Independence Day - 2025

Happy Independence Day

I read something this morning that reminded me about the importance of Independence Day. It was from my Congressman, with whom I have had many disagreements, who is a decorated veteran and whose personal sacrifice in the service of our great nation I deeply respect.

Brian Mast wrote in an email this morning:

On Independence Day, I’m reminded of the unalienable rights our Founding Fathers declared for the American people: the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our nation was built on the unshakable belief in freedom, a belief that still rings true today.

Even in times of division, it’s important to remember what unites us. We are a people who have always defended our homeland and believed in the promise that anyone—regardless of their background—can rise and succeed through hard work and determination.

That’s only made possible because of our freedom. And that freedom is never guaranteed—it must be protected and preserved by each generation. From our founding to today, brave men and women have always stepped forward to defend the ideals we now celebrate. As we gather with friends and family, watch fireworks, and enjoy the many blessings of our great nation, let’s also take this moment to honor those who laid down their lives for our freedom.

May we continue striving toward a more perfect union, may we be grateful for our freedom, and may God always bless the United States of America!   (Brian Mast, United States Congressman)

Well written Congressman and thanks for reminding me.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

When the Weather Radar Says Stay Home

Wednesday Afternoon Wx Radar
South Florida
July 2, 2025

 It has been quite a week, since Monday's Happy Hour on the Beach. The region has been besieged with successive storms. Sadly, it appears that the 4th of July is going to be a washout. 

I took an image of the storm tracker yesterday about 4:21 PM as we were riding out successive storms. Not shown is the lightening which makes Finn a bit crazy. 

The good news is that we did not lose power. But, it has rained off and on for the better part of two days and the cycle continues until at least Sunday. 

I have found a short break in the storms this morning and am going to try to get in a bike ride. I likely will get wet at some point. I will keep it short.

Chris and I felt bad for the lawn care workers as they were cutting lawns and trimming in the rain as long as the lightening remained far enough away. 

Well, since the weather radar said stay home--we did.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Is the American Dream Gone?

 The Senate Republicans caved. 

If the House passes the revised Big Beautiful Bill (BBB, B3, or B-cubed), the American Dream is gone for at least a generation. I am saddened that the last thing of consequence that the Boomer Generation will likely do is to sell America to the Billionaires. That is not the legacy I had hoped to pass onto my grandchildren. 

The B3 transforms America from a country focused on assisting its people into a police state as funds are transferred from social programs to deportation programs, military, and immigration enforcement as well as what has been dubbed the largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the rich in history. 

The bill reduces credits for renewable energy and actually provides incentives for fossil fuel initiatives. There is a great legacy for our grandkids. Oh yea, and it will likely increase energy costs which violates a Trump campaign promise of inexpensive energy for all Americans. 

As one writer summed up portions of the bill:

The measure cuts taxes for the wealthy and corporations and offsets those cuts in part by slashing Medicaid and food security programs for low-income Americans.

But there is at least one aspect of American life on which the bill is lavishing money. While the measure slashes public welfare programs, it pours $170.7 billion into immigration enforcement. The American Immigration Council broke out the numbers today: The Senate bill provides $51.6 billion to build a wall on the border, more than three times what Trump spent on the wall in his first term. It provides $45 billion for detention facilities for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an increase of 265% in ICE’s annual detention budget. It provides $29.9 billion for ICE enforcement, a threefold increase in ICE’s annual budget. (Letters from an American)

But wait:

While all of this was playing out, did anyone notice that the economy contracted at 0.5 percent during the first quarter of 2025. Don't look now, but we may already be in a a recession. It takes a few months for the numbers to actually prove that but there have been two successive months of economic contraction. 

And the dollar has lost 10 percent since Trump took the oath of office. That is a hidden inflationary problem for imports. It will impact the economy. Fortunately, the U.S. is a net exporter of oil and so gas prices may not rise all that much--but it will hurt.

Do you know why the Fed is kept separate form the President? Because they are the ones keeping us afloat while the president would contribute to a more inflationary system by lowering interest rates. Presidents are not economists.

To summarize B3 provides: 

Increased funding to support a police state 

Cuts to programs that upon which regular Americans rely. 

Cuts to environmental programs.

Fossil fuels are not supported over renewable energy.

And this is only the beginning. . . 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Starting the Week Correctly

Wine and Sand
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
June 30, 2025

Happy July!

 It was Monday, after all. 

The weekend was over and it was time to settle into the rhythm of the week. 

I began the day with an almost 18-mile ride. I was very hot when I returned home. But, it had been a great ride. 

On the Beach with Friends
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
June 30, 2025

Chris and I then headed off to the store for supplies. It is weird, no matter how often we go for groceries, there always seems to be something more that we need. I definitely have noticed the prices creeping up. Has anyone else noticed that ginger ale is now more than $1 per bottle?

After doing some work around the house, we headed off to the beach for Happy Hour. Despite the nearly suffocating humidity and temperatures at the house, the beach was very nice with a wind coming off the ocean. There water was warm and inviting--and I enjoyed the ocean water for more than a few minutes. 

It was a great ending to the month of June!

Now arriving--my favorite month of the year: July!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL