Tuesday, April 20, 2021

And another day of guilty on all counts, a girl killed by police, Asian American families wrestling with whether to send their kids back to school, why Covid cases and hospitalizations are up, and the Super League collapses all comes to a close:

“Like a bat out of hell I’ll be gone when the morning comes.” -- Jim Steinman, sung by Meatloaf

"Lauren Boebert is a mess. Matt Gaetz is a mess. Marjorie Taylor Greene is a mess. Clean up your mess, Kevin." -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to Rep. Kevin McCarthy for wanting to censure Rep. Maxine Waters.

“If you don’t need a vaccine because God will protect you, then why do you need a gun?” — Travis Allen

Deaths

US: 582,456 (+914)

World: 3,057,541 (+14,526)

Cases

US: 32,536,470 (+61,427)

World: 143,542,550 (+846,549)

Emmitt Till

Rodney King

Finally...

Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts Tuesday for causing George Floyd's death, a verdict that could send the disgraced former Minneapolis police officer to prison for the rest of his life.

The difficulty of the jury’s verdict is compounded by the fact that Chauvin’s conviction is an aberration. Only seven officers have been charged with murder for police shootings since 2005, though an average of 1,000 police killings of civilians are reported each year.

Crowds react with joy, wariness to verdict in Floyd’s death.

Ahead of Chauvin verdict, Republicans attack a familiar target: a Black woman. The racist, false attacks on Maxine Waters.

"One guilty verdict doesn't satisfy that appetite for actual change": Why Derek Chauvin's trial is not the end of the fight.

No Nancy Pelosi. Thanking George Floyd for being murdered is not the thing to say.

16-year-old girl shot and killed by police officer in southeast Columbus. -- Her name was Ma’Khia Bryant. And she wasn’t a “young woman.” She was a child who called the police for help. Then the police shot her.

“Never stop filming the police.” -- Andrew Kirell

The US is vaccinating millions of Americans daily. But here's why Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are up. Experts say there are several reasons for the rise in these numbers, including dangerous coronavirus variants -- such as the more contagious B.1.1.7 strain that has helped fuel another surge in Michigan. Pandemic fatigue and more Americans moving around have also likely contributed to the rise.

Asian American families are wrestling with whether to send their children back to classrooms as schools reopen amid rising anti-Asian hostility.

NC bill limiting medical treatments for young transgender people will not advance.

Crises collide: Homeless in America when climate disaster strikes.

Super League collapses after the 6 English clubs withdraw. The Super League project was overseen by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, who also signed up Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in Spain, and Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan from Italy. The rival for the UEFA-run Champions League became unviable without the six clubs from the world’s richest league.

RIP Jim Steinman. He was 73. 

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

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