When is education not the same as learning?

"Kids do know how to learn - they have been doing it for generations. But we have forgotten how to teach. And forgotten how to parent. With the three-legged barstool being the student, the teacher and the parent, two of the bar stool legs need to be fixed. Until that happens, expect more bad news and bad stats."  

Much has changed since I was a schoolboy many decades ago. For one thing, our education system taught us how to learn. And that was long before the days of the internet, Google, AI, or whatever. It was the days of the school or public library, books, and study. One would think that today, with almost all of the world's knowledge at the fingertips, today's kids would be sharper than tacks. But they are not. In fact, many, way too many - are failing.

The new national stats are out, and they are grim. Actually, almost inexplicable. The math scores did not decline anymore - but they are way too low to start with. But reading? Reading is as easy as falling off a log. And it went down EVEN FURTHER! How in the world?

I remember back when I was a defense contractor, we needed to make our tech manuals easy enough to read so an 8th grader could read them. I thought - wait - what?  There are no 8th graders who will be using this equipment. Why the 8th grade level? Because even back then, kids were not as sharp at reading as kids were during my era. I could not even imagine what grade level tech manuals would need to be written at today.

What will help our kids get back on track? Is there any help or hope? First off, get rid of the federal and state department of educations. They are not helping - if anything, they are hurting. They are a waste of space and money. Next, parents need to really be parents once again. Reading is a practiced skill. Math is a learned skill. After school, no screen time until homework is done. Homework needs to be a must. Parents need to enforce that. The only screentime which should be allowed is computer-based learning. Period. Full stop. Computer games and such should be the reward for 100% completion of homework and learning.

Finally (and this one is going to leave a bruise) - our school systems need a reclama. Start over. The current way we teach does not promote learning. How do I know? I don't. I just look at the statistics. Are kids capable of learning today? Absolutely. As the saying goes, when you find yourself in a ditch - stop driving. You will only stay in the ditch longer. We need to get out of the ditch we are in and stop our schools from becoming failure factories. 

Kids do know how to learn - they have been doing it for generations. But we have forgotten how to teach. And forgotten how to parent. With the three-legged barstool being the student, the teacher and the parent, two of the bar stool legs need to be fixed. Until that happens, expect more bad news and bad stats.  

   

Rendezvous in Venezuela

"What is the 'Trump factor'? Look around - you can see it every day. But pay close attention, as so much is going on, some of Trump's 'wins' might go un-noticed. But they are there. Each and every day." 

When Donald Trump is president, you dare not blink nor doze off. Why? More stuff happens in one day under Trump than happened under four years of Sleepy Joe. I do try and stay abreast of everything which is going on under Trump 47, but it is hard! Plus, we have had the unfortunate events of this week - two plane crashes. The one last night was just as horrific as the one at Reagan airport, only in a different way. The old saying is that plane crashes always happen in threes - I sure hope this time it is wrong.

For example, what is happening today? Or happened yesterday? We have the first American hostage released from Gaza. I saw it on the news, and he did not look very well. He was gaunt and appeared as if he had just spent over 400 days in some kind of hell. Doug Burgum, the former North Dakota governor, was sworn in as the new Interior Secretary. Thank goodness, as the one they had under Biden was a true nut ball. Plus today is the first day the Canada/Mexico/China tariffs take effect.

But the story which almost fell off the news cycle was indeed a peach. Donald Trump sent Rick Granell down to Venezuela to bring some American prisoner's home. Wait - what American prisoners? They ones we had not heard of when Sleepy Joe was president. Why did Trump send Granell? Because Rick Granell is tried and tested. He is Trump's right-hand man on the real tough stuff. That is why Trump gave Rick Granell the title of Special Presidental Envoy for Special Missions.

Wow! To get six American released from this tyrant in Venezuela! I bet Granell had to go down with a boat load of cash to exchange for them. Nope - not a cent. How about a prisoner exchange? Nope - nada. He went down there and had a meeting with Maduro to discuss the issue of getting our people back. He also told Maduro we would be returning his people shortly (Tren de Aragua gang members). The specifics which were discussed between Granell and Maduro is not known at this time. All we know is when Rick left the meeting, he told Maduro, "I will be in my plane for an hour. Then we are leaving." 

Before the hour was up, a car pulled up by Granell's plane and the six Americans got out. Just like that. No laborious and time-consuming negotiations, no prisoner exchange, no money, just the "Trump factor". Chalk up another win for Donald Trump. Another win for America. 

Meanwhile, back in Mexico, the socialist president is still trying to convince Google to rename the United States on their maps to pay us back for renaming the Gulf of America. Sorry Mexico - you are late to the party. Donald Trump already got the win on the renaming issue.

What is the "Trump factor"? Look around - you can see it every day. But pay close attention, as so much is going on, some of his "wins" might go un-noticed. But they are there. Each and every day. 

Loving the unlovable (as in Democrats)

"I won't even go into what they tried to do to Tulsi. They treated her like she was Benedict Arnold for switching parties. And after switching, then she wants to go to work for the hated Donald Trump!" 

Blood pressure low? Want to raise it up a few notches? Then watch (if you have the time), the confirmation hearings. Each and every member of the socialists (once called the Democrat Party), act like buttholes when questioning a candidate. That includes our own Ms. Amy. I mean, I am all for advice and consent. It is a good process. Many times, when under a Democrat administration, Republicans will peel off and vote for the candidate, no matter how weird or flawed they are. But Democrats? They stick together like Gorilla Glue and are six shades of rude in the process.

The new strategy is to really cut into Trump's first 100 days by slow walking approvals. Look at Pam Bondi - still not confirmed, even though she went through the meat grinder many days ago. The new Senate Leader (Senator Thune) has so much as told Schumer and his cronies, "FAFO". These lefties may think they have the upper hand right now, but they do not. They might forget who they are up against. Donald Trump has faced every obstacle imaginable and has become savvy and hardened in the process. 

As time as gone on, I respect Bobby Kennedy more and more. I think he would be a wonderful add in Trump's cabinet. But the Democrats, the den of vipers they have turned out to be, are taking this wonderful man and trying to have him appear like Satan. One strategy the Dems used yesterday was talking over him, as they all know about Bobby's voice. You could just see the frustration on his face many times over. The Kennedy family was almost like royalty for a while in this country. Now some are treated like used toilet paper - by their own!

Kash Patel, this son of Indian immigrants, career law enforcement and prosecutor, is an American success story. If his story does not move you, maybe you need to take a second look. But to the Democrats, he might as well be wearing a Nazi uniform. The vipers (especially the now Senator Schiff), tried over and over again to make Kash look like a cop hater. That he supported any abuse Capitol police might have suffered on Jan 6th. Plus - Kash was behind the parole of all Jan 6th hostages. They took this very good man and tried to dust him up - badly. It was disgusting. 

I won't even go into what they tried to do to Tulsi. They treated her like she was Benedict Arnold for switching parties. And after switching, then she wants to go to work for the hated Donald Trump! She is a career Army Officer and holds the rank of LTC. I am telling you - these people. But I have vented enough. Suffice it to say that most Democrats don't know the words to "Proud to be an American."

The Bible tells us to love everyone - even the unlovable. Maybe that is why we have Democrats around - to test us. To see if we can indeed love the unlovable. I guess I fail that test more than I like to admit.  

 

When planes fall...

"When planes fall, they are not supposed to. Accidents are not supposed to happen. Our skies should be safe and regulated by our air traffic control system. Whose fault was the crash last night? To be determined." 

It is hard to believe it has happened again. A plane crash on the Potomac River, as a plane was coming in for a landing at Reagan Airport. I have flown into and out of Reagan (National) hundreds of times. I have landed in snow, thunderstorms, fog, as well as beautiful weather. 

Why did I travel to Washington so much? When I was a defense contractor, that is where the customer usually was. I flew there in the 70's when I worked at Sperry Univac. I flew there in the 80's when I worked for Control Data. And I flew there in the 90's when I worked for United Defense. Plus, I flew there from time to time when I was in the Naval Reserve. 

It is a sketchy airport to fly into and out of. Most experienced travelers will tell you that. However, at his presser this morning, the newly minted Transportation Secretary (Sean Duffy) said when you fly in this country, you should expect to fly safely and arrive safely at your destination. That did not happen last night. A catastrophic plane collision happened, between a Black Hawk chopper (Army) and a passenger jet. All were lost. 

One of my more memorable trips to Washington DC was in 1982, right after the Air Florida crash. As we were coming in for a landing, crews were still pulling parts of the downed jet out of the Potomac. It was an eerie sight to say the least. Many people died, just trying to take off in bad weather and making it to the warmer skies of Florida. The plane never made altitude, hit a bridge over the Potomac, and crash landed in those murky waters. It was horrible. And maybe preventable.

When planes fall, they are not supposed to. Accidents are not supposed to happen. Our skies should be safe and regulated by our air traffic control system. Whose fault was the crash last night? To be determined. It will be a baptism by fire for Pete Hegseth at Defense and Sean Duffy at Transportation. Both barely had a chance to sit down at their new desks, and then this happened. And the families, those grieving families. Horrible. 

We will clean this up. We will find the victims, bury them, and then honor them. But we must learn from this accident. This must never happen again. Ever. A pilot once told me, when you fly a passenger jet, you have zero margin for error. That means the pilots, the mechanics, the air traffic controllers - everybody. Last night, the zero margin for error somehow failed.  

The pain of a swinging pendulum

"What is President Trump trying to do? Keep the 'salad' only the 'salad', and any dressing can be added by the states. That is what decentralization is all about. Keeping the main thing the main thing. It is time for the federal government to back off, and for the states to step up."

America is suffering right now. Well, not really. But some stalwarts on the left are. Why? All of a sudden, we have a president who is not a politician. A president who will do what he promised to do while on the campaign trail. A president who told us that our overindulgence at the troth of government spending will lead to our demise. A president who promised to cut federal spending - and is now doing it. Time to take some medicine America - our gluttony stage, our dependence stage on federal dollars is now going to get a much-needed haircut.

Whereas Joe Biden treated our federal tax money like it was play money, Donald Trump is acting more like a "Daddy" to the reckless spenders. What does that mean? It simply means the days of faux wine and roses are over. The days of responsibility are upon us. Or to really break this down to the rawest of terms - the pendulum is swinging back, and it is painful to some.

Back when education was truly learning, many of us learned what the basic and most important function of the federal government is. The common defense of the states. Bingo. That is the "salad", and everything else is just dressing on the "salad". But why is spending on the common defense so important these days? Isn't the Cold War over? Here are some points to ponder:

• Our electric grid is a mess. It is outdated and vulnerable. Part of our common defense is to invest in making our grid robust, dependable and immune from EMP events. Why? A serious EMP event, natural or unnatural, could kill off most of our population.
• Even though the Cold War is over, bad guys still exist. If one of these rogue nations decided to launch a nuke at one of our cities, we probably would not have the time nor the technology to stop it. After seeing what some wildfires did to LA, could you imagine what a nuke could do to a large city? Investing in an Iron Dome and a more robust Ground Based Interceptor program is a VERY important part of our common defense.
• Having more AEGIS type ships off the coast of our country is vital in the age of hypersonic missiles. Why? They are fast and hard to defend against. A hypersonic missile hitting one of our cities could be disastrous. This is also vital to our common defense to have the right kind of technology to defeat them.
• The bad guys of the world would love to get inside our infrastructure to cause mayhem and failures. Winning without firing a shot. Having a well trained and equipped cyber security force within our armed forces to guard against cyber attack, is a vital and important part of our common defense. 

What is listed above is just a partial list of what our federal government should be responsible for. Period. States, which in the past have deferred to the federal government the job of financially taking care of them - need to step up. The best way to have better stewards of our tax money is decentralization. Why? The dollars become much more real the closer they get to the kitchen table. Fact. Full stop.

What is President Trump trying to do? Keeping the "salad" only the "salad", and any dressing can be added by the states. That is what decentralization is all about. Keeping the main thing the main thing. It is time for the federal government to back off, and for the states to step up. I know - getting the needle out of the arm is not easy - but necessary.

Buck up America - what you are seeing right now is what we voted for. We are starting the twelve-step program to financial sobriety.  

 

   

How to explain the "Trump Bump"

"What is Trump's legacy going to be? Already, we can see the first few chapters being written. But I have said this since his first term. Trump's lasting legacy will be teaching our country what real leadership looks like. What real leadership acts like. Trump's shadow will continue to be cast over America long after he is gone. That is his legacy. That - is the 'Trump Bump'."

It has been just over a week now, since we have had Trump 2.0 take over the White House. Actually, he has taken over all of Washington DC. Okay, okay - Donald Trump has taken over the entire country. What or how has he done it? On his best day, Joe Biden never had a fraction of the juice that Donald Trump has. Everything is changing (for the better I might add). Nothing is the same as it was prior to Jan 20, 2025. Many call the huge changes in our country the "Trump Bump". I am one of those people.

Yesterday, President Trump signed a flurry of executive orders - mostly about defense. Orders to re-instate the 8,000 who were wrongly kicked out of the service due to refusal to take the Covid shot. He also signed an order eliminating DEI in the service. And an order stating we need a new procedure on how to handle transgenders in the military. But the boldest one (in my book), is authorizing the construction of an "Iron Dome" over the country - similar (but much bigger) than the one Israel has.

What then, is this "Trump Bump"? How can it be explained? How can Donald Trump staple so many wins together in one week? Or longer? Here is my take on this issue. Donald Trump has unique DNA. He knows how to smell a deal, how to win the deal. He always knows where the cards on the table, and who is holding what kind of hand. Whereas Joe Biden would wander around, not really knowing where he was at half the time, Donald Trump has a built in GPS. He knows exactly where he is, and where he needs to go. 

Trump, the multi-tasker, backed down the President of Columbia while playing a round of golf. Where the President of Columbia may have thought he had the best of Trump, he soon found out he did not. Now Columbia will be accepting their people when they are flown back home, compliments of the US Military. Many think that the use of tariffs is heavy handed, but just the threat of tariffs seems to work well for our President.

Who better to usher in the Golden Age of America? Under President Trump's leadership, each week, every week, will be one of amazing change and progress. People thought the Great Reset was something that Biden would try and impose on our country. He tried, but it only wounded and weakened our country. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is going to reset everything to make it bigger, better and most importantly - greater. 

What is Trump's legacy going to be? Already, we can see the first few chapters being written. But I have said this since his first term. Trump's lasting legacy will be teaching our country what real leadership looks like. What real leadership acts like. Trump's shadow will continue to be cast over America long after he is gone. That is his legacy. That - is the "Trump Bump".   

Once again, fixing the broken...

"Getting our 8,000 troops back in the service will be a big win for everybody. Once again, President Trump is doing the right thing. Fixing the broken is Trump's forte - his passion. And he is good at it. To the returning troops, I say this - welcome back my brothers and sisters! You are not only welcomed but also needed."  

Today is a big day, if you are a vet or have the heart for those who serve. President Trump is going to sign an executive order which will reinstate 8,000 service members were kicked out of the service for refusing to take "the jab". Not only will President Trump offer to let them return, but also to come back at their same rank and with BACK PAY! This was a huge injustice which will now be fixed.

What are the small details on how this will work? Welcome to the DOD, Secretary Hegseth - this will be yours to figure out. But that is okay - Pete will be happy to be a part of the fix to this vexing issue that President Biden left us. What else will be on the new Secretary of Defense's plate? Recruitment - last year we were down 40,000 to our quotas. Also, retention. Getting rid of the DEI nonsense will help with that.

One of the problems that both Hegseth and Trump will have going forward, is the same issue Reagan had when he became president. Because of the remiss in maintaining our defense forces under Carter, Reagan had to spend a lot of money to get our services (especially our Navy) back up to where they should be. Trump and Hegseth will have the same problem. The taxpayers might get an eye-opener when they see how much this is going to cost. But we need to do it.

One more thing that Pete Hegseth needs to figure out ASAP. The 1,500 troops sent to the southern border. Whenever troops are deployed domestically (other than the National Guard), it is a thin line to walk. Why? This is something our troops are not really trained for. They are trained to be warriors. On the southern border, they will be acting more like law enforcement. What will be the dos and don'ts for these brave men and women? I think we will find out shortly. 

I remember clearly how Reagan fixed out military. He had a vision and followed that vision to strength. Peace through strength. He had the Soviets so cowed, that when Reagan announced Star Wars (SDI), they fell for it. Plus, we did get our 600 ship Navy. The table was now set for the Cold War to end.

As an aside, I was working at the Control Data Company during Reagan's time. It was the busiest I was in my entire career. It seemed like we were bidding on everything coming down the road from Washington. Even though it was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun. 

Getting our 8,000 troops back in the service will be a big win for everybody. Once again, President Trump is doing the right thing. Fixing the broken is Trump's forte - his passion. And he is good at it. To the returning troops, I say this - welcome back my brothers and sisters! You are not only welcomed but also needed.  

   

"Strange things did happen here..."

"Nobody likes a good yarn better than I do. But a story is only a story. Then there are lies. Coverups. Disceptions. This 'Dawning of the Golden Age of America' should also include the light of truth. All things previously unknown to us, excluding matters of national security, should now be known. We can handle the truth. We need the truth."   

Now that it is out with the old, and in with the new, I am getting the sense that what was happening in our capitol city was not always normal or explainable. In fact, I am reminded of that lyric in the song from the Hunger Games - "Strange things did happen here". President Trump, as well as the people he has picked for his government, are committed to disinfect Washington DC, so all secrets may be told. All the nonsense from the Biden administration may be revealed. Why? We the people, are owed that.

I think it is wonderful that President Trump has declassified the JFK, RFK and MLK assassinations. It is about time. But there is more. What about the Epstein's Island log? The "Lolitta Express"? If there was trafficking going on there, pedophilia happening there, we need to know. Even if it involves the "rich and powerful" in America and abroad. Plus, we want to know 100% of what was on Hunter's laptop. All of it - even if it contains the most shameful of things.

Covid - 19. The great mystery disease, which killed millions worldwide. Costs trillions of dollars in damages. We want to know the entire story. Wuhan Lab. Gain of function research. Why is this so important to know, other than to punish the guilty? Because we need to know if something even more nefarious was going on. Like, was this disease being engineered to only kill people of a certain race? Like us? China needs to come clean on this. Fucci needs to come clean in this. 

UAPs. We have come a long way since blaming what is happening up in our skies on swamp gas or city lights. We now have photographic proof (even by the Navy) that "something" is using our skies who should not be there. We want to know everything - the good, the bad and the ugly. No more guessing, no more conspiracy theories - just the truth. This would also include the underwater "things" in the ocean which can travel hundreds of miles per hour and then pop out of the ocean and fly away. Threat or no threat - we want to know. We need to know.

Nobody likes a good yarn better than I do. But a story is only a story. Then there are lies. Coverups. Disceptions. The "Dawning of the Golden Age of America" should also include the light of truth. All things previously unknown to us, excluding matters of national security, should now be known. We can handle the truth. We need the truth.   

Help, from coast to coast

"BTW - in the midst of all this travel from coast to coast, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary (Pete Hegseth) got confirmed by the Senate. He should be sworn in this morning. Next up - probably Kristie Noem for DHS. Oh, yes - FEMA comes under DHS. I am sure Kristie will have fun fixing (or ending) that train wreck." 

Some people refer (in an affectionate way) to Donald Trump as the "Energizer Bunny". For a guy in his late 70's, his energy is beyond remarkable. Yesterday, in the midst of trying to get settled in as POTUS 47, President Trump decided he was needed to see the two "train wrecks" in our country. The four months old, unfixed disaster in western North Carolina left by Hurricane Helene, and then the still burning city of Los Angeles. In one day, mind you.

Even though the picture above is probably a fake, I love it for its symbolism. Donald Trump is not a spectator when people in this country are hurting. He could have waited and visited North Carolina yesterday and then scheduled a trip to LA sometime next week. But that is not how Trump rolls. He knows the people in both locations needed help NOW, and he wanted to get on top of both of them. Plus - he needed to have a stern talk with the LA mayor and the CA governor about using the powers they have. Not waiting for the red tape to clear. People on both coasts need help NOW.

Donald Trump also took a swipe at FEMA. This organization, established by Jimmy Carter, was for civil defense (like in a nuke attack), and disaster preparedness. It has a long time ago, outlived any semblance to either charter. It is a wreck and a maze of bureaucratic crip crap. It is a waste of space and taxpayer dollars. Is there any hope to fix FEMA before it becomes a target of DOGE? Yes - have it reform itself to be more like Frankin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse. 

Donald Trump has a very simple view on government. By the people and for the people. Once government becomes nothing but a load to bear, it is time to fix it or cut it. And to tell the current POTUS that things can't happen immediately because to some foolish regulation - is the wrong story to tell. When government works smoothly and swiftly, Donald Trump will take notice and give kudos. When government is nothing more than an expensive millstone around the neck of the taxpayers - Donald Trump will want to fix it or end it.

BTW - in the midst of all this travel from coast to coast, Trump's pick for Defense Secretary (Pete Hegseth) got confirmed by the Senate. He should be sworn in this morning. Next up - probably Kristie Noem for DHS. Oh, yes - FEMA comes under DHS. I am sure Kristie will have fun fixing (or ending) that train wreck. 

  

The wonderful world of Donald Trump

"Welcome back President Trump. We missed your world of 'get er' done' and 'make it happen'. You are a breath of fresh air, and with you in charge, we know our country is in good shape. As good as you were as POTUS 45, you are ten times better as POTUS 47."    

Many years ago, when I was working for a fast-moving company, the General Manager always had a saying - "If we don't progress every day, if we stand still for a day, we actually have gone backwards." Welcome to the world of Donald Trump. Each day, every day, is a day to get stuff done. To kick the can down the road. This is the total opposite of how Joe Biden operated. Take it easy, take lots of vacations, sleep many hours, and let the Chinese eat our lunch. Donald Trump gets more real work done in the morning than Biden did in a month of Sundays.

Yesterday, Donald Trump virtually addressed the rich and powerful in Davos. He pulled no punches. "If you build a product, you should build it in America. We will offer you the lowest taxes in the world. If, however, you build you product outside of America and then want to sell your product to America, you will pay us a tariff." This was not a threat - it was a promise. Trump did not say this out of malice, only conviction. And just like that, Stellantis has decided to build the new Dodge Durango in Detroit, and a new midsized truck in the now idled Belvidere plant in Illinois. 

Today, Trump is going on his first trip as POTUS 47. He will be visiting the carnage in North Carolina. Remember that one? Hurricane Helene which did not know how to stop? Made it all the way up into the mountains of North Carolina and did all kinds of damage. What did Biden and his FEMA do to help? Not much. Trump and Franklin Graham did visit the damage and brought some relief supplies. Plus, Trump vowed to return. Today, Donald Trump is making good on that promise. Not so much as a visitor, but as a fixer.

After President Trump spends some time with the folks in North Carolina, he will get back in Air Force One and head west to California. Southern California is a real mess right now, and unlike North Carolina, much of what happened in California was preventable. But the blame game can come on another day. Today, the current president will be the ameliorator in chief. In other words, how can Trump help restore the burned and broken, and more importantly, how can we ensure this WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! 

Gavin Newsom has decided to meet Donald Trump on the tarmac. When asked if President Trump would like to talk to Newsom, Trump said it all depends. If Newsome wants to discuss how to bring water down to SoCal from the north, they will have much to discuss. If, however, Newsom does not, and only wants to ask for money, their discussions will be very brief. If Newsom was a poker player, he would know his hand has only a pair of deuces, and Trump has a full house.

Welcome back President Trump. We missed your world of "get er' done" and "make it happen". You are a breath of fresh air, and with you in charge, we know our country is in good shape. As good as you were as POTUS 45, you are ten times better as POTUS 47.    

Is DEI now DOA?

                                    

"Donald Trump wants our nation to be known for common sense. DEI is the antithesis of common sense. It is evil. No more shall DEI ever rule our land. We shall be, as we once were, a merit-based society. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you for putting an end to this madness."    

Did you hear the huge sigh of relief which went out over the fruited plains yesterday at close of business? Per one of President Trump's executive orders, all DEI in the federal government had to end. Anyone who worked in DEI needed to punch out and go home. All the DEI government web sites needed to go bye-bye. The long nightmare of excluding merit and embracing race, creed and sexual preference - was over. It is about ding-dang time.

A quick story. Many years ago, I worked with a woman who was wicked smart. She and I became good professional friends at a company we both worked at, so when she accepted a position at another company, she invited me to come along. She came up the path of hard knocks - no degree and no pedigree. But she did know how to work long and hard. As kind and nice as she was, what would really get her blood boiling was when someone asked if she got her position because she was a woman. A quota. An affirmative action hire. She wanted to be accepted because of her merit, but because of equity programs, there was always a dark cloud hanging over her.  

What Joe Biden tried to do with equity and DEI was to shove it down our throats sideways. Make us like it. Make us think it was the norm, no matter how offensive it was. The infuriating thing was it even crept into our armed forces. Then what happened? Retention went down. Recruiting went down. Morale went down. All of a sudden, our entire federal government was a mess.

If Kamala had won the election, there is no telling where this DEI thing would have ended up. Just when you thought things could not get more bizarre - they did. Biden and Harris made a mockery out of our government. Out of our nation. But they went too far. The huddled masses rose up on election day and said with a collective voice - ENOUGH! Donald Trump got the message. Day one of his new term he was going to end DEI. And he did. 

Donald Trump wants our nation to be known for common sense. DEI is the antithesis of common sense. It is evil. No more shall DEI ever rule our land. We shall be, as we once were, a merit-based society. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you for putting an end to this madness.    

Behold! The age of AI has arrived!

"The Golden Age of America is unfolding right before our eyes. As I said last year, if you love change or are a change agent, you will love the second half of the "roaring twenties". And if you love energy, anything and everything from fossil fuels to alternate to nuclear - you are in luck. We are about to be awash in energy.  With AI, we will need all of it."  

The race is on! It is really between China and the USA. But China is willing to throw everything at the development of AI, including the kitchen sink. Then out of the blue, Donald Trump wins the last election. All of a sudden, many of the techno-kings from Silcon Valley are playing nice with President Trump. Elon Musk is in Trump's orbit. Suddenly, President Trump has an announcement to make. Something about an infrastructure deal. A HUGE deal. Then the bomb dropped.

Trump holds a presser yesterday afternoon. In attendance were Larry Ellison (Oracle), Sam Altman (OpenAI), and Masayoshi Son (Softbank). Together, they are going to invest in and set up a series of gargantuan AI data centers called the Stargate Project. The first one is already under construction in Texas. How much money is it going to take to get these data centers up and running? About a half a trillion dollars. Most of all of which, will be fronted by Softbank. 

This is going to change the landscape of American business. AI is the future. AI will help us treat and maybe cure cancer. AI will be the key to our future in so many things. When Masayoshi (Masa) got up to speak, he simply said this deal could not have happened without Donald Trump as president. Why? Trump is a visionary, just like Ellison, Altman and Masa are. Plain and simple truth.

But wait a minute! What about Grok? Elon Musk's AI computer? This is where it gets very interesting. Right now, Grok is one of the biggest and fastest AI computers around. That is the way Elon wanted it to be. And in true Elon fashion, he wanted his own AI computer, rather than being dependent on someone else's computer. My opinion? The more the merrier, so long as they are all USA types. This can do nothing but make us stronger and more competitive.

A footnote to this story. AI development is already on the speedway. Right now, we are on the verge of going from AI to AGI. That will be a huge jump in technology. Sam Altman, who is on the Stargate team, is probably the smartest person on the planet with AI. He feels we are close to AGI. Why AGI? For example, it will make your smart phone brilliant. It will change most everything. And we should have AGI long before Trump's term is up. 

The Golden Age of America is unfolding right before our eyes. As I said last year, if you love change or are a change agent, you will love the second half of the "roaring twenties". And if you love energy, anything and everything from fossil fuels to alternate to nuclear - you are in luck. We are about to be awash in energy.  With AI, we will need all of it.  

  

What was once done, has now been undone...

 

"Joe Biden needs to understand one very important thing. This was not just Trump being mean and vindictive. It was the country speaking. The vote in November's election was a complete rejection, repudiation of Biden-omics. Biden took us down a dark tunnel, and if Harris had won the election, that tunnel might have ended up in mayhem and disaster."

Part of me felt a bit bad for Sleepy Joe during Trump's inauguration speech. A small part of me. A much larger part of me, however, did not care that Joe was dying a thousand deaths listening to Donald Trump talk about how hosed up Biden has left the country. Why do I say that? I am one of the millions of Americans who are on fixed income and really took it in the shorts when Biden jacked the price of stuff we need to live on by over 20%. Yes, I am bitter about that. It was all so unnecessary. But Donald Trump the businessman, the pragmatist, will fix what is fixable.

The Democrats tried just about everything during the past eight years to make Donald Trump's life a living hell. Shortly after Biden was sworn in, Biden had executive order on top of executive order, undoing all the good that Trump had done during his first term. This was painful for Donald Trump, as he knew what Biden was doing would be harmful to people like me. But Biden did not care. Biden's executive orders were just the first of many harmful and hurtful things he did in his four years in office.

Yesterday, it was Trump's turn to administer "death by a thousand cuts" to Biden's legacy. Was Trump gentle about it? Not really. Was he mean about it? Maybe a bit. But he was factual. Every executive order he wrote which was a reversal to Biden's Green Build Back Better, was brutally tough for Biden and Harris to witness. After watching this for a while, I turned to my wife and reminded her that it sucks to lose. For a prize as sweet as being president of this great nation, winning is very sweet, and losing has a very bitter taste. 

Joe Biden needs to understand one very important thing. This was not just Trump being mean and vindictive. It was the country speaking. The vote in November's election was a complete rejection, repudiation of Biden-omics. Biden took us down a dark tunnel, and if Harris had won the election, that tunnel might have ended up in mayhem and disaster.

As the helicopter whisked the Biden and Harris teams away from Washington yesterday, I really did have no feelings at all. Maybe I was just empty. What a waste of four years. What a waste not allowing the American people to live out their dreams. The immature part of me wanted to say something like, "See yaw - would not want to be yaw". Maybe I will just leave it at that.   

 

Anything else going on today?

"Today is the day. We have waited for it. We have longed for it. Now it is time to enjoy it. Welcome to the Golden Age of America." 

Man, oh man! Is there anything else we can pack into one day in January? First off, today is a federal holiday. MLK day. The federal offices are closed, and the kiddos are off school (again). The flags have still been at half-mast due to the death of Jimmy Carter. It is the coldest morning in over two years (-19 at my house). The first three Israeli hostages have been released. The nefarious Tic Toc app has been turned back on. And one more thing - today is the day we get a new president. A normal president. A great president.

I watch the "pre-party" yesterday (as well as the playoff games). It was better than festive. Having the Village People perform at the end was a touch of class. Today, because of this temporary Polar Vortex, all events will be held indoors in Washington. A disappointment to some, but the safety for everyone is paramount. It all starts at noon with VP Vance taking the oath, followed by President Trump. Then the fun starts.

It seems there has been some kind of backup in getting the necessary stuff done at the nation's capital. The number of executive orders has grown from 100 to 200. All of them are to be signed today or tomorrow. As much as President Trump would like to sign all of them today, he might just get writer's cramp and leave some for tomorrow! Tom Homan has his ICE troops at the ready, and they will start the real work as soon as Trump takes the oath. The days of waiting are over - the days of doing are upon us.

Those on the dark side who already miss Dark Biden, remember this - into this dark room a light will shine. Things will not be bad for the next four years - actually, they will be pretty good. Make that really good. Abandon this Biden fixation and come over to the brighter side. You will be welcomed. The Democrat dream is now nothing more than a nightmare. No moral compass - no nothing. I would like to say it was good while it lasted, but that would be a lie. 

Today is the day. We have waited for it. We have longed for it. Now it is time to enjoy it. Welcome to the Golden Age of America. 

"Old Yeller", gets put outside the house tomorrow

"Now go Joe - quietly into the night. I know it will be hard for you, but please try. Tomorrow at noon, we begin the time of Trump, once again. You can go sit in your corner and continue to hate him with all of your heart, but Trump will be great, once again. Tomorrow starts MAGA Joe - and there is nothing you can do to stop it."  

It is like getting a million bucks and getting rid of a lingering disease on the same day. News flash to Joe Biden - you may think you have been all that and a bag of chips, but you have been anything but. You are a one-man wrecking ball. You are a liar. You promised us you would be something totally different if we elected you, and you turned out to be Karl Marx instead. You took this great nation and tried to turn it into toilet paper. Well Joey boy - those days are just about over. Tonight, will be your last chance to sleep in the White House. 

Word has it that Donald Trump has his stack of executive orders all ready to go. Once we get the Biden's off campus, the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office will be put the way it once was. The orders will be on Trump's desk, ready to sign. Tom Holman will be in the field with his ICE Agents, ready to go to work. The oil well diggers will be primed and ready to go. It will be like somebody turned the switch on. Dark Biden out - the Golden Age of America begins. All that in just a few short hours.

Government workers who have been living the life of ease and pleasure should be very worried today. Tomorrow starts their new reality. Working at home, short hours, political discord - those days are gone. Tomorrow, there will be no driftwood allowed. Work or leave. Toe the line or find another line someplace else. Nothing will be safe in the world of our federal government. Change agents will be everywhere, righting wrongs and fighting waste, fraud and abuse.

Why couldn't Joe have done some of that? Hard to work when you are constantly on vacation. Even harder to work when you are napping. No, Old Yeller's entire world was to hate Trump and find the White Supremist types who don't exist (except in Joe's mind). Joe Biden has been the speed bump on the highway to progress. He has been the grease stain on a clean tablecloth. 

Now go Joe - quietly into the night. I know it will be hard for you, but please try. Tomorrow at noon, we begin the time of Trump, once again. You can go sit in your corner and continue to hate him with all of your heart, but Trump will be great, once again. Tomorrow starts MAGA Joe - and there is nothing you can do to stop it.  

Now it is Main Street's turn

"People are hurting out here in the hinterland. Especially those who are on fixed income. Reagan, and now Trump, were and are concerned that our raising tide lifts all boats. Under Biden's inflation, many of those boats have been taking on water. Some even sank."

What is the matter, Bird? Don't you like the galloping stock market? Sure do. Except for one thing. Main Street was left in the dust the past four years. Stuff got very expensive, and many wages did not keep up with this unnecessary inflation. The Democrat Party, recently led by the fading Joe Biden, did not seem to give a damn. Not a bit. But the new hero of the working class, Donald J. Trump, got the message loud and clear. Keep Wall Street strong, but at the same time, make Main Street even stronger.

First, a bit of realism. The 20% increase in prices for things we need might be with us for a long time. Maybe forever. Trump will do his deal level best to whittle that down, but truthfully - the most he can do this year is keep slowing the rate of inflation. That being said, Trump IS empowered, along with a friendly Congress, in fixing some income tax issues. Like, no federal income tax on Social Security. No income tax on tips. No income tax on overtime. Making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent (this one is huge).

Another idea whose time may have come, is the establishment of an External Revenue Service. In other words, money which is gleamed from tariffs, and not our income. What many don't know is our income tax did not start in earnest until 1913. Besides a short period of income tax in the late 1800's to pay for Civil War reconstruction, a permanent income tax did not start until 1913. If you were rich back then, you were asked to pay your fair share - 5% of your income. Today, I would take that deal in a New York minute!

People are hurting out here in the hinterland. Especially those who are on fixed income. Reagan, and now Trump, were and are concerned that our raising tide lifts all boats. Under Biden's inflation, many of those boats have been taking on water. Some even sank. The first step in making America great again, is making American families stronger again. Fixing our burdensome tax system is a great place to start.

Rome was not built in a day, but fixing the broken in our country, just might. How so? Trump's incoming press secretary said that President Trump has 100 executive orders ready to sign on the afternoon of January 20th. Many of which are to reverse much of the nonsense that Biden signed orders on. That will be a great start. Drill, baby, drill - will help all of us. It will help our country to be stronger. 

The time for talk is about over. The time for action starts on Monday. The Golden Age of America starts on Monday. It is almost time folks - now we are down to just a few hours to wait. 

Weekend forecast - Monday, a return to normal

"What is the real weather forecast? Cold and colder yet. But who cares? Having Donald Trump back in the White House will warm the cockles of many a heart. MAGA is back in town, and Dark Biden is still out there, looking for Corn Pop. Why? That is the world Biden still lives in."

Our last weekend of living under the tyranny of Slow Joe Biden. I swear, he might have to be pulled out of the White House kicking and screaming. Why? He has a case of stolen valor. Even though he sucked as a POTUS, he wants us to think he was as good or better than Donald J. Trump. In reality, he will be remembered as the placeholder between 45 and 47 - and a crappy placeholder at that!

Today, the decision was made to move Monday's ceremony indoors. Smart move. This has not been done since 1985 - when Ronald Reagan was president. That is just one of the many things these fine two men have in common. Soon, very soon, Joe Biden will only be a footnote in history. All the garb and dysfunction he created will be undone by a blizzard of Executive Orders signed by President Trump. The skies will start to get sunny almost immediately. 

America has been richly blessed to have had two presidents like Reagan and Trump. I have been equally as blessed being an adult during both of their terms. Even though different in style, their passion for America and American results are equal. Peace through strength is their anthem. A rising tide lifting all boats could be their motto. Starting Monday, Americans will be more joyful. Most of the free world will be more peaceful. The Golden Age of America will have started!

Will there be bumps in the road? Always are. But they will be managed and managed well. Will Trump get all of his cabinet picks approved? Maybe - if not all, most of them. It will be an awesome cabinet with some of America's best filling them. Unlike the circus that Biden put together, this team will be (dare I say it?) - Trump tight.

What is the real weather forecast? Cold and colder yet. But who cares? Having Donald Trump back in the White House will warm the cockles of many a heart. MAGA is back in town, and Dark Biden is still out there, looking for Corn Pop. Why? That is the world Biden still lives in. 

What is REALLY behind the Greenland issue?

"Greenland is only part of the excitement of having Donald Trump back in the White House. With the Donald, there is never a dull moment. And with the Donald, there is always a deal to be made somewhere. MAGA!"   

This came to be like a bolt out of the blue - or should I say green. What is this sudden interest in Greenland? I know there has been interest before, but nothing like today. Is it the Artic, and keeping the baddies out of there? Is it where Greenland is positioned in the Northern Atlantic and Artic Ocean? Is it just plain expansionism? But then it came to me - it might be something completely different.

When Elon Musk was on some techie show talking about his new AI supercomputer located in Memphis, the question was raised - why did you not build it in Texas, where so much of your activity is based? His answer - "To hot. It would take too much to cool it off. In fact, maybe upstate New York would have even been better place to build it." 

More and more tech companies are going to be building bigger and bigger data centers for AI. Cooling and energy are the big issues on running them once completed. Where would be a perfect place to build them if cooling is a big issue? How about northern Canada or Greenland? 

Have some place to build data centers where the newer, smaller, more efficient and cleaner nukes could be constructed without going through a bunch of legal hoops like they would in the USA. That could be one problem fixed. But the cooling would be the other. That is, unless the outside of the data center was already cool. Then cooling the data center down to optimal temperatures might be easier and cheaper. I could see our American tech giants flocking to Greenland to build future data centers. 

I might be off on this, as the main reason for getting Greenland might only be the Artic. I get it. Or it might be the strategic location of this gargantuan island. Or it might be something altogether different that our government is keeping tight lipped about.

Here is one thing which is somewhat unique about our incoming president. When he wants something, and wants it badly, he usually finds a way to get it. Sometime, read up on how he came to get a real jewel like Mar-a-Lago. It is worth a mint and Trump basically bought it for a song. It took some finesse and patience - but he got the prize he was after.

Greenland is only part of the excitement of having Donald Trump back in the White House. With the Donald, there is never a dull moment. And with the Donald, there is always a deal to be made somewhere. MAGA!   

A bad deal is no deal at all

"Remember - this war started during a cease fire. What does that tell you about the integrity of the other side? Not worth the paper it is written on. Put this deal on hold for a week and then let Team Trump take a crack at it. I don't know this for sure, but this bad deal might look a whole lot better for the good guys."  

BREAKING NEWS: Biden and company have finalized a deal with Hamas to get what is left of the hostages released. Grandpa Joe almost broke a leg limping up to a hot mic to take a victory lap. FINALLY, somebody was going to do something about getting the hostages home! But hold the phone for a minute. What kind of a deal is this? When you peel the onion skin back a bit, you might find out this deal is no good deal at all.

October 7th, 2023 - during a "cease fire", Hamas invades the sovereign state of Israel. Kills (and mutilates) 1,200 citizens. Thirty of those were Americans. Takes over 200 innocents as hostages, 10 of those were Americans. During the past 15 months of captivity, some have been killed. Some have just died. Of the 10 Americans, three were killed by friendly fire, four are dead from other reasons, and (we think) three are still alive. 

WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. Slow Joe should have sent a message to Hamas similar to what Donald Trump is saying. Release our hostages, or all hell will break loose. Israel did the right thing by grinding as much of Hamas as possible into dust. Bibi should have sent the same message. Release all hostages or face total destruction of everything. What got in the way? Leftists, in both Israel and the US (plus the chicken named Biden).

WHAT IS THE DEAL? Trade innocent hostages for guilty prisoners. What is left of the hostages will be returned over time to Israel and the US. In return, Hamas gets up to 1,200 criminals back - many of which are convicted murderers. Normal folk, who have never negotiated anything, might look at this deal and shake their heads. Why? Even to the untrained, this is a horrible deal. Donald Trump's deal was much better. Release them all by January 20th, or all hell will break loose. 

By the way - according to the soon to be gone Blinken, Hamas is already reconstituting. They are not gone as yet. They can (and probably will) still attack Israel. Same with Hezbollah. They can (and probably will) still send rockets over the border. What is the solution? As a former Marine D.I. knew would say - "Crush them until there is nothing left". 

Who is going to be held accountable for the 1,200 killed, including 30 Americans? Are we going to assume all the guilty are dead? Or are there some left who need to stand trial? For the sake of Israel's survival, we need to exterminate any cockroaches in the building. Clean house. That includes the Houthis. 

Remember - this war started during a cease fire. What does that tell you about the integrity of the other side? Not worth the paper it is written on. Put this deal on hold for a week and then let Team Trump take a crack at it. I don't know this for sure, but this bad deal might look a whole lot better for the good guys.  

Shrill, no will, and a real pill!

 

                             

"Advise and consent is one thing - a mud fight is something else. I would like to implore the Democrats to act like citizens going forward on these confirmations. To act like spoiled children will only lengthen them wandering in the wilderness."   

Yikes! I watched and listened to a good share of the Hegseth confirmation hearings. It went as expected - the Republicans in the hearing were honoring Pete's service and his commitment to fix the bloated and DEI infested DOD. And the Democrats treating this hero as if he were Satan. The Democrat women were especially bad and ill-mannered. They did all of them, come across as shrill, no national will, and real pills (pills is a term my mother used for people who acted particularly bad.)

For the rest of the week, we have a half dozen more hearings on other posts. I am wondering if the Democrats used all of their venom on Pete Hegseth, or if they will try and poison the other fine Americans who will stand before them. I guess gone are the days when a bipartisan vote would be the order of the day. Today, it is strictly a numbers game. If you have more seats than the other party, your guy (or gal) is probably in. If not, you (and your president), have big problems. 

I guess the one Democrat who really surprised me the most was Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. This is a woman who served in the Army, a combat soldier, was severely wounded, and lost both of her legs. I would have thought as a retired Army officer, she would have not judged another retired Army officer so harshly. But she did. In fact, she was the worst of the bunch. I respect her service and her sacrifice, but quite frankly, I was very disappointed in her.

If I were much younger and still serving in the Navy, I would have been very happy and proud to be serving under Pete Hegseth. He is the polar opposite of the man who now occupies that seat in the Pentagon. We have had a host of former Defense Department Secretaries who have only been place holders. Having a younger person, who has walked the walk in combat, who understands the issues of vets, and who is as sharp as a tack - is what the doctor ordered right now. 

One final word about the shrill nature of the Democrats yesterday. From a male perspective, one of the worst was Tim Kane. This former VP candidate looked like (as someone pointed out), Tim Walz after going through a washing machine. He was anything but professional. And then, after being the running mate to Hillary Clinton, for him to ask about character? Where were those questions about Bill Clinton? Or Hillary? Again, when Democrats open their yaps, they reveal themselves. Nothing more needs to be said. 

Advise and consent is one thing - a mud fight is something else. I would like to implore the Democrats to act like citizens going forward on these confirmations. To act like spoiled children will only lengthen them wandering in the wilderness.   

 

Out with the old - in with the new

"Why am I excited about next Monday? This was just a taste of why. We are taking our country back. This is like Independence Day all over again. Donald Trump, the man they tried to take out with a bullet to the head, is going to fix the broken. Restore the downtrodden. Make America great again. Hallelujah!"    

In all my years on Planet Earth, I can never remember being as excited as I am now about a change in administrations. Why? If we were just getting someone ordinary from the Republicans to take over this dumpster fire that Biden created, I would be happy. But we are not getting someone ordinary. We are getting Donald Trump. We are getting rid of someone just plain awful and replacing him with someone wonderful. 

I did not want to elaborate on this before his funeral, but Jimmy Carter was an awful president. A great humanitarian once his term was up, but while in the White House he was terrible. I lived though that dumpster fire also. Never had America looked as weak as it did under Carter. But right now, Jimmy Carter is looking much better compared to this evil man who somehow got elected to lead us. I don't know if Biden is the worst president in our history, but he sure is the worst in my lifetime. He is hateful, spiteful and delusional - plus inept. 

Next Monday is when the deep cleaning starts. Besides getting rid of Biden and his giggle infested sidekick, we need to fumigate just about every square inch of Washinton. If anyone who served in this administration can even spell Biden - they are gone. Gone and then their office needs to be scrubbed down with bleach. The corruption in Washinton has gone off the charts. But to fix it, it all starts with today.

Pete Hegseth is the first up for Senate confirmation. Getting Pete confirmed is a "must do". Why? Secretary Austin has turned our DOD into a DEI playground. Our numbers are WAY down, and so is our morale. Just the mention that Pete might be our new Secretary of Defense has caused a spike in recruiting. Pete will scrub the Pentagon clean and make our DOD strong again.

What about DHS? Kristi Noem is scheduled to be up shortly in front of the Senate. How much do we need change at DHS? If we were a pirate ship instead of a nation, I would have Mayorkas walk the plank. The organization which was founded to make us safer in the homeland, has been turned into another DEI petri dish. Kristi needs to clean house and do it fast and furious. We can NEVER have a DHS secretary like Mayorkas again. NEVER!

Finally, the DOJ - or as President Trump calls it, "the Department of Injustice". NEVER again can we allow "lawfare" to creep into our system. This misfit named Garland should be tried for treason. Seriously - things have been that bad. Pam Bondi has the knowhow and guts to really clean this place out. Never, ever, never again can we allow our system of justice to become bifurcated or contaminated.

Why am I excited about next Monday? This was just a taste of why. We are taking our country back. This is like Independence Day all over again. Donald Trump, the man they tried to take out with a bullet to the head, is going to fix the broken. Restore the downtrodden. Make America great again. Hallelujah!    

Paradise Lost

 

If we only learned one thing from the Maui, North Carolina, and Los Angeles disasters it is this - expect the unexpected. Plan for a worst-case scenario. Why? Because they can and maybe will - happen."  

Confessions from my youth. In 1960, my family vacationed in the southwest and California. I fell in love with both Colorado and California. My Aunt lived in Glenwood, CA, so we stayed with her. I could not understand why anyone would live anywhere else but the Golden State or Colorado. To my young brain, both states were like a paradise back then. I could not wait to grow up so I could move to one of them. 

So, I did grow up. And traveled for a job. Most of my travels were to Washington DC, but a couple dozen trips were to the West Coast. The California I remembered as a youth, the paradise I wanted to live in - changed. California was expensive, it was smoggy, there was lots of crime, fires and earthquakes. It was far from paradise - it was paradise lost. 

My opinion only on this matter. The folks who decided to live on this very expensive land between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean were trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. There is no way I would have traded my life in this cold northland to live in Los Angeles. Most folks knew it was only a matter of time before there would be a catastrophic earthquake which would change everything for everyone. The "mega fire" like they are having right now was not on anyone's "bingo card".

Where does that leave this once thought of paradise when the fire is finally out? Maybe no place. Many houses are destroyed, schools are gone, stores have vanished, and Los Angeles now looks more like Hiroshima after the bomb had hit. The ground may not be radioactive like it was in Hiroshima, but it is poisoned from all the toxic items which burned and the fire retardant which was dropped from the tankers. 

Here is where the hard part comes in. The City of Angels, the city where many Angelenos grew up in, where their parents live or lived, will never be the same again. At best, people who lost everything will have the insurance coverage to make them financially whole again. But the fear is those people will be in the minority. Even for those who are fortunate enough to become financially whole, will probably never be able to build on the site they once had. Why? It will take years - decades to rezone the land for affordable and safe building. That is the reality. Regardless of what the governor or mayor is telling folks, the LA from yesterday will no longer be rebuild the same way. Yes, paradise is lost.

It is hard to believe we have had three major disasters in the past couple of years. First the fire on Maui, then the floods from Hurricane Helene in the mountains of western North Carolina. Now this mega fire in LA. What will the damages be for all three disasters? Over $100B for sure. Here is the irony however - the fire in Maui was something NOBODY saw coming. Having hurricane damage in the mountains of North Carolina, was something NOBODY saw coming. This mega-fire in LA was something SOME should have seen coming. Maybe some did, but they just ignored it. 

Even Superstorm Sandy caught many off guard. No matter where you live, having an "E Plan" for your family, and "Bug Out Kits" is smart planning. Planning for what? The unexpected. If we learned nothing but this from the Maui, North Carolina, Los Angeles disasters - expect the unexpected. Plan for a worst-case scenario. Why? Because they can and maybe will - happen.