Truth of the New Normal

What is the new normal? 

We as a society have discovered the new normal through the political upheaval that we have been experiencing. And also in the social paradox that we are daily confronted with. 

The new normal is that there is no normal. Everything is in play right now. Civility is gone and brutal dishonesty is the has become the closest thing to truth that we can find. I need an interpreter to understand where we are on the continuum of truth to falsehood. 

 I was astounded at the loose handling of truth and fact on both sides during the Impeachment Trial. I was appalled at the blatant misrepresentations and falsehoods being professed as fact. But, in a society where absolute truth has been eradicated, it it to be expected. Society has become the product that has been taught in schools for decades. 

There are no absolutes. Truth is evaluated through the observer's lens and is the result of viewer experience. Therefore, there is no false news--or false truths, only truth of a different perspective.

It is not serving us well. We need some absolutes to help us navigate landmines out there.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

January--and it's not over yet!

It is the 30th of January!

It feels as if 2020 just began and it is about to be 8.3 percent complete with the end of January arriving tomorrow. 

It has been a tumultuous month.


- The U.S. killed an important Iranian general

- Iran attacked U.S. bases

- The Impeachment Trial began in the Senate

- The stock market rose to all time highs making us think that the economy is doing great

- The fires in Australia were out of control and then were contained, mostly

- The coronavirus burst onto the scene eclipsing our fears of the flu and probably beginning a pandemic

- Kobe Bryant and eight other people died in a tragic helicopter crash

- Two satellites had a close encounter over Pittsburgh last evening

And the month is not over yet!

I wonder what February will bring? I hope it is more sedate.

Did you ever notice that January is generally thought of as cold and snow while February is hearts and flowers? February is the colder of the two months!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Impeachment Continues

The defense rested. 

The question still on the table is do the President's actions meet the threshold for removal from office? Despite their assertions that the President did nothing wrong, questions remain. And, despite the assertions to the contrary, if the President did do something wrong do the transgressions meet the threshold for impeachment and removal from office. 

I have been fully interested in the entire proceedings and how the case has progressed. Moving into the next two days of questioning the next steps in the process are becoming clearer. 

I find that the process has been a fascinating and instructive look into the deepest workings of our government. 

Despite that the final outcome is almost assured, the journey to the completion of the impeachment is critical.

Observation: Did anyone else notice that the Chief Justice asks everyone to recite the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag" at the beginning of the session? It is not a pledge to the flag--it is the Pledge of Allegiance. The first line is about pledging allegiance to both the flag and the Republic for which it stands. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Illegal Dumping - Elkridge

Garbage Along US 1 in Elkridge, MD
January 26, 2020

It was incredibly terrible what Chris and I witnessed over the weekend with respect to trash dumped along the highway. In Elkridge, along U.S. 1 near Troy Hill someone piled what appeared to be a large pick-up truck load of garbage along the highway. 

We could not believe that someone had just dumped  trash along the road, but then further along the highway alongside of the on-ramp to MD 100 was another smaller pile. We heard that there were other piles as well along the road. Sadly, we could find no news reporting about the incidents. Chris and I considered whether it was a group cleaning litter form the roads, however, there was no signs that the roadways were any cleaner. 

Looking alongside the highways I noticed that the amount of litter is out of control. Of course the litter is highlighted because of the winter and the grasses are not growing to hide the trash. I cannot fathom why people believe that it is alright to throw their garbage into the environment. We are turning our region into a large garbage dump. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - January 27, 2020

1. I an unbelievable burst of speed, the last Monday of January is upon us. The first month of this new decade will be complete in a few short days. 

2. Orioles pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in two weeks from today, February 11th. 

3. Garbage. I haven noticed a huge amount of garbage along the roads. Yesterday in Elkridge along the side of U.S. 1 someone dumped a large number of garbage bags! What is going on. What do people feel the need to make the outdoors as dirty as their homes and cars?

Jax During Basketball Game
Arundel Middle School
January 26, 2020

4. The loss of Kobe Bryant in a  a tragic helicopter crash reminds me that life is a gift and each day should be lived as if there were no tomorrow.

5. Both of the boys youth basketball teams lost yesterday during hard fought games.

6. And now, we return to the Impeachment Trial after a much needed day off.


7. History today. On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops enter Auschwitz, Poland, freeing the survivors of the network of concentration camps—and finally revealing to the world the depth of the horrors perpetrated there. Auschwitz was really a group of camps, designated I, II, and III. There were also 40 smaller “satellite” camps. It was at Auschwitz II, at Birkenau, established in October 1941, that the SS created a complex, monstrously orchestrated killing ground: 300 prison barracks; four “bathhouses” in which prisoners were gassed; corpse cellars; and cremating ovens. Thousands of prisoners were also used for medical experiments overseen and performed by the camp doctor, Josef Mengele, the “Angel of Death.”


Headlines

Kobe Bryant, Transformational Star of the N.B.A., Dies in Helicopter Crash - The New York Times

Trump Tied Ukraine Aid to Demands for Inquiries, Bolton Book Says - The New York Times

As Coronavirus Fears Intensify, Effectiveness of Quarantines Is Questioned - The New York Times

China virus deaths rise to 80 as Hong Kong bans visitors from worst-hit province - Reuters

Turkey searches for last people missing from quake that killed at least 38 - Reuters

Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Too often character assassination has replaced debate in principle here in Washington. Destroy someone's reputation, and you don't have to talk about what he stands for.


-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Billy Coulter and Arch - A Concert Evening

Billy Coulter (L) and Arch (R)
Cellar Music House Concert
January 25, 2020

Last evening, Chris and I attended a house concert featuring Billy Coulter and Arch. The concert was the revival of the Cellar Music House Concert Series which had been dormant for a few years. 

It was a nice evening for a house concert as the weather was nice and did not present difficulties for driving. To make the evening even better, the music was fabulous. Billy Coulter has a nice easy rock sound with lyrics that come from the heart. He is well known in the D.C. area and has won many local awards. He related a story where one of his songs was even used in by a national news outlet. Billy and Arch make a great duo and it is clear that they have played together often and they work together as a smoothly functioning team to create enjoyable and compelling music. 

I added a short video to help visualize the venue and highlight the performers. 

Cellar Music House Concerts creates an intimate forum with close access to the artists. The room allows for good viewing and easy access. It is in the basement, or cellar, and so there are stairs. The crowd last evening was friendly and enjoyed the performance. The exchange of food and drink made the evening a perfect--good food, great drink, and fabulous music. 

What could possibly be better? 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orator for the Ages

In this day of sound bites and speeches which are nothing more than quotable moments strung together to garner crowd reaction, it was refreshing to hear a speech delivered by an orator that carried itself without applause or comment by the audience. Adam Schiff provided a performance memorable of performances by Daniel Webster and Patrick Henry. 


Most speakers work today for the reaction and applause--they give small bites of information and play to the crowd. How difficult it must have been for Adam Schiff speak to a silent room and provide over two hours of riveting, cogent oratory. And not on just one occasion, but two moving days, both Thursday and Friday nights.

Adam Schiff
Closing Argument in Trump Impeachment Trial Day 3
January 23, 2019

But I was amazed, when I woke this morning, to find that I was not the only person so moved by the closing argument delivered in an eloquent manner. My Twitter feed was "blowing-up." 

Last night followed on to Thursday night. I felt one of the strongest statements Schiff made last evening was:

All over the world, those living under oppressive regimes look to us. They look to us because we have a rule of law. Because in America, no one is above that law. To my Senate colleagues, I implore you: Give America a fair trial. She's worth it.
-- Adam Schiff, Day 4 President Trump Impeachment Trial, January 24, 2020

And, what is wrong with a fair trial? There is always fear when things done in darkness are exposed to the light!

Follow the evidence!

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

It is not about who wins or who loses--it is about preserving the Republic. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday From the Front Page

The Impeachment Trial continues as the prosecution lays out its case in a carefully constructed manner which is frustrating the defense which has to wait another day before being able to take center stage. 

Here are some of the headlines I found associated with the impeachment proceedings:

Democrats emphasize abuse-of-power charge against Trump as GOP complains of repetition - The Washington Post

Trump, Democrats keep their distance from GOP moderates as crucial impeachment votes loom - The Washington Post

Trump trial: The case for the conviction of a president - The Times (UK)

Donald Trump ‘flagrantly’ abused power: Impeachment trial - The Hindustan Times (India)

Two days into Trump’s trial, Republicans appear unmoved but offer Democrats some praise - The Hindustan Times (India)

The House Managers’ Star Witness? Trump Himself - The New York Times

I checked Tass--the Russian News Agency, for a mention of the impeachment proceedings--it is not mentioned at all. 

Day 4 is about to begin. The prosecution will complete its case and tomorrow, yes, I am told there will be Saturday testimony, the defense begins.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

The In-Between Week

I decided to take a break from writing about the Impeachment Trial and write about football.

Welcome to the in-between week. Since the NFL Pre-Season began during August, we have had a steady diet of football--until this week. This week the only game on tap is the Pro Bowl and that just does not generate a lot of interest. I may watch it because there are a lot of Ravens playing in the game who would rather be playing in the Super Bowl, but alas, the fortunes of football did not shine kindly on them during their last game of the season against the Titans. 

Next week, the Super Bowl hype will begin in earnest as the ramp-up to the big game begins. But this week--there is a void of football reporting and most sports reporting for that matter. I did read that Derek Jeter and Larry Walker were selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

It is, however, generally quiet on the sports front and, hence, the Impeachment Trial seems to be the biggest news around. 

But to get out there and back to the Super Bowl, I am picking the Kansas City Chiefs to defeat the San Francisco 49ers and win their first Super Bowl in 50 years! And I am an ole time Chiefs fan as I was cheering for Kansas City 50 years ago when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 even though the Vikings were 13 point favorites! It was the Chief's second Super Bowl--they lost to Green Bay in the first Super Bowl which was not called the Super Bowl when they played the game. 

Super Bowl Fact: Super Bowl IV, won by the Chiefs was the last Super Bowl played between the AFL and the NFL. After that season the AFL merged into the NFL to become the NFL that we have today.

And so the in-between week continues. And now, back to the Impeachment Trial.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Senate Churns

Day 1 of the Senate Impeachment Trial of the President is complete. I have to admit, I found it fascinating to watch the strategic dance being performed by the donkey and the elephant. The party lines, the rampant partisanship is so firmly entrenched in the Congress that despite rational and compelling arguments, the Senate can produce nothing other than a 53-47 vote. 

I fear for the future of our Republic if we can not overcome the partisanship that has so profoundly gripped our government. Because of the partisanship, the Senate is abrogating its responsibility to find the truth and conduct a trial. And we will hear of this later today as the President likely will trumpet from his Twitter throne that not one Republican has broken ranks!

The truth is out there--but we are afraid to find it.

The trial, it seems, is not about truth, but rather it is about having the elephant crush the donkey regardless of the cost to the country, our reputation, our integrity. 

Has the presidency become a monarchy? Is the president above the law? After Day 1, apparently so.

Day 2 is on tap--I wonder what new revelations will be uncovered today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD