A New Chapter in America

The page turns today at about Noon, Eastern Standard Time, as  President-elect Trump becomes the 45th President and the 44th President becomes former-President Obama. 

President Obama at his final news conference

It is very exciting. There is a lot of trepidation in many areas of the country, but much like four years ago, this transition should be a cause for celebration of an American institution. 

I have been very impressed with the President Obama's eloquence as he has orchestrated his departure and the transfer of the responsibilities of his office to his successor. 

This transfer of power excites me and reminds me of how great this nation is especially when compared to much of the world. Whether I agree with the policies of the outgoing or incoming President is immaterial, what is important is that the will of the people is implemented.

America first, party second. What makes us great is our ability to work together in a bipartisan manner for the good of the country. 

The Washington Post article titled, On Inauguration Day, respect for the office and hope for the nation sums it up.

We need more of that.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Great Celebration

Although the actual inauguration ceremony for the 45th President of the United States is tomorrow, some related activities begin today. The inauguration schedule has been posted. 

The peaceful transfer of power for the greatest country in the world is underway and while we agree with the choice, or not, this is where our process has brought us. We are on the brink of a new administration.

There are news reports of low approval ratings; however, perhaps the polling is as flawed as those done days before the election which indicated that the President-elect had a very slim chance to win the election that he ultimately won walking away. 

Thomas Jefferson

The inauguration is a uniquely American activity and in this case it culminates a two-year electoral process that ranks as one of the most contentious in history. I am reminded that the third election in American history, whereby Jefferson became the vice-president through some interesting subterfuge, may one of the most contentious and interesting as it also effectively launched the two-party system of American politics. 

So while many are protesting, I believe it is a time to celebrate the process if not the person. Elections and inaugurations are what makes America great, and I maintain that America is still great. And truer still, that people can disagree and protest without fear of retaliation or retribution is another reason that America is great.

If Americans celebrate and encourage diversity, then America will continue to be great, despite what some profess. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Lacking Perspective

The decision by many democratic congressmen and women to boycott the inauguration represents much of what is becoming wrong with America.

Even our leaders have lost their sense of perspective, history, and forbearance. 

Attending the inauguration activities is not an affirmation of the person being sworn in as the president, but rather it is an expression of the peaceful transfer of power as prescribed by the Constitution and the will of "We, the people . . . " The inauguration is a celebration of America and how we are different from most every other country in the world.

I am concerned that we have lost the ability to accept the rights of those who disagree with us. We do not have to like them, but we have to recognize that they have the right to see the world differently from ourselves. 

I am concerned that we are quickly becoming a nation that does not value diversity. We are losing the ideal of inclusion.

The inauguration is a celebration of America and our unique Republic where power is transferred peacefully. 

Maybe we need to elect Congressmen and women who understand that.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Too Many Beeps

It happens every so often, some electronic device goes into distress and begins to beep.

Annoyingly. Persistently.

It happened a this morning as I wandered into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. The two beeps of an electronic device in distress could be heard every minute or so.

And the search began.

Trying to pin down exactly which device was in distress occupied the next 30 minutes. I wish that devices could be equipped with the capability to text or send an email regarding their identification and the nature of the problem.

Beeping Phone

The search for the source of the distress signal included checking every smoke detector in the house and replacing the battery in one of them, I ran through the menus on the security system to find a problem and fixed the cover on one of the sensors, I checked the refrigerator (I really don't know why, but I ran across a refrigerator that beeped once), I checked the TV, the network connection, and everything else electronic that I could think of to no avail.

Fortunately, Chris got up to get a cup of coffee and I enlisted her aid in the detective event. She determined the cause after about three minutes, one of the phones was off its cradle and low on power. Who knew that phones beeped when the were in distress?

I was happy that she found it and we were able to restore the quiet in the house. Although, I did solve two other potential problems while searching for the source of the noise.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Monday Musings - January 16, 2017

1. Wow, it is already the third Monday of 2017. 

Steelers Win 18-16 in Kansas City

2. The NFL playoffs were intense on Sunday. Both home teams lost, a stark contrast to Saturday when both home teams won.

3. It is Inauguration week! By the end of the week we won't be saying President-elect any more.

4. I wonder why the forecasters cannot accurately predict weather? It seems as if they are paid to give an accurate forecast. 

5. Some LED fixtures have an inherent design flaw. When the LEDs fail, they cannot be replaced and the entire fixture must be changed. I had to change out my entry-way fixture because of this and I decided on a fixture that uses replaceable bulbs--still LED, but replaceable. Bulbs are less expensive than fixtures.

6. If you are planning on going into Washington D.C. on Thursday or Friday my recommendation is, don't.

Headlines

7. Trump vows ‘insurance for everybody’ in Obamacare replacement plan - Washington Post

8. World Leaders Push Israel and Trump to Forge a 2-State Deal - New York Times

9. Some malls are banning teens amid disturbances and unruly gatherings fueled by social media - Los Angeles Times

10. Nato obsolete, Merkel’s mistake, Brexit great: Trump reveals tilt towards Russia - Hindustan Times

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Day at the Sky Zone

Birthday parties have become a lot more interesting over the years, and especially those for Lucas.

Lucas at the Party

Last year the party was at the climbing zone and this year it was a trampoline area aptly named the Sky Zone Trampoline Park. 

Visiting the Sky Zone was a great way to exhaust the kids and it provided some entertainment for the adults as well. The place is huge! Lots of activities and trampolines with sufficient supervision. 

Check-in at the Sky Zone

It was fun to watch the assembled masses race from activity to activity and demonstrate their ability to bounce and flip on the trampolines. 

Checkin was a bit long and chaotic, but after that, the party went pretty well. Thankfully the forecast snow and ice never materialized! It was rainy and cold, but that did not dampen the spirits of the party goers. 

All-in-all, it was a great party. There was some blood--someone always has to bleed in this family or it isn't a real event, but fortunately it was minor and was self-induced as his knee impacted his nose. And it wasn't the birthday boy, so there was no fear of ruining the images of the event.

I took some slow motion videos of the activities and here is one of the birthday boy in action on the trampoline.

Birthdays can be fun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Gathering at the Feeder

Deer at the Feeder

Chris likes to feed the birds and enjoys watching their antics as they flock for the feast.

Last evening, in advance of the expected storm, we filled the feeders to provide for our feathered friends during bad weather. 

One of the things we do when filling the feeders is to scatter seed on the ground for the mourning doves. Shortly after scattering the seed, the feeders were full of not feathered friends, but five deer scratching on the ground. Chris snapped a couple images on her phone while trying not to spook the visitors to the feeders. 

Earlier in the week we had remarked that we had not seen out small herd of deer since early December. As it turns out, they found us. Our side yard is an area the deer use to transit between open areas and we see them almost every day during the summer--especially during the evening hours. 

Well, it seems that they are still in the area. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

January Weather Respite

10 Day Forecast

The official temperature in Baltimore yesterday was 70 degrees, tying a record established in the 1800's for the date. 

That was 60 degrees higher than the low on Monday morning.

Even the weather gave us a break! While there is a serious storm headed our way causing through the mid-section of the country, yesterday was idyllic.

I had wanted to play golf and enjoy the special day, but the rains of the previous days and some unplanned activities by my golfing buddies meant that I did not hit the golf course, but rather I finished taking down the outdoors Christmas decorations and putting the exclamation point on the season. 

The weekend is forecast to be cold and icy, it is probably payback for hitting the witch of winter on the nose yesterday. 

I appreciate good weather when it happens, especially during the middle portion of January!

Be careful today--it is, after all, Friday the 13th.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hold Your Breath

A new sheriff walks onto the international stage next Friday as the 45th President of the United States is inaugurated.

There are so many things that will suddenly be up in the air. Treaties, agreements, executive orders, and so much more. 

There is likely to be a lot of confusion and mixed messages as the new administration blows onto the international stage.  That may be a very bad thing. The inconsistency between U.S. administrations confuses our allies and enemies alike. Who really knows what direction the country will be headed?

There will likely be a few days/weeks of unsettled activity. 

I am encouraged that the President and the Congress are of the same party; however, the last time the same party was in control the ensuing infighting almost rendered the opportunity to lead the nation totally ineffective.

Perhaps the thing that we should be most ready to expect is that there is going to be change, we just don't know what that change is going to embody. There are so many questions.

Will a wall be really be constructed along the Mexican border?

Will universal healthcare be scrapped for an as yet undefined replacement?

Will the Iran deal be voided?

How many executive orders will be repealed?

Will the U.S. and Russia become allies?

I wonder how the inaugural address will stack up along side the body of such speeches which are our history and heritage?

Are these really the most important questions we should be asking about the next administration?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Farewell Address

I watched President Obama make his farewell address to the nation last evening and I realized that I may be watching the end of an era in American politics.

The speech was elegant and well spoken. There were no "off the cuff" slanders against any particular group of people. The speech was focused upon inclusion and presenting a positive view of America and the President's term in office. I found it amusing that at one point the assembled crowd broke into a chant of "4 more years."

I was particularly impressed with his words about the Constitution. 

Note: The excerpts from President Obama's speech are from the New York Times.

Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it’s really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We, the people, give it meaning — with our participation, and with the choices that we make and the alliances that we forge.

I am a huge supporter of the Constitution. I was pleased with his references to "We, the People." The united States is, after all, a country founded upon the idea of "We, the People . . . "

I also believed that the President's summation was spot on:

And that’s why I leave this stage tonight even more optimistic about this country than when we started. Because I know our work has not only helped so many Americans; it has inspired so many Americans — especially so many young people out there — to believe that you can make a difference; to hitch your wagon to something bigger than yourselves.

Let me tell you, this generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, and just, and inclusive America; you know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, that it’s not something to fear but something to embrace, you are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You’ll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result the future is in good hands.

The farewell address was presented in superior fashion, even when hecklers tried to disrupt the speech, Obama's grace and forbearance was evident--he simply continued with his remarks until the hecklers were subdued or got bored.

I found it very interesting and revealing that President Obama ended his speech by reminding everyone of his words from the election of 2008, where the catch phrase was "We Can" his almost final words were:

Yes, we can.

Yes, we did.

Yes, we can.

These words echo the final words of President Reagan's Farewell Address presented on January 11. 1989:

My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
  
I wonder, will we be so optimistic in another eight years?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD