Music Monday: Stumbled back to the 1960s for some good vibes
Posted By RichC on February 10, 2025
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Wish my father-in-law could see this Martin B-26 Marauder video
Posted By RichC on February 9, 2025
Several decades ago we took Brenda’s father, Fred Howard, to the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio and seeing the Martin B-26 Marauder on display triggered an emotional response. 
Having flown 50+ bombing missions as a navigator in Europe during World War II and seeing his “ship” (similar) after so many years brought back strong memories and a pivotal time in his life.
We took note and since my CPP business was in Cuyahoga Falls near Akron, Ohio where I occasionally flew a Cessna 172 in and out of AKR, I knew about the Maps Museum and the B-26 rescue project. So we planned the trip and a tour of the restoration project and it gave my father-in-law a chance to see (touch and climb though) one of the very few Martin B-26 Marauders surviving — this one was recovered from a crash site in Canada (much had already been stripped for parts). He really enjoyed seeing and 
remembering the innards of the plane, showing us his station and talking with a few of the volunteers who were helping to restore it. I learned just how “it protect him” and how he had been trained to destroy the Norden bombsight in the “likely” event they were shot down or hit by flak — thankfully the planes he navigated to and from targets were not downed (grime image of B-17 below).
A couple years later, we gave him a book that reviewed the history and missions of this “hot” medium sized bomber during WW II and asked him to make notes in the margin detailing his memory of the missions — shocking just how much he could recall.
For those of you like me who enjoy military history AND aviation, the video archived on YouTube by PBS Western Reserve is worth watching (as has become a habit, I’ve archived the mp4 file just in case the YouTube link disappears — sadly becoming the norm).
Interesting history: Which came first, beer or wine?
Posted By RichC on February 8, 2025
An interesting article caught my eye on my social media feed this week from History Facts. The topic was “Which came first: Beer or Wine?”
Alcohol has been a part of human existence for thousands of years, dating back to the dawn of recorded time. The fermentation process, which creates ethanol, likely occurred naturally when sugar met yeast in grains or fruits. Early humans may have discovered the intoxicating effects of fermented substances by accident, leading to the development of beer and wine, with beer and mead being the earliest forms of alcohol … but for the answer, read the post … or for a quick cheat, look below the break. 😉
Tech Friday: 2 years with MarEdit for blogging has me satisfied
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. 😊
Downsizing Government Bloat commentary – TheHustings.news
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
Enjoying “The Life of Riley” … as the old phrase goes
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
Review: Post-Liberalism, America and the Church, a discussion
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.
Music Monday: “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” from 1972
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.
| Danny O’Keefe – “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” | 1972 |
Leftover political humor highlighting a U.S. postage stamp
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. 😉
Books: “Killing the Rising Sun” by Bill O’Reilly (2016)
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. 😉
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.