Is someone trying to tell me something?

from Alan Levenson on Facebook, from TCS Confessions

Today's news round-up--Nothing very good

Bad News

• Putin bans rallies in Sochi near the 2014 Olympics Putin is a tyrant. It doesn't matter if he was elected by the people.
• Possible closure of Ohio clinic shows new tactic in U.S. abortion clash

Mixed News

• Beating Death of Transgender Woman Is Investigated as Hate Crime The murder was bad, of course, but it's good that it is being investigated as a possible hate crime. All killings of transgender people should be investigated as hate crimes, because a good majority of them are just that.

Plat du jour

Animal headline of the day

Wildebeest gores zookeeper at Utah amusement park

Now that's big gnus!

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Historic train reopens in scenic California redwoods after tunnel collapse I road this train some 30 years ago.
• NYPD faces prospect of 2 new, separate watchdogs
• Despite odds, Calif. city becomes 2 newspaper town
• The Defund Obamacare Movement Falls on Hard Times
• Pa. Judge's Order Likely to Bar ID Enforcement
• In Georgia's Senate race, signs of GOP unease about tea party clout
• Israeli Defense Forces will allow a transgender woman to serve in the army as a female soldier 
• Breakthrough for Transgender Students' Rights in California
• Bar association votes to curtail 'gay panic' defense

Bad News

• Lawyer: Cleric cleared in Pakistan blasphemy case