COVID-19 v Election

 

A message to our leaders:

The Election is over! Yes, some votes are still being counted and recounted, but the votes are in. The campaigning and posturing must stop.

Why?

People are dying. The COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the country. Despite assurances to the contrary, the pandemic is not going away. It is getting worse and our leaders are doing nothing. They are too focused upon trying to keep their jobs through legal maneuvering rather than helping Americans and bolstering the economy.

Think about this--every number that we hear about with respect to the pandemic has a name attached to it.

Stop worrying about votes (they are already cast) and start worrying about people.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thanksgiving, Two Weeks from Today

 

Thanksgiving Cactus
Elkridge, MD
November 11, 2020

The season of the turkey is upon us. Thanksgiving in the crazy year 2020 is upon us. 

We have our turkeys out adorning the house and are enjoying our Thanksgiving cactus--which is in full bloom two weeks early. 

As crazy as 2020 has been with the canceled trips and vacations, and plans at least it is reassuring that the Thanksgiving cactus has bloomed right on schedule. It is radiating joy and beauty just at the right time as the leaves are falling from the trees and the dark season is deepening. 

It is likely to be a very different Thanksgiving in two weeks. Many of the traditions that we have will be modified to account for the uncontrolled pandemic. But the Autumn has been beautiful with blue clear skies and bright leaves on the trees. The yards are now full of leaves and the reassuring smells of the season are everywhere. We need to hold onto each other through every means available. As we get deeper into the dark season, we must work harder to stay in touch with family and friends so as not to become isolated.

Here's an early Thanksgiving greeting to each of you. Be well, stay safe, and know that you are not alone.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

COVID Step Backwards

 

Due to the failure of our elected leaders and the indifference of the larger populace, we are taking a COVID-19 step backwards.

Travel restrictions, mandatory testing, closings--it is the summer almost all over again.

Chris and I have canceled a trip to Upstate New York to see family due to travel restrictions.

U.S. Covid-19 Cases Hit Fresh High - The Wall Street Journal

I would say that Nero is fiddling while Rome burns, but the sad truth is that the president apparently has abrogated his responsibilities and has not been seen since golfing on Saturday, Mitch McConnell is more interested in defending the president than he is getting the country out the trouble, and Nancy Pelosi is not doing anything either.

Wow--the big three are missing while the country is being ravaged by coronavirus.

The election is over and while the votes need to be finished counting to make it official we have a president-elect and now it is time to get back to the big problems at hand.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Veterans Day 2020

 

Tomorrow is Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day throughout much of Europe. They are holidays that both sides of the Atlantic Ocean observe which have their roots in one of the most violent and destructive wars that has been fought. While Remembrance Day is more like Memorial Day, both days honor veterans and their service.

Our veterans are everywhere among us. Men and women who have given a portion of their lives in service to this country. And while every so often they are given lip-service by our leaders, the grim reality is that many veterans struggle with the scars of their service--both physical and emotional, in silence and alone.

Remember our veterans tomorrow and every day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - November 9, 2020

 

1. Today is the second Monday of November. The days remaining in 2020 are quickly passing. Veterans Day is this week.

2. The 2020 Election is over! Americans have spoken. I am distressed by the numbers of people who cannot accept the results and who foster conspiracy theories where there are none. There may be small, local instances of irregularities and the pending lawsuits will ferret those out, but to maintain that the loss can only be attributed to fraud represents the very kind of thinking that 75.5 million Americans voted against.

3. Family NFL Scores

    Steelers (8-0) defeat Cowboys (2-6) 24-19

    Ravens (6-2) defeat Colts (5-3) 24-10

    Football Team (2-6) lost to Giants (2-7), 20-23

4. The passing of Alex Trebek who hosted Jeopardy, one of my favorite TV game shows since 1984, saddened me yesterday. I had known of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and so his passing was not unexpected.

5. Now that the election is over and we have a president-elect, let's move that energy into defeating the pandemic. 

6. New administrations have to deal with the state of the country left to them by their predecessors. The Biden administration is going to face world leading coronavirus cases and deaths, economic disaster, record unemployment, and intentionally created divisions within the country. Four years ago, the current administration faced none of that when they walked into the White House. How could anyone expect to get reelected with that record?

7. The absolutely beautiful autumn days of this weekend were throughly enjoyable. Warm temperatures and crystal blue skies highlighted the magnificent colors of the autumn leaves on the trees. I am happy that I was able to enjoy the days.

8. Heard jokingly over a glass of wine the other night: Canada is considering building a wall to keep Americans out.

9. Today in History. On November 9, 1938, in an event that would foreshadow the Holocaust, German Nazis launch a campaign of terror against Jewish people and their homes and businesses in Germany and Austria. The violence, which continued through November 10 and was later dubbed “Kristallnacht,” or “Night of Broken Glass,” after the countless smashed windows of Jewish-owned establishments, left approximately 100 Jews dead, 7,500 Jewish businesses damaged and hundreds of synagogues, homes, schools and graveyards vandalized. An estimated 30,000 Jewish men were arrested, many of whom were then sent to concentration camps for several months; they were released when they promised to leave Germany. Kristallnacht represented a dramatic escalation of the campaign started by Adolf Hitler in 1933 when he became chancellor to purge Germany of its Jewish population.

Biden win opens door for improved predictability in China-U.S. relations: state media - Reuters

Latino Democrats tell Mexican president to get with the program and back Biden - Reuters

U.S. Stock Futures Rally After Biden Wins Presidency - The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Daily Coronavirus Cases Hit Fourth Straight Record - The Wall Street Journal

Republicans Split on Accepting Biden Victory - The New York Times

A ‘Terrifying’ Coronavirus Surge Will Land in Biden’s LapA ‘Terrifying’ Coronavirus Surge Will Land in Biden’s Lap - The New York Times

Trump’s presidential dream began on a gold escalator. It may have ended at Four Seasons Total Landscaping. - The Washington Post

In the dumbest and darkest of times, Alex Trebek maintained a safe space for intelligence - The Washington Post

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

"There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder."

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Victory Speeches for America

 

On of the bedrock principles of the country is the peaceful transition of power. Last night, when President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Harris spoke to the nation for the first time as "Elects' it was clear that the healing process must begin now. 

Part of the healing process involves changing the mood of the nation and I believe we saw that on display yesterday in the spontaneous and peaceful celebrations that occurred across the country once the news organizations unanimously announced that the Biden-Harris team would be the winners of the election. 

I know there are those out there that are angry, scared, and working to undermine the victory for America, but we need a time for healing and changing the machinery of America from internal fighting to unity and again leading the world. I found the the fireworks in London and church bells in Paris to be a clear sign that our best allies want America to be back as a world leader.

I found these words spoken by the president-elect to be especially insightful:

For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight. I’ve lost a couple of times myself. But now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They are Americans. They are Americans.  (Global News)

It is time for a mood change and a rebirth of America. The time for pettiness and the spouting of irrational grievances is over. The time of hope, grace, and civility is arriving.

With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with love of country, a thirst for justice, let us be the nation that we know we can be. A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. The United States of America. (Joe Biden)

Last night, for the first time in four years, we saw a victory speeches for America!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Spectacular Saturday - Letting Life Resume

 

Waiting for election results this year is a lot like watching paint dry, or grass grow.

Success is measured vote by vote and I was encouraged that Joe Biden made it clear in his speech last night that each vote represents a voter, an American, who exercised their right to express their will during the election process. Every vote needs to be counted. 

The New York Times wrote the following about the process:

As Day 4 of the United States election turned into Day 5 on Saturday, the race for president appeared to slow to a crawl.

Jax at the Plate
Severn, MD
November 5, 2020

Today, however, I will tear myself away from CNN and Fox News to go to a baseball tournament and enjoy being outside, in the still warm sun, on what is promising to be a beautiful autumn day. 

Chris and I went to a game Thursday evening--and I rediscovered how cold 57 degrees can feel when you are sitting in a chair watching kids play baseball. 

The image I took of Jax getting out of the way of a baseball thrown at his head is at the left. If you can see the white streak just above him, but obscured a bit by the fence, that is the baseball. Look at the good job he did getting the bat down so the ball would not inadvertently hit the bat and become a foul ball. He walked twice during that game because he has a good eye at the plate. 

So with two games on tap today, it will be a welcome break from the tortuous wait to find out who will be taking the oath of office on January 20, 2021. 

It is time to let life resume and to realize that what will be, will be. I am glad that we have plans for today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Waiting for the White Smoke

 

Fact versus fiction. 

White Smoke from Sistine Chapel
Announcing Election of a New Pope

Reality versus myth.

Truth versus lie.

I wrote on Election Day that the true colors of the candidates will be shown.

And that statement has come true.

Joe Biden, in the days since Election Day has busied himself by becoming even more involved in the pandemic and in preparing to transition the country, should he be confirmed as president.

The President, sadly, has continued to obstruct, obfuscate, threaten, and litigate the will of the American people.

It is really very simple--let all the votes be counted. 

Losing sucks--I get that. I hate losing, but I have learned in life that we win, we lose, and we draw; but we should act with grace and civility at all times.

I watched the address to America given by both men. Joe Biden provided hope and a call for calm.

The president, conversely was sowing seeds of discord and imputing the character of the people monitoring the process to ensure that the will of the American people is heard. What he said has even been called seditious.

Today we may finally get definitive news about the presidential election, it is much like waiting for the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel to announce the election of a new Pope.  

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thankful Thursday - Waiting is hard

 We are an impatient society.

I am impatient, just ask my wife. She will tell you stories of how I rail against the things like the channel changer for being so slow to change channels after I push the buttons. I even get impatient with Alexa and Siri for taking a couple seconds to answer when I summon them for a task.

So understand my discontent when I went to bed last night with the Electoral College vote at 253-213 and it was the same when I woke this morning.

There was not a lot of movement in the numbers overnight and collectively we are still watching for returns in Nevada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia to help determine who will be inaugurated as president in January.

I admit--I'm impatient. But, I recognize that careful diligence is required right now in order to ensure the results are properly and accurately tabulated. 

These states are not an anomaly! 

I looked this morning and here are the vote count percentages for some states which have already been decided:

New York - 78 percent

Maryland - 73 percent

Colorado - 90 percent

Illinois - 88 percent

So the point I am making is that the states we are watching are under a microscope--but they are conducting their process much like many other states. They are not slow--but they are diligent.

And we must wait!

Enjoy the the time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wonderful Wednesday - Take a Breath

 

As I write this morning, the president prematurely declared victory in a close, hard-fought election.

The American people have spoken through their votes, but many votes still need to be counted in many places and so the will of the people is still being determined.  

It is time for calm, and watchful waiting--no matter which candidate is being supported. 

I am quite happy that those responsible for counting and documenting the will of the people are doing so in a reasoned and diligent manner. Every vote matters.

I will admit, I thought that the election would not be as close as it has shown itself to be.

It will be a long day and possibly a long week--but when it is over we will know who will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021. And our process will have worked yet again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD