Anger, Inc.

 

"To those in this country who belong to Anger, Inc. - take a chill pill. Know that you are blessed for the opportunity to live here. Influencers, like Piker, will try like crazy to rile you up. Don't let them. America is good, and Americans are good. Not much more to report on that issue. Or as the famous Jamaican song goes - Be Happy!"

Has anybody noticed as of late, we live in a very angry country right now? And why is that? Do we have the right to be angry? The economy? Well, let us stop right there for a minute. Could our economy be better? Probably - but it could also be so much worse. For example (and I know many have heard this before), the poorest person in America would still be wealthy compared to many in the world today. In short - we are all blessed to live here. But will that bite of information stop the anger? Not a bit. We (many of us) are entitled to so much more.

Am I angry? I was angry that we had open borders for so long. I am angry it is taken so much time and money to clean that mess up. I am angry we have sanctuary cities and states where lawlessness can run free. And I am really angry we have Soros paid for DAs and judges who let convicted criminals run free, again and again. But - and this is the important point - that anger does not take me to the streets, to burn, destroy, kill or maim. 

I am angry our schools no longer teach, and many if our churches no longer preach (the Gospel). I am angry that we graduate young people out of college with a worthless degree and tens of thousands of dollars in debt. I am also angry that social media has cocooned so many of our young people into living a hermit type lifestyle. This is not good for them nor our country. We need people who are engaged and sharp on their game. We need young people who have been trained for life in the 2030's and equipped to live and be successful there. 

But in the midst of all this anger I have concerns about different parts of our society. And I try to channel that anger into solutions. I try to remember that we live in the BEST country in the world, and we have opportunities almost unlimited. As Bono said, America is an idea as well as a place. That idea needs to be shared and spread. Why? America is the bright shining light on the hill. Omar (or whatever her name is), may say this is the worst country in the world. If that is the case and she really feels that way, don't let the door hit you on the rear on your way out.

To those in this country who belong to Anger, Inc. - take a chill pill. Know that you are blessed for the opportunity to live here. Influencers, like Piker, will try like crazy to rile you up. Don't let them. America is good, and Americans are good. Not much more to report on that issue. Or as the famous Jamaican song goes - Be Happy!

America - Evermore or nevermore?

 

"Could we lose the country if we lose this election? Probably not - but the table would be set for 2028. And in that general election, we could lose the country. This is not hyperbole or being a panic merchant - only facts. Vote and vote with a purpose folks - the enemy is at the gates. Soon, the enemy will be inside the gates, pulling the levers of power. It is up to us if that ever happens." 

Most recent elections, some political sort will step forward into the bright light of a television camera and say something like this - "This is the most important election of our lifetime. If we lose this one, America is over." And yes, we have lost some elections after that warning was given. And no, America was not over. But this midterm followed by the next general might be different. We truly might lose the country to socialists should they take power.

Today's change agents are different than yesterday's change agents. Today, the DSA, which seems to be hell bent on taking over the old Democrat Party, is after a General Sherman type takeover of the country. And that includes, the "old guard" in the Democrat Party. With the scent of burning tires and buildings still in the air from the Floyd Riots, anarchists all over this country are drooling from the mouth. Their hatred of our traditional America will only be mollified when everybody's standard of living is lowered enough to make us look and act like Cuba. 

Driving through the Twin Cities, one thing which is not in your field of vision are political signs which endorse a Republican. Why not? They got out when the getting was good. For some, it was painful to leave. Many good memories on how the Twin Cities once were. Now - it is a cauldron of socialism. Crime. Sanctuary status for illegals. The governing body of Minneapolis looks and acts like the bar room scene out of Star Wars. Not normal - not a bit. Even the left leaning mayor of Minneapolis is considered way too conservative for many on the City Council. And if the DSA gets a foothold statewide in next month's election - Katy bar the door!

Right now, we stand at the precipice of violating Ben Franlins's warning. We might just lose our Republic. To be replaced with (fill in the blank with something awful). The sad irony is just this - if every Republican would grow up and put on their big boy pants and vote - it would be a red wave in the off year. A real first. If every Christian voted for the government which would be the most Biblical, again the Republicans would win in a landslide. But many Republicans are odd folks. They pout. They sulk. And they use purity tests to throw out some of our best candidates. Democrats stick together like glue, no matter how vile or wretched a candidate is. Republicans? Not so much. 

Could we lose the country if we lose this election? Probably not - but the table would be set for 2028. And in that general election, we could lose the country. This is not hyperbole or being a panic merchant - only facts. Vote and vote with a purpose folks - the enemy is at the gates. Soon, the enemy will be inside the gates, pulling the levers of power. It is up to us if that ever happens. 

 

The Suwaki Gap - Poland's finger in the dyke for peace

"This century and before, Poland has gone from doormat, who has been conquered many times, to one of the strongest and most prepared countries in the world. They are as tough as nails, and they are not done yet in modernizing and bolstering their army. Poland loves us and loves Trump. And - they hate Putin. That is a very good combination in these troubled times." 

Oh boy! Things are starting to get very interesting now in Eastern Europe. Should Russia ever decide to make a play for one of the NATO countries, chances are the Suwalki Gap will come into play. Some might not know what the Suwalki Gap is - quite simply, it is one of the most strategically important areas in all of Europe. It is a small corridor which stretches between northern Poland and fellow NATO country Lithuania. On one side of the gap is Russian territory Kaliningrad, and on the other side is Russian ally Belarus. Get the picture? A real tinderbox it is.

I have addressed this issue of Poland before. It is quickly becoming the powerhouse of Europe. Germany, whose territory backs up Poland, is trying to catch up with their military spending. And what Poland really wants right now, to put the final piece to the puzzle, is for the United States to establish a military base in northeastern Poland. How bad do they want it? They have offered to pay for most of it. Now that - is an offer!

We are not at war as yet, but that being said, Poland has made the area around the Gap looking like we are expecting Russian tanks at any minute. The US may be trying to reduce its footprint in Euro NATO, but Poland is not. This "hybrid war" may be going on, and incursions over Poland airspace may be continuing, but Poland has not responded to Russia - yet. If they ever did, it would be the start of the next Euro (or world) war. Truthfully? If push came to shove, and it was ONLY Poland fighting the Russians, I would bet the house on Poland.

But here is the real fact which is on the table. All Poland needed to do, was fortify the Suwalki Gap so it is tighter than a drum. That would or should deter Russia from doing something very foolish. However, should Putin ever decide to test the resolve of Poland, he will be met with 32 of our brand-new F-35 fighter jets. And that is just a small fraction of what Poland has in their armory. 

This century and before, Poland has gone from doormat, who has been conquered many times, to one of the strongest and most prepared countries in the world. They are as tough as nails, and they are not done yet in modernizing and bolstering their army. Poland loves us and loves Trump. And - they hate Putin. That is a very good combination in these troubled times. 

  

The very worst in us

 

"It saddens me to see how this great nation is right now. We are a mess. Could we get better? We need to. Could we get worse? We will find out after November 3rd."  

Well with only a couple weeks left until the election, the temperatures and the tempers are both running very hot. Some have referred political season to the "silly season" - to me, there is nothing silly about it. Both sides, the red and the blue, treat each other like demons. No love lost there. And then when the election is over, and everybody has called everyone else every name in the book, as well as besmirched their characters, it is time to make up and play nice. Never happens. Even though the loser often says, "It is now time to come together, reach across the aisle, and work for the common good" - it seldom or never happens. What a joke.

The way that the two parties get along, and the heinous things which are said to each other, I often times think we are living in a war zone instead of a country. Our "shades of gray" disagreements have now been exchanged for vile hatred. Hatred so deep, that to mention somebody from the other side with any kindness, is looked upon as treason and treachery.

The other day, I happened to mention to some radical feminist that I served with her husband on a non-profit organization. All I said to her, was to say hi to her husband. The next thing I know, this feminist and her posse jump all over me. Like I had something wrong instead of only telling this gal what a nice man her husband is. Ergo, my point is made. Our political divide is so strong, so wide, and so unrepairable, even saying something good about somebody from the other side is considered off limits.

We are not France (yet), but every election cycle we get closer to that fray. Don't look now, but the entire continent of Europe is about ready to explode. It did not start out this way - but over the years, it had devolved into this mess. Socialism, out of control illegal immigration, and lawlessness have led to the mess that Europe, especially France, is in right now. Could we be next? Sure could. We are just inches from becoming tribal. Do we love each other like fellow citizens? Not a bit.

It saddens me to see how this great nation is right now. We are a mess. Could we get better? We need to. Could we get worse? We will find out after November 3rd.  

Is warfare about to become a real life video game?

 

"Many of the soothsayers in the AI business have been telling us for years now, that when AI makes the big leap into AGI, just about everything is going to change. And it will. Including the way we fight wars. We are fortunate to have forward thinkers like Elon Musk and Palmer Lucky on our team. Why? They can see the future, and how to mold products into this giant change ethos which is headed this way."

As we speed towards 2030, much is going to change. From the most minute to the largest things, change is coming. Many good things are coming to bolster peace, tranquility and health. But there is also a dark side. Our new advances in AI, robotics and new materials, is leading us into a new type of warfare. Will we still need boots on the ground as well as pilots and sailors? Absolutely. But the introduction of the new technologies will make some of our warfare look more like a real-life video game.

If you are not yet familiar with a young man named Palmer Lucky (yes, that is his real name), you will be hearing more and more about him in the next few years. He has started a new company called Anduril, and it is making quite a splash in our defense industry. He is on quite the quest right now - making America safer by building better and smarter autonomous fighting machines. Like what?

Smallish ships at sea, which even though unmanned, can deal quite a punch to the enemy. Submarines, also unmanned and smaller than our manned submarines, which can turn the tide of a sea battle. And just recently, Anduril was selected to be one of the contractors to build a multi-missioned unmanned aircraft called the Fury. All of this technology, coming from a young guy walking around in shorts and flip-flops.

The battlefield is also going to change. Look for countries, who have the technology to do it, to make mechanical soldiers. More and more autonomous tanks and supply vehicles. Robot dogs, to go into dangerous situations. Is this pie in the sky science fiction? I am afraid not. Some is already developed and starting to enter real life testing. Wait - what? You mean like the Droid Wars from Star Wars? Maybe - but that will be an event happening in the 2030's - not now.

Many of the soothsayers in the AI business have been telling us for years now, that when AI makes the big leap into AGI, just about everything is going to change. And it will. Including the way we fight wars. We are fortunate to have forward thinkers like Elon Musk and Palmer Lucky on our team. Why? They can see the future, and how to mold products into this giant change ethos which is headed this way.

   

Why Ukraine is not as interested in peace with Russia

 

"This war has been vexing for Trump ever since he started his second term. Helping to end this war could be another one of his signature achievements. Zelenskyy needs to get on board with what the bigger picture is here. As does Putin. Otherwise, the killing will continue."  

In the early days of the Ukraine war, it is no secret that this was a David vs Goliath type event. It was just a matter of days before the vastly superior Russian Army arrived in Kyiv and demanded they surrender. Remember - the Russian tag line was that Ukraine was full of neo-Nazis, or something like that. In reality, all Russia wanted was the access to more warm water seaports, and the bountiful natural resources and grain which Ukraine has. Anyhow, that was the plan. Make this a quick in, install a new government, and then back to Russia. What could possibly go wrong? 

What went wrong was Russia came face to face with the eye of the tiger. The good people in Ukraine, although outnumbered and outgunned, had no desire to be conquered. None. The Ukrainians fought hard and they fought smart. The Russians fought dirty. Lots and lots of civilians were targeted and killed. The Russians could reach into Ukraine and kill at will, whereas the Ukrainians could not do the same to Russia. For a while, it looked like Russia was going to grind Ukraine into dust.

But in the last year or two, Ukraine was getting the means on how to reach into Russia, just like Russia has been reaching into Ukraine. Paybacks. Revenge. To see the Russian people suffer just a fraction as much as the Ukraine people have suffered, was a real satisfier. Is the killing continuing in Ukraine? Unfortunately, yes. But now with every punch, there is a counter punch. And now that the UK has been resupplying Ukraine with more of the dreaded Storm Shadow land attack missiles, the war on Russia will continue.

Does this mean that Ukraine is no longer interested in peace? Sure, they are - but peace with their terms. Meaning what? Meaning ALL land which Russia has illegally taken since 2014 needs to be returned. ALL Russian troops out of Ukraine. Until those are agreed to and implemented, the beat will go on. Ukraine is trying not to kill Russian civilian but delights in any damage or casualties they can inflict on military bases deep inside of Russia.

Short of Russia using a tactical nuke in Ukraine, this war of attrition will go on for a while. Maybe a long while. Meanwhile in Russia, the war's toll is becoming Putin's toll. In other words, it may be just a matter of time before Putin leaves Russia, one way or the other. Why? After WWII, the Russian people have no desire to be targets anymore. It seems this promise of a quick and clean war in Ukraine was nothing more than a lie and a boomerang. For that reason alone, many Russians want Putin gone. 

Trump wants to meet with Putin when he goes to China to visit Xi. Trump feels that now is the time to get concessions out of Putin so the war can end. That is why he temporarily stopped the sanctions bill. Trump's love for Russia is only the desire for two countries to end the killing. That is it. This war has been vexing for Trump ever since he started his second term. Helping to end this war could be another one of his signature achievements. Zelenskyy needs to get on board with what the bigger picture is here. As does Putin. Otherwise, the killing will continue.  

Is France the new canary in the coal mine?

 

"Remember what Ben Franklin warned us about our form of government - "It is a Republic, if you can keep it." Same goes for Europe, and their form of government. The other side is playing for keeps."

Don't look now, but Paris is burning. Not only burning, but wild mobs control the streets and are starting to not only loot stores, but also private homes. Wait - what? Is there not supposed to be a NFL football game in Paris this next weekend? Yes - and the NFL should cancel it. Why? Not safe - not even close to being safe. This riot which started about better wages for teachers, has morphed into a grab bag of miscellaneous causes - including the "Free Palestine" cause. But when you have open borders and let in legions of Muslims from North Africa, this is the result.

Many now are saying that France is the canary in the coal mine. The social unrest could spread to many other countries in Europe. Heck, it could even spread over here. To this crazed mob, nothing is sacred. Everything is fair game. Churches, government buildings, stores, homes, cars - the list goes on and on. But to what end? Is it that this crazed mob has taken some lessons from Abby Hoffman's book, Revolution for the hell of it? Or is it just that France has started producing a bunch of iconoclasts?

America - sit up and take notice. Especially with our midterm elections less than three weeks away. Remember - if you pull the lever for a Democrat, you might be getting a wolf in sheep's clothing. There are no more Democrats as you remember. What you would be getting now is this thing called a DSA - Democrat Socialist of America. And this is NOT a harmless bunch of kids trying to make a funsie statement - this is a bunch of committed socialists and communists who want to change our country into something vile. How so? Just let your gaze wander across the pond over to France right now. Is this what you want our America to look like? IT CAN HAPPEN HERE ALSO.

Macron has had it with what is going on. He publicly said he will track down the perps and put them in jail. Well, Mr. Macron, here is some advice for you. If you really mean it sir, activate every cop you have in France. Call up the military. Allow lethal force if necessary. Too harsh? Has to be. If this forest fire is left unchecked, it will burn the entire forest down, leaving only ashes in its wake. Take this serious, act quickly, and act harshly. Failure to do so could leave you on the outside looking into your own country. Yes Mr. Macron, this is that serious.

If you have plans to visit France in the near future, I would put them off for a while. Maybe even giving all of Europe a wide berth. These are not happy times on the other side of the pond. Not even the UK, which I loved to visit, is the same. Remember what Ben Franklin warned us about our form of government - "It is a Republic, if you can keep it." Same goes for Europe, and their form of government. The other side is playing for keeps.