War Crimes and Atrocities

The verdict is apparently in--the Russian military is as brutal in dealing with civilians as it is incompetent on the battle field.

Putin the War Criminal 

The images and reports coming from Ukraine showing the atrocities committed against civilians is appalling. Putin has leapt into the annals of history as a war criminal and that will become his legacy.

For those who cling to the idea that the Ukrainians staged the atrocities, as has been reported in both Russian and Chinese media, we need only remember that the same Russian military targeted hospitals, schools, and other non-military installations as their assault stalled and their frustrations grew. I recall that the Russians only a few years ago were quick to highlight to the world every American action in Syria where civilians were injured or killed as part of collateral damage. How times have changed.

A CNN report on the Chinese reaction to the atrocities is especially distressing.

As the world reacts in horror to Bucha, China's state media strikes a different tone - CNN

But, we should expect such things as we live in a world where fake news is as prevalent as factual reporting. Even in the U.S. the the validity of the images and reports is being questioned. 

Hopefully, those within our own government who idolize Putin will take another look at the true face of authoritarianism and determine that democracy is a better path. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

The Ride

Loop from Tequesta through Jupiter
Tequesta, FL
April 4, 2022

Yesterday I completed my daily bike ride without a companion. Chris took the day off and I decided there was a route I wanted to try which would definitely not be suitable for her.

I have wanted to ride, essentially around Jupiter and Tequesta. I was not sure how long the ride would be, I was hoping for 20 miles, but it turned out to be just over 14 which made me a bit disappointed. 

The ride was fun. The most enjoyable section was along Island Way, which is at the very western portion of the ride. The hardest is along Indiantown Road--which is 8 lanes wide and fortunately is also one of the shortest parts of the route. The biggest problem I discovered was underplanning. I rode backwards, meaning I had a lot of left turns in heavily trafficked areas. Not smart! In these areas I stuck primarily to the sidewalk since it was not worth crossing traffic to ride for a few blocks to cross traffic again. 

I think I actually would have hit 20 miles had I ridden to Indiantown Road, the lower left corner of the route as depicted on the map, and returned, but I wanted to cross the big Loxahatchee River bridge--which I did. It is very high and the sidewalk is narrow with concrete walls on both sides. I was so happy to reach the top that I decided not to stop and take a picture--that was a huge mistake. It is a bit of work to use my phone for a picture because I have to stop, unhook the phone which is running a mapping app, take the picture and then get the mapping app back up and reinstalled in the cradle on the bike. I almost feel as it I need to ride with a separate camera. 

First world problems, wow!

But, I completed the circuit and probable will never do it again because it just wasn't as tough or as long as I wanted it to be.

Looking forward to a sunny and bright day today. Who knows where the day will take me.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - April 4, 2022

 

1. Welcome to the first Monday of April. There are 38 Mondays remaining in the year. Spring is truly arriving and don't forget it is Federal tax season!

Looking South from the Loxahatchee River Bridge
Tequesta, FL
April 3, 2022

2. Yesterday, Chris and I took a 10 mile bike ride before the bad weather was supposed to arrive. The Loxahatchee River was calm but dark as we crossed the bridge in Tequesta. It was a bit cooler in the morning and the ride was enjoyable. It is likely to be very different from the rides we expect when we return to Maryland.

3. In the news this morning are the reports of atrocities committed by the Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians. Perhaps it is time for western countries to get more directly involved to drive the invaders from that country. 

4. Ikea is about a 1 hour 15 minute drive away (each way), or 60 miles. I have driven there twice now to get a small $60 nightstand. I think I have spent more in gas than the nightstand costs. Yesterday, we actually retrieved the nightstand and today, of course, I get to assemble it! Yay. 

5. I might get some golf in this week. My problem is that I have to trade off riding my bike for golfing. We normally golf in the afternoon and that means dodging rainstorms. Hmmm. 

6. Today in History. Just after 6 p.m. on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. is fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers’ strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The bodies of at least 400 civilians were found in the Kyiv region after the departure of Russian forces, Ukraine says - CNN

Images of dead civilians in Ukraine shake the world - CNN

Completely unacceptable': GOP governor criticizes Trump's request to Putin - CNN

The World Is Piling on Debt as It Battles Inflation - The Wall Street Journal

Masks Come Off, Mandates Loosen as Firms Relax Covid Protocols - The Wall Street Journal

Exiled oligarch calls on other Russian tycoons to break with Putin - The Washington Post

How long covid is accelerating a revolution in medical research - The Washington Post

Republican excuses for rejecting Jackson are absurd - The Washington Post

In Ukrainian street, a corpse with hands bound and a bullet wound to the head - Reuters

Deadly bird flu fears prompt U.S. to consider poultry vaccines - Reuters

Indonesian court sentences teacher to death for raping 13 students - Reuters 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Turtle Fest 2022

Turtle Fest 2022
Juno Beach, FL
April 2, 2022

The opportunities to get out and enjoy some sun and good weather as well as fun activities abound during this time in South Florida. 

Yesterday it was Turtle Fest! A great way to begin the month and stay in tune with nature. One of fun facts that I came away with is that there have already been 52 loggerhead turtle nests identified along the local coastline. Leatherbacks lead in nesting as neither the loggerheads or green turtles have nested yet--but they are coming during the next weeks. 

Florida works to provide a good environment for sea turtles to nest. There are announcements about sea turtle nesting season and Florida State Parks provide additional information. In the past, I have been fortunate to watch sea turtles laying eggs and also witnessed nests erupting with small sea turtles racing for the sea. It is truly magnificent to watch, but not interfere with these events.

We need to think about the consequences of the products we use and there impact they may have on marine life. The use of plastic bags and plastic straws must be minimized and replaced with products made out of materials that decompose--such as paper and bamboo.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Biking and Enjoying

 Tequesta Bike Route
Tequesta, FL
April 1, 2022

I am amazed at how I have enjoyed biking since I bought my bike now exactly two months ago. I admit, as I began it was hard to regain my balance and feel fully comfortable riding. Looking back on where I was two months ago, I was wobbly on turns and definitely uncomfortable riding sidewalks on bridges with rails on both sides. I no longer fear tight spots and narrow sidewalks.

Yesterday Chris and I added a new roadway to our basic Tequesta route. It allows us to bike longer along the Loxahatchee River and enjoy the homes there. It only adds about a half mile to our overall trip, but it is a nice change from the usual. I am working on a longer loop since 9 miles is quickly becoming the easy and short ride.

The weather will turn wet this afternoon and it is unclear whether I will get to ride today. 

But it is the weekend and there are a lot of things to do. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Welcome April 2022

 Yup, it is April. The year is 25 percent complete! That is a scary thought. 

It is also Friday and that means the weekend is upon us. I still, even though I've been retired for three months now, find excitement in Fridays. 

But for now, it is Springtime and flowers are blooming, even here in Florida. Yesterday Chris and I made a trip on the Turnpike to Ikea, it is over an hour away, to get a nightstand that was sold out by the time we got there and we noticed the Springtime flowers along the roadway. They were beautiful and reminded us that soon we will be actually experiencing Spring back in Maryland. 

We have been enjoying the great weather, but more wind and some rain are in the forecast for the day. The wind was too strong yesterday and I decided not to ride my bike. I only needed a 9 mile ride to complete 200 miles for the month--but as it is I completed just over 191 miles for March. Hopefully, I can get out today before the rain.

Well, April showers . . . 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Near Flat Water

 

Flat Water at Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
March 29, 2022

On the final day of the Happy Hour group's Florida escape we were greeted at the beach by near flat water. It is something that has been very rare of late.

While huge waves crashing onto the beach is impressive, I do enjoy it when I walk onto the beach and there are almost no waves because that means that it is a day for playing in the water. And I did. The water temperature was 77 degrees and the air was about 80 degrees. A perfect day for playing in the sand and surf.

It was also a sad day as two members of our group returned to Maryland. The day culminated a great week of fun and activity as well as some rest and an escape from the cold weather. 

Well, at least I remain in Florida! Although my return to Maryland for the remainder of the Spring and early Summer is growing closer. 

For now, the memory of flat water and a great day with friends will remain.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Uneasy Truce

 

Finnegan and Marley at the Table
Tequesta, FL
March 29, 2022

An amazing thing happened last evening.

We were at a friend's house for Happy Hour and dinner. They like it when we bring Finnegan along for the evening and so he has spent many evenings at their house. 

They have a cat named Marley. Marley and Finnegan have developed an uneasy truce. Finnegan avoids Marley and Marley hisses at Finnegan. Finnegan would like to play with Marley, but Marley does not particularly appreciate Finnegan invading her domain.

Last evening they both jumped into empty chairs at the table hoping to gain access to the happy hour apps and then they saw each other. It was a difficult moment for both of them. They each wanted to flee, but they also wanted to be at the table. Finnegan looked away and Marley hissed. But they remained in the chairs. 

It was a funny moment, worth remembering.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

From Flowers to Ocean

Happy Hour Group
Flamingo Gardens, Ft Lauderdale, FL
March 26, 2022

The escapades of the Happy Hour group's Florida escape continue. It was a near perfect weekend which included Flamingo Gardens, beach time, and great dinners. 

My return to Flamingo Gardens with the group made for a great Saturday activity. While it is my third trip to the Gardens in three months, I enjoy every visit as much as the first--and I always learn something new. One of the highlights of this visit was seeing the Florida Panther, we actually saw it this time rather than trying to imagine we saw it, attack and play with an unlucky iguana in its enclosure. I also continue to learn more and more about the diverse plants and trees that are housed at the gardens. Of course the peafowl were one of the highlights as it is mating season and the peacocks are on full display.

Sunday was fabulous as we went to the beach. 

Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound, FL
March 27, 2022

We had the beach pretty much to ourselves. It was very windy, but we found refuge in the dunes and enjoyed a few hours in the sun and water. The ocean was rough, but the colors were stunning. The group is having a great time and enjoyed another outstanding dinner at a local restaurant last evening after touring Stuart, FL, and enjoying lunch at the Stuart Boathouse along the banks of the St. Lucie River. For the afternoon it was a quick trip to the beach to enjoy the sounds of the ocean crashing in the afternoon. 

It has been a great visit, but sadly, we say good-bye to two members of the group this afternoon. But, who know what excitement the day will bring.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Monday Musings - March 28, 2022

 1. Welcome to the last Monday of March. The year has 39 Mondays remaining. Federal income tax deadline is next month.

2. Taxes! Don't forget to do your taxes!

Orchid at Flamingo Gardens
Ft Lauderdale, FL
March 26, 2022

3. On a return trip to Flamingo Gardens, the Happy Hour group was able to enjoy an extensive Orchid display. Fun fact that we learned: Orchids comprise about 10 percent of all plant species on the planet. Also, orchids are the world's largest plant family. We also spied many other flowers, trees, plants, and animals. It was another great day and even though it was my third trip to the "gardens," I found many new things to enjoy.

4. I guess I am a foreign relations neophyte because I applaud the President for stating the obvious during his speech Saturday in Poland: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.” Those words do not suggest that the U.S. is supporting or actively planning regime change in Russia, but I question the motives of anyone who disagrees with the President's sentiment. I reference an article in my Headlines section which explores the impact of those words, but in my mind they are not too far removed from President Reagan's proclamation: "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Those words foretold the end of the Soviet Union and the President's words on Saturday are looking for the end of tyranny and an inhumane war against the peace-loving people of Ukraine. 

5. Apparently a second coronavirus booster will be authorized for those of us over 50 years of age! I will be one of the first in that line. I have been enjoying the relative freedom from masks and COVID-19 fear these past months here in Florida.

6. Today's weather:

    Tequesta, FL - High 80, Low 56

    Hilton Head Island, SC - High 73, Low 51

    Elkridge, MD -  High 37, Low 20

    Ithaca, NY - High 20, Low 15

7. Today in History. At 4 a.m. on March 28, 1979, the worst accident in the history of the U.S. nuclear power industry begins when a pressure valve in the Unit-2 reactor at Three Mile Island fails to close. Cooling water, contaminated with radiation, drained from the open valve into adjoining buildings, and the core began to dangerously overheat.

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant was built in 1974 on a sandbar on Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River, just 10 miles downstream from the state capitol in Harrisburg. In 1978, a second state-of-the-art reactor began operating on Three Mile Island, which was lauded for generating affordable and reliable energy in a time of energy crises.

Ukraine Seeks to Exploit Shift in Russia’s Military Strategy - The Wall Street Journal

Biden’s Remark on Putin Stirs Anxiety Among Western Allies - The Wall Street Journal

How Russia’s Central Bank Engineered the Ruble’s Rebound - The Wall Street Journal

Russian troops’ tendency to talk on unsecured lines is proving costly in Ukraine - The Washington Post

The factors that could alter Putin’s course in the war - The Washington Post

FDA expected to authorize second coronavirus booster for those 50 and older - The Washington Post

Ukraine insists on territorial integrity as talks to resume - Reuters

China's Shanghai launches two-phase lockdown as COVID surges - Reuters

North Macedonia declares five Russian diplomats personas non grata - Reuters

Analysts investigate possibility of North Korea missile test 'deception' - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL