Month: April 2025

Most all of us are familiar with “If you build it, he will come.” It is the famous line in the classic 1989 flick, “Field of Dreams.”
The quote as been adapted into a business setting and often means, if you build something people will come to use (and pay for) it.
To my way of thinking that line also implies that if you want people to use something, make it free. If something is free then even individuals who are not initially aware of it will hear about it and essentially say, “why not me?”
I thought about this saying when I read the latest from our esteemed California governor, Gavin Newsom,
From Fox News:
“Governor Newsom is requesting an additional $2.8 billion loan to address a bloated deficit in the state’s Medicaid program, which has surpassed budget expectations largely due to coverage for illegal immigrants.
The additional $2.8 billion would keep the healthcare program afloat through June.”
(Not June, 2027 or June, 2026 … but this coming June, less than 2 months from now. Then what? … Another $2.8 billion??)
“Last year, California expanded Medi-Cal to cover all low-income adults ages 26 through 49, regardless of immigration status, making it the first state to do so. Roughly 1.6 million illegal immigrants are enrolled in the state’s healthcare program, according to state data, and 15 million California residents are enrolled.”
As California Senate Republican Minority Leader, Brian Jones, wrote, “Even Jerry Brown refused to expand Medi-Cal to all illegal immigrants because he knew it was fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable.”

Think about the ludicrousness of what is happening. Even if Trump is able to shut off the flow of illegals coming into California from Mexico, there is fence or wall to stop illegals from Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, or even further from coming into California.
As was said in “Field of Dreams” … “If you build it, he will come,” and therefore, the prospect of getting something free will potentially not stop as California continues to attract multitudes upon multitudes of more illegals. $2.8 billion in June? Then another $2.8 billion in a few months, and then another potential $2.8 soon thereafter. How many “another $2.8 billion” is possible before California is insolvent?
4/22/25

After reading about Trump’s latest update on illegals continuing to reside in the U.S., it appears that the time has come for each illegal individual to make a decision as to what he/she is going to do.
From Epoch Times:
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an internal rule change that went into effect on April 11, creating a registry for foreign nationals. Registration of noncitizens residing in the country is required by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

The Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act, generally requires all foreign nationals staying in the country beyond 30 days to apply to register and get fingerprinted, but it hasn’t always been enforced.
DHS’s registration requirement must be completed by those 14 or older if they didn’t do so in the past. Once registered and fingerprinted, DHS will issue evidence of registration, which foreign nationals “over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their personal possession at all times.”
Parents will need to register their children younger than 14, then re-register them when they turn 14.

Failure to comply may result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution, fines, and jail time, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, said the new rule will help the government document the unknown millions of immigrants who entered the country unlawfully over the past four years.
“If you think about it, we have no idea who’s here,” she told The Epoch Times. “So it was a perfect time to say, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m reminding you of this registry requirement, and if you don’t comply, that makes you deportable.’”
The DHS also plans to fine illegal immigrants under deportation orders up to $998 a day if they don’t leave the United States.

The fines stem from a 1996 law that Trump used during his first term to pressure illegal immigrants to self-deport.
Ries noted that the fines are aimed at the 1.4 million illegal immigrants who have final deportation orders issued by a judge.

On March 15, the administration launched an international, multimillion-dollar ad campaign featuring DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warning illegal immigrants to self-deport.
“If you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. But if you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream,” she says during the video.”

Those on the left will scream and holler as soon as what is being threatened actually starts to occur.
However, they should reflect upon whom their anger should be directed … Joe Biden and the Democrats!
The time has come for every illegal to make their own decision, as I do not think that Trump is bluffing!
4/21/25

On Sundays I have a tradition to write about individuals that we can look up to and admire. Terry Housely is such an individual.
From ganjingworld.com:
In an emotional reunion, Terry Raymond Housley, a retired U.S. soldier, was reunited with Kanchana Milkevitch, a woman he helped raise as a child, after 48 years apart. The touching reunion took place in Buriram Province, Thailand, marking the end of a journey that spanned nearly five decades.
Terry, 72, had been stationed in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, during the Vietnam War nearly 50 years ago. While there, he met Suphaphorn, a young woman who was pregnant with Kanchana. Although Terry was not Kanchana’s biological father, he formed a deep bond with her and helped care for her during her early childhood. Unfortunately, Terry had to return to the U.S. after the war, leading to their separation for nearly five decades.
Despite the separation, Terry and Kanchana kept in touch over the years.
Reflecting on her childhood, Kanchana said, “My biological father rejected us and left my mom when she was pregnant with me. I felt like my real father was Terry, who helped take care of me until I was a toddler.”
Although their plans to meet again were delayed by the pandemic, Terry finally arrived in Thailand on July 31. He took a bus to Buriram, though his journey was not without difficulty, as he got lost along the way. With help from hotel staff, he was able to meet Kanchana. Their long-awaited embrace marked the start of a new chapter in their relationship.
Terry Housely … a good man in the 1970s and still a good man in the 2020s.
4/20/25

Today I read a piece of written by Victor Davis Hanson (BTW – one of my favorites):
VDH correctly reported that Harvard University has rejected various demands of a presidential commission on antisemitism
The task force wants to persuade Harvard to ensure Jewish students on its campus are no longer harassed, or else lose its federal funding.
Harvard retorted that it won’t be bullied by Washington.
Harvard claimed that the Trump administration infringed upon its First Amendment rights. So, it has temporarily rejected the administration’s orders. At least for now, Harvard has lost its annual $2.2 billion grant of federal funds.
Remember, Harvard is a private university with a largely untaxed endowment of over $50.2 billion. Yet again, it still receives some $2.2 billion — now suspended– in federal funds.

I basically have two questions that apply to Harvard and other like universities.
First: Why is Harvard getting any federal funding at all? If there is a pot of federal money allocated to colleges and universities, why should schools like Harvard even get any? Furthermore, DOGE should look into cutting off this largesse en bloc, and restart by evaluating all the colleges feeding at the federal money trough.
In addition, Harvard has an endowment of $50.2 billion which is untaxed! Why is Harvard’s endowment untaxed? Why are any college endowments untaxed? DOGE should also look into this!
4/19/25

Sometimes you read something and initially think that someone is just attempting to fool you. However as you read further, you realize that what you are reading might not be a joke.
The following falls into that category. I am not saying that it categorically true, but could it be worth a question mark?
From “Revolver”:
“According to Norm Eisen—the man who practically wrote the Deep State’s playbook on color revolutions, all things anti-Trump, and lawfare in the US—he and Chief Justice John Roberts are not only good pals, but they even spent a week together in the Czech Republic. According to Norm, the two BFFs were there working on “American rule of law” issues.
“Chief Justice John Roberts traveled to a foreign country to spend a week with Norm Eisen—a man who is directly tied to numerous lawfare operations aimed at President Trump, January 6’ers, and conservative political movements all over the country. Eisen isn’t just some random acquaintance. He’s a key architect of the modern legal warfare that’s being used to takedown political opponents through the courts.”
“Indeed, the story of Norm Eisen—a key architect of nearly every attempt to delegitimize, impeach, censor, sue, and remove the democratically elected 45th President of the United States—is a tale that winds through nearly every facet of the color revolution playbook.“

Okay, so Chief Justice John Robert’s is friends with Norm Eisen … so what? … “No me importa” … Unless SCOTUS has to rule on Trump related issues, and the way it appears this could well happen in the near future. If this happens as I anticipate it will, should Chief Justice Roberts recuse himself? Hmmm!
4/9/25

This question pretty basic: “What is a woman?”
One of our present Supreme Court Justices, Ketanji Brown Jackson, during her confirmation hearing found this question unanswerable as she muttered, “I am not a biologist.”
On the other hand, Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, essentially answered that question as the NYT headlined, “Hegseth Mandates Uniform Fitness Standards for Combat Roles.”

That same NYT story suggested a Marine example. In one test, male Marines must do 3 pull-ups or 34 push-ups in two minutes.The fighting ladies strain to complete one push-up or eke out 15 push-ups in two minutes.
The NYT also cited a 2021 West Point op-ed written by Major Kristen Griest, the Army’s first female infantry officer and second female Ranger.
Kristen’s op-ed was titled, “With Equal Opportunity Comes Equal Responsibility: Lowering Fitness Standards to Accommodate Women Will Hurt the Army—and Women.” In it, Kristen argued that lower standards for female soldiers “not only jeopardized mission readiness in combat units but also reinforced the false notion that women are categorically incapable of performing the same job as men.”

To my way of thinking, by his actions, Hegseth answered the question that Justice Brown Jackson could not, or would not.
4/8/

As I have alluded to before, I do not profess to be an economist. However, I do have full faith in President Trump who has been talking about trade imbalances for years before he even decided to run for President.
For those not aware:
On April 2 President Donald Trump announced 2 sweeping trade policy changes, introducing what he called “reciprocal tariffs” for all countries and declaring it “Liberation Day in America.”
From the charts I have looked at and from what I have read the U.S. has been taking it in the shorts economically from just about every country. Obviously, some countries were way out of line with respect to essentially taxing U.S. imports (tariffs) compared to others, and the imposition of these U.S. tariffs are a measure to level the playing field.
The White House announced that the new tariff rates for each country consist of the 10 percent baseline tariff and additional reciprocal levies. These new tariffs will be applied on top of any other existing tariffs.

“We’re kind people, very kind,” Trump said, noting that the United States will only impose half the reciprocal tariff rate that each trade partner nation has been charging.
Trump added, “I call this kind reciprocal. This is not full reciprocal.”
Canada and Mexico have been excluded from the new reciprocal tariff regime. According to senior administration officials, both countries remain subject to the national emergency that Trump previously declared. The original 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, imposed due to concerns over illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking, will remain in effect.
What about China?
The United States had the highest trade deficit with China last year, totaling nearly $300 billion. After taking office, Trump imposed a 20 percent tariff on all goods made in China, citing a national emergency related to the ongoing trafficking of fentanyl. To this day, China remains the primary source of fentanyl precursors, which are shipped to Mexico and Canada, where they are processed into the illicit drug and smuggled into the United States.
China will now face U.S. tariffs totaling 54 percent, including the 34 percent reciprocal tariff, bringing it close to the 60 percent rate that Trump threatened Beijing with during his campaign.

What’s my take on this?
Actually it’s quite simple … over the short term these tariffs will be bad economically especially for those who are counting on using their money from their IRA’s, etc in the near future.
However, over the long run, the situation will be better for the U.S. Additionally, the losses in the stock market over the last week or so will be recouped in the future.
In fact if you have spare cash hanging around that you will not need in the near future, it might be a good time to reevaluate the stock market.
4/7/25

Even though I have not done this before, I felt that doing a piece on “Audrey’s Children” was appropriate for a Sunday. “Audrey’s Children” is a bioptic about British-born chief of pediatric oncology, Dr. Audrey Evans, who recently passed in 2022, at the age of 97.

From Epoch Bright:
In 1969, Dr. Evans joins the world-renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, pioneering treatment for neuroblastoma. This is a lethal form of cancer that killed 90 percent of patients, many of whom were young children, before her revolutionary treatment advancements.
Dr. Evans was also one of the founders of the Ronald McDonald House, the mission of which is to support and provide housing and resources for families while their sick child receives treatment.

Dr. Evans accomplished an incredible amount during her lifetime, and “Audrey’s Children” attempts to cover all areas.
“Audrey’s Children” attempts to cram in all of Dr. Evans’s formidable achievements like Santa packing presents for a three-generational New England clan on Christmas Eve. There’s her research, conducted old school, in basements, on scribbled index cards taped to cinder-block walls. There’s her wonderful bedside manner with her young patients. There’s the fact that she’s the pediatric oncology version of the Unsinkable Molly Brown—she displays tireless passion and tremendous, discerning intelligence.

While not a stellar biopic, “Audrey’s Children” is sure to inspire good deeds in medical profession aspirants and is definitely worth a watch for everyone.
4/6/25

I just came upon something that suggests that the FBI is diverting resources to where they are needed most. So instead of hassling silent abortion protestors and those who spoke up at school board meetings, the FBI will now shift focus where the unsolved crimes are.
From Elkhorn Media Group:
The U.S. Justice Department announced yesterday it will “surge FBI assets across the country to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, including crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons.”
The FBI will send 60 assets, rotating in 90-day temporary assignments over a six month period for Operation Not Forgotten. In addition to Portland and Seattle, the assets will be deployed to field offices in Albuquerque, Denver, Mississippi, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. They will partner with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement agencies across those jurisdictions.

At the beginning of the fiscal year 2025, the FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

We are all familiar with the saying: “Robbers rob banks because that’s where the money is,” and so it makes sense to send the FBI to places where the unsolved crimes are, and thus Operation Not Forgotten.
4/5/25

We are all probably aware that the prior administration believed in open borders … but that’s not all! We were not aware of the extent to which the prior administration was doing way more than just letting supposed refugees into the U.S.
The following is from a whistle-blower who lets us know what was really happening with the refugee resettlement program.
Initially these “refugees” were given Social Security Numbers. But that’s not all!
Next these “refugees” were interviewed to see if they perhaps had any hint of chronic medical problems. No exam. No documentation. If these “refugees” stated that they did have some chronic health issue, then they could qualify for long term social security disability, which would almost guarantee benefits for life.
But that’s not all!
The next unbelievable step in the process was to process them for a U.S. passport.
But that’s not all!
If these states to which these “refugees” were sent objected to taking any more, then they could federal government then bypassed these states such that they were then subsequently totally out of the loop, and other “charitable” organizations, such as Catholic charities were put in charge.

Even though I was shocked when I read about these unbelievable above noted tactics, my guess is “that’s not all!”
4/4/25