Monday, August 24, 2020

And another day of endorsements, breaking laws, dark pictures, another police shooting, intentional harm, and disparaging remarks comes to a close:

"In the eyes of autocrats and plutocrats, the future is not a right but a commodity." -- Sarah Kendzior

Deaths

US: 181,114 (+510)

World: 817,005 (+4492)

Cases

US: 5,915,630 (+40,884)

World: 23,809,241 (+225,625)

Countdown: 71 days,

Convention Gives Trump A Chance To Explain How He'll Make America Great Again, Again. At this week's Republican National Convention, President Trump will get a chance to not only remind voters why he thinks Joe Biden would be a disaster in the White House, but also lay out his own vision for the future. So far, he hasn't been very specific about what it is.

More than two dozen former Republican lawmakers endorse Joe Biden on first day of GOP convention. — Isn’t this just further proof that the GOP has transformed into the Trump Party? I’m not sure these endorsements matter.

Donald Trump's presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention could be in breach of the Hatch Act. Here's why Trump's decision on where to accept that nomination may be against the law — and could land White House staff members in legal hot water.

Republicans paint dark picture of future if Trump loses. -- The Trump Party just says a bunch of made up shit trying to scare people into voting for them.

Wave of extremist Republicans run for office, many with Trump's blessing.

WHO: Evidence for convalescent plasma as COVID-19 treatment is "very low-quality".

Covid-19 deaths have dropped below 1,000 a day as summer surge tails off. The 7-day average of coronavirus deaths dropped below 1,000 a day over the weekend for the first time since late July.

Italy begins testing potential COVID-19 vaccine on volunteers.

French naturist camp hit by 'very worrying' Covid-19 outbreak.

Hong Kong man is first confirmed reinfection by coronavirus, researchers say. The case seems to point to the possibility that some may only have a short-lived immunity after recovering from COVID-19.

Georgia Tech quarantines fraternity, reports 51 new COVID-19 cases.

Protests erupt in Wisconsin after Black man shot in back by police. The shooting happened Sunday evening after officers from the Kenosha Police Department responded to a report of a "domestic incident," the Wisconsin DOJ said. 

Racial disparities among lung cancer diagnoses have nearly vanished, new study finds. Because of deeply-rooted systemic problems, Black Americans tend to experience disproportionate rates of many common illnesses. However, a recent study has found that with thoughtful and rigorous public health programs, it is possible to flatten some of this disparity. Effective education and policy around tobacco use in the Black community has likely been the reason for a notable decrease in smoking rates and subsequent new lung cancer diagnosis compared to whites, experts said.

New York state's attorney general wants a court to force Eric Trump to be deposed in an investigation of the Trump Organization.

Fact check: Here's what you need to know about the unemployment rate under President Trump.

Business partner of Falwells says affair with evangelical power couple spanned seven years. Giancarlo Granda says his sexual relationship with the Falwells began when he was 20. He says he had sex with Becki Falwell while Jerry Falwell Jr, head of Liberty University and a staunch supporter of President Trump, looked on. -- I don’t give a shit what people do in their bedrooms, as long as everyone is a consenting adult. I’m just posting this to highlight the hypocrisy of Jerry Falwell and the far religious right.

Trump admin's adoption waiver 'intentionally harms' gays, report says. The House Ways and Means Committee issued a scathing, 34-page report this week accusing the Trump administration of “intentionally” harming LGBTQ Americans and violating a congressional mandate to act in the best interest of children by permitting South Carolina’s government-funded adoption and foster care agencies to turn away same-sex prospective parents.

Children raised in greener areas have higher IQ, study finds.

Melania Trump reportedly caught on tape making 'disparaging' remarks about the president and his children.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.