New Years, 2025 started with death, terror, and fire in the two American cities noted for having a good time. The terror attacked in New Orleans may have been prevented if city officials listened to warnings five years ago. A study of security for the French Quarter showed the bollard system, those metal pillars we’ve all seen around buildings and streets, was in need of repair and the area was vulnerable to vehicle attacks. The warnings were ignored until recently. The city was starting to replace the system to get ready for the Super Bowl. There was no system in place for New Years Eve and the Sugar Bowl. The terrorist just drove around a police car. This was a failure of city officials to prioritize public safety and the failure to recognize the world we live in.
The cyber truck attack in Las Vegas show how a damaged individual, who is determined can get access to explosives, and strike when it’s least expected. Both men were military veterans damaged by the effects of war and ideology. The wars over the last twenty-four years have drastically changed the world and society and damaged a generation of Americans who fought those wars. The safety of public places for celebrations like parades, festivals, and concerts need a security plan that must prepare for the unexpected in a changed world.
We enter the new year with half the country looking forward to Trump’s America and half living in fear of Trump’s America. The division was no clearer than the vote for Speaker of the House. Mike Johnson had to take three Republicans who voted against him into a room and get Trump on the phone to apply pressure. Two caved. Johnson now has the worst job in America. He will be caught in the vice between the extreme right MAGA wing of the party and the tag team of Trump-Musk. They have already crushed Johnson’s plan to avoid a government shutdown down. Johnson scrambled to get a scaled down plan in place at the last minute. We are now in a countdown to see how long he will last. The other countdown will be for Elon Musk. Musk is hogging too much of the spotlight. We know what happens to people who fly too close to the sun. Some Democrats are calling him President Musk. Ouch.
The country has been tested over its history by war, divisive politics, and depression. Democrats badly misjudged voters. We now have the country the majority wanted. Now is the time for those who don’t like the direction of the country to fight to change it. Democrats need to develop a message to win back the voters they lost. Trump is promising to make drastic changes in almost every aspect of government. Now, campaign promises are one thing, governing and making things really happen is another. It’s up to those who see the danger to stand up and fight.
Winter is here. Spring will come. Nature turns in cycles. We can’t control that. But we can control our future.
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