Tracker

Fixed that for you.

This "dilemma" is really a testament to the effectiveness of the Bombers scouting and drafting since the arrival of Walters.

Haven't you been watching Star Trek Discovery? All the dilithium has gone and blowed up.

The probability is that there will be no one panacea to fix everything so that we can carry on as before. There will likely be a mix of old and new energy sources, some of which have not yet emerged, but our future will have to include changes in how we do things- smaller vehicles, more energy-efficient buildings and initiatives such as telecommuting and more localized sourcing. This will not be quick, easy or painless. Some 30 years ago, a Boston-based energy auditing and retrofitting firm approached Hyd0 Quebec with an offer. They offered to audit all commercial buildings for free (!) and recommend efficiencies in exchange for 50% of the savings in electrical consumption. Never got to first base.

The Chinese government has announced that they have developed an almost-instant, 100% accurate swab test for COVID. The bad news is that its a anal swab. The really bad news is that it has to reach the back of your throat.

QAnon and evangelicals: Republicans baptized in crazy Donald Trump is out, but parts of the Republican Party warmly embrace his dark legacy of white supremacy, the crazy QAnon conspiracy and civil war wrapped in faux Christianity. Like Trump, these fake Christians reject turning the other cheek in favor of threatening or promoting violence. The problem here isn't partisan politics, but public mental health. DCReport has covered extensively the mental-health debacle thanks to Dr. Bandy X. Lee, Harper West and other experts on how delusions spread like viruses, with Trump being a carrier. The evidence of craziness seems to be found entirely in the Republican Party. We looked for, but have yet to discover any Democratic Party leaders pushing baseless conspiracy theories or urging civil war. Here are some of the ways that Republican leaders reveal their affinity for the anti-democratic nature of Trumpism and QAnon, its attendant conspiracy theory: In California, the Sacramento County Republican Party elected to its Central Committee a Proud Boys member who has advocated violence. "Illegal immigrants should have their heads smashed into the concrete," a 2018 post by an antifascist group quotes Perrine as saying. Perrine didn't deny this call to violence, he only insisted that he's not a racist. He told the newspaper, "They can call me a Nazi all they want, and I know I have plenty of friends of all races that don't always agree with me, but they still love me. "The Proud Boys that I affiliate with are all working men, all married men, they all have good jobs, they all believe in God." Only after The Bee reported this did some Republicans in the California capital come to their senses and demand Perrine's ouster. Oregon's Republican Party this month aligned itself with conspiracy theories as well as denouncing all 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting the murderous attack on our Capitol. Texas' GOP uses a QAnon conspiracy phrase—We Are The Storm—in its new logo. QAnon and evangelicals: Republicans baptized in crazy | Salon.com

Former KGB spy makes explosive claims Donald Trump A former spy for the KGB is making explosive claims about Russia's efforts to "cultivate" former President Donald Trump as an intelligence asset. In an interview with the Guardian, former KGB official Yuri Shvets claims that the then-Soviet government starting in the 1980s began to see Trump as a potential instrument for spreading anti-NATO propaganda. In fact, Shvets says that Soviet agents even planted the idea of running for office in Trump's head when he visited St. Petersburg and Moscow in 1987. "For the KGB, it was a charm offensive," he explains. "They had collected a lot of information on his personality so they knew who he was personally. The feeling was that he was extremely vulnerable intellectually, and psychologically, and he was prone to flattery." Shortly after Trump's trip to the USSR, he took out a major advertisement in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Boston Globe, in which he questioned why America should be paying for the security of NATO countries. "The bizarre intervention was cause for astonishment and jubilation in Russia," the Guardian writes. "A few days later Shvets, who had returned home by now, was at the headquarters of the KGB's first chief directorate in Yasenevo when he received a cable celebrating the ad as a successful "active measure" executed by a new KGB asset." Although Trump throughout his first term was notoriously friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he also took multiple actions that angered the Kremlin, such as his decision to launch missiles into Russian ally Syria in 2017 for its use of chemical weapons on civilians. Author Craig Unger, who used Shvets as a key source for his upcoming book American Kompromat, tells the Guardian that Russia did not have some grand long-term conspiracy to make Trump president, but rather lucked into Trump's presidency through a series of unlikely events. "It was not this grand, ingenious plan that we're going to develop this guy and 40 years later he'll be president," he says. "At the time it started, which was around 1980, the Russians were trying to recruit like crazy and going after dozens and dozens of people." Former KGB spy makes explosive claims Donald Trump - Alternet.org GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert mocks a mass shooting survivor for not being 'tough' Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Greene, who has previously expressed support for QAnon, mocked Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg on Thursday evening on Twitter. Hogg, who became a prominent activist after the attack on his high school killed 17 people, had responded to news that fencing around the U.S. Capitol will become permanent following the Jan. 6 insurrection. Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has also promoted QAnon, had recently come under renewed criticism when reporters dug up her disturbing past social media posts indicating her support for executing officials such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A video also re-emerged from before her time in office when she confronted Hogg in Washington, D.C., over his support for gun control. As she called after him on the street, she told him she was permitted to carry a concealed firearm. Boebert, who was tagged in Hogg's tweet, mocked him in an apparent reference to the video, for supposedly not being "tough": GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert mocks a mass shooting survivor for not being 'tough' - Alternet.org

I seem to recall that in Sweden, when they tested hydrogen tanks but for cold weather, they installed a low-output electric heater on the outside of the tank(s) to keep the contents from gelling.

MAGA Supporter Arrested Yards From Capitol With Gun, Ammo, ‘Stop the Steal’ Paperwork Dennis Westover, 71, was arrested “in the middle of an intersection” near the Rayburn House Office Building with a gun, ammo, and a list of lawmakers, authorities said. Extremist with pipe bombs, 49 guns and "white privilege" card plotted to keep Trump in power: FBI A California man accused of being a right-wing extremist faces dozens of federal and state charges after he was arrested with a cache of weapons and text messages appearing to threaten Democrats and social networks, according to the FBI. Ian Rogers, 44, was arrested on weapons charges after local law enforcement and FBI agents found five pipe bombs, bombmaking materials, 49 firearms, and thousands of rounds of ammunition during a raid of his Napa County home and auto repair shop, according to an FBI affidavit filed on Tuesday. Some of the guns appear to have been modified, including one that was intended to look like a Nazi-era machine gun and appears to be "capable of firing fully automatic," the complaint said. Investigators also found a Nazi flag, according to prosecutors. Rogers admitted that he built the pipe bombs but claimed they were for "entertainment purposes only," the FBI said. But investigators found messages suggesting he planned to "attack Democrats and places associated with Democrats in an effort to ensure Trump remained in office." "I want to blow up a democrat building bad," he wrote in one text message on Jan. 10, days after the deadly Capitol riot, according to the affidavit. "The democrats need to pay," he wrote in another, "let's see what happens, if nothing does I'm going to war." "I hope 45 goes to war if he doesn't I will," he said in another message, according to the complaint. Rogers also expressed his intent to attack Facebook and Twitter, which banned former President Donald Trump in the wake of the riot and are both based in Northern California. "We can attack Twitter or the democrats, you pick," he texted someone else, according to the FBI. The other person suggested they instead "go after" liberal billionaire George Soros, who has been a frequent target of right-wing and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Man who targeted Gov. Newsom found with 'fully operational' pipe bombs: FBI A California man at the center of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation is now facing multiple charges following the discovery of "a trove of pipe bombs and firearms at his home and business," according to the San Francisco Examiner. A criminal affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Stephanie Minor, who is assigned to the bureau's San Francisco Field Office's Domestic Terrorism Squad, has confirmed the man to be 44-year-old Ian Benjamin Rogers, of Napa County, CA. According to Minor, Rogers was "found in possession of five pipe bombs, 49 firearms, and two dozen ammunition boxes containing thousands of rounds." A bomb technician for the bureau also confirmed the explosives in Rogers' possession were "fully operational." Along with the weapons, Rogers had a copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook" and other items the affidavit alleges could be "used to manufacture explosive devices." Investigators also noted that Rogers was in possession of a "White Privilege Card" featuring the phrase "Trumps Everything." An image of the card, which had the name "Scott Free" on it, was also included in the affidavit. "Several of the firearms, including what appears to be a kit-built replica MG-42 belt-fed machine gun, appear to be capable of firing fully automatic," according to the allegations in the affidavit. (Just in case you thought the insanity in the US was over)

You may not know that in the 1920's, Los Angeles had a widespread fully functional electric bus system. GM bought it and then shut it down, leading to a proliferation of automobiles and triggering a massive urban sprawl.

The point of the carbon tax and generally raising the price of petroleum is to encourage people and corporations to use the petroleum products more wisely. We do not need big honking SUVs. or poorly insulated buildings or leave lights on all the time. Persuasion is well and fine, but financial pressure is effective. You get more with a kind word and a gun than you get with a kind word.

The GOP, to all intents and purposes, have become a cult. Everything to them is interpreted through a filter of grievance, racism and fear.

Reporter at Marjorie Taylor Greene event gets thrown out and threatened by cops for trying to ask a question On Thursday, WCRB reporter Meredith Aldis attended the Dalton town hall of freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) — and was promptly threatened with arrest by Whitfield County deputies and thrown out of the premises when she tried to ask a question. Before being ejected, Aldis reported that Greene railed against her chamber as the "House of Hypocrites," and vowed to press on with her doomed push to impeach President Joe Biden for vague and unspecified abuses of power. Greene, a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory, has attracted nationwide outrage for posts endorsing the execution of prominent Democrats and posting a video of herself harassing school shooting survivor and activist David Hogg. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) has announced his intent filed a resolution seeking her expulsion from the House. Reporter at Marjorie Taylor Greene event gets thrown out and threatened by cops for trying to ask a question - Alternet.org

'Something's coming': Trump supporter warns of the next attack One of President Donald Trump's supporters met with VICE News reporter Michael Moynihan to reveal that the Jan. 6 attack isn't over. The interview comes the same day as the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin that anti-government extremists are intent on domestic terrorism. "Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence," the department said. Sitting on a rock in the middle of the Arizona desert and lit only by the headlights of a car, the Trump supporter explained that he sees himself as a "patriot." The soft-spoken man said that he believes a lot of conservatives were angry and needed an outlet, "and somebody gave them that outlet." He explained that most conservatives are pretty calm people, "I mean, they would just sit there, wave their flags, and go home angry." He went on to dispute the characterization of the attack on the Capitol as a "coup" or "insurrection," and called media reports inaccurate. "There was barely any violence," he said, despite police officers being beaten by rally-goers. "A lot of media is saying it was white supremacists. There was a decent mix. I'm not going to say it was peaceful." 'Something's coming': Trump supporter warns of the next attack - Alternet.org

All these projections have a lot of "ifs" built into them.

The reality is that international spot oil prices are so low that gasoline prices lower in the Maritimes and Ontario than out west as a rule these days. So, all the Ontario petroleum companies need do is put out a call and they will get a lot of cheap oil fast. If you think this has not already been planned for, you would be wrong.

They're used to it by now. In the past they could use wads of dollar bills to insulate themselves from this but now, with the cupboard bare, this revelation will make them wince. A little. A very little. Good use of taxpayer money.

Its...its...its almost like he's duplicitous, hypocritical lying bastich. This is beyond sad. Its inhumane, monstrous evil conduct. I hope she is prosecuted or at least sued. But, as usual, the GOP is making faint noises of protest.

Virginia "Trump in heels" candidate says Capitol attack was justified — because of COVID rules. Amanda Chase says Capitol rioters were tired of being told "what we can and cannot do in the form of mandates" Virginia's leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, Amanda Chase, has justified the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a response to public health mandates in place to limit the pandemic, according to a recently surfaced video clip. Chase said the would-be insurrectionists who overran the Capitol while play-acting a ludicrous violent fantasy were actually concerned about "losing our Republic." A reporter from the British channel SkyNews approached Chase, a state senator from central Virginia who has described herself as "Trump in heels," at the Jan. 18 Lobby Day Patriot Food Drive in Richmond, asking for "a word for the rest of the world" about the Capitol riots. "They're looking in on America and wondering what on earth is going on here," the reporter wondered. Chase, who faces censure in the Virginia state legislature after referring to Capitol rioters as "patriots," said the attack was about "federal and state" mandates. "America wants freedom. They are tired of an overreaching federal government and state government telling us what we can and cannot do in the form of mandates. I don't think that's representative of our republic and people," she explained. "What we're seeing is a level of frustration like we've never seen in America, and here in Virginia, because people are concerned that we are getting away from a representative republic and are headed towards socialism and communism, in which the government makes all these decisions for us." The reporter asked Chase, who spoke at the Jan. 6 rally but left ahead of the riot, to clarify that she was referring to the attack itself: "Is that what was happening at the Capitol Building? Is that what it was all about?" "Absolutely. Absolutely," Chase replied. "I think the big concern is that we're losing our republic. It's been around for 400 years. We the people want to make sure to preserve our republic." [Fact check: The United States was founded in 1776, making it 245 years old this July.]

Wisconsin Priest Who Held Voter Fraud Exorcisms Leaves Diocese MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A priest who livestreamed exorcisms aimed at rooting out what he, former President Donald Trump and some Trump supporters have falsely claimed was widespread voting fraud in the presidential election has left a Roman Catholic diocese in Wisconsin. The Diocese of Madison said it and the Rev. John Zuhlsdorf reached a mutual decision on his departure. Zuhlsdorf will relocate from the diocese ”to pursue other opportunities,” the diocese said in a statement earlier this month. “The Bishop of Madison is grateful to the Reverend Zuhlsdorf for his faithful support of the diocese’s seminarians and priests, thanks him for his many years of steadfast ministry serving the diocese, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors,” the statement said. Zuhlsdorf did not immediately respond to a phone message and email Tuesday seeking comment. Zuhlsdorf claimed he had permission from Madison Bishop Donald Hying to conduct the exorcisms. Hying said, however, that he didn’t give Zuhlsdorf permission to conduct exorcisms related to “partisan political activity,” but rather approved an exorcism for “alleviation from the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic.”

At last! We are down to double-digits! But................... A new coronavirus strain discovered in Los Angeles may be behind the surge in cases there Newly mutated strains of the novel coronavirus spotted around the world — such as the ones ravaging the United Kingdom and South Africa — are spurring fear they could become dominant here in the U.S., too. Now, Americans have a newly homegrown strain to worry about — and public health experts suspect that it could have been the cause of southern California's most recent surge. Recently, U.S. scientists were searching for signs of the UK coronavirus variant, known as B 1.1.7, in California when they stumbled upon something different. Coronavirus strain B 1.1.7 has a transmission rate that is 50 to 70 percent greater and may be more deadly, which has prompted studies to see how much it has infected the US population. Yet while looking for B 1.1.7, scientists stumbled upon a novel strain that has peculiar mutations, which is now being dubbed CAL.20C. According to a paper published by researchers at Cedars-Sinai, that has yet to be peer-reviewed, the new SARS-CoV-2 strain appeared to account for at least 36 percent of COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles area and 24 percent in southern California in December 2020. That correlates with a huge surge in coronavirus infections in southern California at the time. "After an analysis of all of the publicly available data and a comparison to our recent sequences, we see a dramatic growth in the relative percentage of the CAL.20C strain beginning in November of 2020," the researchers wrote in the paper. "The predominance of this strain coincides with the increased positivity rate seen in this region." A new coronavirus strain discovered in Los Angeles may be behind the surge in cases there | Salon.com

Capitol Police chief apologizes to Congress — admits department's failure amid deadly riot The acting U.S. Capitol Police chief is addressing the deadly riot that took place on Jan. 6, admitting the law enforcement agency does bear responsibility for failing to contain the angry mob of Trump supporters that breached Capitol security. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, acting Capitol Police chief Yogananda Pittman delivered his testimony before lawmakers during the House Appropriations Committee, according to The Hill. "On Jan. 6, in the face of a terrorist attack by tens of thousands of insurrectionists determined to stop the certification of Electoral College votes, the department failed to meet its own high standards as well as yours," Pittman said. Pittman's remarks come nearly three weeks after the civil unrest which led to the deaths of five people. In the days leading up to the U.S. Capitol riot, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released an intelligence warning of violence on the day of the Electoral College certification. However, based on how violence erupted at the Capitol, the warnings were not taken as seriously as they should have been. In the statement, Pittman went on to admit that the law enforcement agency could have done more to combat the violence that ensued. "We knew that there was a strong potential for violence and that Congress was the target," Pittman said. "The department prepared in order to meet these challenges, but we did not do enough."

There are witnesses who can testify that Trump enjoyed watching MAGA riots: NYT's Haberman Former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial is scheduled to begin in the United States Senate next month, and New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman believes that there are witnesses who could make things significantly more uncomfortable for Republicans. Appearing on CNN Tuesday, Haberman reiterated that her own sources have said they personally saw Trump enjoying watching his supporters riot at the United States Capitol building on January 6th. "He was watching, enjoying what he was seeing in part because he was enjoying just people defending him and in part because... it stopped the certification [of Biden's election]," she said. "That was what he wanted to see." Haberman would not reveal any of her sources, but she speculated that Democrats could track some of them down and call them as witnesses at the president's Senate trial if they wanted to do so. "I think if witnesses are called for this trial, I don't know that they will be, but if witnesses are called for this trial, I suspect they can find some people who they might be able to try to get to talk about this," she said.

I think it is critical for our elected leaders to call out racism and intolerance whenever and wherever it appears, and as quickly and forcefully as possible. In matters like this, silence is complicity. Soft racism will lead to the hard type given silence.