More of the Facts - The Debate

 I did some fact checking after the debate Tuesday night. Wow! Amazing.

I was amazed that the Republicans are attacking the moderators. According to CNN: 

Trump talked more than Harris throughout the entire debate broadcast, and finished five minutes ahead after closing statements wrapped. At the end, Trump had spoken for approximately 42 minutes and 52 seconds, while Harris spoke for about 37 minutes and 36 seconds. (CNN)

Why would the side that got a nearly 5 minute time advantage, or a 6 percent advantage, complain about the moderators not being fair? From where I saw the debate the moderators were not being fair to Harris by letting Trump interrupt her and not shutting off his microphone as was agreed. 

I am concerned about the amount of misinformation and outright lies that Trump spoke. According to AP News Fact Checking, here are the most egregious lies of the evening:

- Trump shares inflated numbers around migrants and crime 

- Trump repeats false claims that noncitizens are being sought to vote

- Trump misrepresents crime statistics

- Trump endorses false rumor about immigrants eating pets

- National Guard soldiers on Jan. 6

- Trump falsely claims China is building ‘massive’ auto plants in Mexico

- Trump falsely claims evidence shows he won in 2020

- Trump claims Putin endorsed Harris

- Trump misrepresents key facts of the Central Park Five case

- Harris takes Trump’s ‘bloodbath’ comment out of context

Of the lies, the one that is very concerning is the one about immigrants eating pets. Joyce Vance writes about this lie as follows:

It's not just that the Haitian story is ridiculous. It's not just that it’s a lie. It is both of those things, but it is more than that; it is also dangerous. Dehumanizing people is what makes inhuman treatment of them possible. It’s how you justify the family separation policy that ripped children from their parents, some of them so young that reunification is still elusive more than five years later. In extreme cases, dehumanization is a path towards genocide, the way the Nazis called Jews in Germany vermin and claimed that they spread disease and used the blood of non-Jewish children in rituals as prelude to the Holocaust. Trump is using similar language as a prelude to the proposed mass deportations of migrants that both he and Project 2025 (which he claimed last night he’d never read) call for. Trump and Vance are setting up a society where atrocities against other human beings can be justified by dehumanizing them first.(Civil Discourse)

At times, and I watched the entire debate along with the post-debate commentary, it appeared that Trump forgot against whom he was running. He launched into more than one discourse about Biden and Harris reminded him that she was not Biden.

I remember all of the nasty and inappropriate things Trump said about President Biden in the past. Perhaps Trump should look into the mirror and upon realizing these same things are true about himself; that he is unfit to be president, he should quit the campaign and head out onto a golf course in a golf cart and do what he does best--sulk. That would be far better than continuing to tear the country apart through his lies and misrepresentations.  

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Birds in the Road

 I managed a 17-mile ride on Monday. 

The weather both yesterday and today has been/is not conducive to riding because rain showers pop up at a moments notice. Chris and I tried to golf yesterday, but were chased off the course by rain as we were playing the 11th hole. It was a valiant effort, but ended early. I felt bad for Chris as she was having a great round. I, on the other hand, not so much.

While riding on Monday, I came upon a small flock of ibis who had to move out of the road. I tried to capture them as they took flight. They were enjoyable to watch as they, in their ungainly manner, took flight and cleared my path. I do so enjoy watching the ibis. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Beach Evening

 

Surfers in the Waves
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
September 7, 2024

Chris and I made a return to our favorite beach the other evening. Although the day was hot, the evening at the beach was perfect. We watched storms move just to the north of us and enjoyed the surfers catching waves.

It had been a while since we had managed to visit the beach because of fairly regular afternoon thunderstorms. It was nice to have a break in the action to allow us to meet with friends and enjoy Happy Hour together on the beach. 

Osprey with Catch
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
September 7, 2024

Of course it was also nice to be on the beach and out of the truck. We drove a lot during the past couple weeks while we visited Maryland, New York, and Georgia. I wish that I had kept track of the mileage, but I am sure we topped 1500 miles. 

As I wrote previously, it is good to be home in Florida. The ocean remains warm and the temperatures continue in the low 90s and high 80s. It is perfect beach weather, except for the passing storms. 

I was happy to have my newly received smart glasses available to take images of the scene I was enjoying. I did, however, image the osprey with its catch on my iPhone. We were privileged to see two osprey dive within a short time of each other. Both were successful in their efforts. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 9, 2024

 

1. September is moving along. It is already the second Monday meaning that there are only 16 Mondays remaining in 2024!

Chris on the Tequesta
Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
September 8, 2024

2. It is good to be home. There is something satisfying about walking into our own home after a trip and being able to unwind and relax.

3. Chris and I did an easy 10-mile ride yesterday to get back into prime biking shape. I had gone out on Saturday, but only got 1 mile in before a thorn punctured my back tire. I was not amused and neither was Chris as she had to come retrieve me in the truck.

4. Family NFL Report

Ravens (0-1) lost to Chiefs (1-0), 20-27 (Thursday)

Steelers (1-0) defeated Falcons (0-1), 18-10

Cowboys (1-0) blow-out Browns (0-1), 33-17

Commanders (0-1) defeated by Bucs (1-0), 37-20

Dolphins (1-0) comeback against Jaguars (0-1), 20-17

5. NFL football has returned. I guess that may help me get past the Orioles September slump. Thank goodness the Yankees are having similar problems. 

6. Today in History. The King of Rock and Roll teams up with TV’s reigning variety program, as Elvis Presley appears on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time on September 9, 1956.

After Presley earned big ratings for “The Steve Allen Show,” the Dorsey Brothers “Stage Show” and “The Milton Berle Show,” Sullivan finally reneged on his Presley ban, signing the controversial singing star to an unprecedented $50,000 contract for three appearances. 

With 60 million viewers—or 82.6 percent of TV viewers at the time—tuning in, the appearance garnered the show’s best ratings in two years and became the most-watched TV broadcast of the 1950s.

Trump warms up for debate by threatening to jail election officials - CNN

Shooting suspect’s mom drove 200 miles to Winder, Georgia, after getting cryptic text the morning of the school attack - CNN

An alleged Chinese agent went undetected in New York state government for years. Why it may have taken so long for authorities to act - CNN

A mini Russia emerges in Serbia as thousands flee war - Reuters

Russia focusing on US social media stars to covertly influence voters - Reuters

Google's antitrust trial over online advertising set to begin - Reuters

Iran denies reports of missile transfer to Russia - Reuters

September Is Once Again a Tough Month for Stocks - The Wall Street Journal

Iraqi Banks Used U.S.-Created System to Funnel Funds to Iran - The Wall Street Journal

On social media, a bullied teen found fame among child predators worldwide - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Just the Facts

 In all of the political discussions one party seems to create false facts, twist facts, and exaggerate far more than the other. That is not to say that there is not exaggeration on both sides, because we all know there is. 

I ran across the following on Reddit, I have not fact checked it completely, but in my head it seems to be about what I remember, so here goes (with some editing to correct spelling and remove pithy comments) The quoted material is in italics:

Regarding COVID:

While Trump told us 38 times that COVID would go away, U.S. LIFE EXPECTANCY FELL FROM 79 YEARS TO 76 YEARS and 1,000,000 Americans died of COVID and 4,000,000 Americans became disabled. 

Regarding the Economy:

US unemployment rate on Donald Trump's last day in office: 6.3%.

US unemployment rate today: 3.7%, after having hit a 50-year low of 3.4% in February.

Jobs added to US economy during 4 years of the Trump administration: -3 million.

Jobs added to US economy during the 2.5 years of the Biden/Harris administration: 13+ million.

Average annual GDP growth under Donald Trump: 0.95%

Average annual GDP growth under Joe Biden/Harris: 3%+

Most oil produced in a year under Trump: 13.1 million barrels per day.

Most oil produced in a year under Biden/Harris: 15.8 million barrels per day.

Infrastructure bills promised by Trump administration: 1. Delivered: 0.

Infrastructure bills promised by Biden/Harris administration: 1. Delivered: 1.

Felony charges facing Donald Trump: 91

Felony charges facing Joe Biden/Harris: 0

* https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/19/trump-carroll-judge-rape/

*** https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-life-expectancy-in-the-us-is-falling-202210202835

** https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4459861-trump-praises-collapse-of-bipartisan-border-deal/

Things were NOT better four years ago. We were trapped in our houses and I remember standing in line to vote and we had to stay 6 feet apart. The lines wrapped around the voting center.  We had to wear masks. Toilet paper could not be found in the stores. 

Wait, and who was president? Trump!

I do not need any more of that. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Successful Warranty Completed

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses
Tequesta, FL
September 7, 2024

 At the beginning of August my smart glasses stopped accepting a charge.

I was devastated. 

The glasses are a bit pricey, but I loved the features, especially being able to take videos and images while riding my bike. I also enjoyed being able to listen to music or talk on the phone through my glasses which allowed my ears to remain unencumbered. 

I went online and determined that the store through which I purchased the glasses was supposed to handle the warranty claim and so I contacted them. It took about a month, but I got a call last week, while we were in Maryland, that they had my replacement glasses. I picked them up yesterday and am very happy to have a functioning pair of glasses again. 

I guess sometimes the warranties actually work out!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out the Hotel Window - Athens, GA

Hampton Inn
Athens, GA
September 5, 2024

 Chris and I made it home to Tequesta! Yay!

The drive was long, both days, but definitely worth the extra time to see Ethan in Athens. 

I was very pleased with the Hampton Inn in Athens. The staff was genuinely fun to work with and the location is great. The view out the hotel window was not too bad either. I took the image during sunrise on our departure day. It was a nice view, as compared to many places we stay. At least there was more than a parking lot or the building next door. 

The multiple entrances off the main lobby made unloading and reloading the truck much easier than most Hampton Inns. We have a lot of stuff to take inside, for instance the cooler and the wine along with suitcases and backpacks. The cooler weather was a nice added benefit.. 

I actually look forward to staying there the next time I visit Athens, unless I can find a nice hotel closer to the campus and near the center of activities. 

As for the day, the drive was long--9 hours. But, we made it OK. We got enough sleep that the drive never got too tedious and I am happy to report there were fewer road denizens intent on endangering everyone around them. 

Chris and I were able to get everything unloaded and the house returned to normal before the Ravens-Chiefs game. We went to bed at halftime and I awoke to find the expected score with the Ravens losing to the Chiefs, again! Ugh! At least it wasn't a blowout like the last time the Ravens opened the season on a Thursday.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Looking for the Parthenon

UGA Arches
Athens, GA
September 4, 2024

 Oops, I was in the wrong Athens. 

Go Dawgs!

UGA (University of Georgia) is everywhere in Athens. Seriously. It was a lot of fun visiting with Ethan and getting a personal tour of the campus. He has been at UGA for a month now as a second semester sophomore transfer student. He seems to be settling into the scene. 

Chris and I enjoyed the tour around the campus. It is a large campus with something new to see at every turn. I was impressed with the 92,000 seat football stadium and the expansive bookstore. Another nice feature is that the town is just off campus. The arches are the divide between the town and the university. We ate dinner in Athens just across the street from the arches. 

I have to get used to the idea that the symbol of an elongated "G" does not only mean Greenbay Packers. A "G" is circled in red means UGA Bulldogs. I did see the entire lineage of actual bulldogs that have served as mascots in the bookstore. 

The next time we visit, we may try to get a hotel actually in the downtown city area to be closer to the activities and the campus. I have to admit, the roads are a bit confusing, thankfully the mapping apps got us around without any problem. 

Gameday Ready Stadium with Ethan on the side
Athens, GA
September 4, 2024

-- Bob Doan, Athens, GA

  

Under the Cover of Darkness

Deer in the Yard
Odenton, MD
September 4, 2024

   Chris and I are on the road south somewhere in North Carolina headed for Durham. It is one of my first experiences on I-85 and the road is much more civilized than I-95. 

We departed Odenton about 0410 under the watchful eyes of a deer grazing on the lawn. She, it was a doe, seemed unconcerned about our multiple trips between the house and the truck. Even as I started the truck and drove away, she remained. 

And so the trip is underway  I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow filled with many happy memories of activities with family and friends.

Athens, GA, lies a few more hours ahead.

—  Bob Doan, somewhere in NC

Labor Day Golf

 

Pond by the 17th Green
Timbers at Troy Golf Course
Elkridge, MD
September 2, 2024

Jeremy and I attached The Timbers at Troy Golf course yesterday to enjoy a beautiful Labor Day afternoon. The course was crowded, as is to be expected on a holiday, but the idyllic weather, in the 70s with low humidity and clear skies, made the round a fantastic event. 

We were paired with two brothers who take the same approach to golf that Jeremy and I take. Golf should be fun and not stressful. 

That written, Jeremy reported that he played his best round of golf ever and I had a very, for me, acceptable score. Yay! We had fun but the round took over 2 hours. Ugh! But, that is golf on a holiday. The course is rated for 4h15m of normal play. In retrospect, an additional 45 minutes on a holiday is not bad. And we enjoyed talking to the other twosome we were paired up with. 

Tomorrow Chris and I expect to be on the road. We are looking at over 11 hours driving time to get to Athens, GA, where we will spend the night and visit our oldest grandchild who just transferred to Georgia. That is exciting. And as an added benefit, we will not be on I-95 for the whole day. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD