My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 16, 2025

I can’t recall what recent news context the Jerusalem Cross was mentioned in before, but suspect it was used in a negative reference — something about the Christian Crusades (AI reference below) and therefore the symbol to some indicated some kind of “white supremacy” and in the news story was being compared to the Nazi swastika? 

Personally, I never associated the symbol  with either the negative or a positive thought, but since our current U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has it tatooed on him, I prefer to view it in a positive light.  

The Crusades were a series of religiously motivated military campaigns initiated by the Roman Catholic Church, primarily aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Islamic rule. The most well-known Crusades took place between 1095 and 1291 in the Near East, where European Christian armies attempted to recover Jerusalem and other territories from Muslim control.

There were also other Crusades against Muslims in Iberia and against pagans and fellow Christians in Europe whom the Catholic Church deemed heretical. These included political crusades, such as the Crusade against Roger II of Sicily from 1127 to 1135, and crusades against heretics, such as the Albigensian Crusade from 1209 to 1229.

Modern Catholics view the Crusades with a range of perspectives, from seeing them as just defensive wars to protect Christian territories to recognizing the atrocities and missteps that occurred during these campaigns. Some argue that the Crusades were necessary to stop Muslim encroachment and raids into Europe, while others acknowledge the negative aspects and regret the loss of innocent life.

LINK

Category: AI, Faith, History | 0 Comments
Tags: britannica.com, christianity, cross, crusades, jerusalem

Posted By RichC on March 15, 2025

Some might say that I’m spending too much time focused on the political news coming from Washington DC these days … but so much is happening — and at a rapid pace.

I’ve enjoyed spinning commentary a little more than usual this past year … and am a bit more Trumpish when posting on X.com or on TheHustings.news  than I really am, but as the editor commented that he doesn’t really have a strong pro-MAGA voice to write for the right-column. So I’m the “slanted-right” voice by default, even though tariffs (taxes – yuck) make me nervous.  

= = =

A Real Economy vs a Fake Economy

The economic visions of Donald Trump and Joe Biden stand in sharp contrast: Trump’s “Real Economy” emphasizes deregulation, energy independence, and tariffs to bolster American jobs, while Biden’s “Fake Economy” is roundly criticized for government expansion, deficit spending, and inflated metrics. As America awakens to month three of President Trump’s second term, stark differences between the two presidents highlight a pivotal debate over America’s economic future.

The Trump 1.0 administration delivered the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, slashing corporate taxes from 35% to 21%, driving investment and pushing unemployment to a 50-year low of 3.5% by February 2020. Energy policies made the U.S. a net oil exporter, fueling manufacturing and keeping costs low. Trump 2.0 is doubling down with tariffs—proposing significant tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, China, and the European Union—aimed at leveling the playing field for U.S. companies. This strategy incentivizes domestic hiring by making foreign goods costlier, with Trump claiming it will “bring back millions of American jobs” and shift revenue from foreign producers to the U.S. Treasury. This is a “Real Economy” that prioritizes American workers without wasting a single taxpayer dollar on DEI or green energy boondoggles.

Under Biden, his administration pumped $1.9 trillion into the American Rescue Plan, driving inflation to 9.1% in June 2022 and swelling the national debt from $27.8 trillion in January 2021 to $36.2 trillion by January 2025—an $8.4 trillion increase. Foreign aid soared, government jobs ballooned, including $80 billion to hire up to 87,000 IRS employees by 2031. By early 2025, the IRS workforce grew from 80,000 to over 100,000. The result of all this government spending: inflation. It hit 9.1% in June 2022, eroding wages, while green energy mandates raised energy costs, creating a “Fake Economy” that gave away much of our economic strength.

Trump’s tariffs aim to reverse this by encouraging companies to expand and hire domestically. Biden’s defenders point to stock market gains and low unemployment, but skeptics see a mirage—sustained by borrowed billions and government bloat rather than private-sector strength. With economic pressures mounting, the clash between these diametrically opposed philosophies will be enlightening over the next couple of years.

Category: Blogs, Politics | 0 Comments
Tags: biden, commentary, jobs, tariffs, taxes, thehustings, trump

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2025

The manic markets and crazy movement down and up (today) are enough to have investors pulling their hair out. Thankfully there was a reprieve from the steady down movement over the tariff dispute between President Trump and many of our trading partners (more on that this weekend). 

Consumer sentiment is not positive and will likely continue to keep negative pressure the financial markets and on investments— perhaps a buying opportunity for younger retirement savers looking longterm?  

For now, I’ve debated on posting a pulling hair out photo on my blog (below the break), but since it is  only embarrassing for me, I’ll include it. Rarely do I go much more than a month between haircuts, but it has been nearly 3 months, and the vain element in me wondered just how it was holding up … so a “losing hair over the stock market gyrations” seemed like as good of a reason as any.  

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Category: Financial, Humor, Misc, News, Personal, Photos | 0 Comments
Tags: hair, hair loss, investing, richc, stock market

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2025

Since I’ve not truly committed to using artificial intelligence tools from one company, I’ve been attempting to put each of the leading AI tools through their paces. Earlier this week I tested Otter.AI to transcript from an audio recording … and now for Tech Friday this week it’s Google’s Gemini and the “Deep Research” tool — a no cost invitation was extended.

So, since tariffs are in the political and economic news lately, I decided to see just what Gemini Deep Research could “dig up” on the different kinds of trade restrictions, tariffs, taxes and fees are put on exports from the United States and in return what happens to imports from other countries. Interestingly I also asked Gemini to analyze the proposed tariffs that are tossed back in forth in recent days. AKA: A trade war.

Here’s the result in a 17 page report (PDF) and a chart and a snippet from the full document below. What was impressive to me is that the report was researched, compiled and “written” in less than 5 minutes … and included up-to-date information. The world is changing rapidly. 

Perhaps it was the series of requests, but the results were not exactly what I was looking for … maybe I’ll need to refine my requests better next time?

A Comparison of Trade Barriers Between the United States and Key Trading Partners

1. Executive Summary:

The global trade landscape is currently marked by a noticeable increase in protectionist measures, with the United States recently implementing several policies that affect its major trading partners. This report analyzes the tariffs, taxes, and product restrictions currently in place between the United States and Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the countries within the European Union …

LINK to FULL PDF

Category: AI, News, Politics, Technology | 1 Comment
Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, barriers, deep research, gemini, tariffs, taxes, trade, vat tax

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Personal, Photos, TBT, Travel | 0 Comments
Tags: annalyn, beach, ellerie, family, florida, granddaughters, haircut, TBT

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2025

After excellent comments by retired 4-star General Jack Keane the other day, I heard him again this past weekend with Mark Levin.

No matter what your thoughts are on politics or views on foreign affairs, Jack Keane is someone with a lot of knowledge, experience and insight … and his commentary is worth listening to — or perhaps reading along below (testing Otter.ai’s transcription from audio. Below the break). 
 

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Category: AI, Audio, Millitary, News, Politics | 0 Comments
Tags: jack keane, mark levin, otter.ai, russia, transcription, ukraine

Posted By RichC on March 11, 2025

Although it isn’t a surprise to see those who I’ve drawn inspiration from when it come to boats, sailing and the cruising lifestyle, another writer and book author has passed away (January 2025). Don Casey has been an icon in teaching boat owners and sailors for years and his writing have been most appreciated and treasured on my bookshelf. 

He believed that sailors should be capable of maintaining and repairing their boats, not just to save money but to foster a deeper connection with their vessels and the sea.

Don and Olga spent over four decades cruising on “Richard Cory,” a 30-foot Seawind ketch named after a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson. The boat became their home as they explored the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean and beyond. 

Sailrite posted a great write-up on their blog (snipnet above) and I saved a PDF version just in case the link disappears. For now, we are another wise voice short when it comes to excellent boat maintenance and cruising advice. I’ll continue to treasure his books.

Don Casey is a well-known marine author who has written extensively on sailboat maintenance and repair. He is the author of numerous books, including “Don Casey’s Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual,” which combines six core volumes into a single, dependable resource that answers frequent questions and explains major systems to help keep boats in good condition.

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Category: Books, Obituary, Sailing | 0 Comments
Tags: author, Books, dan casey, Obituary, sailing, sailrite

Posted By RichC on March 10, 2025

Although Fleetwood Mac has been mentioned several times times before on Music Monday, here is “Over My Head” (Christine McVie) remastered in 2017 from one of my favorite albums.

I can’t say Pandora on the Apple Watch is the best way to listen to music (the iPhone is much better), but it does help save my limited phone plan data when walking on the beach. I know, downloading music and listening would make far more sense than streaming over 5G (watch or phone data plan) … but my monthly data is a use it or lose it on the iPhone and unlimited on the watch, so it really doesn’t matter.  
 

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: fleetwood mac, music monday, musicmonday, over my head, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 9, 2025

While on our walk on the beach the other day, we spotted an unusual looking crab (posted a couple crab photos last month and this month too). After a little digging on the Internet, I think this crab appears to be a Florida Rough Box Crab (Calappa gallus) or a closely related species of Box Crab (Calappidae family) … and yes, I used ChatGPT (4.0) to research this from my photo.  

Here are some key details:

Identification & Appearance:

• Shell (Carapace): Dome-shaped, rough, and textured, often with sand or debris clinging to it for camouflage.
• Coloration: Typically reddish-brown, tan, or sandy-colored to blend into the beach environment.
• Claws: Box crabs have disproportionately large claws that they tuck under their bodies, giving them a “boxy” appearance when at rest.
• Legs: Short and sturdy, adapted for burrowing rather than swimming.

Habitat & Range:

• Found in shallow coastal waters, sandy beaches, and seafloors along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida.
• Often buries itself in sand for protection from predators and to ambush prey.
• Commonly found washed up on beaches after storms or rough surf.

Diet & Behavior:

• Primarily scavengers and carnivores, feeding on small mollusks, clams, and other shellfish by cracking their shells with powerful claws.
• Nocturnal behavior—most active at night while hunting or burrowing.
• Their camouflaged shell helps them avoid detection from predators like fish, birds, and larger crabs.

Interesting Facts:

• Sometimes referred to as a Shame-faced Crab due to how it tucks its claws under its body.
• Despite their intimidating look, they are not aggressive toward humans.
• Their natural defense mechanism is burying themselves in sand rather than fighting.

 

Category: Environment, Nature, Photos, Travel | 0 Comments
Tags: atlantic dunes, beach, box crab, crab, delray beach, florida, walk

Posted By RichC on March 8, 2025

This is strictly a future hopeful and something I’ve read Tesla engineers are working on (Graphite Aluminum-Ion Batteries), but I can’t help but get excited about another new battery technology … yes again (see my 2005 post and unfortunately fallout and A123 bankruptcy in 2012). If it is truly going to be in the next Tesla vehicles and can solve the battery degradation, cold weather performance, fast charging problems … all for a lower cost than current lithium-ion batteries, then it is worth the added wait time … and they might even be better than the holy grail — Solid State Batteries. 

Years ago (just spotted the link from 2006), I enjoyed visiting and test driving an early electric car — and the NmG was not ready for primetime (photo right).  Now that many EV vehicles ARE ready and even exceeding what we’re familiar with in ICE vehicles, the real hurdles are:

1. Charging infrastructure,
2. Tme to recharge,
3. Cold weather performance,
4. Lower prices,
5. and the unknown resale value / battery longevity.

EDIT add: Thought these were and interesting automotive statistics.

Category: Automotive, Energy, Science, Tesla | 0 Comments
Tags: batteries, battery, graphite aluminum-ion, solid state, tesla, wikipedia