One Citizen Speaking

My best friend Al is constantly bugging me to write something happy. I have told him, time and time again, as one dealing with today’s dangerous and chaotic politics, “I don’t do happy.”

However, if it makes him happy…

The thrill of the great outdoors is unmatched, especially when I'm with my best friend, Al. We’ve had our share of hunting and fishing trips, but one adventure stands out as an actual test of the ever-changing weather in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. It’s immortalized on my wall: a 2-by-3-foot framed photo of me, stranded in a beached boat, bundled in cold-weather gear and waving a bright red rain poncho on the end of an oar, signaling for help to return to the marina.

Our day began like any other—with an early morning drive to Lake Crowley alongside our fishing buddies. Al, ever the organized one, had meticulously planned every detail. With our gear stowed and that familiar thrill in the air, we set our sights on a secluded spot far from the rental-boat marina. The day was picture-perfect: the sun sparkled on the water, the air was crisp and cold, snow capped the surrounding mountains, and it felt like we had the entire lake to ourselves.

We launched our small aluminum boat, its motor sputtering to life as we glided across the calm surface. For hours, we cast our lines, sharing stories and soaking in the tranquility—though we caught nothing. But as the afternoon wore on, the wind began to shift. What started as a gentle breeze quickly escalated into an increasingly gusty wind that took us by surprise.

In just minutes, the serene lake transformed into a choppy mess, rocking our little boat like a cork. Al, ever calm amid the rising wind and aware that the entire marina rental fleet had suffered significant wind damage in recent weeks, wisely decided to beach the boat rather than risk capsizing. He took the helm and steered us toward the shore. We battled against the increasing chop, the wind gusting and the spray of cold water—the motor sputtering. But with Al’s steady hands and unwavering determination, we finally beached the boat on the sandy shoreline.

Exhausted but grateful to be on solid ground, we quickly realized we were stranded. The wind howled, and we were destined to be stuck for hours, unable to refloat our boat safely. Yet that’s the magic of Al—no matter how dire the situation, he knows how to turn it into an adventure.

We spent those hours laughing at the absurdity of our predicament, cold but determined to make the best of it. Al, ever the planner, pulled out snacks from his pack—because, of course, he had packed snacks—turning our potentially miserable wait into something surprisingly enjoyable.

An onshore resident spotted my makeshift distress signal and notified the Sheriff. As the wind began to die down, we saw a Deputy Sheriff approaching in a much larger boat. He backed down into the shallow water, threw us a line, and began towing us back to safety. But just as we thought our troubles were over, the larger boat’s engine started to falter.

After consulting the Deputy, Al lashed our small boat to the larger one, and with the outboard motor at full throttle, we managed to slowly make our way back to the marina. As we neared the marina, the Deputy, keen to avoid the embarrassment of being rescued himself, suggested that Al take our smaller boat back just around the bend while he limped the larger boat into the marina.

As we approached the marina, the Sheriff—who lived on the lake—demanded to know how the larger boat had become disabled. Suspicion dripped from his voice as he questioned whether the Deputy had backed it into shore and fouled the impeller with sand. Al and I quickly swore it wasn’t the case, insisting a tow rope had been used to rescue us after we pushed our boat into the water so the rescue boat could avoid the shallow sandy bottom. The Sheriff remained skeptical, but I later wrote a letter of commendation for our Deputy, which ended up on the bulletin board, much to the Sheriff’s chagrin. We later learned the larger boat was down for three days while they repaired the damaged inboard impeller and cracked casing.

That day reinforced why Al is the best friend anyone could wish for. In moments of calm, he’s the perfect partner for a peaceful day on the lake. But in the face of chaos, he’s the steady presence that makes even the toughest challenges manageable.

So here’s to Al, the ultimate hunting and fishing partner, who turns getting stranded into an unforgettable adventure.

And now, back to contemplating how screwed we are as our country is facing a near-existential catastrophe in the 2024 presidential race!

Steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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Terrorist Hassan Nasrallah Cries 'Genocide'—While Hezbollah Rains Rockets on Israel for Years!

Virgins rejoice as up to 4,000 or more potential rapists lose their balls…

In an ironic twist, the terrorist group Hezbollah’s attempts to circumvent Israeli surveillance through alternative communication devices resulted in catastrophe for its own operatives. Explosive-laden pagers and walkie-talkies—distributed to Hezbollah fighters to evade Israeli intelligence—mysteriously detonated nearly simultaneously. The blast inflicted death and severe injuries on those who had been issued the devices, leading to internal chaos within the terrorist organization.

These unexpected explosions have raised questions about whether Israeli counterintelligence played a role in this devastating misfire. While Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Nasrallah seeks to accuse Israel of war crimes, Hezbollah’s increasingly reckless tactics, including their use of explosive-laden vests, highlight the group’s willingness to sacrifice its own fighters in the ongoing conflict. As Nasrallah’s accusations escalate, so too does the internal unraveling of Hezbollah’s dangerous and self-destructive strategy.

Nasrallah’s first televised speech after the explosive turn of events…

Responding to Israel’s alleged attack on Hezbollah terrorists with explosive-filled pagers and walkie-talkies, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Lebanese Shia Islamist cleric Hassan Nasrallah, once again took to the airwaves and accused Israel of genocide and committing an “act of war.”

“There is no doubt that we have been subjected to a major security and military blow that is unprecedented in the history of the resistance and unprecedented in the history of Lebanon,”

“This type of killing, targeting, and crime may be unprecedented in the world.”

“The enemy went beyond all controls, laws, and morals.”

“How can this criminal act be characterized? It is nothing but a terrorist act. It is nothing but a genocide.

“And this is the word that we are going to adopt, genocide, to be added to the Israeli enemy's crimes and massacres perpetrated over decades since the creation of this cancerous entity in our region. It is an act of war against the people of Lebanon, Lebanon's sovereignty. It is a declaration of war.”

“It is an act of war and can be characterized as such.” ~Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, September 19, 2024

However, these accusations come after years of Hezbollah launching relentless rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, creating a devastating cycle of violence across the region. Nasrallah’s rhetoric deliberately omits Hezbollah’s own role in stoking tensions through continued aggression while casting blame solely on Israel. This calculated narrative deflects from the group’s strategy to escalate conflict and undermine Israel’s right to self-defense.

The Israeli army evacuated residents from 28 communities that are located within 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) of the border with Lebanon.

In addition to the barrage of rockets, Hezbollah has launched numerous cross-border terrorist attacks, forcing many Israelis living near the northern border with Lebanon to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer regions. Entire communities have been displaced as Hezbollah’s rocket fire, designed to terrorize civilians, turns once-thriving areas into ghost towns. Schools, hospitals, and businesses have been emptied as families flee from a territory that has become a dangerous frontline.

The Israeli government’s efforts to safeguard its citizens have been undermined by the sheer scale of Hezbollah’s attacks. The constant threat of rockets raining down has made everyday life impossible for those living near Lebanon, pushing Israel to take defensive actions to protect its people and territory.

Iranian Ambassador Injured—Holding Hezbollah’s Explosive Pager.

Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was reportedly among those injured in this week’s explosions. However, what raises even more questions is why the ambassador was carrying a pager that had been distributed to Hezbollah terrorists. No formal explanation has been given, but none is really needed. It is widely known that Hezbollah operates as a proxy group for Iran, much like Hamas and the Houthis. Iran’s deep ties to these militant organizations have long been part of its strategy to extend influence in the region through armed groups that serve its geopolitical interests.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will duly follow up on the attack against its ambassador in Lebanon, which resulted in his injury, and reserves its rights under international law to take required measures deemed necessary to respond to such a heinous crime and violation.”

Blinken’s cowardice.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a known “friend of Iran,” rushed to the media to assure his Iranian pals that the U.S. was not involved.

“I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations."

This is credible because, had the State Department known in advance, they would have been the first to leak the information to their Iranian pals.

Bottom line…

With the region on edge and lives on both sides hanging in the balance, the truth behind Hezbollah’s reckless aggression and failed plots are becoming impossible to ignore.

Nasrallah continues to point fingers at Israel, accusing it of war crimes and genocide. However, Hezbollah’s relentless rocket fire and orchestrated terrorist attacks have forced thousands of Israeli civilians to flee from their homes, leaving behind livelihoods and communities. The organization’s own reckless methods and disregard for human life—on both sides of the border—speak volumes about the true nature of the conflict.

While Nasrallah’s claims grow louder, the reality on the ground shows a different picture: one of a terrorist organization sowing fear and destruction while pushing the region towards more profound instability.

Until we see the reform or defeat of the Islamists, we are so screwed.

-- Steve