Thursday, May 31, 2018

And another day of a man-child pretending to play leader while screwing over allies and the people he supposedly governs, as well as said man-child letting his loyalist know that he has plenty get-out-of-jail-free cards at the ready comes to an agonizing close:

"We have to believe that at some point, common sense will prevail. But we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration," Canadian PM Trudeau says after new US tariffs. We’re trying, Mr. Trudeau. We’re trying to right this sinking ship.

U.S. hits E.U., Canada and Mexico with steel, aluminum tariffs, sparking trade war. Because that’s what decent people do, they fuck over their allies...oh, and when you’re somehow the leader of a country and you do this, then you fuck over the citizens of said country as well.

Congressional Republicans lining up against Trump on trade.

Trump reportedly said he wants to stop German luxury car imports in the US.

Trump has reportedly made multiple attempts to persuade Attorney General Jeff Sessions to retake command of the Russia investigation. The actions of a desperate, guilty man.

Trump on Thursday pardoned a conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza and said he was considering pardoning lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and commuting a former Illinois governor’s prison sentence, prompting critics to accuse him of subverting the rule of law. Remember, nothing happens by accident when it comes to politics. He’s setting shit up regarding the Mueller investigation.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich got a new lifeline when President Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning or commuting his sentence on his federal corruption conviction. Ah, connections to a stupid “reality” tv show.

No, Samantha Bee's vulgarity isn't equivalent to Roseanne Barr's racism. Because being foul-mouthed is not the same as a white person calling a black person an ape, or a Jewish Holocaust survivor a Nazi.

US government wanted to keep them secret forever but Guantanamo detainee Abu Zubaydah's drawings of his CIA torture have just been ordered released.

Planned Parenthood cancels abortions in Arkansas after restrictive law is reinstated. There’s suddenly a rush on wire hangers.

Denmark has banned the wearing of face veils in public, joining parts of Europe in outlawing the burqa and the niqab worn by some Muslim women.

Researchers just made a disturbing discovery about your child's risk of schizophrenia.

It's true: Teens are ditching Facebook.

“No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.” -- George Chakiris

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

And another day of indictments, fake deaths, and scapegoating comes to a close:

“To err is human. To blame someone else is politics.” -- Hubert H. Humphrey

Prosecutors in Michael Cohen case piecing together shredded documents from raid. Like they do.

Ambien just hit back at Roseanne: "Racism is not a known side effect.” Roseanne is and always has been a horrible person.

Liberty University students and faculty are making a film that implies God chose Trump. “Meanwhile, the Trump prophecy narrative is more common among evangelicals associated with what is known as the New Apostolic Reformation: a loosely-conceived umbrella group of Christians that tend to focus on the power of individual prophecy and the authority of charismatic leadership figures believed to be possessed of distinct spiritual gifts.” In other words, a cult. These people are fucking whacked.

Russian journalist reported dead shows up alive at news conference. Ukrainian officials say they faked his death to thwart a real plot by Russian intelligence to murder him.

Virginia’s state senate just voted to expand Medicaid. It’s nearly a done deal now.

Trump pressure played key role in changing NFL anthem rules, depositions reveal.

Harvey Weinstein indicted by New York grand jury on rape charges.

CIA report says North Korea won't denuclearize, but might open a burger joint. A Western hamburger franchise, you know, as a show of goodwill. God damn the world we live in.

Kim Kardashian West was at the White House Wednesday seeking clemency for a great-grandmother serving a life sentence in federal prison for a first-time drug offense committed over 20 years ago.

A report estimates that conflict, poverty or sexual discrimination threatens 1.2 billion children -- nearly half the world's youths. Threat of child marriage or lack of education increases in high-risk countries like Niger.

Why You Should Teach Your Kids To Swear, According To Science. Research has linked swearing to – among other things – honesty, better vocabularies, better credibility, improved camaraderie with our peers, and helping us process and handle anger. “Learning how to use swearing effectively, with the support of empathetic adults, is far better than trying to ban children from using such language.” Fuckin’ A!

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” -- Bob Marley

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

And another day of Twitter rants, complete with racism and debunked conspiracy theories, comes to a close:

“Racism is man’s gravest threat to man--the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.” -- Abraham Joshua Heschel

Trump says, without proof, that the Mueller team will meddle in midterm elections. Projecting what you’re going to do again I see, Donald.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy says the FBI "did exactly what my fellow citizens would want them to do" in Russia investigation. Yeah, Trey Gowdy.

ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star's racist Twitter rant. Racism will not be tolerated. Nicely done Disney. Roseanne Barr is a horrible person. I would have only preferred that you had never picked up her reboot to begin with becauses she’s the same hateful person she’s always been.

Not content to stop there, Roseanne goes full conspiracy theorist on Chelsea Clinton. Chelsea’s response was perfect. And Jesus Christ the shit Roseanne believes.

The White House puts 25% tariffs on $50 billion worth of goods from China.

Trump rips McCain at political rally. Jesus, the people who go to those stupid rallies.

68% of white evangelicals think America shouldn’t house refugees. Well that’s mighty Christian of them.

New video game that simulates school shootings is facing colossal backlash and demands that it be pulled amid a spate of school massacres across the United States.

Porn leads to school shootings, GOP congresswoman says. Well that’s strange. It’s not bullets I’m shooting when I watch porn.

The Supreme Court has refused to hear Planned Parenthood’s appeal of Arkansas’ effective ban on the abortion pill. And thus, Arkansas restriction on abortion pill stands. This leaves women in Arkansas with now only one place in the state to get an abortion.

Prominent Russian journalist shot dead in Kiev. He was quite the critic of Putin. Coincidence? I think not. The Orange One so wishes he had that same power.

Former campaign manager: Bernie Sanders ‘is considering another run for the presidency’. Can’t we get new blood?

A U.S. official says Chinese graduate students will be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in fields like robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing.

NFL players weigh sitting out season until Colin Kaepernick is signed. Stop watching the NFL. It’s not worth your time.

Study hikes Puerto Rico's Hurricane Maria death toll to 4,645.

Nicaragua has instituted a "shoot to kill" policy in dealing with protests that has resulted in an "alarming number of deaths," according to an investigation by Amnesty International.

EPA's own science advisers to rebuke agency over auto rollback.

Reboot your router to avoid Russian hack, warns FBI.

No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgements are wrong. Only racists make them.” -- Elie Wiesel

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, May 28, 2018

And another day of “me, me, me,” “let’s blame Democrats,” several stories on the cancer front, and Rick Santorum joining the I’m A Horrible Person club (as if he ever left it) comes to a close:

“Perhaps this is as good, as it gets.” -- Colin Hay

Donald Trump puts the “Me” in Memorial Day.

New study connects white American intolerance and support for authoritarianism. The research suggests that when intolerant white people fear democracy may benefit marginalized people, they abandon their commitment to democracy. Because they are horrible people.

Paul Ryan warns that if Dems win, they'll hold Trump accountable. Which means he and the rest of the GOP are not doing their job. “Republican lawmakers have effectively told the Republican president that they've looked the other way on Trump's scandals and misdeeds, ignoring their oversight responsibilities and undermining the entire idea of checks and balances, but Democrats won't.”

Rick Santorum: Migrant children the government lost track of aren't lost. Rick Santorum is a horrible person.

Trump and the White House are on a campaign to try to blame Democrats for the Trump administration's decision to separate children from their parents at the border.

Harley-Davidson workers say plant closure after tax cut is like a bad dream.

Elon Musk’s crusade for media accountability lasted three whole days before he recommended a news site affiliated with a suspected sex cult. I’m losing respect for Elon Musk pretty fast these days.

China approves 13 new Ivanka Trump trademarks in three months.

Oral sex is causing a big jump in throat cancer in men. And it's often years later.

Brain cancer treatments showing promise with targeted therapies. 'Very exciting stuff.'

Computer learns to detect skin cancer more accurately than doctors. Artificial intelligence machine found 95% of melanomas in study compared to 86.6% for dermatologists.

Spending on cancer drugs has doubled over the past 5 years, and every new cancer drug brought to market last year cost $100,000 or more, according to a new report.

More than 220,000 pounds of Spam recalled over oral injuries.

Mind-boggling canyons discovered beneath Antarctica's ice. Three canyons are on par with the Grand Canyon. “The discovery is both wow-worthy and vital to understanding what will happen to Antarctica’s ice as it melts.”

California's new digital license plates give you the chance to finally be the "ASSMAN".

Yes, Colin Hay, despite all this bullshit, it is still a Beautiful World.

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” -- George Washington

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

And another day of being gaslighted by this shitty administration, of Trump trying to create and sell his own personal version of reality, and of course him thumping his racist chest in the name of nationalism comes to a close:

“Do you understand how much of a nazi you have to be to pull a frightened, crying child away from a mother, offering no reassurance or explanation of when the child will see that mother again? And then wake up, go to work, and do it again? Be ashamed. We are the shithole nation.” — David Simon

Taking children from their parents is a form of state terror. The Trump administration needs to be stopped. They are walking, no, make that running the country into echos of history many said could never happen here. Well, it’s happening.

Outrage Grows as Horror of Policy to Split Children and Parents at Border Becomes Clear. “There is something terrible happening here that Americans would not support if they understood it,” F. Scott McCown, director of the Children’s Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. “When he was deported three months later no one could tell him where his son was beyond saying he was “somewhere in Texas.” “I cried. I begged,” he said. “No one could tell me anything.” Yes, this is America. Is this what you want your country doing in your name? Immigrants and refugees are still people. They deserve better than this shit.

US lost track of 1,500 immigrant children, but says it's not 'legally responsible'. Unacceptable.

Trump's immigration crackdown is a boom time for private prisons. Private prisons need to be abolished. They are ripe for abuse. One should never be able to earn a profit off incarceration.

Ignorance is Strength: The Trump Administration’s Creepy War on Language. Say goodbye to words like “vulnerable,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “peaceful,” and “democratic.” Orwell warned us. Many refused to listen.

“In recent years, and even decades, too many people have forgotten that truth. They've forgotten that our ancestors trounced an empire, tamed a continent, and triumphed over the worst evils in history." -- Donald Trump. And now those “evils” of history are repeating themselves. The orange one continued: “We are not going to apologize for America.” What a bunch of white supremacist bullshit.

Trump claimed The New York Times quoted a White House official who "doesn't exist," but the comments were made in briefing with dozens of reporters listening. “But reporters listened to that official, in person and on the phone, on Thursday during a White House-sanctioned background briefing.” Living in his own reality and trying to take the rest of the country with him.

Trump's legal team wants briefing on classified info. shared with lawmakers about FBI investigation into Russian meddling, Giuliani says. Shitless, they are scared.

Russian oligarch who purportedly had nothing to do with Michael Cohen payments met with Michael Cohen.

'Trump's son should be concerned': FBI obtained wiretaps of Putin ally who met with Trump Jr.

The simple voting reform that works wherever it’s tried. I was surprised to learn the state I live in is only one of three that does this. That needs to change.

Ireland overturns abortion ban.

Elon Musk is gaslighting us. I guess he had to just get in on Trump’s gaslighting action.

Florida declares state of emergency as storm Alberto approaches. And so it begins...

Body camera footage shows police fatally shoot naked man.

"I don’t want my son to be named after someone who sent children like him to their deaths." Hans Asperger's dark past has sparked a movement to rename Asperger's syndrome.

RIP Alan Bean. He was 86. The fourth man to walk on the moon. You know, back when the country gave a shit about science.

“The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” -- Anne Frank

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, May 25, 2018

And another long day, complete with a school shooting, a well deserved and long-awaited arrest, and more horrible people than usual making the list tonight, comes to an agonizing close:

“Let it go, this too shall pass.” -- OK Go

Trump lawyer met Russian oligarch at Trump Tower 11 days before inauguration.

The Unbearable Whiteness of NFL Ownership. At least 70% of NFL players are black. There are no African American team owners. And the NFL Players Union wasn’t even consulted regarding the kneeling policy. That’s bullshit. Stop watching the NFL. Your time is much too valuable to support such a horrible organization.

The free speech debate often centers on college protests and social media "mobs." But the rich and powerful largely control the flow of information in America.

EPA: Pruitt spent $3.5 million on security during first year in office. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person.

McConnell said if a Supreme Court vacancy were to happen this year, he would work to fill the seat before the midterm elections. Mitch McConnell is a horrible person.

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates says President Trump's pressure on the Department of Justice is "a step beyond dangerous.”

US Customs and Border Protection has released a slightly different account of a border agent's fatal shooting of an undocumented migrant in Texas, raising new questions about what actually happened. The initial report was that migrants attacked with “blunt objects” but later in the day changed it to the group “rushed” the officer after ignoring orders to get on the ground. Hmmmm.

Here’s How the Government Managed to Lose Track of 1,500 Migrant Children. This is unacceptable and should piss you off.

The head of the Border Patrol union says Trump's National Guard plan has been one giant mess.

Trump administration has cut a deal with China's ZTE.

Federal prisons director resigns amid Kushner, Sessions infighting on prison reform.

Indiana middle school shooting leaves teacher, student injured; suspect in custody.

15 people injured after a bomb explosion at restaurant in Mississauga, Canada.

Walmart is paying $20 billion to shareholders. With that money, it could boost wages to more than $15 an hour.

Harvey Weinstein is arrested. Good. Nothing but a poor excuse for a human being.

Weinstein's lawyer at the courthouse today: "Mr. Weinstein casting couch in Hollywood was not invented by Harvey Weinstein." Really? That’s your defense? His lawyer is a horrible person, too. (Yes, I know this is about whether a crime was committed or not, but quite frankly, the “casting couch” should be a crime.)

Rohrabacher says he's fine with housing discrimination against gay people. Dana Rohrabacher is a horrible person.

ACA premiums to rise an average of 15% next year, says CBO. Thank a Republican.

In an Iraqi village, a little girl hides skin disease from neighbours. Wow.

As a teen, Emily Joy was abused by a church youth leader. Now she’s leading a movement to change evangelical America.

U.S. proposes scrapping program aimed at attracting foreign entrepreneurs. You know, because they’re foreigners.

Dozens of American newspapers aren't available online in Europe anymore because of the EU's new data privacy law.

Brazil authorizes army to clear trucker protest.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 4.8 million vehicles, tells drivers don't use cruise control.

Blaming dating apps for the rise of STDs is just the latest form of sex panic.

At least 52 people in Utah were poisoned by fake cannabis oil.

Arizona Moves to Alter Wording About Evolution in Education. What a disappointing state.

“History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” -- Karl Marx

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

And another day of cancellations, spies, and sexually inappropriate behavior comes to a close:

“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” -- Albert Einstein

Trump cancels Singapore summit in letter to Kim Jong Un. "I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. "Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place." He tells the man he often refers to as “little rocket man.”

Trump reportedly told a friend this week that he wanted to “brand” the FBI informant a “spy.” This morning, he used the term three times in a single tweet. Our democracy is slipping through our fingers.

Trump suggests that NFL players should "have to stand proudly" for the national anthem, or perhaps they "shouldn't be in the country." If you are not allowed to kneel during the national anthem, then you are not truly free.

Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has been probing Roger Stone's finances as it summons a series of witnesses to gather more information about one of President Trump's longtime advisers.

Parents, children ensnared in 'zero-tolerance' border prosecutions. Forced to wear a bracelet (um, that’s insignia) and ripped away from their children. America. 2018.

Marco Rubio is buying into some far-fetched Russia theories in Latin America. Of course he is.

Eight women accuse Morgan Freeman of sexually inappropriate behavior. And another pillar falls.

Facebook and Twitter launch new rules for political ads to counter misinformation.

Netflix is now worth more than Disney and Comcast.

Amazon: Alexa Echo device recorded conversation and sent it to one of their contacts.

“Change is the end result of all true learning.” -- Leo Buscaglia

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

And another day of having trouble believing some of the things that happen comes to a close:

“You know, I tried to talk about good roads and good schools and all these things that have been part of my career, and nobody listened. And then I began talking about niggers, and they stomped the floor.” -- George Wallace. This is worth the quick read. “We imagine the American past as filled with rabid bigots. But there have always been at least as many people who have some sense that bigotry is wrong, though they may say nothing. And then there are a select few who are fairly clear on right and wrong, but simply see more upside in being wrong.”

Cohen received a secret payment of at least $400,000 to fix talks between the Ukrainian president and Trump. Cohen denies the allegation. Shortly after the Ukrainian president returned home, his country's anti-corruption agency stopped its investigation into Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. Well isn’t that interesting?

Kushner's security clearance restored, met with Mueller team a second time. It’s a permanent security clearance.

"New Poll: Most Americans don’t realize Robert Mueller’s investigation has uncovered crimes.” 59%. I’ll say it again: fifty nine percent. Even though there’s so far been 5 guilty pleas and 17 criminal indictments. But you already know that because you’ve been coming here to get some of your news. Now educate your friends and family members.

Trump Can No Longer Block His Haters on Twitter, a Federal Court Rules. Excluding them “constitutes viewpoint discrimination that violates the First Amendment.”

New NFL policy: Teams to be fined if players kneel during anthem. The league says "protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic." Um, no, the people who thought that are either stupid or racist. It was never about the flag. Stop watching the NFL. It’s a shitty league with no regard for the player’s health, and as was made official today, it has nothing but disrespect for the majority of its players regarding social issues. If you don’t want to see the social issues that are occuring while you are on your watch on the planet, then you are part of the problem. But fining players for quietly bringing attention to said issues is not going to make those issues go away. Stop worrying about a flag and start fighting for social justice. A human is worth more than a piece of cloth.

After a 10% drop last season, some team owners and fans argued that it was because players were kneeling during the National Anthem. No, it’s just a stupid game that causes irreparable damage to the players. No game is worth that.

Trump suggests car imports may be the next target for tariffs.

Congress debates freedom of speech on campus — one proposal is that universities should be deprived of public funds if they fail to show political parity in the professors they hire and the speakers they bring to campus. Ah, another way for Republicans to eliminate higher education for the masses. It is their goal, you know.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says impeachment is not a "policy agenda".

A new report highlights a massive pay gap between CEOs and typical workers — some ratios as high as 4,987 to 1. And you can’t tell me they “earned” that shit.

Eighties Babies Are Officially the Brokest Generation.

New internal memos show the White House considered ways to downplay climate science research.

Two infected Ebola patients flee treatment center in Congo.

Obesity now linked to 12 different cancers.

Apple is going to let you download all the data it collects about you.

RIP Philip Roth. He was 85.

“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.” -- Philip Roth

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

And another day of violent ejections, racism in politics taken to a whole new level, history made in Georgia and on the NYSE, and a sinkhole trying to drain the swamp on the White House lawn comes to a rather hysterical close:

“Your old road is rapidly agin’. Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin’.” -- Bob Dylan

No Dems invited to White House briefing on FBI informant. Of course they’re not.

Donald Trump, a thrice-married former Democrat who used to describe himself as "very pro-choice," is offering catnip to conservative voters with a new push to strip funding from Planned Parenthood. Donald Trump is a...ah, fuck it. If you support him, you are a horrible person.

The worst, most thuggish Trump official just had reporters violently ejected from a government forum. Scott Pruitt is most definitely a horrible person.

The Republican Primary in Georgia Is Taking Racism to a Whole New Level. Jesus. Christ. There is no bottom. “Yep, I just said that.”

Stacey Abrams wins Democratic primary in Georgia. She could become the nation's first black woman governor.

Congress approves partial repeal of landmark Dodd-Frank law, sending the bill to Trump.

Lesley Stahl claims Trump told her that he bashes the press so 'no one will believe' negative stories about him. Of course he does. If you don’t see that then you are not paying attention.

Incoming NRA president Oliver North has blamed school shootings on a "culture of violence,” but yet was a consultant on “Call of Duty.” Of course he’s a hypocrite, he’s a Republican.

Shooter in Panama City, Florida standoff dead.

Stacey Cunningham just became the first woman president of the New York Stock Exchange in its 226-year history.

USC Faces Lawsuits, Calls For Resignation Over Alleged Sexual Abuse By Gynecologist.

34% of U.S. Catholics now say Pope Francis is "too liberal," including 55% of Catholic Republicans.

The Trump administration is moving to reverse Obama-era rules barring hunters on some public lands in Alaska from baiting brown bears with bacon and doughnuts and using spotlights to shoot mother black bears and cubs hibernating in their dens. “Under the proposed changes, hunters would also be allowed to hunt black bears with dogs, kill wolves and pups in their dens, and use motor boats to shoot swimming caribou. These and other hunting methods — condemned as cruel by wildlife protection advocates — were outlawed on federal lands in 2015. Members of the public have 60 days to provide comment on the proposed new rules.” Humans don’t deserve this planet.

Saudi Arabia expands crackdown on women's rights activists.

NFL’s Proposed National Anthem Rules: Penalties for Kneeling Being Considered. It would be up to the home team on whether both teams come out of the locker room for the anthem, and, should teams come out, 15-yard penalties could be assessed for kneeling. Stop watching the NFL. It’s a horrible league that has zero concern for the health of the players.

A federal court rules against a Virginia school district, holding that federal law protects a transgender student who sought to use the boys' bathroom at his school.

Poll: Support for vaccines falls. “70% say vaccinations for diseases like measles and polio are “very important.” That number is down from the 80% in November of 2008 who said the vaccines are crucial.” Lack of scientific understanding will be our downfall.

Researchers compared brain scans of 90 young children and found that those with ADHD symptoms also had smaller brain volume, especially in the frontal lobe -- the area that controls motor function, attention and decision making.

Mentally disabled man leaves prison after 20 years, taking the blame for obstructing justice when police extracted his false confession.

Amazon is selling police departments a real-time facial recognition system.

Creeping lava now threatens major Hawaiian power plant.

Parents win lawsuit to kick 30-year-old son out of their house.

Yes, a sinkhole has opened up on the White House lawn. Can’t make this shit up, but god damn it’s good for a laugh.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” -- Desmond Tutu

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, May 21, 2018

And another day of expanding the Russia investigation comes to a close:

“We’ll know for the first time, if we’re evil or divine, we’re the last in line.” -- Dio

Under pressure from Trump, FBI and Justice agree to expanded Russia probe.

Trump is now fundraising off conspiracy theory that FBI "infiltrated" his campaign.

In a victory for employers and the Trump administration, the Supreme Court on Monday said that employers could block employees from banding together as a class to fight legal disputes in employment arbitration agreements. More rights for corporations; less rights for actual people.

Vietnam says Chinese bombers in disputed South China Sea increase tensions.

Human race just 0.01% of all life but has destroyed over 80% of wild mammals – study. Bacteria are indeed a major life form – 13% of everything – but plants overshadow everything, representing 82% of all living matter. All other creatures, from insects to fungi, to fish and animals, make up just 5% of the world’s biomass.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tells police to end arrests for marijuana smoking.

Wyoming and Idaho are set to resume grizzly bear trophy hunting after a 40-year hiatus.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” -- Robin Williams

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

And another day where “I hereby demand” it comes to a close:

“The cancer that demands our urgent attention is corruption and poverty.” -- Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Trump Doubles Down on Unhinged Rant, “Hereby Demands” Probe Into Whether FBI “Infiltrated” Campaign. Just part of a wild morning of Twitteranting from the wannabe dictator. The man knows he’s in deep shit.

New NRA President Oliver North blames school shootings on Ritalin, “culture of violence.” “The disease is youngsters who are steeped in a culture of violence, they’ve been drugged in many cases.” Ollie North, ladies and gentlemen. An obviously intellectually supreme human being. Because Stephen Paddock, the Las Vegas shooter, was a “youngster” at 64. This goes far beyond school shootings, Ollie. They are not committed in silos. Don’t try to confuse people by pretending they are.

Texas high school shooter studied previous mass shootings before carrying out the attack.

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is a horrible person. “"This is not about guns," he said. "The smart things we can do about background checks and other issues we'll address, and we'll do. This is about us as a culture and a nation." He excoriated the video game industry, which he said propagates violence, and denounced a loss of faith and religion in society.” Scapegoat anything and everything, just make sure to not talk about guns.

The US is withdrawing aid from northwest Syria.

Former President Jimmy Carter says discrimination against women and girls is the world's biggest problem. Provided, you know, that you actually view women as equal to men.

French film director Luc Besson accused of rape.

Tax cut sparks record-setting $178 billion buyback boom. And many of you thought they gave a shit about you. Suckers. It was always about this boom...always. It was never meant to help you in anyway whatsoever except as an illusion.

Democrats are more supportive than Republicans of technology companies taking steps to restrict misinformation online. Shocking, I know. Republicans don’t want an educated, well-informed populace. It would hurt them, greatly.

Cougar kills mountain biker, injures another in Washington state. Hmmm, I’m reminded of the 1977 movie Day of the Animals. Yes, that’s Leslie Neilsen.

Students at most colleges don’t pick "useless" majors.

App that allows parents to spy on teens leaked thousands of passwords.

Vape pen explosion kills Florida man, police say.

“The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different.” -- Peter Drucker

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, May 18, 2018

And another day where Generation Lockdown has to deal with yet another school shooting, this one the 16th of the year (and in just 20 weeks, too!), comes to a deadly close:

Ten dead. Ten wounded.

“I’ve always kind of felt like it was eventually going to happen here, too.” -- Paige Curry, Santa Fe High School student

Which means our society has failed our youth.

VP Pence addresses deadly shooting at Texas high school: "We say to the students, the families, the teachers of Santa Fe high school and all of those affected in the entire community: We're with you." No you’re not. Meaningless words that mean bullshit because you don’t actually do anything except say “We’re with you” or you’re sending “thoughts and prayers.” Your inaction speaks volumes of what you really think about ordinary Americans. They mean nothing to you.

2018 has been deadlier for schoolchildren than service members. Think about that.

Remember, “praying” is not going to bring back those kids.

Ted Cruz is a horrible person. Just had to get that out there. Yeah, I know I went out on a limb there.

Texas Lt. Governor suggests having 'too many entrances' to schools makes shootings worse. Anything--absolutely anything--to keep from discussing gun control.

America just hit a grim milestone. Today’s Santa Fe High School shooting was at least the 100th mass shooting in the US since 1982.

Georgia police: 2 people shot, 1 dead near high school graduation.

Reports: FBI's informant talked to multiple Trump campaign aides.

House Farm Bill Fails As Conservatives Revolt Over Immigration.

Trump urged U.S. Postal Service to double package rates for Amazon.

The new Trump plan to defund Planned Parenthood, explained. People wanting to defund Planned Parenthood are not “pro-life” people.

NASA Administrator Changes His Mind And Now Agrees Humans Are Causing Climate Change. The former Representative from Oklahoma didn’t exactly say that humans are the main drivers of climate change, but saying they contribute “in a major way” shows he at least acknowledges the science backing climate change. That took less than a month.

A Third Of The World's Protected Areas Are Being Destroyed By Humans.

“It’s shortsighted not to view the education of a future generation of Americans as a priority for all Americans.” -- Mel Martinez

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, May 17, 2018

And another day of plea deals, memos, chemicals, and knowing the difference between HIV and HPV (well, for most people, anyway) comes to a close:

“Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.” -- Paul McCartney / John Lennon

Paul Manafort's former son-in-law reportedly cuts plea deal with feds.

Mueller's office files unredacted memo outlining scope of Russia probe: filing.

Senate confirms Gina Haspel as CIA director in 54-45 vote. Two Republicans voted no on Haspel's confirmation and six Democrats voted yes. Four of the six Democrats are up for reelection in states which voted for President Trump in 2016.

Donald Trump and the disturbing power of dehumanizing language. History and psychological science show us that when we refer to people as “animals” or anything other than “people,” it flips a mental switch in our minds. It allows us to deny empathy to other people, makes us feel numb to their pain, and lets us forgive ourselves for causing them harm.

Wednesday was a busy and bad news day for Michael Cohen. Here’s what we learned.

Trump Twice Asked Bill Gates What The Difference Was Between HIV And HPV. Twice. Jesus. Christ. He snowed all of you that voted for him. He’s really as dumb as a rock--which is an insult to rocks, of course.

Noisy babies at a birthday party spark AK-47 gunfire, 5-hour standoff, Oregon cops say. More guns, or guns in everyone’s hands, is obviously the answer.

Politicians move to get lawyer caught in viral video making anti-immigrant rant disbarred. The guy’s a fucking asshole.

Study finds massive amounts of a banned, ozone-depleting chemical in atmosphere.

Child abuse case in California spotlights lack of oversight of home schooling.

An Oregon teenager who admitted his fireworks started a blaze in the Columbia River Gorge faces the possibility of paying $37 million in restitution. At $3600 an hour--a dollar a second--for twenty four hours a day, this would take around 425.5 days to pay in full.

GOP congressman asks if rocks are causing sea levels to rise. You know, by “erosion” and the rocks falling into the sea. The level of stupid is high with this one.

For 400 months in a row, the Earth has been warmer than 20th century average.

New eruption at Hawaii Kilauea volcano prompts evacuation, produces volcanic ash cloud higher than Mount Everest.

The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread to an urban area.

A promising new Ebola vaccine is about to be put to the test.

The FDA has approved the first drug designed to prevent chronic migraines.

Your hotel swimming pool may be carrying germs that can get you sick, new study says.

“Health is not valued until sickness comes.” -- Thomas Fuller

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

And another day of dehumanizing a group of people finally comes to a god damn close:

“Twenty twenty twenty four hours ago, I wanna be sedated.” — The Ramones

“These aren’t people. These are animals.” -- Donald Trump on undocumented immigrants during California sanctuary cities roundtable discussion. When one group of people view another group of people as “lesser,” then atrocities are committed. You are no fucking better than anyone else. And Trump? Well, he’s a disgusting bigot who’s channelling Hitler. And yet he has a 42.1% job approval rating. You may not see it, or refuse to see it, or actively embrace it, but if you’re part of that 42.1% then you are on the wrong side of history.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee say they have obtained documents that suggest Russia used the National Rifle Association to help President Trump's 2016 campaign.

Giuliani: Mueller's team told Trump's lawyers they can't indict a president. He can only be impeached.

Scott Pruitt Just Testified Before Congress. It Didn’t Go Well. He has at least 14 federal investigations into his ethical conduct, alleged retaliation against whistleblowers, and extravagant spending. Fourteen. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person.

Senate votes to overturn FCC’s net neutrality repeal. Now to the House. Call your representatives and tell them to reinstate net neutrality.

After Senate victory, House announces plans to force its own vote on net neutrality.

Trump's decision to eliminate role of cybersecurity czar rattles experts. "This is definitely not the signal you want to send to your allies and your adversaries.”

North Carolina's teachers are taking to the streets in huge numbers. Here's why.

Michigan State will pay out a $500 million settlement to 332 of Larry Nassar's victims. Three hundred and thirty two. Fucking bastard.

The percentage of children and teens hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or actions in the United States doubled from 2008 to 2015, new research shows.

74% of American adults say they try to talk to God (or another higher power in the universe), and 28% say God (or a higher power) talks back. “Welcome to the new Dark Ages.” -- Bad Religion

Brain research is advancing so quickly that ethicists are scrambling to keep up. Yale scientists keep pig brains alive outside the body — and that’s just one of several provocative new brain science studies. Another includes growing new brains using human cells. This is mind-blowing, fascinating stuff.

Vermont is the first state in the US to pass legislation that could allow the importation of less-expensive prescription drugs from Canada.

‘Laurel’ or ‘Yanny,’ the debate is over, creator speaks out. It’s officially “Laurel,” not “Yanny.”

Batman's Butler Alfred Is Finally Getting the Live-Action Origin Story He Deserves.

“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” -- Carl Sagan

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

And another day of horrible people doing and saying horrible things (oh, and a couple really cool things, too) comes to a close:

“If you truly believe in the value of life, you care about all of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.” -- Joni Eareckson Tada

"Hamas is paying these people. They're pushing civilians, women, children into the line of fire with the view of getting casualties," Israeli PM Netanyahu says in an interview with CBS Evening News'. What good does it do for “civilians, women, and children” to be paid by Hamas just to be killed? His reasoning seems illogical. Could it be he is being disingenuous with his comments?

US Ambassador Nikki Haley tells UN 'no country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has'. Nikki Haley is a horrible person.

Gulf widening between US and key allies over Gaza.

The Trump-Kim summit is in doubt. North Korea says it may pull out if the US insists it gives up nuclear weapons. The art of the deal.

North Korea warns the US about the fate of the upcoming Trump-Kim summit and suspends talks with South Korea over its joint military drills with the US.

Trump sought to evacuate military families from South Korea before the Winter Olympics.

Trump overruled national security officials to help a Chinese phone maker that’s repeatedly violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea. Days earlier, a Trump-branded project in Indonesia got a $500 million loan from China. Coincidence? Um, no.

A judge just ruled that Mueller had the authority to indict Manafort.

Key Democrat will support Haspel’s nomination for CIA director despite past connections to torture. Torture! It’s the American way!

EPA launches investigation into Pruitt's use of private email accounts. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person.

Former Texas GOP Rep. Blake Farenthold says his lawyers told him not to repay the government for his sexual harassment settlement out of his own pocket.

The White House National Security Council is ending the role of cyber coordinator. Hmmm. Now?


Trump’s Tax Cuts Didn’t Benefit U.S. Workers, Made Rich Companies Richer, Analysis Finds. Suckers.

The Air Force would appreciate some help finding a box of grenades that fell off a truck.

Betsy DeVos just made it a lot easier for for-profit colleges to rip you off. She “is sending a signal that the US Department of Education under her watch is going to turn a blind eye to fraud.” Betsy DeVos is a horrible person.

Nearly all public school teachers report digging into their pockets to pay for school supplies, spending nearly $480 a year, according to a study by the National Center of Education Statistics.

Fox News is settling 18 racial and gender discrimination lawsuits for around $10 million.

Uber says it is taking steps to help reduce the culture of silence around sexual violence on its platform in the wake of a CNN investigation into sexual assaults and abuse by Uber drivers.

This map depicts abortion access across America and it's really bleak. Wow.

Twitter says it will start hiding tweets that ‘negatively impact’ the service.

Society needs the Artificial Intelligence Data Protection Act now. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.”

Scientists in England trained a tiny spider to jump on command — so they can create spiderlike robots that one day might be used to kill crop-eating insects. Or take over the world. You know, whatever.

This May Be the Best Evidence Yet of a Water Plume on Jupiter's Moon Europa.

The hungriest black hole ever detected gobbles a sun-sized star every two days. Holy cow!

“Freedom is nothing but a chance to do better.” -- Albert Camus

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, May 14, 2018

And another day of “traitors and cowards” comes to a close:

“A traitor is everyone who does not agree with me.” -- George III

On the opening of U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers shot and killed at least 50 Palestinians. The deadliest day in Gaza since the cross-border war of 2014.

Trump explains that lifting sanctions on huge Chinese company is OK because it’s just a personal favor for China’s president.

Trump tweets that his leaky staffers are "traitors and cowards, and we will find out who they are!" As all dictators do.

Senate votes Wednesday on effort to reinstate 'net neutrality' rules.

Trump and Sean Hannity reportedly call each other every night before bed. Horrible people stick together.

240,000 girls a year die in India due to gender discrimination, study finds.

Canada to add third gender option in government surveys.

Seattle approves tax on businesses like Amazon, Starbucks to fight homelessness.

Perks such as payments, free meals and speaking fees may be strongly influencing some doctors to prescribe opioids, researchers say.

We're running out of clean water. Bats know where to find it.

Ticks have infected people with seven new germs — including bacteria, parasites, and viruses — between 2004 and 2016, according to the CDC.

Chili's hit by data breach, credit and debit card information compromised.

It looks like Apple's tool that stops cops from hacking your iPhone isn't coming to iOS 11.4.

Supreme Court strikes down federal law prohibiting sports gambling. States now have the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

A fast-moving asteroid the size of a city block is set to give Earth a close shave tomorrow. The space rock will pass us at a distance of 126,000 miles, or about half the distance from the Earth to the moon. It’s only a matter of time.

RIP Margot Kidder. She was 69.

“You -- you’ve got me? Who’s got you?” -- Lois Lane (Superman, 1978)

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

And another day of mockeries, scapegoats, loud noises, and addictions comes to a close:

“It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.” -- Rollo May

Paul Ryan Just Made a Complete Mockery of Campaign Finance Rules. “So Ryan can't ask for $30 million, but he can make the entire case for it—and lend the scene a certain gravitas as perhaps the country's second most powerful elected official—then promptly leave the room so the sausage can get made.” He left the room so his his friend could ask and secure the $30 million for him. Paul Ryan is a horrible person.

Black activists call for charges after video surfaces showing white Wisconsin police officer punching black teen outside mall.

White people keep calling the cops on black people for no reason. That’s dangerous. Disgusting racists.

Jeff Sessions Is Scapegoating the ACLU for Chicago’s Murder Rate Spike. In addition to Jeff Sessions being a horrible person, he also doesn’t want you to understand math.

Why we should care about FGM. And yes, you should.

A million children now live with their grandparents primarily due to their parents' addictions, increasingly because of opioids.

Canadian police investigate after 14th human foot washes up on coastline of British Columbia.

Hawaii residents scrambling for masks the government says won't help them.

Facial-recognition software is inaccurate in 98% of cases, a report finds.

Concerts, construction sites and even loud restaurants can permanently damage your hearing. One in four US adults shows signs of noise-induced hearing loss.

Uproar after prom organizers invite surprise guest to the dance floor: a fully-grown tiger. WTF?

From lab dog to lap dog: Research animals get new lease on life with laws that require institutions to offer healthy dogs and cats up for adoption, rather than killing them. Eight states? Eight?

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” -- John Steinbeck

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

And another day of proudly shouting to the world that I’m a “never Trumper” comes to a close:

“The poetry of the earth is never dead.” -- John Keats

Crowd at Indiana rally cheers when Trump suggests he deserves an 'extension' on his presidency beyond two terms. These people are sick.

Former Trump campaign aide is helping Russian firm shed sanctions. WTF?

Rudy Giuliani says President Trump did not intervene to nix AT&T-Time Warner merger. One day he says one thing, the next day he says the opposite.

A new report shows the alarming tactics the Trump administration is using to arrest undocumented immigrants in sanctuary cities.

When John Kelly says these immigrants can't fit in, historians hear "an echo from the past". John Kelly is a horrible person. Read the historical quotes listed in the article.

Advisers bad-mouth Nielsen as a closeted ‘never Trumper’ who doesn’t fully back his agenda. Well to be fair, it is mostly a shitty, hate-filled agenda that fucks over just about everyone who is not rich, white, and male.

A majority of Americans, 55%, now say the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution “means in current times.” 67% of Republicans say the Supreme Court should base its rulings on what the Constitution meant as originally written. 78% of Democrats say the court should base its rulings on what the Constitution means today. 

Oklahoma governor vetoes gun bill, signs adoption bill angering gun and gay rights groups. Yay and nay.

At FDA, TVs now turned to Fox News and can't be switched. The email goes on to inform employees that the decision came from the Trump administration. An FDA spokesperson got back to CBS News after our deadline, telling us, "There was no directive or memorandum from the Administration that went out to employees about broadcast news channels…” Interesting. You can find the email at the link, as well.

EPA chief Scott Pruitt wined and dined a Catholic cardinal accused of sexual abuse to talk climate change denial. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person.

Canada launches new organisation to track hate groups amid rise in far-right sentiment across the country.

The death of net neutrality becomes official in one month.

Brazil’s classrooms need more capitalism. 10% of Brazilian public high schools lack running water, 12% have no libraries and nearly 55% have no science labs.

U.S. rolls back protections for transgender prison inmates.

Kansas governor signs bill banning police officers from having sex during traffic stops. The new law bans sexual relations "during the course of a traffic stop, a custodial interrogation, an interview in connection with an investigation, or while the law enforcement officer has such person detained." Um, a majority of states--33 in fact (I guess 32 now)--have consensual sex between police and people in their custody as something that is not a crime.

Ebola Is Back and Trump Just Made It Harder to Fight.

World Health Organization to send vaccines to fight new Ebola outbreak.

Researchers have found that presenting statements using nouns rather than verbs can reduce feelings of anger.

4 women-owned companies making the sex tech industry more approachable.

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” -- Hubert H. Humphrey

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.