Monday Musings - February 13, 2023

 

1. It is the second Monday of February. The Month is approaching the halfway mark. There are 45 Mondays remaining in the year.

2. Important safety tip: Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Enough said.

3. And it was Super! The third highest scoring Super Bowl (combined) with 73 points was a great game. Neither team had a lead of more than 10 points and it was clearly a game between two talented teams both led by gun slingers. Congratulations to Patrick Mahomes on winning the MVP after turning in a gutsy and brilliant performance.

4. Chris and I got out for our 15-mile base bike ride yesterday. We have developed a complicated route that covers 15 miles around Tequesta and passing through parts of both Palm Beach and Martin counties. 

5. Now that the NFL season has concluded, let's begin planning for baseball. Pitchers and catchers report this week.

6. Today in History. On the evening of February 13, 1945, a series of Allied firebombing raids begins against the German city of Dresden, reducing the “Florence of the Elbe” to rubble and flames, and killing roughly 25,000 people. Despite the horrendous scale of destruction, it arguably accomplished little strategically, since the Germans were already on the verge of surrender.

Among the conclusions reached at the February 1945 Yalta Conference of the Allied powers was the resolution that the Allies would engage in concerted strategic bombing raids against German cities known for war-production and manufacturing, in an effort to bring the Nazi war machine to a crashing halt. The tragic irony of the raid on Dresden, a medieval city renowned for its rich artistic and architectural treasures, is that during the war it had never been a site of war-production or major industry. Both Allies and Germans alike have argued over the real purpose of the firebombing; the ostensible “official” rationale was that Dresden was a major communications center and bombing it would hamper the German ability to convey messages to its army, which was battling Soviet forces at the time. But the extent of the destruction was, for many, disproportionate to the stated strategic goal—many believe that the attack was simply an attempt to punish the Germans and weaken their morale.

Chinese ship aimed laser at Philippine vessel, temporarily blinding crew, officials say - CNN

Thin details make an unusual episode even more bizarre - CNN

The controversial penalty call which played a decisive role in Super BowI outcome - CNN

Russian forces claim gains along Ukraine frontline - Reuters

Earthquake could cost Turkey up to $84 billion - business group - Reuters

Analysis: Loans to Russian soldiers fuel calls for European banks to quit - Reuters

Death toll passes 36,000; key Turkish airport reopens to aid shipments - The Washington Post

One day. One city. Three lives in the shadow of Myanmar’s military rule. - The Washington Post

China Says U.S. Sent Balloons Through Its Airspace More Than 10 Times - The Wall Street Journal

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL