- General Douglas MacArthur left an impression on me when I did a research paper on him in college. But I know a lot of people and historians disliked the man. On Friday night, the movie about him starring Gregory Peck was playing on TMC, and it pulled me in despite watching it eons ago. Like his father, MacArthur was awarded the Medal of Honor, and both achieved the rank of general. The movie had a small reference to his son, Arthur MacArthur IV, and that led to a little research because I wanted to know what became of the man.
- The media paid a tremendous amount of attention to him when he was a child. When he was a baby, his mother once said that he had no choice but to have a military career like his father and grandfather.
- But that never happened. He shunned the military and changed his name. Interestingly, he’s still alive! Well, probably. When he chose not to join the military, I would have loved to know how that conversation went with his parents. That’s not meant to be judgemental; I simply wonder how the conversation went. Was the General loving and understanding, or highly upset? The kid, after all, did grow up around war. Perhaps he was sick and tired of it.
- Upon Douglas MacArthur’s dismissal by President Truman, MacArthur flew home with his family on April 18, 1951. Arthur, then aged 13, had never been to the United States.
- The General died in 1964, and his mother died in 2000. In his mother Jean’s obituary, only Arthur and Jean’s sister, Angie McCarthy, are mentioned; no grandchildren are mentioned.
- In January 2024, upon the occasion of his father being awarded the Order of Military Merit (First Class) by the Republic of Korea, Arthur MacArthur issued his first public statement in at least six decades.
- Here’s the last paragraph of his Wikipedia page:
- Apparently, MacArthur lived in the Mayflower Hotel on New York’s Upper West Side until 2004 when it was demolished. Forbes magazine tracked him down in 2005 but MacArthur “declined to be interviewed”. In 2014, MacArthur was featured in a New York Post article that discussed his long and secret residency in the hotel. Michael Gross’s 2014 book, House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, the World’s Most Powerful Address, also devoted a page to the mystery of MacArthur’s life and assumed name. When the hotel was demolished, he moved to Greenwich Village. When Arthur moved out of the Mayflower Hotel he was described by lawyer Michael Grabow as one of four “bachelors” living there, implying Arthur was never married.
- After the Gregory Peck General MacArthur movie, To Kill A Mockingbird immediately followed. I watched all of it. Post-movie, it was mentioned Harper Lee was on set. Atticus is modeled after her father, and Lee starts to cry on set because of the resemblance. Peck came over, and she teased the actor, saying he had a pot belly just like his father. Peck’s response was, “That’s not a pot belly. That’s just good acting.”
- Evil woman – Crystal Mangum, who accused three Duke lacrosse players of rape, now says she lied
- “I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong. And I betrayed the trust of a lot of other people who believed in me,” Mangum said on the web show “Let’s Talk with Kat,” hosted by Katerena DePasquale. The interview took place at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, where Mangum is serving time for a 2013 second-degree murder conviction for stabbing her boyfriend. “I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” Mangum said.
- Here was some of the fallout.
The charges brought broad media attention, forced the cancellation of the team’s 2006 season, and cost coach Mike Pressler his job. The district attorney on the case was convicted of criminal contempt and disbarred. In April 2007, the state’s then-Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is now governor, reviewed the case and exonerated the three men, declaring that the charges never should have been brought against them.
- YouTube TV is increasing its price to $83 a month starting in January 2025. That means YouTube TV has now doubled in price over the last five years, from $40 to $83 per month, while also removing regional sports networks and other channels like MLB network.
- How am I just now realizing the college football quarterfinals are on Tuesday and Wednesday and the Semifinals on Thursday and Friday? I would have thought they would have been weekend games.
- I’ve touted my love for my Nissan Leaf, one of my best purchases. But I own it no more. Despite not being able to qualify for any tax credits or rebates, I found a 2023 Chevy Bolt with a 13,000 for a little over $17,000 at a Maserati and Alfa Romeo dealership. The dealership only gave me a thousand to trade in the Leaf. I was tempted to keep it for my kids, who are 12 and 14, as I think it’s a great first car for a high school student who doesn’t drive but five to ten miles a day. I was also tempted to buy something more fun and elaborate, but I chose to do my best to live within my means.
- I wasn’t sure if I was going to need my checkbook. I wasn’t sure if I knew where my checkbook was located.
- Few things are as exhausting as going through the finance department of a car dealership. I was already pre-approved for a loan by my bank and shouldn’t have entertained their “competitive” offers. USAA gave me a much better rate than Navy Federal Credit Union.
- Their first offer included a “Purchase Protection Fee” of $1,700. I asked them to itemize what it covers. Basically, it’s stuff like door dings, patching a flat tire, key replacement, and a chipped windshield. So, I told them I wasn’t interested in it and to take it off. Then, they tried to sell me aftermarket rims and accent stickers to make it look sportier. Nope, and nope.
- I’m enjoying the extra 100 horsepower and satellite radio.
- I asked ChatGPT to compare my new car to the old one and list several benefits to make me feel good about my purchase.
Comparison: 2014 Nissan Leaf vs. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Category 2014 Nissan Leaf 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Key Differences Mileage (Current) 75,682 miles 13,026 miles Bolt EV has significantly fewer miles, offering better longevity and reliability. Range (EPA Estimate) ~64 miles 259 miles Bolt EV provides over 3x the range, eliminating range anxiety. Battery Size 24 kWh 66 kWh Bolt EV has nearly triple the capacity, enabling much longer trips. Horsepower 107 hp 200 hp Bolt EV is almost twice as powerful, improving acceleration and overall performance. Charging Time (240V) ~6 hours ~10 hours Bolt EV takes longer to charge but delivers far greater range per charge. Weight 3,256 lbs 3,563 lbs Bolt EV is heavier, reflecting the larger battery and improved build quality. Dimensions (L x W x H) 175 x 69.7 x 61 inches 164 x 69.5 x 62.8 inches Bolt EV is more compact, making it easier to maneuver and park. Passenger Seating 5 seats 5 seats Both vehicles offer the same seating capacity. Cargo Space 24 cubic feet (seats up) 16.6 cubic feet (seats up) Leaf has more cargo space without folding seats, but the Bolt EV is more versatile. Warranty (Battery) Expired (8 years/100,000 miles) Active (8 years/100,000 miles) Bolt EV includes a valid battery warranty, adding peace of mind.
Additional Benefits of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Over the 2014 Nissan Leaf
- Modern Safety Features:
- The Bolt EV likely includes advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning, which were not standard on the Leaf in 2014.
- Infotainment and Connectivity:
- The Bolt EV comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a larger infotainment screen, enhancing your driving experience.
- Fast Charging Capability:
- While the Leaf lacks DC fast charging, the Bolt EV can use DC fast chargers, enabling an 80% charge in about 30 minutes—a massive advantage for road trips.
- Efficiency and Energy Cost Savings:
- The Bolt EV’s improved MPGe rating (115 combined) means lower energy consumption and reduced charging costs compared to the older, less efficient Leaf.
- Longevity and Reliability:
- With 13,026 miles, your Bolt EV is essentially “like new,” ensuring fewer immediate maintenance needs compared to the 75,682 miles on your Leaf.
- Resale Value:
- The Bolt EV, being a newer model, will retain its resale value better over the next few years compared to the aging Leaf.
- Reduced Maintenance:
- Both cars are electric and require less maintenance than gasoline vehicles, but your newer Bolt EV will likely require fewer repairs given its low mileage.
- Modern Safety Features:
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Canadian Pacific holiday train lit up
pic.twitter.com/7uG52d4cMh— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) December 11, 2024