Category: Politics

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 4, 20269:57 pm

“Happy Birthday!”

I remain amazed at the typically hostile reaction I receive to the flag t-shirt purchased from Costco several years ago. For example, few people will acknowledge or respond if I greet them when walking while wearing the tee, which differs from the cordiality that is otherwise common enough. But yesterday, one man yelled as we passed: “Happy Birthday!” Thank you.

Today, the United States of America turned 250, a remarkable feat for a Constitutional Republic. But, in San Diego, you wouldn’t know that it’s not just a holiday but the Semiquincentennial celebration. Mid-morning, I walked from Upas Street in North Park along 30th to Meade Ave and to our apartment in University Heights. Every business was open. Even the barbershops. I also counted only five American flags, two at businesses. That’s it!

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 15, 202610:57 pm

Not His House, Your House

Say what you will about Donald Trump but the man knows how to throw a birthday party. His 80th brought the UFC Freedom 250 to the South Lawn of the White House. What a spectacle it was, last night.

For all the pomp, all the celebrity, and the testosterone, the White House itself emerged as a symbol of the Trump Presidency and secondary star of the fighting event. Americans don’t get to see inside the White House. It’s locked down so tight. But through the UFC event, Trump opened the building for everyone to see–unlike any president before him. His house is your house.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 13, 202610:42 pm

Happy Flag Day 2026

What better way to celebrate Flag Day (tomorrow) than with a parade of Old Glories. The Featured Image is part of a collection of photos taken on April 14, 2007, during the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.

I used Canon 20D and EF 135mm f/2 USM lens for the street shot, which is composed as captured. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 200, 1/500 sec, 135mm; 9:32 a.m. EDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 9, 202610:05 pm

Getting Ready for the 250th

The United States of America’s 250th birthday is weeks away. But you wouldn’t have an itsy-bitsy inkling in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. The measure of patriotism here is support for the next No Kings protests on June 14, 2026 or the number of paraded pride flags, which outnumber another symbol: Upside-down American flags.

So, tonight, I was delighted to pass this classic Craftsman decked out with American bunting decor and string lights. Finally, someone prepares for the Fourth of July—unless their objective is Flag Day on the Fourteenth.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 28, 20269:46 pm

Old Glory Greets You

Ishould have shared this Memorial Day flag on the holiday but for no particular reason held it back. The Featured Image isn’t a provocative Old Glory but it nevertheless captures a moment.

Vitals: F/2.4, ISO 25, 1/1218 sec, 69mm (film equivalent); 4:38 p.m. PDT, May 25, 2036; Samsung Galaxy s26 Ultra.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 27, 20269:39 pm

The Ultimate Political Authority

I wholeheartedly agree. Our ultimate political authority in the United States is the Constitution. However, while the sign is meant as repudiation of Donald Trump and his Presidency, I do not support the “No Kings” movement. The rallies stir up resentment and fan the flames of fiery, feisty anger that is violence-bound.

I used Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens to capture the Featured Image on April 4, 2026. Vitals: f/8, ISO 250, 1/500 sec, 400mm; 1:42 p.m. PDT.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 25, 20268:15 pm

Memorial Day Civic Duty

The local polling place nearest our apartment is North Park Recreation Center—and even then, it’s a bit of a hike. This afternoon, while walking, I happened by the place, where a surprise greeted me. The poll was open. On Memorial Day!

My mail-in ballot was home, but why wait when you’re at the poll and it’s not the least bit busy? The Primary election is June 2, 2026, or a week from tomorrow. Volunteers told me that this location is open for 11 days, even Sundays (and of course holidays).

Living by Joe WilcoxMay 8, 20269:25 pm

For Love of Country

I shot the Featured Image at 200 megapixels on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, yesterday. I usually just stick with the default 12MP. But, considering celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary is imminent, I chose to step it up. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 10, 1/435 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 3:28 p.m. PDT.

The neighbor who placed the lawn decoration is patriotic, and he and his wife are involved in the local Republican party. Other signs on his street are angry, and many take positions that would appear to be deliberately hostile to his own. Unusual and revealing: The—how shall I put it—large number of opposition signs per capita. Pick any house, and someone has a liberal position or cause you are supposed to know about—and accept.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMay 3, 20269:23 pm

Pumps for Trump

Something’s not right when your local, normally reasonably-priced filling station sells gasoline above the statewide average. According to AAA, as of today, the national average gas price per gallon is $4.446. We pay more than any other state, $6.101, which as you can see from the Featured Image is about 10 cents higher. The station is located at El Cajon and Texas on the North Park side of the street. The Arco on the University Heights side of Texas is a dime less per gallon.

As the conflict, let’s call it war, with Iran continues, the long-term consequences are all guesswork, and plenty of pundits try to do just that. I suspect the immediate impact will be diminished in the United States because of domestic energy production and what the Trump administration can siphon off from Venezuela.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 26, 20269:54 pm

‘No Kings’ is Hate Speech

Last night’s shooting inside the Washington Hilton was unequivocally an assassination attempt against President Donald Trump. Today, one of my neighbors casually brushed off the incident as being nothing really. I disagree.

Anyone who follows me should know that I used to live in the District of Columbia and suburban Maryland. As a quasi-retired journalist (covering the high-tech industry). I can assert with certainty that for many reasons, including exclusivity of attendees, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is one of the most secure events–or should have been. That the assassin ran across the hotel lobby, firing weapon(s), is an unprecedented breach that reminds of Ronald Reagan, when he was nearly murdered outside the establishment in March 1981.

Photo by Joe WilcoxApr 22, 20269:33 pm

Circles of Confusion

I am the long-time critic of the roundabouts (e.g. traffic circles) that San Diego is placing at intersections across the city. The euphemism for them is “traffic calming”, by official parlance. I call them danger zones—directly when you go through them and indirectly how they negatively change driving behavior.

The Featured Image and companion are evidence of the first. Two SUVs collided in what looks like one driver failing to yield to another already in the circle. This kind of confusion happens frequently.

Samsung by Joe WilcoxMar 14, 202610:18 pm

The Costs of War

The price of gasoline at this Shell station (formerly Valero) is typically mid-range for the area; not the highest and by no means lowest. Less than two weeks ago, price at the pump was $4.30 per gallon. A few days ago, I paid $4.90. Now it’s $5.70.

Can you say, “Iran war?” Because that’s what is surely behind these rising prices that have yet to reach their ceiling. Americans will be impacted everywhere, from cost for fuel oil to gasoline, for starters, and rising costs of anything transported by air, land, or sea.