It’s definitely not typical, but evidently some national security experts, military and civilian,  have both a conscience and a discerning intelligence and so have endorsed Joe Biden. From their September 24 “Open Letter to America”: “We are 489 retired Generals, Admirals, Senior Noncommissioned Officers, Ambassadors and Senior Civilian National Security Officials supporting Joe Biden for President.” And more samples of the text:  “The current president has demonstrated he is not equal to the enormous responsibilities of his office; he cannot rise to meet challenges large or small,” and “Thanks to his disdainful attitude and his failures, our allies no longer trust or respect us, and our enemies no longer fear us…”  They conclude: “Joe Biden has the character, principles, wisdom, and leadership necessary to address a world on fire. That is why Joe Biden must be the next President of the United States; why we vigorously support his election; and why we urge our fellow citizens to do the same.”  Now if only more people would listen…

This hurts in so many ways.  We’ll miss you, Justice Ginsburg!

Scientific American steps up: “Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history. This year we are compelled to do so. We do not do this lightly. The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people—because he rejects evidence and science. The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost more than 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September. He has also attacked environmental protections, medical care, and the researchers and public science agencies that help this country prepare for its greatest challenges. That is why we urge you to vote for Joe Biden, who is offering fact-based plans to protect our health, our economy and the environment. These and other proposals he has put forth can set the country back on course for a safer, more prosperous and more equitable future.”

Timothy Egan and Charlie Warzel of the NYT both brilliantly describe the increasing catastrophe, both environmental and humanitarian, of the western wildfires. Worth reading and then considering what you can do to help.

These pretty much say it all re. the U.S. response:

As impossible as it seems, DJT actually had the audacity to call himself “a great environmentalist” when today he signed a moratorium on offshore drilling off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina – a moratorium his own administration had earlier proposed lifting. Despite his abysmal record of rolling back environmental protections, denying climate change, and and appointing incompetent (and industry-favoring) directors to government agencies with roles in regulating natural assets and the environment, he lauded his administration for “our incredible record of natural conservation and environmental protection.” Just incredible.  See Karni and Friedman’s report in the NYT.