READY… SET ….

As I begin this column, I learn that India has attacked Pakistan with ballistic missiles. “’All-out war’ is shouted, two
planes shot down, 31 dead, including a child, with 12 others wounded.” As it seems forever, the dispute is over of Kashmir’s
borders. Both nations are nuclear armed.

What’s an accurate assessment of the world’s temperament right now? Here are some of the moving parts:

We’re into the fourth year of the Russian-Ukraine war (one million dead) with China, Iran, North Korea, actively
facilitating Russian aggression. The United States, England, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Italy, 3 Baltic states,
Poland, and numerous smaller states backing Ukraine. Nine nations have nuclear weapons, and NATO or CSTO members are nuclear
weapons-sharing states (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Belarus, top off the fellowship).

The Free World nations are now frantically attempting to restore their defense industries and equipment, long neglected due
to a falsely perceived “peace dividend”. The perennial predator nations exhibit that lean and hungry look as they crouch at
the ready and boast of their strength. Even Dog Patch North Korea’s submarine fleet, among the world’s largest, from 70 to

90 diesel-powered submarines, and one nuclear-powered submarine, capable of launching ballistic missiles, is a major player now.

Another recent evaluation: “China at ‘rapid boil’ for military action, admiral warns...”

I give high marks to Trump for his handling of issues such as immigration, securing women’s sports, and blocking transgender
people from military service. On tariffs, we’ll have to wait and see. However, on foreign policy, specifically defense of
Ukraine, until today I give him an “F”.

Things are getting better on Ukraine assistance just recently. When Trump tells the world he wants Ukraine to WIN the war,
I’ll give him an “A.” But, until this point, Putin has played Trump for a fool and I give him an “F.”

*****

I have my own ideas about how our world will try to solve its problems. As a race of humans, we are too proud to ask our
Creator for help, and too weak to survive by ourselves. We, however, are blessed by a perfectly just and forgiving God Who
waits with open arms to welcome us back to eternal safety. Of the two “eternals” we should accept the good one and reject
the bad.

As I grow older (if that’s possible) I understand that choosing the good way will see us through the bad and into the
reality of eternal joy. Other options only bring despair and destruction.

I refuse to apologize for a little preaching as long as it’s based on reality.

*****

Kelly Scoles: In general Trump has made too many foolish statements. But his domestic actions speak louder than words for
good.

Pat Collins: It is good indeed to have friends, loyal friends. And, they should not be abused. Constitutional issues abound,
as practical ones do as well. Question: How would it be possible to apply traditional due process to a group of 20 million
criminal illegal aliens? Such an attempt would stymy the entire judicial system – if we could find them all.

*****

World war? Are there any democracy-hating, Judeo-Christian culture-hating nations left who haven’t joined Russia, China, and
Iran? My friends, that’s global enough for me.