My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 5, 2025

The Trump tariffs that have been long in the making and took hold on April 2nd, “Liberation Day”  (he first talked about them in the 1980s). Not everyone is as sure or as comfortable with them as U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Still, most of us recognize that the industry that built this country in the 20th century, left for lower regulations, cheaper labor and the ability to export back to the U.S. during the last 50 years. Republicans, many who were tied to companies that profited by outsourcing, didn’t little to slow the export of blue-collar jobs … and Democrats who once fought for many of the union jobs in the rust belt, gave way to the progressive wing of their party. The American worker no longer had voices in government who listened to them … until Donald Trump.

Despite the pain being felt on Wall Street (over 6 Trillions in losses this week), the Trump administration continues to keep the tariffs in place. We’ve heard many countries are finally calling to negotiate lowering their countries tariffs, trade barriers, VAT taxes and regulations. Others are doubling down, like China announcing a 34% tariff on U.S. products.

China exports much more to the U.S. than it imports, making the value of trade affected by a blanket tariff smaller than what is hit by across-the-board U.S. tariffs. Still, China is the third-largest buyer of U.S. goods, purchasing about $143.5 billion worth of exports last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Soybeans, aircraft and petroleum are among the goods sold by the U.S. to China.

(more…)

Category: Business, Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags:

Posted By RichC on April 4, 2025

Have you ever wondered why a day has 24 hours?

The answer traces back to the ancient Egyptians, particularly during their New Kingdom period, from around 1550 BCE to 1069 BCE—about a thousand years after the Great Pyramids were built. They were the first to divide the day into 24 parts, though their approach differed from ours. The Egyptians separated daytime and nighttime, assigning 12 segments to each, measured with tools like sundials and water clocks. These segments, called temporal hours, varied in length depending on the season—daylight hours stretched longer in summer and shortened in winter, adjusting to the available light.

Why 12?

There are a couple of possibilities. Ancient records suggest they based the nighttime division on the movement of stars across the sky, perhaps tied to lunar cycles. Another theory points to the duodecimal system, built around the highly divisible number 12, which was common in early cultures. It wasn’t until the second century BCE that the Greek astronomer Hipparchus proposed 24 equal-length hours. This concept took hold in Europe during the Middle Ages and remains our standard today. It’s intriguing to think how those early Egyptian timekeepers, with their sundials and starry nights, shaped the way we measure our days. 

Check out these quotes about time. 😉 

Category: History, Human Interest, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: desultory, egypt, History, interesting, sundial, time, water clock

Posted By RichC on April 3, 2025

Although I have a personal opinion on just how trade between countries “should” function (free trade), I also realize there’s really no such thing in the real world. There are those who believe companies in the United States end up holding the short straw when exporting their products overseas … due to a variety of tariffs, taxes, government subsidies and protective trade practices. In most cases, those protectionist practices are understandable as every country wants to be as self-sufficient as possible. 

That said, all of us who live in the U.S. (especially midwest) recognize just how much of our industrial base and factories are now overseas. COVID shortages made this shockingly clear and yet little has been done to revitalize necessary industry. President Trump in part was elected by blue-collar Americans in the hope he would be able to restore and re-shore the jobs that have been off-shored for decades. His use of tariffs are of obviously controversial, but few opposing them have answers when it comes to bringing back vital industry and loss jobs. 

(more…)

Category: Business, Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: cryptocurrency, foxbusiness, investing, investments, stock market, tariffs, trump, wall street, wsj

Posted By RichC on April 3, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Retirement, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, bahamas, birthday party, drew, ellerie, family, katelyn, megan, taylor

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2025

During one of our many longish 9-1/2 mile winter beach walks this year, Brenda and I came across a couple orange objects. The orange ball that washed up during a heavy surf was pretty obvious … since they are used along the shore to mark life guard protected zones and swimming areas. There was a lot of seaweed that was piled a couple feet high by the surf on one of the days too; it was impressive — I couldn’t help but think about Algae-based Biodiesel.

As for the item we couldn’t identify (we even asked our new friend Marshall and his dog Kiss) and so decided a couple photos and some artificial intelligence sleuthing might help. Impressive to see Grok3 look at the photos, analyze my description and within seconds give me a detailed answer … the times they are a changin’  

The object is likely an Aerial Target Drone or a component of one, specifically a **BQM-167** or similar model used for military training exercises. Here’s the reasoning:

1. Shape and Design: The cylindrical shape with a tapered end, fins, and holes along the side are characteristic of aerial target drones. These drones are often used by the military to simulate enemy aircraft or missiles during training exercises for air defense systems.
2. Color: The bright orange color is typical for such drones, as it makes them easier to spot during recovery operations after they are shot down or complete their mission.
3. Text on the Object: The text “Aerial Target” and “Patents Pending” along with “Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.” is a strong indicator. Kratos is a known manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems, including the BQM-167 series, which are used by the U.S. military for target practice.
4. Markings: The “DM3554” written in Sharpie and the “SERN 013554” label could be serial numbers or identification codes used to track the drone or its components.
5. Context: These types of drones are often launched over bodies of water, and if they are not recovered immediately, they can wash ashore, especially in areas like Florida, which is near several military bases (such as Eglin Air Force Base) where such exercises are conducted.

Additional Notes:

• These drones are typically made of lightweight materials like fiberglass or composite materials, which aligns with the appearance of the object in the photos.
• The seaweed and wear suggest it has been in the water for some time before washing ashore.

Recommendation:

If you encounter such an object, it’s best not to touch or move it, as it could be military property and potentially hazardous (though most target drones are unarmed, some may contain residual fuel or electronics). You might want to report it to local authorities or the nearest military base for proper handling.

EDIT add: Location of the Aerial Target Drone.
26.48115° N, 80.05438° W

Category: AI, Biodiesel, Environment, Millitary, Photos, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: aerial target drone, artificial intelligence, biodiesel, drone, grok3, kratos, military, ocean, seaweed

Posted By RichC on April 1, 2025

Can GrokAI really pull off an April Fools Day prank in a blog post? Nope … artificial intelligence better leave this to humans with the talent for comedy. 😊

In a shocking revelation, xAI scientists claim gravity reverses every April 1st for 24 hours. “It’s nature’s prank,” says Dr. Fictus, a totally real researcher. “People will float upward—secure your pets and practice ceiling-walking!” The cause? A cosmic giggle, apparently. So, tape down your coffee mugs and enjoy the upside-down chaos this Tuesday!

Category: AI, Humor | No Comments »
Tags: ai, april fools day, artificial intelligence, grok

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2025

Occasionally Music Monday shifts back a decade to the 1960s. This week it is to the song “Groovin’,” released in April 1967 by The Young Rascals. It also became a defining anthem for the Summer of Love.

The song was written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and has  smooth harmonies, a gentle rhythm and heartfelt lyrics about carefree romance. It went to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for four weeks. With its Latin-infused beat and iconic harmonica riff, “Groovin'” captured the era’s laid-back spirit and remains a timeless ’60s classic … and it fits my current mood. 😉
  

The Young Rascals     Groovin’ | 1967

Category: History, Music | No Comments »
Tags: 1967, groovin', music monday, musicmonday, summer of love, the young rascals, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on March 30, 2025

Over the weekend, a friend of mine sent me a link and asked for my thoughts on an article in the New Atlas, titled “Alien life might glow in the dark on infrared waterworld planets, says James Webb study” (published March 19, 2025). Perhaps even those of us who question the existence of “extraterrestrial life,” are still intrigued when unknown or new scientific discoveries come to light.

The quest to find life beyond Earth has long captivated humanity, driving us to scan the cosmos for telltale signs of biology. Traditionally, this search has focused on biosignatures like oxygen, methane, or water vapor—chemical fingerprints familiar from our own planet. But a new study leveraging data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggests we might need to broaden our perspective. According to researchers, alien life on water-rich exoplanets could emit a faint infrared glow, a phenomenon tied to bioluminescence. This intriguing possibility not only challenges our assumptions about what life looks like but also underscores the importance of embracing the unknown in our cosmic explorations.

Shortly before I was married, I took a bachelor camping trip with college friends to a less travelled shoreline area of North Carolina (photos from 1982 below). While sitting quietly on the beach at night, we were amazed at the beautiful glow of bioluminescence in the waves. Those who focus on ocean life know that many organisms, particularly those in the ocean’s depths, glow. From jellyfish to deep-sea fish, bioluminescence is a widespread survival strategy, used for communication, predation, or camouflage. The James Webb study posits that on exoplanets dominated by water—lacking the landmasses that shape Earth’s ecosystems—this trait could be even more prevalent. With no continents to break up their oceans, these “waterworlds” might host life that relies heavily on light to thrive in perpetual aquatic darkness. Crucially, the JWST’s infrared capabilities could detect this glow, offering a novel way to spot life where traditional biosignatures fall short. (more…)

Category: Memories, Science, Space | No Comments »
Tags: article, bachelor, bioluminescence, camping, extraterrestrial, glow, james webb, jwst, life, new atlas, north carolina, ocean, planets, space, study, trip

Posted By RichC on March 29, 2025

The talk from most in the media this past week as been about several in the Trump administration’s team discussing plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen … and that they used the encrypted app Signal to communicate with each other on a group chat titled “Houthi PC small group.” The Atlantic published a story after Jeffery Goldberg was added to a secure chat. That chat was initiated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, included senior officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. On March 15, Hegseth shared detailed operational updates, including timing, weather conditions, and specific weapons like F-18 jets and Tomahawk missiles, just hours before the attack commenced.

We still don’t know how or why Goldberg was added (assumed accidentally … although questions still abound). 

• Did someone working for Waltz want to embarrass the Trump administration?
• Was someone paid or promised something to add Goldberg?
• Or (the most likely) someone assembling the team, Waltz or an assistant, made a mistake and add JG – see below the break.
• Does some at Signal have the ability to insert a name?

We can only speculate but this smells:
In January 2024, Katherine Maher became the CEO of NPR. She also serves as the chair of the board of directors for the Signal Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the encrypted messaging app Signal.

— Rich Corbett 🇺🇸 (@RichC)

March 27, 2025

(more…)

Category: Blogs, News, Politics, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: associated press, hegseth, houthi, jeffery goldberg, signalapp, theatlantic, trump, waltz, yemen

Posted By RichC on March 28, 2025

An interesting map on BrilliantMaps.com (from a Reddit post), highlights Canada’s January temperature patterns, showing where average highs and lows rise above freezing. The West Coast, particularly around Vancouver and Victoria, and parts of Nova Scotia, like Halifax, are marked in purple, indicating January average highs above 0°C (32°F). These areas, influenced by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, enjoy milder winters with highs of 6-8°C in Vancouver and 0-2°C in Halifax, often seeing rain rather than snow. Light blue spots in these regions also show average lows above freezing, making winter more manageable compared to the rest of the country.

The unshaded majority of Canada, however, experiences a true deep freeze (image left created by Grok AI), with both average highs and lows below 0°C. In places like Winnipeg, January highs average -13°C (9°F), while lows can drop to -23°C (-10°F) or colder in the northern territories. This map underscores Canada’s climatic diversity—whether you’re in a milder coastal city or the frigid interior, winter shapes life differently.

Category: AI, Blogs, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: brilliantmaps.com, canada, grok, maps, reddit, weather