Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 3): 2024 Trump versus Harris on Key Issues (published 10-31-2024; article #500)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yes, our differences don't have to divide us. If every person followed the correct worldview, then our minor differences could be resolved fairly easily. The purpose of this three-part series has been to focus our attention on the correct worldview. The goal is to unite this divided nation by encouraging everyone to stand solidly on and follow the biblical worldview.

This series is focusing on the forthcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. Part one, the article from two days ago, centered on the ground and aerial views of the conflicting political worldviews. Yesterday's article contrasted the 2024 Republican Party platform with the 2024 Democrat Party platform and concluded that the Republican platform is more in line with the biblical worldview.

This final part three contrasts the positions of former President Trump and current Vice President Harris on key issues. This is the twenty-fourth entry in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section. The conclusion will explain why I am voting for which candidate next Tuesday.

Trump's Key Issues

The Donald J. Trump: Platform is succinct (three-page printout) and includes the following 20 core promises (key issues):

1. Seal the border and stop the migrant invasion.
2. Carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.
3. End inflation, and make America affordable again.
4. Make America the dominant energy producer in the world, by far!
5. Stop outsourcing, and turn the United States into a manufacturing superpower.
6. Large tax cuts for workers, and no tax on tips!
7. Defend our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms.
8. Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country -- all made in America.
9. End the weaponization of government against the American people.
10. Stop the migrant crime epidemic, demolish the foreign drug cartels, crush gang violence, and lock up violent offenders.
11. Rebuild our cities, including Washington, DC, making them safe, clean, and beautiful again.
12. Strengthen and modernize our military, making it, without question, the strongest and most powerful in the world.
13. Keep the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency.
14. Fight for and protect Social Security and Medicare with no cuts, including no changes to the retirement age.
15. Cancel the electric vehicle mandate and cut costly and burdensome regulations.
16. Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.
17. Keep men out of women's sports.
18. Deport pro-HAMAS radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again.
19. Secure our elections, including same-day voting, voter identification, paper ballots, and proof of citizenship.
20. Unite our country by bringing it to new and record levels of success.

The website directs to the 2024 Republican Party Platform, which my previous article referenced.

Harris' Key Issues

The Kamala Harris: Issues are more verbose (seven pages in original, expanded format) and include the following four key issues, each with bullet point specifications:

Build an Opportunity Economy and Lower Costs for Families.

• Cut taxes for middle-class families.
• Make rent more affordable and home ownership more attainable.
• Grow small businesses and invest in entrepreneurs.
• Take on bad actors and bring down costs.
• Strengthen and bring down the cost of health care.
• Protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
• Support American innovation and workers.
• Provide a pathway to the middle class through quality, affordable education.
• Invest in affordable child care and long-term care.
• Lower energy costs and tackle the climate crisis.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms.

• Restore and protect reproductive freedoms.
• Protect civil rights and freedoms.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Ensure Safety and Justice for All.

• Make our communities safer from gun violence and crime.
• Secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system.
• Tackle the opioid and fentanyl crises.
• Ensure no one is above the law.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Keep America Safe, Secure, and Prosperous.

• Stand with our allies, stand up to dictators, and lead on the world stage.
• Invest in America's sources of strength.
• Support service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

I didn't expand the twenty-three bullet points for this article. Online, each is expandable. I read the introductory material to the four key items and each bullet point under the key items.

The introduction to the first key item includes a link to New Way Forward for the Middle Class, an online, 82-page PDF file. The Table of Contents, on page 3, includes thirteen chapters in two sections. Glancing through the document, I was put off by the citing of so-called experts that are claimed to support Harris' economic plan over Trump's. I wondered why Harris, as sitting Vice President these last four years, has not already implemented her plan.

“Trump's Project 2025 Agenda” is the final bullet point under each of the above four key issues. Claims that Trump has a “Project 2025 Agenda” have been debunked several times. See, for example, “Project 2025 is an effort by the Heritage Foundation, not Donald Trump | Fact check.” USA Today, by BrieAnna J. Frank, 7/10/2024, and The Truth About Project 2025: The Heritage Foundation. Harris' statements about “Trump's Project 2025 Agenda” are false on the face of it.

Trump versus Harris on Key Issues

I am concerned about the size, redundancy, waste, and competence in the federal government. It should be downsized dramatically. Wasteful federal spending should be eliminated. The federal budget should be balanced every year. The national debt should be reduced and eliminated. The national economy needs to be strong. National borders must be secured. Giving illegal aliens free transportation, phones, lodging, and so forth is something that the federal government should never have even imagined doing. These and other issues are on my mind.

As a Christian and adherent to the biblical worldview, key issues for me are abortion (the killing of an unborn child in the mother's womb) and all efforts (i.e., critical race theory, cancel culture, so-called gender fluidity, and so forth) that contradict my worldview.

Former President Trump stands for the right of an unborn child to life outside the womb. In contrast, Vice President Harris, under “Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms: Restore and protect reproductive freedoms,” using euphemisms, affirms her desire to allow the killing of unborn children to continue. Remember, “reproductive freedom” and “a woman's right to choose” are euphemisms for killing an unborn child, for reasons other than to save the life of the mother.

Agendas such as critical race theory, cancel culture, so-called gender fluidity, and so forth are not in line with the biblical worldview. Former President Trump stands against those alternate worldviews. Vice President Harris, in contrast, under “Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms: Protect civil rights and freedoms,” touts her stand and actions that promote same-sex marriage and the LGBTQI+ lifestyle. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LGBTQI (abbreviation): “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), and intersex.”)

Conclusion

On election day next Tuesday, Lord willing, I plan to hold my nose and vote for former President Trump. The reason is clear. The Republican Party and Donald Trump are more in line with the biblical worldview than the other choice.

Both candidates and parties need to tone down the rhetoric and display true statesmanship. I am not fond of Trump, but he is better than the other option.

If this nation and all nations could unite by following correctly the biblical worldview, then there would be unity and peace. A nation divided cannot stand. To be truly united, this nation and every nation need to unite under the biblical worldview. This three-part series ends with that hope in mind.

Happy Halloween!

Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 2): 2024 Republican versus Democrat Platforms (published 10-30-2024; article #499)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yesterday's article introduced this three-part series that focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. This part two is the twenty-third entry in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section.

This article contrasts the 2024 Republican Party platform with the 2024 Democrat Party platform. Which platform is more in line with the biblical worldview? The conclusion answers that question.

Definitions

First, let us take a moment to see how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Republican and Democrat or Democratic. This may seem like an elementary exercise, but defining terms points out contrasts.

According to Merriam-Webster: Republican (noun and adjective), a Republican is a member of the Republican Party, also called the Grand Old Party (GOP). The Republican Party is “associated with reduced taxation, with limited government regulation of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, with strong national defense, and with opposition to abortion, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that are viewed as challenging traditional social and family hierarchies and structure.”

Merriam-Webster: Democrat (noun) and Merriam-Webster: democratic (adjective) state that a Democrat is a member of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party is “associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry, with federally funded educational and social services, with separation of church and state, with support for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities, and with internationalism and multilateralism in foreign policy.”

These dictionary definitions present several contrasts. A direct contrast is on abortion. Abortion, a euphemism, is killing an unborn child in the mother's womb. Republicans oppose abortion, with rare exceptions, and protect the lives of unborn children. Democrats support a woman's so-called right to kill her unborn child and do not protect that child's right to life. Another contrast is that Republicans support traditional family and social values. Democrats, as will be shown more fully, promote alternative lifestyles.

2024 Republican Platform

The Republican Party has two official websites: Republican National Committee (GOP.com) and Republican National Committee (RNC.org). The sites mirror each other. The party formed in 1854, initially to abolish slavery. The “principles of the Republican Party” affirm “God-given liberties.”

The 2024 Republican platform is online at the 43rd Republican National Convention: The 2024 Republican Platform: Make America Great Again! (RNC.org). It is a 28-page document. The Preamble, pages 4-7, includes twenty promises. The Table of Contents, pages 11-22, includes ten chapters. The light font on a white background is hard on the eyes.

Reading the 28-page platform, I found interesting or agreed with most of the contents. Of humorous interest, on page 14, the conclusion to Chapter 3 expresses the Republican desire to return astronauts to the Moon and send them to Mars. They even want to build an orbital manufacturing industry above the Earth! Those are pipe dreams, Star Trek-like fantasies, considering the ever-increasing federal deficit.

A point of serious interest is on page 18, under Chapter 7.9: Return Education to the States. It indicates that the Republican Party wants “to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and send it back to the States, where it belongs, and let the States run our educational system as it should be run.” That is a good idea. Just ask my wife. As an educator, she despises the federal Department of Education.

At the bottom of page 18, I firmly agree with Chapter 8.1: Empower American Families. It states, “Republicans will promote a Culture that values the Sanctity of Marriage, the blessings of childhood, the foundational role of families, and supports working parents. We will end policies that punish families.” Marriage is the union between one man and one woman, nothing else. The article from 12/15/2022 addresses this topic.

Most importantly, on page 20, I wholeheartedly agree with Chapter 9.4: Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life. That section affirms, “We proudly stand for families and Life. We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights. After 51 years, because of us, that power has been given to the States and to a vote of the People. We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments).” My full statement affirming the pro-life position is in the 6/30/2022 article.

In further agreement, on page 21, is Chapter 9.5: Republicans Will End Left-wing Gender Insanity. It states, “We will keep men out of women’s sports, ban Taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries, and stop Taxpayer-funded Schools from promoting gender transition, reverse Biden’s radical rewrite of Title IX Education Regulations, and restore protections for women and girls.” There are two genders, male and female. The unbiblical notion that men can “transition” to become women, or vice versa, is truly appalling and insane.

2024 Democrat Platform

The Democrat Party has one official website, the Democratic National Committee. Founded in 1848, the Democrat Party is “the oldest continuing political party in the United States.”

The '24 Democratic Party Platform is a 92-page online document, over three times larger than the 2024 Republican Platform. The brief Preamble is on pages 2-3. The Table of Contents, pages 4-19, includes nine chapters. The brighter font on a white background is easier to read.

Reading the 92-page platform, a couple of general thoughts came to mind. First, fact-checking the accuracy of the accomplishments claimed is needed. The platform reads as if, in the last four years, much has improved and that all is well. Why do many Americans, including me, not feel that way? Further, the platform frequently demonizes and attacks the previous president, Donald Trump. Being no fan of the former president, I was put off by that negativity on the platform.

On pages 30-38, Chapter Four: Tackling the Climate Crisis, Lowering Energy Costs, & Securing Energy Independence, drew my attention. Man-made global climate change is a hoax, perpetrated by global socialist propaganda. I can unpack and prove that statement, if anyone challenges me to do so.

Strong disagreement is found on pages 48-50, Chapter Six: Strengthening Democracy, Protecting Freedoms, & Advancing Equity: Reproductive Freedom. Except in rare circumstances, killing the unborn child in the mother's womb is murder. The unborn child is not granted the right to choose life.

Still under Chapter Six: Strengthening Democracy, Protecting Freedoms, & Advancing Equity, an entire section on pages 56-57 is titled LGBTQI+. “LGBTQI+” is found 32 times in that section. In contrast, the 2024 Republican platform does not include the acronym “LGBTQ” or any variations of it. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LGBTQI (abbreviation): “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), and intersex.” There are two genders, male and female. Only in marriage, between one man and one woman, are sexual relations allowed. In loving kindness, Christians wish to and do help those, who are engaged in unbiblical lifestyles, to understand the truth and change their lifestyles. The Republican platform aligns with these ideas. The Democrat platform does not.

Conclusion

Taking time to read the 2024 platforms of the Republican and Democrat parties and to write this article was cumbersome. I would rather have gone hiking.

Both platforms present agendas for border security, the economy, and similar topics. The border needs to be secured. Inflationary prices need to return to previously lower levels. Both parties need to become more civil in their discourse.

So, which platform, the Republican or the Democrat, is more in line with the biblical worldview? The Republican platform is, of course. This article has highlighted key areas.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, the final part three in this series will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues. Stay tuned!

If this nation and all nations could unite by following correctly the biblical worldview, then there would be unity and peace.

Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 1): Ground and Aerial Views of the Conflict (published 10-29-2024; article #498)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yes, our differences, political or otherwise, don't have to divide us. They often do.

This article begins a three-part series that focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. Early voting has already begun. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman voted early last Saturday. I plan, Lord willing, to vote on election day.

This three-part series, with articles published a day apart, will be the twenty-second through twenty-forth entries in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section. This is the twenty-second entry in that section.

After defining key terms, this part one focuses on the ground view and then the aerial view of the political worldviews in conflict. The forthcoming part two will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. The final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.

Political divisions are one aspect of opposing worldviews in conflict that divide this so-called United States. A nation divided cannot stand. To be truly united, this nation and every nation need to unite under the biblical worldview.

Key Definitions

Reviewing the previous twenty-one entries in this topic section, from 6/7/2022 to 5/29/2024, I realized that I have not yet defined worldview. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: worldview defines worldview as “a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world, especially from a specific standpoint.” I understand “world,” in the definition, to mean human society.

By analogies, a worldview is a frame of mind through which a person views the world. It is a lens that sees, focuses on, and contextualizes human thought and events. Ultimately, our worldview is a compass that guides our values, thoughts, and actions, either in the wrong or right direction. Everyone has a worldview, even if it is not realized or articulated.

Further, Merriam-Webster Dictionary: biblical states that biblical is “of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible.” The Bible is the divinely and exclusively inspired and authoritative scriptures, consisting of 39 Old Testament manuscripts and 27 New Testament writings. The correct hermeneutical understanding, interpretation, acceptance, and application of the Bible is to be biblical.

Thus, having a biblical worldview is when a person follows the Bible properly and guides his or her values, thoughts, decisions, and conduct accordingly. Such a person is not sinless and will make mistakes. He or she, however, will check the compass to stay on or return to the biblical path.

Ground View of the Conflict

Viewed from the ground, military battles are chaotic, bloody, and violent, to say the least. The daily media onslaught about the 2024 presidential election cycle is similar to a battlefield. It is frequently aggravating, childish, and frustrating. The constant barrage of coverage is similar to salvos of cannon fire on a battlefield.

My father, if he were still alive, would be proud of Mrs. Appalachian Irishman! Dad enjoyed watching the 24-7 news channels. Eventually, he preferred to watch C-SPAN. He liked the ground view. My wife seems to enjoy the same view of the current election cycle. Political events, conflicts, statements, reactions, and opinions intrigue her.

Not me. It sounds like a bunch of chickens crowing and cackling in a chicken coop. I keep up with important and relevant facts. Otherwise, I focus on the aerial view of the political conflict. This current presidential election cycle started too soon. I will not end soon enough.

Aerial View of the Conflict

Aerial surveillance of a ground battle provides an overview of the fighting below. It gives perspective. Similarly, a person's worldview sees the overarching and conflicting worldviews that are guiding each party and candidate. A person's worldview determines how he or she votes. The party and candidates that align more closely with a voter's worldview get his or her vote.

From an aerial view, neither the Democrat nor the Republican Party is completely aligned with the biblical worldview. Which party is more in step with the biblical worldview? How is one party more oriented to that worldview than the other? The next two upcoming articles will answer those questions.

Conclusion

Political differences don't have to divide us. If every party, candidate, and voter followed the biblical worldview, then minor differences about political minutia could be easily resolved.

Divisions, whether political or otherwise, are discouraging. The pericope in the Gospel of Mark 3:20-35 describes Jesus' response to the irrational conclusion that teachers of the law drew from his miracles. A part of Jesus' reply is in verses 24-25 (NIV):

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

On June 16, 1858, then senator-elect Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, spoke at the close of the Illinois Republican State convention in Springfield, Illinois. Having been named the Republican candidate for US Senator, Mr. Lincoln addressed the divisive problem of slavery. In that context, paraphrasing Jesus' words, he stated, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” [Source: Abraham Lincoln, “A House Divided'' Speech at Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858: “Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].” Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections.]

Thankfully, this nation, once divided by the evils of slavery, united against that immorality, having endured unspeakable conflict. What now divides the so-named United States of America? What is the root cause of these divisions?

The root cause is opposing worldviews. Published tomorrow, part two of this series will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. On Halloween, the final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.

Norris Dam State Park Hike #24, 10-22-2024: Photograph & Video from the West Overlook (published 10-23-2024; article #497)

Introduction

Thanks, Susan! You inspired yesterday's hike and this article.

Susan is a friend from grade school and high school. She and I have occasional contact on a social media platform. Recently, Susan posted photographs and comments about family members and she hiking Beauty Spot in Unicoi County, Tennessee. I had not known about the location before. Researching online, I found Visit Unicoi County: Things to Do: Adventure: Hiking Trails & Greenways: Beauty Spot & Unaka Mountain Overlook. With family members, I hope to hike there one of these days. It's just under a three-hour drive from the house.

Yesterday, with the mountains calling and the need to buy supplies for Molly, our ol' puppy, I combined both into one venture. I hiked Norris Dam State Park for the 24th time. Afterward, I shopped at the Tractor Supply.

This 70th entry in the hiking topic section includes online trail maps for Norris Dam State Park and Norris Watershed. Next, I express my frustration over hunters having more rights than hikers during deer season. Finally, I share the photograph and audiovisual recording from the west overlook. The weather was sunny, clear, and breezy. The temperature was in the 70s Fahrenheit.

Norris Dam State Park and Norris Watershed

Tennessee State Parks: Norris Dam State Park includes a printable trail map. I keep a printed copy in my 2006 Nissan truck. Since my first hike there on 3/20/2010, I have explored many of the trails.

Before reaching Norris Dam and the state park, the Norris Watershed includes several hiking trails. Online, I found the Norris Watershed Trail Map. Notice that the state park and watershed adjoin. Upper watershed trails connect to state park trails.

Yesterday, my initial plan was to hike a watershed trail that leads to state park trails. I was met with discriminatory signs! The next section explains.

Discrimination: Hikers have Fewer Rights than Hunters!

I know the area well. Before reaching Norris Dam, I turned right (northeast) onto Lower Clear Creek Road. It's a narrow gravel road. The threshing barn and gristmill are immediately on the right. A construction crew was working on the parking area, so I didn't stop. Continuing, the road winds through the bottom land. A concrete slab allows vehicles to pass through a shallow creek. My truck enjoyed getting dusty and picking up gravel in his tires. I turned left to go downhill at the water treatment plant. I parked near a trailhead to the Clear Creek Trail. It follows the creek, heading northwest. From there, I had planned to pick a trail leading up and into the state park. I wanted to reach a ridge.

I, however, was stopped in my tracks by signs showing that the watershed was closed to hikers during the current deer season! Years ago, I hiked the same trail, which was not closed for hikers during deer season. At a distance up toward a ridge line, I saw a deer hunter. We exchanged waves. I pointed to where I was hiking. He pointed in a different direction to where he was hunting. It was a friendly exchange at a distance.

After returning home yesterday, I found TN Land Forms: Norris, which told me that sections of the watershed are closed for deer hunting in the fall. This year, it is closed to hikers from October 19-27 and from November 23 through December 1. Sections are only open to deer hunters.

Angered that deer hunters have more rights than hikers, I felt discriminated against as a hiker. Getting back into my truck, I drove to the west overlook of Norris Dam.

“Civilized Hike” above the West Overlook: Photograph & Audiovisual Recording

What else could I do? Driving across Norris Dam and to the parking lot at the West Overlook, I decided once again to take a “civilized hike” on the short trail above the overlook. The last time that I hiked the area is mentioned in the article from 4/21/2023.

Photograph

After the hike, I took the only photograph below at 2:36 PM.

I decided to photograph the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) marker in the foreground, with Norris Lake and Norris Dam in the background. The view looks northwest. The water was clear blue. No boats were on the lake. Several locks hang on the fence wire. Who has been hanging them there and why? I wonder.

Audiovisual Recording

Four minutes after taking the previous photograph, I began the audiovisual recording of “Norris Dam State Park Hike 24, 10-22-2024: View from the West Overlook (pub. 10-23-2024; episode 32),” Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube). In just under three minutes, I walk and talk for a while about my “civilized hike” and my plan to shop at the Tractor Supply in the Halls community in Knoxville.

The “nastiness” that I mention in the recording is Kudzu, which is abundant in the area. Hiking up through the Kudzu, a nearly vertical area forced me to craw up, using my hands and feet. I despise Kudzu!

Conclusion

My twenty-third hike at Norris Dam State Park was more enjoyable. I visited and made an audiovisual recording at the cemetery. The 5/27/2023 article is about that hike.

Any day in the woods, even if only a “civilized hike,” is better than not having been there! When do I organize a family hike at Beauty Spot in Unicoi County, Tennessee? We will see. The thought is in my mind.

House Mountain Hike #193, 10-14-2024: Happy Birthday, Lilliana! (published 10-21-2024; article #496)

Introduction

Whose birthday was last Monday? What did I do last Monday? Whose birthday is today? Why am I not hiking today? When was my next to most recent hike on House Mountain? This 69th entry in the hiking topic section answers those questions!

Answering the last question, my next to most recent House Mountain hike (#192) was earlier this month on Wednesday, the 9th. That day, our “adopted” great niece, Addy, turned 15! The audiovisual episode aired that day. The two-part series of articles was published last Friday and Saturday.

Whose birthday was last Monday, the 14th? Our niece, Lilliana, turned 15 that day! What did I do last Monday? I hiked House Mountain for the 193rd time!

Happy Birthday, Lilliana!

These written birthday greetings are a week late. On the 14th, my audiovisual birthday wishes were right on time and were recorded on the upper-middle bluff of House Mountain!

Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube) includes two entries. The panoramic view on the original, “House Mt. Hike 193: Happy Birthday, Lilliana! (published 10-14-2024; episode 30),” was too narrow. The next day, I expanded the panoramic view to make it look better. See “House Mt. Hike 193: Happy Birthday, Lilliana! (published 10-14-2024; episode 30; updated 10-15-2024).”

The description to both entries states, “Happy birthday, Lilliana! House Mountain hike 193 is on your fifteenth birthday today! My wife and I love you, and we are very proud of you. You are a fine Christian young lady. Listen to the challenge in this episode! When are your parents, your sister, and you going to come down this way, to hike House Mountain with me?”

The challenge is on! Of course, my wife and I could drive up that way to hike Laurel Run Park with Lilliana, her sister, and her parents. What do you say, Lilliana?

House Mountain Hike #193

Last Monday, the 14th, the weather was clear, sunny, and windy. The morning low of 52 degrees Fahrenheit warmed to a high of 65 degrees. The cool breeze kept me from sweating too much. From 1:23 to 4:39 PM, three hours and sixteen minutes in the woods were better than not having been there!

Last Saturday's article focused on the newly fallen trees. More were on the west trail. For this hike, I chose to hike up the east trail, where not as many fallen trees blocked the trail. I took the following two photographs at the upper-middle bluff, before recording Lilliana's audiovisual birthday greetings. At 3:08 PM, I took the first photograph.

The view looks north. The American flag, mentioned in last Saturday's article, is visible in the lower left of the image.

A minute later, after walking east to the large rock formation, I took the following photograph.

The view looks southwest. The west bluff is visible in the distance. I saw a hawk circling, but I couldn't catch a photograph of him. Leaves are beginning to change. The cool breeze felt refreshing.

Hiking back and out on the same east trail, I stopped below the second switchback going down (or sixth hiking up) to place a long and fallen tree trunk across the top of a cutback that disrespectful hikers had made. I piled nearby fallen branches around the tree trunk. I hope that dissuades hikers from making that cutback worse.

At 4:39 PM, I touched the marker near the covered picnic table to end my hike. Five minutes later, I photographed my sturdy 2006 Frontier. He likes to have his photograph taken.

My trusty canteen and Mike's “Delta Saloon Suicide Table” cap are on the side-view mirror. The 8/5/2023 short story mentions my “adopted” brother-in-law's cap.

Conclusion

Whose birthday is today? My youngest brother attained the young age of 51 today! His wife and he are the parents of Lilliana and her older sister. I'll call him after publishing this article.

Why am I not hiking today? Aside from chores around the house and spending time with Molly, our ol' puppy, outside, I had to publish this article! The weather has been clear and sunny all day. The mountains are calling me. Do I hike tomorrow?

House Mountain Hike #192, 10-9-2024, Part 2: Fallen Trees Caused by Hurricane Helene (published 10-19-2024; article #495)

Introduction

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, I hiked House Mountain for the 192nd time. Yesterday, part one of this two-part series focused on birthday greetings to our beloved and “adopted” great niece, Addy. It includes my audiovisual birthday wishes to her from the upper-middle bluff on her 15th birthday.

This part two, the 68th entry in the hiking topic section, concentrates on the fallen trees along the trails, caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Twenty photographs are included. I counted at least 19 freshly fallen trees that were blocking three trails.

The weather was clear and sunny. The sky was brilliant blue. The morning low of 46 degrees Fahrenheit quickly warmed to about 78 degrees. I sweated enough. From 12:19 PM to 4:04 PM, three hours and forty-five minutes in the woods was better than not having been there, despite negotiating over, under, and around fallen trees!

Remnants of Hurricane Helene's Effects on House Mountain

Hurricane Helene struck the western coast of Florida on Thursday, September 26. Turning inland, remnants of the tropical cyclone ravaged swaths of Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, northeastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. Closest nearby, Newport in Cocke County, Tennessee, was devastated. Farther east, Asheville, North Carolina, was hit hard. Small towns and rural communities were destroyed or isolated. Sections of Interstate 40 and 26 were destroyed. Flood water swept away homes, businesses, roads, train tracks, and bridges. Livestock drowned. People perished.

Volumes of online resources chronicle the historic devastation. For this article, I selected two. The first is “ETSU experts explain Helene’s impact on Appalachia,” East Tennessee State University (ETSU), by O.J. Early, 10/8/2024. The other is “Rising with Hope: Appalachia After Hurricane Helene: On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene brought devastation to the Appalachian Mountains.” ETSU, by Dr. Andrew Joyner. The latter is an ongoing series of audiovisual episodes about the devastation of and recovery from Hurricane Helene in southern Appalachia. These are good sources; however, I disagree with their implicit allegations that so-called man-made global climate change caused the calamity. That humans are behind the so-named global climate change chicanery is scientifically false and politically propagandized.

Join me on a virtual hike, as we explore the fallen trees along the trails. House Mountain is only one area that was damaged by the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

Up the West Trail

At 12:19 PM, I started hiking the west trail to the west bluff. Touching the marker near the covered picnic area marked the time.

The first photograph below, taken at 12:31 PM, shows the first fallen tree or trees that blocked the trail leading to the third lower switchback. The view looks northwest. The wooden fence posts were still standing, but the wooden rails were down. I could see one fallen tree. There could have been more.

A minute later, standing at the same spot, I turned east to take the second photograph below. It shows the fourth and final lower switchback still above me. On hands and feet, I climbed up a few yards to reach the trail again. I didn't see any damage at the fourth lower switchback.

Still hiking up and west at the southern base of House Mountain, I photographed the following at 12:37 PM:

The marker shows 0.25 of a mile hiked so far. The trail up to the west bluff or overlook is claimed to be 0.8 of a mile. Years ago, an old sign showed 1.0 miles exactly. The mountain did not shrink! Two trees looked to be freshly fallen across the trail.

Four minutes later, not much farther up the west trail, I took the fourth photograph. Leaning forward, I could walk under this fourth fallen tree.

Once I reached the first of the six upper switchbacks, I didn't see any trees down across the trail, until I arrived at the second upper switchback. Just below that switchback, I took the fifth photograph at 12:47 PM.

Two trees were down and blocking the trail. Another tree was down off the trail. The smaller tree was easy to step over. The once majestic tree had stood proudly and marked the switchback. I will miss that tree. Three minutes later, now above the huge fallen tree, I took the sixth photograph.

This is a better view, looking east, of the once mighty tree that had fallen. A young man and his mother were coming up the trail. I happened to catch him in the image.

At 12:53 PM, I took the following seventh photograph. The view looks southwest toward the fifth, or next to last, upper switchback.

Four trees were down. Two fell across the trail. Two others were suspended above the trail.

I took the eighth photograph below at 12:58 PM. The final or sixth upper switchback is above me. The view looks northwest. The one fallen tree was easy to step over.

At 1:04 PM, hiking the trail just below the ridge toward the west bluff, I photographed the one fallen tree below. I hunkered down to pass underneath it.

The rest of the trail under the ridge to the west bluff appeared undamaged. Hiking up the west trail, I saw several other freshly fallen trees, but they were off the trail.

The West Bluff

I reached the west bluff at 1:20 PM, slowed by photographing the fallen trees and navigating over, under, or around them. I met and conversed briefly with a couple of groups of hikers as well.

At 1:23 PM, at the west bluff, I took the tenth photograph below. The view looks southwest. No tree was down. The top of the tree trunk to the left in the image had snapped off years ago. New branches are still growing from the tree trunk near the center of the image.

Hiking East across the Ridge

From the west bluff, I continued hiking east along the ridge trail, heading to the upper-middle bluff. I found two fallen trees across the ridge trail. I took the eleventh and twelfth photographs below at 1:48 PM and 2:01 PM.

I stooped a little low to walk under this tree.

I stepped onto and over this tree.

Upper-Middle Bluff

Arriving at the upper-middle bluff, I enjoyed the magnificent views! No newly fallen trees were in the area. I took the following three photographs, numbers thirteen to fifteen, within five minutes from 2:12 to 2:17 PM. In the first, I was sitting on a rock in between the two large rock formations. The view looks northwest. Notice the recently placed American flag.

Climbing down to the flag, I took the next close-up photograph of the flag. Hand-painted on the big rock below the flag are the words, “Thank you. You're welcome.” I wonder who placed that flag and wrote on the rocks.

Turning around at the same spot, I photographed up to where I had sat to take the first photograph from this bluff.

Down and Out the East Trail

At 2:20 PM, leaving the upper-middle bluff, I started hiking back to and down the east trail. My descent was unhindered by fallen trees, as I continued down the seven switchbacks. On the lower and meandering trail, however, I saw the following five trees that were newly fallen. These are photographs sixteen through nineteen. I took them within four minutes, from 3:39 to 3:43 PM.

I had to bend low, moving on hands and feet, to cross under this tree. The view is southwest.

This once majestic tree will be missed. The view looks north. I had passed the tree and turned around to take the photograph.

I walked only a few yards farther, before stopping to photograph the above fallen tree. The image looks southwest.

Two trees were newly fallen at this location, only a few yards from the last image. I could bend under the first tree and step onto and over the second tree.

Conclusion

House Mountain is owned by the State of Tennessee and managed jointly by the state and the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department, under a lease agreement with the state. Both entities may already know about the fallen trees that need to be cleared along the trails. I may contact Knox County to see if they could use my help. I did clear several fallen tree branches during this hike. The photographs in this article may help the county understand where trees need to be cleared.

Where was my 2006 Nissan Frontier? He was parked in the shade. With 192,454.5 miles on the odometer, my truck runs as good as new, and he likes to take me hiking! Ending the hike, I touched the marker near the sheltered picnic area at 4:04 PM. The photograph below was taken three minutes later.

A future article will be about my 193rd hike on House Mountain on Columbus Day, which happened to be another dear family member's fifteenth birthday. I enjoyed hiking twice this month, as birthday gifts to two fine young Christian ladies, each of whom turned fifteen on the days that I hiked!