Monday Musings - October 20, 2025

 

1. Happy 3rd Monday of October. The month continues to move away at seemingly light speed. There is one Monday remaining in October and ten Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. What a year it has been. On Saturday we experienced the largest civil protest in the history of the United States with 7 million people estimated to have participated. If you don't think there is a problem in the country right now, you might be out of touch. 

3. Family NFL Report. The NFL season continues to be a disaster for the family teams which are a combined (16-23-1). The Ravens and Dolphins remain especially dismal. 

Ravens (1-5) were thankfully on a bye.

Cowboys (3-3-1) scalped Commanders (3-4), 44-22 

Dolphins (1-6) drowned by Browns (2-5), 6-31

Steelers (4-2) came up short against Bengals (3-4), 31-33

Chiefs (4-3) blanked Raiders (2-5), 31-0 

4.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a president for all Americans? It appears we have a president who fancies himself as a crown-wearing fighter pilot dropping feces on the American public. I found the video, which was attached to a longer story about No Kings Day, at Sky News. We are truly scraping the bottom of the barrel.

5. Looking for answers. Why are we preparing to go to war with Venezuela? Worse, why is there so little transparency to support the potentially illegal actions that have been taken by blowing up ships in international waters? Would the republicans accept any of that from a democratic president?

6. Today in History. On October 20, 1947, the notorious Red Scare kicks into high gear in Washington, as a Congressional committee begins investigating communist influence in one of the world’s richest and most glamorous communities: Hollywood.

After World War II, the Cold War began to heat up between the world’s two superpowers—the United States and the communist-controlled Soviet Union. In Washington, conservative watchdogs worked to out communists in government before setting their sights on alleged “Reds” in the famously liberal movie industry. In an investigation that began in October 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) grilled a number of prominent witnesses, asking bluntly “Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” Whether out of patriotism or fear, some witnesses—including director Elia Kazan, actors Gary Cooper and Robert Taylor and studio honchos Walt Disney and Jack Warner—gave the committee names of colleagues they suspected of being communists.

Giant Russian gas plant suspends intake from Kazakhstan after Ukrainian drone strike - Reuters

Trump urged Ukraine's Zelenskiy to make concessions to Russia in tense meeting, sources say - Reuters

Trump's IVF announcement was the final blow to one of his wildest campaign promises - MSNBC

Fall in China's exports of rare earth magnets stokes supply chain fears - Reuters

In Trump's drug war, prisoners may be too much of a legal headache, experts say - Reuters

Trump mocks 'No Kings' marches - CNN

US conducts seventh strike on boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean - CNN

Colombia’s Leader Accuses U.S. of Murder, Prompting Trump to Halt Aid - The New York Times

Trump boards AF1 quickly, using small stairs due to 'increased security measures' - FoxNews

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

On a Wing

Pair of Ospreys
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
October 14, 2025

 The other afternoon, as Chris and I along with friends were sitting on the beach enjoying Happy Hour. I watched ospreys fly above the ocean. They are magnificent birds and we are fortunate to see them whenever we are near the ICW or the ocean. 

I marvel at the ospreys' ability to see fish in the water, dive and often enough catch dinner. Watching them struggle back into the air with a fish in their talons is sight to see. They are able to overcome the water, gaining altitude with each pull of their wings. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Saturday in America

 It is No Kings Day, version 2.

I have been very disturbed by the republicans view of the protests, especially those in positions of leadership. 

Let's be clear! To say the protests are anti-American is unconstitutional.

The protests today are uniquely American and they are protected by the Constitution.

Amendment 1 U.S. Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I have witnessed many recent events which weaken this amendment and I need to remind my friends that there is a good reason why this amendment is first in the Bill of Rights. This amendment, arguably, is the most important in the Bill of Rights because it helps preserve democratic functions of government. 

In the past weeks, the assault upon the 1st Amendment have been severe. 

The press has been stifled. We are getting no news about the potentially unlawful attacks on shipping in the Caribbean. The Pentagon created untenable restrictions on the press. 

I found that FoxNews signed the following to be especially insightful:

“The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections,” the outlets said.

To underscore: This is Hegseth’s own former employer saying he’s undermining freedom of the press. (CNN)

And for the planned rally today:

Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday slammed the No Kings protest march scheduled to take place at the National Mall next week, describing the planned protest as the “hate America rally” that would draw “the pro-Hamas wing” and “the antifa people.” 

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), another senior House Republican, also criticized the planned demonstration and blamed it for prolonging the shutdown. Telling reporters Democrats had caved to the “terrorist wing of their party,” Emmer alluded to a “hate America rally in D.C. next week.”  (Politico)

If you don't think the 1st Amendment is under attack, look again. 

So what is the purpose of today's rallies? Simple, in my mind it is to demonstrate to the Republican-controlled Congress that they are headed in the wrong direction. They have stopped listening to the constituents in their districts, maybe they will listen to "We the People!"

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Longest Trip Yet

2023 Mustang Mach-e in the Driveway
Tequesta, FL
October 17, 2025

 Chris and I have owned our Ford Mustang Mach-e for a year and a half. It has a paltry 9500 miles on it because we use it exclusively for driving around our local area. I had estimated its total annual mileage to be about 7000 and we are even below that number. 

Until yesterday, the Mach-e, which is an EV, had been charged at a commercial charge station twice. Once when we took delivery of it because it had less that 20 percent charge and we had not yet installed the charger in our garage, and then when Ford delivered the Tesla supercharger converter--just so we knew how to use it. 

Yesterday, was the third time the car was charged commercially. We drove to the Space Force Base near Cocoa Beach to get new ID cards and took the Mach-e. We had to stop on the way back for an energy. A Tesla Supercharger collocated with a gas station/restaurant was recommended by our mapping program. We enjoyed lunch while the car charged. Suffice it to say, we were nervous. Had the charger not worked I believe there was just enough energy to get home (with about 3 percent remaining), but it worked great and the cost was not too bad, 50 cents per KwH versus the 16 cents I pay at home. (BTW, the c/KwH is my total bill in $ with all the add-ins divided by KwH usage, so it is higher than the posted rate)

Wow! 

I guess we will be using the car for longer trips since we are more comfortable with the technology and the mapping program we use incorporates charging locations into its travel calculations. I also liked the self-driving aspect of the car on the open road. 

We may be ready to try a Florida to Maryland trip!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Another Day, Another Decade

Happy Birthday
Tequesta, FL
October 15, 2025

Chris has finally joined the next decade.

She crossed the line yesterday into her 70's and we celebrated in style. I made her favorite birthday cheese cake and we went out for a great dinner at a local Harbourside Place restaurant with friends. 

She chose to get her toes and nails done for the occasion.

Harbourside Place at Night
Jupiter, FL
October 15, 2025

The cheesecake was an all afternoon affair. It cracked! Ugh.

We had a great day together and an even better evening. I was amazed at how deserted the area around the restaurant was last evening. I guess everyone is hoping for the soon return of the snowbirds because most everywhere is devoid of customers. It is really nice for those of us who live here, but I'm not sure the lack of business can sustain the establishments. 

It is amazing how decades change and it feels like just another day. Wait! It is just another day. As she said this morning, "Yesterday was such a great day!"

Well, Happy Birthday to Chris and, God willing, many more!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Out onto the Waters

 

Heading out of Manatee Pocket
Port Salerno, FL
October 14, 2025

Yesterday was a fabulous boat day. 

OK, the weather was clear, but breezy, the water was choppy, and it wasn't a good lay on the beach day; but it was a great boat day. Why? Because we actually got onto the water and out on a boat. 

We motored to Stuart to do some shopping. I admit, I had to use all of my nautical skills to get the boat into the slip in Stuart due to the wind and current, but on the third try I figured it out and we slid in perfectly. 

We enjoyed shopping in Stuart and began our day with coffee and coffee cake at a local cafe. 

The winds grew a bit stronger on our return trip which caused me to cancel a proposed beach stop and head directly back. 

Sitting at the base of the Dune
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
October 14, 2025

Later that same day, we joined friends at Carlin Park for Happy Hour. The destruction of the beach caused by the hurricanes, even though they remained offshore was incredible. I figure we lost about 100 yards of beach. Waves were crashing on rocks where there a been sand that we enjoyed sitting on. The drop-off where in front of our seats is where the waves were coming and with before had been a nice sloping beach to the ocean. 

We enjoyed our Happy hour, although there was not much room for other beach goers to pass in front of us. We had not enjoyed Happy Hour on the beach in a very long time due to travel and weather. 

It was great fun. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

As the Week Begins

View Down the North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
October 13, 2025

 I was able to get out on my bike to enjoy the spectacular weather we are experiencing. The really nice weather arrived after almost a month of stormy, hot, humid weather which effectively put a damper on all outdoors activities. 

Water Covered Road
Jupiter, FL
October 13, 2025

I managed a 21-mile ride yesterday in the relatively cooler morning air with a fairly stiff wind from the north. The sky was clear and it was fun to be out on the streets. Since it was a federal holiday, I expected light traffic. That was not the case. It seemed everyone was out and about. 

I biked different places than I had biked on Saturday. I was shocked that some streets were still water covered, although I know these streets are subject to flooding at high tide and the king tides make them worse. I did manage to get coated with mud. I need to wash my bike and oil my chain after a couple days of wet riding. 

Today, due to the favorable weather, is a boating day. Yay. Chris, Finnegan, and I are looking forward to heading out on the water and the plan is to head to Stuart to do some shopping and lunch before heading back to the marina. Depending on the weather, we might have some beach time. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - October 13, 2025

 

1. Welcome to the second Monday of October. There are eleven Mondays remaining in the year. 

2. Family NFL Report. The NFL season continues to be a disaster for the family teams which are a combined (14-19-1). The Ravens and Dolphins are especially dismal. 

Ravens (1-5) smashed by Rams (4-2), 3-17

Cowboys (2-3-1) stampeded by Panthers (3-3), 27-30

Commanders (3-2) host the Bears (2-2) tonight

Dolphins (1-5) were drained by Chargers (4-2), 27-29

Steelers (4-1) took one away from Browns (1-5), 23-9

Chiefs (3-3) overcame Lions (4-2), 30-17 

Rain from 10/4 to 10/10

3. Today is a Federal Holiday. In recent years it had become known as Indigenous Peoples Day, but this our our President issued a proclamation full of historical inaccuracies which proclaimed the day Columbus Day.

4. Rain, we have had a bit. During the past week, we have experienced over 3 inches of rain. Ugh. But, today dawns cool and clear. Yes, cool with the morning temperature at 71 degrees and humidity almost non-existent for this area. 

5. Writing about the historical inaccuracies and downright false statements contained in the President's Columbis Day Proclamation, one wrote: What is arson, though, is the attempt to skew history to serve a modern-day political narrative. Rejecting an honest account of the past makes it impossible to see accurate patterns. The lessons we learn about how society changes will be false, and the decisions we make based on those false patterns will not be grounded in reality.

And a society grounded in fiction, rather than reality, cannot function. (Letters from an American)

6. OK, as an aside, I had to giggle when Trump called Columbus the original American hero in his Columbus Day Proclamation--he was an Italian sailing for Spain. How is that American? AND, OH BTW, America was named for Amerigo Vespucci, most everybody knows that!

7. Today in History. October 13, 1792. The cornerstone is laid for a presidential residence in the newly designated capital city of Washington, D.C. In 1800, President John Adams became the first president to reside in the executive mansion, which soon became known as the “White House” because its white-gray Virginia freestone contrasted strikingly with the red brick of nearby buildings.

The city of Washington was created to replace Philadelphia as the nation’s capital because of its geographical position in the center of the existing new republic. The states of Maryland and Virginia ceded land around the Potomac River to form the District of Columbia, and work began on Washington in 1791. French architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the area’s radical layout, full of dozens of circles, crisscross avenues and plentiful parks.

Climate tipping points are being crossed, scientists warn ahead of COP30 - Reuters

Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately severing external link to Zaporizhzhia plant - Reuters

Hamas deploys fighters as hostages released, in show of strength - Reuters

After two years of captivity, Hamas frees all remaining living hostages - MSNBC

Texas AG Ken Paxton announces ‘undercover’ investigations into liberals - MSNBC

Shutdown repercussions are getting more serious as the crisis worsens - CNN

‘Inexcusable’ brawl mars Chiefs victory over Lions - CNN

Historic wave of retirements is putting huge strains on the government - The Washington Post

Coal Miners With Black Lung Say They Are ‘Cast Aside to Die’ Under Trump - The New York Times

To Inflict Pain on Russians, Ukraine’s Drones Zero In on Oil Refineries - The New York Times

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

It was a Gray Day

Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
October 11, 2025

 I headed out for a bike ride yesterday. After being thwarted by storms for most of the week, I pushed the envelope a bit by heading out. It was very gray and, surprise surprise, cool. Yup, it was 73 degrees when I hit the streets. I thought briefly of turning around to get an additional shirt, but knew that after a couple miles I would not need it. And that was true.

Flooded Street in Turtle Creek
Tequesta, FL
October 11, 2025

I pushed a bit because a storm had just passed. I did not realize, when I started, but there was a lot of flooding on sidewalks and streets. The day was gray, as the image from the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta shows. Gray sky and an almost obscured horizon. I was lucky in that no rain actually fell on me during the ride. I was not so lucky with the streets. I camp upon water covered streets frequently and had to ride slowly and carefully through them.

Riding on a more major road, at one point, I was avoiding flooding by riding about two feet from the yellow centerlines with cars coming in the other direction. Everybody was taking it carefully. 

All-in-all, it was a nice ride. My legs were covered in mud when I got home and of course there was a big streak of mud up the middle of my back. 

I was happy that I got out to ride, even if it was a bit sloppy.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Something's Gotta Give

Welcome to Saturday. We get to lick the wounds of the week. The insanity in centered in D.C. is destroying the country. 

The news this morning is especially depressing.

Federal workers being RIFed (fired)

Trump threatening sweeping Chinese tariff changes which sent the stock market tumbling. I can't prove it, but I'm sure his crime family made money off that. 

 House speaker Johnson announced he would cancel another week’s session, making four weeks he has kept House members from their jobs. Johnson first sent the members home on September 19. Staying out of session means not working on the budget that is overdue or hammering out the necessary appropriations bills. It means not working on figuring out a way to extend the healthcare premium tax credits that Democrats are demanding.

It also means not swearing in Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who won election on September 23 and who will provide the 218th vote on a discharge petition to trigger a vote on a measure requiring the release of the files the government has on the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Letters from an American)

I found the following comment especially insightful:

Immigration lawyer Aaron Reichlin-Melnick commented: “Can you think of a single movie in which there is a video from the government denouncing its political opponents playing on a loop in public spaces in which that government was the good guy?” (Letters from an American)

I have to admit, I thought the budget standoff would be resolved before the 15th, which is the mid-month military pay day. However, Speaker Johnson's decision to keep house members out for another week indicates that there is no intention to actually resolve the shutdown. 

I am appalled that the solution to solving the budget problem seems to lie in making more people suffer. Thin about it--is that the kind of government we want? Self-aggrandizement at the expense of loyal employees?

And so, the Republicans are continuing to do the same thing over and wondering why nothing is changing. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL