Tom Faranda's Folly

60 Minutes Australia on the World Health Organization (WHO) cover-up for China over the coronavirus

The expose' starts after the intro. Massive corruption if they are only half right.

 

Croton: Grand St. 10AM & Brigid off to Shoprite

So here's Grand St. just after 10 this morning. Kind of goes along with this view from couple of days ago. Ghost town: Downtown Croton 3PM Friday

The "iconic" downtown Croton island traffic light (you used to be able to get a tie with the traffic light image on it - someone should bring it back...)

And what's this? See the car on the move! Heading away from me ...

Brigid selfie, off to Shoprite - that's an N 95 mask she was given when she was furloughed from her "artistic carver" position at The Blaze.

 

Pigs Fly (Again); de Blasio thanks Trump

Wonders never cease. I've been following what Cuomo's been saying and paying no attention to de Blasio, who others tell me is not doing very well with the situation (UPDATE: The head of  the Army Corp of Engineers was very complimentary about de Blasio). March 13th - two days after the NBA cancelled their season - he was still urging people to go out and have a good time.

Catholic priest in Brooklyn dies of coronavirus.

And he was only 49.

Ortiz-Gara, 49, was Pastor of St. Brigid’s Church in Wyckoff Heights, Brooklyn and Diocesan Coordinator of the Ministry to Mexican immigrants.

“This is a sad day and a tremendous loss for the Diocese of Brooklyn,” said Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “Father Jorge was a great priest, beloved by the Mexican people and a tireless worker for all of the faithful in Brooklyn and Queens.”

According to a Diocese spokesman, he did have an underlying condition.

Good short explanation: "Dr. Birx Explains Decision to Extend Coronavirus Guidelines to April 30"

Excellent. She is the White House coronavirus response coordinator. Dr. Birx also said States should copy New York on medical preparations

Government bans itself; "ban on non-essential businesses"

Yes I know; it's only a joke. Where would we be without Cuomo and Trump. Don't get bent out of shape.

Senators, congresspeople, and bureaucrats frantically rewrote the ban to include only businesses that actually produced something and not government agencies that just watched other people make stuff. Though they had dragged their feet on passing bills related to relieving the financial distress of the shutdown, they passed this revision in record speed, almost as quickly as they vote for pay raises for themselves. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she would have caught the mistake but had passed the ban in a hurry, saying, "We had to pass the ban to see what it did."

Could Trump have been right about the anti-malaria drug working against Covid-19?

It's very possible. Some of the cable news usual suspects attacked him for suggesting that hydroxychloroquine was very promising ... but it is.

This off NBC News

"The check is in the mail" as Trump signs the $2 trillion stimulus bill.

And I don't doubt the final amount will be way over $2 trillion. The pending budget was "only" around $4.2 trillion, so we are looking at an astounding budget deficit (but had to be done). As details come out I am going to post them - especially how small businesses (under 500 employees) can get aid from the SBA (Small Business Administration) in the form of "forgivable" loans. It looks like the will be available even for individual proprietors running their own small business or profession with no other employees. 

While it is unclear how quickly the government will dole out some of the money such as increased unemployment benefits and small business loans, the White House and congressional leaders have said some individuals will receive direct payments of up to $1,200 within three weeks. Trump signed the bill into law a day after data showed unemployment claims skyrocketed to a record 3.3 million last week, as businesses across the country closed to slow the disease’s spread. Hospitals, particularly in ravaged New York, have asked for more resources as they struggle to keep up with a rush of coronavirus patients.

 

Yesterday's "Prayer and 'Urbi et Orbi' Blessing presided over by Pope Francis"

This was live at 1PM yesterday. Brigid watched the entire thing and said it was very moving. I only saw the first five minutes on the video yesterday evening, as he walks to the center of St. Peter's Square. I intend on seeing it in it's entirety. And here is the full text of his "Urbi et Orbi" address.

 

Ghost town: Downtown Croton 3PM Friday

Well, using the term "downtown" for anywhere in Croton is, I suppose, a bit of an exaggeration. Nevertheless, kind of eerie. like a Scifi movie where the people are wiped out but the buildings are fine.

 

An Industry suffering: "Pants sales plummet as everyone working from home"

An industry bailout may be necessary.

“I’m at home all day now, so what do I need pants for?” said Carl Hampton, a computer programmer, expressing a common sentiment. “I’m starting to feel dumb that I ever wore pants.”

While shirts are still somewhat popular, pants have taken a blow from the new telecommuting paradigm and have been found to be completely unnecessary articles of clothing and are thought to even restrict creativity and productivity. “Pants are a bane to a worker’s existence,” said Spencer Neal, an accountant. “Culturally, you have to wear them around other people, but now that we’re by ourselves, goodbye, pants!”

Pants manufacturers are attempting to fight back. Levi's has introduced the new slogan “God is always watching” to try to shame people back into their pants, but so far it has been ineffective. Even President Trump has been trying to prop up the dying industry, saying at a press conference, “Pants are great! Very necessary article of clothing. People should wear them all the time.” When a reporter pointed out that Trump was not wearing pants, he said he thought the press conference was only going to be "from the waist up.”

Here's some good advice on investing, as the stock market has risen the past three days in a row

The rise erases some of the horrendous losses. Belski is right, stick with quality large, well-capitalized companies, and funds or ETF's that buy them. Apple, Visa, Microsoft, Moody's ...

 

$2 trillion stimulus Bill passes the Senate; House will probably vote Friday

I am in favor of this; but it's sure to cause inflation. Beware! This is off CNBC.

The chamber approved the bill in a unanimous 96-0 vote after days of furious negotiations, partisan sniping and raised tempers on the Senate floor. The bill now heads to the House, which will push to pass it by voice vote Friday morning as most representatives are out of Washington. The 880-page legislation includes direct payments to individuals, stronger unemployment insurance, loans and grants to businesses and more health care resources for hospitals, states and municipalities. It includes requirements that insurance providers cover preventive services for the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

In a letter to colleagues Wednesday night, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the chamber will convene at 9 a.m. Friday to consider the bill. The Maryland Democrat said that “in order to protect the safety” of representatives and staff and “prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” he and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., expect the House will take a voice vote.

“Members who want to come to the House Floor to debate this bill will be able to do so. In addition, we are working to ensure that those who are unable to return to Washington may express their views on this legislation remotely,” he wrote.

"Man Eats Fish Tank Cleaner. Media Blames Trump."

Typical. Almost funny. CNN covered it in the same fashion - never mentioned they'd ingested fish tank cleaner.  Been covered by other non-mainstream outlets as example of MSM derangement.

Senator John Kennedy - Louisiana - on his fellow politicians

Pretty good - in the interview he actually calls them "a-holes". Who can disagree? Another good one: "The US was founded by geniuses, it's being run by idiots."

 

Steve Bannon is a blowhard - but he's been right about the pandemic

I don't agree with all of this, but worth listening to... He's smarter than I thought he was.

 

Great! Homemade sign in front of my neighbor's house across the street.

I love it. Nice to see as we head out.

Hell freezes over: "Ilhan Omar applauds Trump's coronavirus leadership as 'incredible' and 'the right response ..."

Responding to a post by The Intercept's Lee Fang that detailed measures Trump has taken to provide economic relief to Americans amid the outbreak, Omar wrote, "politics aside, this is incredible and the right response in this critical time."

Then, in a follow-up tweet, Omar quoted Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), saying "unprecedented times require unprecedented leadership" — to which Omar added, "we are seeing that in our country right now."

"Finally, we should never let politics get in the way of good policy," Omar stated. "This is a great start and hope others will be part of a united front to push for good policies that will help us work through the economic anxiety the country is feeling right now."

Important news on retail business deemed essential

 

As we all hunker down it's good to know that LIQUOR STORES ARE DEEMED AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND CAN REMAIN OPEN . So all is not lost!

 

 

Thanks to Maria for sending me this vital info!

 

YIKES! 90 year old man deadlifts 405lbs. Three reps!

The video is 54 seconds long. I love it.

90-year-old Joe Stockinger deadlifts 405lbs. Stockinger holds several world records in his age and weight class. 

Washington State Lt. Governor not seeking re-election; will join the Jesuits

This guy has a pretty fascinating life story. Excerpts below, but worth hitting the link for the whole article.

Mr. Habib, 38, interrupts what had been a rapid political assent, from his election as a state representative in 2012, an election to state senator in 2014 and finally to lieutenant governor in 2016. Born to Iranian immigrants in Maryland, he is the first and only Iranian-American to hold statewide elected office. Mr. Habib is also a three-time cancer survivor and has been blind since the age of 8.

Mr. Habib is stepping away from his political life to join the Catholic Church’s largest religious order. Founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1540, today the Jesuits total about 16,000 members, though, like most religious orders in the church, the society’s numbers have been declining both in North America and around the world in recent decades. 

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“For the last few years, I’ve come to know Cyrus Habib and have witnessed his deep desire to know Christ and to serve him as a Jesuit priest,” Christopher Nguyen, S.J., vocations director for the Jesuits West province, said in a statement to America. “Cyrus has gone through many challenges in his life, which have brought him closer to Christ. I know he will use his blindness and battles with cancer as a means to minister to others who suffer in the world.”

Raised by what he calls “generically—but seriously—monotheistic” parents, Mr. Habib converted to Catholicism at the age of 25 while studying at the University of Oxford, after meeting Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., and the other Dominicans at Blackfriars Hall. (His mother, Susan Amini, who is a product of Catholic education in Tehran and is now a King County Superior Court Judge, would later also convert to Catholicism.)

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Frustrated by his prayer life in the face of personal crisis, he went to his spiritual mentor, the longtime pastor of Seattle’s St. James Cathedral, the Rev. Michael G. Ryan, who handed him James Martin, S.J.’s The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, which introduced Mr. Habib to the Jesuit charism in a deeper way. 

Mr. Habib did not seriously consider a vocation, however, until his father passed away in 2016, just a few weeks before he was elected lieutenant governor. 

************

...Mr. Habib has decided to abandon further political accomplishment in exchange for vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. “I have done the work of discerning that [the political life is] not the path to happiness for me…. I could become [U.S.] secretary of state and there would still be this thing in me that I would try to fill with accolades and titles and media,” Mr. Habib said. “There would be this hunger, this thirst, this thing that would be unquenched.”

Two Republican Senators dumped millions in stock after coronavirus briefing

The two of them better come up with some good answers quick; this certainly looks like trading on inside information - a serious felony.

Senator Dumped Up to $1.7 Million of Stock After Reassuring Public About Coronavirus Preparedness Intelligence Chair Richard Burr’s selloff came around the time he was receiving daily briefings on the health threat.

And -

Sen. Kelly Loeffler Dumped Millions in Stock After Coronavirus Briefing

She also bought two stocks and here is one of them -

One of Loeffler’s two purchases was stock worth between $100,000 and $250,000 in Citrix, a technology company that offers teleworking software and which has seen a small bump in its stock price since Loeffler bought in as a result of coronavirus-induced market turmoil.

Federal Reserve will backstop money market funds

From the Wall Street Journal. Money market funds normally don't need a backstop - they cannot invest in any instruments beyond one year in maturity and usually keep the maturity much less than that. But the fer is a run on the funds as people need cash and they may not be able to sell their holdings readily. It's a necessary move.

Fed establishes facaility to lend to money-market funds, secures $10 billion from Treasury to protect against losses

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday it would launch a new lending facility to backstop the money-market mutual-fund sector as part of a broadening effort to calm turmoil sparked by the novel coronavirus epidemic.

China expels US journalists; Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Washington Post

Link is to the NY Times - text below the link is from the Wall Street Journal.

In a sharp escalation of tensions between the two superpowers, China announced on Tuesday that it would expel American journalists working for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. It also demanded that those outlets, as well as the Voice of America and Time magazine, provide the Chinese government with detailed information about their operations.

From the WSJ -

Matt Murray, editor in chief of the Journal, said in a tweet: “China’s unprecedented attack on freedom of the press comes at a time of unparalleled global crisis. Trusted news reporting from and about China has never been more important. We oppose government interference with a free press anywhere in the world.”

“Our commitment to reporting fully and deeply on China is unchanged,” Mr. Murray added.

The Journal had previously condemned the expulsion in February of three reporters over an opinion headline, “the real sick man of Asia”—a phrase used historically to refer to the exploitation of a weakened China by European powers and Japan in the late 1800s and early 1900s. China’s Foreign Ministry and state-media outlets had repeatedly called attention to the headline, which prompted widespread anger in China, and threatened unspecified consequences.

Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron said the paper condemned Tuesday’s expulsion of U.S. reporters.

“The Chinese government’s decision is particularly regrettable because it comes in the midst of an unprecedented global crisis, when clear and reliable information about the international response to covid-19 is essential. Severely limiting the flow of that information, which China now seeks to do, only aggravates the situation,” Mr. Baron said.

Study: "A Hot Bath Has Benefits Similar to Exercise"

This is a study done at Loughborough University in the UK. Could save us all a lot of sweat...

At Loughborough University we investigated the effect of a hot bath on blood sugar control (an important measure of metabolic fitness) and on energy expended (number of calories burned). We recruited 14 men to take part in the study. They were assigned to an hour-long soak in a hot bath (40˚C) or an hour of cycling. The activities were designed to cause a 1˚C rise in core body temperature over the course of one hour.

Cycling resulted in more calories being burned compared with a hot bath, but bathing resulted in about as many calories being burned as a half-hour walk (around 140 calories). The overall blood sugar response to both conditions was similar, but peak blood sugar after eating was about 10 percent lower when participants took a hot bath compared with when they exercised.

We also showed changes to the inflammatory response similar to that following exercise. The anti-inflammatory response to exercise is important as it helps to protect us against infection and illness, but chronic inflammation is associated with a reduced ability to fight off diseases. This suggests that repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation, which is often present with long-term diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

 

Confirmed coronavius case in Croton

Posted on the village website but not much information and no name.

A rarity: Governor Cuomo effusively praises Trump and his team

Which is the right thing to do. No politics.

 

Amazon to hire 100,000 more workers; raise salaries of current staff

They can't keep up with the demand! This is off CNBC

Amazon is hiring an additional 100,000 employees in the U.S. to meet the surge in demand from online shopping amid the coronavirus outbreak, the company said Monday. The company is looking to add extra full-time and part-time positions for warehouse and delivery workers. Through the end of April, it will raise pay for these employees by $2 per hour in the U.S., £2 per hour in the UK, and approximately €2 per hour in many EU countries. Amazon currently pays $15 per hour or more in some areas of the U.S. for warehouse and delivery jobs.

Amazon encouraged employees in other industries whose jobs were “lost or furloughed” as a result of the coronavirus to apply, including members of the hospitality, restaurant and travel industries. “We want those people to know we welcome them on our teams until things return to normal and their past employer is able to bring them back,” the company added.

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Amazon has been hit with a wave of delivery delays and product shortages. The continued spread of the coronavirus has meant consumers are increasingly relying on online retailers as they avoid going outdoors and face low inventory at physical stores. 

On Saturday, Amazon said some popular brands and items in the “household staples” categories were out of stock, while some of its “delivery promises are longer than usual.” Amazon added a notice to the top of its marketplace this weekend that reads: “Inventory and delivery may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand. Confirm availability at checkout.”

*************

Amazon has faced increased demand from customers on multiple fronts amid the coronavirus outbreak. With shoppers stocking up online, services like Prime Now and the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service reported limited availability for several days or told shoppers they were unable to make deliveries.

The company has been working to avoid disruptions in its supply chain, while some factories in China and elsewhere remain offline. Third-party sellers have also been working to keep up with demand, with many saying their inventory is running low. 

Additionally, some fulfillment center employees may not be showing up to work. Earlier this month, Amazon relaxed its attendance policy for warehouse workers, allowing them to take unlimited unpaid time off through the month of March. 

Earlier this month, Amazon moved to address the unique needs of fulfillment centers and delivery by launching a $25 million relief fund. The “Amazon Relief Fund” will allow these employees to apply for grants that are equal to or up to two weeks of pay if they’re diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. 

 

WSJ: "U.S., World Leaders Step Up Coronavirus Containment Efforts"

The Trump administration scaled up its recommendations to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, encouraging the public to end discretionary travel and to avoid restaurants and gatherings of more than 10 people....Leaders around the world took drastic measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus Monday, closing borders, schools and businesses as the center of the pandemic shifts to Europe and the U.S.

San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to order residents to stay at home except for essential needs.

The order, announced by Mayor London Breed on Twitter Monday, begins at midnight. Ms. Breed said that “necessary government functions” and “essential stores” will remain open.

San Francisco health officials have confirmed 40 cases of coronavirus in the city. There have been no reported deaths due to the virus in San Francisco. New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are also instituting a recommended curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Coronavirus deaths outside China surpassed those inside for the first time on Monday. More than 3,800 people from countries including Italy, Iran and Spain had died from the virus as of early Monday, compared with around 3,200 in China, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Similarly, the 81,000 total cases of infection in China have been surpassed by the almost 98,000 outside the country. The first cases of coronavirus infection were reported in the central Chinese province of Hubei in December.

After initially being caught off guard by the virus’s rapid spread, countries have enacted blanket bans or severe restrictions on visitors, and reordered local life with limits on movement.

The European Commission proposed an unprecedented 30-day restriction on nonessential travel to the European Union. The World Health Organization has called Europe the new epicenter of the pandemic, as the continent experiences a surge in new cases and deaths.

The U.S. already had imposed travel bans on foreigners coming from much of Europe, the U.K. and Ireland. Germany partially shut its borders and announced new wide-raging restrictions on public life including the closure of all nonessential businesses and a ban of religious services. Spain and Italy, home to the continent’s biggest outbreaks, have both imposed nationwide lockdowns. France has closed down restaurants, bars and all nonessential shops.

 

Report: "Drug Cartels Switch to Producing Hand Sanitizers"

From the BB -

Drug cartels are quickly converting their assembly lines to pump out more and more of the hand sanitizer, saying Americans across the border "can't get enough" of the addictive substance.

"It's the hottest product on the streets right now," said Carlos "13-ball" Lopez, a dealer in Albuquerque. "Everyone's hooked on it -- we got grandmas, housewives, even school kids wanting a taste. Your first hit is free but after that you're ours, yo."

*****************************

One cartel has begun producing what the DEA is calling the purest, most addictive hand sanitizer yet, "Blue Sky." The Blue Sky hand sanitizer kills 99.99999% of germs, while less pure versions of the drug only kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

"The spread of this dangerous new gateway drug is an epidemic," said a DEA agent as he held aloft a small plastic baggy containing a small drop of Blue Sky hand sanitizer. "Just last week, we stopped a truck destined for a chicken restaurant here in New Mexico, but the buckets of chicken actually contained thousands of kilos of hand sanitizer."

Brian Williams hosting new game show: "Are You Smarter Than a Journalist?"

We have chinchilla pets that are smarter than Brian, and with better senses of humor.

NEW YORK, NY—Reliable reporter and decorated Iraq war veteran Brian Williams has been tapped to host a new game show on MSNBC: Are You Smarter than a Journalist? Contestants will be put up against our nation's elite journalists with questions like "Is $500 million enough for everyone to get $1 million?"

"Want to see regular Americans test their intellect against journalists on tough topics like basic math and geography? Then join us on Fridays at 8/7 central for Are You Smarter than a Journalist?!" Williams says in a promo for the show. "The pilot episode was simply a delight to film. I know -- I was there."

Participants will get access to a few lifelines, such as "Dox a Friend," "Make up an Anonymous Source," and "Gaslight the Public" to help even the playing field. Those who manage to outsmart journalists from reputable outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Teen Vogue on topics like economics, addition, subtraction, and basic morality will have a shot at the grand prize of $10 million.

Unfortunately the show was canceled after one episode as the contestant, a "dumb hick farmer" from Iowa, was able to guess that Mike Bloomberg could not have given every American $1 million and walked away with the $10 million prize.

Rockland County coronavirus death; 64 yo woman with "significant" other health problems. And woman in Bethel Nursing Home tested positive

The Rockland County medical examiner's office and county health officials began their investigation of the death Thursday amid rumors that coronavirus was the cause. They confirmed the cause of the person's death Saturday, Markunas said. He noted the person had "significant" other health problems that likely contributed to the death.

And here, about Bethel -

A source tells News 12 the woman is 91 years old and fell in her home last week. According to the source, the woman was treated at an area hospital before being moved to Bethel. The source also says the woman developed a respiratory issue and was transferred back to the hospital.

"Opinion: If Americans Aren't Sexist, Then How Come They Refuse To Elect The Most Unlikable Women On The Planet?"

Garth Strudelfudd, a BB correspondent, always on his game. Hit the link, he's great.

The Elizabeth Warren campaign has ended, her ambition to be the first woman president done in by the same thing that sunk Hillary Clinton: sexism. Many claim America isn't sexist, but then how come they refuse to vote for the most unlikable women on the planet?

Many have claimed they want someone who is a woman, qualified, honest, and likable, but when they’re given a choice of someone who is one out of four, we see that sexism still rules, as they vote for a man instead. “I just want someone who doesn’t make my skin crawl when I think of her,” they say, placing, once again, impossible standards on the most horrible women in human society.

In 2016, people had Hillary Clinton, someone so politically maladroit she barely seemed human, one of the most blatantly dishonest people anyone had ever seen, and someone people only ever heard of because of who her husband is. But she was a woman. And that just wasn’t good enough. And now we had Elizabeth Warren, an off-putting, nakedly political hack who lied about her heritage and has a bunch of unworkable plans with price tags beyond human comprehension. Though she may only be 1/1024th Native American, she is 99.9% woman. Still, people said they wanted more. Like anything more.

 

 

Ilhan Omar Endorses Biden After He Confuses Wife With Sister

"After seeing how Biden mixed up his wife and his sibling, I realized he is the man to lead our nation," Omar said in a speech Tuesday. "Biden appears to be a man of upstanding moral character and fine cognitive ability. Other people think he is senile, but I know what's really going on: he is simply coming to embrace a progressive morality where one is free to marry one's sibling."

What has eternal life? The revenue stream of Led Zeppelin

Haha. I failed to post this Rolling Stone article when it came out, almost a year ago. Still interesting though.

For Led Zeppelin’s golden anniversary, the team put together a “logo name generator” — which, true to its word, simply generates images with users’ names in the band’s signature outré font — and a “playlist generator” that lets people assemble their favorite Zeppelin tracks

The site received more than 200,000 unique visitors in its first 10 days, with users making 230,000 logos and 20,000 custom playlists. The “biggest uplift” was from White’s playlist, branded as “Led Zeppelin x Jack White,” which drew thousands of users each day — which translates to hundreds of thousands of streams, which translates to a steady stream of cash to Warner and Led Zeppelin without the band lifting a finger.

Below, Jimmy Page describes how Stairway to Heaven was written.  This may still the most requested rock song on FM stations. From Wikipedia - "Since 2001, the New York City-based classic rock radio station Q104.3 has ranked "Stairway to Heaven" no. 1 on their annual "Top 1,043 Classic Rock Songs of All Time"."

 

Who knew? There's a Saint Corona; intercessor against Coronavirus!?

Thanks to my friend Jessica for sending me this.

A little-known Saint - a martyr but embellished with legends.

The most common pious legend around Saint Corona involves another Saint, St. Victor, a Roman soldier of Italian ancestry, who was stationed in Damascus. Saint Victor was tortured for refusing to renounce his faith- including having his eyes gouged out, before ultimately being beheaded. While Saint Victor was being tortured, the sixteen-year-old Saint Corona comforted and prayed for him. Because of this, she was arrested and interrogated by the Romans and found to be a Christian. According to some accounts, Saint Corona, was tied between to two bent palm trees and torn apart as the trunks were released. Her relics were transferred to Aachen around 1000 A.D. by Emperor Otto III.

And a little bit more info here -

Their legend states that Victor was a Roman soldier of Italian ancestry, serving in the city of Damascus in Roman Syria during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. He was tortured - including having his eyes gouged out - by a commander named Sebastian. While he was suffering from these tortures, the sixteen-year-old spouse of one of his brothers-in-arms, named Corona, comforted and encouraged him. For this, she was arrested and interrogated. According to the passio of Corona, which is considered largely fictional, Corona was bound to two bent palm trees and torn apart as the trunks were released. Victor was beheaded in Damascus in 160 AD. Other sources state that they were husband and wife

 

Podiums at next Democrat debate to be equipped with Life Alert buttons

U.S.—The DNC has announced a controversial new debate format after pressure from both the Sanders and Biden campaigns in which the candidates will stand at podiums that are equipped with Life Alert buttons in case the debaters fall down and can't get up. Life Alert, which is sponsoring the debate, is supplying the podiums free of charge.

The candidates, who are old and may collapse to the ground at any moment, will be able to press the button should they suddenly have a heart attack or just have no idea where they are. Aides will then be able to come up and either stand them back up and hold them upright for the duration of the debate or tell them, "Hey, Joe, the year is 2020 and you're running for president. Joe! Speak to me Joe! JOOOOE!!!"

"Help! I've fallen and I can't rebut!" Biden shouted during a test run of the new podiums, as he was both unable to stand back up or respond to Sanders in any kind of coherent manner. "Also, who is the current president and who are all these little Oompa Loompas dancing around me in this mushroom forest? Flibberdoodle!"

Later on during the test run, Biden brought up Sanders's three houses in a rare moment of lucidity, and a panicked Sanders smacked the button rather than actually address the fact that he's a very rich socialist.

Video and interviews - the Breakneck Ridge fire

Brigid and I - and quite a few of our friends - know this area quite well (See the pictures below, way back from 2007!). The first video (2 & a half minutes) is off CBS. A woman almost lost her house.  Hikers who were on Breakneck or Sugarloaf lost their cars ...

Second video is from the Highlands Current. 4 and a half minutes.

Here Tom, Brigid and hiking buddy Jeanne Marie are partway up Breakneck - way back on August 8th, 2007. And then four more pictures -

What a shame. I'm sure Breakneck and Sugarloaf just north of it, will be shut down for awhile.

 

Citing Coronavirus, Trump cancels 2020 election

"In real news that totally actually happened ..."

“It’s just too risky,” President Trump told the press while standing behind a sneeze guard. “We’ll get all these people gathered together at rallies or lined up to vote, and they’re all going to get sick. And Bernie and Biden -- they’re just so old. Sending them around crowds campaiging is basically trying to murder them. Anyway, it just seems pointless for a bunch of people to die when everyone knows I was going to win anyway.”

Trump has been a divisive figure in the past, but so far everyone has agreed with this move. The New York Times, which usually opposes absolutely everything Trump does, wrote an editorial in support of canceling the election. “It’s a smart, science-driven move,” the editorial said. “As important as democracy is, it’s just not worth dying over.”

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders also seemed very relieved by the announcement, as they’re both very tired and worried about getting sick. Sanders was especially happy, telling the press, “You know, for a few moments there, it really seemed like I might win, and I didn’t know what was going to happen if people actually expected me to follow through on all that free stuff.” Sanders is now deciding in which of his three houses to self-quarantine.

Major fire at Breakneck Ridge and vicinity Monday afternoon

Wow. You have to hit the link to see all the photos and video. The picture below was taken at 9:30 in the evening from the other side of the Hudson. Thanks Karen for sending this. Very sad.

A series of brush fires that began along the shoreline of the Hudson River near Breakneck Ridge on Monday afternoon (March 9) by nightfall had jumped over Route 9D and were making their way up the mountain toward Lake Valhalla. The highway between Cold Spring and Dutchess Junction was closed for hours as first responders battled the flames, including with helicopters that dropped water taken from the river. An estimated 150 acres were burned and, by one report, 11 cars were destroyed. There have been no reported injuries to hikers. A pile-up involving at least seven cars was also reported on Route 9D.

"Obama Announces He Is No Longer Responsible For The Economy"

From the reliable BB. Obama and his supporters give Obama the credit for the economy up until two weeks ago - but now it's Trump's ...

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA—From his seaside mansion, former president Barack Obama announced today that he is formally passing ownership of the stock market and economy on to President Trump.

 

"All the gains were mine -- Trump didn't build that -- but this crash is all on Trump," Obama said as he admired the ocean, which will consume his home in fewer than twelve years. "My responsibility for the great economic gains in this country ended the moment the stocks started to tank this morning."

The former president said that he does reserve the right to reverse his stance and reclaim credit for any economic gains realized after the market turns around, whenever that may be.

"As soon as this thing stabilizes, I'll be there, claiming credit for things I didn't do."

Obama also assured panicked Americans that if they like their economy, they can keep their economy.

MSNBC rooting for coronavirus to get worse, take down Trump

But is this a surprise. Not at all. Two slimy people. Verging on the gleeful.

Others are also on the bandwagon -

Wallace wasn’t the only journalist eager to make this morbid comparison. According to a keyword search through DVR-recording system Snapstream, Obama’s ebola czar made it on CNN and MSNBC’s Chris Hayes did as well in his own scathing segment. At least two MSNBC panelists on Saturday did too. Monday morning, CNN’s chief business correspondent Christine Romans ripped Trump for “really downplaying” the virus, gushing “some say now looks like a Hurricane Katrina moment.”

Combating rising water/sea levels - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson - doubling funding

Great Britain has recently had some bad regional flooding. Here's a short video interview with the British Prime Minister. Also London is one of the four cities (the other three - NY, Tokyo, Miami) featured in the PBS Series Sinking Cities. You can watch that episode here - London - Sinking Cities. 

And here's Boris -

 

They are Here! Trump socks!

One way to look at this if you are a Trump-hater - you get to walk all over him ...

 

 

MSNBC does math... not so much

Stupid Sad very stupid sad. The actual number is $1.53. Only off by a million per person. MSNBC and the NY Times ... This is so consoling to those of us who think both organizations went off the rails years ago.

NY Yankee Stuff: "Stealing the low strike"

The Yanks have a new catching coach. How long will this technique last? umpires aren't dumb.

 

"Warren Returns To Tribe ... After Failing To Take Land Back From The Pale Faces

A touching story from BB.

"I am sorry, my people. I have failed," she said somberly, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "The white man still holds our land, and the very trees cry out against them. May Great Spirit grant us another chance in 4 harvests." The Cherokee people looked confused, so she clarified: "That means years according to the Indian talk book I picked up."

The Cherokee expressed mixed emotions at seeing Warren return, from "Who are you?" to "How many times do we have to tell you that if you're not gonna play some slots at the casino, then you're gonna need to leave?"

Warren nodded, accepting her banishment from her once-great place among the Cherokee people. "I accept my punishment and vow never to return until the sun once again never sets on the Cherokee Nation. As I depart, let me simply ask you if you have ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon? Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grins?"

"Wait, now you're just quoting Pocahontas," one tribal security guard said....

At publishing time, Warren had sought advice from Grandmother Willow as to who it is that she should endorse.

Friday fun: Big Mike Fink - King of the River

Haha. I was reminded of this a couple of days ago. Davy Crockett on Disney was a staple in Ossining Farandaville, back in the (long ago) day. Mike Fink was played by actor Jeff York and evidently there was a real Mike Fink

And if that's not enough, here's another bit ...

WSJ Video "Why Bloomberg's digital spending couldn't save him"

Maybe it didn't do it for him, but it will help Democratic candidates going forward. The system and Company are in place.

Chief Justice Roberts rebukes Schumer for his vicious remarks

UPDATE: Schumer issued a half apology - "I shouldn't have used the words I did."

The tape of Schumer's remarks is at the end of the video. He's pretty hepped up. What's the fuss? A Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortionist's "place of business." Seems to be a common sense requirement if you are concerned about the woman - but I guess not. Exposes the real reason white liberals hate Trump and will do anything to stop him - his Supreme Court nominees.