3 days ago
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- Big tech companies are joining Apple in its encryption fight
- Family members sentenced to life in prison in U.S. cyberstalking case
- Iraqi tribesmen battle IS inside Fallujah for second day
- How Southern states are now challenging gay marriage, Kentucky Bill Would Give Same-Sex Couples Different Marriage Licenses Many, if not all, of these laws will be held unconstitutional.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Monday, February 01, 2016
Blogging break
As I did in November, this week I am minimizing my time on the computer, so I can continue cleaning up my office. I won't be posting much, if anything.
But I'll be back next week.
But I'll be back next week.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Turkey police recover stolen Picasso in Istanbul: report
- Hollande waives prison for abused woman who shot husband
- Wisconsin activists push student free-press protections
- Officer resigns after uproar over words to black motorist
- 4 remaining occupiers of wildlife refuge remain watchful There is no acceptable reason for giving them immunity. Starve them out.
- Tax Scams Are Targeting Uninsured, I.R.S. Warns
- Thai junta pressures Facebook, Line to censor online posts
- Officials: Ohio man made several tries to find child for sex
- Italy protest against same-sex unions gathers thousands
- Islamic State bombings near Syria Shiite shrine kill 71
- 86 Dead as Boko Haram Burns Children Alive in Nigeria
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Authorities working to clear remaining protesters in Oregon occupation
- Prosecutors use refuge occupiers' own words against them
- Labor Department moves forward on retirement advice proposal
- 'Affluenza' teen back in Texas, 'docile' in juvenile detention
- Six found guilty of gang rape, murder in India
- Trump Tower to Remove Disputed Kiosks From Public Atrium
- Dutch to join US-led airstrikes against IS in Syria
Bad News
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Recent news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- Anti-abortion activists indicted in Texas for Planned Parenthood video
- Justices won't let North Dakota enforce tough abortion law
- Judge: Louisiana cannot enforce abortion law
- Arrested Oregon protest leader tells holdouts to go home Meanwhile one of the holdouts gets on the internet and says there's no laws in the United States. As I've said before, they're lawless thugs.
- OECD countries agree to share info to combat corporate tax avoidance
- FCC Chief Moves To Break Cable And Satellite Control Of Set-Top Boxes I hope he's successful.
Bad News
Monday, January 25, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- Berlin to Open LGBT Refugee Center
- Italians protest to urge govt to grant gay civil unions
- 263-year sentence in Oklahoma City rape case: A wakeup call for police
- US forces setting up airbase in northeast Syria: sources
- Malaysia says arrests 7 Islamic State-linked militants suspected of planning attacks
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Appeals court: Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights
- LGBT Indians to drive taxis in Mumbai, sign of social acceptance
- Former Oklahoma policeman to be sentenced for raping four women
- Russia Postpones Anti-LGBT Legislation
- Thousands return to Nigerian town after Boko Haram ouster
Bad News
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- New York Implements Statewide Regulations to Protect Trans People While this is welcome news, we still need a law to protect us.
- Oregon governor calls on feds to act against armed group
- Biden urges U.S. business in Davos to lean on anti-gay states
- Scientists ID new genus of tree frogs long thought extinct
- Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court outlaws child marriage
- Obama Relaxes Rules for Striking ISIS in Afghanistan
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- U.S. justices reject Arkansas bid to revive abortion law
- U.S. top court rejects new challenge to Obamacare
- U.S. Toughens Rules for Latecomers Trying to Enroll in Health Care Act I think a big factor should be whether they had insurance before and now have a legitimate reason they need to switch. If not, they should have to wait until the next open enrollment period.
- Oregon standoff leader attends meeting, hears chants of 'go'
- Conservation groups demand end to refuge occupation
- Exodus Refugee Ship Flag Finds Safe Haven at Holocaust Museum
- IS halves its jihadists' monthly salaries: monitor Excellent news!
- Experts: Willingness claim unlikely to help "affluenza" teen
- IS confirms death of 'Jihadi John' in Syria drone strike
- One in 10 college graduates believes Judge Judy sits on Supreme Court
- Bill would require South Carolina journalists to register In this day and age of the internet and blogs, I'd love to see how this law would try to define journalist. In any event, this is totally unconstitutional.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Animation of the day
A video artist made this series of 30 GIFs to commemorate his November visit to NYC.
NYC Gifathon from James Curran on Vimeo.
Explanations of some of the more obscure ones can be found here.Monday, January 18, 2016
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signs executive order protecting LGBT state employees
- Is There Something Unique about the Transgender Brain? It seems to be a good summary of the current scientific thinking. (I do think that this is yet another misuse of the word "unique," as well as the term "transgender"--it is not a synonym for "transexual.")
- Sorry, grammar nerds. The singular ‘they’ has been declared Word of the Year.
- Tech at the symphony: Boston orchestra loaning patrons iPads I don't know how well the iPads would work, but I'd love to have a view of the conductor's from the front, instead of just the rear. Views of the soloists wouldn't be bad either.
Bad News
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- Actor, California lawmaker fight bogus memorabilia
- Pakistan police arrest cleric for inciting boy to cut off own hand
- 600 British jihadists stopped from entering Syria: Hammond
Bad News
- Many 'lost' voters say they have found their candidate in Trump However, I doubt he has the infrastructure to actually get enough of these people to actually vote.
- IS abducts over 400 in east Syria after deadly assault
- Detained Malaysian was hours away from suicide attack At least he was arrested.
- Islamic State 'brand' spreading worldwide: experts
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Oregon refuge occupier arrested for taking government vehicle to market They are a bunch of lawless thugs. They all should be arrested.
- Obama pardons Iranians charged with sanctions violations, Five American prisoners released in Iran
- Obama unveils wage insurance plan to spur job seekers
- U.S. charges two Virginia men with trying to join Islamic State
Bad News
Friday, January 15, 2016
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Lebanese court lets transgender man change legal status to male
- Oregon occupiers ask public for supplies: get glitter, sex toys
- Republican lawmakers worry about running on Trump's coattails
- Pugnacious New Yorkers hit back at presidential candidate Cruz
- Court overturns tobacco company victory over FDA on menthols
Recent news round-up, Part 2
Good News
- Kentucky to pay $1.1 million to lawyers in gay marriage case
- Former Police Chief Gets Prison for Using Stun Gun on Inmate
- Day Care Teacher Convicted of Cruelty in 'Baby Fight Club'
- PM says Turkish artillery hit IS positions in Iraq, Syria
- Special U.S. targeting force 'now in place' in Iraq: U.S.
Bad News
- British institutions failing transgender people: parliament But at least they are proposing changes to improve things.
- Kansas governor orders Planned Parenthood funding cut
- Federal judge tosses Alabama officer's excessive force case
- The Islamic State Hits Turkey Where It Hurts
- Islamic State briefly seizes northern Iraqi village behind frontlines
- Police say IS funded activities of Jakarta group
Recent news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- FIFA fines 5 countries for anti-gay chants in games
- Trial set for 5 charged with hazing at University of Alabama But it's bad the maximum penalties are so low.
- Planned Parenthood files U.S. lawsuit against group behind secret videos I do hope Planned Parenthood wins, though I tend to doubt they will actually get very much money. The anti-abortion group probably doesn't have that much, and they can just organize a new group.
- Navy leader seeks new ways to combat sexual assault
- Saudis release human rights activist arrested Tuesday It remains to be seen whether the charges will be dropped.
- Criminal complaint filed in high school basketball rape This was the same hazing incident as the one I posted about last week.
- Huffington Post Agrees To Unionization With WGA East
Bad News
- Reports of harassment, intimidation on the rise as Oregon occupation enters second week Lawlessness will increase until these thugs are dispersed, arrested, or killed.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Senate rejects Rand Paul's 'Audit the Fed' legislation The Fed should remain free of direct political control. And this is one of the reasons I'm a bit leery of Bernie Sanders.
- Global police arrest bitcoin extortion suspect I don't think "global" is accurate. There are no global police.
- Poll: Majority of Americans support next president pushing tighter gun laws
- U.S. aircraft bombs Islamic State cash pile in Iraq: U.S. military
Bad News
- Police: Ohio man mistakes teen son for intruder, kills him Fact: A gun in the home is far more likely to kill or injure someone who lives there than an intruder.
- Qatar Pulls ‘The Danish Girl’ From Cinemas Following Online Protests
- Turkey: 'IS suicide bomber' kills 10 in Istanbul Sultanahmet district
Monday, January 11, 2016
Texts from last night
(704): First he fixed my gutter. Then he flogged me and fucked me. Then he bought me a new vacuum cleaner. I don't understand Daddy Dom stuff but I ain't mad at it.
(716): He told me to be a woman and make him dinner. So I threw a bagel at him and went out to dinner.
(306): do you remember yelling out "insecurity makes my pussy dry!" unnecessarily loud at the bar?
(+44): You left me a message at 3am crying because you just found out there's a Paddington Bear statue in Peru.
(206): You just sat there staring at your apple and saying "I'm so glad you're here" to it every time you took a bite.
(540): I just woke up in the closet wearing nothing but a Santa hat.
(406): I don't know if the puke on my pants is mine or not
(267): For starters i called the cops on myself for trying to destroy the ladys decorations
(618): learned the hard way that breakfast jack daniels is a lot stronger than lunch or dinner jack daniels.
(920): So now I know what having sex while surrounded by chickens feels like.
(940): Do u have any idea how hard it is to masturbate in a CVS bathroom when your name is being called over the speakers to pick up a prescription for painkillers?
(832): just the thought of you slurpin down noodles really rustles my jimmy
(1-832): you suck at sexting
(716): He told me to be a woman and make him dinner. So I threw a bagel at him and went out to dinner.
(306): do you remember yelling out "insecurity makes my pussy dry!" unnecessarily loud at the bar?
(+44): You left me a message at 3am crying because you just found out there's a Paddington Bear statue in Peru.
(206): You just sat there staring at your apple and saying "I'm so glad you're here" to it every time you took a bite.
(540): I just woke up in the closet wearing nothing but a Santa hat.
(406): I don't know if the puke on my pants is mine or not
(267): For starters i called the cops on myself for trying to destroy the ladys decorations
(618): learned the hard way that breakfast jack daniels is a lot stronger than lunch or dinner jack daniels.
(920): So now I know what having sex while surrounded by chickens feels like.
(940): Do u have any idea how hard it is to masturbate in a CVS bathroom when your name is being called over the speakers to pick up a prescription for painkillers?
(832): just the thought of you slurpin down noodles really rustles my jimmy
(1-832): you suck at sexting
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Ex-Maryland Police Officer Gets Five Years in Jail for Pointing Gun at Unarmed Man's Head
- LAPD chief recommends charges for officer in Venice shooting
- Prison for man over Social Security plot hatched by dead dad
- Dad of Washington school shooter gets 2 years on gun charges
- Turkey arrests Egypt family of 12 on way to join IS in Syria
Bad News
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Friday, January 08, 2016
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Alabama County Resumes Issuing Gay-Marriage Licenses
- Finland extradites Russian computer fraud suspect to U.S.
- 5 years after Tucson shooting, Gabby Giffords is in action
- Cologne police chief suspended after New Year assaults
- New York police sergeant facing internal charges in chokehold death
- Report: 3 will plead no contest in student bullying attack
- Contractor gets 15 to 30 years in deadly building collapse
- Needle exchange leaders cheer relaxed federal funding ban
- Virginia: Panel of Judges Picks New Congressional District Map
- Turkish troops in Iraq repel IS attack
- Special forces target Islamic State in Hawija, Iraq official says
Thursday, January 07, 2016
Today's news round-up, Part 3
Good News
- Obama says won't campaign for any Democrat who doesn't back gun reforms
- Utah judge retires after criticism in gay foster parent case
- Bill would make videotaping police a crime if too close
- Maine governor: Drug dealers impregnate 'young white' girls I've read that there will be an attempt to impeach him soon.
Today's news round-up, Part 2
Good News
- Venezuela Just Swore in Its First Transgender Legislator
- Sandy Hook Truther Fired From Faculty Position at Florida Atlantic University
- In push to reform police work, officers examine their own biases
- High school cancels season for team in assault investigation
- Iraqi military says ISIS spokesman Adnani wounded: state TV
Bad News
Today's news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- 'Affluenza' teen's mom returned to Texas to face charge
- US recruits tech leaders to help disrupt Islamic State group
- Burns, Ore., residents to Bundys: It's time to go home
- New York to Appoint Civilian to Monitor Police’s Counterterrorism Activity
- Judge: Monkey cannot own selfie photos copyright
Bad News
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
Recent news round-up, Part 2
Good News
- Trooper in Sandra Bland traffic stop indicted, fired It would have been better if he had been indicted on more serious charges, but at least he won't be a police officer any more.
- Uber agrees to $20K fine, stricter data protection in NY privacy probe
- Oklahoma City forbids LGBT discrimination in housing
- The Navy Is Naming A Ship In Honor Of Civil Rights Icon John Lewis
Recent news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- There's About to Be a School in Atlanta for LGBT Youth It would be even better if they could go to regular schools without discrimination and harassment.
- Missouri lawmakers propose racial bias training for police
- Woman gets 3-year sentence for giving money to terror groups
- Floppy disks of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry finally yield data
- Alabama chief justice orders halt to same-sex marriage licenses
- Mayor of Cologne: If Women Don’t Want to Be Raped, They Should Stay Away from Strangers Repeat after me: Do not blame the victims, do not blame the victims.
- Surrogacy is like sex crime - Italian minister Alfano
- IS steps up assault on western Iraqi town after losses
- Boko Haram gunmen kill seven in suicide attack, raid: residents
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- Chicago lawyer accused of hiding shooting evidence resigns They should disbar him.
- Obama tightens gun rules, requires more background checks
- Oregon sheriff demands anti-government miltiamen leave community
- Salt Lake City's first openly gay mayor sworn into office
- U.S. leads 25 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq: statement
Bad News
- IS attacks troops in western Iraq, killing 11
- IS jihadists attack key Libya oil facility: military Although the attack was repulsed, it is not good that the thugs could even attempt this.
Sunday, January 03, 2016
Recent news round-up
Good News
Bad News
Bad News
- Militiamen occupy U.S. national parks building in Oregon They're not militiamen. They're a gang of thugs, who think they can get their way by using force. They should be removed, by force if necessary.
- Egypt arrests 3 Facebook admins ahead of Jan. 25 anniversary Bad headline. These are not Facebook employees, just people who run pages on Facebook.
Saturday, January 02, 2016
Yesterday's news round-up
Good News
- U.S.-backed alliance advances against Islamist groups in Syria's north: spokesman
- Iraq forces extend Ramadi control, rescue civilians
- U.S. reports 24 air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq
- Erdogan cites Hitler's Germany to defend presidency plans I'm sure this will go over really well in the EU countries the Nazis attacked. NOT.
- Baga is a ghost town one year after Boko Haram massacre
Friday, January 01, 2016
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Trans Veterans Will Now Get Better Health Care Thanks to This Arizona Clinic
- Court blocks Utah governor from stopping Planned Parenthood funds
- Federal judge blocks Arkansas abortion law for 2 weeks
- Obama may expand background checks on gun sales: news reports
- US: ISIS Figure Linked to Paris Attacks Killed
- Bill Cosby Charged With a Felony for Sexual Assault
- Belgium, Netherlands to exchange territory _ without a fight
- ‘Star Trek’ 50th Anniversary To Be Commemorated With New U.S. Postal Stamps
- New York Man Arrested on Suspicion of Plotting New Year's Eve Bar Attack for ISIS
- Life sentences for London attack plot couple
- US-led strikes in Syria, Iraq hit IS 'middle-management'
Bad News
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Yesterday's news round-up. Part 2
Yesterday's news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- Judge stops Missouri from revoking abortion license
- New York is finally installing its promised public gigabit Wi-Fi
- Texas 'affluenza' teen taken into custody, official says
- U.S., allies conduct 37 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military
Bad News
- Database of 191 million U.S. voters exposed on Internet: researcher
- Federal judge: Drinking tea, shopping at a gardening store is probable cause for a SWAT raid on your home
- Court affirms Minnesota man's conviction in assisted suicide
- At least 48 killed in bombings in north Nigeria
- Bombs in Syria's Homs kill 32, wound 90: monitoring group
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Today's news round-up
Good News
- Egypt to try policeman for vet's death in custody Egypt may be doing better in clamping down on police brutality than the U.S.
- Fall of Ramadi flashpoint hands Iraq forces landmark victory
- U.S., allies conduct 33 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military
Micro movie review
The Big Short: The story of the housing and credit bubble of the mid-2000s, and some fairly weird guys who realized what was happening and profited greatly from it. The film is quirky and confusing even if you know something about finance. Though it tries to explain things, sometimes quite humorously, if you don't know much about finance I think you'd be totally confused.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Texts from last night
(586): Just had a med school interview with that doctor I fucked in college. He remembered. Asked if I still have my nipple rings. Overall, I think it went well.
(630): The highlight of the night was definitely when you starting telling ppl you could shapeshift and "proved" that by stripping.
(310): Next time you decide to go downstairs hungover, please warn me. I now have to explain to twenty eight year olds why you were naked.
(715): Even with help how did you paint a bullseye around your asshole?
(773): Know we haven't talked but having an orgy party on the 20th if you're interested. If not, disregard this text.
(517): Who is this?
(508): i woke up in a bed of pop tarts
(306): Meeting up with one of your students at your drug dealers house is always an awkward moment
(214): You know I've done a lot of messed up stuff. But I never thought I would have to put a bandaid on my dick. Yet here we are.
(708): I should know better than to open your texts at the grocery store
(630): The highlight of the night was definitely when you starting telling ppl you could shapeshift and "proved" that by stripping.
(310): Next time you decide to go downstairs hungover, please warn me. I now have to explain to twenty eight year olds why you were naked.
(715): Even with help how did you paint a bullseye around your asshole?
(773): Know we haven't talked but having an orgy party on the 20th if you're interested. If not, disregard this text.
(517): Who is this?
(508): i woke up in a bed of pop tarts
(306): Meeting up with one of your students at your drug dealers house is always an awkward moment
(214): You know I've done a lot of messed up stuff. But I never thought I would have to put a bandaid on my dick. Yet here we are.
(708): I should know better than to open your texts at the grocery store
Friday, December 25, 2015
Texts from last night
Texts from last night has changed its format. There is no longer a URL for each text.
What I did last night
(630): I renamed some of my contacts in my phone before passing out and I have one I cant figure out, its "fucking house elf scum"
(509): I don't think I'll get invited back. I drunkenly told her that her kids would be perfect for a pro-abortion campaign.
(510): apparently when she asked me how drunk I was on a scale of 1-10, I answered "bitch I'm fabulous" and tried to do a sassy hairflip. but I have short hair.
What you did last night
(224): We figured you were on something when you said that your nipples couldn't hear the music.
(215): I tried to help you up but you said "let me dance it off"
(515): There is a video of you making out with him, flipping off the camera, and holding the plastic flamigo that you had just stolen out of a yard
(913): You came out in nothing but lingerie and a Jedi robe claiming you needed more of those baby hot dog things or you were gonna go all Sith on us
Sex
(407): Sex in a hot air balloon, top that one!
(612): We had sex on his sofa while his friend cheered and threw bugles at us
(407): Now that you have a boyfriend, can I have my vibrator back?
(248): My mom just asked me about the teeth marks on my headboard..
(937): Hey, you know that marble art statue thing in your bedroom? Hypothetically what would happen if a penis got stuck in it?
(510): I came on her face and asked if she wanted fries with that. Currently driving to McDonald's.
No Sex
(419): Well... This is my last night at the resort. So far, the only thing that has been in my vagina is sand.
Miscellaneous
(973): So I just watched a seagul attack my boss and steal his food in the parking lot. Today might not be a bad day lmfao.
What I did last night
(630): I renamed some of my contacts in my phone before passing out and I have one I cant figure out, its "fucking house elf scum"
(509): I don't think I'll get invited back. I drunkenly told her that her kids would be perfect for a pro-abortion campaign.
(510): apparently when she asked me how drunk I was on a scale of 1-10, I answered "bitch I'm fabulous" and tried to do a sassy hairflip. but I have short hair.
What you did last night
(224): We figured you were on something when you said that your nipples couldn't hear the music.
(215): I tried to help you up but you said "let me dance it off"
(515): There is a video of you making out with him, flipping off the camera, and holding the plastic flamigo that you had just stolen out of a yard
(913): You came out in nothing but lingerie and a Jedi robe claiming you needed more of those baby hot dog things or you were gonna go all Sith on us
Sex
(407): Sex in a hot air balloon, top that one!
(612): We had sex on his sofa while his friend cheered and threw bugles at us
(407): Now that you have a boyfriend, can I have my vibrator back?
(248): My mom just asked me about the teeth marks on my headboard..
(937): Hey, you know that marble art statue thing in your bedroom? Hypothetically what would happen if a penis got stuck in it?
(510): I came on her face and asked if she wanted fries with that. Currently driving to McDonald's.
No Sex
(419): Well... This is my last night at the resort. So far, the only thing that has been in my vagina is sand.
Miscellaneous
(973): So I just watched a seagul attack my boss and steal his food in the parking lot. Today might not be a bad day lmfao.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Recent news round-up
Good News
- The Beatles’ Catalog Finally Available On Streaming Sites, Just In Time For Christmas Now I'll have to really consider replacing my Pandora subscription with Amazon Prime Music.
- New York Officer Is Charged in Arrest of Man Who Tried to Film Him Also: Arrest of NYPD officer brings filming of officers into focus Cops had better learn that it is ok for people to record them doing their jobs.
- US Iran hostages compensated decades after ordeal
- Democrats Praise Virginia Court Settlement in Voting Rights Case
- Kurdish-Arab alliance pushes IS back in north Syria: spokesman
- Iraqi forces close in on key Ramadi district
- U.S., allies conduct 18 strikes in Iraq, six in Syria: U.S. military
- Judge upholds Seattle's 'gun violence' tax
- Russia targets Kremlin foe Khodorkovsky with international warrant Russia is not a democracy.
- Suspected Boko Haram fighters launch four strikes on Lake Chad area
- Triple IS suicide attack kills 11 Syrian regime fighters
- Official: 200 al-Shabab fighters pledge allegiance to IS
- Islamic State sanctioned organ harvesting in document taken in U.S. raid
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
It's Festivus! Time for feats of strength and the airing of grievances
.jpg)
To all Seinfeld fans (and non-fans), Happy Festivus!To the tune of Let it Snow:
What a lovely day for Festivus,
a Festivus for the rest of us,
this is the place to hate,
let them wait, let them wait, let them wait.
It doesn't show signs of stopping,
I bought some caps for popping,
aluminum pole's aglow,
let them know, let them know, let them know.
With the feat of strength at hand,
stop crying fight your old man,
so go and drink another beer,
T'is the best time of the year!
What a lovely day for Festivus,
a Festivus for the rest of us,
gather your family around,
cut them down, cut them down, cut them down.
No need for decorating,
as tinsel's too distracting,
all you need is a metal pole,
cleanse your soul, cleanse your soul, cleanse your soul.
With the feat of strength at hand,
stop crying fight your old man,
so go and drink another beer,
T'is the best time of the year!
What a lovely day for Festivus,
a Festivus for the rest of us,
gather your family around,
cut them down, cut them down, cut them down.
No need for decorating,
as tinsel's too distracting,
all you need is a metal pole,
cleanse your soul, cleanse your soul, cleanse your soul.
With the feat of strength at hand,
stop crying fight your old man,
so go and drink another beer,
T'is the best time of the year!
T'is the best time of the year!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Today's news round-up, Part 2
Good News
- New Zealand judge rules Kim Dotcom can be deported to US
- Yet Another High School Girl Is Calling Out the School Dress Code Double Standard This is no different than Islamic countries requiring women to cover up their hair, face, or entire body.
- Court upholds Quebec doctor-assisted dying law
- Judge rules in favor of San Francisco officers in racist text case It's bad that the judge had to do this, because the city took too long to discipline the officers.
- 3 young suicide bombers kill 6 in Nigeria's northeast
Today's news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- New York City lays out transgender protection on dress codes, bathroom use
- Appeals court says gov't can't reject offensive trademarks
- Virginia to Stop Recognizing Concealed Gun Permits From 25 States
- Greek parliament approves civil union for same-sex couples
- Support for legal abortion at highest level in 2 years
- Utah Planned Parenthood to get funds to year end
- Iraq forces advance into centre of IS-held Ramadi
- Islamic State lost 14 pct of its territory in 2015: report
Monday, December 21, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Micro movie review
The Danish Girl: The somewhat fictionalized story of the transgender woman to get the first gender reassignment surgery, back in the 1920s. The film was very well-acted and beautifully filmed. My biggest complaint about the film is that people with little exposure to transgender people will think this is typical of how transsexual people realize their true gender identities. Today, at least, it is most frequently at a much younger age.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Micro movie review
Spectre: The latest James Bond movie. It's well-made, a little lighter in tone than Skyfall. Daniel Craig is as good a 007 for the 21st Century as Sean Connery was for the 1960s.
Recent news round-up, Part 2
Good News
- Judge: No evidence of crimes in recordings of abortion group
- University of California drops prison investments amid student demands Divestments like this don't really hurt the companies, but the symbolism is good. There should be no private prisons.
- France passes bill banning 'excessively thin' models
- American Commandos Hit the Ground in Syria
- Transgender Arkansas inmate denied right to sue prison-court
- Virginia county closes schools as Islam assignment prompts backlash It was a stupid thing for the teacher to do, but the reaction was way out of proportion.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Recent news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- Florida man to display 'Festivus Pole' at Oklahoma Capitol
- Judge who threatened to fight lawyer removed from bench
- Record number of US cities offered LGBT rights in 2015, report says
Bad News
- Congress passes long-stalled cybersecurity bill This article doesn't go into detail, but it sure sounds like there is a basis for the privacy advocates' criticism.
- Male Politicians Want to Force Ohio Women to Bury or Cremate Aborted or Miscarried Fetuses
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Happy birthday, Beethoven! (maybe)
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Today's news round-up, part 2
Good News
- Most sex offender parolees exempt from ban Some common sense here. Only people convicted for attacking children who are strangers should be barred from living close to where children congregate.
- Ohio blocked from taking action against Planned Parenthood
- No nativity scene at Florida Capitol this Christmas
- Probation for woman who shot at Home Depot shoplifters It's good that she won't be able to have a gun for several years. This sentence will be much more of a deterrent to gun-toting vigilantes than a short jail term, community service, or a fine.
- Bangladesh lifts ban on all social media
- Two Swedes get life sentences for 'terrorist crimes' in Syria It is interesting that this trial took place in their home country, for actions abroad.
- 'Unit 732', the French anti-IS volunteers in Iraq
- U.S., allies conduct 16 strikes against Islamic State - U.S. military
- Forces armed with guns and arrows kill girl bombers in Cameroon: sources
Bad News
- This Women's Festival Banned Transgender Women and Also Any Discussion of the Ban
- There Have Been 19 Hate Crimes Against Muslims in the Past Week
- EU relaunches Turkey membership bid in migrant deal With such a repressive government, Turkey does not belong in the EU.
- Tunisia jails six students for 'homosexuality': lawyer
- IS in Libya executes two for 'witchcraft' and 'spying'
Today's news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- Supreme Court blocks Alabama court order in adoption case
- Referee Bill Kennedy, following slur by Rajon Rondo, announces he's gay
- Drone registration takes flight as FAA adopts new rules
- Seattle lawmakers set to vote on allowing Uber, other drivers to unionize UPDATE: Seattle becomes first US city to let Uber drivers unionize I suspect the courts will say this would be a violation of the anti-trust law.
- Human rights requirements for World Cup hosts, FIFA sponsors
- Man convicted of planning IS-inspired attack in London
Bad News
- U.S. top court rules for DirecTV in arbitration case There should be no mandatory arbitration for consumer or employee disputes.
- Town kills solar farm project for fear it’ll consume the sun and prevent photosynthesis Idiots.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Micro movie review
Spotlight: The true story of how the Boston Globe researched and reported the story of how the Catholic Archdiocese there tolerated and covered up the dozens of priests who had sexually abused children for years. Excellent. A must-see.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Recent news round-up, Part 2
Friday, December 11, 2015
Recent news round-up, Part 1
Good News
- North Carolina sued over gay marriage opt-out law
- New York State Attorney General Takes Control of Inquiry Into Fatal Police Shooting These must be investigated by an independent body, not the local prosecutors, who depend on the police to gather the evidence.
- Officer guilty of raping black women 'picked the wrong lady'
- US military college suspends cadets over 'KKK uniforms'
- A Device That Plugs Gunshot Wounds in 20 Seconds Just Got FDA Approval
- IS destroys bridge as Iraqi forces close in on Ramadi
- US Willing to Provide Apache Helicopters and Advisers to Help Retake Ramadi, Ash Carter Says
Bad News
Monday, December 07, 2015
A conductor conducts
The Yale Glee Club was taking a train back to New Haven after a performance in New York City.
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Justice Department will investigate practices of Chicago police
- Supreme Court rejects challenge to assault weapon ban
- Navy preparing to open SEAL training screener for women
- Serbian defense minister fired over sexist remark
- U.S. confirms death of top Islamic State leader in Libya
- U.S., allies say 17 strikes launched in Iraq, 12 in Syria against Islamic State
Bad News
Sunday, December 06, 2015
Recent news round-up
Good News
- Vermont soldier is 1st woman to graduate as combat engineer
- Mom Arrested for Allegedly Scrubbing Her Son's Face With Brillo Pad to Remove Eye Makeup
- U.S. eliminates a mid- to high-level ISIS figure every 2 days, official says
- Passenger Name Record: EU reaches agreement
- Hard hit by bombings, IS is turning to child soldiers: US
- Turkmen rebels seize Syria border village from IS: monitor
- Nigeria police make arrests over Boko Haram 'sleeper cells' in Abuja area
- Turkey detains eight IS members on Syria border: army
Bad News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
