Good News
4 days ago
Friday, May 03, 2013
Big rubber ducky!
Giant rubber duck makes splash in Hong Kong harbor
I wish it would come to NYC.
 |
| Associated Press Photo by Vincent Yu |
I wish it would come to NYC.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- FDA lowers age for buyers of Plan B pill to 15 However: FDA appeals making 'morning-after' pill available to all ages
- State mandates health insurance for transgender patients
Bad News
- Koch Brothers Plan More Political Involvement for Their Conservative Network
- 5-year-old boy shoots 2-year-old sister in Ky. They make child-sized guns colored like toys? And the parents leave it in a corner?
Sort of Good, Sort of Bad, News
- Colorado ushers in new law with midnight unions Civil unions are a step in the right direction, but it's not marriage.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Semi-random thoughts
- I'm beginning to think that "ex-dominatrix" describes a significant percentage of the women in New York City.
- At the writing of this all the continents save Antarctica are represented on my recent visitors map.
- I'm always amused to get e-mails that start off "Dear [FirstName]."
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Philadelphia city council passes LGBT equality bill, first in the nation
- Catholic High School Allows Male Couple to Attend Dance
- Tax cheats pony up $5.5 billion in amnesty program
- Finest Hour: Churchill to be on UK bank note
- Dutch Man Said to Be Held in Powerful Internet Attack More and more of these "hacktivists" are getting caught.
- NY court: Lousy workers deserve fair workplace too Technically this is a not a NY court. It is a Federal court located in NY.
Bad News
- Wikileaks suspect named SF Pride parade marshal Innocent or guilty, Manning is not deserving of this recognition. UPDATE: WikiLeaks suspect won't be SF Pride parade marshal
- Court denies Pussy Riot convict parole
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Don't be smart in Mississippi
Charges dropped against man in ricin letters case
I am intrigued by the last sentence:
I am intrigued by the last sentence:
"Dutschke said the last contact they had was in 2010 when Dutschke threatened to sue Curtis for saying he was a member of Mensa, a membership group for people with high IQs."I guess in Mississippi saying that someone is smart is defamatory.
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Sweden Adopts a Gender-Neutral Pronoun
- "Penmanship" is now 'handwriting' as Washington state removes gender bias in statutes
- France legalizes gay marriage after harsh debate
- Justices say marijuana possession not a deportable offense
- Senate confirms gay man to Air Force's No. 2 civilian post
Bad News
Monday, April 22, 2013
Yawn headline of the day
Boston bombing suspects did not have valid handgun licenses
Will the next article about them be "Boston bombing suspects jaywalked to set bombs?"
Will the next article about them be "Boston bombing suspects jaywalked to set bombs?"
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
Bad News
Half Good, Half Bad, News
- Activists cheer as Montana formally decriminalizes gay sex
- Hundreds celebrate at New Zealand’s Parliament as lawmakers approve gay-marriage bill
Bad News
Half Good, Half Bad, News
- Boy Scouts proposal: let in gay youth, keep out gay adults If they think this will make their problem go away, they're wrong.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Judge holds self in contempt for his smartphone I'd vote for him.
- Judge rules in favor of lesbians suing Hawaii B&B
- A Missouri School Trains Its Teachers to Carry Guns, and Most Parents Approve I wonder how many of those parents will approve when kids start getting accidentally shot with teachers' guns.
- Pianist’s Posts on Twitter Spur Penalty From Turkey Unfortunately Turkey's idea of freedom of speech is not as broad as the U.S.'s.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Mother of 3-year-old injured by bobcat at Carlsbad zoo facing child abuse charges She didn't know what a barrier was? She is incompetent to be in charge of children.
- Rick Ross apologizes for pro-rape lyrics It's about time. I signed one of the petitions the article mentioned. But I have to wonder about his statement that using date-rape drugs "is not only a crime, it's wrong." He seems to be implying that some? many? criminal acts are not wrong.
- Abstinence presentation causes stir at GW (Also this, though I'm sometimes skeptical of this news source.) It's good to know there are kids who are smart enough to see through one-sided propaganda in their schools, and brave enough to try to do something about it.
- BBC in hot seat as anti-Thatcher song climbs chart
- French Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill
- Rare Accord in Gun Debate on Fixes to Mental Health System I hope this will reduce the number of mentally ill people who become homeless because they're not getting treatment.
- Alabama governor signs law tightening rules for abortion clinics
- 6-Year-Old Shot by Playmate, 4, in Critical Condition I tend to doubt the 4-year-old loaded the gun by him- or herself. A gun in a home, especially one with children, is extremely dangerous. UPDATE: 6-year-old boy dies after NJ accidental shooting
- Emirates’ Laws Trap a Doctor Just Passing Through One more reason not to fly on Emirates Airlines. I don't care how good their service is.
- Virginia becomes latest state to tighten abortion rules
- Republicans approve resolution reaffirming opposition to gay marriage It's bad that anyone is opposed to marriage equality, but it's good that the Republicans are continuing a position that will lose them more and more votes.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Bad headline of the day
Police discover hidden underground tunnels used by the homeless
Underground tunnels? Aren't all tunnels underground by definition?
Underground tunnels? Aren't all tunnels underground by definition?
Monday, April 08, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Officials: Hagel pushes conviction reversal change
- Sen. Tim Johnson Flips on Same-Sex Marriage, Leaving 3 Dems Alone
- Cablevision Illegally Discouraged Workers From Unionizing, N.L.R.B. Says Good ruling.
- Harder Gifted and Talented Tests Netted Fewer Kids With Top Score I have posted about this before.
- Annette Funicello, Mouseketeer and film star, dies My first crush.
- 1 in 9 middle and high schoolers suspended during school year I'm sure zero-tolerance policies have a great deal to do with this.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- U.S. judge widens 'morning-after' pill access for young girls
- Food workers fired as Mass. students denied lunch This is the first "zero tolerance" policy I've ever approved of.
- Rutgers athletic director resigns over coach abuse scandal
Monday, April 01, 2013
Today's new round-up
Good News
- India study says sex attacks scared off tourists Maybe the Indian authorities will wake up and do something about these attacks.
My tenth warning about Walmart
San Jose: Driver attacks Walmart shoppers after crashing into store, police say
Walmart is a dangerous place, even the parking lot. That's two in a row there. So stay away from the whole place.
Walmart is a dangerous place, even the parking lot. That's two in a row there. So stay away from the whole place.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Dr. Ben Carson, GOP Hero, Exiled by His Own Medical School Let's hear it for the Johns Hopkins medical students.
- Egypt Orders Arrest of Satirist Over Skits on Islam and Morsi How is this better than when Mubarak ran things?
- Judge Dismisses Suit Over Steel Cross at 9/11 Museum
- KY Lawmakers Override Governor’s Veto Of Anti-Gay “Religious Freedoms” Bill
Friday, March 29, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
Bad News
Bad News
- Group plans free shotgun give-away to boost safety in Tucson I doubt there will be much of a decrease in crime, if there's any at all. What I'm sure of is that there will be a increase in accidental shootings and possibly suicides with these guns.
- Ohio landlord again accused of spanking Assuming the allegation is true, this guy is a sadist or an idiot. Maybe both.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
More bullets fly at Walmart
Man accused of bagging buck from Walmart parking lot
This is my ninth warning about Walmart. It's a dangerous place. Stay away.
This is my ninth warning about Walmart. It's a dangerous place. Stay away.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Revenge!
As I noted a couple days ago, my Wisconsin Badgers were bounced out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament by Mississippi, and I wanted revenge. Tonight I got it, as Mississippi was defeated by La Salle.
I will also note that four of the teams that made to the Sweet 16 are from the Big Ten. We play in the toughest league in the country.
And by the way, the Wisconsin men's hockey team won the WCHA tournament, assuring them a place is NCAA championship. On, Wisconsin!
I will also note that four of the teams that made to the Sweet 16 are from the Big Ten. We play in the toughest league in the country.
And by the way, the Wisconsin men's hockey team won the WCHA tournament, assuring them a place is NCAA championship. On, Wisconsin!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Chipotle Cancels Sponsorship of Utah Boy Scouts Event
- Starbucks CEO: If You Don’t Like Marriage Equality, Feel Free To Sell Your Starbucks Stock
- ‘Show me your papers’ — before you pee
- Teenager Mistakes Little Brother for Intruder, Shoots Him A gun in the home is much more likely to kill or injure someone who lives there than an intruder.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Chris Christie Comes Out Against Gay Conversion Therapy
- Israel PM apologies for Gaza flotilla deaths
- North Dakota comes closer to ‘personhood’ amendment outlawing abortion I believe this would be unconstitutional, unless Roe v Wade is reversed.
- Obama withdraws Halligan nomination for D.C. circuit court
Semi-random thoughts
- I did not name my blog after the bowling team in this TV show: ‘Mary Tyler Moore’ Historic Reunion on ‘Hot in Cleveland’. And I sort of doubt they named the team after my blog.
- My college basketball team, the Wisconsin Badgers, just got upset in their opening game of the national championship tournament. My choice, when this kind of thing happens, is either to want revenge, hoping that their opponents lose badly in their next game, or hoping that their opponents keep winning, showing we lost to a superior team. Since I don't think Mississippi is a superior team (we lost because we shot very poorly), this time I'll go for revenge.
- The Tonight Show will be returning to New York. For many years I was a pretty regular viewer, even more so after I got my first VCR in 1976, so I didn't have to stay up until 1 am to see the whole thing. I always thought it lost something when it moved to California. The big name guests stayed pretty much the same, but the lesser-known ones changed. Instead of witty Broadway actors we got television actors whose main attraction was how good they looked (Here's a dirty little secret: a lot of Broadway actors, including those in the chorus, are not all that good-looking--heavy stage make-up, and the fact that there are no close-ups, lets them get away with it).
It will be interesting to see if Fallon can bring back the old vibe. I've seen his show a few times, and he might be able to do it.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Texas bill would require DNA testing before death-penalty trials Sounds like a good idea to me.
- Pakistan Arrests Militant Suspected in Daniel Pearl Killing
- Pakistani girl shot by Taliban returns to school
- Experts: Chances of recovering Boston art good I've been to the museum a few times, and have seen the empty frames, still mounted on the walls.
Another shooting at Walmart
Police: Double Amputee Shoots Walmart Manager For Asking Him To Put Leash On Service Dog
This is my eighth warning about the dangers of shopping at Walmart.
This is my eighth warning about the dangers of shopping at Walmart.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- CNN criticized for Steubenville verdict coverage
- Fire Commissioner’s Son Resigns After Offensive Twitter Posts Surface
- Judge overturns Mo. law on birth control coverage
- Minnesota woman loses music downloading appeal While I am a strong supporter of copyrights and intellectual property in general, these arbitrary six figure penalties for a non-commercial violation by a consumer are totally out of proportion.
- In Some States, Gun Rights Trump Orders of Protection
- Most Americans think Iraq War was a mistake: Poll 53% is hardly "most"--especially with a ±4% margin of error. The poll actually showed very little difference in support between the Iraq and the Afghanistan wars.
- Argentina asks pope to help on Falklands dispute Britain stopped caring about what the pope thinks several hundred years ago.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- Republican senator with gay son now backs gay marriage
- Judge: Secret FBI letters are unconstitutional It's only a district court decision, and it probably will be overturned, but at least someone recognizes that trading our freedoms for what is likely a false sense of security is no bargain.
- Colorado approves universal background checks for gun purchases
Bad News
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- U.S. public transportation surges as Americans return to work
- Colorado lawmakers approve bill for same-sex civil unions It's a step towards marriage equality.
Amtrak improves--slightly
For years I have been complaining about Amtrak's failure to properly inform ticket holders about changes in the trains' schedules. They have now improved things--a bit. I got an email from them with my e-ticket (a recent innovation) attached. I found this puzzling, because I had already gotten my e-ticket when I purchased my ticket, weeks before. Then I noticed that my return train was leaving 20 minutes earlier than originally.
There was nothing explicit in the e-mail about a change in schedule. Fortunately I remembered when my train was supposed to leave, and noticed the change. They really should have titled the e-mail "SCHEDULE CHANGE."
Well, at least they are now communicating something, which is more than they did before.
UPDATE (April 8): Amtrak is now doing it right, if slowly. I just received an e-mail from them detailing the schedule change.
There was nothing explicit in the e-mail about a change in schedule. Fortunately I remembered when my train was supposed to leave, and noticed the change. They really should have titled the e-mail "SCHEDULE CHANGE."
Well, at least they are now communicating something, which is more than they did before.
UPDATE (April 8): Amtrak is now doing it right, if slowly. I just received an e-mail from them detailing the schedule change.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- Independent RI governor considers joining Dems
- Christine Quinn launches campaign for NYC mayor She's my candidate. She's not perfect, but she's the best person for the job.
Bad News
- Mob in Pakistani city torches Christian homes
- Explosion Rips Through Mosque in Pakistan
- Colorado school officials decline mediation in transgender restroom dispute I know Michael Silverman, the Mathises' lawyer, and one of the private attorneys helping them pro bono.
- Neighborhoods Seek to Banish Sex Offenders by Building Parks First, these laws should only apply to those convicted of offenses against children, preferably children under the age of 16. Second, I would require all municpalities have places where such offenders are allowed to live, with enough room to house all of the offenders who were living there at the time of their arrests.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Star Wars: Carrie Fisher Says She's Returning For Episode VII
- To Place Graduates, Law Schools Are Opening Firms When I went to law school, most of the faculty did everything it could to discourage practical training, despite its great popularity among the students. I'm glad law schools have gotten away from that.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
It's so much fun to watch Republicans attack each other
Disgraced Ex-Congressman Attacks John Boehner in New Book
Back in 2006, I blogged a few times about Ney's downfall.
Back in 2006, I blogged a few times about Ney's downfall.
My seventh warning about Walmart
I've said it before, Walmart is a dangerous place.
Customer Pulls Out Gun After Walmart Employee Refuses Her Coupon
Customer Pulls Out Gun After Walmart Employee Refuses Her Coupon
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Monday, March 04, 2013
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Plat du jour
I kind of doubt the people at the North Carolina motor vehicles bureau realize the literal meaning.
From Wikipedia:
minchia [ˈmiŋkja]: the same meaning as cazzo but notably a feminine name, it originates from Sicilian language;[13] nowadays it is common anywhere in Italy, where [i]t is also used as exclamation of surprise, or even appreciation.
cazzo (pl. cazzi) [ˈkattso]: literally penis, can be used as an exclamation or for emphasis
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Multilingual Kerry charms French, German hosts
- Seth MacFarlane: 'No Way' I'll Host The Oscars Again! It's one thing for his adult cartoon characters to be sexist, etc. It's quite another thing for the host of the Oscars to disparage people that way.
- Fraternity raises money for member’s sexual reassignment surgery
- Kan. Supreme Court rules same-sex partners have parental rights
Monday, February 25, 2013
Football already?
I saw the score Cleveland 14, Oakland 10, and I immediately thought, football already? Then I thought, no, maybe there was a glitch and it was a score from last season.
But it was neither. It wasn't football at all. It was a preseason baseball game. I guess the pitchers aren't up to speed just yet.
But it was neither. It wasn't football at all. It was a preseason baseball game. I guess the pitchers aren't up to speed just yet.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Obama suggests he’s open to getting rid of the penny
- VA grants burial rights for same-sex Ore. couple
- France to return 7 paintings looted during WWII
- In Valentine vote, Illinois Senate approves gay marriage
- Widow Owes Rejected Adopted Daughter Millions, Court Rules
- Ohio mayor resigns after alleged anti-gay slurs
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Happy birthday Abe!
I remember when Lincoln's birthday was an official holiday. Then he got lumped in with Washington to make the Monday Presidents' Day.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Monday, February 04, 2013
West African thugs strike
Somalia-based ship hijacking has dwindled to almost nothing, as the counter-measures have proven effective. But west Africa has taken over as the biggest trouble spot.
Pirates Seize French-Owned Tanker and Hold 17 Aboard
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Malala Yousafzai speaks publicly for first time since Taliban shooting
- As Extremists Invaded, Timbuktu Hid Artifacts of a Golden Age
- McCain refers to Iran’s president as a ‘monkey’ Thank goodness McCain didn't become president.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- Nebraska Lt. Gov. Sheehy resigns from office Another Republican self-destructs.
- France's parliament approve gay marriage article
Bad News
Happy Groundhog Day!
Pa.'s Punxsutawney Phil predicts early spring
I sure hope he's right this year. It's been so cold the last year few days.
(Sorry. My brain froze.)
Friday, February 01, 2013
It's always something
My American Express card, the one I use the most, has been "compromised." Their fraud unit caught it immediately and they are sending me a new card overnight. But now I will have to change my card number on a bunch of places where I have automatic payments. What a pain.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Boy Scouts of America says discussing end to ban on gay members
- Federal appeals court reinstates prisoner's sex-change lawsuit
- Florida man accused of fraud after name change in 'act of love'
- Retailers may add surcharge in credit card transactions Fortunately I live in a state that prohibits these fees. But I'm going to have to be on the alert when I shop online.
- Widower sues airlines for obese wife's death abroad The airlines' actions contributed only a small fraction to the cause of her death.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- British Gov’t Considers Letting Gay Royals Marry, Inherit Throne
- US Military Building Space Robot to Recycle Satellites
Bad News
- Court says Obama recess appointments invalid The court prefers form to substance. The Senate was not actually in session.
- Russian MPs back 'gay propaganda' ban amid scuffles
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Whining about Facebook
There are two things I really wish I could eliminate from my Facebook feed:
- Pictures of people's pets
- Pictures with sayings on them
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
"Transphobic feminist" is an oxymoron. Spread the word.
The above is a quote by my friend Helen Boyd from her blog. She was posting a link to a story on the Jezebel website, "Transphobia Is a Goddamn Embarrassment to Us All," about the latest brouhaha in the feminist world in the UK.
Helen Boyd is very smart.
Helen Boyd is very smart.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Supreme Court sinks Florida city over floating home Not only is the ruling sensible, it's good to see the liberals and conservatives on the court agree on something.
- Woman becomes oldest to advance at Australian Open
- Transgender People in Sweden No Longer Face Forced Sterilization
- Oregon, California tell insurance companies to stop denying transgender health care
- British University Drops Uganda Ties in Dispute Over Gay Rights
- Psychiatrist who treated accused Colorado gunman sued over rampage If the doctor failed in her "duty to the public at large" then she should be disciplined by the state licensing authorities. The widow has no legal standing to sue her.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Dad charged with making terroristic threats after testing school’s safety system This guy's an idiot. The school acted correctly.
- Troops Discharged Under DADT Since 2004 To Receive Full Severance Pay
- Ugandan Anti-Gay Page Outing Citizens Removed By Facebook
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Headline of the day
Yahoo keeps changing the headline of this article. When I first saw it, it was:
Congress more popular than Ebola and the Kardashians
(Ebola and the Kardashians sounds like it should be the name of a rock group.)
Congress more popular than Ebola and the Kardashians
(Ebola and the Kardashians sounds like it should be the name of a rock group.)
Monday, January 07, 2013
Today's news round-up
Good News
The Supreme Court announced it would not hear challenges to several good lower court decisions:
The Supreme Court announced it would not hear challenges to several good lower court decisions:
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Four blinking lights!
I have never been so happy to see four little green lights blinking. There they were when I came home a little while ago, blinking away on my cable modem. My broadband connection had been down since mid-afternoon Friday. This was by far the longest outage I have experienced in the 11 years I have been using Time Warner Cable as my ISP. I don't remember it ever being down for more than 3 or 4 hours.
While I still had some internet connection through my cellphone, this was a royal pain. I was getting so desperate I was even considering trying to connect via dial-up. I haven't done that for 6 or 7 years, when we rented a house in the Berkshires for a month in the summer--and that was using my wife's previous laptop, not her current one. I've never done it with my desktop. Fortunately that won't be necessary.
While I still had some internet connection through my cellphone, this was a royal pain. I was getting so desperate I was even considering trying to connect via dial-up. I haven't done that for 6 or 7 years, when we rented a house in the Berkshires for a month in the summer--and that was using my wife's previous laptop, not her current one. I've never done it with my desktop. Fortunately that won't be necessary.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Recent news round-up
Good News
Bad News
- Indian Women March: ‘That Girl Could Have Been Any One of Us’ It's good that women are protesting. Hopefully the government will do something.
- Royal Mail to issue 'Doctor Who' stamps
Bad News
- Judge allows ban on funds to Planned Parenthood
- Putnam Officials Refuse Release of Gun Permit Records I doubt the courts will allow them to keep these records secret.
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