Early voting begins

The Lincoln Project lawn signs. 

Polling booths open in certain areas of the United States for early voting. Voters claim they’re stimulated by the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “I’m voting for the future lives of my children,” one woman said.
In Virginia, Trumpies grouped in front of the polling area, waving flags and shouting. Unprecedent behavior outside pollling booths….
Will voting make a difference in how Trump, Trumpies, and the Republican-majority senate approach the nomination for the next justice? That is, will they respect the "will of the people" and allow the process to unfold in respectful order? 

Nah!

News blues…

The unbecoming fight for the next Supreme Court justice is on.
Judaic tradition mourns for seven days. Islam tradition mourns for three days. Christian tradition mourns for seven days (up to 40 days for Orthodox).
Mourning Ruth Bader Ginsburg and reviewing her extraordinary life is being shoved aside and replaced by a distasteful Trumpie-flavored squabble.

Jerusalema

The Jerusalema dance challenge continues…. People all around the world are sharing videos of their unique teams dancing to the hit song Jerusalema by South African musician Master KG, featuring the voice of songstress Nomcebo Zikode.
Ghana Army  (1:25 mins)
The Novices of Daughters of St Francis of Assisi (FSF) at St Leo Formation House - Izotsha - Umzimkulu Diocese  (5:25 mins)
Jerusalema Master KG Top best dance challenge World Wide  (12:15 mins)
Interview with South Africa’s Master KG on the massive global hit  (12: mins)

***

The Lincoln Project:
Accountable  (0:25 mins(
Hypocrisy Incarnate  (1:18 mins)
Meidas Touch: Demand Decency  (0:45 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

After days of moving my mother into the Care Center, I plan to stay home, work in the garden, don my waders and remove fast growing pond weed, and attend to my compost pile.
I will also sort through what likely will be the first of two rounds to auction my mother’s personal property.
Keeping "RBG" in mind, I celebrate the spring and welcome the first monsoonal rainfall.
Lots to do.

American Calamity!

Five fifty a.m. Saturday morning, I checked the news on my smartphone. Calamity! Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“RBG”) succumbed. After years of fighting cancer, the trooper died.
I’m surprised at how devastated I am.
Today, I wish I was in the US, among people who know and understand what the passing of this really terrific human woman means.
This brief posting honors RBG. 2020 Liberty Medal Honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Jerusalema

Amid death, live! President Ramaphosa advised South Africans to dance amid the pandemic (socially distanced, of course). I add, dance to celebrate RBG’s amazing strength.
The Jerusalema dance challenge has taken social media by storm – and touched hearts around the world (including mine; how wonderful people can be when we put our minds to cooperating as a collective). People all around the world are sharing videos of their unique teams dancing to the hit song Jerusalema by South African musician Master KG, featuring the voice of songstress Nomcebo Zikode.
Start here: a description and meaning of the Jerusalema challenge by KP Hospital  (7:03 mins) in South Africa, where it all started, Barberton High School  (3:50 mins) and Plettenberg Bay  (3:50 mins)

Also, Transylvania  (2:12 mins)
Jerusalem  (3:15 mins)
10 Best (so far) Jerusalema Dance Moves | WORLDWIDE  (12:05 mins)
More dancers and dance moves tomorrow….

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Today, I mourn … and feel… life…

Jerusalema

New week, big numbers: more than 30 million people around the world infected with Covid-19, close to one million dead.
Horrific.

Healthy futures, anyone?

First the good news: Dolphin numbers up in Hong Kong after Covid crisis halts ferries 

Large numbers of dolphins returned to Hong Kong waters within weeks of the Covid-19 crisis shutting down high-speed ferries, and researchers are now calling for protections before the ferries resume.
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as Chinese white dolphins and pink dolphins, are native to the Pearl River estuary, but typically avoided the waters between Hong Kong and Macau because of the high volume of high-speed boats.
But researchers say that with the pandemic drastically reducing water traffic, including the suspension of ferries, dolphin numbers in the area have risen by 30% since March.

Wildlife photos to start your weekend off right 

Then the bad news: Birds 'falling out of the sky' in mass die-off in south-western US 

Flycatchers, swallows and warblers are among the species “falling out of the sky” as part of a mass die-off across New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona and farther north into Nebraska, with growing concerns there could be hundreds of thousands dead already, said Martha Desmond, a professor in the biology department at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Many carcasses have little remaining fat reserves or muscle mass, with some appearing to have nose-dived into the ground mid-flight.
“I collected over a dozen in just a two-mile stretch in front of my house,” said Desmond. “To see this and to be picking up these carcasses and realising how widespread this is, is personally devastating. To see this many individuals and species dying is a national tragedy.”

The world fails to meet a single target to stop destruction of nature – UN report 

The world has failed to meet a single target to stem the destruction of wildlife and life-sustaining ecosystems in the last decade, according to a devastating new report from the UN on the state of nature.
From tackling pollution to protecting coral reefs, the international community did not fully achieve any of the 20 Aichi biodiversity targets agreed in Japan in 2010 to slow the loss of the natural world. It is the second consecutive decade that governments have failed to meet targets.
The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5, published before a key UN summit on the issue later this month, found that despite progress in some areas, natural habitats have continued to disappear, vast numbers of species remain threatened by extinction from human activities, and $500bn (£388bn) of environmentally damaging government subsidies have not been eliminated.

***

The Lincoln Project: Plan  (0:57 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

We end this week with short, unexpected – that is, unannounced - electrical power outages. No explanation from Eskom for several varying length outages last night. No notice on Eskom’s app about what’s happening. We are in the dark!
A side effect of the outages - darkness then power surges as power comes back online? Alarm systems, ours and that of dozens of residences in the area, strain. Ours beeps intermittently and persistently for no apparent security breech. I’ve figured out how to quell the sound, but it is disconcerting: how does one know when the beep portends trouble?
This week, President Ramaphosa advised this nation, enjoy your weekend – and dance the Jerusalema challenge.  (3:54 mins)

Alas!

Another week of pandemic, but Lockdown eases in South Africa. As of Sunday, we the people of South Africa go to Level 1, with restrictions eased. Alas, many countries are experiencing a second wave. 

Things don't look good anywhere. I began this post early this morning but put it aside to fulfill other obligations. Coming back to it at days end, the number of infections and deaths have increase. 

Below, the numbers from this morning – 6 hours ago – shown in “(x )” and italics.
Worldwide (Map) 
September 17 – 29,902,200 confirmed infections; 941,400 deaths)
(September 17 – 29,764,000 confirmed infections; 939,450 deaths)
September 10 – 27,766,325 confirmed infections; 902,470 deaths.
US (Map)
 September 17– 6,630,100 confirmed infections; 196,831 deaths
(September 17– 6,631,650 confirmed infections; 196,800 deaths)
September 10 – 6,360,000 confirmed infections; 190,820 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)  
September 17 – 653,445 confirmed infections; 15,705 deaths
(same numbers/not updated)
September 10 – 642,431 confirmed infections; 15,086 deaths

News blues…

President Ramaphosa addressed South Africans last night with good news: as of 20 September, we’re going to Alert Level 1. This includes:

• Further easing of gatherings - up to 50 percent of “normal capacity of a facilty” up to 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.
• Keep wearing masks, sanitizing hands, keeping social distance
• Funeral capacity up to 50; vigils not permitted
• Exercising, etc., up to 50 percent of venue capacity – subject to social distancing
• Sporting event restrictions remain
• Voting – subject to health protocols, as are jails, schools, etc.
• International travel: gradually and cautiously easing restrictions after Oct 1 2020 with continued restrictions for countries with high rates of infections; Main airports only: Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town; travelers must hold negative test result not older than 72 hours; No test? Required to remain in mandatory quarantine at travelers own cost; Showing symptoms? Quarantine until repeat tests are negative;
• Visa applications open and longterm visas will be reinstated;
• Curfew hours: midnight to 4am
• Alcohol for home consumption purchased between Monday to Friday from 9am to 17:00pm; Onsite consumption at licensed establishments with adherence to curfew
• Economic sectors open but careful!
• Wear masks, socially distance, wash hands, ventilate all buildings
• Let’s rebuild economy and restore growth and jobs.

Ramaphosa addressed Gender Based Violence (GBV) as a crisis made worse by the pandemic.
He also advised South Africans to celebrate upcoming Heritage Day as a time to enjoy family and to reflect on the journey we’re on with Covid-19, to remember those lost, to rejoice in our national heritage, celebrate the global phenomenon Jerusalema – and to sing, dance with “good moves”, and to rollup our sleeves to restore national prosperity and development.

Gosh, the man is presidential. What a novel concept for my American self! 

Watch Ramaphosa's address to the nation. (36:00 min) 

Compare the President of the United States on masks, etc. response to how humans can protect themselves from Covid-19 (if they feel like it). Trump contradicts and demeans CDC director  (10:00 mins)

***

The Lincoln Project urges:

There is a critical shortage of poll workers.
Due to Trump’s catastrophic failure in stopping the spread of coronavirus, there will likely not be enough poll workers for this election. Insufficient staffing could cause polling locations to close, leaving many people unable to cast ballots.
If you are able and comfortable, we highly encourage you to sign up to serve your community as a poll worker and help ensure every voter is able to cast his or her ballot securely.
Donald Trump's failures and attacks on our election are an existential threat to our republic.
In sowing distrust of our electoral processes and encouraging his supporters to vote twice and police voting locations, he seeks to intimidate voters, cast doubt over our free and fair elections, and claim an illegitimate win.
We cannot let Trump steal this election by defrauding our country. Serving your community and our country as a poll worker is an act of patriotism; there's nothing more American than helping protect democracy. Having fully staffed polling locations is absolutely critical for the security of our election during the most consequential vote of our lifetimes. 
Signing up to be a poll worker is fast and easy—you can get started right here.  

***

RVAT: Paul has a question for Christians who support Trump.  (2:23 mins)

***

An alert travel advisory received from the US Embassy in South Africa

The Department of State revised its Travel Advisory for South Africa on September 15, 2020. 

The Department continues to advise travelers to exercise normal precautions in South Africa. Reconsider travel to South Africa due to COVID-19.  Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, civil unrest, health, and drought.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19  page before you plan any international travel.   The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for South Africa due to COVID-19. 
South Africa has lifted stay at home orders and resumed some transportation options and business operations.  Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page   for more information on COVID-19 in South Africa. 

Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark.
Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent.
Parts of South Africa are experiencing a drought. Water supplies in some areas may be affected. Residential water-use restrictions are in place in Cape Town and other municipalities. Read the country information page. 
Please see our Alerts  for up-to-date information. If you decide to travel to South Africa:

• See the U.S. Embassy's web page   regarding COVID-19.  
• Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19. 
•  Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
• Avoid visiting informal settlement areas unless you are with someone familiar with the area.
• Do not display cash or valuables.
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location. 
• Conserve water and follow local guidance on water use for tourists and Save Like a Local.
• Check the City of Cape Town website  for up-to-date information and guidance on how to manage water consumption.
• Monitor water levels at the City of Cape Town’s Water Dashboard.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for South Africa.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.

• Review the Traveler’s Checklist. 

Yikes, I’d be discouraged from visiting a country with this many cautions – if I wasn’t already Locked down here!

***

AMERICAN? VOTE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS
If you have not received a requested absentee ballot in time to return it to your state, you can use The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot to vote for federal offices. The FWAB is available online at this link:  https://www.fvap.gov/eo/overview/materials/forms.

Hard copies of the FWAB are also available from your nearest U.S. Consulate. If your state absentee ballot arrives after sending in the FWAB, fill out and send in the official ballot as well. Your state will count only one. The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot – FWAB States administer elections in the United States and send absentee ballots to voters away from their voting residence.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

My mother’s first full day at the Care Center. I phoned in the morning and she reported all went well overnight. Important to note that Jessica, the dog, was well rested, too.
Care Center misplaced the forms I’d filled out back in March when I first attempted to get my mother into care. Then the pandemic scuppered all plans. Soon as Level 2 was reached, I approached the Center again. That was 6 months ago. So, re-doing all forms again.

49 more days

49 more days left to the US presidential election. But Trump, if he loses the election, hangs around until January 20 – his window-of-opportunity to further punish Americans, this time for voting him out.

News blues…

Trump visited Sacramento, California and, with his usual wisdom, advised “forest management” is at root of California’s devastating fires, that dry trees become “like matchsticks” and must be “removed” from forests. (BTW: Most US forests are on land owned by the federal government – which makes “forest management” his bailiwick.) According to Trump, “raking forest floors” is correct forest management – the PM of Norway told him that.
Still in Sacramento, in the context of acknowledging California’s soaring temperatures but avoiding the topic of climate change, Trump tackled the weather, predicting: “It’ll start getting cooler. You just watch.”
According to The New York Times, “Mr Trump and his senior officials have regularly mocked, denied or minimized … human-caused climate change … and has sought to zealously rollback [environmental] regulations.”

***

Scientific American breaks its own record and steps into the fray. After 175 years of Scientific American not endorsing a presidential candidate, the respected magazine – and scientists – endorses Joe Biden for president.  (3:30 mins)

***

The Lincoln Project:
Trump NO Nos Quiere YouTube  (1:17 mins)
Don Winslow Films: How we got here  (2:20 mins)
RVAT: President Trump couldn't care less about our military heroes (5:00 mins)
And, on the topic of political ads… Donald Trump et al blow it: 

MSNBC’s The ReidOut, “Campaign Ad Slammed As Overtly Racist”  (1:58 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Today, I delivered my 87-yr-old-mother and her chosen dog, Jessica, to her chosen retirement center. This move has been month’s in the making – plans interrupted by the pandemic, my mom changing her mind, then changing it back again, repeating that…
Finally, after we paid the deposit and first month’s rent, the household got on board behind the decision. We retrenched (“laid off”) a long term employee but retained another to help prepare the house for sale.
Today has been a long time coming.
Tomorrow, we pivot: 1) ready the house for sale, 2) possibly purchase a unit in a lovely “estate” (akin to a “gated community”), 3) figure out when – and how – I can return to California without exposing myself to Covid-19 or climate change fire-related health hazards.
But first, tonight is a moment to breath deep, pat myself on my back (no one else in the extended family will do so) and feel grateful that my mom will adjust into a new, safe, people-and-animal-filled life for her remaining days.
Amen.

Getting there

The Johns Hopkins Covid-19 Dashboard  has been one of the most reliable data providers for coronavirus infections, trends, and deaths. This week’s numbers are rising fast to what, six months ago, was inconceivable: 30 million infections – and 100,000 dead.
Sobering. Terrifying.

News blues…

According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s report recently published report,  

In only half a year, the coronavirus pandemic has wiped out decades of global development in everything from health to the economy. Progress has not only stopped but has regressed in areas like getting people out of poverty and improving conditions for women and children around the world.
“In other words, we’ve been set back about 25 years in about 25 weeks,” the report says. “What the world does in the next months matters a great deal."
Global action to stop the pandemic would prevent illness and deaths caused by Covid-19, but there's more at stake: The crisis sets back strides made in global poverty, HIV transmission, malnutrition, gender equality, education and many more areas. Even if the world manages to get the coronavirus under control soon, it could take years to claw back lost progress.

***

The Lincoln Project:

Broke  (0:55 mins)
Don the Con  (0:58 mins)
School  (0:25 min)
RVAT: Nebraska Republican: I Remember a Very Different GOP  (1:50 mins)
Brian can't vote for Trump for two reasons: he destroyed fiscal conservatism and he's a moron.  (0:50 mins)

***

This is a favorite Lockdown interaction: “Father & Son" (Cat Stevens Lockdown Parody  (3:15 mins)
Like The Kiffness? Take a tour of Dave Scott’s pandemic compendium. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Three weeks ago, my mother was offered a choice of a large room or a small room for her upcoming life in a local up-market Care Center. She chose the smaller.
I begged her to reconsider, take the larger room, choose comfort over cost. Yes, the larger room was more expensive. But she and her large, hefty mongrel, Jessica, would have space to relax in the larger room.
I couldn’t convince her.
Then, yesterday, fewer than 24 hours before moving, she changed her mind. Suddenly, she wanted the larger room.
I tried. I contacted the Center manager. The larger room had been snapped up by a decisive couple. More power to them.
At the Care Center today ("100% lockdowned due to Covid-19"; masks compulsory at all times)  to set up my mom’s small room, I peeked into the larger room as passed: the decisive couple resident there now looked very settled and comfortable. 

I’m pleased I planned my mom’s move over two days: first day to set up the room; second day to drive her and Jessica there, a hassle-free, leisurely settling in.
For, “what can go wrong, will go wrong.”
The delivery of her new 6-drawer “bed base”/box spring was unsuccessful; something about not having received payment despite me having paid.
The team hired to set up her television arrived four hours after their scheduled appointment due to “unexpected delays.”
Had I decided to fit the move and the relocation into one day, my mother and Jessica would have spent all day waiting - and still not have had a bed in which to sleep.
Hoping for better service tomorrow.

Eyes on POTUS

POTUS in San Francisco -
and no one can find him! 

Orange on orange. Oh no! The president visited San Francisco to offer aid and maybe make fun of the Democrat politicians running the state a little bit. But as soon as he stepped off Air Force One, Secret Service lost their visual on him, his soft, persimmon-hued skin blending in perfectly with the fiery hellscape around him. 

"Anyone got eyes on POTUS?" a frantic Secret Service agent shouted into his radio. "We've lost him! Repeat, we've lost him!" 

President Trump was completely invisible from the moment he arrived. 

News blues…

Level 1 anyone?

Just as spring is in the air, so too is the anticipation for further relaxation of lockdown regulations with a move to the risk-adjusted level 1 expected soon.
With the National State of Disaster for Covid-19 extended by a month on Thursday, expectations are for President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation in the coming days. 

***

The excuses Republicans, Trumpies, and Republican propaganda trumpeting machine Fox News’ maintain for Trump not arming Americans with the truth to fight Covid-19? “The fog of war.” An “epidemiological Pearl Harbor.” Oh, and Dr Fauci. And China (“Chayna!”) More excuses to come. Brace yourself…. 
Nevertheless, a real question remains: Why did Bob Woodward sit for so long on the audio tapes of Trump’s interviews? Was it, like John Bolton, to sell his book? Or because he’s a journalist embargoing information, including journalistic ethics to protect sources? If so, does that apply to current circumstance? Isn’t there an over-riding responsibility to the people of the world?

***

Science Writer at The Atlantic, Ed Yong’s August 2020 article, “How the Pandemic Defeated America: A virus has brought the world’s most powerful country to its knees.” 
Ed Yong interviewed on MSNBC, discussing the American response to COVID-19.  (2:04 mins)

***

Cross cultural political ads. Political ads are not confined to the US election. South Africa creates fine political commentary, too. Meet The Kiffness  (4:25 mins)
Another Kiffness product, off topic on the pandemic but timely.
Julius Malema (Jerusalema Parody)  (1:52 mins)
Background: Economic Freedom Front (EFF) frontman Julius Malema took offense at an advertisement published by Clicks. (Clicks is similar to US’s Longs or CVS chain of stores.) The ad shows “dull and damaged” and “frizzy and dull” over images of black women with “normal” and “fine and flat” used over images of white women. Describing the ad “insensitive and offensive,” EFF organized a violent invasion of Clicks stores.
“Mzansi” is a colloquial name for South Africa and also refers to aspects of South African arts, culture and leisure, etc. 

RVAT: Hardcore Conservative: Now Voting for Biden  (3:58 mins)
Young Business Owner: Flipping from Trump to Biden  (4:45 mins)
113 Reasons REPUBLICANS Aren't Voting for Trump in 2020  (11:25 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Another trip to the local city to recycle wine bottles I couldn’t recycle last week due to Lockdown’s rules about alcohol consumption.
Another day to try – gently – to persuade my mother to attend to what she wants to pack. Diplomacy is not easy.
Stressful week ahead.