Trump's first 100 Days: Democracy Assaulted but Americans Weathering the Storm

It only took 100 days for Trump to seize unrestrained power by breaking every rule in the Constitution and defying nearly every norm in our society.

As promised Trump launched Project 2025 within hours after slithering into office.  The whole goal was to flood the zone with so many executive orders any opposition would have trouble keeping up with each new attack against all of the branches of government. A siege against sanity has shaken Americans to their core.

Americans watched with growing concern as the mass firings, cancellations of research grants, university funding cuts and what should be studied in schools unfolded like a horror show. ABC News recently reported about doctors and public health specialists who view these actions as an "attack" on established science.   

The attacks have become daily against our judiciary system and civil rights. Arresting immigrants (and in some extreme cases American citizens) has left a trail of tears across the country as families are deported or rounded up like cattle and denied any rights. 

Laws are flagrantly ignored as undercover masked ICE agents' storm into court houses, schools, and churches. 

They roam the streets of America not showing any ID and kidnap whoever is on their hate list. There's no due process despite the fact the law affords everyone due process.

It been like watching a gang led by the world's richest man as Musk ravages every government department with his Doge boys. Trump gave him carte blanche to gather every Americans personal information, from their Social Security to the IRS no one has been safe. 

Between firing and forced layoffs, many people are quitting for integrity reasons. Take the Department of Justice Civil Rights division for example. Over 100 attorneys left rather than compromise their values and/or lie for a corrupt government that doesn't give a damn about the common man.

Like all dictators Trump has relentless attacked legitimate media going back to his first term. With no guard rails in his second term, he's been successfully bullying all of the major TV networks that don't comply with his demands. 

The latest media causality is 60 Minutes where the executive producer, Bill Owens (40 years there) resigned on April 22nd citing an inability to make "independent decisions" about programing amid Paramount's battle with Trump. Insiders say Paramount Global (CBS News' parent company) has been influencing the show's coverage in order to please Trump.

I think it's safe to say these last 100 days have been the most concentrated attack on everything this country has ever stood for. That's why it's no surprise that Trump's approval rating is the lowest 100-day rating of any president in the past 80 years, with public pushback on most of his policies and extensive economic discontent, including broad fears of recession, according to today's ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos.

It's rapidly becoming clear that Trump's policies have caused chaos in all sectors of our society and many Americans must be wondering why they voted for the man who would be king. It's been a harsh wake-up for millions but it's not too late to fight for what is right. 

So far, we've seen organized anti-Trump protests in all 50 states. They are going to continue to grow as more Americans decide they can't live this way.

As it Stands, it's not going to be easy to turn the Trump tide, but I have faith in America that when push comes to shove, we'll protect our republic.

A Look at Luck in Our Lives

There are many theories about why some people are luckier than others. 

I have a sister-in-law who I call the slot machine whisperer because she walks into casinos, plays Blackjack on the waiting machines and wins way more than a normal player could ever dream of. Generally, she leaves after getting a nearly impossible hand like a Royal Flush.

There must be a good reason why some people seem inherently luckier than others. Psychologists think they have the answer to that. The consensus is lucky people have a combination of factors that favor their efforts like a positive mindset, proactive behavior, and an ability to notice and act on opportunities.

There are some aspects of luck that are just beyond our control. 

Some people are born into circumstances that provide them with advantages, such as supportive families, good health, or access to resources most people couldn't get. Therefore, I think it's fair to say luck is not an equal opportunity blessing. It depends upon the cards you were dealt.

When I was in Vietnam in 1970 one of my duties as a Combat Engineer was to sweep roads for enemy mines.

I walked miles every day swinging my heavy mine-detector from side to side. 

One day I was careless and nearly lost my life. I somehow stepped onto a mine and froze when my squad leader yelled at me to freeze! Long story short. It was an anti-tank mine and I simply wasn't heavy enough to set it off. Luck? You tell me.

After extensive research luck is, by all accounts, not an outside force. It doesn't "enter" people or "bless" anyone from time to time. 

Researcher Richard Wiseman found that luck is largely a self-controlled force. According to his findings people can actually increase the amount of luck they experience.

Wiseman also claimed that luck is rooted in science and when you believe you're a lucky person it can make you luckier. 

Whatever. Doesn't sound too scientific to me but everyone has an opinion on luck.

In essence, luck is not solely about chance; it's also about the mindset, actions, and opportunities an individual creates for themselves.

Despite all the scholarly papers done about luck I'm hesitant to embrace them all. Instead, I also draw on my personal experiences and that of others around me to try and decode what luck really is. 

As it Stands, I've come to the conclusion that I'm a lucky man for a lot of reasons - not least that I married the love of my life and we've been married 51 years now.