A catastrophic year casts a pall of uncertainty across California’s agricultural valleys [Click] A photo essay; it tells part of the story, but certainly not all of it. Every four years politicians fly over these areas between their fundraising parties and dinners in Hollywood and Atherton. Then there are the places that don’t even get that much attention. But you should have seen the crowds that turned out for Bernie.
Susan— it was a long time ago, so my memory might not be completely reliable. But as I recall, back during the big drought, it was announced that Obama would be arriving in Fresno. There was widespread speculation about what would be on his agenda, but no confirmation from the White House. All sorts of groups and individuals showed up at the airport to greet him; mayors of Fresno and other cities in the area, chambers of commerce, community groups of all kinds, local, state and US representatives, etc. The airport in Fresno is the only one in the area big enough to accommodate Air Force One. AF1 landed, Obama got off, waved, boarded his helicopter and flew off to a fundraising luncheon hosted by a rich farmer in the next county, ignoring all those assembled to greet him. To show his great concern for the suffering caused by the drought, he had a photo taken of himself and his host in a newly planted almond orchard with [gasp!] bare dirt between the trees. Well, of course the dirt was bare— the orchard had newly installed drip irrigation, which is intended not to water weeds. It costs a lot of money to tear out grape vines or old fruit trees, plant new nut trees and install drip irrigation. The farmer was obviously farming the tax code at that point; probably he was pumping fossil ground water, which practice had been causing massive subsidence in that area. Of course Obama didn’t deign to be driven through any of the impoverished towns populated by the workers who tended his host’s farms or to visit any of the packing sheds, processing plants, etc.; he was a busy man. Wouldn’t want to get his nice shiny dress shoes dusty, either. All in all, his visit was (IMO) a slap in the face to the people of this area. Pardon my bad attitude.
I don't think Joe Biden has ever been here. Bernie has, though, and attracted BIG crowds. HRC held an invitation-only event in a small junior college auditorium. Say what one will about Bill Clinton, he visited not just California but this area as well. Both before and after being elected.
NYT: Here’s Why Vaccinated People Still Need to Wear a Mask [Click] “The new vaccines will probably prevent you from getting sick with Covid. No one knows yet whether they will keep you from spreading the virus to others — but that information is coming.”
First Day of Early Voting In Georgia Sets Record December 15, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Georgia voters shattered records on the first day of early voting ahead of the run off Senate races next month, according to Nate Cohn. Approximately 168,000 people voted in-person yesterday, up from 136,000 on the first day of in-person early voting for the presidential election.
A catastrophic year casts a pall of uncertainty across California’s agricultural valleys [Click] A photo essay; it tells part of the story, but certainly not all of it. Every four years politicians fly over these areas between their fundraising parties and dinners in Hollywood and Atherton. Then there are the places that don’t even get that much attention. But you should have seen the crowds that turned out for Bernie.
ReplyDeleteNorthern California, where I grew up, doesn't rate a flyover. And I will never forget nor forgive Obama's behavior when he passed through Fresno.
DeleteWhat did he do, Alan?
DeleteReply later, Susan.
DeleteSusan— it was a long time ago, so my memory might not be completely reliable. But as I recall, back during the big drought, it was announced that Obama would be arriving in Fresno. There was widespread speculation about what would be on his agenda, but no confirmation from the White House. All sorts of groups and individuals showed up at the airport to greet him; mayors of Fresno and other cities in the area, chambers of commerce, community groups of all kinds, local, state and US representatives, etc. The airport in Fresno is the only one in the area big enough to accommodate Air Force One. AF1 landed, Obama got off, waved, boarded his helicopter and flew off to a fundraising luncheon hosted by a rich farmer in the next county, ignoring all those assembled to greet him. To show his great concern for the suffering caused by the drought, he had a photo taken of himself and his host in a newly planted almond orchard with [gasp!] bare dirt between the trees. Well, of course the dirt was bare— the orchard had newly installed drip irrigation, which is intended not to water weeds. It costs a lot of money to tear out grape vines or old fruit trees, plant new nut trees and install drip irrigation. The farmer was obviously farming the tax code at that point; probably he was pumping fossil ground water, which practice had been causing massive subsidence in that area. Of course Obama didn’t deign to be driven through any of the impoverished towns populated by the workers who tended his host’s farms or to visit any of the packing sheds, processing plants, etc.; he was a busy man. Wouldn’t want to get his nice shiny dress shoes dusty, either. All in all, his visit was (IMO) a slap in the face to the people of this area. Pardon my bad attitude.
DeleteI can see how you'd feel that way. The "people in power" seem to ignore the rest of us "real-lifers" as inconsequential.
DeleteI don't think Joe Biden has ever been here. Bernie has, though, and attracted BIG crowds. HRC held an invitation-only event in a small junior college auditorium. Say what one will about Bill Clinton, he visited not just California but this area as well. Both before and after being elected.
DeleteAlan, I do recall this being discussed at the time. Your account captures what I heard.
DeleteNYT: It’s not just the filthy rich. Much of America’s professional class has quietly, if a bit guiltily, been doing just fine, despite 2020. [Click]
ReplyDeleteThe Man in the Iron Lung [Click] A long read.
ReplyDeleteIt's foggy this morning; just now (10:30) beginning to burn off.
ReplyDeleteIt's approaching noon; the fog has burnt off.
ReplyDeleteNYT: Here’s Why Vaccinated People Still Need to Wear a Mask [Click] “The new vaccines will probably prevent you from getting sick with Covid. No one knows yet whether they will keep you from spreading the virus to others — but that information is coming.”
ReplyDeleteAs oil prices languish, Alberta sees its future in a [coking] 'coal rush' [Click] This does not seem like the brightest idea in the world, especially with cokeless steel production on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteVTcases: 5923-5857= 66
ReplyDelete2143 active cases
100 deaths (+4) 😢
Recovered 3680 (+77)
Hospital 20(-6) ICU 4(0)
Tests 245,457 (+252)
Positivity down to 2.1%
Death rate back up to 1.7%
OHIO; COVID cases 579,357 and 7,654 deaths.
ReplyDelete1.32%
DeleteChortle du jour: Mar-a-Lago Neighbors Don’t Want Trump Living There [Click] He could never worm his way into high society in NYC, and the same goes for Palm Beach, evidently.
ReplyDeleteFirst Day of Early Voting In Georgia Sets Record
ReplyDeleteDecember 15, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
Georgia voters shattered records on the first day of early voting ahead of the run off Senate races next month, according to Nate Cohn.
Approximately 168,000 people voted in-person yesterday, up from 136,000 on the first day of in-person early voting for the presidential election.
Illinois board rejects plans to close essential South Side Chicago hospital [Click]
ReplyDeleteKeli Goff: Dr Jill Biden won't be a 'traditional' US first lady. Some men are threatened by that. [Click] If that bothers them, how did they ever bear
ReplyDeleteLady Bird Johnson? [Click]