January 2017 - CRAZY WEATHER, CRAZY PEOPLE

1-1-2017 Nightclub massacre in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday, killed at least 39 people; they suspect only one person was shooting… police immediately started searching for the shooter. 

1-6-2017 Ft. Lauderdale Airport… five killed, many injured – suspect 26 years old, an army veteran, who was also a passenger on the plane – Estevan Santiago; picked up his baggage from baggage claim, and went into a bathroom to assemble his rifle (which had been checked on the flight) and came out firing indiscriminately, after which he threw the gun down and laid down on the ground, spread-eagle.  Crazy.

1-11-2017: Western U.S.; biggest rain and snow event in more than a decade.  15 states under alert of heavy rains and snow… Portland Oregon; more than one foot of snow – schools and business shut down, trees fallen all over downtown; 650 homes affected by floodwaters.

1-15-2017:  Historical ice storm; crossing sixteen states from Colorado to Maine, this storm has caused numerous wrecks, at least nine have been killed on the roads since Friday.  Tornados spawning from a huge cell which came from Mexico and up through Texas (I personally experienced that one – three tornados within five miles of my home), at least 30 homes damaged as well as a glass skyscraper in Dallas… fans at the Cowboys stadium were forced to shelter in place after the game with the Packers.  ON A LIGHTER NOTE, on this day, it was announced that the shooter from the New Year’s Eve nightclub attack in Instanbul was captured.  Sadly, Isis has taken responsibility for his actions.

1-16-2017… the U.S. is all in an uproar over the feud now between Trump and Congressman John Lewis, who has stated that he doesn’t see Trump as a “legitimate” president and is going to boycott the inauguration.  Thirty members of Congress, all Democrat, are joining Lewis in the boycott.  Interestingly, Trump is also in a feud with the Intelligence Community here, equating them with “Nazi” Germany; a first for an incoming president, I’m sure!

Also this evening:  Another nightclub attack… this time in a town in Mexico many tourists frequent.  Five people were killed and four Americans were wounded.  The belief is that this shooting was related to the drug trade, rather than terrorism.

01-17-17:  Announced today that Scientists revealed 2016 was the HOTTEST year on record!  Prior to that was 2015; prior to that, was 2014.  Anyone see a trend here?