I am so proud of these young leaders who are putting in the work to build on their leadership skills, connect with one another, and make a bigger impact across Africa. The work they're doing couldn’t be more important. Barack and I will be cheering these #ObamaLeaders on! https://t.co/goe7AxWhaO
When Harry Reid was nearing the end, his wife Landra asked some of us to share letters that she could read to him. In lieu of a statement, here’s what I wrote to my friend: pic.twitter.com/o6Ll6rzpAX
Oh heck no! Am all for a TOD Fam virtual dance! OK, we can do so in our kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, whatever rooms! Gotta go for 2022 y’all!
Dudette, our fab music genius & fave science nerd (love all yr posts), drop some of your hits! Come on TOD Fam, drop your fave songs. Bring us, step us into the New Year with joy! Pata pata!💃
Hey Gazelle! 🤗Sorry I missed you last night! I can’t open this YouTube link – what is it? I could use some good tunes to get my energy up. I might be up for a TOD dance party tomorrow night (Thursday) sometime. 😃
Hi Dudette, so sorry, am just seeing your message. Vid is the Legendary Miriam Makeba, we could all use pata pata into 2022! Can you access link below?
So let me see if I have this straight: You refuse to get vaccinated, you won't wear a mask, you go to public places doing neither of those things and then you blame Biden for a surge in Covid cases? How does that work?— Jeff Cohen (@JeffCohenwriter) December 28, 2021
‘He looked out for people’:
Sen. Chuck Schumer remembers his friend and mentor Harry Reid
“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer talks with Ayman Mohyeldin about the personal power of his friend and mentor and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the legacy Reid left upon the U.S. Senate.”
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, One-Of-A-Kind Political Titan, Dies At 82
“Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent and dean of Nevada political reporting,
talks about the life and legacy of former Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, sharing stories of his life and examples of the toughness that defined his character.”
NEW YEAR
The 9 Most Memorable Downlink Moments of 2021
NASA STEM
“In-flight education downlinks are opportunities for students and educators to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station during a live, 20-minute question-and-answer session. To learn how you can connect your students with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, visit http://www.nasa.gov/iss-downlinks.
We’re launching STEM Engagement to new heights with learning resources that connect teachers, students, parents and caregivers to the inspiring work NASA is doing. Join us as we apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to explore space, improve aeronautics, examine Earth and strive to land the next man
and first woman on the Moon with the Artemis program.”
Trump Adviser Peter Navarro
Lays Out How He and Bannon
Planned to Overturn Biden’s Electoral Win
“It started out perfectly. At 1 p.m., Gosar and Cruz did exactly what was expected of them…”
“A former Trump White House official says he and right-wing provocateur Steve Bannon were actually behind the last-ditch coordinated effort by rogue Republicans in Congress to halt certification of the 2020 election results and keep President Donald Trump in power earlier this year, in a plan dubbed the “Green Bay Sweep.”
“We spent a lot of time lining up over 100 senators.
It started out perfectly. At 1 p.m., Gosar and Cruz did exactly what was expected of them.”
“It was designed to get us 24 hours of televised hearings.”
(Navarro)
—One of several plots now uncovered.
—Jan 6 Committee has 5 investigative teams, just starting to merge.
Cynthia Alksne on AG Garland: “He is more of an Appellant Judge.”
“It is the DOJ’s job and they are not doing it.”
Dean Obeidalliah:
“It is not partisan to call for someone to be prosecuted for waging a coup in a terrorist attack, which was January 6th. It is patriotic my fellow Democrats.”
“If Merrick Garland does not prosecute Trump for OBVIOUS CRIMES…our Republic is on the line.”
“Unless the DOJ holds them to account for an actual coup, what is there to stop them in 2024?”
Speaker Pelosi
Statement on the Passing of Senator Harry Reid
“Over more than four decades of public service, Senator Reid was guided always by his North Star:
to improve the lives of working families like his own. As a son of a miner and a laundress, raised in a humble childhood, Senator Reid was a leader with strong family values, a pioneer spirit and an unyielding commitment to lift up others. In the Congress, his strategic mind was legendary and unsurpassed – and he was a master of the legislative process during his service in both the House and the Senate. Indeed, Harry Reid will be remembered as one of the most impactful Leaders of the Senate in history, helping to steer this institution with reverence, principle and command.”
Dr. Walensky: “If you are unvaccinated,
you are 10 times more likely to be a case and 20 times more likely to be a fatality….
So, our vaccines are working really well to prevent severe disease and hospitalization and death.”
"Senator Harry Reid was a fighter who cared deeply about the people he represented. He was a true champion for the Navajo people and all Tribal Nations across the United States. Our prayers are with his wife Landra and those he loved. May he rest in power." – Speaker Seth Damon pic.twitter.com/Z2DsuDly8w
President took an end of day break to stretch his legs with the First Lady and their new dog Commander. Says he's been on the phone most of the day (mentioned distribution of test kits). They strolled through the neighborhood then went down to the beach (Photo: Pool) pic.twitter.com/ZdkkYZLOk3
— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) December 28, 2021
‘Black and Missing’ documentary series raises awareness of missing people of color
HBO ‘s ‘Black and Missing,’
“a documentary series featuring the work of the Black and Missing Foundation, which raises awareness of and searches for missing people of color, is discussed by the co-founder and CEO of the foundation, Derrica Wilson.”
“Black and Missing is a four-part HBO documentary series by multiple Emmy winner Geeta Gandbhir and award-winning documentarian, journalist, author and activist Soledad O’Brien. The series follows sisters-in-law and Black and Missing Foundation founders Derrica and Natalie Wilson as they fight an uphill battle to bring awareness to the Black missing person cases that are marginalized by law enforcement and national media.
Haunted by these stories of vanished loved ones and driven by the need for attention and assistance for these forgotten women, former law enforcement officer Derrica and public relations expert Natalie operate a grassroots organization that raises awareness in communities, alerts media outlets to the plight of thousands of women and children, and urges police departments to allocate more resources to this scourge.
Black and Missing pulls back the curtain to explore how systemic behaviors and attitudes stem from centuries of deeply rooted racism. This intimate look at Derrica and Natalie’s personal crusade to locate missing Black people also highlights stories of hope and closure as the Black and Missing Foundation contributes to the resolution of several high-profile missing person cases.”
“The mayor of Orange County, home to Orlando, said local governments had been forced to figure out on their own, without help from the state, how to respond to the omicron variant that has rapidly overtaken the delta variant as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Florida.
Florida hit a new record for daily cases last weekend, with the state reporting 32,850 new cases on Saturday.
The state reported more than 29,000 new cases on Tuesday.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said new restrictions
placed by DeSantis and the Florida Legislature
on actions that can be taken by local governments and private businesses to combat the virus
have made fighting the pandemic more difficult.
A new law signed by DeSantis last month prevents businesses from having vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out, bars schools and governments from having vaccine mandates and allows parents to sue schools with masking requirements.”
one in 400 Florida residents,
alive in March 2020,
has since died of COVID-19.
How many children are dead due to DeSantis?
—-when will DeSantis be held accountable?
The Country Will See A “Tidal Wave” Of “Omicron Kids”
Dr. Craig Spencer talks about his concerns of the spread of Coronavirus and children becoming infected:
“I have a kid in pre-K and I have another kid in daycare and here in New York City,
we’re seeing a huge number of cases and I suspect the same will happen all over the country.
The tidal wave will wash over the rest of the U.S. just as it has in New York City
and the numbers that you presented, 200,000 kids got COVID in the week ending December 23rd,
the one that we have the most data for. We have hospitalizations up and we still have around 800 children that have died from COVID throughout this pandemic and around one in ten have been infected.
We know kids generally have less severe disease with COVID thankfully, but I have concerns the next coming weeks we’ll see a lot of cases and a lot will be hospitalized.”
The most unusual job market in modern American history, explained
Quits, big raises and severe labor shortages: 10 charts on the completely surprising 2021 labor market
I”t can be difficult now to remember what the U.S. economy looked like a year ago.
The unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, with 10 million fewer people employed than before the pandemic. Expectations were that it could take years for the labor market to heal.
Then, the economy experienced two historic surprises.
First, demand for workers came soaring back at a velocity almost never before seen. And second, despite companies going all out to hire, millions of workers either retired early or stayed on the sidelines.”
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Biden,
discusses the reasoning behind new CDC guidance for people infected with Covid,
including why tests used to determine infection are not necessarily helpful to assess transmissibility.”
Reduced severity of Omicron illness shifts focus from case numbers to hospitalizations
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses why hospitalizations may become a better metric for tracking the number of positive cases of infection.”
“Dr. Anthony Fauci talks about the need for states to work with the federal government in combatting the spread of Covid, and the importance of getting vaccinated for the common good.
Opinion:
Trump idolatry has undermined religious faith
“Peter Wehner, an evangelical Christian and former adviser to President George W. Bush, explains
in a column for the Atlantic how a recent speech from Donald Trump Jr. reflects the inversion of religious faith.
“The former president’s son,” Wehner writes,
“has a message for the tens of millions of evangelicals
who form the energized base of the GOP: the scriptures are essentially a manual for suckers.
The teachings of Jesus have ‘gotten us nothing.’ ”
Wehner continues:
“It’s worse than that, really; the ethic of Jesus
has gotten in the way of successfully prosecuting the culture wars against the left.
If the ethic of Jesus encourages sensibilities that might cause people in politics to act a little less brutally,
a bit more civilly, with a touch more grace?
Then it needs to go.
Decency is for suckers.
Understanding this phenomenon goes a long way toward explaining
the MAGA crowd’s very unreligious cruelty toward immigrants,
its selfish refusal to vaccinate to protect the most vulnerable
and its veneration of a vulgar, misogynistic cult leader.
If you wonder how so many “people of faith” can behave in such ways,
understand that their “faith” has become hostile to traditional religious values such as kindness,
empathy, self-restraint, grace, honesty and humility.”
“Republicans and Trump supporters are celebrating the record number of COVID cases that they caused by blaming President Biden.”
“Republicans blaming Biden for the COVID surge is like an arsonist setting their house and blaming the fire department for not putting it out fast enough.”
“60% of Republicans are unvaccinated.”
“Unvaccinated Republicans are lemmings who are jumping off the COVID cliff.
The GOP is killing their voters to blame Biden for the pandemic, which has taken political obstruction to a new dark and deadly level.”
The mainstream media is already writing the obituary for the Democrats in the 2022 midterm BUT polling shows Dems and GOP are tied when voters are asked who will you vote for in 2022 congressional elections. Is media trying to dampen Democratic enthusiasm? https://t.co/fTBecZBTM8— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) December 30, 2021
CDC increased the Cruise Travel Health Notice to a Level 4, recommending people avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status, in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases occurring on cruise ships in the US and around the world.
‘Science Needs Better Marketing’ Says Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Hayden Planetarium director and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson
discusses with Nicolle Wallace the year in science and what lies ahead in the new year.”
If you're feeling discouraged about our democracy, read this article about how citizens in Michigan took politics out of the redistricting process. It’s why the work @EricHolder and the @DemRedistrict are doing to fight gerrymandering is so important. https://t.co/0Wqd633bC0
Redistricting is Going Surprisingly Well for Democrats
“Conventional wisdom suggests that, because Republicans control more of the redistricting process than Democrats, they will inexorably benefit from this redistricting cycle. But an analysis of each of the fifty states’ specific or expected outcomes leads to the opposite conclusion: when redistricting is finished, more districts in 2022 will be to the left of Joe Biden’s 4.5-point national margin against Trump than in 2020,
and there is an outside chance that the median seat will be to the left of the nation as a whole.
The following analysis only looks at whether a seat is to the left or right of Joe Biden’s margin in 2020 and not whether a “seat” is gained or lost in redistricting, as Cook Political does.” (Joel Wertheimer)
Republicans hit snags deploying gerrymandering strategy to strengthen grip on power
“Kelly Burton, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee,
talks about the effort to ensure fair voting district maps against Republicans keen to use redistricting to secure election outcomes.”
Our neighbors are those we encounter in our day-to-day life
“as you all know, even though the movie plays on the screen in a movie theatre,
the screen is never affected by the changing scenes. In the same way, Mahatmas are able to stand back and watch as a witness as the different scenes in their lives come and go. They accept the good and bad that life brings equally. They are able to maintain their internal smile in all situations.”
“Our neighbors are those we encounter in our day-to-day life. If we can be good neighbors to those we deal with closely, we will not have to go searching for peace anywhere else. Then peace has already become ours.”
So sad… every time I saw Betty White it just reminded me of watching tv with my Grandparents. They both loved the Golden Girls & I adored sharing those moments & laughs w/ them. #RIP to Betty White who helped generations of folks forget the hard times and just laugh. https://t.co/rkvyFoyUsOpic.twitter.com/BeEeLeE561
Where is Ron DeSantis? 🤨A) On vacationB) Hiking the Appalachian TrailC) Hospitalized with Covid-19 D) I don’t give a damn— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) December 31, 2021
If you're feeling discouraged about our democracy, read this article about how citizens in Michigan took politics out of the redistricting process. It’s why the work @EricHolder and the @DemRedistrict are doing to fight gerrymandering is so important. https://t.co/0Wqd633bC0
Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT
I’m hopeful about 2022. This year will undoubtedly have its challenges, just like 2021 did. But we’ve made it this far—and I still believe we can build a brighter future together. Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing your lives and stories with me during 2021. You continue to inspire @POTUS and me, reminding us that our differences are precious and our similarities are infinite. May we continue to come together in peace and unity to heal. pic.twitter.com/Q4rsdmExdd
The Obama Diary 
To my TOD family:
May you holidays continue to be ‘merry and bright’, and your 2022 be healthier and vastly improved (in every way) over this year!
Thank you, and the same to you. ❤️🎄🎉
Well, hello Terri; it’s been a while! ❤
Hello and the very same to both of you!
Thank you, and the same to you. ❤️🎄🎉
Hello! ❤️
Hi VC! Same to you, Darling! 😘❤️🤗
And to you, too, dear VC!
🕊🕯🌟🎄💕🎄🌟🕯🕊
Sorry to see Harry go. #GiveEmHellHarry
Rest in peace, Harry Reid 😔🙏🏾
Oh heck no! Am all for a TOD Fam virtual dance! OK, we can do so in our kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, whatever rooms! Gotta go for 2022 y’all!
Dudette, our fab music genius & fave science nerd (love all yr posts), drop some of your hits! Come on TOD Fam, drop your fave songs. Bring us, step us into the New Year with joy! Pata pata!💃
Hey Gazelle! 🤗Sorry I missed you last night! I can’t open this YouTube link – what is it? I could use some good tunes to get my energy up. I might be up for a TOD dance party tomorrow night (Thursday) sometime. 😃
Hi Dudette, so sorry, am just seeing your message. Vid is the Legendary Miriam Makeba, we could all use pata pata into 2022! Can you access link below?
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
There’s this:
https://www.stonekettle.com/2021/12/recap-december-28-2021.html
And in a much higher heart-centered dimension, there’s this:
I hope you’ve all made time to watch!
Nite nite
🕊🕯⛄️💤☃️🕯🕊
There were beautiful moments in 2021, this was gorgeous,:
Leader Harry Reid
‘He looked out for people’:
Sen. Chuck Schumer remembers his friend and mentor Harry Reid
“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer talks with Ayman Mohyeldin about the personal power of his friend and mentor and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the legacy Reid left upon the U.S. Senate.”
Here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbczRYOtDI0)
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, One-Of-A-Kind Political Titan, Dies At 82
“Jon Ralston, CEO of the Nevada Independent and dean of Nevada political reporting,
talks about the life and legacy of former Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, sharing stories of his life and examples of the toughness that defined his character.”
Good West Coast morning Nerdy & TOD family. 2021 is winding down. Are you ready?
Here’s a piece of hidden history!
Happy New Year to you!
😘❤️💃🏽 J’OB
NEW YEAR
The 9 Most Memorable Downlink Moments of 2021
NASA STEM
“In-flight education downlinks are opportunities for students and educators to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station during a live, 20-minute question-and-answer session. To learn how you can connect your students with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, visit http://www.nasa.gov/iss-downlinks.
We’re launching STEM Engagement to new heights with learning resources that connect teachers, students, parents and caregivers to the inspiring work NASA is doing. Join us as we apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics to explore space, improve aeronautics, examine Earth and strive to land the next man
and first woman on the Moon with the Artemis program.”
NASA STEM resources:
stem.nasa.gov
Voting rights advocates develop plan in four parts for achieving goals
“LaTosha Brown,
co-founder of Black Voters Matter,
lays out a four part plan for addressing voting rights in Georgia and the U.S. broadly.”
Trump Adviser Peter Navarro
Lays Out How He and Bannon
Planned to Overturn Biden’s Electoral Win
“It started out perfectly. At 1 p.m., Gosar and Cruz did exactly what was expected of them…”
“A former Trump White House official says he and right-wing provocateur Steve Bannon were actually behind the last-ditch coordinated effort by rogue Republicans in Congress to halt certification of the 2020 election results and keep President Donald Trump in power earlier this year, in a plan dubbed the “Green Bay Sweep.”
(https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-advisor-peter-navarro-lays-out-how-he-and-steve-bannon-planned-to-overturn-bidens-electoral-win)
“We spent a lot of time lining up over 100 senators.
It started out perfectly. At 1 p.m., Gosar and Cruz did exactly what was expected of them.”
“It was designed to get us 24 hours of televised hearings.”
(Navarro)
—One of several plots now uncovered.
—Jan 6 Committee has 5 investigative teams, just starting to merge.
Cynthia Alksne on AG Garland: “He is more of an Appellant Judge.”
“It is the DOJ’s job and they are not doing it.”
Dean Obeidalliah:
“It is not partisan to call for someone to be prosecuted for waging a coup in a terrorist attack, which was January 6th. It is patriotic my fellow Democrats.”
“If Merrick Garland does not prosecute Trump for OBVIOUS CRIMES…our Republic is on the line.”
“Unless the DOJ holds them to account for an actual coup, what is there to stop them in 2024?”
(to Tiffany Cross)
Here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjN_R1zSOw)
Pres. Obama:
‘The World Is Better’ Because Of Harry Reid
Jonathan Capehart looks at the special relationship Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had with
President Barack Obama.
Great tweet!
Perfect.
I love it.
Love it! 💞
A Proclamation on the Death of Harry Reid
December 29, 2021
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/12/29/a-proclamation-on-the-death-of-harry-reid/)
Speaker Pelosi
Statement on the Passing of Senator Harry Reid
“Over more than four decades of public service, Senator Reid was guided always by his North Star:
to improve the lives of working families like his own. As a son of a miner and a laundress, raised in a humble childhood, Senator Reid was a leader with strong family values, a pioneer spirit and an unyielding commitment to lift up others. In the Congress, his strategic mind was legendary and unsurpassed – and he was a master of the legislative process during his service in both the House and the Senate. Indeed, Harry Reid will be remembered as one of the most impactful Leaders of the Senate in history, helping to steer this institution with reverence, principle and command.”
Full: (https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/122821)
Rep. Gallego tweet to MarjorieTaylor Greene:
“There is no “National Divorce” either you are for civil war or not.
Just say it if you want a civil war and officially declare yourself a traitor.”
Dr. Walensky: “If you are unvaccinated,
you are 10 times more likely to be a case and 20 times more likely to be a fatality….
So, our vaccines are working really well to prevent severe disease and hospitalization and death.”
Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health Officials
December 29, 2021
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/12/29/press-briefing-by-white-house-covid-19-response-team-and-public-health-officials-76/)
That is so nice to see!
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/-black-and-missing-documentary-series-features-black-and-missing-foundation-which-searches-for-missing-people-of-color-129803845873
‘Black and Missing’ documentary series raises awareness of missing people of color
HBO ‘s ‘Black and Missing,’
“a documentary series featuring the work of the Black and Missing Foundation, which raises awareness of and searches for missing people of color, is discussed by the co-founder and CEO of the foundation, Derrica Wilson.”
“Black and Missing is a four-part HBO documentary series by multiple Emmy winner Geeta Gandbhir and award-winning documentarian, journalist, author and activist Soledad O’Brien. The series follows sisters-in-law and Black and Missing Foundation founders Derrica and Natalie Wilson as they fight an uphill battle to bring awareness to the Black missing person cases that are marginalized by law enforcement and national media.
Haunted by these stories of vanished loved ones and driven by the need for attention and assistance for these forgotten women, former law enforcement officer Derrica and public relations expert Natalie operate a grassroots organization that raises awareness in communities, alerts media outlets to the plight of thousands of women and children, and urges police departments to allocate more resources to this scourge.
Black and Missing pulls back the curtain to explore how systemic behaviors and attitudes stem from centuries of deeply rooted racism. This intimate look at Derrica and Natalie’s personal crusade to locate missing Black people also highlights stories of hope and closure as the Black and Missing Foundation contributes to the resolution of several high-profile missing person cases.”
Details: (https://www.hbo.com/black-and-missing)
Orange County mayor:
DeSantis has been MIA during omicron surge
“The mayor of Orange County, home to Orlando, said local governments had been forced to figure out on their own, without help from the state, how to respond to the omicron variant that has rapidly overtaken the delta variant as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Florida.
Florida hit a new record for daily cases last weekend, with the state reporting 32,850 new cases on Saturday.
The state reported more than 29,000 new cases on Tuesday.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said new restrictions
placed by DeSantis and the Florida Legislature
on actions that can be taken by local governments and private businesses to combat the virus
have made fighting the pandemic more difficult.
A new law signed by DeSantis last month prevents businesses from having vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out, bars schools and governments from having vaccine mandates and allows parents to sue schools with masking requirements.”
https://wsvn.com/news/politics/orange-county-mayor-desantis-has-been-mia-during-omicron-surge/
one in 400 Florida residents,
alive in March 2020,
has since died of COVID-19.
How many children are dead due to DeSantis?
—-when will DeSantis be held accountable?
The Country Will See A “Tidal Wave” Of “Omicron Kids”
Dr. Craig Spencer talks about his concerns of the spread of Coronavirus and children becoming infected:
“I have a kid in pre-K and I have another kid in daycare and here in New York City,
we’re seeing a huge number of cases and I suspect the same will happen all over the country.
The tidal wave will wash over the rest of the U.S. just as it has in New York City
and the numbers that you presented, 200,000 kids got COVID in the week ending December 23rd,
the one that we have the most data for. We have hospitalizations up and we still have around 800 children that have died from COVID throughout this pandemic and around one in ten have been infected.
We know kids generally have less severe disease with COVID thankfully, but I have concerns the next coming weeks we’ll see a lot of cases and a lot will be hospitalized.”
(https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2021/12/30/doctor_on_msnbc_the_country_will_see_a_tidal_wave_of_omicron_kids.html)
As year wraps up, layoffs unexpectedly remain at a 52-year low
The new data on unemployment claims hasn’t just improved, it’s actually far better than the pre-pandemic levels.
Benen: (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/year-wraps-layoffs-unexpectedly-remain-52-year-low-n1286772)
The most unusual job market in modern American history, explained
Quits, big raises and severe labor shortages: 10 charts on the completely surprising 2021 labor market
I”t can be difficult now to remember what the U.S. economy looked like a year ago.
The unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, with 10 million fewer people employed than before the pandemic. Expectations were that it could take years for the labor market to heal.
Then, the economy experienced two historic surprises.
First, demand for workers came soaring back at a velocity almost never before seen. And second, despite companies going all out to hire, millions of workers either retired early or stayed on the sidelines.”
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/12/29/job-market-2021/)
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Biden,
discusses the reasoning behind new CDC guidance for people infected with Covid,
including why tests used to determine infection are not necessarily helpful to assess transmissibility.”
Here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aktzp4jSXY8)
Reduced severity of Omicron illness shifts focus from case numbers to hospitalizations
“Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discusses why hospitalizations may become a better metric for tracking the number of positive cases of infection.”
The Common Enemy Is The Virus’:
Fauci Calls For National Unity In Fighting Covid
“Dr. Anthony Fauci talks about the need for states to work with the federal government in combatting the spread of Covid, and the importance of getting vaccinated for the common good.
Here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VQxPYnL7mY)
So if you take the vaccine: You are anti-anti-science as well as somehow anti-Christian?
How did we think DeSantis (un) response to Covid-19 was going to end?
How did he think it would end?
Hold Governors like DeSantis accountable for massive needless human sickness and death.
—How do we think it will end if we don’t?
Opinion:
Trump idolatry has undermined religious faith
“Peter Wehner, an evangelical Christian and former adviser to President George W. Bush, explains
in a column for the Atlantic how a recent speech from Donald Trump Jr. reflects the inversion of religious faith.
“The former president’s son,” Wehner writes,
“has a message for the tens of millions of evangelicals
who form the energized base of the GOP: the scriptures are essentially a manual for suckers.
The teachings of Jesus have ‘gotten us nothing.’ ”
Wehner continues:
“It’s worse than that, really; the ethic of Jesus
has gotten in the way of successfully prosecuting the culture wars against the left.
If the ethic of Jesus encourages sensibilities that might cause people in politics to act a little less brutally,
a bit more civilly, with a touch more grace?
Then it needs to go.
Decency is for suckers.
Understanding this phenomenon goes a long way toward explaining
the MAGA crowd’s very unreligious cruelty toward immigrants,
its selfish refusal to vaccinate to protect the most vulnerable
and its veneration of a vulgar, misogynistic cult leader.
If you wonder how so many “people of faith” can behave in such ways,
understand that their “faith” has become hostile to traditional religious values such as kindness,
empathy, self-restraint, grace, honesty and humility.”
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/28/trump-idolatry-has-undermined-religious-faith/
Republicans Cause COVID Surge Then Blame Biden
“Republicans and Trump supporters are celebrating the record number of COVID cases that they caused by blaming President Biden.”
“Republicans blaming Biden for the COVID surge is like an arsonist setting their house and blaming the fire department for not putting it out fast enough.”
“60% of Republicans are unvaccinated.”
“Unvaccinated Republicans are lemmings who are jumping off the COVID cliff.
The GOP is killing their voters to blame Biden for the pandemic, which has taken political obstruction to a new dark and deadly level.”
Easley: (https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/30/republicans-cause-covid-surge-then-blame-biden.html)
THIS IS NOT A REHEARSAL
What do we think is going to happen if we sit on our hands?
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‘Science Needs Better Marketing’ Says Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Hayden Planetarium director and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson
discusses with Nicolle Wallace the year in science and what lies ahead in the new year.”
Data For Progress
Redistricting is Going Surprisingly Well for Democrats
“Conventional wisdom suggests that, because Republicans control more of the redistricting process than Democrats, they will inexorably benefit from this redistricting cycle. But an analysis of each of the fifty states’ specific or expected outcomes leads to the opposite conclusion: when redistricting is finished, more districts in 2022 will be to the left of Joe Biden’s 4.5-point national margin against Trump than in 2020,
and there is an outside chance that the median seat will be to the left of the nation as a whole.
The following analysis only looks at whether a seat is to the left or right of Joe Biden’s margin in 2020 and not whether a “seat” is gained or lost in redistricting, as Cook Political does.” (Joel Wertheimer)
(https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2021/12/22/redistricting-is-going-surprisingly-well-for-democrats)
Here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXyFFkS9_XE)
Republicans hit snags deploying gerrymandering strategy to strengthen grip on power
“Kelly Burton, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee,
talks about the effort to ensure fair voting district maps against Republicans keen to use redistricting to secure election outcomes.”
Bad News Republicans:
The Biden Economy Is Poised For A Big Year In 2022
The Biden economy is poised for a big year in 2022, as the real economy is very strong.
(https://www.politicususa.com/2021/12/31/bad-news-republicans-the-biden-economy-is-poised-for-a-big-year-in-2022.html)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63CHQl55jbU)
Amrit Ganga – अमृत गंगा – S 2 Ep 30 – Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi – Satsang, Bhajan, Darshan
(one month ago)
Our neighbors are those we encounter in our day-to-day life
“as you all know, even though the movie plays on the screen in a movie theatre,
the screen is never affected by the changing scenes. In the same way, Mahatmas are able to stand back and watch as a witness as the different scenes in their lives come and go. They accept the good and bad that life brings equally. They are able to maintain their internal smile in all situations.”
“Our neighbors are those we encounter in our day-to-day life. If we can be good neighbors to those we deal with closely, we will not have to go searching for peace anywhere else. Then peace has already become ours.”
(Amma, Dec 28 2021)
–was looking fwd to hearing Amma’s voice, but it is another woman’s.
Good health and happiness 2022 !!!
—thanks and love.
Sad sad news…
Rest in peace, Betty White 🙏🏾😔
2021 managed to grab another giant before leaving us for good! RIP Betty White.
So, so sad to hear this. What a wonderful human. 😢 And a loving life! RIP Ms. Betty. 💜💜
Have a safe and happy and healthy New Year, 2022, TOD1 🎉🥂🥳
💜💜💜💜
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For Betty
❤️❤️❤️
Love Miss Betty 😁
Heard her read that earlier on the teevee. She’s so talented – and adorable!
Well, this is it ~ BuhBye 2021
Hallo 2022!
Some are already waltzing in the New Year, some of us are counting down ~ not long now!
Many many blessings, keep us all the Heart!
🕊🕯🌟💕🪔💕🌟🕯🕊
Happy New Year, MP! Love ya!
Love ya’ back, JO’B!! 💕🪔💕
Happy New Year, Nerdy darlin’ – and to all the other wonderful people of TODville! Let’s rock 2022!
Am a bit at loss of words. Webster’s handed crap, lacking the WTF non-nuance vocab.
I mourn the passing of Ms Tyson. And now Ms White, I mourn that e listen to all
Congrats to everyone for making it through 2021!
wherever you are.
Amanda Gorman’s profound brilliance starts the New Year perfectly!
New post.