Beginning of the End of Trump

Trump's Tulsa rally was suppose to reinvigorate his campaign by featuring the unquestioning support of his base. Tulsa was chosen to insure a large crowd and the threat of COVID and possible street violence assured the attention of the media. But the spectacle was a dud as only a tenth of the anticipated 100,000 participants materialized.

Trump's strength has always been the large attendance of his rally's; nothing else seemed to matter. Tulsa was his best chance for a large attendance and media attention. The Tulsa rally will continue to be in the news as Tulsa will be blamed for increases in COVID cases over the next two weeks.

Is this finally the beginning of the end of Trump?

• Trump addresses campaign rally at half-empty Tulsa arena

Phase 2 and a Half

The Phase 2 reopenings have been extended by Governor Hogan and HoCo will follow. The extensions are in two parts starting tomorrow:

Friday, June 12th at 5:00 p.m.:

• Indoor dining at 50% capacity, with distancing and following strict public health requirements
• Outdoor amusements and attractions, miniature golf and go-karts
• Outdoor pools capacity increasing to 50%

Friday, June 19th at 5 p.m.:

• Gyms, indoor fitness centers, dance studios, martial arts at 50% with distancing and following strict public health requirements
• Casinos, arcades, and malls

Other reopening updates:

• RTA
• HoCo Recreation & Parks
• Mall in Columbia

Currently, most Maryland counties are in Phase 2. The exceptions, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County and Baltimore City, are in Phase 1. Note that every county may modify the States guidelines and individual businesses may not choose to reopen.

• Summary for HoCo Phase 2 reopenings, current and future
• HoCo announcement
• Maryland announcement

Please remember that the effects of the earlier reopenings and protests are just beginning to have an effect. Please continue to take precaution.

• Has the Country Left the First Wave of the Pandemic?

Your comments on the reopening or any other topics are welcome.

Phase 2

Today Maryland will enter Phase 2 of its Reopening, and Howard County will follow.

• Summary
• Maryland Phase 2 Details
• Howard County announcement

Note that Senior Centers remain closed:

All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10-
501(i) of the Human Services Article of the Maryland Code) shall remain closed
until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the
catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded

Here, There and Everywhere

The protests have spread to Howard County and around the world, while the two cities closest to us, Baltimore and Washington DC, show a sharp contrast. Baltimore is a shining example of how to be smart, while Washington is the epitome of stupidity. Meanwhile, the coronavirus lurks regardless if the the protests were violent or peaceful.

Here are the videos which tells this story:

• Howard County Police Chief Marches With Protesters
• The George Floyd Protests Are Now Global
• Baltimore’s Protests May Be Result Of Lessons Learned
• Defense Secretary Esper differs with Trump on using troops to put down protests
• Growing Concern Over Spread Of Coronavirus Among George Floyd Protesters

Unrest in America

If things aren't bad enough, now this:

• Understanding unrest in America

Can things get any worse? Actually, yes. Trump could get involve.

• Trump Threatens Protesters

The current spread of riots is being compared to the riots following Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968. That year Nixon won the presidency much on a law and order theme. Will Trump's reaction help him keep the White House?

HoCo Easing Some Restrictions

In case you missed it, Calvin Ball has announced the easing of some restrictions. Here is a quick summary:

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29th:

• Retailers in Howard County may open at 50% of maximum occupancy.  Retailers are still encouraged to use curbside pick-up whenever possible.  

• Barbers and hair salons may open at 50% of maximum occupancy including staff. Businesses must continue to operate by appointment only.  Staff and clients must wear masks.  

• Religious institutions may hold outdoor services of up to 250 people, as long as all participants can maintain appropriate physical distancing of 6 feet.  Indoor services are still limited to a maximum of 10 people.   

Please note that individual organizations may still decide to keep their current restrictions in place.

Joe and Stephen

I promised myself that I would not listen to Joe Biden talk because it would be too painful, but I could not resist his interview with Stephen Colbert last night. Yes, there were times that he struggled with the words, but he hit it out of the park. The interview was so powerful that it may put to rest the suspicion that Joe is getting senile.

• Trump Put The Country In A Terrible Spot By Failing To Act - EXTENDED INTERVIEW

There seems to be special connection between Joe and Stephen that allows Joe to express himself. It may have started 4 years ago when Stephen interviewed Joe about a Presidential run in 2016. Joe opened to Stephen about the loss of his son, Beau.

• Joe Biden 2015 Interview, Part 1, Part 2