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ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC CHURCH SHOOTING

It's been a difficult week for many in Minneapolis with yet another tragic shooting that took the lives of young and innocent school children. As you know, another demented individual full of hate intentionally targeted school kids reciting mass inside Annunciation's Catholic Church.

Of course in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, there are some that have already started to politicize the situation. I have no intention of doing the same, but I need to address a few points before moving on. Quite a few people on the left are vehemently decrying the phrase (and action of sending) "thoughts and prayers" to those impacted by this devastating crime. And while I'll admit that, according to the spirit of James 2:15-17, simply sending well wishes or comforting mantras without putting faith into action especially when it's within your power to do so obviously falls short of true Christian virtue, I don't think those who are belittling prayer had that scripture in mind. Most of these detractors have no idea of the power of prayer or even its noted impact throughout America's history. And it's truly ironic that preliminary investigations reveal that the Minneapolis shooter's journal show quite an intense hatred for people of faith, yet some on the left are choosing to adhere to a practice of disdain for religious people as well.

I haven't tuned in to non-stop news coverage of the tragedy this week, but out of all the commentary I've heard, it was a layperson who got it right regarding the sickening intent and behavior of the shooter. In a Fox News interview, this person confessed that such hatred seemed to be almost demonic in nature, and I completely agree. I realize authorities are still investigating & looking for a concrete motive, but when the shooter's writings detail a blatant hatred for Jewish people & Catholics, an obsession with previous school shootings, a twisted desire to specifically harm children, and a warped fascination with Hitler, it's clear there was a spiritual component to that individual's degenerated state. And such hatred unfortunately is nothing new. Centuries of Jewish history as detailed in the Old Testament detail the unfounded animosity Israel has often experienced. The New Testament also warns of the increasing hatred that believers will experience in this day and age. If you're a modern-day Christian or Catholic, you've more than likely already experienced this hostility (even from those in positions within our government!). In light of this, I continue to admonish people of faith to establish & put into place increased security for their places of worship. I believe the Daily Wire reported that the Minneapolish Catholic Conference had asked for more security help & funding from state leaders years ago, and yet their request was not heeded. Can we please just cut through the red tape and political stalemates for the sake of our children, teachers, and places of faith? Political grandstanding, outright partisan politics, or blatant incompetence is completely unacceptable in this regard.

Look, it's not the job of the federal government to change people's hearts (...rehabilitation efforts to prevent recidivism and such notwithstanding). That's God's job, and it's the Church's job to point the way. (Which is why I'm concerned when I see some churches more interested in building their own kingdoms instead of God's...) No matter how many law enforcement officers or even military soldiers we send into our cities, we're still stuck with the universal human problem of original sin. In our fallen state we all trend towards selfishness, backward behavior, and sometimes even darkness. Which is why God's solution to our condition is absolute genius. In Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV) God states, "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts." Instead of simply having the law reside somewhere externally collecting dust, God would internalize his law in our hearts & minds, and change our bend towards a desire to do what's good and right. Imagine that.

I realize it's beyond concerning when we see such evil and such horror played out in the innocence of our schools or in the sacred spaces of our places of worship. Yes, there are practical steps we can take to help secure vulnerable places, but I personally believe the only solution for the decay we see on a recurring basis in America is for individuals to turn to Christ. If you haven't made that choice already, I admonish you to call on Jesus in prayer today and accept his sacrifice for our sins (Romans 10:9-13) and the new heart he wants to give you (2 Corinthians 5:17).

And for those who suffered such imaginable loss in this past week's tragedy or in other previous tragedies, may you find a way to persevere even in the midst of unspeakable heartache, a way to honor and perpetuate the memory of your loved ones. Their innocent lives are worthy of the utmost respect and remembrance. And yes, take time to grieve and mourn your losses. But as easy as it may be to permanently reside within a grieving state, please don't stay there. Remember it's a process, and when the process has painfully run its course, step outside into the sun and live your life brightly, ever resonating with the memory of those we've lost.

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JESUS WEPT

I'm not going to get to so many other topics today, so I'll close with this brief message of consolation for those who have lost so much in the past several weeks.

It was heartbreaking watching the unceasing tears of the father who lost sons in the firecracker factory explosion. Or seeing the faces on the news of the innocent kids who perished in the floods that ravaged Camp Mystic. Loss is an inexplicable part of our lives here on earth, and unfortunately it can come when we least expect it. Peronally I don't believe the unpredicability we see in nature is how God originally intended creation to be. Dangerous storms, unsurviveable floods, catastrophic earthquakes. No wonder Jon Foreman of Switchfoot asked in one of their more intropective songs, "Where is God in the earthquake? Where is God in the genocide?.. Where are you in my broken heart, everything seems to fall apart..Tell me that you're there."

In times of grief and bereavement, we try our best to express our hurt and heartache. Sometimes we sit quietly, shell-shocked by all we've lost, other times we scream and yelp out of the unfathomable brokenness of our own hearts, and other times we turn to creative expressions such as music as an outlet for our pain. The band Jars of Clay penned a truly insightful song ("Silence") from the perspective of a sufferer asking God about His presence in the pain: "Did you leave me unbreakable? Did you leave me frozen? I've never felt so cold. I thought you were silent. I thought you left me...on this empty beach of faith. Was it true? ...I got a question. Where are you?"

Lyrically, that Jars of Clay song doesn't resolve. And in the same way, sometimes in life all of our questions and suffering won't be completely resolved on this side of heaven. If you read the Psalms, sometimes the writers made a brave exclamation of faith even in the midst of their serious problems, and at other times, they couldn't understand the solution or see the healing. They simply had to rest in a quiet confidence that God would come through for them.

I've mentioned a few Christian songs in this post, because sometimes uplifting music can help us in the healing process or help us vent our feeling constructively. Maybe you're not a Christian and maybe you haven't taken that step of faith just yet. I hope you don't delay. Through all of history, people have wondered where God is in the midst of tragedies. If you make that confession of faith, you'll have God's presence with you always, whatever you face. You don't have to be alone anymore. You don't have to just rely on your own strength and inner fortitude, because losing someone you love is incredibly difficult And Jesus isn't an uncaring figure, apathetic about your deep hurt. Just as Luke 11:35 stated, Jesus does weep, and he does share your hurt.

And if you're already a Christian, I admonish you to stay the course. As Joy Williams stated in her song ("God Only Knows"), "C'mon, c'mon, hold on to faith. My friend, your struggle has an ending day." One day when we've finished all our work and run our race here on earth, God himself will wipe away all our tears in heaven. Until that time, let's keep on shining all the brighter in this troubled world.

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A FREE PASS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT?

I wasn't really planning on commenting about this today, but the law enforcement helicopter swung overhead just as I was prepping to write. So in light of that and in light of all their (as well as the military's) previous and ongoing behavior, I'll touch on a pertinent subject briefly.

There's been a disturbing trend recently to remove all legal consequences for police who have been tried and convicted of various offenses. Some of those involved in crimes have even gone back to to other law enforcement jobs. While you know I'm not of the "defund-police" camp, it's not a good idea to erase the concept of accountability for law enforcement or for the military, for that matter. In some cases, it allows individuals with less than professional tendencies to continue such behavior elsewhere (..often at the expense of innocent citizens), and in the worst cases, it can breed a dangerous arrogance & a mindset that they can't be touched legally no matter what they do.

I was under the impression that America was committed to the idea of equal justice for crimes committed. Yes, of course, there must be room for mercy on a case-by-case basis, but it sends a problematic message when accountability is thrown out the window. In the Old Testament, you faced consequences for your actions irregardless of your status or position. Whether you were a layperson, a priest, a prophet, or even a king, you were held to account for serious crimes, either by the justice system of the day or at other times, by God's own hand.

I'm not suggesting America become a theocracy or adhere to the severe penalties of the Torah. I'm simply trying to reference the fact that for a society to work, justice should be applied equally. Otherwise, we're headed towards a slippery slope that leads to heartache, disillusion, and unnecessary loss.

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ON IMMIGRATION AGAIN

The immigration raids have continued in various forms and it's good that some illegal immigrants with disturbing criminal records have been caught and are in the process of being deported. And who came up with the idea of having illegal immigrants self-deport themselves? That's absolutely brilliant! If I recall correctly, such measures would save taxpayers roughly $17,000 in the process for each individual who chooses that route.

But on the not good side, it's troubling to see protesters attacking law enforcement and ICE agents involved in a raid. Have those people never heard of the concept of "peaceful protests"? Also, I heard that ICE agents were given a quota of capturing 3,000 immigrants per day. Is that true? Such quotas are just one of the more ill-advised strategies employed by law enforcement. Are we more concerned about hyping up a statistic during a press conference? Are we really targeting mostly the dangerous illegal immigrants that have entered this country during the previous administration? A few people have already said it: if all the immigrants are deported, there are going to be serious deficiencies in the workforce on our farms, construction sites, and in the hospitality industry. I wrote about this years ago, referencing how Morgan Spurlock showcased how difficult some of those jobs are. And if you really think the latest generation (who want nap time & a play space on the job) is going to step in to do that type of work, you're sorely mistaken.

Lastly on this topic, most people have likely already heard of the infamous "Alligator Alcatraz" built to house illegal immigrants in Florida. And I'll give you this, in the history of prisons, it makes commendable use of the natural environment to serve as another deterrent against escape. However, I've been asking myself, Why in the world was an Alligator Alacatraz built just for immigrants? Why hasn't such a prison been constructed for the thousands of American criminals, such as drug dealers, murderers, psychopaths, lynchers, gangsters, and rapists? It really does make one wonder...

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THE IRAN NUCLEAR FACILITIES

So several weeks ago, as you know, the U.S. bombed three facilities in Iran to cripple its nuclear enrichment capabilites. Since then there's been a bit of a disagreement about the effectiveness of the operation.

Years ago, when the Obama administration helped secure the terms of the Iran deal, it was noted that inspectors would give Iran 30-day notice before coming in to see if they were adhering to the nuclear guidelines. (Can you imagine that?? 30 days?!) So obviously, Iran at that point more than likely incorporated some type of mobility to their dangerous nuclear program, in order to quickly move components in the face of any kind of inspection. Many in the Trump administration are claiming the bunker busting bombs decimated Iran's capabilities at those sites (and that's probably true), but others are stating Iran still has nuclear enrichment (and future nuclear bomb-making) abilities.

I'm not in the intelligence field, nor can I independently verify either claim. But it's not helpful to shut down public conversation on this topic without considering the legitimacy of either side. And asking questions isn't an insult to the pilots involved in the operation. (It would more likely be a reflection on the weapons manufacturer...) America needs to know and evaluate in an objective manner the effectiveness of our weapons and of our military operations.

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FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS

There's been talk about the local flooding preparedness in Kerr County, Texas, with many wondering why the previous local government didn't purchase a siren warning system. From what I've heard, those cost roughly $78,000 and I'm not sure if such a high price tag is within reach of smaller localities. Can you put a price tag on human lives saved or lost? No, not really. Especially when there are so many kid camps right by the river and so many innocent children's lives were lost.

If you've ever seen the movie "Jack the Giant Slayer", you might remember how the monks used a giant bell to warn the people of the incoming invasion of giants. It's low tech, but it served its purpose. In some cases, the federal government can step in to fund warning systems, but in other cases, localities may have to get a little creative to protect the citizens they've been entrusted with (...providing camps with satellite phones, having a few phone lines with copper cabling which can provide a current & the ability to make and receive calls in the case of emergencies even in power outages). We should do whatever it takes to protect the lives of the innocent.

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MORE COMMENTARY

Hey, again. It's been a little busy lately, but it's about time to comment on what's been taking place these past several weeks in the news. Let's change it up a bit and just keep it to a few lines per topic for the sake of brevity.

First of all, condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in the recent tragedies, including the flooding in Texas, New Mexico, & North Carolina, as well as the recent explosion at the L.A. police training center, and the fireworks factory explosion that took precious lives as well. America weeps with all of you together.

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And I'm not going to have time to really touch on so many other topics such as the tariffs, and such. Granted, there are few who would have the political courage to even the global playing field like Trump. Perhaps he knows that most Republicans would have no interest in doing so after he leaves office. I realize the administration provided a formula regarding the tariffs (which I'd like to tinker with for fun), but I sure hope someone has done their math here. Yes, other countries place unfair tariffs on American products, but as a result of these so-called trade wars, there are a lot of product-based smaller businesses (not me) who are suffering. And someone said that America doesn't currently have the infrastructure in place to immediately be a manufacturing country. This is beyond my field of expertise, so I'll leave the negotiations to the more economically-minded...

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IMMIGRATION PROTESTS & SUCH

Over the weekend I caught just a glimpse of some of the protests against ICE, specifically the ones in Los Angeles, and I have to say, I was wondering when the left’s anarchists would show up. Before you tune me out, hear me out on this, as I’ll cover both sides. My high school English teacher occasionally liked to delve into history during her class, and she once made a statement that for some reason has stuck with me to this day. She said that each new movement is in effect a response to the previous one, whether it’s out of dissatisfaction with a movement’s accomplishments or outright rebellion against prevailing ideology. And I’m left wondering, after so many people were fed up with the Biden administration’s open border policy and supportive of Trump’s promise to effectively deal with criminal illegal immigrants, is the tide of public opinion already beginning to turn?

I won’t defend the anarchy, looting, and harm against law enforcement I’ve seen on TV in the past few days. But something I’ve been wanting to say for some time now is every aspect of immigration policy, every arrest, every raid has to be carried out with absolute perfection. There can be no room for carelessness or sloppiness in such procedures, for the liberal media is ready to pounce at every mistake and even every alleged error. From just a casual watching of the mainstream media’s coverage, I’ve learned about how the military didn’t let illegals use the bathroom during a roughly 6-hour deportation flight, how one military (veteran) was rounded up mistakenly during a raid, and how one mother’s child suffering with cancer was sent away without any medications. (..I do have to address that one. The America I know has always been a magnanimous nation. The very least we could have done in that case was tell the mother, “Look we have to deport you & we understand you want to take your child with you. But we’re going to give you 6 or 8 months of cancer medicine for your child, because that’s what America stands for.” )

The Trump adminstration doesn’t need me to tell them how news coverage from the mainstream media or social media can affect public opinion. And you don’t need me to tell you how there are Democrats who seem more concerned about the welfare of illegal immigrants, especially those who have committed brazen crimes, than they are about the welfare of their own constituents. But let's not give liberals any figurative ammunition in this regard.

As for Trump's decision to bring in the military and the National Guard into L.A., perhaps he's trying to avoid any further destruction or danger to law enforcement, reporters, & innocent residents alike. For those of you who don't know, Trump recommended bringing in the National Guard before the infamous January 6th riots years ago, but Democrats (the mayor of D.C., Nancy Pelosi) who were in charge of securing the Capitol reportedly refused to do so and you know what happened next. Are liberals in favor of more anarchy & destruction? It just boggles my mind why they wouldn't implement preventive measures in such cases. And sure, some are concerned about violation of the Posse Comitatus Act in having military engage in law enforcement activities. I'm not too enthused about having military police the civilian population, and I even wrote briefly on the Posse Comitatus Act here years ago as I commented on the highly questionable activities of local military against me (which they're still engaging in, by the way, LOL!) But if local law enforcement can't stem the tide of rioters & anarchists, something has to be done to preserve the peace.

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STOP THE HATE AND THE ANTISEMITISM

In the past couple of weeks there have been more disturbing antisemitic attacks here in America, and I’ll repeat my past statements that such hatred is completely unacceptable. And perhaps some will finally begin to admit how potentially dangerous certain aspects of the Pro-Palestinian movement have become. When protesters harass & intimidate Jewish students on campus, when such protesters employ chants that are basically a call for the end of the state of Israel, when both the murderer in Washington, D.C. & the attacker in Colorado made Pro-Palestinian statements even after they had killed that beautiful innocent Jewish couple or had sprayed an elderly Holocaust survivor with a makeshift blowtorch, you know that movement has progressed well beyond a civil peaceful protest. I wonder, where are all the liberal voices now, all those who were whining at the Trump administration’s steps to cut off funds from universities who’ve been milquetoast in their defense of Jewish students in the face of Pro-Palestinian campus protests these past years. I’m not fond of more government intrusion into every aspect of our lives, but if a university is receiving billions of dollars in federal funding every year, then the government should probably have a say in how campuses must be a safe place for everyone.

Hatred isn’t a new issue. It’s a human problem that’s been around for thousands of years. Some of you would not believe the amount of prejudice and ignorance out there against various ethnicities & religious denominations. It really is staggering. And a few months ago, I heard a report of Hispanics being threatened with deportation by casual passers-by and another news story revealing that fake ICE uniforms were among the top-selling items on Amazon, likely to be used by small-minded yokels to try to prank or intimidate minorities in this current day and age. But the solution isn’t to have one ethnic (or religious) group be subservient to another as some DEI principles espouse. The Bible already gives us the answer: love others as yourself and treat others like you’d want to be treated. I’ve already touched on this extensively in past posts and don’t have time to cover it again today. You’re more than welcome to review my previous posts, or better yet, you can dive into the Bible and find out what this real love thing is about.

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REGARDING ELON MUSK

When I was a teen, I was acquainted with a few talented coders and tech specialists. And while they were likely brilliant in their fields, they occasionally had the tendency to be very frank and very blunt in conversations. If you've ever seen the very cool series "Scorpion", you can catch a glimpse into how the approach of technically & scientifically savvy people is often a little different from that of others. I won't excuse everything Elon Musk has posted or said, but it would be ungrateful for us to fail to remember how he has helped America (...sending a ship to retrieve the stranded astronauts, providing a means for online communications for those in North Carolina devastated by flooding, propelling our nation into forward-thinking scientific fields). I get it. Musk is the billionaire that the left loves to hate for his outspokeness and embrace of more centrist values. And unfortunately, Elon found out yet again that if you support a cause that liberals despise, they'll go after your livelihood, your reputation, and everything else.

Pastor David Jeremiah touched on the topic of unity years ago, saying God gave the greatest appraisal of human potential in Genesis 11:6 when He said the following regarding the tower of Babel, “If as one people…they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” (NIV) Think about that for a moment. God knew when people walked together in unity they could accomplish amazing things! (Of course the builders of Babel had egocentric & almost God-usurping intent, so He came down and put a quick end to that endeavor...) Working in groups often holds inherent challenges, and sometimes we just have to take a brisk walk to avoid getting involved in a bout of fisticuffs. But even though we may disagree on certain points, we can accomplish so much more when we work together.

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THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS

I'll return to the usual political commentary soon enough. (...and apparently it can't come soon enough, as the military surveillance plane started flying overhead as soon as I began writing this, LOL!) But for now, with so many mourning the passing of Pope Francis this week, I'd like to take a different direction.

Most of you already know I'm not a Catholic. As such, I didn't take note of every political opinion or theological statement that the Pope gave during his tenure. I'm sure I would have points of dissent on various issues, but I'm not going to touch on that aspect of his legacy.

Many have reported on Pope Francis' humility and down-to-earth demeanor throughout his life, with several sharing related anecdotes, such as his insistence on paying his hotel charges, his willingness to carry his own bags, and his decision to not ride in the papal automobile. In a world with so many people madly scrambling for fame & falling over each other for public recognition, it was truly refreshing to see a life marked by such humility and selfless service. In fact, Pope Francis' life seemed quite the opposite of the unwarranted sense of entitlement we see in so many individuals today.

In the same way, Philippians 2:5-11 gives us a portrait of the powerful demonstration of Christ's love for us. The Maker of the universe and the Lord of heaven & earth didn't selfishly cling to his royal titles or demand royal treatment when he was here on earth, despite the fact that he was fully entitled to all the trappings of royalty. Instead, Jesus was born in a stable, He sided with the lowly & oppressed throughout his life, He praised the meek & trusting, and He died an excruciating criminal's death, all for our benefit. (It kind of makes you stop and think about the great value that God places on each one of us, doesn't it? - that the Father would give his own Son and allow him to go through such suffering...)

So thank you Pope Francis for providing us with just a glimpse of the rare humility that Jesus himself modeled. We truly need more people like that today.

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REAGAN AIRPORT COLLISION, part III

The investigation into the tragic airport collision in January when a military Blackhawk helicopter crashed into an American Airlines passenger plane revealed that the military helicopter had been flying above the height threshold allowed for that area. The investigators also discovered that within the past three years, there have been 15,000 near-misses at Reagan National Airport. 15,000! Not 15, not 150, but 15,000.

Which is completely unacceptable. How in the world did this go unnoticed by military or law enforcement for so long? Do these government agencies not debrief after each flight mission? Didn't anyone happen to comment that they almost ran into a plane that day? Just maybe that might be considered important information in order to avoid a potential tragedy in the future.

So apparently my frustration at military sloppiness and incompetence in my January post was well justified. Although I commend those in the Trump administration who have placed severe restrictions on helicopter flights at that Washington, D.C. airport, I'm wondering where are the Congressional inquiries as to the military's behavior for these past years?

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I'm out of time for today. So I'll have to leave this post as well as another "Parameters of Government" post unfinished for now. But I don't like leaving on such a dour note.

Remember, whatever you have been in the past, you can be different starting today, starting right now. Your past doesn't have to be an indicator or a predictor of your future. So who will you choose to be?

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DOGE, ELON MUSK, AND TESLAS

If you've kept up with the recent political news in the past several weeks, you're likely already familiar with all the changes that the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is making to the federal government. Some have expressed great enthusiasm for the changes, while others have engaged in their Constitutionally-protected right to peacefully protest against DOGE. Unfortunately, others have resorted to violent crimes of arson & defacing of private property. A few days ago, I even heard that someone had publicly posted a website with the names and addresses of Tesla car owners, as if to imply they are "legitimate targets" for this familiar anarchy. So disturbing.

Bravo to those who are rightfully labeling these criminal acts as domestic terrorism, as there's no place for such behavior in a civilized society. And we would do well to recall these people being targeted are private citizens, both individuals and families, with no affiliation whatsoever to DOGE. What is it about the left that they so often resort to censorship, violence, or anarchy when faced with something or someone they disagree with? (I'm starting to wonder if the criminals involved in this are members of the Antifa set we saw actively espousing anarchy in the last Trump administration. Or maybe they're some of the same ones who resorted to burning cities and businesses after George Floyd's death...) Are the principles & beliefs of the left so weak that they can't hold up to rigorous debate in a public forum? Is that why some on the left hastily resort to censorship or violence?

Do I agree with all of the actions or the methods of DOGE in the past several weeks? No, I don't, but I don't have the time to elaborate on that. I will say just three things:

1) I'm glad DOGE is beginning to coordinate their actions with the specific department heads across these government agencies, as Trump has made some good selections in his Cabinet. Even efficiency experts called to evaluate a business are required to work with management.

2) Perhaps you've heard the adage that people will support what they've helped create. In organizations such as ad agencies, individuals are often given the chance to contribute to a project during a brainstorming session. It can sometimes get a little messy, but often the input people bring to the table can be quite insightful; apart from that, when people have a voice in the output, they're much more likely to stand behind it. I realize the government isn't an ad agency, but consider the fact that some of these government employees are well-intentioned and they have years of working in their fields. Some of the insights they can provide can be invaluable and oftentimes, they can be well-suited for pointing out more efficient methods of carrying out the procedures of their business.

3) In Matthew 26:11a Jesus said "The poor you will always have with you.." (NIV) Jesus foreknew that even today with all of our tech and sophistication, there would still be poverty. I'm not going to get into "Give a man a fish/Teach a man to fish" discussions at this point. However, I would admonish America to continue to remember the poor, whether it's ensuring low-income students have meals or food banks have the support they need. Remember the poor and God will bless you for it.

All things considered, it's high time that America's government is run more like an efficient business. When Elon Musk asked federal employees to list 5 things they've done in one week, I was a bit taken aback. Not because it was an unusual request (but again, such requests should be coordinated with department heads...), but most small businesses or entrepreneurs complete five tasks in just one day or sometimes in even a couple of hours! I understand sometimes employees may be called to work on a long term project where progress seems woefully slow, but some of the reactions to Musk's request sort of make you wonder what some federal employees have been doing with their time.

And there are some very good people in government, but unfortunately there are also a lot of devious, almost criminal people in government, as well. As is evidenced by the fact that apparently a military surveillance plane (characterized by the loud, heavy engine) began flying overhead shortly after I began my posts today, and a cessna-type plane (higher-pitched) also flew by. It's amazing how certain people in government are so afraid of freedom of speech and so afraid of the truth! Which leads me to my next post..

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Hello again. Before moving ahead, I'd like to express condolences to all those who have lost homes and loved ones in the recent storms and disasters. I'd also like to express condolences to the families of the honorable police officers who have lost their lives in the past month. As I've previously written, no police officers should have to lose their lives in a routine traffic stop.

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REAGAN AIRPORT COLLISION, part II

A factual report from Fox News stated the weather information on the day of this collision: visibility extended for 10 miles on that clear night, winds stood at roughly 15 miles per hour with gusts reaching to 26 miles per hour, and the temperature was at 50 degrees. Another article of theirs also stated that the military helicopter acknowledged that they had sight of the American airlines plane, being given permission to fly behind the airplane. Clearly, cold weather and visibility were not contibuting factors here.

So my question is, why in the world didn't this experienced military crew give the passenger plane a wide berth? Why, as a bystander video has shown, did the military helicopter continue flying right towards the airplane as it was approaching the landing strip? Some have questioned the control tower's handling of this situation on the day of, but even if that was a factor, shouldn't pilots use their own judgment if there's a threat to another aircraft? No military training exercise should ever put civilian lives at risk.

I realize it's taboo to even give the semblance of questioning the military, police, or law enforcement in certain quarters in America. But I've seen far too much arrogance and incompetence on their part to remain silent, with just a few examples being the numerous times military or law enforcement craft have buzzed me or attempted to surveil or harass me in ways that put other civilians & structures at risk because of the proximity of their flight path. (Even today, as soon as I began writing this, a military helicopter immediately showed up and flew by my house. And an interesting surveillance plane has been making repeated rounds overhead for most of the day. Are these people so afraid of the questions I might ask? Quite interesting...)

Some of you might think I've gone soft after reading some of my posts over the last few months. Not quite. And I'm not done calling out corrupt, arrogant, or incompetent police, military, or firefighters. Not by a long shot.

Let's wait and see what the corresponding investigation reveals. But I truly hope this avoidable tragedy wasn't due to incompetence or arrogance on anyone's part.

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REAGAN AIRPORT COLLISION, part I

Such a tragedy that took place yesterday when an Army Blackhawk helicopter collided with an arriving American Airlines/PSA Airlines passenger plane in Washington, D.C. Last I heard there were already 64 fatalities. And every single one of those people were more than just a number, more than just a statistic. They were precious individuals full of life and personality, dear to many of us. To those who lost family, friends, or co-workers yesterday, I extend deepest condolences to you. Your loved ones deserved better than a sudden and tragic end in the cold waters of the Potomac.

I realize these wounds are still so fresh in your hearts and many of you are still trying to make sense of your losses. The entirety of the nation grieves with you in this. If you need help in such a difficult time, please reach out to a friend, a mentor, or a clergy person. You don't have to face this alone.