Travel Day

 

Aftermath of an Accident on I-95
Near Yemassee, South Carolina
March 30, 2025

The trip was supposed to be a surprise. Our departure from Florida headed for Maryland to celebrate a significant birthday was a closely held secret. Well, much like attack plans, our travel plans leaked.

Well, it wasn't national security and since even the Secretary of Defense can keep secrets, secret; I am not upset that the secret is out. In fact, it makes life easier. Our family is terrible at secrets, why? Because, from the time the kids were small Chris and I drove home the idea that families don't keep secrets. 

Chris and I are excited that we can celebrate a significant birthday with one of our kids. 

Traveling is always an adventure. Today we were slowed by an accident on the southbound side of I-95. It was a major "looky-loo" event on the northbound side. I have no idea how semi wound up traveling north on the southbound lanes. 

We should arrive in Maryland today. 

-- Bob Doan, Dunn, NC

Fighting the Wind

 

My last bike ride, which was Friday morning, ended with a rough climb up a small hill. I shortened my ride by three miles due to the stiff wind I was experiencing. I wound up only riding just over 14 miles instead of my usual almost 18. 

I forgot to look out the window and check the flag across the street to determine the wind speed before I departed. The first half of my ride was pretty good since I head west. It was not until I began to ride some of the east legs that I noticed the wind.  It was coming from the east at about 20 mph with higher gusts.  I had a lot of fun riding west, but paid a price when heading east. 

The worst part of the ride was the final leg led which is up a hill riding to the east  as I crested the small hill, the wind hit me full on and it almost felt as if I was going to be pushed backwards.  But of course I wasn’t  

— Bob Doan, Tequesta, Fl

Chaos, Confusion, Disaster

 There is so much happening in the U.S. right now that it is almost impossible to remember events are underway around the world. 

I maintain that a myopic, inwardly focused view is unhealthy as it provides fertile ground for strategic surprise. We are so busy dealing with the day-to-day crises that we don't have time to consider the effect of our actions on the other countries and for that matter, to consider how what is happening in places like Turkey potentially affect our country. 

And then there is Signal-gate. How many supposedly brilliant people does it take to realize that admitting to a problem and fixing it is smarter than doubling down. And that begs the question--how many other Signal-chats are there out there which present a clear and present danger to the United States? 

Did I mention that the stock market, which holds not only my retirement savings but many other people's, is falling like a rock due to the insane application of tariffs and the lack of strategic fiscal vision in the White House?

Why do we need a trade war with the world? That is going to help us, how? 

I wonder which billionaire owns stock in bicycle companies since cars are going to be priced out of existence. 

Why are the things Trump was elected to do being left undone?

I'm really looking forward to not paying federal income tax on my Social Security benefits--no wait, am I actually going to continue receiving benefits? But Musk said I would get more! And lower food prices--where are they?

What about Musk?

My thought is he has too much money and no political smarts.

This morning [yesterday], Wisconsin Democrats issued a press release noting that Musk had “committed a blatant felony,” directly violating the Wisconsin law that prohibits offering anyone anything worth more than $1 to get them to “vote or refrain from voting.” Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler said that if Schimel “does not immediately call on Musk to end this criminal activity, we can only assume he is complicit.” (Letters from an American)

And then consider the Presidential Oath of Office. I reread it this morning and I have questions as to whether the oath has been and is being violated. And I don't even mean the part about supporting the Constitution. It is the faithfully part, because it sure seems to me that everything being done right now will improve the financial bottom line of the president while harming the citizens. To me, that does not seem to be faithfully executing the Office of the President. 

How is sending people being evicted for the country to a prison in a country not their own without due process and no prospects for redress a deportation? Doesn't deporting a person mean sending them back to their country of citizenship? And furthermore, if there is no due process who is making the decision to deport? That people, is unconstitutional. Everyone setting foot on American soil has rights despite what certain people would have us believe. The Constitution and our laws do not differentiate between citizens and non-citizens. We are on a very slippery slope.

Finally, I am tired of hearing how much money DOGE is supposedly saving the country, because too much of it is at the expense of the citizens. If they save $1 trillion, but we are left with no healthcare, no research, a broken education system, and a defense industry in tatters I am not sure that is better. And if DOGE is saving so much money, why do we have a looming debt ceiling crisis?

Some much to ponder and so little time. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Enjoying the Evenings

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
March 26, 2025

 I can't, it seems, write enough about the spectacular weather we have been experiencing. 

Yes, there were thunderstorms the other night, but we really needed the rain--and we got a lot. But, overall the humidity has been low and the temperatures very moderate. I remember the past two years when we were already experiencing 90 degree days at this time of the year. It was not a lot of fun. With the summer coming, I need to enjoy these afternoons and evenings. 

This morning is one of the warmer mornings we have experienced with the day starting around 70 degrees. There is definitely a bike ride in my immediate future. 

But what--MLB is BACK!!!

How about them Os? 

Only 161 more games to go, but at least they got off to a great start with a 12-2 win and crushing 6 homers!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

What is a tooth?

 My new tooth was installed yesterday. 

No, it did not all happen yesterday, the new tooth (crown) was the culmination of a process that began in South Africa when I broke a tooth eating a tough steak.

The dentist said that the tooth's silver filling absorbed moisture over the decades and caused the tooth to fracture. Fortunately, it did not hurt and I was able to finish the South African wine tour/safari and return to the U.S. before having the tooth examined and repaired. 

My worst fears were realized.

They could not just cement the piece that broke off into place, a piece which I had dutifully transported from South Africa back to Florida. I wound up with a moderately expensive crown, but thankfully not a root canal. 

And again, I was very elated that there was almost no pain. 

So, my mouth is almost back to full operating efficiency. 

And as a result I will begin to have routine cleanings again, which stopped because of COVID and which neither Chris not I ever got back onto the schedule due to moving and retirement. 

So the silver lining, hahaha, is that both Chris and I are going to resume regular dental cleanings, something we did before COVID, and I have a new tooth. 

Do you think about your teeth? Probably not unless you have a dental appointment or some pain.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Stuck Ashore

Sawfish Bay Park Looking East to Highway 1
Jupiter, FL
March 25, 2025

 We had a difficult day boating yesterday. It was so difficult that we did not, in the end, actually get onto the water. 

I had a boat reserved through my club for 9:45 AM. I confirmed the reservation verbally the night before and then again about 9 AM via text. As Chris and I were leaving the house to head to the docks, I received a call that my reservation was being canceled due to expected afternoon weather. I was not a happy camper. 

I was so very unhappy that I called the club offices to register a complaint. My take on the weather was that nothing was going to happen much before about 5 PM. I had planned on returning the boat by 4 PM and we likely would have returned it sooner. The club did some research and apologized while also promising to look into the late notification. 

That promise, of course, did not get me a boat and we were stuck ashore for the day. We ate the lunch our friends had prepared for the four of us to enjoy at the sand bar on the veranda of our condo. 

Chris and I did, subsequently, stop by Sawfish Bay Park later during there day to get by the water and take a picture of the US-1 Bridge construction. I had planned on boating through the area and then onto a very nice sandbar for the day. I had reserved a pontoon boat which had an upper deck and therefore plenty of shade for a day in the sun. 

Turned out there was precious little sun during the day. The apparent blue sky in the image is really a thunderstorm over the ocean in which we had seen lightening. 

The thunderstorms did finally arrive in Tequesta--at 5:15 PM.  

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Neophytes in Government

 I was appalled when I read that senior government officials planned the March 15th Houthi attack using a tool called Signal and invited a reporter from The Atlantic to be part of the process. 

The story in the New York Times starts as follows:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed war plans in an encrypted group chat that included a journalist two hours before U.S. troops launched attacks against the Houthi militia in Yemen, the White House said on Monday, confirming an account in the magazine The Atlantic.

The editor in chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, wrote in an article published on Monday that he was mistakenly added to the text chat on the commercial messaging app Signal by Michael Waltz, the national security adviser.

It was an extraordinary breach of American national security intelligence. Not only was the journalist inadvertently included in the group, but the conversation also took place outside the secure government channels that would normally be used for classified and highly sensitive war planning. (New York Times)

I remember when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was accused of possessing sensitive material on an unsecured phone. Trump wanted her jailed. Why is it that he is so quick to move against others, but never take responsibility for himself or his people? I wonder what the results of this incident will be? 

And accidentally including a reporter? Nothing is an accident. The whole incident smells of neophytes who do not begin to grasp the importance of operations security and the proper use of secured communications. Additionally, it seems obvious that they believe that rules are made for others and not themselves. 

The Washington Post version of the story additionally has the following:

Senior Trump administration officials have warned in recent days that they will investigate unauthorized leaks to journalists, citing reporting in a number of publications. Several of them also for years criticized the handling of classified information by Democrats in other cases. (The Washington Post)

I'm waiting for the spin doctors to move in on this one. I am sure they will blame the entire incident on Biden. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 24, 2025

 

Happy Monday!

1. It is the penultimate Monday of March! There are 40 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Samoyed
Tiki52, Tequesta, FL
March 19, 2025

2. March Madness is living up to its name. I read that CBS reported that there are no perfect brackets remaining in the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament. My bracket is a mess and I had St Johns going to the final four--well that's not happening. 

3. Chris and I went to dinner at Tiki52 on Wednesday evening and it was doggie night, apparently. There were many dogs of so many different breeds. It was fun watching them and enjoying their antics. For the most part, all of them were well behaved and a joy to be around. The star of the night, however, was the Samoyed. He was beautiful and still a puppy at heart. 

4. Be afraid! The administration's attacks on the judiciary and on law firms is very dangerous. With the Congress already in his pocket, if Trump can neuter the judiciary then there will be no checks on his ability to destroy the country and do away with the rule of law. Additionally, the money angle is working on the education system as well--colleges are supposed to be institutions free to explore the world without being forced to accede to partisan politics. The stifling of research and thought is equally dangerous. 

5. Chris and I went out for breakfast a week ago. We paid a 50 cent surcharge on each egg due to the bird flu. 

6. Today in History. March 24, 1989: One of the worst oil spills in U.S. history begins when the supertanker Exxon Valdez, owned and operated by the Exxon Corporation, runs aground on a reef in Prince William Sound in southern Alaska. An estimated 11 million gallons of oil eventually spilled into the water. Attempts to contain the massive spill were unsuccessful, and wind and currents spread the oil more than 100 miles from its source, eventually polluting more than 700 miles of coastline. Hundreds of thousands of birds and animals were adversely affected by the environmental disaster.

It was later revealed that Joseph Hazelwood, the captain of the Valdez, was drinking at the time of the accident and allowed an uncertified officer to steer the massive vessel. In March 1990, Hazelwood was convicted of misdemeanor negligence, fined $50,000, and ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service. In July 1992, an Alaska court overturned Hazelwood’s conviction, citing a federal statute that grants freedom from prosecution to those who report an oil spill.

US retailers haggle with suppliers after Trump tariffs - Reuters

US turns to Brazil for eggs and considers other sources during bird flu outbreak - Reuters

Some Europeans reconsider trips to US in protest against Trump - Reuters

Concerns about espionage rise as Trump and Musk fire thousands of federal workers - AP

Man drives car into protesters outside a Tesla dealership, nobody hurt, sheriff says - AP

‘The Americans didn’t learn their lesson’: Meet the Europeans boycotting US goods - CNN

Greenland slams planned visit by US officials - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Finn and the Lizard

 

Finn and the Lizard
Tequesta, FL
March 20, 2025

The other morning, Chris and I were enjoying coffee on the veranda and a lizard stopped on the other side of the screen. It remained there for a while. 

Finn took an interest in the lizard and stood on the arm of the lounge chair to examine the lizard up close and personal. What was interesting was that the lizard allowed Finn to get fairly close. 

The two of them stared at each other. They must have stared for a long while because I was able to realize there was a picture hidden in there somewhere and get my phone out to capture the moment. 

And then, in an instant--it was gone. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday--is the week really over?

 It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride this week.

It is clear to me that neither the president nor vice-president understand the Constitution and the role of the judiciary. When the Vice President makes the statement that: “judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power,”  (NY Times) It is clear that he does not understand that it is the judiciary which gets to decide what are legitimate powers!

Talk about either trying to confuse the issue or being ignorant of the Constitution.

And then the president called for impeaching a federal judge because a ruling didn't go his way. I loved Justice Roberts' response: “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” he said in a statement. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” (The New Republic)

I am greatly concerned about the deportation of Venezuelans without due process. And the president and vice president think this is OK. The 4th Amendment to the Constitution is pretty clear--this can't be done. And the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 probably does not apply in this case and even if it does, there are other requirements. One discussion, from the Brennan Center for Justice is as follows:

The president may invoke the Alien Enemies Act in times of “declared war” or when a foreign government threatens or undertakes an “invasion” or “predatory incursion” against U.S. territory. The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war, so the president must wait for democratic debate and a congressional vote to invoke the Alien Enemies Act based on a declared war. But the president need not wait for Congress to invoke the law based on a threatened or ongoing invasion or predatory incursion. The president has inherent authority to repel these kinds of sudden attacks — an authority that necessarily implies the discretion to decide when an invasion or predatory incursion is underway.

As the Supreme Court and past presidents have acknowledged, the Alien Enemies Act is a wartime authority enacted and implemented under the war power. When the Fifth Congress passed the law and the Wilson administration defended it in court during World War I, they did so on the understanding that noncitizens with connections to a foreign belligerent could be “treated as prisoners of war” under the “rules of war under the law of nations.” In the Constitution and other late-1700s statutes, the term invasion is used literally, typically to refer to large-scale attacks. The term predatory incursion is also used literally in writings of that period to refer to slightly smaller attacks like the 1781 Raid on Richmond led by American defector Benedict Arnold.

I think, and this is my opinion, that given the sense from Town Halls around the country that the electorate believes that Trump was elected to do something different than what he is doing and that the "mandate" he believes he has was far more limited that he understands. I believe that those who voted for him wanted him to lower prices and inflation and not start a global trade war, or withdraw support our allies around the world, or even cozy up to Putin. And as for reducing the Federal Government--I don't think mass firings instigated by a non-elected and not confirmed by the Senate billionaire were in the mandate. 

And don't get me started on where our support for medical research is headed and the fact that there won't be a likely viable flu vaccine next year. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Waiting for Handouts

Balanced Pelican
Tequesta, FL
March 19, 2025

Welcome Spring! It is Here! 

I enjoy watching pelicans wait for handouts while fishermen clean their catch at the docks. 

Last evening, while Chris and I were enjoying another idyllic evening at our favorite watering hole, Tiki52, we were treated to the antics of the pelicans waiting for the discards. At least nothing goes to waste.  

Patient Pelicans
Tequesta, FL
March 19, 2025

One pelican wanted to get very close to the action and balanced on one of the lines waiting for the discards. Most of the others took a more reserved approach and waited on a float or in the water. On occasion there would be a great disturbance in the water and I am fairly certain there were a couple large fish also swimming under the dock in anticipation of dinner.

It was a chaotic scene every time a piece of fish was tossed toward the pelicans, but they quickly reformed into a an orderly array waiting the next handout. There seemed to be a pecking order and they seemed to understand that if patient, each would receive a much cherished handout. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta. FL

The Eyes Have It

 

Eyeglass Shopping for Chris
Tequesta, FL
March 18, 2025

It has been annual eye appointment time for both Chris and I this past week. 

We needed the appointments to renew our contact prescriptions. Ugh. At least there is no studying for the tests, but it is a bit disconcerting to discover how bad my vision really is becoming. Although, this year the prescription only change a little bit because I wanted to improve my close-up vision at the expense of my distance vision. I just don't need to see a golf ball at 300 yards anymore. I can't it that far. 

My new glasses should arrive this week and my contacts have already been adjusted. Yay!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

St Patrick's Day Bash

Chris and I Celebrating
Tequesta, FL
March 17, 2025

 One of the benefits we enjoy by living across the street from an Irish restaurant is the St Patrick's Day celebration. Every year they close down part of the parking lot and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland--yesterday was no exception. 

Scene in the Irish Bar
Tequesta, FL
March 17, 2025

It is great because we can walk over to the event and do not need to find a place to park. Yesterday, we took Finn with us, but soon decided that he was a tripping hazard and he was not enjoying being held and so we walked him home and then walked back to enjoy some adult beverages. It is nice living so close.

Everyone seemed joyful and reveled in forgetting about the problems of the world for a while and just celebrating together. I was happy not to hear any talk of politics or the news. 

We left the celebration fairly early and returned home, but we very much enjoyed our time there.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 17, 2025

 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

1. It is the third Monday of March. Wow! The month is screaming past at an alarming rate. There are just 41 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Downed Crossing Sign
Tequesta, FL
March 16, 2025

2. Coming to the end of my 18 mile ride yesterday, I was stopped by a freight train and had the opportunity to examine a downed railroad crossing pole. It had been down for a couple weeks now and I wonder how someone managed to hit it since it is somewhat protected. Weird stuff continues to happen.

3. I read an interesting article about America's brand being destroyed. A paragraph is quoted: One way to think about this is to say that Trump is doing to America what Elon Musk is doing to Tesla, destroying a valuable brand through erratic behavior and repulsive ideology. Did I mention that Tesla sales in Europe appear to be cratering? (Destroying America's Brand)

Box Delivered by UPS
Tequesta, FL
October 15, 2025

4. Is America's Golden Age turning into a pile of rusted bad intentions?

5. I received a case of wine, delivered by UPS, which made me wonder how the bottles arrived without being broken. The box was a disaster. I am not sure if it was rough handling or a packing problem. 

6. Nothing displays the lawlessness and failure to abide by there rule of law than the Executive Branch ignoring a lawful order by a judge to turn planes around and noon deport Venezuelans. Then they snickering about it. Constitutional crisis? I believe so! Can the president be held in contempt?

7. Today in History. On March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. Today he is honored with the annual holiday of St. Patrick's Day.

Much of what is known about Patrick’s legendary life comes from the Confessio, a book he wrote during his last years. Born in Great Britain, probably in Scotland, to a well-to-do Christian family of Roman citizenship, Patrick was captured and enslaved at age 16 by Irish marauders. For the next six years, he worked as a herder in Ireland, turning to a deepening religious faith for comfort. Following the counsel of a voice he heard in a dream one night, he escaped and found passage on a ship to Britain, where he was eventually reunited with his family.

Trump administration deports Venezuelans despite court order - Reuters

Russian troops battle last Ukrainian forces in Kursk region - Reuters

US piles pressure on Yemen's Houthis with new airstrikes - Reuters

Trump is ignoring markets at his own peril. Just ask former British PM Liz Truss - CNN

Trump’s tariffs are inflicting serious economic damage and reigniting inflation, OECD says - CNN

SpaceX’s Crew-10 arrives at ISS, paving way for NASA’s Wilmore and Williams to return - CNN

Timeline: Deportation flights landed after judge said planes must turn around - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

You Won't Believe the Crazy Things We Did!

 

Costco on a Saturday Afternoon
North Palm Beach, FL
March 15, 2025

I am convinced that being retired and not fully appreciating which day of the week it is can be a problem. Take yesterday, for example. Chris and I did two things that retired people should not do on a Saturday. 

First, we went to Costco! Yup, I really wrote that. We risked life and limb to head to Costco. It was a free-for-all. At least there were carts. We did find a parking spot and the checkout line was not too long. But, wow, going to Costco on a Saturday afternoon is just like saying , "Here is my jaw, hit me!"

The second thing that we did was to go out to dinner. We had a reservation which meant that we had a table, but the restaurant was packed and the noise level was almost unbearable. It is much smarter to go out to dinner mid-week when the crowds are lighter. 

Well, note to self.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Launch and Sunset

SpaceX Crew-10
Jupiter Island, FL
March 14, 2025

 Beware the Ides of March!

The SpaceX Crew-10 launch happened last evening just before sunset. I headed to the beach, along with Chris and Finn, to watch the launch since the weather was clear. 

I was reminded that launches are exciting as we watched the countdown on my phone and then looked to the sky to see the vehicle in powered first-stage flight before the flame was obscured by the smoke trail. Launches are always exciting to watch and crewed launches are even more exciting because there were four souls aboard the bright dot in the sky. Chris asked me of the crew was nervous before the launch and I mused that there likely was some anxiousness, but they trust the technology and are likely more excited about going into space that they are nervous about the performance of the launch vehicle and capsule. 

Sunset over Tequesta
Tequesta, FL
March 14, 2025

Nighttime launches are a bit more exciting as we can usually see the boosters return to the pad, but not so last evening. Of course, we are about 120 miles from the launch pad and so we do not expect to see too much of the activity, especially in daylight. But, nonetheless, the launch was exciting on a beautiful cloudless early evening.

After the launch, we walked across the island to watch the sunset over Tequesta and were treated to a sundowner special. The clear skies meant that the sunset was localized, but still inspiring as we watched from a beach along the ICW. 

It was a great way to put the exclamation point onto another day. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Idyllic Evening

Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
March 12, 2025

Happy PI Day! 

The weather in South Florida lately has been nothing short of idyllic. Days with highs in the high-70s and low-80s coupled with low humidity. Wow!

I know summer is coming with mid-90s coupled with high humidity making the feels like temperature in the 100s, but for now--let's enjoy the weather and get to the beach or outside. 

I had a boat reserved for Monday, but that is the one day when temperatures will struggle into the mid-70s and thunderstorms are expected. Not a good boat day. 

But, this week we have been enjoying getting out. We went to our favorite watering hole on Wednesday evening enjoy Happy Hour and the weather was perfect. I find Tiki52 to be visually stimulating with colors, boats, birds and the ICW just beyond. 

A great way to begin the evening. 

Spring is coming, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 5:01 AM EDT!

-- Bob Doan, Tequeta, FL

I Saw Them

Winn-Dixie
Hobe Sound, FL
March 12, 2025

 
Shopping yesterday in a local market I saw, for the first time, eggs marked at $10 per dozen.

I actually could not believe it.

There was a deal on a dozen-and-a-half at $13.89, which works out to $9.26/dz.

Winn-Dixie
Hobe Sound, FL
March 12, 2025

We did not buy the eggs.

That along with so many other things just highlights the disastrous times in which we live. And this administration is not yet two months old!

There is so much happening that I can only shake my head at. 

A measles outbreak in Texas--we had that disease beaten and now children are dying, again.

What is next? The return of polio? Smallpox, the sequel?

And shutting off grants to hospitals which are on the forefront of research is going to make America healthy again? 

We are not headed for the Golden Age of America--this is the stuff of the Dark Ages when much of the accumulated knowledge in Europe was lost and had to be rediscovered during the Renaissance. 

Here is how one writer characterized what is happening:

The wholesale destruction of the U.S.A.’s advanced medical research, especially cancer research, by firing scientists, canceling grants, banning communications and collaboration, and stopping travel is also radical and seems unlikely to leave Americans healthier than before.

Yesterday, news broke that the administration canceled $800 million worth of grants to Johns Hopkins University, one of the nation’s top research universities in science and medicine. Meanwhile, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cast doubt on the safe, effective measles vaccine as the disease continues to spread across the Southwest. (Letters from an American)

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to suggest getting measles is the best defense against the disease, as a Texas outbreak spreads across the U.S. (The Daily Beast)

I remember having the measles--I have never been sicker in my entire life. I vividly remember hallucinating  and running a really high fever. It is no joke. 

And don't get me started on the stock market.

We are mere pawns in a great money grab the likes of which have not been seen, ever. Our lives and fortunes are in play for the rich and unscrupulous to take.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

To the Beach and Beyond

Surfers' Ocean
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
March 11, 2025

 In celebration of DST, right after I retrieved Chris from the airport we headed to the beach for Happy Hour. 

It was our first Happy Hour on the beach since early-February and it was very enjoyable. It was a surfer's paradise with over 40 surfers in the water catching the waves. I enjoy being on the beach when the surfers are active because they provide something to watch and enjoy. Many of them are very good. 

Palm Beach Ice Cream
Tequesta, FL
March 11, 2025

There are other sights to enjoy at the beach. For instance, we watched three teens play and jump into the water. I was convinced one of them was going to wind up with a massive head bleed before they were done because they were jumping off the rocks into shallow water--but they survived. I dubbed them the Three Stooges for their antics.

After the beach we enjoyed a pizza dinner, Chris was tired and so the steak I had planned got moved to tonight. But, we also frequented our new favorite ice cream shop--Palm Beach Ice Cream! Their made on the premises ice cream is the best! And they have a multitude of flavors. Even Finnegan likes their ice cream.

And so Chris is back from Maryland and enjoying life as a grandma to a now two-month old grandson. We will soon find our stride and move forward. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As Nero Played

 Something about yesterday's stock market downturn and the fable about Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned hit me when I read: 

“We’re seeing a strong divergence between animal spirits of the stock market and what we’re actually seeing unfold from businesses and business leaders,” said the official, who was granted anonymity, according to CNBC. “The latter is obviously more meaningful than the former on what’s in store for the economy in the medium to long term.”  (The Daily Beast)

It has become clear that The White House does not want to be confused with the facts. Just wait until the March employment and inflation numbers come out in April--I'm not sure how that is going to be blamed on Biden. 

I have written my Congressman about the impact of federal firings on veterans, maybe he will finally stop towing the party line. 

We can only watch from the sidelines.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Monday Musings - March 10, 2025

 

1. Hold on--it is already the second Monday of March! There are only 42 Mondays remaining in the year! 

Zebra Grazing
Pilanesberg National Park, ZA
February 25, 2025

2. I have been going back through my images from South Africa. While I took a lot during the wine tour, it seems the ones that I like the most are from Pilanesberg National Park. Like today, I was working on this Zebra image. Something about it just makes me happy. The image brings back many exciting and wonderful memories. 

3. Roughly 6,000 veterans have been laid off in recent weeks by the U.S. DOGE Service, according to federal data compiled by Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee. A spokesperson for the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee said that number is probably understated amid ongoing job cuts at the Social Security Administration, the General Services Administration and other agencies. Veterans Affairs, where military veterans make up about 26 percent of the workforce, announced plans Wednesday to cut 80,000 jobs.

Veterans make up about 30 percent of the federal workforce, serving in every department. (The Washington Post)

4. While enjoying high-70s and low-80s degree days it is sometimes hard to remember how cold it is not so far away. 

5. It became clear the other day why the Executive Branch is firing so many employees--the plan is to privatize services. What does that mean? Contractors owned by the President's friends will begin to rape the government for billions, possibly trillions of dollars. The American people suffer a politicized workforce providing less services while the rich get richer on our taxpayer dollars. This is just wrong. 

6. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made it clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to slash the federal government and to privatize its current services. As the stock market has dropped and economists have warned of a dramatic slowdown in the economy, he told CNBC “There’s going to be a natural adjustment as we move away from public spending to private spending. The market and the economy have just become hooked, we’ve become addicted to this government spending, and there’s going to be a detox period.”  (CNBC) (Letters from an American)

7. Today in History. On March 10, 1959, Tibetans band together in revolt, surrounding the summer palace of the Dalai Lama in defiance of Chinese occupation forces.

China’s occupation of Tibet began nearly a decade before, in October 1950, when troops from its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invaded the country, barely one year after the Communists gained full control of mainland China. The Tibetan government gave into Chinese pressure the following year, signing a treaty that ensured the power of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the country’s spiritual leader, over Tibet’s domestic affairs. Resistance to the Chinese occupation built steadily over the next several years, including a revolt in several areas of eastern Tibet in 1956. By December 1958, rebellion was simmering in Lhasa, the capital, and the PLA command threatened to bomb the city if order was not maintained.

GOP says funding bill gives more time to codify Musk's cuts - CNN

Canada’s next leader takes aim at Trump - CNN

Veterans flocked to government jobs. Now thousands are being fired. - The Washington Post

 ‘A disruptive effect’: How slashing staff at the Social Security Administration is sparking fears the system could collapse - CNN

Europe faces stark choices over Russian asset seizure - Reuters

Farmers put plans, investments on hold under Trump USDA spending freeze - Reuters

China vows utmost efforts for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan - Reuters

israel-cut-off-electricity-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-negotiations - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL