Tag: politics

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.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 28, 20269:53 pm

We as in You and Me?

T Village of University Heights is undoubtedly a liberal haven—or at least for those who demand to be heard. For all I know (and don’t), Republicans might outnumber Democrats, but you’d never know from the cacophony the liberals make. Their numbers matter less than who makes more demands. They’re a noisy group for sure.

Several overly-liberal areas stand out from others in the neighborhood. Shirley Ann is one street. Panorama Drive is another. Slogan signage tends to be loudest there. Take the Featured Image as an example. (Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 50, 1/200 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 9:27 a.m. PST, today; Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.)

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 24, 20268:57 pm

Two Signs, Two Political Perspectives

Signs like the one in the Featured Image are sporadically appearing on lawns across my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. “Don’t poke the bear” at one time applied to Soviet Russia, which if provoked too aggressively could respond by unleashing nuclear weapons.

There’s an appropriateness to its use to describe Communist California. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has aspirations about being the Democrats’ 2028 Presidential candidate, has gone wild with his response to policies advocated by the Donald Trump White House.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 13, 202610:52 am

In Memory of Scott Adams

Creator of the Dilbert comic strip passed away today, at age 68, following a protracted battle with prostate cancer. Scott Adams was, and perhaps will continue to be, a cultural and social enigma. He charmed people of all ages and persuasions with Dilbert, which started its syndication run in April 1989 (officially ending in March 2023).

But during Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, he took on a different role: Political and societal agitator, for his sharp wit and astute analysis that antagonized many on the Left and galvanized others on the Right. For example, he astutely identified how “The Donald” chose not to play by the rules of political norms during debates with his Republican rivals, many of whom he reduced to demeaning nicknames.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 24, 20258:50 pm

ICE ICE Baby

Status as a super-sanctuary county, proximity to the Mexican border, and flow of immigrants—whether or not illegal—makes San Diego a target for immigration enforcement and fear of it. ICE raids flash across social media posts faster than raging flood waters. Citizens are quick to protest and news stations nearly as fast to cover arrests as they occur and the aftermath that follows.

The sign in the Featured Image is one of many posted on utility poles in my neighborhood of University Heights and adjacent Hillcrest and North Park. Presumably, they are all over the city. But I haven’t looked far enough to see. Now you know what to do should armed masked men jump out of nondescript vehicles outside your residence or workplace.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJul 9, 20258:51 pm

Scene of the Dine

Nothing exciting happens in the quiet village of University Heights—until it does. Today is Wednesday. On Sunday, early evening, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his San Diego County-native wife Usha Vance dined at the Soichi sushi restaurant on Adams Ave. between Alabama and Mississippi. He and the Second Lady had come to the area for an awards ceremony.

Call me Mr. Oblivious. I had no idea. But had I heard the chanting protestors many blocks away, me and my camera would have rushed out the door. Best I can do is the Featured Image, taken yesterday, using Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 32, 1/400 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 11:07 a.m. PDT. Composed as shot.

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 19, 20259:48 pm

What Do You Make of This?

Results of routine bloodwork brought me to walk through Hillcrest today. Along Cleveland Ave., I passed the progressive church with the rainbow doors, where the banner in the Featured Image rather riveted my attention. The congregation is studying fascism for Lent? Not scripture? Not Jesus’ life?

You know what rhymes with Lent? Repent. That would be a great place to start and more scriptural. Fascism studies turns the attention of parishioners to the sins of others when they should be digging up their own and offering them with repentance. What did Jesus say about taking the log out of your own eye before the speck in your brother’s eye?

Photo by Joe WilcoxMar 8, 20256:32 pm

Tell Us What You Really Think

Some people wear their heart on their sleave, as the adage goes. I still see Harris-Walz signs around my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. I know lots of folks who are downright distraught that Kamala lost the election. Honestly, they should be relieved that she did. The former vice president wasn’t ready, if she ever will be, to become Commander in Chief.

As for Donald Trump, he gets a pass from me through the first 100 days. Peace in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine would be major milestones, if his administration can facilitate such outcomes.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 5, 20259:27 pm

The State of the Union

The U.S. Federal government is undergoing dramatic transformation, as President Donald Trump unleashes a nearly daily torrent of executive orders. Entire agencies are being gutted and/or face dissolution.

The poster child, so to speak, is U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which by statute delivers humanitarian aid across the globe. On Jan. 20, 2025, the Commander-in-Chief “implemented a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance“, while the organization’s future is being evaluated. Meanwhile, firings and other actions shake up FBI, Dept. Education, and other agencies.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 19, 20257:06 pm

Gritty Graffiti

Let me preface this post by strongly saying that the Featured Image isn’t an expression about my attitude with respect to the current crisis in the Middle East. Rather, I observe surprising graffiti and use it to illustrate current events.

A tenuous ceasefire is underway between Israel and adversaries in Gaza and Lebanon. Earlier today, Hamas released the first three of 33 hostages in exchange for 90 by the Israelis. The conflict started on Oct. 7, 2003 when terrorists breached Israeli defenses from Gaza, killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and grabbed 254 hostages. Nearly 100 remain in captivity.

Living by Joe WilcoxNov 21, 202410:18 pm

Sore loser or Wishful Thinker?

More than two weeks after the November 5th election, emotions among my neighbors range from anger to disbelief to resistance (a polite way of saying revenge). I see more Harris-Walz signs on lawns than before Americans voted.

Lemme see, the five stages of grief are (correct me if mistaken): Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I would guess the majority of University Heights residents are stuck in the first two stages. Acceptance? You can forget that. Defiance is more likely, as the plethora of signs suggest.

Photo by Joe WilcoxNov 17, 20249:11 pm

Thirsty?

As the November 5th Presidential election approached, I focused on preparing for emergencies—such as protests or infrastructure attacks, regardless the winner (or loser). I stocked up medical supplies and took trauma training for massive bleeding incidents. My wife and I majorly topped off food and water supplies, while I purchased some additional items, particularly for dealing with power outages.

Water bothered me most. What if some crazy person poisoned the water supply, or there was unexpected contamination incident—such as agricultural or industrial runoff or more Mexican spillage. Yikes, cyberattack? The solution that made most sense: Water-filtration system, for purifying the liquid from almost any source.