"If we do not have the capacity to distinguish what’s true from what’s false... the marketplace of ideas doesn’t work. And by definition our democracy doesn’t work.” — Barack Obama
Deaths
US: 260,283 (+1950)
World: 1,377,584 (+12,123)
Cases
US: 12,274,726 (+201,014)
World: 57,905,684 (+674,012)
Countdown: 61 days.
“The core of it is that he knows he’s in deep, multi-dimensional legal jeopardy & this defines his every action. We’re seeing 1) a tactical delay of the transition to buy time for coverup & evidence suppression 2) above all, a desperate endgame...which is to create enough chaos & anxiety about peaceful transfer of power, & fear of irreparable damage to the system, that he can cut a Nixon-style deal in exchange for finally conceding. But he doesn’t have the cards...We cannot let this mobster bully the USA into a deal to save his ass by threatening our democracy...But his contemptible, treasonous, seditious assault on the stability of our political compact isn’t about 2024, personal enrichment or anything else other than trying to use chaos & threat to the foundation of the system as leverage to trade for a safe exit. Call. His. Bluff. Faith in the strength of our sacred institutions & founding principles is severely stretched...but they will hold. They will. He’s leaving, gracelessly & in infamy. But if we trade for it, give him some brokered settlement, we’ll be vulnerable to his return. We can’t flinch.”
Trump digs deeper into debunked conspiracy theories instead of embracing reality. But instead of softening or coming to terms with his defeat, a reclusive Trump has been escalating his dark and corrosive efforts to undercut American democracy. As his legal options fizzle and some aides seek to convince him to come to grips with reality, Trump has only entrenched deeper into debunked conspiracy theories...Yet that does little to answer the question of how much damage -- to the country and to Biden's new presidency -- could be done before then as conspiracy theories fester and public confidence in the election is questioned.
Once Out Of Office, Trump Faces Significant Legal Jeopardy. For four years, Trump has benefited from the de facto immunity from prosecution that all presidents enjoy while in office. But that cloak will pass to Joe Biden when he's sworn in on Jan. 20, leaving Trump out in the legal cold. "Clearly, the president enjoyed immunity when he was in office," said Danya Perry, a former state and federal prosecutor in New York. "And it's possible, as a matter of law, that he could be indicted on Jan. 21." There's no indication that an indictment is imminent, and it's possible that Trump could emerge entirely unscathed. But there's also no doubt that once he's out of office, he'll be facing a higher level of legal jeopardy than he has in years.
Who needs Russia? Loudest attacks on US vote are from Trump. In the weeks before the U.S. presidential election, federal authorities warned that Russia or other foreign countries might spread false information about the results to discredit the legitimacy of the outcome. Turns out, the loudest megaphone for that message belonged not to Russia but to President Donald Trump, who has trumpeted a blizzard of thoroughly debunked claims to proclaim that he, not President-elect Joe Biden, was the rightful winner. The resulting chaos is consistent with longstanding Russian interests to sow discord in the United States and to chip away at the country’s democratic foundations and standing on the world stage. If the 2016 election raised concerns about foreign interference in U.S. politics, the 2020 contest shows how Americans themselves, and their leaders, can be a powerful source of disinformation without other governments even needing to do the work.
Georgia certifies Biden as state's 2020 winner. A hand recount of the nearly 5 million ballots saw the majority of Georgia counties finding no change in their final tallies.
'We Will Follow The Law': Michigan Lawmakers Defend Election After Trump Meeting. "Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation," the statement continued. "Allegations of fraudulent behavior should be taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and if proven, prosecuted to the full extent of the law. And the candidates who win the most votes win elections and Michigan's electoral votes. These are simple truths that should provide confidence in our elections."
Why Republican voters say there’s ‘no way in hell’ Trump lost. “If President Trump comes out and says: ‘Guys, I have irrefutable proof of fraud, the courts won’t listen, and I’m now calling on Americans to take up arms,’ we would go.” — You can’t reason with blind faith and devotion. In their minds Trump is their savior from the overwhelming cultural and political changes going on around them. They are scared. And scared people are dangerous.
CDC says mask mandates can slow Covid-19 spread. Government mandates that require people to wear masks in public can slow the spread of Covid-19, a new report published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds, and communities that don't enact such orders may face dramatic increases in new cases.
The GOP’s COVID Response: Give Me Liberty and Give Me Death.
Social distancing is a luxury many can’t afford. Vermont actually did something about it. Overall, there have been fewer than six cases in Vermont’s homeless population, according to the state health department. That’s far less than a 1 percent infection rate — a stark contrast with the 25 percent infection rate among the homeless across the US.
Childhood vaccine linked to less severe COVID-19, cigarette smoke raises risk.
McConnell warns Republican senators to stay healthy or risk their lame-duck agenda. Sen. Chuck Grassley's Covid-19 diagnosis helped derail a Senate vote, raising concerns that the virus could keep the Senate from working next month. — To hell with everyday Americans. We gotta push more unqualified, conservative judges through next month. Don’t get sick!
Rick Scott tests positive for coronavirus.
Donald Trump Jr. tests positive for coronavirus.
Sanford Health CEO says he had COVID-19, so won't wear mask. Sanford Health's president and chief executive, Kelby Krabbenhoft, said in an email Wednesday that he believes he's now immune to the disease for "at least seven months and perhaps years to come" and that he isn't a threat to transmit it to anyone, so wearing a mask would be merely for show. -- Hmmm, seems like not wearing one is merely for show.
Tens of thousands of Hondurans who fled from Hurricanes Iota and Eta now face coronavirus risks in overcrowded shelters.
Canada's largest city is going into lockdown for at least 28 days. Toronto, Canada's biggest city, is going into lockdown for at least 28 days to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Judge Merrick Garland is under consideration to serve as attorney general in the Biden administration, NPR has learned from two people closely following the process.
Trump administration revives talk of action on birthright citizenship. Trump has spoken throughout his first term about ending birthright citizenship. Drafts of a possible order have been circulating for some time, and there is now internal discussion about finalizing it before the Biden administration takes over in January, sources said. -- He’s flaunting his racism again.
Actor Ricky Schroder helps Kenosha shooting suspect Kyle Rittenhouse posts $2 million bail. -- White privilege at its most obvious.
Biden is under pressure to forgive student debt. Here's why it's a racial issue. Why student loan forgiveness could make a huge impact on Black people for generations. More than 86 percent of Black students take out federal loans to attend four-year institutions compared to about 60 percent of white students, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Student loan cancellation could have a sizable impact on the Black community and shrink the racial wealth gap. -- And that’s why the Anti-Democracy Part (The Party formerly known as The Republican Party) is not in favor of it.
Biden marks Transgender Day of Remembrance, promising to fight for trans community.
The bee population is dying. Researchers have created the first global map of the species to save them.
A South Korean promoter has been ordered to compensate fans after Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo failed to play an exhibition match as promised.
Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.
Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.
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