What does it Mean?

Secretary Mullins Spewing Lies
October 9, 2026

 I watched the press conference with Homeland Secretary Mark Mullins yesterday. I was appalled at the shooting in NYC the day before and I wanted to hear the Secretary's spin.

And there was spin.

Secretary Mullins missed the point! He spent time making a false analogy with the stabbing of a NY Police Department a few weeks ago. He spewed factual untruths and frankly, I am really tired of having to fact check everything that our leaders, appointed and elected, spew.

The protests were not about the fact of the arrest. The concern was not about whether the arrest was legal. It was about the manner of the arrest and possible Constitutional issues.

Consider this. I believe the suspect might have been a victim of entrapment. A group of men dressed as construction workers, wearing masks and lacking any identifying information that would indicate their police affiliation, surrounded a person with suspected gang affiliations and with a criminal record, attempting to detain him. I understand the fight or flight response. He attempted to flee and protect his five-year-old child. Furthermore, it was on a busy street and multiple shots were fired. 

The problem, fundamentally, is the manner of the apprehension. The optics are bad and the leadership is blind! In a similar position, I believe I would try to flee as well. And that is the standard, is it not? What would be the response of a normal, mostly rational person be facing a possible abduction my unknown individuals with your child in the backseat?

Mullins' Lapel Pin
October 9, 2026 Press Conference

If only that were the sole concern raised during the press conference. I am genuinely more troubled by the treasonous pin worn by the Secretary on his lapel. This pin defiles the American flag and apparently shows allegiance to a specific individual. The numeral 47 is prominently displayed on the flag, which is undoubtedly a cause for concern.

I snapped the image from my television and I had to sharpen it to show the pin as I saw it on my TV.

This is scary to me and I wonder, What does it Mean?

This press conference highlights much are bigger concerns than just the Constitutional issues associated with the arrest. 

- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Celebrity Beyond - One Particular Statue

L’Origine (“The Origin”)
by French contemporary artist Fabien Mérelle
Celebrity Beyond
September 29, 2026

 The art collection on the Celebrity Beyond is eclectic. The art is varied from paintings, to photos, to sculptures.

The signature piece in the 4,500-piece, mostly contemporary art collection is a large statue of an elephant standing on a man--in near real size. The piece is L’Origine (“The Origin”) by French contemporary artist Fabien Mérelle.

I was fascinated by this particular piece and why it was prominently placed on a cruise ship. It is huge and stunning at the same time. Why is a white elephant standing on the shoulders a man?

Coincidentally, during the Chef's Table discussion about the meal with the head chef, I asked about the theme that tied all of the dishes together and what the chef was trying to help us understand or experience? Sadly, the head chef on the ship had not had this discussion with Daniel Boulud, the master chef who created the meal.

But why such a statue on a cruise ship? It makes sense. The original is installed on a beach near Le Harve, France.

One interpretation of the statue is:

The piece reflects Mérelle's exploration of themes related to religion and the human experience. It serves as a metaphor for the burdens that individuals carry, particularly in relation to faith and belief systems.

This sculpture is a notable example of contemporary art that engages with deep philosophical questions through visual representation. (Jaques Bravo) (Chat GPT)

Why a cruise ship? 

Cruising, especially Sea Days, provide the perfect opportunity to tune out the world and deal with the crushing issues that the elephant represents, or just escape from them for a moment. 

Who knew cruising could be so deep an undertaking?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Did He do that on Purpose?

Trump at the UN
September 23, 2026
Photo Credit: Anadolu / Getty Images

 I wonder who is really running the country. Trump asserted that Biden was asleep at the wheel, but Trump seems to be in a state of total dementia. Witness the embarrassing speech at the UN yesterday. 

Our President threatened to commit war crimes. He threatened to obliterate a society of 93 million people. 

At the United Nations, a meeting that should have been about ending the war in Ukraine became another opportunity for Donald Trump to talk about himself. Sitting beside Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he dominated the brief press conference, threatened Iran with obliteration, and then turned to his excitement about hosting President Xi and building a ballroom. Zelenskyy was there trying to secure peace for his country. Trump was talking about room capacity and the hottest ticket in town.(Hope for the Nation)

Is that who we, as a nation, have become? 

I think not. 

Our President is working for only himself and his family and not the good of the country and our people. We are sinking billions of our national treasure into a failed conflict. If he is such a good businessman, when does he begin to calculate that he is throwing good money after bad? 

Face it--he started a war and lost. The objectives, whatever they were, have not been achieved. 

And worse, our President is violating his oath of office by intentionally ignoring the 1st Amendment. 

Why?

To keep the news media from digging deeper into the Epstein Files, the corruption of the Trump Family as it fleeces the government, the failed Iran War, the failed promise to end the Ukraine-Russia war, failure to reduce inflation, failure to control prices and affordability. 

What is the common themes here? Corruption and failure. 

Think about it--even with the failed Iran War, had he ended the Ukraine-Russia war, diesel fuel would not be as expensive as it is! We would have dropped the Russian sanctions. Which makes me wonder, if there are sanctions against the Russians for oil, how is their lack of diesel production affecting the price, as Trump alleges?  

Does he lie on purpose? Or are his mental faculties so compromised that he doesn't know the difference?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Keeping a Close Eye on Things

Seagull in Flight
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
February 17, 2022

 The seagull was keeping a close eye on the activities occurring nearby. There might have been food available nearby. 

I have been assaulted by campaign ads on the TV of late. Seems there is a very important election on the horizon. 

Campaign ads are worth watching to understand the motivations of the candidates. I came across ads that made wildly false claims. For instance, one ad, posted by a candidate for governor of Florida, falsely claimed that the other candidate intended to tax Social Security, tips, and other personal income sources. However, Florida doesn’t have a personal income tax. Recently, the same candidate has been alleging that the other candidate has a hurricane tax plan that will cost every family in Florida $1,000 per year. Upon researching this allegation, I found that it is entirely false. Moreover, the sources listed in the ad either don’t exist or are intended for a different program that doesn’t tax Florida residents. 

Florida does not need another fact fabricator as governor.

I would report the ads with the evidence I found, however, For actual lies in campaign ads, there is no Florida state agency with authority to adjudicate their truthfulness. Voters, the press, and the courts are the primary checks on false political speech. (ChatGPT)

We must stay sober and keep a close eye on things. 

Truth is out there, we need to work to find it.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More Lies and Deception

 After helping our dog, Finn, survive the thunderstorm that settled atop our home during the middle of the night, I read a New York Times article that tightened my jaw. The article was about how our Secretary of Health, Robert Kennedy Jr., continues to ignore science while at the same time trying to promote Make America Healthy Again. Much of the article was about his presentation at the Children's Health Convention.

I was appalled to read in the article, titled, Kennedy Assures Vaccine Skeptics That They Have a ‘Friend at the White House’, that regarding the four measles deaths in Pennsylvania that, Mr. Kennedy publicly questioned whether measles played a role and suggested the deaths may have been “fabricated.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he oversees, has refused to acknowledge them and is currently reporting no measles deaths for 2026.

Playing like an ostrich won’t alter the facts. I was reminded of a perplexing scenario: if someone has a severe heart condition, COPD, and is shot dead, what is the cause of death? Is it a heart attack, COPD, or lead poisoning?

I was also further distressed to read that at the conference. The speaker before Mr. Kennedy was Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute, who called the success of the polio vaccine a “fraud,"

The current administration had managed to destroy confidence in nearly every aspect of health management. The very governmental enters whose reasoned scientifically-based opinions were considered the "Gold-standard" around the world have been reduced to purveyors of repudiated theories and misinformation.

Lies and deception. I only hope we can put the genie back into the bottle.

Even more concerning, how many more children and adults will die because of the misguided acceptance of discredited and scientifically disproven theories? 

Sadly, the health related lies and deception continues a trend from Trump's first administration where estimates climb up to about 400,000 needless American deaths from COVID-19 due to the initial denial of its existence and then a slow response.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Lies, Lies and More Lies

Destroyed E-3A Sentry
Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia
Undated by CBS News

 I hope trustworthy leadership will soon be restored. 

As the truth comes out, we discover that deception and deflection is the norm for the Executive Branch. Personal attacks on reported and dissenters is one clear war to discern that the truth is being hidden. 

Truth is slowly being reported. Iranian attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East have taken a toll on almost irreplaceable assets while injuring many of our military personnel. 

The Defense Department's inspector general this week released a fresh report on the war in Iran that revealed "equipment losses" worth up to $3.7 billion — including nearly 60 aircraft. In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector general added that U.S. Central Command reported Iranian strikes at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. (CBS News)

It is sad when every word uttered by the President or the Secretary of Defense must be fact checked for truthfulness only to find that the overwhelming majority is, in their words, fake news, bold lies, and deception.

And then there is the Congress which continues to sit on its hands while the Executive Branch spends unappropriated monies, How this is happening demonstrates the fatal flaw in our system--it was built on trust and not designed to reign in an intentionally deceitful, criminally-convicted senior executive. 

The sad truth is that now we must adapt to a more oppressive system of government that ensure proper oversight and controls on the President and cabinet officials. But that system, which already exists in concept, relies on a fully functional Congress and Supreme Court. 

The truth is out there!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

A Commentary on America's Leadership

USS Abraham Lincoln Arriving Thailand
September 2, 2026
CNN

 The USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into port for the first time in about 9 months yesterday. Observers were shocked at its appearance. The once sleek and beautiful multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier was covered in rust from its continuous use and exposure to the seas during combat operations. 

Rust is not a condition that we expect to see on our naval warships. Our ships are supposed to be rust free and ready to operate at a moments notice. 

The toll of the extended combat deployment is clearly visible on the ship and its crew. 

The discussion on X regarding the rust is interesting and somewhat educational. Most people were defending the rust and the condition, but I fear they were missing the point. 

The point is that war is costly and takes a toll of people and equipment. It is not pretty to look at and war is expensive. 

When write that I am appalled at the image of the USS Abraham Lincoln I am expressing my outrage at the war and its toll. Our leadership does not understand the cost on people or equipment. Our national treasure is being squandered and the return on investment so far has been only negative. 

I am proud of the accomplishments of the crew of not only the USS Abraham Lincoln, but of the USS Gerald Ford and all of the military personnel who are engaged in conducting the war. 

The condition of the USS Abraham Lincoln is, I believe, a metaphor for our leadership, civilian and military, which, similar to the ship, is rust covered, broken, and no longer effective.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Sarcasm to start the weekend

I wonder . . . 

  when are we going to have leaders that we can believe, who have integrity, and who love our country more than themselves? 

We would not have tolerated the incompetence, graft, and lying by other presidents and their cabinets. 

Apparently the Vietnam War days have returned with respect to truthful government reporting about the Iran Conflict. Our greatest successes come with openness and our worst failures happen under the cover of deception. The legacy news media is called "fake news" and yet truth is not evident in the media sources most favored by the administration. 

I have a number of things to "thank" the current administration for:

Thank you $4.00/gallon gas. It is just like the good old days.

Thank you for starting a war that you said would be short, but is dragging and now you being compared to WW2.

Thank you for disrespecting the sacrifices of the U.S. military members who are supporting your failed visions of grandeur.

Thank you for ruining the economy and implementing strangling tariffs.

Thank you for the measles epidemic.

Thank you for reducing the CDC and the allowing the clylcoopsrasis outbreak.

Thank you for getting rid of USAID and allowing the ebola outbreak in Africa to spread.

Thank you for threatening the security of our country by threatening to pull out of beneficial alliances.

Thank you for insulting our military members, constantly.

Thank you for supporting misogynistic ideals that minimize women's choices about their health and bodies.

Thank you for diversions and distractions from serious issues. We didn't need a serious person as president anyway. 

Thank you for enriching yourself and family at the expense of hard-working Americans.

Thank you for being the greatest bankruptcy businessman in history and raising our national debt to $40 Trillion. 

If this is the Golden Age of America, I'm not seeing it. 

Change is coming.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Contempt Continues

USS Abraham Lincoln

 It is obvious, once again, that neither the president nor the Secretary of Defense have any real concern for the military people they are sending into harm's way. 

• Speaking to reporters in Washington before departing for an event in Long Island, Trump snapped, “No, they’re not,” when a reporter suggested family members of U.S. servicemembers aboard the vesselgrowing concerned about the crew, which has spent more than eight and a half months at sea.

  Asked whether the deployment had gone on too long, Trump said its deployment had lasted “not nearly long enough.” He acknowledged, however, that the Navy would soon be replaced by “with another very similar ship.” [emphasis added] (Daily Kos)

Trump and Hegseth
USA Today
undated

Likewise, Secretary of Defense Hegseth dismissed reports of difficult living conditions and limited food as false news.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday claimed that conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have been “completely misrepresented” following reports that sailors, struggling with low morale during a grueling deployment, have attempted to jump overboard. (The Hill)

The family members of sailors aboard the aircraft carrier are making convincing arguments that the two most senior leaders of our nation's military are either woefully under informed or are consciously distorting the truth.

A BBC story lays out the situation fairly well devoid of the bias associated with U.S. media. The story, titled, 

Conditions on US aircraft carrier at sea for more than 250 days raise alarms

Thousands of US military members who have lived aboard an aircraft carrier for more than 250 days are reportedly contending with food shortages, broken plumbing and exhaustion, leading lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon and pressure the Trump administration over the Iran war.

Military news outlets reported that some USS Abraham Lincoln sailors had attempted to jump overboard, while families have raised concerns about mental health aboard the ship.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of conditions "completely misrepresented" on Thursday. (BBC)

This shows that neither man really cares about the people being tasked to carry out their orders. I call that contempt. It should be remembered that the USS Gerald Ford experienced similar problems during its nearly year-long combat deployment. 

‘Psychological Breaking Point’: U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Has Been Pushed to Its Limits

What would the appropriate response to the reports look like? 

Instead of denying the reporting, taking responsibility and saying that they are concerned about the sailors and all military personnel assigned to the region and that they will look into the matter and that if the reports are true, the problems will be expeditiously resolved. 

Trump and Hegseth are abusing the preeminent combat force in the world and rendering it ineffective through overuse and inadequate support.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Perhaps it is time

 I watched the President's address last night. It was hard because I had to change channels in the middle because the channel I was watching decided to launch into commentary.

For context, we are losing/lost a war with Iran, the economy is tilted against most Americans, and our president still pushes the mantra that the 2020 election was stolen from him even though he was the president and in-charge at the time. 

Weird, huh?

He does not care about the plight of everyday, non-billionaire Americans. 

I have begun poring through the documents released on the White House website. I admit, I have not read meany but those I have read, and I am focused upon the Michigan Voter Registration tranche, detail successful investigations which may have uncovered illegalities but no illegal votes were cast. 

So far, the documents confirm that the current system works!

There is no smoke and there was no fire. 

And wait . . . wasn't Trump president during the 2020 election? And he wasn't president during the two elections he won: 2016 and 2024. Go figure! This apparently confirms that he may be the problem.

It may be time for the Vice President to work the Cabinet to implement the 25th Amendment to remove our apparently senile and out-of-touch president from office. I know that it is a stretch, but someone needs to work to save the republic from the whip-saw rantings we are experiencing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Lazy Days and Mondays

Happy Bastille Day

Vive La France! 

Well a busy week just got easier. 

We canceled our boat and so we have nothing on the agenda for today. That means a relaxing day. Tomorrow is already jam packed with meetings and activities throughout the day. 

Bastille Day is my second favorite foreign holiday. I think I will be looking for something French. A good French wine comes to mind. And I have a few! I just realized that the French are in involved in both of my favorite foreign holidays: Bastille Day and Cinco de Mayo. One is a jail-break to start a revolution and the other is an embarrassing defeat.

Turning to the U.S., however, the news is not so great and there is definitely no reason to celebrate. 

ICE continues out of control and we can thank the Republicans for that. If no one is above the law, then why do ICE killings continue without apparent consequences. 

Monday was definitely not a lazy day. There was an ICE killing in Maine--

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin initially told Senator Angus King that Guerrero was the target of the warrant. Hours later, Mullin called King back to correct himself. The victim was not the target. They killed the wrong person. ICE is a rogue agency. The president’s own military force, and people are dying. (Hope for America)

My thought here is, why are agents shooting the driver and not the car? Kill the car; it will stop and the driver can then be detained, questioned, and/or arrested--alive. 

Inquiring minds want to know!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Everything Turns to . . .

 Some people have a natural capacity to take any situation and make it come out badly. 

Apparently, and now very clearly, that is one of President Trump's superpowers. 

Whom else could make a casino go bankrupt?

Since the beginning of his second term this superpower has become all too clear.

Consider this: 

Lost a war that he started

Ruined the reflecting pool

Hijacked the America 250 celebration

Destroyed the East Wing of the White House

Eroded trust in the U.S. as an ally

Allowed inflation to almost double 

Eroded economic confidence

Destroyed our economy

Strangled the world's energy supply

Allowed Iran to take control of the Strait of Hormuz

Implemented tariffs--how's that working out?

Took a solid immigration idea and made it oppressive and inconsistent. I think we all agree that deporting the worst of the worst is a good thing! If only that were actually what is happening.

Eroded health care for millions

Cast doubts on our election process. How did he get elected if the process is so bad?

Failed to support Ukraine

Confirmed that oligarchs do not make good leaders

And this is just in a year and a half!

Most recently, 

Interference with the USMNT in the World Cup resulted in the fifth largest blow-out in tournament history as the team was soundly spanked and fell to Belgium by a score of 4-1.

Yup, he did it and needs all of the blame because if the team had won, he would have taken all of the credit!

His management of personal wealth could be a bright spot for him, but, remember, he says he doesn't make those decisions. Apparently, given the body of evidence, this is true. 

Happy Hump Day!

(It's gonna get better, right?)

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL