19th & 22nd

I can't imagine what a merger between Exxon and Chevron would do to the gas and oil industry -- Not to mention how it would affect gas prices.  I'm not surprised that Mike Pence is forming a political group. It was mentioned a few weeks ago that he plans to run for president in 2024. I don't know if I can survive another election.  More details below... Oil giants Exxon, Chevron held merger talks, according to report https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/01/31/exxon-chevron-merger-talks-oil-petroleum/4332843001/ SOURCE:  Nathan Bomey, USA Today Pence plans to form political group as he moves beyond time with Trump and Capitol riot https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/31/pence-plans-to-form-political-group-as-he-moves-beyond-time-with-trump-and-capitol-riot.html SOURCE:  Hallie Jackson and Monica Alba, NBC News

  Joe Biden and Kamala Harris drop a playlist for your inauguration watch party https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/16/politics/joe-biden-inauguration-playlist/index.html SOURCE:  Kelly McCleary, CNN Apple is closing even more stores across three states due to COVID https://mashable.com/article/apple-store-closures-texas-north-carolina-georgia-washington-dc/ SOURCE:  Anna Iovine, Mashable

  The Social Security retirement age could change. What that could mean for benefits https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/14/how-raising-the-social-security-retirement-age-could-affect-benefits.html SOURCE:  Lorie Konish, CNBC Biden launches new Twitter account ahead of inauguration https://thehill.com/policy/technology/534396-biden-launches-new-twitter-account-ahead-of-inauguration SOURCE:  Chris Mills Rodrigo, The Hill

  Congress approves $25 billion in rental assistance. Here’s how to apply https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/07/congress-approves-25-billion-in-rental-assistance-heres-how-to-apply-.html SOURCE:  Annie Nova, CNBC  Flight attendant union wants pro-Trump rioters barred from flights https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/07/flight-attendant-unions-raise-alarms-about-disruptive-travelers-after-pro-trump-riots-at-capitol.html SOURCE:  Leslie Josephs, CNBC

  Starbucks, Chase and a small pizzeria form a unique business triangle in Washington, DC https://thehill.com/changing-america/video/529891-starbucks-chase-and-a-small-pizzeria-form-a-unique-business-triangle SOURCE:  Richie Hertzberg, The Hill (Changing America Series) ‘I can’t stay here’ — Mick Mulvaney resigns from Trump administration, expects others to follow https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/07/mick-mulvaney-resigns-from-trump-administration-expects-others-to-follow.html SOURCE:  CNBC

  Netflix has a totally silly recommendations hotline you can call today https://mashable.com/article/netflix-recommendations-hotline-2021/ SOURCE:  Alison Foreman, Mashable  Legal Expert Calls on Biden to 'Nominate Obama As Attorney General' https://www.newsweek.com/legal-expert-biden-nominate-obama-attorney-general-1558489 SOURCE:  Darragh Roche, Newsweek

Well, the vaccine has finally arrived. Wonder how many people will take it?  I'm still in the 'wait-and-see' mode.  Biden and Trump both need to put pressure on Congress to pass a stimulus bill.  Unemployment benefits and the eviction moratorium are scheduled to end in December. If a stimulus package is not passed before then, January 2021 is going to be an economic mess.  First ‘mass air shipment’ of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine arrives as airlines prepare for more https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/30/first-mass-air-shipment-of-pfizers-covid-vaccine-arrives-as-airlines-prepare-for-more.html SOURCE:  Leslie Josephs & Berkeley Lovelace Jr., CNBC  Congress returns facing government shutdown deadline, calls for stimulus amid coronavirus surge https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/30/congress-looks-to-pass-coronavirus-stimulus-government-funding.html SOURCE:  Jacob Pramuk, CNBC 

 News updates from TikTok and Matthew McConaughey... TikTok gives parents more control over what their teens can view and post https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/17/tech/tiktok-family-pairing-parental-controls/index.html SOURCE:  Rishi Iyengar, CNN Business McConaughey says he'd consider running for Texas governor https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/526521-mcconaughey-says-hed-consider-running-for-texas-governor SOURCE:  Judy Kurtz, The Hill

 More news from the Biden team... Biden Announces 12-Member Task Force for Coronavirus Response https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-announces-12-member-task-force-for-coronavirus-response/ar-BB1aNuCx?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  Tyler Pager, Bloomberg  (via MSN News) Major The Dog Came From An Animal Shelter. Now He's Headed To The White House. https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/biden-major-shelter-dog-211033425.html SOURCE:  Hilary Hanson·Assignment editor, HuffPost  (via MSN News)

More Biden news...  Joe Biden economic plan: What Biden means for the economy, your finances and another COVID-19 stimulus package https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/11/07/next-president-joe-biden-economy-growth-stimulus/6151943002/ SOURCE:  Paul Davidson, USA Today Meet the contenders for Biden’s Cabinet https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/07/joe-biden-cabinet-picks-possible-choices-433431 SOURCE:  Politico Staff

 Tips on how to talk about politics at work and an update on mortgage rates... The rules of talking politics at work https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/29/success/talking-politics-in-office/index.html SOURCE:  Kathryn Vasel, CNN Business Mortgage rates hit a record low for the 12th time this year https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/05/success/mortgage-rates-record-low-november-feseries/index.html SOURCE:  Anna Bahney, CNN Business 

 Glad to hear SBA is offering loan forgiveness for PPP loan borrowers. This Nashville debate was definitely a lot calmer. However, I don't think either candidate changed the minds of voters.  SBA offers total forgiveness for loans of $50,000 or less, helping PPP small-business borrowers https://www.inquirer.com/news/sba-treasury-ppp-loans-small-business-administration-50000-forgiveness-20201012.html SOURCE:  Erin Arvedlund, The Philadelphia Inquirer 4 takeaways from a less abrasive — but more revealing — debate between Trump and Biden https://www.yahoo.com/news/4-takeaways-from-a-less-abrasive-but-more-revealing-debate-between-trump-and-biden-061044732.html SOURCE: Andrew Romano, Yahoo News

I wasn't impressed by either town hall. Having candidates in separate forums did not give the audience the feel of a real debate. Let's hope that Biden and Trump agree to participate in the debate scheduled for next week. An Elle magazine article hints that there may be a season 2 of Lovecraft Country. I sincerely hope there is a season 2, so we can see more of the dynamic acting of Jurnee Smollett.  Fact checks: What was true and false from the Trump and Biden town halls https://news.yahoo.com/live-fact-checking-trump-biden-001900401.html SOURCE:  Jane C. Timm, Adam Edelman, Ben Kamisar, Sahil Kapur - NBC News Jurnee Smollett Just Hinted at the Possibility of 'Lovecraft Country' Season 2 https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/jurnee-smollett-just-hinted-possibility-182200502.html SOURCE:  Lauren Puckett, Elle  (via Yahoo News)

 I cannot believe that Ice Cube would help Trump 'develop' anything... 'Karma's World': Netflix Sets Animated Series On Aspiring Kid Rapper From Ludacris https://shadowandact.com/karmas-world-netflix-sets-animated-series-on-aspiring-kid-rapper-from-ludacris SOURCE:  Trey Mangum, Shadow and Act Trump Staffer Gives Ice Cube A Shout Out For Helping Develop Platinum Plan https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/trump-staffer-gives-ice-cube-a-shout-out-for-helping-develop-platinum-plan-news.119597.html SOURCE:  HotNewHipHop

Looks like McConnell and other republicans are getting a little anxious about Trump's behavior this past weekend. One day he looks very ill, and the next day he is riding around in a car smiling at his supporters. I don't know why they are upset. Trump has had this type of personality from the first day he took office. I don't blame those Secret Service agents for being upset. I would be upset too if I had to ride in the same car with a person who has been confirmed to have COVID19. If I was one of those agents, it would have been the day I lost my job. That's just me.  More information about the above below... Secret Service agents criticize Trump car ride: 'This should never have happened' https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/secret-service-agents-criticize-trump-car-ride-this-should-never-have-happened/ar-BB19Ium3?ocid=msedgntp SOURCE:  Zack Budryk, The Hill (via MSN) GOP anxiety grows over Trump political roller coaster https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...

Biden is partnering with Jermaine Dupri & Ludacris to help with his campaign strategy. I guess Biden is targeting the Black voters who are on the fence about voting for Trump. Let's see how this plays out. We will be seeing a lot more of Mike Pence in the upcoming days. It looks like he is filling in the void for Trump while he is in the hospital. To some, this is a signal that Trump will be out of the public eye for awhile. I saw the video of Trump trying to reassure us that he is okay. From what I saw, however, he clearly is not.  More details below... Biden Campaign Enlists Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris for "Get Out The Vote" Ads https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/biden-campaign-enlists-jermaine-dupri-ludacris-for-get-out-the-vote-ads SOURCE:  Alex Weprin, Hollywood Reporter Mike Pence ramping up his public appearances while Trump remains hospitalized, concerning experts https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/04/mike-pence-vice-president-no...

  Below are more Trump updates... Little communication from White House to Democrats, Pelosi, on Trump’s condition https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/little-communication-from-white-house-to-democrats-pelosi-on-trump-s-condition/vi-BB19EHqG?ocid=msedgdhp SOURCE:  NBC News (via MSN) Trump told journalist Bob Woodward: 'I'm not' worried about contracting COVID-19 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2020/10/03/president-donald-trump-coronavirus-bob-woodward-audio-recording/3607185001/ SOURCE:  Chris Woodyard, USA Today Trump given Remdesivir as treatment for COVID-19 infection https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-given-remdesivir-as-treatment-for-covid-19-infection/ar-BB19EOMj?ocid=msedgdhp SOURCE:  The Hill, (via MSN) Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien becomes latest GOP official to test positive for COVID-19 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/03/trump-campaign-manager-bill-stepien-has-tested-positive-covid-19/3597631001/ SOURCE:  ...

Looks like Trump is taking no chances on getting good medical care for his COVID treatment. According to media outlets he is heading to Walter Reed Medical Center.  The conspiracy theories are starting to roll in. Surprised? Some believe that Trump is making up the COVID diagnosis just to get sympathy and support. While I know Trump is capable of saying and doing anything when it comes to winning this election, I just don't think he would stoop so low just to get votes. I hope I'm right.  Trump headed to Walter Reed after positive coronavirus test https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/519400-white-house-doctor-says-trump-remains-fatigued-but-in-good-spirits SOURCE:  Morgan Chalfont, The Hill The conspiracy theorizing about Trump's diagnosis has already begun https://theweek.com/speedreads/941345/conspiracy-theorizing-about-trumps-diagnosis-already-begun SOURCE:  Bonnie Kristian, The Week

Before this week's presidential debate, I had not heard of The Proud Boys.  Since Trump's remark regarding The Proud Boys to 'stand back' and 'stand by' caused so much outrage, I decided to do some research on this group. I have to say that what I have found out so far doesn't paint this group in a positive light. In my opinion they sound more like a militia army with a very bad agenda.  Below are some of the articles from my research. Check them out and give me your opinion.  Who the Proud Boys Are and Why the FBI is Taking Notice? https://www.complex.com/life/the-proud-boys-white-nationalist-explainer/?utm_campaign=complexmag&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social SOURCE:  Nikki Igbo, Complex Magazine Portland 'Proud Boys' member arrested after allegedly pointing gun at demonstrators https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-protests-proud-boy-arrested-gun-antifa SOURCE:  Danielle Wallace, FOX News

 My article round-up regarding a last ditch stimulus deal and last night's debate performance... Pelosi eyes last-ditch shot at stimulus deal with Mnuchin https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/29/pelosi-last-ditch-stimulus-mnuchin-422924 SOURCE:  HEATHER CAYGLE, MELANIE ZANONA and SARAH FERRIS, Politico Twitter Is Not Pleased With Chris Wallace's Performance as Debate Moderator https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/twitter-not-pleased-chris-wallaces-025100129.html SOURCE:  Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire  Pelosi rebukes Trump, says U.S. results must be respected: MSNBC interview https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/pelosi-rebukes-trump-says-us-results-must-be-respected-msnbc-interview/ar-BB19zCJ5?ocid=uxbndlbing SOURCE:  Reuters (via MSN)