Mark took these pictures at the farm very early, this morning, at daybreak :)
They just feel metaphoric - timely inspirational and hopeful, right now - a new dawn, a new day, light just now peeking through the darkness :)
No, that's not a dark cloud in top right corner of pic 2, it's the edge of his finger lol - but otherwise, he took some great shots - especially for a cell phone!
(*PS added with pics)
Regardless of what side you're on politically, when watching such a mess in our country, over the past few years, you veterans must be wondering to yourselves, "Was it worth it? What was it all for?"
To protect democracy, yes - but remember that also means the right to dissent and peacefully protest.
Whether the peaceful protests are misguided or righteous, or whether we agree with them or not, we still have that right to protest nonetheless, when many others don't - and hopefully, over time, we learn from them - even from our mistakes.
So I thank you, today, veterans - for protecting that right to dissent and peacefully protest, for both political sides ...
PS - Right as I finished this post, my husband texted that he just tried to get a picture of a 6-point buck (white-tailed deer) at the farm (where we stable our horse). It's a little blurry, and by the time he zoomed in with his cell phone, the buck had gone. I tried to zoom and crop it, but this is the best I could do ...
Ordinarily, it's unusual to see the buck instead of a doe and fawn on farms, but November is deer-hunting season - so sometimes you'll see one coming close, sensing they are in a safe space from shooting.
FYI, the next pic isn't ours - just a general pic I found of a 6-point buck white-tailed deer, in case you've never seen one :)
Also, while I'm at it, I don't believe I've shared these photos yet, from a couple of weeks ago, taken by a stable neighbor - a Lexington police officer who looks out for our horse when we're not there, super nice lady :)
It was of a rainbow over the farm - that appeared to end between our horse and another horse Mark cares for - beautiful, right?
The chestnut on the right is our horse, the bay on the left is a horse Mark cares for, for someone else who can't :)
Pretty cool, hopeful images :)
If you want to read about the new vaccine, read here at clinicaltrials.gov.
Note that the published results at the above site are phase 1 trial results only - and they are now in phase 2.
Thus, the researchers haven't formally published the "90%" number that everyone is talking about, because that is a phase 2/3 result that has just been independently reviewed and confirmed, but the results have not been finalized.
(And by "everyone," I mean press releases by Pfizer and both medical and general press, after independent review panels confirmed 90% preliminary efficacy results from the phase 2 trial.)
The good news is, the confirmed phase 2 preliminary trial result of of 90% efficacy truly is a fantastic number.
HOWEVER - it's not just about the blanket-generalized term of "efficacy" - we still have questions.
Thus, here are my questions/concerns after reading the study, just off the top of my head - and I'm sure there will be more, when I have more time to think about it ...
Safety and tolerability are equally important - and we need to see that full data.
How many severe adverse events, and what kind?
Are we talking anaphylactic shock or acute renal failure that can be treated or-?
As for other less severe side effects; again, how many and what kind?
The first primary outcome mentioned was injection-site reactions, which is typical for vaccines, nothing to worry about.
However, fevers were reported as the second primary outcome - so how high and how long?
Lab and hematology abnormalities were listed as second, third, and fourth primary outcomes - what does that mean exactly, and how many?
And there are two shots - so did anyone at all have a degree of reaction, after the first injection, such that they declined the 2nd injection, and thus discontinued the series?
If so, what happened when they didn't get that second injection?
Regardless, even if the safety profile is good - the truth is, we will not know the long-term safety effects for months, possibly even years - that is something we cannot possibly measure until time passes.
Also, note that the though the age ranges were broad, which is always a good thing - the list of exclusion criteria in phase 1 was fairly extensive, the list of people excluded from the study was super long - the title of the study even includes "in healthy adults."
However again - the study does make a point to highlight the fact that this exclusion criteria is for phase 1 only, seeming to indicate that phase 2 and 3 did include some of these originally excluded patients?
Okay, well what previously excluded patients are now included, and which ones aren't?
So what does the new inclusion criteria for phase 2 include?
People with underlying conditions such as asthma, immunocompromised people, people with HIV, smokers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, renal or hepatic disease, and did those things make an impact on efficacy?
Also, we need to know the range of COVID-19 that the vaccine is able to prevent - mild phenotype, severe phenotype?
And for that 10% that did get COVID - was it mild, severe?
And were there any common denominators in that 10%? Any subpopulations in whom that made the difference?
See that Trumpers? That's called critical thinking - something you're apparently either incapable of or forgotten how to do - watch and learn lol.
Bottom line is, although the efficacy appears to be great - we still need to see the actual data from phase 2 and 3 - particularly safety and tolerability, the range of disease it was able to prevent, and any common denominators found in that 10% that caught it, what subpopulations they were, if any parallels can be drawn.
As I've said from the beginning, a vaccine is our best hope - HOWEVER - I also said first doesn't always mean best or safest - particularly when there's a big-pharma corporate race for the cure, fueled by politics ;)
LOL!
Does that make sense?
No, it does not.
Besides 'talking out of both sides of his mouth' - and despite what the headlines of some press on both sides are saying - McConnell actually neither supported nor contradicted Trump's accusations - he just said Trump is within his legal rights to sue if he wants (it's true, Trump is) - and that he's going to wait until the legalities clear before he congratulates on a presidential win.
McConnell's tricky with his words, like that, choosing his words overly carefully, formally declaring essentially nothing, so that nothing sticks to him publicly.
In fact, the Chief Swamp Turtle apparently only came out of his shell to deliver that nothing-burger statement because of GOP pressure.
Do you see why I love my Senate Majority Leader from our State of Kentucky, Mitch McConnell?
(That is, of course, sarcasm.)
As far as cheating, America - what makes you so convinced that only Democrats cheat?
Just because Trump says so without evidence?
I think that's incredibly gullible and naive.
How can you be certain that Trump isn't the one bluffing/conning/cheating and trying to steal this election with all these frivolous lawsuits?
The truth is - you don't know that.
I mean - it's actually possible cheating could happen on both political sides, in different regions, by personalities that are so inclined, despite the political hat they choose to wear?
In fact, though I like Biden, I'm still open to doubt and possibility he's not squeaky clean - because I don't trust any politicians, especially at that level. Thus, I read both liberal and conservative press - and I haven't found anything too concerning with Biden, yet, and there is zero proof that any of Trump's accusations about Biden are true.
Actually, according to my research, I've actually found the opposite to be true - in most cases, Trump's accusations are actually more true about himself, than Biden - thus, it's pretty clear Trump is projecting/deflecting.
And I don't think all Republicans are dishonest cheats, I know many good, fair Republicans - but what is true is that none of them support Trump, and I could've guessed that didn't, before they told me - because they're sane, fair, honest, and not racist lol.
However, Trump Republicans are different - they don't seem to mind cheating and corruption, as long as it's a Republican doing it and as long as they win.
I'm not trying to stereotype them all, but it seems they're eager to stereotype themselves, molding their identity into one single check-all-the-boxes nationalist identity - it seems they're actually eager to stereotype and pigeonhole themselves there.
Thus, they are, at the very least, suspect of being somewhat dishonest, considering what they've gone supported or looked the other way on, agreeing with and believing every little thing Trump says.
HOWEVER - we still can't stereotype them all - despite their best efforts to stereotype themselves :)
In fact, it may not be that all Trumpers are cheats/cons themselves- in fact, I believe that most everyday Trump supporters have just been manipulated emotionally (mostly through fear) and developed a cult mentality about Trump and honestly don't notice/don't believe anything negative about Trump almost out of emotional reflex, out of leader/celebrity worship (idolatry?).
Regardless, even if everyone that supported Trump were the latter, remember, just like Hitler with his propaganda against Jews - at some point, the demonization of anyone non-Trump will stop - and you may find out that most of what accuses others of, he's often guilty of himself, in projection/deflection.
In fact, we've seen so much proof of that already, many times - he projects all of his own proven inappropriate ties with Saudi Arabia (Prince Alaweed admittedly bailed him out of bankruptcy - twice) -- China (he admitted to the secret bank account in China at the 2nd debate) -- Russia (hotel meeting with Trump Jr. and Russian officials) -- the Ukraine (ordered OMB aid money to be held)-- onto Biden, Hillary, and Obama, without an ounce of proof.
One day, Trumpers - methinks in time, you'll regret/be ashamed of having backed Trump - especially my fellow Christians - to the point that you may deny ever having done so - even to yourselves ;)
However, maybe not - because like I said, the true test of cult mentality is continuing to support their cult leader until their own death, even when presented with indisputable evidence to the contrary - because the truth that one may have supported a monster is too threatening to the human psyche to handle - we saw that with those supporting Hitler.
So ... which are you?
Trump loyalist, but still open minded to the possibility Trump is a corrupt, pathologically dishonest con and fraud himself?
Or cult member, who refuses to believe anything negative about Trump and dismisses it out of emotional reflex, but believes, without proof, that only Democrats are corrupt?
(*Updated as any late-comer congratulations come in.)
They are:
1. Russia - Vladimir Putin, President.
2. China - Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party
3. North Korea - Kim Jong-Un, Supreme Leader.
4. Belarus - Alexander Lukashenko, President has not - although opposition-party leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has.
(* Disputed President Alexander Lukashenko has been accused of corruption, rigging elections, and using Belarusian military and police forces to subdue citizens in a brutal and violent manner - before, during, and after protests. Biden has released a written statement against Lukashenko, in support of Tsikhanouskaya.)
5. Slovenia - has both a prime minister and a president - Prime Minister Janez Janza, from the same region as Melania Trump, has not - President Borut Pahor has.
6. Mexico - Andres Obrador, President - elected in 2018, unlike his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, Obrador has openly endorsed Trump.
7. Brazil - Jair Bolsonaro, President, close ally with Trump.
*Honorable/Dishonorable Mentions:
1. Saudi Arabia was late to the party, but Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman finally congratulated Biden on Sunday.
2. Turkey gave a passive response, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saying it would not change their relations with the U.S. (which isn't good, at present, let's just say that).
3. Israel - Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister - close ally with Trump, formally criminally charged with accepting bribes, fraud, and breach of trust, with his trial resuming December 6th - was also late to the party, congratulating Biden late yesterday.
4. Estonia - Prime Minister Juri Ratas and President Kersti Kaljulaid have both congratulated Biden; however, the Secretary of the Interior, Mart Helme - part of far-right politics there - has not - and in fact, resigned.
So ... what do you think it means, Trumpers, when the only world leaders who haven't congratulated Biden on a win are communist dictators from communist countries, former communist countries who still behave like communists, and/or other world leaders who have been proven corrupt and/or have violent regimes, often funded by drug-cartel money?
IMO - in addition the rest of the world was chomping at the bit for Trump to leave, too - I think it also means Trump is a liar - in that it's not Biden we should've been worried about regarding communist/socialist tactics and having inappropriate relationships with communist and corrupt regimes - it has been, is, and always will be, Trump with inappropriate relationships with communist countries and employing communist tactics.
(P.S. added, after Former Republican President, George W. Bush, just accepted, and congratulated, Joe Biden as president-elect).
Gotcha!
I mean the Alec Baldwin version on SNL, last night :)
It's near the end of the cold-open clip, and it includes a little musical number :)
“I extended my warm congratulations and thanked him for the patriotic message he delivered last night ... I also called Kamala Harris to congratulate her on her historic election to the vice presidency. Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.”
Pennsylvania announced Biden the winner, and with 20 electoral votes, that puts him at 273, plus 6 electoral votes from Nevada, makes 276 electoral votes - winning the presidency!
Hallelujah, and thank you, Jesus - and I mean that!
Tears are rolling down my cheeks this election again, as I write this - but this election - it's because I'm happy, tears of joy!
All the lies, all the cheating, all the unfounded conspiracy theories, failed lawsuits, all the extra "watchers" Trump put in, verified absentee votes during a pandemic, all the recount - and STILL turned out in Biden's favor!
And Go Kamala - first female VP of the United States!
This has been a very long past four years of lies, cheating, anger, hatred, insanity, dysfunction and darkness are finally over There's finally a light at the end of this tunnel, thank GOD!
I'm not pretending it's going to be easy - Biden's got a long road ahead of him of cleaning up the stinking, rotten refuse and debris left over from Trump's presidency, plus he's in for a fight in the Senate still with the GOP still in charge - but it's a start.
That's right, Trump - YOU'RE FIRED - you selfish, greedy, corrupt, false-accusing, pathologically lying, divisive, traitorous, false prophet/thief in the temple, racist, wannabe fascist/Nazi dictator, poser President!
Earlier this week, I played a little music from my husband's home city after Stevie Wonder and Obama showed up to rally for Biden in Detroit - and part of my tears are in happiness for Detroit because they voted in record numbers, their voices and votes are no longer suppressed and America heard them!
Thus, for everyone who voted for Biden, who anyone who has ever felt oppressed and/or silenced because you're a person of color, a woman, your religion, your sexual orientation, your political orientation, just because you're poor and powerless, or any other reason - this song is for you!
Martha and the Vandellas - "Dancing in the Street"
So Mark and I watched the annual Champions Classic, last night. In case you don't know what that is, it's when the Big 4 college ...
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