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....

Pardon-athon?

We know who he'll pardon first. 
But who else is on his list?
Enquiring minds wanna know....

News blues…

The Donald’s ship has sailed – and the rats, his so-called “allies”, can’t abandon him fast enough.
The odd thing about Trump? Despite perfecting the Art of Usury – including using people for his own ends - his pathological arrogant narcissism never understood that users beget users. A list of “allies” who’ve abandoned the Trumpster so far:

• GOP Leaders Cordially Decline Trump's Going Away Party  (3:55 mins)
• After 4 years of sycophancy, “Moscow Mitch” now says, “The mob was fed lies.” 
• Pence, McConnell, and McCarthy are skipping Trump's departure ceremony 
• Republican support for convicting Trump in Senate growing 
• Ah, well, who needs ‘em? Trump’s arranging his own send-off at Joint Base Andrews at 8am on Wednesday. Naturally, Trump wants a military-style send-off with a band and a flyover.
• He and his family, from wife to kids and grandkids, no longer welcome in New York, are off to Florida. 

With four hundred Americans dead from Covid-19 and a country in shambles, “Good luck, Florida!”

***

The Lincoln Project:

In less than 24 hours, Joe Biden will be President. Kamala Harris will be Vice President.
And Donald Trump will be a disgraced ex-President, failed businessman, and a Twitter-less private citizen.
We are in the final hours of the worst presidency of our lifetimes, and one of the most destructive in our country’s history.
For the first time in four years, the sitting president won’t be a national security landmine, a walking emoluments clause violation, or a nepotist pimp dealing spoils and favors to loyalists and the highest bidders.
We will soon have a president who listens to scientists instead of conspiracy theorists, experts instead of provocateurs, and trusted legal minds instead of pillow salesmen.
Our new president will consider the human toll of the raging pandemic before his political posturing.
Our new president will defend the values of liberal democracy, instead of abandoning our allies and cozying up to autocrats and oppressors.
Our new president will work for all Americans—not just himself and the privileged few.
Reaching this day was years in the making. November’s election did not occur in a vacuum.
It took every other patriot in this coalition to fight for democracy and deliver Joe Biden’s victory.
It took millions of Americans standing up for what is right versus what is so clearly wrong.
This is our time.
And this is our new president.

As glad as I am that the Trumps are going, the cynic in me wonders how long the current adoration of Biden as Savior will continue.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

My things-to-do before-I-can-depart-SA list just got one item more complicated. Before I can purchase a return ticket and depart, not only must I sell a house – my mother’s - and find homes for three dogs – ditto, my mother’s – figure out if I should rent my own new home, and set up a routine that tries to ensure my mother’s well-being in the Care Center, I must also follow Embassy-level directions before I can re-enter California.
As per the US Embassy in SA:

Health Alert: Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States
Location: The Republic of South Africa
Event: Starting January 26, 2021, all air travelers to the United States, including U.S citizens, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery to enter the United States.
On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021. Actions to take: 

• Visit the CDC’s webpage for more details on this requirement: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
• Visit the Embassy’s COVID information page, https://za.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/, for additional information on COVID in South Africa.

Talking about Covid, my sore throat is still sore, but slightly less sore than this time (5:45am) yesterday. Pain and discomfort is worse overnight and, happily, last night’s discomfort was marginally less than the previous night’s.
Restored health on the horizon?
Amen!

5G. Golly gee!

KwaZulu Natal is many things… including a mishmash of misinformation and hysteria amongst those who believe that 5G towers are spreading coronavirus, that vaccines will “infect” their blood with “demons,” and that a combo of 5G, coronavirus, vaccines, electricity transmission lines, etc. herald the imminent apocalypse… 
The targeted “bad guys” at the center of many conspiracies circulating in South Africa? 

Bill Gates and Anthony Fauci. George Soros, too, although he’s more demonized in the US than he is in South Africa.
Interestingly, few South Africans recognize Mark Zuckerberg, his name, his social media platforms, or his outsized role in social media. This, despite WhatsApp - and Facebook - being social media platforms of choice for “everyone” in SA with a mobile phone .
Conspiracy theories swirl more than ever as news circulates about users having to opt into WhatsApp’s updated privacy rules by 6 February  
As increasingly bizarre conspiracy theories multiple exponentially, Telegram is promoted as the alterative social media platform. In the US, however, Telegram (along with Gab, CloutHub, and MeWe) are described (by “normal” people) as “a haven for MAGA extremists and far-right message boards such as 8kun (formerly 8chan)).
Positioned with one foot in California and one foot in KZN offers a fascinating peek into human complexities, conspiracy theories and all.

News blues…

Eish! Hasn’t he left yet?

(Above) This week’s New Yorker magazine says it all.

Next week’s prescient New Yorker cover.  

***

As Donald Trump prepares to scuttle out of Washington, DC, he’s said to be selling pardons, for up to $2 million each. 
Hey, Donald, haven’t you heard? “You’re fired!”

***

The Lincoln Project: The Liar's Guide to Mendacious Hypocrisy  (2:06 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Will Neptune’s balls save us?

Underwater seagrass in coastal areas appear to trap plastic pollution in natural bundles of fibre known as “Neptune balls”, researchers have found. 
With no help from humans, the swaying plants – anchored to shallow seabeds – may collect nearly 900m plastic items in the Mediterranean alone every year, [according to a study] in the journal Scientific Reports.

My concern about miracle cures, whether Neptune’s balls or any other?
Humans tend to decide “someone else” is taking care of the planet's plastics problem and nothing more effort is required of them.
Friends, that’s far from true.
Much of the plastic dropped in recycling bins isn't being recycled. 

In 2014, 22 percent of PET plastic collected for recycling was exported out of the United States. Plastic production surged from 15 million tons in 1964 to 311 tons in 2014 — an increase of more than 2,000 percent. 

According to the EPA, of the 267.8 million tons of municipal solid waste generated by Americans in 2017, only 94.2 million tons were recycled or composted. Sixty-six percent of discarded paper and cardboard was recycled, 27 percent of glass, and 8 percent of plastics were recycled. 

Recycle, recycle, recycle and learn if plastic is recycled productively in your neighborhood. 

Your efforts, small or large, are vital. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Heron Pond is one of four small lakes spaced, ladder-like, in a shallow valley near my section of my soon-to-be-new home. Over the weekend, while circumambulating Heron Pond, I learned anyone can fish for bass in any of the small lakes – Heron, Stork, Robin, and Duck.
Traditionally, fishing has not been my choice of pastime. I have accompanied a friend into California’s Sierra foothills to fly fish trout. LINK He practices catch-and-release so I wasn’t faced with the dilemma of watching a pretty trout lose the struggle for breathe on a riverbank.
While he fished, I explored tide pools, scrambled over rocks, and admired rock formations.
The idea of sitting on the bank of Heron or other pond appeals. I’d probably not bait the hook (what if a bass bites?), but holding a fishing rod/pole would provide cover for sitting near and staring into water.
Or I could watch for fish eagles These amazing predators frequent these ponds. I watched two circle overhead and one dive to the pond surface. 

Vegetation blocked my view of whether her/his dive was productive.
Next time, I’ll carry a camera

***

Sore throat update: My infected throat is neither noticeably better nor worse. I continue to steam and gargle salt water. I took advice from the doctor’s office to use a throat spray and to try a different over-the-counter lozenge or syrup.
While I’m willing to go with medical advice, to date my flesh is unwilling to comply.

“Free again, free again…”

I’ve been in South Africa for almost one year – 8 months beyond what I’d planned. One luxury I’ve granted myself during this time is an Internet connection. While I love the location of this house - semi-rural in a valley with wonderful vegetation and tall trees - I pay a premium for the Internet connection.
As of next Thursday, I’ll move to a connection one third the price for four times the data. 

It’ll be awkward and disruptive and my posting schedule will change, but I’m looking forward to no longer being exploited by an ISP that considers me a source of endless Yankee dollas.
I’ve managed, despite load shedding and ISP troubles, to post every day since the beginning of Covid and Lockdown and I intend to maintain that discipline.
Thank you for reading this blog and, after Thursday, please be patient as we segue to a modified schedule. Daily posts will continue albeit slightly later in the day.

News blues…

Since the recent attempted coup/insurrection/siege of the Capitol, will America and Americans have another round of soul searching around race and xenophobia?

For African Americans, Wednesday’s siege of the U.S. Capitol by a mob bent on keeping President Donald Trump in office despite his election loss in November offered fresh evidence that the double standard and the racism … remain firmly in place. 

The Lincoln Project: Which side  (0:55 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

A Black Lives Matter rally
in Brisbane in June after the death of
George Floyd in the US.
'In a just world, no one should
have to fight for oxygen,’
writes author Jennifer Mills . 
Photo: James D Morgan/Getty Images 

The question of who breathes, and who suffocates, is a question of who deserves to live. It’s a question that will only become more urgent as the climate crisis develops.
Read, Trouble breathing: 'We all breathe the same air, but we don't breathe equally' >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Eskom, South Africa’s electrical supply commission parastatal, regularly displays its budgetary and executive/managerial shortcomings.
Load shedding – shutting down the country’s power grid to cope with diminished supply – is an ‘in your face’ display of shortcomings, but the devil, as they say, is in the details.
Once upon a time, Eskom offered industry and residents the cheapest electricity in the world. 

Yes, politically and socially those were the “bad old days” of apartheid: labor was abundant, cheap, and exploitative. 

And yes, since electricity was so cheap, it was the power source of choice (for those who could afford installation). Natural gas was available, but more expensive therefore less desirable than electricity.
These days, for purposes of load shedding, Eskom’s supply grid is segmented into named and numbered neighborhoods that endure load shedding together. Our neighborhood, “same-village name_A-14”, is across the freeway from “same-village name_B-14”.
About a month ago“same-village name_A-14” – our neighborhood – endured several days without power due to theft of electrical cable from a transformer on our street. 

A week after that, we endured another day without power because a drunk driver crashed into and damaged the same transformer.
This weekend, a portion of “same-village name_A-14” endured 19 hours without electricity while our house, endured 2.5 hours of scheduled load shedding.
Nineteen hours is a long time without power, more so if you’re an elderly, alone, shut-in with ill health that includes diabetes. My neighbor and friend could not cook her solitary hot meal, could not bath, could only worry as she watched her stash of frozen food slowly thaw.
She and her dog ate processed meat and bread.
I dared not reach out to her since I suffered a sore throat, potentially a Covid indicator.
Naturally, social media was rife with rumor and conjecture about why power was off only in sections of the same grid.
Eskom was silent.
Hour 20, power returned – and a reason for the outage. Somehow, physical cable for “same-village name_A-14” and “same-village name_B-14” had been confused and mis-connected at a local transformer.
That is, residents endured 19 hours without power along with the regular load-shedding schedule due to a faulty transformer connection,.
Did I mention that Eskom now has among the most expensive electricity in Africa?

***

Sore throat update: I’ve now had a sore throat for longer than Eskom supplied continuous power: from Friday night to Monday morning. 

It’s worse overnight. 

Still no other overt signs it’s evolving into a more dire illness.