Animal headline of the day

Penn State student gains rep as squirrel whisperer

Today's news round-up

Good News

• French man jailed for phoning and texting his ex 21,807 times

Bad News

• Islamic State beheads 2nd captive Lebanese soldier
• IS executes Syrian youth after anti-jihadist protest: NGO
• Bahrain extends activist's custody despite UN outcry

They don't all disappear into the washing machine

Surgery on ailing Great Dane yields 43½ socks

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Texas Abortion Clinic to Reopen After Ruling
• Court grants Obama plea to re-hear health case
• NYC: Unruly Final Section of High Line to Open
• New York police to announce details of body camera pilot program
• U.S. Justice Department to investigate Ferguson police after teen shooting
• Kentucky bans tobacco products on most state properties
• Few gains for Gaza after Hamas 'victory' over Israel
• Jihadists beheadings sow fear, prompt Muslim revulsion
• Florida town's notorious speed traps under investigation
• Gay Groups to March in St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a Ban Falls

Bad News

• Louisiana ruling breaks pro-gay marriage streak
• Israel issues tenders for 283 homes in W.Bank settlement
• Texas daycare center accused of withholding water to keep diapers dry

Washington Redskins solution

From 107.3 The Eagle

Cartoon of the day

Non Sequitur

Source.

The return of Texts From Last Night!

It's been a long time since I posted any of these. Here are some of my favorites from the last few days.

(618): We had a One Night Stand 6 months ago but he just Facebook invited me to his wedding. Who the fuck does that. http://tfl.nu/jp22

(724): Best thing I ever did was get a dog. She's like a living trip alarm to warn me of visitors while I'm masturbating. http://tfl.nu/l251

(303): Passing out drunk in my therapists lobby may not be the best way to confirm my "stability" http://tfl.nu/w8b2

(904): That tampon felt like a stick in my vagina, I am never making a drunken tampon choice again.  Friends don't let friends choose tampons drunk. http://tfl.nu/4nud


LAST NIGHT

(214):  Woke up in bushes  at UT didn't know I was Austin last night http://tfl.nu/5aj8

(248): I have a terrible feeling that I made out with a fraternity last night http://tfl.nu/poxt

(212): Woke up eating a pickle on the bathroom floor this morning in some random guys sweat pants. http://tfl.nu/1uem

(519): You thought there were zombies attacking us so you tried to tuck and roll out of a moving vehicle. Also you should consider wearing underwear http://tfl.nu/17oq

(615): I can't believe you guys got into a sword fight over a chicken nugget
(1-615): Oh, so that's where all the scratches came from... http://tfl.nu/z1jn

(305): Do you know why I woke up with a half peeled lemon in my purse with a post-it that said  "eat me" on it? http://tfl.nu/7lec


UNDERPANTS

(919): I thought I would be a proper lady and put my spare panties in a ziplock http://tfl.nu/ok2j

(686): I just found your ripped underwear on my chandelier. Care to explain? http://tfl.nu/11qh

(727): why are there 3 differently sized panties on our kitchen counter? http://tfl.nu/8q6n

(909): I left my panties in the microwave for too long and they caught on fire http://tfl.nu/2hlt


DICK PICS

(419): Bud... Did you mean to tweet a picture of your dick? If not just letting you know. http://tfl.nu/qfoz

(902): Just sent a dick pic to ur girl. It was accident. Plz mail it to Gena. http://tfl.nu/gxq5


AND FINALLY

(801): Sorry it's taking so long, it's harder to take an ass pic with an iPad than you think http://tfl.nu/vzmp

(309): Ims textiofg thsi woht my noes bcuz my hansd aer stli handcuffde to teh bedfrme. Help me http://tfl.nu/hnwf

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Justice Department Settles Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination Claim Against a Restaurant Management Company I'm glad the company had to pay.

Bad News

• Turkey hosts Internet forum despite 'abysmal' web freedom record
• Syrian rebels issue demands for captive UN troops
• Thai junta blocks rights meeting in Bangkok
• Princeton worker told to choose medical pot or job

Animal headline of the day

Russia confirms death of five geckos on space sex mission

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Judge Blocks Abortion Law in Louisiana
• Insufficient postage leads to bust of fake drugs
• Egypt delays deadline for criticized NGO registry
• After unrest over shooting, Ferguson police now wear body cameras

Bad News

• Brazil poll favorite rows back on gay marriage
• Boko Haram kill scores in captured Nigeria town
• North Korea tightens grip on phone SIM cards used by tourists
• Border Patrol Agent Fires at Armed Militia Member "Militias" shouldn't be hanging around near the border. He's lucky he's still alive. 

Animal headline of the day

Dog turns on stove, which then sets laptop ablaze

Who would leave a laptop on a stove? Who would leave anything burnable on a stove?

Today's news round-up

Good News

• In First for Court, Woman Is Ruled Eligible for Asylum in U.S. on Basis of Domestic Abuse
• Florida schools make play for scholastic chess curriculum
• Orbitz says American Airlines fares back on its websites
• Two California cities to give up military vehicles, amid local unease

Bad News

• Russian politician beaten after report on soldier burials Russia is not a democracy.
• At Gateway to Hamptons, Ku Klux Klan Advertises for New Members
• National Guard Turns to Food Banks Because Rick Perry Hasn't Paid Them Yet 
• Rams cut Sam, 1st openly gay player drafted

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Federal judge halts key part of Texas abortion law
• Police officer resigns, another is fired after Ferguson incidents
• Chief in $800M fraud gets 20 years prison
• Brazilian club promises to punish racist fans
• U.S. government sues Minneapolis suburb for rejecting Islamic center
• Man is guilty of murder after his dogs kill woman

Plat du jour--guest submission

A "gooner" is a fan of Arsenal, a British soccer team.

Found by Joanne.

Recent news round-up

Good News

• California to require anti-theft 'kill switches' on smartphones and California kill switch law seen going national 
• U.S. judge questions shareholder settlement with HP over Autonomy
• Judges blast Indiana, Wisconsin gay marriage bans

Bad News

• Boko Haram Becomes the Latest Terror Group to Declare an Islamic Caliphate
• American, US Airways will stop listing on Orbitz

Animal headline of the day

Moose Sex Project aims to promote animal husbandry

Today's news round-up

Good News

• California: Insurers must cover elective abortions
• Ecuador Grants New Status to Same-Sex Couples
• Airbnb to Expose 124 Hosts to New York Attorney General

Bad News

• Dad of 'affluenza' teen accused of impersonating police We can see where the kid got that way.

Semi-random thoughts

• I'd complain about all the ice bucket challenge things littering up the internet, but I'm just as tired of seeing people complaining about them. I guess I'm just as bad.
• Is a recipe that calls for just the egg whites racist?
• I have learned two things about IDs recently. First, many countries, including much of Europe, require US passports to be at least six months from expiration for entry. Second, standard NY driver's licenses are no longer valid for entry into Federal buildings. This will also be true for airport security, but not until at least 2016.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Two Arrested as New York City Focuses on Deed Fraud
• The Growing Blue-State Diaspora
• Same-sex couple, wedding venue in central Minnesota settle discrimination case

Bad News

• Self-help author convicted in deaths hosts seminar
• Woman, children accidentally pulled over by police at gunpoint I suspect they were looking for four black males, and she is black. Close enough, to them.
• Florida Judge Deals a Blow to Democrats on Districting

Animal headline of the day

Gentle bear saves crow from drowning

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Wikipedia Gives Congress a Timeout After Transphobic Edits
• Teen gets 11 years for carving swastika on boy
• New York’s Top Jail Investigator Resigns After Inquiry on Rikers Brutality
• New York Process Servers Lose a Suit on New Rules
• Labor Department protects transgender employees of federal contractors

Bad News

• US reporter expelled from Afghanistan over election story
• Boko Haram takes over another Nigeria town
• Sweden artist jailed for denigrating blacks, Roma Freedom of speech includes the right to say objectionable things.

Plat du jour--guest submission

Found by Joanne.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Smithsonian adds LGBT history to museum collection
• TSA to train officers on recognizing DC licenses
• Maryland to guarantee athletic scholarships
• White House Promises to Change Rules for Removal From No-Fly List

Bad News

• World's 'Most Pierced Man' Turned Away from Dubai Stay away from Dubai. It is an intolerant place.
• Florida woman shoots grandson, 7, after mistaking him for intruder A gun in a home is much more likely to kill or wound an inhabitant of the home than an intruder.
• Miss. man shot 2 weeks after cross burning in yard

Semi-random thoughts

• I'm always amazed how people will comment on posts without reading the previous comments. I'm not even talking about the ones where there have been dozens of previous comments. Are people so lazy that they can't be bothered to read a half dozen short comments?
• After seven years, I've gotten a new computer. It's an HP "desktop." Quotation marks because it goes under the desk, not on top. There are a number of things I could say about this change, but for the moment I'll just mention one, which really surprised me. I love the mouse that came with it. It looks like a zillion other black mice, without even a logo. It's a tiny bit longer and wider than the Logitech I've been using. I thought this might be a problem, but it's not--maybe because it's not as thick as the old one. But the big difference is the shape of the sides. The Logitech has slightly convex, slightly inward sloping sides. The HP's sides are concave. It takes a small amount of inward force to keep a grip on the Logitech. It takes no force at all with the HP--the overhang of the concave sides keep my thumb and ring finger in place. The result is all of my effort goes to moving the mouse, and none to keeping my hand on it. It's great. 
• There should be a rule for all journalists: If you put a Manhattan address that's on an avenue in your article, you have to put in the cross street.

Today's news round-up

Bad News

• Pakistani interfaith couples brave threats for forbidden love
• Boko Haram abduct dozens of boys in northeast Nigeria: witnesses
• Curfew rules make journalism illegal

Animal headline of the day

Owl enters 10th story apartment, kills canary

Plat du jour--guest submission

Found by Joanne.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Medicare to Start Paying Doctors Who Coordinate Needs of Chronically Ill Patients
• Iraqi officer who killed journalist jailed for life
• Ex-cop who burned body again gets 17 years
• Chadian troops 'rescue 85 Boko Haram hostages'

Bad News

• Lashes for Saudi woman who called morality police liars: newspaper

Animal headline of the day

Why did the chicken cross the road? Oregon cops don't know

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Feds to bitcoin users: You’re on your own I'm glad these warnings are going out. I wouldn't touch bitcoins with a 10 foot pole.
• Times Square Characters Say ‘Tipping Is Optional’ Leaflets Are Hurting Business

Bad News

• Texas Gov. Perry says indictment is abuse of power

130,000 visitors!

Thanks for paying a visit!

Maybe the only cat video I'll ever post

Post by The Huffington Post.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Texas Gov. Perry Indicted on Charge of Abuse of Power
• NYPD Sends Out Official Memo Telling Officers They’re Allowed to Be Photographed
• Couple accused of abusing adopted children arrested in Oregon
• U.S. lawmakers want to end transfers of military equipment to police
• Orlando Unanimously Approves Transgender Nondiscrimination Protections
• Court Rulings Are A Victory For Transgender Men
• Catholic High School Stands by Gay Coach After He Came Out
• NYC Detectives Are Now Calling ‘Gotcha’ Far From the Scene of the Theft

Bad News

• Court: Silence can be used against suspects
• Billings City Council defeats non-discrimination ordinance

For all the parents out there

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Reclassify Internet providers for 'net neutrality': NY Times
• U.S. Military Eases Hairstyle Rules After Outcry From Black Recruits
• U.S. sovereign group's leader convicted of selling fake IDs
• US reporter vows to 'keep fighting' to protect source
• Museums team up to digitize Warhol films
• Man faces sentencing for beating girlfriend's son
• Final pair convicted in Aryan Brotherhood of Texas case: prosecutors
• Oregon Health Authority To Cover Hormones, Surgery for Transgender People
• NY State fines upstate farm that rebuffed same-sex wedding

Bad News

• Apple Store insults customer with awful anti-gay slur printed on receipt I hope the employee is fired.
• Chattanooga Voters Repeal LGBT Protections, Domestic Partner Benefits For City Workers

Glob anniversary

Today is the ninth anniversary of this blog. As of this writing it's had 129,892 visitors! If people keep visiting, I'll keep posting.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Police try taming wild Times Square characters

Bad News

• Uganda anti-gay law to be re-introduced in parliament: speaker
• Swazi PM reportedly threatens activists

Plat du jour

Ellen's limo?

Recent news round-up

Good News

• KSU president gives up over $90,000 of his salary to boost lowest-paid campus employees

Bad News

• Judge Backs New Limits on North Carolina Voting
• Women stoned to death in Syria for adultery
• Klan planning North Carolina rally to advertise new target: illegal immigrants

Animal headline of the day

Monkeys take 'selfies,' sparking copyright dispute

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Rikers Jail to Open Transgender Unit
• Judge rules Ten Commandments monument must go The Ten Commandments is a religious document, not a historical document.
• Michigan porch shooter found guilty of second-degree murder 
• Judge rejects $324.5 million settlement over Apple, Google hiring I'm only sad that Jobs isn't still alive to see this. He had total disregard for the law.
• (Tenn.) State Sen. Stacey Campfield loses seat in primary

Bad News

• New outcry as Erdogan tells female reporter to 'know your place' Turkey is clearly not ready to join the EU.
• Russia demands Internet users show ID to access public Wifi
• Drone crashes into famed hot spring at Yellowstone National Park People should be required to have licenses to fly these things, just like they need licenses to drive cars.
• Chattanooga domestic partner benefits rejected

Question of the day

Why is it that some things are described as unwieldy, but nothing is ever described as wieldy?

Today's news round-up

Good News

• U.S. judge rules Alabama abortion law unconstitutional

Bad News

• Hacker says to show passenger jets at risk of cyber attack The story is preview of an upcoming talk at the Black Hat conference. The headline leaves a lot to be desired.
• Rancher: Standoff with feds a spiritual battle No, it's a battle to get a deadbeat to pay for what he has gotten from the government.

Question of the day

Why is the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority putting in Wi-Fi and cellular service on the subway platforms while broadcasting police announcements advising passengers to hide their electronic devices?

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Nonprofits Provide Jobless Men With a Fitting for a Second Chance I've seen a program to provide unemployed women with interview clothes (though they did not want to help transgender women in some cities). This is the first one I've seen for men.
• Vietnam hosts third gay pride parade as attitudes soften
• 'Revenge porn' now illegal in New York Bad headline. It will become illegal in November.

Bad News

• India right-wing party calls rape charges 'a fashion'

Plat du jour--guest submission

Found by Joanne.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Contract talks in Met Opera labor dispute extended
• Uganda court scraps new anti-gay law
• Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds registry for same-sex couples
• Law changed to allow 'unlocking' cellphones
• Challenge to gay conversion ban is dismissed
• Court clears way for California to sell $8 billion of bullet-train bonds There should be high speed trains all over the country.

Bad News

• Russia enacts 'draconian' law for bloggers and online media
• Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds 2011 union law
• Wisconsin's Supreme Court Upholds Voter IDs As Eric Holder Ramps Up Pressure
• Pakistan widows, 'second' wives flee fighting but are denied aid

Plat du jour

A souvenir of my recent trip to Las Vegas. This was on the courtesy van that took us to an indoor, air conditioned electric go-kart race track. (They're opening a place on Long Island.)

Recent news round-up

Good News

• U.S. court: Va. gay marriage ban unconstitutional
• US appeals court blocks Mississippi abortion law
• ESPN suspends Smith for comments on abuse Never blame the victim. Even a little.
• At Judge’s Behest, U.S. Shortens Man's 57-Year Mandatory Sentence
• Wisconsin Badgers get Final Four rings Go Badgers!
• Pussy Riot pair sue Russia over imprisonment

Bad News

• Elegant Louvre Garden in Paris infested with rats
• September 11 museum allowed to display Ground Zero cross-shaped beam
• Pakistan mob kills woman, girls, over 'blasphemous' Facebook post

Animal headline of the day--if not longer

Russia back in control of Foton gecko sex satellite

Today's news round-up

Good News

• UConn makes 3-D copies of antique instrument parts
• BuzzFeed Politics Writer Is Fired Over Plagiarism It's good he was fired.
• Alaska Supreme Court says same-sex couples entitled to death benefits
• Montana Supreme Court reprimands judge for rape comments He should have been thrown off the bench.

Plat du jour--guest submission

I guess that's a reasonable excuse for having a Land Rover.

Found by Joanne.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• State judge strikes down Florida's gay marriage ban, stays ruling
• Albuquerque agrees to court oversight of police
• NYC Junkyards Feel the Sting of a Visit From a Copper Cable Guy
• Oregon moves to ban smoking on beaches

Bad News

• Apple iPhones allow extraction of deep personal data, researcher finds

Animal headline of the day

Tortoise an accomplice in alligator's zoo escape?

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Obama rails against corporate maneuver to evade U.S. taxes
• Maryland shifts insurance policy to cover transition-related care of transgender employees

Bad News

• N.Y. Met Opera threatens to lock out musicians in labor dispute
• Two Russian anti-Putin activists jailed over clashes
• FIFA rejects calls to strip Russia of World Cup
• Russian LGBT group deemed “foreign agent” for violating rights of straight people

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Obama strengthens gay, transgender workplace rights
• Friend of accused Boston bomber found guilty of obstructing justice

Bad News

• Pakistani elders forbid fleeing women from collecting food aid
• Malaysia Airlines plane diverts from Ukraine to Syria The people running the airline are idiots. Nobody should fly with them.

Plat du jour

Today's news round-up

Good News

• 2 ag-gag laws facing federal court challenges
• Liberals Give Senator A Candidate’s Welcome I really hope she runs.
• Obama Won't Exempt Religious Groups From LGBT Discrimination Protection Order

Breakout!

I just discovered you can play Breakout by entering "atari breakout" in Google Images. That was my first video game. I could play it for hours (I still have the stand-alone Breakout box that Atari sold, in some box somewhere).

If don't post for a few weeks, that's what I'll be doing.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Appeals court upholds decision voiding Okla. gay marriage ban
• Mom who left kids in hot car may avoid prosecution
• Sudanese family lawyer drops lawsuit against Christian woman I'm guessing someone paid the family off.
• Conn. Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage rights are retroactive
• Iowa: Mandatory Minimums for Juveniles Thrown Out

Bad News

• Senate Republicans Filibuster Hobby Lobby Reversal Away
• Jihadists stone Syria woman to death for 'adultery': NGO
• Philadelphia mosque leaders try to cut off man's hand -police

The bartender didn't get it

A couple of nights ago I went to a bar and the bartender was wearing a t-shirt that said "Drinking Consultants Since 1998." I asked her what consultants taste like.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Atheist to open NY meeting; top court OK'd prayers
• Indiana marriage law is discriminatory, US court says in ruling for humanists
• Military's tobacco discount: Up in smoke
• Missouri governor vetoes bill allowing schools to designate armed officers
• US consumer bureau sues debt-collection law firm

Bad News

• Officials: Transgender girl moved to male facility

Happy St. Swithin's Day!

It's St. Swithin's Day, which British folklore says will predict the next 40 days' weather. If you believe this, and it's raining hard, start building an ark fast.

Happy Bastille Day!

It's Bastille Day, which marks the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789--their 4th of July.

And happy anniversary to Helen and Rachel, and happy birthday to Johanna!

3,000 posts!

I see that yesterday's was my 3,000th post. I don't really write much of anything any more, but people do seem to keep reading. So I'll keep posting my headlines and license plates and anything else that catches my fancy but doesn't take me very much time. Thanks for sticking around.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• LeBron James returns to Cavs: 'I'm coming home' Go Cavaliers! (but basketball is a team game--even LeBron will need help to bring a championship to Cleveland.) 
• James' return to Cleveland could complicate GOP
• Judge Rules G.O.P. Illegally Redrew Florida Districts
• Ace Cash Express settles debt collection claims
• Laverne Cox Makes History As First Transgender Emmy Nominee Several years ago, she replaced me as the "Trophy Girl" at a local LGBT arts festival awards event. I guess they knew what they were doing.

Bad News

• Ballroom may soon be strictly off limits for same-sex pairs

Yawn headline of the day

Kim Kardashian visits Jersey shore

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Court Blocks Arizona Policy of Denying Driver’s Licenses to Some Immigrants
• Missouri governor vetoes health navigator limits
• Uber to follow New York’s price gouging laws

Bad News

• The Do-Gooders Secretly Attacking Gays
• Miss. enacts anti-LGBT law 

Plat du jour--guest find

Found by Victoria Marinelli

Today's news round-up

Good News

• 2 men sentenced in Detroit attack on motorist
• Staten Island’s Tough-Guy Congressman Faces Somebody His Own Size
• New Yorker Wins Boys’ Title at Wimbledon as Final Shows U.S. Promise
• India Supreme Court will not recognize Shariah law
• UN recognizes gay marriages for staffers

Animal headline of the day

Woman finds wedding ring missing for five years was in her dog

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Sheriff, feds: Rancher must be held accountable
• Unions representing government workers are gaining
• Pakistan: 5 indicted in woman's stoning death

Happy Read Naked Day!

http://readnakedday.com/

Today's news round-up

Good News

• SiriusXM fires 'Opie & Anthony' host over tweets

Bad News

• Google criticised for BBC takedown Deliberate strategy or not, Google's action shows how flawed the EU's order to it is. The ones who they should have ordered to take down this material were the sites actually controlling it--in this case, the BBC. 
• Fake Job Applications Prove There’s Real LGBT Discrimination in Hiring
• Russian lawmakers pass new bill restricting Internet

Happy Independence Day!

Today's news round-up

Good News

• NYC cabbie guilty of arranging Pakistan killings
• Massachusetts working on abortion clinic bill
• Navy's first four-star female admiral a trailblazer with a sense of humor

Bad News

• Maine governor admits to meeting with individuals tied to domestic terror movement
• Sudan's Christian convert woman faces new lawsuit Adults do not belong to their fathers or their families.
• China bans Ramadan fast in Muslim northwest
• Red Cross suspends Ebola operations in southeast Guinea after threats

Animal headline of the day

Got unwanted oxen? Try bear urine to ward them off

Today's news round-up

Good News

• European Court upholds French full veil ban
• Supreme Court clears ban on gay conversion therapy
• Obama to expand safeguards for transgender workers
• New York City police to subway acrobats: Sit down

Plat du jour

A Yankees fan, quite possibly.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Canada Supreme Court rules Wal-Mart must compensate workers
• Boston to ramp up police presence around abortion clinics
• NY City Council votes to create municipal ID cards
• Deal to End Senate Rift May Give Democrats Full Control in Albany If this happens it will mean GENDA has a good chance of passing next year.
• Vancouver school board approves new policy addressing transgender students

Bad News

• Montana judge: Suspension over remarks unwarranted He is incompetent to be a judge, and should be removed from the bench.

Living with mountain lions XIII

Mountain lion scares shoppers in Utah

Animal headline of the day

‘Fowl’ mouthed owl whisperer removes bird from kitchen using a Swiffer

Today's news roundup

Good News 

• Transgender priest to preach at National Cathedral
• Openly gay governor candidate leads pride parade
• Presbyterian assembly: Gay marriage is Christian
• Albuquerque protesters put police chief 'on trial'
• US slaps sanctions on Uganda for 'vile' anti-gay laws
• Arizona man sentenced to four years prison in baby's hot car death He belongs in jail.

Bad News

• Nigeria wraps up kidnap investigation with 200 girls still missing

Animal headline of the day

Hee-haw! At zoo, donkey pals calm restless rhino

I'm back

I was in such a rush leaving I didn't get a chance to post a vacation (part 2) notice. I was in Las Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, and stayed a few more days for some more relaxed fun.

Animal headline of the day

Bear spotted lounging in hammock

Oh, Canada!

I have had a counter by country on my blog since September, 2011. Today Canada surpassed 1,000 different visitors--the first foreign country to reach this number.

At the rate it's going, the United Kingdom will be next, maybe early in 2016.

Animal headline of the day

Cross-country flight diverted after dog poops

Plat du jour--guest submission

Life goes on, we guess. Found by Joanne.

Vacation notice

I'm off to London in a little while. Don't expect to see anything here until the end of next week.

Cartoon of the day

From newsday.com

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Schools work to help transgender students fit in

Bad News

• Utah Supreme Court halts same-sex adoption cases

Animal headline of the day

Israeli team designs prosthetic fin to save turtle

Today's news round-up

Good News

• FM says Italy working to save Sudanese woman
• West African Nations Set Aside Their Old Suspicions to Combat Boko Haram
• Robbery Suspect Tracked by GPS and Killed A good use of technology.

Plat du jour

Notice the skulls plate holder.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Police commissioner asked to quit over Obama slur
• Portland jettisons Walmart investments from city portfolio I'm proud to say I've never set foot in a Walmart. 
• Man gets 20 years for role in cybercrime syndicate
• O’Malley signs Md. transgender rights bill I wish we could get the NY version of this, GENDA, passed. I've been working on it for several years.
• Pentagon weighs Chelsea Manning’s request for gender treatment

Bad News

• Sudanese woman sentenced to death for apostasy

Animal headline of the day

California cat that chased off attacking dog gets baseball invite

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Judge overturns Idaho ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional
• Kristin Chenoweth coming back to Broadway

Bad News

• New Mexico county defies U.S. government over cattle grazing
• Former Ole Miss guard critical of Sam TV coverage

Plat du jour--guest submission

Found by Joanne.

Today's news round-up

Good News

• Hagel: Military should review transgender ban
• Picking Sam, Rams welcome 1st openly gay player
• Jones fined after sending tweet about Michael Sam

Bad News

• Nigeria refused help to search for kidnapped girls