Balloon Juice | Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

On The Road – 🐾BillinGlendaleCA – Sunrise in the Alabama Hills

by Alain Chamot (1971-2020)| August 12, 20205:00 am| 2 Comments

This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging

I shouldn’t probably say this, but I had no idea that Alabama was so beautiful. Oh wait, these are the Alabama Hills in California. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a sunrise, let alone one as beautiful as this one. ~WaterGirl

🐾BillinGlendaleCA

After a successful first attempt at photographing the morning appearance of comet NEOWISE and a rather unsuccessful attempt at shooting a star trail with Red Hill as a foreground; I headed up to the Alabama Hills just west of Lone Pine for the sunrise. As I arrived the first rays of sunlight were casting a purple glow over the higher peaks of the eastern Sierra. Within a few minutes the purple tone gave way to a brilliant golden tone that became a bright white. As time progressed you could see the sunlight edging further down the eastern Sierra. At this point I turned the camera around to capture the sun as it poked over the Inyo mountains to the east.

Alabama Hills, CAJuly 11, 2020

The purple tones of first light reach Mt. Whitney.

On The Road – 🐾BillinGlendaleCA – Sunrise in the Alabama HillsPost + Comments (2)

COVID-19 Coronavirus Update: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 11-12

by Anne Laurie| August 12, 20204:55 am| Leave a Comment

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Foreign Affairs, Show Us on the Doll Where the Invisible Hand Touched You

Wondering about Russia's "licensed" #Covid19 vaccine? Read @Dereklowe. Says all that needs to be said. It is impossible to design, test and produce a vaccine for widespread roll out this quickly. https://t.co/JEMCMonkcl pic.twitter.com/RMTEBS4PKH
— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) August 11, 2020

It is hard to read this without thinking about the beginning of “I Am Legend.” https://t.co/a9ifx1wsGm
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) August 12, 2020

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1,326 Americans died in the past day from covid (Aug 11th data)
This shows the 16 weekdays in a row >1,000, a 3+ week plateau@COVID19Tracking pic.twitter.com/8gFWD9mxnv
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) August 11, 2020

The US had +54,519 new confirmed coronavirus cases today, bringing the total to 5,305,957. For the past few days, the 7-day moving average has leveled off at around 55k/day. pic.twitter.com/4CsA34910S
— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec) August 12, 2020

Researchers at George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health found that the majority of states are now at risk for shortages in healthcare workers needed to treat critically ill patients. https://t.co/6ZUoP3xD2J
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 11, 2020

Hospitals, expats blast Trump plan to block U.S. citizens and permanent residents from entering the country if they are suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus https://t.co/AH2Pr8AgC4 via @kristinacooke @Gottesdiener pic.twitter.com/nMEPp2lSzq
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

Dr Scott Atlas is a big believer in herd immunity to "conquer" #COVID19 , a loud anti-#AnthonyFauci voice & favors ending lockdowns. It's music to @realDonaldTrump ears, so now Hoover Inst's Atlas is appointed to the @WhiteHouse #Coronavirus Task Force . https://t.co/GDqUWJ4jom
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) August 11, 2020

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Global #coronavirus cases surpass 20 million: It took six months to reach 10 million cases. It took just six weeks for that number to double https://t.co/zXTbnqo1E2 via @AP @globeandmail #Covid19 #GlobalHealth
— André Picard (@picardonhealth) August 11, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic is *not* easing in the developing world. Top colleague @YasmeenSerhan on the other side of the story https://t.co/7BKvJkSxlF
— Tom McTague (@TomMcTague) August 10, 2020

Germany records biggest jump in new coronavirus cases since early May https://t.co/ZkBKwJ4hI0 pic.twitter.com/7jmMbXIBav
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

Britain’s economy shrank by a record 20.4% between April and June when the coronavirus lockdown was tightest, the largest contraction reported by any major economy so far, with a wave of job losses set to hit later in 2020 https://t.co/gBz0qC2j1o
— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) August 12, 2020

Australia suffers deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/DDvEnrNMlZ via @renjujose pic.twitter.com/OaWDQdQMm3
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

New Zealand has put its largest city back into lockdown after recording four new Covid-19 cases.
Gill Higgins from TVNZ tells #BBCBreakfast where the outbreak has come from.
More here: https://t.co/w3dDgLehgU pic.twitter.com/uB4TmPCb8b
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) August 12, 2020

Argentina death toll from coronavirus tops 5,000 as new cases spike https://t.co/JDrgNCQXA3 pic.twitter.com/hNDU1E3uir
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

Colombia deacon leads funeral rites in PPE as coronavirus cases near 400,000 https://t.co/qn2FCRIz5o pic.twitter.com/lq0TYXpw9C
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

Mexico reports 6,686 new coronavirus cases, 926 more deaths https://t.co/oaiMsd07Ia pic.twitter.com/O7N38LqT0y
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 12, 2020

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Aerosol scientists have isolated infectious coronavirus from the air, exactly the evidence skeptics of airborne transmission had asked for. https://t.co/MU8OydTb6A
— NYT Science (@NYTScience) August 11, 2020

With a coronavirus vaccine still months off, companies are rushing to test what may be the next best thing. https://t.co/J44xs0SIPn
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 12, 2020

Why does #COVID19 impact only some organs, not others? The lungs, heart, liver, kidneys & parts of the neurological system are subject to attack because their cells are studded w/ ACE2 receptors. Beyond these organs the virus seems to lack impact https://t.co/aShRDpDJZx
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 11, 2020

Think you can make your office, school or theater "safe" from #SARSCoV2 ? Here, a hospital had top-of-the-line HEPA filters & ventilators so powerful that the air got full exchange 6Xs/hour.
BUT still had loads of virus in the air around #COVID19 patients.https://t.co/SlDOouslRH
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) August 11, 2020

Post-acute covid-19 seems to be a multisystem disease, sometimes occurring after a relatively mild acute illness. #BMJEducation article provides guidance for GPs to help support patients with #LongCovid in primary care @trishgreenhalgh https://t.co/ejb5IORnTF
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) August 11, 2020

US bankrolled this vaccine, NIH helped develop, ran the trial, i think is paying for the trial, and will still pay Moderna $15 a dose.
This cost itself is similar to what the US pays for each dose of influenza vaccine (according to CDC website) https://t.co/FtU1SEgKx7
— Antonio Regalado (@antonioregalado) August 11, 2020

World Health Organization says delay routine dental work because of #coronavirus risk https://t.co/ukCjWuT4fM via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 12, 2020

Can mouthwash protect us from #SARSCoV2? Virologists in Germany at Ruhr-Universität Bochum say high viral loads are often detected in the oral cavity & throat of COVID patients. Team reports SARS2 can be inactivated w/ commercially available mouthwashes https://t.co/ZO8b5l4Gzh pic.twitter.com/7uT2Iuz22u
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 10, 2020

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The virus is killing young Floridians. Race is a big factor. https://t.co/kNnmEm5ePM
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 11, 2020

Florida's #COVID19 cases in children have risen 137% in a month. Total number of cases in children 17 & under rose from 16797 on 7/9/2020 to 39735 on 8/9. COVID hospitalizations among Florida kids also rose from 213 to 436 during same period, a 105% jump https://t.co/9Go7DYMmkx
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 11, 2020

Can California's economy survive the latest coronavirus surge? https://t.co/l6eryP8c0V
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 11, 2020

New York's true nursing home death toll is cloaked in secrecy https://t.co/yOQTkuM1Ue via @medical_xpress
— delthia ricks 🔬 (@DelthiaRicks) August 11, 2020

Massachusetts, where #Covid19 cases have been on the rise of late, is dialing back the reopening a bit.
Prudent. https://t.co/KHaCLSTl9i
— Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) August 11, 2020

Beginner mistake in that headline, I now realize. Should be "The Experimental New Russian Covid Cure the US Government Doesn't Want You to Know About!" And instead of giving it away for free, charge them $19.99. Will get more engagement.
— Mig Greengard (@chessninja) August 11, 2020

Sturgis: Mongo only pawn in game of life –

"Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed" https://t.co/fffaWP4cl3
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 10, 2020

COVID-19 Coronavirus Update: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 11-12Post + Comments

Late Night ‘Keep the Happy Thoughts’ Open Thread

by Anne Laurie| August 11, 202011:43 pm| 69 Comments

This post is in: Duck Blogging, Something Good Open Thread

Of course TaMara has seen this already, but…

So I added the Imperial March to this video and I don't know if I'll ever sleep again.??
??: Imgur user papemaker pic.twitter.com/Vh7vBUDSwi
— Paul Bronks (@SlenderSherbet) August 7, 2020

Betty bait!

I don't normally post political tweets but this is very important. ??
??: Imgur user anlyin pic.twitter.com/On9d2D96iY
— Paul Bronks (@SlenderSherbet) August 9, 2020

Mystery Pianoman revealed! John Capron, 23, is studying Architecture at a college he’d rather not name #wcvb live at 4:30p & 6p. He shared his musical gifts & gets a gift. Plus the collectibles in this place are kool #piano #antiques #remarkablecleanout pic.twitter.com/aHy1iyjaK1
— Rhondella Richardson (@wcvbrhondella) July 15, 2020

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Late Night ‘Keep the Happy Thoughts’ Open ThreadPost + Comments (69)

On The Road After Dark – ET – Paris

by Alain Chamot (1971-2020)| August 11, 202010:00 pm| 17 Comments

This post is in: On The Road, On The Road After Dark, Paris After Dark, Photo Blogging

Our 15th and final submission for Paris After Dark arrived just a few moments ago. That gives us 3 full weeks of Paris, which I think is good. Any others that arrive will be slotted in during the morning On the Road, in the usual fashion.
It’s probably silly, but I found myself wondering whether Marie de Medici liked this statue of herself. What a beautiful sky, with all the swirls of white against the bright blue. We don’t get skies like that in Illinois. ~WaterGirl

I took all of these photos at Luxembourg Gardens or Jardin du Luxembourg back in 2016. The gardens/palace was created beginning in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici (widow of King Henry IV) , for a new residence, the Luxembourg Palace. There are just over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains including twenty figures of French queens and illustrious women. I didn’t take photos of all of them – that day Paris on a beautiful sunny day was waiting!

Paris, Luxembourg Gardens

On The Road After Dark – ET – ParisPost + Comments (17)

Biden/Harris 2020

by John Cole| August 11, 20208:12 pm| 315 Comments

This post is in: Election Year

I’m all in.

I’ve already seen the woke left and the manic progressives pitch a fit. Fuck ’em. Biden delivered a win to the two largest constituencies in the party, women and african-americans, before spending a day in office.

In addition, she’s competent, capable, will be helluva surrogate, and could be President in her own right.

It also does not hurt that Warren/Harris were my preferred Presidential picks.

Biden/Harris 2020Post + Comments (315)

Vote Biden/Harris Open Thread: … And There Was Much Rejoicing

by Anne Laurie| August 11, 20206:16 pm| 258 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

.@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he's spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he'll build an America that lives up to our ideals.
I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 11, 2020

America, let’s do this! pic.twitter.com/3a62UmB1PN
— Douglas Emhoff (@douglasemhoff) August 11, 2020

Obama statement: "Joe Biden nailed this decision. By choosing Senator Kamala Harris as America’s next vice president, he’s underscored his own judgment and character."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 11, 2020

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.@KamalaHarris will be a great partner to @JoeBiden in making our government a powerful force for good in the fight for social, racial, and economic justice. pic.twitter.com/q5ggXBro5B
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 11, 2020

Thrilled to support @KamalaHarris as next VP. I was honored to speak with @JoeBiden at length over the weekend and again today. His focus on reaching out to every corner of our country speaks to how he will lead us. I look forward to doing all I can for Team #BidenHarris!
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) August 11, 2020

My warmest congratulations to ⁦@KamalaHarris⁩. I am confident Biden-Harris will prove to be a winning ticket. I will do my utmost to help them win and govern. 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/9pfJggZSV9
— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) August 11, 2020

I am extraordinarily proud to support @KamalaHarris and @JoeBiden! They will be a fierce team to Build America Back Better. #WeHaveHerBack pic.twitter.com/pxNnv5bGD2
— Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) August 11, 2020

Congratulations to @KamalaHarris, who will make history as our next Vice President. She understands what it takes to stand up for working people, fight for health care for all, and take down the most corrupt administration in history. Let’s get to work and win.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 11, 2020

I. Am. So. Happy!!!!
— Neera -Wear a Mask -Tanden (@neeratanden) August 11, 2020

Why did ⁦@JoeBiden⁩ pick ⁦@KamalaHarris⁩? According to his email to supporters, Beau: pic.twitter.com/oH2YEglgzo
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) August 11, 2020

In same way that Obama asked Clinton to be Sec of State after a brutal primary, Biden is choosing the person who dinged him hardest on stage. His team knows this and is betting people realize it's something Trump, who lives in grievance, would not do
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 11, 2020

Also — all the RIGHT people are very, very miserable…

To all the Kamala is a cop people: hahaha, fuck you.
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) August 11, 2020

I’m stil not a Harris fan, but it looks like they practically had to shoot Trump with a tranquilizer rifle for him to be able to talk right now, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 11, 2020

Mike Pence has just announced he has a cold and a sore throat that will last about 3 months or so.
— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) August 11, 2020

Joe Biden picked the running mate who challenged him the most aggressively in the primary debates.
Trump picked the weakest sycophant he could find.
Pence is going to be in a critical burn unit after Harris sets him afire.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) August 11, 2020

They're going with "Harris never apologized for smearing a good non-racist man like Joe Biden" because they're just so good at this. https://t.co/a3tgoNBpkJ
— Tentin Quarantino (@agraybee) August 11, 2020

Damn, Jacobin is already out with TWO pre-written articles about why Harris is disqualifying. Trump himself only had that one shitty video.
— Tentin Quarantino (@agraybee) August 11, 2020

If you want Trump to win (and you absolutely, 100% do, don't bother arguing that) you probably shouldn't cancel out his messaging that she's an antifa supersoldier. https://t.co/8Sb53JWhDE
— Tentin Quarantino (@agraybee) August 11, 2020

Vote Biden/Harris Open Thread: … And There Was Much RejoicingPost + Comments (258)

Kamala Harris it is!

by Betty Cracker| August 11, 20204:20 pm| 411 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Open Threads, Politics

Vox and NYT just reported it. From The Times:

Kamala Harris Is Biden’s Choice for Vice President
A former rival for the Democratic nomination, she will be the first Black woman to be nominated for national office by a major political party.
Joseph R. Biden Jr. selected Senator Kamala Harris of California as his vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday, embracing a former rival who sharply criticized him in the Democratic primaries but emerged after ending her campaign as a vocal supporter of Mr. Biden and a prominent advocate of racial-justice legislation after the death of George Floyd in late May.
Ms. Harris, 55, is the first Black woman and the first person of Indian descent to be nominated for national office by a major party, and only the fourth woman in history to be chosen for one of their presidential tickets. She brings to the race a far more vigorous campaign style than Mr. Biden’s, including a gift for capturing moments of raw political electricity on the debate stage and elsewhere, and a personal identity and family story that many find inspiring.
Mr. Biden announced the selection over text message and in a follow-up email to supporters: “Joe Biden here. Big news: I’ve chosen Kamala Harris as my running mate. Together, with you, we’re going to beat Trump.’’

Okay. Let’s do this.

Kamala Harris it is!Post + Comments (411)

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

Nevertheless, she persisted

I showered with Rahm and all I got was this shitty blog.

Not all heroes wear capes.

The house always wins.

Militantly superior in their own minds…

Yes we did.

Wetsuit optional.

This blog will pay for itself.

I thought we were promised Infrastructure Week

Lighten up, Francis.

Screw the Judean People’s Front. Splitters.

Consistently wrong since 2002

Just a few bad apples.

Shocking, but not surprising.

All your base are belong to Tunch.

I personally stopped the public option…

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Verified, but limited!

No one could have predicted…

This is how realignments happen…

Also, too.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Shock troops for the Unitarian Jihad.

On The Road – 🐾BillinGlendaleCA – Sunrise in the Alabama Hills

COVID-19 Coronavirus Update: Tuesday-Wednesday, August 11-12

Late Night ‘Keep the Happy Thoughts’ Open Thread

On The Road After Dark – ET – Paris

Biden/Harris 2020

Vote Biden/Harris Open Thread: … And There Was Much Rejoicing

Kamala Harris it is!