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• 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.

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  Additional Benefits of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Over the 2014 Nissan Leaf

  1. 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.
  2. Infotainment and Connectivity:
     • The Bolt EV comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a larger infotainment screen, enhancing your driving experience.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

• Canadian Pacific holiday train lit up
  pic.twitter.com/7uG52d4cMh

  — Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) December 11, 2024

• A tweet that made me think:
  • While “rubbing salt in the wound” often refers to needlessly adding pain, the origins of the phrase come from rubbing salt into a wound to prevent infection. It hurts, but it protects.
• I mentioned shopping for a new car. What was odd was that the night before I decided to visit the dealership, I was cleaning out my Nissan Leaf. I’ve had zero problems with it and rank it as one of my best purchases. However, that evening, as it sat in the garage undisturbed, it started to honk as if someone had pressed the panic button. But my key fobs were undisturbed.
• Sometimes, you just have to celebrate the small victories in life. Since I have no one to share them with, I will share one with you. I was bothered by a situation at work that my manager and no one knew about. I thought the best way to address the issue was to craft an email and send it to a particular group of people. This had the potential to backfire, but I was lucky. Here is my manager’s response.
  
• Some added sugar sources are worse than others for disease risk, study suggests

Researchers looked at sugar consumption in three categories: sugary beverages, sweets like pastries, and toppings like honey or sugar added to tea or coffee, according to the study.

Consuming sweet drinks (all sodas and fruit drinks that were not pure fruit juices) was associated with a higher risk of heart disease than those individuals who had more baked treats, but surprisingly those participants who consumed the least amount of sugar did not end up with the lowest risk of heart disease.

• This sentence from this article about Macy’s caught my attention.

The investors claim that Macy’s real estate, including its flagship store at Herald Square in New York City, is worth up to $9 billion on the open market, nearly double Macy’s closing market value Monday of $4.7 billion.

• Thanks to the alleged United Healthcare CEO killer with washboard abs, I no longer can use the excuse that it’s because I have metal screws in my lower back. Thanks a lot, Luigi.
• So, a McDonald’s employee tipped off authorities, leading to Luigi Magione’s arrest. Here’s what would need to happen for the up to $50,000 reward to be paid out. I think it’s interesting you can’t self-nominate.

  • Until a trial can be held and a perpetrator is convicted in a court of law or at least indicted, no one will be eligible for the reward.

  • To be eligible for a reward through the FBI, you would first have to be nominated by a U.S. investigating agency such as the Department of Defense or the FBI to receive the reward, according to the FBI’s website. A person who provided information cannot self-nominate.

  • An interagency committee then reviews the nomination and its legal eligibility. If it is determined that the information provided merits a reward, the suggestion is passed on to the Secretary of State, who makes the final decision. In federal cases, the Attorney General must also agree.

• Surely, I’m not the only one sick and tired of the Amazon commercial with the janitor singing “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” Sure, it tugged at the heart the first million times I saw it, but is there a way I can pay Amazon not to air that commercial on any of my devices anymore? I know the Burt Bacharach estate would highly disagree with me on this, but I want to maintain some level of sanity. Getting through the holiday season is hard enough.
• I thought the United Healthcare CEO murderer was going to get away with it. I haven’t followed the story closely, but it seems he was only identified because he pulled his face mask down while flirting with a girl. That was his mistake, talking to a pretty girl he’ll probably never see again but will remember forever. For such a smart guy, he thought it was a good idea to carry all incriminating evidence on him.
• How can it not be Donald Trump? I say Elon would be a close second, considering how well SpaceX did this year and his influence on the election.
  
• It’s silly when people vilify this woman.Taylor Swift Gave a Whopping $197 Million in Bonuses to Eras Tour Performers, Crew on Top of Their Salaries – Over the past two years, Swift gave out $197 million in bonuses to everyone working on her Eras Tour, including truck drivers, caterers, dancers and musicians
• It’s so much fun watching The Manning Cast with Bill Belichick. I did catch some of the Simpsons version and they were much too kind to Jerry, who should have looked much closer in age to Mr. Burns.
  
• On the Manning Cast , Cris Collingsworth talked about his time with Al Michaels. He said it was in Michaels’ contract that when the broadcast starts, he gets a full minute of time in which he’s the only one on camera. Ego trip.
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Armani Latimer: “Alopecia Helped Me Realize I Don’t Have To Be Perfect”

• Congrats and much respect to Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Armani Latimer. She revealed she had alopecia on the Cheerleaders Netflix show America’s Sweethearts. She had been wearing a wig all season but performed bald for the first time during Monday’s game between the Bengals and… pic.twitter.com/UrM3m3jsFf

  — Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 10, 2024

• As much as I love my beloved 2014 Nissan Leaf, I’m starting to explore my options. I love not having a car payment, paying for gas, oil changes, and other maintenance, or worrying about belts or hoses. I’m also trying to weigh my wants vs my needs. I work from home, and the furthest I drive each week is 11 miles to play trivia. But, with the colder weather, my Leaf’s full charge shows 65 miles, which is really closer to 55 miles. Range anxiety is weighing in, and I think I’d like to explore being able to do more social activities, like in the downtown Dallas and Fort Worth areas.
• I looked at buying a newer model Leaf, but some folks on Reddit encouraged me to look at the Chevy Bolt. To my surprise, for the same price range ($17-$21k) and model years (2021-2023), I can get an extra 100-mile range with the Bolt. Not to mention, Nissan is in dire straights, and some think it may not even survive 2025. However, Nissan replaced the Leaf with the ARIYA, and I really like how the interior and the climate control buttons are integrated into the dash panel. It’s fancy and futuristic. I doubt I’ll go with it since its range is about 215 miles when I can get closer to 250 miles and more affordability from the Bolts. And, it fits my simple lifestyle.
  
  
• More than likely, I plan on turning my Leaf in. I’ve been offered $1,000 – $1,200. There’s a part of me that would love to keep it as a first car for my 14-year-old. It would be a great first car for a kid who only needs to the school, practice, and allher friends that live by. But, she’s not too fond of the Leaf and taking what she said in context, her and her brother’s vehicles will be taken care of by their very wealthy grandparents.  So, as much as I’d like to provide my kids with their first car, I think I better take advantage of focusing on what’s best for Team Keith.
• One dealership in Plano had three Bolts. One was a larger model, almost like an SUV, and the other two were smaller and very similar to my Leaf. Before I start to get attached to a make and model, the biggest thing to me is how comfortable I am in the driver’s seat, leg room, line of sight, and other similar factors. So, I arranged a visit to the dealership.
• I’m still looking at electric vehicles (EVs) because I want to take advantage of end-of-year federal tax credits. Not to mention, I have no idea what the new administration is going to do when it comes to EVs. Trump has expressed a huge dislike for EVs and any federal tax credits related to them. However, since he’s now close to Mr. EV Elon Musk, who I think holds a lot of influence on him and his team, things can change. So, I can only go with what I know now. Qualifying used EV purchases can fetch taxpayers a credit of up to $4,000, limited to 30% of the car’s purchase price. A new EV can fetch taxpayers a credit of up to $7,500.
• After arriving home from the dealership, I did more research. Upon closer inspection, the dealership included the potential tax credits for used EVs in the price. Which, I don’t qualify because I exceed the annual income threshold, which I think is $75,000. However, that left the larger Bolt, a 2023 model with only 13,000 miles. I thought I could be eligible for the $7,500 credit, basically a third of the online price. But it looks like I won’t qualify for that one either. Even if the car qualifies as a new EV car for a financial institution because of the year and low miles, it will still be considered used, and I still wouldn’t qualify since at least one person or company was the initial buyer. But of all the stuff that bothered me, when I looked at their first offer, they added a “Dealership Fee” of $2,599, which came out of nowhere. The interest rates they were offering were in the six-percentage area. The salesperson returned, talked to his manager, and was willing to take $500 off the car and go down a whole percentage point. Then, for the first time in my life, I stood up, said, “I’m out,” and walked out the door. They tried to tell me that’s the best rate I can get anywhere else. Then I showed them what Navy Federal was offering for new and used vehicles in the high four-percent area. They told me there was no way I’d be getting a better interest rate. And the one thing that really ticked me off, they added a “Dealership Service Fee.” They told me it’s a list of several fees climbed together and make up for market changes. I didn’t like that, and that certainly wasn’t transparent pricing.
• The dealership later called to talk numbers, and as they don’t use any messaging system to show their price and terms. They want customers to consider this portion, and they promised me they had met my demands of a loan in the low to mid 5% range and for the price I wanted.
• I always prefer to work with USAA regarding this sort of stuff, so I decided to try Navy Federal Credit Union since they have better rates and my father’s Navy and Army service would allow me in. After eating lunch with a friend on Saturday, I drove to the nearest Navy Federal Credit Union branch. In less than 20, maybe 25 minutes of time, I was approved for membership, printed and handed my new debit card, and approved for a new car loan with a very competitive interest rate, but still not what I could get when I owned a house or become indebted by divorce attorney fees. To prove my father was a service member, I had his DD214 pulled up on my phone, but through the process, they never verified if I actually qualified as a member. Either way, in and out in less than 20 minutes with a new debit card I could immediately use was impressive.
• The dealership called again, the sales manager, and asked what would it take to get me in that car. I told him more for my trade-in and to waive that sticker shot fee of $2,599. But with all the rain and the SEC championship about to start, I wasn’t going anywhere for the rest of the evening.
• Georgia, wow, one heck of a team. I’m still glad to see that the Longhorns have a chance to win it all. But if it happens, I hope they play Georgia one more time to make it feel more legit.
• Made me laugh.
  

  it just kept going pic.twitter.com/BS9Bg0EKl3

  — non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) December 6, 2024