Thursday, January 7, 2021

And another day of talk, resignations, pictures, contrasts, anti-democratic delusions, deaths, self-pardons, social media bans, and firings and cancellations because actions have (or should have) consequences comes to a close:

"The most dangerous people in America right now are the ones telling us to move on." -- Andrea Chalupa

“Make no mistake: Fox News, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are the seedbeds of fascism.” — Robert Reich

“Don’t mistake the resignations for anything resembling principles: Trump’s Cabinet is resigning so they don’t have to make a call on invoking the 25th amendment. They’re cowards who have been complicit in everything - the kids in cages, the pandemic, the riots, all of it.” — Amanda Litman

Deaths

US: 374,124 (+4134)

World: 1,902,693 (+11,896)

Cases

US: 22,132,045 (+274,429)

World: 88,499,896 (+862,2820)

Countdown: 13 days.

Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are calling for the 25th Amendment to be invoked to remove President Trump from office. — About time.

Over 100 lawmakers are calling for President Trump's removal. Here's who they are.

Trump is an enemy of democracy and his Capitol enablers are co-conspirators. It’s time to stop mincing words about what President Donald Trump and his supporters in Congress have done to this country. With the United States Capitol breached for the first time since the British burned it in the War of 1812, we must call this what it is: an attack on America. And our leaders responsible for it must see quick and severe consequences.

13 federal criminal laws that the pro-Trump mob may have violated, explained. Storming the Capitol in an attempt to overthrow the government is a serious crime.

32 Pictures that Show The Huge Difference Between The "Protests" At The Capitol Vs. The Black Lives Matter Protests. Spot the difference.

"Stark contrast" in police response to BLM protesters and "domestic terrorists" who stormed Capitol, NAACP president says.

Capitol Police chief resigning amid criticism over pro-Trump mob.

Insurrection fueled by conspiracy groups, extremists and fringe movements. The mob of Trump supporters who stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday included conspiracy theorists linked to QAnon and the Proud Boys -- two right-wing extremist factions that President Donald Trump repeatedly refused to condemn during his election campaign last year.

A majority of House Republicans voted to reject results from Arizona and Pennsylvania. These votes had no material effect on the transition of power. After the Capitol had been cleared, Congress met in a joint session to fulfill its legal obligation to count the Electoral College’s votes, but given that Democrats hold a majority in the House and most Senate Republicans were unwilling to object, there was no path forward, and the votes failed. A majority of both chambers have to reject a state’s votes for an objection to stick. However, after a day of violent insurrection, it has become too clear just how dangerous it can be to feed into anti-democratic delusions.

Four people have died, including one in a fatal shooting inside the U.S. Capitol, and more than a dozen police officers were injured after a mob of President Trump's supporters stormed the nation's legislative building Wednesday, DC officials say.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was the first Cabinet member to resign, and Education Secretary DeVos followed later in the day.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos 2nd Cabinet member to resign after Capitol riot.

A Newly Elected West Virginia Delegate Was Part Of The Pro-Trump Mob That Stormed The Capitol. “Patriots inside, baby!” Derrick Evans, a newly elected member of the state's House of Delegates, shouted as he livestreamed on Facebook.

Biden has no interest in opening impeachment proceedings. -- I’m losing faith in Biden. This is not the Republican Party of old. This is the Trump Party now.

Trump asking aides and lawyers about self-pardon power.

“Too many people — particularly political journalists — simply do not seem to understand that outside Trump, the Republican Party is not controlled by lawmakers as much as it is controlled by media personalties such as Hannity, Limbaugh, Levin, Beck, Carlson, Ingraham, etc.” — Oliver Darcy

Biden confirms Merrick Garland as pick for attorney general.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the platform would ban President Trump from posting at least through the inauguration, citing Trump's use of Facebook to encourage the mob of his supporters that stormed the U.S. Capitol. — Too little, too late. 

'I'm sleeping in my car': US states fail to provide unemployment help amid pandemic. Nearly every state has failed to meet federal standards in getting benefits to 87% of recipients within three weeks amid Covid crisis.

Elon Musk is now the richest man on the planet, overtaking Jeff Bezos.

Chattanooga assistant football coach fired for 'hateful' tweet about Stacey Abrams. -- Good. Call this shit out. It must stop.

Simon & Schuster cancels Sen. Hawley's book following Capitol violence.. -- Actions have consequences. At least they should have.

People at the US Capitol riot are being identified and losing their jobs. -- Actions have consequences. At least they should have.

Albertsons pushed to make its grocery workers "essential." Now it's outsourcing their jobs.

One-third of America's rivers have changed color since 1984. The chief causes of color changes are farm fertilizer run-off, dams, efforts to fight soil erosion and man-made climate change, which increases water temperature and rain-related run-off, the study authors said.

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

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