November 8, 2020

Hiking in the ACLT – A relieved EPA employee – Biden’s acceptance speech – Trump’s lawsuits – Evening statistics

Another lovely day, which I spent hiking with AD and others in the American Chestnut Land Trust.  The sky was sapphirine blue, cloudless, with air like crystal; although much of the foliage has fallen, the trees still had remnants of leaves; the temperature was perfect, just below 70 degrees (it was somewhat cooler in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay than further inland closer to Washington), and with very low humidity.  The trails have been restored to an astonishing degree, considering that the Isaias storm deposited more than eight inches of rain in the area within a single day several weeks ago.  The raft has been recovered, has been cleaned, and has been fitted with new cables, so that it is in perfect working order. 

There were eight of us in all.  Among the hikers was GW, who works in the Environmental Protection Agency, and he was looking more cheerful and at ease than I have seen him for many a long day.  Donald Trump has been waging a steady internecine war with the EPA (as well as with many other Government agencies) ever since he assumed office, and it is a great relief to its workers that he will not be able to harass them any longer after January 20^th. 

Biden is not waiting to start reversing Trump’s policies.  He has already met with medical advisers to consult about the best methods of handling the virus.  They, as may be imagined, are only too delighted to work alongside a President who takes the coronavirus seriously.  He has also made an excellent acceptance speech, calm, rational, and conciliatory.  Instead of excoriating those who voted for Trump, he told them that he understands their disappointment but expressed hopes that they would work with him all the same, and this plea may actually have some effect.  In a bare two days he has managed to make a complete departure from the siege mentality that has been the predominate theme of our incumbent’s presidency since the beginning of his term. 

Trump has been mercifully silent during these two days, which must be a record for him. He continues to issue lawsuits, the majority of which have already been thrown out of court.  He doesn’t seem to realize that it is not sufficient merely to assert that the polls have been tampered with but has to produce evidence as well before any lawsuit has a chance of succeeding.  So far none has turned up, and it is unlikely that any will.  Even several of Trump’s followers are beginning to question the advisability of this proceeding.  Both Melania Trump and Jared Kushner have urged him to concede.  So in this matter he does not even have the whole-hearted support of his own family.

Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide 50,719,756; # of deaths worldwide: 1,261,676; # of cases U.S.: 10,287,328; # of deaths; U.S.: 243,756.  Today the death toll was a bare 500, so I suppose that’s an improvement.