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I’m a 61-year-old white male of northern European descent. I was born in the U.S.A. And I even have my original birth certificate to avoid any birtherism claims! Other than not being a first nations native, I’m about as American as one can be under the traditionally accepted and legal understanding of what a natural born American citizen is. I’m heterosexual! I’m physically attracted to the opposite of my sex. So, I can probably mark all those things off the “Christian” white nationalist, Project 2025, MAGA, ultra-right-wing, Trump check lists.

I have over 394 years of verifiable ancestral history on this North American continent, from both New England (Dad’s side) and the southern states (Mom’s side). That’s 145 years before The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, and 157 years before the U.S. Constitution’s effective date. My paternal 4th great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. My maternal 5th great-grandfather also fought in the Revolutionary War. In fact, he was one of the original “Tar Heels!” So, I could qualify twice for admission into the “National Society Sons of the American Revolution,” uh, if I was into that sort of thing that is!

Based on my ancestral research I found that I am distantly related to several famous Americans who were instrumental and/or influential in helping to shape American culture and its politics.

There has been somebody in my ancestral family who has fought in every major war and/or military conflict, except for one, beginning with the Revolutionary War, The Civil War, World War I, World War II, The Korean War, all the way through to my own all-expense-paid trip in 2003 to a combat zone in Iraq under the guise of WMD! That’s right, I’m one of those “suckers and losers!” The only conflict I couldn’t find a record of any family-member of mine taking part in was during the Vietnam war. This was probably because the males in my family were either too old or too young, like myself for instance, at that time! The highest award the military gave me for my service was The Soldier’s Medal for heroism.

After 11 ½ years I left the military under honorable conditions. I then became a federal civil servant working for the Marine Corps for the next 10 ½ years.

I’ve stayed on the right side of law enforcement my entire life. I have no criminal record. I’ve always paid my taxes. I have never used or taken any illicit drugs. I don’t even like taking any prescribed medications, for that matter, for any longer than I absolutely have to. I’ve been a good boy all of my life, so far!

I’m a proud parent of two grown adults. Their mother and I raised them in an environment of love, where we also impressed upon them the values that I suspect helped shape them into the respectful, upstanding citizens that they have become. They are both doing well for themselves.

But even with that short synopsis of my history, military service, and ancestry from as far back as 1632, I still can’t help wondering if I’m “American” or “patriotic” enough to live up to one man’s idea, interpretation, and/or expectation of what those two words mean to him and his ilk!

Will I be accused of being “low IQ,” “dumb,” “stupid,” “nasty,” “disgusting,” a “scumbag,” “unpatriotic,” “un-American,” a “liar” an “enemy-of-the-people,” and a “criminal,” just because I don’t support, respect, or believe any word that comes out of the mouth a twice impeached, convicted federal felon, adjudicated sex offender, and an adjudicated insurrectionist?

Will I be doxed, shunned, ostracized, labeled an enemy of the state, physically and/or violently attacked by his followers, placed in an internment camp, or concentration camp, or prison solely because I won’t bow down to the dictates of an authoritarian government, or have the audacity to think for myself, speak my mind, form my own values, perspectives, and opinions? Because from what I’m able to glean from the news, and from the rhetoric coming from members of this current Administration, I can’t help but truly fear that the chances for those kinds of events occurring in my life are increasing! I’m watching the actions of my government as it eerily ticks down the “First They Came” list. Immigrants, institutions, political rivals, universities, the media, protestors and other dissenters! I can’t help but wonder what this new government will accuse me or my family of when they come for us! For the first time in my 61 years, I truly am feeling a bit “yippy” about the future of my country, my family’s freedoms, safety, security, and peace-of-mind!

So, am I still “American” enough to live in Trump’s new version of “America?” I’m guessing I’ll know better the answer to that question sometime after November 3, 2026!

Until then, good night, and good luck!

Ideal Criteria:

1. Safety?

2. Congestion?

3. Environmental hazards? (industrial, polluters)

4. Healthcare?

5. Walkability?

6. Affordability?

7. Amenities? (services, or facilities that provide comfort, and convenience)

8. Social lifestyle? (night life, entertainment)

9. Weather?

10. Contentment? (overall happiness of people who live in Kingston)

Note: Rate overall for all catagories, or each individually.

Thanks!

I asked the almighty AI what the crime rate was in Kelowna and got the response below:

Current Crime Rate Trends

Recent data from Statistics Canada indicates that while Kelowna often ranks high in national crime severity rankings among CMAs, the actual crime rate (volume of crimes) has been decreasing. 

• 2022 Data: The Kelowna CMA had a crime rate of 10,532 incidents per 100,000 people, the highest among all Canadian CMAs.  However, this was a 5% drop from the previous year (11,112 per 100,000 in 2021). 
• Crime Severity Index (CSI): The CSI for the Kelowna CMA was 128.0 in 2022, ranking second highest in Canada.  This index weighs serious crimes more heavily.
• Recent Decreases: By 2023/2024, the Kelowna CMA crime rate fell by approximately 9%, with non-violent crime dropping by 11.6%.  Specific property crimes like bike thefts and business break-ins saw significant declines (49% and 55% respectively).

For anybody living in Kelowna or surrounding areas, does the above informaiton jive with your experience while you've lived there? What has been your experience with crime in the area?

Is the crime predominant in certain areas over others? If so, where and what kind of crime?

Thanks

I was just reading that there was a fire in Kalamoir Park in the West Kelowna area. Has anybody been affected by this fire?

For anybody living in the Kelowna area, have you had any health impacts from wildfire air pollution in the past?

Has there been any wildfire remediation efforts from the local fire department or provincial wildfire authorities to prevent wildfires from igniting in the area?

Thanks

Pack up your donkeys all you prog-rock prospectors, and hit the trails. Stake your claims in this new rich soil of golden positive nostalgic musical vibes!

Like a beam of light shining through these dark times, this new iteration of an old classic is exactly what the doctor ordered!

I, like a parched, dehydrated, and starving man wandered through the musical desert for years until one day I finally found what I thought at first was a tropical mirage of musical delights on YouTube. But on that fateful day, June 7, 2026, I found that what I was looking at was real!! I feasted and drank up all that I could for the next 7 days!

Wishing everybody happy feasting and multiple gold Rush riches. All the way through to Helsinki Finland!