Wednesday, September 9, 2020

And another day of “playing it down,” a whistleblower, lying to Congress, lawsuits, a lack of empathy, “persistent and lethal” threats, far worse natural disasters coming, declining animal populations, and generally just watching the apocalypse comes to a close:

“I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.” -- Agent Smith, The Matrix

Deaths

US: 195,239 (+1207)

World: 907,982 (+6160)

Cases

US: 6,549,475 (+35,244)

World: 28,021,495 (+288,165)

Countdown: 55 days.

Trump admits to concealing the true threat of coronavirus in new Woodward book. "I wanted to always play it down," Trump told Woodward on March 19, even as he had declared a national emergency over the virus days earlier. "I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic." If instead of playing down what he knew, Trump had acted decisively in early February with a strict shutdown and a consistent message to wear masks, social distance and wash hands, experts believe that thousands of American lives could have been saved. -- Trump lied to us. He knew about the virus. He knew how deadly and dangerous it is. He chose--and make sure that’s fucking clear--he *chose* to do nothing.

Whistleblower says top DHS officials distorted intel to match Trump statements, lied to Congress. Brian Murphy says top DHS officials wanted intel to "match up" with Trump statements about "ANTIFA and 'anarchist' groups." A written complaint by Brian Murphy, who was a top Department of Homeland Security intelligence analyst, accuses top DHS officials of blocking analysis of Russian election interference, watering down intelligence reports about corruption and violence fueling a refugee flow from Central America, and "modify(ing) assessments to ensure they matched up with the public comments by President Trump on the subject of ANTIFA and 'anarchist' groups."

Barr defends DOJ involvement in Trump sexual assault lawsuit. Barr also spoke about the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and downplayed the instances of police brutality.

Trump said he feels no responsibility to understand the anger of Black Americans, Woodward book says. When asked if he had a responsibility to understand the "anger and pain" felt by Black Americans, Trump said, "No, I don't feel that at all," according to Bob Woodward. -- And neither do his supporters. Such white privilege.

White supremacists will remain the most "persistent and lethal threat" in the United States through 2021, according to Department of Homeland Security draft documents.

Trump lashed out at generals, called them "a bunch of pussies": Woodward book.

Pence to attend event hosted by QAnon backers. The hosts of the fundraiser, Caryn and Michael Borland, have shared QAnon memes and retweeted posts from QAnon accounts, their social media activity shows. The baseless conspiracy theory posits that Trump is fighting entrenched enemies in the government and also involves satanism and child sex trafficking.

This is what the Bay Area's skies looked like today during the wildfires. The Bay Area in California awoke Wednesday to a scene straight out of Mars.

Think 2020′s disasters are wild? Experts see worse in future. Freak natural disasters — most with what scientists say likely have a climate change connection — seem to be everywhere in the crazy year 2020. But experts say we’ll probably look back and say those were the good old days, when disasters weren’t so wild. “It’s going to get A LOT worse,” Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb said Wednesday. “I say that with emphasis because it does challenge the imagination. And that’s the scary thing to know as a climate scientist in 2020.”

The United Nations (UN) has a new report out that says what many of us already know in our bones: The world is on fire, and it’s going to get worse unless we act.

Animal populations worldwide have declined by almost 70% in just 50 years, new report says. It's impossible to deny — humans are changing and destroying the natural environment at an unprecedented and alarming rate. According to a new report, animal populations have declined by such a staggering amount, that only an overhaul of human's economic systems could possibly reverse the damage. -- Lest we forget, humans are animals, too. We’ll be next.

Made homeless by record floods, tens of thousands of Sudanese wait for aid.

Thailand tests nearly 600 people exposed to mystery coronavirus case.

Naomi Osaka keeps victims of racial injustice in spotlight with US Open masks. “I’m a vessel, in order to spread awareness.”

High schools must teach LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in England. Starting in September, the curriculum will include LGBTQ-related health and relationship education.

Uncontrolled hypertension is getting worse in the U.S., study finds.

Amazon is hiring 33,000 new employees with an average pay of $150,000. Amazon announced it will hold a Career Day on September 16 that is open to everyone seeking a job.

Portland passes broadest facial recognition ban in the US.

‘Mighty mice’ stay musclebound in space, boon for astronauts.

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

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