Lots of Big News This Morning

 Yes, lots of breaking news today. Lots of good, it seems and yes, some bad.  First the good.  If not even great.

Pfizer says virus vaccine 90% effective

Fantastic great news. Very hopeful for us all.

And that got us this.

Dow and S&P 500 hit record highs at open

With that great news on a possible vaccine, the markets went nuts. All time highs. Excellent. (Thank goodness it didn't come out last Monday, huh?).  

And then the bad news. This just broke in the last hour.

Ben Carson: Trump official tests positive for Covid after attending White House election party

I swear these people don't learn. Incredible. With any other administration, this would be unbelievable. And I don't know what's more ironic, that he's a doctor or that he apparently contracted this COVID from a White House election party, given the now known results. Wow.

Then there's this.  It's not bad enough he won't recognize our vote, our votes and our election. It's not bad enough he won't man up, be an adult, a responsible adult---for the first time in his long life--no. 

Trump Campaign Adviser Denies Split Over Concession, Plans for Recount Rallies

No, that's not enough or bad enough. Now he also, along with all that, says he wants to have "recount rallies" across the nation. Terrific.  Not only deny our election and the results but have yet more pandemic superspreading events, just when we're hitting every higher highs in COVID cases. Sure, why not, right? Why should this man or his administration make sense NOW?

Unfortunately, there's yet more bad news from this President and his White House today, however.

Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the first in an expected purge

This administration hasn't been enough of a revolving door, the President had to add yet more to it. Worse than firing him in these, the last 72 days of this administration, he had to also do it as the coward he is.

Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a tweet

This horrible and sad news hit yesterday.

U.S. becomes first nation to cross 10M COVID-19 cases

To maybe try to lift us back up and give us a bit of encouragement today from the Republicans, there's this.

Collins becomes third GOP senator to congratulate Biden

I saw where son in law Jared Kushner had advised Trump to accept the election. Now this.

Melania Trump among those telling Trump to accept the election loss

This, however, is starting to make me mad.

A Government Official Is Holding Up Trump-Biden Transition Process

A Trump-appointed government official currently holds the power to release $9.9 million of 

federal funding and access to a plethora of government information for President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team, which is already at work.

But the official is not opening the door just yet — citing an ambiguity about the election results advanced by the Trump administration.

A spokesperson for the General Services Administration says Emily Murphy, the GSA administrator, hasn't signed off on the transition yet because she's waiting for an “ascertainment” about who officially won the 2020 presidential election, which President Donald Trump is contesting without evidence.

it's one thing for the Trumpster to deny reality. It's a whole 'nother thing for even one of them to start blocking this transition.

And as expected and thought.

Georgia Lt Gov Geoff Duncan: No Examples of Voter Fraud

Finally, today, folks, there's this.  Keep in mind this big bit of great news.

Think happy thoughts, campers.

And have a great day and week.

And remember!  72 days!! (to inauguration!)

Additional links:

What Biden's Election Means For U.S. Health Care And Public Health

Fauci Excited to Have Someone to Talk To

What to Know as ACA Heads to Supreme Court — Again

This Is Precisely Just How Bad This President Was and Is

Understand this, reader, America.

This President was, indeed is so bad, so poor a leader, that much of the nation, from New York City and Times Square, all across the nation, all the way to Los Angeles, even right here in our own Kansas City,  broke out in very noisy, public demonstrations of celebrations after that and because of this election. 

And it wasn't all Democrats. Most all of us are that happy, that pleased we'll finally, finally have new, different and good, better leadership from and in the White House.

I've lived over 6 decades and never seen such a response here in the US to an election. It's never happened before. People never, ever broke out in very public, noisy demonstration and demonstrations to celebrate.

Not done there, Donald Trump was such a frightful leader on the international stage, his loss was celebrated ACROSS THE WORLD.

Fireworks in London, Edinburgh as Biden win celebrated abroad

International Applause After US Voters Fire Donald Trump

Again, Trump was and is that bad. Yet another unprecedented moment, unprecedented moments and reactions and result from this President. And it resonated across the nation and not just the nation but across the entire world. Literally. It's that big and that welcome an event.

Seriously.

So now, to Donald Trump and any and all of his supporters left, a message.

It's official. State by state, it's official. It's only not "official" in Trump's mind and in his few still supporters left. Give it up. He should concede. What, exactly, do you think the polling stations do, state by state by state? They know what they're doing. It's official all right.

Give it up. You need to do what Trump needs to do about this. That is, give it up. Be real, be honest, be an adult, be adult, be responsible for once in your life, Mr. President and accept this reality. If you don't, know this:

Nancy Pelosi Could Become President Should Election Remain Uncertified By Deadline, Law Prof Says

It's President elect Joe Biden and Vice President elect Kamala Harris.

Let's do this, America. Let's go forward.

Links:

We Hereby Dump Trump

Going forward, here's a very real question. Let's hope there isn't.

Is There a Trumpism After Trump? 

Quote of the Day -- Sunday, God, Religion Edition

"If god is both willing and able to prevent evil, why is there evil? 

If he is willing, but unable, then he is not omnipotent.

 If he is able, but unwilling, then he is malevolent, and if he is both unwilling and unable, then why call him god?"

--Epicurus, 320 BC

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN!!! IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

 Yes sir and ma'am!!! It's official, Mr. and Mrs. America!!

JOE BIDEN IS OUR 46th PRESIDENT!!!

It was just announced!!

Biden defeats Trump to win presidency

Pennsylvania and Arizona, etc., all went for Joe!!

Yahooooo!!

Our long, national nightmare is over!!!

Ding, dong, the doink is done!!

Now we need this.

WSJ editorial board urges Trump to 'concede gracefully' if Biden wins

Day 5--Where We Are Now With This Election

 Day 5.

Still no conclusion. Still no formal, official result. Still no next President.

Still locked at 264 Electoral College votes for Biden, 214 for the Orange One.

Nate Silver, on ABC last evening, said there is a 1 in 20,000 chance this could or would go for the Trumpster at this point so there's good news there. Additionally, Pennsylvania is going more and more for Biden. If Joe gets Pennsylvania, he'd have 273 votes total. It would be done.

As it stands now, however, it's Saturday, of course. I don't know if this means the counting has been halted until Monday or it's still going on. No way to know if there could yet be an announcement today or tomorrow or we have to wait until Monday. I'm thinking it will, in fact, likely come Monday or Tuesday. So hoping no longer than that.

Meanwhile, the Democrats have started eating each other alive in their political party.

House Democrats savage Nancy Pelosi, demand she is replaced as Speaker and blame her and the Squad's backing of socialism for election disaster in wild conference call

So any thoughts about having a nation more for everyone, more for the people, more for all the people, the entire nation seems to be going out the window.  

Fairness? Equity? More wealth equality? Justice?

Fuggedaboudit.

At least for a while, if not permanently.

There's some good, hopeful news besides the fact that we very well likely will be getting rid of this orange President.

The Lincoln Project is campaigning for a Democratic Senate with a new ad

Ironically, very ironically, what we can't and won't do for ourselves and what we aren't doing for ourselves, we Left Wingers and Democrats and Progressives, these Republicans are doing for us. Ain't 'dat a kick in the head?

Now, besides having to wait for a declared winner, we have to hope the current man in the White House doesn't lose it and go completely crazy on us all. He's already put us nationally in some really awful international company.

Trump’s claims of stolen election have some recent precedents — in Gambia and Guyana

Once again, Republicans, we thank you, so very much, for foisting this greedy, selfish, self-centered, deeply reckless and uninformed shell of a man, shell of a person, onto us all as President. Thankfully, thankfully, we've made it this far and we should be soon rid of him. Nearly leaderless, this is where we are presently, at least on the issue of national debt.

'It is going to be very, very bad': Legendary investor Jim Rogers says the US debt load is creating a prime environment for a collapse — and warns the next market blow off will be worse than the Financial Crisis' 50% decline 

And then there is the current pandemic, of course. This took place only a couple days ago.

US records 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in a day for first time

That wasn't enough, we had to repeat smashing that record for a second day, yesterday.

Covid-19 cases break record for second day in a row

And it's not even winter yet, of course. God help us all then. Winter and Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years.  Wow.

Anyway, America, fellow Americans, now we wait.

God help us all.

Nearly Bleached White KCPT "Week In Review"--With a Token

 I give up.

KCPT, our local PBS station, is supposed to represent us all, across the metropolitan area, but, geez. Their "Week in Review" program with Nick Haines, is supposed to represent us all and they advertise that and they emphasize, day after day, again and again, that the Hispanic Dos Mundos is one of their supporters but holy cow. Time after time, week after week, show after show, it's 3 very, very bleached white people and one--token--Black person.

That's it.

They either can't or just don't or won't get any Hispanic or Latinx person. Nearly never.  So frequently, again, repeatedly, they have the white person and worse, the conservative, if not out and out just Republican Party, white person covered but anyone from the Hispanic viewpoint?

Fuggedaboudit.

Not a chance.

So yeah. I give up. It's going to be a nearly bleached white, largely Right Wing, if not Republican, conservative viewpoint.

Congratulations, KCPT. Congratulations, Nick.

Love to hear what the white people's view is.

Nearly singularly.

Nearly solely.

I guess this is progress. It used to be only all 4 white people. Every time. Week after week.

Sure.  Right.

Never mind.

There's no reason to watch this program any further.

How are they not embarrassed? Professionally embarrassed.

Someone please tell me, please explain to me how this isn't racist.

Kansas City Needs a Philanthropist Savior Just Now

I've been thinking of this for the last week since I heard this report.

Pandemic prompts Nelson-Atkins Museum layoffs

From the article.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art plans to lay off 36 employees because of fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The museum announced the layoffs in a Wednesday news release. It also said it planned to cut its budget by 25% to about $26 million, KCUR reports.

“Today’s decision comes after analyzing, trying to fundraise,” CEO and Director Julián Zugazagoitia told KCUR, “and also seeing that this pandemic is going to be lasting for many, many months to come.”

So that, last week, led to this, now.

Kansas City Curator Who Built The Nelson-Atkins' World-Class Photography Collection Resigns In Protest

In 2005, Keith Davis brought the Hallmark Photographic Collection to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and founded the museum's photography department. Now, he's leaving after another curator lost her job.

Last month, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced it was cutting its budget by 25 percent and laying off 36 staffers to cope with financial challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It does cut across all (of) the museum," said CEO and director Julián Zugazagoitia at the time, and suggested that "recalibrating and restructuring" was ahead.

National arts writer Tyler Green reported on Wednesday that the departures include two of three curators in the museum's photography department. These curators oversaw the internationally recognized Hallmark Photographic Collection with works from 1839 to the present.

According to Green, an author, critic and host of The Modern Art Notes Podcast, senior curator Keith Davis resigned in protest of the termination of curator Jane L. Aspinwall.

So this is where it made me think that we need one of our local, very wealthy philanthropist families, or someone, anyone, to come up with--who knows how much? a million?--or whatever and make yet another donation to the Nelson-Atkins so they can stay afloat. Not only stay afloat but keep it's national standing and it's fantastic exhibits all going.

Blochs? Kempers?  Halls? Someone? Anyone?  Maybe get together and make a donation together? Please?

Because we'll beg.

Honestly we will.

Where We Stand Today

 Friday, November 6.  Where we stand now.

Joe Biden is leading in votes in Georgia now.

Biden Takes The Lead In Georgia

Also leading in Pennsylvania, thank goodness.

Joe Biden takes the lead in Pennsylvania

Finally, at least just this moment, Joe also leads in the Nevada vote count.

Nevada vote: Biden still leads Trump 

And not just leading in Nevada but this.

Biden doubles lead in Nevada

So all three of those are hopeful, very hopeful just now. Great news.

And then I thought control of the Senate was already an ugly, foregone conclusion but that's not so.

If Biden wins: Georgia runoffs decide control of Senate

Meanwhile, the Orange Man's meltdowns continue.

Talk grows of Trump firings at Pentagon, CIA

God forbid this should even be attempted.

Like it or not, a Trump self-pardon may be coming soon

Insane. Yet more insanity from this President as we've seen and witnessed and even lived, these last 4 years.

And here's where the Trumpster stands.

Trump is in a state of rage and denial

Meanwhile, of course, the pandemic rages on.

U.S. Hits Highest Single-Day Number of COVID-19 Cases for Any Country

This broke yesterday.

US hits all-time high for COVID-19 cases

We hit that high two days ago, then did it again yesterday.

US again breaks daily coronavirus record with 118K new cases

Insane.  And no one is driving the bus, so to speak. No surprise, but there's even LESS leadership from this President and White House because he's trying to deny our votes and election. He's too otherwise pre-occupied.

Battle lines form over coronavirus fight in lame duck

To quote Bob Dylan, "It's alright, Ma, I'm only dyin'..."

Any leadership from Republicans in Congress, you might ask?

Senate Republicans sit quietly as Trump challenges vote counts

Yeah, no. Why would they start now, after these last 4 years? This President has attacked our CDC, the US Postal Service, the medical community, scientists---all during the worst, most deadly, killing pandemic in the last more than 100 years but do you think the Republican leaders in Congress would give us any leadership? Work on PPE for our medical community? More testing? Heck, financial assistance for Americans so badly hurt by this pandemic?

Fuggedaboudit.

This President is now attacking our election, our own election, our votes, our election system. In real  essence, America, no overstatement, he's attacking us.

And his political party associates are at least remaining quiet, if not out and out supporting this crazed orange man in the White House.

So good news, bad news today.

So hoping at least one of these states, Pennsylvania, Nevada or Georgia announce for Joe today. Of course.

Then we have to watch the orange man. And hope he doesn't have a Constitutional crisis meltdwon.

Help us out here, Republicans.

As Joe Biden is smart to repeat, we are all, in fact, Americans. We're not your enemies out here.

Link---Wouldn't this be nice? But then, at 74 years of age, why would he start now?

Philly Mayor: 'The President Needs To Put His Big Boy Pants On'

The Nearly Unbelievable Things Coming Out of The Orange One Now

Honestly, it's difficult to believe what's coming out of Donald Trump's mind and social media accounts these last 2 days. First this. This was today.

Donald J. Trump    @realDonaldTrump

How come every time they count Mail-In ballot dumps they are so devastating in their percentage and power of destruction?
_________________________________

Unreal.

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES asked this. Today. This morning.

Unreal. With anyone else asking it, it would be unbelievable.

How about they count them BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR AMERICAN CITIZENS VOTES? You know? Us? The taxpayers out here? The citizens?

You dolt.

Yesterday, he wrote this.

Donald J. Trump   @realDonaldTrump

They are finding Biden votes all over the place — in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. So bad for our Country!

This orange buffoon clearly doesn't understand how elections, our elections and our votes work. Unreal.  Again, if it were from anyone else but this daft old bloated cream puff, it would be unbelievable.

#throwthebumout

Of Course Trump Wants to Fight This Election

The Daily Kos has this so right today. I said this a few days ago. 

Trump, facing prison and financial ruin, clings to hopes of stealing the election

This is what this election and this election fight now boils down to. Trump is concerned about being thrown out of the White House and into the real world of:

• Owing a billion--or more?--dollars to who knows who
• Being examined by the state of New York for his taxes, at least and
• Being investigated---and likely prosecuted---for crimes committed while President.

Of course he wants to contest our election and votes.

Stealing this election now is all he has.

We've never, as a nation, been in a situation like this with a sitting President in the history of our nation. Yet another thing and situation this President and his political party have foisted on us all.

Fortunately, this just took place within the hour.

Georgia judge dismisses lawsuit by Trump campaign 

This just happened, minutes ago.

Michigan judge dismisses Trump campaign lawsuit

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#Throwthebumout

More:

Why Trump Can’t Afford to Lose

The Fight Over Election Results Begins

Trump's Brief Speech Made America's Troubles Worse

Trump's election night 2020 speech was his most dangerous

By Declaring Victory, Donald Trump Is Attempting an Autocratic Breakthrough

'Bernie Called It': Pre-Election Video of Sanders Warning Trump Would Try to Steal the Vote Goes Viral

Not just Trump: Republicans pile onto conspiracy theories about vote counting

What's Happening Now

As of this morning---

Joe Biden is ahead in the delegate count, 238 to 213 so there's some great positivity there. I naturally love this headline and conclusion, no matter the source. 

Joe Biden Is on Track to Win the Electoral College

On news that it looks like Joe is going to win today, the Dow is up. Again. Another more than 700 points just now. Fantastic.

Meanwhile, the Orange Man is getting as crazy and desperate as predicted.  He did this last night.

Trump falsely asserts fraud, claims a victory

Trump falsely declares victory

The reaction, understandably, was swift.

Why Trump's Election Night speech was so indefensible

It seemed almost fitting, in a tragic way, to see Trump, after brazenly lying to the nation for his entire term, lying once more on Election Night.

Trump has attacked democracy’s institutions, but never so blatantly as he did overnight

For four years, President Trump has sought to undermine the institutions of a democratic society, but never so blatantly as in the early morning hours of Wednesday. His attempt to falsely claim victory and to subvert the election itself by calling for a halt to vote-counting represents the gravest of threats to the stability of the country.

Trump's call to halt vote counts is his most brazen swipe at democracy yet

More:

As America Waits Out An Uncertain Election, Much Of The World Sees Chaos

Trump’s Brief Remarks from the White House Made America’s Troubles Worse

Naturally, with this orange President fighting our election system and this election, he's coming under very heavy but fair criticism, all across the nation.

Trump says he'll take election fight to Supreme Court 

We're not some banana republic, after all. He doesn't own us as he did his own companies---which he ran into the ground, thanks very much. This is, once more, unprecedented for a President to do to us, to the nation.

We didn't get the "blue wave" across the nation the way we wanted and the way the nation certainly needs, that's for sure.  Missouri, for God's sake, passed Amendment 3.  Unreal. So now, Republican legislators will be free to gerrymander yet more of our state.  It's unconscionable. But hey, they'll do anything for power, as Mitch McConnell shows nearly daily.

Some good news overnight, so far:

• Mark Kelly won in Arizona.
• Arizona went blue.
• Michigan and Wisconsin went blue.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won! Yes!

Then there's this.

Conor Rogers   @conorrogers

Biden’s current likely electoral vote range is 270-306.

That’s a big deal.

Folks need to (quickly) get over the emotional let down of not having a wave election, and realize the practical reality that we likely have done what we came here to do: end the Trump Presidency.

7:34 AM • 11/4/20

Rogers is a former Republican strategist and contributor to The Lincoln Project.

Here's hoping, folks.  Stay tuned. 

Meanwhile, Kansas City, Kansas did this, locally.

KCK voters elect 20-year-old who admitted to revenge porn, sexual harassment to Kansas Statehouse

It used to be, youth kept people from being elected to government positions and that was wrong. But this? An admitted sexual harassment and "revenge porn"?  And he got into office? It stuns me he's a Democrat. Wow.

Pray for us. All.

God help America.

Links:

Commentary: Seven reasons why Trump is the worst president

Opinion | Donald Trump: The Worst President 

Opinion | The worst president. Ever. - The Washington Post

In summary, presently, anyway:

Abbreviated Pundit Roundup: A disaster election, with the WH well within reach, the Congress a mess

How Donald Trump broke politics

And for an indication of just what awaits Mr. Trump once he's no longer President, besides tax evaluation in the state of New York and possible crime violations, there's also the case of his finances.

Deutsche Bank plans to cut ties with Trump after the election and could seize his assets if he can't pay back his debts, Reuters reports

Donald Trump Has At Least $1 Billion In Debt

Donald Trump's taxes already at issue in at least two NY investigations

I Can't Believe This Man Ever Became President

 Geeminy, God. 

Look at this post, y'all. From what is supposed to be our President. He put this on Facebook, at least, yesterday, last night.

Every corrupt force in American life that betrayed you and hurt your are supporting Joe Biden: The failed establishment that started the disastrous foreign wars; The career politicians that offshored your industries & decimated your factories; The open borders lobbyists that killed our fellow citizens with illegal drugs, gangs & crime; The far-left Democrats that ruined our public schools, depleted our inner cities, defunded our police, & demeaned your sacred faith & values; The Anti-American radicals defaming our noble history, heritage & heroes; and ANTIFA, the rioters, looters, Marxists, & left-wing extremists. THEY ALL SUPPORT JOE BIDEN!

Seriously. This is pitiful. And Pathetic. It just shows all the more reasons why he should never have been in the White House in any government capacity and why he should be voted out now.

Thanks, Republicans. Again, thanks so very much for this man, this buffoon of a President.

Vote, folks. And VOTE BLUE.

#BlueWave2020

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BYEDON

Busy, Busy Election Day

 Yes, Mr. and Mrs. America, it is one busy, nearly crazy election day. Thank goodness it's finally, finally here.

First things first. I loved this bit of good, hopeful news this morning, early.

The Finance 202: The stock market is betting on a Biden victory

Stock market investors believe Joe Biden is going to win the presidency, and they’re betting with their portfolios.

Markets rally as traders bet on clear Biden win

Music to my ears. Beauty to my eyes.

The markets and traders, like all the rest of us out here--well, except Trump's contingent of followers, anyway--want, long for clear, intelligent, steady leadership again. It's been a long, long 3-1/2 years without it out here in this ugly wilderness.

They also think, as everyone else educated and aware does and would, that we need informed, calm, steady leadership on and in this pandemic, of course.

This came out yesterday, too. Yet more Republicans bailing on this President.

Ex-RNC officials won't back Trump

"Four former communications directors at the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted against President Trump this year, they said Monday."

Yet more Republicans that can no way support this President and who are, instead, voting Biden. Yahoo.

Then check this out. 

Trump Is Barricading Himself Behind a Massive 'Non-Scalable' Fence on Election Day

Once again, no other President in the history of our nation has ever, ever done or had to do anything remotely like this.  Insane.

And then there's this. Yet more insanity from the Orange Man.

Extremely low energy Trump calls in to whine that Fox News doesn't love him enough

Honestly, he really is a pitiful excuse for a person, for a man, an adult, a human.

Of course, we can't assume anything. All that positive stuff is just hopeful on my and a lot of us out here that Trump loses, of course.

Things I hope for today.

• That we flip Florida
• And Texas
• And Arizona
• And the entire Senate
• That Lindsey Graham gets his walking papers
• Along with Susan Collins
• And Moscow Mitch (doubtful but possible so I hope)
• That the news media will be able to and does, of course, announce a projected win of Biden for President TONIGHT

All that, at least.

And so much more maybe.

Honestly.

Here's hoping.

Think happy thoughts.

86 45 BYEDON

Unfortunately, Kansas City is getting some bad national press today thanks, no doubt, to some Right Wing idiots in the area.

WWI Memorial in Kansas City vandalized with anti-voting graffiti

Who can even say or even guess what this ignorance is about?

Election Day Observation

And start with the guy at the top.

Middle Age Riot

@middleageriot

It seems only fair that the people responsible for 40 million lost jobs should lose theirs. #VoteOutTheGOP

Vote, folks!!

And vote blue!!

#BlueWave2020

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BYEDON!

Quote of the Day--Presidential, Election Day Edition

Middle Age Riot @middleageriot·

Donald Trump says facts are fake, science is a hoax, votes are illegal, windmills cause cancer, Obama is from Kenya, Russia is our friend, and the coronavirus is over, but we're supposed to take his word that if we give him four more years he’ll fix all the problems he’s caused.

Let's do this, folks. Get out there and vote. And VOTE BLUE.

#BlueWave2020

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BYEDON

This Is It, Folks!!

 Today is the day, folks!

Vote!!  And VOTE BLUE!!!  

#BlueWave2020 

Vote like your nation depends on it!!

86 45!!

BYEDON!!!

What to do if There are Armed People or Groups at the Polls Tomorrow?

Hoping this doesn't become necessary for us tomorrow but just in case.

What should you do if you see armed groups near a polling place or voter registration drive?

Well, you could be intimidated and go away. Or try to pretend they're not there or that it is perfectly normal. Or you can call it out for what it is, voter intimidation, and demand that it stop then and there.

Here's some advice from the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center:

"First, document what you see," then consider the following questions:
What are the armed people doing?
What are the armed people wearing?
Are they carrying firearms? If so, what type? If not, are they carrying other types of weapons?
Are they wearing insignia? If so, what does it say or look like?
Are they bearing signs or flags?
Do they seem to be patrolling like a law enforcement officer might do?
Do they seem to be coordinating their actions?
Do they have a leader?
Are they stopping or talking to people outside of their group?
Do they appear to be provoking or threatening violence? If so, what are they doing specifically?
Are people turning away from the polling station after seeing or speaking with them?
You can also dial 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or 911 to report what you see.

Here is Kansas law:

A group of people who consider themselves part of the able-bodied residents referred to as members of the militia under state or federal law is not legally permitted to activate itself for duty. A private militia that attempts to activate itself for duty, outside of the authority of the state or federal government, is illegal.

How do I know if a group of armed people is an unauthorized private militia?

Groups of armed individuals that engage in paramilitary activity or law enforcement functions without being called forth by a governor or the federal government and without reporting to any government authority are acting as unauthorized private militias.They sometimes train together and respond to events using firearms and other paramilitary techniques, such as staking out tactical positions and operating in military-style formations.They often purport to have authority to engage in military and law enforcement functions such as protecting property and engaging in crowd control.

These groups often engage in behaviors that show their intent to act as a private militia, such as wearing military-style uniforms, tactical gear, or identifying insignia; wielding firearms or other weapons; and operating within a coordinated command structure.Other factors—such as statements by leaders or members’ efforts to direct the actions of others—also may suggest that a group is acting as a private militia. Groups of armed individuals may engage in unauthorized militia activity even if they do not consider themselves to be “members” of a paramilitary organization.

Does the Second Amendment protect private militias?

No. In fact, the Supreme Court decided in 1886—and repeated in 2008—that the Second Amendment “does not prevent the prohibition of private paramilitary organizations.” District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570, 621 (2008) (citing Presser v. Illinois, 116 U.S. 252 (1886)).

Is it legal to act as a private militia in Kansas?

No. All 50 states prohibit private, unauthorized militias and military units from engaging in activities reserved for the state militia (the National Guard), including law enforcement activities. Kansas’s laws are described below:

Kansas Constitution: The Kansas Constitution forbids private military units from operating outside state authority, providing that “[t]he military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.”
Kan. Const., Bill of Rights, § 4. Kansas Statutes–Prohibition on private military units:Kansas law makes it illegal for groups of people to organize as private militias without permission from the state. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 48-203 provides that “[n]o independent military organization, except a corps of cadets at an educational institution, shall be permitted to bear arms without first securing permission of the” governor as commander in chief.

Meanwhile, Missouri Law:

Generally the same as all other states.

Missouri Constitution: The Missouri Constitution forbids private military units from operating outside state authority, providing that “[t]he military shall be always in strict subordination to the civil power.”
Mo. Const. art. I, § 24. MissouriStatute–Prohibition on paramilitary activity: It is a felony inMissourito“teach[]or demonstrate[]to any other person the use, application, or construction of any firearm, explosive, or incendiary device capable of causing injury or death to any person, knowing or intending that such firearm, explosive, or incendiary device be used in furtherance of a civil disorder.” Mo. Rev. Stat. § 574.070(2)

So, no, the 417 Missouri Militia, the 4/8 Militia, KS 1st Regiment, ist Mechanical, the 620, the 913 Militia, Allied Patriots, 785, KSM, Disciples, RPP, NWK, the Klan, Christian Identity, American Identity, ASTRU, Blood and Honor, Firm 22, Millstone, Patriot Front, Vanguard, Straight Way, the Proud Boys, Vipers, Forever Enduring Always Ready, Sons Of Liberty, Crusaders, the Boogaloos, Oath Keepers, Patriot Prayer, 3 Percenters or some lone wolf wannabe revolutionary cannot show up as "Poll Watchers" or strut around outside with their ARs and AKs.

Me? I'm calling 911 and asking for police.

Again, hoping it's not necessary.

Vote, folks!! Let's do this!

Vote!! And VOTE BLUE!!

#BlueWave2020

Vote Tomorrow!!!

Americans!  Vote tomorrow! Be sure to vote!

And VOTE BLUE!!

BLUE WAVE!!!

Let's do this!!

86 45!!

At long last!!

November 3, 2020, America!! Vote!!

Vote tomorrow, folks! Vote Blue!! Vote him away!!

Tomorrow is the day, folks!!

Vote!!

And VOTE BLUE!!!

All the way down the ticket!!

The Movie I Need to Make

The movie, this time science fiction, that I want to make and that needs to be made--

About this planet, ours, Earth, that these these aliens that come at us, finally, at long last. We immediately think they've come to attack, kill and destroy us so naturally, that is for what we all, the world over, prepare for.

But these are advanced beings. These are truly advanced beings. They're peace-loving. And peace-living.  And they have the technology to take and keep it.

After this big, suspenseful build-up, in the movie, of us getting ready, the world over, for interstellar war, they come. They do come here. But instead of attacking us, their weapons shut us down. All of us. The world over.

And then they force us into peace. Peace. Across the planet. And then across the solar system and universe.

And we stop our wars. We stop fighting one another. We stop killing one another.

It becomes all the more relevant to us all, the world over, what with global warming and climate change now. We finally, finally start all working together to end and even reverse climate change and global warming and war and all the rest.

And we all start cooperating. And collaborating. And helping and nurturing one another.

The world over.

The end.