My New Fall Wreath Arrived Today :)

Kind of a modern meets primitive sort of thing :)

 Nope, I didn't make this one - but I'll be making a Christmas one, as always :)

More Fall decor on the way!

Debate Moderator/Fox News Sunday Anchor, Chris Wallace: "Forget the Politics ... Wear the Damn Mask" - Also Says Trump Camp Violated Cleveland Clinic Mask Policy at Debate

(*edited - 3rd video link fixed)

I told Mark as soon as I heard that now, the crazy conspiracy was going to be that Trump was intentionally infected at the debate - and boom, here we go with the Twitter conspiracy nuts LOL 

So ... I guess it doesn't matter that Trump tested positive just 3 days after the debate - when current scientific studies say there is at least a 5 to 14-day incubation period for COVID-19 - which of course would mean they were likely infected earlier?  

Or that Hope Hicks was actually symptomatic and tested positive first - only 2 days after the debate?


In fact, when my stepfather-in-law was hospitalized for a week, released just one week ago - they had him trace everywhere he had been from the last 5 to 14 days - NOT within the last 3 days before his symptoms.

Nope, it HAS to be "somebody targeted Trump at the debate."  LOL

Well - since Trump became President, we've all learned that emotion, wild speculation without proof, and irrational belief are valued more than science, in Trump's America - plus it's a lot more fun just to scapegoat and blame a liberal, right?

Okay, but again - for anyone who actually does want to still use their brain for logic and sound rationale, rather than emotional paranoia and irrational belief - this fact still remains ...

Even if it were true that Trump was intentionally infected - had Trump et al followed socially distancing and mask-wearing guidelines appropriately, according to current scientific studies, they might've reduced the risk to prevent their own infections.

In fact, Fox News' Chris Wallace told Fox and Friends that Cleveland Clinic required was for everyone but the socially distanced speakers (Wallace, Trump, and Biden) - and though the Trump family et al wore masks as they walked into the building, they removed them when they sat down - and waved off Cleveland Clinic staff when approached about violating Cleveland Clinic rules.

Again - if you're unfamiliar with Chris Wallace, he is the son of the now deceased, legendary journalist and 60 Minutes Chief Anchor, Mike Wallace - and a lifelong conservative Republican.

Wallace was formerly a political segment anchor with NBC News and ABC news, but jumped over to Fox News in 2003.

Though we Democrats often disagree with Wallace's political perspective on things, we respect his integrity - despite his political perspective - as well as because he is an old-school, dignified Republican and decent human being. 

In fact, he is literally the only person left at Fox News we respect -
and he is highly regarded by both political sides for his journalistic integrity.

Which is why Chris Wallace is the only person at Fox News who can get away with this level of criticism of Trump (but we wonder how much longer he will be at Fox News, too ;)

Chris Wallace also later said, in that clip, to Fox News viewers: "Forget the Politics, this is a public health issue ... wear the damn mask, follow the science!"

(Apparently, I am not the only one losing my religion and cursing more, as a result of all the BS - my apologies for doing so - but this stuff could even drive you to drink LOL.)

Wallace also states, in the above clip, that his doctor told him that he needed to wait at least 5 days before being tested - again, current studies suggest the virus takes at least 5 to 14 days to incubate.

Lastly, in another clip, Wallace has the following to say about Trump's new COVID advisor, Dr. Scott Atlas:  

"Folks, I'm just trying to give you the truth. Dr. Scott Atlas is not an epidemiologist, he is not an infectious disease specialist, he has no training in this area at all. There are a number of top people on the president's coronavirus task force who have grave concerns about Scott Atlas and his scientific bona fides."

Nevertheless, crazy conspiracies persist - anything, ANYTHING but admit that Trump was wrong and downplaying the virus for fears it would negatively impact his election chances.

FYI, what are we Democrats speculating about?

You mean in addition to the likelihood that Trump and Melania might've prevented being infected had they followed mask and social-distancing restrictions?

Well, again - and we openly admit our speculation is opinion - however, that speculation is at least based on scientific evidence and studies thus far on COVID, CDC guidelines, and most of Trump's own COVID task force (Fauci, Birx) guidelines.

Also, we speculate the following - which is based solely on what we're told thus far about Trump's symptoms, as well as Trump's track record thus far.

We are told the Trump has mild symptoms thus far, right?

Thus, *IF* if it turns out that he does have the more mild phenotype of COVID and recovers, based on his track record of denying science and the severity of COVID for fear out of impacting his chances of re-election negatively, he will do 1 of 2 things after recovery:

1) Say, "Oh, it wasn't that bad - get out there and vote for me!"


-OR-


2) Tout the Regeneron antibody cocktail (Remdesivir) as a "miracle cure" - even though Remdesivir is NOT a "cure" - at most, Remdesivir shortens the life of the virus much like Tamiflu, if you catch it early enough.

We hope our speculative opinion is wrong.

However,  considering the scientific studies on the mild phenotype of COVID versus severe -  as well as Trump's track record of throwing the truth, science, and the public health and safety  under the bus in favor of his own re-election thus far -  it's not like we just pulled that out of thin air, and  perhaps you might see why we speculated it? ;)

 

Miss Brookie's Surgery

 So our Sheltie, Brookie, had surgery yesterday, to remove three tumors, all of which looked benign (although we're awaiting pathology).  

We thought one big one was a lipoma, but it got infected and swelled up to about the size of a softball and had to be drained, and then we decided to take them all out. 

We put this inflatable ring around her, instead of the cone of shame, because previously, she found various ways to get out of it. 

The only problem was, when we inflated it, we apparently didn't put the pin in well enough, because it deflated in the night and she tore out some stitches?

So after a quick trip for re-stitches, it's back to the inflatable neck ring AND an old tank top of my daughter's/mine.

You can see how thrilled she is to wear it ...

I know, she looks kinda sad at the moment, but she's actually mad at us both, that we took her back to the vet, to redo the stitches :/ 

LOL, actually, she's looking at me like, "Will you please get up out' ma face?"

Aw, poor baby.

However, she's now giving me reluctant kisses since I took the photo. Hope she understand we're trying to help her. I think she does, but she STILL tries to run and hide in the corner and pull it all off lol.Okay, but I've told her that she looks fabulous, and very patriotic, this election year, in her red, white, and blue stars tank ;)

Seriously, she already has more energy, the biggest tumor was about the size of a softball (including its pocket of infection) at its largest, poor baby.

But she's home and being pampered now, on her favorite blanky :)

________________________

PS -  Well, she just saw a squirrel, on our deck (not Ms. Gibbley, who visited earlier this morning for her daily nut breakfast, for herself and the babies she had a couple of months ago), and so it's on ... at least for the moment, she's forgotten all about her get-up and being mad at us ;)

 

All The Headlines Say It All ...

Trump and Melania test positive for COVID.

 

That's WaPo's headlines, with my local newspaper (Lexington Herald Leader) and  the New Orleans newspaper (The Advocate/Times-Picayune) with breaking news on the right (along with Variety, entertainment news).

See, there he was, bragging about "no problems" from his rallies, making fun of Biden for wearing a "the biggest mask I've Trump) had ever seen," and again repeating the same misinformation that only the elderly and those with health conditions get it, at the debate.

We knew this was likely coming, because Hope Hicks, Trump's senior political "counselor" tested positive first,  and was photographed exiting Air Force 1 just after Trump, on Wednesday, for his Minnesota rally - and neither Hope, nor Trump, nor anyone else,  was wearing a mask - and Air Force 1 is fairly close quarters.

Worse, Hope was later photographed, that same day, boarding Marine One, the POTUS helicopter - along with Trump, Dan Scavino, Jared Kushner, and Stephen Miller -  as they traveled to Joint Base Andrews  - again, none were wearing masks, and the Marine One helicopter is even closer quarters.

Also, he supposedly was taking hydroxychloroquine regularly as a preventative.  

See? 

I told ya, I transcribe medical reports for a living - hydroxychloroquine has been tried, regardless of what politicians say, and though it sometimes works, but most of the time does not, and they don't know why. 

(Also, FYI - Plaquenil - which is the brand name of hydroxychloroquine - is manufactured by the French pharmaceutical company, Sanofi - in which Trump allegedly holds hedge-fund shares.)

Thus far, it seems to be the mild form, but it's early and we don't know what's true if the Trump team says it.

Regardless, he must quarantine for 14 days. 

Take the social-distancing and mask-wearing seriously, folks.

Yes,  you could still contract COVID (as my stepfather-in-law did and was hospitalized) - but this is definitely will eventually happen, if you don't.

Why not cut the odds?

_________________

PS  - Biden - who Trump mocked for wearing a "big mask" during the debate -  just tested negative  :)

The Thing On Biden's Wrist? It's a Rosary and Charm (Saint Medal) ...

Actor James Woods and others spread a Twitter rumor that Biden had a wrist wire  or mic.

First of all, geniuses - we can clearly see that neither candidate had anything in their ears - so care to explain how could anyone hear someone prompting them through a mic  -  on their wrist?

Especially over the leaf-blower-mouth that is Trump lol.

And don't you think if Biden was wired or mic-ed, he would've done better than he did?

Lastly, and most importantly - erm - Biden is Catholic - and it's a rosary and charm, dumb asses.

In fact, he sometimes wears two - one belonged to Beau, his son who died of brain cancer, and the other is one from his own collection.  

He's said many times he wears Beau's rosary to feel close to him, which you would know, if you ever bothered to actually read his own words rather than Twitter gossip about him.

As you can see, and is typical, there's a little charm hanging off.

The charm or charms are usually of a cross and/or a medal of St. Benedict, St. Christopher, or their personal patron saint.

NOW what are you going to say - the rosary was mic-ed?

Again, how could he hear someone prompting him from his wrist?

Wow, I tell you what - you all are true mental giants - aren't you proud?

*snicker*

Seriously, fellow "Christians" - I'd be ashamed, if I were you.

I hope you feel as guilty and ignorant as you are, and keep proving yourselves to be, with your neo-Nazi nonsense propaganda.

Is that all you could come up with to say about the debate debacle, caused by Trump?

Admit it, you've got nothing - it was an embarrassing display of a flawed human being VS. a monster.

Step back and take a look at yourselves, your jumping to conclusions and your paranoia - what you're willing to turn a blind eye to and bear false witness to, for the sake of political power - it's out of control.

In fact, I wish Biden had also worn a little vial of holy water, thrown it on the Nazi, and watched him melt! LOL 

PS - Two Biggest Takeways?

*edited, video added, and further postscript added.

First of all, did you notice that Trump said every single one of my predictions below, and hit every single asterisked number on Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" list that I predicted he would?  :)

Had I actually drank shots, I would've been drunk 15 minutes in lol.

We did get the Maker's Mark, and Mark did a few shots -  but I didn't - because let's just say I had some spicy Pad Thai, that went awry, just beforehand  ;)

Regardless, my two biggest takeaways were:

 

1.    Both candidates were asked point blank whether or not they would urge their supporters to keep the peace despite the election results. 

 

Trump - the supposed "Law and Order" president - refused to encourage his supporters to accept the election results peacefully, explaining "if it wasn't fraudulent, but it is" - and instead encouraged them to "stand back and stand by."  

 

What does that mean???  

 

You want your supporters to riot over election results, if you lose and give the signal? 

 

Dohkay, Mr. "Law and Order" - mind your hypocrisy.

 

Biden, on the other hand, clearly answered "Yes" - he would urge his supporters to accept the results peacefully. 

Then he added, "I will be a President for both Republicans AND Democrats, as I hope Trump can be, too."

 

 

That was #1 of my 3 favorite, beautiful, clear, concise, uninterrupted, DIGNIFIED answers by Biden, IMO, lol 

 

 

2.  Trump was asked if he would denounce white supremacy - TWICE - by both the moderator and Biden - to actually say the words denouncing white supremacy. 

 

Trump never did denounce white supremacy - instead, he rambled on about Anti-Fa.

 

 If you saw nothing else - including Trump repeatedly trying to bully and bulldoze both Biden and the moderator, Chris Wallace - son of 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace - a conservative Republican and the only reputable and fair journalist remaining at Fox News (Trump's favorite news) - those two moments should be the most memorable.

BTW, I like Mike Wallace - he's old-school Republican - and in fact the only journalist left at Fox News I respect.  

I don't agree with him politically, but he IS good at his job, respectable and fair, and doesn't demonize all Democrats.  

I actually wish he should've shut down Trump talking over everybody sooner and more than he did -  but overall, he did a fantastic job, under the circumstances. 

I mean, just look at what he had to contend with ...

"Mr. President?  Mr. President?  No - the answer to the question is no. Sir.  Sir!  No."

LOL.

(Clearly, not a word Trump Baby likes or is used to hearing, but he already had his 2 minutes and rebuttal time, and refused to let Biden speak and have his, and now, it was time to move to the next segment.)

(I actually think they should turn the mics off when it's their opponent's 2 minutes - that would help a lot, wouldn't it?)

Trump people are just mad he didn't white-wash and hide Trump's bad behavior, and allow Trump out of answering questions, like everyone else at Fox News does.

You can't spin and whitewash it - "it is what it is" on live TV.

Trumpers are just mad because they can't hide the truth of who Trump really is, with live debates, like Fox News usually does for him ;)

And no, Press on both sides - we are NOT going to pretend along that the bad behavior was equal among the two candidates - not even close.


For those few moments that Biden stooped to Trump's level, the man has the right to defend himself from a very clear, bulldozing, bully - he's only human after all - and I doubt most of you would've handled it better.

And Trump going after Hunter like that was way, way below the belt - and bravo for Biden publicly admitting that Hunter previously having a drug problem, that he has overcome and that he's proud of him :)

(Hell, most evangelicals are addicts or addictive personalities, in some way, you can't fault him for that.)

I loved it that Biden ended that scuffle by saying: 

"Ha, we could really talk about some members of YOUR family, too, but it's not about YOUR family or MY family, it's about THEIR families - (to the camera), it's about YOUR family, the American people's families."

Bravo and Amen - beautiful, clear, uninterrupted DIGNIFIED answer #2, and my favorite.   

In fact, that may be may be my all-time favorite debate answer, and it's not being focused on as much as it should be, in lieu of other things and the nasty, IMO. 

And my third favorite answer from Biden #3:  

"Under this president, this nation has become poorer, sicker, weaker, and more divided."

Amen again.

I can't think of a single dignified thing Trump ever said tonight - not even one.  

There were a couple of things he said that were semi-valid - but they were delivered like a third-grade schoolyard bully. 

In fact, I'm not sure what all the press fuss is, about how 'undignified' it was - erm - did you not watch the 2016 debates with Hillary? 

If you can't remember how "undignified" Trump behaved then, Press, may I recommended watching them again because apparently you've forgotten?

And have you not seen how the president behaves on an everyday basis, particularly his Twitter feed? 

Come off it, Press - don't act like you're surprised and your memories are that short, and this was anywhere close to being equal.  

Even moderator Chris Wallace - who again is a conservative Republican at Trump's favorite news channel, Fox News -  said to Trump: 

"Yeah, both of you have interrupted, but mostly, it's been you."  

- AND - 

"Your campaign agreed to you having 2-minute responses; are you not going to comply?"

IMO, Trump's "undignified" behavior and refusing to answer questions was actually worse with Hillary in the 2016 debates.

It's just that Biden fought back - whereas Hillary mostly tried to remain calm and dignified.

Because God knows, you can't fight back with so much as a slightly sarcastic retort, as a woman  - and yet she STILL was called a "nasty woman." 

Hellllllooo ... does no one remember that, and the "nasty woman" T-shirts printed as a result? lol.

We women can't fight back, even a little, because that's what happens - we get called "nasty women" or "crazy bitches"  if we do.

Then, of course, the process of victim-blaming begins - the order of events gets reversed, our self-defense becomes justification and "proof" that our "nastiness" was the reason crimes were committed in the first place lol.

Regardless,  Biden actually handled Trump in a more dignified manner than most of us would have, under those antagonistic, provocative, below-the-belt circumstances -  male OR female - and you know it lol

In fact, most of us, if we're honest, after the first 30 minutes of baseless accusations and personal attacks, interruptions, and temper tantrums thrown by Trump, would've said something akin to ...

"Oh, why don't you go F yourself - with Putin's prick - you spiritually dead, bloated goldfish!"

"This so-called debate is a joke, an embarrassment to America, and YOU are nothing more a spoiled, emotionally arrested-in-development, fragile-ego-ed Nazi, posing as President.  I'm outta here."

LOL.


Well, on the bright side -  at the very least -  I don't believe Trump can ever call Biden "weak" or "Sleepy Joe" and be believed, ever again :)

_________________________

PS - Yes, overall, I would agree that it's a humiliating debacle for America, on display for the world to see - but this is where Trump has brought America - and Trump has already been an embarrassing train wreck for America, for the past four years.

And it's not like he didn't behave that way in the 2016 debates and every day since - so why are people acting so surprised?  

Because Fox News doesn't tell you that he behaves this way and they can't spin it because Biden's right there to halt Trump's spin?

And most comparing this to a fight or brawl - No, this was not a total TKO, for either side.

In fact, I'm not sure anyone actually won. 

Trump kept swinging and mostly missing -  Biden landed a few GREAT punches, and if nothing else, just kept standing -  just laughing at Trump's absurdity most of the time (which I was hoping he would do).

Now, you know if you were Biden, you would've walked out in the first 10 minutes, Press and most of America, so give it a rest. 

And I'm not sure why press isn't capitalizing on how much Trump contradicted himself (well, many times on COVID, climate change, law and order, etc., but particularly...) on Supreme Court Justice nominations?

He first said "Democrats would do the same thing," but went on to say "Obama left 128 judge seats open during an election year" (SCOTUS and federal).  

Both cannot be true - Obama could not have both appointed judges in an election year AND left 128 seats open - sorry, Trump.

He also, I might add, said he would use his conservative-led SCOTUS to decide the presidency.

Lastly, I just have this to say ...

Yeah, Trump?

We, The American People, are really going to need you to stop saying how much you've done for the military, when you don't pay your taxes - END OF.

_____________

PPPS - lol

Yes -  Biden DID drop an "Inshallah" on Trump regarding his taxes, which was actually pretty hilarious.

Though it literally means, "If God wills it" in Arabic and Farsi, when said sarcastically and with a dismissive tone/wave, it's like saying, "Dohkay, whatever" or an NYC "fuhgetaboutit/get outta here with that." 

LOL!

And Biden knew that Trump would know what that means, considering Trump's close ties to Saudi royalty ;)

However, the fact that both Trump and Biden know what that phrase means in Arabic/Farsi does NOT prove either is "secretly" Muslim - it proves they're well versed in Arabic/Farsi slang - period.

The Biden clapback was actually hilarious lol.

It's tantamount to if I said the debate was "mishuga" or "meshuga" - which means "crazy" or "senseless" or "nonsense" in Yiddish lol :) 

It doesn't mean I'm Jewish or revere the Jewish faith above my Christian faith - but I do revere the Jewish faith AND the Muslim faith (who derived their law from same Babylonian Hammurabi Code of Law, mind you) - just as much as my own of Christianity.

Jews and Muslims are our great-grandparents, faith wise, and Catholics are our grandparents.

Though we may disagree - particularly with their actual sources for both law and doctrine -  the fact remains,  there would be no us without them :)

 

Debate Drinking Game

 So, I thought the last debates in 2016 proved what a nut job Trump really was, and yet his voters didn't notice. 

So this go 'round, we've decided to make a game out of it.

Though we rarely drink - and I do mean rarely - we've decided to do a shot of Kentucky bourbon - specifically Maker's Mark - every time Trump says the following things:

1. Says "great," "amazing," or "wonderful" in lieu of a better vocabulary.

2. Says "Fake News."

3. Says "Law and Order."

4. Says "treated me very badly" or "very sad."

5. Deflects/projects off his own misdeeds by saying "Hunter Biden," "Crooked Hillary," or "Obama."


Additionally, do one shot for every time Trump employs any of the numbers on the list from his personal playbook -   Communist Saul Alinsky's "Rule for Radicals," - which was passed around at Tea Party gatherings (WSJ article) - and he clearly employed in the 2016 debates, along with deflection and projection, rather than actually answer questions.

Trump particularly employs #'s 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 8, 11, and 13 (denoted below with an asterisk).

They are (and Trump's playbook is):  

*1.  "Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have."

*2.  "Never go outside the expertise of your people (in other words, use populous ignorance to your advantage)"

3.  "Whenever possible go outside the expertise of the enemy."

4.  "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules."

*5.  "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. There is no defense. It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage."

*6.  "A good tactic is one your people enjoy."

7.  "A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag."

*8.  "Keep the pressure on."

*9.  "The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself. "

10.  "The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition."

*11.  "If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside; this is based on the principle that every positive has its negative."

12.  "The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative."

*13.  "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it."

Hell, we'll be drunk in the first 10 minutes LOL.

It's all nonsense, at this point - might as well have fun with it :)

_________________________________________

PS - Also do a shot if he says, "I paid my taxes."

Okay, there's a difference between paying business taxes, i.e. social security etc for yourself and your employees VS. your personal taxes. 

Additionally - I'm pretty sure haircuts aren't deductible - but he apparently spent more on his bad hair than I personally made in the last three years, and I pay double taxes - more than most people, though I make less - being a self-employed contractor. 

I'm not sure why Republicans think this is "smart" rather than dishonest and non-patriotic?

Or why it's okay with Republicans that the wealthiest people and corporations pay the least taxes - it should make you Republicans just as mad that the middle class and poor bear the brunt of the tax burden, and that we pay at least 3 to 4 times what millionaires and billionaires pay, "public servant" political roles or not, especially if we're self-employed :/

 

Trump Boat Parade - Sandusky, Ohio: Loose Cannons at Lake Erie

*Edited - because I goofed on certain aspects myself and had to brush up on my War of 1812 history ;)

Fact is, Mark and I both just discussed how our American History classes didn't spend much time on this brief war - probably because we were ultimately considered the losers of this war, and we Americans love to pretend we win every war we've ever fought, though this isn't true ;)

Granted, it IS confusing, though - so I will cut the people below a little more slack ;)

Because although we did win a couple of port battles (eventually) - the Battle of New Orleans and Battle of Lake Erie - Britain is  officially considered the winner of the War of 1812.

Adding to the confusion is that the War of 1812 is considered a minor-theater battle of the Napoleonic wars between Britain and France over their U.S. Territory.

We Americans only jumped in because Britain tried to re-seize Detroit and other Lake Erie Ports from us,  as well as seize the port of New Orleans.

However, we did so without us ever officially forming an alliance with France.

Regardless, we still lost the War of 1812 - or more accurately, Britain was winning, but they essentially got tired of fighting the French over colonial territory, and thus declared an end to the war,  negotiating a treaty with small concessions for both France and the U.S., retaining much, but not all, of Canada.

Thus, about the below I wrote earlier, I still say - WTF and why?

LOL

_____________________________


In other news, a bunch of Trump cult-member idiots fired cannons into Lake Erie, in Sandusky, Ohio, for what purpose, we don't know.

Though we garnered a few port wins, the actual winner of the War of 1812 is considered Britain - not us.









Though The Battle of Lake Erie and The Battle of New Orleans were significant port wins during the War of 1812 -  we officially lost that war - Britain was ultimately considered the winner. 

Only later were we officially granted these territories via treaty concession (1814 to 1817), to include land we'd recently previously purchased from the French (Louisiana). 

I ... guess that's cause for celebration? 

(I don't kn...?)

Regardless ... why the F is that Trump MAGA dude dressed like Napoleon?!?

Okay, to be fair - both British and U.S. Naval officers wore similar attire to Napoleon in the War of 1812.

Here are British Naval Officers and soldier uniforms in the War of 1812 ...









And here are United States Naval Officers and soldiers uniforms in the War of 1812 ...








I'm not sure all sides wearing mostly blue was the best idea, but considering this was sea battle, perhaps it didn't matter, and ship recognition and flags were more important?


HOWEVER ... note the subtle differences in uniforms.


The British wore their "Napoleonic" hats sideways, just like Napoleon, but the U.S. wore their hats straight forward.


Though the hats were sometimes adorned with medals attached with brown ribbon - the hats themselves were always either dark blue or black - not brown.


In fact, it would appear that only Napoleon wore the brown hat, to distinguish himself as self-crowned "Emperor of France" and military dictator ...









(Well, they got Trump's Napoleonic-style ego, rash behavior, and dictatorial ruling style right, anyway lol.)

Regardless, I'm pretty sure your average American doesn't know the difference in uniforms, and thus, most people associate that look with Napoleon, right?

To be fair, since the history of that war is confusing, and since that guy got right the hat straight forward like an 1812 U.S. Naval Officer might, he gets a half a point for his obscure U.S. Naval History knowledge - but it was still brown, like Napoleon, for which he is is awarded zero points.

But even if we give that guy that benefit of the doubt - though we won the Battle of Lake Erie, we still lost that war, so ... ?

"Yay! Let's celebrate battles we won, despite losing the war, and only being granted these territories by the winner, Britain, in treaty, or by purchase from France! MAGA victory, woooo hooo!"

Hmmm.  Allllrighty. 

Or is it, "Make America like Early 19th-Century British-Monarch or Napoleonic-French Territory"

#MALEBMONFT ?


I don't know, but either way - sorry,  I don't get it - it's not like it was a true war victory.  

Or maybe I just need to read more about the War of 1812, which again, wasn't a war we spent much time on, in American History, probably because there wasn't a clear military victory for the U.S.

And Good Lord, if you watch the full video, the poor man can't even close his jacket because of that beer belly.

Loose cannons in Lake Erie - Trump must be so proud :)

NYT Bombshell: Trump Paid No Income Tax for at Least 10 of the 15 Years Prior to His Presidency

According to the NYT - whose anonymous source is one of those granted federal-judge approval to legally obtain Trump's tax documents in NYC (despite Trump fighting it for the last four years)   Trump allegedly paid no income tax at all for at least 10 of 15 years before he was president (2000-2015) - AND - only paid $750 federal tax in 2016.

It's a very long article, but here are are some other highlights:

- Trump also allegedly wrote off millions in personal expenses as business expenses - i.e., haircuts for himself and Ivanka, linens for Mar-a-Lago, paying Ivanka "consulting fees."  

- Trump reported multimillion dollar losses ever year - - far more losses than gains - and more losses than any other American in the same income level. 

(Not sure if he lied about those losses to get lower taxes, or those really were losses, which wouldn't surprise me - I mean, he is a terrible businessman - his businesses have bankrupted 4 times).

- Trump took out personal loans for over $300 million over the past five years, which are soon coming due. 

The NYT claims to have seen the documents, but is legally barred from publicly publishing them.

Trump has already dismissed it as "fake news" - but also has admitted he was now being audited by the IRS. 

Again, for the full article, read HERE:

There's more, but since it is a very long and detailed article, the highlights can be found HERE.

Mark's Stepdad is Home :)

The worst is over - after a week in the hospital with both COVID and pneumonia, Mark's stepdad is finally home: )

The pneumonia has cleared, but he's still coughing from COVID and very weak and tired, and will be quarantining for another week.  

The kidney problems are believed to be acute (AKI) and will hopefully clear with no lasting damage. 

Fortunately, because of his history daily running, tennis, and mountain-climbing, he was never put on oxygen or a respiratory - but most on the rest of his unit were not as lucky.

He has no idea when or how he contracted it, as he is a retired widower and lives alone, and went nowhere but outside for running and tennis and the grocery, always wearing a mask and disinfecting his house regularly, and receiving shipped deliveries. 

Speaking of which, they have a team that comes in and disinfects the home and vehicles in hazmat suits - no joke. 

Be safe folks - and when you wear a mask, make sure it fits properly securely, covering both nose and mouth, with no gapping, if you can - at this point, that's all they were able to come up with as a cause. 

Also, if you're hospitalized, you will basically get no rest - constant check-ins, questions about contraction history trying to trace it (both for you and others), and questions about Living Will/DNR orders if your condition suddenly worsens - so even though he's not improved by much, he has improved - and he's home where he can rest, and will receive check-ins by hazmat-suited home healthcare workers :)

Regardless, the worst is over for him - and he's home :)

Thank you for your warm wishes, thoughts, and prayers :)

_______________________________

PS - More good news - as of today, I've lost 10 of my 15 pandemic pounds - all thanks to change in diet and my Schwinn IC-4, which I ride 20 minutes a day (working up to 30 minutes) :)

As for changes in diet, I already rarely did sweets or desserts, but I stopped the pop (except for about 2 oz first thing in the morning) and no more bread (except occasional piece of ciabatta with a sandwich) and an occasional a home-made blueberry pancake with whole-wheat flour :)

I also do probiotic gummies and a Greek yogurt smoothie with oatmeal and a small amount of fruit, with a dash of honey, almost every day (sometimes an over-easy egg on avocado and a slice of ciabatta toast, if especially hungry) and veggies, at least 2 servings a day, but often 3 :)

If you're like me, and get bored looking at the floor or around your house while cycling, and really don't need anymore time with your own thoughts, at this point (lol) -  I recommend watching YouTube hiking and travel videos from your TV rather than phone, if you have Roku.

Yesterday, I went to Bourdeaux, France, and have been to Marseilles, Tulum, Mexico, New Orleans, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park,  Zion National Park, Sedona, Arizona, Banff, Alberta, Canada, Asheville/Boone/Blowing Rock, North Carolina, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Thailand, Amalfi, Italy, and many more - today, I might go to Greece :)

There are days that the menopause fatigue flashes and fibroid discomfort/nausea/breakthrough bleeding kicks in and I crave and can't do the full 20 minutes, but I find that even if I can't do the full 20, just getting my heart rate up a bit and the exercising helps all of the above.  

Though it's true that your muscles really are weaker during menstruation and menopause, exercise really does help all of it, once you get past the initial start and sometimes a flare of a hot flash when you're heart rate goes up - but since you're trying to sweat anyway, it's no big deal - and I find the hot flashes are better overall, too.  (Of course, the hormones to help shrink the fibroid are helping that as well;)  If the discomfort, nausea, and sudden fatigue flashes are super bad, I might skip entirely, but that's only happened twice.  

Otherwise, on we go - I have much more energy and after D's experience, I want to make sure my lungs are more conditioned and I'm stronger, just in case there's ever a COVID fight ;)

On Justices and Justice ... And The Lack Thereof ...

(PS added) 

University of Kentucky students gathered at the Wildcat statue at Memorial Hall, here in Lexington, to protest the Breonna Taylor decision. 

The protest was peaceful and there were zero violent incidences reported, but four protesters were detained - we're not sure why yet. 

I said this the other day, when I heard the verdict, and I understand Breonna Taylor's family is in hopes for the same thing now - but I'm afraid there may be a catch. 

I said I was glad the FBI did a separate investigation - with blatantly different results than Kentucky law enforcement - because it means they CAN step in with their own federal trial if unsatisfied with local results - and we can all hope that if so, the FBI at least SAYS HER NAME - which the Commonwealth of Kentucky did NOT do, when reading the outcome of the trial - as if she never existed and her life had no value at all.

*HOWEVER* - and I'm not 100% sure - but I believe their may be a catch - I believe President Trump can stop an FBI investigation/trial or the DOJ can? 

A federal trial would NOT be the SCOTUS immediately, unless a federal judge punts it or the federal case is appealed to the SCOTUS - and a federal judge would be DOJ's jurisdiction.

As for a new SCOTUS to replace RBG, I haven't much to say - I'm not surprised they'd pick one in an election year, despite the GOP hypocritical bashing that possibility when Obama was in office - I mean, really, are you surprised with that hypocrisy?  

All the GOP bellyaching about "abuse of power" and "lack of transparency" and "authoritarianism/communism," when Obama was SCOTUS, only to turn right around and be power-abusing, Communist-behaving, opaque decision-makers and abject lies about those decisions - no one should be surprised lol. 

(The modern GOP - and especially Trump - love to project their own motivations and what they would do, onto other people, in deflection of their own misdeeds - and it keeps working :/)

What I AM surprised at is that there hasn't been a constitutional amendment for us to vote on SCOTUS judges yet, rather than  presidential appointment, despite the fact that this has always been a bone of contention in this country?

Nor why they are allowed to serve for life - most people have trouble getting their parents and grandparents to stop driving, if they feel their judgment is impaired, past a certain age - so how would you stop one from ruling on cases? lol

In fact, I can't understand why our forefathers didn't foresee that becoming a problem, or why they did it in the first place, considering at the time, they were trying to avoid too much power in one person's hands after an oppressive king abusing power, and the SCOTUS is the supreme law of the land?

I mean, I get it somewhat - the idea was supposed to balance power between the parties over time rather than short-term - but it's turned out to be nothing but political-battles creator. 

I don't know, maybe Congress just likes to fight and wants us to fight over it - and it's clear this president does :)

I'd still be okay with Congress grilling them first in congressional hearing  - but I'd also like to see the same for a voted-in President ;)



_________________

PS - I understand that Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal have drawn flack for saying that Breonna Taylor's case shouldn't be "lumped in" to the same category as George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, because Breonna's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired on police raiding/barging in, thinking they were an intruder/Breonna's ex-boyfriend.

That's true - and I get where they're coming from - but again, Breonna wasn't armed, she was lying in bed, and no crime had been committed - and despite what police claimed, all but one witness said police did not identify themselves upon entry.

The Perfect Retort to Trump, if I was Prince Harry and Megan ...

 

So yesterday, a reporter asked Trump:

“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chimed in on the U.S. election and essentially encouraged people to vote for Joe Biden. I wanted to get your reaction to that?"

Trump replied:

"I’m not a fan of hers, and I would say this, and she probably has heard that. I wish a lot of luck to Harry because he's going to need it."

I doubt Harry will stoop to Trump's level, but if he did, I hope he would Tweet something like: 

"Thank you!  We wish Melania the same luck, every single day :)"

____________________

*I have updated the original post on the family member hospitalized COVID below.  Little known fact, sometimes COVID attacks the kidneys as well - see link provided in that post :(

Breonna Taylor Grand Jury Ruling is In: One Officer Indicted on Wanton Endangerment (But Not for Breonna's Death), Other Officers Not Charged ...

*Updated

A wanton endangerment charge - *for the bullet that landed in her neighbor's apartment - NOT for Breonna's death.*

Here's the definition of wanton endangerment, according to Kentucky Law: 

"(1)A person is guilty of wanton endangerment in the first degree when, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person. 

(2) Wanton endangerment in the first degree is a Class D felony."

Okay, being that we have friends that are cops and friends who are people of color - and friends who are cops of color - I have tried every which way in the world to make sense of this ruling, looking at it from both sides.

However, the fact is -  this ruling just doesn't make any sense.

Because if the reason they were shooting at Kenneth - who shot first, thinking they were her ex-boyfriend barging in - was self-defense - then why make any charges at all?

And you're telling me the stray bullet in the neighbor's apartment is legally considered wanton endangerment, but shooting Breonna 5 times, while she lay unarmed in bed, isn't wanton endangerment?

Erm - did y'all not read the legal definition of wanton endangerment, according to Kentucky law?!?

Dohkay, Daniel "Uncle Tom" Cameron.

Seriously - there is no way to look at this ruling that makes any sense at all.

I at least expected the charges related to her death, and at the very least, a charge of manslaughter?!?

But her death as the result of stray bullets fired at Kenneth isn't even legally wanton endangerment - just the bullet that went into the neighbor's door??

No other charges were made, to include the other officers who participated in the "no-knock" raid.

And again, may I remind you that this was a wrongful raid - Breonna's ex-boyfriend was using her address, to have packages delivered to her address, that he picked up, without her knowledge. 

This isn't enough, and really, it makes no sense - and I know it won't be enough to stop protests and rioting.

Louisville may be set on fire, later tonight. We shall see.

God, help us :(

#JusticeforBre 

#NoJusticeNoPeace

Oh, Yeah ... The Bronco Is Back :)

(Updates on the family member hospitalized with COVID will be added to the original post.)

So, a few months ago, we started thinking about buying a new car, but they've changed the Nissan Murano model, and though it's a great SUV, and was very unique, a few years ago, they changed the body style - to look like every other cookie-cutter SUV :/

I was like, "Let's wait, all the SUVs seem to look alike, right now, they're so boring! Surely somebody will come out with one that doesn't look exactly like all the others again?"

In fact, I specifically mentioned, "What happened to the little 2-door Ford Bronco? That size was perfect, and safer than a Jeep Wrangler, and ran better, too."

My cousins had a Ford Bronco, years ago, and I loved that little 2-door SUV.  I couldn't figure out why they discontinued it.  

Wish granted!  I had no idea they were working on these!

The 2021 Ford Bronco!

Except they now come in not only both two-door and four door, but they also now have a lower-clearance "sport" model, and they come in an array of colors, body-styles, and engine sizes.  The prices will range from $28,500 for the base 2-door model, all the way up to the luxury off-road 4-door at $65,000.

Thank God, I was getting super tired of seeing the same 5 basic colors, over - gun metal, white, black, silver,  cobalt blue - on basically the same body style, regardless of company. 

I haven't researched how it tests, yet, on safety, gas mileage, etc., and I know Ford is, well, Ford, dipping in quality in recent years, with the exception of their trucks, so we can only hope it has the Ford truck quality.

They're kind of like a Bronco + Land Rover + Jeep Wrangler combo - and they are AWEsome!

In fact, one of the two-door models is already sold out in presales.