Seven and the Climate

There are seven storms in the Atlantic which are or could become hurricanes. That is a huge number of storms at any one time. The amount of energy that these storms represent is astounding. 

Here is a graphic from the National Hurricane Center:

National Hurricane Center
As of September 16, 2020 at 0530 EDT

The link references the current display of the storms, so it will likely be different from the one displayed. 

Of course Sally is in the news because of the devastation expected along the Gulf Coast--but there are other storms lurking out in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico which also could become problems. 

Do the high number of storms represent yet more evidence to support climate change? 

That is an election issue.

CBS News reported:

President Trump's repeated refusal to accept climate science could not be farther from the view held by opponent Joe Biden, who believes climate change "poses an existential threat." The difference in opinion became clear again on Monday when Mr. Trump dismissed the scientific consensus on climate change at a briefing on California's record-breaking wildfires Monday.

The article later highlights:

Mr. Trump has called climate change a "hoax," and rolled back numerous policies put in place to protect the natural environment. Despite his record, the president recently declared himself the greatest environmentalist since President Theodore Roosevelt, who helped protect 230 million acres of public land.

In contrast, Biden's campaign website features the candidate's climate change plan, which stresses that it threatens not just the environment, but also "our health, our communities, our national security, and our economic well-being."

Biden has endorsed the Green New Deal, noting that it "captures two basic truths"  at the core of his climate change plan: "(1) the United States urgently needs to embrace greater ambition on an epic scale to meet the scope of this challenge, and (2) our environment and our economy are completely and totally connected." His plan sets a goal for a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Whether seven storms in the Atlantic at one time is more evidence for climate change is really a moot point, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that we must do something to reduce our impact on the climate. 

Science or no science. You make the call.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, again

 

I am not sure what it is about Tuesdays, but I really do not know what to do with the day. It is that day sandwiched between Monday and Hump Day that just seems to be there. It is a way point from the beginning to the midpoint of the week. 

At least on this Tuesday we can celebrate the start of the NFL season and the return to sports normalcy in America. Perhaps we are beginning to find ways to live life and coexist with coronavirus. 

It seems that the trend in new coronavirus cases is continuing down since the high-water mark during late-July.

Perhaps we are finally moving forward as the summer comes to an end.

Maybe that is why Tuesday is good for; assessing our progress against coronavirus.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 14, 2020

 

1. It is the second Monday of September. The month is nearing the halfway point. There are 50 days until Election Day 2020.

2. Football is back. Yesterday felt like a more normal Football Sunday in America. The NFL played games and our family responded by watching.

3. Family NFL Results:

    Ravens defeat Browns, 38-6

    Washington defeats Eagles, 27-17

    Cowboys lose to Rams, 17-20

    Steelers play tonight.

4. Thursday, the 17th is Constitution Day. When was the last time you read the Constitution? 

5. Promises, Promises. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Donald Trump promised he would eliminate the nation’s debt in eight years. Instead, his budgets would add $8.3 trillion during that time. It would increase the U.S. debt to $28.5 trillion at the end of eight years, according to Trump's budget estimates.

(Source The Balance: Trump and the National Debt)

6. I have noted that rush hour traffic is getting back to near normal.

7. I wish I could attend a baseball game even though the Orioles had a bad week and essentially took themselves out of playoff contention. 

Star Spangled Banner

8. Today in History. On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort M'Henry,” was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”: “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

As West Coast Crews Battle the Fires, Thousands Are Displaced - The New York Times

Afghanistan Peace Talks Open in Qatar, Seeking End to Decades of War - The New York Times

Trump says he’ll ‘negotiate’ for a third term in office  - The Washington Post

Two meat plants were fined $29,000 for failing to keep workers safe from the virus. Critics say it is not enough. - The Washington Post

Israel to lock down nationwide in main holiday season amid COVID-19 surge - Reuters

WHO reports record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 307,000 - Reuters

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Tops China Box Office Amid Controversy - The Wall Street journal

China Serves Up Pig-Backed Loans for Its Hogtied Farmers - The Wall Street Journal

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"We the people tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. We the people are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which We the people tell the government what it is allowed to do. We the people are free." 

Jan 11, 1989

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Season-ending Event

End of the Pool Season
Elkridge, MD
September 12, 2020

Yesterday marked the end of the 2020 pool season. Looking at the weather forecast with temperatures dipping deep into the 50's and highs in the 70's, the pool water will be too cold to enjoy without pumping significant amounts of propane through the heater to keep it enjoyable for the brief periods that we would like to swim--and then the air temperature would make getting out of the pool a frigid experience.

Sadly, it was time. 

Resurfacing the Pool
Elkridge, MD
March 29, 2020

The pool season began early this year. We contracted to have the pool resurfaced. That led to a fantastic pool season with no algae problems and a nice smooth pool surface to enjoy. It was without a doubt the best pool season that we have enjoyed. And for the first time since we have lived here, we also were joined by new friends from the neighborhood with their children who also enjoyed swimming in the pool on the incredibly hot days of summer. 

It was a great summer for the resurfaced pool and it was a highlight given that many of the community pools were not open or were severely limiting the numbers of people who could enjoy the cooling waters on the 95 degree days we experienced. 

Now it is covered waiting to be revealed next Spring. Who knows what the next year will bring, but I know that the pool will be there--waiting for another season of summer fun.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

UPS Customer Pick-up Adventure

 

UPS Customer Center
Vero Road, Baltimore
September 9, 2020

I hate missing packages that are arriving via FEDEX or UPS. Missing them means that, if I am lucky, I get to make a trip to the customer center.

Such a situation presented itself as a result of our trip to Florida last week. An unexpected package arrived which required an adult signature. After a great deal of discussion with the delivery person through my doorbell camera and speaker during the third and normally last delivery attempt, I was on a beach at the time, I was able to have the package held at the UPS Customer Service Center for pick-up after my return.

It has been a while since I visited the UPS Customer Center. UPS does not seem to have as many local centers as FEDEX. The center followed strict COVID-19 rules which meant that only two customers could be in the center and everyone else had to queue outside. I was glad that it was not raining. 

They only had one person working the counter and so the line moved very slowly. But, I successfully retrieved my package and was able to maintain physical distancing. 

Picking up a package continues to be an event.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Shining City on a Hill

 

The United States, in the past, was described as "a shining city upon a hill."  We believed in the words of the documents upon which this country was founded. Many of us believed that those ideals were reality. In truth, equality was not, and is not equally available to all of the citizens of this great country. Many of us are blind to reality. 

It has been a tumultuous summer. The year 2020 is going to be remembered as a quite a year. It is of course the year of the pandemic--which shows no signs of passing; but more importantly, I believe that 2020 will be remembered well into the future as the year when the United States finally began to understand and achieve the great charge that the Founding Fathers gave to us when they wrote the Constitution.

I love the Preamble of the Constitution. It states so very clearly what the United States is all about and provides a guidepost for us to measure progress. I do not believe that the Founding Fathers believed that we had attained the utopia described in the Preamble, but wrote the Preamble to guide us.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." (Preamble to the Constitution)

The Preamble to the Constitution sets the stage for the "Shining city on a hill" that we have, until recently, believed ourselves to be. 

This year many of us have come to realize that the "Blessings of Liberty . . . " have not been available to all Americans, equally. I believe that one reason for this is the divisive administration that is working to divide us and to set Americans against each other in a manner not seen since the Civil War. When, before, have the words Democrat or Republican been used as invectives? But yet, they are now being used as such on a daily basis to hide the inability of the administration to to "form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility . . . "

Today is the anniversary of a violent attack upon this great country. I remember the day and the time after the attack. After we got past the shock and the tragedy  and the loss of so many thousands of our brothers and sisters, we became united with a purpose. That purpose was not a selfish inward looking purpose, but it was a purpose that caused us to spend our national treasure to make not only the United States, but the entire world a better and safer place. 

Since then we have become myopic and cannot see beyond our borders. We are building walls protect ourselves from imagined threats. We are divided and there is unrest. Out of this division, however, I believe there will come good. We have been sensitized to the fact that we are not yet the "shining city" of which Ronald Reagan spoke. But, we want to be. And many of us are dedicated to that goal--make the United States the best, most just country that the world has ever seen. We must "secure the blessings of Liberty . . . "

And the movement to make America the land of freedom, justice and liberty for all began again during 2020. We are beginning to reunite around those lofty, but achievable goals. We have a new sense of purpose. I am glad that our sports heroes, as witnessed in the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL last evening have taken up the call as are working to raise these issues to into our consciousness, because unless we can see our shortcomings we cannot address and correct them. 

I was appalled at a memorandum issued by the Executive Office of the President, dated September 4, 2020. The words contained in that letter suggest something sinister and contrary to the ideals and goals of the Constitution. The memo can be found on whitehouse.com, titled Training in the Federal Government. 

It is not un-American to examine ourselves individually, identify our beliefs and biases, and then work to understand how they affect our interactions with others. There are many ways to help people come to understand themselves and their biases. If America is to be the "shining city on the hill," then we must address the difficult, unpopular, and divisive issues that are facing us, right now!

Becoming the "shining city on the hill" is our goal, but it needs each of us to commit to achieving that goal. We must no longer be divided and fighting against ourselves, but rather we must unite and work to secure liberty and equality for each other. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

From the Depths

 

Each day this week seems to contain new revelations about White House deceit and intentional mismanagement related to the coronavirus. 

Yesterday's revelations were, in my mind, a bombshell. Experts estimate that 58,000 American lives could have been saved had the U.S. taken action just two weeks sooner. By comparison, there were 58,220 combat casualties during the Vietnam War which stretched from 1964-1975. 

Trump, in Bob Woodward Interview, Said He Played Down Virus’s Severity

A story in the Wall Street Journal describes the situation as reported in a new book by Bob Woodward of The Washington Post. Playing down the severity of the virus cost American lives. Backtracking now doesn't change the loss of life and tragedy suffered by the families of those who could have been saved had the country begun moving sooner. 

It is sad, but Lincoln's government of, by, and for the people seems to have become a government against the people. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

How About them O's?

 

It has been a while since I wrote about the Orioles. With the NFL season on the horizon, I thought I'd like to get in a few sentences about the baseball team from Baltimore. And I also needed a break and diversion from the political scene anyway.

How 'bout them O's?

It is September, there are 19 games left in the regular season and for the first time since 2016 the Orioles are vying for a play-off spot rather than securing a last-place finish in the cellar of the American League East Division. 

The Orioles are 20-21, .488, and on a four game win streak that finds them one-half game behind the Yankees and also one-half game out of the second Wild Card spot. It is September! In past seasons the Orioles collapse would have been complete by this point and they would been already eliminated from Wild Card contention. 

But not this team!

They have been overcoming injuries and adversity all season and after suffering a mid-season slump a few weeks ago they have been steadily churning out wins. The team took 3 of 4 games from the Yankees over the weekend and trounced the Mets 11-2 last night to get back into the playoff picture. 

I am still happy to have been one of the fans who actually saw some live baseball this season, albeit Spring Training I did get to experience ballparks, baseball, and the sights and smells of the game during my Spring Training trip to Florida. I miss going to the ball park to watch games. I just do not seem to carve out enough time at home to watch a complete baseball game.

Yes, baseball is out there! And the Orioles are in the hunt!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Reflections on Traveling

 

Chris and I completed a round-trip to Florida yesterday. We departed last Tuesday and returned yesterday to Maryland. We flew from the B Terminal at  BWI (Baltimore-Washington International) to the B Terminal at PBI (Palm Beach International) and returned using the same airports and terminals. 

What did I Notice

Face protection/masks were required from the moment we entered the airport until we had exited at our destination. The only time we removed them was at BWI while we were sitting at a table having breakfast.

BWI has reduced the number of terminals in use. I noted that the A Terminal, with the exception for the A gates off the food court, is closed and the C Terminal did not have much, if any, visible activity. This means that the B Terminal seemed to be operating normally with passenger loads similar to the before COVID levels.  More than a few of the food locations and stores were open in the B Terminal. Physical distancing can be maintained, but you need to work at it. 

PBI

PBI was a ghost town. None of the stores in the main terminal area are open and only about half of the food locations in the B Terminal were open. Physical distancing is easy to maintain, there is a lot of space in which to spread.

The Flights

Southwest has a modified boarding procedure--in groups of 10 and stay in your seats until your boarding numbers are is called. This helps maintain distancing during the boarding process although people do seem to forget about physical distancing when actually boarding the aircraft and get too close. Deplaning, however, remains a free-for-all. People are so anxious to deplane that it is the normal crowded mess as always. It was impossible to maintain physical distancing during the deplaning process. Southwest is flying with the planes only 2/3 full--there is no reason to sit in a middle seat--which means the boarding process and deplaning process is faster and we did not feel "packed-in" on the flight. Note: they are only serving water and a small snack during the flight.

Check-in and Baggage

Due to reduced numbers of people flying, the check-in process was smooth. People are respectful of physical distancing and there were no lines to check-in. The lines at TSA were also minimal at both airports. Amazingly, the baggage was expeditiously received which allow for a quick airport exit. Yes, even at BWI our bag was on the carousel when we arrived in the baggage area! That was truly amazing.

Overall Impression

Flying during coronavirus can be accomplished while generally maintaining physical distancing. There are times when our personal space bubble was invaded, but with the exception of deplaning, these were few and generally manageable. The airports and airlines are working hard to make air travel relatively safe.

Recommendation

Southwest needs to improve the deplaning process so that everyone is not rushing the aisle to get bags from the overhead bins and deplane at the same time. Perhaps a row by row dismissal would work with everyone else remaining in their seats until the row is called to deplane. Both of our flights arrived early and so this should not make anyone late for a connecting flight.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - September 7, 2020

 

1. Happy Labor Day. It is the first Monday of September the ninth month of the year. The cross-over from Summer to Autumn is upon us.

2. Today is a travel day. Leaving Florida and heading back to Maryland. It was a quick trip, but very necessary. I wonder what traveling will be like on a coronavirus holiday?

3. We got lucky yesterday and left the beach just before a significant rainstorm arrived. It rained most of the late afternoon.

Rainbow on a Cloud
Hobe Sound Wildlife Preserve
Hobe Sound, FL
September 6, 2020

4. Check out the rainbow imbedded in a cloud. It was an impressive sight to see from the beach. 

Garage with Additional Shelf
Tequesta, FL
September 6, 2020

5. The garage project already has its first modification. We had a bit of materials left over and decided to add another shelf. We have a lot of storage now in preparation for full occupancy in the future. 

6. It is weird being in a battleground state and hearing political ads from both parties. The mudslinging is really ugly from one of the candidates.

7. I am tired of the word socialism being used as a scare tactic during this election. Here is some perspective from a former president,  Harry Truman:

“Socialism is a scare word they have hurled at every advance the people have made in the last 20 years.

Socialism is what they called public power.

Socialism is what they called social security.

Socialism is what they called farm price supports.

Socialism is what they called bank deposit insurance.

Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.

Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.

When the Republican candidate inscribes the slogan ‘Down With Socialism’ on the banner of his ‘great crusade,’ that is really not what he means at all.

What he really means is, ‘Down with Progress — down with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal,’ and ‘down with Harry Truman’s Fair Deal.’ That is what he means”

   (From Quote or No Quote?  Harry Truman)

8. If you are getting Social Security, medicare, medicaid or other public assistance--you might be a socialist. 

9. Today in History. On September 7, 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.” The local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for—and personification of—the U.S. federal government.
 

Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’ - The Atlantic

Hong Kong Protesters Return to Streets Over Postponed Elections - The Wall Street Journal

How Koalas Survive Forest Fires: Australia Is Global Test for Animals - The Wall Street Journal

Orca That Carried Dead Calf for 17 Days  - The New York Times

New York Goes a Month With a Positivity Rate of Under 1 Percent - The New York Times

Trump has a long history of disparaging military service - The Washington Post

Northeastern dismisses 11 students who gathered in hotel room - The Washington Post

India jumps to second place in global COVID-19 infections - Reuters

Brexit back in crisis as UK threatens to undercut divorce pact - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

It is fitting that on Labor Day, we meet beside the waters of New York harbor, with the eyes of Miss Liberty on our gathering and in the words of the poet whose lines are inscribed at her feet, The air bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

Through this Golden Door, under the gaze of that Mother of Exiles, have come millions of men and women, who first stepped foot on American soil right there, on Ellis Island, so close to the Statue of Liberty.

These families came here to work. They came to build. Others came to America in different ways, from other lands, under different, often harrowing conditions, but this place symbolizes what they all managed to build, no matter where they came from or how they came or how much they suffered.

They helped to build that magnificent city across the river. They spread across the land building other cities and towns and incredibly productive farms.

They came to make America work. They didnt ask what this country could do for them but what they could do to make this refuge the greatest home of freedom in history.

They brought with them courage, ambition and the values of family, neighborhood, work, peace and freedom. They came from different lands but they shared the same values, the same dream.

Today a President of the United States would have us believe that dream is over or at least in need of change.

(Labor Day Speech at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey, September 1, 1980)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL