From man to animal in 72 hours

"For Pete's sake, plan to be self sufficient for at least 7 days. 30 would be even better. Remember, if we lose power, your house will be not only your house, but also your store, your refuge, your everything. Do yourself and your family a huge favor. Prep."   

Bob and Mary had just returned to their downtown condo, after eating at one of the ethnic restaurants on "Eat Street". Bob and Mary had recently retired from their downtown jobs, and decided that in retirement, they would "live the dream" in downtown Minneapolis. They found a nice (but expensive) loft on the 15th floor of one of the newer buildings, and recently moved in. 

Both "city rats" since high school, Bob worked for the city of Minneapolis as a planner. Mary worked for one of the smaller art museums as a curator. Retirement downtown was a dream come true. Sure the crime was out of control, but you just needed to be careful. They loved to shop "Euro" style, so all the food in their pantry was freshly bought. Since they were both strict ecologists, no cans nor water bottles allowed in their house, if you please. 

About a half hour after getting home, their power went out. "Mary, did you not pay the power bill last month?" Bob joked. Mary did not see the humor in losing power. The last time the power went out, it took forever to get the clocks reset. All of a sudden, there was a knock at their door. It was one of their neighbors. "Our power is out - is yours?" Bob then thought maybe the building had lost power. He went over to look out the window and the entire city was dark. Bob did no know it then, but this was the beginning of the end. Of his end. Of many people's end. The country had just suffered and EMP event.

I was listening to a PhD on the radio this past week, who was an expert on prepping. He had an amazing statistic. Only 1% of the people in this country, do any prepping. The other folks are like Bob and Mary. Little or no preparedness at all. The PhD recently published a book, talking about how it only takes 72 hours (three days), for society to start breaking down once power is lost and all supplies unavailable. Bob and Mary, living on the 15th floor are really stuck. No elevator, no toilet, no running water, no HVAC, no phone, no electricity, no nothing. With no bottled water in their condo, it did not take long for Bob and Mary to begin to thirst. 

In the military we learned that "failure to plan is planning to fail". Is if possible that a rogue country like Russia, China, Iran or North Korea could cause the United States to lose power? Absolutely. Thinking an EMP is out of the question, is fool hearty. Who should be the most concerned? The folks living vertically in the city. Life will get very bad, very soon for them.

"From man to animal in 72 hours". My opinion - don't be that guy (or gal). For Pete's sake, plan to be self sufficient for at least 7 days. 30 would be even better. Remember, if we lose power, your house will be not only your house, but also your store, your refuge, your everything. Do yourself and your family a huge favor. Prep.   

 

The end of Minnesota

"Elections have consequences. No place in this country is that expression more true than in Minnesota. The prairie populists from yesterday, have now become today's Stasi. As for the normals, we are now strangers in a strange land. And this land is getting stranger by the day."   

It was a good run while it lasted. Well, I mean it was a good run before the DFL turned into a modern day Stasi. Now they are relegated to goons, using their jack boots to turn whatever remaining good in Minnesota, to bad. Very bad. Seeing what is going on in St. Paul right now, should shock everyone. But it does not. Most Minnesota residents are mind numbed. They don't listen, they don't care. They are like the man in the graphic. They have allowed themselves to be co-opted by the secular to satanic fringe of the DFL party. Most residents have become nothing more than minions, with their heads in their rectums.

Biden always says, "This is not your parents Republican Party." Excuse me Slo Joe? Who in the Sam Hill are these nut bags who now run our state? Mr. "One Minnesota" Walz is nothing more than a cardboard fill-in, who will sign every egregious and evil bill which is put on his desk. The normals in this state are becoming less and less numerous, as the evil and the apathetic have obtained an unstoppable majority. This is the new Minnesota. A POS state, which is nothing more than a cold Omaha, with none of the common sense than Omaha has.

The "new" DFL reminds me of kids in a candy store with no parental supervision. Their "Id" side of their personality runs rampant, and their "Super-Ego" is nowhere to be found. The Republicans, who in the past have supplied a "speed bump" to keep much of this craziness in check, are now totally impotent. They might has well not even be present when many of these bills are voted on. None of their amendments are accepted, and every one of their "no" votes, goes down to defeat. Meanwhile, the unbridled children in the "new" DFL, have gone bat s**t crazy.

By the time the sleepwalkers in Minnesota wake up to what has been happening, it will be too late. The damage will have been done. The exodus out of Minnesota will match the flow leaving New York or California. All that will be left in Minnesota will be the uniformed or the lethargic. That is, other than the socialist nitwits who are running the "new" DFL. 

Elections have consequences. No place in this country is that expression more true than in Minnesota. The prairie populists from yesterday, have now become today's Stasi. As for the normals, we are now strangers in a strange land. And this land is getting stranger by the day.   

 

The Gipper's Dream

"Some day President Reagan, some day. But today we have a nut in charge of the Russian Federation, and very weak and impaired President in charge of the United States. Good luck to us all."      

About 40 years ago, we and Russia were knee deep in the first Cold War. Both sides were bristling with nuclear weapons. Were we close to a nuclear war? Maybe, but not as close as we are right now. America had a defense industry which was booming in the 1980's. We were game for anything which could keep the Russian Bear at bay. The three weapon systems we were the most excited about, were the cruise missile, the Pershing II intermediate range missile (I worked on that one), and the very mysterious Star Wars.

Of those three items, President Reagan was the most excited about Star Wars. Even though it was more "hat than cattle" (it did not exist), it scared the jeepers out of the Russians. And even though is was make believe, Ronald Reagan believed in it. He wanted nuclear war to be unwinnable, simply because it would be impossible to deliver a missile launched nuke.

Here we are in 2023, and missile launched nukes are still for the most part, unstoppable. If it had worked, we could tell Putin to sit down and shut up. The War in Ukraine would look quite a bit different. The only threat that Putin has right now, is his finger on the button. His military? Again, "more hat than cattle". His once revered military, could not even handle Ukraine's mostly volunteer military. If NATO was involved in the ground fighting, we could have mopped up what is left of the Russian Army. 

One day, Star Wars will work. Probably sooner than later. Too bad it is not now, as Russia has opted out of the Start Treaty with the United States. This will allow Russia to modernize and expand its nuclear forces. Like China is doing right now. Should we be doing it also? Might be a good idea, as some of our nukes are very long in the tooth. Like, some are wondering if they even still work. So modernizing might not be a bad idea. And why is that? Until we do have a Star Wars, MAD (mutually assured destruction) is the only deterrent we have.

As an aside, Russia was also afraid of our Pershing II missile. We let it leak out so the Russians could understand it, that our Pershing II missile was a real game changer. The story went we could see through our satellites, when Brezhnev went to the bathroom in the morning. We could launch a Pershing II missile at Moscow, and in 8 minutes, put that missile right in Brezhnev's bathroom window before he could pull up his pants. Russia had nothing to counter that, nor defend against it. Was that a true story? Maybe.

Some day President Reagan, some day. But today we have a nut in charge of the Russian Federation, and very weak and impaired President in charge of the United States. Good luck to us all.      

Is he the man on the red horse?

"The man on the red horse (Putin?) is primed for battle. The world is set for war."

This is not good news for mankind. Not a bit. For those who follow prophesy, these might indeed be the final days. For example, has the first horseman has been released? The horseman known as The Deceiver? And now, has the second horseman also been released (War)? Think I am just blowing smoke? Then please talk me down from this ledge.

As it stands, Vladimir Putin fits the profile of the second horseman (the Red Horseman) to a "T". And the first horseman, The Deceiver, could be a leader who would deceive and lie. Whom could that be? I think we have a few candidates to choose from on that one.

This morning (early), Vladimir Putin was giving the "State of the State" address to the Russian faithful. He dropped two bombs in the middle of his speech - one minor and one major. The minor one was he has no intention of slowing down in Ukraine. In fact, he might even absorb Belarus in the process. Maybe (this part is conjecture), even Moldova. Oh, I should mention this also. He is blaming the West for starting his war. There was no quit in Putin's voice this morning - and very little truth.

The second "bomb" that Putin let go was a tough one. A potential game changer. He is going to withdraw from the START treaty the United States has with Russia. Trump also wanted to abrogate this treaty (because Russia was cheating), and replacing it with one with some teeth. Well, that never happened. As flawed as this treaty is, Biden decided to keep it. Now it is gone, and we are back to the wild, wild west of nuclear proliferation.

The man on the red horse is primed for battle. The world is set for war. Even President Zelenskyy said if China enters the fray by supplying Russia with lethal weapons, it will be the start of World War III. The entire world is set up for war and major battles. Israel and Iran. China and Taiwan. North and South Korea. United States, NATO and Russia. The apocalypse? Armageddon? These are delicate times, and the smallest spark could start an inferno.

I know it is hard to watch the news these days. But things are happening fast. This is a good time to pray and pray hard. Pray for our world, pray for peace. If you have become a stranger with God, this is the time to know and accept Jesus. Now. For many reasons, including just in case Putin is truly the incarnation of evil - the Red Horseman. We really need to be on the right side of what is coming. Yes, it is that important.  

 

  

And the winner is - China?

"Biden has been warned by his generals, but he just does not listen. He does not listen to anybody, other than his socialist handlers. Biden is weak. Russia knows that, and China knows that. That being the case, the play for Taiwan might happen before 2025. Time to wake up. The enemy is at the gate." 

This "three day war" in Ukraine is really taxing everyone's ammo stockpiles. Russia for sure, as this minor incursion into Ukraine should have only taken a small dent in Russia's supplies. But this "three day war" is now celebrating its one year anniversary. After fighting like crazy for one year now, who is winning? Death is winning. Lots and lots of death. Russia is running out of front line elite troops, and both sides are running low on ammo. 

Truthfully, this war caught NATO and the US a bit flat footed. We are in peacetime man! What do we need huge stockpiles of weapons for? Besides, we just "donated" a ton of our best weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan. But with this war raging like an out of control wildfire, some experts are thinking we could be at the same place this time next year, celebrating the two year anniversary of this war. 

With both Russia and NATO scrounging for weapons to keep the fight going, who will be the eventual winner? Ready for this? China. China? But, they are not a part of this thing! Not yet, but they might start supplying some lethal weapons to Russia. However, China is smart. They won't supply enough weapons to a battle on the other side of the world, when they will need plenty of ammo close by to take Taiwan. Especially, if the US and Japan try to intercede.

Over the past few years, when the United States has been lulled to sleep (militarily), as well as the powers that be trying to "PC" our forces, China has been going to town. All of a sudden, China's military is on par with the United States. To counter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan right now, would take money we don't have to spend. In other words, we don't have enough weapons stockpiled to do much. And without a strong and prepared United States in the western Pacific, it will be easy pickings for China to take what they want. And when that happens, look for North Korea to join the fray. 

But have no doubt - if we don't get our military supply chains going on hyper-speed to catch up with China, the western Pacific could be lost. China has all but come out publicly and said they will move on Taiwan before 2027. That is right around the corner. 

Biden has been warned by his generals, but he just does not listen. He does not listen to anybody, other than his socialist handlers. Biden is weak. Russia knows that, and China knows that. That being the case, the play for Taiwan might happen before 2025, when Biden is still in charge. Time to wake up. The enemy is at the gate. 

  

Is this another "Great Awakening"?

"An interesting thing happens when the Gospel is preached as it should be. Grace, justification, forgiveness, repentance. The churches who preach the real Gospel seem to be on the grow." 

According to the History Channel, the first Great Awakening happening in the American colonies between 1730 and 1740. Why? Secular rationalism had been emphasized, and faith in God had grown stale (sound familiar?). Then all of a sudden, people started finding their faith roots once again. It was a movement which quickly spread over the entire slate of colonies. 

There were many heroes of the first Great Awakening back then. John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards just to name a couple. What they preached was the right stuff. The real deal. They were almost modern day versions of the Apostle Paul, as Edwards preached that justification was achieved by faith alone. Justification through faith, not through deeds. Bingo!

Have you heard what is happening at Asbury University? Some are equating it with a modern day revival. All of a sudden, a non-stop worship venue started to happen. It happened, and happened, and happened. People from all over the world have been drawn there. What is going on? Why? Guess what? It might be happening here also. 

Last week, there was a mid-week service at a small but growing church in Blaine, MN. A fairly large group of worshippers showed up - about 500. The service was about an hour long (they do this service a couple times a year). At the end of the service, the pastor invited anyone who wanted to stay for continued worship, could do so. Last week, 400 out of the 500 people stayed after to continue worship! It finally concluded about 9pm. Why? Was it planned? Nope. Just like Asbury, it just happened!

An interesting thing happens when the Gospel is preached and proclaimed as it should be. Grace, justification, forgiveness, repentance. The churches who preach the real Gospel seem to be on the grow. Churches who believe in a trendy, PC'd, watered down theology, scarcely deeper than a Dr. Phil show, are not doing so well. 

God is on the go, God is on the grow. If these are in fact our final days, it might be a good time to get re-ignited with the right kind of church. One that preaches and proclaims the real truth. If you are a bit fuzzy on what the real truth is, just pick up God's Word and read it. It is all there. Trust me, it is all there. 

The train which killed the MSP LRT

"How does our state government run? About like the SWLRT or Northstar. Until the 'Yellow Dogs' wake up and vote for the right kind of people, we will continue to get the government we deserve. One Minnesota? One what? That is the question which begs to be answered."   

Snakebit. I can think of no other word to describe the Met Council's pet rock. Which pet rock? The very expensive, and jinxed, choo choo train called the Southwest LRT (SWLRT). As it is, this thing is 10 years behind schedule, and over a billion dollars over budget. Plus (and this is a minor consideration, I am sure), it is doubtful how many people will end up using it, once (or if) it is finished. Well then, who the heck is going to pay for this boondoggle? Look in the mirror boy (or girl).

The new glitch was discovered on Wednesday, and reported on Thursday. Seems the tunnel which needed to be dug, encountered an "impediment". A large chunk of concrete which nobody knew was there. So the $2.7B project (did I mention it was $1B overbudget?) will need to cost even more money to complete. No hurry, as it is already a decade late to completion.

This thing has been a bigger waste of money than our government education system. More money, more money, more money = same result. How is this possible? Is our state really run by idiots? Have our state leaders never heard the expression "good money after bad"? Don't they know when to cut their losses and quit? Nope.

Most of our elected Democrats have never worked a real job. They are either lawyers, liars or louts. Most don't know a "P" from a "L" or a dit from a duh. Then how in the world can we keep electing these fools? I don't know - ask the "Yellow Dogs". They are the ones who keep electing them.

Want to see the future of the SWLRT should they ever finish it? Just let your gaze wander over to the Northstar rail. What you will see, is millions of dollars sunk into fancy train stations, with very few cars parked there. Why? Because very few are using the Northstar. It is a mere shadow of what was envisioned. All Northstar is right now, is a money pit. Huge taxpayer subsidies needed to keep it running.

Meanwhile, some of the Democrats want this loser extended to St. Cloud. Why? Good money after bad. The Democrats are products of our failed education system, so they can't understand why this bad deal is a really bad deal. After all, it is not their money. It is ours.

How does our state government run? About like the SWLRT or Northstar. Until the "Yellow Dogs" wake up and vote for the right kind of people, we will continue to get the government we deserve. One Minnesota? One what? That is the question which begs to be answered.   

On the edge of tomorrow...

"Are we on the edge of tomorrow? Certainly could be. Or we could be like Putin or ISIS, who would like to either put us back in the stone ages, or maybe even extinct. The choice is ours. As for me, I will follow Elon Musk. I like his vision better than Vladimir Putin's." 

Don't look now, but the future is right around the corner. As the saying goes, we might today, be on the edge of tomorrow. Besides the non-stop mucking fess which is being conjured up in Washington, DC these days, real good things are happening on our golden plains.

Like what? Like, for example, outer space is about to get a whole lot less "outer". And who will be have to thank? Quite a few inventors and risk takers. But the one with the most moxie, continues to be Elon Musk. He is the man with the non-stop vision(s).

Some time between now and summer, Elon's Starship will take off, and do a few trips around the Earth. Why is this so important? Number one, it will prove that this giant thing works. Not only works, but will take the price of putting things in orbit into the very affordable class. As soon as SpaceX Starship's start to fly, things will start to happen quickly. The Moon, Mars, the Asteroid Belt - all will be within our reach. All of a sudden, science fiction will become just plain science.

And this AI and battery thing! While everyone was looking at what Elon is doing with his new toy (Twitter), and his EV (Tesla), he is also working on coming up with the world's best batteries. Not only batteries, but also super large capacitors. Plus - Elon is still working on becoming the world's leader in AI computing. I just saw a YouTube article on how that venture is coming. It looks like it is coming well. And why does he need the best AI in the world? Self driving EVs, SpaceX, and his robots. All at an affordable price.

It is almost like we are approaching an event horizon with all of Elon's deals. The nice thing is, we will not have to wait until the next decade to see how things will work out. Many of Elon's victories will come in this year. The rest will come during the rest of the decade. Many will be game changers. How much so? In 2030, many things will start out looking quite a bit different than in 2020. We will have people on Mars, the Moon, and maybe the Asteroid Belt. Plus batteries which will charge quickly, and last over 1,000 hours. And the best AI in the world.

What is next then for the decade of the 2030's? Some think we are on the cusp of coming up with a new propulsion system for our rockets which will allow us to travel up to 1/2 the speed of light. Maybe even a bit faster. If that is true, a voyage to planets which orbit Alpha Centauri and Proxima Centauri might be in the offing. Why them? From what we know about them so far, they might be more "Earth like" than anything (including Mars) in our solar system.

Are we on the edge of tomorrow? Certainly could be. Or we could be like Putin or ISIS, who would like to either put us back in the stone ages, or maybe even extinct. The choice is ours. As for me, I will follow Elon Musk. I like his vision better than Vladimir Putin's. 

 

A bloody mess

"Blood flows in the hills and valleys of Ukraine. Russian blood, mixing with Ukrainian blood. This land, rich in its ability to grow enough wheat to feed much of the world's hungry population, is now littered with broken armor and dead and mangled bodies." 

If you can believe any of the stories in the press about the war in Ukraine, it is a bloodbath. It is two immovable forces, meeting in a frozen land with very few amenities. And why, or how, is this war still going? And why did it start in the first place? I know, I know. Putin said he needed to "de-nazify" Ukraine. Huh? In any event, it sounded like a real good reason to start a three day war. Go in, decapitate the government, install a puppet regime, and leave. Bada Bing, Bada Boom. All done! 

The one thing Putin did not put into his calculus, was the 2014 annexation of Crimea. This was a tough nut to swallow for the people of Ukraine. To make matters worse, nobody, not even the UN, did a thing to prevent it or reverse it. Russia just came in, took a huge chunk of land, installed a puppet government, and left. Somehow Ukraine figured out this was only the first bite, and Russia would eventually be back for more. Oh, how they were right.

With the current war, two things are much different. First, Ukraine was ready for the Russians. This time, if Russia wanted to take anything, it would be a fight to the death. No surrender. Next, the good people of Europe were having a bad case of deva vu. Vladimir Putin was looking a whole lot like Adolph Hitler. If Ukraine fell, Moldovia or even Poland, might be next. Thus, it was in Europe's best interest to arm Ukraine to the teeth. Plus, the United States made the same decision. A year later, we have a true proxy war between Russia and NATO, with Russia suffering some catastrophic losses. 

One report has Russia losing 140,000 troops and half its battle tanks in the first year of this war. Those are eye watering statistics for the people of Russia. Many sons, brothers, husbands are amongst the fallen. And what has been gained? Not much. But Putin is still determined to take Ukraine, even if he has to conscript half the countries population. And for what? A pyrrhic victory? Seems that way.

Blood flows in the hills and valleys of Ukraine. Russian blood, mixing with Ukrainian blood. This land, rich in its ability to grow enough wheat to feed much of the world's hungry population, is now littered with broken armor and dead and mangled bodies. To the victor will go the spoils. And spoils will be all that is left should this war go on for another bloody year.    

 

The end of a tawdry love affair?

"One more thing. I want all the stuff that China has been making for us, made either back home here, or in a friendly offshore country. China does not deserve our business. Nor our friendship. This is a toxic relationship which needs to end. Now! Now Congress, Biden, grow a pair. End this thing now."  

The PRC. An evil and vile organization. They are the ones who are using the Uyghurs (their own countrymen) as lab rats. Unwilling organ donors. They are also the ones who have unilaterally decided to annex another sovereign country (Taiwan). Plus, they broke their covenant with Hong Kong. No, the PRC is really the new evil empire. And this is the country that our government has been playing footsie with. Basically, we have sold our soul to them. Now it is time to get our soul back.

The PRC is made up of bad actors and bald face liars. This thing which happened recently with the spy balloon is Exhibit "A". After being caught red handed spying on us with this mega blimp, they are now telling us we shot down one of their wayward weather balloons. And they will make us pay for it! Oh, the fear! I am trembling as I pen this. 

I, like many of my countrymen, want a divorce. Not a little divorce - a grand divorce, and I want it NOW! One day, when the good people of China decide that enough is enough, and rise up and overthrow this bunch of thugs in the PRC, then we can talk. Until then however, I want nothing to do with this den of vipers. 

I heard there is now (finally) legislation to keep China from buying our farmland. It is about flipping time! No more of that, and no more letting China come into our higher education facilities to steal our IP. I want a relationship which is hands off, rather than the incestuous one we have now. If this costs Hunter Biden his job with China - so be it. If it costs the "Big Guy" some of his wealth, again, so be it.

One more thing. I want all the stuff that China has been making for us, made either back home here, or in a friendly offshore country. China does not deserve our business. Nor our friendship. This is a toxic relationship which needs to end. Now! Congress, Biden, time to grow a pair. End this thing now!  

"We just nuked a city"

"So then, why was this not bigger news? Chinese balloon spy balloon and three UFOs which we shot down. That took most of the oxygen out of the news cycle."

By now, I imagine that most have heard about what happened in East Palestine, Ohio. Probably one the worst ecological disasters we have had in America in years. And guess what? It was preventable. What do you mean, "preventable"? It was only a train derailment, right? That is correct. But as the saying goes, it was not the crime, it was the coverup. So, instead of sending in the EPA to correctly eradicate the very toxic brew from the landscape around East Palestine, some bright light bulb thought maybe just dropping a match, would take care of everything. That person was dead wrong.

A couple of observations, if I may:

Keystone Pipeline - Even though the Biden cancelled Keystone Pipeline had nothing to do with this derailment, it sure could have been if a large train of "oilers" derailed, and caught fire. It has been proven time and time again, that even though pipelines are not 100% safe, they are a whole lot safer than shipping by rail. Besides all the union jobs which were terminated when Biden terminated the pipeline, our national safety also was put at risk.

Mayor Pete - Our Secretary of Transportation. What a piece of work this guy is! He earned the name "Pothole Pete", when he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. But Biden liked this guy, because he "checked a diversity box", if you know what I mean. What was Pete doing when all hell was breaking loose in Ohio? He was chiding us at some formal dinner, for having too many white guys in hard hats. That was a much bigger problem than "nuking a city" in Ohio.

Ecological Disaster for Years - Because some dimwit decided to drop a match instead of using EPA approved cleanup procedures, this entire area will be polluted for years. There are areas of this town which are still unlivable. Drinking water is in question. Fish are dying. The stench of vinyl chloride is everywhere. This chemical is a toxic brew which can cause cancer of the liver, brain and lung. Also, when ignited, it can produce hydrogen chloride and phosgene. Sure would have been nice for someone to be in charge of this cleanup, rather than a pyromaniac.

Okay, okay. I guess I have made my point. Somebody really blew the mission. So then, why was this not bigger news? Chinese balloon spy balloon and three UFOs which we shot down. That took most of the oxygen out of the news cycle. But yes, this should have been a bigger splash. Now that the UFO story is dying out just a bit, we are hearing more about Ohio.

The irony of this incident is simply this - Mayor Pete's name keeps coming up as a possible front runner if Biden does not run again. WHAT??? This guy is beyond incompetent! Why him? As I said before, Pete fills a diversity box for the Democrats. That is after all, what really counts. Meanwhile, the good folks in East Palestine, Ohio, are stuck in a toxic goo. 

 

It looked like a what?

"In any event, now is the time for our government, our POTUS, to come clean with us. Tell us what we know and don't know. Right now, we should know if they are balloons or not."

Okay. Now this is getting strange. It seems the object which was downed over Lake Huron (thank you MN National Guard!), had the shape of a octagon. Huh? That is different than the other ones. Plus (now it really gets strange), the jet pilot who downed the one over Alaska said the object interfered with the plane's electronics. What the what the what is going on?

Are these the new types of Foo Fighters? Are we being probed by somebody or something? Even China has claimed that they recently have seen one of these objects. What - what? If China is seeing them also, then whose are they? Maybe they are something which is totally unexpected. Otherworldly? Maybe. But right now, this is a first class mystery.

In any event, now is the time for our government, our POTUS, to come clean with us. Tell us what we know and don't know. Right now, we should know if they are balloons or not. I mean, come on! Us Earthlings are getting a tad bit nervous right about now. Even the head of NORAD has not ruled out "aliens" as yet. Well, that is a first! 

Have to cut this short, as we have some childcare duties this morning. Am I going to be glued to the news today? Absolutely! More on this should be revealed today. Maybe another object. As the old saying goes, interesting times we live in.  

What is going on???

"What is next? Something floating over Minnesota? Maine? Michigan? It seems that ever since Biden has erased our southern border, we have no borders at all."   

Either something totally unexpected is now happening to our northern border, or it has been going on for a while, and are just noticing it. Now the count is up to three (maybe four), for unidentified objects which have turned out to be target practice for our F-22 gunners. Besides the mega-balloon which now lies in taters off the shore of South Carolina, we have smaller ones which have been downed in Alaska and Canada. Plus - maybe another (something) noticed in Montana.

Chuck Schumer was on a morning show today, declaring all of these items are balloons. Does he know that for a fact? I doubt it. But maybe they are. If so, where are they coming from? China? Does repeated incursions in our airspace denote an act of war? Some kind of response? Are they probing us for a response? For response time? Maybe even to see if they can slip something past NORAD. We could ask them (ChiCom), but they are not answering the phone with SecDef Austin is calling. Talk about rude!

Whatever these things are, they are coming from someplace. Someplace which has favorable winds which blow over our borders. The feeling I get right now from the Chinese, is they are kicking sand in our faces. It is like they are saying, "What cha going to do about it??" My guess? Based on our super slow times in our retreat from Afghanistan, as well as our support for Ukraine - not much. They think we will do nothing, or next to nothing. They are probably right.

This week will be an interesting week. We should know from investigating the wreckages of the two items shot down over Alaska and Canada the who, why, what, and where of these things. If they are from China, we will need Biden to put his big boy pants on, and make the call to Xi. I would love Biden to tell Xi that America thinks these incursions are a precursor to China invading Taiwan. As such, we are going to be loading up Taiwan with as many defensive weapons as possible. The kinds of weapons which China respects and fears.

But will Biden do that? Na. He would rather talk to Xi about climate change and proper pronouns. Then, ChiComs could look at this non-response as a greenlight for more incursions. 

What is next? Something floating over Minnesota? Maine? Michigan? It seems that ever since Biden has erased our southern border, we have no borders at all.   

About the sanctity and safety of our skies

"The question now begs to be asked - how safe are our skies? Are there things in our skies which should not be there? Sky devices? Drones? What then? We need to have a bit of honesty coming from our military and elected officials."

As my wife and I were out and about yesterday, we were listening to Fox News on the radio. John Kirby (former Admiral) was on the radio as a spokesperson for the administration. While he was talking about the salvage mission on the Chinese spy balloon, which is resting in 40 feet of water off the VACAPES area, some reporter asked Kirby an unrelated question. "Is it true we just shot down another unidentified flying object over Alaska?" Kirby answered to the affirmative. I looked at my wife and said, "Kirby just made breaking news!"

I started to think - this thing which is now disclosed that we shot down, is not anything like the 200 feet tall Chinese spy balloon. So what was it? Where did it come from? What is it doing in our air space? Last summer, there was a dust up about all the UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) that have been seen by the US Navy in our airspace or in their operating environment. We don't know what those things are either. 

The question now begs to be asked - how safe are our skies? Are there things in our skies which should not be there? Spy devices? Drones? What then? We need to have a bit of honesty coming from our military and elected officials. If Kirby had not been asked that question by a reporter on the second device being shot down, would he have disclosed it? I wonder.

Here is my take. Because right now we don't have a clue as to what we shot down, the government wanted to investigate the wreckage before disclosing the incident. However, since the unidentified object was flying at 40,000 feet, the FAA needed to clear the airspace for the safety of commercial aircraft. When that happens, the cat is out of the bag. Will we know what it was once the investigation is over? Maybe. Or maybe it is something the government wants to keep on the downlow until the time is right for disclosure.

Keep an ear on this one folks. This one might be a whole lot more interesting than China's giant spy balloon. Or - if might just be a nothing burger. We do know this much - it is something the size of a car, that one of our Sidewinder Missiles blew to smithereens.

Maybe we will learn more this weekend. Or not. 

Free chow for all!

"In the universe of dumb ideas, free breakfast and lunches for all is about at the top. What a great way to teach dependence instead of independence. We should be teaching youngins to be our brother's keeper - not the government being the nanny state to all."

The "spend-o-rama" going on in St. Paul, has had zero problem in finding ways to spend your tax dollars. The latest one is a whopper. Free breakfast, and free lunch for all kids, no matter  the income level. Huh? Is that a bad idea? I think first, a trip down memory lane might be in order. 

When I was in school, school lunches were either hot (bought by lunch ticket), or cold (brought by the student in a lunch bag). I lived in a blue color neighborhood. Most kids, had lunch tickets. Some brought lunches. Once in a while, one of the kids would forget his or her lunch, or be out of lunch punches. Then what? Then most kids would share part of their lunches with the kid who was without. Kind of like, learning how to be "our brother's keeper" at a very early age. Was government involved? Absolutely not!

My parents were similar to other parents in our neighborhood. Maybe even the city. They would have given up quite a bit, before they allowed one of their kids to go to school without a lunch. That was unthinkable. That feeling transferred down to my generation, when my wife and I had kids. The thoughts of sending out kids to school without having a lunch was unthinkable. My wife and I would have gone without quite a bit, before I allowed that to happen. 

But what about today? Do the parents still feel the same? I know my daughter (the mother of our grandies) does. Each day, every day, her kids go to school with a lunch. So what is up with all these kids in Minnesota who get no breakfast at home, nor lunches at school? What has changed in our country? Have we become collectively that poor, that most kids are going without? Is that the decline in our test scores, or our growing achievement gap is a part of that poorness?

As an aside, I heard on the news yesterday that the new test scores are in from the Baltimore School District. Students in third through eighth grade, who were tested at 23 Baltimore schools, were (get ready for it), zero percent accomplished at their grade level. In other words, not one third through eighth grader in 23 schools in Baltimore, is where he or she should be in math or reading. A major city, 40 miles from our nation's capitol, is flunking. Badly. 

Why bring that up? One more thought from the past. The PTA (which stood for Parents, Teachers Association), had a foundation on teamwork. It was a three legged barstool (so to speak). One leg was the student, one leg was the teacher, and the other leg was the parent. When one leg was gone, or did not function properly, the stool did not work. Today, we don't have the three legged bar stool as we once did. Our new barstool does not work well at all. Why? One leg teacher union, and the other leg is big government. Parents? Gone with the wind. Students? Playing Mario on their devices.  

In the universe of dumb ideas, free breakfast and lunches for all is about at the top. What a great way to teach dependence instead of independence. We should be teaching youngins to be our brother's keeper - not the government being the nanny state to all.

The greatness of our country is slowing being replaced with the rot of big government. As was said by a great President, "Government does not solve the problem, government is the problem."  

Living life in fairy-vile and fable land

"Our government is a clown car. Plain and simple. Do we engender respect on the the world stage? Hardly. Our saving grace right now, is Putin is over committed in Ukraine, and Xi is still fighting covid in his own country." 

Okay. Can we stop talking about the "kiss" during the SOTU speech? I mean, come on folks! I am sure that Melania Trump did that to Mike Pence all the time. But all jesting aside, here is the unvarnished truth. That "kiss", was only part of the nuttiness of that evening. It was Joe Biden at his best (or worst). The story teller. The BS artist. The liar-in-chief. The true gas-lighter.

What did Biden talk about during the SOTU which was of importance to many of us? Not much. How about China? Not much. How about our porous southern border? Not much. Fentanyl? Not much. Unfettered crime in the cities? No much. The war on MAGA Republicans? Now we are talking! In the eyes and mind of this old man, the war on fellow Americans is much more important than the undeclared war we are fighting with China. And the war on black and brown people by cops and white supremacists? Oh my! 

So, what do we learn from Joe Biden? Think of taking a journey through the mind of Walter Middy. In Joe's mind, he grew up tough in the allies of Philly. He pounded Corn Pop into submission. He rode the Amtrac every day to his union job. He was raised by Puerto Ricans. He was an aviator (thus the glasses). A war hero (thus the salute). You name it, Joe has done it. He has vanquished evil all over this country. He is a man among men. Don't think so? Just ask him.

Our government is a clown car. Plain and simple. Do we engender respect on the the world stage? Hardly. Our saving grace right now, is Putin is over committed in Ukraine, and Xi is still fighting covid in his own country. Is Biden really that stupid? That naïve? That cunning? Or is he just an old man, whose time has come and gone? Can we survive the next two years? Will the Republicans be able to showcase someone, anyone, who the voters will favor in 2024? Right now, the bar is set very low after having Biden.

America the great. A country which has always oozed greatness, freedom and liberty. It is now fairy-vile and fable land. We need to "de-Biden" our country, and get back to our greatness. You know, like Make America Great Again? Oh, I long for those days...

 

Played for fools

"Then the reality really hit me. Biden was elected by a majority of voters (supposedly). Walz was re-elected by a majority of voters. People either didn't know or didn't care they were voting for morons."

I am a product of government education in Minnesota. That is the bad news. The good news is that when I went to school, kids actually learned stuff. We were educated, not indoctrinated. Why bring this up? We were also taught back then to always look at the "big picture". To look at the total picture, instead of just one corner of it. That being said, what is being jammed down our throats right now with this mad dash to EV transportation - makes no sense. The numbers don't add up. And because of that, we are headed for a brick wall, at one hundred miles per hour.

FACT # 1 - As neat and nifty as EVs might appear to be, there is one fatal flaw. They don't produce their own energy. They store energy, which is produced somewhere else, but they don't make any. Because of that, we need to look back at our energy sources, to ensure that we can produce enough electricity to make these things run reliably. Right now, we don't have enough energy to power hundreds of thousands EV charging stations.

FACT # 2 - Minnesota is hell bent on becoming "carbon free" by 2040. That means good bye to fossil fuel energy, no matter how clean it is. It will also mean hello to windmills and solar. 2040 is only 17 years away. That means in 17 years, we need to get our windmills and solar to come up from the minor league of production, to a mainstay of electricity. Unless a miracle takes place, "that ain't gonna happen".

FACT # 3 - Where do we charge our EVs? This past summer, we bought an RV. When sitting in the driveway, we still use it. But it needs electricity. It has a 50 amp service (not uncommon). To plug it in, we needed to have a 50 amp service plug in the garage. By luck, our garage had enough juice in it to power a 50 amp service. That being said, it still cost over $1,250 for the material and labor to have the plug installed. If our garage did not have the excess capacity, it would have cost a whole lot more to install. 

FACT # 4 - Before we hit the brick wall, we need some adults in the room. In Minnesota, we need to stop this runaway train, and pepper it with some common sense. You really want an EV future without ANY fossil fuels? Than you better get the permits ready to put on a fast tract, for at least 3 new nuke plants. If we try and run this state on only renewables, we are headed for a trainwreck and bankruptcy. Don't think so? Then talk me down off this cliff.

Listening to the low lights of Slo Joe' speech last night, as well as reading the paper with what the socialists are trying to do in St. Paul, I was struck by a troublesome thought. Are we being governed by morons? Non-thinking robots? Cannot anyone in charge connect the dots? The energy future we are leaving for our kids and grandkids is bleak at best. Where is plan "B"? Plan "C"? Anything?

Then the reality really hit me. Biden was elected by a majority of voters (supposedly). Walz was re-elected by a majority of voters. People either didn't know or didn't care they were voting for morons. One day, when their electric bill is higher than their mortgage, and blackouts become common, the "blue pill" takers will wake up. But by then it will be too late. 

Biden said last night, "Our work is not yet finished". What work is that sir? The dismantling of America? Right now, many of us do not recognize our country. It is amazing what can be undone in only two years.    

And what if it was an EMP?

"Tonight will be the State of the Union. Will it be total gas-lighting? Or will there be some truth talk? The American people are in no mood for any more BS. This incursion into our national airspace was serious - about as serious as serious can be."

Wow! The BS is flowing fast and furious right now! And besides BS, more questions than answers. Did we see the balloon, or did we not? Could be have taken it down earlier, or could we not? Was it a weather balloon (as China said), or was it not? Was it a spy balloon? Was this the first time, or was there three others when Trump was President? Questions, questions, questions.

But here is the biggest question. One which is only asked in whispers. What if this balloon was not a weather balloon, nor a spy balloon? What if it was something far more menacing? Like, some kind of EMP device. Wait - what? We allowed this thing to float all the way across our country, not knowing if this thing contained an EMP device? What if it had? What if it detonated or activated over Kansas?

Many about my age, who have been in the military and understand EMPs, bristle when the subject of and EMP comes up. Why? This has been around for decades. We have known about it. We have known what this would do to our grid. We have known how to harden our grid. And yet - we have done nothing. 

Most people either don't know, or don't care to know, how badly things would be should we have an EMP event. Most would not fare well. Especially those who live in large cities. Picture this. Everything in your house or apartment not working. No lights, no water, no heat, no food, no transportation, no medicine, no nothing. Just slow death.

Now it is too late. The horse is out of the barn. Our grid is frail, and should any of the world's bad guys hit us with an EMP device, it would be the end. Our only hope is to keep any EMP devices away from our shores. Then we get back to last week. With the mystery balloon coming into Alaska's airspace, then over Canada, and then all the way over CONUS. All the way to the Carolinas. It is only by the grace of God that balloon was not deadly to us.

If you ever want to get a blank stare, ask your representative what our plans are should we suffer an EMP attack. He or she will have no good answers. Not even bad answers. I would suggest that folks bunker up, but if we are without power for a year or more, bunkering would be of limited value. 

Tonight will be the State of the Union. Will it be total gas-lighting? Or will there be some truth talk? The American people are in no mood for any more BS. This incursion into our national airspace was serious - about as serious as serious can be.

So, talk to us POTUS. Really talk to us. Tell us the truth, because believe it or not, we CAN handle the truth.   

 

 

Viet Nam - the western Pacific's random variable

"I would love to see the same with Viet Nam. They need and want our friendship - and our protection. When war starts in the region, our protection will be very important. Staying neutral might be all but impossible for those who reside in the area."

As I penned the other day, the sides are becoming more clearly defined in the western Pacific. The "big showdown" is expected somewhere between 2024 and 2027, between the United States and China. What happened over the weekend with the "slow boat from China" spy balloon, certainly has not helped matters much. The cornerstone of this coming dispute will of course, involve Taiwan. It will be a battle royal of today's good guys and bad guys, who reside in that western Pacific neighborhood. 

But there is a random variable. A country who only a few decades ago, was a mortal enemy of the United States. But time changes things. Time even heals old wounds. Viet Nam and the United States are now on very good terms. But so is China and View Nam, only not as good as they once were. Seems China's expansionism in the South China Sea is not going over well with Viet Nam. Not enough to break relationships, but certainly enough to strain them.

This is a time of great promise for United States/Viet Nam relations - if we don't screw it up. Right now we have two Coast Guard cutters that are being used in "joint base" operations with Viet Nam. There might be a third cutter coming soon. Why is this important? It seems that China's expansionist plans in the South China Sea know no boundaries. In other words, China has no interest in entertaining Viet Nam's claim to disputed islands. In the eyes of the ChiComs, the South China Sea is no more than a Chinese lake, and none of Viet Nam's business. 

I am very pleased that our relationship with Viet Nam has progressed to the place it is at. We had some very deep and painful scars to overcome. That being said, I would love to see our relationship totally eclipse the China/Viet Nam relationship. So much so, I would love to see a US base or two be established in Viet Nam. Now that - would really be a burr under China's saddle. 

Viet Nam has a lot to offer. I am reminded when I went to Tokyo in 1970. That was only 25 years after the end of World War II. How was I, an American treated by the Japanese? Like a long lost friend. Now the relationship between Japan and the United States could not be stronger. I would love to see the same with Viet Nam. They need and want our friendship - and our protection. When war starts in the region, our protection will be very important. Staying neutral might be all but impossible for those who reside in the area.

One final thought which is a bit off subject. Taiwan. What would be a good response to China's recent incursion in our airspace? Load up Taiwan with as much state of the art defense equipment as possible. Send a message to China, that if they want to take Taiwan, they are going to have to come over us first. 

Why is that important? Just like Ukraine might only be the first stepping stone for Russia in Europe, Taiwan might only be the first stepping stone for China in the western Pacific. We must always remember history - especially the most important lesson. Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.  

 

 

Friends and Enemies

"Even though the Chinese have threatened us over the loss of their balloon, they are laughing on the inside. Between Biden, Kerry, Blinken, Harris and others, dealing with us has been like playing poker with a blind man. We ooze weakness."

By now, we have all heard the BIG news! We finally, after long last, have shot down the Chinese spy satellite. Okay, so what. That took forever and a day. Plus, by the time we shot it down over our VACAPES area, the damage was done. This "wayward weather balloon" hit just about every military point of interest in the United States. The amount of information this spy balloon could have obtained by "loitering", is enormous. But let's move on, shall we?

Ever stop to ask the burning question about friendship? Like, are the Chinese our friends or enemies? They have threatened us for destroying their spy balloon. Blinken cancelled his trip to China to discuss (get ready for it) - climate change. If our administration were not such a bunch of naïve stooges, they would know something very important. The Chinese do not give a tinker's dam about climate change. They are only paying us lip service, so we will continue to unilaterally disarm. Disarm what? Our economy. 

I am going to type this out very slow, so the democrats and socialists get the drift. Listen up Earthlings: 

1) The Chinese are not our friends. They are preparing for war with us sometime between 2025 and 2027, when they invade Taiwan. Our generals know this.

2) Iran is not our friend. They are ready to go to war with both Israel and the United States. This very dumb idea of resurrecting the JCPOA with Iran was just that - a very dumb idea. If war comes between Israel and Iran, you can bet we will be part of it.

3) North Korea is not our friend. They will invade South Korea in a heartbeat, if they thought they could get away with it. They might even try to make a play for Japan. When war comes to the Korean Peninsula, it will ignite the entire region. Will the United States be involved? Bet your bottom dollar.

4) Russia is defiantly NOT our friend. In fact, only the most naïve could not see that we are at war with Russia right now, from a proxy perspective. Russia continues to be only inches away from an incursion into a NATO country, and then it will be game on. Europe will be in World War III, and we will be part of it. 

5) Here is one coming out of nowhere. Mexico is no longer a governing state. It is a narco- state, run by cartels. The warring factions of the cartels have come as far north as our southern border. Soon, that war will breach our border. We will then, be at war with the cartels. It will be bloody, it will be ugly. Is Mexico our friend? Not as long as they put up with having the drug cartels run their country. 

Even though the Chinese have threatened us over the loss of their balloon, they are laughing on the inside. Between Biden, Kerry, Blinken, Harris and others, dealing with us has been like playing poker with a blind man. We ooze weakness. We can't make a decision to save our lives. To quote a retired general yesterday, "we are always an hour late and a dollar short." 

Who are our friends? NATO. Australia. Japan. South Korea. The Philippines. India (sort of). Canada (maybe). Brazil (we hope so). Push is going to come to shove this decade. We better know who our friends are, and who are not. Right now, our current government seems to be very confused on this matter.     

Drums of war in the Western Pacific?

"Will that be it? Five new bases in the PI with a new base in Guam? My opinion? Not hardly. The more China pushes on us, the more we will push back. Viet Nam, who 50 years ago was an arch enemy, is now a friend and trading partner."

Last week, one of the more well know news pundits was asked what he thought the major news story of the week was. He listed a couple of candidates (and they were good ones). For me however, the biggest news story of the week was split between the Philippines and Guam. As Donald Trump would say, both stories were "Yuge"! So, here they are, ICYMI...

During the Viet Nam War, we just about wore out our welcome in the Philippines (PI). It was not our finest moment. In fact, many in the PI wanted us booted out of there, with our bases shuttered. Truthfully, once Viet Nam was over, and the Soviet empire fell, much of our military presence in the western Pacific was not as needed. But then came Chinese expansionism, and the threats on Taiwan. All of a sudden, living on the edge of the South China Sea became a dangerous place to be.

This week, the United States and the PI signed an agreement to allow the United States to establish five new military bases in the PI. This is beyond huge! This gives us a solid footprint in an area which is vulnerable to Chinese mischief. It will give us a "ying" to China's "yang" (so to speak). 

Most of the new bases will be air bases. However, the door has been left open for a future Marine Corps base. Unfortunately, Clark AFB and Subic are not the bases they once were, if needed to be brought back into the fray. However, there might be some new life breathed into both of them, should Chinese expansionism continue. In any event, this is a loud and very clear signal to China that we are still here, and ready to counter any unwanted mischief.

Besides the PI, Guam is also in the picture. How much are we concerned about China these days? For the first time in 70 years, we are opening up a new base is Guam. It will be a Marine Corps base, and is expected to house at least 5,000 troops when fully operational.

Will that be it? Five new bases in the PI with a new base in Guam? My opinion? Not hardly. The more China pushes on us, the more we will push back. Viet Nam, who 50 years ago was an arch enemy, is now a friend and trading partner. They are NOT fans of China, and I would not be surprised to see us get invited to open a military presence in Viet Nam. Or establish more of a presence in Australia. In any event, the stage is being set for something which could suck us into another war, half a globe away.

One final thought. That balloon which floated over our country, unchallenged and unimpeded. I think this might have been a message from China. If push comes to shove, all of the action might not be taking place in China's back yard. They might want to take the fight to us - on (or over) our shores. Just some musing... 

A prick for a prick?

"Why we are diddling around with this thing, is beyond me. Ever think this might be a Trojan Horse? Another present from Wuhan. Loaded with a zillion spores of Covid-23." 

Now what? A balloon? From China? Really? Doing what over our "Big Sky" country? I will give the ChiComs credit for one thing. They have owned up to the fact that this balloon, the size of three buses, belongs to them. Since it is bristling with antennas, we know for a fact it is a recon (spy) balloon. But the Chinese, thinking we are all gullible (we did, vote for Biden in numbers large enough to get him into the White House), have told us it was a "tourist vehicle". Huh?

So why spy on Montana? There is nothing out there, except for a good portion of our land based nukes, based in Malmstrom Air Force Base. Why in the world would a nuclear adversary have any interest in our nukes? Of course, their excuse that this is only a civilian transportation vehicle makes more sense - NOT!

Why we have not taken this unwelcomed and unwanted intruder out of our Montana sky by now, is typical of how the Biden administration works. We will turn this into a cluster, just like we did in our retreat from Afghanistan. What we should have done, is when we first spotted it (and determined it was from China), was to shoot it down. Call it a prick for a PRiCk. We then would have told the world we bagged a UAP (flying saucer). If, when it was on the ground, we found a couple of hundred of dead Chinese tourists, we would have apologized to China. If it was indeed a spy satellite, the ChiComs would have a whole lot of explaining to do. 

I think this is what the international experts call a provocation. If we had done that to China, they would have wet their pants - and then shot down our balloon. Why we are diddling around with this thing, is beyond me. Ever think this might be a Trojan Horse? Maybe another present from Wuhan? Loaded with a zillion spores of Covid-23. Or it could be a treasure trove of Chinese spy craft.

In any event, this should not take weeks to figure out. We need to act on this today. Either destroy it, capture it, or surveil it. Tell the Chinese the next time we see one of these things headed for our airspace, it will be space dust before they could say, "live long and prosper."

Stay tuned on this one folks. How this turns out will be interesting, for sure. What if Trump were President instead of Biden? My thinking is this balloon would be billion shreds of mylar by now. But Biden? Well, we all know the history of Biden and the Chinese...

 

Makers, takers, fakers and breakers

"For a society to grow and thrive, it needs makers. Lots and lots of makers. And what if there are not enough people who want to be makers? Just want to ride on the backs of the makers? Then we will be entering the end game of our society."

Oh boy. Is the Bird going to start talking about Elon Musk again? I am afraid so. Why Elon? As I have said before, Elon is but a handful of true "Captains of Industry" we have today. Unlike people like Bankman-Fried (faker) of FTX, who became rich over producing basically nothing, Elon Musk (maker) has become rich producing many items which will be of great value to mankind. And - my point is?

Today we seem to have four groups of people who inhabit our land. We have the makers, like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. They are the producers, the inventors, the game changers.

Then we have the rapidly growing class called the takers. They are the ones who latch on to the teats of society. The ones who produce nothing, but take as much from the makers that they possibly can.

After that, we have the fakers, like Bernie Madoff and Sam Bankman-Fried. They enrich themselves by producing a mirage. Fakes. Nothing-burgers.

Finally, we have the breakers. BLM, Antifa, the "revolution for the hell of it" crowd. They produce nothing, take what they need, and break the rest. Burn, destroy, kill and maim.

Thinking about this yesterday, gave me pause. Where are we today? I know when I first got out of school and started working, being a taker, faker or breaker was never in the equation. Most people my age wanted to be a maker of some type. Just contributing to the good in society. Doing the right thing. Being productive. But that was then, and this is now. Today, the easy street is so readily plowed and maintained for many young people, working is only an option. What to work? Fine. Don't want to work? That also is fine. 

For a society to grow and thrive, it needs makers. Lots and lots of makers. And what if there are not enough people who want to be makers? Just want to ride on the backs of the makers? Then we will be entering the end game of our society. The great and powerful United States, will go the way of other great and powerful empires.

Joe Biden, which way are you taking this country? Are we encouraging people to make and invent? Or are we encouraging more and more just to "ride in the wagon" which is pulled by others? Or, are we turning a blind eye when outlaws break things? Like, cashless bail?

These are very critical times. Our future depends on leadership. On our values. On our morality. Just saying...