We are making preparation for the approach of this storm.
Although it's not at all clear where the storm will go, Floridians are taking this seriously.
As well we should.
We're well prepared here, what with our two burner, propane camp stove, tons of AA batteries, flashlights, lanterns aplenty and even a dependable, 10 inch battery-powered fan.
Did I mention our three burner propane grill with oven capability? Got lots of propane, too.
We've got eight gallons of fresh water, a pool for grey water and the flushing of toilets and so on.
Oh, and a good, old-school, battery-powered radio which gets AM, FM and even short wave broadcasts.
Sad to say, the battery-powered TV is still in storage.
But we've got this.
So if the D-man comes our way, we're about as well-prepared as we could be.
And if not, we'll be ready for the next one.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019
The Poser Prez WILL crash our economy
Many economists are prognosticating about the US economy and where we're headed.
The signs are not good.
One of the main reasons why a downturn is most-likely looming is trump's ill-advised and ineffective trade war with China.
I hope I'm off-target here, but I'm one of those who think we are, indeed, headed for trouble.
Sooner rather than later.
And when the dust settles, the way Dolt 45 has wreaked years of carefully-crafted and even-handed trade agreements will be one of the main reasons.
Yeah, I hope I'm wrong. I'm no wonk on our economy, not by any means.
But I don't think I am.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
The signs are not good.
One of the main reasons why a downturn is most-likely looming is trump's ill-advised and ineffective trade war with China.
I hope I'm off-target here, but I'm one of those who think we are, indeed, headed for trouble.
Sooner rather than later.
And when the dust settles, the way Dolt 45 has wreaked years of carefully-crafted and even-handed trade agreements will be one of the main reasons.
Yeah, I hope I'm wrong. I'm no wonk on our economy, not by any means.
But I don't think I am.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Paying Attention and Taking Action
Climate Scientists have been sounding the alarm for years about how the Earth is warming and how big changes are on the way for all of us.
The signs that our planet is changing–and changing very fast–are so numerous that it’s hard to know what to focus on.
But we should not allow that to keep us from getting and staying engaged and advocating for policies and actions to mitigate the damage we are inflicting upon our beleaguered planet.
In an article that appeared in June, writer Jordan Davidson lays out for concerned readers some of the alarming signs that the melting of ice around Greenland is a very big deal and is–most troubling of all–accelerating at a rapid pace.
Davidson followed up with another piece yesterday which focuses on one of the more urgent aspects of this whole matter of melting glaciers and rising sea levels.
Scientists, researchers and policy wonks have been warning all who will listen that we need to be prepared to move away from the coastal regions of our planet as the phenomenon of rising sea levels proceeds.
And to this observer, it appears that not too many people are listening to those warnings.
Mr. Davidson’s article makes a fine entry point for anyone who’d like to take a closer look at these issues. It focuses closely on the melting of ice around Greenland, the Helheim Glacier in particular. The piece is very timely and not overly-wonky and can be read here.
So many are doing this work of watching for the signs, for the evidence, that our planet is struggling, is being seriously degraded.
Keep listening. Stay engaged. Stay engaged and take action!
The plight of the Earth demands nothing less.
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
The signs that our planet is changing–and changing very fast–are so numerous that it’s hard to know what to focus on.
But we should not allow that to keep us from getting and staying engaged and advocating for policies and actions to mitigate the damage we are inflicting upon our beleaguered planet.
In an article that appeared in June, writer Jordan Davidson lays out for concerned readers some of the alarming signs that the melting of ice around Greenland is a very big deal and is–most troubling of all–accelerating at a rapid pace.
Davidson followed up with another piece yesterday which focuses on one of the more urgent aspects of this whole matter of melting glaciers and rising sea levels.
Scientists, researchers and policy wonks have been warning all who will listen that we need to be prepared to move away from the coastal regions of our planet as the phenomenon of rising sea levels proceeds.
And to this observer, it appears that not too many people are listening to those warnings.
Mr. Davidson’s article makes a fine entry point for anyone who’d like to take a closer look at these issues. It focuses closely on the melting of ice around Greenland, the Helheim Glacier in particular. The piece is very timely and not overly-wonky and can be read here.
So many are doing this work of watching for the signs, for the evidence, that our planet is struggling, is being seriously degraded.
Keep listening. Stay engaged. Stay engaged and take action!
The plight of the Earth demands nothing less.
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
© Ben Lawrence Basile
Friday, August 9, 2019
It's National Read A Book Day
Yes, that is what day it is today!
I’m going through two tomes at this moment.
The first is Hunter Killer by Lt Col T. Mark McCurley. It’s all about the use of drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
If you like books that shed light on newer developments in weapons technology or just like Military History in general, it’s a good read.
The author and his colleagues in the USAF were pioneers in the employment of RPA’s and their use is only going to become more important in the conflicts of the future.
The second book I’m reading right now is Incredible Pirate Tales, edited by Tom McCarthy and it’s a real page-turner.
I’m going through The Ghost of Captain Brand at this moment and am enjoying it immensely!
If you’re not already immersed in a good book, it’s time you were. And what better time to recover your love of reading than on National Read A Book Day?
“Bookdog Ben” Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Basile
Friday, July 26, 2019
Moscow Mitch blocking laws meant to safeguard our elections
Mitch McConnell thinks laws proposed by Congressional Democrats to safeguard our elections are highly partisan.
That's true in the sense that Democrats are doing their dead-level best to secure our elections and safeguard them from Russian interference.
And the Rethuglicans are absolutely doing all they can to make sure that doesn't happen.
How very partisan.
In an article that just came out on MSNBC's site, writer Steve Benen takes a look at this situation. It's a succinct and timely article and it's well-worth the next few minutes of your day.
Benen's conclusion is that something has gone terribly wrong in Washington.
And he's absolutely correct.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
That's true in the sense that Democrats are doing their dead-level best to secure our elections and safeguard them from Russian interference.
And the Rethuglicans are absolutely doing all they can to make sure that doesn't happen.
How very partisan.
In an article that just came out on MSNBC's site, writer Steve Benen takes a look at this situation. It's a succinct and timely article and it's well-worth the next few minutes of your day.
Benen's conclusion is that something has gone terribly wrong in Washington.
And he's absolutely correct.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Today is National Moon Day
As you may know, today marks exactly 50 years since Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Lunar soil.
It is, indeed, a monumental occasion. For so many reasons.
One of the many things that have happened as a result of this historic mission is that today, July 20th, has become National Moon Day.
So today we look back over that amazing achievement. It is, in my estimation, the Crown Jewel for NASA and quite possibly for the U.S. in general.
I will never, never forget what I was doing at the moment Mr Armstrong thrilled our Nation and the world with this stellar feat of human achievement.
And it’s a very good time to just reflect on how awesome it is to have our luminous and singular moon.
And to think about space exploration and new vistas in general.
It’s ever onward and upward!
“Moondog Ben” Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
Photo credit Ben Lawrence Basile
Sunday, July 14, 2019
The GOP wants to destroy Obamacare so bad!
Yes, they most certainly do!
And they'll stop at nothing to do it.
Republicans--with trump's enthusiastic support--filed suit back in February of 2018, hoping to have the courts invalidate the Affordable Care Act and finally wipe away Barack Obama's most important achievement.
They may very well get their wish.
And sooner rather than later.
It is true that the SCOTUS will have the final say, but it is quite possible, if not likely, that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will rule in their favor.
Most within the GOP are hoping that the court will do just that.
But they have no clear plan to move forward if, indeed, it goes their way.
There is some awareness on their part that it will ignite a crisis in our healthcare system and galvanize support among the majority of the American electorate who support the ACA and do not want to see it taken away.
Yes, millions will lose their coverage. Thousands will die as a result.
Yes, the prohibition against insurance companies refusing to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions will almost certainly go away.
This is, without a doubt, the worst part of their disastrous and fool-hardy plan to kill Obamacare.
The chances of the ACA going away, putting at risk millions of Americans who depend on it?
Those chances are pretty good.
The chances of Republicans in Congress competently putting together anything to take its place and protect Americans whose welfare--and very lives--depend on the protections in the ACA?
Those chances are very, very close to zero.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
And they'll stop at nothing to do it.
Republicans--with trump's enthusiastic support--filed suit back in February of 2018, hoping to have the courts invalidate the Affordable Care Act and finally wipe away Barack Obama's most important achievement.
They may very well get their wish.
And sooner rather than later.
It is true that the SCOTUS will have the final say, but it is quite possible, if not likely, that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will rule in their favor.
Most within the GOP are hoping that the court will do just that.
But they have no clear plan to move forward if, indeed, it goes their way.
There is some awareness on their part that it will ignite a crisis in our healthcare system and galvanize support among the majority of the American electorate who support the ACA and do not want to see it taken away.
Yes, millions will lose their coverage. Thousands will die as a result.
Yes, the prohibition against insurance companies refusing to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions will almost certainly go away.
This is, without a doubt, the worst part of their disastrous and fool-hardy plan to kill Obamacare.
The chances of the ACA going away, putting at risk millions of Americans who depend on it?
Those chances are pretty good.
The chances of Republicans in Congress competently putting together anything to take its place and protect Americans whose welfare--and very lives--depend on the protections in the ACA?
Those chances are very, very close to zero.
"Bulldog Ben" Basile
© 2019 Ben Lawrence Basile
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