The 43rd President of the United States (George W. Bush) listened to Trump’s inaugural and turned to the former Secretary of State (Gen. Colin Powell) and said, “well, that was some weird shit.”

Indeed it was.

Trump, raged about “American carnage” and described a dystopic America that existed only in the fever dreams of a noxious mix of conspiracy theorists, demagogic commentators and dishonest propaganda platforms getting rich by spreading the disinformation planted by foreign intelligence services.

Three years on it turns out Trump’s speech was prophecy. He has brought devastation to America. His legacy will be mass death and economic collapse caused by his staggering incompetence and ineptitude.

The United States is the epicenter of Covid-19 disease and death and the reason is because of Trump. Trump has failed at an epic level. He has divided the county and stoked a cold civil war. He has lied more than 17000 times and desecrated the American Presidency. He has assaulted American patriots , our most important institutions and attacked the rule of law. He is corrupt, indecent and utterly lacking character.  He processes none of the qualities of greatness and goodness that have steered our country through its’ darkest nights. He is a fool without compare. He is intellectually unfit and mentally fragile. He is unworthy of his office and unfit for its duties.

We are living in a moment of American weakness unlike any of us have ever seen. Trump is the architect of that weakness. He is the instrument of our precipitous national decline.

Recovery from this disaster will take many years. Trump is not capable at any level of leading it.

The election ahead is the most important this country has faced since 1864. Let it end this rancid era of the reality show Presidency. Let it send this tiresome and ignorant bully back to Trump Tower and cleanse the stench of his corruption, idiocy, racebaiting and failure from our national life. The name Trump will long linger. It will stand for suffering and unnecessary death. It will stand for economic collapse and financial ruin. It will stand for failure and weakness. It will stand for decline and dishonesty. It will stand for stupidity and indecency.

But, mostly it will mark a tragic time in America where the worst leader in our long history, a man so outmatched by history’s test was the President.

He will be remembered rightfully as the worst one we have ever had.

Steve Schmitt - Republican Political Consultant

On The Road to Villanueva

OK, we broke protocol.

Kind of.

After 4 weeks around the house, except for the not-frequent visits to a hardware store, and a supermarket, it was time to head out.

The 323 mile journey, during which our only contact with fellow New Mexicans was a friendly wave along the highway, and at the drive-thru window at Wendy's, away we went.

Here's what we saw.

State Road Three - between I-40 and Villanueva!

These 345,000 volt electric soldiers, I recall from my years in the electric utility business, carry power across the sagebrush plains between switching stations in Bernalillo and Blackwater (near Clovis).   It's 216 miles long.  I think, now, in additional to traditional power generation sources (coal fired power plants), the lines are used to transmit power from solar and wind generation used by PNM and other utilities across the west.

Villanueva State Park, on the banks of the Pecos River was tranquil.  It had been opened up for day use, only.   There were picnickers in one site - and nary another soul around - except for the state park employee who kindly told us that day-use at the park didn't require payment of a fee!

Along the way we visited another state park - Storrie Lake near Las Vegas.  There, our trusty Teddy, looked longingly at the lapping blue waters, probably wondering how he could get to the ducks that were quacking in the distance.  But, not wanting to get his little feet wet!

On thru Mora, Cleveland, Holman, Tres Ritos, SiPaPu, Vadito, Penasco, Las Trampas, Ojo Sarco, Truchas and skirting Picuris, Nambe, Pojoaque, Tesuque, Cochiti, San Felipe, Santa Ana and Sandia pueblos we went.

Arriving back in The Big Duke City 8 hours later.

It was worth it!

Corona Deaths

We have now had more American deaths from the coronavirus in less than three months than battlefield deaths during the entire Vietnam War.

Eatin' & Drinkin'

Half of us are going to come out of this pandemic as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.

Which is which?

When this is over. what meeting do I attend first.....Weight Watchers or AA?

Tuesday Takeaways

On a bright spring day, here are some of my Tuesday thoughts.

First - the price of gasoline at the pump is great for the consumer's pocketbook.  Probably not so for those making a living on the oil patch.  Those folks who take a shower when they get off work, instead of taking a shower when they go to work!

On a recent trip to Santa Fe, required because of a dental emergency, the price of gasoline at a reservation station was $1.19 for regular.

I had to blink twice!

In a sense, I wish our gas guzzling SUV's were using more gasoline, it's so cheap!   But, that's not logical, is it?

Then, the trip to the neighborhood Target.

No problem, most of the folks shopping were wearing some type of face covering.

The shelves were filled with paper towels and toilet paper.

Thank goodness!

Keeping physical separation, I couldn't help but overhear the cashier conversation with the senior citizen in front of me.

"Thank you for coming to Target.  How are you today?"

"Not good!"

I wondered what that was all about.  The clerk continued her job and courteously told the lady to have a better day.

Last night, the big event of the last week.

Following the conclusion of the Better Call Saul season, off it was to America's Drive-In!

There was no place to park, they were all filled.   About a dozen cars were line for the drive-thru.

The wait was worth it!

Now, maybe it's time for a trip to:

ABQ Jack Frost

It happens every year!

Early Spring!

The grape vine begins to grow.

The snow arrives!

A deep freeze!

So, here's what it looked like the day after Easter!

Snowing!

Here's a shot of a protected grapevine leaf!

And, here's a shot of a grapevine leaf, high and mighty, exposed to the elements.  Jack Frost paid a visit.  The leaves crinkled as they crumbled to the ground.

Another freeze is yet to come!

Stand by!