Biden challenges Trump to 2 debates but won’t participate nonpartisan commission’s debates
- By cigaretteman
- Off Topic
- 2 Replies
President Joe Biden said Wednesday on social media that he won’t participate in the campaign debates sponsored by a nonpartisan commission, instead challenging Republican Donald Trump to a pair of debates.
“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020,” Biden posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. “Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.”
The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Trump’s ongoing hush money trial by noting that the Republican is “free on Wednesdays,” the usual day off in the trial.
In addition to the post, Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Biden would not participate in its announced debates, choosing instead to participate in debates hosted by news organizations.
The president first indicated he would be willing to debate Trump during an interview with the radio host Howard Stern last month, telling him that “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when. But I’m happy to debate him.”
Biden indicated again last week that he was preparing to debate, telling reporters as he was leaving a White House event: “Set it up.”
In this combination photo, President Joe Biden speaks May 2, 2024, in Wilmington, N.C., left, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, May 1, 2024, in Waukesha, Wis. President Joe Biden says he won’t participate in the campaign debates sponsored by a nonpartisan commission, instead challenging Republican Donald Trump to a pair of debates. Biden said Wednesday that Trump lost two debates to him in 2020 and since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Biden proposes debating Trump twice. (AP Photo)
Trump has repeatedly dared Biden to debate him, keeping a second podium open at rallies and claiming that his rival would not be up for the task.
Trump, too, has taken issue with the debate commission, but he and his team have maintained that they don’t care who hosts the debates as long as they happen.
The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the Commission on Presidential Debates, saying that the schedule “begins AFTER early voting” and that “this is unacceptable” because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast.
Trump said at a Pennsylvania rally before his hush money trial began that the debates were needed.
“We have to debate because our country is going in the wrong direction so badly,” Trump said with the empty podium next to him. “We have to explain to the American people what the hell is going on.”
www.thegazette.com
“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020,” Biden posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. “Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.”
The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Trump’s ongoing hush money trial by noting that the Republican is “free on Wednesdays,” the usual day off in the trial.
In addition to the post, Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Biden would not participate in its announced debates, choosing instead to participate in debates hosted by news organizations.
The president first indicated he would be willing to debate Trump during an interview with the radio host Howard Stern last month, telling him that “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when. But I’m happy to debate him.”
Biden indicated again last week that he was preparing to debate, telling reporters as he was leaving a White House event: “Set it up.”
Trump has repeatedly dared Biden to debate him, keeping a second podium open at rallies and claiming that his rival would not be up for the task.
Trump, too, has taken issue with the debate commission, but he and his team have maintained that they don’t care who hosts the debates as long as they happen.
The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the Commission on Presidential Debates, saying that the schedule “begins AFTER early voting” and that “this is unacceptable” because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast.
Trump said at a Pennsylvania rally before his hush money trial began that the debates were needed.
“We have to debate because our country is going in the wrong direction so badly,” Trump said with the empty podium next to him. “We have to explain to the American people what the hell is going on.”
Biden challenges Trump to 2 debates but won’t participate nonpartisan commission’s debates
President Joe Biden said Wednesday on social media that he won’t participate in the campaign debates sponsored by a nonpartisan commission, instead challenging Republican Donald Trump to a pair of debates.
www.thegazette.com
‘Swine Republic’ makes Library of Congress’ ‘Great Reads’ list
- By cigaretteman
- Off Topic
- 0 Replies
The Library of Congress has named an Iowa book of essays about agricultural pollution to a list of 56 “Great Reads” for 2024.
Chris Jones’ book, “Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality,” has been an “unexpected hit” across Iowa, according to the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book affiliate in Iowa, based in Ames.
“Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular audience about how politics and economics have influenced changes in Iowa’s water quality,” the Center wrote about the selection. “His ability to simplify the complex relationship between agriculture and water makes his science writing uniquely accessible. Jones is passionate about getting the truth about the water we consume out to everyday Iowans, farmers, and scientists alike.”
The book contains 69 essays, most of which appeared on a UI blog Jones started writing in 2015. With titles like “Fifty Shades of Brown,” “Cropaganda” and “Take this Stream and Shove it,” Jones’s posts don’t pull punches and occasionally rankle lawmakers and other scientists.
In 2021, Iowa Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, wrote to UI officials, including the then-director of IIHR, to complain about an opinion piece Jones wrote for Civil Eats, saying low-income and minority Iowans are disproportionately affected by poor water quality.
Ingels disagreed with the implication that farmers are racist for not doing more to improve water quality, he told The Gazette in 2021.
Jones’ most-read essay, “Iowa’s Real Population,” which got more than 7,000 page views after it was first published March 14, 2019, takes the amount of manure from Iowa farm animals and converts it into what would be produced by a human population. A map shows Iowa watersheds with enough manure to match the human populations of New York City, Paris and Los Angeles.
Each year since 2002, Centers for the Book across the country choose one adult book and one children’s book from each state and territory to celebrate at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. This year’s festival is Aug. 24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
“The titles named are as diverse as the states and territories that choose them,” said Guy Lamolinara, head of the Center for the Book Affiliates Program, said in a news release. “The Roadmap to Reading and the participation of the affiliate Centers for the Book make the National Book Festival a truly national event.”
The children’s book chosen for Iowa this year is “Ten Beautiful Things” by Molly Beth Griffin and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. In a “heartfelt story of changing perspectives,” Lily and her grandmother search for 10 beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lilly’s new home with Gran, the Center for the Book Iowa affiliate reported.
Griffin grew up in Minnesota and lives in South Minneapolis, but she graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa in 2005.
www.thegazette.com
Chris Jones’ book, “Swine Republic: Struggles with the Truth about Agriculture and Water Quality,” has been an “unexpected hit” across Iowa, according to the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book affiliate in Iowa, based in Ames.
“Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular audience about how politics and economics have influenced changes in Iowa’s water quality,” the Center wrote about the selection. “His ability to simplify the complex relationship between agriculture and water makes his science writing uniquely accessible. Jones is passionate about getting the truth about the water we consume out to everyday Iowans, farmers, and scientists alike.”
The book contains 69 essays, most of which appeared on a UI blog Jones started writing in 2015. With titles like “Fifty Shades of Brown,” “Cropaganda” and “Take this Stream and Shove it,” Jones’s posts don’t pull punches and occasionally rankle lawmakers and other scientists.
In 2021, Iowa Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, wrote to UI officials, including the then-director of IIHR, to complain about an opinion piece Jones wrote for Civil Eats, saying low-income and minority Iowans are disproportionately affected by poor water quality.
Ingels disagreed with the implication that farmers are racist for not doing more to improve water quality, he told The Gazette in 2021.
Jones’ most-read essay, “Iowa’s Real Population,” which got more than 7,000 page views after it was first published March 14, 2019, takes the amount of manure from Iowa farm animals and converts it into what would be produced by a human population. A map shows Iowa watersheds with enough manure to match the human populations of New York City, Paris and Los Angeles.
Each year since 2002, Centers for the Book across the country choose one adult book and one children’s book from each state and territory to celebrate at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. This year’s festival is Aug. 24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
“The titles named are as diverse as the states and territories that choose them,” said Guy Lamolinara, head of the Center for the Book Affiliates Program, said in a news release. “The Roadmap to Reading and the participation of the affiliate Centers for the Book make the National Book Festival a truly national event.”
The children’s book chosen for Iowa this year is “Ten Beautiful Things” by Molly Beth Griffin and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. In a “heartfelt story of changing perspectives,” Lily and her grandmother search for 10 beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lilly’s new home with Gran, the Center for the Book Iowa affiliate reported.
Griffin grew up in Minnesota and lives in South Minneapolis, but she graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa in 2005.
Chris Jones’ ‘Swine Republic’ named to Library of Congress list of ‘Great Reads’
The Library of Congress has named an Iowa book of essays about agricultural pollution to a list of 56 “Great Reads” for 2024.
www.thegazette.com
President Biden approves major disaster declaration for 8 Iowa counties
- By cigaretteman
- Off Topic
- 1 Replies
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for eight Iowa counties that were hit by tornadoes last month.
The declaration, approved on Tuesday, opens up federal funding for families and businesses impacted by the destructive storms on April 26. The towns of Minden and Pleasant Hill suffered significant damage from the tornadoes.
Residents can apply for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. Alternatively, residents can call 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App.
The disaster declaration covers Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties, according to the White House. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds requested the declaration for nine counties on May 2.
Crawford County, which was included in Reynolds' request, was not covered in the federal declaration. The National Weather Service’s Omaha Bureau documented that two tornadoes hit Crawford County that day, striking in rural areas.
Residents in the eight included counties can apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance Program. The program provides households and businesses with housing assistance, property replacement and other expenses incurred by the disaster. The program does not cover any losses that are covered by insurance.
The declaration also makes hazard mitigation funding available on a cost-sharing basis, the White House said.
Individuals and businesses may also be able to apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration, Reynolds' office said.
With the arrival of FEMA funds through the individual assistance program, Iowa's Individual Assistance Grant Program will no longer be available in the eight counties covered by the federal declaration, Reynolds' office said.
nonpareilonline.com
The declaration, approved on Tuesday, opens up federal funding for families and businesses impacted by the destructive storms on April 26. The towns of Minden and Pleasant Hill suffered significant damage from the tornadoes.
Residents can apply for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. Alternatively, residents can call 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App.
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The disaster declaration covers Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties, according to the White House. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds requested the declaration for nine counties on May 2.
Crawford County, which was included in Reynolds' request, was not covered in the federal declaration. The National Weather Service’s Omaha Bureau documented that two tornadoes hit Crawford County that day, striking in rural areas.
Residents in the eight included counties can apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance Program. The program provides households and businesses with housing assistance, property replacement and other expenses incurred by the disaster. The program does not cover any losses that are covered by insurance.
The declaration also makes hazard mitigation funding available on a cost-sharing basis, the White House said.
Individuals and businesses may also be able to apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration, Reynolds' office said.
With the arrival of FEMA funds through the individual assistance program, Iowa's Individual Assistance Grant Program will no longer be available in the eight counties covered by the federal declaration, Reynolds' office said.
President Biden approves major disaster declaration for 8 Iowa counties
The declaration comes as recovery continues from destructive storms on April 26.
Something weird is happening with tornados
and it is not looking good.
www.vox.com
Tornado season is here again, with twisters striking in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Floridaover the past few weeks. But while severe storms in spring are nothing new, there have been subtle changes in tornado patterns in recent years that portend a more dangerous future for communities across the country.
According to a preliminary count from the National Centers for Environmental Information, there have been 547 tornadoes documented from January through April 2024. That figure is higher than the year-to-date average — 338 — the organization calculated between 1991 and 2020 but in line with the number observed in 2022 and 2023 in the same time frame.
And even as the number of tornadoes has stayed relatively consistent in the last few years, experts say there have been key changes in their behavior over time that could have major consequences.
More tornadoes are now concentrated in fewer days, meaning they are less spread out and there’s a higher number occurring on the same day, according to a 2019 study published in Theoretical and Applied Climatology. A growing number of tornadoes are also occurring in the southeastern part of the US in addition to the Great Plains, where they have been historically most common.
There’s still a lot experts don’t know about why both these trends are occurring and it’s not clear if climate change is playing a role. What is more certain is that these shifts mean people will have to prepare for these natural disasters in new ways, with some communities enduring more severe storms in rapid succession and others being forced to build infrastructure for tornadoes they had rarely experienced before.
Something weird is happening with tornadoes
Tornado season is changing. That could have major consequences.
www.vox.com
Tornado season is here again, with twisters striking in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Floridaover the past few weeks. But while severe storms in spring are nothing new, there have been subtle changes in tornado patterns in recent years that portend a more dangerous future for communities across the country.
According to a preliminary count from the National Centers for Environmental Information, there have been 547 tornadoes documented from January through April 2024. That figure is higher than the year-to-date average — 338 — the organization calculated between 1991 and 2020 but in line with the number observed in 2022 and 2023 in the same time frame.
And even as the number of tornadoes has stayed relatively consistent in the last few years, experts say there have been key changes in their behavior over time that could have major consequences.
More tornadoes are now concentrated in fewer days, meaning they are less spread out and there’s a higher number occurring on the same day, according to a 2019 study published in Theoretical and Applied Climatology. A growing number of tornadoes are also occurring in the southeastern part of the US in addition to the Great Plains, where they have been historically most common.
There’s still a lot experts don’t know about why both these trends are occurring and it’s not clear if climate change is playing a role. What is more certain is that these shifts mean people will have to prepare for these natural disasters in new ways, with some communities enduring more severe storms in rapid succession and others being forced to build infrastructure for tornadoes they had rarely experienced before.
Boeing may face criminal prosecution over 737 Max crashes, US says
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US government considers whether to criminally prosecute Boeing
The Department of Justice is considering whether to prosecute the firm over two fatal 737 Max crashes.
www.bbc.com
The plane maker failed to "design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the US fraud laws throughout its operations," the DOJ said.
