The vulgarian has left the building

Exit the vulgar grifter. Welcome, an opportunity for We the People to get it together to fight – and beat – a pandemic showing little let up:

Trump departed a city under militarized fortification meant to prevent a repeat of the riot he incited earlier this month.
For his opponents, Trump's departure amounts to a blissful lifting of a four-year pall on American life and the end to a tortured stretch of misconduct and indignities. Even many of Trump's onetime supporters are sighing with relief that the White House, and the psychology of its occupant, may no longer rest at the center of the national conversation.
He leaves office with more than 400,000 Americans dead from a virus he chose to downplay or ignore.

Worldwide (Map) 
January 21 – 96,830,000 confirmed infections’ 2,074,000 deaths
December 17 – 73,557,500 confirmed infections; 1,637,100 deaths
November 19 – 56,188,000 confirmed infections; 1,348,600 deaths

US (Map)
January 21 – 24,450,000 confirmed infections’ 406,100 deaths
December 17 – 16,724,775 confirmed infections; 303,900 deaths
November 19 – 11,525,600 confirmed infections; 250,485 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal)
January 21 – 1,370,000 confirmed infections’ 38,900 deaths
December 17 – 873,680 confirmed infections; 23,665 deaths
November 19 – 757,145 confirmed infections; 20,556 deaths

News blues…

"This is more work than in my previous life," [Donald Trump} told Reuters 100 days into the job [four years ago]. "I thought it would be easier." 

I echo the sentiments of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof who writes,

I thought about saying something more about Trump… about the final count from The Washington Post of 30,573 false or misleading statements as president (an average of 21 a day). About his financial challenges. About his legal risks. About his isolation, unable to get even his own vice president to Joint Base Andrews for his farewell.
But Trump has messed with us enough. Yes, we need accountability, and we’ll get it with civil and criminal investigations, and with the Senate impeachment trial. But let’s focus on healing, which means no longer letting Trump set the agenda. He’s off Twitter, thank God, and I want some time not thinking of him and instead letting Biden wrestle with our national problems — including healing the country.

Amen, brother!

***

As he promised, President Joe Biden spent the first day of his term walking back Donald Trump’s legacy and establishing a new order through a flurry of executive actions. Close to top of the list: 100 day mask mandates in all Federal executive actions ... addressing climate change… cancelling the permit on Keystone XL pipeline …
In total, he signed 17,  more than half of which reversed a Trump-era policy.
Read the full list >> 

Boring never looked so good!

 
Alas, conspiracy theorist, seditionists, and whackidoodles dazed and confused 

***

The Lincoln Project: An email from my favorite former-Republican and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Steve Schmidt:

The President’s success is America’s success.

"I am rooting hard for you." 

                                                        — George H.W. Bush to Bill Clinton

In a bygone era of American politics before coups and QAnon, we had a rich tradition of honoring democracy and the peaceful transfer of power with nonpartisan hope, optimism, and decorum.
Sitting presidents, regardless of party and of their own electoral result, passed the baton to their successor by rallying support, offering encouragement, and leaving a piece of advice or two.
It was obvious to men like Barack Obama, George Bush Jr. and Sr., Bill Clinton, and dozens before them that partisanship was ultimately performative, and the urgency and importance of strong leadership in the White House superseded ground-floor politicking.
For the country to be successful, the president must be successful, and vice versa.
How far we have fallen.
It was obvious from day one that the Trump presidency would lack convention or tradition.
It was clear Trump felt no fidelity to democracy—that he could not sense the gravity of his office, or of his power, or of his place in history.
Needless to say, those observations held steady.
Today, Trump left office mired in disgrace. He never once congratulated his successor, let alone acknowledge the result of the election.
The closest he came to conceding was reading a statement committing to a “peaceful” transfer of power long after the Capitol had been overrun by domestic terrorists.
Today, Trump leaves with the majority of the country against him—against his brashness and narcissism, antipathy and racism.
America is moving on from Trump.
Good riddance.
Today, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will set a new tone for our nation’s discourse.
They’ll reassert a standard to be expected of public servants in this country.
They’ll stand up for American ideas and ideals, and repudiate those who espouse hatred and ignorance.
We may not agree on every policy outcome or key decision point.
That’s OK.
Respectful disagreement is the very thread through which democracy is woven.
But Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have a reverence and deference to our Constitution and democratic norms, in absentia through the Trump presidency.
Mr. President and Madam Vice President, we’re rooting hard for you.
Your victories are our country’s victories.
Make us proud.
— Steve

PS: Donald Trump may have left Washington—but we [The Lincoln Project] aren't going anywhere. All those who sought to overturn our free and fair election in the Sedition Caucus, including Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, must pay a price for betraying our country and defying their oath. Stay tuned!

Healthy planet, anyone?

In keeping with the light-heartedness around the world as the Trumpster takes his sordid place in history, note the message on vehicle:

“Dried rhino poacher testicles cure AIDS – ACT NOW!”

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Sore throat update: still sore, but slightly less sore. Overnight discomfort present but manageable. I’m on the mend.
A recipe to soothe sore throats – and reduces the fear that accompanies sore throat sufferers during a pandemic:
In one bowl, combine:
     2 scoops of vanilla ice cream (faux ice cream works too)
     2 tablespoons mint syrup (recipe below)
     2 tablespoons grapefruit flavored rum (pink gin works too)
     I comfortable spot to sit/lounge(armchair, air mattress, bed…)
     Carry bowl and spoon to comfortable spot, settle, and dig in! 

Mint syrup recipe (easy to make and excellent for mojitos)
     Half cup of sugar
     Half cup of water
     Boil together until sugar is dissolved/
     Add 2 large handfuls of fresh, washed mint leaves and simmer for 5 minutes.
     Cool.
     Drain mint leaves from syrup, pour liquid into jar/container, store in fridge until needed.

Experimenting with the ice cream remedy for sore throats means a dwindling supply of grapefruit-flavored rum.
Surprise! The local TOPS (liquor store) was shut – and had been for weeks.
I’d forgotten a Lockdown Level 3 mandate:

Alcohol sales from retail outlets and onsite consumption are banned. The prohibition on the public consumption of alcohol remains. 

Ah, well… win some, lose some….

Gotta pace myself. 
Hmmm, maybe pink gin will work almost as well....