Before getting into the topic of the day, a few notes about the state of politics in the USA. Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney today joined Kamala Harris in her Wisconsin stop.  More specifically, Ripon, where the Republican Party was formed in 1854.  This was the first time Cheney has campaigned with Harris.  This will be all about the future of Democracy.  She is only one of hundreds of prominent Republicans who have endorsed Harris over Donald Trump. And about The Donald,  DC Judge Tanya Chutkan released the 165-page filing from the Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, arguing that the former president doesn't deserve immunity from criminal charges because his conduct was for private gain rather than duty of public office . There won't be any trial anytime soon, but these details further diminish Trump's hope to be re-elected. Basically, there are four charges of conspiring to overturn the November 2020 election and the attack on the U.S. ...

Former  Vice President Mike Pence, rather summarily, indicated that he cannot endorse Donald Trump for president .  No surprise, for he previously said: I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again . Outlier?  Nope.  So many others:  Attorney General Bill Barr, first Defense Secretary James Mattis, second Defense Secretary Mark Esper, chairman of joint chiefs of staff Gen. Mark Miley, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, his first ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, presidential transition vice-chairman Chris Christie, second national security advisor HR McMaster, third national security advisor John Bolton, second chief of staff John Kelly and  so many others .  This list was dated October 2023.  The  Bush family never endorsed him . There is something about religion,...

 The Lahaina Apocalypse is up to 96 deaths.  Read this NBC summary .   Watch Jeremy Greenberg , director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, describe disaster assistance to Maui Wildfire victims. Short  aerial video of the devastation . And a  longer one . By now 75% of Americans at least suspect Donald Trump of having attempted a coup to remain as president.  Only a third of Republicans actually believe Trump was right.  A small percentage of Independents and fewer Democrats likewise side with him.  Thus, only 25% of voters will stick with Trump into the 2024 presidential election year. What prevented The Donald from succeeding?  The list is a healthy indicator of the power of Democracy: Leading the list are the  10 living former U.S. defense secretaries  who on 3 January 2021 published in  The Washington Post  a forceful public letter declaring the U.S. presidential election is over, and the contention of Tr...

      From  Worldometer  (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):            DAY    USA    WORLD      Brazil      India      South Africa June     9     1093     4732         1185        246       82 July    22      1205     7128         1293      1120     572 Aug    12      1504     6556        1242        835     130 Sept     9      1208      6222       1136       1168       82 Oct     21      1225      6849         571   ...