Civil rights ldr. Andrew Young (L) and others standing on balcony of Lorraine motel pointing in direction of assailant after assassination of civil rights ldr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is lying at their feet.
In 1969 James Earl Ray was convicted of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.
Ray shot Dr. King on 4th of April 1968 in Tennesse. Dr. King was there to on behalf of the striking Memphis Sanitation workers. Ray would stay in prison until his death in 1998
In 2006 the Mars reconnaissance mission was launched Mars.
The formal science objectives of MRO are to:
observe the present climate, particularly its atmospheric circulation and seasonal variations;
search for signs of water, both past and present, and understand how it altered the planet’s surface;
map and characterize the geological forces that shaped the surface.
The two mission support objectives for MRO are to:
provide data relay services from ground missions back to Earth;
characterize the safety and feasibility of potential future landing sites and rover’s traverses.
The mission is continuing to this day save the stage for future successful missions.
In 1913 William Knox bowled the first ever 300 in the USBC Open Championship in Toledo
On this day in 1933, soon after Adolf Hitler became chancellor, the first concentration camp in Germany opened at Dachau, where at least 32,000 people would die from disease, malnutrition, physical oppression, and execution. If you want to short cut, click on the words and a Wikipedia with links will provide more detail on this horrible camp built..
The Virginia Cavaliers defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels by dominating the 2nd half.
Led by ACC Defensive Player of the Year Rees Beekman and standouts Jayden Gardner, and Arman Franklin, the Cavaliers controlled the pace after a sluggish First half.
The Cavaliers lead 25-24 at the half but would go on a 45-23 run in the 2nd half. With a lights out defense, the Tar heels were just shit outta luck. Missing potential free throws down the stretch and turning it over in pivotal moments. The Cavaliers played UNC two times before tonight, splitting the regular season series. However, in this match up, Virginia made the proper adjustments and played some lights out defense.
With this win the Cavaliers will advance to the ACC finals with a match up against either Miami or North Carolina State.
95 years ago today the St Francis Dam collapsed in the San Francisquito Canyon, California. The Dam collapsed due to design flaws and a defective soil foundation.
Built in March of 1926 the Dam was intended to regulate and store as a reservoir for Los Angeles County. It was located 10 miles from LA and 40 miles from what is today known as Santa Clarita. It would kill 500 people.
The dam was designed and built by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, then named the Bureau of Water Works and Supply. The department was under the direction of its general manager and chief engineer, William Mulholland. The disaster effectively ended Mulholland’s career. Items are highlighted to take to Wikipedia if you need a quick shortcut to more detail as to the history of the disaster.
It seems fitting to post with recent events involving the Norfolk Southern train crashes in Ohio, and Alabama. An example of what happens if we allow a problem to manifest without addressing it.
In Mullholland’s defense he did try to warn but it was either ignored, or not comprehended as to what could go possibly wrong.
The Governor’s commission was established and the following items were the conlusions as to what was discovered.
The type and dimensions of the dam were amply sufficient if based on suitable foundation.
The concrete of which the dam was built was of ample strength to resist the stresses to which it would normally be subjected.
The failure cannot be laid to movement of the earth’s crust.
The dam failed as a result of defective foundations.
This failure reflects in no way the stability of a well-designed gravity dam properly founded on suitable bedrock.
After the investigation was close. The rest of the dam was destroyed by dynamite and the center piece was kept as a memorial. The legislation created Dam safety program to ensure accidents like this didn’t happen again.
Below are some links if you care to read. Have a good day
I figured I would start to do this as well. It’s amazing what you learn or take for granted. Below are some key moments in history. Enjoy and have a goodnight.
If anyone would like to add any other important information. I would like to know what else happened
For the first time in nearly 3 years I finally went to see some Spring Training Baseball. It was fun time and it was long overdue.
The last 3 years I wasn’t able to. Covid and the amount of traveling my wife (which I thoroughly enjoyed) had kept me from being able to seeing some games. However, I got bask in the spring sun of Arizona to enjoy some games.
A friend of mine came into town, and had some tickets. No way would I turn this opportunity down. So, I got grabbed my camera, put some sunscreen on, and on the road we went.
We went to two Dodger games. The first was against the Padres at their field in Peoria Complex. The second was at the Dodger’s home field at Camelback Ranch. Dodgers broke even. They beat the Padres but lost to the Reds today. The Dodgers also lost their start Shortstop Gavin Lux to an ACL injury. He will be out for the season sadly.
Below I took some pictures. Made the proper edits. I really had a good time, but I must admit I felt a little drain from the sun that was hitting me. Hopefully, a goodnight rest and more hydrating will help it pass. Anyways, hope everyone has been doing well.
Gavin Lux early on before his injury
Mookie Betts reminding us why he is one of the best today
JD Martinez had a quiet day against the Reds. I do like how this picture came out
I took more but some didn’t come out to nicely as I hoped.
I totally let myself go and didn’t even remember that I still had this. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since my last post, and I want to apologize.
I have been up to a lot the last year and I will be posting all those adventures on here.
From Korea to Virginia, I have truly enjoyed this last year, and my second one as a retiree.
So, I hope you will stick around. I will return with stories, thoughts, pictures, and even opinions of current events going on in our world. Sit back and leave the driving to me.
I hope everyone had a good New Year and a good 2023 so far.
This is probably one of the biggest automobile museums I have ever been to. It’s near Phoenix. There is a $10 donation you pay but the trip is worth it.
The museum has quite a collection of vehicles from different eras and a few from famous TV shows and movies. Let’s take a look below
The 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
A very beautiful ride. I even got to get inside or attempt to. It’s quite clear that this vehicle wasn’t made for guys that are 6’2 and almost 190 lbs. Whoops
The next ride isn’t even a brand vehicle. This vehicle was specifically made for the 1977 movie “The Late Show’ starring the late Art Carney and Lily Tomlin. A funny movie that I recommend you watch.
The next vehicle on display was from the famous TV show “Hogan’s Heroes”
This one is from one of the Transformer Movies. We all know and love Bumblebee
Below are a few more pictures that I took down there. If you are ever in Arizona, I highly recommend you go to this place.
Inflation is defined as the decline in thepurchasing power of a given currency over time. A quantitative estimate of the rate at which the decline in purchasing power occurs can be reflected in the increase period. The rise in the general level of prices, often expressed as a percentage, means that a unit of currency effectively buys less than it did in prior periods.” The source’s link is at the bottom
Inflation is covered by 5 takeaways that determine what is the cause
Inflation is the rate at which the value of a currency is falling and, consequently, the general level of prices for goods and services is rising.
Inflation is sometimes classified into three types: Demand-Pull inflation, Cost-Push inflation, and Built-In inflation.
The most commonly used inflation indexes are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
Inflation can be viewed positively or negatively depending on the individual viewpoint and rate of change.
Those with tangible assets, such as property or commodities, may prefer some inflation, as it raises the value of their assets.
We have been lucky up to this point in not having to deal with it. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been free-riding the entire time. One particular time when Inflation was an issue was in the 70s, and it is something that I suggest people study up on. It can help educate on what is going on today because there are some parallels I feel.
When Pres. Nixon came into office in 1969, and one issue that was beginning to grab attention was inflation. At the time, the country was in Vietnam, and there was the expansion of Lyndon Johnson’s “The Great Society” policies. These two pivotal issues contributed to the early signs of inflation. Additionally, another factor was the Fed’s attempt at monetary tightening (raising interest rates), which has, most times, caused economic recessions and, in fact, did cause a brief recession in 1969-1970.
Nixon attempted to address Inflation around 1971 when it rose to 5.84%. His first policy to address the issue was in 197, actually, when he signed Executive Order 11615,5, which would impose a 90-day freeze on wages and prices to counter inflation. It was the first time since World War II that such a measure had been taken.
These 3 items are what I mentioned that were executed by Nixon on Aug 13th, 1971
Nixon directed Treasury SecretaryConnally to suspend, with certain exceptions, the convertibility of the dollar into gold or other reserve assets, ordering the gold window to be closed such that foreign governments could no longer exchange their dollars for gold.
Nixon issued Executive Order11615 (pursuant to the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970), imposing a 90-day freeze on wages and prices in order to counter inflation. This was the first time the U.S. government had enacted wage and price controls since World War II.
An import surcharge of 10 percent was set to ensure that American products would not be at a disadvantage because of the expected fluctuation in exchange rates
As for the Gold standard and Bretton Woods system, I will address this in much greater detail at a later date. Currently, I would like to explain inflation.
Below is Nixon’s speech on the items above in his address to the nation in 1971
Initially, it seemed like Nixon had succeeded. The stock market made a 33-point jump the following days, and the New York Times editorial even credited the President with, “We unhesitatingly applaud the boldness with which the President has moved.”
However, it would be short-lived, as inflation would continue to rise, and by 1973, it had reached 6.22% and would skyrocket to 11.4% by 1974%. It would also create a period known as “Stagflation.”. Meaning low economic growth, and high unemployment. Other factors would hamper Nixon: budget tightening, the energy crisis, and, of course, Watergate, which would sink his Presidency.
Skipping Ford’s administration, since his only notable action was a pin that said “WHIP” (Whip Inflation Now), it would be inherited by Jimmy Carter.
Carter would not be able to do much either as he or his administration realized that it would only be fixed at the Fed Chair. To do that, Carter would need to find a person to be able to address it. Arthur Burns, who was Nixon’s pick, would retire in shame. Burns showed a mass of incompetence and unpreparedness for this situation. His successor fared no better. Carter would pick Paul Volker. Volker had been in Washington for several years and had worked with the Nixon Administration during what was later called the “Nixon Shock”. I forgot to mention that earlier. My apologies.
Volker was approved by Congress and would assume the head chairman position. He realized that the best way to address this high inflation would be to raise the interest rates. Rates had been raised before, but not even high enough to address the inflation that it would reach. By 1980 it would reach 13.5%.
To counter it, Volker would raise the interest rate to 11% in 1979 and 20% in 1980. While it would drive inflation down, it would also trigger a brief recession for the incoming Reagan administration. Inflation would drop to 10% in 1981, and then even lower to 3.21% by 1983
This brings us to today. While the country and the world are suffering a somewhat supply chain issue. We are also suffering from the need to continue printing money, which can contribute to inflation. Our massive government spending and ending of the stimuluses are also main contributing factors to our dilemma.
While Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is planning on raising the interest rates, which is basically 0 at this point. While it may seem great, the levels he wants to raise it to may have no effect on the inflation number at all. The fear is that if he raises it very high, it will cause a recession. That may be true, but it may also help in the long term for Americans who are going to suffer more during this inflation issue. The question still remains. Will the Fed chairman actually do what is necessary, or just puss out?
Below, I have links and additional sources if you care to read. Any feedback is welcome. Nothing like learning something new every day.
Throughtful Reader 