Sunday, September 30, 2018

And another day of a sham of an investigation getting orders from a sham of an administration comes a close:

“Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.” -- Charles de Gaulle

The resistance to Donald Trump is not what you think. There is no unified, hierarchical group on the periphery trying to overthrow the U.S. government. There are only regular people, in every city, hoping for better, and trying to rescue the America they once knew. “Everything sounds confusing when you listen for a coherent message, and what you hear instead is an anguished cry. But at least that cry is honest. That cry means people still care. The worst sound, these days, is silence.” Sarah Kendzior’s piece is the must-read article of the day.

White House limits scope of the FBI's investigation into the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. The FBI has not been permitted to investigate the claims of Julie Swetnick, a White House official confirmed to NBC News. They have given the FBI a list of witnesses they are allowed to interview. WTF? They are so terrified of the truth getting out. I’ll say it again: Brett Kavanaugh is a horrible person.

Brett Kavanaugh’s attack on Democrats poses risk to Supreme Court.

Sen. Mazie Hirono said Brett Kavanaugh revealed he is not able to be a "nonpartisan" judge through his "bizarre" claim in his testimony last week that he is the victim of a Democratic "conspiracy to do him in."

Lindsey Graham said he will call for an investigation into Democrats' involvement in a "despicable process" leading up to Christine Blasey Ford's testimony. Lindsey Graham is a horrible person who is acting like he is being blackmailed by Trump.

ACLU breaks nonpartisan tradition by opposing Brett Kavanaugh. Fourth time they’ve done so in 98 years.

Kavanaugh, who said he had “no connections to Yale” before attending, was in reality a legacy student.

While Republicans work furiously to salvage Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, there’s another position he may be struggling to hold on to: lecturer at Harvard Law School.

A former Yale University classmate of Brett Kavanaugh’s says he is ‘‘deeply troubled’’ by what he says has been a blatant mischaracterization by Kavanaugh of his drinking at Yale.

Trump's immigration policies have especially affected women and domestic violence victims. Well, he does view immigrants and women as “lesser” than himself.

US officials say stricter Trump administration immigration policies have stymied Pentagon plans to restart a program that allowed thousands of people with critical skills to join the military and become American citizens.

Cristiano Ronaldo denies rape claim as 'fake news'. But the lawsuit also accuses him and his team of coercing her into settlement that silenced her.

Jerry Brown signs California law banning gun sales to most under 21.

Nobel Prize panel faces questions about why so few women have won; critics suggest gender bias in the nomination process.

Indonesia earthquake, tsunami death toll rises to 832.

Trump administration sues California over new law imposing net neutrality protections. So much for the GOP being all about “state’s rights.”

Elon Musk resigns as Tesla chairman, must pay $20 million fine in SEC settlement over catastrophic "420" tweet.

For the first time, scientists prove human activity is the top cause of warming Antarctic waters.

Two-thirds of Americans say the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of global climate change.

The end of HIV transmission may be within reach.

“Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity.” -- Albert Einstein

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, September 28, 2018

And another day that proves we really need to just vote out old Republican white men comes to a close:

“Moments of crisis don’t test your character; they reveal it.” -- Anonymous

He let his anger flare, interrupted his questioners and wept. She sought to present herself as cooperative and respectful. The Kavanaugh-Ford hearing provided a tutorial on gender roles and stereotypes.

We should never accept someone on the Supreme Court who acts like Kavanaugh did during his hearing. Kavanaugh is a horrible person who has always relished his privileged life and elite standing. He thinks he’s better than you and I. Is your self-esteem so low you approve of such a man?

The FBI will investigate sexual misconduct accusations against Brett Kavanaugh.

Brett Kavanaugh friend Mark Judge will cooperate with law enforcement investigation.

World media rip Kavanaugh hearing 'spectacle'. "Millions of Americans could follow live something that looked like a search for truth, but only on the surface. ... Power and the fear of losing it were the motivations for the spectacle..."

Brett Kavanaugh's highly partisan opening statement during Thursday's hearing shattered a longstanding norm of judges defending their records without wearing their party affiliation on their sleeves.

GoFundMe campaigns to support Dr. Christine Blasey Ford raise more than $700,000.

American Bar Association urges Senate to delay Kavanaugh vote.

“An FBI investigation is fine and may help develop a factual record. But we don’t need any kind of investigation to know that Kavanaugh’s open partisanship, flagrant disrespect, and basic dishonesty yesterday disqualified him from ever serving on the Supreme Court.” -- Susan Hennessey

"Is there any wonder why we're so frustrated and tuned out of our politics? When a huge chunk of the population sits out of the process, why are we surprised when our politics don't reflect our values?" -- Michelle Obama

George W. Bush called undecided senators to sway them to vote for Kavanaugh. In case you were thinking Bush was not a horrible person.

Federal judge rules congressional Democrats have standing to sue Pres. Trump for allegedly violating emoluments clause.

A woman who said she was inspired by Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony accused a prominent Washington state senator of raping her in 2007.

China challenges President Donald Trump saying it will not be "blackmailed" on trade.

A jury ruling that the Jehovah's Witnesses must pay $35,000,000 to a woman who says the church covered up her childhood sexual abuse puts a rare public spotlight on the normally insular religious organization, experts say.

In the last 40 years, prison populations across the US have skyrocketed. But Arizona has been an outlier. While the national prison population quadrupled, Arizona's prison population grew 12X larger. This is what Arizona's imprisonment crisis looks like.

U.S. slipping further behind other nations in backing education, health care. The two things Republicans don’t give a shit about.

Facebook announced that up to 50 million accounts were breached in a security flaw exploited by hackers.

This is the biggest hack Facebook has seen since Cambridge Analytica.

California tells automakers they must still comply with the state’s strict vehicle mileage standards even if Trump rolls back federal rules.

Report offers disturbing new details on deadly bleeding outbreak linked to synthetic cannabis.

New trial ordered in "Stairway to Heaven" copyright lawsuit.

“Democracy requires an informed citizenry able to question its government.” -- Richard N. Haass

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

And another day of gang rapes, more accusations, an insane press conference, and maybe a bad past, (who knows?) comes to crazy close:

"I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school," Christine Blasey Ford writes in her opening statement.

Christine Blasey Ford's legal team releases polygraph results amid new allegations.

Senate Judiciary Committee asked Kavanaugh about 2 new claims of sexual assault. Investigators with the Senate Judiciary Committee asked Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh about two previously undisclosed accusations of sexual misconduct during a phone call Tuesday, according to a transcript of the call released Wednesday night.

Now, it could be the GOP is releasing these allegations just to confuse the public and make it seem all allegations are frivolous. Keep watching.

Things have changed since the 1700’s. Yes, we’d reject George Washington’s nomination today since he was a slave owner and colonizer. The world doesn’t stand still, Donnie. And time doesn’t give a shit about your feelings.

Kavanaugh accuser Ford provides four sworn declarations supporting her allegation.

No, Donnie, they were really laughing at you. It’s individuals who are morally bankrupt that laugh with you.

Third accuser Julie Swetnick alleges Kavanaugh was present at 1982 party where she was gang raped. “But she said she witnessed efforts by Kavanaugh, his friend Mark Judge and others to get girls “inebriated and disoriented so they could then be ‘gang raped’ in a side room or bedroom by a ‘train’ of numerous boys.”

New calls to impeach Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas after second woman accuses him of sexual harassment.

Even famous people can be assholes, Donnie.

Trump confirmed that he had refused to meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, accusing Canada of treating the United States "very badly". See?

Trump accused China of trying to interfere in upcoming U.S. midterm elections because of his hardline trade policies. He offered no details or proof to support his claim.

A 27-year-old Chinese national was arrested in Chicago Tuesday for allegedly spying on behalf of Beijing.

U.S. farmers will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from Pres. Trump's trade disputes with China.

“Necessity is the mother of taking chances.” -- Mark Twain

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

And another day of prosecutors, lies, and laughter comes to a close:

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” -- Malcolm X

GOP bringing in Arizona prosecutor Rachel Mitchell to handle questioning during Senate hearing for Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford.

The toughest challenge facing Brett Kavanaugh when he appears at a Senate hearing about allegations of a decades-old sexual assault may be reconciling the two starkly different depictions of his high school and college years, both of which came from him. Kavanaugh is a liar.

UN members laughed during President Trump's #UNGA speech and these experts think the President likely was seething: "One of the phrases to watch for when you're looking at Donald Trump is 'that's okay.' When he says 'that's OK,' he's burning up inside."

Judge cites Donald Trump's vulgar comment about African countries during a hearing over the president's plan to end a program that lets immigrants from four countries live and work in the US.

"Nationalism always leads to defeat." French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a fiery rebuke of US policies under Trump at the UN General Assembly, signaling that he is ready to take up the mantle of global leadership usually assumed by a US leader. Nationalism is a cancer.

Is The Record Number Of Women Candidates A 2018 Blip — Or A Lasting Trend?

Texas is as politically divided as the rest of the U.S.—crackpots have fed its reputation for retrograde thinking. With right-wing zealots taking over the legislature even as the state’s demographics shift leftward, Texas has become the nation’s bellwether.

Alaska's governor is vowing to change laws after a man choked a woman in a sexual attack and got no time behind bars. Victims' advocates are trying to oust the judge.

Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison for sex assault.

Twitter releases new policy to ban dehumanizing speech.

“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” -- Bernard Williams

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, September 24, 2018

And another day of irritating stuff comes to a close:

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” -- Robert H. Schuller

Based on Trump’s track record, if he says someone is a terrific person, then that person isn’t.

“The strategy was to try and do something really big.” So they did.

Kavanaugh faces more allegations. We’re up to four, but you know, the day is still early.

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's Yale roommate says he believes second accuser.

Amnesty International calls to halt Kavanaugh nomination. The human rights organization wrote in a Monday letter that Kavanaugh might have been involved "in issues related to torture and rendition after 9/11."

Mitch McConnell is a horrible person.

Calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline spiked last weekend while more Kavanaugh news broke.

Outrage in Alaska after judge sentences no jail time to man who pleaded guilty to felony assault.

Trump says no statehood for Puerto Rico with critics in office. Because he is a tiny, tiny man.

U.S. accuses Myanmar military of 'planned and coordinated' Rohingya atrocities.

John Hancock, one of the oldest and largest North American life insurers, will stop underwriting traditional life insurance and instead sell only interactive policies that track fitness and health data through wearable devices and smartphones. Like no one saw this coming.

Three people whose legs were paralyzed for years can stand and take steps again thanks to this treatment.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -- Milton Berle

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

And another day of accusations, denials, and cannabis comes to a close:

“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” -- Duke Ellington

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is planning to give the Senate Judiciary Committee calendars from his high school years his legal team argues will back up his denial of sexual misconduct allegations, The New York Times reported on Sunday. Seriously, this is just fucking hysterical. Nevermind the fact that someone who wants to be a Supreme Court Justice believes showing a “calendar” will exonerate him. Sheesh.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says he is “not going to ruin” Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s life over Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation. It seems her coming forward has already ruined her life. That should tell you something.

Trump unleashes on Kavanaugh accuser. This is not surprising. He desperately needs Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court.

After Trump’s insensitive tweet, women respond as to why people don’t report sexual assaults. And if you don’t think this shit goes on, then you live a very privileged life and your opinion doesn’t mean shit.

Young people listening to the news right now are learning whether adults in power will take claims of sexual violation seriously, and whether speaking up results in harsher consequences for survivors or for those accused.

A man in Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman who said he strangled her unconscious and sexually assaulted her. The man then walked out of court with no prison sentence.

Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has denied an allegation made by a second woman accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior.

Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump, and the larger crisis of elite impunity in the United States. The elite are somehow frequently allowed to play by different rules.

Trump Campaign Aide Jason Miller Exits CNN Analyst Job After Accusations. Supposedly, Miller had an affair with a woman and when she later found out she was pregnant, Miller “surreptitiously dosed her with an abortion pill without her knowledge,” leading to the end of the pregnancy. Trump always hires the best.

Michael Cohen spoke to Mueller team for hours; asked about Russia, possible collusion.

Trump has so far appointed relatively young judges to the appeals courts. These are lifetime posts, so their impact could be felt for decades.

3-D gun advocate accused of paying for sex with underage girl back in Texas after arrest in Taipei.

The numbers of U.S. priests and seminarians have been plummeting for decades, and it's not just because of the church's sexual abuse scandals.

Judge rules a California kindergartner can keep bringing a cannabis-based drug used for emergency treatment of a rare form of epilepsy to her public school.

As Coca-Cola considers cannabis drinks, hopes for CBD are still higher than the science.

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” -- James Humes

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

And another day of “bullshit,” walls, and a moron comes to a close:

“That is such bullshit.” -- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)

President Trump questions why Brett Kavanaugh's accuser Christine Blasey Ford didn't call the FBI after the alleged assault. Because he’s a fucking moron.

Harvard Law students want school to stop letting Kavanaugh teach unless he faces investigation. Brett Kavanaugh is a horrible person.

There have been 263 days in 2018 — and 262 mass shootings in America.

Feinstein’s office receiving ‘threats of bodily and sexual harm against staff’. Because that’s where we are in this country.

The Trump administration moves $260 million from cancer research and HIV/AIDS prevention to cover the rising cost of housing immigrant children in their custody. Of course they did. They made this mess happen.

Trump suggested Spain build a wall across African Sahara to stop migrants, minister says. As I said, he’s a fucking moron.

Coca-Cola, Walmart and other big multinationals pledge to help reduce plastic pollution in the world's ocean.

This August was the fourth hottest on record, resulting in both drought and extreme flooding across the globe.

Number of Americans with Alzheimer's expected to soar in coming decades.

Everyone knows that what you eat can impact your waistline and your overall health, but emerging research now suggests that when you eat can also play a role. “The evidence suggests that our bodies may do best when we eat more in the morning than at night, a pattern that’s vastly different from how most Americans eat.”

558m-year-old fossils identified as oldest known animal.

“I am patient with stupidity, but not with those who are proud of it.” -- Edith Sitwell

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

Until next time, my friends. Good night.