Cold aand colder; the case now for more immigrants

 

When we went out early this norning (Sunday, Feb. 1), the downtown temperature gauge showed 13 *F.  That;s rather nippy. 

Forecast (Feb 1): ~24°F/11°F. Very cold, sunny, and windy. So we actually did a tad better than that. 

Certainly the outdoor temperature affects computer function, as each evening, my whole system veers off in crazy directions, especially after dark. I simply cannot conrol it. But the phone always seems to be working properly in case of emergency. 

Groundhog Day 2026: [Feb. 2] Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter 

For a second year in row under this administration, no Black History Month celebrations at all, none whatsoever, are being held at the Kennedy Center. [What is there to celebrate right now anyway?]

In fact, the Kennedy Center will be shut down for at least 2 years for "renovations." That will prevent any boycotts or possible disruptions by anti-Trump performers announcing their unwillingnes to perfrom at the "Trump-Kennedy Center." .

ICE confirms measles inside Texas detention center holding growing number of 

immigrant families

What a nightmare! The Trump administration's anti-vax and anti-immigrant policies, are combining now to wreak maxium damage on human life and health.

Wash. Post, Trump’s governing style hurts value of U.S. dollar, could hamper inflation fight

The dollar’s status as global reserve currency seems safe, but foreign investors are rethinking exposure to the United States.

Trump's governing style might now be characterized as "erratic". We never know quite what is coming next. 

NY Times, [Opinion] The Case for More Immigrants

I've already made the case myself on these pages for accepting more immigrants here in the US. We just aren't producing enough babies, though we cannot accept as many immigrants as would want to come. Once more newcomers start arriving again, it might actually be hard to stop the flow. 

In any case, certainly the US should not be deporting folks any more, espccially childen actually born on US soil. But under President Donald Trump, that actually has been happening. Birthright citizenship has not really been abolished, only in Mr. Trump's imagination. 

 LA Times, Ramos and father, upon judge's order, freed by ICE and back in Minnesota

The first sentence of the Fourteenth Amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” That includes you and me, also my son Jon born in Colombia, but who become a naturalized US citizen at an early age. 

Instead, let's just deport Donaald Trump now to whatever country would be willing to take him. 

Behind his back, Trunp's cabinet is now being called the "Cabinet of Morons." Some observers have also reportedly called Trump himself a "moron." Trump's behavior looks like a classic case of what used to be known as "senile dementia." How can we all get through 3 more years? 

SLATE

MEDICAL EXAMINER

It’s Time to Face the Big Question About Trump That No One Wants to Ask

Is he losing it? 

Trump 

has even talked about running as vice presidwnt on a future Republican ticket and 

how could any Republican presidential candidate possibly refuse him?  

So, are we may be stuck with Donald Trump until he finally goes on to meet his maker.

I am almost age 88 myself and hope to die knowing that Mr. Trump has definitely retired completely from public life. 

BBC, Israeli air strikes kill at least 32 Palestinians in Gaza, rescue officials say

Wash. Post, 32 people were killed in Israeli strike on Gaza

The US is supporting and financing Israel's campaign of civilian deaths in Gaza.

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Reading back issues of the New Yorker sent by my younger daughter, I feel somewhat alienated from the magazine now ever since moving to small-town West Vriginia. It's very subtle, but there seems to be a note of condensenation on some of its pages toward many people living right round here.

 Our social environment does influence us since we are all social creatures. I never felt that way reading the New Yorker when I lived back in Washington, DC.