Thursday, February 28, 2019

And another day where the GOP do a disservice to the American people comes to a close:

“The way experience the world around us is a direct reflection of the world within us.” -- Gabrielle Bernstein

Matthew Calamari, Trump bodyguard turned COO, goes viral after Cohen hearing. "You'd do anything for me, wouldn't you, Matty?" Trump asked.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Trump," Calamari replied.

Moments later, Trump upped the ante: "Would you kill for me, Matty?"

Calamari's answer came quickly. "Yes, sir," he said.

The New York Times reports that President Trump overruled security officials and White House counsel in giving his son-in-law top secret security clearance. This is called nepotism. Trump supporters won’t give a shit. They’re too busy making more Kool-Aid.

Three weeks ago: Ivanka Trump says she and Jared Kushner got no special treatment for security clearances. This is called a lie. Fuck Trump supporters.

"In 2012, we are going to send Mr. Obama home to Kenya or wherever it is" - Mark Meadows

But Mark Meadows wants us to believe he’s not a racist. But Mark Meadows is a racist. Don’t be like Mark Meadows.

House Oversight to pursue interviews with Trump family members and close associates.

Republican lawmakers ask Justice Department to investigate Michael Cohen for perjury.

'Inconceivable' that Kim Jong Un wasn't aware of Otto Warmbier: Ex-U.N. ambassador. Yeah, Trump wishes he could do what Kim Jong Un does. He so admires world dictators.

For the first time, openly transgender troops gave testimony before the House Armed Services Cmte. They spoke of their career successes, advances for LGBTQ troops, and how they would be affected if President Trump’s ban is enforced.

Four Democratic senators running for president in 2020 are co-sponsoring a bill from Sen. Cory Booker that would make marijuana legal at the federal level and expunge the convictions of previous marijuana drug offenders.

J.C. Penney is closing more stores after a weak holiday sales season, during which fourth-quarter income tumbled nearly 70%.

Seattle gets bashed as Washington State Senate votes for required sex education. The Washington State Senate, on a party-line 28-21 vote, approved legislation Wednesday requiring that all the state's K-12 public schools offer a sex education curriculum, with parents having the option to opt out. Guess what? Yep, Republicans weren’t happy about it. They don’t want sex education but they also don’t want abortions available. They are pro-birth but certainly not pro-life.

Plagued by predators, YouTube is disabling comments on most videos featuring children.

A mom found videos on YouTube Kids that gave children instructions for suicide.

Social media firms 'must tackle grooming'.

“Time if more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” -- Jim Rohn

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

And another day with a “liar,” a “conman,” a “racist,” and a “fool” comes to a close:

"Someone should ask the GOP why, given Cohen's long history of criminal ties and behavior -- which was in the public domain before 2016 -- they made him the deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2017" -- Sarah Kendzior

Cohen calls Trump a racist: 'In private, he's even worse'.

GOP Jim Jordan is a horrible person.

Cohen testimony suggests NY prosecutors pose major danger to Trump.

Lawmakers clash in Cohen hearing after Republican accused of using black woman as a 'prop'. And a “prop” is what she most definitely was.

As Cohen rivets Washington, White House announces Kushner met with Saudi crown prince.

The House just passed what could be the biggest change to federal gun laws in decades. The research, however, suggests that Congress should go even bigger.

Robert Kraft case puts spotlight on illegal massage parlors. Yes. This isn’t about Robert Kraft. It’s about human trafficking and sex slavery.

The Washington State Legislature’s solution to the McCleary school-funding case has left most school districts projecting multimillion dollar shortfalls for years to come.

The justices, both liberal and conservative, said the so-called Peace Cross should not be torn down or moved.

If you drink more than the recommended five alcoholic beverages a week, a study found you could be lowering your lifespan.

“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” -- Abraham Lincoln

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

And another day of threats, complaints, votes, bans, vaccinations (WTF Arizona?), noise pollution, icebergs, whales, and Mars comes to a close:

“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” -- Unknown

Michael Cohen, President Trump's former personal lawyer, will testify before an open session of the House oversight committee tomorrow. The situation is complicated, however, because there are guidelines about which topics Cohen can discuss.

GOP Matt Gaetz, like most everyone in the current form of the Republican Party, is a horrible person.

Michael Cohen, US President Trump's former personal attorney and fixer, has been disbarred in New York.

The U.S. government says there were nearly 5,000 complaints of sexual abuse and harassment of migrant children in government-managed shelters over four years.

A House committee voted to subpoena Trump administration officials over family separations at the southern border, the first issued in the new Congress.

The House passed a measure to block Trump's national emergency declaration to obtain funding for a border wall. The measure now moves to the Senate. The votes fell short of the two-thirds needed to override a presidential veto.

Washington judge upholds Trump administration's bump stock ban.

The revelation that a Catholic cardinal in Australia was convicted of molesting boys marks the most senior member of the church to face prison time for sexual abuse.

Methodist Church upholds ban on same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy, faces likely surge in defections. Defect! Free yourself from unnecessary chains!

GOP lawmaker backtracks on anti-gay bill after his LGBTQ daughter publicly shames him.

Federal judge rules male-only draft is unconstitutional.

Maryland's House speaker has removed a white lawmaker from a leadership position for using a racial slur for black people.

Credit reporting agencies face pressure from skeptical U.S. Congress.

Arizona lawmakers are pushing vaccine exemption bills. Way to go backward, Arizona. Fucking idiots.

Petting dogs while driving — and more — would be outlawed under Florida proposal.

Oregon to become first state to impose rent control.

Workism Is Making Americans Miserable. What is workism? It is the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production, but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose; and the belief that any policy to promote human welfare must always encourage more work.

A new report found that school districts that are predominantly white receive $23 billion more than districts that serve mostly students of color.

Another blood pressure medication recalled for cancer-causing impurity.

New York City lawmakers are hoping to limit noise pollution, by introducing a bill to change the sounds that emergency vehicle sirens make.

Iceberg twice the size of New York City set to break off Antarctic ice shelf.

Humpback whale found washed ashore in Brazil. The dead whale, which was discovered at Marajó Island, should have already migrated to Antarctica. It was found on a remote swamp in the Amazon River.

Let’s check out the weather on...Mars.

“When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.” -- Mark Twain

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

And another day comes to a close:

“Because we, the people, are all we have left!” - Sarah Kendzior

Top Trump Advisers Are Still Plotting a Dubious Nuclear Deal With the Saudis, Lawmakers Warn.

A top Democrat vows to subpoena Mueller report if necessary.

Even from jail, sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein manipulated the system. His victims, middle and high school girls, were kept in the dark. Disgusting fucker.

Senator John Cornyn tweets out a quote from Mussolini: “We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms assumed by civilization, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become.” Benito Mussolini. Today’s GOP.

Marco Rubio tweets bloodied Gaddafi photo as he calls for Maduro to step down in Venezuela. Yep, more of today’s GOP. He essentially made a death threat.

Donald Trump Tweets ‘HOLD THE DATE! We Will Be Having One of the Biggest Gatherings in the History of Washington, D.C., on July 4th’. Now he’s trying to take credit for the 4th of July Holiday in DC. Go. Away.

'Venezuelan blood is being spilled': tension flares near border with Brazil.

Property owners fight against building of the border wall.

Prosecutors in the United States have slammed the Catholic Church, saying it should not be trusted to police itself on sexual abuse. It’s proven it can’t.

R. Kelly met underage girl while on trial for child porn.

An estimated 150,000 cops are walking around with PTSD symptoms, and scientists are *just* starting to study how that affects their decision-making on the job.

He spent 39 years in prison for a double murder he didn't commit. Now, he's getting $21 million. Sure he’s getting paid, but he’s 71 now. They took most of his life from him.

In July 2016, behavioral therapist Charles Kinsey lay on the ground next to his autistic client yelling "All he has is a toy truck!" at North Miami police. An officer then fired three shots, striking Kinsey once. This week, the officer goes to trial.

Arizona is one of at least seven states with curriculum laws around LGBTQ issues, according to the advocacy group GLSEN. But of all the state laws, Arizona's is the only one that bans promoting "a homosexual life-style.”

American, Delta and United swear they've never used those seatback cameras staring at you.

“I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.” -- Ray Charles

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

And another day of “repeatedly and brazenly” violating the law comes to a close:

“There seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere.” — Buzz Lightyear

For over a decade, Paul Manafort "repeatedly and brazenly violated the law," according to a sentencing memo released by the special counsel's office. The document added that his behavior "remarkably went unabated even after indictment."

It's not just the Florida spa investigation allegedly tied to Robert Kraft. Sex trafficking is rampant across US.

“Who the hell is friends with five pedophiles?” -- Sarah Kendzior

Answer: Donald Trump. (Epstein, Casablancas, Arif, Nader, Cohn)

I can’t make this shit up.

Kelly Knight Craft is President Trump's next pick for U.N. ambassador. She's a major Republican donor and the wife of a coal billionaire, who believes "both sides" of climate science. She’s a white privileged idiot.

The Democratic Party is getting less white, more educated -- and significantly more liberal. Good. About time.

After a dramatic, months-long investigation into allegations of a widespread, coordinated and possibly illegal ballot tampering scheme, election officials in North Carolina have ordered that a new election be held in the state's 9th Congressional District, a decision that reverberated across the American political landscape and could reframe the national conversation about election fraud.

A wrestler forced to cut his hair or forfeit a match. A girl sent home from school for wearing braids. A 6-year-old turned away on his first day because his hair extended below his ears. Some black children are getting in trouble for natural hairstyles. Because some white people are just plain horrible people. See Exhibit A, Goodloe Sutton, in the next article.

Alabama newspaper editor who urged Klan to 'ride again' replaced by African-American woman. Poetic justice.

Parents outraged after 5th graders pick cotton, sing songs on field trip. “I like it when you pick like that. I like it when you fill your sack. I like it when you don't talk back. Make money for me."

Top Catholic cardinal says documents that could have contained proof of clergy sexual abuse in the Church were destroyed. Of course they were. Gotta protect their evil doings.

Violent Clashes Take Place Along Venezuela’s Borders as Humanitarian Workers Try to Deliver Aid.

Judge says Washington state cyberstalking law violates free speech.

Three online video channels designed to appeal to millennials have collected tens of millions of views on Facebook since September. But the pages pushing the videos do not disclose that they are backed by the Russian government.

Australian mammal becomes first to go extinct due to climate change.

U.S. Department of Agriculture has paid out $7.7 billion so far to farmers in aid designed to offset the negative impact of tariff imposition.

Drinking two or more of any kind of artificially sweetened drinks a day is linked to an increased risk of clot-based strokes, heart attacks and early death in women over 50, studies by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association show.

Humans can’t resist a transformation story. But some psychologists say before-and-after photos promote unrealistic expectations for weight loss and encourage a toxic dieting culture.

FDA warns of potentially harmful and illegal marketing of dietary supplements.

Breakdancing is being considered for the 2024 Olympics.

Steam-powered spaceship could cruise the cosmos indefinitely without running out of gas.

Citizen scientists discover strange new world that pro astronomers missed. The newfound exoplanet is unlike anything in our solar system.

“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.” -- George Washington

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, February 22, 2019

And another day of prostitutes, child trafficking, sexual abuse, and a bunch of other stuff comes to a close:

“It’s who you come from, not who you are.” -- James McMurtry

Roger Stone. Idiot. Thinks everyone else is an idiot. Roger Stone is a horrible person.

PRRI asked Democrats and Republicans who they'd be unhappiest about their kids marrying. Republicans were most likely to say someone who identified as transgender. Democrats were most likely to say a Republican. You know, there was time when I would have been okay with my kids marrying a Republican. Politics was politics after all. But now if they do, it could mean I failed as a parent. That I somehow turned out more non-empathetic, hateful humans onto the planet.

Some sheriffs in Washington state say they won't enforce a new gun law. It's the latest example of sheriffs exercising what some regard as a duty to resist "government overreach."

Trump to bar abortion referrals by family planning clinics.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitution.

R&B singer R. Kelly was charged with multiple criminal counts of sexual abuse of several underage victims.

Jussie Smollett blasted by Chicago police for exploiting city's racial divide for personal gain. Jussie Smollett is a horrible person.

King County neighborhood tagged with racist graffiti.

Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficked underage girls and President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Labor illegally kept details of that plea bargain from victims. In other words, Trump’s Secretary of Labor tried to cover it up.

Trump administration inches closer to defunding Planned Parenthood. Fuck you, Trump. And fuck all you that support this bullshit. You are anything but “pro-life.”

Teachers are increasingly being paid less than other workers with comparable experience and education. As they go on strike across the U.S., many are pressing for better pay and more funding for schools.

A conservative activist reported he was attacked while recruiting students for Turning Point USA at UC Berkeley, according to campus police.

Flagstaff, Arizona had the snowiest day in its history. 35 inches in 24 hours.

The hottest show in Las Vegas right now is the snow.

Measles Outbreaks Are Increasing. Experts Think It’s Because of Anti-Vaxxers on Facebook. Medical experts warn that the internet could be making more of us sick, pointing to research highlighting how online platforms’ role in boosting vaccination opponents and their baseless theories is fueling infectious disease outbreaks across the world. Get your kids vaccinated, people. Don’t be stupid. Oh wait. My mistake.

Measles epidemic in Madagascar kills more than 900 since September.

YouTube demonetizes anti-vaccination videos.

World's largest bee, once thought extinct, has been found alive. This thing’s huge.

“The only sexual act that is sinful is the one that uses or abuses.” -- Pat Buckley

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

And another day of possibilities, voting ages, and cervical cancer comes to a close:

“At 70, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words “fuck off” much more frequently.” -- Helen Mirren

Socialism is gaining in popularity, and today’s capitalism is to blame. The Democratic Party has moved left, with some proudly embracing "socialist" as part of their political identity. But most of their ideas are hardly out of Karl Marx's playbook.

Former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe: "I think it's possible" President Trump is a Russian asset.

Bernie Sanders is entering the 2020 race as a top contender who, along with Joe Biden, tops most early polls — far outpacing other Democratic candidates in support and name identification.

Oregon may lower the voting age to 16.

The Vatican has revealed that it maintains secret guidelines for priests who father children despite their vows of celibacy.

The Trump administration is planning to take back nearly $1 billion in grants to build California's high-speed rail network after the state's governor said he didn't see a path to complete the entire project.

Hate groups have increased by 30% in the past 4 years, reaching an all-time high, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Editor who wrote Klan editorial has penned countless racist, sexist, xenophobic pieces. Of course he has. Of course he has. Racism runs deep in this waste of flesh.

Chicago police have confirmed they are looking into the case as a potential hoax, and presenting evidence to a Cook County, Illinois, grand jury that Smollett filed a false police report — a felony.

Muslim terror attacks get 357 percent more media coverage than others: Study. Yeah, that’s a bunch of bullshit.

Illinois is officially getting a $15 minimum wage (in seven years).

Cervical cancer could be eliminated in most countries by 2100.

Trump is considering a fervent climate denier to lead a White House panel assessing climate change risk. See next story.

We're just 140 years away from creating a climate that caused a planet-wide extinction.

Coast Guard officer allegedly wanted to conduct a mass killing, had political and media hit list.

"Young blood" treatments to stop aging, disease are a "significant public health concern," FDA says.

NASA scientists have discovered that Saturn’s distinctive rings may have formed millions of years after the planet itself.

“After all, tomorrow is another day.” -- Margaret Mitchell

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, February 18, 2019

And another day of remembering some of our former presidents comes to a close:

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

16 States Sue Over Trump's National Emergency Declaration.

William Barr’s Son-in-Law Just Landed a Job Advising Trump on “Legal Issues”.

Hurd says 1,000 Texas farmers could have land seized to build Trump's border wall.

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

"Former acting FBI director: Rosenstein 'offered to wear a wire into the White House'".

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is expected to leave the Justice Department in mid-March.

Roger Stone posts, then deletes, photo of judge presiding over his case with crosshairs above her head.

“The greater our knowledge increases the more our ignorance unfolds.” -- John F. Kennedy

Alabama newspaper editor calls for Klan return to 'clean out D.C.' Fuck him. Read the shit this poor excuse for a human has to say.

Woman who called Michelle Obama an 'ape' defrauded FEMA of $18K. Because racist people generally do horrible things.

Global climate targets will be missed as deforestation rises, study says. The planet will get rid of us sooner or later. Probably sooner.

Amazon aims to cut its carbon footprint by 2030. Um, that’s too long away.

White House refuses to meet Congress' deadline on Khashoggi killing.

“A man without a vote is a man without protection.” -- Lyndon B. Johnson

Key witness testifies to tampering with absentee ballots in N.C, House race. And yes, it was to benefit the Republican candidate.

Denver to encrypt police radio traffic, blocking the public — but not news organizations — from listening.

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll progress.” -- Barack Obama

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

And another day of “I don’t care. I believe Putin.” comes to a close:

“A traitor is a betrayer - one who practices injury, while professing friendship. Benedict Arnold was a traitor, solely because, while professing friendship for the American cause, he attempted to injure it. An open enemy, however criminal in other respects, is no traitor.” -- Lysander Spooner

Trump: “I don’t care. I believe Putin.”

Lindsey Graham vows to probe discussions about removing Trump.

Former Cambridge Analytica director cooperated with special counsel subpoena.

Trump wants "retribution" against SNL and critical news, again calling media the "enemy of the people.” He wants the media to treat him like the media in the countries of leaders he admires. You know? Countries without a First Amendment. He’s such an asshole.

Russia feeds off Trump trade war while US corn-belt farmers suffer. So much winning.

Mike Pence claims Iran is planning a ‘new Holocaust’ to destroy Israel. As has been shown time and time again, religious fanatics should never be allowed to hold public office.

A parliamentary committee report recommends that the United Kingdom government increase oversight of social media platforms like Facebook to better control harmful or illegal content.

He's made crosses for more than 25,000 victims since Columbine. The five he just made were the toughest.

Japan's PM nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize on U.S. request. Wow. He requested the nomination. WTF?

Panicked audience members rushed out of the theater after mistaking an alarm during the show's duel scene for a shooting.

Boy, 11, arrested after refusing to recite 'racist' Pledge of Allegiance.

Why do retailers and fashion brands keep coming up with products that smack of racial insensitvity? Experts blame lack of staff diversity, living in a bubble.

75% of people in Texas jails have not been convicted of any crime. Many can’t afford bail. Those defendants sit in jail, waiting, while others who can pay go free.

“Nothing is as obnoxious as other people’s luck.” -- F. Scott Fitzgerald

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, February 16, 2019

And another day comes to a close:

“All action results from thought, so it is thoughts that matter.” -- Sai Baba

Trump pretends to barely know the man who led his campaign.

Vice President Pence's pay bump is not as big as Republicans wanted. How’d your pay raise go?

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid settle their collusion lawsuits against the NFL after arguing they were blacklisted by teams for their protests during the national anthem. Still, stop watching football. It damages the players brains and bodies. That’s not entertainment.

The Vatican has defrocked former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 88, making him the highest-ranking church official to date to be expelled from the priesthood for sex abuse.

Jussie Smollett Attack: Chicago Police Believe Former Suspects Were Paid to Assault Actor (Report).

Payless is closing all its 2,100 US stores.

Washington Senate passes death penalty repeal bill.

Deer in 24 states infected with chronic wasting disease.

Barbie will debut a doll with a prosthetic leg, and another that comes with a wheelchair, in June.

When I was a teenager, Ryan Adams’ songs convinced me that men had feelings too. But just because someone is sensitive doesn’t mean they care about you.

Pufferfish release a toxin when they puff out that is meant to impair the attacker. This doesn’t work on Dolphins in the same way. It gets them high. So they purposely inflate them and pass them around to their dolphin friends for fun. Don’t bogart that shit, man.

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” -- Abraham Lincoln

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, February 15, 2019

And another day of living in the “National Emergency” of a Trump presidency comes to a close:

“I think we live in a constant state of emergency.” -- Raheem DeVaughn

Editorial: He’s making more power grabs and many of you still support him--like you need such an authoritarian figure in your life because your life is meaningless without him. If you still support this man who has shown you he is a racist, a misogynist, and, among a myriad of other things, that he has no respect for science or rules of order or law, then you are to blame for ending the greatest political experiment in the history of humanity.

Trump declares national emergency to unlock billions for wall. $8 billion to be precise.

Trump's declaring a national emergency to get his wall. He's forcing a constitutional crisis. Congress did its job. He’s trying to circumvent Congress because they told him “no.”

Trump Declares National Emergency, Calling Gov’t Border Drug Stats ‘Lies’. In a dark, rambling speech, the president repeated long-debunked arguments to make his case.

Oh yeah. After declaring a “National Emergency” he headed to Florida to...golf. Real big “emergency” you got there, asshole.

Here's where the money for President Trump's border wall will come from.

Here's a list of the 31 national emergencies that have been in effect for years.

Mueller recommends a very lengthy sentence for Paul Manafort.

Mueller has evidence Stone communicated with WikiLeaks.

At Least 6 Dead In Aurora, Ill., Shooting, Including Gunman; 5 Police Wounded. And that’s five good guys with guns that got wounded. More guns is not the answer.

Kentucky Senate passes bill dropping permits for concealed weapons on Parkland school shooting anniversary. Of course they did. Because they’re horrible people.

A senior Belgian counterintelligence officer is under house arrest after allegations that he spied for Russia in a case that could highlight the security threat to Nato and European Union headquarters in Brussels.

Andrew McCabe Confirms 25th Amendment Discussions to Remove Trump From Office.

The latest shutdown deal includes nothing for the one million federal contractors who never received back pay.

Why the Southern Baptists Won't Solve Their Abuse Problem. The most effective solution to evangelical abuse is for young people to empty the pews. Yep. Stop going.

Florida is drowning. Condos are still being built. Can't humans see the writing on the wall?

Thousands of teens across Europe have gone on strike from school to demand action on climate change.

Al Jazeera found that Facebook's automated system can be tricked to allow fake news ads ahead of Nigeria's elections.

Congressional leaders defy Trump with federal pay raise.

Amazon made an $11.2bn profit in 2018 – and its federal tax bill is $0.

EPA plans to regulate cancer-causing chemicals found in America's drinking water. Research has shown that chemicals found in American drinking water contribute to low infant birth weights, thyroid problems and some cancers.

Will your student loan payments be taken out of your paycheck? If one U.S. Senator has his way, the answer is yes.

Jussie Smollett attack was staged, police say (Report). The Chicago Police Department pushed back on the reporting, saying the notion that the attack was a hoax was “unconfirmed by case detectives.”

These companies are making big bucks off Americans' quest to find love. It may seem like everyone is looking for love online, but out of the 600 million internet-connected singles in the world, 400 million have never tried a dating product.

Nearly half the calls you receive this year will be spam, according to a study referenced in an FCC report. It’s already well over half for me.

“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

And another day where “Whatever happened in Saudi Arabia, the atrocities in America are equal, or worse,” comes to a close:

A federal judge just ruled that Paul Manafort intentionally lied to Mueller about his Russian contacts.

How Team Trump keeps changing its story in the Russia investigation.

Congress Is Headed for a Showdown With the White House Over Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Trump backer Tom Barrack defends Saudi Arabia.

Trump calls on Ilhan Omar to resign from Congress. Shut up, asswipe.

Omar, a freshman, began by pointing out that Abrams had pled guilty in 1991 to two misdemeanor counts of lying to Congress over the Iran-Contra affair, a plot hatched by the Reagan admin to assist rebels trying to overthrow the left-wing gov't of Nicaragua.

Democrats roll out Medicare buy-in proposal.

The debate over eliminating private health insurance offers a false choice. European countries and Canada all have universal health coverage. They also have private health insurance.

The Cult of Trump. “I can’t reason with her. It’s like talking to someone who’s been brainwashed. She isn’t the mother I knew.” When you believe one man above Science, above our Intelligence agencies, above former CIA directors and retired generals and revered journalists—when you believe that one man above even your own eyes and ears—you are fully indoctrinated.

GOP lawmakers remove Colin Kaepernick from Black History Month resolution in his home state.

Wyoming GOP lawmaker allegedly compares homosexuality to bestiality, pedophilia.

Trump spent $50K on golf simulator for White House. Damn every one of you that support him and the Republican Party.

National debt hits new milestone, topping $22 trillion.

Los Angeles passes law requiring companies that want city contracts to disclose whether they have ties to the National Rifle Association.

Attendance is a big problem in education — and a new study suggests that kids who live in a high-crime area, or pass through one, are more likely to miss school.

"Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act" seeks to strip gay marriage rights. Republicans are such horrible people.

Shoot Someone In A Major US City, And Odds Are You’ll Get Away With It. Hundreds of cases never get investigated at all.

Women sue Yale, saying off-campus fraternities discriminate, enable abuse.

Snow has fallen in a Hawaii state park for what officials say could be the first time ever.

A woman who called Houston's non-emergency dispatch line after discovering a tiger inside a cage at an abandoned home told the shocked dispatcher: "I'm not lying."

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, February 11, 2019

And another day that “gives a lot of people joy” comes to a close:

“Joy to the word. All the boys and girls, now. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy, to you and me.” -- Three Dog Night

For those at the border, the reality is different than Trump's rhetoric. Politicians and business leaders from border cities say Trump’s portrayal is unfair, misleading and exaggerated.

2020 candidate Kamala Harris says she supports legalizing marijuana and acknowledges trying pot in the past: "I think it gives a lot of people joy," she said, "And we need more joy.” Yes, Miss Harris. We do.

Bob Costas wanted to talk about concussions. He says NBC took him off the air as a result. “The reality is that this game destroys people’s brains,” he said during that discussion. After an ensuing series of media appearances, Costas says NBC Sports’ executive producer texted him, “You’ve crossed the line.” Please stop watching the NFL. Please don’t let your kids play the stupid sport. How can watching people permanently damage their brains and bodies be entertainment? Here’s the full story at ESPN.

Socially liberal, fiscally conservative voters preferred Trump in 2016. But of course he’s neither. Also, are they still supporting the poor excuse for a human? If so, that says more about them. None of it good.

Study: Access To Guns, Not Mental Health, May Be Responsible For Gun Violence.

20 years, 700 victims: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders resist reforms. It’s not just the Catholic Church that has a problem.

Over 40% of global insect species are threatened with extinction, scientists said in a new report, marking an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Data suggests they could be gone within a century. Without insects, we die.

House Democrats’ new plan for a $15 minimum wage, explained. The bill would phase out the lower minimum wage for tipped workers — such as restaurant servers and valets — which has been $2.13 an hour since 1996. You read that correctly.

Microplastic levels in the Tennessee River are among the highest ever measured, a report shows.

Senator Sanders asks why drug, once free, now costs $375k.

House Democratic leadership, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have released a statement condemning Rep. Ilhan Omar for recent tweets that were perceived as anti-Semitic for relying on tropes about Jewish money and influence in American politics. Hmmm. Seems there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

Utah lawmakers have officially blocked their state’s voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Yeah, they’re Republicans. Like all Republicans, they don’t give a shit about what voters approve.

About a third of Americans believe wearing blackface for Halloween is always or sometimes acceptable, according to a new Pew poll. In other news, about a third of Americans still support Donald Trump. Just saying.

West Virginia lawmaker faces calls to resign after likening LGBTQ people to KKK, 'terrorist group. Yes, he’s a Republican. And like most Republicans, he’s a horrible person.

Russia prepares to test its own DNS so it can cut itself off from the global internet in times of conflict or build a China-like censored web.

Teachers in Denver Just Went on Strike to Push for Better Pay.

Arizona lawmakers are pushing to declare pornography a public health crisis. Because, you know, there’s nothing else that really needs our attention.

Sandusky, Ohio, Makes Election Day A Paid Holiday — By Swapping Out Columbus Day.

Man wants to sue his parents for bringing him into the world without his consent.

Fox host says he 'hasn't washed hands in 10 years'. He says germs aren’t real because he can’t see them. Because he’s an idiot.

Hungary to give women with 4 or more kids life tax exemption.

Oh, good, there's a button you can press to tell your partner you're horny. Can’t make this up.

“Keep a cool head and a warm heart.” -- Mike Love

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, February 9, 2019

And another day of Trump joking (though you know it wasn’t really a joke) about Native American genocide comes to a close:

“We build statues out of snow, and weep to see them melt.” -- Walter Scott

Elizabeth Warren makes presidential bid official with call for change.

Trump responds with his usual hateful, racist rhetoric, and even tips his hat to The Trail of Tears. Whether you like Warren or not, there is no reason to be a racist white privileged fuckwad when speaking about her...or anyone. Ever.

Ivanka Trump told ABC News that she knew “literally almost nothing” about her family’s secret pursuit of a deal to build a Trump-branded tower in Moscow during the 2016 campaign. Her claim, however, is contradicted by various sources.

Republican congressmen send letter pleading for Dems to stop hunt for Donald Trump's tax returns. They really do want to keep that shit hidden, don’t they?

Fairfax denies sexual assault allegations, asks for due process and full investigation.

Amid a measles outbreak that has sickened more than 50, Washington lawmakers consider bill that would remove parents' ability to claim a personal or philosophical exemption to opt their school-age children out of combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Um, do it. Should’ve been that way to begin with. Someone’s ignorance or religion should not endanger public health.

Shocking Video Shows Florida Sheriff’s Deputy Calling a Black Man “Boy” and Grabbing Him by the Neck. The man was quietly sitting on the sidewalk with a baby in his arms. The deputy is a racist fuckwad. And he’s still “serving the public.”

Trump campaign paid legal fees to firm representing Jared Kushner.

Climate change is already making Atlantic hurricanes more fierce, study finds.

Hundreds rally to preserve right not to vaccinate children amid measles outbreak. I’d like to say this is Darwinism at work here, but the children don’t get a say in this. They are simply at the mercy of their parent’s stupidity. It’s unfortunate children don’t get to choose their parents.

A man with autism, behaving violently, winds up in the ER. The officers on duty respond — by singing and dancing.

Growth of private school voucher program impacts public school funds. With more private schools opting in to voucher programs each year and families continuing to use loopholes in the law, public school funds are flowing to private schools at an increasing rate. Because it’s really not about what’s best for the public.

Earth's magnetic north pole is hurtling toward Russia so fast that it could be a problem for smartphone maps and navigation systems.

Yes, having sex makes you better at your job. Engaging in an activity like sex that feeds the pleasure and reward centers of your brain helps you feel happier and more motivated the next day. Just thought you all should know. There needs to be more sex happening in the world.

20,000 birds just starved to death off the Dutch coast and no one knows why.

Both Uranus and Neptune have seasons that can last for decades and their storms can be larger than the United States.

“You’re all right, as long as you don’t believe your own hype.” -- Suzi Quatro

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

And another day of the one who dishes it announcing he’s unable to take it comes to a close:

“I find it hard to tell you, ‘cause I find it hard to take; when people run in circles. It's a very, very mad world, mad world.” -- Tears for Fears (But I like Gary Jule’s version better.)

Russia's propaganda machine discovers 2020 Democratic candidate Tulsi Gabbard. Experts who track websites and social media linked to Russia have seen stirrings of a possible campaign of support for Hawaii Democrat Tulsi Gabbard. She’s a horrible choice, so of course Russia is interested in her.

Jeff Bezos takes the gloves off. No, thank you, Mr. Pecker.

Supreme Court blocks a restrictive Louisiana abortion law by 5-4 vote as Roberts joins liberals.

Over the last month, baseless conspiracy theories about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health have been tip-toeing toward the mainstream.

Dozens of Cities Have Secretly Experimented With Predictive Policing Software. The software company claims its algorithm can predict crime in specific 500-foot by 500-foot sections of a city. Yeah, this can’t be good. Welcome to The Minority Report.

CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Man Shoots School Bus Driver On I-35W In Minneapolis. A white male just stops on the highway (in traffic), walks to the bus and starts firing. This is really the national emergency that needs to be addressed: America’s gun problem.

Anti-abortion legislators and activists believe President Trump has bolstered their cause with his appointments of conservative judges.

The number of people infected with measles in the European region during 2018 is the highest in a decade, the World Health Organization says.

The melting of this glacier could lead to as much as 10 feet of sea level rise over the next century or so. If we’re unlucky, much of that could happen the lifetimes of people alive today, flooding every coastal city on Earth.

2018 was the fourth-hottest year ever recorded, according to NOAA and NASA, which means that the past five years have been the five warmest years in the modern record.

Weather and climate-related disasters cost the US $80 billion in 2018, but go ahead and say climate change isn’t real.

Key West voted late Tuesday to ban the sale of sunscreens containing certain chemicals linked to coral reef bleaching. The ban is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2021.

Driverless cars could be in full use on Britain's roads by 2021, the government announced.

Hundreds Of Scientific Studies May Have Used Organs Stolen From Prisoners.

A fish just passed a mirror test for self-awareness, but what does that mean? It means humans aren’t as special as they pretend to be.

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” -- Anthony J. D’Angelo

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.