Being something of a weather buff, I sure did hear about it...real time, in fact. 100mph winds in Iowa that were then headed for Chicago. A derecho is not a hurricane (they form quite differently), but they can be terribly destructive. It's a thunderstorm with all its winds going in the same direction, creating a bow shape ahead of the storm and then a sudden downburst that has great power. It's destruction is usually not as widespread as a hurricane's and doesn't cause storm surge like a hurricane. But, without splitting hairs, it's truly bad news.
After being influenced by a pro-Biden column yesterday, I seriously considered sending Biden-Harris some money and voting for them, but this brought me back to my senses. After all, they are reasonable to take my state's electoral votes for granted.
"In normal times, perhaps I’d be yelling about the fact that of nearly 40 speakers the DNC has chosen so far for next week’s convention, that besides Bernie Sanders, Liz Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the rest are for the most part moderate/establishment Democrats (except for the two who aren’t even Democrats). The DNC could have done far better on this front and included more progressive voices and at least one Muslim American progressive such as Rep. Ilhan Omar.
But when the guy in the White House has called to ban my entire faith, inspired hate crimes against my community and made the lives of fellow minorities a living hell, these things don’t matter as much. And that’s the same sentiment many in other minority groups have shared as Trump has come for each of us at one time or another. When people of color call my SiriusXM radio show, I can assure you that none are talking the DNC line-up of speakers, but nightly they share how Trump has caused them real pain. This is not political, it’s personal with Trump, as we are fighting to survive."
"Activist Linda Sarsour summed it up well Tuesday after Harris was announced as Biden’s running mate. Sarsour, who was a visible part of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns, tweeted, “It’s no secret that I have disagreements with both VP Joe Biden & Senator Kamala Harris. But I know what I need to do—Elect the Biden-Harris ticket.” She then added a line that is vitally important for Biden and Harris to understand as well: We will “hold them accountable in the White House.”
Once we defeat Trump and elect Biden/Harris, it’s not game over and go home. Rather that’s just the first necessary step in ultimately achieving our progressive goals."
Around here no one goes around knocking on doors trying to drum up votes for their candidates. I hand-wrote letters to Iowans asking them to support Howard Dean not just until my right hand hurt, but until it became numb. Repeatedly. Didn't make any difference at all that I could see. I have had an occasional telephone call asking me to vote for candidate A or candidate B, to no effect whatsoever. I think I can be forgiven for thinking such things are a waste of time and effort.
OHIO;As of Sunday afternoon, there have been at least 108,287 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 3,826 deaths, and 12,236 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
The CBS News Battleground Tracker model has Joe Biden up in states worth 279 electoral votes, slightly more than the 270 needed to win in November. Donald Trump leads in states worth 163 electoral votes and 96 electoral votes are currently Toss Ups.
The House Oversight Committee will hold an emergency hearing on mail delays and concerns about potential White House interference in the U.S. Postal Service, inviting Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Postal Service board of governors Chairman Robert Duncan to testify Aug. 24, the Washington Post reports.
SD Governor Kristi Noem turns down Trump’s increased unemployment benefits, says no need because everything is going fine. Couldn’t be because SD can’t afford the required 25% or can’t figure out how to distribute it, could it?
“Pentagon officials working on Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s cost-cutting review of the department have proposed slashing military health care by $2.2 billion, a reduction that some defense officials say could effectively gut the Pentagon’s health care system during a nationwide pandemic,” Politico reports. Sounds like a good way to flip votes to Biden.
===================================== It’s looking like Trump’s attack on USPS and absentee voting is backfiring. [Edited for brevity]
Here are a few of the front page headlines this weekend from some key states:
Arizona Republic: “Postal Service warns 46 states about ballot delays” Miami Herald: “USPS warns Florida some of its mail ballots could be rejected” Tampa Bay Times: “Mail-in votes are threatened” Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Mail delays may void absentee ballots” Charlotte Observer: “NC voters urged to request, mail absentee ballots earlier” Dallas Morning News: “Are mail ballots at risk?” Houston Chronicle: “States warned mail-in ballot delays likely” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “USPS warns ballot delivery at risk”
Keeping this a front-page story will reinforce Dems’ annual drive to get people to vote early, and on top of that voters will blame Trump for slow mail deliveries. If (as seems to be) GOP voters don’t trust mailed ballots and some are afraid to vote in person because of the pandemic, there’s another problem for Trump. Trump is conditioning people to not expect the winner to be declared right away. Of course, no matter what, he will try to cast doubts on the vote results. ===================================
Speaking of mail delays, the credit card I was told to expect in Thursday's mail hasn't shown up yet. Nor has the disty from the science fiction mailing group that would have been expected then.
In Illinois, there will be no problem with properly mailed ballots being counted. If they are postmarked on or before Election Day they can show up any time in the next two weeks. But it might not be a bad idea to apply )online) a bit before the Oct. 29 deadline.
No Biden Campaign Plane August 16, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Axios: “Joe Biden’s team hasn’t booked any air travel — and thus has no need to lease an aircraft with the Democratic nominee’s name and logo emblazoned on the side, a candidate tradition for decades.”
Pelosi Calls House Back to Act on Postal ‘Sabotage’ August 16, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on Sunday evening that the House will be called back from August recess — likely on Saturday, Axios is told — to act to “save the Postal Service.”
:In a “Dear Democratic Colleague” letter, Pelosi said: “Alarmingly, across the nation, we see the devastating effects of the President’s campaign to sabotage the election by manipulating the Postal Service to disenfranchise voters.”
I think it's pretty clear who is going to win this skirmish.
A new ECU poll in North Carolina finds Joe Biden and Donald Trump tied in the presidential race, 47% to 47%. In the U.S. Senate race, Cal Cunningham, (D) leads Sen. Thom Tillis (R), 44% to 40%.
I was once peripherally involved in what presented as an oleandrin homicide. Maybe Trump is touting a homeopathic preparation--not that he would understand the "strength" notation, but one could probably survive that without difficulty.
WaPo: An inland hurricane tore through Iowa. You probably didn’t hear about it. [Click] This is every bit as bad as I thought Trump’s FEMA could be.
ReplyDeleteBeing something of a weather buff, I sure did hear about it...real time, in fact. 100mph winds in Iowa that were then headed for Chicago. A derecho is not a hurricane (they form quite differently), but they can be terribly destructive. It's a thunderstorm with all its winds going in the same direction, creating a bow shape ahead of the storm and then a sudden downburst that has great power. It's destruction is usually not as widespread as a hurricane's and doesn't cause storm surge like a hurricane. But, without splitting hairs, it's truly bad news.
DeleteRobert Reich: Voters can replace a party that knows how to fight with one that knows how to govern [Click] “The division between Republicans and Democrats is no longer between left and right but between different core competences.”
ReplyDeleteGood point!
DeleteCan Biden win over the young Latinos who flocked to Bernie Sanders? [Click] Something the writers and the people they interview fail to mention is that Bernie showed up. They also fail to note Bernie’s slogan “Not me, US!”
ReplyDeleteAfter being influenced by a pro-Biden column yesterday, I seriously considered sending Biden-Harris some money and voting for them, but this brought me back to my senses. After all, they are reasonable to take my state's electoral votes for granted.
DeleteVT: 1515 cases (+6)
ReplyDelete58 deaths (11 days)
130 active cases
Recovered 1337(+5)
In Hospital 3( 0)
Tests 111,335 (+1038)
https://www.yahoo.com/news/disagree-biden-lot-not-cruel-091106869.html
ReplyDelete"In normal times, perhaps I’d be yelling about the fact that of nearly 40 speakers the DNC has chosen so far for next week’s convention, that besides Bernie Sanders, Liz Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the rest are for the most part moderate/establishment Democrats (except for the two who aren’t even Democrats). The DNC could have done far better on this front and included more progressive voices and at least one Muslim American progressive such as Rep. Ilhan Omar.
But when the guy in the White House has called to ban my entire faith, inspired hate crimes against my community and made the lives of fellow minorities a living hell, these things don’t matter as much. And that’s the same sentiment many in other minority groups have shared as Trump has come for each of us at one time or another. When people of color call my SiriusXM radio show, I can assure you that none are talking the DNC line-up of speakers, but nightly they share how Trump has caused them real pain. This is not political, it’s personal with Trump, as we are fighting to survive."
"Activist Linda Sarsour summed it up well Tuesday after Harris was announced as Biden’s running mate. Sarsour, who was a visible part of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns, tweeted, “It’s no secret that I have disagreements with both VP Joe Biden & Senator Kamala Harris. But I know what I need to do—Elect the Biden-Harris ticket.” She then added a line that is vitally important for Biden and Harris to understand as well: We will “hold them accountable in the White House.”
Once we defeat Trump and elect Biden/Harris, it’s not game over and go home. Rather that’s just the first necessary step in ultimately achieving our progressive goals."
The entire column is worth a read; thanks, Susan.
DeleteAround here no one goes around knocking on doors trying to drum up votes for their candidates. I hand-wrote letters to Iowans asking them to support Howard Dean not just until my right hand hurt, but until it became numb. Repeatedly. Didn't make any difference at all that I could see. I have had an occasional telephone call asking me to vote for candidate A or candidate B, to no effect whatsoever. I think I can be forgiven for thinking such things are a waste of time and effort.
Thanks, Susan!
DeleteBernie was on Meet the Press this morning and did a great job. Have a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IL9weyrFiE
OHIO;As of Sunday afternoon, there have been at least 108,287 confirmed or probable cases in the state, 3,826 deaths, and 12,236 hospitalizations, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
ReplyDeleteThey were late getting the numbers up today.
3.53%
DeleteHouse of horror: Host, the Zoom-call hit movie that has Hollywood quaking [Click] Doesn’t sound like my cuppa, but certainly creative and timely.
ReplyDeleteJust now [noon:30] I stepped outside to toss a bucket of compost fixings onto onto the heap, and it was HOT. Also muggy by our standards.
ReplyDeleteOops--unclear reference. I suppose the compost heap was hot too, but I meant that the combination of air and sun was hot.
DeleteGleanings:
ReplyDeleteThe CBS News Battleground Tracker model has Joe Biden up in states worth 279 electoral votes, slightly more than the 270 needed to win in November. Donald Trump leads in states worth 163 electoral votes and 96 electoral votes are currently Toss Ups.
The House Oversight Committee will hold an emergency hearing on mail delays and concerns about potential White House interference in the U.S. Postal Service, inviting Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Postal Service board of governors Chairman Robert Duncan to testify Aug. 24, the Washington Post reports.
SD Governor Kristi Noem turns down Trump’s increased unemployment benefits, says no need because everything is going fine. Couldn’t be because SD can’t afford the required 25% or can’t figure out how to distribute it, could it?
“Pentagon officials working on Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s cost-cutting review of the department have proposed slashing military health care by $2.2 billion, a reduction that some defense officials say could effectively gut the Pentagon’s health care system during a nationwide pandemic,” Politico reports. Sounds like a good way to flip votes to Biden.
=====================================
It’s looking like Trump’s attack on USPS and absentee voting is backfiring.
[Edited for brevity]
Here are a few of the front page headlines this weekend from some key states:
Arizona Republic: “Postal Service warns 46 states about ballot delays”
Miami Herald: “USPS warns Florida some of its mail ballots could be rejected”
Tampa Bay Times: “Mail-in votes are threatened”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Mail delays may void absentee ballots”
Charlotte Observer: “NC voters urged to request, mail absentee ballots earlier”
Dallas Morning News: “Are mail ballots at risk?”
Houston Chronicle: “States warned mail-in ballot delays likely”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “USPS warns ballot delivery at risk”
Keeping this a front-page story will reinforce Dems’ annual drive to get people to vote early, and on top of that voters will blame Trump for slow mail deliveries. If (as seems to be) GOP voters don’t trust mailed ballots and some are afraid to vote in person because of the pandemic, there’s another problem for Trump. Trump is conditioning people to not expect the winner to be declared right away. Of course, no matter what, he will try to cast doubts on the vote results.
===================================
Speaking of mail delays, the credit card I was told to expect in Thursday's mail hasn't shown up yet. Nor has the disty from the science fiction mailing group that would have been expected then.
DeleteIn Illinois, there will be no problem with properly mailed ballots being counted. If they are postmarked on or before Election Day they can show up any time in the next two weeks. But it might not be a bad idea to apply )online) a bit before the Oct. 29 deadline.
We get ours automatically; our precinct has been mail-only for upwards of 25 years (that's when we moved here). Easy-peasy.
DeleteDiscoveries continue at oldest house yet discovered in Britain—from before Doggerland flooded. [Click]
ReplyDeleteFederal, State and Local Officials Rush to Shore Up Confidence In Elections [Click] Attorneys general considering lawsuits against administration, for instance.
ReplyDeleteTrumpworld Lackeys Shoot Down Harris Birther Lie POTUS Floated, Blame Media For It [Click] What? Lack of message discipline? In the Trump campaign? Go on!
ReplyDeleteNo Biden Campaign Plane
ReplyDeleteAugust 16, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Axios: “Joe Biden’s team hasn’t booked any air travel — and thus has no need to lease an aircraft with the Democratic nominee’s name and logo emblazoned on the side, a candidate tradition for decades.”
Pelosi Calls House Back to Act on Postal ‘Sabotage’
ReplyDeleteAugust 16, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on Sunday evening that the House will be called back from August recess — likely on Saturday, Axios is told — to act to “save the Postal Service.”
:In a “Dear Democratic Colleague” letter, Pelosi said: “Alarmingly, across the nation, we see the devastating effects of the President’s campaign to sabotage the election by manipulating the Postal Service to disenfranchise voters.”
I think it's pretty clear who is going to win this skirmish.
Axios story here; more details [Click] Lawmakers flooded with constituent complaints.
DeleteA new ECU poll in North Carolina finds Joe Biden and Donald Trump tied in the presidential race, 47% to 47%. In the U.S. Senate race, Cal Cunningham, (D) leads Sen. Thom Tillis (R), 44% to 40%.
ReplyDeleteTrump now pushing oleandrin (oleander extract) as a coronavirus cure. [Click] Well, oleandrin certainly can cure coronavirus, cancer, etc.; in the same way cyanide or white arsenic does.
ReplyDeleteI was once peripherally involved in what presented as an oleandrin homicide. Maybe Trump is touting a homeopathic preparation--not that he would understand the "strength" notation, but one could probably survive that without difficulty.
DeleteI think DT should really lead by example on this one.
Delete