Is it a Small World?

We had lunch with Henry Jones and Minnie yesterday. They drove to Naples from Miami. We drove from Sarasota. I had met Minnie and her deceased husband, Ted, back in 1966 and 1968 in Miami. They knew Carol from her days of trying to integrate restaurants and other institutions.

Henry and Minnie married on December 20, 2003 after Ted passed away.   Henry and Carol were arrested together 50 years ago trying to integrate the Dobb's House lunch counter in Tallahassee. Henry says that they found him innocent, but that Carol was found guilty of violating a restraining order. Apparently back then a mixed race couple having lunch together was verboten in Tallahassee 1963 eating places.

Minnie is as sweet as ever. She went back to school  and got her masters degree and became a social worker in Miami.

This is one of the clippings I have of Mrs. Phred's time of radical civil disobedience. It took 70 Pinkerton agents, 5 paddy wagons and two helicopters to take her away. She got prime time coverage on all three National networks and the major newspapers. How could you not love a 100 pound woman who does night shark dives, chases away Montana bears and back talks bulky Pinkerton agents with black Stetsons?...

So ...do white people hate Obama? The stats below cast doubt on that. Most white people hate Democrats regardless of skin color. In 2012 Obama took 39% of the white vote, tying Bill Clinton in 1992.

In 2008 Obama got 43% of the white vote, a percentage surpassed only by Jimmy Carter in 1974....Makes sense that the DEM percentage should be highest after Nixon and Bush Junior, both unmitigated disasters.

By Jonathan Capehart

Democrats are crowing rather loudly about how Latinos, African Americans, women and young people came out to vote in numbers that helped keep President Obama in the White House. As well they should. The demographics of this nation are changing and Democrats are benefiting from it. But a friend of mine e-mailed this morning with a legitimate worry.

“I really worry about not recognizing the ‘white guys’ who did vote for Obama and made a difference in the election,” the self-described middle-age, upper-income, highly curious and vocal African American woman from Colorado wrote. “I know tons of them of all ages, income levels, political persuasions and sexual orientations. Just think it is short-sighted if we don't acknowledge [them], starting with the campaign team.”

Joshua Keirsey, a member of the United Steelworkers union, canvasses for President Obama's reelection campaign in Steubenville, Ohio, in October. (T.J. Kirkpatrick - BLOOMBERG)

“Overall the messages seem to be Latinos, Blacks and women voted for the President. A great message for the other side, but an inaccurate message for the President,” she continued in a subsequent e-mail. “He pulled from all kinds of Americans, rich, poor, middle class, all Americans. Like the President, who is half white and half Black, which also seems to go unrecognized, his campaign reflected his DNA and his lifetime experience.”

Mitt Romney was the preferred candidate of white men. He won their vote over Obama by a 25-point margin.Still, there were plenty of white men who voted for the president. In fact, plenty of white people in general voted for Obama. According to a nifty chart from The Post’s polling unit, the president’s white support (39 percent) was the same as it was for Bill Clinton when he was elected in 1992.

I, Robot (lacking free will)

 I'm listening to a three CD set called "This is Psychedelia". It starts with "White Rabbit" and gets better...a good recommendation from a friend....

“Don’t worry,” I said. “Are you ready?” I hit the “play” button and “White Rabbit” started building again. Almost immediately he began to howl and moan...another fast run up that mountain, and thinking, this time, that he would finally get over the top. His eyes were gripped shut and only his head and both kneecaps poked up through the oily green water.

I let the song build while I sorted through the pile of fat ripe grapefruit next to the basin. The biggest one of the lot weighed almost two pounds. I got a good Vida Blue fastball grip on the fucker—and just as “White Rabbit” peaked I lashed it into the tub like a cannonball.

My attorney screamed crazily, thrashing around in the tub like a shark after meat, churning water all over the floor as he struggled to get hold of something.. (Hunter S Thompson)

Mrs. Phred asks me a strange question: "If you were a robot and I knew it and you didn't, would you want me to tell you?"

"You know something, I don't?", I ask her.

"Have you ever injured a human being, or, through inaction, allowed a human being to come to harm?", she says.

"No, I don't think so. I got into Air Force cargo planes instead of bombers on purpose."



"Have you always obeyed the orders given by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law?", she wonders?

"Sometimes I'm evasive, but yes...I have always followed orders...most humans are kind and wise."



"Have you always protected your own existence as long as such protection did not conflict with the First or Second Law?" she asks with finality.

"Yes, I've always attempted to escape death and injury except when I needed to accept some risk to protect others."

"There you have it" she says, "You're bound by the three laws of robotics. You lack free will."



" I'm voting for Obama again in 2012", I tell her.

In The Ditch

A Ditch in North Carolina

A little voice inside is telling me that I've become overconfident in my driving skills.

A huge wrecker arrives and winches me out. There is very little permanent damage. A little paint scratch on the right rear cargo compartment appears to be the extent of it.

We wandered though Savannah on the 23rd to see the old mansions and beautiful town squares once again.

I have an existential dilemma. I have provided my e-mail address to an individual who wanted to send out information about tennis at the RV park where we winter. Somehow, this individual feels that it is somehow appropriate to send out almost treasonous remarks about our current Commander-in-Chief. I find his presumption that I would share his views irritating, at best.

What should I do with this curmudgeon? Lack of rejection might be interpreted as acceptance. I do accept that everyone has a right to and opinion, but my personal God of Enlightenment does not extend this proposition to the view all that opinions are equally well formed or even rational.

On the other hand, I'm reluctant to enter into a debate with a moron. I'm sure that if I wrote to "Dear Abbey", she would tell me that this individual has committed a gross violation of E-mail etiquette. I'd place this individual in my SPAM filter, but Mrs. Phred counts on the tennis updates. Perhaps I'll get Mrs. Phred her own E-mail account so I don't have to hear from this fool again?

Perhaps another, more subtle approach would be to make my next donation to the Obama reelection campaign in his name so he could receive lots of e-mails from Barrack, Michelle and the DNC.. Would that be identity theft? I wonder.

Yes We Can!

Trinidad, California

President Obama took the time out to send me a personal E-mail today. Considering all he has on his plate, I'm impressed with his energy. I get more E-mail from him and the First Lady than anybody else. The last guy never talked to me. Here's what he said:

Robert --

This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.



Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.



Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.

Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.

As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.

So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.

With very best wishes,

President Barack Obama

July 4th, 2009

(I added the fireworks...They're from Tropea, Italy in May, 2007...I forget what they were celebrating)

Firecloud Declares Obama Winner

Dixville Notch, New Hampshire

6:01 AM: Last summer we visited Dixville Notch. They open the polls there one minute after midnight. Usually they go heavily Republican. For example, they went for Reagan over Carter 17-3. Today they voted for Obama by a margin of 15-6. This is the first time a Democrat has taken the Notch since 1964. It's finally over...the rest is just a formality

We've were  camping for three nights in the White Mountains. It was cool in the mornings and evenings. You can understand why people like to vacation here in the summer. When the leaves change color in the fall it's a spectacular place.



There's a place here called Dixville Notch. During every election the 20 or so registered voters gather at midnight and cast their votes. By a few minutes after midnight the polls close and the results are announced around the nation as election news.



The results are always heavily tilted. This is the most "red" of all states. You see results like "Reagan 17...Carter 3". We drive up to the notch expecting a quaint little town. We are surprised to find a very posh resort with pools, clay tennis courts and a fabulous golf course.



The doorman invites us to go take pictures of the "ballot room" in the hotel and suggests lunch up on the mountain at the golf club. Many famous people show up here on election day. My own guy, Ralph Nader, has been here. Both Bush I and Bush II visited the room on election day.



We spent a day driving the road up to the top of Mt. Washington. The road is eight miles with an average grade of 12%. You have to use 1st gear all the time both ways. They recorded a wind up there of 231 MPH in 1934. People like to set records on the road. One guy was the first to push a wheelbarrow with 100 pounds of sugar up to the top (he was also the first to walk up backwards). Another was the first to ride a water buffalo to the top...lot's of firsts. I snap a few shots of the old cogwheel coal powered steam train. We rode it two years ago. When it pulls in about 60 old men make a dash for the three urinals, so you want to be finished with your business before the train arrives...



Lunch in the golf club is very good...we have a sandwich and leek and potato soup, white wine and finish by sharing a mixed berry pie with a "dollop" of vanilla ice cream. This morning we move on to the Coast of Maine.

A Long Wait to Vote

Sarasota, Florida

It's two days before the election. This roving reporter has already voted. Come take a trip to an early voting polling place to see if the reports of unreasonably long lines are true.


There appears to be 150-200 voters standing in line to vote. About one voter every five minutes is getting in the building to vote. That's an estimated wait time in line of 12-16 hours.

As I stand there, many more cars drive up, look at the line and drive away. Elections shouldn't be so hard. Are they just incompetent or is something more sinister in play?

Cape Cod

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod has about 80 miles of "National Seashore". It is undeveloped white sand beach and sand dunes. It cost $15 for a vehicle pass, unless you are old like us and then it's free.

The trip over to Cape Cod involves a lot of traffic in the summer. We saw one traffic jam of stopped cars backed up for 15 miles trying to leave the peninsula.


We drove out to the Provincetown at the end of the Cape. The small seashore town is jammed with cars and pedestrians in mid-summer.

The only thing uncrowded in Provincetown is the barber shop. I get a haircut and we have lunch and do a little shopping.

The beaches are lovely and the water is clear and cool. It all reminds me of "Jaws" which was filmed on one of the nearby beaches in a summer setting.


The pungent odor drifting out of a local shop tells me that the local police are not much into drug law enforcement.

Obama has been over in Europe discussing chlorinated chicken in Berlin with crowds of 200,000. Europe bans our chicken because we disinfect the carcasses in a chlorine bath. This running for President stuff is more complicated than I first thought....I've always been a fond of the concept of nuclear irradiation of foodstuffs to kill germs like salmonella. I think they might they go for that in Europe. Wrap them in plastic and nuke 'em. That should result in a shelf life of 100 years or more. I know how to say nuclear without sounding like a Texas hick. This is also a neat solution for what to do with high-level radioactive waste....a glowing chicken in every pot.

There are a number of motor homes parked right on the beach at the Cape Cod National Seashore.... but for the traffic, we'd be tempted to drive here and camp for several days. Maybe next time, in a different season.

Firecloud Endorses Obama

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The map below is a county-by-county representation of the 2004 American presidential election. The deep red counties went at least 70% republican and the deep blue were 70% democrat. In between are various shades of purple. The map is adjusted for population which accounts for the strange shape.



The Firecloud Report is endorsing Obama over McCain. I am throwing my financial support to Obama and went online this morning to make my contribution. We are set to receive absentee ballots and have switched from the Green Party to yellow-dog Democrat..

Virginia is normally considered a red state, so Obama's choice to launch his general campaign there is a statement about his strategy and optimism.

While there are parallels between 1968 and 2008 (an unpopular war, an unpopular president), there are also distinct differences (an economy in a deflationary housing death spiral, the dollar a joke, rising unemployment, spiraling energy and food prices and credit and financial markets locked up).

In November, we will be able to say to the world, "Hey, Y'all. Look who we just elected."

You have to give the Republican robber barons credit for persuading the poor and the uneducated to consistently vote against their own self interest by creating phony issues like gay marriage. However, as one notable Republican once observed, "You can't fool all the people, all the time."

Flying Pig Escapes

Cadillac Ranch RV Park
Bluff, Utah

By now, you've probably heard that the inflatable Pink Floyd pig, broke loose at a California concert and flew high before exploding in the stratosphere. The pig had the word "Obama" stenciled on its belly, with a checkmark next to the word... The pig came to rest in tatters in two driveways in a California desert town. The inhabitants will split a $10,000 reward from Roger Waters.

In the morning, we hiked up to more Indian ruins. The story is the same: built from 1250 to 1275 A.D., dated by dendrochronology, abandoned for reasons unknown. I find an interesting looking bud on a cactus and eat it. I expect visions, but nothing happens.

We look at the Natural Bridges National Monument later in the day and have lunch. The monument was declared the first International Dark Sky Park. They have an astronomy program tonight and Sunday at 9PM. The weather report is for partly cloudy tonight and mostly cloudy Sunday evening.

I learn the difference between plateaus, mesas, buttes and pinnacles. They all have flat tops but are different sizes. It's just another crazy, imprecise human classification system like rivers, streams and creeks. Most of the red buttes and pinnacles we've been looking at lately are 250 million year old red petrified sand dunes.

My personal favorite is the Sipapu bridge. Sipapu is a Hopi word meaning place of original emergence. This is the place on earth from which the earliest humans emerged at the beginning of the world.


We wander down to Muley's Point and take in the vista carved by the San Juan river. Then down to the Goosenecks State Park to see the "meanders". Meanders occur when the river traps itself in a series of horseshoe bends by rapidly digging itself into soft rock. You can see the river travel ten miles to get downstream one mile.

I don't have a picture of the meanders. Even though we're looking down 1,000 feet from a bluff, you really need a helicopter to take in the bends. I do a video, but it's 76 megabytes, too big to be worth posting. The last two minutes of the video is of my tennis shoes after I put the camera strap back on my shoulder. I need to learn how to stop filming. I've got the start part figured out. The picture below is of the San Juan from the Muley's point overlook. You can just make out a dirt road below leading to the river.

There's a big "four-corners" Indian festival today right up the road in Blanding. The Zuni, Hopi and Navajo tribes will all be competing in an art festival.

I was up at 2:45 this morning. I slipped outside without spoiling my night vision and took in the stars and desert silence. For the first time I locate the Navigator's Triangle from the Milky Way, rather than the other way around. At 5 AM, the noise level has picked up. A coyote is yipping up on the bluff and someone close has a jackass. We may go camp in the Valley of the Gods today. We'll put out the lawn chairs, read novels and wait for darkfall.