Attribution: Brief List of World Disasters by Bill Day, FloridaPolitics.com
Bill Day is a two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning, and his cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. He is currently the editorial cartoonist for FloridaPolitics.com
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from NYT Russia Moves to Tamp Down Speculation About Plague in Siberia
The country’s consumer watchdog has said only that “an employee of an anti-plague institute in the Irkutsk Region” contracted pneumonia.
from TIME What We Know About Russia Pneumonic ‘Plague’ After Dozens Quarantined in Siberia
Oct 6, 2026
Jimmy Kimmel reacts to terrifying reports out of Russia — at least one suspected death from pneumonic plague with around 200 people now in quarantine — and the White House’s absolutely unhinged response.
Trump says the U.S. is looking at it “very strongly,” calls it “pneumonia,” and claims germs have just gotten “stronger disproportionately”… while Kimmel jokes the White House is busy trying to figure out if there’s any way they can make money off of it.
As Kimmel puts it: Don’t worry, “the gang who brought polio back is on the case.”
from the WRAP Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Trump’s Promise to Help Russia Amid Siberia Plague: ‘The Gang Who Brought Polio Back’
“Sounds like the plot of one of those horror movies you can only get on Tubi,” the late night host adds
Jimmy Kimmel took aim at Donald Trump after the president promised to send aid to Russia amid a plague outbreak in Siberia, joking that “the gang who brought polio back is on the case.”
During Monday’s monologue for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the comedian weighed in on the situation in Siberia, which saw a 28-year-old laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute die of severe pneumonia. Dozens more are currently in quarantine.
“We took 200 members of our staff to Brooklyn. I am pleased to announce that only half of them came back with the flu,” Kimmel said. “Everyone is out sick. Everybody is sick today. Although, I guess we’re lucky to just have the flu.”
He added: “You know, today the governor of New York declared a state disaster emergency because of a measles outbreak there. So now we’ve got the flu, we’ve got measles, we’ve got rabies, we’ve got West Nile virus, we have flea-born typhus, all on the rise. And now we are hearing that in Russia there has been at least one death from a suspected case of the plague, the pneumonic plague.”
After mentioning that around 200 people are in quarantine, Kimmel said of the White House’s response: “The White House says they are monitoring the situation and assessing options to figure out if there is any way they can make money off of it.”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” editors then played footage of Trump answering questions about the supposed plague, with the president noting that “we’ll help them.”
“Well, everybody, they’ll help [them],” Kimmel responded. “No worries. The gang who brought polio back is on the case.”
“So, this outbreak, which is scary, is reported to have originated with a lab leak at the Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia,” he added. “Which sounds like the plot of one of those horror movies you can only get on Tubi.”
Before moving on, Kimmel sarcastically noted that he felt “glad we have a president who is a doctor and also Jesus,” poking fun at Trump’s past AI-generated religious memes.
{…} A representative for the White House did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Jake’s take
Oct 5, 2026 #News #Russia #Plague
A 28-year-old lab researcher at a Russian institute dedicated to studying plague and dangerous pathogens died of pneumonia of an “unknown” origin. The Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute operates in Siberia, where several other people are quarantined. Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian agency that oversees infectious disease, has downplayed the link between the researcher’s death and her work, but the case has prompted questions about the type of plague that causes pneumonia.
Pneumonic plague is a rare, deadly lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Scientists consider pneumonic plague the most dangerous form of the infection. CNN speaks to medical experts on the researchers death and if there should be greater concern.
chronicled in Monte Python And The Holy Grail. 1975.
“there’s no question of heroism in all this. It’s a matter of common decency. That’s an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is – common decency.”
― Albert Camus
Iran has been invited to
“…take out LA and San Diego”.
Ronald Wilson Reagan said of Russia, “ the bombing begins in five minutes.”
Trump has crossed over into advanced cruelty if not identifiable dementia.
It’s time to invoke The 25th. Soon!
Yes Dex. I have been thinking for a while we need to strengthen the 25th Amendment to broaden the list of people who can trigger it. Maybe something can be done legislatively without going through a new amendment process.
Right now the only real option is another impeachment, and this time I really do think it’s possible to get enough Republicans for conviction, especially if they lose their majority because of him.
He really is toxic…
Gov. Abbott says he will not be at Trump event in San Antonio this week because he has other campaign events already planned. On Trump in TX: “Whenever he does show up, it leads to excitement with the base. He does a good job with getting the base organized and turning out.”
MEASLES ON THE BALLOT. 🗳️ New York declares a disaster emergency as America suffers its worst measles year since 1991. Republicans have 28 days to explain the response to voters.
MEASLES ON THE BALLOT
The Poll Numbers
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted September 11–14 asked Americans specifically about Trump’s handling of the measles outbreak.
19% approved
52% disapproved
MEASLES ON THE BALLOT
Pennsylvania Is The Epicenter
3,887 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 2026, versus 2,289 in all of 2025 and just 285 in 2024. There have been 42 new outbreaks this year, and an extraordinary 95% of cases are outbreak-associated. This is the worst U.S. measles year since 1991.
Pennsylvania is the epicenter: 1,004 cases, 198 hospitalizations and five deaths. New York now has 108 cases, including 92 since July 15. NY Gov. Hochul’s emergency declaration expands who can administer MMR vaccines and order testing.
MEASLES ON THE BALLOT
Will voters blame congressional Republicans?
Republicans aren’t merely defending an unpopular health policy. They’re heading into an election while Americans watch a disease the country eliminated 26 years ago come roaring back—and only 19% approve of how the Republican administration is handling it.
3,887 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 2026, versus 2,289 in all of 2025 and just 285 in 2024. There have been 42 new outbreaks this year, and an extraordinary 95% of cases are outbreak-associated. This is the worst U.S. measles year since 1991.
Pennsylvania is the epicenter: 1,004 cases, 198 hospitalizations and five deaths. New York now has 108 cases, including 92 since July 15. NY Gov. Hochul’s emergency declaration expands who can administer MMR vaccines and order testing.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted September 11–14 asked Americans specifically about Trump’s handling of the measles outbreak.
19% approved
52% disapproved
And to top it off, there is no telling what Climate Change may be releasing:
Thawing Arctic permafrost releases ancient, dormant microorganisms, raising concerns about reawakening unknown or forgotten pathogens as climate change accelerates.
• Ancient Microbes: Scientists have revived giant DNA viruses (such as Pandoravirus yedoma) aged up to 48,500 years from Siberian samples.
• Trapped Bacteria: Spores like Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) have survived decades or centuries in frozen animal carcasses, causing real-world outbreaks when exposed by warm thaws.
• Genetic Traces: Metagenomic studies have detected DNA and RNA fragments of vertebrate viruses, though many fragile human pathogens degrade over millennia.
Real Risks vs. Scientific Debate
• Current Evidence: Most revived ancient viruses only infect single-celled amoebas, posing no direct threat to humans or animals.
• The Anthrax Precedent: A 2016 heatwave in Siberia thawed infected reindeer remains, triggering an anthrax outbreak that killed thousands of reindeer and sickened humans.
• Differing Expert Views: Some researchers warn that a warming Arctic and increased industrial activity could release pathogens to which modern populations lack immunity, while others argue that warm-adapted pathogens rarely survive the physical thaw or can be managed with existing vaccines and antibiotics.
today’s meme…
Well, I hope y’all are calling Congress about Dumbass inviting a foreign state to attack the US. I’m guessing that I’m mostly alone on all of the reasons I call, but if you are so inclined:
202-224-3121
https://justfucking.vote/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/jim-bakker-built-ptl-club-041516502.html
Jim Bakker, who lost his ‘PTL Club’ televangelism empire in sex and money scandals, dies at 86
*I thought he died long ago.
Movie recommendation:The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
There’s a scene with Falwell Sr. that explains how they set up abortion as a wedge issue. New wedge issue is trans, and then women outside of the household.
Yep, Blue. Reagan’s son Ronnie once told me his father and mother were both really put off at first when Falwell (with the infamous Richard Viguerie) approached them about taking on the abortion issue. But their political team saw the potential. He’s pretty sure they were pro-choice all along.
meme #2…
George Clooney corners Jim Jordan, and Big Oil gets the Big Tobacco treatment at the Supreme Court ☕ Catch up on yesterday’s Digital Diner. It was record-breaking: Over 3,000 viewers. Today, drop in for our new mobile mic check and a tour of Trail Mix International Headquarters.
SABATO: SENATE TO D
“For the first time all cycle, Republicans now need to win more of our Toss-ups to hold the Senate than Democrats need to win in order to flip it.”
Today in the Diner…
Donald Trump Los Angeles Threat
Vivek Ramaswamy Drops Kid
Sabato Shifts The Senate
Donald Trump says Iran should take out Los Angeles and San Diego, sparking outrage from Gavin Newsom. Plus, Vivek Ramaswamy drops a kid in Ohio.
Welcome back to the diner. Today we look at Donald Trump casually suggesting that Iran should feel free to bomb Los Angeles and San Diego. It is a bizarre and dangerous rhetorical strategy that immediately drew fire from California leaders like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass. When a presidential candidate openly greenlights an attack on major American cities, you have to ask who really benefits.
On the lighter side of the campaign trail, we analyze that painfully awkward footage from Vandalia Ohio where Vivek Ramaswamy literally dropped a child on stage. We also check in on the latest polling shifts as Larry Sabato officially moves his Senate forecasts toward the Democrats. Throw in some tech testing, a review of the Frost Buddy tumbler, and our upcoming Axios Social Club dinner at Family Ethiopian, and the menu is full.
Live Chat: https://trailmix.cc/chat
Website: https://trailmix.cc
Alerts: https://trailmix.cc/alerts
00:00 Intro
01:30 Axios Social Club Dinner
09:12 Frost Buddy Merch Review
15:10 Donald Trump 25th Amendment
21:55 Elissa Slotkin Senate Race
35:54 Vivek Ramaswamy Drops Kid
37:34 Marjorie Taylor Greene Ads
42:00 Jefferson Quran History
53:37 Trump Targets Los Angeles
57:13 Sabato Shifts Senate Map
58:45 Pennsylvania Measles Spike
— Human directed and edited. Machine drafted (Gemini Pro).
Trump Threatens Los Angeles ➡️Invites Iran to bomb California. Local TV reacts. Completely NORMAL behavior, for a crazy man.
🍽️ From today’s Digital Diner menu
HA!
if Maga people are dumb, what does that make the people that let them take over society?
and I agree maga people are dumb
cult of self perceived intelligence
KKK has been replaced by a 24-year old MAGAt. Giving Nat a run for the money?
https://www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/who-beni-rae-harmony-trumps-new-24-year-old-white-house-hire-after-karoline-leavitts
Brunette Ivanker
ooh i just got an irl person who disagreed with me to concede to my assertions!
one down, 7,999,999,999 to go!
be patient
i’m trying to deprogram everyone from their social media and corporate news-driven manipulations
not going so well
one is better than none though
You may get just the one for now, but that one might domino a bunch of ‘em.
The Genocide Case Against Hamas
Was a single day’s attack, no matter how savage, too brief to qualify as genocide? It turns out that duration has never been the legal test.
war: young people dying, old people having semantic arguments
Senate Leans Democrat ➡️
Sabato finally wakes up and shifts the Senate map toward Democrats. Take it to the bank.
🍽️ From today’s Digital Diner menu
Nowhere to run to
Baby
Is the Russian plague the US midterms red flag.
Eva Marie Saint passes away at 102
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/movies/eva-marie-saint-dead.html
Eva Marie Saint, Oscar Winner for ‘On the Waterfront,’ Is Dead at 102
A luminous beauty with dramatic depth, she brought a layered intensity to harrowing roles and seduced Cary Grant in the romantic thriller “North by Northwest.”
Listen · 10:38 min
Mortonie,
That definition of genocide is the basis of the Golda Meir quote. The IDF under Netanyahu has done horrid things, but unlike Hamas the goal has never been genocide.
Just saw Michael Steele eviscerate Tom Tillis and his excuses for giving us RFK Jr. and Hegseth. Also, perhaps missed by some, trying to use Luke Russert’s ability to get his kids vaccinated however he feels he needs to to justify passing Bobby Brainworm to the floor of the Senate and voting for him. What utter horse shit.
the MSM never covered how Palestinians were treated and evicted before the internet age, the “they just hate us for who we are” stuff rings hollow now that it’s exposed
Just got back from our first Axios Social Club “Mystery Dinner” where they bring six like-minded strangers together at a restaurant picked by the organuzers. had Ethiopian food with some fun folks who would be such great TrailMixers. I hope some show up here.
A librarian, another retired journalist from Kentucky, and one who just exchanged pleasantries with Jack Smith at the Power to the People concert.
Anon
It was covered even somewhat effectively Up until the Rabin assassination in 1995 following Oslo Accords. It’s been downhill from there.
Vivek Drops A Child ➡️
Watch Ramaswamy try to lift a ten-year-old prop and fail miserably. Know your limitations, buddy.
🍽️ From today’s Digital Diner menu
Maine debate tonight
Susan gets the bribery question in tonight’s debate here…
Jamie – Golda was wise and spread her wisdom. She resigned after the Yom Kippur War invasion. Bibi should have resigned and faced charges along with some of his generals. Instead, he tries to slaughter an enemy that hides in tunnels and surrounds its missiles with non-Hamas sacrificial pawns. Innocents die.
We’ll see what the Israeli election produces. I have meager expectations.
NEW THREAD