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Nothing new here. Sarnia, Ontario in the 50's and 60's was referred to as "chemical valley" due to the high number of refineries and chemical plants. The number of kids that contracted COPD (formerly known as asthma ) was 10-20 times higher than the national average and rare cancers appeared there as well. My wife grew up there and suffers from it as well as frequent bouts of bronchitis and even pneumonia. She has also had two occurrences of cancer, which she has beaten, thank God. We all cannot live up upstream.

It may have been political hot air, but during the last election, the Liberals promised to begin the process of providing high-speed internet to remote communities. No doubt that the horrendous expenses associated with the pandemic has kiboshed that.

Trump can, and probably will, pardon this turkey, but it ought to be possible for the USPS to civilly sue him for non-performance of his duties and thereby taking his salary under false pretenses.

We seem to be holding at this level, which is not good enough. At this level, the chances of an individual becoming a "super-spreader" as happened in Steinbach are just too great.

Friends live in St. Andrews, just north of the airport there. They were paying for high-speed service but it was barely better than dialup. They complained repeatedly but eventually Bell/MTS told them that it was just too expensive to provide real highspeed service to them, and if they did not stop complaining, they would be cut off. They went to a dish service.

When I was living in Saskatchewan in the early-mid 80's. Sasktel embarked on a massive expansion of fiber optical cables to serve almost every community of any size. There was a lot of wailing from the PCs about how unnecessary and expensive this was. In hindsight, it was a very smart move.

Ex-Houston police captain accused of violent attempt to prove election fraud was hired by GOP activist group By Erin Douglas, The Texas Tribune Dec. 15, 2020 "Former Houston police captain accused of violent attempt to prove election conspiracy was hired by GOP activist's group" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. HOUSTON — A former Houston police captain was arrested after allegedly running a man off the road and threatening him at gunpoint — what prosecutors say was part of an elaborate attempt to find evidence for a false conspiracy theory of widespread voter fraud in Harris County. Mark Aguirre was working on behalf of a powerful Republican megadonor's group to investigate unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud when, in October, he allegedly pulled a gun on a man described by the Harris County district attorney's office as an “innocent and ordinary" air conditioner repairman. Aguirre was arrested Tuesday, according to the Harris County district attorney's office. Prosecutors say Aguirre's election fraud claims were baseless and that he was paid $266,400 by the group Liberty Center for God and Country, whose CEO is prominent Texas right-wing activist Steven Hotze. Hotze was among a group of Republicans who unsuccessfully sued to have nearly 127,000 Harris County ballots tossed out this year. He was also among Republicans who tried — and failed — to stop Gov. Greg Abbott from extending early voting during the coronavirus pandemic, a suit for which Aguirre had provided an affidavit, stating that he was involved in an investigation into a “wide-ranging and fraudulent ballot harvesting scheme" in Harris County.

Aaaand...we now have proof that stoopidity is not limited to males.

Russian Media Mourn as Putin Acknowledges Biden’s Win—But Say Trump ‘Burned’ U.S. on His Way Out “He is discrediting the American electoral system,” crowed one Russian TV host even as Putin acknowledged Biden’s win. On Tuesday, the Kremlin finally acknowledged that U.S. President Donald J. Trump has been defeated by President-elect Joe Biden, by sending an official congratulatory message to the incoming American president. Russian state media immediately noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was the last leader of the G20 to recognize Biden’s indisputable victory. Russian state TV hosts, pundits and lawmakers were also quick to point out the unusually dry language of Putin’s greetings, noting that—unlike his prior telegrams to Trump and Obama—Putin didn’t express any hope that U.S.-Russia relations might improve in the near future. “There are no hopes expressed in Putin’s letter to Biden, none whatsoever,” noted Olga Skabeeva, the co-host of Russia’s state TV program 60 Minutes. She added: “We’re disappointed in Americans.” Describing American president as “our candidate Trump,” “our friend Donald,” “our Grandpa” and “poor, poor Trump,” Kremlin-controlled state TV shows conceded that Trump’s days in the Oval Office are numbered. While the doom and gloom in Russian state media inevitably surrounded most discussions acknowledging Trump’s electoral defeat, pundits and experts celebrated the bright side of their favored candidate’s four-year reign. “Mission accomplished,” rejoiced Karen Shakhnazarov, CEO of Mosfilm Studio and an ever-present pundit on Russian state TV news talk shows. Appearing on state TV program The Evening with Vladimir Soloviev, Shakhnazarov opined that Trump’s mission was to destroy the political system of the United States, and he successfully did exactly that. Russian Media Mourn as Putin Acknowledges Biden’s Win But Say Trump ‘Burned’ U.S. on His Way Out (thedailybeast.com)

Tentatively titled: " Indiana jones And The Mystery Of Why Am I In The Kitchen?"

Saskatchewan pregnancy rates fall as family reunions are banned due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Melania Trump Does the Unthinkable and Removes Her Mask at Children’s Hospital -REUTERS During a holiday visit to the Children’s National Hospital on Tuesday, first lady Melania Trump prepared to read a story to children by first removing her face mask. The hospital policy says anyone who enters the hospital must wear a mask “at all times,” according to CNN. This was the first lady’s fourth annual visit to the hospital. Normally she reads to a packed room full of children and their families, but this year only two children were present in-person and the event was broadcast across hospital televisions. Masked staff were also present. Trump kept her face mask off the entire time she read, although she did social distance and had her mask on for a bingo drawing afterwards. The hospital and first lady haven’t returned requests for comment. President Trump and Melania Trump both tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this year, and according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, their antibodies should still be present. Guidance does not differentiate between those with antibodies and those without when it comes to mask wearing. “I’m thinking of you all,” Melania Trump told the children during the event. “Stay strong and well and Merry Christmas and happy holidays.”

Trump sues New Mexico in continued election challenge as Electoral College affirms Joe Biden's win. Trump expands his failed election challenge to a state he lost by 10 points As the 538 electors who make up the Electoral College met on Monday in all 50 state capitals and the District of Columbia to cast their constitutionally mandated votes for president, Donald Trump expanded his failed legal effort to overturn the 2020 election based on fictitious claims of fraud. The Trump campaign filed a federal lawsuit in New Mexico, a state he lost by more than 10 percentage points, alleging that Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver violated state law by allowing voters to submit ballots using drop boxes at polling places in lieu of presenting them in-person to a judge. "[I]t's not over. We keep going and we're going to continue to go forward. We have numerous local cases," Trump told Fox News' Brian Kilmeade before his campaign filed its latest lawsuit. Trump sues New Mexico in continued election challenge as Electoral College affirms Joe Biden's win | Salon.com

A judge just said the Trump Organization must hand over records to the NY attorney general Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron has just ordered President Donald Trump's company, the Trump Organization, to hand over more documents to the State of New York's Attorney General, Letitia James. James has been investigating President Donald Trump's family businesses since March of 2019, just two months after she took office. "The ruling could force the Trump Organization to divulge reams of information about engineer Ralph Mastromonaco," Law & Crime reports, "who was retained to develop the Seven Springs estate, one of four properties currently subject to a broad investigation into whether Eric Trump and various corporate entities improperly inflated assets to obtain tax benefits." "In 1995, Trump Organization subsidiary Seven Springs LLC bought the estate for $7.5 million," Law & Crimes adds. "Two decades later, Trump agreed to establish a 'conservation easement' to provide a habitat for rare salamanders and bats in 2015, assessing the value of that property's feature at $21.1 million the next year." A judge just said the Trump Organization must hand over records to the NY attorney general - Alternet.org

How dare they try to do the job that Trump is doing so well.

Two pieces of good news today: firstly, we are in the 200's for new cases for the second day in a row- something we haven't seen for awhile. The arrival of the Moderna vaccine sounds like it is over and above the Pfizer shipment, so it looks like we are turning a bit of a corner. We are still going to have double digit mortality for a bit, as this is a "downstream" marker. Lets hold our collective breaths until we see what tomorrow brings.

So long as he never sees daylight again, I'm Ok with this.

‘CRIMINAL CONDUCT”: Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard Charged With Sex Trafficking Underage Girls: DOJ Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard has been indicted after allegedly using his influence and money to recruit underage girls and women for his own sexual gratification for 25 years, prosecutors announced on Tuesday. Nygard, 79, faces several charges, including sex-trafficking and racketeering, for his “decades-long pattern of criminal conduct” in the United States, the Bahamas, and Canada, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in a statement. Prosecutors allege that since 1995, Nygard used the influence of his company and employees to “recruit and maintain adult and minor-aged female victims” for his own sexual gratification and the sexual gratification of his business associates and friends. Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg on Monday at the request of the United States. “Nygard frequently targeted women and minor-aged girls who came from disadvantaged economic backgrounds and/or who had a history of abuse,” prosecutors said, adding that the 79-year-old “controlled his victims through threats, false promises of modeling opportunities,” financial support and physical isolation. Prosecutors add that Nygard referred to some of his victims as “girlfriends” or “assistants,” requiring that they travel with the fashion mogul to engage in sex acts at his direction and to recruit new women for him. UGH,, BUT ABOUT TIME

Yes, Trump will leave office — but his seditious secession movement isn't going away. Trump is doomed, and ultimately so is his movement. But they may be willing to destroy America on their way down Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by more than 7 million votes. All 50 states have certified the votes cast in the 2020 election, and as of Monday evening, the members of the Electoral College have cast their ritual votes. On Jan. 6, Congress will count those votes and confirm Biden as president-elect. (Republican dead-enders can delay that process, but they have no power to stop it. On Jan. 20, Joe Biden will take the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States. How has President Trump responded to these events? By enlisting or intimidating his allies and sycophants into an attempted coup against American democracy. Trump's plot, so far, has involved dozens of lawsuits demanding that the results of the 2020 election be overturned. These cases have involved false claims of "voter irregularities," "fraud," votes cast after Election Day and assorted other lies and conspiratorial fictions. Trump has also embedded loyalists in key positions throughout the federal government, with the apparent goal of sabotaging Biden's presidency. Predictably, there have been threats of violence by Trump and his agents against their "enemies" who are "disloyal" because they refuse to collaborate in the plot to nullify the election results of the 2020 election. This stochastic terrorism bore poisoned fruit last Saturday as the "Western chauvinist" Proud Boys and other right-wing thugs descended upon Washington to protest the defeat of their leader. Trump's unofficial paramilitaries attacked people seemingly at random and sought out street fights with antifascists and other groups. There were four stabbings, leaving one person in critical condition, and more than 30 arrests. As part of their rampage, the pro-Trump goons also engaged in apparent hate crimes targeting black churches, stealing and burning Black Lives Matter banners. The Rev. Ianther M. Mills of the Asbury United Methodist Church described the events as "reminiscent of cross burnings" by the Ku Klux Klan. Author and commentator Jared Yates Sexton summarized last weekend's events on Twitter: "Laugh at the Proud Boys and all these fascist street gangs all you want, but if there were ever-present cellphones and cameras in 1920s Germany you can bet the videos would look pretty identical." Yes, Trump will leave office — but his seditious secession movement isn't going away | Salon.com

The gun mania in the States is religious, almost cult-like in nature. 60 years ago, the NRA was an advocate of gun-owner screening and restrictions on automatic weapons, but the firearms manufacturers have done a thorough job of infiltrating and corrupting it. The current director is as corrupt as the rest of the Trump supporters and is the subject of a fraud investigation as he and a couple of other NRA employees have been using NRA funds to buy themselves expensive toys. In that, the NRA is a perfect microcosm of the GOP.

Election Lawyer Calls On Trump Supporters To Stock Up On 'Second Amendment Supplies'. That would be guns and ammo. The fringe right-wing lawyer who filed the court challenge to Donald Trump’s election loss in Georgia has called on the president’s supporters to stock up on “Second Amendment supplies” — presumably firearms and ammunition — to prepare for what he apparently envisions as an apocalyptic future. “Our leader is Donald Trump, not Biden,” attorney Lin Wood tweeted Sunday. “Make sure you have PLENTY of water, food, flashlights & batteries, candles, radio, 2nd Amendment supplies, & a plan to meet with leaders of your communities,” he urged. He included a photo of Trump with the caption: “I’m still your president.” Election Lawyer Calls On Trump Supporters To Stock Up On 'Second Amendment Supplies' | HuffPost Canada (huffingtonpost.ca)

Yes, yes, I would be surprised- very surprised so long as Moscow Mitch has the GOP by the 'nads.

Trump plan to revive the gallows, electric chair, gas chamber and firing squad recalls a troubled history Trump's loyalty test exposes the GOP's hatred for democracy: 'Seditious abuse of the judicial process'. The way the federal government can kill death row prisoners will soon be expanded to ghoulish methods that include hanging, the electric chair, gas chamber and the firing squad. Set to take effect on Christmas Eve, the new regulations authorizing an alternative to lethal injections – the method currently used in federal executions – were announced by the Justice Department on Nov. 27. The federal move follows the example of several states, including Oklahoma and Tennessee, that have revived alternative methods in the face of challenges to their lethal injection protocols and problems in the supply of drugs needed in the process. It is not clear whether the administration actually intends to employ the newly announced methods. It may only want to have them in reserve if any of the individuals scheduled for execution before January's inauguration – five, according to the Department of Justice – should succeed in challenging the current execution protocol. What is clear is that these new regulations send a message about the lengths the administration will go to kill as many death row inmates as possible before Joe Biden takes office and, as expected, halts the federal death penalty. If the president and Department of Justice succeed in their plan, the period from July 14, 2020, the date of the first of Trump's federal executions, through January 20, 2021 will be the deadliest in the history of federal capital punishment in nearly a century. Trump plan to revive the gallows, electric chair, gas chamber and firing squad recalls a troubled history - Alternet.org

Nice to have some semblance of a normal CFL kvetch session. Carry on.

That's one way to get those embarrassing numbers down.