Monday, July 31, 2017

Monday Musings - July 31, 2017


Patuxent Greens Hole 1
Laurel, MD
July 30, 2017
1. It is the last day of July, the year is now seven months complete and I can feel August in the air. 

2. The past two mornings have seen temperatures in the 50's to start the day. It seems that the summertime heat has been turned off.

3. I played golf yesterday. The course was wet from all of the rains. I could tell the course had too much standing water in places because there were ducks swimming in the fairway.

4. Changing plans are because of life. 


Screen Shot of George C. Scott as
Patton
5. I heard an interesting thought last week in a meeting. It may be a leadership concept. "Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone gets to vote."

6. I found this small bug on the tail light of my truck. I was intrigued by the green and red contrast.

7. Chris has been away visiting in Colorado. I watched Patton a couple of times while doing house projects. 


Headlines


Russia flaunts military might across the world with Navy Day celebrations - CNN

Putin, Responding to Sanctions, Orders U.S. to Cut Diplomatic Staff by 755 - The New York Times

Hot Spot for Tech Outsourcing: The United States - The New York Times

Quote for the Week


"The price of freedom may be high, but never so costly as the loss of freedom."
Ronald Reagan
Remarks at a Rally Supporting the Proposed Constitutional Amendment for a Balanced Federal Budget, July 19, 1982

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Rainy Saturday Report


Getting the Cut In's Done
Despite the rain, it was a productive day around the house.

Chris and I have been procrastinating painting the wine room. One wall of the room was painted a few years ago, but the remainder had not been refreshed since we moved into the house some 17 years ago.


The Completed Wall
The Lighting Makes it Look Mottled
We are slowly changing the color palate and updating the walls. We have had the paint for many months, but just not had the opportunity to take a day and actually paint. Until yesterday. 

I was able to paint the room and get it put back together.

Job done.

I also watched Patton for the second time this weekend. I think I will make it a Patton marathon this weekend.

Along the way, the door handle to the garage door broke and I replaced it. Ugh. It is amazing the number of things that continue to need replacing and updating. 

I wonder what today will bring? The morning temperature is 57 degrees! Hopefully the rains will stop and I will be able to get the lawns mowed.

After I play a round of golf, of course. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Rainy July Saturday


Rains Falling in the Backyard
July 28, 2017
The rains from yesterday and overnight have created a soggy mess outside which caused a rescheduling of my early morning Tee time, created lawns so wet that they can't be mowed, and have generally postponed most outside activity. 

The rains last evening were heavy and I had to drain a few inches of water from the pool.

I guess I will be stuck doing indoors activity today.

Of course, I could spend the day watching my favorite movie, Patton

But, there is a room to be painted. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, July 28, 2017

D.C. in Traffic


Driving through D.C.
with Washington Monument and
Jefferson Memorial in  view
I had the opportunity to drive through the heart of DC during high traffic yesterday. 

It was an experience that I had forgotten. 

I quickly remembered why I don't drive through DC too often. I prefer to take the metro.

Traffic is slow, crazy, and dangerous. The dangerous part is an understatement. People drive like they have no respect for the damage a vehicle can do. 

I had dropped Chris, Jodie, and Trev off at Reagan National and was headed back to work. The roads were jammed. Who is out driving at about noon on a weekday? Lots of people, it seems. 

I was at a total standstill on a bridge when I snapped this image.

At least I could sightsee in the traffic!

Remind me again why flying out of National is better than BWI? I forget! Lol.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, July 27, 2017

John McCain Lays it Out


I had the opportunity to see some of Senator John McCain's speech to the Senate on Tuesday. 


Senator John McCain Addressing the Senate
July 25, 2017
He is an American hero.

There may be no one who better understands the construct of the American government, our Republic, than John McCain.

Senator McCain laid it all out in this part of his speech,

“We’re getting nothing done. All we’ve really done this year is confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Our healthcare insurance system is a mess. We all know it, those who support Obamacare and those who oppose it. Something has to be done. We Republicans have looked for a way to end it and replace it with something else without paying a terrible political price. We haven’t found it yet, and I’m not sure we will. All we’ve managed to do is make more popular a policy that wasn’t very popular when we started trying to get rid of it.
 

He mentioned that the Senate had done nothing all year more than once.

He also has a great grasp on the concept of checks and balances--he was clear and unequivocal in his assessment of the unwelcome influence of the President on the Senate.

“We are an important check on the powers of the Executive. Our consent is necessary for the President to appoint jurists and powerful government officials and in many respects to conduct foreign policy. Whether or not we are of the same party, we are not the President’s subordinates. We are his equal!

No truer words have been spoken. 

The Senate needs to exert leadership in the Congress for America.

I was impressed with Senator McCain's grasp on the true importance of the Senate and its check on the powers of the unruly presidency. 

“That principled mindset, and the service of our predecessors who possessed it, come to mind when I hear the Senate referred to as the world’s greatest deliberative body. I’m not sure we can claim that distinction with a straight face today.


I urge you to read the test of Senator McCain's speech and relive the greatness of what America was and yet should be.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Golf off the End of the Runway


Golf requires a mixture of playing and practice.

Chris at the Range
July 25, 2017
I could never approach the amount of practice time that the pros dedicate, but heading off to the driving range for an hour or so of practice allows me to work on aspects of my game that I would not attempt during a round of golf when I am trying for my best score.

Last evening, instead of hitting a course for a fast 9 holes, Chris and I went to the range for some serious work. It was a beautiful evening and the range was full--both levels. I guess all of the other weekend golfers wanted to enjoy the relative cool, low humidity evening. 

The range near the airport is a lot of fun because when the correct runway is active the planes seeming fly right over top. 

The range is nice because I am able to hit more balls in an hour than I would during a four hour 18 hole round--and I can work to adjust my stance and swing to begin to learn how to better aim my shots.

It was a great way to begin an evening--for both Chris and I.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

As the Day Ends


Last evening was one of those all to rare experiences which put the period at the end of the day in a truly enjoyable and relaxing fashion.

The Pool as Evening Falls
July 24, 2017
I had not realized the amusement park-like pace that Chris and I had been on until we were lounging on floaties in the pool with a glass of wine for the first time all season. Yes, it is late-July and we only last evening found time to lounge in the pool and enjoy some time to ourselves.

Admittedly, the weather has been questionable, we have been traveling, and we have been busy--but lounging in the pool is something that I look forward to enjoying. 

Chris and I are fortunate, we have been able to carve out a piece of serenity amid the cacophony of the world around us to enjoy the ending or the beginning of the day. Last evening the stars and schedules finally aligned to allow us to decompress without struggling to get everything done. The late evening ending thunderstorm was but the icing on the cake as we both enjoy watching the storms rage around us.

I hope for more such days as the summer winds down because I can already feel summer losing its grip as the temperature this morning was 64 degrees and cool with the humidity finally falling into the comfort range.

Evenings like that are to be enjoyed and then treasured.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, July 24, 2017

Monday Musings - July 24, 2017


1. The next to last Monday of July is upon us. August is breathing heavy in the stable waiting to be released. 

Cannon at Antietam Battlefield
July 22, 2017
2. The month of July has been a great month with lots of memories. 

3. July is vacation month. 

4. Saturday Chris and I drove through the Antietam Battlefield. It was a very sobering experience to think about the battles and horrific scenes that played out there.

5. Finding new Maryland wineries is a great weekend past-time. 

6. I was playing golf yesterday as Jordan Spieth was setting golf history by winning The Open tying only Jack Nicklaus and the other player to have ever accomplished that feat.

7. The British Open is correctly titled just The Open.

Headlines


In Minneapolis, Unusual Police Killing Raises an Old Outcry: Why? - The New York Times



Quote for the Week


"Time and again our nation has proved that there are no limits to what we Americans can achieve when we work together. Well, today we are working together to do what is right. And as a result, we can look forward to a more secure tomorrow."

Ronald Reagan
Radio Address to the Nation on Arms Control and Reduction, July 16, 1983



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Societal Breakdown


A very disturbing article out of Cocoa, Florida, found in The Washington Post highlights a potential tear win the fabric of society. 

The article titled, Police seek charges after teens film, mock drowning man, mayor says describes how five teenagers aged 14 and 16 filmed and mocked a man who was drowning, but did nothing to help him.

CNN reports that they will not be charged with anything. They should be charged with something, most likely failure to render aid if that statute were still on the books.

What is most disturbing is that the drowning happened on July 9th and the teens filmed the death in realtime, but never reported the event nor called 9-1-1. The badly decomposed body was not discovered until July 14th. 

Jamel Dunn, the man who drowned, died while people who potentially could have saved him and rendered aid watched, filmed, and mocked the event.

The incident is described:

Police said that the teens didn’t attempt to help Dunn as he struggled and screamed.
“They didn’t call the police. They just laughed the whole time. He was just screaming … for someone to help him,” Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Cocoa Police Department, told Florida Today

I cannot imagine how society, parents, and the education system failed the young men who joked as they watched a man die without rendering aid.

We need to take action and do better. The cavalier attitude towards our fellow citizens cannot be allowed to continue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Dunkirk: Movie Review


See this movie!

That, in short, is my review. 

Dunkirk is 1 hour and 47 minutes long and it is a riveting and fully involved story. The filmography is spectacular and the up close and personal look at a select number of the characters provides a unique perspective of the events and the situation faced by the 400,000 trapped British, Belgian, and French soldiers on the shores of Dunkirk, France during May and June 1940. In the end, 330,000 of the troops were evacuated.

It took me a while to understand the manner in which the events were presented because the movie does not proceed in a classic chronological manner. The events are overlaid upon each other and viewed from the multiple perspectives of the participants. 

The movie provides a gritty, earthy, realistic look at the events that are unfolding from multiple perspectives. The action is intense and very personal. 

I had the opportunity to view the movie in a D-Box seat. While is it not as plush as some other movie seats, it transmitted the action including the bombs exploding, the aircraft dogfighting, and the swells of the sea for me to enjoy adding a new viewing experience. I enjoyed the D-Box seat.

Recommendation: See the movie and get in touch with the history of the greatest generation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, July 21, 2017

When the News Becomes Too Real


Missile Graphic from the New York Times
I usually watch the news on television and feel detached from the unfolding events. Unless the action is happening in my own backyard, I feel like the activity is not likely to affect me personally.

That is changing as the world continues to grow smaller.

An article this morning in The Washington Post, titled Hawaii rolling out civil defense plan for North Korean missile attack, took me back to my days in grade school when we practiced sheltering in place and civil defense drills. 

What caught me was how Hawaii, in response to something that happened almost an ocean away on during Independence Day celebrations is creating a plan to protect people. 

Here is an excerpt from the article:

The state of Hawaii is formulating a preparedness plan for a North Korean missile attack, much to the dismay of the state’s tourism boosters.
“We do not want to cause any undue stress for the public,” Vern T. Miyagi, Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency administrator said in a statement reported Thursday by the state’s news media, but “we cannot wait to begin our public information campaign to ensure that Hawaii residents will know what do if such an event occurs.”
The full plan for that campaign will be unveiled Friday, according to Hawaii News Now. 

So while I watch the news, sometimes the news becomes more than just a detached event on the television and it requires action. I applaud Hawaii for their proactive response to the news. It is scary, but sometimes we need to respond and be prepared.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Confounding Orioles




OPACY
July 19, 2017
Orioles Defeat Texas 10-2
I was ready to write the season off and begin thinking about trades to make the Orioles a contender next year after the weekend series against the Cubs which saw the Orioles get swept while surrendering 27 runs and scoring 11, and 8 runs were scored in a losing effort. 

It was and ugly series and I have to remember that the league leading Houston Astros are coming into town for a weekend series that could result in a similar slaughter; however, there is still hope!  

The Orioles have played three games of a four game series against the Rangers and have surrendered only 4 runs while scoring 25 and winning the all of the games so far. They actually could complete a four-game sweep tonight with a win. The turn around, which has been fueled by three consecutive quality stats from the beleaguered pitching corps, has returned the O's into Wild Card contention and they remain only 8 games behind the Red Sox for the division.

There remain 68 games in the regular season and the Orioles need to start winning. The Red Sox are 8 games ahead of them with a .563 winning percentage. To achieve that modest goal, the Orioles need to get to 91 wins which means winning 46 of the remaining 68 games. Going 46-22, .676, over the course of the remainder of the season is not likely. That means that the Wild Card is the most likely route into the playoffs. 

The mid-season collapse of the pitching staff coupled with inconsistent batting has pushed the team to the brink of elimination, yet there remains hope. It should be a fun run to the end of the season and hopefully some great October baseball.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Going to the Dogs


Arthur and Florence
By the Door
I have wondered which is harder--watching other people's children or dogs?

It is an interesting question. 

I am sure watching kids is harder than watching dogs, but sometimes I wonder. Dogs, other than my own, require work to keep them regular and happy when they are not in their usual environment. 

One of the hard parts is picking up on the potty cues. 

And it is hard as well because the environments are different. But, I think we have reached a classic canine-human, or cross-species understanding about potty time. 

Feeding time is easy! Keeping the water dish filled is a chore, but fairly self-explanatory--fill it when it is empty.

But we are having fun together. The cats are a bit frazzled, but they have a portion of the house they can live in free from the dogs.

Life can go to the dogs for a while, it is all about keeping perspective!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Towel Animals


One of the fun things about cruises are the towel animals left in the cabins by the stewards.


During our recent cruise, we received five towel creations to enjoy and I took an image of each one. 

I don't intend to post them all, but just a few of them.

It is funny ho at the end of the day I looked for the towel animal to enjoy.

It is funny the things that we look forward to on cruises. Towel animals. Who would have thought?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, July 17, 2017

Monday Musings - July 17, 2017


Palm Trees Before the Storm
Tequesta, Florida
1. It is hard to believe that more than half of July is complete! Summer is running away. 

2. The Orioles at the mid-season turn have become a major disappointment. They surrendered 27 runs in three games while scoring 11, but 8 of the 11 were in one game. The team lacks pitching and batting! Changes must be made!

3. Sitting around the pool on a hot, Sunday afternoon is not the same as being in the pool.

4. Getting back into the swing of life is hard after being away for two glorious weeks.

I'd Rather be Golfing
Compass Pointe
July 15, 2017
5. Is it easier to watch kids or dogs while their parents/owners are away?

6. With the Orioles collapsing, did I mention that the NFL resumes in a few short weeks? Unfortunately, the Ravens do not look to be contenders either.

7. Three boys and three dogs equals chaos.

Headlines

Behind Bucks County Killings, a Young Life Skidding Off the Rails - The New York Times

Exodus From a Historic Puerto Rican Town, With No End in Sight - The New York Times

The country’s flood insurance program is sinking. Rescuing it won’t be easy. - The Washington Post

Trump is killing the Republican Party - The Washington Post

Quote for the Week

"You know, someone wisely said that a hero isn't really braver than anyone else; he's just brave 5 minutes longer than anyone else."
Ronald Reagan
Remarks to Marine Corps Basic Training Graduates in Parris Island, South Carolina, June 4, 1986
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 16, 2017

The Best Images from Vacation


Fishing Boats
Saint Martin
Loggerhead Turtle
Jupiter Island Beach
It is over.

Sadly.

I have to return to the daily grind tomorrow armed with my vacation memories and images to remind me of the fun and relaxing time that I have enjoyed for the past two weeks. 

So I took a few minutes to review many of the images taken during the vacation to find the best four. My favorite is of the fishing boats lined up in Saint Martin. It is a classic Caribbean image.

The loggerhead coming out of the surf along Jupiter Island Beach obviously is one of my favorites. It was such a fantastic event that the memory will stay with me for a long time. 

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
From Oasis of the Seas upon departure
July 6, 2017
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Jupiter, Florida
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is a structure that I never grow weary of imaging. I should probably go back through all of the images that i have ever taken and put together a good of the lighthouse from various angles and lighting conditions. 

And of course the image of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan as the cruise shop sailed by is a stunning image as well. I enjoyed the brief visit to San Juan and want to return soon to spend a longer time enjoying the sights and learning more about the culture of Puerto Rico.

Ah, the memories. The images provide a key to recall the memories of a great vacation.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Hot, Sultry Golf Saturday


Compass Pointe East Course Hole 1
July 15, 2017
I made it to Compass Pointe golf course this morning and enjoyed a round in the near 100 percent humidity. The dew on the grass was heavy at 7AM and the greens were slow, but we had a great time smacking the small white ball around the course.


Compass Pointe North Course Hole 8
Rainstorm
At one point we also enjoyed a passing rainstorm that cooled the temperatures but helped to keep the humidity at near 100 percent. 

On the longest hole of the day, which was the 17 hole we played, the rain drenched us and soured my spirits for a while. The hole is a long par 5 at 585 yards from the white tees. Hitting from the wet fairways was not a lot of fun, but I got to use my rain gear. 

When the sun returned, the humidity returned to 100 percent.

I didn't play very well, but it was fun being out on the course.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Friday, July 14, 2017

My Take: White House Sideshow


Upon returning from vacation, I was saddened to learn that the circus sideshow that has become the White House continues unabated.

The continuing news about the Russia investigation and entanglements is making the entire American system the laughing stock of the world. 

The bigger problem is that the focus upon the disclosures and allegations is distracting us and the news media from the real news happening around the world. 

We: the news media, people, and government of the United States, have become so inwardly focused that we are ineffectively dealing with activities around the world. When damage control becomes the main diplomatic activity of the day, then we have become totally reactionary and are not setting policy and pushing programs and focusing the direction of the world.

The inward focus means that the United States has effectively abrogated its world leadership and allowing other countries are setting the direction and respond to international issues while the U.S. deals with its internal crisis.  

We need to set policy, not be totally in the respond mode to other's actions.

My Take: The Sideshow that has become the White House needs to end and the business of governing must begin.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Thursday, July 13, 2017

The Road Home

On I-95 near Waverly, Georgia
July 13, 2017
Vacations end. It is a sad and indisputable fact.

It has been two weeks since Chris and I took the road for our cruise vacation. We are now on the way home and passed through Waverly, Georgia, an hour or so ago.

We got up early this morning and hit I-95 about 5AM for the 16 hour sojourn back to Elkridge.

I drove the first shift and it was only after we changed drivers did I get the opportunity to document the day with an image from the highway.

Yesterday it rained on our last day in Florida meaning that we neither played golf or hit the beach. It was a good relaxing day prior to the marathon drive home.

I have a lot of memories. I am fully relaxed and recharged and I admit that I do not need to go back to work in order to get over my vacation. I have been on vacations where getting back to work was a welcome relief from the hectic schedule.

It is sad that the time off is nearly complete. But, getting back home will be nice.

-- Bob Doan, writing from South Carolina on I-95

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Loggerhead Encounter


Loggerhead Turtle Emerging form the Surf
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017
A once in a lifetime encounter on a deserted beach occurred yesterday evening. 

Chris and I along with Francis and Mary were at the Jupiter Island beach enjoying an end of the day happy hour when, about 25 yards from us, a loggerhead turtle crawled out of the surf and began to move up the beach to lay eggs. It was about 6PM in the evening and these things just do not happen at that time of day.

Loggerhead Turtle headed Back to the Ocean
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 11, 2017
I was in shock when I looked up the beach to the north and saw the turtle emerging from the sea. At first I thought it was a large piece of debris, but when I realized that it was a turtle, I let everyone in the group know. 

Loggerheads, and other turtles, typically come ashore under the cover of darkness to lay their eggs. An article by the Sea Turtle Conservancy describes routine behaviors. The turtle we saw last night was intent on digging a nest and laying eggs during broad daylight. 

Fortunately the beach was deserted, except for the four of us who remained silent and with only very limited movement until the turtle had completed laying her eggs and began the trek back to the ocean. It was only at that point that we approached her to take some closer images, but we never touched her or obstructed her path to the sea. During her entire time on land in the sun I was concerned that the turtle would overheat.



Safely Back to the Water
Loggerhead Turtle - Jupiter Island Beach
July 11, 2017
The movie above shows the event as best that I could record it. There is no video of the actual egg laying because we maintained a respectful distance from the turtle until she was finished. 

We have been on the beach at night and seen turtles come out of the surf and we have watched them lay eggs, but to experience the entire event from start to finish is something that just does not happen during daylight hours. 

The turtle last evening was intent on her mission. Three fishermen walked by at the surf line while she was laying, but the turtle was undeterred from her mission. 

Throughout the event, we were in awe of the scene being played out before us. We had been on the beach when nest eruptions occur during the daylight hours and many small loggerheads begin their race to the ocean, but to see a magnificent turtle emerge from the surf during daytime was a sight to behold and I am very happy that I was able to record it.

-- Bob Doan, writing form Tequesta, Florida

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The Best Vacation, Ever?


Beach on Saint Martin
July 5, 2017
What constitutes the best vacation ever? 

It is probably any vacation that I am currently experiencing. The way I look at it is that a bad day on vacation is better than a good day in the office. Right?

Labadee, Haiti, Beach
July 7, 2017
Well, mostly.

There are many components to great vacations and everybody has different components to creating the perfect one. 

In my case, beach time is an important component of a vacation. That means that a vacation to the mountains, while enjoyable, would not probably make my list as the best vacation ever. I am a bit concerned about an Alaskan cruise as well--pretty, enjoyable, but too cold for quality beach time. And with the way I detest snow, I'm not sure wandering around a glacier during the summer would be personally satisfying.

Hobe Sound National Refuge
Jupiter Island, Florida
July 9, 2017
In contrast, I was in awe of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin on my current vacation because the island is 37 square miles in size and has 37 beaches, as reported by my tour guide. I only visited three of the beaches there and so I definitely need a return trip to visit more of the remaining 34 beaches!

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, Florida
July 10, 2017
Now, while describing and planning my perfect vacation it should be noted that vineyards and wineries are a close second to beaches. So, for instance, a Tuscan vacation would be very nice as well--it is just lacking a beach to make it the "best ever."

Cocoa Beach, Florida
July 1, 2017
Another component of the "best ever" vacation is, of course, golf. Add golf to any vacation and it immediately moves up in status! Golf and wine--good. Beach, wine, and golf? A difficult trio to combine.

The point of all of this is that I believe everyone needs to know what constitutes their "best ever" vacation and then make appropriate decisions before heading off and spending time and money to "get away."

Happy vacationing and may your vacation be the "best ever!"

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

Monday, July 10, 2017

Monday Musings - July 10, 2017


Breakfast on the Balcony
Looking at the Ocean
Oasis of the Seas
July 4, 2017
1. I wonder if I will ever tire of looking at the ocean and watching the sun rise and set? I don't think so.

Crab
San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 6, 2017
2. It is fun to watch the animals along a beach. We found a very interesting crab in San Juan.

3. It was hard to say goodbye to the Oasis of the Seas which served as our home for a week of travel and sights.

4. I noticed that the more I want to be someplace, the longer it takes to get there. I guess this is a corollary to the adage that a watched pot never boils.

5. This joke is an oldie, but it seems to be very true these days. How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving. 

6. I came to a realization the other day that the difference between real and fake news is perspective.

7. The internet is blurring the lines between fact and fiction. I ran across an interesting 2016 New York Times piece about, How the Internet is Loosening Our Grip on the Truth


Headlines


Coal no longer fuels America. But the legacy — and the myth — remain. - The Washington Post

The Islamic State Is Not Dead Yet - The New York Times

Republicans Take a Hatchet to Health Care - The New York Times

Quote for the Week

"Today the world looks to America for leadership. They look to what they call our miracle economy for an answer to how they may give their people a better life. And they look to our courage and might to protect them from the forces of tyranny, brutality, and injustice."

Ronald Reagan
Remarks to Marine Corps Basic Training Graduates in Parris Island, South Carolina, June 4, 1986

-- Bob Doan, writing from Tequesta, Florida

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