Tonight's Trump MAGA Rally In Albuquerque

In under two hours from now, President Trump will be holding a MAGA rally in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Already, people are heading to the venue. Traffic is expected to be a big mess, coming and going.

I have a ticket for the event, in case I decided to head 120 miles to Albuquerque (Rio Rancho is a suburb). After a long drive, I really didn't relish the thought about fighting heavy traffic. Fellow Jamestown neighbors said that there's only two two-lane roads to the Santa Ana Star Center. Ouch! Plus, even ticket-holders aren't guaranteed getting into the building.

The rally will likely be live streamed, so it won't be as if I'll be missing anything the President says tonight. But, I plan on also watching part two of Ken Burns's documentary, "Country Music" on PBS. So I will stream the rally on my phone while watching the documentary. Ah, modern technology!

I have been to presidential rallies before. The one that immediately comes to mind was the Labor Day campaign kick-off for President Reagan's re-election in 1984. The crowds were huge then as well, but a friend and I made it in. One group that was bused in by the Los Angeles County Republican Party made it to the parking lot, but the people inside weren't allowed into the rally that was held at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, California.

Above, President Reagan's campaign kick-off rally in Fountain Valley, California in 1984. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hopefully, there won't be riots at tonight's rally. A rally was held by the Trump Campaign in 2016 and leftists started rioting, embarrassing New Mexico.

As the Albuquerque Journal wrote:

Reports indicate crowds will close in at Santa Ana Star Center before noon. We caution patience and chivalry while finding your spot to park. 

Whatever your viewpoint and stance on the nation’s issues and the man that personifies them, we only have one chance to get this right; there are no do-over’s. 

Let’s travel back to the first time Trump came to New Mexico for a campaign rally. Some of us were there, when what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration turned into a free-for-all. 

We can only imagine what the nation thought of us New Mexicans the morning after. Tomorrow we have a chance to start changing that image. 

If history repeats itself, then we have learned nothing about how the system of politics works. Sure, people were mad at Trump for what he stood for, but in the end, we looked bad for breaking our own property and beating up each other.

Two words: Behave yourselves! 

Orwell Called The Democrats' Strategy

Japan Tourism Agency To Use Big Data To Gauge Tourist Needs

Above, a view of the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba from Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If this weren't a voluntary program, I'd be concerned that this would be another governmental encroachment on personal liberties and Big Brotherism akin to 1984.

However, it is a voluntary program to gauge Japan tourists's needs so that local governments can improve facilities and services, so I have no problem with it.

According to The Japan Times:

The Japan Tourism Agency plans to use big data to conduct a survey on foreign tourists’ behavior so that local governments and tourism industries can develop tours and events that meet their needs, NHK reported Wednesday. 

For foreign visitors who agreed to cooperate, the agency will ask them to download in their smartphones a special Global Positioning System application so it can collect data that include the routes they take to travel around the country, which tourist spots they visit and the comments they offer via social networking sites, the report said.

To read more, go here. 

Ronald Reagan: Presidential Years

Text by Armand Vaquer with photos by Armand Vaquer and The White House.

(The photographs contained herein are from Armand Vaquer's personal collection and are not to be copied, posted or published without written permission.)

This coming Sunday will be February 6. The date will mark the centennial of President Ronald Reagan's birth in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911.

As the media focused on the anniversary this week, I decided to go through my photo albums of pictures I took of President Reagan. This collection are just some of my photos from the White House years.

Above, President Reagan mingles with the members of the 1980 California Delegation to the Republican National Convention in the East Room of the White House. I took this photo with a Vivitar 110 film camera. I figured it would be easier to use (and get past the Secret Service screeners) than a bulky 35mm camera. The reception was held on June 24, 1982.

Above, this White House photo shows President Reagan signing reception attendees' invitations. I am in the background at left above someone's white shoulder.

Above, my invitation to the White House. I also had President Reagan sign it. It is now a family heirloom.

Above, a lucky reception attendee had his picture taken with the President by a White House photographer. I can be clearly seen in the background at left.

Above, President Reagan addresses a huge Labor Day crowd at his campaign kick-off rally at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, California.

Above, President and Mrs. Reagan head to the podium at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on Election Night in 1984 following President Reagan's landslide victory over Walter Mondale.

Above, President Reagan delivers his victory speech at the Century Plaza Hotel in November 1984.

Above, another photo of President Reagan as he delivers his re-election victory speech at the Century Plaza Hotel in November 1984.

I also have photographs of President Reagan that I took at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. Most of those are at a distance, so I decided to just post these photographs as they are closer in.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these photographs.