My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 4, 2026

For those of us who remember the 1970s, the phrase “It’s Morning in America” in the 1980s meant something.

It wasn’t just a Republican campaign slogan. It was a declaration of renewal after a decade of national humiliation and economic pain. We watched America stumble out of the Vietnam quagmire, suffer through OPEC-driven energy crises that fueled runaway inflation and endure the weakness of the Carter years — capped by the Iranian hostage crisis that saw 66 Americans held for 444 days while our embassy was overrun.

Then came Ronald Reagan.

A strong, unapologetic leader who restored confidence, rebuilt our military, confronted our adversaries and reminded the world that America was back. The malaise lifted. Pride returned. The sun rose again.

Today, that same feeling is returning.

After four years of Biden-era weakness — open borders, record inflation, energy dependence, a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and diminished respect on the world stage — America is experiencing a new dawn under President Trump’s leadership.

The parallels are striking: a decisive commander-in-chief who puts America First, demands respect from allies and adversaries alike and rejects the apologetic decline of the previous administration. Just as Reagan rejected Carter’s malaise, Trump is rejecting Biden’s legacy of managed decline.

You can see it in the renewed swagger and confidence among those who wear the uniform. Our military personnel and veterans are standing taller. Recruitment and morale are rebounding as the culture of apology and weakness is replaced by one of strength, readiness and national pride.

It’s not magic. It’s leadership.

Strong, decisive, America First leadership that understands peace comes through strength, prosperity through energy dominance and national unity through shared purpose rather than division.

It’s Morning in America — again. And this time, the sun is rising on a nation that refuses to apologize for being exceptional.

= = =

After posting my thoughts to #TBT on Thursday morning, the thinking triggered me to submit some unrequested editorial thoughts to TheHustings.news. Who knows if the editor will like it since the topic was supposed to be on the previous weekend’s No Kings rally.  – Posted in Thursday on TheHustings Grey Area.

Category: Archive | No Comments »
Tags: commentary, donald trump, morning in america, ronald reagan, thehustings

Posted By RichC on April 3, 2026

From the Dwell app for Good Friday. Always great content … consider listening or reading the Bible In A Year (audio). 😉

Category: Faith, Software | No Comments »
Tags: apps, bible, christianity, dwell, good friday, listening, reading

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2026

In searching for a way to include the small “baby bananas” growing outside our condo’s bedroom window (see 2021) AND a “Morning in America” graphic, I’ve finally decided to include it as a Throwback Thursday #TBT post — a very weak one.

As for the reason it resonates with so many from my generation, it was a political slogan after U.S. weakness and malaise in the 1970s. It may have started when exiting Vietnam after years stuck in a nightmarish quagmire, OPEC controlling energy prices which in my opinion helped ratchet up inflation … AND with Iran taking 66 Americans hostage and overtaking our U.S. embassy in Tehran. 

Fast forward to today. It once again feels like It’s Morning in America with a similarly strong leader (Reagan / Trump) helping America feel better about their future and gaining back the respect and strong leadership that seemed lost (Carter / Biden). Of course it is too simplistic to believe that’s the only difference … BUT one can’t help notice the confidence and swagger from those who wear the uniform and defend our country. It is higher than I’ve seen it in years. 

Hm .. stay tuned. I think I feel some commentary for TheHustings.news coming. 😉 

Category: History, Misc, Personal, Photos, Politics, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: bananas, hostages, inflation, iran, morning in america, opec, ronald reagan, TBT, throwback, vietnam war, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2026

Over the last few years, I’ve enjoyed being asked to opine on current events and politics for TheHustings.news. It is a congenial bunch writers, who at least outwardly, accept the opinions of others. The talented group consist of retired, or perhaps close to retiring journalists, political campaign PR writers/managers, editors and college professors, who come from different parts of the country. A couple of them were automotive journalists (including the editor), whose side interest is politics … which was how I was introduced.

As a non-professional writer, I’ve enjoyed contributing and have found it challenging. What has surprised me, was that I am one of the few (or only one?) who sees things from the MAGA point of view … even if my opinions don’t always align with President Trump. That said, I’m definitely more aligned with fiscal conservatives and Republicans than the others OR even where many Democrat voters have shifted these days (embracing socialism). 😉 

Yesterday’s request came late in the day … but since I’ve been following the SCOTUS oral arguments, added my two-cents. 

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, weighing President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The administration argues that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders, aiming to curb what has become a modern “birth tourism” and an illegal immigration incentive industry unknown 166 years ago.

This view has merit. The Clause was ratified post-Civil War primarily to secure citizenship for freed slaves and their descendants—those born here fully subject to U.S. authority, not foreign diplomats, illegals flooding across the Biden administration’s open border or transient visitors owing primary allegiance elsewhere. Today’s expansive interpretation, granting automatic citizenship to hundreds of thousands annually from non-citizen parents, has fueled exploitative practices that strain resources and undermine sovereignty in ways the 1866 drafters never contemplated.

The Constitution’s text is broad and is open to judicial interpretation, which is the path the Trump administration is seeking. The preferred correction of these abusive practices would be through the amendment process. Unfortunately that is likely impossible in today’s divided and politicized Congress.

UPDATE: Posted today 4/2 with another right-column comment: Under Trump v. Barbara Arguments – “Birth Tourism” … and a previous submission was used in The Gray Area of TheHustings.news.

Category: Archive, Blogs, News, Personal, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: birthright citizenship, commentary, opinion, oral arguments, scotus, thehustings, trump v barbara, wsj

Posted By RichC on April 1, 2026

This might trigger a few who attend the No Kings rallies or find that their blood pressure rises at the thought of President Trump, but suspect those who are more tolerant and enjoy political humor might appreciate these two items on April 1st. 😉

On the other hand, if you are like me, I’d prefer having elections that we can trust and be confident that people aren’t using questionable tactics when it comes to voting. Assuring our U.S. elections have integrity and that only legitimate voters are casting ballots would go a long way in making elections fair — in other words, Congress needs to pass the SAVE act. (more…)

Category: Humor, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: America's 250th birthday, april fools day, elections, no kings rally, political, save act, trump, voting

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2026

It’s pretty expensive to drive, fly, ship or LIVE this past month as Iran has made the transit of oil and goods through the Strait of Hormuz nearly impossible. Is there an end in sight? 

The average price at the gas pump hit $4.02 Tuesday, its highest level since August 2022.

Here's where gas is most expensive and cheapest. pic.twitter.com/MOqntB6j1Y

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) March 31, 2026

Category: Automotive, Energy, Financial, News, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: driving, economy, energy, finance, fuel, gasoline, x.com, yahoo

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2026

Shared with our kids last week and after watching Brenda laugh, decided this social media share was worth posting on the blog. We all had a good chuckle. 😊 

Category: Humor, Social Media, Video | No Comments »
Tags: clubbing, costco, Humor, mp4, social media