The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
CONFLAB
My daughter phoned this afternoon with an opening comment telling me our call could become disconnected at any moment as she had already experienced several brief power outages. Another ice storm was in progress as they had the night before after five inches of snow had fallen. We caught up on our lives over several hours until she noted the storm had finally ended, her power and heat uninterrupted. We realized a need to sign off so I could have a now late dinner plus, given our time difference, she needed to go to bed. Consequently, I am hastily pulling together this week's post.
VACCINATON
Earlier in the week I had a routine medical appointment following which I decided to see if I could schedule a Covid-19 vaccination. I'll spare you the specific details other than to say it was not possible to make an internet appointment for the drive-thru site where I need to go, so I used the recommended phone number. I made several different unsuccessful calls having to hold for varying periods of duration.
There are several reasons for this including inadequate and unpredictable vaccine supplies. Erratic scheduling changes for designated groups have also created confusion. Many, or even most in each group are not receiving the vaccination before additional groups are added, compounding the problem. That coupled with the frustrations experienced by businesses off and on again closures has culminated in a drive to recall our state's Governor Newsom.
My personal view is it's poorly advised our state should incur the expense of a special election but some want to exploit the situation. I felt the same way the last time that occurred when state finances were limited. We ended up with Gov. Schwarzenegger before he and his Party were replaced the next election.
BIRDLAND
I peeked in on the Big Bear Bald Eagle nest this past week to learn lots of activity has taken place there. Jackie and Shadow are starting a second clutch this year after loss of the first one. Jackie laid an egg on Monday, Feb. 8th and a second egg Thursday, Feb. 11th, Pip watch will begin March 15th. This video reveals Jackie on the nest with Ravens being heard nearby. When Jackie emits a "teakettle whistle" she lays the second egg.
POV -- IMPEACHMENT
I've been caught up in watching the impeachment trial this week of our ex-President Donald J. Trump.
What is wrong with this picture? Did someone suggest hypocrisy?
Ex-President Trump was not impeached for inciting the January 6th seditious riotous coup attempt.
Senator McConnell claimed the U.S. Constitution allowed for impeaching a President only when he/she is in office. Since Trump was now an ex-President he could not be impeached, so McConnell voted "No" to impeachment.
What that means is, once a November election occurs, if a candidate defeats the incumbent President for re-election, any effort to impeach the soon-to-be ex-President, Lame Duck, must occur between January 6th (when the joint session of Congress meets to accept the official Electoral College votes from the states) and January 20th (when the newly elected President is inaugurated).
So, can a Lame Duck President commit and impeachable offense during those 14 days and not to be held accountable by impeachment unless he/she is put on trial during those days -- but not after January 20th when he/she will have become an ex-President?
Point of fact: The House of Representatives impeached President Trump when he was still President, but Senator McConnell refused to accept the article of impeachment so a trial could be held before January 20th.
Now, Senator McConnell has said in this NBC News video: "President [ex-President Trump] is practically and morally responsible for provoking the event": -- January 6th riot/seditious coup at the Capitol.
While the Senator says the ex-President's actions occurred because he was "angry about losing an election" I believe the issues are far more serious, but that is a topic for another time. Suffice to say, democracy is fragile and must be protected from those like Donald J. Trump who would undermine our Republic to establish a different form of government, including an autocracy.
Our current President Biden is quoted in this video repeating the point on CNN:
"The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives," Biden said. "While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a 'disgraceful dereliction of duty' and 'practically and morally responsible for provoking' the violence unleashed on the Capitol."
While we did not have any power outages, I had to get a new cellphone connection about which adventure I shall blog soon. I cannot take the vaccination due to my preexisting health issues so, I do not follow what is going on around me here.
ReplyDeleteStay safe as you have been doing.
DeleteMitch dances so fast I am amazed he does not break a leg.
ReplyDeleteThe power he has preventing votes on bills submitted to the Senate has certainly curtailed progress on many issues the majority of the public has often supported.
DeleteSo sorry you are having trouble getting your shot. You are not alone. I live in a tiny town so it has been fairly easy to get the first one. Our pharmacies are handling it on an appointment basis.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ex-president, I was disappointed but kind of expected it. I can only hope the states like NY and Ga have better luck. I won't be happy till he is wearing orange.
My independent pharmacy though part of a larger national group and a training site for those in a nearby university medical program has been unable to obtain any vaccine so far though larger companies have. I’m not fretting. I decided to pursue trying to make an appointment with sites supposed to be offering the vaccine to see what the process was like since so many people were reporting problems.
DeleteI was happy to see the BB eagles have a second clutch. And hopeful for success this year. Last year was sad with no eagles, and this year's first clutch was such a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI am without adequate vocabulary to discuss the travesty in the Senate. I cannot fathom the cowardice and duplicity of the republicans, nor their disregard for their oath. It is sickening and beyond understanding or defense.
I look forward to seeing what happens with this second clutch.
DeleteReally is incredible how those so-called leaders in our nation whose very lives were threatened could not want to act for accountability and to try to prevent a repeat or worse in the future.
I am a little confused about how loss of power at your daughter's could cause an interruption in a phone call - unless, that is, she has landline service through a fiber-optic cable. Is that the case? Otherwise, landline phone service provides its own power for the audio (not for the ringer) and cell phones are battery powered, anyway. I am led to believe that most cell towers have uninterruptible power sources.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is expensive to conduct a special election for any reason; but, I think any federal legislator who voted in support of the effort to throw out legally cast ballots should be subject to a recall election. Bah! Humbug!
My daughter was concerned that in an ice storm the exterior landline telephone lines which we were talking on might go down or out as well as the power lines. She was keeping her cell phone plugged in to keep charged, too, though she also had a fully charged backup battery. Since she works from home her company had previously provided a backup battery power source for her work computer. Fortunately, there was no outage.
DeleteYes, i agree, there can be reasons for having a special election, i just think in these two instances I mentioned a recall was not justified since the problems were far more complex than just being each governor’s’ fault. Fortunately, election ballots were not among the issues but I agree about removing those at any level who would be involved in throwing out legally cast ballots.
I've read several times that the vaccination roll-out in the US is a bit of a shambles and people are having trouble booking a vaccination. The UK roll-out seems to be going a lot better - almost a quarter of the population vaccinated so far. I hope you manage to get a slot soon.
ReplyDeleteI haven't felt the need to get vaccinated right away though i do have some question about which vaccine I might get. I did decide to find out how well the appointment process was working.
DeleteJust awful that he was not convicted and knowing full well that the Trumpites still hold the balance of power. He is so corrupt I wonder how much he has bribed them. But all I know knew he would get away with it. Will he ever be made accountable for all his crimes and misdemeanors?
ReplyDeleteThe great tragedy is the loss of any respect on the world stage.
Still waiting here for vaccines for the rabble. Fingers crossed.
XO
WWW
Maybe the civil and criminal courts will make him accountable but now his family members and other cohorts are coming out of the woodwork to run for political office. The damage to our nation in the world is indeed tragic.
DeleteHopefully vaccine will be adequately produced to supply all the world’s people soon.
Glad you had a nice long chat with your daughter. Stay dry now.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteFrustration with Newsom and lockdown is indeed fueling the recall effort, but it is not mentioned in the petition. Instead, it is mostly immigration and ‘sanctuary city’, high taxes, and attempts to get rid of the death penalty, all of which add up to a reduced quality of life. The pandemic and the shut downs are adding fuel to the fire to be sure. I have mostly been happy with Newsom, though of course he is sometimes an idiot and I get mad at him for giving the Republicans ammunition. You can read the petition here, if you would like. It’s pretty short.
ReplyDeletehttps://ballotpedia.org/Gavin_Newsom_recall,_Governor_of_California_(2019-2021)
My blog policy does not permit links in comments but I will make an exception in this instance. The frustration with the virus situation is being capitalized on when the petitioners and other political party’s agenda is really focused elsewhere as you note.
DeleteTroubles galore, wherever you look. I daresay you enjoyed your phone call but everything else is enough to make you spit. You are not alone, there are very similar pictures here in the UK although the vacs have worked well, miracle of miracles. They haven’t got much else right.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is wrong with republicans? Are they afraid that the Trump mob might not vote for them? Well, not enough of them voted for them last time round. Start changing emphasis now, for goodness sake.
What’s truly troubling to me is that so many of our voters have been mislead into following someone who is trying to replace our form of government, democratic republic, with himself. Some don't even seem to realize that’s what he has been doing. Shades of the 1930’s in Europe.
DeleteSome interesting facts but I can only say that I am finally taking a rest period. I have felt so abused in the last 4 years. The constant lies about EVERYTHING has left me drained and I actually feel like I can breathe again. I am not taking my eyes off the problems but dearly need this bit of a respite !
ReplyDeleteI think most of us feel drained by the never-ending madness to wear us down this past 4 years which, unfortunately, will likely persist in other ways, i think. Meanwhile we do have a breather which I welcome, too.
DeleteNot very likely for me to have the jab any time soon, maybe march or April if I'm lucky. Not enuf vaccine to go round, not enuf being purchased or delivered.
ReplyDeleteI know Trump would get away with it, lets hope he gets caught with something else. America needs to heal now, fingers crossed that Joe has enough support to get the job done.
Continue to stay as safe as possible since this virus and variants persists in threatening us, even those who have received the vaccine
DeleteYes, our nation certainly faces challenges to eradicate some of the damage previously done. I certainly hope for accountability occurring with Trump in any form.
I think I just read that they're wondering if they should give everybody just one shot for now so that more people can be vaccinated. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI listened to a lengthy interview with a Dr, Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist on Pres. Biden's Covid-19 Advisory Board. He is strongly in favor of giving only one shot and his explanation for why he believes that is appropriate made sense, I thought. There was much more to it than just doing it so more people could be vaccinated. I guess we'll have to see how they ultimately resolve that issue.
Delete