President Erdogan of Turkey

Turkey, as a NATO ally, is very different than the rest of the alliance. Erodgan has interests on both side of the line between the alliance and Russia and it's allies. At least it thinks it does. I believe any recognition of Turkey by Russia is as a path to the Free World and the ability to COMPROMISE it.

July 21, 2022

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (click here) returned without any concrete results from talks with his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Tehran, to which he went with a thick dossier of bilateral problems. The many strains in Turkey’s ties with Russia and Iran remain unrelieved, and Erdogan’s quest for a green light for a new military intervention in Syria remains unanswered.

For Erdogan, the July 19 gathering held as part of the three-way Astana platform on Syria was a long-awaited face-to-face with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. Erdogan had repeatedly sought to host Putin in Turkey as part of his mediation efforts in the Ukraine war but to no avail. A preliminary deal reached last week on an export corridor for Ukrainian grain via Turkey paved the way for the two leaders’ meeting. And his plan for a bilateral visit to Tehran, mooted since December, had been postponed twice.

Several factors have strained ties between Turkey and Iran in recent times, atop their conflicting positions in Syria. Chief among them is the political impasse in Iraq, where they have backed rival blocs to form the government. Tensions in the Iraqi theater have stemmed also from influence wars in Kirkuk, Mosul and Tal Afar; Iran’s reproof of Turkey’s pursuit of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on Iraqi territory; attacks on the Turkish base in Bashiqa by Iranian-backed militia groups; and their support for PKK-linked Yazidi forces in Sinjar. Meanwhile, a covert row has been brewing over potential Iraqi Kurdish gas exports via Turkey....

The word "peace" has a different meaning in the Russian language.

Peace by any outreach regarding Russia and it's allies does not mean a humanitarian effort is being waged to end hostilities. No, that is not their meaning. At all.

The word "peace" to Vladimir Putin means "opportunity." Not an opportunity to end deaths and suffering. Not at all. It is an opportunity to prepare for greater and worse barrage of death and suffering. That is the case across the board. All the pomp and circumstance around any signature of Putin's is nothing more than placating The Free World. It is a photo opportunity. It is a way of putting false hope in place to allow the Free World's politicians to attempt to tred water to those that elected them.

That is part of the strategy. Whether it is an arms treaty or one of peace in a war zone, the signature of Putin simply is a propaganda tool for both Russia and the Free World. The signatures of those from the Free World are weighted heavily in having it all work. That is part of the strategy. Let the Free World play hero to their people and Russia gets to be as deadly and dangerous as it wants behind the back of those dedicated to hope and a world that has peace.

This has been the way Putin has handled any aspect of the invasion into Ukraine.

Cruel and insincere. Genocide.

July 23, 2022

Well, that didn’t take long. (click here) On Friday, Russia’s defense minister raised a hungry world’s hopes by signing an agreement with the president of Turkey and the secretary general of the United Nations, according to which Moscow committed to facilitate resumption of large-scale grain shipments from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Russia had previously blockaded these, causing stress on global grain markets. Less than 24 hours later, on Saturday, Russian ships launched four long-range missiles at the largest of those ports, Odessa, two of which Ukrainian air defenses intercepted — and two of which caused some structural damage, though no destruction of grain or human casualties. The United States’ ambassador in Kyiv called the attack “outrageous,” which is an understatement.

Saturday’s events were not surprising to those familiar with President Vladimir Putin’s record, in this war and others. He is notorious for violating humanitarian agreements establishing safe “corridors” through which Russian forces and their allies herded Syrian civilians escaping war zones in that country....

Is it truly a beacon of hope?

22 July 2022

The UN plan, (click here) which also paves the way for Russian food and fertilizer to reach global markets, will help to stabilize spiralling food prices worldwide and stave off famine, affecting millions.

Russian and Ukrainian Ministers signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative, facing each other at opposite ends of the table, while the Secretary-General and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sat in the centre.

“Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea,” the UN chief said, speaking prior to the signing. “A beacon of hope – a beacon of possibility – a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever.”

Mr. Guterres thanked President Erdogan and his government for facilitating the talks that led to the deal.

He commended the Russian and Ukrainian representatives for putting aside their differences in the common interests of humanity.

“The question has not been what is good for one side or the other,” he said. “The focus has been on what matters most for the people of our world. And let there be no doubt – this is an agreement for the world.”...

It would take hours for me to write what I think about this disaster of a country called Russia.

There is no doubt that war is a horrible state of affairs.

That is typical of many soldiers no longer on active duty. The love freedom. They understand democracy. The know how important it is to be involved with a country that provides opportunity. They understand how people suffer when a tyrant is seeking to end the world they lived in to remove freedoms and destroy happiness.

Once an American soldier, always an American hero. That is the case here and it always will be. It is not unusual for American soldiers to return for active duty over and over before finally saying good-bye to that heavy burden. They love freedom and democracy. You cannot pry it out of their hearts, souls or hands. 

Deeply sorry to hear of the deaths of the soldiers that went to Ukraine from other countries around the world and were killed defending freedom and democracy. They are heroes without any doubt. 

July 24, 2022
By Julia Mueller

Luke Lucyszyn's mother (click here), Kathy Lucyszyn, confirmed the death to ABC News

The two Americans (click here) killed by Russian fire in Ukraine a week ago were identified in reports over the weekend as Luke “Skywalker” Lucyszyn and Bryan Young.

The volunteer soldiers were killed in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine on July 18, reportedly ambushed by Russian tanks, their commander Ruslan Miroshnichenko confirmed to Politico Sunday.

Lucyszyn was a 31-year-old father of two who first went to Ukraine to be a medic, his parents told NBC News. “He didn’t go there to be a hero. He went there because he wanted to help people,” his mother said.

Young was born in 1971 and was an “American military man” who went to fight in Ukraine because he “took an oath to protect the free world,” Miroshnichenko told Politico.

Canadian Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois and Swede Edvard Selander Patrignani were also killed while fighting with the special ops unit of the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine....

How is everyone tonight?

Margaret Brennan (click here) is correct, there aren't enough hours in the day to report all the news.

I think it is a shame Donald John Trump ever made it to the presidency. He never EARNED it. President Biden earned it after decades of dedication to the USA and a resume of legislative achievements he more than earned it. His life is one of being mended all the time. But, that is sometimes the way of the Middle Class. It is the great sponge to everything that Wall Street never gets right. He has had incredible loss in his life as well. Few people would come out the other side of such loss and still have a level headed approach to the world.

There are reasons for the enormous flux in the world. I think the USA is not feeling the pains more than most of the rest of the world. It is a difficult time to be here on Earth, yet alone try to prosper in a global balance that has been turned on it's head.

I think I want to take a look at these things this evening.

It is time to file charges against Donald John Trump.

 I find the reaction of United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley's to being told there is an assault at the US Capitol very telling. 

DOD Staff - "General Milley, there is an assault at the US Capitol.'

General Milley - "No call. There is no call?"

Add that to all the testimony gathered by the January 6th Committee and there is profound proof that there wasn't just a disconnected president in the Oval Office dining room, there was a man named Donald John Trump sulking because he wasn't at the Capitol to complete a coup.

At every level of the government, including the DOD, there were alarm bells regarding the insurrection. There is no doubt anywhere and there are Americans dead.

Because the insurrection failed is not a reason to think the country is secure from these extremists that see Russia as an ally.

July 21, 2022
By Nicole Gaudiano

Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, (click here) expressed puzzlement to members of the House January 6 committee over then-President Donald Trump's inaction as rioters stormed the US Capitol, according to a video testimony the committee played Thursday.

"You're the commander in chief," he said during closed-door testimony. "You've got an assault going on on the Capitol of the United States of America.

"Nothing? No call? nothing? Zero?"

The National Guard wasn't approved to respond until about 3 p.m. that day and did not arrive on the scene until 5:40 p.m....

I think the time of the end of the insurgency may be miscalculated. I clearly remember the death of the Ashli Babbitt and very shortly thereafter the National Guard arrived in that hallway. It was at the point the National Guard took that hallway and the insurgents dispersed.

I think there may have been two phases to the end of the insurrection. The larger mob dispersed first and then as the National Guard made their way into the halls of the Capitol, the remaining insurgents left. If the National Guard didn't arrive until 5:40 pm, there was a deadly group of insurgents remaining that did not capitulate control until the National Guard was in control of the entire building. I saw no violence by the National Guard so much as a presence. They were carrying weapons, but, never used them.

I find the Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley's reaction to the insurgency compelling. I do believe he needs to be made part of the country's permanent record of January 6, 2021. He was surprised that no one called. He is not expected nor should monitor domestic gatherings and no one expected an insurgency.

The insurrection was more than Trump speaking up.

Listening to the staff in testimony to the January 6th Committee focused on what was in their power to do to stop the violence. But, in fact it was much more that was within the power of the presidency that could have been done. At the time Trump was relishing the violence and anticipating it's success, former Vice President Pence was calling the national guard. THAT is what Trump should have done and not just make a statement from the Rose Garden.

No back sliding.

July 22, 2022

The cost of achieving financial efficiency for Flint (click here)

The Michigan Department of Environment, (click here) Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that the City of Flint’s water system successfully maintained compliance with the state’s Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) during the past year’s multimillion-dollar project to modernize the city’s drinking water system. Flint is now in its sixth year of meeting strict state and federal standards for lead in drinking water.

Since July 2016, the city of Flint’s water system has tested below action levels (LCR) during 12 consecutive monitoring periods. The latest six-month monitoring period from January 1 through June 30, 2022, shows that the 90th percentile calculation for the samples collected is at 10 parts per billion (ppb) for lead under the stricter state rule that requires a fifth liter sample to better reflect the impact of lead service lines.

The 90th percentile calculation of 10 ppb means 90 percent of the test results used in the calculation came in at or below 10 ppb.

The latest testing result is higher than the previous 6-month period result, but still below the federal action level of 15 ppb. The change is attributed to the increase in non-residential (Tier 2) sites being added to the city’s sampling pool as the vast majority of residential (Tier 1) sites have had their lead service lines replaced and no longer meet the criteria for inclusion in the 90th percentile calculation....

LEAD AND COPPER RULE TIER SCHEDULE (141.86)

...Tier 2: All types of buildings, (click here) including multiple family structures that have any of the following:

Copper w/lead solder (CLS) constructed after 1982 ( constructed between 1983-1988)*;

 ead pipes including lead goosenecks or pigtails (LP);

or lead service lines (LSL). 

Only after a PWS has exhausted Tier 1 and Tier 2 sites may it complete its sampling pool with Tier 3 sites....

The drought in western USA is profound. It is called the climate crisis. It is very real.

July 22, 2022
By Conrad Swanson

With each passing decade (click here) the Colorado River flows with less and less water. Reservoirs that capture water in the wet years are dwindling. Some are dangerously low.

Scientists see no end in sight. Rather, they expect the drought to continue, maybe even worsen.

This is the aridification of the American West....

Aldo Leopold, Colorado River delta, Baja California, Mexico

...Paddling the delta in 1922, naturalist Aldo Leopold was entranced by the flourishing world beyond the tip of his canoe. “Verdant walls of mesquite and willow . . . a hundred green lagoons,” he wrote. “The river was everywhere and nowhere.”...

The Colorado River is riddled these days with dams. There is little water coming to the dams either.

The Dams of the Colorado River.

Colorado River (click here) is one of the major North American rivers which originates from the Rocky Mountains and flows for 1,450 miles to the Gulf of California. The river drains an area of about 246,000 sq miles in 2 Mexican states and 7 US states. Over 238,600 sq miles of its drainage basin is in the United States. It has one of the most developed river systems in the world. The primary stem of the Colorado River has 15 dams while its tributaries have hundreds more. The dams can hold over four times the river’s annual flow and supply municipality and irrigation water while generating hydroelectricity.

Hoover Dam

Glen Canyon Dam

Grand Valley Diversion Dam

Morelos Dam

After a 1944 United States Mexico Treaty (click here) the Morelos Dam was built in 1950 across the Colorado River. It is located about 1 mile below the junction of the California border and the Colorado River between the town of Los Algodones, Baja California, in northwestern Mexico and Yuma County, Arizona in the southwestern United States.

The Colorado River leading to the Delta to the Gulf of California has been tapped repeatedly for water to the western USA. Major conservation companies such as the Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society has been trying to preserve the delta to bring more water from the dams to the freer flow of the river. 

The delta of any river is where it meets a larger body of water, ie: Mississippi River delta is in Louisiana while the headwaters of the river are far more north.

The headwaters of the Colorado River is Rocky Mountain National Park (click here). There is a reason why this is a national park and it is to protect the Colorado River. At it's peak the Colorado River was incredible. I hate that word "was." The Colorado should never be a trickle. Protecting the land guarantees clear and plentiful water. Until the Climate Crisis hit and now the great rivers of the USA are under threat. The snow pack was the real headwaters. 

When I reflect on the severity of the climate crisis I look to other options for cities and states to find water. Then I realize how completely stupid the oil pipelines are. Yes, the Keystone XL (click here) is not about hugging trees and worrying about little critters regardless of being endangered, it is more or less about protected aquifers. 

Environmentalists, conservationists, ornithologists and botanists, just to name a few, are more than people that have nothing more to do with their time except cause problems for capitalism ambitions. Earth is the only place in this universe that human beings have a carefree life with an abundance of food and water. The people that have had to lawyer up in order to protect this country from it's own corrupt politics really rather just do their work, be respected when they make testimony and have their words carry brevity to protect everyone from the conditions that now face the people that rely on the Colorado River.

High heat events can change plans for the day.

National Weather Service (click here)

At the bottom of the map is a drop down menu for each state and county in the country. It will provide a more detailed information than the larger map.

People are very susceptible to to heat. It is better to know what is expected and PREPARE FOR IT. Go to cooling centers or find solutions at home even if the power goes out. That is probably one of the most dangerous parts of increased heat, if the solution is air conditioning and the power goes out it won't be long before the heat overwhelms. So, having a few methods to be safe from the exceptional heat is important. 

There is no American that is immune from heat stress. Don't think one is so tough that there is nothing that can cause a problem. Don't do that. Everyone is susceptible to this heat. Prepare for safety. 

This is a cooling collar worn around the neck. It is battery operated. Try these strategies before needed and if it works for the need be sure there are plenty of batteries.

We became familiar with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) during the pandemic, now the PPE is for personal safety during high heat events. 

These heat events will cause problems for people for more reasons than stated here including failing infrastructure. But, it is important to have a personal strategy to cool down the body. Included here is also hydration. There needs to be plenty of water to drink during these heat events.

Who do these people think they are?

I am waiting now for the Trumpies to scream "political prisoner."

Wrong.

A political prisoner is like Alexei Navalny. He was arrested and imprisoned for trumped up charges. He is a political prisoner. But, the Trumpies BROKE THE LAW. There was known laws that are not overbearing and they refused to accept those laws. They thought they could bully their way into power and then think they don't have to be held responsible for their illegal acts.

The only question that exists is, will Alito rule in favor of Bannon (click here)?

Those in Europe that thought Bannon was an answer to governing, beware he is nothing more than a thief that will never return a good governing outcome.

July 22, 2022

By Robert Legarer

Washington — Steve Bannon, (click here) Donald Trump's one-time top campaign aide and chief White House strategist, has been found guilty of two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena for documents and testimony issued by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

A jury of 12 Washington, D.C., residents convicted Bannon after less than three hours of deliberation.

Bannon did not testify in his own defense and faces a maximum of one year in prison for each of the two counts. He will not be detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 21....

The January 6th Committee

Witnesses seated

Pottinger

Matthews

8:00 pm Committee enters meeting room

8:02 pm Chairman Thompson announces the meeting being over seen by Co-Chairwoman Liz Cheney. He stated he was diagnosed with COVID, but, is doing well and under quarantine.

He states Donald Trump inspired the mob and they accepted his direction this resulted in lawlessness. The Chairman states there was little anyone around Trump could do to end the violent riot. He stayed in the White House dining room rather than leading the completion of the mob and securing the USA Capitol where legislators and Vice President Pence were wearing gas masks and moved to a secure room. Donald John Trump did nothing to end the violence in the face of deaths and impending deaths.

Chairman Thompson states Donald John Trump directed the mob and no one else. Chairman Thompson states accountability is vital to these facts. Donald John Trump was conducting a coup and there needs to be stiff consequences for these acts.

8:08 pm Co-Chairperson Cheney describes the evenings meeting. She states there are many witnesses and many new witnesses that have come forward voluntarily. The meetings will convene in September after tonight. 

January 13, 2021 was impeached by the US House. The Republican Leader of the US Senate, McConnell states on February 13, 2021 that Donald John Trump was responsible for the mob and it's violence. Lawlessness and violence started at 1:00 pm and ended at 4:21 pm. A review of the facts of previous meetings provided an understanding that the goal was set by Trump and he did nothing to end the violence.

Co - Chairwoman Cheney stated members of the Republican Party at the joint session in the US Congress were scared.

8:13 pm Rep. Elaine Luria introduces the examination of Trump's activity on the day of the insurrection. Trump finished his remarks at 1:10 pm to the mob that marched to the Capitol. The Vice President was in the Capitol and the certification making President Biden Elect the next President of the United States. Donald John Trump once the crowd was in motion was taken back to the Oval Office where he chose not to stop the mob until 4:17 PM. Trump gave a rewarding brief speech to the mob.

During the insurrection there was statements of violence against specific legislators. 187 minutes were absent of Trump's actions as Commander and Chief to end the violence at the Capitol. Why would he tell them to stop, he wanted to continue the OCCUPATION of the White House.

8:19 pm Adam Kinzinger introduced the reaction of Leader McCarthy and General Milley after the insurrection. With the evacuation of the US Congress and House and the count of the Electoral College ended while the legislators sought safety.

8:21 pm Chairwoman Cheney introduces a patriot Matthew Pottinger. He is a decorated veteran of war.

Sarah Matthew has been a staff member within the Trump Administration.

8:23 pm Explains an exemplary career and achievements. He was busy during the Trump speech and didn't return to the White House until 2:30 pm.

8:25 pm Ms. Sarah Matthew explains her work within the White House within Trump's administration. She was working in the White House on January 6th.

8:26 pm Rep. Elaine Luria explains the understanding of the danger at the Capitol on January 6th including guns and a White House police stunned by the violence. The police officer stated 10,000 people were directed by Trump to the Capitol and some were known to be armed. 

Rep. Luria states there is knowledge about Trump's attack within the SUV with the Secret Service agent.

Mr. Engle 

Sgt. Mark Robinson - The president was upset and there was a heated argument about going to the US Capitol. The driver had escorted Trump over 100 times and all previous without confrontation. Sgt. Robinson was monitoring the traffic. There were people in the trees along the route to the Capitol. End of the speech he was returned to the White House. 

While at the White House the Secret Service discussed taking Trump to the Capitol for 45 minutes when it was decided it was not safe to move the president to the US Capitol.

1:21 PM to 4:03 pm all records of the president's activity is blank. He was in the Oval Office Dining room watching FOX News tuned to the Capitol. The journalist stated the president fired up the mob. The journalist states a Trump supporter said Pence should have stood up for Trump.

During this time Trump called a list of US Senators to continue to delay the recording of the count of the Electoral College.

Outside the Capitol the violent mob was declaring Trump won the election.

8:40 pm Rep. Adam Kinzinger

Trump didn't announce for the crowd to go home after 4:00 pm. Pat Cipollone found out people were entering the Capitol and told Trump that a forceful statement needed to be addressed to the mob to leave the Capitol. Priviledge issues with Trump enters his reply, but, he told the president people needed to leave the Capitol as he learned the mob was in the Capitol building and were violent. Mr. Cipollone stated many people said the same thing to Trump about dispersing the crowd. He and others, including Mark Meadows and Ivanka Trump advocated for a strong statement to condemn the rioting mob. Trump was unmoved by any of these White House staffers. Pat Cipollone was the White House lawyer and was to advise Trump.

"Hang Mike Pence"

The White House staff was aware of the chant of the mob. Mark Meadows stated Trump was aware of the chant and was unmoved to end the violent mob. Pat Cipollone stated he advised Trump to end the violence. He was very concerned about the Vice President. He believes the staff was doing everything they could to move the president to end the violence. Pat Cipollone, in his capacity stated the president should go to the press podium to issue a statement. That option was open to the president at any time during the time the violence was being conducted at the US Capitol. The press room was near the Oval Office and it would have taken 60 seconds to ready the camera and staff to deliver his message to the mob to end their violence. 

Trump didn't want it to stop. He wanted to continue his power. He loaded up the gun (mob) and fired it. He wanted to stop the peaceful transition of power to take over the presidency. The mob and those watching the television were expecting to end the counting of the electoral college.

Sarah Matthew was with other staff seeing the events at the US Capitol and decided to make the recommendation the president should end the violence. The staff members stated they wanted the mob to stop and respect law enforcement and the recommendations were offered. 

Giuliani was called on at least two occasions by the president with no resolve to end the violence. 

8:35 pm 

Rep. Luria played video and audio that described the movement of the mob. There was smoke unknown. The NSC were listening to these reports and learned the mob was kicking in the windows at 2:13 pm. Incoming radio traffic stated the situation was deteriorating and the VP's detail were beginning to fear for their own lives. The scene according to the White House Security Official was chaotic and the Secret Service was examining their options. The White House Security Official in his testimony sounds agitated even as he was safe and reported the facts.

"Pence folded" by Trump supporter and betrayed the mob. Mr. Ayers reported on video the crowd was expressing a variety of anger when it was determined the Vice President was not taking up the Trump agenda for insurrection.

2:24 pm - Trump tweeted Mike Pence did not have the courage...

Trump basically made Pence a target of a mob he already knew were violent under his direction.

Mr. Pottinger states he was surprised Trump was actually in appreciation of the mob and the violence was escalting. Mr. Pottinger resigned on the spot when he realized Trump was leading an insurrection. Mr. Pottinger knew at that point he would never be back to the White House again.

Ms. Matthews stated the tweet about Pence was making the mob more violent. She states she has observed a long history of Trump followers and they were very susceptible to his words and directions.

Both these witnesses state the tweet about Vice President Pence was "adding fuel to the fire."

The White House staff was not with Trump at all on January 6th when they learned of the violence and the president was appreciating the crowd's violence and intended violence.

9:08 pm Tubberville told Trump there was no forward movement of the Electoral College count and he needed to evacuate with the rest of the legislators. 

Fist pump Halley fled the chamber as the mob approached.

Kushner states the president has an obligation to protect the members of the Congress. Multiple witnesses stated Trump had an obligation to provide safety to the people in DC and specifically in the Capitol.

9:11 pm Co-Chairwoman Cheney recesses for 10 minutes.

It is amazing Trump didn't fire anyone asking him to stop the violence. He is in conspiracy with the mob. Absolutely. True, those in Congress were calling their family members to make them aware of the violence and their fears. It is interesting the Secret Service seems to have erased the part of the insurgency when they also feared for their lives. Why? Secret Service agents aren't allowed to have feelings and/or if the mob was successful they would be known to be cowards. This was a mob that wanted to kill that day.

The Secret Service should do the right thing and come forward with the information about the missing records. They did their jobs, they did what was asked of them by the Vice President against their deepest instincts to do otherwise. Perhaps, immunity to the Secret Service members should be considered. No one has to be kept in their jobs, but, at least the country will have a complete record. 

What bothers me, what if they were using SnapChat as their record. Any recorded violence including death would be recorded and erased. Someone was making measures of what could occur long before January 6th. I think the erased messages of the Secret Service was premeditated. Who decided to change the software and when?

9:24 pm Co-Chairwoman Cheney reconvened the meeting. Rep. Adam Kinzinger resumed his questions.

He makes the point the White House staff was encouraging the president to do the right thing and end the violence. Trump resisted all the advice and then did the complete the opposite and encouraged the mob.

2:53 pm Don Jr stated to Meadows Trump needs to end this violence. It was bad for his legacy. "Go to the mattresses." It was a Godfather enthusiasm to go all in. Hannity texted Meadows to tell the crowd to go home. Everyone except the Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves told Trump to stop the violence. Interesting, everyone absolutely believes Trump could stop it, too. Everyone turned to Trump as the one and single power to stop the advance and violence of the mob. That is more than interesting.

Pat Cipollone recalled all the people trying to encourage Trump to end the violence. Disperse the mob. Pat Cipollone was unable to break privilege with the President but in his taped statement stated, "...you know." He was resolved to the correct action that needed to be conducted regardless of the privilege of actual communications with Trump.

9:33 pm Ms. Matthews stated she told Keyleigh McEnany after the tweet about Pence that Trump needed to send a tweet that would end the violence. McEnany stated Trump was not going to use the word peace at all in his tweets. Ivanka was able bargain with Trump. "Please support the Capitol Police, they are on our side. They are on our side and are good people." 

CNN stated Trump is egging this on. Trump supporter states Trump is not leaving office he doesn't care what anyone says.

Pottinger tweets were "Holy inadequate." He wanted an unequivocal statement to clear the Capitol and go home.

Matthews stated a conversation in the Press Office with a Trump staff member and was told Trump should not tweet to address the mob because it would give the media a win. A win? Trump was above influence. If Trump addressed the mob to leave and go home would mean he caved to the media? How sick is that?

The mob at one point surrounded the Capitol while was also inside the Capitol. 

Kevin McCarthy told Trump to end the violence and Trump refused. Has Trump ever threatened Republicans after January 6th with his power to direct violence against anyone that was not a loyalist to Trump? 

Rep. Mike Gallagher called Trump on Facebook it what it looks like. He wanted the insurrection "Called off." "Call it off." President-Elect Biden went on the media to implore Trump to "Call it off." 

4:21 pm By the time Trump came to the Rose Garden the violence was beginning to subside. I remember the National Guard arriving on some of the videos in the Congress and they were successful my their mire presence to disperse the mob. It is true, the violence was quelling because of the arrival of the National Guard that Vice President called up from the garage.

Nicholas Luna stated Trump's address to the mob was off the cuff. By that time Trump spoke to the mob the mob was already turned back. He was defeated so he had to look as though he never wanted the violence. The statement was to defend himself in his stance on January 6th. 

People at the White House were emotionally drained at the White House. The scene at the Capitol was still chaotic and violent with tear gas heavily in the air. Officers were down during the chaos. 

4:45 PM McConnell stated to secure the building to proceed with the Electoral College count. Best case scenario to retake the Capitol Building was four to five hours while the legislators waited.

General Milley spoke with Vice President Pence, who was very direct, very animated and very firm to get people down to the Capitol. Others stated to General Milley that President Trump was still in charge. General Milley stated those were political statements and he does not listen to political statements. Someone needs to follow up with Milley to find out who was trying to advise him to allow the Vice President to be in danger. That is a problem it think. I think General Milley was not surrounded by people that respected him or the country. That really bothers me. Why weren't people surrounding General Milley already on the same page he was when he assessed the circumstances of the Vice President? That is a weakness that needs to be investigated.

Ms. Matthews stated the actions of Trump were indefensible and she could not make statements that would back up Trump's lack of action to the press.

Mr. Pottinger waited thru the night until January 7th and the return of Robert O'Brien (click here) and then left the White House for the last time.

Ms. Matthews emphasized the peaceful transfer of power in her resignation. 

Donald John Trump is a horrible man who never has ONLY his own interests in mind. He never loved this country in a way that most people who seek to work in Washington, DC. How does the USA make it right for the White House staff that remained deeply loyal to the USA Constitution? 

I am completely disgusted with Trump. 

10:20 pm. 

Mr. Pottinger made example to the past with some elections that were challenged. The losers conceded because it was good for the country. 

Vice President Gore concession speech (click here) was noted as exemplary by Mr. Pottinger. 

McCarthy definitely did not find Trump an important person and found the insurrection a problem in viewing Trump. McCarthy would later change his point of view. That bothers me. Maintaining the "status quo" with the insurrectionists only prolongs the resolve to the violence and the insurrection. I have to think the legislators like McConnell and McCarthy back peddled because their lives and families were in danger otherwise. If these men did an about face out of political ambition rather than providing an end to the insurrection, then they are a problem for the country as well. 

No one at this point could ever back Trump in any way shape or form. Allowing Trump to remain the leader of the political party is problematic. It is delaying the end of the insurrection.

Mr. Kinzinger clearly understands that Trump called for death to those in the Capitol that were going to provide a peaceful transfer of power. He is correct. Those standing trial for the insurrection are still missing the one person mostly responsible for their plight right now and that is Donald John Trump. Yes, he violated his oath of office and it is a dishonor. Absolutely. Policies should be strengthened to protect from another Trump or worse. No doubt. Legislators that resist the strengthening of our country in the changes this committee will put forward must be questioned in their loyalty to the US Constitution.'

Trump wanted not the Rule of Law, but, the dictatorship of the Rule of One Man. He seceded this country the day he took the oath of office. 

July 21, 2022
By Bart Jansen and Joey Garrison

• ...McCarthy was 'scared': (click here) Jared Kushner, a special adviser to Trump and his son-in-law, told the committee how House Republican Leader McCarthy called and pleaded for help as his own aides were fleeing their office. "I got the sense that they were scared... that (McCarthy) was scared."
• Hawley fled: The committee spotlighted how lawmakers had to be evacuated to avoid the Jan. 6 mob, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who had thrown a fist in the air in support of the protesters who were at the gates before they breached the Capitol.
• Watching Fox News: The in-person and videotaped testimony detailed what President Trump was doing during the height of the Jan. 6 violence, and witnesses said he was mostly watching cable news, specifically Fox New, for more than two and half hours.
• Witnesses back up Hutchinson: Two witnesses on Thursday supported previous testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, who said during a previous hearing how Trump demanded to be taken to the Capitol with protesters. One national security aide, who was kept anonymous by the panel, said if the former president had been allowed join the rioters it would have turned into a “insurrection, coup"
• Taking the lead: The primetime hearing is being led by two lawmakers who are military veterans — Democrat Elaine Luria, of Virginia, and Republican Adam Kinzinger, of Illinois....

10:36 pm Co-Chairwoman and Chariman Thompson address the closing of the meeting.

Co-Chairwoman thanked all the women that testified. She stated the strength of the witnesses before the committee were strong people and not people that wilt at the presence of Democratic US Representatives. McCarthy pulled other members of the committee from participation. The results of the committee proceeded and found the truth and now McCarthy is trying to cover his tracks and attempting to demean the integrity of the findings of the committee. 

"We cannot abandon the truth and be a free nation." Well said Co-Chairwoman Cheney. The courts with great patience carried out hearing after hearing to prove the election was not stolen, but, was intact. The integrity of the 2020 election is upheld.

10:45 pm Co-Chairman Cheney adjourned the meeting until September. 

Liz Cheney is a great patriot. 

I think the country needs to know why there is a destruction of information vital to it's integrity. I also believe any messages found that reflects fear for their own lives only means they are human beings and nothing more. There were thousands of people with the intention of causing death under the direction of a president. They had every right to be afraid. They understand the brevity of the power within these executive offices and if an insurrection is not being suppressed and ended, there is going to be a confrontation with people that are dangerous. They had every reason to feel fear for a confrontation with other Americans.

July 21, 2022
By Kevin Johnson

Washington - The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general (click here) has launched a criminal investigation into the destruction of Secret Service text messages sought as part of investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, an official with knowledge of the matter said Thursday.

A letter notifying the Secret Service of the probe was directed to Director James Murray Wednesday night, said the official who is not authorized to comment publicly on a pending investigation.

The existence of the criminal investigation was first disclosed by NBC News....

Jan. 6 probe: Trump didn’t want to say ‘election is over’ (click here)

The 2022 LIV Golf Invitational

You to can purchase access (click here).

The former President (click here) ignores protests from 9/11 families and tries to undermine the P.G.A. Tour that shunned him.

July 20, 2022
By John Cassidy

On Sunday, (click here) the families of some 9/11 victims sent a letter to Donald Trump about his decision to host a professional golf tournament sponsored by the Saudi government next week at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey (click here). “It is incomprehensible to us that a former president of the United States would cast our loved ones aside for personal financial gain,” they wrote. “We hope you will reconsider your business relationship with the Saudi golf league and will agree to meet with us.”

The group of families, which calls itself 9/11 Justice, has been pressing a lawsuit for years that claims the Saudi government was complicit in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. During the 2016 campaign, Trump himself suggested that Saudi Arabia was responsible for 9/11, the families reminded him. Trump didn’t reply to their letter immediately, which wasn’t surprising given the financial ties that he and his family have established with the Saudis. In 2018, as President, he protected Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely known as M.B.S., after Saudi agents brutally murdered and dismembered the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. (“I saved his ass,” Trump subsequently boasted to Bob Woodward.)...

It can no longer be found on Amazon (click here).

June 27, 2022

By Candance Rondeaux

...An Intercept investigation (click here) has found that Flynn’s ties to the QAnon phenomenon stretch back much further than the July 4 weekend last year when the video first appeared, however, to the days immediately following Trump’s 2016 election victory.

That November, nearly a year before the first cryptic clue from QAnon’s organizers – known as a “Q drop” — appeared on the online message board 4chan, Flynn told a roomful of Trump supporters that the president-elect had been borne into office by an “army of digital soldiers.” The phrase “digital soldiers,” which Flynn later trademarked, has become a central QAnon rallying cry and a key indicator of the movement’s growing turn toward violent extremism and insurrection.

Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general who once oversaw military intelligence in Afghanistan and led a sprawling intelligence agency in Washington, would go on to become a central hero in QAnon’s conspiratorial narrative. But his move to trademark the term “digital soldiers” — ensuring that only he and others who obtain his express permission can profit from the sale of “Digital Soldiers”-branded merchandise — hints at his attempt to capitalize on a marketing and communication strategy that resonates with the Q community....

Monkey pox

Rash description (click here)

Lymphadenopathy (swollen glands) is common (click here)

Monkeypox (click here) is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

Symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

July 21, 2022
By Jake Sheridan

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (click here) is calling on the federal government to ramp up its monkeypox response as cases continue to climb in Chicago, according to a statement released from his office Thursday.

Pritzker is also sending 4,600 more vaccine doses to Chicago, which accounts for 86% of the cases in the state, the statement said. The doses had been originally allocated to the state by the federal government.

The federal government should further prioritize areas hardest hit by the virus’ emerging outbreak for vaccines, Pritzker told U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a letter, which was also sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell.

“We know that a swift response is essential when confronting outbreaks of disease,” Pritzker said in the statement. “And we’ve learned in the last few years that most people are eager to protect themselves and their communities when given the tools to do so. We must give the public and health professionals every tool possible to counter the spread of monkeypox, which is why I’m urging the federal governments to take further action.”...

The COVID variants are still very much finding their way.

Find Free Masks (N95 Respirators)

July 21, 2022

By Peter Bailey-Wells, Ryan Huddle, Diago Fujiwara and Amanda Kaufman

Massachusetts on Thursday (click here) reported 10,250 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 42 deaths in the last week. The Department of Public Health also said Wednesday that 59,594 vaccinations, including booster shots, had been administered in a week.

The state reported that 589 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday. The seven-day percent positivity was 8.17 percent.

Earlier this month the state announced it would be reducing case, death, and vaccination reporting from five days a week to one day a week.

As of July 11, 2022, the state Department of Public Health releases coronavirus case, death, and hospitalization data once per week, on Thursdays. It also releases vaccination data once per week, on Wednesdays. Below are charts based on recent reports that show how Massachusetts is doing in the battle against the coronavirus. The graphics take a state- and county-level view.....

It was a torrent and now the land is unstable.

Yellowstone National Park - Yellowstone National Park (click here for video) released a new video showing the power of the devastating floods in June.

Beginning June 12, 2022, unprecedented amounts of rainfall caused substantial flooding, rockslides, and mudslides within Yellowstone National Park. Historic water levels caused severe damage to roads, water and wastewater systems, power lines, and other critical park infrastructure.

Learn more about flood recovery efforts and park  operations at go.nps.gov/YELLflood.

The wildlife had a good friend turn into their enemy. They are unsettled to say the least. I might add, the wildlife of Yellowstone are magnificent. There are mature and aged individuals that display the full range of behaviors. Yellowstone is a magnificent national park.

Sorry to hear President Biden has COVID.

My 87 year old mother recently tested positive and had symptoms, but, she took the COVID pill and she is fine today. Back to herself. I wish the President a speedy recovery.

She sometimes is noncompliant with the mask. She goes maskless with friends, even a friend that had a COVID headache for five days. Go figure. 

She has promised to not be so carefree again. She doesn't really mean it.

I tested negative before my mother became ill and I am still testing negative. The last time I tested was  this morning and it is very, very negative. It is possible to be at home, or in this case my mother's home, care for a person that is positive and remain negative.

SOCIAL DISTANCING WORKS.

MASKS WORK. 

HAND HYGIENE WORKS ESPECIALLY IF TOUCHING THE FACE. 

I was at my mother's home because she was recuperating from the removal of her gall bladder. Amazing to think she has had her gall bladder all these 87 years.

Yesterday was her sister's 80th birthday. She has one other sister at the age of 82. They are hardy women. All still live the lives they have lived all their lives. They are mentally sharp, happy and active.

Either you believe in longevity or you don't. They are great women and have raised great families, including great grandchildren. They have lived healthy lives. No smoking, the occasional glass of wine and a three day meal. All their husbands were forced to stop smoking, too. All their husbands have lived at least to the age of 80. One sister still has her husband.

Clean living matters. I might add, they pray everyday and frequently attend mass. It is their lifestyle and it works for them. My guess is that they regularly offer their concerns up to God. They have low stress levels with a full range of emotions. They love politics.

My mother heard the news about the President and stated, "I can relate."

I will be leaving her to her life in a couple of weeks and return home.

Abortion restrictions

There is an aspect not discussed of the Supreme Court’s irreverence to life.

Putting aside the Robert’s Court myopic decision regarding women’s health and let’s say the decision never was made; OB-Gyn practitioners, doctors, nurse practitioners and midwives are often few and far between due to the high liability costs for the practice.

How many more practitioners will leave women’s health? 

Also, there appears to be human rights’ violations in the Robert’s Court decision. It also appears the malpractice insurance actually provides coverage for malpractice even in the face of the decision.

What the Robert’s Court majority decision does is to make malpractice the law of the land. Realizing women’s health changes under the Robert’s Court decision opens them up to enforced malpractice, the malpractice insurance may be exposed when malpractice manifests.

I believe practitioners can be sued for enforced malpractice if they are allowing oppressive government dictate their practices. Malpractice and negligence should never be the status quo, but, with this high court decision there are real dangers manifesting for women.

Whenever a woman and/or her survivors   find her health has been compromised by the law, they need to sue the state and the caregivers that allowed oppression and human rights violations to effect her life and the lives of her family.

Malpractice and negligence is not allowed regardless of an oppressive law. SUE them. 

Sue the lawmakers because they have the greater liability, but, the medical practitioners are not protected because the law states malpractice is required. No legislature is allowed to kill or maim people. 

The Robert’s Court decision regarding women’s health has put health practitioners in direct conflict with Best Practices! That is not legal!

Sue them all!

The right wing legislators believe words on a paper are the only aspect of the law. 

Wrong!

Human life matters and when the law turns against human life, the legislators are liable for the life (lives) they destroyed.

Practitioners can practice under Good Samaritan laws.

International law does not allow for death of  people due to legislation. The Republicans currently engaged in oppressive laws that imperil women’s life (lives) should face human rights violations at The Hague. Babies aren’t born without a living woman. These oppressive laws also assault sovereignty.