Monday Musings - July 21, 2025

 

1. It is Monday again! Yup. It is the 3rd Monday of July with only one Monday remaining in the month and 23 remaining in the year. 

2. Where do you stand on the President? Here is a summary of Trump's approval ratings:

Those numbers break down by policy like this: Gallup polls show that only 35% of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration policy with 62% opposed. A new poll out from CBS News/ YouGov today shows that support for Trump’s deportations has dropped ten points from the start of his term, from 59% to 49%. Fifty-eight percent of Americans oppose the administration’s use of detention facilities. The numbers in a CNN/SSRS poll released today are even more negative for the administration: 59% of Americans oppose deporting undocumented immigrants without a criminal record while only 23% support such deportations, and 57% are opposed to building new detention facilities while only 26% support such a plan. (Letters from an American)

Skink
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

3. I have one more image from the Reptile Supershow that I could not publish yesterday. I did consider, briefly, this skink! But only briefly. He almost fits into his allotted space. 

4. According to recent draft budget documents, President Trump appears set to freeze the pay of civilian federal workers in 2026. The news came from a passback, essentially the Office of Management and Budget’s response to individual budget submissions from agencies. A copy of one agency’s passback says the document’s funding levels “reflect a pay freeze for civilian employees in calendar year 2026.” (Trumpfile)

5. Apparently the Orioles have decided to pack in the rest of the season. They opened the post-All Star Game portion of the season by losing 2 of 3 games. They are 5-5 for their last 10 games and that is not good enough to make the post season. The Orioles have returned to 10 games under .500. It is estimated that to have a reasonable chance at a Wild Card Playoff spot requires 84 wins. That means the Orioles must to win 40 of their remaining 64 games (.625).

6. This Day in History. The First Battle of Bull Run (a/k/a Manassas). On July 21, 1861, in the first major land battle of the Civil War, a large Union force under General Irvin McDowell is routed at the First Battle of Bull Run by a Confederate army under General Pierre G.T. Beauregard.

Three months after the Civil War erupted at Fort Sumter, Union military command still believed that the Confederacy could be crushed quickly and with little loss of life. In July, this overconfidence led to a premature offensive into northern Virginia by General McDowell. Searching out the Confederate forces, McDowell led 34,000 troops—mostly inexperienced and poorly trained militiamen—toward the railroad junction of Manassas, located just 30 miles from Washington, D.C. Alerted to the Union advance, General Beauregard massed some 20,000 troops there and was soon joined by General Joseph Johnston, who brought some 9,000 more troops by railroad.

On the trade war frontlines, a US guitar string maker refines its strategy - Reuters

Israel sends tanks into Gaza's Deir Al-Balah, raising concerns among hostages' families - Reuters

At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus - Reuters

Major Ukrainian drone attacks sow chaos at Moscow's airports - Reuters

Trump threatens Washington stadium deal unless NFL team readopts Redskins name - Reuters

Hegseth ousts Naval Academy’s first female superintendent, adding to pattern - MSNBC

Tulsi Gabbard reveals 'historic' intelligence plot allegedly targeting President Trump - FoxNews

Harvard and Trump to face off in court today: Here’s a timeline of how the fight escalated - The Washington Post

Trump’s tariffs could upend U.S. trade with E.U., a global export power - The Washington Post

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Exotic Plants and Reptiles

Chris with a Python
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

 We did something very different yesterday. You might have guessed from the banner; Chris and I attended a Reptile & Exotic Plant Supershow. We had no idea! I have never seen so many lizards, snakes, tortoises, and a few other animals in one place even in a zoo.

Eyelash Gecko in Chris' Hands
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

Chris really enjoyed the whole scene. She held a gecko, petter a snake or three, and even met and stroked a skunk!

We had a good time walking arounds and enjoying how the crowds, made up of a lot of boys with their families, were fascinated in the reptiles. The plant part of the show was interesting, but not nearly as fascinating as the replies. And there were a lot of lizards and snakes! And there were snakes of all kinds. 

I did not think the prices were too terrible, if someone really wanted a reptile or snake as a pet. Of course, there are a lot of extras required to keep a snake or reptile alive and writing of alive, that seems to mean live food. 

Chris and the Skunk
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

We wandered around for a while enjoying the displays and the animals. For our amusement there was also a sloth and a joey prepared for a hands-on experience. 

Chameleon
West Palm Beach, FL
July 19, 2025

As for the skunk--he was a sad case but had landed in a good place. His first owners overfed him and kept him in a small enclosure. He developed hip problems and can barely walk. His current life, though, is as a therapy animal and he is very soft! And cuddly, but we could not pick him up. He definitely enjoyed the attention.

Just for completeness, there was a tropical fish section of the show and there was a pig was in attendance as another exotic pet. Also, not all of the animals were constrained. There was one exhibit with chameleons in potted plants. They were colorful. 

OK, so we had fun. It was something we had never done and it was definitely worth the price of admission!

And for those of you wondering, yes, there was a lot of hand sanitizer available. Some of the exhibitors wanted people to sanitize their hands before handling the animals--to protect the animals!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Meditating on the Beach

Blowing Rocks Beach, Jupiter Island
July 18, 2025

 I headed off to the beach yesterday afternoon to enjoy the 105 degree stress index heat and commune with the ocean. 

I would like to say it was a religious experience, but the hot sun beat down on my back while I was trying to enjoy to somewhat cooler ocean breeze and the waves. 

Alone on a popular Florida beach! That in itself was a miracle because just a couple hundred yards away on the other side of the island the ICW beaches were jam-packed with boaters and beach goers. The oceanside of the island provided a solitary experience. All the while I was there only two joggers joined me briefly. 

I would like to have remained longer, but I had forgotten to bring a beach chair. My stay was then, necessarily short because I did not want to take a lot of the beach with me into the car when I departed.

Reconnected, I departed and drove home to enjoy the evening.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

*ICW - Intracoastal Waterway

First 20-miler of the Month

Crossing the Southwest Fork of the Loxahatchee
Jupiter, FL
July 18, 2025

 I just completed a 22-mile ride. It was my first over-20 mile ride of the month. Even in the heat and humidity, it felt good and I checked out some side streets that I have not ever ridden. 

It seems that I am more and more crossing the A1A Bridge linking Tequesta and Jupiter as sell as the new US-1 bridge. But, the Loxahatchee River surrounds almost everywhere I ride, except when I go due south over the US-1 bridge.  

Today's Bike Route
Jupiter and Tequesta, FL
July 18, 2025

Because I toured many smaller streets, it took a bit longer than usual to complete the ride. 

Before the ride was complete, I crossed some portion of the Loxahatchee River six times. That is a personal, although dubious, record for a single ride. 

I don't see the need to complete many 20-plus miler rides as they take me away from Chris and the house for too long. The weather also gets very uncomfortable the closer to noon as I am completing them. Today's ride took just under two hours, and when I write just under I mean by less than a minute. It was the first day in a few weeks where I did not feel that I was trying to beat the rainclouds home. 

Well, I will have to see what else today brings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Backsies

Finnegan on my Chair
Tequesta, FL
July 16, 2025

 Finn actually did not care that I called backsies. He jumped into my chair and proceeded to make it his, despite my protestations. 

Well, he is a dog, after all. 

I had only stood to get some water before resuming my computer work, but since Chris was in sitting in char next to mine, Finn decided to take my now empty chair for his own. That I called backsies did not matter. 

It had been a long day. I had canceled our boat reservation based upon the advice of the marina because of expected weather--that put a big hole in our day. 

I managed a short 12-mile bike ride in-between the storm clouds, but that was pretty much the extent of my outdoors activity. 

Another stormy day is on tap, sadly. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It Must Stop

Blowing Rocks Marina
Tequesta, FL
July 15, 2025

 I am, frankly, tired of hearing the nonsense and lies being spewed by the administration to justify their positions. Often they do not even address the actual question, but respond with a quick answer that usually includes something about hating democrats and how democrats hate America. 

That must stop!

Democrats, as a group, do not hate America. I believe as a group democrats love America more than republicans--it is just that democrats have a different vision for the country than the republicans. I believe the democrats' vision is more inclusive and accepting of the diverse nature that is the United States.  

The vilification of groups, nationalities, ethnicities, or genders is definitely NOT American! We must be an inclusive society. The idea that we can return to a "melting post" from our "salad" is misdirected. 

It is OK to have differing visions for America; it is not OK to vilify the opposition. Diversity of thought and beliefs makes the country stronger. 

Let's work together to make our country better!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

Gully Washer

 And so Tuesday has arrived. 

At least it will is Tiki Tuesday! That should be fun, if the incessant rains can hold up for a day or so. 

Yesterday was pretty much a washout. It rained, off and on, all day. There was more than one gully washer. I was weathered out of my morning bike ride and with the exception of an hour or so, the entire day was dreary and wet. Ugh.  

Today, it seems, we will enjoy a short respite this morning and then by about 1:30 PM the rains will arrive. The image is the projected rain/thunderstorm situation at 1:33 PM. 

Chris and I have busy mornings planned and it seems as if we should just consider hunkering down for the afternoon. I am hoping that the weather clears by Happy Hour so that we can enjoy Tiki52. If not, we may have to frequent another watering hole. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - July 14, 2025

 Happy Bastille Day!

Vive la France

Bastille Day Celebrations
Paris, France

1. Welcome to the second Monday of July. Today is also my second favorite foreign holiday: Bastille Day. There are 24 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. It has been an exciting and busy week in the rearview and Chris and I are anticipating a continuation this week. The weather may even be conducive for a boating adventure!

3. Fumbling the Ball. On July 5, the day after the Texas floods hit, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received 3,027 calls from survivors and answered 3,018 of them, about 99.7%, according to Maxine Joselow of the New York Times. But that day, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not renew the contracts for four call center companies that answered those calls. The staff at the centers were fired. The next day, July 6, FEMA received 2,363 calls and answered 846, or about 35.8%. On Monday, July 7, FEMA received 16,419 calls and answered 2,613, around 15.9%. (Letters from an American)

4. The Orioles stumbled into the All Star break by losing their last two games and managing only 1 run. They have improved to 9 games under .500, but the other day they were a competitive 7 games under. Hopefully the break will allow the team to rest and heal. The second half push is about to get underway and it's serious. 

5. There is a lot of swirl in Washington right now over the Epstein files and tape. Maybe there isn't a Deep State? You know, if they are alleging it, they're doing it. Notice how when things get too close for comfort, there is a massive redirection in the churn? Last week we were into immigration and the 4th amendment. Now it is Epstein! Keep the swirl going. Oh yes, and blame Democrats for everything. If Democrats were as nefarious as they allege, then how did Trump get elected? 

6. Tom Homan, the Border Czar, demonstrated a total unfamiliarity with the law when he said: "People need to understand ICE officers and Border Patrol don't need probable cause to walk up to somebody, briefly detain them, and question them ... based on their physical appearance." (MSNBC) If the leaders don't understand the Constitution and the law, how can their agents be expected to abide by the law? If you think ICE is not being developed as a secret police, look again.

7. Today in History. July 14, 1789. The French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799, during which revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy of the Ancien Régime, ruled by King Louis XVI. Government efforts at reform had failed. When Louis XVI convened the Estates‑General in 1789, the Third Estate (or class of common people) broke away to form the National Assembly and called for a new constitution. 

The full-scale revolt began in July 1789 with a surge of popular unrest when Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority. This event led to the abolition of feudal privileges and sparked uprisings across the country. The newly formed National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, enshrining the principles of liberty, equality, and legal protection under the law.

Initial moderate attempts at governance gave way to fragile tensions and violence, setting the stage for a period known as the Reign of Terror. Led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, tens of thousands were executed as suspected enemies of the revolution.

After Robespierre's fall in 1794, political infighting, corruption, and continued warfare eroded the new government’s authority. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte seized control in a coup, ending the revolutionary era.

Two-thirds of the DOJ unit defending Trump policies in court have quit - Reuters

Tariffs latest: EU trade ministers meeting to discuss new US 30% rate - Reuters

Trump to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, US envoy visits Kyiv - Reuters

Israeli missile hits Gaza children collecting water, IDF blames malfunction - Reuters

The White House's latest partisan accusation is inflammatory nonsense - MSNBC

White House border czar suggests ICE can detain people based on ‘physical appearance’ - MSNBC

Trump gets mixed reception at soccer final, a test run for the World Cup - The Washington Post

EU warns that its trade with the US could be effectively wiped out if Trump follows through on his threat - CNN

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Footprints in the Sand

Footprints in the Sand
Jupiter Island, Tequesta, FL
July 13, 2025

 Chris, Finn, and I headed out for a beach walk this morning. The day had dawned beautiful with blue clear skies and a light, I think it is Saharan Dust, haze. 

We decided to head back over to the beach and enjoy a walk along the shore. As I stood at the base of the stairs which cross the dune, I was amazed by the numbers of footprints I saw in the sand. Beyond the beach the ocean was flat and inviting with the recently risen sun reflecting off the water. 

Blue Heron Fishing Vessel Heading Out
Tequesta, FL
July 13, 2025

I knew we were in for an enjoyable beach walk.

In the distance, on the flat ocean motoring out of the Jupiter Inlet, I spied the Blue Heron drift fishing vessel heading out with its passengers for a morning of ocean fishing. It has been more than a few years since I paid for a spot on the Heron and headed out to fish. I have only once actually caught anything that was edible--but I always had fun.

Chris, Finn, and I added our footprints to the sand along the stretch of beach, although many of them washed away in the rising tide. We noted that we had been preceded not only by people, but birds, dogs, and a number of sea turtles. It was fun to read the signs of those who had gone before the wind and waves washed them away. 

Footprints in the sand are, after all, only a temporary record of those who have come before us.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Changing up the Day

Jupiter Island Beach
Tequesta, FL
July 11, 2025

Chris and I changed our usual activities yesterday. 

We did something that we had not done in a very long time, we began the day with a walk on the beach. It was a beach that we used to frequent often, but had not visited in more than a few months.

The walk was fun and we saw many turtle nests. I was actually surprised at how many nests were on this lightly used beach. We walked well over a mile along the beach enjoying the breeze, the sun, and finding treasures along the way. There had been an eruption of turtles during the night that was being examined by a staff member from the turtle center, but we did not see any baby turtles. 

For our afternoon excitement we went to the movies and watched Superman. Both Chris and I enjoyed it and it was refreshing because it was not an origin movie, but an action movie that spared us Mose of Superman's history. The dog, Krypto, stole the show!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL