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IronLionZion
IronLionZion's Journal
IronLionZion's Journal
July 1, 2020
We can always count on Republicans to use our tax dollars efficiently unlike those Democrats who always waste it on fraud and abuse.
Trump administration lent a troubled company $700 million. The company was worth only $70 million
The Trump administration just lent a troubled trucking company $700 million. The company was worth only $70 million
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/01/business/yrc-federal-loan/index.html
New York (CNN Business)The US Treasury is giving a $700 million loan to YRC Worldwide, a troubled trucking company that warned in May it was in danger of going out of business.
That's an enormous sum for a company whose stock had plunged 27% this year and was worth only $70 million as of Tuesday's close.
Long-term competitive problems had taken the company's stock down 85% over the last five years. But shares of YRC (YRCW) more than doubled in value in pre-market trading on the news of the bailout.
US taxpayers will end up owning 30% of the company's stock as part of the loan agreement.
The loan is not part of the federal CARES Act meant to help small businesses. Instead, it is meant to provide help to businesses critical to national security. Treasury's statement said the loan was justified by the fact that the company provides a majority of the trucking services moving pallet-sized shipments of freight for the US military, a segment of the industry known as "less-than-truckload" or LTL.
"Treasury's determination was based on a certification by the Secretary of Defense that YRC is critical to maintaining national security," said Treasury in its statement.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/01/business/yrc-federal-loan/index.html
New York (CNN Business)The US Treasury is giving a $700 million loan to YRC Worldwide, a troubled trucking company that warned in May it was in danger of going out of business.
That's an enormous sum for a company whose stock had plunged 27% this year and was worth only $70 million as of Tuesday's close.
Long-term competitive problems had taken the company's stock down 85% over the last five years. But shares of YRC (YRCW) more than doubled in value in pre-market trading on the news of the bailout.
US taxpayers will end up owning 30% of the company's stock as part of the loan agreement.
The loan is not part of the federal CARES Act meant to help small businesses. Instead, it is meant to provide help to businesses critical to national security. Treasury's statement said the loan was justified by the fact that the company provides a majority of the trucking services moving pallet-sized shipments of freight for the US military, a segment of the industry known as "less-than-truckload" or LTL.
"Treasury's determination was based on a certification by the Secretary of Defense that YRC is critical to maintaining national security," said Treasury in its statement.
We can always count on Republicans to use our tax dollars efficiently unlike those Democrats who always waste it on fraud and abuse.
June 28, 2020
Why simple cloth masks without valves are better at fighting the spread of covid-19
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/why-simple-cloth-masks-without-valves-are-better-at-fighting-the-spread-of-covid-19/2020/06/26/c445fca6-b574-11ea-aca5-ebb63d27e1ff_story.html
Those face masks you see with coin-sized valves on the front may look intriguing but they are not as good at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus as the seemingly lower-tech, non-valved masks.
Some masks designed for hot, dusty construction work — where the intent is to filter out dust before it hits the wearer’s lungs — have “exhaust” valves that allow the exhaled air to flow out more easily, to keep the mask-wearer cooler.
The 3M company, which makes valve masks for such occupations, illustrates on its website how they work: inhaled air is filtered through the fabric part of the mask, and hot, humid exhaled air goes out through the valve. The system may be what you want when tearing out a kitchen for remodeling, but the valve defeats the purpose when you’re trying to slow the spread of a virus.
Public health experts have been recommending mask-wearing to prevent respiratory droplets from spreading into the air when you exhale, speak, cough or sneeze, and the valves allow those droplets through.
Medical masks, you’ll notice, do not have valves.
In its guidelines for mask-wearing, San Francisco stipulates that masks with valves do not meet its standards.
“Any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling allows droplets to be released from the mask, putting others nearby at risk,” the order says.
Those face masks you see with coin-sized valves on the front may look intriguing but they are not as good at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus as the seemingly lower-tech, non-valved masks.
Some masks designed for hot, dusty construction work — where the intent is to filter out dust before it hits the wearer’s lungs — have “exhaust” valves that allow the exhaled air to flow out more easily, to keep the mask-wearer cooler.
The 3M company, which makes valve masks for such occupations, illustrates on its website how they work: inhaled air is filtered through the fabric part of the mask, and hot, humid exhaled air goes out through the valve. The system may be what you want when tearing out a kitchen for remodeling, but the valve defeats the purpose when you’re trying to slow the spread of a virus.
Public health experts have been recommending mask-wearing to prevent respiratory droplets from spreading into the air when you exhale, speak, cough or sneeze, and the valves allow those droplets through.
Medical masks, you’ll notice, do not have valves.
In its guidelines for mask-wearing, San Francisco stipulates that masks with valves do not meet its standards.
“Any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling allows droplets to be released from the mask, putting others nearby at risk,” the order says.
June 26, 2020
Sen. Tom Cotton praises Wyoming as 'working-class state' in arguing against D.C. statehood
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-senator-says-dc-residents-dont-measure-up-to-wyomings-working-middle-class/2020/06/25/39e66312-b721-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) argued Thursday that the District of Columbia does not deserve to be a state, asserting that while Wyoming has a smaller population, it has a greater right because it’s a “well-rounded working-class state.”
A day before the House votes on legislation to create the 51st state, Cotton cast the years-long effort to lift D.C. to statehood as a power grab by the Democratic Party. In a speech on the Senate floor, he dismissed the District as a city with little to offer other than lobbyists and federal workers. He made no mention of other defining aspects of the city, including its African American history, drawing outrage on social media and rebuke by some Democrats.
“Yes, Wyoming is smaller than Washington by population, but it has three times as many workers in mining, logging and construction, and 10 times as many workers in manufacturing,” Cotton said. “In other words, Wyoming is a well-rounded working-class state.”
Bo Shuff, executive director of DC Vote, balked at Cotton’s definition of what constitutes a state.
“Forty-nine out of the 50 states were smaller than the District of Columbia when they were admitted to the union,” he said. “As a country we are a variety of all kinds of things, but the one thing we are all is represented in our democracy and participants — except D.C.,” he said.
Democratic senators chastised Cotton, who mockingly asked what “vital industry” the new D.C. state would provide the nation. “Lobbying? Bureaucracy? Give me a break,” Cotton said.
“Job shaming! Awesome! I’m in. Great idea. This CANNOT go wrong. Let’s rank the virtue of every profession and if your state has too many workers in the bottom 20% you get kicked out of America. Who wants to start??” tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) argued Thursday that the District of Columbia does not deserve to be a state, asserting that while Wyoming has a smaller population, it has a greater right because it’s a “well-rounded working-class state.”
A day before the House votes on legislation to create the 51st state, Cotton cast the years-long effort to lift D.C. to statehood as a power grab by the Democratic Party. In a speech on the Senate floor, he dismissed the District as a city with little to offer other than lobbyists and federal workers. He made no mention of other defining aspects of the city, including its African American history, drawing outrage on social media and rebuke by some Democrats.
“Yes, Wyoming is smaller than Washington by population, but it has three times as many workers in mining, logging and construction, and 10 times as many workers in manufacturing,” Cotton said. “In other words, Wyoming is a well-rounded working-class state.”
Bo Shuff, executive director of DC Vote, balked at Cotton’s definition of what constitutes a state.
“Forty-nine out of the 50 states were smaller than the District of Columbia when they were admitted to the union,” he said. “As a country we are a variety of all kinds of things, but the one thing we are all is represented in our democracy and participants — except D.C.,” he said.
Democratic senators chastised Cotton, who mockingly asked what “vital industry” the new D.C. state would provide the nation. “Lobbying? Bureaucracy? Give me a break,” Cotton said.
“Job shaming! Awesome! I’m in. Great idea. This CANNOT go wrong. Let’s rank the virtue of every profession and if your state has too many workers in the bottom 20% you get kicked out of America. Who wants to start??” tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).
June 25, 2020
MAGA
They'll blame protesters, who were mostly masked and outdoors, instead of the MAGA COVIDiots refusing to social distance or wear masks.
The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Out of Control in the U.S.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/k7q7ww/the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-out-of-control-in-the-us
On April 24, the U.S. recorded its worst day of coronavirus infections yet.
Two months later, as most of the developed nations in Europe and Asia are reporting significant declines in case numbers, that record was broken, as the pandemic continues to rage out of control in the U.S., straining hospital resources, forcing states to enforce quarantines against visitors from other states, and making some lawmakers delay reopening their states.
Health officials on Wednesday reported 36,880 cases, beating the previous record of 36,739, set on April 24, while multiple states in the South and West of the country reported huge spikes in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
As of Wednesday, 2.3 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus, and 121,979 of them have died, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Daily records were set Wednesday in the three most populous U.S. states — California, Texas, and Florida — with all three breaking records that had been set just days before.
Nationwide, cases are up 30% compared to the beginning of this month, while more than half of U.S. states have seen coronavirus caseloads increase over the past week, according to data gathered by Axios.
On April 24, the U.S. recorded its worst day of coronavirus infections yet.
Two months later, as most of the developed nations in Europe and Asia are reporting significant declines in case numbers, that record was broken, as the pandemic continues to rage out of control in the U.S., straining hospital resources, forcing states to enforce quarantines against visitors from other states, and making some lawmakers delay reopening their states.
Health officials on Wednesday reported 36,880 cases, beating the previous record of 36,739, set on April 24, while multiple states in the South and West of the country reported huge spikes in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
As of Wednesday, 2.3 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus, and 121,979 of them have died, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Daily records were set Wednesday in the three most populous U.S. states — California, Texas, and Florida — with all three breaking records that had been set just days before.
Nationwide, cases are up 30% compared to the beginning of this month, while more than half of U.S. states have seen coronavirus caseloads increase over the past week, according to data gathered by Axios.
MAGA
They'll blame protesters, who were mostly masked and outdoors, instead of the MAGA COVIDiots refusing to social distance or wear masks.
June 24, 2020
Sick of winning
Trump's latest moves aren't exactly a winning economic -- or reelection -- strategy
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/24/business/recession-tariffs-europe-immigration-trump/index.html
New York (CNN Business)President Donald Trump's latest economic policies are the opposite of the emergency aid that Corporate America and Wall Street are clamoring for.
Trump may be calculating that tougher stances on immigration and trade could score him points in November. But they could backfire by making it harder for the economy to recover from this historic recession.
Trump is suddenly ramping up trade fights with two of the nation's biggest trading partners -- threatening to slap tariffs on goods like chocolate and butter from Europe, and reportedly pushing to reimpose tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada. Meanwhile, Trump this week also extended immigration restrictions, which could make it harder for businesses to find the skilled foreign workers they rely on.
All of this is happening during a drumbeat of bad coronavirus news, as infections surge in several areas.
The Dow plummeted 800 points, or 3%, on Wednesday on concerns about the European tariff threat and the pandemic.
"This is exactly the wrong move at the wrong time. We're inching toward the same mistakes we made during the Great Depression," said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM International.
Economists agree the Great Depression was worsened by tariff policies -- namely, the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, which imposed tariffs on all countries that shipped products to America. Trading partners promptly retaliated by slapping tariffs on US goods.
New York (CNN Business)President Donald Trump's latest economic policies are the opposite of the emergency aid that Corporate America and Wall Street are clamoring for.
Trump may be calculating that tougher stances on immigration and trade could score him points in November. But they could backfire by making it harder for the economy to recover from this historic recession.
Trump is suddenly ramping up trade fights with two of the nation's biggest trading partners -- threatening to slap tariffs on goods like chocolate and butter from Europe, and reportedly pushing to reimpose tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada. Meanwhile, Trump this week also extended immigration restrictions, which could make it harder for businesses to find the skilled foreign workers they rely on.
All of this is happening during a drumbeat of bad coronavirus news, as infections surge in several areas.
The Dow plummeted 800 points, or 3%, on Wednesday on concerns about the European tariff threat and the pandemic.
"This is exactly the wrong move at the wrong time. We're inching toward the same mistakes we made during the Great Depression," said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM International.
Economists agree the Great Depression was worsened by tariff policies -- namely, the Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930, which imposed tariffs on all countries that shipped products to America. Trading partners promptly retaliated by slapping tariffs on US goods.
Sick of winning
June 24, 2020
More photos and descriptions at link
Abandoned Locations In Pennsylvania (10 Pics)
https://www.boredpanda.com/abandoned-locations-pennsylvanian-obsidianurbexphotography/
“How do you prepare for an epic American road trip?” This was the question on the tip of my tongue for the first quarter of 2018. The flights to New York had been booked, and adventure awaited! The race was now on to plan my vacation. This was not a typical trip across the pond. There was no shopping or traditional site-seeing hotspots on our map.
This was a journey in search of abandoned places; the constant obsession that takes me all over the world. I scoured websites, blogs, and news articles in search of lost American treasures. I made contact with some amazing local photographers, arranging meet-ups and exchanging locations. The months and weeks passed quickly. In the days before my flight, my map was a polychrome of multi-colored pins. Each marked a photogenic relic of the past, spread across ten different States. It was already clear that this was going to be an amazing trip!
Out of the ten States visited, I spent the most time in Pennsylvania. During this time I visited 21 abandoned locations, taking hundreds of photographs. I was so trigger-happy with my camera shutter, I ran out of memory card space partway through the trip!
Here are my Top 10 highlights from my trip. I hope you enjoy this foray into American Decay. Link to my Road Trip Blog with behind-the-scenes stories and photos from this unforgettable American Adventure is down below.
More info: obsidianurbexphotography.com | obsidianurbexphotography.com
Blue boxing ring
Trolley car graveyard
Gothic church
Library/Archive
Old government building
“How do you prepare for an epic American road trip?” This was the question on the tip of my tongue for the first quarter of 2018. The flights to New York had been booked, and adventure awaited! The race was now on to plan my vacation. This was not a typical trip across the pond. There was no shopping or traditional site-seeing hotspots on our map.
This was a journey in search of abandoned places; the constant obsession that takes me all over the world. I scoured websites, blogs, and news articles in search of lost American treasures. I made contact with some amazing local photographers, arranging meet-ups and exchanging locations. The months and weeks passed quickly. In the days before my flight, my map was a polychrome of multi-colored pins. Each marked a photogenic relic of the past, spread across ten different States. It was already clear that this was going to be an amazing trip!
Out of the ten States visited, I spent the most time in Pennsylvania. During this time I visited 21 abandoned locations, taking hundreds of photographs. I was so trigger-happy with my camera shutter, I ran out of memory card space partway through the trip!
Here are my Top 10 highlights from my trip. I hope you enjoy this foray into American Decay. Link to my Road Trip Blog with behind-the-scenes stories and photos from this unforgettable American Adventure is down below.
More info: obsidianurbexphotography.com | obsidianurbexphotography.com
Blue boxing ring
Trolley car graveyard
Gothic church
Library/Archive
Old government building
More photos and descriptions at link
June 20, 2020
So many photos at the link. But hotlinking to the images is disabled.
A big rally in Tulsa is necessary since Oklahoma is a such an important battleground swing state.
So here's a WaPo image and link too
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tulsa-imposes-curfew-ahead-of-trump-rally-to-prevent-violent-protesting/2020/06/19/56d31058-b21f-11ea-8f56-63f38c990077_story.html
Photos from the scene as more Trump supporters gather in Tulsa before Trump
https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/photos-from-the-scene-as-more-trump-supporters-gather-in-tulsa-before-trump/collection_d06d6696-90f2-522d-9325-edda99e34b1d.html#1So many photos at the link. But hotlinking to the images is disabled.
A big rally in Tulsa is necessary since Oklahoma is a such an important battleground swing state.
So here's a WaPo image and link too
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tulsa-imposes-curfew-ahead-of-trump-rally-to-prevent-violent-protesting/2020/06/19/56d31058-b21f-11ea-8f56-63f38c990077_story.html
TULSA — Tulsa was a city on edge Friday night, as Trump fans and protesters gathered in anticipation of the president's first campaign rally in months set for Saturday, raising fears of a violent confrontation and a worsening spread of the coronavirus as local cases spike.
Authorities set up a perimeter around the 19,000-seat BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, where those eager to see Trump started lining up at midweek. Businesses around the area boarded up their windows, and the mayor issued a state of emergency and set up a curfew out of concern that outside groups were headed to town to raise trouble.
But the city announced it was rescinding the safety measures after Trump tweeted:
"I just spoke to the highly respected Mayor of Tulsa, G.T. Bynum, who informed me there will be no curfew tonight or tomorrow for our many supporters attending the #MAGA Rally," Trump said. "Enjoy yourselves - thank you to Mayor Bynum!"
Authorities set up a perimeter around the 19,000-seat BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, where those eager to see Trump started lining up at midweek. Businesses around the area boarded up their windows, and the mayor issued a state of emergency and set up a curfew out of concern that outside groups were headed to town to raise trouble.
But the city announced it was rescinding the safety measures after Trump tweeted:
"I just spoke to the highly respected Mayor of Tulsa, G.T. Bynum, who informed me there will be no curfew tonight or tomorrow for our many supporters attending the #MAGA Rally," Trump said. "Enjoy yourselves - thank you to Mayor Bynum!"
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: Southwestern PA
Home country: USA
Current location: Washington, DC
Member since: Mon Nov 10, 2003, 07:36 PM
Number of posts: 45,409
