As the twentieth anniversary of the most deadly attacks on American soil nears, there is so much more going on that we need to digest.

            Sept. 11, 2001 must never be forgotten. Yet, we battle to make room in our minds to remember while we try to absorb the issues and downright problems we face in our lives, our country, and our world today.

            The self-imposed deadline of having all U.S. military personnel out of Afghanistan by Aug. 31 made by President Biden is now the red-line proclaimed by the Taliban under threats of "circumstances" if not met.  President Biden, at a recent news conference said, "The sooner we can finish, the better.  Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops."

            He also reported that we are currently on pace to finish evacuation by Aug. 31.  Are we?

            There are many U.S. officials in Afghanistan who disagree.

            The COVID pandemic is ramping back up and along with it fear and distrust in government and health officials for a variety of reasons – mostly fear and distrust.  Fear must be replaced with reason and facts when trying to encourage people to get the vaccine. If someone doesn't trust you, they won't listen to you – earn the peoples' trust first and they will listen to what you have to say.  If you are a public official and you can't or won't earn the peoples' trust, then shut up and get out of the way and let someone more trustworthy and knowledgeable do it. 

            Inflation is up; way up.  The cost of living is being replaced by the cost to survive.  The stock market may be up, but so is the cost of fuel, groceries, and just about everything else.  What's going on? 

            As Congress prepares to put us another $4+ trillion dollars in debt ($3.5 trillion of it through a process to bypass a Senate vote) we need to know what our Washington stalwarts are doing about the economy – other than putting future generations of U.S. taxpayers in deeper debt.

            They tell you that everything is fine but you know that's not true.  You face it every time you buy groceries or put fuel in your tank so you can go to work and pay taxes so they have more to spend.

            Crimes in major U.S. cities are nearing all-time highs.  Criminals know their chances of getting caught are slim and their chances of substantial punishment is slimmer.  Officials are too busy figuring out how to empty prisons instead of keeping people safe.

            Our southern border is a separate, frustrating chapter.

            All this feeds our distrust of each other.  And, as long as people are kept busy fighting with each other, they won't have time to focus on all of the crises affecting our nation today and holding elected officials accountable for it (maybe that's the plan).

            It may or may not be their fault, but our elected officials are the ones who said vote for me and I'll be responsible.

            We're waiting.