The first debate between the major candidates in the
US presidential election has been held, and the major takeaway is a
sense of dismay. Is this the best this country can do?
The Republican candidate believes Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating up domestic pets. When, how and why are the obvious questions.
As
a consequence, the Ohio city of Springfield received bomb threats
causing its highly upset mayor to react to these baseless and debunked assertions by former President Trump.
The
Democratic candidate seemed to have the attitude of a rebellious
teenager while her opponent spoke. She alternated between looks of
bemusement, feigned shock and disbelief. Bear in mind that Trump is a
former president and entitled to some respect.
If veracity and courtesy were lacking for this observer, others were harsher. The Pope at a news conference was pushed into his assessment. He called for us to choose between the 'lesser of two evils' citing their policies.
One
wants to kill viable babies as a fetus at 24 weeks has a fair chance of
survival. In late-term abortions the fetuses have to be killed before
they see the light of day for then it becomes murder. The moral
questions raised and the issues involved are extremely uncomfortable. In the Pope's view then, Harris'
support of abortion rights was against life as were Trump's
anti-immigrant policies. "Everyone with a conscience should think on
this and do it," meaning choose the lesser evil, he added.
If the US election is like watching snails race leaving a sticky trail behind, it follows that news interest is elsewhere. That is particularly true in Central Europe where storm Boris has wreaked havoc in the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland. In the latter, a dam was breached sending a river of water through Stonie Slaski in the southwest. Tens of thousands of people are without power and most have basement and first-floor damage. Worse for them, more rain is forecast for the next few days in an already waterlogged region.
On almost the other side of the world another hurricane is devastating Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The death toll from Typhoon Yagi has reached 250 with scores still missing in areas hit by flooding and landslides. The storm has been the worst to hit Vietnam in 30 years. While not bearing the brunt of the disaster, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand have suffered flooding.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
