Monthly Archives: January 2023

Monday 27 January, 2025

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8:09 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy, some flurries. High 28. 20 now.

Two days until the State of the Union speech at the current US Capitol building, which in reality was the former Colorado State Capitol. The generous state will have this building returned to them in May when the new and permanent US Capitol complex is completed right down the road from there. Even though the current chambers have been modified to hold far more congressmen and senators  it is still going to be a tight fit on Wednesday night. No matter. The government continues to settle into Denver and the town is really starting to feel like the capital city of a sovereign nation-state.

David will be home next Tuesday. He’s currently in San Diego wrapping up his duties before leave begins. His promotion will be held here in Denver or more likely down in Colorado Springs. My successor at DoD has done magnificently since taking over. But unfortunately, he’s now wrestling with Congress over next year’s defense budget. We are not entirely out of the woods yet. Russia is still behaving rather aggressively and has a large chunk of Europe under its control. Along with a lot of nuclear weapons. So, the defense budget will probably remain plump for the coming year at least. Then there is the matter of forces assigned to relief and recovery missions inside of our borders. We can’t pull the rug out from beneath them. Sadly there’s only enough money to go around though and someone will get the short end of the stick.

Saturday 25 January, 2025

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7:44 PM

Today’s Weather: Snow showers. High 28. 24 now.

This was moving weekend for Megan as she gets set to start her new school. Brigham Young University has welcomed her with open arms. Laura and I helped her move into her on campus apartment this afternoon and afterward, BYU’s president gave the three of us a tour of the campus. I was struck by the veritable ‘Can-Do’ attitude I saw in the faculty and students. I know the Mormons are very big on service and President Bannister informed me that 92% of undergraduates have gone east to work with relief agencies in two-month rotations over the past twelve months. That number is beyond impressive. I’m happy for Megan and believe that BYU will be a better fit than Stanford.

Lori and I are on Air Force 2 now and about to land in Salt Lake City for a small dinner with the governor of Utah and his wife. Unlike the majority of his constituents, Utah’s governor is not a Mormon, but this state seems more than satisfied with his leadership. I can see why. Utah is definitely a post-Sept ’22  success story.  

Thursday 23 January, 2025

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10:39 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunny. High 22. 11 now.

This morning at the cabinet meeting at the White House, Department of Relief and Recovery brought it to the administration’s attention that the resettlement question will soon be revisited in five separate east coast cities. Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Baltimore. Essentially, the Northeast Corridor for those of you who might’ve been rail fans before the world went south. All five cities have been emptied and are protected by the military and various federal and state agencies. I totally forgot this is a matter the administration revisits every six months. It came about before I showed up on the scene.

I mean for all intent and purposes all five of these once great American cities are dead. DC, Philadelphia and New York for certain going by what I’ve seen firsthand and know. I can’t speak for sure about the Baltimore and Boston but I don’t see how either one can be ready for resettlement.

Nevertheless, government bureaucracy continued unabated. Studies must be conducted and the results analyzed to death. I get it. In the big picture this isn’t a major issue. But after yesterday’s request from the UN it does serve as s stark reminder that the United States has more than enough of its own problems to deal too. It is not just China that’s hurting.

Wednesday 22 January, 2025

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7:58 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy with flurries. High 27. 21 now.

The United Nations has made a formal request to us concerning the shipment of aid to China. Apparently, there is growing concern about starvation and disease spreading uncontrollably around the coastal areas and interior provinces there. Our erstwhile friends at the UN want to increase the amount of aid earmarked for China and are looking for contributions towards a peacekeeping force to keep their people and the supplies safe before distribution. It seems the recent large shipments of aid have encountered unforeseen difficulties. From the intelligence reports that cross my desk it seems China is turning downright feudal. The central government collapsed practically the moment our missiles started to hit. The replacement government is still trying to gain its footing. Meanwhile, a hundred fiefdoms have sprung up all over the former PRC, run by corrupt former local officials or military officers. When the first UN supply trucks enter their territory, they’re ambushed and the warlords/ leaders take the booty and distribute it to their liking. Much like pirates back in the day.

I’m not surprised the UN is screaming help but they’re barking up the wrong tree by expecting us to pitch in. It is just not going to happen. At least not today. Talk to us once we get our own house in order and can afford to help the rest of the world.

Monday 20 January, 2025

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9:05 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunny in the morning, clouds in afternoon. High 33. 20 now.

The McAlister/Wertz ’25 campaign team is getting ready for the Iowa caucus set for mid-February. It goes without saying that this campaign will be unlike any in American history. The issue of voting in the east has yet to be resolved. I’m confident it will be, but a swift resolution will be to everyone’s benefit. Campaigning and polling will not commence until the day following the State of the Union speech. This was agreed to previously by the DNC and GOP, albeit with some reluctance. Speaking of the major parties, both the Democrats and Republicans are having a difficult time attempting to place a label on the McAlister/Wertz ticket. Are we Democrats or Republicans? Moderate, left or right leaning? About the only thing they’re in agreement on is that we are both unrepentant hawks. I’m not sure I agree with that particular label and my running mate would probably agree. The president did not ask for these challenges to be placed in his lap and I certainly didn’t either. Circumstances and choices made by leaders abroad are what brought us to this point, not hawkish policies. But that’s neither here nor there. Politics is politics and every move I have made since September, 2022 is now being examined and analyzed by ally and opponent alike. The time will come when I’ll need to explain some decisions I made back in Lancaster. I’m ready for that.