While it seems that one topic dominates the news cycles these days, hatred for President Trump, there is so much else to talk about. And a lot of important news that is going unnoticed by the vast majority of our population. Or maybe I just can't decide which specific topic I want to discuss in this week's column. You know what that means, a random thoughts and observation discussion.

If you don't listen to Candace Owen's podcast, you should. She and her guests not only discuss a wide range of topics, but they are very articulate and able to break down complicated and emotional topics into language that is very easy to understand. Michael Knowles was her guest last week. It was very good.

Did you know that there are now something like 56 genders? I'm not even going to begin to try and identify them all but if that is 'true' doesn't there have to be a couple of inanimate gender options? Like a broom or a rock?

I haven't been able to figure out why Robert Mueller appeared so incompetent during his testimony. Was he really that uninformed or was he just playing us? To not really even know who or what Fusion GPS is boggles the mind. Did he just go into the investigation believing the outcome was certain? Probably not. If his hand-picked anti-Trump investigators couldn't cook up enough evidence for charges to be filed, wouldn't Mueller have gone back through the investigation with a fine toothed comb? Or is he protecting himself against the evidence that might come out from the IG's report? That's more likely.

It seems to me that the left wing wants to judge everyone and everything by their faults or mistakes. America is a terrible, racist, bigoted country because we allowed slavery. Never mind that we've done so much more for freedom, opportunity, equality, etc. than any other country in the world. Conservatives are lambasted if they said or did something potentially offensive 40 years ago, despite the fact that they may have lived a pristine life since then. No one is allowed to 'progress' and get better or to put their past behind them. Unless it's Uncle Joe or Reverend Al or Slick Willy.

President Trump wants the poor and children to starve. He is likely to propose a rule that would standardize qualifying for food stamps. Currently if someone qualifies for certain state benefits, they automatically qualify for federal assistance. Trump wants to set a common standard by asking applicants to document their income and meet a specific standard in order to qualify for federal benefits; in other words, means testing. Democrats don't like that, yet they want to apply means testing to Social Security retirement 'benefits,' even though it's your money.

Iran has been pushing the envelope by seizing oil tankers they claimed to be in territorial waters. They are also turning up the rhetoric at home, targeting the United States. Many of the attacks on Saudi oil productions facilities are now being carried out by the Republican Guard, rather than through proxies, which has been their standard MO. China and Russia are 'secretly' purchasing oil from Iran which is still funding these terrorist activities. Something has to give and it will likely be soon. Of course it will be Trump's fault.

The rates of suicide and diagnosed depression among those under the age of 25 have hit all time highs. Why is that? Because our children are not only being taught to be victims, but they are also confused. What can you say or not say? Which bathroom do I use? How many genders are there? What is my role in society? Structure is a good thing to have; certainty is a good thing to have. From there we can teach kids how to deal with adversity or how to take chances and go beyond the borders.

Finally, pay attention to local issues. GRIP is going after our ranchers and farmers with renewed efforts.

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