Monday Musings - September 15, 2025

 

1. It is the third Monday of September. There are 15 Mondays remaining in the year. The Vernal Equinox happens on September 23! Autumn is coming. 

Lizard on the Glass
Tequesta, FL
September 14, 2025

2. Family NFL Results. Family teams went 2-4 for the second week in a row, not a good start to the young season. Interesting side note, the Ravens scored one more point this week than last week and it helped ensure their win, unlike last week's loss. And who would have believed the Chiefs would begin the season 0-2.

Ravens (1-1) trampled Browns (0-2), 41-17

Cowboys (1-1) snuck past Giants (0-2), 40-37

Commanders (1-1) came up short to Packers (2-0), 18-27

Dolphins (0-2) drowned by Patriots (2-0), 27-33

Steelers (1-1) crushed by Seahawks (1-1), 17-31

Chiefs (0-2) scalped by Eagles (2-0), 17-20 

3. When Donald Trump uses the phrase “radical left”, he generally means political opponents, activists, or groups aligned with progressive/Democratic causes. However, when we look specifically at mass shootings or politically motivated attacks in the U.S., the data doesn’t really support the idea of the “radical left” being a major driver. 

According to the FBI and DHS (as well as research by groups like the Center for Strategic and International Studies), far-right extremism has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of ideologically motivated shootings and terrorist attacks in the U.S. in recent decades (examples: El Paso 2019, Pittsburgh synagogue 2018, Charleston 2015, Buffalo 2022).

Left-wing extremist shootings are extremely rare, with the 2017 Scalise shooting being the standout case.

(Chat GPT) 

4. It had been a tumultuous few days in America. I wish we could cease the name calling and incendiary rhetoric. We are be better than this. 

5. As I was walking up to my front door yesterday, I notices a small lizard on the window looking into the house. I guess it wanted to get out of the heat. It is very rare that lizards are seen on the windows, although they are plentiful on the ground around the shrubbery. 

6. Just as a reminder amidst all of the vile sputum. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:36-40)

7. Today in History. On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeats Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his career, the first fighter ever to do so. Following his victory, Ali retired from boxing, only to make a brief comeback two years later. Ali, who once claimed he could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” left the sport permanently in 1981.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 14, 1942, the future world champ changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964 after converting to Islam. He earned a gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and made his professional boxing debut against Tunney Hunsaker in October 1960, winning the bout in six rounds. On February 25, 1964, Ali defeated the heavily favored Sonny Liston in six rounds to become heavyweight champ, after which he famously declared, “I am the greatest!”

Trump vows national emergency in Washington, DC over ICE dispute - Reuters

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect not cooperating with authorities, Utah governor says - Reuters

Oil edges up after attacks on Russian energy facilities - Reuters

Why the most advanced military in the world is playing catchup on the modern battlefield - CNN

Kash Patel’s difficulties and embarrassments at the FBI do not go unnoticed - MSNBC

Federal Reserve set to meet next week amid chaos from Trump’s attacks on the Fed - MSNBC

‘Things have changed’: Schumer threatens government shutdown over health care - MSNBC

Trump threatens to call national emergency in Washington DC over Ice cooperation - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL  

Sunday Wanderings

Tigger on the Counter
Port St Lucie, FL
September 11, 2025

 We made it to Sunday. 

Take a deep breath.

Despite the vile rhetoric being spewed by too many people in positions of authority, we are still here. 

Why do we have to continue to put labels  on people and groups of people? 

And then, why do we have to generalize the actions of the an entire group? Clearly, that is wrong. 

Even more sadly, when the generalization is wrong, the people spewing the vile statements don't apologize. They just wait, apparently, for a time when they can make their assertions again and be correct for an isolated and unique instance. 

I am really tired of hearing the labels radical left or radical right. Why can't we just be Americans who have different points of view? And it seems the right wants to blame the left for the very things that the right is actually doing--like depriving people of their rights to choose. 

Florida, for instance, calls itself the Free State of Florida at the direction of the right-leaning governor. Why then can't I choose to get the Covid-19 vaccine? I went to Walgreen's and was told they were not allowed to give the shots in Florida.

I asked Chat GPT about the inaccuracy of the phrase and it provided the following comment: “Florida calls itself the ‘Free State,’ but it bans books, censors teachers, restricts voting, takes away reproductive rights, and even tells people which bathrooms they can use. That’s not freedom — that’s selective freedom for some, and fewer rights for others.”

So, turning to other things, I took the image of Tigger during our last visit with him before his family returned home. I enjoyed spending time with Tigger because he is a unique cat with a great personality. I especially enjoyed the way he ran across the house to greet me as I came through the door. 

That makes me smile a lot more than all of the stuff on the news lately. 

Happy Sunday.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

More of the Rain

Afternoon Storms
Tequesta, FL
September 12, 2025

 We have been suffering through a very rainy pattern for the past few weeks. 

That has meant afternoon, and sometimes morning, storms which are locally heavy. 

We need the rain as I believe the region remains on the border of drought conditions, but wow--it sure puts a damper on beach time. 

I also find it difficult to ride my bike. I just do not enjoy riding in the rain.

Conditions are forecasted to improve both in terms of less rain and cooler temperatures during the next week. 

I am looking forward to the improvement. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Colorless Day

Colorless Day on the River
Tequesta, FL
September 11, 2025

 Yesterday was a colorless day. 

There were tears of anguish over senseless political violence and over another school shooting.

I saw that the morning haze sapped the color out of the day as I rode over the river in Tequesta. 

It is as if the world was mourning the loss of innocence, the acceptance of unbridled greed, inhuman actions, wars that cannot be stopped, and leaders who forment hate, anger, and distrust for their own aggrandizement. 

It was Patriot Day. As Americans stopped to remember 9/11, the weight of the passing years and the continuing toll of that day further sapped color from a mourning country. I remember the images of 9/11 after the towers fell--everything was covered in colorless gray dust and we all cried with concern for the families of the victims. 

We rose from the ashes 24 years ago, but I'm not sure we have strengthened our Republic. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

STOP! Political Violence is Unacceptable

Charlie Kirk (1993-2025)

 I mourn Charlie Kirk. I pray for his family. 

I am angered at the senseless violence and also at the response of people, including the President, who are skewing facts and ignoring that political violence has occurred against democrats and republicans. I wish some of those spewing their virulent words would have felt as strongly about political violence when the Democratic leader and her husband were murdered in Minnesota during June. Or when the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania's house was subjected to an arson attack while he and his family slept inside. 

I am angered not because I agreed with Charlie Kirk's political views, but because politically motivated violence is fundamentally wrong.

I disagreed with Charlie on nearly every issue, but I respected his right to hold his views. 

If we lose the right to have meaningful discourse and to disagree we will have lost America. 

I served in the Air Force for 21 years and then as a Federal Civilian for another 24 years to protect every American's right to disagree--or to agree, peacefully and without fear of retribution. 

Guns are not the way for civilized people to solve political disputes. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Happy Hump Day

Blowing Rocks Marina near Tiki52
Tequesta, FL
September 9, 2025

 Well it is Hump Day again! 

I remember the commercial with the camel yelling for Mike and asking if he knew what day it was. 

Makes me smile. 

It used to bring some levity at work when someone would say, "Mike, Mike do you know what day it is?"

Sandhill Cranes
Port St Lucie, FL
September 9, 2025

Guys named Mike hated that, although they always played along.

Chris, Finn, and I sheltered during a ferocious storm yesterday and then headed out to our Tuesday watering hole for some enjoyment and dinner. Tiki52 was nearly empty! The storm kept people away. Even the paid musician seemed less than interested in playing. 

Earlier during the day, I drove to Port St Lucie to visit with Tigger. He was being visited by a pair of sandhill cranes. I felt bad that I couldn't let him out to play with the birds, but the birds probably would have just walked away leaving him no better off. 

Plans for Hump Day are not nearly as exciting as yesterday turned out to be. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Moon and Palms

Moon and Palms
Tequesta, FL
September 8, 2025

 Yesterday morning, while taking Finn out for his morning  relief, I noted the Moon in the clear sky amidst the palms. I enjoyed the view and took an image of it to remind myself of the simple beauty of the scene. 

Shortly after the image was taken, the storms settled in for the day. It was damp, humid and rainy. I was not able to bike the streets and so I hopped on my recently repaired NordicTrack S22i and biked around Moorea in French Polynesia. I enjoyed the ride and the heat and humidity in my garage probably approximated the heat and humidity in Moorea where the ride I followed was videoed. 

I find that riding the S22i and following a video is tougher than actually biking because there is no coasting along allowed. The feet have to be pedaling all the time. As such, it makes the workout more efficient. But I miss seeing all of the activity around the my community. 

I am planning to ride this morning.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - September 8, 2025

 

1. And as the month races by, it is already the second Monday of September. Wow! The opening weekend of the NFL continues tonight. Just so we remember, there are 16 Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Democracy is under siege. Changing the name of the Department of Defense to Department of War is scary and demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding about the concept of defense. And then likening an operation against Chicago to the movie Apocalypse Now further demonstrates that senior leadership is unhinged in a frightening manner. The following represents not only an immature, but dangerous view of fellow Americans and is something that never should be uttered by an American president. 

Trump is quoted as follows in USA Today:

“I love the smell of deportations in the morning,” Trump said, converting a line about napalm in the Vietnam War to refer to deportations. “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” 

Tigger
Port St Lucie, FL
September 7, 2025

3. Sunday's excitement was driving to Port St Lucie to visit Tigger. Tigger's family is on vacation and while they have someone feeding him daily, Chris and I are familiar with Tigger and we actually can play with him a bit and just be with him. I love the way Tigger greets me when we show up at the door. He lets me hold him for a few minutes before he decides to play rough. I miss having a cat, but not enough to actually get a cat. Tigger and Finn actually get along really well. 

4. Family NFL Results. Yes, the NFL season is underway and the family teams were in action this weekend. Family teams went 2-3, not a good start. It seems that the Ravens are continuing their embarrassing 4th quarter collapses again this year by blowing a 15-point lead to the Bills to open the season. This marks the 10th time since 2022 that the Ravens have lost after blowing a 4th quarter lead. Not good!

Ravens (0-1) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory to Bills (1-0), 40-41

Cowboys (0-1) lost to Eagles (1-0), 20-24

Commanders (1-0) defeated Giants (0-1), 21-6

Dolphins (0-1) were stampeded by Colts (1-0), 8-33

Steelers (1-0) outlasted Jets (0-1), 34-32

5. Is the Trump administration targeting Baby Boomers? The vaccine policies of HHS coupled with reductions in Medicare and Medicaid are targeting the Boomers possibly with the intent to reduce expenditures for Social Security and medical expenses as well as federal pensions. How come no one is talking about this?

6. Given the weather this morning, I think I am going to ride the NordicTrack S22i for my workout. I don't want to get caught in a downpour on some busy street.

7. OK, while I'm on it and still fuming, I asked ChatGPT to review the Ravens 4th quarter blown lead losses since 2022 and it reported the following 10 disasters:

Total since 2022: 10 games

2022 season (4)

Week 2 vs Dolphins (L 38–42) — led 35–14 early in the 4th. PressBox

Week 6 at Giants (L 20–24) — 10-point 4th-quarter lead evaporated late. ESPN.com+1

Week 12 at Jaguars (L 27–28) — late lead lost on TD + 2-pt with :14 left. Baltimore Ravens+1

Week 17 vs Steelers (L 13–16) — led in 4th, allowed TD with :56 left. ESPN.com

2023 season (3)

Week 3 vs Colts (OT L 19–22) — led 19–16 in the 4th; tied on late FG, lost in OT.

Week 5 at Steelers (L 10–17) — led 10–8 late 4th; allowed go-ahead TD. ESPN.com

Week 10 vs Browns (L 31–33) — led 31–17 in 4th; Browns rallied to win. ESPN.comCBS News

2024 season (2)

Week 2 vs Raiders (L 23–26) — up 23–13 with ~12:00 left; gave up three straight scoring drives. ESPN.com+1Baltimore Ravens

Week 8 at Browns (L 24–29) — lost on TD with :59 left after holding a late lead. ESPN.com+1

2025 season (1)

Week 1 at Bills (L 40–41) — blew late 4th-quarter lead; walk-off FG beat them. ESPN.com

8. Today in History. September 8, 1974. In a controversial executive action, President Gerald Ford pardons his disgraced predecessor Richard M. Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. Ford later defended this action before the House Judiciary Committee, explaining that he wanted to end the national divisions created by the Watergate scandal.

The Watergate scandal erupted after it was revealed that Nixon and his aides had engaged in illegal activities during his reelection campaign–and then attempted to cover up evidence of wrongdoing. With impeachment proceedings underway against him in Congress, Nixon bowed to public pressure and became the first American president to resign. At noon on August 9, Nixon officially ended his term, departing with his family in a helicopter from the White House lawn. Minutes later, Vice President Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States in the East Room of the White House. After taking the oath of office, President Ford spoke to the nation in a television address, declaring, “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

Trump threatens 'WAR' in Chicago; Pritzker hits back at potential National Guard deployment - USA Today

South Korea to fly detained workers back as US vows more raids on employers - Reuters

UN says time is short to stop famine spreading as Israel bombards Gaza City - Reuters

Trump's 'Department of War' wants to bring back some of the worst aspects of American history - MSNBC

Military-related work absences at a 19-year high amid National Guard deployments - The Washington Post

 US considers banning Iranian diplomats from shopping at Costco during UN meeting - CNN

 Russia strikes Ukrainian government building for first time, in largest air attack of war - CNN

Trump fires back at reporter over Chicago question: 'That's why you're second-rate' - FoxNews

US treasury secretary denies Trump tariffs are tax on Americans - The Guardian

Republican condemns Vance for ‘despicable’ comments on Venezuelan boat strike - The Guardian

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

#mondaymusings

Football Induced Haze

Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach
Hobe Sound, FL
September 6, 2025

 I have been in a football induced haze since Thursday which is not expected to end until tomorrow night. The NFL season kicked off and I watched the Thursday and Friday editions of the NFL, then yesterday's storm-lengthened Georgia Bulldogs game, and I expect to watch three NFL games today and one tomorrow night. 

I am going to need a rest before beginning it all over again on Thursday.

I am not sure that I am ready for football season. The Ravens are the late game tonight.

It should be noted that the Orioles are still playing baseball and executed a stunning two-out bottom of the ninth walk-off comeback win last night over the Dodgers. They were no-hitter victims until the last out of the game--which, as it turns out, never arrived. Whew. 

Fortunately, I biked 23 miles yesterday and so I am physically fit and ready to tackle the sofa and watch the football games. My ride was one that I only do infrequently and usually on a weekend because there is less traffic. I biked to the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and stood on the edge of the sand to admire the beach. I noted that it was almost exactly 10 miles to the beach and then riding back along Jupiter Island's Beach Road adds about three miles. 

September is such a busy month!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was like a Ghost Town

Empty Parking Lot
Vero Beach Outlets, Vero Beach, FL
September 5, 2025

 Chris and I went on a shopping excursion yesterday. On a whim, we headed off to an outlet mall in Vero Beach. I felt it was time to expand our shopping area and thought heading off to one of the, what I thought was, premier outlet malls in the area would be fun. 

We drove for about an hour to arrive at the Vero Beach Outlets. The outlet mall is just off I-95 and is both well marked and easy to find. We expected to find a thriving economic area with a full parking lot, many busses and throngs of shoppers.

We found a ghost town. 

The place was nearly empty. We cruised the perimeter to find the shops we wanted to visit and noted many empty storefronts. The economic downturn, as evidenced in yesterday's jobs report, is real. We were part of a handful of shoppers. 

While we enjoyed shopping without crowds, it was a bit eerie. The complex seemed as if it had one foot in the grave on its way to total closure. The sales staffs in the stores were nice and provided individualized attention to us as we shopped. Chris bought a number of items because of the close-out pricing. AS this was a Chris focuses excursion, I did not do much "Bob" shopping.

Despite the desolate nature of the outlet mall, we had an enjoyable trip and we took a late lunch at Cracker Barrel before heading back to Tequesta. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL