Wednesday, August 29, 2018

And another day of straight up racism, GOP desperation, and targeted ‘gay cure’ advertisements on Facebook comes to a close:

“You said never to grow old, but you forgot to tell me how. You said never to grow old, and then sank your teeth, into those final feet.” -- Cowboy Junkies

Fresh off his victory in the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary, Rep. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that voters would "monkey this up" if they elected his African-American opponent, Andrew Gillum, to be governor. We must never tolerate racism—among each other, and certainly not in our elected officials. Ron DeSantis is a horrible person.

Andrew Gillum's Democratic primary victory sets up a race between a young, black progressive with an aspirational working-class message, and Republican Ron DeSantis, who has staked his political career on his ties to President Trump. Choose wisely Florida. You deserve better than what Ron DeSantis is offering. 

The Texas GOP tried to make Beto O’Rourke look like a drunk punk kid. It backfired.

A week before his confirmation hearing, the record on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s possible involvement in some of the Bush administration’s most abusive policies and programs is woefully incomplete.

Poll: millennials prefer a Democratic Congress, but just over half plan to vote in the midterms. Millennials preferring Democrats to Republicans won’t matter if they don’t show up to the polls in November. Not voting for the Democrat is a vote for the Republican. Vote!

A toddler who came across the border with her mother seeking asylum died after receiving inadequate medical care in ICE custody, according to lawyers for the mother.

The teacher strikes spreading across Washington state have forced 7 school districts to miss their first day of school, and unless Seattle officials find a resolution soon, more than 53,000 students in the state's largest district could miss school indefinitely.

The New York Times just revealed Betsy DeVos’ plan to let colleges off the hook for sexual assault.

Facebook accused of targeting young LGBT users with 'gay cure' adverts.

Several Women Say Airlines Don't Do Enough To Protect Them From Men Who Masturbate On Flights.

Catholic cardinal calls on Pope Francis to step down over alleged sex abuse coverup.

New research suggests that one night of heavy drinking may continue to impair your brain function for a day or more.

The 20-hour flight is coming—and with it the possibility of a gym, bunks and child care in the air.

Did Scientists Actually Spot Evidence Of Another Universe?

A sex doll 'brothel' is opening up in Toronto next month.

“Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.” -- E. B. White

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

And another day of meltdowns, fear mongering, compassion, and several things with The Lone Star state, comes to a close:

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” -- Confucius

Bruce Ohr Fought Russian Organized Crime. Now He’s a Target of Trump. Trump’s loyalty is to Putin. You know it’s true.

Trump has a morning meltdown. “Rigged,” “illegal,” were words he used when he didn’t like the search results he got back after he (or someone) did a Google search on his name. Of course he provided no evidence. He never does. He is such a pathetic excuse for a human.

White House looking into whether Google searches should be regulated to ensure it captures more conservative content. And the move toward authoritarianism creeps along. Hopefully this is all just bullshit bluster because Trump is such a small man, but keep your eyes open.

Trump's anti-Google tweets show that he doesn't know how the internet works. He doesn’t know how anything works.

Trump told Christian leaders they were “one election away from losing everything.” He went on to say their opponents were “violent people” who would overturn these [conservative] gains “violently.” Fear-mongering at its finest. Donald Trump is a horrible person.

Key Paul Manafort Banker Robbed of iPad, Briefcase in Mysterious Overnight Break-in at His NYC Penthouse.

Mollie Tibbetts' funeral doused outrage with compassion, and fiery voices stayed mum. “Goodness and compassion — that was the message delivered during Mollie Tibbetts’ funeral. It was a message that didn’t receive near the attention that followed news of her fate or the identity of her alleged killer. It’s possible you didn’t even know the funeral happened. I thought you should.”

Federal court, once again, rules North Carolina’s GOP-gerrymandered congressional districts are unconstitutional.

Beto O'Rourke Gets Best Polling News This Year. He’s pulled within one point of Ted Cruz. Vote Beto, Texas. Cruz has screwed you—and the rest of the country—for far too long.

Texas--Where you can get five years in prison...for voting. Mason, a 43-year-old mother of three, has been sentenced to five years in Texas state penitentiary – with extra time pending in federal lock-up. All because she committed the crime of voting. Yes, she’s black. Yes, there’s more to the story. Yes, Texas’s strict law is absurd. Make sure to read the double standard about a white male judge in Tarrant County that forged many signatures as he sought re-election. He was only given probation.

Nevada is poised to make history. There’s Never Been a Majority-Female Statehouse. Nevada May Change That.

Majorities of Republicans say major technology companies favor the views of liberals over conservatives and that social media platforms censor political viewpoints they find objectionable. Whatever.

Rick and Ann Scott’s financial trail leads to Cayman Islands tax haven. Rick Scott is a horrible person.

Former Texas police officer found guilty of murder in 2017 shooting of unarmed African-American teenager Jordan Edwards.

The police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man in Tulsa now teaches a course on how other cops can 'survive' controversial shootings. Um...wtf?

Judge blocks Trump administration from allowing Texas company to post online plans for printing untraceable 3D guns.

Texan says he's selling 3D-printed gun plans, despite ruling.

A Texas man is accused of shooting female drivers because he thinks they’re “incompetent”.

9-year-old boy who killed himself last week endured bullying after coming out as gay. “My son told my daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself,” his mom said. On the fourth day of school, he did just that.

California scraps cash bail in move touted as economic fairness.

New study estimates Hurricane Maria caused 2,975 deaths in Puerto Rico -- a drastically higher number than the initial government report of 64 dead.

STDs on the rise: Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia all increased in 2017, making it the fourth straight year in which STD infections continued to rise.

Republicans claimed Medicaid made the opioid epidemic worse. A new study proves them wrong. In fact, the study suggests that the Medicaid expansion may be a tool in the fight against the opioid crisis. Republicans wrong? Lying? Shocking, I know.

Walt Disney World's union won the fight to raise their minimum wage to $15.

Dangerously horny dolphin ruins swimming for French town.

“Rational thought will always trump medieval dogma.” -- Homer Hickam

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, August 27, 2018

And another day of shootings, Archbishops, nuns, and God comes to a close:

“Dear God, hope you got the letter.” -- XTC

In a letter read by a longtime aide, Sen. John McCain urged Americans to unite around the ideals that connect them rather than focus on divisions. He also pointedly asked Americans to tear down walls rather than build them.

Here’s House Republicans’ list of all the Trump scandals they’re covering up. It’s not a short list. Jonathan Swan at Axios reports that a “senior House Republicans office” has compiled a spreadsheet of all the things they believe House Democrats will investigate if they win a majority in November — and they are terrified of what these inquiries might turn up.

Archbishop Viganò testifies about corruption and cover up. Pope Francis knew.

Former top Vatican official says pope should resign over abuse crisis.

Nuns Killed Children, Say Former Residents Of St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage. But for all these revelations — including this month’s Pennsylvania grand jury report on how the church hid the crimes of hundreds of priests — a darker history, the one to which Sally’s story belongs, remains all but unknown. It is the history of unrelenting physical and psychological abuse of captive children. Across thousands of miles, across decades, the abuse took eerily similar forms: People who grew up in orphanages said they were made to kneel or stand for hours, sometimes with their arms straight out, sometimes holding their boots or some other item. They were forced to eat their own vomit. They were dangled upside down out windows, over wells, or in laundry chutes. Children were locked in cabinets, in closets, in attics, sometimes for days, sometimes so long they were forgotten. They were told their relatives didn’t want them, or they were permanently separated from their siblings. They were sexually abused. They were mutilated. Darkest of all, it is a history of children who entered orphanages but did not leave them alive. Wow. Just...holy fuck, wow. This is amazingly horrifying. If these are people of “God” then God is not worth having faith in. This one could haunt for awhile. Fuck.

A retiring Roman Catholic bishop is moving into a 3,300-square-foot, $2.3 million home in California's Silicon Valley, paid for with funds from his diocese. Obscene. Oh yeah, seems churches should be taxed.

Gunman kills two, wounds several others at video game tournament in Florida. Then kills himself.

After Sandy Hook, we said never again. Then we let 1,822 mass shootings happen.

Millions of Texas voter records have apparently leaked online, thanks to an unprotected server. The data — a single file containing an estimated 14.8 million records — was left on an unsecured server without a password. Texas has 19.3 million registered voters.

States split in taking action to combat sexual misconduct.

Give your kid a secret code to help them get out of sticky situations.

“All religion, my friend, is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry.” -- Edgar Allan Poe

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

And another day where we lose one of the last remaining members of Congress that represented how the Republican Party used to be comes to a devastating close:

"I hate to leave it. But I don't have a complaint. Not one. It's been quite a ride. I've known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make a peace.” — John McCain

After more than 30 years in the Senate, John McCain has died. He was a politician unlike any other. Fuck cancer.

Ex-Trump World Tower doorman releases 'catch-and-kill' contract about alleged Trump affair which resulted in a child.

Trump met with promoter of "QAnon" conspiracy theory in Oval Office.

Trump sends condolences to McCain’s family, says nothing about late senator. Trump is an asshole.

Trump cuts more than $200 million in U.S. aid to Palestinians.

A black woman shot and killed her abusive husband in a “stand your ground” state. Now she faces murder charges despite a history of domestic violence, including a 2016 order of protection filed against her husband because he punched her in the face repeatedly. She says her estranged husband was charging at her.

2017 was a great year for CEOs. Not so much for the average worker.

Serena Williams won't be allowed to wear a compression bodysuit designed to prevent blood clots (an ongoing medical issue for her) at future French Opens because the French Tennis Federation president says "one must respect the game and the place." Bernard Giudicelli is a horrible person.

"Concussion" doctor says kids shouldn't play these sports until they're 18.

When students were bullied because of dirty clothes, this principal installed a free laundromat at their school.

RIP John McCain. He was 81.

"I hope those who mourn my passing, and even those who don't, will celebrate as I celebrate a happy life lived in imperfect service to a country made of ideals, whose continued success is the hope of the world." -- John McCain

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, August 24, 2018

And another day of immunity, initiatives, and the end of cancer treatment comes to a close:

“Cancer taught me to stop saving things for a special occasion. Every day is special. You don’t have to get cancer to start living life to the fullest. My post-cancer philosophy? No wasted time. No ugly clothes. No boring movies.” -- Regina Brett

Trump Org CFO Allen Weisselberg given immunity by prosecutors to testify. Prosecutors say Weisselberg told another executive to designate a reimbursement to Cohen for the Stormy Daniels hush-money payment as "legal expenses."

The life of John McCain, war hero and senator, in pictures. His family announced he will stop treatment for brain cancer.

Former U.S. CDC director Frieden arrested for sexual abuse.

Majority-black Georgia county rejects plan to close nearly all its polling places. The man who made the recommendation was fired.

The federal government markets prison labor to businesses as the “best-kept secret”. The Department of Justice says prison labor is good for a company’s bottom line.

Washington state gun control initiative to appear on November ballot.

You Could Be Kicked Offline For Piracy If This Music Industry Lawsuit Succeeds. And the evidence “proving” your guilt could be little more than fluff and nonsense.

Videos of child circumcision are being published on YouTube under an exemption for medical and news footage.

Tearing our hair out: learning to treat compulsive hair-pulling.

FDA approved a 'birth control' app. Here's what OB-GYNs want you to know. Natural Cycles is a mobile app that has been approved by the FDA as a form of contraception. Family planning experts have concerns.

RIP Robin Leach. He was 76.

“I like to see things start, grow, and then move on to better things.” -- Robin Leach

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

And another day where Trump loses his Pecker--no, wait, that’s too easy. And another day where Trump’s Pecker might be the--no, that’s not it, either. Ok. And another day of Peckers, racism, “flipping,” guns, blocking, disenfranchising, and whole bunch of other stuff comes to a close:

“But there’s a warnin’ sign on the road ahead. There’s a lot of people sayin’ we’d be better off dead.” -- Neil Young

Law and order Trump wants to make 'flipping' illegal. “It's called flipping and it almost ought to be illegal." President Trump is suggesting that it should be illegal for people facing prosecution to co-operate with the government in exchange for a reduced sentence. He is a terrified waste of human flesh.

David Pecker, publisher of the National Enquirer and Trump friend, granted immunity in Cohen probe. The supermarket tabloid made a hush-money payment to a former Playboy bunny who alleges she had an affair with Trump. No wonder Trump wants flipping to be illegal. Grab the popcorn, folks.

National Enquirer kept a safe containing documents on hush money payments and other damaging stories it killed as part of cozy relationship with Donald Trump leading up to the US election.

Sessions fires back at Trump: Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations. Dissension in the ranks?

Key Republicans signal approval for Trump firing Sessions after midterms. Apparently there is dissension in the ranks. They want to fire him because he refuses to break the law? WTF?

White House blocks bill that would protect elections.

President Trump says "everybody would be very poor" if he's impeached. What a narcissistic piece of shit. And the scare tactic? Just stop. Never mind the fact everybody already is “poor.”

Betsy DeVos is reportedly considering allowing states to use federal funds to purchase guns for teachers.

Democrats, educators express outcry over Education Department research into whether states can use federal money to buy guns for schools.

Trump admin disputes NYT report on Education Department plan to arm teachers.

Reality Winner warned America that Russia hacked our voting rolls. Why is she in jail?

Reality Winner, who leaked a report on Russian hacking, has received what prosecutors call the longest federal sentence ever imposed for a media leak.

Democrats say report on cyber attack was false alarm.

"I can think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights, anytime, anywhere, in any place." Rep. Beto O'Rourke, Texas Democrat challenging Sen. Ted Cruz for U.S. Senate seat, defends NFL players' right to protest. I hope Texas does the right thing and votes for Beto.

Trump under fire for claim of 'large scale killing' of white farmers in South Africa. The president's unfounded tweet followed a segment on Fox News on the topic on Wednesday night.

South Africa blasts Trump over racially divisive tweet. That’s what he does. He’s a racist that divides people.

"She would not want this to be used as fuel against undocumented immigrants": Some of Mollie Tibbetts' family don't want her death politicized. And it shouldn’t be. But the GOP and Fox News are in the business of scaring people.

Trump administration is using federal disability law to disenfranchise minority voters.

Yorkville cop suspended, sergeant fired after video reveals police taunting distressed man and telling him to “finish yourself off". WTF?

California lawmakers vote to wipe out old pot convictions.

Hurricane Lane brings 19 inches of rain to parts of Hawaii.

“Freedom is never given; it is won.” -- A. Philip Randolph

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

And another day closer to us learning if a blowjob is a more impeachable offense than breaking campaign finance laws is comes to a close:

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” -- Plato

Republicans have a choice: Donald Trump or the Rule of Law. Choose wisely.

No one, not even the president, should be above the law.

In Fox interview, Trump seems to confess a campaign finance violation while trying to deny it.

The top U.S. diplomat for Europe is warning that Russia is attempting "to break apart the American republic."

Trump rally crowd chants "lock her up" as Manafort and Cohen face jail. That’s our political moment in a nutshell.

Democrats call for halt of Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination in light of the Cohen and Manafort news. Um, yeah.

Steven Tyler sends Trump cease-and-desist letter for playing Aerosmith.

Trump is planning to spend at least 40 days on the road campaigning for Republicans before the midterm elections in November.

Facebook finds disinformation campaigns run from Iran and Russia.

“There is more power in unity than division.” -- Emanuel Cleaver

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

And another day, a day where within a few minutes Trump’s lawyer pleads guilty to federal crimes and Trump’s campaign chairman is found guilty on 8 counts of fraud, comes to a hectic, but oh so satisfying close:

“Free advice to Trump supporters: Get out while you still can.” -- Keith Boykin

What a day.

Let’s recap: Flynn (Trump’s National Security Advisor) pled guilty. Manafort (Trump’s campaign chair) found guilty. Gates (Trump deputy campaign aide) pled guilty. Papadopoulos (Trump’s foreign policy adviser) pled guilty. Cohen (Trump’s personal lawyer) pled guilty.

Trump. You hear that sound? It’s coming.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes, a major victory for special counsel Robert Mueller.

Michael Cohen pleads guilty to 8 counts.

Michael Cohen said in a plea deal that "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" he kept information that would have been harmful to the candidate and the campaign from becoming public. This is in violation of campaign finance law. To put it another way: Trump’s former lawyer just named him as a co-conspirator in a criminal conspiracy. Go ahead and let that simmer for a moment. Ah, there you go. I know it might hurt, that you feel duped. You were. Now join the resistance. We’re not as bad as Fox News portrays us.

“Again, how are we going to move forward with a SCOTUS nominee chosen by a president implicated in a conspiracy to commit a felony?” -- Charles M. Blow

A Republican Congressman Was Just Indicted for Using Campaign Funds to See Riverdance. San Diego Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife illegally used $250,000 in campaign funds to pay for family vacations, school tuition, and theater tickets, among other personal expenses. It’s like the GOP is full of nothing but horribly corrupt people that do nothing but take advantage of their constituents for their own personal gain.

New Russia meddling claims put Trump on spot over Putin.

The list of hackings ahead of the 2018 midterms is growing.

Susan Collins says Kavanaugh told her Roe v. Wade is settled law. Susan Collins is more gullible than a two-year old.

Sacha Baron Cohen isn’t preying on conservative politeness—he’s revealing conservative fear.

Study ties Facebook engagement to attacks on refugees.

This High School Showed Students A Video About Dress Code Set To M.I.A's Song "Bad Girls.” "It made the implication that by wearing athletic shorts, you were a 'bad girl' even though we live in Texas where it is currently 100° outside." “It’s 2018...Why are we still over-sexualizing teen girls?”

A Teacher Was Suspended For Posting Her Pole Dancing Video On Her Private Facebook Page. This is bullshit. She did nothing wrong. Oh yeah...she’s black.

After losing users' trust, Facebook gives them ‘trustworthiness’ score.

CDC monitoring spread of measles in 21 states. Get your children vaccinated.

Europe sees sharp rise in measles: 41,000 cases, 37 deaths.

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for parts of Hawaii as Hurricane Lane barrels toward the state as a Category 4 storm.

NASA confirms the presence of ice at the moon's poles.

The Google Assistant will now tell you uplifting news stories when asked.

Today has been brought to you by the number 8.

“When they call the role in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer ‘Present’ or ‘Not guilty.’” -- Theodore Roosevelt

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, August 20, 2018

And another day where “Truth isn’t truth,” just like Orwell warned us about all those years ago, comes to a close:

“It’s with the company of those friends, we drove on through the night. Behind the wheels of armageddon.” -- Against Me!

Innocent people do not act like Trump is acting. You know it to be true.

Trump worries that Mueller interview could be a 'perjury trap'. Um, here’s a hint: just don’t lie.

Michael Cohen is reportedly being investigated for $20 million in bank and tax fraud.

Trump echoes conservative claims that social media companies censor conservatives. <rolls eyes> Conservatives. Spouting hatred but claiming they are the victims.

Pope vows no more cover ups on sexual abuse in letter to Catholics. Mmmm hmmm.

'Your faith is shaken.' Pittsburgh Catholics react to report detailing sexual abuse by clergy. It should be shaken.

Dallas priest goes missing after 'credible' sexual-abuse allegations. A Dallas priest accused of molesting teens and taking at least $60,000 from his parish now is missing, Roman Catholic Church officials said.

Thousands of Americans, many low-income, at risk of losing Medicaid health care insurance coverage as states implement work requirements pushed and approved by the Trump administration.

Women from parts of the U.S. with prevalent 'sexist' beliefs make less money. Shocking, I know.

Asia Argento finds herself on the other side of the #MeToo movement. She paid off her sexual assault accuser.

Protesters knock down controversial "Silent Sam" Confederate statue at UNC campus.

The past four years have been the four warmest on record, with 2016 topping it off, according to NASA.

Researchers develop reprogrammable Braille in hopes of making books more accessible for blind readers.

“The greatest gift in life is friendship, and I have received it.” -- Hubert H. Humphrey

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, August 18, 2018

And another day of bombs, sentences, and scandals comes to a close:

“We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we had the political will.” -- Kofi Annan

Mueller seeks six-month sentence for Papadopoulos, says he lied and hurt Russia probe.

“Trump is every bit as terrible a human being, and every bit as much a menace to the republic, as some of us warned when all the cool kids were busy snarking about Clinton’s emails.” — Paul Krugman

Officials worry Trump may back Erik Prince plan to privatize war in Afghanistan. The plan envisions replacing troops with private military contractors who would work for a special U.S. envoy for the war who would report directly to the president.

Bomb that killed 40 children in Yemen was supplied by the US. Our tax dollars at work, killing 40 children in our name.

Sex scandals fester at unhealthy organizations, experts say. When sex-abuse cases dominate headlines, a familiar pattern often emerges. If it took place at a large organization — be it a church, a large state university or a group such as USA Gymnastics — misconduct is often covered up in hopes of saving the institution's reputation, and the money that accompanies it.

Trump backed a "space force" after months of lobbying by officials with ties to the aerospace industry.

If you’re wondering why you’ve lost friends in adulthood, this is probably why. What a lot of people don’t appear to understand is that the single easiest way to make friends is to show up when it matters — and the single easiest way to lose friends is to, well, not.

RIP Kofi Annan. He was 80.

“We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.” -- Kofi Annan

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, August 17, 2018

And another day of trials, threats, support, and broadcasts comes to a close:

“Sometimes you gotta say, What the fuck.” -- Miles (Risky Business)

Mueller's team has 3 times the evidence for Paul Manafort's next trial than his current trial. Manafort is either expecting a pardon or is terrified of the Russians.

Manafort judge says he has received "threats" and won't release juror names.

Brett Kavanaugh nomination has lowest public support since Robert Bork. Because Brett Kavanaugh is a horrible person.

President Trump cancels military parade over price tag, says he'll go to Paris parade instead. But he gets no credit for doing the “right thing” because he’s the asshat that pushed for this stupid parade anyway. Just to satisfy his ego.

ESPN will not broadcast the national anthem before NFL games this season. Thus, eliminating the important platform players are using to bring attention to a social issue. Stop watching football. All of it. You are getting “entertainment” from watching players permanently damage their bodies.

America’s prisoners are going on strike in at least 17 states. Incarcerated Americans are often forced to work for cents an hour. So they’re launching what could be their biggest protest ever.

‘Peak Car’ and the End of an Industry. Carmakers are getting ready for the day when people stop owning vehicles.

US government trying to force Facebook to wiretap Messenger app.

Women are zapping their vaginas with a new laser technology. Here's what you need to know.

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.” -- John Muir

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

And another day with tapes, parades, and editorials, where the powers that be insult our ability to “Think” and refuse to give us “Respect,” comes to a close:

“We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.” -- Aretha Franklin

Omarosa releases tape of Lara Trump offering her job as alleged hush money. Isn’t that a bribe?

Trump's military parade is estimated to cost $92,000,000 — $80,000,000 more than earlier estimated, CNBC reports. A fucking parade to feed his fucking ego. Like children, not even presidents should get everything they ask for.

Then later in the day: Pentagon puts off military parade until 2019.

Newspapers across U.S. decry Trump's media attacks with coordinated editorials.

Trump fulminates, rages, and jokes about editorials calling out his attacks on the media.

Bomb threat made at Boston Globe after editorial condemning Trump attacks against press. Hmmm. Is Trump promoting domestic terrorism?

Top former intelligence bosses speak out in favor of John Brennan.

Sandy Hook hoaxer blogs start disappearing from WordPress sites.

Former Catholic Priest Says Pennsylvania Bishop Ignored His Reports Of Abuse. It’s not about sex, it’s about power. And organized religion knows how to wield it.

32% of Americans say genetic engineering for restoring an extinct animal species is an appropriate use of technology.

RIP Aretha Franklin. She was 76.

“People walking around everyday, playing games, taking score. Trying to make other people lose their minds. Ah, be careful you don’t lose yours.” -- Aretha Franklin

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

And another day of so much stuff happening so damn fast that it’s easy to get distracted or become apathetic but so important that you don't and instead stay focused and vigilant comes to a merciful close:

“History repeats itself. So you might wanna pay attention.” -- Quavo

Trump revokes ex-CIA director John Brennan's security clearance. Mr. Brennan has been very critical of Trump and has therefore made the President’s enemies list.

“The larger issue here, to me, throughout has been an infringement of First Amendment rights. And I think people ought to think seriously about that.” -- Former Director of National Intelligence James Calpper on John Brennan’s revoked security clearance.

Are Democrats Actually Souring on Capitalism? A new poll finds that Democrats now view socialism more favorably than capitalism. But what does that mean, exactly?

Why Facebook is losing the war on hate speech in Myanmar. Reuters found more than 1,000 examples on Facebook of posts, comments, images and videos attacking the Rohingya and other Muslims in Myanmar. Posts like: ‘We need to destroy their race’

Twitter puts Alex Jones in a “timeout.” As well as InfoWars. A one-week ban.

FCC shuts down Alex Jones’s flagship radio station.

Sarah Sanders apologizes for her false claim about African-American jobs. I checked, but no, Hell did not freeze over. In fact, it may be expanding since...

Washington State Is on Track to Have the Most Wildfires Ever This Year.

Connecticut police have made an arrest after 76 people overdose on K-2 in one day at a New Haven park. K-2 is also known as synthetic marijuana.

Transgender candidate Christine Hallquist made history Tuesday when she captured the Democratic nomination for governor in Vermont. Here's five things you should know about her.

Christian university in Canada dropped ban on same-sex student relationships. The decision comes about two months after Canada’s Supreme Court upheld the denial of accreditation to the University’s proposed law school due to concerns about the covenant and discrimination against LGBTQ students.

Oklahoma school shuts down for two days after parents threaten transgender 7th grader. The school did not have a problem with fellow students threatening Maddie, Beene said, it was parents and other adults who were allegedly making the comments online. Those parents are disgusting excuses for humans.

Republicans are condemning a poster by Pearl Jam that shows the White House in flames and a bald eagle pecking at a skeleton they say is meant to depict President Donald Trump.

The Roundup Chemical Found Responsible for Cancer Might Also Be in Your Oatmeal. And Cheerios and granola bars and...

Disney Takes Stand Against "Overzealous Copyright Holders". You read that correctly. Go ahead...laugh at the irony.

The share of U.S. teens working summer jobs has tumbled since 2000: Despite some recovery since the end of the Great Recession, about a third of teens had a job last summer. I fear that my children, once they become teenagers, will never be able to find a job.

Imagine a device that would allow humans to breathe underwater without heavy equipment. It could become a reality.

“Almost everyone I know has this sense of overdosing on information and getting dizzy living at post-human speeds.” -- Pico Iyer

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

And another day of tapes, arbitration complaints, insults, racial epithets, NDAs, lies, a disgusting abuse of religious power, a mental health crisis, bridges collapsing, sex robots, “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together--mass hysteria” and just general chaos finally comes to a close:

“Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty, and dies with chaos.” -- Will Durant

An 11-year-old changed election results on a replica Florida state website in under 10 minutes. This is far more dangerous to our democracy than most people realize. It makes one wonder what Russia has done, and what they will do. Could this also be why many Republicans don’t seem to care at all about upcoming ejections? They just seem to do all this horrible shit like they know they won’t suffer any consequences.

White House paranoia deepens after Omarosa tapes.

Trump campaign files arbitration complaint against Omarosa.

Donald Trump calls Omarosa Manigault Newman 'that dog'.

'I will not be intimidated,' Omarosa Manigault Newman tells the AP. 'I’m not going to be bullied by Donald Trump.'

Trump Staff Debates His Possible N-Word Use in New Omarosa Tape. Not that him using the N-word would matter to those who still support him.

Sarah Sanders: It's 'common' for government employees to sign NDAs. True, but for classified information. Not to keep someone from talking about what they did, saw, or heard.

Campaign finance records show several former aides to President Donald Trump have received payments of roughly $15,000 per month from campaign or party accounts, bolstering part of former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman’s claim that she was offered the same amount to keep quiet about her time in the White House. In other words, “hush money.”

Sarah Sanders says she 'can't guarantee' there's no tape of Trump using the N-word.

A reporter confronted Sarah Sanders about Trump’s habit of insulting black people on Twitter. In his defense, Sanders said Trump is an "equal opportunity" insulter. And that’s supposed to be better?

“Predator priests”: After a two-year investigation, a Pennsylvania grand jury alleges decades of abuse at the hands of over 300 priests today. More than 1,000 children--and possibly many more--were molested by hundreds of Roman Catholic priests in six Pennsylvania dioceses, while senior church officials took steps to cover it up. "Priests were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all.” Jesus Christ, these people. Abuse. Cover up. Over 1000 kids. A disgusting abuse of power. Organized religion--you don’t need it.

How three conspiracy theorists took 'Q' and sparked Qanon.

A mental health crisis unfolds in Puerto Rico's "living emergency.” Remember Puerto Rico?

Nearly 11 months after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico announces full power has been restored at last.

Al Gore: Trump not yet as damaging to environment as he feared.

Italy motorway bridge collapses in heavy rains, killing at least 26.

All 4 West Virginia justices impeached.

America’s 1% hasn’t controlled this much wealth since before the Great Depression. The top 1% took home 22% of all income in 2015. Think about that.

Judge refuses to toss lawsuit accusing Harvey Weinstein of sex trafficking. Hmmm, this could get interesting.

Ben Carson ends Obama-era efforts to reduce housing segregation.

Salting the Earth. North Dakota is 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean. But the state’s fertile black earth is being destroyed by saltwater, which is brought up from beneath the surface by oil and gas drilling.

Excavation begins on a truly giant new telescope.

42% of women say they read more than 10 books every year, compared to 27% of men.

Sex robots could make cheating morally acceptable, and totally redefine our understanding of marriage. With sexual needs outsourced to robots, marriages could become stronger than ever.

“Atheism is not a philosophy; it is not even a view of the world; it is simply a refusal to deny the obvious. Unfortunately, we live in a world in which the obvious is overlooked as a matter of principle.” -- Sam Harris

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, August 13, 2018

And another day of firings and uncles and dying prematurely comes to a close:

“I believe the root of all evil is the abuse of power.” -- Patricia Cornwell

Peter Strzok fired from the FBI. The FBI has fired Peter Strzok, an agent who was removed from the Russia probe last year for sending text messages disparaging President Donald Trump.

Peter Strzok’s firing sets a dangerous precedent for the abuse of power.

Virginia detention center strapped migrant children to chairs and placed mesh bags over their heads. But investigators concluded the harsh treatment described by detainees at the Shenandoah Valley juvenile center did not meet the state’s legal threshold of abuse or neglect. Dehumanization in action.

Stephen Miller Is an Immigration Hypocrite. I Know Because I’m His Uncle.

President Trump on Sunday leveraged the office of the president of the United States against a private American company for seeking to insulate itself from his trade war.

The Florida man who invoked the "stand your ground" self-defense after shooting a black man in a dispute over a parking space was charged Monday with manslaughter.

DHS to Train High School Kids for ‘Mass Casualty Events’. The DHS has issued a $1.8 million grant in order to create a program providing “lifesaving trauma training to high school age students for mass casualty events.” The training program, called “School-Age Trauma Training,” seeks to provide “the knowledge necessary to stabilize the injured and control severe bleeding until first responders arrive on the scene,” the documents state. While legislation to arm teachers appears to have mostly stalled at the state level, the new DHS program could add bleeding-control training to active-shooter drills as part of the new normal in American schools. And we’re all okay with this? We are very quickly moving away from being a first world country.

Trump says he hired Omarosa against adviser's wishes because she 'only said GREAT things about me'. What a narcissistic fuck.

There are 660 million Indians at risk of dying prematurely due to the abnormal air pollution in their cities, researchers said on Monday. Delhi citizens were dying six years earlier due to high pollution.

Walmart gains patent to eavesdrop on shoppers and employees in stores.

“Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” -- Aretha Franklin

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

And another day of hate, recordings, mournings, and a birth control app comes to a close:

“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” -- Harry S Truman

Immigrants cost the health care system less than US-born Americans. The report found that immigrants make up 12% of the population, but only account for 8.6% of total U.S. healthcare spending. But Trumpers don’t care about facts. Gotta scare ya!

Memo shows Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh resisted indicting a sitting president.

Psychologists surveyed hundreds of alt-right supporters. The results are unsettling. Participants are asked to rate where certain groups fall on this scale from 0 to 100. Zero is not human at all; 100 is fully human. On average, they rated Muslims at a 55.4 (again, out of 100), Democrats at 60.4, black people at 64.7, Mexicans at 67.7, journalists at 58.6, Jews at 73, and feminists at 57. These groups appear as subhumans to those taking the survey. And what about white people? They were scored at a noble 91.8. What the actual fuck? There is so much more. Check it out. 

Omarosa recorded John Kelly firing her...in the Situation Room. Such great security. Wasn’t there something about email or whatnot before the election? I can’t quite remember.

Aurora parents fighting to stop legally adopted 4-year-old daughter from being deported.

White nationalists who rallied in Washington on Sunday were vastly outnumbered by throngs of counterprotesters.

An ex-girlfriend’s son said he had seen text messages from Rep. Keith Ellison (the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee) threatening his mother and a video of him dragging her off a bed. He denies it.

Jakarta, the fastest-sinking city in the world. The Indonesian capital of Jakarta is home to 10 million people but it is also one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. If this goes unchecked, parts of the megacity could be entirely submerged by 2050, say researchers. Is it too late?

Germany has lifted a ban on Nazi symbols being used in computer games.

Jury awards $289M to man who blames Roundup for cancer.

Killer whale mother finally lets dead newborn calf go. "Her tour of grief is now over" and now the mother orca has finally let her dead newborn calf go, after carrying its body for at least 17 days. Yet animals are incapable of feeling emotions.

The FDA has given the green light to a birth control app to be marketed as a method of contraception.

On 'mission to touch the sun,' Parker Solar Probe has launched.

“It’s not a faith in technology. It’s a faith in people.” -- Steve Jobs

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, August, 10, 2018

And another day--National Lazy Day--comes to a close:

“You can not escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” -- Abraham Lincoln

It's Hard To Miss The Historical Weirdness Of Trump Embracing A 'Red' Wave. Not so long ago, red was universally the color of communism.

President Ronald Reagan in 1989 remarks on immigration: "If we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost."

Trump administration proposes further dismantling of Affordable Care Act through Medicare.

Trump doubles tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum, says relations 'not good'.

Study: 24 million white Americans think like the alt-right. Disgusting.

The alt-right is debating whether to try to look less like Nazis. “Nazis. I hate these guys.” — Indiana Jones

Four people — including two police officers — were shot dead in Fredericton, New Brunswick, authorities say.

Kobach to recuse himself from Kansas governor's race recount.

Trump renews attacks on NFL players after preseason protests. It’s a distraction. Stay focused, people. And oh yeah, stop watching the NFL. You are getting “entertainment” from watching men permanently damage their bodies.

Trump said NFL players can’t “define” what they're protesting. They can, and have.

For the first time in Marine Corps history, a woman is in charge of an infantry platoon.

More teachers are turning to crowdfunding sites to pay for books, supplies, and field trips. Teachers in high-poverty schools spend an average of $672 out of pocket on school supplies.

“Without music, life is a journey through a desert.” -- Pat Conroy

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

And another day of space force, planes being told to turn around, Canada and Saudi Arabia in some kind of stupid spat, and a whole bunch of other stuff comes to a close:

“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.” -- Leonardo da Vinci

VP Pence lays out details for President Trump's proposed new branch of the U.S. military — responsible for protecting national security in outer space. They want $8 billion over 5 years. And you wonder why we can’t have nice things in this country.

Trump wants you to choose a Space Force logo... for the merch he'll sell you. Not only is the “Space Force” a distraction from, you know, the hundreds of other things going on he doesn’t want you to know about, but it also looks like it might be a fundraiser. In an email sent to supporters: “As a way to celebrate President Trump’s huge announcement, our campaign will be selling a new line of gear,” the line reads. It’s followed by, “first we have to make a final decision on the design we will use to commemorate President Trump’s new Space Force—and he wants YOU to have a say.”

Not even 11 felony charges may be enough to knock Rep. Chris Collins from his perch as the favorite to win in New York's most conservative congressional district.this fall. And that speaks volumes. The GOP and their constituents have no respect for the law.

Kris Kobach's lead in Kansas GOP governor's race cut to 91 votes after county clerk discovers discrepancy. Hmmm, accidents don’t just happen in politics.

Puerto Rican Government Admits Hurricane Maria Death Toll Was at Least 1,400. Forgot about Puerto Rico, didn’t you?

Judge orders plane carrying deported mother and child to turn around, blocks more removals. The court learned that the Trump administration had put a mother and a daughter who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit on a flight to Central America.

The Saudi Arabia-Canada fight, explained in under 600 words. A short guide to why Saudi Arabia is waging a diplomatic war on Canada. Seriously?

"Canada will always speak strongly and clearly in private and public on questions of human rights," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said amid a diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia.

Democratic women are winning House primaries in record numbers. Republican women—not so much. How could any woman be a Republican?

Laura Ingraham is a horrible person.

Atomic weapons were last used in the bombing of Nagasaki 73 years ago today. Will they be used again soon?

Petition calling for LeBron James to replace current Secretary Betsy Devos as head of the Department of Education garners more than 10,000 signatures. That’s funny.

Children found in New Mexico compound were training for school shootings.

The current share of adults who see three or more children as the ideal family size is the highest since 1997. Three or more? Stop breeding.

Tennessee public schools now required to display "In God We Trust" motto. Another step closer to the American Taliban.

A West Virginia House panel votes to impeach the entire state Supreme Court.

Brazil sets new record for homicides at 63,880 deaths. Data show a 3% increase of people killed in 2017 from the previous year; rapes also rose 8% to 60,018.

Argentina’s Senate rejects bill to legalize abortion.

California prison inmates are putting their lives at risk to put out wildfires for $1 an hour plus $2 a day.

Infowars may be gone from Apple podcasts, but its app is climbing the charts on the App Store.

Trump's EPA is now allowing asbestos, a substance banned in most countries since the 1970s, back into manufacturing. They don’t give a shit about your health. It’s about making their buddies more money.

Black widow spiders are spreading farther north than ever before.

“Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.” -- Bernard Meltzer

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

And another day of arrests, secret recordings, shadow rulers, and the reality that just about every GOP member is a crook, a liar, a traitor, or some combination thereof, comes to a close:

“Sometimes, I wake up and the skies are grey and everything’s horrible.” -- Patricia Kaas

The Whole Republican Party Seems to Be Going to Jail Now. Can’t happen fast enough. Wow, what a 24 hours.

Rep. Chris Collins, R-New York, was arrested today and charged with insider trading. He was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump. Horrible people stick together, you know. It’s like the GOP is nothing but horrible people who don’t give a shit about you. Oh wait...it is.

Chris Collins says he will remain on ballot despite indictment. And people will vote for him. 

Secret recording shows GOP's Nunes saying Rosenstein impeachment would delay Supreme Court pick.

Devin Nunes: "If Sessions won't un-recuse and Mueller won't clear the president, we're the only ones -- which is really the danger. That's why I keep, and thank you for saying it by the way, I mean, we have to keep all these seats." Devin Nunes is a horrible person.

Senator Rand Paul says he delivered letter from Trump to Putin.

From March, 2017: John McCain says Rand Paul is "working for Vladimir Putin".

Kris Kobach won’t recuse himself from a recount in governor’s race. No law requires it. They no longer even try to hide their corruption.

The Shadow Rulers of the VA. How Marvel Entertainment chairman Ike Perlmutter and two other Mar-a-Lago cronies are secretly shaping the Trump administration’s veterans policies.

14,000 firefighters, inmates to foreigners, aid California.

A recent study finds that people who checked social media the most frequently had almost three times the risk of depression, compared with people who checked less often.

Strange "rogue planet" travels through space alone.

“If at first you don’t succeed, the skydiving definitely isn’t for you.” -- Stephen Wright

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

And another day of bigotry on display comes to a close:

“There are some things we should never be okay about.” -- The Doctor

Manafort's atty Kevin Downing: "After all the lies you've told and the fraud you committed, you expect the jury to believe you today?"

Rick Gates: "Yes."

Downing: "Why?"

Gates: "I'm here to tell the truth. Mr. Manafort had the same path. [But] I'm here."

Now the Trump administration wants to limit citizenship for legal immigrants. The Trump administration is expected to issue a proposal in coming weeks that would make it harder for legal immigrants to become citizens or get green cards if they have ever used a range of popular public welfare programs, including Obamacare, four sources with knowledge of the plan told NBC News. The move, which would not need Congressional approval, is part of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller's plan to limit the number of migrants who obtain legal status in the U.S. each year. Because there is no bound to their evil. Stephen Miller is a horrible person. This should show you that it has never been about legality. Instead, it’s always been about bigotry. 

Here's the internal report proving the FCC fabricated a cyberattack. And what will be the consequences?

Donald Trump loses his Hollywood star (and Mark Hamill suggests Carrie Fisher should get one instead). The West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to remove the star.

A new report concludes that without fluoride, toothbrushing and other oral care efforts have "no impact" on cavity prevention.

A Walmart employee used her break to paint the nails of a disabled woman who was turned away from a salon. Because we all need little good news once in awhile.

Ruby Rose will play Batwoman in a new CW series, making her the first openly gay superhero to lead a television series.

Terrifying Baseball-Sized Hail In Colorado Caused Serious Injuries And Has Killed Two Zoo Animals.

“People change and forget to tell each other.” -- Lillian Hellman

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.