Monday, September 3, 2018

And another day where Nike and Colin “Just Do It” and Trump spouts his belief that law enforcement is nothing more than an extension of his political self-interest comes to a close:

“Well, I believe that when you are confirming a United States Supreme Court Justice, that it really isn’t Democratic or Republican; it’s American.” -- Arlen Specter

Donald Trump escalates his attacks on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, suggesting the DOJ jeopardized midterms with the recent indictments of 2 Republican congressmen. Tweets: 'Two easy wins now in doubt ... Good job, Jeff.'

Where Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh stands on key issues.

Brett Kavanaugh’s SCOTUS could quickly strike down all campaign finance limits on rich people. I think odds are that he will.

Brett Kavanaugh’s History as a Judge Has Organized Labor Very Worried.

Brett Kavanaugh has a nearly perfect record of speeding up extinction.

Call your senators and tell them not to confirm Brett Kananaugh for Supreme Court Justice. Confirmation hearings begins September 4.

Trump kicked off Labor Day by insulting the leader of the largest labor union federation in the United States.

Here comes Robert Mueller’s big Trump-Russia week. Hmmm. Let’s see if this happens. It could be fun.

The New Yorker uninvites Steve Bannon from its festival after news that the former Trump aide would be interviewed there caused a sharp backlash. How in the world are we still talking about Steve Bannon?

Three minors from El Salvador separated from their parents after crossing the U.S. border were sexually abused in shelters in Arizona.

Germany's foreign minister told his fellow countrymen they're too lazy when it comes to battling racism and fighting for democracy.

Pope touts virtue of silence after sex abuse cover-up claims.

An ongoing federal investigation into public corruption in Tallahassee, Florida, threatens to damage the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum.

Beauty YouTuber Laura Lee lost 200,000 followers when her past racist tweets came to the surface. That cost her an estimated $65,000 per year.

Locked in a Nevada county jail for failing to take care of her traffic tickets, Kelly Coltrain asked to go to the hospital. Instead, as her condition worsened, she was handed a mop and told to clean up her own vomit. She died less than an hour later.

Google releases AI tool to identify child sex abuse images online.

Colin Kaepernick will be featured in Nike's signature "Just Do It" campaign as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Two gay Malaysian women caned as punishment for same-sex relationship.

After Hurricane Harvey, Texas failed to defend workers against wage exploitation.

Moose that swam to Vermont drowns after crowd gathers for photos.

“I’m half living my life between reality and fantasy at all times.” -- Lady Gaga

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

And another day where some stuff happened (or maybe it didn’t) comes to a close:

“The world outside looks so unkind.” -- Dobie Gray

George Papadopoulos says Attorney General Jeff Sessions supported his proposal that Donald Trump meet with Vladimir Putin during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump says he'll 'study' his decision to cancel federal pay raises. Wait. You didn’t ‘study’ that before you made the decision?

Parkland survivor David Hogg helps raise thousands for anti-Ted Cruz billboard featuring Trump tweet. Simply beautiful.

This Arizona police department has a history of violent incidents caught on video. Now, the FBI is getting involved.

Plano, Texas, doctor sparked outrage after he told a medical publication that female physicians make less than men because they “don’t work as hard” and prioritize “something else ... family, social, whatever.” Let’s make him a former doctor.

What Pope Francis knew or didn’t know won’t cure the disease that is the Catholic Church. 

aka: idiots

Billionaire Seahawks owner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen this year has made his largest-ever foray into congressional politics: A $100,000 donation to a group aiming to keep Republicans in control of the House. If you needed another reason to stop watching the Seahawks and the NFL.

Americans should be more afraid of HPV. HPV-related oral and genital cancers are on the rise — yet we're under-using the vaccine that can prevent them. Get your kids—both girls AND boys—the HPV vaccine. They’re going to have sex at some point. You’re not going to stop that from happening. But you can help protect them against some cancers. Get them vaccinated.

Rio's 200-year old National Museum hit by massive fire. More than 20 million items ranging from archeological findings to historical memorabilia are at risk of being lost.

A man is facing 10 felony counts for allegedly going on dates with numerous women across Southern California before skipping out on the bill. Up 10 13 years if convicted. And now you know.

“I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.” -- Socrates

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

And another day of funerals, memorials, and Trump being Trump comes to a close:

“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great.” — Meghan McCain

As Washington mourns McCain, Trump tweets attacks against media, Canada, and FBI.

Trump administration withholds 100K Kavanaugh pages from the Bush White House. They’re trying to hide something. You know it to be true.

Bruce Ohr is a DOJ official who has been at the agency for almost three decades — his focus is international organized crime, particularly Russian organized crime.

A senior Justice Department lawyer says a former British spy told him at a breakfast meeting two years ago that Russian intelligence believed it had Donald Trump ‘‘over a barrel,’’ according to multiple people familiar with the encounter.

Kavanaugh won't commit to recusal from Trump, Mueller-related matters.

The 43 most staggering lines from Donald Trump's Indiana speech. Wow. And many of you voted for him. Ugh.

"America was saved when Donald J. Trump was elected president," suspect charged with threatening to kill employees of The Boston Globe says outside the courthouse.

US denying passports to Hispanic Americans in South Texas. A growing number of Hispanics along the Texas-Mexico border with birth records showing they were born in the United States are being denied American passports, held in immigration detention centers, and entered into deportation proceedings.

Bank of America freezing accounts of customers suspected of not being US citizens.

A DC lobbyist has made a plea deal related to work done for Russian and Ukrainian clients. The case was referred by special counsel Mueller.

Trump threatens to withdraw from World Trade Organization. You know, if they don’t “shape up.”

Trump, without evidence, says NBC fudged 2017 Russia interview.

Trump cancels pay raises for federal employees, saying the nation’s budget can’t support it. But we have money for tax cuts?

Rise of extreme nationalist groups in Germany brings a return of anti-Semitic acts. Nationalism is a disease.

Church leaders in Australia won't require mandatory reporting of child abuse said in confession.

Former NBC News producer says network guilty of “massive breach of journalistic integrity” on Ronan Farrow’s Harvey Weinstein exposé. NBC actively sidelined the story and reportedly threatened to ‘smear’ Ronan Farrow.

Mail held by Israel for 8 years finally reaches Palestinians in West Bank.

Hall of Famer Willie Lanier says he nearly died after hit, tells players to obey tackling rule. Stop watching the NFL. You are getting entertainment from watching people cause permanent damage to their bodies.

Colin Kaepernick’s collusion case against the NFL allowed to proceed.

Dairy products, especially cheese and yogurt, were found to protect against death from any cause, according to new research.

Scientists Find Enzyme That Could Help Create Universal Blood Type.

Some restaurants are banning cell use at their tables.

“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” -- Elbert Hubbard

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

And another day of straight up racism, GOP desperation, and targeted ‘gay cure’ advertisements on Facebook comes to a close:

“You said never to grow old, but you forgot to tell me how. You said never to grow old, and then sank your teeth, into those final feet.” -- Cowboy Junkies

Fresh off his victory in the Florida Republican gubernatorial primary, Rep. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that voters would "monkey this up" if they elected his African-American opponent, Andrew Gillum, to be governor. We must never tolerate racism—among each other, and certainly not in our elected officials. Ron DeSantis is a horrible person.

Andrew Gillum's Democratic primary victory sets up a race between a young, black progressive with an aspirational working-class message, and Republican Ron DeSantis, who has staked his political career on his ties to President Trump. Choose wisely Florida. You deserve better than what Ron DeSantis is offering. 

The Texas GOP tried to make Beto O’Rourke look like a drunk punk kid. It backfired.

A week before his confirmation hearing, the record on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s possible involvement in some of the Bush administration’s most abusive policies and programs is woefully incomplete.

Poll: millennials prefer a Democratic Congress, but just over half plan to vote in the midterms. Millennials preferring Democrats to Republicans won’t matter if they don’t show up to the polls in November. Not voting for the Democrat is a vote for the Republican. Vote!

A toddler who came across the border with her mother seeking asylum died after receiving inadequate medical care in ICE custody, according to lawyers for the mother.

The teacher strikes spreading across Washington state have forced 7 school districts to miss their first day of school, and unless Seattle officials find a resolution soon, more than 53,000 students in the state's largest district could miss school indefinitely.

The New York Times just revealed Betsy DeVos’ plan to let colleges off the hook for sexual assault.

Facebook accused of targeting young LGBT users with 'gay cure' adverts.

Several Women Say Airlines Don't Do Enough To Protect Them From Men Who Masturbate On Flights.

Catholic cardinal calls on Pope Francis to step down over alleged sex abuse coverup.

New research suggests that one night of heavy drinking may continue to impair your brain function for a day or more.

The 20-hour flight is coming—and with it the possibility of a gym, bunks and child care in the air.

Did Scientists Actually Spot Evidence Of Another Universe?

A sex doll 'brothel' is opening up in Toronto next month.

“Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.” -- E. B. White

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

And another day of meltdowns, fear mongering, compassion, and several things with The Lone Star state, comes to a close:

“The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” -- Confucius

Bruce Ohr Fought Russian Organized Crime. Now He’s a Target of Trump. Trump’s loyalty is to Putin. You know it’s true.

Trump has a morning meltdown. “Rigged,” “illegal,” were words he used when he didn’t like the search results he got back after he (or someone) did a Google search on his name. Of course he provided no evidence. He never does. He is such a pathetic excuse for a human.

White House looking into whether Google searches should be regulated to ensure it captures more conservative content. And the move toward authoritarianism creeps along. Hopefully this is all just bullshit bluster because Trump is such a small man, but keep your eyes open.

Trump's anti-Google tweets show that he doesn't know how the internet works. He doesn’t know how anything works.

Trump told Christian leaders they were “one election away from losing everything.” He went on to say their opponents were “violent people” who would overturn these [conservative] gains “violently.” Fear-mongering at its finest. Donald Trump is a horrible person.

Key Paul Manafort Banker Robbed of iPad, Briefcase in Mysterious Overnight Break-in at His NYC Penthouse.

Mollie Tibbetts' funeral doused outrage with compassion, and fiery voices stayed mum. “Goodness and compassion — that was the message delivered during Mollie Tibbetts’ funeral. It was a message that didn’t receive near the attention that followed news of her fate or the identity of her alleged killer. It’s possible you didn’t even know the funeral happened. I thought you should.”

Federal court, once again, rules North Carolina’s GOP-gerrymandered congressional districts are unconstitutional.

Beto O'Rourke Gets Best Polling News This Year. He’s pulled within one point of Ted Cruz. Vote Beto, Texas. Cruz has screwed you—and the rest of the country—for far too long.

Texas--Where you can get five years in prison...for voting. Mason, a 43-year-old mother of three, has been sentenced to five years in Texas state penitentiary – with extra time pending in federal lock-up. All because she committed the crime of voting. Yes, she’s black. Yes, there’s more to the story. Yes, Texas’s strict law is absurd. Make sure to read the double standard about a white male judge in Tarrant County that forged many signatures as he sought re-election. He was only given probation.

Nevada is poised to make history. There’s Never Been a Majority-Female Statehouse. Nevada May Change That.

Majorities of Republicans say major technology companies favor the views of liberals over conservatives and that social media platforms censor political viewpoints they find objectionable. Whatever.

Rick and Ann Scott’s financial trail leads to Cayman Islands tax haven. Rick Scott is a horrible person.

Former Texas police officer found guilty of murder in 2017 shooting of unarmed African-American teenager Jordan Edwards.

The police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man in Tulsa now teaches a course on how other cops can 'survive' controversial shootings. Um...wtf?

Judge blocks Trump administration from allowing Texas company to post online plans for printing untraceable 3D guns.

Texan says he's selling 3D-printed gun plans, despite ruling.

A Texas man is accused of shooting female drivers because he thinks they’re “incompetent”.

9-year-old boy who killed himself last week endured bullying after coming out as gay. “My son told my daughter the kids at school told him to kill himself,” his mom said. On the fourth day of school, he did just that.

California scraps cash bail in move touted as economic fairness.

New study estimates Hurricane Maria caused 2,975 deaths in Puerto Rico -- a drastically higher number than the initial government report of 64 dead.

STDs on the rise: Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia all increased in 2017, making it the fourth straight year in which STD infections continued to rise.

Republicans claimed Medicaid made the opioid epidemic worse. A new study proves them wrong. In fact, the study suggests that the Medicaid expansion may be a tool in the fight against the opioid crisis. Republicans wrong? Lying? Shocking, I know.

Walt Disney World's union won the fight to raise their minimum wage to $15.

Dangerously horny dolphin ruins swimming for French town.

“Rational thought will always trump medieval dogma.” -- Homer Hickam

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, August 27, 2018

And another day of shootings, Archbishops, nuns, and God comes to a close:

“Dear God, hope you got the letter.” -- XTC

In a letter read by a longtime aide, Sen. John McCain urged Americans to unite around the ideals that connect them rather than focus on divisions. He also pointedly asked Americans to tear down walls rather than build them.

Here’s House Republicans’ list of all the Trump scandals they’re covering up. It’s not a short list. Jonathan Swan at Axios reports that a “senior House Republicans office” has compiled a spreadsheet of all the things they believe House Democrats will investigate if they win a majority in November — and they are terrified of what these inquiries might turn up.

Archbishop Viganò testifies about corruption and cover up. Pope Francis knew.

Former top Vatican official says pope should resign over abuse crisis.

Nuns Killed Children, Say Former Residents Of St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage. But for all these revelations — including this month’s Pennsylvania grand jury report on how the church hid the crimes of hundreds of priests — a darker history, the one to which Sally’s story belongs, remains all but unknown. It is the history of unrelenting physical and psychological abuse of captive children. Across thousands of miles, across decades, the abuse took eerily similar forms: People who grew up in orphanages said they were made to kneel or stand for hours, sometimes with their arms straight out, sometimes holding their boots or some other item. They were forced to eat their own vomit. They were dangled upside down out windows, over wells, or in laundry chutes. Children were locked in cabinets, in closets, in attics, sometimes for days, sometimes so long they were forgotten. They were told their relatives didn’t want them, or they were permanently separated from their siblings. They were sexually abused. They were mutilated. Darkest of all, it is a history of children who entered orphanages but did not leave them alive. Wow. Just...holy fuck, wow. This is amazingly horrifying. If these are people of “God” then God is not worth having faith in. This one could haunt for awhile. Fuck.

A retiring Roman Catholic bishop is moving into a 3,300-square-foot, $2.3 million home in California's Silicon Valley, paid for with funds from his diocese. Obscene. Oh yeah, seems churches should be taxed.

Gunman kills two, wounds several others at video game tournament in Florida. Then kills himself.

After Sandy Hook, we said never again. Then we let 1,822 mass shootings happen.

Millions of Texas voter records have apparently leaked online, thanks to an unprotected server. The data — a single file containing an estimated 14.8 million records — was left on an unsecured server without a password. Texas has 19.3 million registered voters.

States split in taking action to combat sexual misconduct.

Give your kid a secret code to help them get out of sticky situations.

“All religion, my friend, is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination, and poetry.” -- Edgar Allan Poe

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

And another day where we lose one of the last remaining members of Congress that represented how the Republican Party used to be comes to a devastating close:

"I hate to leave it. But I don't have a complaint. Not one. It's been quite a ride. I've known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make a peace.” — John McCain

After more than 30 years in the Senate, John McCain has died. He was a politician unlike any other. Fuck cancer.

Ex-Trump World Tower doorman releases 'catch-and-kill' contract about alleged Trump affair which resulted in a child.

Trump met with promoter of "QAnon" conspiracy theory in Oval Office.

Trump sends condolences to McCain’s family, says nothing about late senator. Trump is an asshole.

Trump cuts more than $200 million in U.S. aid to Palestinians.

A black woman shot and killed her abusive husband in a “stand your ground” state. Now she faces murder charges despite a history of domestic violence, including a 2016 order of protection filed against her husband because he punched her in the face repeatedly. She says her estranged husband was charging at her.

2017 was a great year for CEOs. Not so much for the average worker.

Serena Williams won't be allowed to wear a compression bodysuit designed to prevent blood clots (an ongoing medical issue for her) at future French Opens because the French Tennis Federation president says "one must respect the game and the place." Bernard Giudicelli is a horrible person.

"Concussion" doctor says kids shouldn't play these sports until they're 18.

When students were bullied because of dirty clothes, this principal installed a free laundromat at their school.

RIP John McCain. He was 81.

"I hope those who mourn my passing, and even those who don't, will celebrate as I celebrate a happy life lived in imperfect service to a country made of ideals, whose continued success is the hope of the world." -- John McCain

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.