White nationalists in Charlottesville, VA
This really should be the end. During the course of the first of three scheduled debates, the U.S. president refused to condemn white supremacy, and told the Proud Boys (neo-fascist “fraternal” organization that has engaged in political violence) to “stand by,” meaning “await further instructions.” (more…)
Achieving sustainability in terms of our planet’s environment has two large components: low-carbon energy and better land management. Solar panels and wind turbines are sexy, at least some people say, but we tend to overlook the fact that we’re clearing 3900 square miles of Amazon rainforest per year, largely for cows. That’s the equivalent of the area of one championship golf course every 29 minutes.
It’s hard to imagine the profile of a voter in the upcoming U.S. presidential election who is “undecided” at this point. Going into the debate, Biden led the national polls 53.8% – 43.8%, so we’re only talking about 2.4%, but who are they? The majority perceive the president to be a sociopath, but almost half like what they have seen over the past four years, and believe that Trump is the only thing standing in the way of turning the United States into Venezuela, or, perhaps worse, Denmark, the social democracy with almost no destitution, rating #1 in world happiness. (more…)
The meme here makes a point I hadn’t considered.
A person of her intelligence must be aware that Trump has no concerns outside of his own pleasures and enrichment, and is, at best, neutral to the interests of the country and its people.
We’re certainly not a nation of good character at this point, are we?
America is reeling from a debate in which its president refused to denounce the racial violence of its growing numbers of neoNazis/white supremacists. Yet the country needs to put this in proportion; we’re at a point in which a popular Christian pastor in Texas wished death on a long-time public servant. (more…)
Well, it’s not the majority of Americans, but it certainly is too many.
So sad to see a formerly great nation implode.
So embarrassing to be a part of it, albeit an outspoken opponent of all the hatred and stupidity.
Hoping for a completely new ethos once Trump is removed (whether or not he’s indicted, convicted, and imprisoned).
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that there has never been a presidential election that has garnered anywhere near this much of my attention.
Here’s a great way to track the movement in the polls; it’s updated at least a couple times a day.
Suppose you’re a Trump supporter, and you notice that every living president, including a Republican, is doing everything his power to bring the Trump presidency to a close.
Further, these gentlemen are joined by the top echelon of the U.S. military, as well as our scientists, doctors, and educators. The country is diseased, economically depressed, and reviled around the globe. Your guy was impeached, and now stands accused of dozens of different felonies. Many of his top advisors are in prison, or well on their way. (more…)
Should decisions about re-opening the U.S. economy be made purely based on epidemiology?
Of course not. Sure, suppose you come up with an idea for a COVID-19 policy, e.g., re-opening restaurants with no indoor seating, and you run it by the epidemiological community. You will get in return, with the maximum degree of precision possible, the most likely outcome in terms of the short-, medium-, and long-term health of the population, given the realities of things like testing facilities, the number of ICU bed-spaces, the probability of a vaccine in a certain time horizon, etc. (more…)
My wife and I had an amusing incident that I thought I’d share, hoping that it will make you smile too.
Almost exactly a year ago, we were travelling in Central Europe with an incredibly knowledgeable guide, and wherever we went, I’d asked him how the local people regarded Trump. In Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, he said, “Well, there’s some support for Trump, but largely these people regard him as a conman who’s in the process of ruining the United States. We got to Slovenia, he said, “Are you kidding? Do you know where your First Lady is from? They adore him!”
Twelve months later, it looks like the bloom is off the rose. In the first place, it appears clear at this point that Melania is married to a criminal, whose comeuppance may be imminent; in the second place, he owes someone $400 million, and may not be able to repay him.
