Saturday, July 7, 2018

And another day where the Republican double standard continues comes to a close:

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

Trump administration admits they’ve lost track of roughly 20 percent of toddlers’ parents.

Generations of red-state farmers are bracing for impact on Friday with the knowledge that President Trump's trade war could destroy their livelihood — and alter the agricultural map forever.

“You seem to confuse being a member of the Trump cult with being a conservative. An understandable mistake given how many conservatives have sold out their erstwhile beliefs.” -- Max Boot

Trump to be shielded from angry protests by keeping him away from London during UK visit.

Chicago gun protesters close part of major interstate near downtown.

A Subway employee called the police on a black family eating dinner because they visited the restroom too many times.

Video shows cop body-slamming, arresting black teen for selling water outside Philadelphia Zoo. This is why they take a knee. This is why there is Black Lives Matters movement.

U.S. housing rents hit record-high average of $1,405 per month. Our children will never be able to afford to rent or own.

"The running of the bulls is about bullfighting, and bullfighting, for all its romanticization in Western culture, is a fundamentally cruel, indefensible practice.” Yes it is. It needs to end.

The Trump administration says trans people are mentally ill. The World Health Organization disagrees.

HIV vaccine delivers promising results in human tests.

Chemotherapy often leads to side effects that make food taste bitter or bland. A new non-alcoholic beer was made to counteract that.

Elvis Costello cancels tour dates after surgery for “very aggressive” cancer.

“The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.” -- Stephen King

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

And another day where one horrible person goes out while another horrible person goes in comes to a close:

“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” -- Thomas Paine

Scott Pruitt resigns. As you well know if you’ve been following my posts, he’s a horrible person.

3 things to know about Andrew Wheeler, the acting head of EPA. It ain’t good.

Former Fox News co-president Bill Shine has been hired for a senior communications role at the White House. He left Fox News amid accusations that he failed to take allegations of sexual harassment at the network seriously. America, 2018. Bill Shine is a horrible person.

Trump mocks #MeToo movement in riff on Elizabeth Warren's heritage during Montana rally. "We'll take that little kit and say, we have to go it gently because we are in the Me Too generation, and we will very gently take that kit, slowly toss it" to her, Trump said. Trump is a fucking asshole.

Two big detention centers for migrant children are not subject to traditional inspections because of a loophole in federal policy.

U.S. has nearly 3,000 separated migrant kids, will use DNA to find parents, HHS Sec. Azar says. Hmmmm. Creating a dna database, I see.

Trump has called for a crackdown on immigrants because he says they “compete directly against vulnerable American workers.” To California’s grape growers, this claim is laughable. As are most of Trump’s claims.

The U.S. Army has moved in recent weeks to discharge dozens of immigrant recruits and reservists who enlisted through a program that promised them a path to citizenship.

Walmart pulls "Impeach 45" T-shirts and baby onesies from its website after the clothing sparked an outcry from Trump supporters.

A Facebook algorithm thought parts of the Declaration of Independence was "hate speech" and took down excerpts of it ahead of the Fourth of July.

10 months on, the babies of Rohingya rape survivors arrive.

“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” -- Will Rogers

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

And another day where we pore over the events of what happened, worry about the poor, and then pour ourselves another drink thankfully comes to a close:

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” -- George Orwell

The Senate Intelligence Committee Refutes Trump—As Quietly As Possible. On the eve of the 4th of July holiday, the GOP-controlled panel agrees Russia helped the president’s campaign.

Trump plans one-on-one meeting with Putin. They have a lot of catching up to do?

Trump is bringing back his "infestation" rhetoric as the immigration debate rages on. Labeling a group of people as ‘subhuman’ opens the door for some to commit atrocities.

An EPA whistleblower tells CNN Scott Pruitt directed his staff to scrub his official calendar to overtly hide meetings or calls with industry representatives and others. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person.

Embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt directly asked President Trump this spring to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions and let him run the Department of Justice instead. Scott Pruitt is a horrible person...oh, and so is Jeff Sessions.

"They treated us so horribly, as though we were animals": Letters from inside an immigration detention facility, collected by a nonprofit advocacy group.

A federal judge has blocked the government from holding asylum seekers in lengthy, mass detention.

A church is protesting family separation by putting a diorama of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in a cage.

General Motors is one of the latest to weigh in on the threat of new tariffs targeting foreign autos and automotive parts, warning that GM could be forced to scale back production and cut U.S. jobs. Americans would pay almost $6,000 more for a new car if tariffs come into play, say industry analysts. It was never about saving jobs or helping the American people. It was about isolating the country from the rest of the world.

Pentagon Questioned Over Blackout On War Zone Troop Numbers. Something they don’t want us to know?

The American People Support Promoting Democracy Overseas. A 91 percent majority agrees that “we can’t control what happens in the world, but we have a moral obligation to speak up and do what we can when people are victims of genocide, violence, and severe human rights abuses.” And we have that same moral obligation to speak up and do what we can against similar things happening in this country. What will you choose to do?

A declining number of people in the US say they are proud to be an American, with less than three-quarters saying they are, according to a Gallup poll. This number is down 6 points since 2006.

The Trump administration is planning to revoke two pieces of Obama-era guidance on race-conscious admissions.

Facebook is now under investigation by 4 federal agencies over the Cambridge Analytica data scandal.

A group of Christians attended a pride parade to apologize for how they've treated the LGBT community.

Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on new sex crimes charges, could face life in prison. Good.

The marriage of an 11-year-old Thai girl to a 41-year-old man has provoked huge upset in Malaysia, where the two live.

Seattle Just Became the First Major American City to Ban Plastic Straws And Utensils.

HPV test is simpler than a pap smear—and, a new study says, may be better at catching the earliest cervical cancer stages.

Medical board sanctions celebrity doctor for letting parents opt their kids out of vaccines.

Trump supporters call to boycott Walmart for selling “Impeach 45” and “Impeach Trump” clothing...right alongside “Make America Great Again” and “Donald Trump Speaks For Me” apparel. Um, are they “triggered?” “Snowflakes?” Did they get their “feelings hurt?” WTF? Of all things to boycott Walmart for, this should not be one of them.

Hawaii's governor signed a bill Tuesday that bans the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs.

A woman’s toenails stopped growing and started falling off soon after she received a so-called fish pedicure. Because that’s a thing...obviously.

Nigeria football captain John Mikel Obi received a call demanding a ransom for his kidnapped father a few hours before Nigeria faced Argentina in a crucial World Cup match in St. Petersburg, Russia, police say. It’s a freaking game, people.

Despite crushing World Cup loss, Japan leaves thank you note and spotless locker room. Bravo, Japan. Bravo.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” -- Napoleon Hill

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, July 2, 2018

And another day of attacks, denials, and the discovery of a baby planet being formed comes to a close:

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

The White House twitter account accused Sen. Kamala Harris of "supporting the animals of MS-13," in one tweet. In another, the account charged Sen. Elizabeth Warren with "supporting criminals moving weapons, drugs, and victims across our nation’s borders.” This should terrify you, then piss you off.

Trump is single-handedly trying to blow up international trade.

Trump Threatens To Raise Taxes On One Company For A Decision He Doesn't Like. Think about that for a moment. This Is Dangerous.

A 7-year-old girl was reunited with her mom after nearly two months in immigration detention. The mom's message to other mothers: If you're thinking of claiming asylum, find another country: "The laws here are harsh. And people don't have hearts," she said. Some people in this country don’t have hearts. The rest are trying to change it.

ICE Has Found Yet Another Way to Prolong Family Separations. The Trump administration is denying bond to some migrants seeking asylum, lawyers say.

The movement to "Abolish ICE" is heating up — and going mainstream.

The longer that progressives see what Trump is doing with ICE, the more questions they might have about whether it’s a good idea for any president to have that kind of power. No president should have that kind of power.

Quinnipiac: 63% of American voters say Roe vs. Wade decision should stand as is.

History shows that sex strikes are a surprisingly effective strategy for political change. Ladies, if you have to, do what needs to be done. Roe vs. Wade needs to stand.

Trump declines request to lower flags in memory of Capital Gazette shooting victims. Trump is a horrible person. His disdain for the free press is a danger to democracy.

U.S. has a plan to dismantle North Korea's nuclear program in a year, according to national security adviser John Bolton.

Canada not helping itself by hitting U.S. with tariffs-White House. Canadians may be friendly, but they stand up to bullying. Good for them.

Trump claims he never said something he tweeted only three days ago. Because there’s no such things as evidence or facts in America 2018.

News media paid Melania Trump thousands for use of photos in 'positive stories only'. The first lady earned six figures from an agreement with Getty Images that paid royalties to the Trumps and mandated photos be used in positive coverage. WTF?

New York and Virginia become the first two states to enact laws requiring mental health education in schools.

"Robo-graders" are now scoring long-form answers on anything from the fall of the Roman Empire, to the pros and cons of government regulation.

Google says it doesn't go through your inbox anymore, but it lets other apps do it.

Astronomers report first image of baby planet being formed in our galaxy.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” -- Leonardo da Vinci

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

And another day with another shooting, another protest, more connections with Russia, children still separated from their parents, and feeling like we’re almost living in the world of “A Boy and His Dog” (though for the time being without the nuclear war part) comes to a close. Yes, there’s a lot to learn today.

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” -- Harlan Ellison

Your thoughts and prayers don’t mean shit. They don’t get anything done. And they certainly don’t save anyone’s life. It’s time to vote all these people out of office.

Five people were killed and several others were “gravely injured” in a shooting at the Capital Gazette office. A shooter is in custody. Oh yeah, he’s white...so he wasn’t killed by the police.

Annapolis shooting suspect damaged his finger tips to thwart identification.

Suspect in shooting at Maryland newspaper was ID'd using facial recognition technology.

“The FAKE NEWS media (failing New York Times, NBC News, ABC, CBS, CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people!” -- Donald Trump, February 17, 2017

Trump at South Carolina rally on June 25, 2018 reiterated his disdain for the news media: “the enemy of the people, I call them".

Two days ago, Milo Yiannopoulos jokes of death squads murdering journalists.

It was only a matter of time before something like today happened. There’s a good chance it’ll be happening again soon. Without a free press, there can be no free people.

How is what’s listed below a “bad” agenda? You’re really going to fight against this?

Why young Democrats are so open to socialism. Because there’s more to life than struggling to eat, worrying about if you’ll get a life-altering disease, falling into crippling debt to get an education (if you’re lucky enough to even get one), hoping you can find a job that pays a living wage, wondering if you’ll ever be able to afford a home, and praying that you, your family, and your friends don’t wind up killing or dying in foolish wars set off by stupid and childish men.

Nancy Pelosi says socialism is not ascendant in Democratic Party. She’s the 6th richest member of the House.

But it’s not socialism we’re after. It’s Democratic Socialism. There is a difference.

Immigrant toddlers ordered to appear in court alone. Yes, without their parents. Children as young as three. While this is not a new practice, under the Trump administration’s policy, more young children--including toddlers--are being affected than in the past.

“If you are stuck there a long time, it will change you,” one employee said. “In a matter of time, this kid is going to become more aggressive. He is just there like a little animal being caged.” Some punch walls, or other kids, or staff, according to employees and records. Some cut themselves or attempt suicide. After ending up in the hospital multiple times, one boy wrote a staff member to apologize: “You told me many times not to hurt myself but I continued to do it and now I am here.”

History Teaches Us There Are Limits to the Power of Civility in the Face of Nazis (Extremism).

The people and institutions that were supposed to constrain Trump are failing us.

Nearly 600 women arrested at immigration protests in the Senate building.

Nearly one third of Americans think another civil war could break out in the U.S. in the next five years over opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies with more than one in ten believing it is very likely to happen. A similar survey conducted in March 2010 during Barack Obama’s second year in office yielded similar results with 53 percent of U.S. voters describing themselves as “somewhat concerned” that those opposed to his policies will resort to violence.

Trump suggests Justice Kennedy’s retirement during his presidency was a deliberate choice: “He felt confident in me to make the right choice and carry on his great legacy, that’s why he did it”. I’m thinking there may have been a little more to it than just that.

In the 9 months leading up to this weekend's presidential election in Mexico, 132 politicians have been killed since campaigning began.

Tony Blair warns rise in populism could risk return to the '1930s'.

Reality Winner, former U.S. intelligence specialist accused of leaking report on Russian election hacking, to change her plea to guilty. The only person in jail for the Russian election hacking is the American who tried to tell us about it.

Several billionaires with deep ties to Russia attended exclusive, invitation-only receptions during Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, guest lists obtained by ABC show; their presence is being eyed by special counsel Robert Mueller. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.

Trey Gowdy apparently forgets that he led the Benghazi investigation in the House which was active for...wait for it...950 days. Shut up, Gowdy.

CBS News interview with ICE whistleblower interrupted by surprise visit from government agents. There are things they don’t want us to know.

Former Fox News co-president ousted during sexual harassment scandal reportedly accepts job in Trump White House. Of course he was offered the job. This is America, 2018.

Across Canada, people are increasingly angry about the way the country is being treated by the Trump administration — and are protesting with their pocketbooks. Please be patient with us, Canada. We are trying to rectify this disaster.

64% of Republicans say technology firms support the views of liberals over conservatives. 85% of Republicans think it likely that social media companies intentionally censor political viewpoints that those companies find objectionable, with 54% indicating they find it very likely. 62% of Democrats also think social media companies engage in this behavior.

California lawmakers pass bill stopping companies like Facebook from selling user data without consent.

San Francisco families earning $117,400 a year are now considered "low income".

Pornhub adds closed captions for viewers with hearing loss. More than 1,000 videos, across all genres, now come with subtitles.

Age 105? Then you've a better chance of living even longer. Study suggests that death rates level off at this age threshold, but fuels fierce debate whether humans are approaching upper lifespan limit

RIP Harlan Ellison. He was 84.

“The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.” -- Harlan Ellison

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

And another day where the mistake you made by not voting for the Democratic candidate for President gets worse and worse comes to a close:

“Goodbye, blue sky.” -- Pink Floyd

It’s a day of total despair with no relief on the horizon. 

Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire; Trump can cement court's conservative majority. The president is likely to nominate someone more conservative than Kennedy, a swing vote who has sometimes sided with liberals on key opinions, including on the landmark ruling that legalized gay marriage. Oh yeah, and we can probably say goodbye to legal abortions.

In all fourteen 5-4 decisions this term that divided along ideological lines, Kennedy has sided with the conservatives. Anthony Kennedy Is Not the Supreme Court’s Swing Justice Anymore.

I know it goes without saying, but Mitch McConnell is a horrible person.

Reminder: Sen. McCain Says Republicans Will Block All Court Nominations If Clinton Wins.

Manafort had $10 million loan from Russian oligarch: court filing. Of course he did.

How badly did the Supreme Court just damage public sector unions? Take a look at Michigan.

Democrats searched for meaning on Wednesday in the shocking upset of U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley, a member of the Democratic House leadership, by a 28-year-old liberal organizer in a New York primary ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Some House Democrats Are Pushing For New Leadership After Joe Crowley’s Surprise Loss.

Joe Biden is the early favorite to represent the Democrats and try to unseat President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, according to a new poll. New blood?

President Trump discusses election defeat of NY Rep. Crowley: "A slovenly man named Joe Crowley got his ass kicked". Hmmmmm. About that “civility” bullshit the GOP has been talking about...

U.S. House defeats broad Republican immigration bill.

Lawmakers introduced new bipartisan legislation to make Puerto Rico the nation's 51st state by 2021.

The U.S. was just ranked as one of the top 10 most dangerous countries for women for the first time ever. In terms of the risk of sexual violence, harassment and being coerced into sex. Wow. Take a look at that list. Ouch.

The Netherlands is banning face coverings, including burqas and niqabs, in public spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport and government buildings.

Blacks face longer wait times on Uber, Lyft than other races – worse for taxis, study says. Taxi drivers in L.A. were 73% more likely to cancel on black riders than whites, and 25% of blacks were never sent a cab.

New Cassini findings suggest Saturn moon could support life.

“But a man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” -- Ernest Hemingway

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

And another day of America’s moral crisis comes to a close:

“We shall overcome.” -- Pete Seger’s version

I am part of one tribe: the human race. Why do you continue to hate people different than you?

Remember, for eight months McConnell refused to allow a Supreme Court nominee to come before the Senate.

U.S. Supreme Court in 5-4 decision backs Trump on travel ban targeting Muslim-majority nations.

“Our Constitution demands, and our country deserves, a Judiciary willing to hold the coordinate branches to account when they defy our most sacred legal commitments. Because the Court’s decision today has failed in that respect, with profound regret, I dissent.” -- Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer. Read more here.

It may be the law, but that doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do. Morality needs no law.

One father said he felt broken without his teenage son, while another cried over his daughter. A mother wiped away tears, fearing that her 4-year-old son believes she abandoned him.

UN says Trump separation of migrant children with parents 'may amount to torture'.

Far from Southwest, children of workplace raids await fate.

"Quit trying to make us feel teary-eyed for the children. Yes, I love children a great deal, but to me, it's up to the parents to do things rightfully and legally". What some Trump supporters think of family separations at the border. When a person lacks empathy, it’s easy to think of others as “lesser.”

No, rude liberals are not making Donald Trump more popular.

Supreme Court effectively put an end Tuesday to a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion.

The United States demands that countries around the world must stop buying Iranian oil before November 4 or face a renewed round of American economic sanctions. It’s like he’s trying--actually putting forth a concerted effort--to start World War III.

Trump revs up attacks after Harley-Davidson said tariffs are forcing them to move overseas.

Trump falsely claims (in other words “lies”) that crime in Germany "is way up." But data from the German government shows that 2017 saw the lowest number of crimes committed there since 1992.

The White House tried to suppress a bombshell study on water contamination near military bases because they were afraid of the PR.

And another sign that the end is near: Sean Spicer is developing a TV show.

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” -- John W. Gardner

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.