Telling NATO The Truth - What A Concept

Yesterday, President Trump made history once again. He went to the NATO summit and actually told them the truth.

Trump told the other NATO countries he was tired of the majority of them refusing to pay their fair share, as they promised last year they would to. He very correctly told them that the United States was tired of bearing the financial burden for NATO, with 23 out of 28 nations still not giving 2% of their gross domestic product to the organization, as promised. He singled out Germany, which has the largest economy in Europe and had a large trade surplus last year and doesn't give 2%.

He also very correctly stated that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while expecting the United States to protect them from Russian aggression, just made a deal with Vladimir Putin to purchase natural gas from Russia via a new pipeline. It is rumored that Merkel somehow makes money personally from the deal but I can't prove that.

Liberals, and even some Republicans, are going crazy because Trump is telling the truth. He's not making things up. But he's not being politically correct, either. He's telling the other NATO countries what they're doing wrong and that the United States doesn't want to carry them anymore. He expects them to live up to their promises. Why anyone in the United States would be upset over that is beyond me.

I heard one guy on TV last night say that what Trump is saying is necessary and should be said but the way he's saying it is wrong. And he basically said Trump should be saying these things behind closed doors and not on international television. 

Sorry. As the old saying goes... truth hurts. In my humble opinion, shaming the other nations on international television is exactly the way to go. Make them feel the heat for their lack of cooperation. He tried it their way last year and they failed to come through. 

Donald Trump was elected in part because of his bluntness. He calls them as he sees them. Sometimes that's uncomfortable for people but his fans appreciate his honestly and candor. And his actions so far as President are the reasons he will be re-elected in 2020.

Auto Repair... Replacing Light Bulbs. Simple Job, Right?

Yesterday I needed to replace a reverse light on my wife's 2005 Chrysler Town and Country and a brake light on my 2000 GMC Savana 1500 conversion van. Simple enough, right?

I determined that I didn't have either bulb I needed so I went to Auto Zone and purchased both. Went home and started on mine first. I discovered as I went (I hadn't done it before) that in order to remove the socket that holds the brake light in place you first must remove a part of the body (plastic trim above the light assembly) and then remove the light assembly completely because there is not enough room between the socket and the door frame to get the bulb out. Removing the body part involves removing two nuts and two Phillips screws. I didn't have the right size Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws. I used to have it – but it has disappeared.

As I was determining which way to proceed we suddenly got some much needed rain. But since I was working in the driveway the rain wasn't really welcome at that time. I put the moisture cover back on and closed up the van until the rain stopped.

Since I couldn't finish mine I decided to go into the garage and take care of the reverse light in my wife's van. The taillight assembly on that particular model is a one piece plastic unit that pops out with the removal of two rubber pins. The socket pulls out easily, as does the old bulb, and the new one goes in. Entire job finished in less than two minutes.

I drove her van back to Auto Zone to get the screwdriver and long nosed pliers that I needed. Couldn't find those either. While I was trying to get the socket out I discovered that the bulb had actually broken away from the base so I had to get the base out of the socket. I know I'm supposed to use a potato but the size of the socket and the plastic around it made that impossible.

I went back home (the rain had stopped) and pulled everything apart. I managed to get the socket out of the light assembly and get the base of the bulb out of the socket. The new bulb went in easily and I put everything back together. It wasn't a piece of cake. Things that haven't been taken apart for a long time tend to be difficult. But after an hour and a half, and two trips to Auto Zone, all of the lights on both of our vehicles are functional. Well, except for a reverse light on mine that corroded because of a bad seal on the taillight cover. Problem is, I can't find a new or used taillight cover to replace it. And until I can do that there is no use replacing the wiring harness.

Some people say we should buy new vehicles. But the ones we have are paid for, run and drive well, and we both like our vehicles. Sure, older vehicles can be a problem. But if you are pleased with it that's all that matters. And in seven more years mine will be an antique.