Atop the Slide into the Abyss

These are the times that try men's souls. - Thomas Paine

This statement was true in 1776, and scarily enough it is true today as well, almost 250 years later. 

We are facing half-truths, lies, and the outright trampling of the basic rights protected in the Constitution.

The latest "I can't believe they said that," revolves around the right to due process.

I read a statement from a congressman which (this is paraphrased) If they are here illegally they should be deported. 

Marco Rubio our Secretary of State suggested, on Sunday, that illegal immigrants can be deported outside of the protections of the Constitution. He said that immigration law requires deportation and that they are not entitled to due process, I'm guessing, because he feels immigration law supersedes the Constitution. 

“Once you come into our country illegally, it triggers all kinds of rights that can keep you here indefinitely. That’s why we were being flooded at the border, and we’ve ended that,” Rubio said.  

We've ended that--and "that" is the Constitutional right to due process. The Constitution applies to EVERYONE within the borders of the U.S. and territories--no matter how they've managed to get here. That fundamental principle is what has made America Great! And now it is being cheapened and we are becoming a laughing stock.

What happened to "innocent until proven guilty?"

We have begun the slippery slide into the abyss of authoritarian chaos where even the Constitution is subject to reinterpretation. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Monday Musings - April 28, 2025

 

1. Happy Monday. It is the final Monday of April. The year is about 1/3 over and there are 35 Mondays remaining.

Gardenia Bush in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
April 27, 2025

2. I am very concerned about the Orioles. They are on pace for a 100 loss season and there seems to be no way to get the club into the win column. They were just swept by Detroit and the Yankees come to town tonight! Ugh. 

3. I managed to get an image of blooming gardenia bushes yesterday. The sweet fragrance remains hanging in the air. I enjoyed my almost 18-mile ride yesterday. The traffic is lighter on Sundays although there were many more people out walking. I got out a bit later than normal. 

4. There is no plan! Typically when the U.S. sets a policy or chooses a course of action there is a plan, a playbook, which has both short-term and strategic goals. It becomes clear last week that with regard to Ukraine-Russia, the economy, tariffs, immigration, foreign policy, and whatever else I can think of that there is no plan. We are at the mercy of the gray matter inside of one person's head. We have seen regular flip-flops which leave everyone wondering--what's up? All that I can discern is that a failed 19th century solution is being applied blindly to a 21st century problem and it is floundering just as badly now as it did back then. The world is very different now and more interconnected than it was in the 1800s. 

5. Today in History. April 28, 1789. Three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the West Indies, the HMS Bounty is seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat, and the Bounty set course for Tubuai south of Tahiti.

In December 1787, the Bounty left England for Tahiti in the South Pacific, where it was to collect a cargo of breadfruit saplings to transport to the West Indies. There, the breadfruit would serve as food for enslaved passengers. After a 10-month journey, the Bounty arrived in Tahiti in October 1788 and remained there for more than five months. On Tahiti, the crew enjoyed an idyllic life, reveling in the comfortable climate, lush surroundings and the hospitality of the Tahitians. Fletcher Christian fell in love with a Tahitian woman named Mauatua.

Hispanic voters helped Trump retake the White House. Now their support is waning - Reuters

Risk of global economic recession surges on US tariff shockwaves - Reuters

Putin declares 3-day May ceasefire to mark 80 years since World War Two victory - Reuters

Suspected US airstrike hits Yemen migrant centre; Houthi TV says 68 killed - Reuters

Analysis How Trump’s big bet on tariffs went bad - CNN

Canadians vote in election overshadowed by US tariff and annexation threats - CNN

New estimates suggest Elon Musk's DOGE has been a self-sabotaging project - MSNBC

Debt crisis deepens as 1 in 4 Americans forced to choose between bills and basics - FoxNews

Putin thanks North Korea for sending troops to fight Ukraine: 'Will never forget the heroism' - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Cars I Don't Often See

 

Lotus and Lamborghini
Jupiter, FL
April 26, 2025

It has been a great week for car spotting. 

Sure we have seen the usual plethora of Bentleys and Rolls. They are almost everywhere. But, over the past couple days I have been introduced to a few cars that just do not show up often.

Yesterday, for instance, Chris and I pulled into a small shopping area to find a Lotus and a Lamborghini parked next to each other. That was a first, but even more interesting was the color of the Lamborghini--purple. There they were, parked together alone in the lot. I took a moment to admire them and imagine the sound of their engines accelerating. 

1989 Jaguar XJS V-12 rouge Special Edition
Image from the Internet

Late last week, I was introduced to a very special Jaguar. It was a 1989 Jaguar XJS V12 Rouge Special Edition. And it was in our community. One of the residents had borrowed it from his father-in-law to take his daughter and friends to Prom. Wow--it was a beauty with only 28,000 miles on it. Now this Jaguar was not in the same class as the Lotus or the Lamborghini, but it was a really beautiful car. I failed to take an image of it sitting in his drive, but found a few on the internet so I could remember the awesomeness of this classic. He told me how much someone told him it was worth, but that was a bit of an exaggeration. Nonetheless, it was a heart stopping car. 

Later Chris and I got into our 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-e and headed out wishing we were in the Jag and remembering the ones we have owned. At least our Mach-e is red. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Night at the Theater

 

View from my Seat, Dreyfoos Hall, Kravis Center
West Palm Beach, FL
April 25, 2025

We went to see a Broadway Across America production of Les Misérables last evening at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The production began promptly at 8 PM and was stunning.

But there is more to the story.

Our normal roughly 30 minute trip to West Palm Beach took almost and hour due to Friday-night rush hour traffic. The situation on I-95, my preferred route, was so bad that we saved almost 10 minutes by driving US-1, with all of its stoplights, into the city. We made our dinner reservation and enjoyed a relaxed dinner at True Food Kitchen which is a short walk from the Kravis. When I say short walk, I mean short, like less than 10 minutes at a leisurely walking pace. 

But what about the show? 

The show was great. We had less than optimal seats at the very back of the hall, but still had good view of the stage. The sound system was perfect. What bothered me is that the show is very dark--I knew that before hand, but from where sat it was a bit too dimly lit. We could not make out the faces of the actors and actresses. 

The Kravis, however, is a great place to watch live theater. The seats are comfortable and parking is free. I look forward to returning for another show soon. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hour Returns to the Beach

 

Happy Hour Crew on the Beach
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
April 24, 2025

It happened.

We finally returned to the beach to enjoy Happy Hour. It had been months, it seems, since we last enjoyed an evening on the beach. 

Between our traveling, the weather, and some sickness we have been away from the beach--but not so last evening. We returned. It was glorious. 

Pelicans on Patrol
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
April 24, 2025

The highlight of the evening was the appearance of two spinner sharks, well it could have been one shark jumping twice. There is almost no way to capture spinner sharks on camera because before you realize it's happening it is over except for the splash.

We enjoyed a few hours of watching the waves crash on a nearly empty beach. Sadly, there were no surfers to entertain us--but we spent time catching up on recent travels. 

We had a great time and are looking forward to getting out tonight to attend a performance of Les Miserables at the local theater. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Fragrance of Gardenias

Gardenia in Bloom
Tequesta, FL
March 29, 2025

 The fragrance of gardenias was everywhere yesterday during my almost 18-mile ride. 

The gardenias have been in bloom for a couple of weeks now, but yesterday they seemed to be at their peak. The sweet fragrance was everywhere and it was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the sweetness around every curve. 

After my morning ride, Chris and I spent the day restocking the food supplies which we had drawn down during April due to our many travels. We expect to be home for most of May! Yay. 

Due to a dental appointment, I won't be able to ride today, but I am hopeful of getting out again tomorrow and enjoying the gardenias again. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Home Again

From the United Club
George Bush Intercontinental Airport 
Houston, TX
April 22, 2025

 The travel day was executed without incident. That is always great. The flight was onetime and the journey to the airport was without incident. 

Who can ask for more? 

Even Finnegan was at home and greeted us as we entered the house. He puts on an unrivaled display of excitement when we arrive after being away. 

We had left the car at the airport and it was great just walking into the garage, hopping into the vehicle and driving away after traveling. We do not do that too often, but the short nature of the trip meant that parking at the airport was less expensive than getting an Uber or a Lyft. 

We do not have any travel planned for the month of May. It will be good to be home and enjoying the South Florida lifestyle of boating, golfing, and biking for a while. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Finalizing the Visit

Saltgrass Steakhouse
Fulshear, TX
April 21, 2025

 Yesterday was our final full day in the Houston area. We spent time with Dad at his residence while also enjoying lunch with some of the family. 

By the end of the day the weather was spectacular--blue clear sky and low humidity. 

Today is another travel day. We are making our way back to Florida and hopefully will be arrive by mid-afternoon. 

Lunch at Saltgrass Steakhouse was very nice and seemed to be authentically Texan. The weather was so perfect that we sat outside and enjoyed good company and weather. 

Following that, we headed off to see Dad at his residence. I was able to fix a broken wheel on his adjustable tray and we chatted about the state of the world for a few hours before Chris and I said our final goodbye and headed back to Scott and Pennie's for the evening. 

It has been a busy and enjoyable trip, but going home is always a positive thought especially knowing Finnegan will be home in time to greet us as we arrive. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Monday Musings - April 21, 2025

 

1. Today is Easter Monday and the third Monday of April. There are 36 Mondays remaining in 2025. 

Me, Dad, Chris
Easter Sunday in Texas
Weston Lakes, TX
April 20, 2025

2. The news of the death of Pope Francis is the lead story this morning. The 88 year old Pope died overnight of pneumonia. 

3. Chris and I were excited to have spent part of Easter Sunday with Dad. We had a great day and enjoyed a fantastic dinner prepared by my sister Pennie with help from Chris. 

4. I have wondered why the Easter Bunny is depicted with eggs and more importantly why the eggs are decorated. Now mind you, this was not something that I  ever spent much brainpower thinking about, but I mentioned it to my sister yesterday and she offered a potential explanation. It seems that the Easter Bunny stole the eggs from the hens and then dyed them so the hens would not recognize them. The Easter Bunny then distributed the eggs to the unsuspecting. I guess that makes the Easter Bunny a thief! For an alternate reality, Good Housekeeping has a more plausible story. 

5. I am holding my breath concerned about what Executive Branch inspired travesty will occur this week. I would hope for a quiet week where the markets recover, tariffs are terminated, and concern for the hard-working American people outweighs the need for splashy headlines. 

6. What is up with the Orioles? They lost 24-2 yesterday and position players pitched the last two innings giving up 9 runs. The team, which was projected to be in the World Series by multiple sports writers, seems to be sinking into irrelevancy. 

Colosseum
Rome, IT
May 11, 2024

7. Today in History. According to tradition, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, found Rome on the site where they were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants. Actually, the Romulus and Remus myth originated sometime in the fourth century B.C., and the exact date of Rome’s founding was set by the Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro in the first century B.C.

According to the legend, Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia, the daughter of King Numitor of Alba Longa. Alba Longa was a mythical city located in the Alban Hills southeast of what would become Rome. Before the birth of the twins, Numitor was deposed by his younger brother Amulius, who forced Rhea to become a vestal virgin so that she would not give birth to rival claimants to his title. However, Rhea was impregnated by the war god Mars and gave birth to Romulus and Remus. Amulius ordered the infants drowned in the Tiber, but they survived and washed ashore at the foot of the Palatine hill, where they were suckled by a she-wolf until they were found by the shepherd Faustulus.

Pope Francis, whose tenure was marked by turbulence and division, dies at 88 - Reuters

Pentagon chief Hegseth shared sensitive Yemen war plans in second Signal chat - Reuters

Harvard says Trump administration doubled down after sending letter reported as unauthorized - Reuters

As Trump eyes coal revival, his job cuts hobble black lung protections for miners - Reuters

Trump's threat to block international students is a terrible own goal - MSNBC

International students are being told by email their visas are revoked and they must ‘self-deport.’ What to know - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Happy Easter 2025

 Easter has arrived. 

Here is praying you have a blessed day. 

Chris and I continue our visit to see Dad. We spent a couple hours with him yesterday at his residence. We enjoyed meeting some of his table mates while enjoying lunch. Yes, they have assigned seating. It was a very enjoyable visit. 

Today the Easter celebration continues and we will retrieve Dad early this afternoon for some family enjoyment.

 

Happy Easter to all.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Good Friday Celebration

Dad
Grand Marshall of the Easter Egg Hunt
Weston Lakes, TX
April 18, 2025

Good Friday is not normally a celebratory day. It is more usually a day of remorse and reflection.

Yesterday, however, we celebrated and enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt while spending time with my Dad, whom I have not seen in over a year. He was in good spirits when we retrieved him from his residence and we spent the day interacting with some of our Texas family. 

Preston and Eva
After the Egg Hunt
Weston Lakes, TX
April 18, 2025

We spent a long day enjoying the sounds of children and watching them play. I even got to play catch with a football. Since I didn't bring my baseball glove, and there aren't any other lefties in the family, we couldn't play catch with a baseball--my preferred sports ball. 

It was relaxing and enjoyable to watch the kids play while catching up with the adults. 

It was also nice to focus on family and take some respite from the news of the day. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Arriving Houston

Passenger Pick-up Terminal C
George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, TX
April 17, 2025

 When Chris and I journey to Houston, we mostly fly into Houston Hobby, not George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). It was quite an experience landing at IAH last evening. I have to confess, I have never been as confused about where to go trying to leave an airport before and that includes some really complicated airports like Rome. As we headed to baggage to meet our ride we were confronted with a myriad of avenues through which to exit. There was the taxi stand door, the limo and paid rider pick-up door and later we were advised of the passenger pick-up door, which was a bit hidden. Weren't we all passengers? 

I picked the wrong exit first. We wound up where the Lift and Uber drivers along with limos pick up passengers. Walking around the corner we happened upon the taxi stand. But finding where normal people get rides from family was nowhere in sight. Calling Pennie, my sister who was trying to find us as we were trying to find her, she told me to head back inside and exit through the portal marked Passenger Pick-up. 

We found it. 

They found us!

It was a miracle and then after slogging through grid-locked airport traffic for another what seemed like 20 minutes we were on the road. 

And so the Easter holiday begins. I believe today will be devoted to an egg hunt. We will retrieve Dad from his residence so he can enjoy the fun with most of his Texas great-grandchildren. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Traveling for Easter

 Chris and I are off to the Houston area for the Easter holiday this afternoon. 

It will be good to see my sister and her family and my Dad. It had been a while since we made the trek to Texas. 

We are flying on United, since they have a direct flight from PBI (Palm Beach International) to IAH (Houston -  George Bush Intercontinental). All of the other airlines had layovers and flight changes that, as we all know, can become a problem. It has been a while since we flew United, but the direct flight from PBI is worth the few extra dollars to not have to drive to Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Finn is not traveling with us. He is spending the weekend with another family and will enjoy himself getting reacquainted with their cats and meeting their new puppy. 

It should be an exciting few days for all of us.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Tax Day 2025

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
April 15, 2025

Did you survive Tax Day?

 We are experiencing some absolutely fantastic weather. I remember other South Florida Aprils where the temperatures were already in the 90s and the humidity was oppressive. These days, however, the humidity is enjoyable and the temperatures are only now beginning to reach into the 80s.

I rode almost 22 miles yesterday and did not even really break a sweat because of the pleasant humidity. I did a longer ride through some areas that I only infrequently visit. It is nice to note the changes and the route I rode has a very nice wild area which is not unlike the trail I rode last summer on the Great Allegheny Passage. 

For the evening, Chris and I headed off to Tiki52 and $2 Tuesday. I think I am writing too much about Tiki52 because it seems to be getting busier even as the snow birds are departing. After enjoying some adult beverages and wings, Chris and I walked out onto the dock at the marina and stared longingly at the ICW. It has been too long since I was out enjoying it from a boat. 

Well, the big event was Tax Day--and while I had already filed my taxes the small fortune I owed the government was withdrawn from my accounts yesterday. Ouch! I did a little too good in my investments, of course that was before the tariff nonsense which has negated all of the gains on which I just paid taxes. I am pretty sure 2025 will not be a repeat of 2024--we have a long way to go to get back to where the previous president left us. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Can't Be Bought

 I was encouraged about Harvard University's response to Trump. No--we won't be bought. 

According to Reuters:

April 14 (Reuters) - Harvard on Monday rejected numerous demands from the Trump administration that it said would cede control of the school to a conservative government that portrays universities as dangerously leftist.

Within hours of Harvard taking its stand, the administration of President Donald Trump announced it was freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding to the school.

What the Trump-led Executive Branch is doing to private educational institutions is wrong! Using the power of money to stifle freedom of education goes against the very core of what makes us Americans--education free from political dogma to foster diversity of thought. 

Freedom of education is what made America great. Yes. we may not agree with everything being taught, but that is a good thing because being exposed to diversity of thought helps us better understand and appreciate the freedoms that we have especially when we see such freedoms stifled in other countries.

Maybe money can't buy everyone?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - April 14, 2025

 

1. It is the 2nd Monday of April. Welcome to Holy Week! There are 37 Mondays remaining in 2025. 

Rino on the Road
Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
February 25, 2025

2. Chris and I are finding it hard to believe that we were in South Africa two months ago! It seems like yesterday that we were sampling wines and enjoying the wildlife while riding through a National Park in South Africa. 

3. In the land of tariffs and confusion we are not too sure what is and is not going to be exempted from tariffs. 

4. Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on winning the Masters on a sudden death hole and completing a career Grand Slam! It was exciting to watch. 

5. Today in History. President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865. The assassin, actor John Wilkes Booth, shouted, “Sic semper tyrannis! (Ever thus to tyrants!) The South is avenged,” as he jumped onto the stage and fled on horseback. Lincoln died the next morning.

Booth, who remained in the North during the war despite his Confederate sympathies, initially plotted to capture President Lincoln and take him to Richmond, the Confederate capital. However, on March 20, 1865, the day of the planned kidnapping, the president failed to appear at the spot where Booth and his six fellow conspirators lay in wait. Two weeks later, Richmond fell to Union forces. In April, with Confederate armies near collapse across the South, Booth hatched a desperate plan to save the Confederacy.

Tariffs on imported semiconductor chips coming soon, Trump says - Reuters

Russian missile strike kills 34 in Ukraine's Sumy, Kyiv says - Reuters

Rory's time! McIlroy wins Masters to complete career Grand Slam - Reuters

Trump administration says it is not required to help wrongly deported man return to US - Reuters

White House's new policy to ignore reporters who share their pronouns sparks debate - FoxNews

Five missing and one dead after boat capsized off coast of Florida, authorities said - CNN

No evidence linking Tufts student to antisemitism or terrorism, State Dept. office found - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Do we have to do it all over again?

 

Chaos and confusion. That pretty well sums up the week we just managed to live through. 

It is apparent that there is no master plan, the White House is just throwing stuff against the wall and hoping it will stick. And if it doesn't, they are denying that it happened.

One of the most concerning occurrences this past week was the refusal, in court, to correct the injustice done to the Maryland father illegally sent to El Salvador AND the continued refusal to find a way to allow those deported to the prison in El Salvador their due process. 

Wait--destroying the world trade markets without a cogent plan--or any plan is a close second. 

One writer sums up some of the week's happenings as follows:

On Friday, China imposed 125% tariffs on goods from the U.S. A spokesperson for the Chinese Finance Ministry said that Trump’s tariff machinations “will become a joke in the history of the world economy.” At 9:20 a.m. President Trump posted: “We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly. DJT.” The new tariffs had badly threatened Apple Inc., and at 10:36 p.m. the U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a notice that various electronics, including smartphone and computer monitors, are exempt from the tariffs.

When economist Justin Wolfers commented: “I just want to tip my hat to the crack team of White House economists who were able to discover—in just a few short days—that the U.S. is dependent on China for smartphones, computers and semiconductors.” Dr. Soumya Rangarajan noted that “a basic medicine we use 1000x per day in the hospital, heparin, is also dependent on China, and people will die without it.” As Sabrina Malhi of the Washington Post explained, about 12 million people hospitalized in the U.S. need heparin every year, and it is only one of the many medications that will be affected by Trump’s tariffs on goods from China.

(Letters from an American)

It is clear that there is no plan and that we are living at the whim if a president who has visions of grandeur, but has no comprehension of the second and third order effects from whipsawing leadership. 

Sadly, the week ahead looks to be as turbulent and unconstrained as the week past. Maybe the Easter holiday will bring redemption and sanity. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Weekend Arrival

 Well, Saturday definitely arrived. At least the weather is good.

It was rough yesterday. I had to cancel a hotel room after the designated cancellation time. That meant that I paid for a hotel room in which we did not stay. That sucks! And it was an expensive room as well. 

Well, that is how things have changed. I did save money on gas by not driving to Tampa; so I guess it almost works out. 

Wait--I also paid for seats and parking at a MLB game that I did not attend. I hope the empty seats enjoyed the sound of the bat hitting the ball and the cheering of the crowd.

These things sometimes happen on short notice. It just sucks that the fiscal downside is so steep.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

At the Precipice of the Weekend

Moon Setting
Tequesta, FL
April 10, 2025

Another Friday has arrived, just as expected. Whew!

My weekend plans changed dramatically this morning--but I always say that plans are made to be changed. 

I guess I needed a quiet weekend anyway. Next weekend, hopefully, we will be in the Houston area visiting my Dad and enjoying Easter. 

I caught an interesting image of the moon setting behind a home last night. It was really interesting because depending upon where I stood, I could either see the moon or it would have already be behind the house. I tried to get it right at the roofline with the palm in front. 

So, with the radical change of plans, we will see what the weekend brings. 

I guess I'm at the precipice hoping not to fall. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Beautiful Florida Day

Crossing the Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
April 9, 2025

 It was a cool 63 degrees as I headed off on my bike yesterday morning. Having been away, it always feels good to get back out on my bike. Yesterday was no different. The wind was cold even with a sweatshirt, when I started the ride. I finally warmed about 4 miles into the 14-mile ride I had planned.

It was great to be out on the bike after driving over 2500 miles during the previous 9 days. What a trip! Tequesta to Elkridge to Ithaca to Elkridge and then back to Tequesta! Whew. And that does not include the travel around Maryland.

We are off to Tampa tomorrow for boating, a ballgame, and an overnight. I am excited to boat Tampa Bay for the first time. I hope the weather holds. It is supposed to be pleasant and sunny!

Today we have a few house projects that need attention and so I will be skipping my bike ride., It is amazing how things seem to go awry when we are gone. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Wednesday Wandering

 The "Hands Off" protests this past weekend struck a chord in me. I was encouraged to see such widespread concern about the direction that our country is headed. The Supreme Court decisions of yesterday continue to concern me as the justices seem more concerned with procedure than addressing fundamental constitutional questions.

Liberty is hanging in the balance. 

I was reminded of something Thomas Jefferson wrote:

“The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”― Thomas Jefferson

I never thought that refreshing the tree of Liberty would be required in my lifetime. It is frightening. The path we are on is sooooooo wrong!

I am NOT advocating insurrection, but rather that we must make a stand for the Constitution, freedom and liberty. There may be a cost involved! Working through the legal avenues is a start as is protesting and showing the depth of concern that people have across our country.

Some random thoughts: 

A nation should not do harm to its friends. 

A nation devoted to a constitution should not allow its leaders to depart from the principles espoused within.

We are a nation of immigrants--who is to say who is better or more deserving? 

One person should not have the power to upset the economies of the entire world. The situation was likened to a Roman emperor who with the flick of his finger could cause markets to rise and fall. 

One my my presidential heroes defined America as follows:

“[I]n my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.” 

He continued later:

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.”

Ronald Reagan

The eyes of the world are upon us!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Hotel Window - Brunswick, GA

Out the Hotel Window
Brunswick, GA
April 7, 2025

 Staying the night in Brunswick, GA, may become our stop of choice for our journey south from Maryland. It just seems like a good stop and it leaves only a few miles in Georgia before we pass into Florida. And it just seems as if the trip is almost over when we cross the Florida-Georgia line even though there are still four hours of driving ahead of us.

We have experimented with stopping near Savannah and even a bit further north in South Carolina--but the second day trip from there just seems too long. Also, given that we generally leave about 4 AM from Maryland, we arrive too early for our hotel room to be ready. Brunswick seems perfect and when we arrived at 2:30 PM our room was ready. An additional factor is the ready availability of gas and food options. The downside to stopping in South Carolina is that we will need a gas stop before making it home. Brunswick is comfortably within a tank of gas for the truck. 

Out the window last evening was a restaurant, which apparently is closed on Mondays. In the distance is I-95; the highway home. 

We experienced some severe weather last evening. When Chris and I took Finn out for his evening walk we were confronted with gale force winds and driving rain! Ugh. Needless to say, Finn found refuge under a large bush to take care of his bio needs. Hopefully today's travels will be rain free, although we are expecting showers as we get closer to home. 

Looking forward to getting home!

-- Bob Doan, Brunswick, GA

Chewing up the Miles

 

On the Road Headed South
Near Smithfield, NC
April 7, 2025

Chris and I headed south today towards Florida. We started the day at about 4 AM in Elkridge, MD, in a drenching downpour, but by about Richmond the rain had stopped and the road dried. We made South Carolina by about 1015, leaving us just over three hours to our nighttime hotel. 

The race to end the drive and arrive at the hotel for a much needed nap ended about 2:30 PM in Brunswick, GA. Brunswick is about 2/3 the distance to Tequesta. I like short second days because in my mind I'm always thinking: "Are we there yet?"

All-in-all it was a good day on I-95. Even the South Carolina roadways were not clogged and we proceeded smoothly. We were also blessed in that the two major traffic tie-ups we spied were on the northbound side.

Hopefully, we arrive in Tequesta tomorrow about 1 PM. 

-- Bob Doan, Brunswick, GA

Bait and Switch

Hands-off Day Protest Sign
April 5, 2025

American voters been duped by a classic Bait & Switch.

The chaos and confusion we are experiencing and which has now expanded to include nearly the entire world was born out of the election lies told by Trump. 

That may be harsh, but I clearly remember his promise that on day 1 he would lower prices and reduce inflation for working families. That is far from what is actually happening. 

Trump claims a mandate from the voters--but he misunderstands the mandate he had which was to reduce living expenses for working families. He did not have a mandate to destroy the economic system of the entire world while pushing the limits of democracy in America. Yes, he said he was in love with tariffs, but targeted tariffs which have been used by nearly every president are very different from what we are experiencing now. 

I fear that destroying the strongest economic system in the world is designed to allow the uber-rich to swoop in and buy companies when the stock is down and thereby further pad their fortunes. This is, of course, at the expense of those of us who have worked and saved for years and invested our retirement accounts as the government advised through 401Ks and the TSP. 

We have been duped!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Programming Note: Because tomorrow is a travel day, Monday Musings will not be published. Hopefully there will be an update from the highway.

Enjoying the Drive

 

Rest Area off Route 15
Tioga, PA
April 4, 2025

The drive out of Ithaca and back to Maryland is full of beautiful vistas. It being early spring, Chris and I were able to watch the progression of springtime from just starting to show signs of leaves on the trees into full spring with the flowering trees and bushes adorning yards and roadways. 

I-81
Shrewsbury, PA
April 4, 2025

We made our obligatory stop at a Route 15 mountaintop rest area near Tioga, PA. The views are stunning of the valley below and yesterday the first signs of spring's rebirth could be clearly seen.

As our drive continued south, especially as we drove along the Susquehanna River, we saw many more signs of the deepening season. South of Harrisburg, springtime blossomed. Grasses became green shaking off the brown of winter. The reds and greens of budding leaves added an almost autumn-like hue to the trees along the highway. 

Upon arriving back in Maryland where springtime is fully underway, my allergies kicked in. There always seems to be a downside.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD