Embarrassed by the House

 Embarrassed, that was how I felt about the reception that the President of the Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, received from the House of Representatives yesterday. 

It is in my mind a very simple and, believe it or not, binary choice. Support Ukraine defending itself against unprovoked Russian aggression, or support Russia in its territorial expansion. There is no middle ground. 

That House Republicans seem to be supporting Putin shows how far off the rails the party has gone. I was, however, encouraged by the bipartisan support that Zelensky received in the Senate.

The budget battle demonstrated the disjointed, chaotic, and harmful forces at play in the Republican caucus. 

As part of their demands, House extremists want to cut funding for Ukraine’s defense. This would, of course, work to strengthen Russian president Vladimir Putin’s hand in his war against Ukraine. Earlier this month, former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan told MSNBC that it is “absolutely essential” to Putin that Trump win back the White House in 2024. “I think it is Putin's main lifeline in order to find some way to salvage what has been a debacle in Ukraine for him," Brennan said. "If Trump is able to return to the White House...Putin could have a like-minded individual that he can work with, detrimental to U.S. interests certainly and detrimental to Western interests overall.” The intelligence community assesses that Putin worked to help Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections, and is pushing pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine propaganda now. (Letters from an American)

I cannot imagine any Reagan-era republican providing an ounce of support to Putin! Look how far the Republican Party has been destroyed my the Trump-era MAGA thugs.

And I want to refute those who are worried about a war with Russia. The United States has already fought and won a war with Russia, although back then it was called the Soviet Union then. The state of Russia actually was born out of that great victory in 1991. 

And what was that war called? The Cold War!

And why did we fight it? To prevent exactly what is happening now in Ukraine.

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

And the Market Fell

 

I noted that even though the Fed decided not to raise interest rates yesterday, the markets fell. 

That seemed weird to me. I thought the good news would cause the markets to rise.

But then, I read the news about the budget crisis and the looming government shutdown. This is that reason that the U.S. credit rating was reduced some months ago. We have leaders who are working to instill chaos into the markets and the world to work for their own delusional personal advantage. 

One writer summed the budget crisis up as follows:

Extremists in the House Republican conference are refusing to acknowledge the deal worked out for the budget last spring by President Biden and Republican speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Instead, in order to pass even a continuing resolution that would buy time for Congress to pass an actual budget, they are insisting on cuts of up to 8% on discretionary spending that Senate Democrats, as well as Biden himself, are certain to oppose.

The White House has noted that the cuts the Republicans demand would mean 800 fewer Customs and Border Protection agents and officers (which, in turn, would mean more drugs entering the United States); more than 2 million women and children waitlisted for the WIC food assistance program; more than 4,000 fewer rail inspection days; up to 40,000 fewer teachers, aides, and key education staff, affecting 26 million students; and so on. 

House speaker McCarthy cannot corral the extremists to agree to anything unless they get such cuts, which even other Republicans recognize are nonstarters (those cuts are so unpopular that Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News reported today that Republicans are somewhat bizarrely considering changing their messaging about their refusal to fund the government from concerns about spending to concerns about border security). (Letters from an American)

Until the House Republicans can get their stuff together, we are in for a bumpy ride. 

And the markets, likely, will continue to fall. 

My answer would be for the speaker to try to find 5 or 6 republicans to work with the democrats and keep the government running. But, I guess that would be political suicide. That would be an incredible picture of bipartisanship. 

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Wednesday means Houston

Out the Cabin Window
Take-off Ft Lauderdale, FL
September 19, 2023

 And we arrived last evening after waiting out a thunderstorm in Ft Lauderdale. 

Flying out at night into the lightning filled sky was fabulous. It made for. some great entertainment. 

I tried to get an image of the clouds illuminated by the lightning, but all I got was the engine. My camera just did not want to focus on the action. Ugh. It was great.

But, we arrived safely in Houston, after about a 30 minute storm delay, about the same time as the Orioles were defeating the Astros. 

We are here for a few days and then back to Florida. It is hotter here than home!

-- Bob Doan, Weston Lakes, TX

Dog Tired

Dog Tired
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2023

 At the end of a full day, it is good to be dog tired. 

Finnegan helped me to understand the meaning of dog tired yesterday. He had a full day in cladding a 1.5 mile walk and then walking back to the assisted living center forepart of the afternoon to spend time with the residents. When he got home, he collapsed on the stair leading to the bed. He was too tired to even finish climbing the stairs and curling up on a pillow, as he normally does. 

Stormy Evening Sky
Tequesta, FL
September 18, 2023

It was a good Monday for sports. The Steelers won their game and the Orioles managed to scrape out another victory after blowing the game in Houston. The final inning heroics are becoming the hallmark of the team. It took three runs in the top of the 9th inning to secure the win after leading 3-1 in the 4th inning. The Orioles increased their division leading lead to 2.5 games, because Tampa was idle. The Orioles have played one less game than Tampa and so hopefully the additional game, like last night, will also be a win. 

Well, I was so dog tired that I did not see the end of either game. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 18, 2023

 

1. It is the third of four Mondays in September. There are 14 Mondays remaining in the year. This is the last Monday of Summer.

2. Autumn begins on Saturday at 6:50 AM EDT. 

3. How about the Orioles? Down to the last strike of the potential final out of the game in the bottom of the 9th--Orioles magic struck sending the game into extra innings where the team finally prevailed in the 11th inning over the Tampa Rays. The Os take a two game division lead into their final 13 games of the regular season. They have already secured a playoff spot, along with the Rays, but the division crown and a first round playoff bye is firmly in their sights. 

Setting Moon
Tequesta, FL
September 17, 2023

4. The evening sky was busy last evening with the moon and the remnants of a sunset. The sliver of moon setting in the west was visible just above the palms in the cloud-filled sky. 

5. Family NFL Report. It was a busy weekend in the NFL and the family teams did relatively well for the second week in a row, with all of the team that won last week going to 2-0 this week. One team still needs to play its game.

     Ravens (2-0) overcome Bengals (0-2), 27-24

    Commanders (2-0) slip past Broncos (0-2), 35-33

    Cowboys (2-0) rocket past Jets (1-1), 30-10

    Steelers (0-1) host Browns (1-0) tonight

    Dolphins (2-0) drown Patriots (0-2), 24-17

6. Today in History. On September 18, 1793, George Washington lays the cornerstone to the United States Capitol building, the home of the legislative branch of American government. The building would take nearly a century to complete, as architects came and went, the British set fire to it and it was called into use during the Civil War. Today, the Capitol building, with its famous cast-iron dome and important collection of American art, is part of the Capitol Complex, which includes six Congressional office buildings and three Library of Congress buildings, all developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

As a young nation, the United States had no permanent capital, and Congress met in eight different cities, including Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia, before 1791. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which gave President Washington the power to select a permanent home for the federal government. The following year, he chose what would become the District of Columbia from land provided by Maryland and Virginia. Washington picked three commissioners to oversee the capital city’s development and they in turn chose French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to come up with the design. However, L’Enfant clashed with the commissioners and was fired in 1792. A design competition was then held, with a Scotsman named William Thornton submitting the winning entry for the Capitol building. In September 1793, Washington laid the Capitol’s cornerstone and the lengthy construction process, which would involve a line of project managers and architects, got under way.

Trump falsely blamed Pelosi for Jan. 6 on 'Meet the Press' Show - CNN

Is one of Russia’s oldest allies slipping from the Kremlin’s orbit? - CNN

Ukraine Faces Race for Gains Before Weather Turns - The Wall Street Journal

Exclusive: EU may become as hooked on China batteries as it was on Russian energy - Reuters

Ukraine drones strike Crimea, Moscow, oil depot, Russia says - Reuters

US shutdown looms: Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy faces crucial test - Reuters

Five Americans detained in Iran expected to be freed today, Iranian foreign ministry says - CNN

In Wagner’s largest African outpost, Russia looks to tighten its grip - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Angry Ocean Biking

 

Angry Ocean
Hobe Sound Beach Park, FL
September 16, 2023

Chris and I biked South Beach Road yesterday. It was a nice 15.5 mile ride past some of the most expensive homes in America. Officially, I read that Jupiter Island has the second highest per capita income of any inhabited place in America. 

We really enjoy the ride and by parking at the Coral Cove Park, we can avoid having to ride our bikes over the drawbridge. 

Looking Down the Path
Hobe Sound Beach Park, FL
September 16, 2023

It was a beautiful morning to be riding along the road passing mansions listed for sale in the $30-50 million range. One in particular that I like is listed for $49.5 million.  The road is fairly quiet, very little vehicular traffic, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings there is a large amount of bike traffic. The ride is mostly straight and flat running about 11 miles from one end to the other. We chose to ride from Coral Cove Park to Hobe Sound Beach Park and return, which is right at about 7.5 miles each way making a nice 15 or so mile ride. 

With the angry ocean sporting waves running in the 6-7 foot range, we thought we might return to the beach later during the day to watch the surfers, but alas, driving rainstorms turned the relatively bright day into an afternoon washout. Nonetheless, riding along South Beach Road provides continuous opportunities to enjoy the scenery as well as to marvel at the mansions. 

I am happy that the oppressive humidity abated and that it is fun to be outside again! 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

When the Big Waves Arrive

Surfers at the Park
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023

 Celebrating Friday and the start of the weekend has been something that I love to do. Usually I do it with a Happy Hour. Since retiring, I have lost that overpowering need to be somewhere at the end of the workweek with friends celebrating the beginning of the weekend. I guess because everyday is a weekend now. 

Surfer at the End of the Rainbow
Carlin Park Beach, Jupiter, FL
September 15, 2023

Last evening Chris and I went to Carlin Park Beach to celebrate happy hour. It was a great choice because the passing hurricane in the Atlantic had kicked up some big waves, in excess of 6 feet. And that means surfers!

There were so many surfers that they almost looked like the fish I took pictures of in the waves a few days ago. And they were fin to watch. We arrived on the beach about 4:30 PM, but stayed until almost 7 PM and we had non-stop entertainment. At one point there were in excess of 26 surfers ranging in age from and estimated 12 yo to 58 yo. I know the oldest was 58 because we chatted with him. And as for the youngest, I was talking to his Dad. 

The afternoon Florida storms kicked up, but remained south of us. That meant the sky to the south was very dark, but to the east and north, the skies were of broken clouds. The rain to the south caused a rainbow, actually there was a double rainbow, but the second one was very weak. As the sun sank lower in the sky, it illuminated the front of the waves and created a very beautiful scene of which I was able to capture one decent image. 

It was a fantastic Happy Hour!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

A Frightening Revelation

 

I read a frightening revelation this morning. It is a quote from Mitt Romney and it is scary in that it identifies, in my mind, why the Republican Party seems to have "gone off the rails."

The Atlantic published an excerpt from a forthcoming biography of Romney by McKay Coppins in which Romney expressed disgust with his Republican colleagues for feeding Trump’s lies to their voters in exchange for power and acknowledged that “[a] very large portion of my party really doesn’t believe in the Constitution.”  (Letters to an American)

That is frightening, but not wholly unexpected. Here are two real examples of Republicans not upholding their oaths to support and defend the Constitution:

"Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., declared Monday that states "should consider" seceding from the United States . . . " Fox News

"Former President Donald Trump faced rebuke Sunday from officials in both parties after calling for the “termination” of parts of the Constitution . . . " - AP

Before taking office, the President and members of Congress, and almost all other government officials take an oath of office. In that oath they promise to "support and defend the Constitution". In the case of the President, the oath specifies that they will "preserve, protect, and defend" the Constitution. (Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government)

Both of these instances are clearly represent situations where the individuals involved are violating their Oaths of Office. Yet, there are no consequences. It is the same as the representatives and senators who supported the January 6 insurrection and who should not be allowed to hold public office since they had sworn and oath to uphold the constitution. No accountability and no consequences. 

While some citizens are being held accountable for their actions on January 6, apparently congress is above the law. Representatives have been censured for speaking the truth, but none are being censured for breaking their oath of office. 

Be afraid, be very afraid. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Racing the Tide

Chris at the Helm of Sea Bean
ICW off Jupiter Island
September 13, 2023

Boating upon the open water, that was the calling yesterday. The ocean was too rough, but the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) was fabulous. Although our club has a new location very close to the house, I have not been able to get a boat out of there yet, and so we continue to use our Port Salerno location, which has my favorite vessel, Sea Bean, a 22 foot Cobia dual console. 

Fish in the Waves
Jupiter Island, FL
September 13, 2023

We were able to accomplish multiple things in the same out and back trip. Finnegan had a grooming appointment in Hobe Sound, which is on the way to the marina in Port Salerno. We dropped Finn off and continued to the marina to board Sea Bean and then spent a few hours on the water and at a great beach until we were called that he was ready. I kept us within about 30 minutes of the marina so that we could retrieve Finn within the groomers allowed time slot.

Fish in the Waves 2
Jupiter Island, FL
September 13, 2023

We headed for one of my favorite accessible by boat beaches to enjoy some morning sun. I would also have enjoyed one of the local sand bars, but with the fairly recent high tide, they were mostly submerged. It was a great day for watching the waves because the tide was high, but going out, and there were schools of fish visible in the waves. I spent some time trying to capture the scene and got a few usable, but not great, images. We were told, by the one other person we met on the beach, that a large, probable shark, had been seen in the surf, but we did not see it, sadly. I have seen sharks off this beach before.  

It was a great day on the water and the beach. I am believing that because the ocean was so rough, most of the fishing boast did not head out. And because school is back in session, the ICW was also nearly devoid of boating traffic. We had the water and the beach pretty much to ourselves. 

All too soon we received the call from the groomer to retrieve Finnegan. I was just about to propose motoring up to Stuart for lunch, but alas, that was not to be. We will save that for our next boating adventure. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Day of the Tortoise

Gopher Tortoise
Along A1A, Port Salerno, FL
September 12, 2023

 Following on to our beach day, Chris and I decided to head out on a bike ride through a local State Park that we have not visited in quite a while yesterday. 

It is a park that hosts a lot of wildlife and especially gopher tortoises. 

12 Mile Ride
Hobe Sound-Port Salerno, FL
September 12, 2023

We were not disappointed. 

I have been easing back into biking, since it has been almost a month since I have been seriously ridden due to the travel we have been doing. I feared that I had lost some of my endurance and stamina. I rode on Monday, alone, but kept it to about 12 miles and an hour. That was the plan for Chris and I--10-12 miles of about an hour. And that is what we did. 

We had an enjoyable ride spying a number of tortoises and a few snakes along with birds. 

It was an out and back ride. We rode to a point and then turned around to retrace out path. There were a few other bikers out riding on the beautiful September morning and the weather was perfect. I enjoyed the scene and of course riding with Chris. We did not quite make it to Cove Road Park, but I did not want to push Chris too hard. 

Amazingly, when it was complete, I had ridden exactly the same distance, to the hundredth of a mile, as the previous day. That almost never happens even when I ride the same route. 

Today is a boat day. The ocean is supposed to have waves of 4-6 feet, and so we will be staying in the intracoastal. 

September through November as some of the best months in South Florida. The ocean is still summertime warm and the temperatures begin to moderate. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL