Gee whiz, I guess the folks responsible for counting the ballots might actually have to count them.

Vote by mail/absentee ballots are much easier to use than learning the polling location has been moved. 

August 4, 2020

By Neal Rubin

Stan Edwards (click here) thought hard about not running a polling place this year. A lot of other people did more than think.

They didn't show up, assuring that what promised to be the most peculiar election in memory was every bit as odd as expected — and a bit stranger still for some Detroiters who didn't find out until Monday that their poll locations had moved.

Realistically, oddness was almost running unopposed. Amid a pandemic that prompted a relative trickle of people earning "I Voted" stickers but a record 1.53 million returned absentee ballots as of Tuesday morning, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has predicted that results might not be available until Thursday....

Same election, different journalist. It looks like mail-in/absentee ballots are trending as the best method to vote. Americans love the odd and a challenge besides. There won't be any problem in November that can't easily be overcome.

August 4, 2020

By Beth LaBlanc

Polls have now closed (click here) for all of Michigan on the most unusual election in recent history.

Coronavirus precautions added to the usual election day issues at polling places. But the most notable difference was the amount of voters turning to absentee ballots. 

Just before the close of polls Tuesday, clerks across the state had received nearly 1.6 million absentee ballots back after issuing more than 2 million, representing a roughly 77% return rate statewide....

The concussion force as seen in the film loop shown in this program is considerable.

The concussive force is noted in the white air coming at the person with the camera. That person became alarmed by the concussion wave coming at her/him and hide from it's arrival.

Do NOT send the children to school. There is an old adage, "Better to be safe than sorry."

I thank the New York Times for this article. Ya know, it only takes one small virus to enter the school and all of a sudden there is exposure a society believed was impossible. The numbers while some might be improving is not low enough to even consider exposing the American children to the risk.

This isn't about a child missing a year of school. There are very good online options. This is about keeping them well and ensuring their future is not marred by COVID-19 maiming. They have to be protected. Their families have to be protected.

Don't be in a hurry. Time is on our side.

August 4, 2020

By Isabel Kershner and Pam Belluck

Jerusalem - As the United States (click here) and other countries anxiously consider how to reopen schools, Israel, one of the first countries to do so, illustrates the dangers of moving too precipitously.

Confident it had beaten the coronavirus and desperate to reboot a devastated economy, the Israeli government invited the entire student body back in late May.

Within days, infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school, which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel, possibly the world.

The virus rippled out to the students’ homes and then to other schools and neighborhoods, ultimately infecting hundreds of students, teachers and relatives...

Beirut are in out thoughts.

Ammonium nitrate. At least it isn't violence. Tragic. So many dead and injured. There was an explosion similar some time ago in Texas. The chemicals are mismanaged.

I am so used to hearing violence come out of that part of the world, it is relief to know that is not the issue here. I guess Lebanon has many problems of modern society as well.

My sincerest concern and sympathy for Beirut and the people. This is a sincere tragedy that can be prevented. 

The USA should respond in concern for the people.

Where is Hezbollah and Nasrallah?

I am not accusing anyone with anything, but, they will know more about the city than others. They may have a clear picture of what happened in Beirut.

The cloud is very troubling and there should be a call for a mass exodus of the city. There will have to be refugee camps set up to allow them to find a place to live for now. There will be a need for medical HOSPITALS.

The smoke has many characteristics, but, the environmental assessment of the area is needed IF the radiation level is acceptable for scientists going into the area. The doctors are going to need to know what they are looking at to adequately treat the people.

August 4, 2020

By Gahda Alsharif and Euan Wardl 

Two large explosions (click here) rocked Beirut port Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 70 and injuring over 3,000, according to Lebanese authorities, with Lebanon's Prime Minister calling the incident a "catastrophe."

My first thought is Daesh. Hezbollah would not do this to their own people. Nasrallah would have ideas of what caused this disaster.

August 4, 2020

Cairo - Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry (click here) said on Tuesday that it is following with great concern the consequences of Beirut's port explosion, according to the state news agency.4

The statement also affirmed the kingdom's full support and solidarity with the Lebanese people.

The death toll from a massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday has risen to more than 50 killed and over 2,700 injured, Lebanon's health minister said in televised remarks.

August 28, 2017

By Rod Nordland

Beirut, Lebanon — Lebanon began transporting (click here) an estimated 400 armed Islamic State fighters and family members from its northern border to the militants’ stronghold in eastern Syria on Monday, according to official sources in Lebanon and Syria.

The militants were transferred as part of a deal between the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and its Syrian and Lebanese enemies. Under the agreement, the bodies of eight people believed to be Lebanese soldiers were to be returned, while Islamic State militants were to receive 17 air-conditioned buses, 11 ambulances and a free pass through territory held by the Syrian government.

Hezbollah, the Shiite-dominated group whose militia was among the parties to the deal, announced through its War Media Center that the transfer of the Islamic State fighters had begun on Monday morning. First to go were 25 wounded fighters in ambulances, followed by busloads of fighters and others.

The Syrian state news agency, SANA, also confirmed, that the transfer of fighters was underway....

I have to agree simply the idea of storing such explosive material in the center of the city is ridiculous. I don't imagine the government was aware of this and I have to wonder if the CIA has any surveillance about this area and the city.

The black smoke could be as simple as tires or oil based products but can also include asbestos, aldehydes, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins. A lot of these chemicals are highly explosive and cause toxic air.

August 4, 2020

Cairo - A UNIFIL maritime task force ship (click here) that was docked in Beirut port was damaged and some UNIFIL naval peacekeepers were injured, some of them seriously, in a huge explosion in the Lebanese capital, the United Nations interim Force in Lebanon said in a statement on Tuesday.

“UNIFIL is transporting the injured peacekeepers to the nearest hospitals for medical treatment,” the statement said.

UNIFIL is currently assessing the situation, including the scale of the impact on UNIFIL personnel, and stands ready to provide assistance and support to the Lebanese government, the statement added.