PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (RNC image).

President Donald Trump officially accepted the nomination of the Republican Party for a second term at a rally Thursday on the south lawn of the White House.

“We have spent the last four years reversing the damage Joe Biden inflicted over the last 47 years,” he said. He added, “Joe Biden and his party repeatedly assailed America as a land of racial, economic and social injustice,” according to the Associated Press.

On the fourth and last night of the GOP convention, the ceremony included dozens of American flags and two large video screens. The crowd was estimated at about 1,500 people. He was introduced by daughter Ivanka, who said, “Dad, people attack you for being unconventional, but I love you for being real. And I respect you for being effective.”

The setting was unconventional as tradition and federal law both look askance at using the White House for a political event.

Biden, the Democratic candidate who served as vice president from 2009 to 2017, commented, “The problem we have right now is that we are in Donald Trump’s America. He views this” – recent violence tied to racial unrest – “as a political benefit to him. He is rooting for more violence, not less. He is pouring gasoline on the fire.”

Laura lashes Gulf Coast; many without power

Tropical Storm Laura pounded the Gulf Coast today, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without electricity in Texas and Louisiana and spreading tornadoes, flooding and high winds across four states.

According to United Press International, four people have died in the heavy weather. Although Laura was downgraded slightly from hurricane status, it still packs a powerful punch. Winds of up to 150 miles an hour have lashed Louisiana, which is generally vulnerable to flooding because of its low elevation.

The effects are being felt also in Arkansas and Mississippi, with flood advisories in effect as far north as parts of Oklahoma, Tennessee and Missouri.

Pacific Coast is safer than the Gulf Coast

If you have the slightest bit of empathy, you won’t complain about the boring weather and humidity in the West Orange County area.   At least you’re not in the Gulf Coast area where Tropical Storm Laura – recently demoted from hurricane – is battering the area with heavy winds, flash flooding and tornados. In this area we have to “suffer” through a low tonight (Thursday) of 67, then a high on Friday of 89 with morning fog giving way to sunny skies. Saturday will be similar with a high of 84 and a low of 68. Sunday will continue the slow cooling trend with a high of 82. Near the coast, Friday looks like a high of 78 on Friday, dropping to 75 on Saturday and 73 on Sunday.

Boycott called off, Dodgers sweep double-header

The brief boycott on Wednesday of all NBA and some MLB games has abated, but schedules are still jumbled. The Clippers vs. Mavericks game set for today (Thursday) has been postponed to Saturday. The Lakers vs. Trail Blazers game is still on for Friday.

In baseball, there’s more action with the Dodgers in San Francisco today. In the first game of a double-header, LA prevailed 7-0, with Clayton Kershaw getting the win. He worked six of seven innings, yielding just four hits, striking out four batters and walking none to improve his record to 4-1. A.J. Pollock hit a two-run home run in the seventh for LA.

In the second game, the Dodgers won 2-0 to improve to 24-9 and stay atop the National League West.  Seven pitchers went to the mound and held the Giants to just two hits. Joc Pederson provided most of the offense with a double and a home run.

The Angels are idle until Friday when they host the Seattle Mariners with Andrew Heaney making the start for the Halos.