My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on February 7, 2025

MarsEdit has been my WordPress blogging software of choice for 2 years now and although there have been a few disappointments since moving from the non-supported Windows Live Writer or Open Live Writer software (both PC only), it has been great to be able to work from my MacBook Air M2 … but more importantly, it is supported and updated by Red Sweater software. 

Since I likely use it somewhat differently that most (a couple different image servers), the ability to use macros improves adding content. One disadvantage for those who keep their eye on bandwidth, load speeds and storage (plus backups) of increasingly more and more data, is not automatically including “thumbnails” for images. This isn’t as big a deal today as it was 20 years ago as the overall Internet speed and lower cost data has accommodated bigger files. I generally still resize images and video to smaller sizes … but this isn’t usually noticed in day to day blog reading. 

Looking forward, I have been rethinking the how I have always used images on a page … meaning that images are often placed on a post to be read on a computer … not a mobile device. BUT … content is now consumed on phones and tablet more often than on computers … so I may have to adapt image us to full width images rather than including them in a layout (problem in example screenshot above and below the break … and probably this post)? 

Old habits die hard, so I’m not sure if it is possible for me to change. 😊 

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Category: Blogs, Idioms, Productivity, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: blogging, idiom, idioms, look back, marsedit, Software, tech friday, techfriday, wordpress

Posted By RichC on February 6, 2025

TheHustings.News – Commentary by Rich Corbett

In a time when government spending often raises concerns about waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency, Elon Musk and the DOGE team’s use of “read-only” access to Treasury data can be viewed as a proactive step toward enhancing accountability. The fundamental argument rests on the premise that taxpayers deserve transparency regarding how their funds are being used and managed. 

Those concerned about hearing “read-only” access and knowing computer “whiz kids” are even dipping their toes into Treasury computers containing that much personal data and information have reason to be concerned. If I were “dictator” and allowing this kind of access, it would only be copies of the data, on a system not actually used to process payments and to engineers who have security clearances.

Public funds are, by nature, meant for the benefit of all citizens. When government agencies operate with a level of secrecy that conceals mismanagement, external scrutiny becomes a necessary check. Musk’s team, leveraging AI assisted auditing resources and expertise, aim at shining a light on possible fiscal inefficiencies, and holding each government department or agency to a high standard of accountability. 

Actions of DOGE underscores the importance of reviewing public spending, particularly when traditional oversight channels, sorely missing in Congress, prove inadequate no matter which political party is in power.

Elon Musk and the DOGE team’s initiative to scrutinize runaway government spending, when viewed through the lens of public accountability, represents a necessary measure to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not squandered. By shining light on how public funds are being used, Americans clearly recognize Washington, D.C. needs more effective oversight than the business as-usual status quo.

Published commentary for the right-column  in TheHustings.News – 2/5/2024

Category: AI, Apple, News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: abuse, bloat, comment, commentary, doge, editorial, elon musk, thehustings, waste, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on February 5, 2025

While sitting down after our long beach walk with a warm breeze on a sunny day while in Delray Beach, Florida, I commented to Brenda that we were living “The Life of Riley.” I assumed she would be familiar with the reference and meaning that we were living a comfortable and carefree life. She surprised me by not being familiar with the phrase and of course didn’t believe I knew what I was talking about — a logical conclusion! 

Of course the next few minutes I did what all of us do these days … pull out my smartphone and looked it up … saying, “see, told you so!” (BTW, image above is my current wallpaper … a photo of the path we walk to get to the beach — almost always whisks all my worries away)

To be fair, I did not know that there was a 1940s situation comedy radio show, a comic book and two television series with the same reference. 

The real point is that “right now for us” … life is wonderful and we are so blessed to have this time to enjoy extended vacations … or semi-retirement if the term fits … together. 

A couple photos of Pelicans on Pilings with rain coming — iPhone 16 Pro Max 5x

Category: Cellphone, Entertainment, Human Interest, Idioms, Personal, Photos, Travel, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: delray beach, florida, idiom, iphone 16 pro max, life of riley, pelican, phrase, wallpaper

Posted By RichC on February 4, 2025

Although I’m not recommending a discussion between Michael Horton, James Wood and David VanDrunen to all Christians, the YouTube conversation between theologians is still interesting for those who are politically active in society and the church. The panelists explored the significance of post-liberalism and how it contrasts with classical liberalism, particularly in relation to Christian theology and the church’s role in society (thanks for sending the YouTube video, Katelyn!).

First, post-liberalism, as the name suggests, is a movement that critiques and seeks to move beyond the liberal order that has defined much of Western thought since the Age of Enlightenment. While liberalism has traditionally emphasized individual rights, free markets, and democratic institutions, post-liberal thought questions whether these principles are sufficient for sustaining a morally and culturally cohesive society.

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Category: Faith, Video | No Comments »
Tags: christianity, discussion, librarlism, post-liberalism, wikipedia, youtube

Posted By RichC on February 3, 2025

“Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” is a folk and country music track written by Danny O’Keefe and first recorded in 1967, but not released until it appeared on his self-titled debut album in 1971. It was re-recorded a year later with a slower, more downbeat arrangement for his second album, which was then released as a single in 1972.

It often plays on a couple of SiriusXM channels that I find myself listening to and triggered my Music Monday highlighting for this week. 

According to a quick web search, “the song reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, number 5 on the adult contemporary chart, and number 63 on the country chart.” It has been covered by various artists, including Earl Klugh, Jerry Lee Lewis, Leon Russell, and Ronnie Dunn.
 

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: 1972, danny o'keefe, music monday, musidmonday, song

Posted By RichC on February 2, 2025

Although I’m sure the November 2024 election loss might still be raw for some, a leftover lampoon of the 46th president and a U.S. postage stamp “might” of had me smiling … as did “this real video” a couple months ago.

It could have been tossed to the computer trash or left to humor others on social media, but instead it will get used as a weekend filler post.

So … just ignore it if it offends you … and appreciate the better days ahead for the USA. 😉 

Category: Humor, Politics, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: biden, Humor, postage, social media, stamps

Posted By RichC on February 1, 2025

When it comes to reading downloaded books on my Kindle, sometimes I need to pick up where I left off. Last year I started to reading Bill O’Reilly’s 2016 book “Killing the Rising Sun” and put it down to read something else. So this year, I’ve picked it back up again while spending some extended time at the condo in Florida. I’d say it is perfect for the beach, but between questionable days, a lot of walking and just talking with Brenda, it is easier to read while the television in on in the evening. 

The Killing Series books are easy to read if you enjoy WW II history (“Killing the SS” was excellent too) and this one lends itself to big picture “goings on” as the war in the Pacific rages. It focuses on the fierce resistance of the Japanese Empire against the United States island hopping campaign and ends with Japan’s eventual surrender.

I found the atomic bombings descriptions and thoughts going through US President Harry Truman decisions interesting; he eventually saved hundreds of thousands of US lives by ordering atomic bombs be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Some of the graphic depictions helps readers understand why Nuclear War (see A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen) needs to be avoided at all costs by all nations that possess such weapons — and might as well add biological and chemical weapons too. 

Essentially, “Killing the Rising Sun” offers a narrative-driven account of the Pacific War, emphasizing the brutality of the Japanese, the determination of American forces and difficult decision to use atomic weapons. 

I’ve probably read more than most when it comes to World War II in the Pacific, but if you’re new to studying and looking for a perfect “one-book read,” this one is a good one. 

On a side note, the coconut and palm photo is not from a Pacific island or anything …
nor does it have anything to do with the book other than me reading it in Florida. 😉 

Category: Books, History, Millitary, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: bill o'reilly, florida, History, killing the rising sun, kindle, pacific, reading, vacation, war, ww II, ww2

Posted By RichC on January 31, 2025

Each time I hear about an aviation accident I think back to the years I was flying small planes. The conversations by news people regarding the state of safe aviation in the United States … be it DEI hires, technology or congested air traffic control space … has me struggling to know what level of risk Americans want when it comes to aviation safety. 

There’s part of me who knows that there are things we can still do (general aviation is very safe) to improve … but it will and does infringe on our freedom when it comes to all of us sharing the air space in our country. Because I view things from a general aviation/private pilot background and tend to lean towards permitting aviation enthusiasts to fly small planes, ultralights and experimental planes … I bristle at more regulation and barriers for those of us who want to fly. On the other hand, our family regularly flies commercial and we want the safest possible skies and expect that the FAA and our government keeps us safe when we travel. 

The above comments aside, something went wrong on the evening of January 29, 2025 in Washington DC as an American Airlines commuter plane, Flight 5342, with 60 people and 4 crew was on final into DCA. Landing for pilots is the time we are most focused and loaded with tasks … be it a small plane at a community airport  … or landing an airliner at night in busy airspace. For most pilots, having a routine and repetition makes the task easier, as does the assistance from air traffic control and controllers at a airport who space air traffic and watch all airplane and helicopters in their purview. 

On Wednesday night a few things didn’t work as they were supposed to. Now this is pure speculation on my part, but the pilot and first officer on the American Airlines commuter jet did everything by the book and they were fully focused on safely landing the airplane (busy job). Communication with the tower had them lining up for the shorter DCA runway (common) and they were descending and lined up to land on the clear but cold evening with moderate winds. They likely also heard the communication with a military Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight transiting the “normal” track along the Potomac River in Washington DC. Again nothing unusual. Traffic control let them know that a descending regional jet was landing and that the pilot of the Black Hawk should watch for it and pass behind the landing jet so it could continue on their helicopter corridor along the river (WSJ Link). 

My first thought was that the helicopter pilot didn’t locate the landing plane with the lights around the city … or saw another plane and believed it was Flight 5342. Obviously it was not and the descending jet collided with the perpendicularly traveling Black Hawk Helicopter with 3 aboard. Unfortunately all lives were lost on both aircraft.

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Category: Aviation, News, Video | No Comments »
Tags: airport, american airlines, aviation, blackhawk, crash, helicopter, mp4, skating, Washington DC, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on January 30, 2025

A long time wife of a sailing friend who live in Massachusetts near her daughter,  has always been cordial and friendly, happened to included me on an email last week even though it is clear we do not share the same politics. I can’t say that I’m surprised, but was taken back at just how active rational people can be when it comes to political extremes.

Obviously we are a divided nation … and I know that we are all aware of the different views the progressive wing of the Democratic Party holds compared to those of us who tend to be traditional Americans and conservative Republicans. 

I got an email today from my daughter-in-law’s father who lives in England. During the past few months, he has been sending me articles from The Guardian focused on a world with Donald Trump as President of the United States. Today’s article listed 10 things you can do to resist Trump’s ‘neofascism’. In case you are looking for something you can do, I am listing the 10 things recommended below.

Trump’s neofascism is here now. Here are 10 things you can do to resist.

Robert Reich for The Guardian

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Category: Friends, Politics, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: handley, Politics, resistance, robert reich, theguardian.com, trump 47

Posted By RichC on January 29, 2025

As mentioned Saturday, Brenda and I are focused on better health and walking (relatively fast-paced walk and 6-7 miles). While doing this, my new Apple Watch has a podcast app which connects to my bone-conduction Aeropex headset (also work well for phone calls). Also trying the “screenshot” feature on the watch — image right.

Anyway, I rarely get through podcasts by Lex Fridman as his interviews are “long form” and regularly go three or more hours. While I learn a lot from them, they are often longer than my time and patience allows. An example is an interview with Professor Jennifer Burns who has written extensively on the Nobel Prize winning economst Milton Friedman. I’ve been a fan of his wisdom for my entire life. I’ve read a few books and studied those who he has influenced and befriended — people like William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan. 

Thanks to the enjoyable and informative interview I’ve downloaded another book to put in my “want to read” list — “Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative” — the list is currently longer than I can get through this year. Just like long podcasts, getting to the end of books is another one of my problems.    

Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative

“Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative” is a biography written by Jennifer Burns, an associate professor of history at Stanford University. The book, published in November 2023, is described as the first full-length biography of Milton Friedman, one of the 20th century’s most influential economists. It not only provides a comprehensive account of Friedman’s life but also delves into the broader intellectual and political landscape of the era.

The biography covers Friedman’s upbringing as the son of Jewish immigrants in New Jersey, his academic career at the University of Chicago, and his work on economic policy during the New Deal era. It explores his contributions to economic theory, including monetarism, price theory, and free-market capitalism. Friedman’s role in shaping modern American conservatism and his influence on public policy are also central themes.

Burns examines Friedman’s collaborations with other economists, such as Anna Schwartz, and his complex relationships with influential figures like Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur Burns and Treasury Secretary George Shultz. The book highlights Friedman’s key role in creating a new economic vision and modern American conservatism, positioning him as America’s first neoliberal and perhaps its last great conservative.

Critics have praised the book for its thorough research and accessible writing style, making complex economic theories understandable to a general audience. It is seen as a significant contribution to the understanding of 20th-century economic thought and its impact on current policy debates.

LINK

Category: Audio, Books, Podcast | No Comments »
Tags: jennifer burns, lex fridman, listening, milton friedman, podcast, reading