In July I came up with the brilliant idea of posting some of the day's headlines from various news sources and writing comments about them that were either pithy, snarky, wise or brilliantly on point (or a combination thereof). The response was so overwhelming (thank you, Clarabell Monet of Harpers Ferry, WV) that I have since offered readers additional editions to enthusiastic acclaim (by which I mean dead silence). Here then is part six in what is now a regular and beloved feature of this blog.
From The NY Times:
Trump’s Return Leaves White House in Disarray as Infections Jolt West Wing
White House in disarray seems like an appropriate title for the Trump presidency. He is now infecting the White House with the corona virus just as he had been infecting it with such diseases as racism and xenophobia. I'd say he's gone off the rails but those rails were abandoned long ago. It looks like his descent into madness is accelerating. Hopefully a semblance of civility and stability within government can be preserved once he loses the election next month and a transfer of power can be affected (so I'm a dreamer).
Kamala Harris and the Push to Cut Hospital Bills in California
We are once again reminded that in the United States citizens can go bankrupt because of medical bills. The voracious hunger of capitalism takes precedence over the needs of the people -- even the most basic of those needs like staying alive. Thankfully people like Senator (hopefully soon, Vice President) Harris are fighting to change that.
'We Need to Take Away Children,’ No Matter How Young, Justice Dept. Officials Said
And in that one headline we have a perfect summarization of the modern conservative ethos. Separating babies from mothers ranks among the cruelest things you can do but it's not too low for Republicans, in fact, it's policy. Bastards.
From CNN:
Trump's erratic behavior continues as he halts stimulus talks and spreads falsehoods on pandemic
Did his "erratic behavior" ever stop? How is this any different than the past four years? It's been one long shitshow. And now it's getting worse. Well, it was never going to get better and evidently the steroids Trumpy's been given have revealed just how naked the emperor is.
Top White House aide Stephen Miller tests positive for Covid-19
Another example of the fact that the chickens have come home to roost.
A musician with a Latin country-rock band says he and a friend were beaten at a Tennessee bar for speaking Spanish
Well look here, we have yet another example of the conservative ethos. The philosophies of exclusiveness of non acceptance of violence of bigotry. Here's the thing, I very much doubt that if I went into the same bar and spoke Finnish with a relative that anyone would say boo (I'm white). But if you're a person of color you've got a strike against you to these neanderthals and speaking a foreign language is strikes two and three and like all truly brain dead people the response is physical violence. The right is full of ignorant, frightened racists many of whom resort to violence when they feel challenged.
From the BBC:
September was world's 'hottest on record'
While that is truly depressing do you want to hear something funny? Trumpy and other conservatives in the U.S. deny the findings of climate scientists. Actually maybe that's not so much funny as really, really depressing. Denying science is not just stupid but dangerous.
Facebook bans QAnon conspiracy theory accounts across all platforms
I am four square against censorship but -- as in the case of someone who yells 'fire' in a crowded theater --there are exceptions to the rule. The QAnon people are spreading garbage that is so ridiculous as to defy belief, however there are people stupid enough (i.e. Trump supporters) to buy this nonsense hook, line and sinker. If you're not familiar with these wing nuts click this sentence to get an idea of what they're about.
Greece Golden Dawn: Neo-Nazi leaders guilty of running crime gang
Neo-Nazis engaging in criminal activity? Welcome to one of the least surprising headlines of the year. A truly surprising headlines would be, Neo-Nazis lauded for charitable work.
From SF Gate:
Appeals court: Trump must turn over taxes to prosecutor
He's so fucked.
Northern California evangelical school tied to 'very large' spike in virus cases
So I take it that the power of prayer let them down. Evangelicals tend not to be big on science or facts in general. They do put a lot of "faith" in a supernatural being looking after them if only they take the time to ask. However science trumps superstition every time.
No selfies with bears: Forest Service closes popular Tahoe attraction for public safety
Here's a quote from a park ranger: “We’ve seen people trying to get way too close to the bears,” Cressy says. “People trying to take selfie portraits with black bears — and these are wild animals. They are 300-, 400-, 500-pound animals. And it’s terribly unsafe to approach them.” I love bears and watch them occasionally on bear cams provided by explore.org. I'd love to see a bear in the wild -- from a very safe instance, as I did a few summers ago from a train in Finland. My question is, what kind of moron tries to get a selfie with a bear? There are, apparently, all manner of moron, including ones who don't have the sense to stay away from very large wild animals.
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