H.R. 1

H.R. 1, now making its way through Congress, would make it easier for every citizen of the United States to vote.

Yes! That’s what we want in a democratic republic, right? Every citizen has a voice!!!

Well, not all of us want every eligible person to freely and easily vote. The Republican Party, as a national entity and in most states controlled by GOP elected officials, want laws to make it a harder process for people to vote.

They call it “election integrity,” but call it what it is — voter ejection or suppression.

Without a problem, the GOP is pushing it own personal “elect us only” solution.

Anyway you slice it, define it or will have a positive shape or spin on it, the Republicult is interested in one thing and one thing only: keeping the number of minorities that are eligible to vote to a minimum.

For they now know that without a fundamental change in the underpinnings of the party foundation, and without acknowledging and embracing the demographics changes in the country, their basic tenets for governing does not fit the philosophy of a majority of Americans.

They desire an uneven playing field rather than check their basic white-is-right attitude outside the political arena and do not want the will of the people to decide the future paths the country should travel.

What they seek is not democracy but a more subtle form of fascism.

Whatever you call it, it ain’t right and it goes against the principles that define America as a beacon of freedom and democracy.

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Central Sidi Ifni – March 31, 2021 evening – Sidi Ifni, Morocco

Spain returned Sidi Ifni to Morocco in 1969. The Spanish took possession of Sidi Ifni after a successful war against Morocco in 1859. The central district has a number of art deco buildings that need renovation or have been renovated mixed in with traditional Moroccan architecture. The city has been painted blue and white – a cooling color to the eyes.

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Sidi Ifni – March 31, 2021 – Essaouira to Sidi Ifni, Morocco

We have a tight schedule between landing in Marrakesh and meeting up with Martina Rovers in the Western Sahara. Today we will drive from Essaouira to Sidi Ifni. This drive is approximately 333 km/200 miles and Google maps says will take 5 hrs. & 45 minutes if we average 35 mph – easier said than done.

We got up and while Nancy assembled our luggage, I was going to walk to the private parking lot to get a baggage carrier. Down two flights of stairs, open the door and damn – there is an older guy with a cart ready to take our luggage. Am guessing either our landlord or the parking lot arranged for this great surprise.

Better than half our drive will be along the Atlantic coast. It was an easy drive and we made several photo stops and a coffee stop – no breakfast and therefore no coffee before we left Essaouira.

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Tata – April 10, 2020 – Tata, Morocco

By Tom Allin

We woke with a planned drive from Tafraout to Taroudant by way of Tazalaght, Imitek, Tata, and Igherm. However, about 30 minutes outside of Tata Nancy suggested we stop in Tata for the evening. I immediately agreed, our long drives do tire one out.

Nancy grabbed the Lonely Planet Morocco book and looked for lodging in Tata. We decided on a place with so-so reviews but a bar. As we drove into town, I pulled over to see if we could get the internet and google maps – No. But Nancy sees a sign for the hotel we want, damn good luck. I drive a hundred feet, make a left and pull into the hotel unloading area – looks dead. It is closed. Nancy and I agree on hotel #2 which I had seen a sign for as we drove into Tata – it’s closed. As we drive through town, we see the Lonely Planet’s 3rd and last hotel. It’s open and we get a room. What can I say, I think we have had worse and Nancy’s not sure. Price is $31/night and no breakfast but a restaurant that serves beer.

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The Western Sahara – April 1 – 4, 2021 – Western Sahara/Morocco

Editors note: Tom and Nancy Allin are bad on the road. This is the story he posted this week. 4/12/2021

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We set the alarm for 5:30 am so as to leave our hotel room in Laayoune by 6:15 to meet Nico, co-owner with his wife of Martina Dakhla Rovers. We were to meet about an hour north of Dakhla at a gas station where we hoped to fill up again with gasoline. The evening before, after a 20-minute round trip walk to a café restaurant for dinner – we both ordered pizzas – I had filled the 4Runner’s gas tank to the top. At a previous gas stop that day I filled both emergency 5-gallon roof top containers with gas. Still, there was some concern about having enough gas for the trip since most of the filling stations down here only have diesel.

We set out to explore the desert in the dark. I drove slowly at about 25 mph until we were out of town and on the two-lane highway. I probably averaged less than 40 mph – wanted plenty of time to stop for any highway sleeping camels or highway crossing camels or donkeys; not to mention bicycling or motorcycling Moroccans.

Many of the towns have either a large arched wall to drive through or some kind of display to let you know you have arrived. Also, most of the towns in southern Morocco have a long entry stretch of road lined with palm trees, streetlights and very wide sidewalks.

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14-year-old FOMA volunteer working to raise money for new Animal Adoption Center’s Medical Room

By Jessica Harker Jharker@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Alera Waite, 14, has had a love for foster animals as long as she can remember. As one of the Friends of Marshall Animals youngest foster volunteer, Waite took it upon herself to start a fundraiser to help fund Marshall’s new Animal Adoption Center which is under construction.

The fundraiser, which is available on gofundme.com at https://gofund.me/058c71c6 has a goal of $60,000, a price tag that Waite thoroughly researched.

Visiting and speaking with local veterinary specialists, Waite determined the price of all of the equipment that would be needed by the new medical room to offer spay and neutering services on site, along with vaccinations.

These items include:

$75 Blood Pressure Monitor

$350 LED Binocular Compound Microscope

$750 Medical Scale

$1,000 Examination Table

$1,500 Patient Monitor

$2,000 Hydraulic Surgical Table

$2,500 LED Surgical Lighting

$3,500 Anesthesia Machine

$4,000 Digital Ultrasound Machine

$5,000 Surgical Power Tools- Full Set

$30,000 X-Ray Machine

The goal of making sure that these items are equipped in the new shelter, according to Waite, is to help the shelter to achieve no kill status.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that there will be a lot more grants available to the shelter if we are able to achieve no kill status,” Waite said.

She explained that many organizations will not give money to shelters who are not signified as no kill, so the addition of these medical supplies will not only help current animals in need, but will affect the future of the shelter in a positive way.

“We need a new shelter, and I think this is a good opportunity to fix these problems as well,” Waite said.

Waite has been volunteering with FOMA since she was 10-years-old, and is one of the youngest volunteers in the organization.

“I have always had a love for foster animals,” Waite said. “I feel like you can connect with them so much more than other animals that already have a good home. You can’t do as much for them, but foster animals they need you.”

Waite is the sole caretakers of the foster animals in her care, taking the time to care for, clean up after and purchase any and all supplies needed for the animals on her own.

Not only does she foster dogs and cats through the FOMA, but Waite also fosters horses and other farm animals, even boarding other community members horses to raise the money needed to care for the animals in her care.

Since her house is currently at maximum capacity for foster animals, Waite said that she has volunteered with the group’s events committee to assist in funding for the organization.

Waite also participates in 4H, formerly holding the title of president of her local chapter, and is an active member of the Girl Scouts, hoping to turn her ongoing funding project for the medical room into her Silver Award project.

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Reparations for the nation’s history of slavery

Reparations for the nation’s history of slavery.

Yea or nay?

With a history of being editor and publisher of newspapers where racial disharmony was a constant stain on the communities I served, where cultures conflicted as a part of everyday life, and having a black son-in-law and biracial grandchildren, you can guess where I stand.

Or maybe not.

Attempting to erase the nation’s nefarious and horrid treatment of people of color — Black, Asian, Native American or “other” — by handing out wads of I’m-sorry! cash is not a plausible solution.

History is what it is, and the white contingent’s treatment overall of citizens and residents of different cultures, religions and colors is reprehensible and indefensible.

But trying to solve our collective consciences with bucket loads of lucre is not the answer.

Who would we pay? How much? For how long? For what specific act or collection of acts?

The answer to the past disputable behaviors lies in visible change, in the switching of attitude, creation of laws and additional opportunities with an aim of an equalization of cultures. These goals must include the education of all citizens on the importance of the fundamental right of equality.

This is the United States of America, once described as “A City upon a Hill”, a phrase derived from the teaching in Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. In a modern context, it has been used in United States politics to refer to America acting as a “beacon of hope” for the world, a “shining city.”

From a global perspective — and also from a domestic viewpoint — the democratic luster is gone from our nation. Where once the United States was held aloft as a symbol of freedom and hope, our political, racial, cultural and religious differences have caused us to be pitied and scorned.m by nations which once held us as a positive example of freedom and democracy.

Now, right now, is the time to summon our better angels, to pray for uplifting support and guidance and make a determined effort to work in unity to recreate the America of promise and hope. Our goal should be to create, finally, a kinder, gentler America, a nation that values all citizens equally and welcomes all who share our vision, our hopes and our dreams.

We can do better. We must do better. We must change. Our children and grandchildren demand action from us.

We must not, cannot let them down.

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The Future of Everything

Imagine an exchange that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can buy and sell everything from stocks to cryptocurrency to art. Trades happen almost instantly, without the need for middlemen or gatekeepers. Profits can turn to losses in the wink of an eye.

A blockchain-based exchange is less far-fetched than ever. This week, the WSJ’s Paul Vigna reports on a number of pilot programs and other experiments investigating how to create digitized markets that can keep up with changing times. 💵The article is part of our latest issue, which looks at what’s ahead for money and finance. Elsewhere, we round up innovative credit-card rewards headed to your wallet, as well as four investments about to go mainstream. We question the speed of stimulus payments, meet the next generation of financial chatbots, dig into the European Union’s roll out of sustainability reporting metrics and look at the potential role of satellite networks in high-frequency trading.

Last but not least, we examine how connected devices are learning to buy and sell goods and services. 📰Read the full report here or in today’s paper. Or keep scrolling. 👇And, as always, send me your thoughts, questions and predictions by hitting “reply” to this email.

🚀 The Future of Everything Festival takes place online May 11-13. Together, we’ll look around the corner at the ideas triggering seismic shifts in how we live, work and play. You’ll collaborate with entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, scientists and thinkers so that you can plan for what’s next with informed projections—not predictions. The Wall Street Journal will deliver all of this and more, so join us and experience the future as it takes shape. Register here for your 3-Day Pass (complimentary for WSJ members).

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CORONAVIRUS INFO PROVIDED BY DR. JIM HARRIS – 04/01/2021

GREAT NEWS: VACCINE DOSES PLENTIFUL AT CHRISTUS GOOD SHEPHERD-LONGVIEW AND NEED TO BE ADMINISTERED PRONTO. IT IS NOW VERY EASY TO SIGN UP. VACCINE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE — SIGN UP NOW (click this)

Good computer help available to schedule. Phone number available. If we don’t use this vaccine, we might not get more. Call your friends and family and employees — here or nearby. We need to use this vaccine.

MORE GREAT NEWS FOR PATIENTS ON ACE INHIBITOR DRUG FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Association Between Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19

The study’s findings suggest that ACEIs and ARBs may be associated with protective benefits for patients with COVID-19 and that patients may continue receiving ACEIs and ARBs for the treatment of any condition without an increased risk of worse outcomes unless specifically advised to avoid them by treating clinicians….Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review and meta-analysis, receipt of ACEIs or ARBs was not associated with a higher risk of multivariable-adjusted mortality and severe AEs among patients with COVID-19 who had either hypertension or multiple comorbidities, supporting the recommendations of medical societies. On the contrary, ACEIs and ARBs may be associated with protective benefits, particularly among patients with hypertension. Future randomized clinical trials are warranted to establish causality.

(J. Harris: A year ago we looked at some suggestions and undocumented theories that this common group of drugs might make infections with Covid more common or more serious. There were no studies proving this, and, since this group of drugs contains some of the very best and most commonly used and inexpensive drugs for BP control, several good doctors (and I ) recommended patients should continue their medications until scientific studies were reported in the medical literature regarding the drugs or until their personal MD (where they still exist) tell their patients to stop taking the drugs. WELL, THE DRUGS ARE NOT ONLY SAFE, THEY MAY BE PROTECTIVE! THIS IS WHY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS DONE. KEEP TAKING THESE DRUGS UNLESS YOU DOCTOR TELLS YOU DIFFERENTLY:

From the NYT:

1. Getting One Vaccine Is Good. How About Mix-and-Match?

“…The researchers suspect that the first dose produces a broad range of antibodies that can stick to spots along the length of the spike protein, and that the second dose delivers a big supply of particularly potent antibodies to the tip of the spike. Together, the assortment of antibodies does a better job of stopping the coronavirus…As the number of authorized vaccines grows, the possible combinations in which they can be used will explode…As the number of authorized vaccines grows, the possible combinations in which they can be used will explode.”

(J. Harris: There has been some success with other infections doing this “mix and match.”)

Eastman Foundation awards $125,000 grant to Christus foundation for COVID-19 vaccine hub

FROM BECKER’S CITATIONS:

Why next flu season may be severe

Low levels of flu activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic have made it more challenging for experts developing next year’s flu shot to predict which strains will predominate next winter….Without a strong enough vaccine, the U.S. could experience a severe flu season.

FROM THE NYT: