Special US House election will fill term of Trump ally Nunes [Click] The existing Nunes district will be broken up and merged into new seats. That means it’s possible a candidate could end up appearing twice on the June ballot — once in a runoff for the vacant Nunes seat and a second time in a new House district for the term that starts in 2023.
The winner in the runoff (assuming there is one) will hardly have time to learn where the House restrooms are before the end of the term. This is my last opportunity to vote in this district; in the upcoming primary we will again be gerrymandered off into a district even less like our current one, and even more Republican. Oh, well.
There has been improvement in the mail-in ballot tracking. I was notified that it was picked up by the postal service, that it was received at the County Clerk's office, and when it had been counted. All pretty smooth.
Gee, Alan. I'm sad you will be in a more Republican fake-grouping. That really would bum me out as regards voting. But VOTE! You never know when the R's will get too complacent to show up.
My father failed to vote once in his life--the day my elder brother, his first son, was born. So far I have never failed to vote. I usually abstain from voting for those who run unopposed, particularly if they are running for judgeships.
I was reading a thread discussing how Putin seems to have fallen into the trap of believing his sycophants. One commentator used a new-to-me expression that seems like a keeper: "Putin knows he is going down like power windows." Antonio Salazar is the exception that proves [tests] the rule--certainly a dictator; Portugal didn't prosper under his rule, but it avoided disaster, and he died in his bed.
Yes, I think Clobuchar mentioned that drones had been particularly effective and hinted at them taking our planes. The MIGs are too readily identifiable. She also felt free to observe that some information has to be withheld. The Ukrainians whining about old MIGs was part of the deception. Though, I'm not sure how much is needed--Putin seems to be pretty well self-deceived. When Trump says "he's changed" that is a pretty sure sign that the end is near. While it seemed obvious that dictators inevitably fail because they simply cannot keep track of things, I had not thought on the inevitable corruption. Russia's military supplies are antiquated because the money for new supplies went into individual pockets. The Russian people do not deserve the ignominy. I'm thinking that, in addition to the oligarchs, the patriarchs ought to take some responsibility.
I think it was yesterday that a retired US Lt. General estimated that the Russia forces in Ukraine had about ten days' supplies left and deliverable. I am reminded of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu; the French thought their army would doubtless defeat the Vietnamese. Then they found themselves the ducks in a shooting gallery, with no hope of reinforcement.
The situation might be even worse than that--they might be immobilized with no supplies and no reinforcements, which means mass surrender. In such a case I suppose the Ukrainian government would round them up and ask the Red Cross to take care of them. I recall reading about that happening in another war, I just don't recall which one.
In recent wars, US troops suffered about ten injuries for each death. My guess is that the Russian medical aid system is not as good as that of the US. So estimating only five injuries for each death gives us total casualties of about 40,000 out of about 200,000 deployed, or 20% total casualties. The US considers a unit with 10% or more casualties to be unfit for duty. And on top of that they are freezing and starving. The effect of such losses on morale would be disastrous.
Special US House election will fill term of Trump ally Nunes [Click] The existing Nunes district will be broken up and merged into new seats. That means it’s possible a candidate could end up appearing twice on the June ballot — once in a runoff for the vacant Nunes seat and a second time in a new House district for the term that starts in 2023.
ReplyDeleteThe winner in the runoff (assuming there is one) will hardly have time to learn where the House restrooms are before the end of the term. This is my last opportunity to vote in this district; in the upcoming primary we will again be gerrymandered off into a district even less like our current one, and even more Republican. Oh, well.
There has been improvement in the mail-in ballot tracking. I was notified that it was picked up by the postal service, that it was received at the County Clerk's office, and when it had been counted. All pretty smooth.
DeleteGee, Alan. I'm sad you will be in a more Republican fake-grouping. That really would bum me out as regards voting. But VOTE! You never know when the R's will get too complacent to show up.
DeleteMy father failed to vote once in his life--the day my elder brother, his first son, was born. So far I have never failed to vote. I usually abstain from voting for those who run unopposed, particularly if they are running for judgeships.
DeleteI was reading a thread discussing how Putin seems to have fallen into the trap of believing his sycophants. One commentator used a new-to-me expression that seems like a keeper: "Putin knows he is going down like power windows." Antonio Salazar is the exception that proves [tests] the rule--certainly a dictator; Portugal didn't prosper under his rule, but it avoided disaster, and he died in his bed.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast between Salazar's burial place and that of Franco tells us much about the differences between them.
DeleteOnce again, America is in denial about signs of a fresh Covid wave [Click]
ReplyDeleteThe effects of the first Covid booster may be fading. When will it be time for seniors to re-up? [Click]
DeleteHere comes a new variant: Covid BA2 ☹️
DeleteIt's said to be 30% more contagious than Omicron, but no more virulent.
=SIGH=
https://people.com/health/experts-warn-of-another-rise-in-u-s-covid-cases-as-europe-starts-to-spike-and-ba-2-variant-spreads/
DeleteGive us some [good] news about your neighbors when you can.
DeleteThere are numerous reports that the US Administration is considering providing Ukraine with Switchblade “suicide drones” AKA “lingering munitions;” [Click] I noticed one report that they are already being delivered.
ReplyDeleteI found another reference to "American officials" saying Switchblades would be included in the upcoming US support package for Ukraine.
DeleteHere is another report indicating it is a done deal, but not for a large number at this time. [Click]
DeleteYes, I think Clobuchar mentioned that drones had been particularly effective and hinted at them taking our planes. The MIGs are too readily identifiable. She also felt free to observe that some information has to be withheld. The Ukrainians whining about old MIGs was part of the deception. Though, I'm not sure how much is needed--Putin seems to be pretty well self-deceived. When Trump says "he's changed" that is a pretty sure sign that the end is near.
DeleteWhile it seemed obvious that dictators inevitably fail because they simply cannot keep track of things, I had not thought on the inevitable corruption. Russia's military supplies are antiquated because the money for new supplies went into individual pockets.
The Russian people do not deserve the ignominy. I'm thinking that, in addition to the oligarchs, the patriarchs ought to take some responsibility.
I think it was yesterday that a retired US Lt. General estimated that the Russia forces in Ukraine had about ten days' supplies left and deliverable. I am reminded of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu; the French thought their army would doubtless defeat the Vietnamese. Then they found themselves the ducks in a shooting gallery, with no hope of reinforcement.
DeleteI would sincerely love for them to exhaust their options and have to retreat...permanently.
DeleteThe situation might be even worse than that--they might be immobilized with no supplies and no reinforcements, which means mass surrender. In such a case I suppose the Ukrainian government would round them up and ask the Red Cross to take care of them. I recall reading about that happening in another war, I just don't recall which one.
DeleteThe James Webb Space Telescope mirrors are aligned! [Click] Plus one of the four main detectors. Evidently the resolution is considerably better than many expected.
ReplyDeleteHUZZAH!! 😃👍
DeleteI look forward to the photos!
US intelligence estimate of Russian deaths so far in the invasion of Ukraine is at least seven thousand. [Click] That's A LOT.
ReplyDeleteIn recent wars, US troops suffered about ten injuries for each death. My guess is that the Russian medical aid system is not as good as that of the US. So estimating only five injuries for each death gives us total casualties of about 40,000 out of about 200,000 deployed, or 20% total casualties. The US considers a unit with 10% or more casualties to be unfit for duty. And on top of that they are freezing and starving. The effect of such losses on morale would be disastrous.
DeleteTop end of estimate is 10,000 dead, which by my reckoning would mean about 30% casualties. That is unsustainable.
Delete