March 16, 2018

And another day of wondering “who’s next?” comes to a close:

A Pennsylvania high school will issue more than 200 detentions to students who walked out of school as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster calls student walkout a 'shameful political statement'. “It appears that these school children, innocent school children, are being used as a tool by left-wing group to further their own agenda.” Shut up, McMaster. The students know what they’re doing—and it scares you.

Science finds once again that violent video games don't turn people into rage monsters.

Stormy Daniels’ attorney says she has been threatened with physical harm.

Senate candidate wants to arm the homeless. The downward spiral accelerates.

Jeff Sessions Doesn’t Care About the First Amendment. Texas tried to ban criticism of its anti–sanctuary cities law. The DOJ did nothing to stop it.

Trump jokes 'who's next?' as tumult engulfs his White House.

Report: Russian hackers had the ability to shut down U.S. power plants.

US accuses Russia of cyber attacks on power grid.

GOP confronts another failed tax experiment in Oklahoma. Morons. It’s like the Republicans can’t do math.

Zinke says 'Konnichiwa' after hearing story about WWII Japanese internment.

Black man who was severely beaten during Charlottesville white nationalist rally -- and then charged with misdemeanor assault in the same incident -- has been found not guilty.

In the Tennessee legislature, a resolution denouncing neo-Nazis dies in 36 seconds. It didn’t even get a second motion to proceed. Racism is a characteristic of the GOP. It’s something they approve of and valiantly stand for. You do, too, if you support these people.

Let’s stay with Tennessee for a moment: The State Has Fined Residents Nearly $100,000, Just For Braiding Hair.

Conservatives Mobilize Grass-Roots Activists To Promote Trump Judges.

Terry Gilliam Says #MeToo Movement Has Transformed Into ‘Mob Rule’. Jesus, Terry. Keep your mouth shut.

Almost six months later, Puerto Ricans are still dying in Maria’s wake.

The courts could make Fox News and Alex Jones pay for pushing fake news about real people. One reason we’re in this mess is because of Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and Alex Jones.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are concerned they can no longer distinguish fake news from quality journalism online. And so the “bad guys” are winning.

Abortions in the U.S. are safe and effective, a new report says.

Trump wildlife protection board stuffed with trophy hunters. Of course it is.

China to bar people with bad 'social credit' from planes, trains. Didn’t I see something like this on an episode of Black Mirror?

Two US representatives have introduced a bill that would put quarters featuring prominent women from American history into the US coin circulation.

If you’re showering every day (as many Americans do), you’re probably overdoing it.

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 15, 2018

And another day of falling bowling balls, falling bridges, and falling subpoenas comes to a close:

“...And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They’re quite aware, of what they’re going through...” -- David Bowie

Mueller subpoenas Trump Organization, demanding documents about Russia. Wait! Where’s my popcorn?

Trump ready to replace H.R. McMaster as national security adviser.

Alabama Republicans are considering a bill to let teachers carry guns in school after 40 hours of training.

Trump says he made up trade claims in meeting with Trudeau. In other words, he admits he purposely tells lies.

Trump continues to wrongly insists US has trade deficit with Canada.

Just after Rex Tillerson's sudden firing, American diplomats were surprised and disturbed to receive guidance from Washington telling them not to post or retweet a statement from undersecretary Steve Goldstein on how Tillerson was fired by President Trump.

Complaint claims Trump lawyers threatened Panama magistrate. Because she ruled against Trump’s business on a minor issue. WTF?

Senators introduce WOOFF Act after dog tragically dies on United Airlines flight. But a month after 17 people are murdered at a Florida high school? Relatively nothing.

GOP senator called out for pushing for law to protect pets, but not kids.

Larry Kudlow solves what Trump believes is his real problem. "He is trying to change the narrative where he cares about it most: on cable news."

The technique used to build the bridge that collapsed in Miami today was intended to cause less disruption and make installing new bridges easier.

Trumps Japanese bowling ball story spins into the gutter.

Trump Organization 'negotiated with sanctioned Russian bank in 2016'.

The Trump White House worked with Newt Gingrich and a former Dick Cheney aide to conduct a political purge at the State Department, according to members of Congress. God, Newt again? Ugh.

ADL: White supremacists are using banners to get their messages across. The banners have been hung from highway overpasses and rooftops in several states across the country. The signs say things like: “WHITE FAMILIES MATTER." "FOR RACE AND NATION." "'DIVERSITY' IS A CODE WORD FOR GENOCIDE." "UNjew HUMANITY." Yeah. Fucking disgusting.

An IHOP waitress in Maine asked some black teens to prepay for their meal. A fellow diner wasn't having that. More people need to stand up like this against such bullshit.

Five women who say Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them will be allowed to testify in his retrial, a Pennsylvania judge ruled.

Study finds more prison sentences don't lead to less drug use.

Now that Toys "R" Us is closing, specialty toy retailers are pretty much extinct.

San Francisco embraces Amsterdam-style marijuana lounges.

Anti-Cancer Drug Used To Successfully Treat Social Difficulties Associated With Autism In Mice.

Does your bottled water contain plastic?

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

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 14, 2018

And another day of protests and honesty comes to a close:

“Here are the most important pieces of advice that I’ve passed on to my children. One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is rare and don’t throw it away.” -- Stephen Hawking.

Across the country, students walked out of class today to mark the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that occurred one month ago, and to demand change to our nation’s gun laws.

Then later in the day a gun-trained teacher accidentally discharges a firearm in California classroom, injuring a student. Yep, arming teachers is the answer.

FBI may fire McCabe after review finds he wasn’t “forthcoming” about Clinton investigation.

The United Kingdom is expelling 23 Russian diplomats, the single biggest expulsion from the country in 30 years, in the wake of poisoning of a former spy, British PM Theresa May said.

Diplomat tells U.S. Democrats to "get your shit together" against Trump "or we will all die.” She’s not wrong.

Tennessee legislature kills resolution condemning neo-Nazis as terrorists. Can’t upset their base.

Facebook bans far-right group Britain First for inciting hatred.

Larry Kudlow to become Trump’s next top economic adviser. You know, ‘cause he’s on TV and stuff.

EPA chief Scott Pruitt is said to be eyeing attorney general job. Oh, great.

A former high-ranking executive at Equifax allegedly sold nearly $1M in company shares more than a week before the company revealed a massive data breach, federal officials say. Like you do.

Where 30 U.S. religious groups stand on abortion, in one graphic. Where are you on the list?

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” -- Stephen Hawking

After trying for months to obtain lethal injection drugs, Oklahoma officials say they plan to use nitrogen gas to execute inmates, marking the first time a U.S. state would use the gas to carry out capital punishment.

Corporal punishment in public schools is still legal in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. And now you know.

The melting Arctic is already messing with a crucial part of the ocean’s circulation, scientists say.

RIP Stephen Hawking. He was 76.

“People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.” -- Stephen Hawking.

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 13, 2018

And another day of firings and hirings comes to a close:

Space force. Yep. “Space force.”

Trump fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (over Twitter, no less), replaces him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

Don’t forget that yesterday Tillerson said the UK spy poisoning ‘clearly’ came from Russia. Interesting.

"Trump has picked someone even worse than Rex Tillerson to run the State Department.”

Trump said he and Tillerson 'were not really thinking the same way,' adds that he and Pompeo are 'always on the same wavelength'.

Mike Pompeo has faced criticism for letting his loyalty to the White House undermine his duties as head of the CIA.

Roger Stone claimed contact with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in 2016.

Rep. Mike Conaway, the Texas Republican running the House Intelligence Committee's Russia probe, acknowledged that Russia was, in fact, trying to hurt the chances of 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton--despite GOP report.

Stephanie Clifford, the porn star known as Stormy Daniels, discussed her alleged affair with Donald Trump during a May 2007 radio appearance, Florida radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem told his listeners.

NRA drops last-minute money for GOP candidate into Pennsylvania special election.

Fort Lauderdale elects first openly gay mayor.

“We should have a new force called the 'Space Force,'" President Trump said during comments about the arrival of more modern machinery and equipment for the U.S. military.

FBI tried to meet "sex coach" Nastya Rybka who says she has dirt on Russian election interference.

Washington State Just Made It Easier To Prosecute Police for Using Deadly Force.

Family of slain DNC staffer sues Fox News over retracted story that fueled conspiracy theories.

A dog died on a United plane after a flight attendant ordered its owner to put the animal in the overhead bin. It's "a tragic accident that should never have occurred," the airline said.

Madison Square Garden has secretly been using face recognition tech: Report.

Three deadly air crashes in one month have shattered the calm of an uneventful 2017.

Tomorrow is the National School Walkout Day. It begins at 10:00am local.

Tomorrow is also Pi Day!

“There is nothing permanent except change.” -- Heraclitus

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 12, 2018

And another day where “we disagree with the narrative” comes to a close:

“Why are people defending the 2nd Amendment so scared of people armed only with the 1st Amendment?” -- Luisa Haynes

Wednesday, March 14, is the National School Walkout Day. The walkout starts at 10:00am local time, and lasts for 17 minutes.

Qatari officials gathered evidence of what they claim is illicit influence by the Arab Emirates on Jared Kushner and other Trump associates, including details of secret meetings, but decided not to give the information to special counsel Robert Mueller for fear of harming relations with the Trump administration. It’s that type of shit Trump counts on.

House Republicans reach opposite conclusion from intelligence community. They announce that Putin was not trying to help Trump win the 2016 election. Shocker, I know. Like we’re going to believe a bunch of same party politicians (from a committee led by Devin Nunes, at that) over the entire intelligence community? I don’t think so. They’re trying to cover their asses. Now we’ll patiently await the Democratic report.

White House officials were alarmed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' struggle to answer basic questions. Many of us tried to warn you, Donnie. You didn’t give a shit.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calls on President Trump to not use foul language, pointing to "an opportunity and responsibility to be examples to our kids.” It’s not the “foul” language that bothers me, it’s the disgusting way he talks about people. The way he talks down to certain groups using generalities and insults. He respects no one he deems “lesser” than himself, yet expects everyone to honor and respect him. Fuck that.

Stormy Daniels offers to return the $130,000 NDA money.

“Donald Trump Jr. has a previously undisclosed business relationship with a longtime hunting buddy who helped raise millions of dollars for his father's 2016 presidential campaign and has had special access to top government officials since the election, records obtained by The Associated Press show.” The corruption of this administration knows no bounds.

Ivanka Trump never cut ties with the Trump Organization. That’s turned into a problem.

Donald Trump's nukes plan puts the whole world in peril. “Even with the aid of game theory, war games, and scenario building—tools beloved by war planners—there’s no way to know where the road marked “nuclear flexibility” actually leads. We’ve never been on it before. There isn’t a map. All that exists are untested assumptions that already look shaky.” And we’re already standing on unstable ground. Ugh. The article goes on: “If the Pentagon’s Nuclear Posture Review turns into reality, the first president who will have some of those more “flexible” nuclear options at his command will be none other than… Donald Trump.” We could be so fucked.

Austin police say package bombs caused two explosions today, which killed a teen and seriously injured two women. A March 2 package bomb killed another man.

Betsy DeVos is not very intelligent on matters she’s in charge of. Just saying.

Equifax and other credit reporting companies could get surprising benefits in Senate banking deregulation bill.

Trump is reshaping the census to reflect his vision of America.

Me--Autistic? As If...

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.” -- John Lennon

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 11, 2018

And another day of being disappointed as hell that this is America comes to a close:

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Trump wants new authority over polling places. Top election officials say no. “President Trump would be able to dispatch Secret Service agents to polling places nationwide during a federal election, a vast expansion of executive authority, if a provision in a Homeland Security reauthorization bill remains intact.” WTF?

Trump lawyers are considering legal action to stop "60 Minutes" from airing an interview with Stormy Daniels. Her story must be a doozy or several laws were broken because he’s scared shitless.

Teachers and school staff to be given weapons training, White House says. This is not the America I want for my kids or our futures generations.

Trump backs off call for raising minimum age to buy gun.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "couldn't care less" if Russian citizens meddled in the 2016 US election. Of course he doesn’t. He’s getting just about everything he wants.

Even conservatively estimated, Trump could feed every homeless veteran for the cost of his military parade.

Elizabeth Warren says she isn’t running for president in 2020.

Trump effect? Pennsylvania GOP governor candidates won't show tax returns. And so it begins.

Pruitt tapes revealed: Evolution’s a ‘theory,’ ‘majority’ religions under attack.

GOP touts women in Trump cabinet — but the number lags behind Obama, Clinton.

A sixth-grader wrote his will, afraid he might be killed in a school shooting. Because a sixth-grader should be thinking about this. Ugh.

Scientology TV network to launch Monday, church says. Like the world needs this drivel.

Greek football match stopped after team owner invades pitch with a gun. It’s a football game, people. A game.

“You know. I’m just trying to stay alive every day.” -- Randy Anderson

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

March 10, 2018

And another day of some of the most disgusting people on the planet comes to a close:

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never give up infinite hope.” -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Trump spoke to a Russian activist about ending sanctions—just weeks after launching his campaign.

Putin Says That Jews 'With Russian Citizenship' May be Behind U.S. Election Meddling. He’s so disgusting.

Trump Just Delivered a Rambling 80-Minute Speech And It Was a Doozy. Jesus Christ. WTF?

Trump detours from focus of Pennsylvania rally for Republican Rick Saccone to deliver a profane attack on the media and demand the death penalty for drug dealers.

'Keep America Great!' Trump touts planned 2020 slogan during raucous Pennsylvania rally. Great for who exactly?

Trump calls Maxine Waters “a very low IQ individual.” Because that’s normal for a president to do. What a horrible, horrible person he is.

Three hostages and a suspect are dead after a daylong standoff at a veterans home in Napa County, California, police said.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon speaking to the crowd attending the party congress for France's far-right National Front party: "Let them call you racist. Let them call you xenophobes... wear it as a badge of honor." One of the most disgusting people on the planet.

If Michael Cohen is telling the truth about his Stormy Daniels payment, he can be disbarred.

Research shows that, actually, millennials do have it harder than baby boomers did. Yep. They do.

Mississippi ready to impose nation's earliest abortion ban. Remember, the GOP is the “pro-birth” party, NOT the “pro-life” one.

Caitlyn Jenner says Trump has been the "worst ever" for transgender rights and "set our community back 20 years.” Anyone with a brain knew this would happen, Caitlyn, yet you still supported him.

“No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.” -- Andrew Carnegie

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.