Monday, March 08, 2021

The Mountain in March

(click on the photo)
 

30 comments:

  1. World's oldest bird [Wisdom the Albatross] hatches chick at age 70
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56283082

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    1. Or maybe even older than 70! I remember a story about a year ago of an elderly eagle (around 60 years old) turning up at her nest in England after two or three years' absence (she typically winters in Spain) and laying a clutch of eggs.

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    2. PhD*Son wrote:

      "This bird is quite famous in bird research circles. It was banded by the founder of the US bird banding lab early in his career. It’s a big deal each time she shows up to breed again."

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  2. Newsom Recall Effort Claims It Has the Signatures [Click] Can’t say as I have ever been thrilled with Gavin Newsom, but Jerry Brown was going to be a hard act to follow for whoever was the next governor of California. I remember when Gray Davis had to face a recall there was dispute about how to replace him should that happen. As I recall, it was up to the Lieutenant Governor, Cruz Bustamante, to decide whether he would assume the governorship or run in a special election. He opted for the latter, and that is how Arnold Schwartzenegger became Governor (he could never have been nominated in a Republican primary). In the event, Schwartzenegger turned out better than I had anticipated, but I have not forgiven Bustamante for enabling that outcome. The current Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, is not a prominent politician, but the Lieutenant Governorship is not generally considered a stepping stone to the Governorship—that would be Attorney General. The current AG is Xavier Becerra; how open he wold be to running for Governor I have no idea.

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  3. Re masks: I am very happy with my mask, although of course I have never tried running in it. It fits comfortably, including under the chin so it doesn't ride up when I talk. There's also a band connecting the two ear pieces around the back of the head, which is convenient. It's effectively a double mask with a replaceable insert, but I can breath easily; my glasses do fog up, though. Here is the Amazon description: Washable Reusable Face Mask - Double Layer Mouth Cover For Dust Particle & Droplet Protection - Unisex 3 Pack - Black
    Sold by Spot and Coco

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    1. I have tried a bunch of different options. First we had a nice cloth mask...the sort without pleats and with ear loops that have a little bead on them to make them adjustable. It was two layer and had a pocket for a filter and that was nice. Then we tried the sort that are pleated, to give more space around nose and mouth. Wr still have both of those in cloth versions. We also have white hospital-style disposable masks, though the ear loops aren't adjustable. Then we bought KN95 masks which are a little more stiff and give a bird-beak effect. But, for some reason, those give me a slight rash. We also got a mask insert which is a rubbery plastic device that fits inside the mask around mouth and nose and holds the mask a little away from mouth and nose. That has helped the most, actually, but it can irritate the skin when it's worn for a long stretch. We are currently double masking, so now it's all the more important to have something that is comfortable, non-irritating and lasts a bit for a walk or trip t the supermarket. I'm not running either, but thought if there were a runner's mask that maybe that would be the best option for everyday. I appreciate all the notes and idears! I do wear eyeglasses, and haven't had much trouble with fogging, as long as the mask has a good nose wire. But these KN95 masks somehow do allow fogging. Sigh. Just don't want to buy another mask I can't really wear.

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    2. I like the double-layered pleated cloth masks. More generous coverage and so better fitting than the non-pleated ones. But I don't have to mask often or for long periods.

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    3. Yeah, they are better ... but they still get in the way of the function of nose and mouth too much for my breathing. I always end up coming out of the market, getting groceries and myself into the car, then ripping off my mask and getting in some deep breaths again at last. And I don't linger long at the store, either. There has to be a better way.

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    4. Update: I ordered a silk mask. It's 4 layers and has a filter pocket. I plan to slip the rubbery plastic insert into the pocket and try it that way. That will give a layer of silk between the plastic and my face, but still hold the mask out a bit from my nose and mouth. At least I hope so. We'll see. I chose dusky blue.

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  4. Replies
    1. How so many previous political parties have failed in the US.

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  5. Talking Points Memo Editor’s Blog
    1h ago
    No, No, Please Not That!
    Josh Marshall

    Leaving off the Trump Era we are now headlong into the Joe Manchin Tea Leaf Reading Era. But here from Manchin this morning we have yet more evidence that we’re not in Fiscal Policy Kansas anymore.

    In addition to his tour of the Sunday shows yesterday, Manchin sat for an interview with Axios/HBO and Mike Allen. In it Manchin says he’s ready to back a big infrastructure bill – in the neighborhood of $2 to $4 trillion. But he’s got a big demands first.

    His demand? He wants a higher corporate tax rate and a rollback of most of Trump’s tax cut.

    From Axios … [Click]

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    1. BTW, Manchin has long advocated a rural broadband law modeled on the rural electrification act (which enabled utility cooperatives). I don't see any reason it couldn't be applied to cities as well.

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    2. His demand? He wants a higher corporate tax rate and a rollback of most of Trump’s tax cut.

      My God! A Democrat who wants corporations and rich folks to pay their taxes! What a novel concept!

      You know, there was much whining and bitching last week because he held up the vote on the relief bill. And do you know what his demand was then? That an adjustment be made so that people who worked a little, that is did not rely exclusively on unemployment payments, not be hit with unfair tax bills.

      I always bought into the ultra left talking point that he was Republican lite at best and the Devil incarnate at worst. Not so sure of that anymore. Still strongly disapprove of his voting down the rise in the minimum wage, but otherwise he is beginning to seem mighty sensible to me.

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    3. I haven't gone looking for Manchin's stated reason to oppose the $15/hr item in the reconciliation bill. This just in:
      Minimum Wage Fight Breaks the Left-Right Divide [Click]

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  6. We Already Got Rid of the Filibuster Once Before [Click] “The House used to have a filibuster too. And when legislators got rid of it, the result was a more democratic, productive institution.”

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  7. Democrats' Relief Bill Shores Up A Million People's Pensions. That's A Huge Deal.
    [Click] “It may be overshadowed by stimulus checks and unemployment benefits, but the money for multiemployer pension funds could save workers' retirements.”

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  8. Why has Covid’s toll been surprisingly low across much of Africa and Asia? [Click] Nobody knows, but it is probably due to multiple factors.

    Herd Immunity May Depend on Republican Voters [Click] Well, it seems that many of them prefer to gain immunity through infection rather than vaccination. Of course that can be risky. . .

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    1. They don't seem to mind killing other people for the cause.:P

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    2. Sure wish it were as simple as natural selection.

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  9. VTcases: 16,199-16,083 = 116
    2517 active cases
    208 deaths(0x2)
    Recovered 13,474(83.2%)
    Hospital:27(+3) ICU:7(+5)
    Tests 336,468 (+773)

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  10. OHIO; COVID cases 979,725 and the number of deaths has not changed.

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  11. Replies
    1. Attorney General Cameron is a flat-out criminal. He lied to the grand jury and made sure that there would be no justice for Breonna, murdered in her own home. You know, I used to be a believer but slowly became an atheist. But if there were just a few well-placed lightning bolts (McConnell, Trump, Cruz, Hawley) I would march right back into the fold.

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    1. It occurs to me to wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead might have been living together all these years without benefit of clergy. . .

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