Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Lester Cox

Frank, I have profound admiration for the true visionaries of our time—those whose vocabulary simply does not include the words “don’t” or “can’t.” I often find myself imagining what extraordinary heights we might reach if Steve Jobs were still alive and he and Elon Musk could collaborate. As it stands, I believe Elon Musk is the most important visionary in history. He is a once-in-a-generation genius who has never encountered a challenge worth pursuing that he will not conquer if he chooses to.

Lester Cox

Anyone who publicly declares that Elon Musk is stupid immediately places themselves in a category of fools and morons entirely their own. AOC and Ilhan Omar are founding members.

Bill RIHS

Lester, right on!

Lester Cox

Frank Wiley

Great Poster Les!  The Commies will probably say, "See, Communist North Korea doesn't waste electricity."

Lester Cox

Do you think the media might be amplifying concerns about food costs as part of the broader affordability debate?

I hadn’t really noticed a dramatic shift in what we spend on groceries myself—except when we eat out at restaurants, where prices do feel higher. That made me wonder whether some of the “outrageous food costs” narrative might be getting more attention than the actual numbers justify, and whether candidates on both sides are simply reacting to it.

Out of curiosity, I asked three different AI tools the same basic question: If you filled a basket with $200 of ordinary groceries in August 2024, what would roughly the same basket cost in August 2025 and August 2026? The answers were pretty consistent—around $203 in 2025 and about $205 in 2026. That’s only a couple of percent over two years.

Is it possible I’m missing something, or does this suggest grocery prices specifically may not be the major driver of the affordability conversation that they’re sometimes portrayed as? I’m genuinely curious what others are seeing in their own shopping.

Frank Wiley

Hi Les, I don't disagree with your numbers but I don't think they reflect what's happening today.  What I mean by that is that the Groceries being delivered by truck (and that's all groceries) are going to see a larger jump then the last couple of years because of the 50% increase in diesel prices.  We keep hearing it's temporary but it's been more than half a year now.  

Lester Cox

Frank, if that were the case, the August 2026 numbers should reflect it—but they don’t.

One increase I noticed personally was the price of high-pH water by the gallon. It went up quite a bit, possibly because of its weight and higher delivery costs. However, I doubt that specialty product would have been included in the original $200 grocery basket.

Based on the government’s published CPI figures we’re discussing, a basket that cost $200 two years ago would cost approximately $210 today—a 5% increase over two years.

My point is that the media and virtually all politicians seem to have accepted the narrative that grocery prices represent a catastrophic crisis. Yet these numbers don’t support that characterization. An extra $10 can certainly matter to someone on a tight budget, but a $10 increase on a $200 basket over two years hardly justifies the sweeping claims we keep hearing.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Happy Birthday Bill  🎉  🎊  🥳  🎂

Jim Coats

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bill Rihs!!  Looking forward to seeing you at the Beer Summit!  

Frank Wiley

  Happy Birthday Mr.  Rihs, looking forward to seeing you at the Beer Summit!  The Big 80!!

Lester Cox

Happy Birthday Bill, see you next week. 

Bill RIHS

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I remain on the right side of the grass👍. 

Les, I agree with you on the inflation. I noticed it most after the "Inflation Reduction Act"😡. Presently fuel prizes are an issue that with take a little time to reach us in increased costs. I have to say I am not very happy with Trump lately but I will never vote for dumcrat!

Michael Kelly

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL RIHS. MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE AND IN GOOD HEALTH. 

Frank Wiley

One and one half months ago we were in drought restrictions.  Now, the river in our town (remember we read "Our Town" at Camelback) is at its highest level in recorded history.  I promise Lake Powell is filling.  This is very unusual for this kind of weather in the Fall when it's usually dry.  My point is that yes, the climate is changing but GOD decides what the climate will be!!

Jim Coats

Frank.  Are you and Katie OK?  Are you on high ground??  Please let us know.

If everything is A-OK, will you still make the Beer Summit?

Frank Wiley

We're high and dry and I plan to be at the Beer Summit.  Thanks!!

Frank Wiley

My new book recommendation is, "Killing the Legends" by Bill O'Reilly.  The rest of the story is that it's the true story about some of our generation's Icons.  John Lennon, Elvis, and Mohamed Ali.  Great read!!

Jim Coats

Let's get a head count for the Beer Summit tomorrow.

Frank, Jim, Bill Rihs, and Les are in.  Anyone else?

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

I'd be at the Beer Summit, if I could..  and I would bring the other old Marine.  😄

Bill RIHS

Patty, we would love if you and "the Marine" would attend.👍🇺🇸

Frank Wiley

I think also Bill Randall.  We would love to have you and Buzz Patty!

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

The last time I was in Phoenix was our 60th Reunion, the time before that was our 55th Reunion and before that was the 50th.  Phoenix and I don't have a loving relationship...  🙃  But I do like our classmates..

Jim Coats

Good Beer Summit last night at The Vig.  In attendance were:  Frank Wiley, Bill Rihs, Bill and Marianne Randall, Lester Cox and me.

Regardless of the moratorium on politics, we did talk a little about the current mess the country is in.  One thing we pretty much all agreed on is that we wish Trump would shut the hell up!  We are all tired of his bloviating but very much in favor of most of his policies and accomplishments.  Our friends on the left who are peeking under the tent flap (I know you're there) will love the foregoing.  Another thing we seemed to agree on is that we have a pretty solid "bench" for the 2028 POTUS election.  I think we're in good shape with Vance or Rubio going up against Kamala or AOC.  I hope I live long enough.

Finally, although we have all lost a step (or so), one thing I had problems with last night was hearing 5 other people around the table.  I can only equate the noise in The Vig to maybe standing in the middle of the CHS Marching Band at full blast.  Some of us are having hearing problems and there was some polite nodding and smiling going on.

Thanks again to Frank for getting us together.  It took me 1 hour to get there and 50 minutes to get home.  Of course, Frank drives in from Colorado!

Until we meet again....adios and vaya con Dios!

Lester Cox

Jim is absolutely right, especially about the hearing. Mine has gotten pretty bad these days, so I end up missing a fair amount of the conversation.

Jim, I realized I forgot to ask you about Christmas and your decorating extravaganza. Let me know when you’re planning to decorate and if you could use an extra pair of hands — I’d be happy to come by and help out.

It was great seeing everyone who made it to the beer summit. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving, and may you stay safe, healthy, and in good spirits.