Politics...How the Impeachment Turns...and an Update on 2019- nCoV (Wuhan Virus)

Here we are.

Hours away from the Senate's vote on

Whether they are GOING to allow witnesses.

(...are you fucking kidding me???)

Out of 51 GOP Senators we only needed 4 to cross over with the Democrats.

Like Diogenes...just looking for one good man. 
(or woman)

Yeah...good luck with all that.


Two of the four we were counting on..deciding they are voting No  (Lamar and Murkowski)

and Trump's Defense Team seems to have morphed from

"He didn't do it."

to

"If he had done it...it wasn't a crime."

then brazenly

"Okay...he did it. So What???? Fuck you."

And...that may be WHY I am face-first in a bowl of warm, homemade Mac and Cheese right now.

(...Trump could either make me Depressed and FAT...I'm opting for
Enraged and Carbohydrate filled...)

John Bolton and Lev Parnas both first-hand witnesses...but blocked from testimony.

Hell...Trump is even trying to block publication of Bolton's Tell-All book.

Because, yeah...demanding no witnesses...no evidence and no documentation is how EVERY innocent man reacts..right??

Waiting to see the vote.

Not expecting them to do the right thing, anymore...but their votes will be on record...and in November it is a sure-fired way of knowing who gets to stay and who gets voted out.

The Election.

Where we get the last word.

#VOTEBLUE2020

Let's FIX this Mess!


Speaking of mess...there is the Wuhan Virus.

As of 5 PM 9,926 confirmed cases....213 dead. 20 different countries.

7 cases in the US.

3 in California

1 in Washington State

1 in Arizona

2 in Illinois. (The first US Case of human-human transmission to someone who was never in Wuhan)

Nothing confirmed in Indiana...yet...although we have cases pending outcome.

Germany has also confirmed patient transmissible without symptoms.

 But who's counting...right?

So...yeah...we are all waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The death rate in China stand at about 1 in 45 infected. 

The Transmission is around 1-3

One person typically infects 2-3 other people.

Thankful that the WHO (World Health Organization) has insisted (ordered) that the Embassy and Ex-Pats who were flown into California (From Wuhan) be held in quarantine for at least 14 days,

(...when the flight first landed they has agreed on 72 hours!!!) 

Spectacularly bad idea.

So far, although there have been increasing numbers worldwide, only Mainland China has had deaths.

And for the first time since the Outbreak started...the recovery 233 has superseded the deaths 213.

Hoping this is a good sign.

More anon...




And...the Senate has defeated the vote for witnesses...

There will BE no witnesses called.

WTAF???

Update Wuhan Virus

7 PM  11,374 Confirmed Cases

                259 Deaths.

Virtual Belize: The Swampy Plains and Mangrove Forests

The other 25% of the mainland of Belize is basically swampland and mangrove forests.

Think hot, wet, tropical funk smell.

Fecund comes to mind.

Amazing (some places) red water seen through the mangroves.

The color of the water attributed to a certain type of bacteria that grows in the brackish water because of the high salt content. Much the same as the pink lakes we have seen in Australia.

Edge of Mangrove Forest

It is easy to see how the swampy plains are completely flooded out during the rain season.

Into the Mangroves

https://youtu.be/uF0DxMrN4Dc

Through the Mangroves and Under the Water

https://youtu.be/4mSDrAQp4dQ

The Mangrove Forests and Swampy Plains are filled with a rich diversity of animal life. Ibis, Egrets, Brown Pelicans and Frigatebirds...as well as herons and Mangrove Cuckoos.  Manatees, monkeys, turtles, anoles, eagles, sea turtles, alligators and crocodiles also call it home.

Little fish use the roots to hide in until they are larger.

These Ibis can also be pinkish depending on their diet.

Egret

Brown Pelican

Since the waters are shallow in the mangroves (and filled with tiny fish and crabs) it is the perfect fishing spot for the birds.

Frigatebird

Which looks a little bit like a seagull on steroids.

 Mangrove Cuckoo

And the Manatee

Huge harmless vegetarians that you can actually swim with in Belize!

Snorkeling with the Manatees

https://youtu.be/gdq2VoQM2r4

I have to admit, I fell in love with these gentle giants in Tampa, Florida and have been smitten ever since!

They have a great Adopt A Manatee Sponsorship Program 

https://www.savethemanatee.org/how-to-help/adopt-a-manatee/

that I intend to join later this year.

One of my Life List Items.

And the Belizean Mangrove Forest is also habitat for

Sea Turtles 

As well as Crocodiles

 No, they don't mind the salty water a bit.

Keep your eyes open.

 Next time we will begin to explore the beaches and cayes (pronounced Keyz) of Belize.

Until then...



Hike through the Mangrove on the Boardwalk at Wee Wee Caye

https://youtu.be/n0Q3LslellI

Virtual Belize: Exploring the Rainforest

And we've made it!

75% of Mainland Belize is covered in jungle/rainforest.

Much of it is devoted to a National Park. Sanctuary for the amazing diversity of plants and wildlife found here.

The first thing you'll notice is the aroma.

There are over 4000 types of flowering plants scenting the air...including 312 different varieties of orchids.

Like putting on all your floral cologne...at one time!

Beginning with the Belize National Flower

The Black Orchid

And so many more..

Here are a few...

Of course, all the wonderful smells attract butterflies and birds!

 

And through the thick canopy you can hear the voices of the Howler Monkeys overhead.

Take a listen for yourself.

https://youtu.be/kccBZElvTNw

Loud...numerous...and maybe even a little creepy.

These rainforests are also home to Jaguars...both black and orange/black coloured.

 The latter know as a Royal Gibnut...because when Queen Elizabeth visited the  country in 1985 she was served this bush-meat (which is a delicacy in Belize) with the London headlines the next day screaming

"Queen Served RAT During her Visit to Belize"

 Before this, the large rodent was just called a Gibnut.

Belize Rainforests

https://youtu.be/vdQQ1MLunqQ 

Needless to say amidst such natural beauty Eco-tourism thrives and there are many great places to stay and enjoy it!

Hike the Rainforest

https://youtu.be/UKM-eWwOSOI


I hope you have enjoyed this virtual trek through the rainforest!
 

 See you soon!