Saturday, August 15, 2020

Fears of housing crises loom as homeowners begin to miss mortgage, rent payments

George Floyd case: Former officer Thao's interview, body camera footage released

Coronavirus update: The latest COVID-19 news from around the world | DW News

Successful OSIRIS-REx rehearsal boosts optimism

Climate change: Greenland's ice sheet has melted past the point of no return

5-year-old North Carolina boy shot to death at point-blank range

UCLA Climate Scientist: Possible Heat Wave Could Be Worst Area Has Seen In A Decade

Stimulus Talks Are Stuck in $1 Trillion Standstill Over Aid to States

World marks 75th anniversary of VJ Day

Hundreds of thousands of Britons trying to return to UK from France - BBC News

President Trump continues personal attacks against Sen. Kamala Harris | WNT

Lebanon's economy: Plundered by politics and banking elites | Counting the Cost

State law makes locally-sourced food more accessible than ever for Wyoming residents

Open Blog - Weekend


Enjoy.

Friday, August 14, 2020

Epic Montage: You Don't Have to Like Trump, But After Seeing This, You Can't Vote for Joe Biden

World Health organization wants to delay dentistry, dental association says they disagree

107-Year-Old Survives Both Spanish Flu And COVID-19

Proposed Racine street mural hits roadblock

From Fox6Now:



Read more: https://www.fox6now.com/news/honest-open-transparent-new-racine-street-mural-proposal-met-with-roadblock

Feds Say Yale University Discriminates Against Asian, White Applicants

CDC director warns of bad fall season

State of economy may hurt Trump's reelection bid

President Trump reveals why he doesn't want to provide more funding to the Postal Service

Trump amplifies racist conspiracy over Kamala Harris' eligibility to be vice president

Trump announces peace agreement between Israel and UAE

Tucker investigates Kamala Harris' record on the Second Amendment

Joe Biden Says Wear a Mask For Next 3 Months

Gov. Tony Evers reminds Trump he will have to wear a mask when he visits Wisconsin

From JSOnline:

Patrick Marley
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers has a message for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their visits to Wisconsin next week: Bring a mask. 
"My expectation is they're masking up," the Democratic governor told reporters Thursday. 
The Republican president plans to visit Oshkosh on Monday to show Wisconsinites he isn't afraid to campaign in person as Democrats convene a mostly virtual national convention in Milwaukee.
Pence is slated to come to the state Wednesday, the same day Kamala Harris will give her convention speech as presumptive nominee Joe Biden's running mate.
The Trump campaign also plans a "Women for Trump" event in Wisconsin ahead of the convention, which Democrats scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic. 
"If President Trump and Vice President Pence and the women for Trump and whoever else from the Republican side is coming to Wisconsin next week, they have to wear masks if they're in buildings," Evers said.

City of Ratcine Mayor Cory Mason and City Attorney Scott Letteney Find Themselves in the HOT Seat while BLM Rioters in Chiraq Threaten Sick Children’s Lives!

From Racine WI - Sin City:

From JT:

More street art? City requests more details on HOT Government’s proposal

RATCINE — “Another street mural proposal has been submitted, this time by the organization HOT (Honest Open Transparent) Government, to paint the words, “Honest, Open, Transparent Government” in the roundabout next to City Hall.
During discussion of the proposal at Tuesday’s Public Works and Services committee meeting, City Attorney Scott Letteney said the primary question raised was whether the city has the authority to grant permission for any mural in that roundabout, since it is part of state highways 32 and 20. Letteney said he had reached out to the general counsel’s office with the Department of Transportation but had not received an answer ahead of the meeting.
Additionally, Letteney and Public Works Commissioner John Rooney said the organization needs to submit a proposal laying out in detail what it plans to do, including visuals of the proposed mural. As an example, he pointed to local artist Scott Terry’s proposal, which included visuals of the design and a proposed plan for how to execute it. Terry proposed the “Black Humanity Now!” mural that was painted Aug. 3 on the 700 block of Wisconsin Avenue between the Racine County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center”.
So what’s the problem? It doesn’t fit the narrative and agenda that Demmon-Crap City of Ratcine McMayor Cory “Butterball” Mason and his Toadie, City Attorney Scott Letteney are pushing! Meanwhile Demon-Crap supported forces BLM and Antifa resort to terrorizing children! These are the forces the like of City of Ratcine McMayor Cory “Butterball” Mason and City of Chiraq Mayor Lori “Groot” Lightfoot promote!

Chicago Rioters Attacked Charity Building With Sick Children Inside

Amidst looting of stores in downtown Chicago on Sunday night, it has now emerged that rioters also attacked a charity building with sick children inside.
The Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago’s Near North Side is home to the Ronald McDonald House, which provides care and support for sick children and their families while they are receiving treatment at nearby Lurie Children’s Hospital.

From: https://arrestrecordsofracinewipublicofficials.wordpress.com/2020/08/13/city-of-ratcine-mayor-cory-mason-and-city-attorney-scott-letteney-find-themselves-in-the-hot-seat-while-blm-rioters-in-chiraq-threaten-sick-childrens-lives/

Four for Fridays

Here are your questions:

1)  What's your favorite season and why?

2)  What is/was your favorite pet's name?

3)  What's the largest city you ever lived in?

4)   Does money buy happiness?

Have a great week!

Open Blog - Friday


Yay!

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Asleep at the Switch

Unemployment claims down for first time in 21 weeks

Trump administration pushes schools to reopen safely

White House: states can access aid in week or two

California Lake Fire explodes to 10,000 acres with little containment, roughly 100 homes evacuated

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris use campaign debut to launch attacks against President Trump

More street art? City requests more details on HOT Government's proposal

From The Journal Times.com:

Christina Lieffring


Payden Schulz and his father, Linden, paint part of a "Black Humanity Now!" street mural on Aug. 1 in Downtown Racine. Another street mural proposal has been submitted, this time by the organization HOT (Honest Open Transparent) Government, to paint the group's name in the roundabout in front of City Hall.

RACINE — Another street mural proposal has been submitted, this time by the organization HOT (Honest Open Transparent) Government, to paint the words, “Honest, Open, Transparent Government” in the roundabout next to City Hall.

Letteney
During discussion of the proposal at Tuesday’s Public Works and Services committee meeting, City Attorney Scott Letteney said the primary question raised was whether the city has the authority to grant permission for any mural in that roundabout, since it is part of state highways 32 and 20. Letteney said he had reached out to the general counsel’s office with the Department of Transportation but had not received an answer ahead of the meeting.

Rooney
Additionally, Letteney and Public Works Commissioner John Rooney said the organization needs to submit a proposal laying out in detail what it plans to do, including visuals of the proposed mural. As an example, he pointed to local artist Scott Terry’s proposal, which included visuals of the design and a proposed plan for how to execute it. Terry proposed the “Black Humanity Now!” mural that was painted Aug. 3 on the 700 block of Wisconsin Avenue between the Racine County Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center.

The committee voted to defer the request until HOT Government provides a proposal and the city receives a response from the DOT.

Precedent set?

Perez
Alderman Henry Perez of the 12th District, who sponsored HOT Government’s request, asked if there is an outline for how to submit such a proposal and whether the city could deny the proposal because of the precedent set by the “Black Humanity Now” mural.

Letteney said no guidelines are in place but “Black Humanity Now” is not the first mural to receive city approval. Most proposals did not come to fruition, but one that did was the mural outside Walden III Middle and High School, 2340 Mohr Ave.

As for the question of precedent, Letteney said he would need to see a full proposal and that, while there is precedent, “Every request needs to be considered individually.”

“I am not going to speculate on whether the Common Council would have any basis to approve or deny until the Common Council has the information in front of them,” Letteney said.

Alderman Edwin Santiago of the 4th District raised a question about the implications of approving a proposed mural which is the long-form name of HOT Government.

“I’m a little concerned that this is the long-form name of an organization and could be construed as endorsing that organization,” Santiago said.

Letteney said he wanted to “be careful not to give an answer in an open forum or until a specific proposal has been brought forward.”


Of course, Letteney would raise objections.  He's possibly the biggest swine in City Hall.  Hell, HOT Government should have suggested painting their motto on City Hall's steps.  Oink, oink, Letteney.

More of Butterball's Lies

From The Journal Times.com:

Christina Lieffring


Mayor Cory Mason gives his 2020 State of the City address on Wednesday, virtually, which was streamed on the city's Facebook page. Images of aldermen listening in are seen below the mayor. Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 and its impact on the city and community loomed large in the mayor's address.

 

Read more: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/covid-19-inequity-policing-and-the-2021-budget-loom-large-in-masons-state-of-city/article_fcce3ce6-101b-5152-b61b-dc95a08b3643.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

U.S. Postal Service shakeup sparks election fears

Panic buying breaks out in Auckland as NZ re-enters lockdown

Border Patrol agents move in on ICE bus protest

Smash Mouth Concert Packed at Sturgis, Singer Says 'F That Covid S**t' | TMZ 2,439 views•Aug 12, 2020

Ship that caused Mauritius oil spill passed checks

Researchers Skeptical Of Russia’s Claim To Have COVID-19 Vaccine | NBC News NOW

Myths about Christianity and other Religions...

K9 officer suspended as SLCPD launches review of apprehension policies

‘I’m surprised:’ Marion County residents react after sheriff tells deputies not to wear masks

Pop star interviews seniors who have never heard of her

The Five' fact-check claims Biden made in speech with Kamala Harris

FBI: Military helicopter shot at from ground in Virginia, makes emergency landing with injured crew

Trump to campaign in Wisconsin on the day Democrats open virtual Milwaukee convention

From JSOnline:

Patrick MarleyBill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

President Donald Trump will roll into Wisconsin on Monday as Democrats open their mostly virtual convention in Milwaukee.
With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris making remote convention speeches next week because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump and Republicans are swooping into the state, a pivotal battleground in the fall election.
"As you know, Joe Biden refuses to come to Wisconsin next week for his own convention," Trump said Wednesday night during a tele-rally with supporters in Wisconsin.
"Now, maybe after he hears about this call he will ... but he's not even going to pay the respect of at least making a stopover," Trump said. "The Democrats are once again ignoring the incredible people of Wisconsin. And that's something I never did because you had the best year you've ever had last year and you're looking like you're going to have it again this coming year. But they're going to ignore Wisconsin just like they did in 2016."

Open Blog - Thursday



Today and tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Mauritians use hair to mop up oil spill

The looming eviction crisis

NJ teachers' union calls for all-remote learning statewide

Beirut: Officials warned of disaster in July

North Carolina dog with respiratory distress dies after testing positive for coronavirus

Democratic National Convention participants asked to pledge to avoid Milwaukee bars and restaurants

From JSOnline:

Mary SpicuzzaAlison Dirr
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel





Democratic National Convention participants were asked to pledge to avoid Milwaukee bars and restaurants during the event.
Sources confirmed to the Journal Sentinel that the pledge was part of a checklist for convention-goers aimed at avoiding the spread of COVID-19.
Protocols previously released by the Democratic National Convention Committee urged participants to avoid bars and restaurants "where social distancing is not possible or not practiced." Now, participants are asked to pledge to not go to any bars or restaurants.
"I think it’s pretty outrageous actually," said Ald. Robert Bauman, who represents the district that includes much of downtown, including the Wisconsin Center where the Aug. 17-20 convention is anchored. "What more do they want to do to us? They want to saddle us with all these costs, they want to bring hundreds and maybe thousands of protesters down on our head and then they don't want any attendees eating in Milwaukee?"

STORM UPDATES: Cleanup expected to take days across Racine County

From The Journal Times.com:




RACINE COUNTY — Storm cleanup is expected to continue “for the next couple of days,” Caledonia Public Works Director Tom Lazcano told The Journal Times on Tuesday afternoon, one day after high winds ripped down trees and heavy rains created sinkholes and other damage throughout Racine County.
“The Racine County Communications Center was inundated with calls,” Racine Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael DeGarmo said in an email. “The nature of storm related calls included wires down on vehicles, wires down on houses, fallen trees on cars — with possible entrapment — and houses, flooding of buildings near electrical equipment and vehicles submerged attempting to pass through standing water.”
The Racine Fire Department responded to nearly 30 calls between 4:15 and 6 p.m. during the storm, making for an incredibly busy day.
At least two tornadoes, rated as minimal EF-0s, touched down in southeastern Wisconsin Monday, the National Weather Service has confirmed. With winds up to 80 mph, twisters caused some damage in Lake Geneva in Walworth County and in the Camp Lake area of western Kenosha County. Another small tornado in the same storm system touched down in Chicago.
Southeast Wisconsin didn’t get the worst of the “derecho” storm, which included winds in excess of 100 mph in Iowa where damage was more widespread and one woman was killed while clutching a young child inside her mobile home. A 51-year-old woman in Pevely, Missouri also died in the storm when a tree branch fell on her before 6 p.m. Monday.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my dears!  How are you?  I've been better.  Monday's big storm did a lot of damage to our home and property.  We have roof damage, windows broken out by tree branches, and water in the basement.  We lost a couple of mature trees and some of the younger ones suffered breakage.  One of the mature trees actually hit the house as it went down, causing significant harm to the structure of the house.  Oh my, oh my!  Our insurance agent is supposed to take a look at it sometime today.  I'm sure that it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.  We have a $5,000 deductible policy.  That will eat up just about all that's left of our savings.

This pandemic has been hard on us.  My business is in the toilet, and I do believe that this is the first time that I've seen Señor Zanza look worried.  Junior, of course, is oblivious to reality.  Oh, to be young and stupid again.  I really don't know how much more of this I can take.  We could definitely use some more stimulus money.  Are you listening, Congress, or are you just going to continue to fight your silly wars over meaningless differences?  I'm so sick of our country's political divisiveness.  People don't just disagree anymore, they outright hate each other.  Just as the COVID-19 crisis should be pulling us together, it is driving us further apart.  Ptui on politics!

When it comes to local politics, I'd like to give a plug to the best weekly webcasr on the machinations of local "leaders," Talking Racine.  Talking Racine regularly casts a spotlight on the shenanigans of those who attempt to defraud the citizens of Racine.  Their latest target is the RUSD referendum that supposedly passed in the spring election.  You won't believe the behind the scenes skulduggery that occurs regularly in Racine.  Our little mayor and his evil cabal of henchmen run this city like a Mafia crime family.  Just when you've thought that things couldn't get worse, Talking Racine reveals more of the dirt that Mr. McMayor Cory 'Butterball' Mason tries to sweep under the rug.  Thank you, Mr. George Meyers, Mr. Jim Spodick, and Dr. Ken Yorgan, for your tireless efforts to reveal the truth about Racine.

The shootings and killings in and around Racine seem to be ramping up.  I know that the Racine Police Department reports that crime is on the downswing in Racine, but that's just more politics.  The chief of police answers to Mr. McMayor, so he says what Mr. McMayor wants him to say.  A cursory look at the Journal Times, or even a casual drive through the heart of the city, reveals the truth: Racine is overrun with criminals.  Redefining what is a crime does not lower the crime rate.  It just covers up the crime with more lies.  Lies, by the way, are the currency of the administration in City Hall.  If you can smile while you kill, you belong in Racine's government.

Here's what you need to be:



Well, I guess I better get back to helping  Señor Zanza and Junior continue to clean up the mess from the big storm.  I don't know if the sewer backed up in the basement or if water from the torrential rain seeped in.  Either way, the damage is done.  We have to get it dry or else mold will eventually take over.  Ugh.

Thank you so much for reading my blog today.  I love you all and look forward to better times in the future.  Au revoir!

madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com

Please be sure to respect one another.  It's our best hope for peace.
________________________ 
Please donate: paypal.me/jgmazelis  If you don't like PayPal, send me a note at madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com and I'll send you my street address so you can send a check or money order.  Thank you.

Open Blog - Wednesday


Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

President Donald Trump on Phony Kamala Harris

Wisconsin holds primary Tuesday as Joe Biden chooses running mate

Ramit Sethi: Here's the approach to take if you don't have money right now

That's the ticket: Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris as his 2020 vice presidential running mate

From JSOnline:

Rebecca Morin
USA TODAY


WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate for the 2020 election, making her the first Black woman and first Asian American person on a major party's presidential ticket.
Harris, who early on was a Biden opponent for the nomination, brings the political prowess of winning statewide election in the largest state while also personifying the diversity that key Democratic activists have said is crucial to building grassroots enthusiasm for the ticket. 
"I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate," Biden tweeted.
Biden and Harris will deliver remarks Wednesday in Wilmington. The New York Times reported Tuesday that that an event was being set up at Hotel DuPont's famous ballroom, but it was unclear if it is for the Biden campaign.

Mask On Face-Off Photo Contest

From The Shepherd Express:

Click image to enlarge

August 10-September 7, 2020

It’s time for Milwaukee’s official Mask On Face-Off Photo Contest! We’re beyond excited to share this month-long photo contest that gives you a chance to show that you care about the health and safety of fellow Wisconsinites by showing off your best masked-up selfie or small group photo.

Photo submissions will be accepted from Monday, August 10, through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day).

There are a total of ten categories you can browse on the left side of the contest. You can submit different photos to more than one category, but each person can only win in one category.

Submitted photos will be posted to the gallery to be put up for a readers' choice vote that runs the length of the contest. One vote per person per category.

The photo with the most votes in each category at the end of the contest wins a prize! Plus, additional prizes will be awarded throughout the contest.

Read more: https://shepherdexpress.com/news/mask-on#/rounds/1/frontlineworkerfavorites/

Multiple sinkholes reported from Monday's storm, roads damaged, Quarry Lake Park closed for time being

From The Journal Times.com:

Adam Rogan

The memorial marker to former County Board Supervisor Karen Nelson collapsed into a sinkhole at Quarry Lake Park in Mount Pleasant during Monday afternoon's storm.

RACINE COUNTY — Monday's storm, which had winds recorded above 100 mph in some places, caused multiple sinkholes in Racine County, damaging roads and forcing Quarry Lake Park to be "closed until further notice" due to "severe damage."
Sinkholes at Quarry Lake Park damaged a stone marker at the Karen A. Nelson Memorial Dog Park, the dog park named after a late County Board supervisor who died in 2010. Other sinkholes caved in grass and damaged a parking lot at the park.
As of 9:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, county staff was still assessing damage "at dams, culverts, parks and other county facilities" but the worst damage known was at Quarry Lake Park, according to County Communications Director Mark Schaaf. At that time, Schaaf said he was unaware of any injuries.
Erie Street damaged
A Facebook post from the Caledonia Police Department, posted Tuesday morning, reads: "Due to a wash out from yesterday's storm, Erie Street north of 4½ Mile Road is one lane while the Caledonia Highway Department makes repairs."
Erie Street north of 4½ Mile Road was closed Monday morning after it too was damaged in the storm. As of 9:30 a.m., the Caledonia Highway Department was working to repair it.
Cynthia Lane in Mount Pleasant
Ditches along Cynthia Lane in Mount Pleasant collapsed, causing driveway damage and leading to temporary flooding following Monday afternooon's storm.
Ditches along Cynthia Lane in Mount Pleasant collapsed, causing driveway damage and leading to temporary flooding.
081120-NWS-STORM-PHOTO
A young man leans out the window of his car, trapped along South Marquette Street in Racine, as rain continued to fall late Monday afternoon. Reports of vehicles trapped in standing water at low points in roads came from throughout Racine County as a fast-moving storm, which included a tornado warning, hit southeastern Wisconsin on Monday afternoon.
Throughout the county Monday, there were numerous reports of people who tried to drive their vehicles through water-covered roadways but got stuck, including on Seven Mile Road and Highway 32 in Caledonia, and on South Marquette Street in Racine.
The number of power outages Monday surpassed 29,000 statewide, according to We Energies, with more than 13,000 of them coming in Racine County. More than half of the remaining outages in Wisconsin by 9:45 a.m. Tuesday were in Racine County, with more than 2,200 outages still remaining.

Damage, deaths across the Midwest

Two deaths have been attributed to the storm so far: one of a woman found clutching a young boy in her storm-battered mobile home in Iowa, the Associated Press reported; and a 51-year-old woman in Pevely, Missouri who died when a tree branch fell on her before 6 p.m. Monday.
In Iowa, where the storm did the most damage, 150,000 people lost power at some point.
At least one tornado was confirmed to have touched down, on the north side of Chicago.