Beltway Insider: Biden/Covid, Ukraine, Bannon, Brits PM, COVID/Vaccine Totals, Monkey Pox, Uvalde

Details: Category: Beltway Insider; Published on Sunday, 24 July 2022 12:31; Written by Janet Walker

President Biden, who is fully vaccinated and twice boosted, tested positive this week for COVID-19. He is working in isolation inside the White House and according to sources experiencing mild symptoms. He maintained full working authority.

The President's job approval rating, according to the website fivethirtyeight.com, for the period ending July 24, 2022 decreased by 0.6% to 37.9% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness increased by 1.2% to 56.9% of those polled who disapprove of his effectiveness. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

Beltway Insider: Biden/Mid-East Agenda, Inflation, Abe Funeral, COVID/Vaccine Totals, Uvalde Tape, 988, Ivana Trump

Biden Hit with Covid

The White House announced that on July 21, 2022, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and he was experiencing mild symptoms. The president maintained his duties and at no time did he transfer power to the Vice-President.

President Biden, who is fully vaccinated and twice boosted, tested positive this week for COVID-19. He is working in isolation inside the White House and is taking the anti-viral therapy drug PAXLOVID and will be tested again, according to CDC guidelines on Tuesday. If the test comes back negative the President will be able to resume in-person activities.

The White House also announced 17 other individuals who were considered in close proximity to the president will undergo routine testing over the next three weeks. To date none of those designated individuals have tested positive and are now requested to wear facemasks.

Prior to testing positive, President Biden, was met by media at Andrews Air Force base, and announced he will have a decision on Student Loan forgiveness by the end of August

Ukraine, Russia Strike Wheat Deal

The recent heralding of hope between Russia and Ukraine over the wheat deal, brokered by Turkey to allow the more than 22million tons of grain held up at Ukraine harbor by Russian War ships blockade, since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, and responsible for a global increase in food prices, is less hopeful once the fine print is examined.

Holding Russia, who violated Ukraine territorial sovereignty, it its word to honor would be nothing short of a miracle and has throughout this conflict weaponized food. Also, Ukraine did not sign the deal with Russia, they signed with Turkey and the United Nations.

"Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said there would be no transport escort by Russian ships and pledged "an immediate military response" in case of "provocations," reported The Washington Post.

Russia Losing Steam

Britain's MI6 leader, Richard Moore, spoke this week to CNN, explaining it is his belief that Russian forces will run out of steam soon, as the conflict war continues. The United States has sent the Ukraine more than $8.2billion in military aid since the beginning of the conflict.

""They will have to pause in some way. Russian forces had likely lost around 15,000 troops, he said, calling the number a "conservative estimate," reported The Washington Post.

Any pause in the advancement of Russian Troops, including in air and ground supports, will be a boon for the Ukraine military allowing them to regroup. Although the devastation and loss is catastrophic, the six month war may be slowing.

Continued support for Ukraine, from NATO, the United State, the EU, have aided the nation in presenting a defense against what was expected to be a rollover. The pushback from Ukraine, resulting in Russian Military losses including high ranking generals, have begun to factor into the decisions and directives from Moscow.

Moore described Russia's invasion as an "epic fail" also discounted information on Putin's ailing health stating, "there is no evidence that Putin is suffering from serious ill health."

Steve Bannon Found Guilty

Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist for then President Donald Trump, has been found guilty of contempt of Congress, in failing to testify or provided subpoenaed information to the January 6, Committee

"The trial, which lasted a week and only featured two witnesses, tested a rarely used criminal statute meant to ensure people comply with congressional subpoenas. The verdict, after 2½ hours of jury deliberations, sent a message to other potential committee witnesses, the panel's chair and vice chair said in a joint statement," reported The Washington Post.

Bannon is the highest-ranking member of former President Donald Trump's White House administration to be found guilty.

January 6 Committee Goes Primetime

The second primetime January 6 Committee hearing investigating the Capitol insurrection aired this week, to slightly lower numbers than the first June airing.

More than 17.7million viewers tuned in across all major networks and cable outlets, except for Fox which aired its usual programming, down about 2.8million viewers from the June 9 program, which garnered 20million viewers.

The Thursday session detailed new information on how close then Vice-President Mike Pence came to being caught up in the riot. Through audio and video evidence was presented it was clear the VP was in danger.

"We need to move now," an agent said, according to excerpts of radio traffic played by the committee. "If we lose any more time, we may lose the ability to do so." Pence's Secret Service detail described smoke of unknown origin filling a hallway of the Capitol and protesters advancing on outnumbered police. "Harden that door up," one agent said," reported The Washington Post.

World News: French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne and The Political Divide

Brits Choose New PM

Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who on July 7, 2022, resigned as more than 60 members of Parliament delivered a no confidence vote amidst allegations of wild parties at 10 Downing Street, violations of lockdown protocols and a general inability to lead the party.

"In a sign that he is planning to stay in the office for as long as he can, Johnson announced he had appointed a new cabinet "to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place." Appointing new cabinet ministers means that the government can continue to function as he prepares to depart," reported CNN.com.

The fallout of Johnson's resignation has resulted in further exposure of Conservative Party exploits including same sex drunken groping from Johnson appointed Conservative deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, whose job it was to keep members of the cabinet inline.

Since then, more than 50 cabinet party members quitting or have resigned since Johnson's resignation.

With a search for a new prime minister underway, the pool of possible candidates has narrowed to two, foreign secretary Liz Truss, 46, and Rishi Sunak, 42, Chancellor of Exchequer and the top financial official handling Johnson's business dealings at 10 Downing Street.

With the election scheduled for September, the candidates are spending the summer campaigning across the nation and whoever wins, they will confront in addition to the global economic challenges, including rising inflation, higher costs of living, wages that remain stuck at pre-inflation levels, the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential of a Monkey Pox epidemic, the war in Ukraine, relationships with the EU, and of course, the possible transition of the monarchy.

"The new incumbent will also have one of the most significant advantages given to governing parties in British politics: the ability to choose the date of the next general election," reported The New York Times.

The transition of the Monarchy, which is occurring incrementally, may become the single most significant challenge for the next prime minister. Should Queen Elizabeth II, 96, who is rumored to be frail, and just recently celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, pass away, the Prime Minister, will need to steady the ship as the 50 nation's that comprise the British Commonwealth transitions. These choices, decisions, and leadership skills at this moment could define them, their legacy as well as determine further electability.

Vaccine Totals

Bloomberg.com has built a vaccine tracker which can be seen here. "In the US, 599 million doses have been given so far. During the last week, shots were administered at an average rate of 96,733 doses a day," Bloomberg.com reported.

Coronavirus Totals

Mandates have been altered or lifted in most urban areas with limited exceptions, and the population is encouraged to maintain personal protective practices. Masks are optional and tolerated. Vaccines and boosters are still considered the most effective agents against contracting the Coronavirus.

For the one-week period ending July 24, 2022, coronavirus cases globally increased by 7,713,697 new confirmed cases, bringing the total of confirmed cases worldwide to 569,410,015 people with a total worldwide death toll of 6,377,729 deaths, and a 7-day death rate increase of 13,444. (Data from The New York Times).

COVID U.S. Totals

Infections rates in the United States are also on the rise. For the seven-day period ending July 24, 2022, the total confirmed cases rose to 90,226,593 people with new confirmed cases increasing by 906,862 with a 7-day average of 129,551 cases per day. The coronavirus has claimed 1,023,327 total deaths, adding 3,087 more deaths over the 7-day period. (Data from The New York Times).

Pentagon's Diary Gets Personal

Protecting for gain of function knowledge only aides those who initiated the constitutional violations. It does nothing to combat the homegrown terrorism or the narcissistic above the law belief. The best obtainable version of the truth.

Medical Science: Is Monkeypox Replacing COVID-19

WHO Declares Monkey Pox Global Emergency

The World Health Organization has declared Monkey Pox, which has spread rapidly within the gay and bi-sexual communities, a global emergency in order to expediate the release and manufacture of the vaccine to combat the outbreak.

"The move to label the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the highest level of alert the WHO can issue, is expected to marshal new funding to fight the outbreak and to pressure governments into action. More than 16,500 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 74 countries," reported The Washington Post.

Long lines in urban areas such as New York City and San Francisco over the past two weeks have underscored the importance of relaying the message of the high transmission rate of this additional virus.

Monkey Pox is characterized by pock marks on the body and is not fatal. The body markings will fade, usually within a month. However, there are long term side effects which include like pneumonia and infections in the brain, such as encephalitis, or eyes, which can be fatal.

Uvalde School Shooting: Pete Arredondo Termination Decision Postponed

Uvalde City Council exhibited the same courage as the 376 police officers that arrived at Robb Elementary School on May 24, when they failed to terminated Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo at the Saturday meeting.

"Arredondo's lawyer asked the district to postpone the meeting amid due-process concerns, the district announced Friday afternoon. The district did not announce a new meeting date," reported The Texas Tribune.

Arredondo's termination was recommended by Uvalde Superintendent Hall Harrell after the release of the highly critical Texas House Committee report which detailed Arredondo's lack of leadership and presented culpability for the lack of response and shared responsibility with the 376 other police officers from federal, state, and local jurisdictions who waited, causally, which was verified by a damning video that showed various law enforcement agencies rubbernecking the carnage in the school's hallway.

NASA Unveils Deep Space Images from James Webb Telescope (Pics)

The Texas House Committee report was clear that while Arredondo was in charge, his leadership lacked strategic and tactical planning to handle the unfolding active shooter situation. The report did not hold Arredondo solely responsible criticizing the other 375 officers, all armed, all trained, and all wandering aimlessly waiting for "permission" to end the massacre.

During the initial hours post-event, Arredondo presented a narrative that included his leadership at the scene. In the subsequent hours, post-event, he was removed as the spokesperson for the tragedy and his earlier efforts to control the narrative with false statements were corrected.

Arredondo has refused to answer questions of motive or even strategy for his response to the massacre at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. Had there been no survivors, his narrative may have held.

Even with the very descriptive 911 phone calls, the possibility remains that the Arredondo knew immediately the gravity of the situation and his intent after the initial botched moments was to allow the gunman time, to reduce the survivor pool to save his reputation.

"CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor, Norah O'Donnell interviewed ATF Director Steven Steve Dettelbach this week, she asked simply, "Will there be another Uvalde?" His response, "It's just a horrible question for you to even have to ask, right? But the truth of the matter is that there has just been incident after incident for a long period of time. So, we have to work hard to make sure there aren't, but I think the reality is there is going to be serious gun crime that we have to work on at ATF and we're going to try and deliver results on that."

For more information on President Joe Biden w ww.whitehouse.gov.