Thursday, October 15, 2020

And another day of a “deep sickness,” warnings, positive tests, “nonsense,” third waves, surges, poverty, and the “largest ever” tax fraud comes to a close:

"As a child, I saw firsthand the kind of cruel, selfish politics that Donald Trump has now inflicted on our country....We have to stand and fight. The only way to end this nightmare is to vote. There is hope on the horizon, but we’ll only grasp it." — Caroline Rose Giuliani

Deaths

US: 222,717 (+874)

World: 1,102,919 (+6043)

Cases

US: 8,216,315 (+66,272)

World: 39,169,824 (+425,994)

Countdown: 19 days.

The jarring contrast between Trump and Biden, explained in 3 moments from their competing town halls. At the very moment Trump embraced QAnon, Biden embraced science.

'A deep sickness': Former Republican strategist sounds off on 'Trumpism,' compares it to segregation. "How do you not try to purge a party of people who say nothing when the president of the United States says he didn't rape a journalist because she wasn't 'my type'? What do you do about people that really are quiet when the president of the United States is refusing -- and the vice president -- refusing to accept the results of an election?" said Stuart Stevens, a senior strategist for Sen. Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential run and a veteran of countless GOP campaigns, on ABC News' "Powerhouse Politics" podcast. "That's a deep sickness," he continued.

GOP pushes Barrett toward court as Democrats decry ‘sham’. -- It was a complete power grab.

The White House was warned in 2019 that US President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani "was being used to feed Russian misinformation" to the President.

Biden campaign halts Kamala Harris' travel after two people in campaign's orbit test positive for coronavirus.

Kamala Harris tests negative for COVID-19 after 2 associated with campaign test positive.

Fauci on coronavirus herd immunity: 'That is nonsense and very dangerous'.

The US Is Heading Into A Third Wave Of COVID Hospitalizations As Election Day Nears.

Europe, US reel as virus infections surge at record pace.

Postal service reversing changes that slowed mail delivery. The postal service agreed to reverse all changes, which included reduced retail hours, removal of collection boxes and mail sorting machines, closure or consolidation of mail processing facilities, restriction of late or extra trips for timely mail delivery, and banning or restricting overtime.

“You don’t belong here.” Hundreds of regions across Poland — covering about a third of the country — have transformed themselves into so-called “LGBT-free zones.” For many gay, lesbian and transgender Poles, merely existing is an act of defiance.

The International Energy Agency says it's now consistently cheaper to generate electricity by capturing the sun's energy than by burning coal or natural gas in most countries.

Navy SEAL who says he killed bin Laden pushes back after Trump amplifies unfounded claims operation was a hoax.

Native Americans protesting Trump border wall tear gassed, arrested by US agents on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Twelve people, including at least eight Native Americans, were arrested near an immigration checkpoint in Southern Arizona on Indigenous Peoples’ Day after United States Border Patrol agents and Arizona law enforcement officials violently repressed a peaceful action held Monday morning by roughly 30 land and water protectors.

Donald Trump sounds so happy describing how his government killed a man. There’s not really any way to spin it: Trump is describing the killing of a suspect like it was a mob hit that he ordered. He thinks it’s great what happened. This isn’t some pablum about bravery-in-the-line-of-duty and all that. He’s praising the principle of it—the efficiency with which a suspect was “removed” (to use Attorney General Bill Barr’s phrasing). Fifteen minutes, over and done with, nice and clean—as if he were discussing the Bin Laden raid or the hunting of a bear. Who needs a trial, when you can end it in 15 minutes?

YouTube cracks down on QAnon conspiracy theory videos, citing real-world violence.

More Americans fall into poverty after federal stimulus programs end.

Feds charge Texas billionaire Robert Brockman with "largest ever" tax fraud. Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged Texas billionaire Robert Brockman with tax fraud in an alleged $2 billion scheme that also ensnared prominent investor Robert Smith.

Sweden to increase military spending by 40% as tension with Russia grows.

FDA approves first treatment for Ebola.

NFL cancels Pro Bowl in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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

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