The Commentariat -- August 23, 2021
Marie: For the SIXTH day, Reality Chex is not accepting comments, through no design or fault of my own. In desperation, I have come up with an interim plan to get around the problem, one that will mean only a little extra work for those of you who have something to say. Here are the easy instructions:
1. In the URL (address line), enter www.realitychex.com/display/Login and return. The login is case-sensitive, so that "L" in "Login" must be capitalized.
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3. Type your comment in the Comments box as usual. But at the end of the comment, sign it with your usual Reality Chex handle, because the name of the poster will say "See Above."
Special thanks to all of you who have gone to the trouble to comment under this somewhat cumbersome system.
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Late Morning/Afternoon Update:
The New York Times' live updates of Covid 19 developments Monday are here. The Washington Post's live Covid updates for Monday are here: "Fresh data from Israel is providing encouraging news about the effectiveness of coronavirus boosters in seniors. A study by the Israeli Health Ministry found that a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provided four times as much protection against infection as two doses in people 60 and older. The level of protection was five to six times higher against serious illness and hospitalization, according to the study published Sunday, which looked at protection provided 10 days after a third dose. Israel approved booster shots for people 60 and older late last month, and lowered the age of eligibility to 40 last week."
** Ben Guarino, et al., of the Washington Post: "Federal regulators Monday granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine -- a milestone that could help increase inoculation rates and spark a wave of vaccine mandates by employers and universities amid a surge of new cases and hospitalizations fueled by the ferocious delta variant. The Food and Drug Administration action marks the first licensing of a vaccine for the coronavirus.... The vaccine has been approved for two doses, three weeks apart, in people 16 and older. It remains available under emergency use authorization adolescents ages 12 to 15." CNN's report is here. The FDA's press release is here.
Eliza Shapiro & Tracey Tully of the New York Times: "New York City will require every employee of the city's Department of Education -- including teachers, principals, custodians and all central office staff -- to have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Sept. 27, without the option of instead submitting to weekly testing, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. Hours later, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey announced that all employees of public, private and parochial schools in his state must be fully inoculated by Oct. 18 or be tested once or twice a week for the coronavirus. He said the rules also apply to all state employees and all substitute teachers, who are already in short supply."
Jenny Zhang of Gawker: "If almost-former Gov. Andrew Cuomo wasn't considered a disgraced man before (he was), he will be now. The Albany Times Union reports that the governor, who resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct by 11 women, left his dog, Captain, at the Executive Mansion in Albany and has been asking household staff members if anyone would like to keep him.... Cuomo is planning to go on vacation after he leaves office before midnight tonight." Cuomo's director of communications said the story was, like, totally untrue. MB: When I was walking my dog in downtown Manhattan, Andy's dad Mario stopped me & asked me all about the dog. Apparently a love of pets doesn't run in the family.
Getting Stupid Again in Portland. Andrew Jeong of the Washington Post: "Hundreds of far-left and far-right demonstrators clashed in Portland, Ore., on Sunday afternoon, firing paintballs, spraying chemicals and destroying property. Police have not reported any deaths or injuries. But footage from the two areas where the demonstrations occurred showed gunshots being fired, people being shoved to the ground and some protesters breaking the windows of parked vehicles. Images showed at least one person surrendering to law enforcement officials where the shots had been fired. Dennis G. Anderson, 65, was charged with unlawful use and possession of a firearm shortly after the shooting, police said."
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The New York Times' live updates of developments in Afghanistan Monday are here: "As the evacuation from Afghanistan plunged more deeply into chaos and violence, President Biden is considering extending the deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw, amid a groundswell of pressure from global leaders and veterans concerned that a security vacuum could risk lethal consequences. Violent clashes at Kabul's airport on Monday reinforced fears that the American withdrawal will aggravate the already precarious security situation." ~~~
~~~ The Washington Post's live Afghanistan updates for Monday are here: "A Taliban spokesman warned that the United States would be crossing a 'red line' if the Biden administration keeps troops in Afghanistan past its declared Aug. 31 deadline."
Karoun Demirjian, et al., of the Washington Post: "President Biden said Sunday that the U.S. military is 'executing a plan' to move stranded American citizens to the Kabul airport in greater numbers, including through an expansion of a safe zone around the facility and by creating conduits for people to access the compound 'safely and effectively.'... The president would not say how the plan for 'increased rational access to the airport' is being carried out or whether U.S. troops have expanded their perimeter outside the airport and further into Kabul, which could put them at heightened risk of attack from Taliban factions manning security checkpoints and Islamic State operatives who, U.S. officials warn, pose a serious threat.... On Saturday, the U.S. military operated 14 evacuation flights that took about 3,900 people out of the country, while 35 other planes evacuated approximately the same number, according to White House and Pentagon officials.... About 28,000 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14, including 11,000 over the weekend, Biden said." The AP's story is here. ~~~
~~~ It's Not Easy Being President. Matt Viser of the Washington Post: "President Biden, beset by challenges to his credibility and facing the biggest foreign policy crisis of his administration, sought on Sunday to reassert his claim to competent governance while looking ahead to twin crises in coming days: the emergency evacuation of Americans in Afghanistan and a tropical storm pummeling the Northeast. Speaking at the White House after a weekend meeting with advisers instead of traveling to Delaware, Biden touted the recent success of U.S. forces in ramping up evacuations, suggesting the military might make additional efforts to retrieve Americans and allowing for the possibility of extending the Aug. 31 deadline for the pullout. The president also gave a more direct response to criticism that he is showing little empathy for vulnerable Afghans while potentially paving the way for dangerous refugees to enter the United States. He emphasized that all refugees would be fully vetted, and he made a point of voicing compassion for those seeking to flee."
Martin Pengelly of the Guardian: "Activating a plan used only twice before, the Biden administration on Sunday ordered the use of commercial aircraft to help ferry people evacuated from Afghanistan.... The activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, for only the third time in history, was ordered by Lloyd Austin, the defense secretary. A Pentagon spokesman said the aircraft would not fly into Kabul but would be used to transport people already flown out. The administration asked for three planes each from American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines and Omni Air; two from Hawaiian Airlines; and four from United Airlines. (Also linked yesterday.)
Brianna Keilar & Veronica Stracqualursi of CNN: "The Taliban have sentenced the brother of an Afghan translator to death, according to letters obtained by CNN, accusing him of helping the US and providing security to his brother, who served as an interpreter to American troops. A former service member who worked with the translator confirmed his service and his brother's plight. The letters are just one example of how the Taliban are directly threatening Afghans who worked with the US or are family members of those who have, leaving them scrambling to flee the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover."
Taliban Don.Tom Boggioni of the Raw Story: "During his 90-minute speech in Alabama on Saturday night..., Donald Trump praised the Taliban and talked up his relationship with them at the same time that President Joe Biden is attempting to conduct the evacuation of Americans out of Afghanistan.... [Trump] called the Taliban 'great negotiators' and 'tough fighters' before adding, '... with me in office the Taliban would not have ever dreamt of capturing our airfield or parading around with our American weapons.' Critics of Trump were quick to note that his negotiations with the Taliban led to the release of 5,000 of their members which has contributed to the turmoil in the country as the U.S military leaves after a fruitless twenty-year war." MB: It isn't that difficult to understand why the Taliban endorsed Trump in 2020. Now he's returned the favor. (Also linked yesterday.)
** Capitalism Is Awesome, Ctd. Sarah Kliff & Josh Katz of the New York Times: "This year, the federal government ordered hospitals to begin publishing a prized secret: a complete list of the prices they negotiate with private insurers. The insurers' trade association had called the rule unconstitutional and said it would 'undermine competitive negotiations.' Four hospital associations jointly sued the government to block it, and appealed when they lost. They lost again, and seven months later, many hospitals are simply ignoring the requirement and posting nothing. But data from the hospitals that have complied hints at why the powerful industries wanted this information to remain hidden. It shows hospitals are charging patients wildly different amounts for the same basic services.... And it provides numerous examples of major health insurers -- some of the world's largest companies, with billions in annual profits -- negotiating surprisingly unfavorable rates for their customers. In many cases, insured patients are getting prices that are higher than they would if they pretended to have no coverage at all." ~~~
~~~ Marie: Capitalism is awesome, my ass. This NYT report is all the evidence I need to prove that the U.S.'s private insurance system is no way to cover healthcare costs. AND if it weren't for Republicans, we would have a Medicare-for-All, Bernie Sanders-approved system that, if less than perfect, would be way better than the status quo.
The Pandemic, Ctd.
~~~ Let Freedumb Ring. Joshua Zitser of Business Insider, republished in Yahoo! News: "... Donald Trump was booed by some of his supporters at a 'Save America' rally in Cullman, Alabama, on Saturday night after he suggested that they get vaccinated against COVID-19. 'I believe totally in your freedoms, I do, you've got to do what you've got to do,' Trump said to the crowd. 'But I recommend that you take the vaccines.' The former president then told his supporters that the vaccines are 'good' and once again encouraged them to get a shot. This suggestion was met with boos, as can be heard in a video shared by Vox journalist Aaron Rupar.... Trump's speech follows the news that his allies were trying to get him to run a pro-vaccination campaign, the Daily Beast reported." Includes video. (Also linked yesterday.)
Beyond the Beltway
Arizona. Jonathan Cooper of the AP: "A cybersecurity firm plucked from relative obscurity to conduct an unprecedented review of ballots in Arizona's largest country is readying to present its findings to Republican lawmakers. Experts say there should be little anticipation about the revelations from the Maricopa County audit -- and whatever those revelations are, they cannot be taken seriously. 'There are too many flaws in the way this review was conducted to trust it,' said Tray Grayson, a former Republican secretary of state in Kentucky who was the coauthor of a paper outlining the extensive problems. Grayson cites a series of red flags, from biased and inexperienced contractors to conspiracy-chasing funders and bizarre, unreliable methods." The story takes "a look at what election experts cite as the top troubles with the election review in Maricopa County[.]" (Also linked yesterday.)
I will build a great wall -- and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me -- and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words. -- Donald Trump, 2015 ~~~
~~~ Arizona. The Great Wall of Trump ... Is Crap. Brian Kahn of Gizmodo: "It turns out ignoring bedrock environmental laws may not have been the best choice for a multibillion-dollar construction project. Photos show ... Donald Trump's border wall in deep disrepair after summer monsoon rains literally blew floodgates off their hinges.... The damage took place near San Bernardino Ranch, a historic site that sits between Douglas, Arizona, and the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge.... Who could of predicted this? Ah yes, just about everyone."
Way Beyond
France. Constant Méheut of the New York Times: "Josephine Baker, an American-born Black dancer and civil rights activist who in the early 20th century became one of France's great music-hall stars, will be laid to rest in the Panthéon, France's storied tomb of heroes, a close adviser to President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday. The honor will make Ms. Baker -- who became a French citizen in 1937 and died in Paris in 1975 -- the first Black woman and one of very few foreign-born figures to be interred there. The Panthéon houses the remains of some of France's most revered, including Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The decision to transfer Ms. Baker's remains, which are buried in Monaco, comes after a petition calling for the move, started by the writer Laurent Kupferman, caught the attention of Mr. Macron. The petition has garnered nearly 40,000 signatures over the past two years." MB: In France, she's Josephine "Bah-KARE."
News Lede
Plastics! New York Times: "Alan Heller, the manufacturer of elegant, often whimsical but always affordable housewares and furniture that married high design with prosaic plastic, died on Aug. 13 at his home in Manhattan. He was 81."
3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
Monday morning.
As the new week began, reflected again this AM how much the quality of the nation's political life has changed since the Pretend president is gone, now out of the WH and off in Alabama praising the Taliban.
While there are things to criticize in the Biden administration, most notable for me the daily items about rampant corruption in the Cabinet between 2016 and 2020 are now wholly absent from the news.
Things are actually happening. A bipartisan infrastructure deal, the the prospect of an ever bigger one to come. An Afghanistan pullout, long overdue. SNAP expansion. One reversal of the former administration's harmful policies following another.
The Pretend president had nothing to show for his four years but a huge and destructive tax break, a flurry of dumb executive orders, miles of a defective wall, explicit encouragement of white racism, which further divided the country, and tons of TV time for himself.
Looked at objectively, there was little to the Pretender's presidency but the Pretender himself, doing little but garnering lots of press as he acted as the country's leader, and frankly not very well. The whole Pretender show was four years of amateur hour, with the Pretender in the lead.
Now, even in the midst of a very rough Afghan withdrawal which provides much material for legitimate criticism, the differences between between then and now are hard to miss.
One is: While I don't go to bed each night wholly pleased at the progress the nation is making, I'm not now nearly so pissed off.
Ken Winkes
The Democrats really need to seize the messaging about Afghanistan. The US tries for 20 years to stabilize a country that prior to that had an additional 20 years of destabilization and Republicans want JoeB to make things all better in half a year? And will someone PLEASE take the micro/mega phone out of Lindsey Grahams greedy, little claws?
JoeB now puts the onus onto China and Russia to restore order in Afghanistan. How clever is Joe? The US out puts the image-destroying that is Afghan operations squarely onto China. Vladdy the Hammer over in Russia knows that nothing good comes from Afghanistan, except some amount of residuals from poppy sales. I think Joe did this better than Hillary ever could; she's too interested in the military-industrial complex and tangentially human/women's rights. Human/women's rights are the human shields that the Talibs have long used instead of ideas.
Citizen625
@Citizen625: Interesting point. I expect you're right; Hillary would never have got the U.S. out of Afghanistan because women's rights.
And another thing: one good reason not to put either House in GOP hands? Remember Benghaaazi? Well, if a GOP-led House or Senate could "investigate" the Kabul pull-out, the country would never hear the end of KAAAAh-bool.