Lions & Tigers & Bears - Oh My

(A "brief" Special Edition - Eight Days in the African Bush)

The African day begins when the fiery orange ball creeps above the horizon and shatters the star-filled inkiness. Night's occasional shriek from a doomed prey or the bark of surveillant baboons are soon replaced by the chorus of exotic songbirds. Bundled against the wintry chill, our military grade land cruiser ventures us out. Such wonders to behold.

It never takes long.

Yards from camp, a 6000 pound white rhino stares directly, malevolently as he lumbers by within three meters. It is clear he will brook no interruption nor sudden moves. Softly, click, click go the iPhone cameras. Two lionesses silently plot their strategy as they surveil a herd of hefty zebras on the grass-filled plain. Flanking without sound they invoke visions of Rommel or Patton as they surround and creep ever closer...preparing to charge at precisely the opportune moment.

We stop below a massive acacia tree where a female leopard has dragged a 100-pound Impala carcass some 60 feet above the earth. Here she waits, perched on a branch guarding the meal she procured for her cubs hidden in the thicket only yards away. She waits, silently, patiently as she allows the two male lions, clawing at the tree's base and growling softly with menace, to grow weary and take their leave.

We drive on. Graciously, we stop and allow a 500 pound full grown male lion to cross our trail a mere 10 feet from the front bumper. He wanders without a care in the world to join his pride. Whereupon reaching, he settles down in the shade to wait out the fast-warming mid day sun. Truly kings of the jungle, these top of the food chain predators fear no evil. Filled with Nat Geo photos we keep moving.

Soon an 8-ton bull elephant and his herd of 10 wander past. Again, we courteously demur. Babies, only 24 inches high, stick close to momma. Bad, very bad idea to get between. Crunching bushes not 5 meters away, ignoring our intrusion, they meander away. Never once looking back or saying farewell.

But wait, there's more...

In the rapidly dwindling light of late afternoon, we are mesmerized when a herd of 20 wild dogs chase an Impala into a watering hole. They promptly encircle. They wait patiently for the constantly treading antelope to grow bone-tired and emerge to its inevitable demise. But the prey is determined and keeps paddling well out of the canine's reach. As often happens in this target-rich environment, the dogs get bored and leave in search of a less-taxing meal.

The Impala senses an opening and makes a break. She creeps to the water's edge then leaps forth only to face a trio of snarling Hyenas whose jaws are stronger than a lion. The outcome is predictable and not for the faint of heart or queasy stomach. Snarling and shrieking are soon followed by the tearing of flesh and bones breaking. The otherwise silent twilight is shattered. In minutes the Impala is a memory...devoured. Terrifying? Unsettling? For sure. Nonetheless, the circle of life.

All day, every day this world of wonder unveils it surprises. Behind every thicket, across each grassy plain, in its flowing rivers, new meaning is given to the phrase - mother nature. Eighteen foot tall giraffes peer over trees as they munch. Gentle, docile animals with a kick stronger than a 30 caliber pistol. Hippos, who despite their comical demeanor kill more humans in Africa than any other animal, poke their enormous heads out of rivers to growl and open their six-foot jaws to yawn. All day long, the skies are filled with exotic birds. Some with five foot wingspans and many with colors mre vibrant than Matisse.

This is the African bush, forever at the top of my "Bucket List", as four visits surely attests. It is beyond my imagination that anyone should not be awestruck by its breathtaking splendor, endless majesty, cruel ferocity and limitless bounty of surprises - behind every bush. Africa truly is nature's "box of chocolates".

(Aside - you are right. Alas, to the chagrin of Dorothy, the Tinman and the Scarecrow, there are no Tigers or Bears in Africa. Only lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants...you get the point.)

Now, sadly, back to the "real" world.

Could It Be?

Over the past 15 days on my trip abroad I dined and had cocktails with fellow travelers from many parts of the globe. Africa for sure, Hong Kong, Germany, England, France, several Arab countries and, of course, the dear ole USA. The war and Trump were frequently on the table.

The Europeans don't like Trump at all. Why should they? He upset their apple cart. Disrupted their economically painfree dereliction of duty. Called them out for their woke predilections, uncontrolled illegal immigration, unfair trade practices and generally spineless "allied" behavior. In my head I reminded them that, without the US, they would be chanting Heil Hitler and quoting Mein Kampf.

As far as conversations about the war and where it was headed, I stuck to my guns. The mullahs and their thug cohorts, meaning those in charge, are lunatics and no acceptable, sustainable deal will ever be possible. Can't trust people who shout Death to the US and shoot thousands of their own in the streets. Don't have to be Henry Kissinger or , God Forbid, Neville Chamberlain to suss that out.

For the most part, my dinner companions seemed to have little interest. They would quickly return to plans for the next holiday, the camps they visited before, their newly discovered snippets of safari wisdom and what a nut Trump is. Oh yeah - and how great E cars are. Always sniping in barely audible tones somehow meant to seem dignified...sophisticated.

When asked about the war, I said I had no clue what was going on. Couldn't get a straight scoop from Trump or Bibi. Let alone the nut jobs in Iran or the left wing media. I opined the only way to finish the job was bomb the IRGC back to the stone ages including Kharg. Then insert the Seals and Delta to root out the remaining rats. But I added Trump was very unlikely to pull that trigger or kiss his behind good bye in the midterms.

Well it seems that the seemingly pointless cycle of "a deal is close", ceasefires that are not, reopened straits and on again, off again negotiations may drawing to close. Multiple parties (not named Trump) have come out and stated a deal (known as an MOU - memo of understanding) has been agreed by both sides. I remain as skeptical of this as I ever was of Hamas laying down arms and skulking off to wealthy oblivion.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to be officially signed on June 19 in Switzerland. Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the same day and said he had ordered an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Oil is down to the low $80's.

The way I read this it amounts to nothing more than a deal to make a deal. Absolutely nothing more. It stipulates a 60 day period to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear future and other issues. Like filling the coffers of terrorists and subjecting 90 million Iranians to brutal persecution.

So - WTF. This accomplishes nothing in my view. I am 98.62% certain that whatever comes out of the next 60 days will be equally inconclusive and nonbinding. Plus we will be 60 days closer to the mid terms. Lord knows how many Iranian citizens will be gunned down or strung up in between.

I guess Trump plans to "four corner" this until after the elections in the hope he can get it off the table.

After 18 months in office

(For those who teeter on the brink of losing hope.)

One of the first predictions we made about Trump 2.0 was - get ready for the ride.  Hardly enlightening given the man’s personality.  We likened the future to turning around a badly off course battleship in 20-foot seas.  And that’s just what’s it’s been.

But honestly, are we not better off because:

• We now produce more oil than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined?

• Green energy no longer rules our lives, our economy, our pocketbooks?

• Illegal border crossings for all intents and purposes are ZERO?

• Thousands of murders, rapists, child and drug traffickers have been kicked out?

• We deposed Maduro and have given Venezuelans a chance to reclaim their homeland?

• We have seriously weakened the Mullah terrorists in Iran and degraded their missiles?

• We have decapitated Woke/DEI as a controlling force in our lives and institutions?

• NATO members, while still untrustworthy, are paying more of their fair share?

• Tariff revenues are helping to offset spending and balance scales?

• Tax cuts have been made permanent?

• We are identifying billions in stolen Medicaid funds?

• The world is on notice - Don't Mess with the US?

Of course, there is still a ton to do like…

• Revamping entitlement spending.

• Giving honest, hardworking illegals a path to stay.

• Refurbishing and modernizing our military.

Still - not a bad start. C'mon, can anyone really say we are not better off than on January 19, 2025?

How people are convinced to be miserable about the economy...

Look no further than the last report on gross domestic product. Not how much GDP grew, but how it was divvied up. Worker compensation—wages and benefits—grew 0.8% in the first quarter from the fourth, while domestic corporate profits jumped 2.7%. As a result, labor’s share of gross domestic income (conceptually similar to GDP) sank to 51%, the lowest since records began in 1947. Profits’ share climbed to 12.1%, the highest since 1950.

In the entitlement culture we've created, everyone feels that they should be doing better than the companies that employ them and the founders of those companies who took all the risk. Thank you, LSM, for fueling that fire with all your might.

Adios to BBQ

Just had to mention again the positions of Democratic Candidate for Senator in TX, James Talarico:

• God is binary.

• There are six sexes.

• White men are the greatest terrorist threat in America.

• Jesus Christ, The Cross and the American Flag are complicated (not in a good way) symbols.

• The Bible is silent on abortion, which is tacit approval.

• And the best of all, meat is immoral so he has declared a Vegan campaign.

Man, Texans really have to hate Trump to give up BBQ.

Memphis Joins Baltimore

Top cop says Memphis' dramatic drop in violent crime is a "blueprint for other cities" across the nation.

Data from the Memphis Police Department shows violent crime is down over 40% so far in 2026 compared to the same period last year, following President Donald Trump's establishment of the Memphis Safe Task Force — a coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the Tennessee National Guard.

Some facts...

• Overall violent crime: -40.52%

• Aggravated assault: -28.14%

• Arson: -33.33%

• Burglary: -28.06%

• Homicide: -36%

• Larceny: -39.07%

• Motor vehicle theft: -63.98%

• Robbery: -44.96%

• Sexual assault: -27.43%

Last Word on the Mother of Mankind

Without fear of contradiction, I confidently assert that everyone should go on African safari once before the curtain rings down. I strongly recommend, after four trips and visiting 11 different lodges (called camps), Mala Mala Ratrays. Located in the Sabi Sans private reserve on the edge of South Africa's famed Krueger National Game Reserve, it is the nirvana of game-viewing. A legit chance to see the Big Five daily. Book guide, Michael Bote, if you can. I joked, "All you have to do is give Michael a list of which animals you want to see."

I have only ever booked through The Africa Adventure Company. Located right here in my home of Fort Lauderdale. Contact owner Mark Nolting and Saskia for help. AAC has been recognized by Conde Nast and others for its 50 years of experience arranging turnkey safari excursions. Tell them CME sent you.

Nice to be back.