Former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Democratic presidential nomination last night on the final day of the party's convention, portraying himself as a, quote, "ally of the light" who can lead America out of what he called "this chapter of American darkness."
Biden focused on uniting the country, which he said is dealing with four crisis -- the coronavirus, the economic devastation it's caused, racial injustice and climate change. He said that his first step will be getting control of the coronavirus, charging that President Trump is to blame for where we are with it, saying, "It didn't have to be this bad." He also took on foreign policy, saying, "the days of cozying up to dictators is over" and that he won't "turn a blind eye to Russian bounties on the heads of American soldiers." Biden warned that nothing will change if Trump is re-elected, saying, "He'll wake up every day believing the job is all about him, never about you."
At the end of his speech, delivered without an audience in arena near his Delaware home because of the coronavirus, Biden's wife Jill, and his vice presidential running mate Senator Kamala Harris and her husband went outside together, where cars were in a parking lot flashing their lights, and watched fireworks go off.
Other speakers:
Biden's speech came at the end of the final night of the unprecedented virtual convention, held that way because of the coronavirus pandemic. The night's themes again included the importance of voting and having a voting plan, as well as health care, military families and faith. A touching moment came in a video by 13-year-old Brayden Harrington of New Hampshire, who explained that he and Biden are both stutterers. Brayden said that he'd met Biden, who told him about a book of poems he liked to read aloud to practice his speech, and showed him how he marks his speeches so they’re easier to read aloud.
"He began on the stage in shadow. Then he stepped into the light. The staging matched his words," @brianstelter writes about Joe Biden's #DemConvention remarks https://t.co/hGcJH7XQMV— CNN (@CNN) August 21, 2020
Watch @JoeBiden's full #DemConvention acceptance speech here --> https://t.co/z68nBB000q pic.twitter.com/I0uuSIlgoA— CSPAN (@cspan) August 21, 2020
➤CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES KILL AT LEAST FIVE: At least five people have been killed and 33 injured by dozens of wildfires burning in Northern California, sparked by nearly 11,000 lightning strikes over several days. Some 175 structures have been destroyed and tens of thousands of homes are threatened by the fires, which have caused smoky air over the state's central coast and San Francisco. Fire officials say they are short on resources, with some firefighters working 72-hour shifts instead of the usual 24 hours, and the state has requested 375 engines and crew from other states.
➤EX-TRUMP TOP STRATEGIST BANNON ARRESTED ON FRAUD CHARGES: Steve Bannon, President Trump's former former chief strategist, was arrested on fraud charges Thursday, with it alleged that he and three associates defrauded people who donated to a group called "Build the Wall," with the money supposed to be used to help build a wall along the border with Mexico. The group raised more than $25 million from thousands of donors, but according to charged unsealed yesterday, much of the money was taken for their own personal use by group members, including Bannon, who allegedly took over $1 million, using some to secretly pay co-defendant Brian Kolfage, the founder of the group. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service arrested Bannon aboard a luxury yacht off Connecticut. Bannon pled not guilty in a court appearance hours later, with his release approved on $5 million bail. As he left the courthouse, he shouted, "This entire fiasco is to stop people who want to build the wall." In addition to Bannon and Kolfage, also charged were Andrew Badolato and Timothy Shea.
➤INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS RISE AGAIN: First-time unemployment claims were up last week to 1.1 million, according to Labor Department data released Thursday (August 20th) after falling below one million the week before for the first time in months to 971,000. The increase was unexpected, with economists thinking the number of Americans making first-time claims would fall to about 923,000 for the week, according to CNBC.
➤SENATOR BILL CASSIDY POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS, HAS SYMPTOMS: Senator Bill Cassidy announced Thursday that he'd tested positive for the coronavirus and was having mild symptoms. The 62-year-old Louisiana Republican, who's also a physician, is quarantining. Cassidy posted a short video on Twitter saying he's okay and thanking people for their concern, and also urged support for his legislation seeking more money for coronavirus testing. Cassidy is at least the 13th member of Congress known to have tested positive for the coronavirus, but only the second senator, after Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.
➤TRUMP TO HAVE FUNERAL FOR BROTHER AT WHITE HOUSE TODAY: President Trump will hold a funeral service at the White House today for his brother, Robert Trump, who died a week ago at age 71. ABC News reported that Robert Trump's body will be present at the White House for the ceremony, which is expected to remain private. There have been 200 people invited for the service, which is expected to be held in the East Room, but it's unclear how many will attend, according to ABC. Trump visited his brother in the hospital on the day before his death.
➤FAUCI RECOVERING AFTER VOCAL CORD SURGERY: Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert who's become the leading scientific voice on the coronavirus pandemic, had surgery yesterday (August 20th) to remove a polyp from his vocal cord that was causing his raspy voice. The 79-year-old is recovering at home, but CBS News reported that he plans to be back to work on Monday, and will be able to do brief interviews after a week of recuperation.
➤ELLEN DEGENERES SWEETENS DEALS FOR EMPLOYEES: Ellen DeGeneres seems to be trying to make things right with her team on her eponymous show. On Monday, staffers learned that three senior producers—Ed Glavin, Jonathan Norman and Kevin Leman—were fired after an internal investigation into the “toxic workplace environment” described in multiple viral articles published in BuzzFeed and Variety.
DeGeneres apologized, corrected what she said were bizarre and erroneous rumors that she didn’t want staffers to make eye contact with her, and now, reports are emerging that she’s making many of their packages better too.
The new benefits package includes paid time for medical appointments and family members and birthdays off. Morale has improved after DeGeneres reached out to staffers in a virtual call this week, and staffers are excited about the new perks, Variety reports.
The call also implored staffers to not be “afraid,” and to feel like they could speak their minds without reprisal.
The investigation is reportedly ongoing. Ellen returns to the air September 14th.
➤NBA PLAYOFFS: Results from first-round playoff games yesterday (April 20th):
- Miami Heat 109, Indiana Pacers 100 -- Miami leads series 2 games to 0
- Houston Rockets 111, Oklahoma City Thunder 98 -- Houston leads series 2 games to 0
- Milwaukee Bucks 111, Orlando Magic 96 -- Series tied 1-1
- L.A. Lakers 111, Portland Trail Blazers 88 -- Series tied 1-1
- New York Islanders 4, Washington Capitals 0 -- New York wins series 4 games to 1
- Dallas Stars 7, Calgary Flames 3 -- Dallas wins series 4 games to 2
 |
| NY Post 8/21/20 |
FOUR straight games with a grandslam— Bet The Bases (@betthebases) August 21, 2020
Eric Hosmer hits a GRAND SLAM to give the Padres (-200 ML) the 5-2 lead over the Rangers and cash F5 o4.5
pic.twitter.com/QHCSOoJsgr
➤PADRES FIRST-EVER WITH GRAND SLAMS IN FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES: The San Diego Padres last night became the first team in MLB history to hit a grand slam in four straight games. The record-setting grand slam was hit by Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning of the Padres' 8-7 win against the Texas Rangers.
➤WASHINGTON HEAD COACH RIVERA DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER: Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with cancer, telling ESPN yesterday that he has squamous cell cancer of the neck, but that it's in its early stages and is considered "very treatable and curable." The 58-year-old, who is going into his first season with Washington after nine years with the Carolina Panthers, plans to coach despite the cancer, saying, "Doctors encouraged me to do it, too. They said, 'If you feel strongly, do it. Don't slow down, do your physical activities.'"
➤RIPKEN SAYS CANCER-FREE AFTER TREATMENT: Cal Ripken Jr., who hold MLB's "Iron Man" record for most consecutive games with 2,632, revealed yesterday that he's now cancer-free after having surgery in March to remove a tumor from his prostate. The Hall of Famer said during a Zoom call, "I’m cancer free, and I can continue my normal life. I thank my lucky stars that occurred." The 59-year-old initially wanted to keep the news of his cancer private, but decided to share his story because it might encourage others to get a prostate test.
➤TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO STRENGTHEN INTO CAT 1: Tropical Depression 13 remains on course to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane, reach the Sunshine State and pass by or over the Tampa Bay region early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. Thursday advisory.
The latest storm track shows the storm moving over the Florida Keys on Monday, passing by or going over southwest Florida. It could reach the Tampa Bay region on Tuesday as the storm moves along the Gulf of Mexico.
The bay area and most of the Florida peninsula remain within the cone of uncertainty. That outlines the areas that the storm’s center could travel over — but its effects could be felt far beyond the cone.
➤WASHINGTON HEAD COACH RIVERA DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER: Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with cancer, telling ESPN yesterday that he has squamous cell cancer of the neck, but that it's in its early stages and is considered "very treatable and curable." The 58-year-old, who is going into his first season with Washington after nine years with the Carolina Panthers, plans to coach despite the cancer, saying, "Doctors encouraged me to do it, too. They said, 'If you feel strongly, do it. Don't slow down, do your physical activities.'"
➤RIPKEN SAYS CANCER-FREE AFTER TREATMENT: Cal Ripken Jr., who hold MLB's "Iron Man" record for most consecutive games with 2,632, revealed yesterday that he's now cancer-free after having surgery in March to remove a tumor from his prostate. The Hall of Famer said during a Zoom call, "I’m cancer free, and I can continue my normal life. I thank my lucky stars that occurred." The 59-year-old initially wanted to keep the news of his cancer private, but decided to share his story because it might encourage others to get a prostate test.
➤TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO STRENGTHEN INTO CAT 1: Tropical Depression 13 remains on course to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane, reach the Sunshine State and pass by or over the Tampa Bay region early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. Thursday advisory.
The latest storm track shows the storm moving over the Florida Keys on Monday, passing by or going over southwest Florida. It could reach the Tampa Bay region on Tuesday as the storm moves along the Gulf of Mexico.
The bay area and most of the Florida peninsula remain within the cone of uncertainty. That outlines the areas that the storm’s center could travel over — but its effects could be felt far beyond the cone.
No comments:
Post a Comment