October 20, 2023

In case the latest Jordan vote hadn't been mentioned

Repugs:
194 Jordan
25 other
2 not voting

Dems:
210 Jeffries
2 not voting

Totals: 221+212=433

((I wondered why 217 was the magic number, now I know...))

((oops, typofix))

October 20, 2023

That's 5 or 6 anti-Jordan votes so far

And at least two nonvoting so far.

Add one for Scalise.

July 12, 2023

Bloomberg radio has had on a postmortem on the Biden speech and other comments

Basically, NATO "is improving", more could have been done to help Ukraine, but the fighting must end before NATO and EU membership can be offered to Ukraine.

July 11, 2023

Grand jury picked to consider Trump election case

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66168402|

July 2, 2023

Golf spoiler

The Detroit event went to a playoff.

I'm sure those who want to find out who won can.

Otherwise, enjoy the tape.

June 24, 2023

I presume a lot of the Sunday talk show segments are being re-taped

First there was the potential of a coup.

Then that got cancelled.

May 26, 2023

Navy finds 'perfect storm' of problems in elite Seals course

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65724065

Navy finds 'perfect storm' of problems in elite Seals course
2 minutes ago

By Bernd Debusmann Jr
BBC News, Washington

A gruelling training programme for US Navy Seals suffers from a lack of oversight, drug use and poor medical care, according to a new report.

The US Navy's report found that the programme put "candidates at significant risk" of injury and death.
(snip)

Naval investigators found that medical care at the course was "poorly organised, poorly integrated and poorly led", factors which it believes "likely had the most direct impact on the health and well being" of candidates.

These failures, the report added, directly contributed to the death of Kyle Mullen, a sailor who died of acute pneumonia last year just hours after completing the Hell Week test.
(snip)

May 24, 2023

Notorious Navy Carrier Sets Out After A Scandal-Plagued Six Years In The Shipyard

Notorious Navy Carrier Sets Out After A Scandal-Plagued Six Years In The Shipyard

The USS George Washington set out for testing Monday after six years at the shipyard, during which the ship’s leadership failed to address quality of life issues for the assigned crew that may have contributed to a spate of suicides, according to U.S. Naval Institute News.

The aircraft carrier began a mid-life refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) initially scheduled to last four years, but pandemic-related worker suspensions, funding delays and an unusual maintenance schedule tied the ship to the yard for an additional two years, according to USNI News. The ship’s nearing completion of the RCOH comes days after the U.S. Navy found it failed to adequately address rampant quality of life and mental health problems among the vessel’s crew, contributing to the deaths of nine sailors.
(snip)

The report, released Thursday, found that junior sailors on board the carrier dealt with one of the the most difficult living environments in the military, including hourslong commutes, isolation and working conditions that resembled a permanent construction zone. Meanwhile, a special team designed to monitor the climate among crew members did not function properly, and the ship’s on-board psychologist was consistently overwhelmed.
(snip)

“Factors that extended the RCOH included delays and changes in her RCOH planning and induction timeline due to FY15 budgetary decisions to inactivate (vice refuel) this ship; the arrival condition of the ship, which was more challenging than expected, planned or budgeted for, including growth work in significant areas of the RCOH; the requirement to remove critical parts from CVN-73 [the USS George Washington] to support higher-priority, deploying aircraft carriers; and the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce and industrial base,” Huntington Ingalls Industries, the shipbuilder performing the repairs, told USNI News.
(snip)

May 22, 2023

Tim Scott: Republican senator is running for president

Source: BBC

Senator Tim Scott has become the latest Republican to join an increasingly crowded 2024 race for US president.

Mr Scott, 57, who has represented South Carolina in the chamber since 2013, promised to revive America's "culture of greatness".

With about $22m (£18m) in cash on hand, he enters the fray with more campaign funds than any of his rivals.
(snip)

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65654865

May 17, 2023

Global warming set to break key 1.5C limit for first time

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65602293

Global warming set to break key 1.5C limit for first time
18 minutes ago

By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent

Our overheating world is likely to break a key temperature limit for the first time over the next few years, scientists predict.

Researchers say there's now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027.

The chances are rising due to emissions from human activities plus the El Niño weather event expected this summer.

If the world passes the limit, scientists stress the breach, while worrying, will likely be temporary.
(snip)