create mayhem where they once feared to tread. Possibly initiate World War III. Maybe even nuke us.

I do, however, have one more fear which is different. Four years ago, the citizens and patriots were fearful of what Biden MIGHT do. Now after four long years, we have seen what Biden WILL do. What might happen? Citizens and patriots who have lost many freedoms of liberties under Biden, will just decide to sit the next four years out. Don't participate in anything. Or - their response could be worse than just inaction. It could be catastrophic.

One former Democrat was on the news and had an interesting observation. She really loved the Democrat Party of old. However, the current Democrat Party, now the Party of Marx, has no interest to her. So, she is switching from blue to red. Another woman who is Jewish, been a Democrat her entire life, wants no part of what this current party is. Her quote - "I no longer feel safe in the Democrat Party". 

What do you think Joe? Should you stay or should you go? Are you the problem right now with the Democrat Party? Not a bit. You are only a symptom. The problems, the cancer of the Democrat Party, go much deeper than you Joe. You are only a fifty-year example of statism and tyranny.   

  

No unrung bell...

"No, I have said this before. The Biden/Trump debate was the end of the road for Biden. He is politically dead right now. He just does know enough to fall over."   

Wow! What a mess right now within the Party of Marx! Do we love Biden, do we not love Biden? Is Biden too old, or just old enough? Does he have all his marbles, or is he a few fries short of a Happy Meal? Meanwhile, the entire world is watching. And Jill Biden? What about her? Many are now thinking this woman of opportunity is nothing more than a Queen Witch Bee Itch.

Forget all these questions. Why? There is an immovable object in the path to recovery. What is that? The bell has been rung, and you can't un-ring that bell. The cow is out of the barn. The horse is out of the gate. The milk has been spilled. I could go on with adage after adage, but you get the idea. Biden's first debate with Donald Trump is tattooed all over Biden's very frail body. 

Some are saying that Joe Biden is only one more gaffe away from being a political orphan. Ouch! From Washington's greatest gaffe machine? How could he possibly make that gate? Once that gaffe happens (and it will), then what? Will it be Kamala time? Or a "mini-primary" for one of the Democrat Governors? Do they play "Hiding Biden" like they did last time around? Keep him in the basement? Hope and pray they can find enough spit and chewing gum to keep Joe together before the next debate? That is the playbook right now. If the Democrats were playing poker, they would only be holding a pair of deuces (or less).

What do I think about Joe Biden? I am sorry he has either Parkinson's or dementia. Both are terrible ways to end your life. Putting that aside, I have never been a fan of this guy. He has been a jerk most (if not all) of his career. What he has done to this country since becoming president is unforgivable. Maybe treasonous. Can Trump fix what Biden has broken? Maybe - if he has a friendly House and Senate. But even with that, it is going to be a long row to hoe. 

No, I have said this before. The Biden/Trump debate was the end of the road for Biden. He is politically dead right now. He just does know enough to fall over.