Roads' End

I have had the pleasure of standing at the end (or was it the beginning) of two famous highways.

The beginning and end of US 1 in Key West is one. 

The other was Route 66, which ends on the Santa Monica Pier in California after traversing the western portion of the country.

US 1 is a road that I deal with daily. I drive on part of it every day. There is almost no way to leave my house and not traverse a portion of this famous North-South route which runs from Maine to the very southern tip of Florida. 

Route 66 is a bit more elusive for me as it runs East-West from Chicago to Santa Monica. But the road makes the famous connection across the middle portion of the country.

I have enjoyed being at the end/beginning of these famous highways an thinking amount how much of our country is connected because of them. Interstate highways may be faster, but in terms of connecting cities and towns and people, these two roads are some of the workhorses of our society.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Projecting Power

Air Force One
Reagan Library

I was there, recently, at the Reagan Library and I saw it first hand. I saw and touched, and entered the aircraft that served as Air Force One during the Reagan administration.

It is beautiful. 

When it carries the President of the United States, it is the most important aircraft in the world!

I read with fascination yesterday how the President-elect was making an issue about the purchase of two new aircraft to serve as Air Force One. 

It is important to note that the current aircraft are almost 30 years old. There are a lot of improvements to technology which have occurred since these aircraft first flew.

When Air Force One touches down in a foreign country, it is a statement. The President of the United States has arrived and no other county's leader arrives in such a manner. It recently infuriated the Chinese and caused an incident. 

But Air Force one is more than transportation, It is an extension of the Office of the President. It is a working area that allows the conduct of the Executive branch to continue during long and otherwise non-productive flights. 

Air Force One is as much a projection of national power as sending an aircraft carrier into some country's backyard or flying B-52's along a disputed border area. It makes a statement: The U.S. is here. 

My Take: The President of the United States should not be transported in a 30 year old aircraft. Project power and prestige with a new symbol of national power. The President-elect needs to focus on big issues.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When is a General Not?

General Mattis
Being Considered for Secretary of Defense

The construction of President-elect Trump's cabinet continues to draw the attention of the news media and his expected selection for Secretary of Defense is the current hot news item of the day.

I am happy the issue is not a Constitutional one, but a legal requirement imposed when the Department of Defense was created. Established during 1947 the Department did not take on its current name of Department of Defense (DoD) until 1949. An interesting twist of history.

The laws that established the DoD mandated that persons being appointed to the top jobs in the Department must be separated for at least 7 years. It was originally 10 years, but later amended. And even with the newly created DoD, an exception to the law was given for General George Marshall in 1950. 

My point here is that the "law" has been changed in the past and the situation must be evaluated based upon it merits. Sadly, the blind application of law seems more important that looking at the merits. 

I believe it is time for someone to lead the DoD who has experienced the weapons, tools and tactics being provided by the to the troops and he may be able to separate the good from the unnecessary. I believe that the DoD is bloated and inefficient, but much of that is due to Congressional mandates. If the DoD is going to become efficient, then Congress needs to back and allow DoD to get about the task of defending the nation. 

Maybe General Mattis will restore some swagger to the DoD.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - December 5, 2016

1. It is less than three weeks to Christmas.

2. The year 2016 is crashing to a close. I am amazed how quickly.

3. It is hard to make vacation plans if you don't know where you want to go.

4. There are a lot of Christmas specials on TV right now. I am glad they only show them once per year. 

5. It is exciting to watch the President-elect put together his team. It is being done very differently than on the past. That may be good.

6. How weird is the NFL this season. Seven of the teams that were in the playoffs last year may not make the playoffs this year. 

7. Thankfully, the weather has not been too miserable so far this season. We have had a bit of rain, but no snow, yet.

8. As the President-elect creates his new cabinet, I think it is important to remember the words of Ronald Reagan: “Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

9. Wine is a great addition to a holiday party.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Jingle Bells

It is the season for Christmas movies on TV and stories. Last evening I watched my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life produced in 1946 starring Jimmy Stewart. 

Seasonal songs are playing on the radio, we have our favorite station that plays Christmas songs 24/7.

I believe that December is the month where we combat the increasing darkness with seasonal songs. 

The sound of the song Jingle Bells reminds me of the joys of being a child listening for the sounds of Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.

I am amazed at how the old songs are still the ones that I hear most. I hear Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song ten to twenty times per day. And Andy Williams is singing continuously somewhere in the background.

It all works together to make the season.

I enjoy the humor as well. The season is moving along so quickly. There are three weeks until Christmas! I can scarcely believe it is passing so quickly.

I may even begin counting the days until I plan to open my pool.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Midnight Madness in Old Ellicott City

Ellicott City
Midnight Madness
Looking up the Hill
December 2, 2016

It has been an annual event, the Midnight Madness in Old Ellicott City. This year, however, it was definitely different.  Old Ellicott City was almost destroyed by a ravaging flood during late July and many of the shops were not able to open. Those that did, bravely carried on the tradition. 

Ellicott City
December 2, 2016

I was pleased with the turn out of people trying to make normal again that which is still under repair. The shops near the top of the street, Ellicott City is built on a hill, were generally because they suffered less damage while those near the foot of the hill were partially open.

Signs of repair were everywhere, but as well, people were reveling in the cool temperatures and trying to infuse the Christmas season into their hearts. There were long line in some of the stores and I have to admit, many of the stores provided light refreshments including wine or champaign which was a very nice touch.

Ellicott City
December 2, 2016

School choirs were singing on the street and people were shopping. It was a resurgence for the city and the business district with many of the stores rushing to open for the event. That so many stores and restaurants were open was a miracle. 

But Ellicott City remains damaged and, sadly, I know that some of the shops and restaurants will never reopen. 

The flood was a disaster, but the spirit to rebuild is strong. I hope that Midnight Madness provided the stimulus to encourage the rebuilding to continue and eventually restore Old (or Historic) Ellicott City to it former radiance.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Recount

A vote recount is underway in Wisconsin, and a partial recount is underway in Pennsylvania according to a New York Times article titled, ‘We’re Going to Get This Done’: Wisconsin Vote Recount Is Underway.

Why?

It seems a huge waste of money.

I guess it is important to know that the electronic voting machines were not tampered with, but with Michigan falling into the Trump vote column the other day, the lead seems insurmountable.

Losing is hard to accept for some people especially given the breakdown of the popular vote, I get that. But we have to have faith in the integrity of the voting system.

Yes, I am one of the first to say things like, "Vote early, vote often!" But I don't mean it. I say it just to encourage people to get out and exercise their right, or is it a privilege, no it is a responsibility to vote.

As the world has changed from paper ballots to computers, we do need to ensure that the computer tallies cannot and are not tampered with.

Recount? Not to change the outcome, but rather to confirm it and provide confidence in our automated vote counting process.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

America the Great

One of the campaign slogans during the recent national election was "Make America Great Again."

I always took exception to that phrase because I could not determine when America stopped being great.

In my mind, America remains the greatest country on the planet. And why do I believe this? 

It is not because of our military, there are large militaries, but none better equipped than ours. It is not because of our leadership, because we all have seen through the facade of Washington. It is not because of our economy, even though we are one of the strongest and most resilient economies on the planet.

Why is America great?

It is because of our people. 

Ronald Reagan got it right when he said:

"The greatness of America doesn't begin in Washington; it begins with each of you -- in the mighty spirit of free people under God, in the bedrock values you live by each day in your families, neighborhoods, and workplaces."

Address to the Nation on the Eve of the Presidential Election, November 5, 1984

America is and always has been great!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Dog Days

Makayla Ready to Travel

I know that it is not the summertime when I look forward to the Dog Days, but even as the winter approaches and the total amount of sunlight drops towards its solstice low of 9 hours and 24 minutes, some days are devoted to dogs.

Today, for instance, Makayla has a check-up and dental appointment. She gets her teeth cleaned once per year.  It is funny that I, too, have an appointment this afternoon for a dental cleaning. 

So this morning I will drop her off at the vet and pick her up this afternoon. She hates being dropped off. She exhibits real signs of separation anxiety.

But I know she will be fine and that when the afternoon arrives and I can pick her up, she will be very ready to see me.

And her breath will smell good, too.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Where to Spend it All

My email inbox has become crammed with ads and offers. I cannot believe the rate at which new opportunities to make purchases are thrust at me. 

I can scarcely keep up with the influx and I am beginning to miss some of the more important items that I usually read.


I am drowning in junk mail seeking to have me purchase all sorts of needless item during this season.

And the sales: 30% off! How can I possibly resist? 

If I bought every exciting offer, I would soon be out of money.

How did so many retailers get my email address? 

In retrospect, I don't know which is a worse blight, the political ads of the now completed election season, or the seasonal advertisements clogging my inbox?

I am becoming very adept at using my delete key!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD