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To keep the Conversation going, please help me by linking news articles, opinion pieces and other political content in today's Comments section.

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OR here's a link generator. The one I had posted died, then Akhilleus found one, but it too bit the dust. He found yet another, which I've linked here, and as of September 23, 2024, it's working.

OR you can always just block, copy and paste to your comment the URL (Web address) of the page you want to link.

Note for Readers. It is not possible for commenters to "throw" their highlighted links to another window. But you can do that yourself. Right-click on the link and a drop-down box will give you choices as to where you want to open the link: in a new tab, new window or new private window.

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing links to articles & other content in the Comments section of each day's "Conversation." If you're missing the comments, you're missing some vital links.

Marie: Sorry, my countdown clock was unreliable; then it became completely unreliable. I can't keep up with it. Maybe I'll try another one later.

 

Public Service Announcement

Zoë Schlanger in the Atlantic: "Throw out your black plastic spatula. In a world of plastic consumer goods, avoiding the material entirely requires the fervor of a religious conversion. But getting rid of black plastic kitchen utensils is a low-stakes move, and worth it. Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. But, as Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth recently told me, black plastic is particularly crucial to avoid." This is a gift link from laura h.

Mashable: "Following the 2024 presidential election results and [Elon] Musk's support for ... Donald Trump, users have been deactivating en masse. And this time, it appears most everyone has settled on one particular X alternative: Bluesky.... Bluesky has gained more than 100,000 new sign ups per day since the U.S. election on Nov. 5. It now has over 15 million users. It's enjoyed a prolonged stay on the very top of Apple's App Store charts as well. Ready to join? Here's how to get started on Bluesky[.]"

Washington Post: "Americans can again order free rapid coronavirus tests by mail, the Biden administration announced Thursday. People can request four free at-home tests per household through covidtests.gov. They will begin shipping Monday. The move comes ahead of an expected winter wave of coronavirus cases. The September revival of the free testing program is in line with the Biden administration’s strategy to respond to the coronavirus as part of a broader public health campaign to protect Americans from respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), that surge every fall and winter. But free tests were not mailed during the summer wave, which wastewater surveillance data shows is now receding."

Wherein Michael McIntyre explains how Americans adapted English to their needs. With examples:

Beat the Buzzer. Some amazing young athletes:

     ~~~ Here's the WashPo story (March 23).

Back when the Washington Post had an owner/publisher who dared to stand up to a president:

Prime video is carrying the documentary. If you watch it, I suggest watching the Spielberg film "The Post" afterwards. There is currently a free copy (type "the post full movie" in the YouTube search box) on YouTube (or you can rent it on YouTube, on Prime & [I think] on Hulu). Near the end, Daniel Ellsberg (played by Matthew Rhys), says "I was struck in fact by the way President Johnson's reaction to these revelations was [that they were] 'close to treason,' because it reflected to me the sense that what was damaging to the reputation of a particular administration or a particular individual was in itself treason, which is very close to saying, 'I am the state.'" Sound familiar?

Out with the Black. In with the White. New York Times: “Lester Holt, the veteran NBC newscaster and anchor of the 'NBC Nightly News' over the last decade, announced on Monday that he will step down from the flagship evening newscast in the coming months. Mr. Holt told colleagues that he would remain at NBC, expanding his duties at 'Dateline,' where he serves as the show’s anchor.... He said that he would continue anchoring the evening news until 'the start of summer.' The network did not immediately name a successor.” ~~~

~~~ New York Times: “MSNBC said on Monday that Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary who has become one of the most prominent hosts at the network, would anchor a nightly weekday show in prime time. Ms. Psaki, 46, will host a show at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, replacing Alex Wagner, a longtime political journalist who has anchored that hour since 2022, according to a memo to staff from Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s president. Ms. Wagner will remain at MSNBC as an on-air correspondent. Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s biggest star, has been anchoring the 9 p.m. hour on weeknights for the early days of ... [Donald] Trump’s administration but will return to hosting one night a week at the end of April.”

New York Times: “Joy Reid’s evening news show on MSNBC is being canceled, part of a far-reaching programming overhaul orchestrated by Rebecca Kutler, the network’s new president, two people familiar with the changes said. The final episode of Ms. Reid’s 7 p.m. show, 'The ReidOut,' is planned for sometime this week, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The show, which features in-depth interviews with politicians and other newsmakers, has been a fixture of MSNBC’s lineup for the past five years. MSNBC is planning to replace Ms. Reid’s program with a show led by a trio of anchors: Symone Sanders Townsend, a political commentator and former Democratic strategist; Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Alicia Menendez, the TV journalist, the people said. They currently co-host 'The Weekend,' which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings.” MB: In case you've never seen “The Weekend,” let me assure you it's pretty awful. ~~~

     ~~~ AP Update: "Joy Reid is leaving MSNBC, the network’s new president announced in a memo to staff on Monday, marking an end to the political analyst and anchor’s prime time news show."

Y! Entertainment: "Meanwhile, [Alex] Wagner will also be removed from her 9 pm weeknight slot. Wagner has already been working as a correspondent after Rachel Maddow took over hosting duties during ... Trump’s first 100 days in office. It’s now expected that Wagner will not return as host, but is expected to stay on as a contributor. Jen Psaki, President Biden’s former White House press secretary, is a likely replacement for Wagner, though a decision has not been finalized." MB: In fairness to Psaki, she is really too boring to watch. On the other hand, she is White. ~~~

     ~~~ RAS: "So MSNBC is getting rid of both of their minority evening hosts. Both women of color who are not afraid to call out the truth. Outspoken minorities don't have a long shelf life in the world of our corporate news media."

 

Contact Marie

Email Marie at constantweader@gmail.com

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Monday
Nov022020

Presidential Race -- Called by AP/Networks

JOE BIDEN NOW HAS A CLEAR PATH TO EXACTLY 270 VOTES, even if he doesn't prevail in Pennsylvania. He need only win Nevada's 6 Electoral votes, where he is slightly ahead & hang onto Arizona, which most networks have not called.

~~~~~~~~~~

At 1:30 am ET Tuesday, Trump was way ahead in Wisconsin, Michigan & Pennsylvania. This is horrifying. ~~~

     ~~~ ** Update of states not projected @ 5 am ET Wednesday: As of 7:20 am ET, Biden has pulled ahead in Wisconsin by about 20,000 votes. As of 10 am, Biden has pulled ahead of Trump by about 10,000 votes. NBC News still hasn't called Arizona for Biden, tho Fox & the AP have. Trump is still significantly ahead in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia & Alaska. Biden is leading in Nevada. In Pennsylvania, there are "hundreds of thousands of votes still uncounted," according to officials. Anyway, the polls were waaaay off. ~~~

     ~~~ Update. NYT @ 12:40 pm ET: "There are only about 300 votes left to count in Wisconsin, officials say. They're in the town of Willow in Richland County. Biden leads by more than 20,000 votes." (See sidebar.) Mrs. McC: So that should be a wrap, but the AP & networks haven't called the state. Update: The AP has called Wisconsin for Biden; Trump's campaign will ask for a recount. ~~~

     ~~~ Update. NBC News has projected Biden will win Michigan.

     ~~~ Nate Cohn of the New York Times: "Joe Biden has won absentee ballots counted in Pennsylvania by an overwhelming margin so far, according to data from the Secretary of State early Wednesday. If he carried the remaining absentee ballots by a similar margin, he would win the state."

~~~ Among the votes that haven't been counted are many throughout the country cast by the "suckers & losers" serving out-of-country in our military.

 

~~~ States depicted in blue are states the AP or networks have called for Joe Biden. Red states are those the AP or networks have called for Trump. Tan states have not been called

Alabama: AP call
Arizona: Via NYT
Arkansas: Via NYT
Colorado: NBC call
California: NBC cal
Connecticut: AP call
Delaware: NBC call
*Florida: NBC call
Hawaii: Via NYT
Kentucky: Via NYT
Illinois: AP call
Iowa: NBC call
Indiana: NBC call
Kansas: Via NYT
Louisiana: AP call
Maine 1st + 2: AP calls. 4th via NYT
Maryland: NBC call
Massachusetts: NBC call
Michigan: NBC call
Minnesota: Via Politico
Mississippi: AP call
Missouri: NBC call
Montana: NBC call
Nebraska: AP, NBC calls
New Hampshire: NBC call
New Jersey: NBC call
New Mexico: AP call
New York: NBC call
North Dakota: AP call
*Ohio. NBC call
Oklahoma: NBC call
Oregon: NBC call
Rhode Island: AP call
South Carolina: Via NYT
South Dakota: AP call
Tennessee: AP call
Texas: NBC call
Utah: NBC call
Vermont: Via NYT
Virginia: Via NYT
Washington State: NBC call
Washington, D.C.: NBC call
West Virginia: AP call
Wisconsin: AP call
Wyoming: NBC call

 

Senate Races -- Called by AP/Networks

~~~ The states colored gray have no Senate races this year. States colored tan have Senate races that have not been called.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters (D), as of Wednesday afternoon, is ahead by about 15,000 votes. He was trailing by a significant number until the most recent count. The race has not been called.

Republicans almost certainly will maintain control of the Senate.

Alabama: Via NYT. Tommy Tuberville (R) defeats Sen. Doug Jones (D).
Arizona: Via NYT. Mark Kelly (D) defeats Sen. Martha McSally (R).
Arkansas: Via NYT. Tom Cotton (R) wins re-election.
Colorado: NBC News. John Hickenlooper (D) defeats incumbent Cory Gardner (R).
Delaware: Via NYT. Chris Coons (D) wins re-election.
Georgia (2nd seat): Via NYT. Runoff between Raphael Warnock (D) & Kelly Loeffler (R).
Idaho. Via NYT. Jim Risch (R) wins re-election.
Illinois: Via NYT. Dick Durbin (D) wins re-election.
Iowa: NBC call. Joni Ernst (R) wins re-election.
Kansas: Via NYT. Roger Marshall (R) wins.
Kentucky: NBC call. Mitch McConnell (R) wins re-election.
Louisiana: Via NYT. Bill Cassidy (R) wins re-election.
Maine: Via NYT. Concerned Susan Collins wins re-election.
Massachusetts: Via NYT. Ed Markey (D) wins re-election.
Michigan: NBC call. Gary Peters (D) wins re-election.
Minnesota: NBC call. Tina Smith retains her seat.
Mississippi: Via NYT. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) retains her seat.
Montana: Via NYT. Steve Daines (R) wins re-election.
Nebraska: Via NYT. Ben Sasse (R) wins re-election.
New Hampshire: Via NYT. Jeanne Shaheen (D) wins re-election.
New Jersey: Via NYT. Cory Booker (D) wins re-election.
New Mexico: NBC call. Ray Luján (D) wins.
Oklahoma: Via NYT. Jim Inhofe (R) wins re-election.
Oregon: Via NYT. Jeff Merkley (D) wins re-election.
Rhode Island: Via NYT. Jack Reed (D) wins re-election.
South Carolina: NBC call. Lindsey Graham (R) wins re-election. Sad.
South Dakota: Via NYT. Mike Rounds (R) wins re-election.
Tennessee: Via NYT. Bill Hagerty (R) wins.
Texas: NBC call. John Cornyn (R) wins re-election.
Virginia: AP call. Mark Warner (D) wins re-election.
West Virginia: AP call. Shelley Moore Capito (R) wins re-election.
Wyoming: Via NYT. Cynthia Lummis (R) wins.


House Races. Mrs. McCrabbie: I won't be able to keep up with House races, but I'll try to keep a running tally & post any interesting or unusual results about the House contests in the right column as time allows.

Gubernatorial Races. I'll post called races in the right column.

Comments Off

Reader Comments (13)

At 10:46 central, it’s not looking like there will be a result tonight. However, at this point, the electoral vote differential is enough, in Biden’s favor, that the fascist will be (should be) unable to peremptorily declare himself king. At least tonight. Nonetheless, a CBS reporter at the White House has stated that the Fatty acolytes are privately claiming victory and readying themselves to bow down before the little king whenever he can clean the Big Mac mustard stains off his 7 ft. tie and grace them with his portly presence.

Of course, this is to be expected. In any event, I’m not setting off any fireworks. This election can still be stolen.

It’ll be a long night.

November 3, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus

And here they go...

Just heard Reince Priebus whining about vote discrepancies. The whine should shortly become a scream.

November 3, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus

OMG, Pennsylvania and Ohio!

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus

Nail-biter time. This should have been a blowout. Thanks for your work reporting on this.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterJohn

What in the fucking hell is wrong with the people in this country? Do they have a death wish? One thing is certain. All the chaos and suppression and efforts to make voting as difficult as possible have paid off. People want to live in Nazi Germany?

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterAkhilleus

Along with everyone else here, I hold my breath about the POTUS position. Senate results are already very discouraging.

Kinda wish I believed in the efficacy of prayer, but all I can do is cross my arthritic fingers and wish, sans much hope.

Would track the popular vote totals so far but can't find a handy summary. Want to know exactly how many of my fellow citizens to despise and fear.

Will it be more than the four out of five I've become accustomed to in the last four years? Joe Scarborough and Akhilleus ask the relevant questions to which too many apprarently provided the wrong answers.

Local results in our formerly red county are more pleasant, but that's not nearly enough on this gray and blustery morning here in the Northwest.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

AK: "What in the fucking hell is wrong with the people in this country?" See my comment in the other comment section below. Although I try and parse this outcome with a modicum of understanding I am screaming those exact words!!!!!!

@Ken: "Kinda wish I believed in the efficacy of prayer, but all I can do is cross my arthritic fingers and wish, sans much hope." Me, too!

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterPD Pepe

Pennsylvania Packet,26 November 1776.
"All took for granted that a society could not long remain republican if a tiny minority controlled most of the wealth."
1776 !!
from : Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. pg 8
Perhaps Trump would have little appeal if America did not rank forty seventh in Equality among Democracies.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered Commentercarlyle

Un-fricken-believable. One swing state voter said she didn't believe the Trump messes because, fake news.

Let's see if they feel the same when SS and medicare go away.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered Commentergonzo_was_here

Ho Hum. 4 more years of McConnell saving America from the socialist horde. Freeedommmm!!!
For Biden it will be a replay of the Obama administration. Hamstrung at every move by a hostile Senate.
My heart goes out to every American who is to the left of Attila the Hun.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterCowichan's opinion

@Cowichan, my neighbor to the north.

Thanks for the good wishes. We all need them, especially since the Biden victory you assume isn't by any means a done deal.

Still, a Biden victory, no matter how slim, would be better than having a liar, grifter and racist as the face of the country we present to the rest of the world.

I grasp at anything positive, I know.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

Peripheral concern:

Have been wondering for days how a court can "punish" the USPS for DeMisery's behavior.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/04/judge-postal-service-mail-in-ballots-434051

Who would/could pay a price?

Seems to me there's already practical immunity for corporate malfeasance. No one goes to jail. A fine, maybe, but it's never blood, just money.

But what about government misbehavior? We've learned accountability (vide: the Bush II gang of.criminals that were never prosecuted) is hard to come by. DeMisery has already blamed down-postal-hierarchy for some of his decision. Who will he hang out to dry next?

And we know the USPS can't pay a fine. They have no money. Congress broke them years ago.

November 4, 2020 | Unregistered CommenterKen Winkes

@Ken Winkes: My thoughts, too. A judge could order the states to accept & count certain ballots even outside the bounds of their state laws, I suppose, but that would not pass even an appeals court, much less the Thomas/Barrett Court Jesters cabal. Postal workers are not federal employees; I'm not sure about the postmaster general. If he is, he can't be sued under law, & it would be hard to prove criminal liability. The supervisors or whoever they were could be held in contempt of court for not obeying the judge's order to get those ballots to their destinations, but big whup.

And that's not the point. The disqualification of those ballots could have immeasurable consequences for our crappy system of government. The presidential & down-ballot elections could turn on them.

November 4, 2020 | Registered CommenterMarie Burns
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