The snow is gone and the weather is becoming tolerable. The long winter here in Minnesota is broken up in January by fleeing to Mexico. Walking on the beach, we envision the beach and fresh water lakes of Minnesota, but must wait for Mother nature to allow the Minnesota summer.

We arrived back in time to welcome a scourge to humanity, the Covid 19 pandemic. Not since 1918, has this country faced anything that compares. We were warned in January and scientists began to sound the alarm, but an incompetent leader decided he knew better than science and told lies to suit himself and no one else. For weeks we failed to plan and failed to act, thus setting the country on a downward spiral that has consumed trillions of dollars, jobs, and life itself.

In the middle of this misery, a 6’6” gentle giant was murdered in front of witnesses and the World. George Floyd, an unarmed black man, suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill was arrested, wrestled to the ground while cuffed, pounced on by four Minneapolis police officers, and asphyxiated while pleading, “I can’t breathe, Mama, and help”.

Protesters began gathering and a memorial sprang up on the spot where George died.  Minneapolis and St. Paul lost 500 small businesses when rioters began looting and burning. When the cities lost control, the governor called out the national guard. Many cities in the U.S. and around the World suffered similar consequences. We are on day 12 of the protests today.

Our President, Bunker Bob, has shown no leadership, other than threats using the military against the protesters he calls terrorists. Trying to be a tough guy and posing for glaringly stupid photo ops, he threatens cities with the military.

Former Defense Secretary, General Mattis, a retired four star Marine general, said, “In my lifetime I have never witnessed a President that divides the country, rather than unite it”.

In contrast, our governor, Tim Waltz, has been an exceptional leader. When the cities lost control, he called out the national guard to bolster the police. He has stepped up and has dealt with the whining GOP crying about the special powers the governor wields. As usual the GOP wants tax cuts for the wealthy donors and less government. Nothing new there.

Though our Minnesota Nice has been tarnished, we have seen the community rally to help those in need. Our persistence and our spirit will endure.

In the midst of the pandemic and the protesters, we are hoping and praying for some sense of stability, some sense of reason, and some sense of humanity for all mankind.