The Man Who Stood the Breach

 

President Biden returned the country to the people with hope for the future.

Thank you doesn’t begin to convey the service President Biden provided to this democracy at a pivotal time in history. He will go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents ever to hold office. 

“Courage Heart”

What a fantastic speech. Thank you.

Jill has been magnificent.

She represents more than a gracious First Lady. Dr. Jill Biden represents the extent women can achieve. She maintained her interest in her professional life while dedicating herself to the country’s First Lady.

Senator Chris Coons has been busy.

(Click here)

Senator Warnock proves Georgia’s moral core.

 “The new way forward.”

Senator Warnock along with Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia were the last two Democratic Senators to be seated after the election of 2020 to bring a Democratic majority.

1 in 3 women live under a six week abortion ban.

(Click here)

According to the “Houston Chronicle” the percentage is 29% of the six week ban which is approximately one-third. If that isn’t astounding enough there are vastly more women living with other forms of “the ban.”

Bills sponsored by Jasmine Crockett

(Click here)

A woman and leader of her generation. 

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie…

(Click here)

Something remarkable happened today.

(Click here)

Tell it like it is, Hillary!

 

Stellantis is walking away from the contract.

(Click here)

A contract cannot be ignored. Stellantis is a foreign company that came to buy a piece of America and its most popular car brands.

The company has an annual revenue in excess of $205 billion in 2022, which was up 5 percent from 2021. That 5 percent revenue increase was because the UAW members delivered quality autos.

Stellantis must live up to its contract with the UAW or pay the salaries to the union members for the length of the contract. If Stellantis doesn’t want to build some of the most popular cars in the USA, then they have an obligation to support the workers under the contract to the full extent of the contract.

Stellantis revenue in 2022 was $30 billion more than GM in the previous 12 months as of March 2024. The revenue as of March 2024 of GM is more than an 8 percent share increase than the year before. The workers of the UAW are increasing the income to these companies. 

Stellantis has NO valid reason to walk away from a contract that produces far over and above its cost. Stellantis’ alarming announcement makes no sense. It is almost a hostile attack on the USA economy. Stellantis needs to live up to it’s promises in the contract.

It is time China obey the decisions of the international community and stop this endangerment of ships lawfully in the South China Sea.

18 August 2024

This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, shows damage on the Philippines coast guard vessel BRP Cape Engano (MRRV-4411) after a collision with a Chinese coast guard ship Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in the disputed South China Sea. 

Chinese and Philippine vessels (click here) collided on Monday during a confrontation near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the two countries said.

Both countries blamed each other for the incident near the Sabina Shoal.

China and the Philippines have had repeated confrontations in the vital waterway in recent months, including around a warship grounded years ago by Manila on the contested Second Thomas Shoal that hosts a garrison. Beijing has continued to press its claims to almost the entire South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis....

These waters are no longer disputed, except, in the imagination of Xi. There are no reasons for these hostilities. Treaties can exist for mutual use.

The best use of Ren'ai Reef is possibly fishing. There is absolutely no way this can be a place where any country can occupy. It is a REEF! Besides, the entire idea of possessing a REEF in the South China Sea is stupid. Sea level rise will eliminate any and all uses of this REEF in years to come.

Globally reefs are protected anyway. They are extremely important carbon sinks.

12 July 2016
Tom Phillips in Beijing, Oliver Holmes in Bangkok and Owen Bowcott

Ren'ai Reef (click here)

China (click here) has said it will not accept a ruling against it in a key international legal case over strategic reefs and atolls that Beijing claims would give it control over disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The judgment by an international tribunal in The Hague came down overwhelmingly in favour of claims by the Philippines and is likely to increase global diplomatic pressure on Beijing to scale back military expansion in the area. By depriving certain outcrops of territorial-generating status, the ruling from the permanent court of arbitration effectively punches holes in China’s all-encompassing “nine-dash” line that stretches deep into the South China Sea....

China needs to KNOCK IT OFF! This is precious habitat and the fish could be completely destroyed if the reef bleaches. This is ridiculous.

September 22, 2023

By Neil Jerome Morales

The Philippines (click here) is exploring legal options against China accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, an allegation rejected by Beijing as an attempt to "create political drama".

The Philippines foreign ministry late on Thursday said it was awaiting assessments from various agencies of the extent of environmental damage in Iroquois Reef in the Spratly islands and would be guided by Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra....

Red Sea Crisis - Iran is responsible.

Dubai Ports World is reporting a 60 percent drop in profit in the past quarter because of the ongoing ship assaults in the Red Sea.

(Click here)

The company needs to exercise its interests elsewhere until Iran decides to stop its assault on humanity. There is no reason for this, except, its own aggression through failed states and terrorist organizations.

The ships that once navigated the Red Sea are still shipping but to different ports. DPW should follow those ships and their new routes to offer services and investment.

The Iranian terrorist group, Houthis has no real effect. Iran needs to end it's terrorist networks and work toward peace.

December 9, 2023
By Mohammed Alghobari

Aden - Yemen’s Houthi movement (click here) said on Saturday they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.

The Iran-aligned group is escalating the risks of a regional conflict amid a brutal war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Houthis have attacked and seized several Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and its Bab al-Mandab strait, a sea lane through which much of the world’s oil is shipped, and fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel.

Houthi officials say their actions are a show of support for the Palestinians.

Israel said attacks on ships was an “Iranian act of terrorism” with consequences for international maritime security.

A Houthi military spokesperson said all ships sailing to Israeli ports are banned from the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

“If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The threat has an immediate effect, the statement added....

Putin is just learning how poorly it is going.

(Click here)

There is a good chance the Russians are happier with Ukrainian leadership. Ukraine’s soldiers aren’t doing to Russians what Russian  soldiers did to Ukrainians.

The Roberts’ Court are homophobes.

(Click here)

These judges chronically make religious based decisions that are full of fear of the other.

TRANSGENDER reality is NOT a contagion!

Somehow the devoutly religious believe that DNA is evil. They actually wrongly believe it is a sin to be in the presence of those genetically different. They are morons and fear mongers. 

This must stop!

Transgender Americans are good people. They defend this country along side of all other Americans. This decision is based in dislike of reality and hatred of equality.

I truly don’t like to discuss Trump.

(Click here)

First, Donald John Trump is a convicted criminal that destroys the lives and professions of everyone affiliated with him, personal or business affiliates. He has no redeeming characteristics and seeks nothing but sympathy from the public, hence making them irrationally angry and violent for no damn good reason except whatever lie he is currently floating. 

That said, I didn’t see the news conference, nor do I want to, referred to by CNN, of which there is a growing plethora of them since he is too afraid to be in the campaign trail, which is his own fault. But, the article is PROOF that Trump has nothing to offer the USA as President. Trump should have been able to carry a political campaign forward regardless of his opponent. His ambition is not based in service so much as self-serving priorities. His campaign against President Biden wasn’t about what he could do for the country over and above what the incumbent was doing, it was all negative personal attacks on President Biden DESIGNED to driver the President’s popularity to zero whenever possible.

Donald Trump is unhinged because his plots against President Biden have failed him and he hasn’t got a successful hate campaign against Kamala. His Vice Presidential choice is also not panning out as he plotted and Vance is not qualified to lead this country. 

The article proves the Trump campaign is a ploy for power and not at all about governance or the future of our democracy. Trump’s plot is to destroy this democracy and instill a dictatorship that will be rubber stamped by a preferred legislature and Supreme Court. 

The only two people that actually care about this democracy and its people in this race are Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. For that the entire country should be grateful.

Ongoing talks in the Middle East may provide hope. The last thing this area of the world needs is war.

Qatar is affiliated with many of the countries in question when it comes to attacks on Israel. This is not an unusual role for Qatar. It probably is the only country with these relationships so that Israel can be understood and hopefully identify the areas that are most sensitive to bring about a ceasefire and ultimately a peace agreement. I hope the negotiators in Qatar are successful. The region needs stability, not war. 

August 14, 2024
By Nidal Al-Mughrabi

Cairo - Hamas said on Wednesday (click here) it would not take part in a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks slated for Thursday in Qatar, but an official briefed on the talks said mediators expected to consult with the Palestinian group afterwards.

The U.S. has said it expects indirect talks to go ahead as planned in Qatar's capital Doha on Thursday, and that a ceasefire agreement was still possible, while warning that progress was needed urgently to avert a wider war....

...The delegation includes Israel's spy chief David Barnea, head of the domestic security service Ronen Bar and the military's hostages chief Nitzan Alon, a defence official said....

These are the conditions that Hamas identifies as necessary in a ceasefire with Israel.

...By resolution 2735 (2024) (click here)  (to be issued as document S/RES/2735(2024)), the 15-member organ noted that the implementation of this proposal would enable the following outcomes to spread over three phases,... 

...the first of which would include an immediate, full and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages; the return of the remains of some hostages who have been killed; the exchange of Palestinian prisoners; withdrawal of Israeli forces from the populated areas in Gaza; the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes; and the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza.

Phase two would see a permanent end to hostilities in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area....

...Phase three would mark the start of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in the Strip to their families.

Further by the text, the Council underlined that — if the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one — the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue. The Council also rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the Strip’s territory.

The representative of the United States, speaking before the vote, said that “the last eight months have been nothing short but devastating” both for Israelis who lost loved ones on 7 October and Palestinian civilians who “are living through sheer hell”, fleeing from one place to another in search of elusive safety.

“The only way to bring about a durable end to this war” is a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, she stressed, adding that Israel has agreed to a comprehensive deal on the table, which is nearly identical to Hamas’ own proposal. “Now we are all waiting for Hamas to agree to the ceasefire deal it claims to want, but we cannot allow to wait and wait,” she stated, noting that “with every passing day, needless suffering continues”....

IPSOS is a French Polling Company

(Click here)

I have a great deal confidence in the New Democratic Party leaders to win the presidential elections, it is important to cover all the bases of undecided, independent, and Republican. 

IPSOS is taking into account the fact Trump has planned a path forward that does not include the popular vote. Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight had Hillary winning with 65 percent of the vote. 

Just be careful. The economy is always weighted more heavily in USA politics. Also, what IPSOS didn’t discuss was the level of corruption Trump has been able to instill in the election process over the past four years.

Currently, FiveThirtyEight has the Electoral College a toss-up and that is a change since Kamala entered the race. 

I believe any “Swift Boating” of Tim Waltz will fail. He is simply too great to be undone. He kept his promise to focus on those that serve. He became a member of Veterans Affairs Committee when he was a Congressman. 

He spent decades serving in the National Guard, far longer than even George W. Bush.

The Democratic National Convention starts in a few days. The momentum will be incredible. But, leave no stone unturned going forward because the corruption of Trump is considerable with four years of planning.

This is a violation of Environmental Justice.

Environmental Justice (click here)

The City of Richmond, California is contemplating a deal with Chevron that would allow the refinery to continue to pollute, but, will accept $50 million per year for ten years to help pay the health care bill of those their pollution injures.

9 October 2019

By Susie Cagle

...The refinery processes (click here) nearly 250,000 barrels of crude oil each day. When it “flares”, as it did more often in 2018 than in any other year over the past decade, dark smoke spirals up and across town in the bay breeze.

When it explodes, like it did in 1989, 1999 and 2012, the thick cloud is visible across the bay and beyond, a blot against the sky that ascends before falling and settling on everything within a multi-mile vicinity that is not covered, closed or sealed up....

I DON'T THINK SO!

August 14, 2024

By Sierra Lopez

The Chevron plant explosion (click here) and the refinery is still allowed to operate.

...State data shows Richmond residents (click here) have some of the highest rates of asthma in the state, an illness linked to refinery particulate matter along with bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses. Each year, between five and 11 people die prematurely in the city because of emissions from Chevron, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The air district also estimates that health impacts from the refinery cost the area between $52 million and $118 million annually.

If the agreement is approved, Chevron would pay $50 million annually to the general fund for the first five years, followed by $60 million annually the last five. The city would retain its right to impose new taxes on Chevron and other businesses, but the settlement payments would be credited toward what the refinery would owe.

“Chevron and the City Attorney, supported by a City Council ad hoc committee, have negotiated a settlement agreement that would end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones,” according to a staff report prepared by City Attorney Dave Aleshire....

I am confident none of this was passed through California regulators to even know if it is legal to allow pollution, expecting health problems, and taxing the polluter for  the health care costs. There is something every wrong with this picture. I doubt if the people of Richmond actually understand what they are voting on if the ballot imitative goes through.

The federal EPA needs to chime in on this mess. Chevron cannot be allowed to continue to make people sick.

The USA is showing signs of infective mpox.

August 13, 2024

Story by Pandora Dewan

Mpox has been detected in wastewater (click here) in the United States after the virus was declared a public health emergency by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a more deadly strain spreads across the continent....

The WHO (click here) has declared a global emergency with the newly discovered variant. This new variant can be transmitted by casual skin to skin contact. There is no current data suggesting the mpox detected in wastewater of the USA is the new variant. It is prudent for cities with these wastewater problems to step up education about the virus and perhaps seek hospital isolation for new cases.

June 6, 2024

ByMary Kekatos

In summer 2022, (click here) the global mpox outbreak seemed poised to overwhelm the U.S. with cases rising exponentially every week and no signs of slowing.

A successful public health campaign -- promoting behavior changes and vaccination -- helped cases drop dramatically.

However, a new small study published Thursday and led by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) says that mpox cases are still circulating at low levels in the U.S. and primarily among unvaccinated high-risk groups....