And another day of hardening views, debating killing women over abortions in TX, no free Covid tests for the uninsured, flu cases ticking upward, ‘You better hide it,’ tax cuts in MS, a state of emergency in El Salvador, and childhoods getting worse comes to a close:
“My friend Charlie Kirk and I, we have a goal to try and quadruple the size of the home schooling population by the year 2035.” -- Rep. Madison Cawthorn (They are literally trying to destroy public education.)
“It’s wild to me that one political party has all but abandoned democracy and been overtaken by wild conspiracy theories and the media is still covering the fall midterm elections like, “LOL. The GOP will win in a landslide because gas prices are up and there are CRT kids books.”” — Garrett M. Graff
Deaths
US: 1,003,467
World: 6,148,298
Cases
US: 81,621,888
World: 482,113,949
"What Man Has Made Of Man". And in this reality, we can perhaps also find hope. We can begin by expanding the framing to what humans have made of humans, or even more optimistically, what humans have done for humans. For as much pain and suffering as I have witnessed in my career as a reporter, I have seen many more actions of heroic kindness and decency. — A nice piece by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner.
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” -- H.H. Dalai Lama XIII
Since their invasion began last month, Russian forces have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian medical facilities, striking ambulances, medics and hospitals that still have patients — with at least 34 assaults independently documented by the AP. With every new attack, the public outcry for war crimes prosecutions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, his generals and top Kremlin advisers grows louder.
Russians who live abroad say Moscow is hardening the views of those back home. As the number of Russian expatriates living in the West grows, several said conversations about the war with peers and family back home have become more difficult. In the wake of Putin calling Russians who live abroad “scum” and “traitors” in a speech this month, conversations they manage to have with relatives and friends back home have grown tense, or they avoid the topic of the war altogether. Numerous Russians have fled the country as a result of the invasion and the crackdown, probably for good, but the views of those still in Russia have hardened in support of the Kremlin, as years of anti-West propaganda get cemented in the country’s new reality. -- Hate sells...and many people across the world are buying.
In a suburban Fort Worth [TX] House runoff, Republicans debate killing women over abortion. Should Texas punish abortions by putting teenage girls and women to death? Or not? That’s the current debate in the Republican Party of Texas, where outlawing abortion is no longer a question of “if” or “when” but a question of whether to kill women for getting one…If you’re wondering how killing women became a pivotal Republican issue, that just shows how extreme this Texas primary and runoff have become. Strong, steady, rock-solid conservatives are up against outlandish challengers accusing them of fixing elections, mutilating children or enabling abortions. Some other runoffs statewide match faith-and-values candidates who both want Texas governed by the Bible. They just can’t agree on whether to use the Old or New Testament. — The GOP is fucking crazy. They so want to govern like the Taliban.
Free COVID-19 tests ending for uninsured Americans. Americans who don't have health insurance will now start to see some of the free COVID-19 testing options disappear, even if they are showing symptoms. Quest Diagnostics, one of the largest testing companies in the country, told ABC News that patients who are not on Medicare, Medicaid or a private health plan will now be charged $125 dollars ($119 and a $6 physician fee) when using one of its QuestDirect PCR tests either by ordering a kit online or visiting one of the 1,500 Quest or major retail locations that administer the tests, such as Walmart or Giant Eagle. — Because in America healthcare is a commodity, not a human right.
Some kids are happy to ditch the mask at school, others struggle with the transition. Yet many kids might not understand why it's suddenly safe to show their face after being told over and over that masks save lives. And some families –especially those with a high-risk household member— may prefer to keep masking up.
Flu cases tick upward as Covid restrictions ease. The flu didn't surge back this season, but doctors remain concerned about what could happen in the fall as our flu immunity fades.
“We’re Going to Be Conservative.” Official Orders Books Removed From Schools, Targeting Titles About Transgender People. The North Texas superintendent’s comments, made on a leaked recording, raise constitutional concerns, legal experts said…He noted that members of Granbury’s school board — his bosses — were also very conservative. And to any school employees who might have different political beliefs, Glenn said, “You better hide it,” adding, “Here in this community, we’re going to be conservative.” That’s why, he said, he needed to talk to them about some of the books available in the school district’s libraries. — “Conservative” is another word for “authoritarian heartless human being.”
Mississippi lawmakers pass largest-ever state income tax cut. Mississippi, one of the poorest states in the nation with perpetually underfunded schools and struggling rural hospitals, had its largest-ever tax cut passed by lawmakers Sunday. The Republican-controlled state House and Senate voted by wide margins to pass a bill that would reduce the state income tax over four years, beginning in 2023. The bill goes to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. He has indicated he will sign it into law.
GOP U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska resigned from office after a California jury convicted him of lying to federal authorities about an illegal campaign donation from a foreign national. — The party of law and order.
Taliban ban women in Afghanistan from flying without male chaperone. Spokespeople for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Ministry of Culture and Information did not immediately respond to request for comment. — Republicans study the Taliban playbook. Oh how they would love to have these two ministries functioning in the US government.
El Salvador declares state of emergency amid killings. El Salvador’s congress granted President Nayib Bukele’s request to declare a state of emergency early Sunday amid a wave of gang-related killings over the weekend. Fourteen people were killed Friday and 62 people died Saturday, a scale of violence that has not been seen for years. By comparison, there were 79 homicides in the entire month of February.
Childhoods have got worse in Britain, survey reveals. Charity says children’s futures blighted by Covid, mental health issues and financial hardship. More than half of parents and nearly two-thirds of grandparents believe life is more difficult and stressful now than when they were children, citing money issues, house prices, the climate crisis and emotional anxiety linked to school and social media, according to the charity Action for Children. Although children overall are more likely to have a positive outlook, a third believe their parents enjoyed a better childhood than theirs. Many cite increasing worries around mental health, school stress and family finances, with those from poorer backgrounds much more likely to be pessimistic.
Biden to propose new minimum tax on wealthiest Americans in 2023 budget. If enacted, the “Billionaire Minimum Income Tax” would impose a 20 percent minimum tax rate on households worth more than $100 million.
The US is pushing fossil fuels as an answer to the energy crisis Putin’s war created. There’s a better way: boosting efficiency and renewables.
Avian flu is infecting U.S. poultry flocks. It could affect the price of chicken, too. Ready for more bad infectious diseases news? There's an outbreak of bird flu making its way into U.S. poultry flocks. If the virus continues to spread, it could affect poultry prices — already higher amid widespread inflation.
RIP Taylor Hawkings. He was 50.
Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.
Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.
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