Politics and political troubles, like other forms of war, distract us from real-world problems that can and do harm and even kill us. While many are man-made entirely, others are natural events. Natural? Yes, but influenced and modified (made worse) by humans.

But not necessarily all of them. Despite the screams from various groups, not every weather-related problem or disaster is the fault of humans. Or even of governments.

The last several years, and what seems to be a massive number and size of tornadoes and thunderstorms in many of the States, are an example of that. Massive amounts of precip in Texas and New Mexico from 2024 have been replaced by large areas of drought in 2025, continuing now. Not just in the Southwest, but in much of the nation. In recent months, we have seen amazing winds ripping across large areas of the west: “hurricane-strength” over large areas. In the last few weeks, dryness, dust and winds have caused massive fires in the Southern Great Plains, and truly impressive car and truck pileups, killing and injuring many people and closing highways.

So, no, we are not arguing that “manmade climate change” is making winds worse, droughts more extensive, or tornadoes more common or more powerful. Or floods. Or massive thunderstorms.

(A look at history demonstrates the fallacy of all those claims. Never mind that there is always a “scientist” (or a dozen or hundred) that are talking heads to tell us otherwise. Science is NOT a democratic, majority-rules or even consensus sort of thing. We are not seeing conditions that did not exist decades or centuries ago; but we do learn more quickly and honestly, have our noses rubbed in the facts.)

The increasing density of development, expansion of utilities and other infrastructure, and many other things also make us more aware of extreme weather events and conditions. Why? We submit this is caused by expanding population and expanding governmental power, as well as the rapidity of communications and automation that provides more information. And we have more and more “things.” Things that 100+ mph winds can destroy and use to destroy.

An example of that is Wichita, Kansas. For years, people believed that there was something about Wichita (terrain, magic, providence) that kept Wichita from being hit by tornadoes. Amazing, despite its central location in Tornado Alley. But that immunity has been discredited. Some parts of Wichita have been hit by tornadoes. Not the original townsite, but modern Wichita is far different in size and density from what it was in the 1800s or most of the 1900s.

Perhaps the greatest problem is that people think that governments can do anything we want! Therefore, too many believe that government must do anything and everything necessary to prevent weather disasters – and to instantly mitigate, recover, and restore everyone and everything to pre-disaster conditions. This has led both to complacency on the part of people and business (and local governments), and massive government programs (examples, flood prevention (drainage control, levees, etc.), flood insurance, and massive government disaster aid programs). This means that people have less and less responsibility for properly preparing for (and responding to) natural weather events. “Let George do it!”

This is particularly the case with two problems closely related to water. Floods and Hurricanes.

These are big, big killers of humans and highly destructive of human creations and economies. They are also very big excuses for government to take power and control and money from peaceful and honest people to “protect the public.” Governments establish and enforce standards to reduce the impacts and deal with the aftermath. Often at the point of a gun. Of course, as always, government enforcement varies significantly and is subject to political and financial influences.

So we are seeing that going on in places like Wyoming, the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles, and many other places in recent months. And have seen in the last couple of years, as in the flooding in Kerr County, Texas; Ruidoso, New Mexico; and the massive storms in the Northeast. While the never-Trumpers and worshippers of government claim that the events (and failure of government to prevent or respond adequately) are all the fault of The Donald. (Of course, some try to blame the victims and their political and religious beliefs. But that is a different problem.)

We strongly believe it is the personal responsibility of people to take action to protect themselves and their property from natural disasters. And to take the actions – individually and cooperatively (in a voluntary way) – necessary to recover from and restore conditions after a natural disaster. Whether it involves lots and lots of water (or snow), lots and lots of wind (and dust), earthquakes, or worse: even hail, lightning, storm-caused fires, and much else.

Will those people caught in such situations need help? Of course. But the best way – most efficient and least likely to result in corruption, theft, and other bad things – is for people to volunteer to help other people. VOLUNTEER, folks. Not TAX (or BORROW) and SPEND! To volunteer not just money, but time, materials, management, and words of encouragement. And, to pray, but remembering the words of James, the brother of Jesus: “If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”

Who is our neighbor? We know the answer to that.

Think on these things.