…another op-ed I read this morning that I thought was worth sharing:
A large number of Trump supporters make their way up Constitution Avenue en route to the U.S. Capitol after President Donald Trump gave a speech at the Ellipse and encouraged them to march on Jan. 6, 2021. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)
“…everything about what unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021, implicates the cultural leader of the Republican Party — and because pretending that a mystery exists benefits him — we approach the third anniversary of that day with renewed efforts to rewrite its history.
“What Trump is doing now, 340-odd days before the 2024 general election, is amplifying self-serving falsehoods and finding a hungry audience for them. This is also precisely what he was doing in the weeks before the Capitol riot.”
Nice little op-ed that caught my attention this morning…
Protesters against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act protest outside the Capitol in May 2017. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)
“And while the Obamacare brand might have been unpopular, most of Obamacare’s actual provisions were well-liked. Nearly every major plank of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — such as guaranteeing coverage to people with preexisting conditions, expanding Medicaid, and allowing children to stay on their parents’ insurance plans for longer — was and continues to be favored by the public.”
History has been made; we now have our first “presidential mugshot”.
Former President Donald Trump was arrested yesterday on multiple charges relating to alleged attempts of tampering with election results. (I say alleged, as well, he’s innocent until proven guilty. My opinion–yeah, I’d hedge a bet on guilty. But, anyway.)
Needless to say, it’s fairly big news–the picture, anyway, not so much the arrest, as we saw this coming. And, of course, this silly media frenzy surrounding the picture is giving Trump tons of publicity. The question is, how will it be spun? I dunno, nor do I really care. I am slightly curious, however, in that same sort of curiosity one might have over seeing new property developments, or car accidents, or other little “I wonder” scenarios that really don’t seem to have that great of an effect on the curious, but easily could in some small way.
There will be no Morning News posted this morning–in fact, my Morning News posts will be taking a brief hiatus. My deepest apologies if you have grown accustomed to seeing what I think qualifies as news…
Instead, I would like to share the song that ran through my head this morning as I awoke:
We’ll have one more cold morning with wind chills well below zero. A storm system will then move in late this afternoon and remain with us through the weekend. Light snow this afternoon and evening will change to a mix overnight, with snow accumulations possible north and ice accumulations south. On Saturday a wintry mix will continue north, with rain south. Flooding could become a concern in the south by the start of the new week.
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Wind Chill Advisory valid until February 21 7:00pm EST
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
414 AM EST FRI FEB 20 2015
...BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILLS THIS MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WARNING THIS EVENING THROUGH MUCH OF SATURDAY...
.FRIGID WIND CHILLS WILL PERSIST THIS MORNING. SIGNIFICANT
ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW...SLEET AND ICE ARE POSSIBLE FRIDAY EVENING
THROUGH MUCH OF SATURDAY. THE FORECASTS WILL CHANGE AS THE STORM
APPROACHES...KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION.
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST /9 AM
CST/ THIS MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS
EVENING TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ SATURDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOUISVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND ICE...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST
/6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ SATURDAY. A WIND
CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST /9 AM CST/ THIS
MORNING.
* TIMING: WIND CHILLS 10 BELOW TO 20 BELOW THROUGH MID-MORNING.
SNOW DEVELOPING THIS EVENING...POSSIBLY MIXING WITH SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN OVERNIGHT INTO SATURDAY.
* MAIN IMPACT: BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILLS WILL MAKE IT DANGEROUS TO
BE OUTSIDE FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME THIS MORNING.
SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW...SLEET OR ICE ARE POSSIBLE
THIS EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY. STAY UP TO DATE OF THE LATEST
FORECASTS AS EXACT AMOUNTS AND PRECIPITATION TYPES ARE STILL IN
QUESTION.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DRESS IN LAYERS TO TRAP BODY HEAT AND TO INSULATE YOU FROM THE
COLD AIR. COVER AS MUCH EXPOSED SKIN AS POSSIBLE AND STAY DRY.
USE EXTREME CAUTION IF TRAVELING TONIGHT OR SATURDAY.
—###—
CYNTHIANA / HARRISON
The Harrison County Emergency Operations Center has been transformed into a shelter for men, women, and children. The building’s meeting rooms have been turned into sleeping areas. There were five people staying at the shelter Thursday morning. At sunrise that morning, the temperature in Cynthiana was recorded at 22 degrees below zero, the coldest in the area. The shelter is located at 313 Oddville Avenue. Residents are offered three meals a day. Officials say the shelter will remain open as long as there’s a need.
...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST /11 AM
CST/ TODAY...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EST /11 AM
CST/ TODAY TO 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ FRIDAY...
A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST /11 AM CST/
TODAY. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EST
/11 AM CST/ TODAY TO 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ FRIDAY.
* TIMING: WIND CHILL READINGS HAVE FALLEN WELL BELOW ZERO AND WILL
REMAIN BITTERLY COLD THROUGH TONIGHT.
* MAIN IMPACT: BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILLS WILL MAKE IT DANGEROUS TO
BE OUTSIDE FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME. WIND CHILL READINGS
WILL BOTTOM OUT BETWEEN 20 AND 30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
* OTHER IMPACTS: EXPOSED WATER PIPES WILL BE IN DANGER OF
FREEZING AND BURSTING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DRESS IN LAYERS TO TRAP BODY HEAT AND TO INSULATE YOU FROM THE
COLD AIR. COVER AS MUCH EXPOSED SKIN AS POSSIBLE AND STAY DRY.
—###—
CYNTHIANA / HARRISON
Harrison County Schools and Kids Club are closed for the rest of the week…
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152572843031607&id=296254501606
—###—
KENTUCKY
Harlan City Police issued a warrant for Queen Elsa of Arendelle, yesterday afternoon. Police advise using caution in her apprehension, as the weather conditions show example of dangers she is capable of performing.
University of Kentucky agriculture specialists say the extreme low temperatures this week mean farmers must make efforts to ensure animals are protected.
UK agricultural meteorologist Matthew Dixon says below-normal temperatures expected through the next week and possibly into early March continue the risk of stress to livestock.
UK said in a news release that livestock producers should make sure animals have enough shelter, water, dry bedding and feed to get through the cold period and that pet owners should bring pets inside. Livestock specialists say animals need more energy in colder months and advise having high-quality forages and grains on hand.
UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment livestock specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler says if animals have to search for water, they may end up walking out onto ice-covered ponds, risking falling through the ice.
The Kentucky House has canceled its meetings for the rest of the week after another winter storm dumped 3 more inches of snow in the state’s capital city.
The Senate was scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon, but the House announced Wednesday afternoon it would not return until 4 p.m. Monday.
Legislative leaders canceled Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s sessions after more than 10 inches of snow fell in Frankfort in one of the worst winter storms in the past decade. The National Weather Service said more snow was possible Wednesday.
The forecast for Thursday doesn’t include snow, but temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 16 below zero.
Lawmakers are in the middle of a 30-day session. They could make up the lost days in March.
Vanilla Ice has been charged with breaking into and stealing from an abandoned home that is in foreclosure in Florida.
Police in the Palm Beach County town of Lantana say the recording artist and home-improvement-show host had been renovating a home next to the victim’s house. They said in a news release that some of the items were found at his property.
Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, rose to fame following the 1990 release of the hit song “Ice Ice Baby.” In recent years, he has hosted “The Vanilla Ice Project” on DIY Network.
The 47-year-old Van Winkle was charged Wednesday with burglary of residence and grand theft and taken into custody.
Authorities say furniture, a pool heater, bicycles and other items were removed from the home sometime during December and February.
1807 – Former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason in Wakefield, Alabama and confined to Fort Stoddert.
1819 – British explorer William Smith discovers the South Shetland Islands, and claims them in the name of King George III.
1846 – In Austin, Texas the newly formed Texas state government is officially installed. The Republic of Texas government officially transfers power to the State of Texas government following the annexation of Texas by the United States.
1847 – The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party.
1859 – Daniel E. Sickles, a New York Congressman, is acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity. This is the first time this defense is successfully used in the United States.
1878 – Thomas Edison patents the phonograph.
1884 – More than sixty tornadoes strike the Southern United States, one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.
1942 – World War II: United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the executive order 9066, allowing the United States military to relocate Japanese Americans to internment camps.
1945 – World War II: Battle of Iwo Jima: About 30,000 United States Marines land on the island of Iwo Jima.
1953 – Censorship: Georgia approves the first literature censorship board in the United States.
1976 – Executive Order 9066, which led to the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps, is rescinded by President Gerald R. Ford’s Proclamation 4417
1985 – William J. Schroeder becomes the first recipient of an artificial heart to leave hospital.
2001 – The Oklahoma City bombing museum is dedicated at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
2002 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey space probe begins to map the surface of Mars using its thermal emission imaging system.
…additional offices and businesses are closed and/or delayed; please check with broadcast media, your business/organization facebook page, etc.
—###—
Harrison County Emergency Weather Shelter on Oddville Ave. (the old offices of the Harrison County Clerk) will be open this week for those who need it. Anyone wishing to volunteer their services to assist in operations should call Re’Jeana Craft at 859.588.1359
Governor Steve Beshear issued two executive orders yesterday to protect consumers from price gouging and to ensure families have access to needed prescription medicines.
“Both of these orders will help Kentuckians manage the effects of the storm, knowing that they will pay fair prices for goods like gasoline and won’t have to worry about skipping doses of maintenance medications,” said Gov. Beshear.
Price Gouging Executive Order At the request of Attorney General Jack Conway, the Governor activated the state’s prohibitions on price gouging. The emergency declaration triggers several consumer protection measures that will remain in place for 30 days, but may be extended past that time as needed. The order empowers the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute, where appropriate, those who sell gasoline, generators, building supplies, chain saws, hotel rooms and other necessary goods and services at an exorbitant price in a time of disaster.
Anyone with specific information regarding possible price gouging should contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257 or email: consumerprotection@ky.gov.
Prescription Drug Executive Order The Governor also issued an order which allows pharmacists to refill up to a 30-day supply of needed prescriptions without a physician’s refill order, excluding controlled substances. This order is effective in every county in Kentucky.
This executive order will be in effect through Tuesday, Feb. 24.
“We recommend that patients contact their providers first to renew a prescription,” said Dr. Stephanie Mayfield, Commissioner of Public Health. “In the event patients and pharmacists are unable to reach the providers due to severe weather, this executive order enables pharmacists to appropriately assist patients for emergency refills.”
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) remains activated as another winter weather system is expected to bring additional snow to the Commonwealth. National Weather Service offices in Kentucky have issued Winter Weather Advisories for snow in effect for 5:00 p.m. EST Tuesday to 7:00 p.m. EST Wednesday. The advisories call for an additional one to three inches of new snow and snow squalls with wind gusts up to 45 mph. Bitter Arctic air is also in the forecast and temperatures are expected to dip well below zero Wednesday and Thursday nights. Complete weather forecasts by region can be found at www.weather.gov.
New snow accumulations will hamper the ongoing efforts to clear roadways of yesterday’s snowfall and will continue to create hazardous driving conditions.
Governor Beshear declared a statewide emergency Monday afternoon. As a result of yesterday’s snow event, KYEM has received 66 county emergency declarations and 16 city emergency declarations. For the complete list of declarations, please see our website at www.kyem.ky.gov.
There are no reported injuries or deaths associated with this event. There have been no major power outages during this event
Officials encourage citizens to refrain from unnecessary travel; allowing roads crews unimpeded ability to continue clearing roads. Road conditions throughout the state can be found on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website at www.511.ky.gov, by calling 511 in Kentucky or 1-866-737-3767 for out-of-state callers
Those using auxiliary heating devices should be familiar with the manufacturer’s warnings, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to safely operate their units. A Center for Disease Control carbon monoxide poison fact sheet is available at http://www.cdc.gov/co/factsheets.htm .
Additional winter safety tips, including winter driving tips, can also be found on the KYEM website at www.kyem.ky.gov. Kentuckians can also follow KYEMPIO on Twitter and ‘like’ on Facebook.
1478 – George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of England, is executed in private at the Tower of London.
1791 – Congress passes a law admitting the state of Vermont to the Union, effective 4 March 1791, after that state had existed for 14 years as a de-facto independent largely unrecognized state.
1861 – In Montgomery, Alabama, Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the provisional President of the Confederate States of America.
1865 – American Civil War: Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman set the South Carolina State House on fire during the burning of Columbia.
1885 – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is published in the United States.
1911 – The first official flight with air mail takes place from Allahabad, United Provinces, British India (now India), when Henri Pequet, a 23-year-old pilot, delivers 6,500 letters to Naini, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away.
1930 – While studying photographs taken in January, Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto.
1930 – Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft.
1943 – Joseph Goebbels delivers his Sportpalast speech.
1954 – The first Church of Scientology is established in Los Angeles, California.
1955 – Operation Teapot: Teapot test shot “Wasp” is successfully detonated at the Nevada Test Site with a yield of 1.2 kilotons. Wasp is the first of fourteen shots in the Teapot series.
1970 – The Chicago Seven are found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
1972 – The California Supreme Court in the case of People v. Anderson, (6 Cal.3d 628) invalidates the state’s death penalty and commutes the sentences of all death row inmates to life imprisonment.
1977 – The Space Shuttle Enterprise test vehicle is carried on its maiden “flight” on top of a Boeing 747.
1979 – Snow falls in the Sahara Desert in southern Algeria for the only time in recorded history.
1983 – Thirteen people die and one is seriously injured in the Wah Mee massacre in Seattle, Washington. It is said to be the largest robbery-motivated mass-murder in U.S. history.
2001 – FBI agent Robert Hanssen is arrested for spying for the Soviet Union. He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
2001 – Seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt dies in an accident during the Daytona 500.
We’ll have one more cold morning with wind chills well below zero. A storm system will then move in late this afternoon and remain with us through the weekend. Light snow this afternoon and evening will change to a mix overnight, with snow accumulations possible north and ice accumulations south. On Saturday a wintry mix will continue north, with rain south. Flooding could become a concern in the south by the start of the new week.
Harlan City Police issued a warrant for Queen Elsa of Arendelle, yesterday afternoon. Police advise using caution in her apprehension, as the weather conditions show example of dangers she is capable of performing.