Aliens? Possibly?

 

Are we alone in the universe?

Recent discussions about UAP's (unidentified aerial phenomenon) leave open the possibility that we (humankind) are not the only intelligent life forms in the universe. I use the term "intelligent" loosely given all of the dumb things we do to each other and our planet. 

Although when directly asked, a NASA spokesperson responded: “One of Nasa’s key priorities is the search for life elsewhere in the universe, but so far, NASA has not found any credible evidence of extraterrestrial life and there is no evidence that UAPs are extraterrestrial. However, Nasa is exploring the solar system and beyond to help us answer fundamental questions, including whether we are alone in the universe.” (The Guardian)

I suppose we may never really know if we are alone--but the possibilities are there, as of late, that we are not. 

Happy Flag Day!

Happy Hump Day!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Indicting a Criminal

 Chris and I spent a large portion yesterday's 15 hour drive from Odenton to Tequesta listening to news channels and staying on top of world developments including the criminal activities of our former president. 

Some of what I heard, the untruths and misleading statements from the mouths of congressional republicans, yesterday really upset me. 

Congressman Jim Jordan was heard to quote a law about Presidents being able to do essentially anything they want with classified documents. The chief problem with this argument is that while Trump was president when he slinked out of Washington to Florida with the documents, as soon as Biden was sworn in he no longer could hide behind that law and was duty-bound to return the documents, classified or not, to the archives. He chose not to return the documents and tried to hide them in an illegal effort to retain them.

But, here is the real funny part, if the republicans want to use that law, then they need to stop railing against Biden and other presidents for their mishandling of classified documents. They can't have it both ways.

The real part of the indictment, as I understand it all, is not that Trump had the documents but that he failed to return them when requested and subsequently allowed persons not authorized to access them. 

Let's get real about treating Trump like any other person in a similar situation. I hesitate to remind, but ANG Airman Jack Texeria did essentially the same thing that Trump did. Where is he today? According to NBC, Jack Texeria in being held in jail pending trial. What is Trump expected to do today? Leave Florida and go back to New Jersey for a campaign rally. 

If Trump were being treated like any other person where would he be after being indicted? He would be in jail.

The republicans are using smoke and mirrors to attempt to exonerate a criminal. Plan and simple.

And let me add fuel to the fire. Why has no other former president been indicted on Federal charges? Because Trump is the only one of who has demonstrated total disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution.

This is not a politically-motivated witch hunt, he is not a martyr, he is a criminal and must, finally, be held accountable for his actions.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Note: Edits made at 0911 on 13 June re the documents transport to Florida

Traveler Update I-95

 Travelers on I-95 in North Carolina are in for a treat this summer. Compliments of the infrastructure bill, there are miles upon miles of road construction to enjoy. 

Construction on I-95 in South Carolina
June 12, 2023

The exciting part is that there are barriers on both sides of the travel lanes which are anything but flat. The fun begins north of Exit 52. 

Chris and I just experienced the road construction and marveled at the massive rebuilding of America underway. The end result is going to be great. 

Today is a travel day as we return home. As a result, there will be no Monday Musings. 

— Bob Doan, I-95 near mm42 South Carolina

Saturday Golf

Looking from the 2nd Tee
Bay Hills Golf Club 
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

 The air quality improved significantly and was just into the moderate range as Jeremy and I teed-off at Bay Hills Golf Club on Saturday morning. 

It was good to be back on a course with a club in my hand. It had been a few years since I last played this course and I had forgotten how much I actually enjoy playing there. It is fair and hard. And being a lefty many of the holes are designed to drive righties crazy--and I love those holes. The work well with my slice.

A Pond Along the course
Bay Hills Golf Club
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

Because I don't play a lot, I had two "blow-up" holes that added seven strokes to my score above par. But, on the bright side, I held it together and aside from those two holes played a solid bogey round which saw me sink about a 60 foot putt. It was a really great putt and a solid recovery. I had overshot the flag, which was forward, because I was aiming for the center of the green and managed a great iron shot off that went a bit further than I expected.

Plugged Tee Shot
18th Hole Bay Hills
Arnold, MD
June 10, 2023

I always enjoy getting out with Jeremy to play golf. It gives us time to be together. Yesterday was special because, unlike most courses, Bay Hills did not put other golfers with us--so we were able to golf as a twosome. That meant that we also golfed fast and were always waiting for the foursome in front of us. 

One final note on the day. There was some frustration. The 18th hole is par three and must carry a large pond that goes almost to the edge of the green. I his a great shot that looked as if it had cleared the pond and was going to land on the green. Unfortunately, just as I hit the shot the breeze picked up coming directly at us and my ball landed too close to the pond's edge. It plugged into the grass. 

Well, that's golf! I had to laugh. Both Jeremy and I wondered what happened to the ball as it landed, because the resting place was shielded from the tee box. There was no splash, so I was confident of finding the ball. Playing it as it lied, however, was not an option. As I understand new rule 16.3, I was allowed relief because the ball was in the grassy area and not the mud shore of the pond. 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD 

The Party

 

The Decorations
Odenton, MD
June 9, 2023

Graduating from high school is a big event. 

In a lot of ways, like most significant celebrations, the weeks or months of planning resolve into a few hours of excitement that are all too quickly over. I even got to reprise my skills in making a balloon arch.

It was much like that last evening as we gathered with family and friends to celebrate Ethan's graduation and put a dot on the exclamation point.

There were games, noise, conversation, and food. Lot's of food.

And then, too quickly, it was over and now life takes over and a sense of normalcy will grip us all.

Congrats again to Ethan and to all of the family and friends who have supported his academic and athletic endeavors. It truly takes a village!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Church at the end of the Road

Church at the end of the road
Odenton, MD
June 7, 2023

 I managed a bike ride the other day, before the air quality became dangerous to outdoors activity. I am expanding my network of roads and trails; exploring some of them to the end.

That is exactly what I found the other day as I rode down a dead-end road. I had checked the road out on my bike map and noted that a small church sat where the road ended. As I biked from the main road down this small paved road past the houses, I wondered how many other bikers had, like me, biked to the end of the road? It is mostly downhill, towards the river, and I began to wonder if I was going enjoy biking my way back to the main road. 

The church was how I imagined it to be: a small, active, country chapel, complete with a graveyard in back. The road ended abruptly at a pile of road fill preventing continuing onto the old roadbed which apparently was abandoned decades ago given the amount of debris.

I enjoyed biking around in front of the church and I believe that given its remote location I was probably being imaged as I rode my bike past the front doors being careful not to touch or disturb anything.  

The ride back up did not seem nearly as long as the ride down the hill to the church and it was not nearly as steep as I had feared. In just a few minutes, I was back on the main road and the trail after enjoying a short detour.

BTW, the air quality today is 70, down from 271 yesterday.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Don't Breathe Outside

 The wildfires in Canada seem to be of biblical proportions not only in the number of square miles burned (over 12,400), but in terms of the millions of people affected. 

I was advised of a website that I can discover the local air quality. It is airnow.gov. Allowing the site to access your current location provides the display seen at the right. I encourage everyone who is affected by poor air quality to access the website.

I canceled my planned bike ride for today. I rode yesterday and it was likely a mistake, but the air quality is much worse today. 

Yesterday as I drove to a doctor's appointment, I was amazed at how the haze from the fires obscured the landscape. 

I had this thought: When I look at the cloudless sky where did the blue go? 

Be careful out there. 

Don't breathe deeply.

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Graduation Day

Ethan in the Procession
Maryland Live
Hanover, MD
June 6, 2023

 The day began early and lasted until late. 

It was a day of pomp and circumstance. Hundreds of newly minted graduates marching together for the last time as they completed the Maryland mandated curriculum and accepted their diplomas. 

I think I enjoyed the ceremony mostly because it went quickly and smoothly in a fantastic facility. I had not been in the massively large room at Maryland Live and was very impressed with the size of the room and the video support that the ceremony received. 

But wait, the day was all about the graduates, their families, and their friends. As it should be.

It was fun.

Me, Ethan, Chris
Odenton, MD
June 6, 2023

It was fun to watch my oldest grandchild walk across the stage and transform, in that moment, from student to graduate. Now I believe that we never should stop being students--there is always more to learn, but celebration of completing of 13 years of COVID interrupted learning was a momentous occasion.

A moment to celebrate and remember.

The ceremony provided many meaningful moments, but I found two statements especially meaningful.

First was a from East of Eden, by John Steinbeck:

And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about. I can understand why a system built on a pattern must try to destroy the free mind, for this is one thing which can by inspection destroy such a system. Surely I can understand this, and I hate it and I will fight against it to preserve the one thing that separates us from the uncreative beasts. If the glory can be killed, we are lost.

John Steinbeck, East of Eden

And the second was the charge given to the graduates from their principal:

"Go do something you are proud of." 

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Baseball Banquet and the Week Begins

 

Jackson and His Coach
Waugh Chapel, MD
June 5, 2023

Last evening I was honored to attend the Baseball Banquet for Jackson. He was a contributing member of the Arundel High School JV Baseball team and last evening was the recognition for the entire program, varsity and junior varsity.

He was recognized not only for his contributions to the team, but also as a scholar athlete.

It was a fun evening watching the team accept awards and accolades, from freshmen to departing seniors.  

This banquet kicked off a week of celebration. 

This morning we are off to Ethan's graduation. And the activities associated with graduating high school have already begun in earnest. 

But, last evening was devoted to Jax and baseball, and rightfully so!.

BTW, Happy D-Day!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD

Monday Musings - June 5, 2023

 

1. And here we go. Welcome to the first Monday of June 2023. Time is flying as the year nears its midpoint. There are only 29 Mondays remaining the the year. 

Biking Odenton and Piney Orchard
Odenton, MD
June 4, 2023

2. How about them Orioles? They shook off the injury bug and won another series on the road becoming the first MLB team to post 20 road wins yesterday as they defeated the San Francisco Giants and won that series. Let's Go O's!

3. Tomorrow is the anniversary of D-Day. The political career of Florida governor Ron DeSantis is the epitome of Orbán’s “Christian democracy” come to the United States. DeSantis has imitated Orbán’s politics, striking at the principles of liberal democracy with attacks on LGBTQ Americans, abortion rights, academic freedom, and the ability of businesses to react to market forces rather than religious imperatives. Last week he told an audience that “the woke mind virus represents a war on the truth so we will wage a war on the woke. We will fight the woke in education, we will fight the woke in the corporations, we will fight the woke in the halls of congress. We will never, ever surrender to the woke mob. We will make woke ideology leave it to the dustbin of history; it’s gone.” (Letters from an American) I find it sad that DeSantis stole from Churchill to make his speech.

4. Woke. Definition: aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice). Why would anyone be anti-woke? Are we trying to turn the clock back to the 19th Century?

5. I managed a 10.64 mile bike ride yesterday. The temperature was a bit cool, but enjoyable. I added a new loop to my route and found another bike trail to explore the next time I head out for a ride.

6. Today in History. Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Immediately after he announced to his cheering supporters that the country was ready to end its fractious divisions, Kennedy was shot several times by 24-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. He was pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968.

The summer of 1968 was a tempestuous time in American history. Both the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement were peaking. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated in the spring, igniting riots across the country. In the face of this unrest, President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to seek a second term in the upcoming presidential election. Robert Kennedy, John’s younger brother and former U.S. Attorney General, stepped into this breach and experienced a groundswell of support.

Oil Prices Jump After Saudi Output Cut - The Wall Street Journal

China Faces Uphill Battle as It Tries to Instill ‘Pro-Birth’ Culture - The Wall Street Journal

The network of sympathizers is carrying out acts of sabotage, and Ukraine has begun providing them with material to stage attacks - CNN

Federal investigators probing what led to fatal crash of unresponsive plane intercepted by US fighter jets near DC - CNN

A Florida woman’s car caught fire with her children inside while she allegedly shoplifted in a mall - CNN

Wagner chief says Russia lost ground around Bakhmut - Reuters

Chinese state media dismiss U.S. diplomat's Beijing visit - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD