Saturday, November 16, 2019

Record-setting heat in Key West and Hawaii


Key West Breaks Record For Day Time High Temps.  (CBS Miami, 11/15/2019)
As of Friday, Key West has had 233 consecutive days of high temperatures 80 degrees or above – the longest streak of temperatures above 80 degrees in Key West’s records dating back to 1872, says the US National Weather Service (NWS). 
The last time the daily high was below 80 degrees was on March 27 when the high only reached 78 degrees — which, let’s be honest, is still pretty warm. 
Before this year, the NWS says, the previous longest streak was 225 consecutive days in 1965.

281 and counting: Well into fall, Hawaii is still setting record highs.  (Hawaii News Now, 11/15/2019)
The state continues to rack up heat records during what National Weather Service forecasters have described as a “seemingly unprecedented” year of high temperatures. 
From Jan. 1 through Friday, Hawaii has set or tied 281 record high temperatures at official Weather Service stations located at four island airports ― in Honolulu, Hilo, Lihue and Kahului. 
Of those, 141 have been new heat records.

Other hot locations.


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The art of the overruled North Carolina gerrymander


That was then (pre-2016):  a classic case of gerrymandering.

Vox

That was then (up close and ugly NC 4th CD)



GOP sez, "Let's try that again."  (Still a lot of squiggles and bump-outs)


Up close and personal.  (" I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it...")


Democrats Could Gain At Least 2 House Seats Under New N.C. Redistricting Plan.  (NPR, 11/15/2019)
If the court that ruled the old maps unconstitutional approves the new maps, Republicans could have an even steeper path to regaining the House majority in 2020. More than 20 members of the House GOP are retiring or running for other offices, several in highly-competitive districts. 
Since Republicans won control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010, the state has been the epicenter of voting rights disputes around gerrymandering, the practice of drawing political boundaries to benefit one party. Both state and federal courts have repeatedly ruled against GOP-drawn maps.

This is now.

Raleigh News-Observer

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GET ME REWRITE: State Senator Patrick Testin can't bring himself to say "It's all about the money!"



Reported in Local legislators respond to firing of Ag Secretary Brad Pfaff.  (WXOW-La Crosse, 11/15/2019)


Big Dairy Opposes Increased Factory Farm Fees for Clean Water Programs.  (Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 5/30/2019)
Several of the top individual contributors to current legislators were employees and owners of large produce and livestock farms, including: 
Jeremie and Alicia Pavelski, of Wisconsin Rapids, owners of Heartland Farms, $30,575 
James Mortenson, of Wisconsin Rapids, owner of Mortenson Brothers Farms, $20,950 
James and Annette Ostrom, of De Pere, co-owners of Milksource, $18,550

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Both sides now: When evenhandedness is simply bad journalism (Christian Science Monitor edition)


Dear Peter,

 You don't help your case when the first member of Congress you quote is Mark Meadows.

 Best, 

 Retiring Guy

Reported in Impeachment hearings day one: Two perspectives transcriptions.  (Christian Science Monitor, 11/13/2019)

Freedom Caucus Crazy Mark Meadows sometimes cherry-picks his  "impression of what truth is" .


Reported in Freedom Caucus list of rules to repeal is plagiarized from other groups.  (USA Today, 12/20/2016)

Regarding gun control, Mark Meadows' "impression of what the truth is" comes straight from the NRA.

1/5/2016 press release

When it comes to diversity, Mark and his mostly white and male GOP colleauges' "impression of what the truth is" looks to be from a different era.

 Press release

Mark and his GOP pals


When it comes to same-sex marriage, Mark's "impression of what the truth is" favors discrimination.


When it comes climate change, Mark's "impression of what the truth is" shows off his unregenerate denier credentials.


Other Mark Meadows posts:
2019
Meet the lemmings of Congress.  (10/27/2019)
Freedom Caucus crazies gang up on Henry Kerner, (6/29/2019)
Mark Meadows ready to lead GOP on death march to border wall.  (1/30/2019)

2018
Men on black: Needing distractions, Freedom Caucus crazies Mark Meadows (current chair) and Jim Jordan (past chair) call for Rod Rosenstein's impeachment.  (7/26/2018)
No surprise that Freedom Caucus crazy Mark Meadows prostrates himself on the altar of Trump.  (7/24/2018)

2017
51 U.S. House members implore Trump to legalize LGBT discrimination.  (4/26/2017)
Donald Trump declares war on Freedom Caucus.  (3/30/2017)
UPDATE. Really, Mark, just whose agenda is it?  (1/4/2017)

2016
It's the same old line in the sand for the Freedom Caucus.  (3/25/2016)
Freedom Caucus member Mark Meadows, one of Peter King's 'crazies', is in a hearts-and-minds mood with Mitch McConnell.  (2/24/2016)

2015
Meet 'the crazies' in the U.S. House of Representatives.  (10/6/2015)
No friend to the environment.  (3/13/2015)

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UPDATE: Keeping tabs on the lightning rod for controversy known as Drag Queen Story Hour


A lull after a busy June.  (According to Google Alert, anyway.)

From the 11/15/2019 WV News:
The statement cited only “multiple threats of violence against the volunteer readers” as reason for the cancellation. A voicemail left at the library wasn’t immediately returned.
Facebook

On the other hand, the Lego Free Build program series continues.



From the 6/25/2019 BayNet report:
At 1:50 pm, Morgan ran past the check-in table outside of the room and into the private room. Upon entering, Morgan began to yell at the approximately 75 people inside, including about 25 children. Morgan was advised several times to stop by library security and Cpl. Snyder. As security personnel and Cpl. Snyder attempted to grab hold of Morgan to initiate an arrest, Morgan continued to pull away, running around the room and yelling at those in the room. Sgt. Moses and Cpl. Snyder were able to gain control of Morgan and he was again advised to stop yelling and causing a disturbance multiple times to which he failed to comply.




From the 6/22/2019 Register-Star report: 
Outside the library, well over 100 protesters lined East State Street reciting prayers and carrying signs condemning the event, which was held as the city celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month for the first time. “It teaches children to ignore what’s natural,” Rockford resident Stephanie Loehr said. “It is not natural for a man to say he’s a woman and for a woman to say she’s a man. That ignores basic biology and, if you really want to educate children, they should be educated on truth and not on some lies based on how somebody feels.”



From the KOB report:  Outside, a handful of protesters were holding signs. They believed that Drag Queen Storytime sends the wrong message to kids. 
Marcie May said she was upset the city sanctioned an event involving men dressed in drag at a public library. 
"They like to dress up to promote their sexual agenda," May said. "It has no business, it has no business in a public setting." 
Police ended up kicking May out of the library after she caused a disturbance during the event.




Rogers Free Library

 Sources
The Guardian
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Leander, Texas
Bristol, Rhode Island
Waterville, Maine
Rockford, Illinois
Brooklyn
Bristol, Rhode Island
Spokane, Washington
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Eckstein Memorial Library, Cassville: 2009-2018 annual circulation and program attendance


Wisconsin Public Library Service Data.




Sorted by percentage change in annual circulation 2009-2018, high to low


A member of the Southwest Wisconsin Library System

 Library hours of operation:

25 hours per week.  (Compared to 20 hours in 2009 and 25 hours in 2014.)

Source:  Wikipedia

Other posts in the series:
Argyle Public Library.  (10/7/2019)
Arpin.  Lester Public Library.  (10/2/2019)
Belmont.  John Turgeson Public Library.  (10/6/2019)
Benton Public Library.  (10/24/2019)
Big Bend Village Library.  (11/7/2019)
Centuria Public Library.  (10/19/2019)
De Soto Public Library.  (10/20/2019)
Drummond Public Library.  (10/15/2019)
Endeavor Public Library.  (10/17/2019)
Fairchild Public Library.  (10/9/2019)
Granton Community Library.  (11/15/2109)
Hawkins Area Library.  (10/6/2019)
Kendall Public Library.  (10/31/2019)
La Pointe.  Madeline Island Public Library.  (10/26/2019)
Laona.  Edith Evans Community Library.  (11/4/2019)
Livingston.  Allen Dietzman Public Library.  (10/14/2019)
Lowell Public Library.  (10/10/2019)
Montfort Public Library.  (10/8/2019)
Neshkoro Public Library.  (10/3/2019)
Norwalk Public Library.  (10/16/2019)
Ogema Public Library.  (10/23/2019)
Packwaukee Public Library.  (10/28/2019)
Poy Sippi Public Library.  (11/14/2019)
Readstown Public Library.  (10/25/2019)
Sand Creek.  Clarella Hackett Johnson Public Library.  (10/1/2019)
Shiocton Public Library.  (11/8/2019)
Taylor Memorial Library.  (10/3/2019)
Vesper.  Lester Public Library.  (10/22/2019)
Viola Public Library.  (11/6/2019)
Wabeno Public Library.  (10/4/2019)
Wyocena Public Library.  (10/29/2019)

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Friday, November 15, 2019

Population loss in Illinois: Hardin County/Elizabethtown


It all started here.

Population loss as in major -- 50% or more.

Source:  Wikipedia  (Hardin County, Elizabethtown)


Elizabethtown is the county seat of Hardin County.

Population loss by degrees:  80-90%, 70-79%, 60-69%, 50-59%.

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Percentage of population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree:
  • 11.1% - Hardin County
  • 33.4% - Illinois
  • 30.9% - U.S.
Percentage of population 65 and older:
  • 25.7% - Hardin County
  • 15.6% - Illinois
  • 16.0% - U.S.
% of population living in poverty:
  • 21.6% - Hardin County
  • 12.1% - Illinois
  • 11.8% - U.S.

Greetings from Trump's America.  

Source:  Wikipedia 
3rd-party candidates received 16.5% of vote in 1992, 19.3% of vote in 1996, 3.5% in 2016
(George Wallace received 6.7% of the vote in 1968)

Other Illinois population loss posts:
Alexander County/Cairo.  (11/15/2019)
Pulaski County/Mound City.  (11/15/2019)
Pope County/Golconda.  (11/15/2019)

Population loss series:
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Population loss in Illinois: Pope County/Golconda


It all started here.

Population loss as in major -- 50% or more.

Source:  Wikipedia  (Pope County, Golconda)


Golconda is the county seat of Pope County.

Population loss by degrees:  80-90%, 70-79%, 60-69%, 50-59%.

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Percentage of population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree:
  • 13.1% - Pope County
  • 33.4% - Illinois
  • 30.9% - U.S.
Percentage of population 65 and older:
  • 28.0% - Pope County
  • 15.6% - Illinois
  • 16.0% - U.S.
% of population living in poverty:
  • 18.4% - Pope County
  • 12.1% - Illinois
  • 11.8% - U.S.

Greetings from Trump's America.  Trump (78.6%) crushes Clinton (17.6%).

Golconda Public Library

Other Illinois population loss posts:
Alexander County/Cairo.  (11/15/2019)
Pulaski County/Mound City.  (11/15/2019)

Population loss series:
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Population loss in Illinois: Pulaski County/Mound City


It all started here.

Population loss as in major -- 50% or more.

Source:  Wikipedia  (Pulaski County, Mound City)


Mound City is the county seat of Pulaski County.

Population loss by degrees:  80-90%, 70-79%, 60-69%, 50-59%.

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Percentage of population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree:
  • 11.2% - Pulaski County
  • 33.4% - Illinois
  • 30.9% - U.S.
Percentage of population 65 and older:
  • 22.4% - Pulaski County
  • 15.6% - Illinois
  • 16.0% - U.S.
% of population living in poverty:
  • 22.9% - Pulaski County
  • 12.1% - Illinois
  • 11.8% - U.S.

Greetings from Trump's America.

Source:  Wikipedia
3rd-party candidates received 11.1% of vote in 1992, 9% of vote in 1996, 3.6% in 2016
(George Wallace received 17.6% of the vote in 1968.)

Mound City Public Library

Other Illinois population loss posts:
Alexander County/Cairo.  (11/15/2019)

Population loss series:
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From the business archives: 1957's top 20 retailers



The Food Chains Lead the Way.  (Business Week, 5/8/1958)

From the note card:
An explosive growth in supermarket chains since 1945
1.  new and bigger stores
2.  takeover of smaller companies
3.  elimination of less productive units

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

A&P Files for Bankruptcy and Aims to Sell 120 Stores.  (The New York Times, 7/20/2015)
Founded in 1859 as a mail-order tea business, A&P evolved into a discount food retailer that operated 16,000 stores by the mid-1930s and remained a dominant player in America’s grocery landscape into the second half of the century. 
“It was truly a powerhouse,” said Marc Levinson, an independent historian and the author of “The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America.” “In those days, independent grocers were every bit as afraid of A&P as mom-and-pop retailers are today of Walmart.” 
In 1912, A&P opened its first discount store in Jersey City. The idea of a retailer focused on low-cost groceries was novel at the time, and a reputation for rock-bottom prices helped the company flourish.

And then there's Sears' downfall.

Sears, the Original Everything Store, Files for Bankruptcy.  (The New York Times, 10/14/2018)
Founded shortly after the Civil War, the original Sears, Roebuck & Company built a catalog business that sold Americans the latest dresses, toys, build-it-yourself houses and even tombstones. In their heyday, the company’s stores, which began to spread across the country in the early 20th century, were showcases for must-have washing machines, snow tires and furniture. 
More recently, Sears became known for another distinction — Mr. Lampert’s audacious feats of financial engineering. He has spun numerous assets off from the retailer into separate companies that his hedge fund invests in. As many of these spinoffs flourished, Sears slid toward insolvency.
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Population loss in Illinois: Alexander County/Cairo


It all started here.

Population loss as in major -- 50% or more.  First in a series.

Source:  Wikipedia  (Alexander County, Cairo)


Cairo is the county seat of Alexander County.

Population loss by degrees:  80-90%, 70-79%, 60-69%, 50-59%.


Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Percentage of population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree:
  • 10.7% - Alexander County
  • 33.4% - Illinois
  • 30.9% - U.S.
Percentage of population 65 and older:
  • 21.9% - Alexander County
  • 15.6% - Illinois
  • 16.0% - U.S.
% of population living in poverty:
  • 30.3% - Alexander County
  • 12.1% - Illinois
  • 11.8% - U.S.

Greetings from Trump's America.

Source:  Wikipedia
3rd-party candidates received 11.4% of vote in 1992, 7.9% of vote in 1996, 2.2% in 2016
(George Wallace received 21.1% of the vote in 1968.)

Cairo Public Library

Related reading:
This is the problem of decaying public housing complexes in a small, fading and remote city. 
In an age when mixed-income and scattered, voucher-based housing has long overtaken the old model of large public complexes, Cairo (pronounced CARE-oh) has a shrinking population now down to fewer than 3,000, no functioning grocery store or gas station, and a main thoroughfare with an ornate, arching entry that reads “Historic Downtown Cairo” but one that features shuttered storefronts, vacant lots and, on a recent day, not a person in sight.

Population loss series:
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