Friday, May 11, 2018

And another day with another high school shooting, another choking, another warning, another rape, another denial, and another WTF is going on comes to a close:

“We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

US will help North Korea rebuild if it gives up nuclear weapons, Pompeo says. Because you know we don’t have infrastructure or healthcare problems to deal with in this country.

Giuliani says 'the president denied' AT&T/Time Warner merger, contradicting the White House and Justice Department.

FBI warned that billionaire involved in Cohen payment was linked to Russian spies.

Joe Biden says ‘decency’ at White House has hit ‘rock bottom’ after McCain joke. No, Joe. Each day proves that there is no bottom for this administration, only complete free fall that may defy the laws of gravity and exceed terminal velocity.

Teen shot in arm at Highland High School in Palmdale, California; suspect in custody.

Video Shows White Cop Choking a Black Prom-Goer Outside a North Carolina Waffle House.

India rape: Third teenager attacked and burned in a week.

Human rights groups are calling for the release of an Egyptian activist arrested after she posted a video criticizing the government for failing to protect women against sexual harassment.

Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes nationwide; in New York City, they are 12 times more likely to die. What?

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a law that says no child-placement agency will be required to put children up for adoption or in foster care in situations that "violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies." In other words: State sanctioned discrimination.

Cornell student strips down to her underwear while presenting thesis, after her professor allegedly questioned her attire during a practice run of her presentation.

Couples living apart together - having an intimate relationship but living at separate addresses - has become an increasingly popular trend among older adults.

Google's News app is a tool for gaining perspective, not an arbiter of facts.

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone at night.” -- Helen Keller

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

And another day of “It doesn’t matter, he’s dying” comes to a close:

“Welcome to the jungle, we’ve got fun and games.” -- Guns ‘n Roses

Pence calls on Mueller to ‘wrap up' Russia probe. Which means they’re scared. Oh yeah, and Mike Pence is a horrible person.

Key senator urges any wavering U.S. high court justice to retire now. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Republican chairman said on Thursday any Supreme Court justice considering retirement from the lifetime job should announce immediately so a successor can be confirmed before the November U.S. midterm election.

The firm that paid Michael Cohen $500,000 is deeply tied to a Russian oligarch, records show.

Cheney calls for US to restart interrogation programs. The Dick is Back. (My apologies to Elton John.)

White House aide Kelly Sadler responded to US Sen. John McCain's opposition to President Donald Trump's pick for CIA director Gina Haspel by saying, “It doesn’t matter, he’s dying anyway.” Fine examples of humans there in the White House.

Former President George W. Bush touts "dangers of isolation" as President Trump pulls out of the Iran nuclear deal.

Editorial: I don’t want America to be “first.” I want America to be inclusive.

Protestants decline, more have no religion in a sharply shifting religious landscape. Religion is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for a civilization to thrive.

Chart of the Day: Here’s Why Evangelicals Love Donald Trump. Looks like they made a deal with the Devil.

Report: Pruitt dined with Cardinal accused of sexual abuse during official trip to Rome. Of course he did.

Oregon school district forced LGBTQ student to read Bible as punishment. WTAF?

"I can't understand why this is not taken seriously in Texas right now": Women abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar say Texas isn't seriously investigating the Karolyi Ranch.

Hate crime charges have been filed against 4 men accused of attacking 2 men and shouting anti-gay slurs following Miami Beach's gay pride parade.

Spotify deletes R. Kelly songs from its own playlists as part of new 'hateful conduct' policy. The embattled R&B star's catalog will still be available. But the service won't "actively promote" his music.

Senate Democrats force vote to reinstate net neutrality.

Survey finds that nearly half of U.S. cancer doctors say they've recently recommended medical marijuana to patients, although most say they don't know enough about medicinal use.

A skunky odor is coming from certain greenhouses in a beach town in California's Santa Barbara County, where there are more than 800 marijuana cultivation licenses. Residents say the blossoming industry is stinking up the fresh air.

Major depression is on the rise among everyone, new data shows. Hmmm, that’s depressing.

Alphabet chairman says Google Duplex passes Turing test in one specific way.

After a soldier lost an ear, the Army grew a new one on her arm. The video is pretty cool.

Pollen seasons are getting longer and worse every year, and researchers say climate change is to blame. But, you know, science and all.

Amazon reportedly building healthcare team for Alexa so you can ask if that cut looks infected.

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” -- Unknown

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

And another day of “severe consequences,” solar panels, and scrubbing websites comes to a close:

“You stand, on the edge of a silver future.” -- Monster Magnet

It was all there on paper in black and white, down to the precise number of centrifuges: the terms of a potential “fix” that President Donald Trump had demanded for the United States to stay in the Iran nuclear deal. And he chose to give the world the middle finger. Some “art of the deal” asshole.

Trump threatens 'severe consequences' if Iran resumes nuclear program.

Trump's latest shot at the press corps: 'Take away credentials?' He’s a horrible excuse for a human being.

A good number of Germans thought their country would be ok, too. They chose to stay quiet among the changes happening before their eyes, disbelieving in the possibility that eventually became their reality.

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin becomes the first Democratic senator to say he’ll vote for Gina Haspel to be the next CIA director.

Novartis paid Trump lawyer Michael Cohen $1.2 million for advice on Obamacare – work he was unable to do. AT&T apparently also paid Cohen’s company more than the $200,000 that was reported yesterday.

AT&T says it was contacted by Mueller's office about Michael Cohen, CNBC reports.

A US investment firm thrust into the spotlight because of its payment to President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen has scrubbed its website, distancing itself from a Russian investment company and its oligarch chairman.

Inside Michael Cohen's aggressive pitch promising access to Trump.

Boeing is losing $20 billion in contracts thanks to President Trump's violation of the Iran Deal.

37,000 nursing home eviction notices to be sent in Louisiana Thursday. Because of Medicaid cuts.

A white student at Yale saw a black student dozing in the common area of a dorm--and called the police. WTF?

California just became the first state to require solar panels on new residential construction.

Amazon to let customers install tires at Sears stores.

“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” -- James Thurber

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

And another day of pissing off allies, Cohen getting interesting money, and your bullshit job comes to a close:

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” -- Mark Twain

On Iran, Trump becomes a prisoner of his own hyperbole. “In withdrawing the US from the Iran nuclear deal, President Donald Trump is taking a huge gamble. And aside from his desire to repudiate everything done by his predecessor, President Barack Obama, it's really hard to see why he is making this decision.” Because he can.

Iran nuclear deal: Trump pulls US out in break with Europe allies.

Obama blasts Trump's "misguided" decision to withdraw from the Iran deal. The country has given the car keys to a five year old.

Robert Mueller’s team has questioned a Russian oligarch about his company's 2017 payments to Michael Cohen.

AT&T confirms it paid Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's company. They paid $200,000 for Cohen’s company to “provide insights into understanding the new administration”? WTF?

Melania Trump cyberbullying booklet appears to be copied from FTC document released during Obama administration.

Morrisey wins West Virginia GOP primary, saving Republicans from six more months of Don Blankenship’s tragic candidacy.

After more than a century, the Mormon church has announced it will sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America next year.

Bullshit jobs: why they exist and why you might have one. “And that’s how you know a job is bullshit: If we suddenly eliminated teachers or garbage collectors or construction workers or law enforcement or whatever, it would really matter. We’d notice the absence. But if bullshit jobs go away, we’re no worse off.”

Video shows how HIV infects cells during sex, and it’s creepy.

Jupiter and Venus change Earth's orbit every 405,000 years.

“The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.” -- Edward Teller

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, May 7, 2018

And another day of WTF is going on in India, the “Be Best” initiative, and of course horrible people like Blankenship, Zimmerman, and North somehow still getting the spotlight comes to a merciful close:

“Am I not pretty enough; Is my heart too broken; Do I cry too much; Am I too outspoken.” -- Kasey Chambers

Don Blankenship is running on Trumpism in West Virginia. The GOP is worried it will work.

But wait, there’s more to Don Blankenship: 29 miners died. Their boss went to prison. Now he's running for Senate and telling voters Obama framed him. This mindset is a mental disorder.

The Trump administration has decided to refer every person caught crossing the border illegally for federal prosecution, a policy that could result in the separation of far more parents from their children at the border. The move would also mean that even if immigrants caught at the border illegally have valid asylum claims, they could still end up with federal criminal convictions on their record regardless of whether a judge finds they have a right to live and stay in the US.

U.S. says it will separate families crossing border illegally.

CEO of Cambridge Analytica owner: Trump used same tactics as Hitler to get elected. And I’ll never forgive anyone who voted for Trump yet refuses to admit they made a mistake and has no plans to correct it by refusing to vote Republican in the foreseeable future.

Oliver North to be NRA’s new President. We are truly living in Bizarro World.

In case you forgot: Oliver North was a key figure in the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal under US president Ronald Reagan.

“Maybe a fellow with an established record in shady weapons deals and covering up the truth is just the right guy to lead the NRA.” -- David Corn

I have lost all respect for most white evangelicals.

A second teen girl is reported to have been raped and set on fire within days in India. WTF?

George Zimmerman--the former neighborhood watch volunteer who shot an unarmed Trayvon Martin in 2012--has now threatened a private investigator working for a documentary filmmaker.

A new study finds that people are more likely to bullshit if they think they can get away with it, or think they won’t be held accountable for it. Call the bullshit out!

Melania Trump launches 'Be Best' initiative to promote children's well being.

Melania Trump Just Swaggerjacked Michelle Obama, Again. This Time With Her Stupidly Named ‘Be Best’ Initiative

A new study finds that dementia patients are increasingly being given antipsychotic drugs — despite the fact they're not approved to treat dementia.

Judge issues final ruling requiring coffee to carry cancer warning labels in California.

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” -- Wayne Huizenga

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, May 6, 2018

And another day of lava, porn and divorce, and wondering about the Fifth comes to a close:

“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” -- Jim Rohn

Rudy Giuliani not ruling out Trump taking the 5th Amendment in Russia investigation.

“The mob takes the Fifth. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the fifth?” -- Donald Trump, 9/28/2016.

Rudy Giuliani says Michael Cohen might have paid other women for President Trump "if necessary.”

Kellyanne Conway says President Trump was not aware of Stormy Daniels payments when they occurred. And the story changes again.

2017 had more active shooting incidents than any other year on record: FBI report.

Gina Haspel reportedly offered to withdraw nomination to lead CIA over torture concerns.

An Arizona man heads to trial in a little-known case in which he’s accused of killing a white woman because she was dating a black man. Jesus, this case.

Schools don’t know to handle girls’ menstrual periods, and their education is suffering because of it. When a girl doesn’t get bathroom breaks, or have access to pads and tampons to manage her period, it affects her learning. This is complete bullshit.

Hawaii residents on Big Island under threat of lava, earthquakes and gas.

People who start to watch porn are more likely to divorce, says study. But what if they watch porn together?

After nearly a decade of delays, calorie counts are coming to menus across the country.

New laws crack down on service dogs.

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

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

And another day of lies, ‘dirty ops,’ and a doctor (?), comes to a close:

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” -- Mark Twain

Rep. Eric Swalwell: "If he's willing to lie to the American people about what he did with this payoff, I think we can assume that he may be lying to us about what happened with the Russians prior and after the election." Um...yep. He’s a serial liar.

Trump team hired spy firm for ‘dirty ops’ on Iran arms deal. Israeli agency told to find incriminating material on Obama diplomats who negotiated deal with Tehran.

U.K. officials, doctors decry Trump's remarks on London stabbings.

Three Democratic senators ask about Ukraine involvement in Robert Mueller probe.

Trump will appoint Mehmet Oz to his council on sport, fitness and nutrition. Known on TV as Dr. Oz, he has been harshly criticized by other physicians who said he had "an egregious lack of integrity." Dr. Oz? Sheesh. “Oz is well-known as a host of an eponymous television show on health and medical issues and, before that, for appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." But he has become a lightning rod for controversy for featuring what critics say is unscientific advice on his show.” America, 2018. One giant reality TV show.

Trump's former doctor told NBCNews that Trump himself wrote the letter describing his health during the 2016 campaign.

Russians angered by the impending inauguration of Vladimir Putin to a new term as president protested Saturday in scores of cities across the country.

In a first for the French capital, Paris museum opens its doors to nudists. People shouldn’t get so hung up about nudity.

Becky Hammon is interviewing to become the first female head coach in the NBA.

Jittery Hawaii residents may have to endure weeks or months of uncertainty as Kilauea volcano grows more volatile.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” -- Albert Einstein

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.