Dorian comes, we hunker down

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

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

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

© Ben Lawrence Basile

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