Monday Musings - November 11, 2024

 

Veterans Day. 

Say thank-you to a Veteran.

Gobble Till You Drop
Tequesta, FL
November 10, 2024

1. As the year careens to a close, we have arrived at the second Monday of November. There are seven Mondays remaining in 2024. 

2. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 3-2 with the Dolphins playing tonight. The Cowboys have apparently mailed in the rest of their season.

Cowboys (3-6) were massacred by the Eagles (7-2), 6-34

Steelers (7-2) slipped by Commanders (7-3), 28-27 

Ravens (7-3) slipped past Bengals (4-6), 35-34

Dolphins (2-6) visit Rams (4-4) tonight 

Chiefs (8-0) overcame Broncos (5-5), 16-14

3. Chris and I saw this haunting Thanksgiving lawn decoration yesterday on our bike ride. The skeleton was used for Halloween, but has been updated for Thanksgiving with the shirt that reads: Gobble Till You Drop! 

4. I am amazed at the difference this Monday brings over last Monday. Last Monday the world had hope that America would continue to be the leader of democracy for freedom loving people; today that hope is gone as we even now begin to look inward for the imagined "enemy within." Until this morning's news I had hope that the House of Representatives might be under Democratic control, but looking at the numbers, that seems unlikely now and so there are literally no rails on the president-elect and his plans to remake America into his own image. Well, it may not be his own image, but rather Viktor Orbán's image. 

5. My post-election unanswered question is: Why did about 12 million Americans stay home and not vote? 

6. Today in History. On a day like today, in 1918, the Armistice of Compiègne was signed in France between the Allies and Germany, with the aim of ending hostilities on the western front of the First World War. The main signatories were Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander-in-chief of the Triple Entente forces, and the German representative, Matthias Erzeberger.

About 9 million soldiers lost their lives, 21 million were wounded and almost 10 million civilians died, indirectly, victims of the war. The two most affected countries were Germany and France, which sent approximately 80% of their male population between the ages of 15 and 49 to the battlefield.

After the armistice, in 1919 the peace treaty of Versailles was signed, in which Germany was obliged to reduce its troops by half, pay large compensations to the victorious countries, cede all its colonies and return Alsace-Lorraine to France. However, the treaty was unsuccessful: Germany said that it had signed the armistice under false pretexts, believing that peace was a "peace without winners." Germany's resentment towards the treaty and its authors is considered one of the causes of World War II, which occurred two decades later.

Trump is already causing massive disruption - CNN

Ukraine’s war effort faces uncertain future as Russia mounts record drone strikes - CNN

Tens of thousands of Chinese college students went cycling at night. That put the government on edge - CNN

Notre-Dame’s bells ring out for the first time since the devastating 2019 fire - CNN

Source says Trump told Putin not to escalate in Ukraine, Kremlin denies they spoke - Reuters

Oil falls as China stimulus fails to boost sentiment, US dollar strength - Reuters

New Zealand Maori begin march on capital to protest Indigenous treaty bill - Reuters

Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 - The Wall Street Journal

What Trump Can—and Can’t—Do on Day One - The Wall Street Journal

Republicans inch toward ‘trifecta’ control of House, Senate, White House - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Rough Football Day and Stuff

Stuart Airshow Fireworks and Drone Display
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

 Chris and I have begun watching college football on Saturdays when the Georgia Bulldogs are playing. 

I also continue to cheer for Syracuse and Maryland. 

Yesterday was a trifecta of misery: all three lost. 

Syracuse is having a solid season and should get a bowl invite as they are 6-3.  Georgia's loss probably takes them out of contention for the playoffs and a possible National Championship as they fell to 7-2. Maryland is mired in another so-so season at 4-5. 

I added an image from the fireworks and drone show the ended the first evening of the Stuart Airshow Friday night. It was so spectacular that I had to show more of it. The addition of drones, and at one point a piloted aircraft, really kicks the whole show up a notch. 

Today is football Sunday. The Ravens, thankfully, have already secured their win for the week on Thursday night. The other family teams are in action today and tomorrow. 

Do not forget that tomorrow is Veterans Day! Hug a veteran! OK, just say thank you for your service. For those who have a holiday tomorrow--enjoy the day. Veterans Day was when I used to set up the outside Christmas lights and decorations, although we did not light them until after Thanksgiving. Living in a condo, we do not have outside decorations anymore.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Opening Night Stuart Airshow

 

Stuart Airshow Fireworks
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

Chris and I went to the Veterans Day Weekend Stuart Airshow last year, but did not attend the opening night twilight and nighttime performances. Based upon what we experienced last evening, we missed a fantastic show. 

T-6 Titan Aerobatic Team
Stuart, FL
November 8, 2024

The show last evening was over the top. It began with a MiG-17 flight demonstration and only got better from there. There was an F-22, F/A-18J, the Titan Aerobatic Team, Nightime skydiving, a jet-powered truck, nighttime flying demonstrations with fireworks, and then to cap it all off the best fireworks and drone display that I have ever witnessed.

It was a spectacular display and a very enjoyable evening watching the sunset and the planes flying out of the setting sun. For those in the South Florida area, there are two more days of this fantastic airshow! Don't miss it.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#stuartairshow #stuartairshow2024

Tortoise by the Street

Tortoise Enjoying the Day
Tequesta, FL
November 7, 2024

 I managed an 18-mile ride yesterday. I really needed the ride to get my mind in a better place.

Wow. 

The craziness has already begun. 

There was more traffic than usual on my ride. Lots of lawn workers and municipal activity not to mention the trash trucks. There was one stretch where they had dug up the sidewalk to lay new pipes, but of course the sign announcing that was right before the construction and there was not other way to get past except to walk my bike in the street going against traffic. Thanks guys!

With the holiday coming, there are lots of preparations and planning that need attention. Chris and I still have not clarified our in-between Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. There is a ten-day gap where we will either hang around Maryland or come back to Florida (fly or drive?) for a brief time. 

I'm sure we will get it sorted soon.

The highlight of my ride yesterday was the tortoise by the street. It did not seem to mind my presence, which was nice. One thing I like about my Ray Ban Smart Glasses is that they allow me to snap images while on the move. IN this one the pole got in the way. I'm never sure exactly when the image is taken. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Day After the Day After

 

Sandhill Cranes
Tequesta, FL
November 6, 2024

So I am still in shock at the election outcome and the red wave. 

Chris and I managed a short, 12 mile, bike ride yesterday which did help alleviate some of my pent up frustration. It was good to be back out on the bike and able to process the events of the previous 24 hours. I enjoyed seeing a pair of sandhill cranes and a tortoise along my ride.

I have to admit I'm having a problem coming to grips with the American people electing a convicted felon and sex offender who has demonstrated misogynistic, traitorous, biased, authoritarian, and egomaniacal tendencies and who also, by the way, does not respect The Constitution.  

But, we did!

Yes, I say we. I am an American and I have to shoulder the burden of what just happened along with the rest of We the People. 

He is my president-elect, too.

Wow, I needed that bike ride. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Why Vandals?

Chris and I celebrated an Election Day Happy Hour at our favorite watering hole surrounded by many Trump supporters last evening. We seemed to be a small group of blue amidst many people, and their dog, decked-out in red. 

Well, red carried the night. I do not fully comprehend the concept of Making America Great Again--since, we continue to be the most powerful country on Earth in terms of military capacity and economics. But, I guess we will see the what is in store beginning in late-January. 

During my visit to the restroom, I was appalled to see the damage vandals had caused to a wall decoration. 

Why? I asked myself. Why do people feel the need to destroy things that are not theirs? The painting had been in the restroom since we have been visiting Tiki52 and I do not understand how anyone would feel it proper to destroy another's property. 

We saw similar activities associated with lawn signs during the thankfully now concluded campaign. Understand, people buy lawn signs to display them, yet some in our society believe they are empowered to steal the signs or to damage them.

If this is an example of making America great again, I'm not sure that is what I am looking for. Thuggishness and vandalism have no place in society. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Christmas Arriving Early

 

Christmas Display
Gardens Mall, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
November 4, 2024

Although it is the season of the turkey, Christmas has already arrived on the scene to steal the day. I remember as a kid that the official beginning of the Christmas Season was not until Santa arrived at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Not so anymore. 

It promises to be a long and arduous Christmas Season. Christmas is already everywhere. I even saw a lighted Christmas tree in the front window of a car dealership as Chris and I drove past during the early morning hours last Friday after arriving in Ft Lauderdale.  

But before that we have a few other important events and activities, for instance:

Today is Election Day, it is finally here. Maybe my email and texts will calm down after today. If you haven't yet--VOTE!

And then there is Veterans Day on the 11th.

Followed by Thanksgiving on the 28th. 

After Thanksgiving we can turn our attention full-time to Christmas!

Leet's not rush things, it will all happen soon enough.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - November 4, 2024

 

Election Day is Tomorrow -VOTE

1. Welcome to November and the return of Standard Time. It got dark early last evening. This is the first Monday of November. Hopefully by this time next week we will know who will be President come January. There are 8 Mondays remaining in the year. 

Flawed View of the Hoover Dam
October 30, 2024

2. Don't forget to start your holiday planning. 

3. Family NFL Report. Family teams went 2-2 with the Steelers on a BYE and the Chiefs playing tonight. It is crunch time for the Cowboys who were listless in their loss.

Cowboys (3-5) lost to Falcons (6-3), 21-27

Steelers (6-2) were on a BYE 

Ravens (6-3) soared over Broncos (5-4), 41-10

Commanders (7-2) overcame Giants (2-7), 27-22

Dolphins (2-6) were stampeded by Bills (7-2), 27-30 

Chiefs (7-0) play Buccaneers (4-4) tonight

4. Bus trips have their plusses and minuses. On the plus side, Chris and I were able to visit the Grand Canyon during our short vacation to Las Vegas. On the minus side we spent 10 ours on our backsides riding in a bus to get to the Grand Canyon and back. We also got a short glimpse of Joshua Trees and the Hoover Dam. My view of the Hoover Dam was from the wrong side of the bus and I got an extremely flawed view of the magnificent structure.

5. Today in History. British archaeologist Howard Carter and his workmen discover a step leading to the tomb of King Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt on November 4, 1922.

When Carter first arrived in Egypt in 1891, most of the ancient Egyptian tombs had been discovered, though the little-known King Tutankhamen, who had died when he was 18, was still unaccounted for. After World War I, Carter began an intensive search for “King Tut’s Tomb,” finally finding steps to the burial room hidden in the debris near the entrance of the nearby tomb of King Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings. On November 26, 1922, Carter and fellow archaeologist Lord Carnarvon entered the interior chambers of the tomb, finding them miraculously intact. 

A tumultuous campaign is ending with a contrast - CNN

At least 36 dead after overcrowded bus skids into deep gorge in northern India - CNN

Israel's strikes on Iran spark interest in air-launched ballistic missiles - Reuters

Chinese solar firms go where US tariffs don't reach - Reuters

Spain deploys more troops to flood zone where public anger rises - Reuters

Iran Tells Region ‘Strong and Complex’ Attack Coming on Israel - The Wall Street Journal

Kim Jong Un Is Embracing Russia for His Regime’s Survival - The Wall Street Journal

CDC: Pertussis case reports are 5 times higher than at this time last year - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Economics of Tariffs

They say the election is about the economy.  

If it is then looking forward, rather than backward, Americans should be concerned about the impact of tariffs on the economy. One specific area of concern relates to Tech products. 

The CTA predicts [PDF] that the increased cost of importation, and retaliatory tariffs from other countries, would raise the cost of a laptop by 46 percent, a gaming console by 40 percent, and smartphone prices would be 26 percent more expensive. As a result, the association expects demand to fall 54, 57, and 44 percent, respectively.

"At their core, these proposals are tools for the US government to grab as much tax revenue as possible from the American people," said CTA CEO Gary Shapiro. "The proposed tariffs will not create more employment or manufacturing in the US. In fact, the opposite may happen where our productivity decreases and jobs may be lost over time when workers and businesses have less affordable access to technology."

The report points out that, for example, in the case of smartphones, there is virtually no manufacturing capability in the US, beyond a few refurbishing companies. (The Register)

Tariffs broadly applied will likely cause a major disaster in the economy. 

And here is a fun fact: 3 of the last 4 presidents faced economies on the brink of recession when they took office. Which president did not? Trump. 

Obama handed Trump a thriving economy for which Trump takes all of the credit. Important note, the inflation rate for Trump's term was 1.9%, but under Obama it was only 1.4%. The inflation rate during Biden's term, so far, has been 5.2%.  (Investopedia)

Trump, it must be remembered, handed Biden an economy on the brink of disaster AND a pandemic which saw, it is estimated, over 600,000 Americans die needlessly due to Trump's negligence.The Biden team pulled off a never before seen soft landing for the economy which was able to lower inflation from a high of 9.1% to just above 2% without spawning a recession. 

How do tariffs raise inflation: 

"The prices of all domestic goods will rise because they won't have foreign competition, at least some service prices will rise too," she said. "So you have the secondary price effect on domestic prices, which we've seen before with the open aluminum tariffs, with tariffs on washing machines, with tariffs on some of the things that were coming from China." (The Register)

Tariff Realities: Trump claims that foreign countries like China pay for the tariffs, and therefore they're subsidizing us. Well, that's wrong. And no, foreign countries are not going to pay for Social Security, childcare, or anything else. In the first round of the Trump tariffs, a lot of the effects were born by the intermediaries--wholesalers, retailers, distributors, et cetera. These intermediaries absorbed some of the cost of tariffs through lower profit markups. They also avoided the tariffs by shifting their sourcing to countries without tariffs. So, the United States didn't really see a big increase in consumer prices. But new tariffs, especially if they're large and they're applied to all imports like Trump suggests, so that firms couldn't escape them, would be much more likely to push up prices for consumers.  (American University)

If Trump gets elected, buy your tech items before he is sworn in, else wait 4 years. Oh yea, and get ready for the recession that Biden's team avoided.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Reflections of the Grand Canyon, in Slow Time

 I have already written at some length about our less than satisfactory return trip from Las Vegas to Ft Lauderdale, but I want to take some time and write about what we saw and felt during our time at the Grand Canyon. 

Grand Canyon
October 30, 2024

The Grand Canyon is:

Stupendous

Awesome

Magnificent

Grand

It is so grand that it is hard to get a good image of it. I used the panorama function of my cell phone and got some good memories, but even so the images do not do the overwhelming size and magnificence of the canyon justice. 

Mountain Goats
Grand Canyon
October 30, 2024

We saw a couple mountain goats during our all-to-brief time at the Grand Canyon. They were not good subjects as they kept their backsides pointed at us. The image does not show how they were atop an outcropping far above the floor of the canyon.  

The colors of the canyon were stunning and the walk along the Rim Trail provided the opportunity not just to see and enjoy, but to learn as well. There is a geologic history along the trail with samples of the different formations which comprise the geologic history. We were able to touch and see pieces of the Earth dating back over 1 billion years. It was inspiring. 

Grand Canyon from the Rim Trail
October 30, 2024

I guess what impressed me most was the overwhelming size and complexity of the Grand Canyon. I had never imagined it to be so vast. And I know that Chris and I only scratched the surface of the canyon. 

Late October seems like a good time to visit. The crowds were light, but even so at some places it was hard to get to the rail along the trail to take in the fullness of the scene. We hikes about 2.5 miles from Mather Point to the Bright Angel Lodge along the Rim Trail. The tour guide told us it usually takes 1h 30m to do the trail, but because we took our time we used all of our allotted 3 hours to make the trek. 

Someday, I hope to return. There is so much more to see and do, but this was a grand introduction.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL