The horrific October 7 attacks in Israel, which claimed thousands of lives, weren’t random acts of terror—they were carefully planned and trained for in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Even more troubling? A report by Sarah Adams and her investigative team suggests that U.S. taxpayer funds, sent under the guise of “humanitarian aid,” may have indirectly supported the camps that trained the attackers.

U.S. Funds Flowing to the Taliban

After the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban regained full control of the country. Instead of cutting ties, the U.S. continued sending massive amounts of money—between $40 million and $80 million per week, adding up to an estimated $2 billion to $4 billion annually. While the administration claims this funding was for humanitarian purposes, the Taliban has reportedly funneled a significant portion into supporting terrorist activities, including training camps.

A Grim Parallel to 9/11

It’s worth remembering why the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in the first place: the Taliban was harboring Al-Qaeda, allowing them to train terrorists who would eventually carry out the 9/11 attacks. Fast forward two decades, and history seems to be repeating itself. Al-Qaeda is once again operating freely in Afghanistan, with Taliban support, and they’re using the country as a base to plan large-scale attacks.

October 7 Was Just the Beginning

According to Adams’ report, the October 7 attacks were a “test run” for even bigger operations. Al-Qaeda, backed by the Taliban, trained thousands of fighters for follow-up attacks targeting the United States and Europe. These coordinated plots are reportedly already in motion, and the attackers may even be within U.S. borders.

Where Is the Accountability?

Here’s the kicker: the very funds meant to help rebuild Afghanistan may now be fueling terror networks. It’s a slap in the face to Americans who thought they were funding humanitarian efforts, only to discover that their money could be enabling the next wave of terror.

What Needs to Happen

The U.S. must immediately stop all aid to Afghanistan while the Taliban remains in power. It’s also time to hold the Biden administration accountable for allowing billions of dollars to flow to a regime openly supporting terror. If we don’t act now, the consequences could be devastating—not just for our allies, but for Americans at home.

What are your thoughts? How can you prepare you and your family for the potential of follow-on attacks in the US? 

FYI, subscribers to this Locals page get free access to my new book "Death of Civilization" which is chock-full of actionable intelligence on preparing for tumultuous times ahead.

Los Angeles is burning, and my heart genuinely goes out to those who’ve lost everything. Forget politics for a second—good people are hurting, and they need our support. But here’s the thing: we can’t ignore the reasons behind this disaster. We’ll never fix the problem if we don’t face it head-on. So, let’s break it down.

Homeless Encampments: A Ticking Time Bomb

I've spent years reporting on the Homeless problem in California, and the number of fires in homeless encampments has doubled since 2020. Last year, L.A. saw a jaw-dropping 13,909 encampment fires. Compare that to just seven fires back in 2018. Meanwhile, California has poured $24 billion—yeah, billion—into solving homelessness, and as usual, you get more of what you subsidize. To make matters worse, most of that cash is unaccounted for. Seriously, where did it go? According to CBS, by 2021, 80% of L.A.’s fire outbreaks were tied to encampments.

Nature Mismanagement: Playing with Fire

California’s “let nature be” crowd won’t even let you trim a branch, but here’s the deal: fire is part of nature’s cycle. If we don’t clean up dry brush and dead trees, nature’s gonna handle it with wildfires. Trump called this out back in 2019, but Newsom didn’t listen. And now we’re paying the price.

Oh, and let’s not forget the Santa Ana winds. They’re blowing at nearly 100 mph this year, turning the whole region into a giant tinderbox. But what do officials blame? Climate change. Let’s unpack that.

Blame Game: Climate Change or Bad Policy?

Whenever something goes wrong, California’s leaders cry “climate change.” But hang on—this year’s winds aren’t even close to the record. In 2011, gusts hit 167 mph. And this winter? Not the driest. That record goes back to the late 1800s. Newsflash: Southern California is a desert. Always has been.

Instead of addressing water mismanagement, L.A. imports water from hundreds of miles away, forcing upstream communities to ration theirs. Meanwhile, the rich in San Francisco and L.A. water their massive lawns and lecture the rest of us about conservation. Hypocrisy much?

Firefighters Spread Thin

L.A. doesn’t even have enough firefighters to tackle these blazes. Mayor Karen Bass (yes, her name is Karen) cut the fire department’s budget by $18 million. And instead of using the remaining funds to hire and train more people, they launched a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bureau.” Because, you know, flames care about workplace equity.

They also fired firefighters who didn’t get vaccinated. Great timing, right? And here’s the kicker: in 2022, L.A. donated extra firefighting gear to Ukraine. Now they’re scrambling for resources. You can’t make this stuff up.

Insurance Nightmares

As if things couldn’t get worse, many Californians are losing their fire insurance. Homeowners who’ve had policies for decades are getting dropped because the wildfire risk is too high. Why? All the reasons we just covered. And California’s overbearing regulations are driving insurers out of the market. Brilliant.

Sanctuary Cities: Billions Spent on the Wrong Priorities

While California burns, the state is spending billions to coddle and attract illegal migrants. Sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have become havens, offering free healthcare, education, and housing assistance to undocumented immigrants. All this while essential services like fire protection and water management are underfunded and mismanaged. Imagine redirecting those billions to actually fix the state’s infrastructure and protect its residents. But no—California’s leadership prefers virtue signaling over real solutions.

Leadership Matters

This mess is the result of poor leadership, plain and simple. Bad policies, misplaced priorities, and a refusal to take responsibility have left Californians vulnerable. If we don’t demand better from our leaders, this will keep happening. Elections have consequences, folks. It’s time to wake up.

2025 Goals for John Doe - This is a sample output from my custom-built AI goal setting Assistant.  Supporters can make their own goal sheet here.

Spiritual Goals

1. Pray: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to focused prayer, with special attention to praying for family and guidance in serving the community.
2. Read: Study the Gospel of Matthew in depth by Easter, using a commentary or study guide.
3. Memorize: Learn and meditate on Psalm 23 by heart.

Relational Goals

1. Marriage: Plan a monthly "date adventure" with my spouse to deepen our connection and enjoy retirement together.
2. Family: Call each of my children weekly and plan a quarterly family gathering.
3. Friends: Host a small dinner party every two months to nurture friendships.

Physical Goals

1. Daily Fitness: Walk 10,000 steps daily and incorporate a 20-minute strength workout three days a week.
2. Mobility: Stretch for 15 minutes every morning to improve flexibility and prevent injuries.
3. Diet: Follow a Mediterranean diet:
   • Focus on whole foods, lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats.
   • Limit processed foods, sugar, and alcohol (1 glass of wine per week on Fridays).
   • Drink 80 ounces of water daily.
4. Fasting: Try intermittent fasting (16:8) for three months to improve energy and health markers.
5. Challenge: Commit to hiking a challenging 5-mile trail with friends by the end of spring.

Financial Goals

1. Giving: Donate $1,000 per month to local charities or causes that align with personal values.
2. Debt-Free Living: Maintain debt-free status and review finances monthly with my spouse.
3. Investing: Review and rebalance retirement portfolio to align with current needs and market trends.

Academic Goals

1. Books: Read 12 books (1 per month), focusing on history, personal growth, and faith.
2. Learning: Enroll in a free online course on a topic of interest, such as photography or genealogy.
3. Skills: Learn to use basic video editing software to document family memories and travels.

Business Goals

1. Volunteer Work: Dedicate 10 hours per month to mentoring young entrepreneurs through a local nonprofit.
2. Creative Projects: Write and self-publish a memoir for my family by December.

Social Goals

1. Church: Attend church weekly and join a small group to build deeper connections.
2. Community: Volunteer twice a month at the local food pantry or community center.
3. Friends: Schedule monthly coffee meetups with old colleagues to maintain friendships.

Lifestyle Goals

1. Travel: Plan and take two trips this year, one domestic and one international, focusing on relaxation and cultural exploration.
2. Hobbies: Dedicate time weekly to hobbies like gardening, woodworking, or fishing to maintain joy and creativity.
3. Mindfulness: Practice gratitude daily by journaling three things I’m thankful for each evening.