Tuesday, January 27, 2026

This Sounds So Familiar

 

The civil disobedience going on in Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis, has gotten most everyone’s attention as minor confrontations have escalated into mayhem, chaos and bloodshed. Have I accurately described what major media outlets have portrayed as “Peaceful Demonstrations”?

Looking at the situation being spilled all over the news and social media from afar, thankfully from afar, I was reminded of a short story written by Robert Heinlein and contained within a collection of stories under the title, The Past Through Tomorrow – Future History Stories. I should explain that Heinlein’s writings were some of the first to be read simply for enjoyment as opposed to mandatory assignments associated with obtaining scholastic achievement.  It was through reading stories by Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury that I found the joy of reading, entering someone else’s world of imagination simply because their thoughts provoked and encouraged trips of fantasy.

Where was I…the situation which has turned so ugly in Minneapolis, Minnesota has a familiar ring to it, as if the names and places had been changed to avoid being mistaken for a piece of science fiction written long ago, it was science fiction, wasn’t it? 

I’m referring to the story, The Roads Must Roll, all about a group of radical dissidents tasked with maintaining and operating a modern transportation system.  The ringleader of the group wanted to take over the entire operation and was willing to destroy the system, maim or kill innocent travelers if need be, as long as his demands were taken seriously. 

To accomplish the takeover, which he’d planned to the last detail, he’d recruited several like-minded workers who were willing to support and initiate the destruction of the road system. How else could such an undertaking be successful, without having key players, individuals who were willing to be sacrificed if needed.

This morning while going over entries on Facebook I read a short notice explaining that the Lt. Governor of Minnesota may have been actively participating in the organization engaged in opposing ICE’s arrests and deportation efforts.

From the Dallas Express:

“Minnesota “Signal”gate? Did the Lt. Governor Coordinate with Media and Activist Groups To Dox ICE Operation Locations?

Minnesota state Representative Alex Falconer, a Democrat, has publicly acknowledged participating in a Signal network used to organize “community responses” to ICE activity, according to The Washington Times. The same report identified Amanda Koehler, a former campaign strategist for Gov. Tim Walz, as an administrator of a Signal group known as “MN ICE Watch.”

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has forcefully denied claims that she coordinated or operated a Signal chat used to track ICE activity.”

 

It wouldn’t be too difficult to assume, a dangerous word all by itself, to assume that many key elected leaders in Minnesota, to include that total imbecilic governor, Tim “Tampon” Walz are strongly opposed to having ICE task forces arresting illegal aliens, many of whom are dangerous criminals to include murderers, rapists, child predators, robbers and let’s not forget those involved in stealing millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars through fraud and deception; it wouldn’t be too difficult to assume these elected leaders hold an active part in attempting to thwart any and all ICE arrests.  (Thank you, Mrs. Spain, a high school teacher who pointed out the abuse inflicted each time I insert a run on sentence.)

Maybe this combination of dissidents starting from the top down, maybe this was what triggered my recollection of a short story written back in 1940, a story that contained common elements of power and control being toyed with without regard for the lives and safety of the public which entrusted these very same elected officials with their lives and safety.


Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Like a Fishing Boat in Rough Seas

 

I went through some of the photographs in my files and found one that validated my reason to never become a fisherman, an individual who works on a flimsy boat out in the ocean for a living.  That image became the wallpaper on my computer this week, as seems fitting considering some of the issues going on in the world.

(No idea who to credit for the photograph)

The weather forecast for this weekend calls for an uncharacteristically nasty cold, wet Arctic blast that could possibly bring snow, sleet or ice to parts of south Texas.  Knowing how news media outlets use events to sell airtime to the public, sensationalizing the possibility of dangerous weather, road conditions that might be super hazardous and a chance that grocery stores could run out of necessities; this kind of weather reporting is good for business.  Take it with a grain of salt, it might not be all that bad; then again, stay home if you can this weekend.

Have you noticed the precious metals market, specifically the attention to the gold and silver prices as they climbed to record highs?  We’re in for some interesting times as the banks holding promises to deliver on their silver holdings only have pieces of paper rather than actual physical silver.  In other words, and these numbers are only approximately accurate, but in other words there are roughly 47 pieces of paper claiming to be the same 1 ounce of silver owned by all those 47 investors. When it comes time for the bank to settle up, let’s just say it won’t be silver hitting the fan.

An ounce of gold passed $4,700 yesterday.  Why is that important? Maybe it’s important on the world economic stage because the Dollar becomes less and less the standard which keeps the United States afloat. I don’t claim to be schooled in world economy; however, if the nations of the world decided to use something other than the Dollar as a reference for value, then things could become rather dicey, I think that’s the term, dicey.

I’m much better observing perfectly timed photographs or paintings by artists like Winslow Homer as he captured angry seas, the master’s ability to blend oil paint into dark colors within treacherous waves as men made their way across them in their flimsy boats, prayerfully hoping to make it back to safe harbor.  I can feel the danger those men faced, even if only from the comfort of my easy chair, sitting in the confines of my home. 

Y’all stay safe now, ya’ hear!

 

 

Monday, January 12, 2026

Amazing find at local Kroger Grocery Store


This past Friday while finishing up our grocery shopping at the Kroger store in Huntsville, Texas, I happened to glance at one of those ‘point of purchase’ items, the must have do-dads placed near the cash register that you hadn’t planned to buy; but oh, my goodness, you must have it.

You’d think finding specialty items used by MI-7 or CIA’s deep cover operatives would be limited to a special catalog, technologically advanced weapons available only for individuals with special security clearances, but here they were, and at a grocery store?  I carefully considered adding this item to our shopping cart and then wondered if it would be safe to store it in our vehicle.

There were several Vortex Umbrellas on display without any noticeable security barriers. Not even the high command at MI-7 were aware of the Vortex group of assassins hidden within their own trusted cadre of agents. Yet here they were at the cash register available to anyone.

There were no distinctive markings on the product as to whether these were T-2 or T-4 type defensive or offensive umbrellas as shown in the Johnny English Reborn movie. The two items appeared nearly identical: the one being designed to deflect bullets while the other as a self-contained rocket launcher.  I used my cellphone to capture a photograph of the fancy umbrella’s product card since nobody would believe such a prize was available at Kroger.

I’d almost bet the farm we’ll find lipstick dispensers that double as a single shot pistol over in the cosmetic’s aisle or maybe some of those throat lozenges that distort your voice in the pharmacy department.  I’ve always suspected something else was being run out of the Kroger store; why else have such a huge second floor that isn’t open to the general public?

I’ve spent enough time considering our next grocery shopping trip.  It’s time to finish reading the book I got for Christmas, The Secret Life of Walter Mittey.  Y’all be safe out there.