Music Monday: Replacing our Driveway Blues, or close to it
Posted By RichC on August 23, 2021
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President Biden will regret the day he ignored conditions on the ground, instead exiting Afghanistan based on a political timeline
Posted By RichC on August 22, 2021
As I commented on the utter failure in Afghanistan last week regarding the decision President Biden made in leaving Afghanistan, it is just another “ fail decision” in a short 8 months by this president and his administration (we can’t take much more). 
The US exit was ill-conceived and poor planned. It was made ignoring what could happen (and did) and left us in disarray not that the Taliban has taken control. It leaves Americans and our allies stranded throughout the country. This failure to plan for “likely” if not for “all contingencies” dishonors those who have shed blood and worked to achieve their mission – that of protecting our homeland and our citizens (including those who served as intelligence operatives, translators or as support civilians).
It is all too clear that the Taliban, ISIS fighters and Al-Qaeda have become emboldened and stronger than they have been in 20 years … and that the free-world’s confidence and trust in the United States is at an all time low. Who can blame anyone for not trusting the United States? We will regret the day that this ill-conceived “timeline-oriented” pull-out 
(likely was based on the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 political talking point) was President Biden’s reason to rush the exit of troops from Afghanistan … clearly ignoring sound voices warning of the potential or likelihood of this unfolding catastrophe; it seems to me that President Biden only relied on his own consistently poor judgement and “woke” advisors.
When I think of using the “regret the day” reference … I can’t help but see the BILLIONS of dollars of advance American weaponry that is now in the hand of the Taliban. President Biden will go to his grave knowing that HE is the one who made last week’s decision and that when our own weapons are used by our enemies to kill Americans, that blood will be on his hands.
I cannot imagine just how anxious every terrorist organization is to get their hands on our advanced weapons, either to use them against the west or sell them to the highest bidder (US taxpayer?) to finance their radical Islamic crusade … often called jihad.
Afghanistan’s military has laid down its weapons, and the Taliban have wasted little time in collecting them, raising concerns about how easily troves of U.S.-made arms, military aircraft and armored vehicles have fallen into enemy hands and the new capabilities they bring.
Scores of videos have emerged of Taliban fighters rejoicing near abandoned American helicopters, carrying U.S.-supplied M24 sniper rifles and M18 assault weapons, stacking other small arms and materiel in unending piles and driving Humvees and other U.S.-made military trucks.
The Taliban have seized airplanes, tanks and artillery from Afghan outposts and from evacuating U.S. personnel, revealing one of the heavier costs of a U.S. troop withdrawal amid a collapse of Afghanistan’s government and army.
LINK to “Taliban Seize U.S. Weapons in Afghanistan, Stockpiling Helicopters, Guns and Trucks" – WSJ
Over the Moon … for my granddaughter Ellerie
Posted By RichC on August 21, 2021
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Look for the beautiful Milky Way in the night sky this August
Posted By RichC on August 21, 2021
The Milky Way Over Monument Valley, 2012. APOD/NASA
This was a great Milky Way photo from 2012 and gives me inspiration if Brenda and I ever do a US road trip. I’d love to plan one once we are retired, but road trips and “the journey vs destination” (and inside joke) are really not Brenda’s thing. Unlike me, who could be talked into inching along on an America Route 66 kind of trip, Brenda prefers highlights and checking off the boxes. A race with a goal or an accomplishment. I get it … two kinds of people … and probably a bunch in-between. Anyway .. if you enjoy looking up at the night sky on a clear night (often August) … check out this August Skymap PDF.
Some thoughts on investing as technology races forward
Posted By RichC on August 20, 2021
Most aging entrepreneurs and investors can “in hindsight” spot their mistakes and missed opportunities, but with age and experience, also comes wisdom. The pace of change is rapidly accelerating and decisions seem to be made much faster and happen quicker nowadays’; I suspect even millennials are learning this faster?
As a more cautious trader and investor (most of the time), I tend not to jump into the untested trades, non-profitable companies or the latest trends … therefore, I often miss opportunities. Owning mature established companies also comes with legacy risk and lethargic decision making by management. I find myself knowing about the “next thing” but not participating … and I often kick myself for being risk-averse. As everyone knows, most “hot” companies and start-ups are just too unknown and therefore risky. I missed picking the Dotcom survivors and finding right ecommerce companies when brick and mortar retailers struggled (like picking $AMZN at a few bucks a share), or support companies like $SHOP. More recently I have not been able to stomach the ups and downs of the crazy Meme stocks, blockchain companies or owning cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum or Doge Coin or even a company like Tesla with stellar products, but a ridiculously high valuation. $TSLA
BUT I also think of myself as a “contrarian” and dislike following the herd. It is something in my genes. I can even still recite lines to my favorite elementary school poem: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (click arrow for audio). I’m not sure how to apply this to investing, but read something from the investment contrarian Brett Owens and contemplated “what’s next” when it comes to not necessarily buying the next HOT stock, but the technology and backbone companies that makes it grow (see a segment from his newsletter and end of day chart 8/18 from Kiplinger below).
What does ZIP in the USPS “zipcode” stand for? #TBT
Posted By RichC on August 19, 2021
What Does ZIP in zip code stand for … for Throwback Thursday #TBT?
ZIP is an acronym using the first letters from Zoning Improvement Plan.
… and who doesn’t grin at 1963 marketing: Zip Code: With the Swingin’ Six. 😊
The “replacing our driveway project” is finally underway $$
Posted By RichC on August 18, 2021
It is a month and a half late, but concrete companies and for that matter most construction companies are very busy this summer. The COVID19pandemic has put most projects behind and perhaps we should be thankful to be on their schedule.
Tearing out (video from Canary Security Cam) and re-concreting a driveway is one of those expensive home maintenance items that is difficult to stomach since you really don’t see anything “new” for your money (it’s a cement driveway!) … and it is just something you drive on and plow snow off of. Still, our has been crumbling in spots for years and definitely needed to be replaced.
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A birthday celebration and fun family weekend in Cincinnati
Posted By RichC on August 17, 2021
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Another albatross to hang around President Biden’s neck
Posted By RichC on August 16, 2021
The situation in Afghanistan is not something most of the civilized world wants to see, but within a few days we’ve watched the Taliban rapidly seize control throughout the country ever since President Biden telegraphed accelerating what was left of our military from our bases. Very few politicians have questioned the desire over the past decade in wanting to bring US troops home … especially after 20 years, 2000 dead American soldiers and a TRILLION dollars in an attempt to build up an Afghan security force and government.
As has happened before, whenever the US tries “nation-building,” it often fails. This time it seems our initial objective was met (hunt down Al-Qaeda and prevent terrorists from training and then attacking the western world and our country) but “helping to create a functioning government so it will not happen again” has failed … and failed miserably. Beside trying to leave with a weak government and security force in place, the Biden administration made the huge blunder in trying to do it during the 
Taliban’s “fighting season” rather than wait for winter when fighters return to Pakistan or the mountains (I assume Biden wanted us out before the 20th anniversary of 9/11?)
For the past 20 years (and decades prior) Taliban fighters were able to hide out in the mountains, smaller town and in Pakistan and continue to fight a guerilla war against opponents within their country (once it was the Soviets – see Charlie Wilson’s War movie). For the last decade, politicians, think tanks, intelligence advisors and our military generals have opined on the best exit strategy as ALL knew America’s patience and support in sending blood and treasure off to the Middle East and Afghanistan had disappeared … even among those who are most “hawkish.” Former President Trump was often criticized in his goal to leave the country and in particular in negotiating with the Taliban (seen as terrorists or at least providing assistance and protection). Most assumed that if he would have had a second term, we would have continued to leave the country … but with conditions (those negotiated by the Trump administration with the Taliban). One can argue the result would have eventually been the same once we left, but most clear thinkers can see that leaving without conditions as Biden is doing has created a far more dangerous situation. I can’t imagine living in a Taliban controlled country if you assisted or befriended the American … or for that matter if you are a girl or woman.
Personally, I wasn’t a fan of rapidly leaving without keeping a secure Air Force base in country. To me, it can be protected at minimal loss (although high cost) and would be able to assist our special forces who will no doubt be called on continually as terror training cells and hot spot pop up. If you don’t see that, you are naïve. I doubt we could have prevented the eventual takeover of the country by the Taliban, but without any presence there, it is almost a guarantee that radical Islamic groups will begin growing, training and 
plotting attacks from Afghanistan once again.
As the helicopters ferrying desperate people from Saigon in 1975 are burned into our minds (photo left), so to will the images of a Chinook hauling people from our embassy in Kabul (above) or the people clinging and falling from our Air Force planes that are attempting to airlift thousands of Americans and Afghan translators and families from the airport. It sickens me as do the continuing blunders from President Biden, VP Harris and his administration on everything from leaving Afghanistan .. to increased crime in our cities (soft-on-crime policies), illegals flooding across our southern border, COVID19 mix messaging, war on energy and higher taxes along with his Green New Deal climate policies and continued “rely on government” handout programs of all kinds. What a mess.
Music Monday: The Coasters, “Yakety Yak” and an aviation tweet
Posted By RichC on August 16, 2021
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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.