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[charley]

Trust noone here has $$ in Quadriga, a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange, as the CEO, Gerald Cotten, has died at age 30 of complications due to Crohn's disease. He had the only password that has locked out @ $145 million in assets.

[charley]

BPA found in cash register and ATM receipts

This chemical is found in all cash registers receipts as well as ATM receipts across the world. Apparently, people working in retail are most at risk. BPA from thermal paper receipts passes through the skin. I saw this on Canadian news on CTV Vancouver News, where they showed an in-house group of people touchimg these receipts, and later on in the day they checked their urine, and apparently most had 42% more BPA than normal. The problem is that this chemical may be linked to hormonal imbalance, obesity, and cancer. Toronto (Ontario) is thinking of banning such usage.
It's already banned in most countries for baby bottles. "In 2008, Canada became the first nation to take action by banning the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing BPA."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/bpa-found-in-cash-register-and-atm-receipts-1.907162

So, handle all cash receipts with great care, and then throw away asap!!! (And, then, of course, all this dangerous junk lands in landfills and kills everything... I think the end is coming (smh)....)

My mom used to say that money is dirty (germs). Of course, we all know that it is the "love" of money which is "dirty"... but now, we can add to that "cash receipts"!!! It's not the germs that will kill you, it is BPA ...

By the way, there are only 5 companies that make BPA in the United States: "Bayer, Dow, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics), and Sunoco. Together, they bring in more than $6 billion a year from the compound."

https://www.fastcompany.com/1139298/real-story-behind-bisphenol

[GeorgiaMa'am]

No LGBTQ clergy or same sex marriages in the Methodist Church

And to think, I was so admiring of the Methodist Church when they came up with reconciling congregations.

www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26 (https://www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26)

[Martina]

I'm UMC. Born and bred. So done. Great allies in the UMC, but still done. I haven't been going, but still it feels bad. If I go back to church, it'll be UCC. I wonder how Loqui is feeling. Hy works for them.

BTW, they might be able to rule the penalties for performing same sex marriages etc unconstitutional, but still . . . done. Kinda mind-blowing not to be UMC anymore. I don't know. I so feel for LGBTQ folks and allies who are leaving their beloved churches that they attend every week. Fucking heartbreaking.

No LGBTQ clergy or same sex marriages in the Methodist Church

And to think, I was so admiring of the Methodist Church when they came up with reconciling congregations.

www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26 (https://www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26)

[Martina]

Your bishop in North Georgia pissed me off. She supports inclusion, but she released this statement about staying in the church and talked about having meals with and learning from African bishops during the conference. They are largely responsible for this decision. Fuck that. I wanted to say there are LGBTQ folk in Africa, some of whom live in countries that criminalize gay sex. So think about them, straight lady. And fuck your PC bullshit. Those African bishops have blood on their hands.

No LGBTQ clergy or same sex marriages in the Methodist Church

And to think, I was so admiring of the Methodist Church when they came up with reconciling congregations.

www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26 (https://www.umnews.org/en/news/gc2019-daily-feb-26)

[charley]

My, My, APPARENTLY, Trudeau may have pressured the Justice Department to go "soft" in a bribery enquiry on one of the world's largest engineering Company here in Canada - SNC-Lavalin, based in the Province of Quebec.

"The firm and two of its subsidiaries face fraud and corruption charges in connection with about C$48m ($36m; £28m) in bribes it is alleged to have offered to Libyan officials between 2001-11."

Two ministers in Trudeau's cabinet have quit!!!

Jane Philpott has stated, "It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases." She was a top minister in Trudeau's cabinet (Treasury Board Minister).

This is a big (like HUGE!!!) scandal here in Canada...
And, there are rumours here that it may bring down the entire Trudeau administration.

The first Minister who quit was our Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould !!!

One of Trudeau's closest friends, has also quit: "Gerald Butts, who quit as Trudeau’s principal secretary last month over the SNC-Lavalin affair, will testify to the House of Commons justice committee on Wednesday."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/explained-the-case-that-could-bring-down-canadas-justin-trudeau

Considering what happens in the States, where such things happen almost every day with no consequences to their jobs (lol), you may find it incredible that such powerful people in the cabinet of a duly elected leader find it untenable to remain in positions of power when faced with pressure from the leader to do anything illegal.

[CherylNYC]

My, My, APPARENTLY, Trudeau may have pressured the Justice Department to go "soft" in a bribery enquiry on one of the world's largest engineering Company here in Canada - SNC-Lavalin, based in the Province of Quebec.

"The firm and two of its subsidiaries face fraud and corruption charges in connection with about C$48m ($36m; £28m) in bribes it is alleged to have offered to Libyan officials between 2001-11."

Two ministers in Trudeau's cabinet have quit!!!

Jane Philpott has stated, "It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases." She was a top minister in Trudeau's cabinet (Treasury Board Minister).

This is a big (like HUGE!!!) scandal here in Canada...
And, there are rumours here that it may bring down the entire Trudeau administration.

The first Minister who quit was our Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould !!!

One of Trudeau's closest friends, has also quit: "Gerald Butts, who quit as Trudeau’s principal secretary last month over the SNC-Lavalin affair, will testify to the House of Commons justice committee on Wednesday."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/explained-the-case-that-could-bring-down-canadas-justin-trudeau

Considering what happens in the States, where such things happen almost every day with no consequences to their jobs (lol), you may find it incredible that such powerful people in the cabinet of a duly elected leader find it untenable to remain in positions of power when faced with pressure from the leader to do anything illegal.

Can I tell you how much I wish we had your Canadian scandals instead of our our own super-sized American scandals?

[charley]

After the release of the documentary Leaving Neverland - an HBO release, some radio stations have stopped airing Michael Jackson songs, notably in Quebec (3), and in the Netherlands. I have seen excerpts of the documentary on TV but have not watched the entire documentary, which alleges sexual abuse (child molestation) between Jackson and two boys who are now grown men.

Oprah Winfrey had anchored an interview after HBO aired the documentary, "in which she interviewed the two men — Wade Robson and James Safechuck — and director Dan Reed." I saw excerpts of this interview on TV.

"Winfrey, who revealed on her talk show decades ago that she was sexually abused when she was young, said Reed’s documentary did an excellent job of illustrating what she had always tried to explain — child sexual abuse is also about seduction."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/05/oprah-winfrey-aired-powerful-interview-after-leaving-neverland-is-ready-backlash/?utm_term=.cd547810ed02

omg!

Yikes, which brings up the interesting dilemma, does one listen to Jackson's songs (i.e. Thriller, which we all know), or do we boycott?

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Yikes, which brings up the interesting dilemma, does one listen to Jackson's songs (i.e. Thriller, which we all know), or do we boycott?

This reminds me of a woman who once told me she could no longer listen to and enjoy anything by Benjamin Britten because she found out he was gay. (NOT to equate being gay with child molestation here . . .) just making the point that we can't throw out all art that we later learn was made by an artist who did something wrong. Of course, individuals may no longer be able to bring themselves to enjoy it - but I don't think we can get rid of it. I believe I've heard that Michelangelo had a thing for boys. Should we knock down the Sistine Chapel?

[charley]

This reminds me of a woman who once told me she could no longer listen to and enjoy anything by Benjamin Britten because she found out he was gay. (NOT to equate being gay with child molestation here . . .) just making the point that we can't throw out all art that we later learn was made by an artist who did something wrong. Of course, individuals may no longer be able to bring themselves to enjoy it - but I don't think we can get rid of it. I believe I've heard that Michelangelo had a thing for boys. Should we knock down the Sistine Chapel?

I'm glad you see the difference between child molestation and being gay, but I'm not sure that what Rembrandt did (art) and what Jackson did (pop) are the same thing. While I love art that expresses love (not lust), I (like many others) liked Jackson's music, but it's not the same thing. And if the Sistine Chapel fell into ruin, I wouldn't care. Actually, I might breathe a sigh of relief, considering all the damage that the Catholic Church has perpetrated on women throughout thousands of years. Art is something which moves the heart, and pop music is something which moves the loins. Such art never causes any damage, and never incites stupidity.

Btw, bringing up Britten is the classic straw-man fallacious argument, which seeks to confuse the issue by bringing up an idea that has nothing to do with child molestation and pedophilia. Clever but not intelligent.

One of the victims in that documentary said that Jackson said: "This is the way we show love."

I think that one of the consequences of the dark cancer that is spreading worldwide is that the boundaries between right and wrong are being eroded by people who are evil, to the extent that many people no longer understand the difference.

The inheritors of Jackson's fortune are putting up a big backlash, because every time someone does the right thing and decides not to click on one of Jackson's songs (say on Spotify), they risk losing millions.

Bad
(Michael Jackson)
Your butt is mine
Gonna tell you right
Just show your face
In broad daylight
I'm telling you
On how I feel
Gonna hurt your mind
Don't shoot to kill
Come on
Come on
Lay it on me
All right
I'm giving you
On count of three
To show your stuff
Or let it be
I'm telling you
Just watch your mouth
I know your game
What you're about
Well they say the sky's the limit
And to me that's really true
But my friend you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through
Because I'm bad, I'm bad come on
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad
The word is out
You're doin' wrong
Gonna lock you up
Before too long
Your lyin' eyes
Gonna tell you right
So listen up
Don't make a fight
Your talk is cheap
You're not a man
You're throwin' stones
To hide your hands
But they say the sky's the limit
And to me that's really true
And my friends you have seen nothin'
Just wait 'til I get through
Because I'm bad, I'm bad come on
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad
We can change the world tomorrow
This could be a better place
If you don't like what I'm sayin'
Then won't you slap my face
Because I'm bad, I'm bad come on
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad
Because I'm bad, I'm bad come on
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
You know I'm bad, I'm bad come on, you know
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad
Who's bad?

I won't miss this song being played.

[Gemme]

...Yikes, which brings up the interesting dilemma, does one listen to Jackson's songs (i.e. Thriller, which we all know), or do we boycott?

I'm glad you see the difference between child molestation and being gay, but I'm not sure that what Rembrandt did (art) and what Jackson did (pop) are the same thing. While I love art that expresses love (not lust), I (like many others) liked Jackson's music, but it's not the same thing. And if the Sistine Chapel fell into ruin, I wouldn't care. Actually, I might breathe a sigh of relief, considering all the damage that the Catholic Church has perpetrated on women throughout thousands of years. Art is something which moves the heart, and pop music is something which moves the loins. Such art never causes any damage, and never incites stupidity.

Btw, bringing up Britten is the classic straw-man fallacious argument, which seeks to confuse the issue by bringing up an idea that has nothing to do with child molestation and pedophilia. Clever but not intelligent.

One of the victims in that documentary said that Jackson said: "This is the way we show love."

I think that one of the consequences of the dark cancer that is spreading worldwide is that the boundaries between right and wrong are being eroded by people who are evil, to the extent that many people no longer understand the difference. This I agree with wholeheartedly and it's gotten significantly worse the past few years. I have a theory, as many do, but it's not really "breaking news".


The inheritors of Jackson's fortune are putting up a big backlash, because every time someone does the right thing and decides not to click on one of Jackson's songs (say on Spotify), they risk losing millions.

...

The Catholic Church has done damage to men as well. The secrecy and shame and denials have torn their victims of all genders and orientations apart. We should be careful when we say "never" as in the portion of your post that I underlined.

Art makes people passionate. You are passionate right now with your opinion. Passion makes people do stupid things, which can be damaging so I have to disagree with you there. Here's a link to the 10 most criminal artists (https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/feb/27/most-criminal-artists-picasso-banksy-caravaggio) that I found. There's murder, seduction, adultery and arson in this list. By your stance, we should boycott the works of all of these artists as well, no?

Some people can separate the artist from the art and the maker from the product. Some cannot. I don't think someone is doing something wrong if they listen to whatever music they choose to, despite what the artist has or has not done. I believe there might be better options to expose yourself to, but it's still a free country.

MJ is not the first nor the last musical artist/icon that has done questionable and/or illegal and/or unethical things. R Kelly is currently dealing with repeated issues about this. To be transparent, I don't like R Kelly or his music (outside of "I Think I Can Fly") but it's the same thing. Demonize the person, not their work. So many people throughout the decades have found solace and grace in the work of people that turned out to be pretty darn shitty. That doesn't take away from the value of the work. Just the person. And it, in no way, reflects upon listeners of that music or the viewers of that art.

[charley]

The Catholic Church has done damage to men as well. The secrecy and shame and denials have torn their victims of all genders and orientations apart. We should be careful when we say "never" as in the portion of your post that I underlined.

Art makes people passionate. You are passionate right now with your opinion. Passion makes people do stupid things, which can be damaging so I have to disagree with you there. Here's a link to the 10 most criminal artists (https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2014/feb/27/most-criminal-artists-picasso-banksy-caravaggio) that I found. There's murder, seduction, adultery and arson in this list. By your stance, we should boycott the works of all of these artists as well, no?

Some people can separate the artist from the art and the maker from the product. Some cannot. I don't think someone is doing something wrong if they listen to whatever music they choose to, despite what the artist has or has not done. I believe there might be better options to expose yourself to, but it's still a free country.

MJ is not the first nor the last musical artist/icon that has done questionable and/or illegal and/or unethical things. R Kelly is currently dealing with repeated issues about this. To be transparent, I don't like R Kelly or his music (outside of "I Think I Can Fly") but it's the same thing. Demonize the person, not their work. So many people throughout the decades have found solace and grace in the work of people that turned out to be pretty darn shitty. That doesn't take away from the value of the work. Just the person. And it, in no way, reflects upon listeners of that music or the viewers of that art.

The word passion literally means love of one thing, compassion meaning love of all. I am not at all certain that the 10 "artists" you mentioned had love in their heart - au contraire, having seen the biopic on Picasso, I am sure he didn't know what "love" was. To be transparent myself, I am not a fan of any of the artists you mentioned, and I have been to the Louvre, and saw Géricault's "Raft of Medusa" [no offense to Medusa of this site - :)]; it takes up the whole wall, not crazy about that one either - even if I could own it, I wouldn't want it... can you imagine having to look at that one every day...? The thing is I wouldn't want to shake hands with any of these people, nor would I encourage any of them. I find it interesting and weird that people value their works of "art". Procurement of such "art" has become nothing less than big business.

The thing is I am able to see love in art; and when there is no love, I feel nothing, same thing with music.

Insofar as finding "solace or grace" in works of art, I know someone here who has stared incessantly at a picture of the Virgin Mary (a very nice work of "art" btw), and then built his life around that, creating his own church, with himself as high priest, he even bought religious vestments and walks around in them (smh) - having done Christian "contemplation" incorrectly termed meditation. There are so many examples of people finding so-called "solace or grace" in detrimental habits, that I doubt there is any grace in what they do. To me, it's just another delusion - in other words, playing with something that isn't real. Of course, when a person chooses to follow and believe in whatever delusion they like, they must live with the consequences.

All I understand is that the brain can play tricks with itself and lie to itself. So, far be it from me to tell another how to live, or to tell another whether or not to boycott MJ or R Kelly (I saw his interview with Gayle King btw!!!), etc.

R Kelly's display was incredible, right? Having been accused of trying to control/dominate and influence the lives of so many of his young victims, nothing could seem to stop him from trying to control/dominate and influence his audience's view... geez!

Therefore, I cannot tell another to "boycott" MJ or R Kelly or whoever, I can only speak for myself.

When you say, Demonize the person, not their work, I can only say that whatever a person puts out in the universe is but a reflection of what is going on inside of them, and that is why this planet is in such a mess.

I only brought up this subject because I think it is important to think about the subject.

[charley]

Just to clarify, the entire interview that Gayle King had with R Kelly as well as two of the young women who live with him, will be shown later this week. CBS has been airing parts of that interview this week.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

I only brought up this subject because I think it is important to think about the subject.

And now that we have thought about it, I will bow out.

[LOQUI]

I'm UMC. Born and bred. So done. Great allies in the UMC, but still done. I haven't been going, but still it feels bad. If I go back to church, it'll be UCC. I wonder how Loqui is feeling. Hy works for them.

BTW, they might be able to rule the penalties for performing same sex marriages etc unconstitutional, but still . . . done. Kinda mind-blowing not to be UMC anymore. I don't know. I so feel for LGBTQ folks and allies who are leaving their beloved churches that they attend every week. Fucking heartbreaking.

Hola tina martina,

Im doing fine...and Im feeling well, all things considered... :seeingstars:

Anyway, I just wanted to share this video (especially with you and with Georgia Ma'am) ... not to debate or "dialogue" about it in here, but because I thought you might be interested in its content (also, I appear there ... look for me !! LOL :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g--PlKIr3OY

g--PlKIr3OY

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Anyway, I just wanted to share this video (especially with you and with Georgia Ma'am) ... not to debate or "dialogue" about it in here, but because I thought you might be interested in its content (also, I appear there ... look for me !! LOL :)

Loqui,

Bishop Grant Hagiya is a great voice for moderation, isn't he? Although not giving in to cynicism is a tall order! (for me, at least.) It was interesting to hear his POV as an attendee at the conference. I didn't realize quite how much some Conservatives want the Progressives and Moderates completely gone from the church before I heard this. It's heartening to hear that some Moderates and Progressives are willing to wait and see what happens over the next few months before leaving en masse. At least, I hope many will.

Thanks so much for posting this useful video.

[Gemme]

The word passion literally means love of one thing, compassion meaning love of all. I am not at all certain that the 10 "artists" you mentioned had love in their heart - au contraire, having seen the biopic on Picasso, I am sure he didn't know what "love" was. To be transparent myself, I am not a fan of any of the artists you mentioned, and I have been to the Louvre, and saw Géricault's "Raft of Medusa" [no offense to Medusa of this site - :)]; it takes up the whole wall, not crazy about that one either - even if I could own it, I wouldn't want it... can you imagine having to look at that one every day...? The thing is I wouldn't want to shake hands with any of these people, nor would I encourage any of them. I find it interesting and weird that people value their works of "art". Procurement of such "art" has become nothing less than big business.

The thing is I am able to see love in art; and when there is no love, I feel nothing, same thing with music.

Insofar as finding "solace or grace" in works of art, I know someone here who has stared incessantly at a picture of the Virgin Mary (a very nice work of "art" btw), and then built his life around that, creating his own church, with himself as high priest, he even bought religious vestments and walks around in them (smh) - having done Christian "contemplation" incorrectly termed meditation. There are so many examples of people finding so-called "solace or grace" in detrimental habits, that I doubt there is any grace in what they do. To me, it's just another delusion - in other words, playing with something that isn't real. Of course, when a person chooses to follow and believe in whatever delusion they like, they must live with the consequences.

All I understand is that the brain can play tricks with itself and lie to itself. So, far be it from me to tell another how to live, or to tell another whether or not to boycott MJ or R Kelly (I saw his interview with Gayle King btw!!!), etc.

R Kelly's display was incredible, right? Having been accused of trying to control/dominate and influence the lives of so many of his young victims, nothing could seem to stop him from trying to control/dominate and influence his audience's view... geez!

Therefore, I cannot tell another to "boycott" MJ or R Kelly or whoever, I can only speak for myself.

When you say, Demonize the person, not their work, I can only say that whatever a person puts out in the universe is but a reflection of what is going on inside of them, and that is why this planet is in such a mess.

I only brought up this subject because I think it is important to think about the subject.

Actually, that's not the definition of 'passion'. Here's the link (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion), since it's a bit long but none of the versions list the meaning as 'love of one thing'. But I see you have some strong views on this matter and that's great. To each their own, right?

I wouldn't even venture a guess as to what someone else has in their heart and soul, but I do know what I personally get out of certain artists' work, be it musical or art or spoken word or whatever. Art takes many forms and is absolutely subjective. From the sound of it, you and I have very different opinions in relation to specific artists but similar thoughts on R. Kelly. lol

I agree that 'art' as a classification has become not only big business but is used as a status symbol and that's sad to me. I think it should be more freely available to all, especially younger generations that are still building their character and finding their own passions.

Thanks so much for the dialogue!

[Gráinne]

While R.Kelly, MJ, and say, Woody Allen are recent examples, this debate of art vs. artist's character is as old as, well, art.

For example, D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation. Made in 1915, it reflected the attitudes of its time and the 1860's, when it was set. Griffith's father was a colonel in the Confederate Army, and young David must have heard stories. I have no knowledge if D.W. himself was a racist, but do we condemn this movie or recognize it as an art form and jump in movie development?

Or Wagner, of the operas? He was a vicious anti-Semite. Should we never thrill to his "Ride of the Valkyries" again? It's one of my favorites-does that make me awful?

I believe in letting adults use their common sense in what they want to read, hear, watch, etc., and don't want some outside group telling me what I cannot show my children (who have seen BOAN and heard Wagner performed). They realize both Griffith and Wagner were products of their time and place.

If we as a people go down the road of banning things left and right because of the artist's actions, or-and it's not a huge jump to monuments and statues-because the subject didn't have the "right" opinions based on 2019 standards, then we are on a perilous road indeed where we are told what to think and what is "right". Dissension will be punished. There are a few societies, none of which are/were pleasant to live in, in which that was tried.

[homoe]

Paul Manafort sentenced to 47 months .......


You try committing bank fraud & tax fraud and see what you'll get!

They'd probable lock the average Joe up and throw away the key!

[homoe]

His departure to become a senior adviser to Trump’s 2020 campaign shows how laser-focused Trump is on reelection, though it’s unclear exactly what spurred Shine’s sudden resignation or why the announcement was made without a replacement lined up to fill his position.

“Bill Shine has done an outstanding job working for me and the Administration. We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 Presidential Campaign, where he will be totally involved,” Trump said in a statement. “Thank you to Bill and his wonderful family.”

[CherylNYC]

While R.Kelly, MJ, and say, Woody Allen are recent examples, this debate of art vs. artist's character is as old as, well, art.

For example, D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation. Made in 1915, it reflected the attitudes of its time and the 1860's, when it was set. Griffith's father was a colonel in the Confederate Army, and young David must have heard stories. I have no knowledge if D.W. himself was a racist, but do we condemn this movie or recognize it as an art form and jump in movie development?

Or Wagner, of the operas? He was a vicious anti-Semite. Should we never thrill to his "Ride of the Valkyries" again? It's one of my favorites-does that make me awful?

I believe in letting adults use their common sense in what they want to read, hear, watch, etc., and don't want some outside group telling me what I cannot show my children (who have seen BOAN and heard Wagner performed). They realize both Griffith and Wagner were products of their time and place.

If we as a people go down the road of banning things left and right because of the artist's actions, or-and it's not a huge jump to monuments and statues-because the subject didn't have the "right" opinions based on 2019 standards, then we are on a perilous road indeed where we are told what to think and what is "right". Dissension will be punished. There are a few societies, none of which are/were pleasant to live in, in which that was tried.

Banning? I think that's a good way to approach the work of an active perpetrator such as R Kelly. There are other approaches that work for me. Right now my personal policy is refusing to support abusers with my money, and opting for compassion for survivors. For instance, I have adamantly refused to spend another cent on anything that might provide Woody Allen with profit. The daughter he abused is a living person who is injured each time her abuser is held up for praise.

I'm an enormous fan of the work of Rodin. When his artistic and romantic partner, Camille Claudel, balked at her erasure from and lack of credit for her contributions to their collaborative pieces, he had her committed to an insane asylum. Rodin was in strong company. Rembrandt had his housekeeper committed to an insane asylum when she sued him in court for breach of contract after he refused to marry her. They had become lovers after the death of Rembrandt's beloved Saskia. Yes, I continue to enjoy the art of those two men, but I never view their work without acknowledging just how craven those men were. Could I enjoy their work if either woman were still alive? Probably not.

Jackson's many victims are very much alive. I can't imagine how painful it is for each of them to hear his work played on the radio. Without warning, many times a day, each of those people might be forced to hear the music, or see the image, of their abuser. Anywhere, anytime. Who knows besides the abused men which songs or images might trigger them? It must be excruciating for many. I choose not to torment survivors of abuse.

I occasionally work with a man who was sexually assaulted by that dumb f*ck, Kevin Spacey. I'm a survivor myself, so I had already recognized his haunted, hunted look before he ever told me about what happened to him when he was a teenager. I no longer have that look myself. Time has been an ally for me. But my co-worker is clearly sent into a terrible place when his abuser is mentioned. Compassion for survivors should be part of our process whenever we discuss how to handle the art of abusers.

[Gráinne]

Banning? I think that's a good way to approach the work of an active perpetrator such as R Kelly. There are other approaches that work for me. Right now my personal policy is refusing to support, and opting for compassion for survivors. For instance, I have adamantly refused to spend another cent on anything that might provide Woody Allen with profit. The daughter he abused is a living person who is injured each time her abuser is held up for praise.

I'm an enormous fan of the work of Rodin. When his artistic and romantic partner, Camille Claudel, balked at her erasure and lack of credit for her contributions to their collaborative pieces, he had her committed to an insane asylum. Rodin was in strong company. Rembrandt had his housekeeper committed to an insane asylum when she sued him in court for breach of contract after he refused to marry her. They had become lovers after the death of Rembrandt's beloved Saskia. Yes, I continue to enjoy the art of those two men, but I never view their work without acknowledging just how craven those men were. Could I enjoy their work if either woman were still alive? Probably not.

Jackson's many victims are very much alive. I can't imagine how painful it is for each of them to hear his work played on the radio. Without warning, many times a day, each of those people might be forced to hear the music, or see the image, of their abuser. Anywhere, anytime. Who knows besides the abused men which songs or images might trigger them? It must be excruciating for many. I choose not to torment survivors of abuse.

I occasionally work with a man who was sexually assaulted by that dumb f*ck, Kevin Spacey. I'm a survivor myself, so I had already recognized his haunted, hunted look before he ever told me about what happened to him when he was a teenager. I no longer have that look myself. Time has been an ally for me. But my co-worker is clearly sent into a terrible place when his abuser is mentioned. Compassion for survivors should be part of our process whenever we discuss how to handle the art of abusers.

But who gets to decide for everyone else what is banned? If a statue triggers someone, should it be pulled down even if the person's descendants objects? Who would decide for me what I can't see, watch or read?

I too am a survivor. But I don't want to live in a sterile world free of triggers. I don't want compassion. I want the whole world of art, as messy and controversial as it is.

[CherylNYC]

But who gets to decide for everyone else what is banned? If a statue triggers someone, should it be pulled down even if the person's descendants objects? Who would decide for me what I can't see, watch or read?

I too am a survivor. But I don't want to live in a sterile world free of triggers. I don't want compassion. I want the whole world of art, as messy and controversial as it is.

I think the movement to stop R Kelly, for instance, is just and empowering. If you want to support his art, go right ahead. His victims/survivors have a right to appeal to any and all to NOT support his art. As long as R Kelly is making money he has power and influence. Unless the law finally catches up to a man who abuses black women, he will face no repercussions. He's shown himself to be someone who feels entitled to abuse women, so I feel good about his downfall.

I think we should be precise about our language, too. I know you haven't done so, Grainne, but whenever this subject comes up, butt hurt men come screaming out of the woodwork to decry the supposed trampling of their right to free speech. When we say 'ban' in reference to a recording artist, we're not talking about any government stopping him from doing his work under penalty of criminal prosecution. We're saying that reputable, compassionate people have decided that the only way to stop this man from victimizing other young women is to cut off his supply of funds. You can have all the messy artists you want, but I'm committed to stopping the careers of active, unrepentant abusers.

[charley]

actresses Felicity Huffman (known for Get Shorty, Desperate Housewives), Lori Loughlin (known for Fuller House, When Calls the Heart, Garage Sales mysteries, 90210, etc.) busted in college admissions cheating scandal, among many others conspired to help parents' kids to get into elite schools

https://nypost.com/2019/03/12/lori-loughlin-felicity-huffman-busted-in-college-admissions-cheating-scandal/

bribery, fraud, money laundering, etc.... yikes

[charley]

Chief Judge Peter Kidd has sentenced Cardinal George Pell (highest ranking official of the Catholic Church in Australia - he is 77 years old) to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months, for the sexual abuse of two boys at St Patrick’s Cathedral in the 1990s. I watched Kidd read the sentence @45' online!

He retains (!!!) his title until his appeal is heard...

(cough)

[charley]

Right-wing (white supremacist) extremist terrorists shoot and kill in two mosques in Christchurch - watching news on TV (BBC), Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister) said @40 killed, @48 at least wounded in hospital (approx. 20 seriously) - these numbers may change... in process. What a horror, in such a peaceful country!! Ardern said of those hurt, "They are us", which reminded me of Kennedy's "I am a Berliner", which one can relate to, as in, "I am you" - the youness. Of the 4 suspects who are in custody, she said of them, "They are not us". Really respect all that Ardern has already done in NZ, and understand completely what she meant by her statements, as I cannot relate to nor feel anything at all for those who are abusive.

All this reminds me of something I once read that the worse thing one can say to another is that one parts ways with that person, the separation between us and them.

Curious fact of my life is that life usually keeps abusive people apart from me, which was not the case prior to meditation, as I came from a not-so-perfect childhood. I have no idea whatsoever what one could say that would awaken people to their abusiveness. They seem to act out of choice (which arises from thought) instead of compassion (which arises from love). One understands that any gang like the above-mentioned 4 in custody always target someone to act out their hatred on. All such gangs are always exclusive, instead of being inclusive.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-oraGe-QmCkcMG8n6Pzki3gxwMLwOC_cquLXZ-NlJhJLN7F7A

[charley]

My, My, APPARENTLY, Trudeau may have pressured the Justice Department to go "soft" in a bribery enquiry on one of the world's largest engineering Company here in Canada - SNC-Lavalin, based in the Province of Quebec.

"The firm and two of its subsidiaries face fraud and corruption charges in connection with about C$48m ($36m; £28m) in bribes it is alleged to have offered to Libyan officials between 2001-11."

Two ministers in Trudeau's cabinet have quit!!!

Jane Philpott has stated, "It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases." She was a top minister in Trudeau's cabinet (Treasury Board Minister).

This is a big (like HUGE!!!) scandal here in Canada...
And, there are rumours here that it may bring down the entire Trudeau administration.

The first Minister who quit was our Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould !!!

One of Trudeau's closest friends, has also quit: "Gerald Butts, who quit as Trudeau’s principal secretary last month over the SNC-Lavalin affair, will testify to the House of Commons justice committee on Wednesday."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/01/explained-the-case-that-could-bring-down-canadas-justin-trudeau

Considering what happens in the States, where such things happen almost every day with no consequences to their jobs (lol), you may find it incredible that such powerful people in the cabinet of a duly elected leader find it untenable to remain in positions of power when faced with pressure from the leader to do anything illegal.

Oh good grief - Trudeau has expelled the two above-mentioned "whistleblowers" from the Liberal Party because Jody Wilson-Raybould was able to prove that there was pressure from Trudeau lackeys by introducing tapes (the brilliant woman taped some convos) and also introduced emails...

In Canada, it is not illegal to tape convos of which one is a part.

Trudeau's rationale is ugly, discussing "trust", i.e. loyalty (reminds me of Trump). His popularity is really plummeting. With elections approaching here in Canada, the alternative to Trudeau is worse... Oh dear....

[C0LLETTE]

Canadian Press:
Quebec’s Deputy Premier says citizens who see municipalities or school boards failing to apply the province’s proposed secular dress code can call the police to have the law enforced.

Provincial Public Security Minister Geneviève Guilbault told reporters at the Quebec National Assembly that it is the job of the police to enforce the law, and the province’s proposed ban on wearing religious symbols in some public service jobs would be no different."

See a bureaucrat wearing a hijab or a yarmulke call the police. See a bureaucrat wearing a cross on a necklace or earrings...ummm "gee nice jewelry".

This is Quebec today. The most "socially" progressive/liberal province in Canada while being the most "culturally" backward province in North America.

Want to have anal sex, no problem. Want to have anal sex while wearing a hijab, watch your ass.

I know, I know...the rules are for bureaucrats functioning in their official roles but it's a freaking slippery slope when the Government starts deciding how much of your beliefs you have to hide.

Be careful what you wish for.

[C0LLETTE]

Oh Canada, Oh Nova Scotia

"Under the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act, all people in Nova Scotia would be considered potential organ donors unless they opt out."

Just so totally right.

[homoe]

Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen is out


Good ridden to bad rubbish!


Sidebar: When these idiots that worked for Trump leave and go on to their next job, who in their right mind hires them?

[dark_crystal]

Sri Lanka blasts: More than 200 dead in church and hotel bombings across country (https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html)

(CNN)At least 207 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in a series of bomb blasts that hit luxury hotels and churches across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, leaving the entire country in a state of lock-down.

The first wave of attacks struck at the heart of the country's minority Christian community during busy Easter services at churches in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa on Sunday morning.
Additional blasts ripped through three high-end hotels, the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury, all in capital city Colombo.
In a statement, the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo said that the hotel's Table One cafe was hit just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.
A seventh and eighth blast, at a hotel in front of the Dehiwala Zoo in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia and at a private house in Mahawila Gardens, in Dematagoda, occurred Sunday afternoon.
Here's the full list of blast sites reported so far:

St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade
St Sebastian's Church, Negombo
Zion Church, Batticaloa
Cinnamon Grand, Colombo
Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo
Near Dehiwala Zoo in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
A house in Mahawila Gardens, Dematagoda


I saw this on twitter before i went to bed and got up and turned on the news, expecting the coverage to be wall-to-wall like it was for New Zealand

CBS was interviewing "K-pop sensations" BTS
MSNBC was talking about Joe Biden
CNN was talking about George Zimmerman being blocked from dating apps

Why is this? My theory-- New Zealand is a white country. New Zealand's victims were Muslims, not percieved as white, but the country is white.

Sri Lanka is not white. The targets were Christian, but they are not white Christians.

If the perpetrators were attacking "western values" they failed, bc we don't care about that country at all, apparently

[C0LLETTE]

dark_crystal:

"Sri Lanka is not white. The targets were Christian, but they are not white Christians.

If the perpetrators were attacking "western values" they failed, bc we don't care about that country at all, apparently"

Would seem so but how better to keep local people away from Christianity and how better to keep "foreigners" away and perhaps ruin an economy including a newly burgeoning tourist trade which was opening the country to various new influences beyond what some considered traditional ?
___

[C0LLETTE]

When you live outside the USA but watch USA news you'd quickly see how much of the world is ignored by USA news media. I suppose it's understandable.

Nothing special about Sri Lanka.

[MsTinkerbelly]

I saw the attack on Sri Lanka just this morning; I am still crying. I cry because my brothers and sisters were killed; Christian, Muslim, Jew, on and on...you should be free to worship ( or not) without facing death.

As to news coverage...we ( the US) are only concerned with things that directly effect us, or peoples that we consider to be close allies. The rest of the worlds problems? Unless they are sensational like a tidal wave, not so much.

BTW, the article I found was from Al Jazarra

[Kätzchen]

Maybe it's not so much Western Values as maybe it could also be a form of denouncing any form of Imperialism?

Or maybe it could be viewed as a form of denouncing any form of rule which is shaped by forms of Authoritarian Rule?

In my mind, Authoritarian Rule is always associated with forms of Fascism (generally speaking).

[GeorgiaMa'am]

When you live outside the USA but watch USA news you'd quickly see how much of the world is ignored by USA news media.

This is why I listen to BBC World News. In addition to making me more informed, I think I get the temperature of what the rest of the Western world thinks is most important. Al Jazeera quit podcasting in English a couple of years ago, but now they are back with "Al Jazeera Your World", a 3-minute daily update of headlines.

It's amazing what all goes on in the world that is completely ignored by the U.S. news media.

[dark_crystal]

Further thoughts:

The New Zealand perpetrator was a white supremacist who implicated Trump. This was juicy. It may be that the mainstream media (not FOX, which i haven't checked) is "liberal" enough at this point to be more comfortable sensationalizing the Trump angle than they are with fueling more anti-Muslim sentiment.

Right now it is a big assumption that the perpetrators were Muslim.

Sri Lanka has only specified "religious extremists"

There is a report that the government was warned last week that a group called "National Thowheeth Jama’ath" were planning to attack churches.

National Thowheeth Jama’ath is made up of "Syria and jihad returnees" and first came to public attention "when it was linked to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues"

I am getting that information from an article proclaiming their innocence on a Malaysian website (https://theleaders-online.com/national-thowheed-jamaat-not-responsible-for-sri-lanka-blasts/), though, which is also underreporting the casualties at 135.

[dark_crystal]

Maybe it's not so much Western Values as maybe it could also be a form of denouncing any form of Imperialism?

Or maybe it could be viewed as a form of denouncing any form of rule which is shaped by forms of Authoritarian Rule?

In my mind, Authoritarian Rule is always associated with forms of Fascism (generally speaking).

The group that is being mentioned has also vandalized Buddhist statues, so their issue may be with "infidels," generally.

[dark_crystal]

dark_crystal:

"Sri Lanka is not white. The targets were Christian, but they are not white Christians.

If the perpetrators were attacking "western values" they failed, bc we don't care about that country at all, apparently"

Would seem so but how better to keep local people away from Christianity and how better to keep "foreigners" away and perhaps ruin an economy including a newly burgeoning tourist trade which was opening the country to various new influences beyond what some considered traditional ?
___

Yes, very telling that i assumed we were the audience lol. The attacks (of the suspected perpetrators) on Buddhist sites indicate this could very easily be about internal purity

[homoe]

I know someone posted about this awhile back, so thought I'd add this update.

Fight over census citizenship question hits Supreme Court

The battle over the Trump administration's efforts to add a question on citizenship to the 2020 census is hitting the Supreme Court.

The justices will hear arguments on Tuesday over the administration adding the question, a controversial move that has sparked legal battles throughout the U.S. court system.

The Commerce Department, which administers the census, is expected to argue that it has the authority to collect data on citizenship and that the question is needed to help with the Justice Department's enforcement of the Voting Rights Act.

But opponents of the move, represented by the state of New York, will claim that adding the question will deter undocumented immigrants from filling out the survey, leading to an inaccurate count of the American population.

Two other parties — House Democrats and a collection of immigrant rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union — will also be given a chance to argue to the justices that the addition of the question is unconstitutional.

The Trump administration has repeatedly seen controversial policies shot down by federal judges but then supported by the Supreme Court. And with three lower court judges blocking the citizenship question from being added to the census, this week's arguments will present the justices with one of their biggest cases of the term.

[dark_crystal]

Sri Lanka blasts: More than 200 dead in church and hotel bombings across country (https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html)

I saw this on twitter before i went to bed and got up and turned on the news, expecting the coverage to be wall-to-wall like it was for New Zealand

CBS was interviewing "K-pop sensations" BTS
MSNBC was talking about Joe Biden
CNN was talking about George Zimmerman being blocked from dating apps

Why is this? My theory-- New Zealand is a white country. New Zealand's victims were Muslims, not percieved as white, but the country is white.

Sri Lanka is not white. The targets were Christian, but they are not white Christians.

If the perpetrators were attacking "western values" they failed, bc we don't care about that country at all, apparently

Ok, wow: Sri Lankan Official Says Bombings Are Retaliation For New Zealand Massacre (https://www.npr.org/2019/04/23/716266428/sri-lankan-official-says-bombings-are-retaliation-for-new-zealand-massacre)

A Sri Lankan government official says coordinated suicide bombings in the island nation on Easter Sunday, which killed more than 320 people, were carried out in retaliation for last month's mass shooting at mosques in New Zealand.

State minister for defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said the attacks were carried out by two Islamist organizations. As NPR's Lauren Frayer reports, "it's not immediately clear how he knows that – whether the information comes from suspects being interrogated, or evidence the suicide bombers may have left behind."

That second graf is a notable caveat, but since the New Zealand shooter claimed to be inspired by Trump, doesn't Trump have some responsibility for Sri Lanka?

[C0LLETTE]

Ok, wow: Sri Lankan Official Says Bombings Are Retaliation For New Zealand Massacre (https://www.npr.org/2019/04/23/716266428/sri-lankan-official-says-bombings-are-retaliation-for-new-zealand-massacre)

A Sri Lankan government official says coordinated suicide bombings in the island nation on Easter Sunday, which killed more than 320 people, were carried out in retaliation for last month's mass shooting at mosques in New Zealand.

State minister for defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said the attacks were carried out by two Islamist organizations. As NPR's Lauren Frayer reports, "it's not immediately clear how he knows that – whether the information comes from suspects being interrogated, or evidence the suicide bombers may have left behind."

That second graf is a notable caveat, but since the New Zealand shooter claimed to be inspired by Trump, doesn't Trump have some responsibility for Sri Lanka?

I think the 12th Century Crusaders also have to take their, first-in-line, fair share of responsibilty.

[dark_crystal]

I think the 12th Century Crusaders also have to take their, first-in-line, fair share of responsibilty.

Also William Knox D'Arcy

[charley]

In Melbourne, Australia, a lesbian owned vegan café is closing after 2 years - they were known for "provoking a debate by offering women priority seating and charging men an extra 18% one week a month".

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/1827B/production/_106593989_vegancafe1.jpg

from Handsome Her:

"We’ve never shied away from controversy in the spirit of social justice and it seems fitting that we go out in the same style in which we came in: a whirlwind of sad, angry male tears. A pretty decent spruik on The Daily Mail has set off a spate of love letters from adoring men worldwide, and yes it is sad but true; this Sunday is our final day. However let us assure you that we are not closing because of:

"A) Male tears or misogynistic vitriol from men's rights activists. We’re lesbians, we’re quite used witnessing the fragility of the male ego which literally cannot compute the idea of a woman who is not interested in them. These abusive comments have been mostly amusing, only reinforced our views about how toxic sexism is, and great motivation for us to keep up the good work

"B) Not making enough money. If you've been in you know we are doing just fine. Our fans and regulars can smell a rat when it comes to fake google reviews from #sadmen. Most of our male customers have happily paid above and beyond the optional surcharge (mantax) which we donate to charity. Handsome Her was somewhat of a social experiment for us outside of our professional realms, and we have seen that it works to put our politics to the forefront in life and in business

"As much as people would love to believe it, sorry but the man tax did not run our business into the ground, we just don't want to own a cafe anymore...

"For real though, we have sold the business because we are young, educated and off on our next adventure! For those of you who have run your own small business, you know how much time, blood, sweat and tears it takes, and we are looking forward to a slower, more deliberate way of living out in the world and putting our feminist, vegan, low-waste politics into practice.

"We are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday so we will see you then!

"We remain ever yours, the leftist, extremist, man-hating, vegan dykes of your worst nightmare xx much love to you all"

I especially liked that last line - made my day, and made me smile and chuckle :) - so I placed that line in emphasis.

Oh, to be young, lesbian, and adventurous!!!

[Kätzchen]

Why Barr Can't Whitewash The Mueller Report

We have a system in place for our government to uncover evidence against a sitting president. And it's working.

by Neal Katyal (May 1st, 2019; The New York Times Op-Ed)

Many who watched Attorney General William Barr’s testimony on Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which followed the revelation that the special counsel Robert Mueller had expressed misgivings about Mr. Barr’s characterization of his report, are despairing about the rule of law. I am not among them. I think the system is working, and inching, however slowly, toward justice.

When it comes to investigating a president, the special counsel regulations I had the privilege of drafting in 1998-99 say that such inquiries have one ultimate destination: Congress. That is where this process is going, and has to go. We are in the fifth inning, and we should celebrate a system in which our own government can uncover so much evidence against a sitting president.

Some commentators have attacked the special counsel regulations as giving the attorney general the power to close a case against the president, as Mr. Barr did with the obstruction of justice investigation into Donald Trump. But the critics’ complaint here is not with the regulations but with the Constitution itself. Article II gives the executive branch control over prosecutions, so there isn’t an easy way to remove the attorney general from the process.

Instead, the idea behind the regulations was to say, “We recognize the constitutional reality that the attorney general controls the prosecution power, so what else can we do?” My colleagues and I (a group that included many career officials at the Justice Department as well as bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate) settled on two things. First, provide a mechanism to enable an independent investigation, and thereby generate public confidence in the outcome of that investigation. Second, design that mechanism so that if the attorney general interferes with the special counsel’s inquiry, that interference would be reported to Congress and ultimately become public.

The underappreciated story right now is that we’ve not only learned that it was Mr. Barr — and pointedly not Mr. Mueller — who decided to clear President Trump of the obstruction charges, but also discovered the reasoning behind Mr. Barr’s decision. The American public and Congress now have the facts and evidence before them. The sunlight the regulations sought is shining.

Mr. Barr tried to spin these facts. He hid Mr. Mueller’s complaints, which were delivered to him in writing more than a month ago, even when Congress asked in a previous hearing about complaints by members of the special counsel's team. And the four-page letter that Mr. Barr issued in March and supposedly described the Mueller report omitted the two key factors driving the special counsel’s decision (which were hard to miss, as they were on the first two pages of the report’s volume about obstruction): First, that he could not indict a sitting president, so it would be unfair to accuse Mr. Trump of crimes even if he were guilty as sin; and second, Mr. Mueller could and would clear a sitting president, but he did not believe the facts cleared the president.

These two items came out because the special counsel regulations allowed for public release of this information (and not, as Mr. Barr testified on Wednesday, because he “overrode” the regulations to give the information to the public). The attorney general was misleading through and through, not just about the investigation, but about the special counsel regulations themselves.

What’s more, we now know about Mr. Barr’s reasoning to clear the president, which turns out to be painfully thin. When asked on Wednesday why he did so, Mr. Barr said the Department of Justice ordinarily issues “binary” decisions: indict or not indict. But Mr. Barr’s own view is that this case is anything but ordinary, because the president cannot be indicted. If Mr. Trump were an “ordinary” individual, he’d almost surely be looking down the barrel of a federal indictment right now. So how can Mr. Barr now use the “ordinary” rules playbook?

This mishmash of legal arguments is absurd. No responsible scholar who thinks a sitting president cannot be indicted also thinks an attorney general can try to truncate a process of oversight — by Congress, for example — by “pre-clearing” the president in advance. The whole idea behind the notion that a sitting president cannot be indicted is that the responsibility lies in Congress. An attorney general shouldn’t put his thumb on the scale one way or the other. That’s why Mr. Mueller’s predecessors, Kenneth Starr and Leon Jaworski, simply served the evidence up to Congress; they didn’t try to exonerate the president in advance of it.

And that brings us full circle to the special counsel regulations. We knew when we drafted them that we could have a nefarious attorney general (though, in fairness, we didn’t predict this amount of duplicity). But we also knew that the facts would ultimately be forced out into public view under the regulations. That is why the special counsel isn’t a regular Justice Department employee. The “break glass in case of emergency” option was that if the attorney general was interfering with the work of the special counsel and preventing it from becoming public, the special counsel could leave the department and testify. Mr. Mueller needs to testify and tell us whether he disagrees with Mr. Barr’s analysis and conclusions about obstruction of evidence; what he thinks about the attorney general’s reaching his decision without reviewing any of the underlying evidence; what Mr. Mueller thought of Mr. Barr’s characterization of their reported disagreements; whether there were other disagreements that have not been reported; and whether Mr. Mueller’s knowledge of what Mr. Barr has done leads him to conclude that the attorney general must recuse himself from the continuing Trump investigations.

Mr. Barr’s deeply evasive testimony on Wednesday necessitates and tees up a full investigation in Congress. Those who say Congress shouldn’t do so because surveys show that the American public is not in favor of an impeachment inquiry must take into account the fact that the American people have been misled by Attorney General Barr’s characterizations of the report and its conclusions. These surveys are therefore not surprising. But there is no more sacred duty for Congress than getting to the bottom of whether our president has taken care that the laws of this country have been faithfully executed.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

LINK: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/opinion/barr-mueller-report.html

[Lyte]

Never heard of the place. Me thinks she/they doth protest too much regarding the cause. Still, pity they're closing... whatever reason.



In Melbourne, Australia, a lesbian owned vegan café is closing after 2 years - they were known for "provoking a debate by offering women priority seating and charging men an extra 18% one week a month".

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/1827B/production/_106593989_vegancafe1.jpg

from Handsome Her:

"We’ve never shied away from controversy in the spirit of social justice and it seems fitting that we go out in the same style in which we came in: a whirlwind of sad, angry male tears. A pretty decent spruik on The Daily Mail has set off a spate of love letters from adoring men worldwide, and yes it is sad but true; this Sunday is our final day. However let us assure you that we are not closing because of:

"A) Male tears or misogynistic vitriol from men's rights activists. We’re lesbians, we’re quite used witnessing the fragility of the male ego which literally cannot compute the idea of a woman who is not interested in them. These abusive comments have been mostly amusing, only reinforced our views about how toxic sexism is, and great motivation for us to keep up the good work

"B) Not making enough money. If you've been in you know we are doing just fine. Our fans and regulars can smell a rat when it comes to fake google reviews from #sadmen. Most of our male customers have happily paid above and beyond the optional surcharge (mantax) which we donate to charity. Handsome Her was somewhat of a social experiment for us outside of our professional realms, and we have seen that it works to put our politics to the forefront in life and in business

"As much as people would love to believe it, sorry but the man tax did not run our business into the ground, we just don't want to own a cafe anymore...

"For real though, we have sold the business because we are young, educated and off on our next adventure! For those of you who have run your own small business, you know how much time, blood, sweat and tears it takes, and we are looking forward to a slower, more deliberate way of living out in the world and putting our feminist, vegan, low-waste politics into practice.

"We are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday so we will see you then!

"We remain ever yours, the leftist, extremist, man-hating, vegan dykes of your worst nightmare xx much love to you all"

I especially liked that last line - made my day, and made me smile and chuckle :) - so I placed that line in emphasis.

Oh, to be young, lesbian, and adventurous!!!

[charley]

Alabama has passed legislation to effectively ban abortion in that State. Apparently, the gov has yet to sign this law. With Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court and a majority "conservative" (Republican nominated) court, geez!!! So, Roe vs. Wade will come up again; I thought that was established/settled!!

My jaw drops as even rape or incest will not be an exception for this, only a mother's life.

I really feel for all women who find their right to decide what happens to their body infringed by the religious right in that part of America.

It just seems that certain parts of the U.S. (and in the world) are moving backwards in time. Am I imagining that?

I live in such a different world that I find so much of what is happening in the States hard to fathom.

(As an aside, a woman in our building who was suffering with terminal cancer made a decision to end that suffering, and in her apartment had a medical practitioner help her end that suffering with medically assisted suicide. I find so much of what is happening in the States so difficult to fathom and understand, considering how different we Canadians view medical situations - just saying!)

And now there is this "trade war" initiated by the Americans, which I also find quite disconcerting. I think the Chinese will win this war, and the Chinese will become the most powerful nation on this planet in this coming century. Unfortunately, due to our proximity to the States, this "trade war" will effect us here in Canada.

[C0LLETTE]

KELLY GRANT HEALTH REPORTER
PUBLISHED MAY 15, 2019 Globe and Mail.

Physicians who object on moral grounds to providing health-care services such as assisted dying, abortion and birth control must offer their patients an “effective referral” to another doctor, Ontario’s highest court has ruled.

In a unanimous decision released Wednesday, the Court of Appeal for Ontario reaffirmed a lower court’s conclusion that it was a reasonable limit on the religious freedom of doctors to require them to connect their patients with willing providers of medical assistance-in-dying (MAID) and other contentious health services.

Vulnerable patients “seeking MAID, abortion, contraception and other aspects of sexual health care, turn to their family physicians for advice, care, and, if necessary, medical treatment or intervention,” Chief Justice George Strathy wrote.

About one per cent of deaths in Canada medically assisted: Health Canada

End-of-life commission sees ‘strong growth’ in number of Quebeckers seeking assisted death

Opinion: On choices around death, Quebec offers a cautionary tale

“Given the importance of family physicians as ‘gatekeepers’ and ‘patient navigators’ in the health care system, there is compelling evidence that patients will suffer harm in the absence of an effective referral.”

The Court of Appeal for Ontario is now the highest court in the country to have ruled on the thorny question of how the conscience rights of doctors should be balanced against the rights of patients to access publicly funded health services – a question that became more pressing after the legalization of assisted dying three years ago.

Around the time the federal law was enacted in June of 2016, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) – which licenses doctors and regulates the practice of medicine – adopted a MAID policy that made it clear that physicians who refused to provide assisted deaths were obligated to meaningfully connect their patients with doctors who would.

[~ocean]

Alabama has passed legislation to effectively ban abortion in that State. Apparently, the gov has yet to sign this law. With Kavanaugh in the Supreme Court and a majority "conservative" (Republican nominated) court, geez!!! So, Roe vs. Wade will come up again; I thought that was established/settled!!

My jaw drops as even rape or incest will not be an exception for this, only a mother's life.

I really feel for all women who find their right to decide what happens to their body infringed by the religious right in that part of America.

It just seems that certain parts of the U.S. (and in the world) are moving backwards in time. Am I imagining that?

I live in such a different world that I find so much of what is happening in the States hard to fathom.

(As an aside, a woman in our building who was suffering with terminal cancer made a decision to end that suffering, and in her apartment had a medical practitioner help her end that suffering with medically assisted suicide. I find so much of what is happening in the States so difficult to fathom and understand, considering how different we Canadians view medical situations - just saying!)

And now there is this "trade war" initiated by the Americans, which I also find quite disconcerting. I think the Chinese will win this war, and the Chinese will become the most powerful nation on this planet in this coming century. Unfortunately, due to our proximity to the States, this "trade war" will effect us here in Canada.


Charley ! stop bashing AMERICANS , did we as a nation implicate such imbesilic actions ? Concern yourself with your own government. Like yourself I exercise the freedom of speech , Please Shut Up !:praying:

[Truly Scrumptious]

I live in such a different world that I find so much of what is happening in the States hard to fathom..


Thing is, the Conservatives want to do the same thing right here in Canada.
(And given how close Andrew Scheer is to becoming our next PM, I don't think our world will be that different at all.)


https://north99.org/2019/05/15/republicans-in-the-us-are-criminalizing-abortion-canadas-conservatives-want-to-do-the-same/?source=article&fbclid=IwAR3SDSrCcaMo3wKUqr73uLtbx_SwDmwJQ0MRLZwGN-OuPS1CXtZSbhTZufQ

[charley]

Huawei is sold in Canada, and while its market share is very small here in Canada, all those who bought Huawei here will have a problem loading Google updates, or having access to Gmail, etc. in the future, as "Google has confirmed that it will cease allowing Huawei to use its version of Android, instead requiring the Chinese giant to rely on the Android Open Source Project if it wants to use the platform. ... Future Huawei phones will be without Google services."

All this just after Trump ordered Huawei to be put on its blacklist... I do not think this has anything to do with security issues but has more to do with American financial interests - the escalating trade war between USA and China.

I have no idea what will happen with Apple phones, since Apple phones are made in China!

I own a Samsung. :)

[dark_crystal]

CNN: Mount Everest death toll rises to 11 amid overcrowding concerns (https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/27/asia/mount-everest-deaths-intl/index.html)
Another mountaineer has died after summiting Mount Everest, bringing the death toll for the 2019 climbing season to 11 people. American attorney Christopher John Kulish, 62, died on Monday after reaching the top of Everest on the Nepalese side of the mountain in the morning, Meera Acharya, the Director of Nepal's Tourism Department told CNN.

Mountaineers have suggested difficult weather conditions, a lack of experience and the growing commercialization of expeditions as contributing factors to the backlog. British climber Robin Haynes Fisher was one of those who had warned of the dangers of overcrowding.

"With a single route to the summit, delays caused by overcrowding could prove fatal so I am hopeful my decision to go for the 25th will mean fewer people. Unless of course everyone else plays the same waiting game," he wrote in a captioned Instagram post on May 19.

He died after suffering from what appeared to be altitude sickness at 8,600 meters (28,215 feet), while returning from the summit on Saturday.

During the week beginning May 20, crowds of climbers became stuck in a queue to the summit, above the mountain's highest camp at 8,000 meters (26,247 feet). The summit of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) high.

Most people can only spend a matter of minutes at the summit without extra oxygen supplies, and the area where mountaineers have been delayed is known to many as the "death zone."

Mountain guide Adrian Ballinger told CNN many see Everest as the "ultimate challenge" but the problem he has seen is the "lower level of experience of the climbers trying to come here and also of the companies that are trying to offer services on the mountain."

He continued, "That lack of experience, both with the commercial operators and the climbers themselves, is causing these images we see where people make bad decisions, get themselves in trouble up high and end up having unnecessary fatalities."

Ballinger explained that seasoned climbers call any part of the mountain above 26,000 feet "the death zone," adding that "humans just really aren't meant to exist there."

"Even when using bottled oxygen, supplemental oxygen, there's only a very few number of hours that we can actually survive up there before our bodies start to shut down. So that means if you get caught in a traffic jam above 26,000 feet ... the consequences can be really severe," he added.

[dark_crystal]

https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/8e55631d4dbc2ce03c11ce262962af14?width=650

‘Walking over bodies’: mountaineers describe carnage on Everest (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/walking-over-bodies-mountaineers-describe-the-carnage-at-the-top-of-mount-everest)
An experienced mountaineer has described the “death, carnage and chaos” at the top of Mount Everest as climbers pushed past bodies to reach the world’s highest summit.

The death toll on the mountain grew to 11 in the past day after an American doctor was killed while descending from the peak. It emerged also that an Australian climber was discovered unconscious but had survived after being transported downhill on the back of a yak.

Elia Saikaly, a film-maker, reached Hillary Step, the final stage before the summit, on the morning of 23 May, where he said the sunrise revealed the lifeless body of another climber. With little choice at that altitude but to keep moving, his team – including Joyce Azzam, the first Lebanese woman to climb the world’s “Seven Summits” – made it to the peak a short time later.

“I cannot believe what I saw up there,” Saikaly said of the last hours of his climb in a post on Instagram. “Death. Carnage. Chaos. Lineups. Dead bodies on the route and in tents at camp 4. People who I tried to turn back who ended up dying. People being dragged down. Walking over bodies. Everything you read in the sensational headlines all played out on our summit night.”

This year’s Everest climbing season is so far the fourth deadliest on record, with mountaineers blaming poor weather, inexperienced climbers and a record number of permits issued by the Nepalese government, which, along with a rule that every climber has to be accompanied by a sherpa, led to there being more than 820 people trying to reach the summit.

“There were 200-plus climbers making their way to the summit,” Saikaly told the Guardian of his ascent. “I came across a deceased climber … that person’s body was fixed to an anchor point between two safety lines and every single person that was climbing towards the summit had to step over that human being.

i am posting about this again because i am really disturbed by this situation!

i think it is dumb to want to climb Mount Everest! I understand that it used to be a big achievement, but when you have to wait in a line of 200 people to get there? How is that unique or special anymore?

They are lining up at the elevation known as the "Death Zone (https://www.businessinsider.com/mount-everest-death-zone-what-happens-to-body-2019-5)."
if climbers want to summit Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters or 5.5 miles) above sea level, they have to brave what's known as "The Death Zone" — the altitude above 8,000 meters where there is so little oxygen that the body starts to die, minute by minute and cell by cell.

You are actually in the process of dying for every second you stay above 8k! And you are spending those seconds waiting in a line of 200 people!

I understand maybe in the 20th century, having summitted Everest was a cool accomplishment to have. But not when 200 people already beat you there THAT DAY.

And it sounds like people turn into monsters up there! They put themselves in a life-or-death situation and use the situation as an excuse not to help people dying in front of them, then just climb over the bodies.

It's just so metaphorical...for something

[Martina]

I totally agree.

The place is a litter pile. This year before climbing season began, tons of garbage was removed, including older corpses.

I respect adventure sports, but most of these folks are not alpinists. They just have a spare $50,000 and the need to have stories to tell to their vapid peers. Hell, they don't have to learn anything. They just have to put in the time to acclimate. It takes no skill beyond the ability to stay upright.

It's about the money for the outfitters. It's one thing when an avalanche kills a bunch of climbers, but when they die because the line is too long???? It's way out of control.

[homoe]

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced on Thursday that his press secretary, Sarah Sanders, will be leaving the White House at the end of the month.

[MsTinkerbelly]

WASHINGTON — President Trump announced on Thursday that his press secretary, Sarah Sanders, will be leaving the White House at the end of the month.

She hasn’t had a press conference in so long, I thought she was already gone!

[C0LLETTE]

She hasn’t had a press conference in so long, I thought she was already gone!

Seems her children need her at home.

[Martina]

If she runs for Governor of Arkansas, she just might win.

[ksrainbow]

if/could/would should WalMart have some corp donations to her 2023 campaign?

Ks- :thinking:

[Martina]

if/could/would should WalMart have some corp donations to her 2023 campaign?

Ks- :thinking:

You know they would. Crazy motherfuckers, all of them.

[ksrainbow]

You know they would. Crazy motherfuckers, all of them.

I do not partake of their products:

https://www.hayspost.com/2019/06/17/hays-walmart-among-those-selling-plants-infected-with-deadly-tree-disease/

Ks-

[Lyte]

One would think... or maybe it's just me... that summiting Everest would have lost a lot of its prestige considering damn near any joker with money can now do it.

Mountain guide Adrian Ballinger told CNN many see Everest as the "ultimate challenge" but the problem he has seen is the "lower level of experience of the climbers trying to come here and also of the companies that are trying to offer services on the mountain."

[homoe]

Supreme Court to hear appeal in Bridgegate case...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/28/politics/supreme-court-bridgegate-kelly-appeal/index.html



I'll be keeping a close eye on this come October!

[dark_crystal]

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell this morning, an apparent suicide by hanging (https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684).

He was in a suicide prevention cell with 24-hour monitoring, and a tranche of documents was released yesterday that was very bad news for Prince Andrew (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/09/prince-andrew-court-documents-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein).

I am suspicious!

And worried for the victims! Does this mean there won't be a trial, now, and none of the evidence against Trump and Clinton, etc. will come out?

[charley]

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell this morning, an apparent suicide by hanging (https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684).

He was in a suicide prevention cell with 24-hour monitoring, and a tranche of documents was released yesterday that was very bad news for Prince Andrew (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/09/prince-andrew-court-documents-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein).

I am suspicious!

And worried for the victims! Does this mean there won't be a trial, now, and none of the evidence against Trump and Clinton, etc. will come out?

Ya know, before I had done loads of meditation, and someone bad bit the dust, I would kinda make a fist pump, and say out loud, "Oh, wonderful, thank god!"; now, because of meditation, I no longer have such reactions, but I think that for the victims - that they will not have to go through the hell of testifying and bullying/cross-examination by zealous lawyers. I do not wish harm on anyone, but am relieved for the victims.

I agree with you re: being suspicious - too many powerful rich people involved in this messy case.

[~ocean]

It's all legal battle ~ as to the estate value and all assets ~ Those who used his services will be brought up in court and they will take the brunt for Epstein ~ it's going to bring a lot of shame and jail time on his so called associates. I am not buying the fact that this was a suicide that he did alone. $ paid out for turning their head , murder, tons of speculations .I wonder who is writing the movie already preceded by a book no doubt . The price of pain for the victims should come w/ future residuals . (((((( the young woman )))))) who were victimized by that pig, as young as 14 omg….

[Kätzchen]

Jeffrey Epstein Indictment Is Tip of the Iceberg (https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/16/opinions/jeffrey-epstein-indictment-tip-iceberg-honig/index.html)



The Op-Ed is authored by Elie Honig, CNN Legal Analyst. Honig was a former federal and state prosecutor. Video is imbedded in the article link, too (click on article title above).

[homoe]

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell this morning, an apparent suicide by hanging (https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684).

He was in a suicide prevention cell with 24-hour monitoring, and a tranche of documents was released yesterday that was very bad news for Prince Andrew (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/09/prince-andrew-court-documents-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein).

I am suspicious!

And worried for the victims! Does this mean there won't be a trial, now, and none of the evidence against Trump and Clinton, etc. will come out?

I'm not usually a big fan of conspiracy theories nor do I put much stock into them, but in this case I'd be willing to make an exception!

[homoe]

It's all legal battle ~ as to the estate value and all assets ~ Those who used his services will be brought up in court and they will take the brunt for Epstein ~ it's going to bring a lot of shame and jail time on his so called associates. I am not buying the fact that this was a suicide that he did alone. $ paid out for turning their head , murder, tons of speculations .I wonder who is writing the movie already preceded by a book no doubt . The price of pain for the victims should come w/ future residuals . (((((( the young woman )))))) who were victimized by that pig, as young as 14 omg….

I totally agree ~ocean, someone without a doubt was paid to "look the other way"...

[dark_crystal]

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell this morning, an apparent suicide by hanging (https://abcnews.go.com/US/jeffrey-epstein-accused-sex-trafficker-dies-suicide-officials/story?id=64881684).

He was in a suicide prevention cell with 24-hour monitoring, and a tranche of documents was released yesterday that was very bad news for Prince Andrew (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/aug/09/prince-andrew-court-documents-ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein).

I am suspicious!

And worried for the victims! Does this mean there won't be a trial, now, and none of the evidence against Trump and Clinton, etc. will come out?

It came out yesterday that he was NOT on suicide watch (https://www.thedailybeast.com/after-his-suicide-watch-ended-jeffrey-epstein-was-left-to-look-after-himself)
Had Jeffrey Epstein, inmate #76318-054, still been on suicide watch at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, regulations would have required him to remain under constant observation by trained “companion” inmates.

“They must be mature, reliable individuals who have credibility with both staff and inmates,” the regulations say of the companions, who are paid prison wages and rotate around the clock in shifts of no more than five hours so as to stay alert.

Regulations also would have required Epstein to be housed in a “suicide prevention room,” which “may not have fixtures or architectural features that would easily allow self-injury.”

[...] on July 29—six days after the incident that led to his placement on suicide watch and seems in hindsight to have more likely been an actual attempt to take his own life rather than a stunt resulting only in minor bruises around the neck—Epstein was deemed to be “no longer at imminent risk for suicide.”

[...]

Epstein was returned from the suicide prevention room to the Special Housing Unit, where he had been found lying prone on the floor of his cell last month. The SHU doubles as a discipline unit and as a refuge for inmates who fear for their safety in the general population, as Epstein reportedly did.

One difference for Epstein upon his return was the absence of a cellmate such as Nicholas Tartaglione, a ex-cop turned accused quadruple murderer. Tartaglione claims to have saved Epstein during the earlier possible attempt.

And there were no more inmate companions keeping watch.

Epstein was with just Epstein in a cell whose architectural priority was more security than suicide prevention.

A man who had acted in the outside world as if the rules did not apply to him was now left without the protection of prison rules that had been promulgated over the years to prevent incidents such as the suicide of mobster Louis Turra in 1980.

[dark_crystal]

It's all legal battle ~ as to the estate value and all assets ~ Those who used his services will be brought up in court and they will take the brunt for Epstein ~ it's going to bring a lot of shame and jail time on his so called associates. I am not buying the fact that this was a suicide that he did alone. $ paid out for turning their head , murder, tons of speculations .I wonder who is writing the movie already preceded by a book no doubt . The price of pain for the victims should come w/ future residuals . (((((( the young woman )))))) who were victimized by that pig, as young as 14 omg….

Jeffrey Epstein Is Dead After ‘Suicide Watch,’ but Trafficking Probe Lives as Feds Scramble for Answers (https://www.thedailybeast.com/jeffrey-epstein-dead-in-manhattan-correctional-center-reports)
Attorney General William Barr—whose father had hired Epstein to teach math at the tony private school Dalton in the late 70s—said in a statement Saturday morning: “I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody. Mr. Epstein’s death raises serious questions that must be answered. In addition to the FBI’s investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein’s death."

Southern District U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement Saturday afternoon that “Today's events are disturbing, and we are deeply aware of their potential to present yet another hurdle to giving Epstein's many victims their day in Court.” He pointedly noted that “our investigation of the conduct charged in the indictment — which included a conspiracy count — remains ongoing.”

The second part sounds good but the first part....yes i am sure the Federal government will get right on this, with "Attorney General William Barr—whose father had hired Epstein"

[homoe]

~~
I'm sure, although it would never become publicly knowledge, Trump pulls Barr aside and tells him to cool his jets when it comes to Epstein and digging to far into that possible hornet's nest!

I'm sure Trump, as well as many others, worries about skeletons in the closet" re-surfacing if one digs to deep!

[Apocalipstic]

I do not think Epstein is dead. Either witness protection or helped to escape. Check one of the islands he owns!

[~ocean]

Nancy Grace posted that the cameras inside Epstein's cell or outside his cell were focused on Epstein.

[Kätzchen]

"There should be — and almost certainly is — video of Epstein’s suicide at MCC. One hopes it is complete, conclusive, and secured," ~ Preet Bharara, former USAG, and former SDNY Prosecutor (22 hours ago).

For those of you who have "Stitcher", you can catch up on the Epstein situation by listening to Preet's podcasts.

Stay Tuned With Preet (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cafe/stay-tuned-with-preet/e/62586319)

[homoe]

Nancy Grace posted that the cameras inside Epstein's cell or outside his cell were focused on Epstein.


Yes, but sometimes those darn things somehow seem to malfunction when they go to play the footage back!

[~ocean]

Nancy Grace posted that the cameras inside Epstein's cell or outside his cell were focused on Epstein.

I meant to say WEREN'T <<< my mistake the cameras were NOT focused on him inside the cell or outside... sooo sorry !

[homoe]

I meant to say WEREN'T <<< my mistake the cameras were NOT focused on him inside the cell or outside... sooo sorry !



This whole thing just gets more interesting by the minute!

[Bèsame*]

Active shooter standoff, 6 officers wounded, in Philadelphia. I'm sure it will be all over the News later.

[homoe]

Stacey Abrams announces new voter protection program...

Standing in front of a room of labor workers from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades at a convention in Las Vegas, Abrams announced plans for a multimillion-dollar initiative called Fair Fight 2020 to staff and fund voter protection teams in battleground states across the country ahead of the 2020 elections.

“We’re going to have a fair fight in 2020,” Abrams said. “I’m going to use my energies, and my very very loud voice to raise the money we need to train those across the country in our 20 battleground states to make sure that Donald Trump and the senate take a hike and we put people in place who know what we need to have.” .......:hangloose:

[homoe]

Steve King just keeps saying crazy stuff......


At what point is enough enough? And why hasn't Steve King done enough to get him kicked out of Congress?

His latest ignorant remarks are just one in a long list of many he's made in the past. After King's questioning of when the terms "white supremacist" and "white nationalist" became offensive, he was condemned by House Republican leaders and stripped of his committee assignments. That episode also spurred several Republicans to announce their plans to primary King in 2020.

More recently, JD Scholten, a Democrat who lost to King in 2018, announced his plans to run again.

[homoe]

Stacey Abrams announces new voter protection program...

Standing in front of a room of labor workers from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades at a convention in Las Vegas, Abrams announced plans for a multimillion-dollar initiative called Fair Fight 2020 to staff and fund voter protection teams in battleground states across the country ahead of the 2020 elections.

“We’re going to have a fair fight in 2020,” Abrams said. “I’m going to use my energies, and my very very loud voice to raise the money we need to train those across the country in our 20 battleground states to make sure that Donald Trump and the senate take a hike and we put people in place who know what we need to have.” .......:hangloose:

IMHO, anyone with half a brain knows she should be the Governor of Georgia!

[CherylNYC]

Steve King just keeps saying crazy stuff......


At what point is enough enough? And why hasn't Steve King done enough to get him kicked out of Congress?

His latest ignorant remarks are just one in a long list of many he's made in the past. After King's questioning of when the terms "white supremacist" and "white nationalist" became offensive, he was condemned by House Republican leaders and stripped of his committee assignments. That episode also spurred several Republicans to announce their plans to primary King in 2020.

More recently, JD Scholten, a Democrat who lost to King in 2018, announced his plans to run again.

The Iowa Repugnant org finally decided to primary that creep. They're behind Feenstra, a vocal Trump supporter with no known white separatist ties. In a fair fight I'll put my money on Scholten over King in 2020, but not over Feenstra.

[homoe]

Accused "madame" and "Lady of the House," Ghislaine Maxwell, has been found after questions surrounding her whereabouts made international headlines. Is she in Europe? Or hiding in a picturesque Massachusetts beach town? Not exactly. Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend and alleged co-conspirator in his suspected sex-trafficking operation, was found at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Los Angeles.

The New York Post obtained an image of the 57-year-old sitting alone at the burger chain's location in Universal City on Monday. With her dog in tow, she allegedly told an onlooker, "Well, I guess this is the last time I’ll be eating here!" Maxwell was reading a book called The Book of Honor: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives. Ironic, as authorities have been scrambling to track her down. It's the first time the British socialite has been photographed in public since 2016.

[homoe]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders 'excited' to join Fox News as a contributor....

Figures.........

[Orema]

David Koch, Industrialist Who Fueled Right-Wing Movement, Dies at 79

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/us/david-koch-dead.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/23/politics/david-koch-dead/index.html

https://i.postimg.cc/7hsZppff/00koch-david-promo-super-Jumbo.jpg

[Apocalipstic]

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/23/753639869/macron-urges-g7-members-to-put-amazon-fires-at-top-of-agenda

The Amazon is burning. Our Oxygen.

[homoe]

Two New York Times reporters say they’ve uncovered a previously unreported account of sexual misconduct allegedly carried out by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was a student at Yale.

In an op-ed for the Times, Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly said they learned of the alleged misconduct during a 10-month investigation of Kavanaugh’s life at prep-school and Yale, including the assault accusations, for their upcoming book, “The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation.”

Max Stier, Kavanaugh’s classmate at Yale, told the reporters that he once saw Kavanaugh with his pants down while his friends pushed his penis into the hands of a female student during a dorm party.

According to Pogrebin and Kelly, Stier reported his account to senators and the FBI, though the FBI didn’t investigate it. Pogrebin and Kelly said they “corroborated the story with two officials who have communicated with” Stier.

What Stier said he witnessed is similar to an allegation lodged against Kavanaugh by his former classmate Deborah Ramirez, which was first reported by the New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow last September.

[Bèsame*]

RIP

YLJ9jgH0XwI

[Bèsame*]

RIP, Ric Ocasek

My life soundtrack, continues to fade away

7BDBzgHXf64

[homoe]

Two New York Times reporters say they’ve uncovered a previously unreported account of sexual misconduct allegedly carried out by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he was a student at Yale.

In an op-ed for the Times, Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly said they learned of the alleged misconduct during a 10-month investigation of Kavanaugh’s life at prep-school and Yale, including the assault accusations, for their upcoming book, “The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation.”

Max Stier, Kavanaugh’s classmate at Yale, told the reporters that he once saw Kavanaugh with his pants down while his friends pushed his penis into the hands of a female student during a dorm party.

According to Pogrebin and Kelly, Stier reported his account to senators and the FBI, though the FBI didn’t investigate it. Pogrebin and Kelly said they “corroborated the story with two officials who have communicated with” Stier.

What Stier said he witnessed is similar to an allegation lodged against Kavanaugh by his former classmate Deborah Ramirez, which was first reported by the New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow last September.

Alleged Victim In New York Times Kavanaugh Story Denies Any Recollection Of Incident

Sidebar: My school of thought is.. perhaps she has "convenient memory lost" after seeing the despicable way other accusers of Kavanaugh were treated when they came forward and what a sham the whole confirmation hearing was! IMHO after seeing what Christine Blasey Ford went through and him still being confirmed, it's my opinion no female in her right mind will come forward now unfortunately!

[Apocalipstic]

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/21087368/man-shot-by-ice-agent-arrested-in-immigration-law-firms-parking-lot?fbclid=IwAR1EoJSoIGwnPUf8zK1z5VeYUZlERWOe8eKJU 7pCsVpM0boQuqG9eUdAKK0

[MrSunshine]

Alleged Victim In New York Times Kavanaugh Story Denies Any Recollection Of Incident

Sidebar: My school of thought is.. perhaps she has "convenient memory lost" after seeing the despicable way other accusers of Kavanaugh were treated when they came forward and what a sham the whole confirmation hearing was! IMHO after seeing what Christine Blasey Ford went through and him still being confirmed, it's my opinion no female in her right mind will come forward now unfortunately!


I believe your honest opinion is spot on. I can’t stand that fucker!

[Kobi]

Alleged Victim In New York Times Kavanaugh Story Denies Any Recollection Of Incident

Sidebar: My school of thought is.. perhaps she has "convenient memory lost" after seeing the despicable way other accusers of Kavanaugh were treated when they came forward and what a sham the whole confirmation hearing was! IMHO after seeing what Christine Blasey Ford went through and him still being confirmed, it's my opinion no female in her right mind will come forward now unfortunately!

Maybe it is selective memory loss or maybe a drunken blackout or maybe she was too drunk to be conscious.

Hearsay is not legally allowed in prosecution.And the victim not remembering while a bunch of other party goers do remember is suspect as well.

This all came up again because of another book. The statute of limitation saves the people reporting from being charged with complicity aka watching someone being sexually attacked and standing by doing nothing for 50 years. That is more worrisome to me.

Women are well aware of the risks they take when they come forward. Some of this was erased during the 2nd wave but then it was dropped when women became more concerned about employment, single parenthood and other issues.

If you understand the history of women, you know all the hardships the trailblazers endured were deliberately avoided by most out of fear. Understandable but change means taking those risks for both yourself and others. Cowering in the corner serves no one.

[charley]

As seen on Stephen Colbert a few minutes ago, the U.S. Navy has confirmed that UFOs actually exist, but they call them UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)!

As per The Washington Post article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/09/18/those-ufo-videos-are-real-navy-says-please-stop-saying-ufo/

even got a clip, from a sighting mentioned by Anderson Cooper (CNN) 2 days ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60ZJQ4I7_3M

Well, who knew! lol

[Esme nha Maire]

The prorogation of Parliament for 5 weeks by Boris Johnson has been delcrred illegal. Parliament will resume sitting at 11:30am on Wednesday.

see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49810261 for details.

[Apocalipstic]

The prorogation of Parliament for 5 weeks by Boris Johnson has been delcrred illegal. Parliament will resume sitting at 11:30am on Wednesday.

see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49810261 for details.

I saw this, do you think it will change Brexit? Hi there btw! xoxoxoxo

[Esme nha Maire]

I saw this, do you think it will change Brexit? Hi there btw! xoxoxoxo

Too hard to tell. Thing is that the referendum on Brexit was a close call in the first place, but it;s clear that a sizable minority of those who were in favour of Brexit assumed taht it'd be done "nicely", ie: with a sensible deal. Those folk are as unhappy about a no-deal Brexit as the Remainers are.

Johnson hasn't been making any real effort to get a deal but says he'd rather die in a ditch than ask for another extension to the UK exiting the EU. Meanwhile, he has thoroughly disgraced himself in the eyes of most people in the country,including many members of his own party. Parliament will be sitting from tomorrow lunchtime again, and now has plenty of time to put forward motions and vote on them. Just about everybody is angry that teh Queen has been involved in the middle of a political row (the Queen had no real choice in giving assent to the prorogation, as per custom; if she had refused, she would have been interfering in politics) There's already rumblings from some quarters that Johnson should resign.

Given all THAT - I reckon it'd be easier to predict the fall of a ball in roulette!

[~ocean]

I am absolutely giddy ~ YEAH PELOSI !!!

[Esme nha Maire]

I forgot to add a potentially significant factor in my previous posting: at teh time of teh original referendum, the engagement of young folk was pretty low. UK politics had been so "Meh! What;s the point?" for so long, that frankly, I couldn;t blame them. And everyone knew that teh result woudl be to remain, the leave vote woudl just be a protest vote. That really is what everyone thought they knew.

The result of the referndum was a shock to everyone, not least David Cameron, and youngsters in particular were stunned and outraged. Had they bothered to vote in the first place, of course, the vote might well have gone the other way. Meanwhile, in the three years since then even more youngsters have reached voting age, and a simialr number of older voters will have died. So what with one thing and another, it;s an entirely reasonable guess that if the same referendum were held today, the result would go the other way.

It's also become more evident to more people just how much chaos and disruption to services a no-deal Brexit would cause. And naturally, folk are starting to question why, under the circumstances, Boris and teh liek are so keen on going ahead with a no-deal Brexit. Favourite theory seems to be that they've got some financial interest in seeing the UK economy take a hit. I know that sort of thing can be done, though I do not understand how. How likely that notion is to be true I am not sure - but given how unscrupulous Johnson has shown himself to be, I lean toward thinking it a distinct possibility.

Add all that into what I said in my previous posting, and you can see why someone like me, who isn't particularly into politics, hasn't a hope of trying to predict how things will progress.

[~ocean]

Has there ever been a bigger BAFOON than Donald Trump ~ I was waiting for him to turn into porky pig ~ he was rambling on and on making no sense ~ I personally feel he has gone crazy. ~ on that note we as thinking functioning intelligent people should just wait for the Justice Dept. to take over . This public address to the American People will go down in history as THE speech of lies. Last night on Stephen Colbert he did a skit on the "WHISTLEBLOWER" and then showed a picture of Melania Trump lol ~ I needed a laugh like that . ty SC lol

[Ravenouss]

Has there ever been a bigger BAFOON than Donald Trump ~ I was waiting for him to turn into porky pig ~ he was rambling on and on making no sense ~ I personally feel he has gone crazy. ~ on that note we as thinking functioning intelligent people should just wait for the Justice Dept. to take over . This public address to the American People will go down in history as THE speech of lies. Last night on Stephen Colbert he did a skit on the "WHISTLEBLOWER" and then showed a picture of Melania Trump lol ~ I needed a laugh like that . ty SC lol

Sounded like he had a mini stroke or someone put a Valium in his coke.

[~ocean]

rut row porky pig is gonna blow !! (aka TRUMP) his reaction to the investigation is hitting porky in his squiggly tail ~ I wonder if a divorce lawyer is on a retainer ? on another note I loved the earing's and that 4 layered pearl necklace worn by one of our sister's was perfect accessorized attire for the televised meetings.

[Stone-Butch]

Has anyone seen the UKs P.M.? I swear he is a Trump fan, they look identical from some shots . I think they both use the same bad hairdresser.

[~ocean]

Has anyone seen the UKs P.M.? I swear he is a Trump fan, they look identical from some shots . I think they both use the same bad hairdresser.

((((( stone ))))))) lol that color should be outlawed ~

[Kätzchen]

A federal court just ruled that T^^^p must turn over 8 years worth of taxes, just moments ago. Hopefully, knowing how T^^^p lies and distorts and evades the truth by manipulating facts and evidence, a forensic Tax specialist officer will find every lie hidden in his tax returns.

NYT article link ~~~>>>>> (click here (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-taxes-appeals-court-rules-president-must-turn-over-8-years-of-tax-returns/ar-AAJOXRa?ocid=spartandhp))

[~ocean]

A federal court just ruled that T^^^p must turn over 8 years worth of taxes, just moments ago. Hopefully, knowing how T^^^p lies and distorts and evades the truth by manipulating facts and evidence, a forensic Tax specialist officer will find every lie hidden in his tax returns.

NYT article link ~~~>>>>> (click here (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-taxes-appeals-court-rules-president-must-turn-over-8-years-of-tax-returns/ar-AAJOXRa?ocid=spartandhp))

maybe this is why he moved to Florida where there aren't property taxes !! ty 4 sharing ((((( Katzchen)))))

[Kätzchen]

maybe this is why he moved to Florida where there aren't property taxes !! ty 4 sharing ((((( Katzchen)))))

If there's no property taxes in Florida, then it's plausible to believe that this might be why that person chose that choice. But..., I'm thinking it's because they don't want to be held accountable for tax evasion in New York, where they have claimed they have lived all along.

LOL (or not), it is definitely a civics lesson for the general public on how this clown is doing everybody he owes money to, including the IRS. Imagine if you lived in one of the slum buildings owned by any member of that family? They charge you a high price to live in their version of apartment homes, when they, in secret, have probably found a way to cheat the government by not paying taxes on their properties and misusing funds designated for 'renovating' certain properties when they probably never did anything except change a light-socket panel cover or (….).

Thanks for holding space for me, Sister Ocean. I appreciate the kind and warm hearted tones conveyed in your post. (f) (f) (f)

[charley]

Roger Stone has been found guilty on all 7 counts...

another one bites the dust... !!

At least, a significant portion of the judicial system in the States to date is as yet untainted.

My mind boggles at the incredible degree of corruption of all these politicians and their accomplices, and the fact that Trump has not yet been dethroned.
Considering how corrupt the Republicans are as well as a large percentage of Americans who now believe in weird conspiracy theories, obviously the Congress will vote to impeach (eventually), but I have understood that the Republican held Senate will not vote the same way. I fear for democracy world-wide.

I would like to say that this will end badly, but it is ludicrous to assume "for whom" it will end badly, considering how loyalty is emphasized instead of truth and fact.

Am presently watching Marie Yovanovitch's testimony in the Senate hearings. Even while testifying, Trump tweeted about her, and trashed her! How sad and tragic that her career ended so badly and was engineered by thoroughly bad/evil people.

This whole process makes me think that in spite of all the obvious overt lying of those in power, the worst lies are always the lies of omission, the silence of those who could say something against the obvious abuse and corruption but don't because of vested interests.

Apparently, I'm kinda relieved that there are still people in the world like Yovanovitch and the others who the Senate will be calling upon and who are willing to testify who have some degree of integrity.

[homoe]

Roger Stone has been found guilty on all 7 counts...

another one bites the dust... !!

At least, a significant portion of the judicial system in the States to date is as yet untainted.

My mind boggles at the incredible degree of corruption of all these politicians and their accomplices, and the fact that Trump has not yet been dethroned.
Considering how corrupt the Republicans are as well as a large percentage of Americans who now believe in weird conspiracy theories, obviously the Congress will vote to impeach (eventually), but I have understood that the Republican held Senate will not vote the same way. I fear for democracy world-wide.

I would like to say that this will end badly, but it is ludicrous to assume "for whom" it will end badly, considering how loyalty is emphasized instead of truth and fact.

Am presently watching Marie Yovanovitch's testimony in the Senate hearings. Even while testifying, Trump tweeted about her, and trashed her! How sad and tragic that her career ended so badly and was engineered by thoroughly bad/evil people.

This whole process makes me think that in spite of all the obvious overt lying of those in power, the worst lies are always the lies of omission, the silence of those who could say something against the obvious abuse and corruption but don't because of vested interests.

Apparently, I'm kinda relieved that there are still people in the world like Yovanovitch and the others who the Senate will be calling upon and who are willing to testify who have some degree of integrity.

GREAT NEWS..........:hangloose:

[JDeere]

https://abc13.com/rodney-reed-execution-blocked-indefinitely-by-court-of-criminal-appeals/5699822/

If there is proof he didn't do it, why hasn't it been brought up till now? If he is guilty, fry him.

[cathexis]

https://abc13.com/rodney-reed-execution-blocked-indefinitely-by-court-of-criminal-appeals/5699822/

If there is proof he didn't do it, why hasn't it been brought up till now? If he is guilty, fry him.

If there is an atom of doubt that a convicted person may not have committed the crime for which they will be executed, execution is a cruel, unfitting and unusual punishment for most crimes. A much more fitting punishment would life in Super Max prison with, yes with, the possibility of parole under certain conditions.

Internal war, coup d'tat, or a revolution is quite a different situation. The war crimes as determined by the victor should be tried in a military tribunal similar to the Nuremberg trials or The USSR tribunals.

[homoe]

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) could face a review of whether he violated House ethics rules by allegedly meeting with a former Ukrainian official to get dirt on the Bidens on a taxpayer-funded trip. At least one outside group has filed a complaint against Nunes with the independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which can review cases against lawmakers and refer them to the House Ethics Committee.

The Democratic Coalition, a liberal group, filed an ethics complaint against Nunes, with the OCE alleging that he violated House rules by having a conflict of interest in the impeachment inquiry if he had interactions with people under investigation and by engaging in political activity while on official business.

Him and his pious demeanor during the hearings were so sickening. Oh how I hope they fry this little piss-ant....

[JDeere]

If there is an atom of doubt that a convicted person may not have committed the crime for which they will be executed, execution is a cruel, unfitting and unusual punishment for most crimes. A much more fitting punishment would life in Super Max prison with, yes with, the possibility of parole under certain conditions.

Internal war, coup d'tat, or a revolution is quite a different situation. The war crimes as determined by the victor should be tried in a military tribunal similar to the Nuremberg trials or The USSR tribunals.

If he did commit this crime, its cheaper to fry him then it is to house him, max security prisons are expensive to continue to run. The whole system needs an overhaul, I am for lethal injection, electric chair, hanging, firing squad punishments.

There is a whole list of crimes that people deserve to die for, as a person who has a loved on in prison, the one my half bro committed, he should have been dead by now, to me there is no such thing as rehabiliating a criminal.

Oklahoma and Texas are ranked 1 and 2 for being death states, to me the states cant execute these people fast enough, save us tax payers money for once.

This continuing court cases going back and forth is wasting more money, that can go to other things, pisses me off!

[homoe]

The homeless are fed and embraced across the country at Thanksgiving. The rest of the year? Cities are pushing back!

It just slays me now how all of a sudden, within these past few years, public elected officials have sat up and taken notice of the homeless problem! Perhaps they thought if they ignored the problem long enough it'd just go away??

When I moved to Seattle in 2002 there were homeless living on the streets but it wasn't ever addressed as I remember. If some event came to the city they'd force the homeless to another area so as not to distract from whatever was happening. Other than that mostly it wasn't mentioned or reported on!

Within these past years Seattle has experienced a building boom! Downtown, West Seattle, Ballard, the list goes on and on. Developer swooped in and bought up properties, tore down perfectly good affordable housing only to replace it with condos or rentals units that were far beyond the cost that the average working stiff could afford. The rub was, often times there were zoning laws that should of prevented this but mysteriously *cough cough* got changed in quick order!

So now, with so much of the once affordable housing gone, is it any wonder there is even more of a homelessness problem. The Mayor of Seattle, the Common Council, the Board Of Supervisors, etc etc are all running around now like chickens with their heads cuts off trying to come up with solutions to this problem when they should of been paying attention all along!

[cathexis]

If he did commit this crime, its cheaper to fry him then it is to house him, max security prisons are expensive to continue to run. The whole system needs an overhaul, I am for lethal injection, electric chair, hanging, firing squad punishments.

There is a whole list of crimes that people deserve to die for, as a person who has a loved on in prison, the one my half bro committed, he should have been dead by now, to me there is no such thing as rehabiliating a criminal.

Oklahoma and Texas are ranked 1 and 2 for being death states, to me the states cant execute these people fast enough, save us tax payers money for once.

This continuing court cases going back and forth is wasting more money, that can go to other things, pisses me off!

Oh, I see, neither you nor one of your relatives have ever been jailed or imprisoned for something not done. Well, even just releasing can't give anyone back the weeks, months, years OR decades let alone loss of job and housing, reputation destruction, or disruption of families.
Death sentences aren't punishments they're retributions. Also, it's been proven that does nothing to prevent crime.
I'd love to see your list of crimes a person should be killed for. The only one I might agree with would be premeditated mass murder if the crime meets certain conditions.

[JDeere]

Oh, I see, neither you nor one of your relatives have ever been jailed or imprisoned for something not done. Well, even just releasing can't give anyone back the weeks, months, years OR decades let alone loss of job and housing, reputation destruction, or disruption of families.
Death sentences aren't punishments they're retributions. Also, it's been proven that does nothing to prevent crime.
I'd love to see your list of crimes a person should be killed for. The only one I might agree with would be premeditated mass murder if the crime meets certain conditions.

You really wanna go there with me?

[JDeere]

Oh, I see, neither you nor one of your relatives have ever been jailed or imprisoned for something not done. Well, even just releasing can't give anyone back the weeks, months, years OR decades let alone loss of job and housing, reputation destruction, or disruption of families.
Death sentences aren't punishments they're retributions. Also, it's been proven that does nothing to prevent crime.
I'd love to see your list of crimes a person should be killed for. The only one I might agree with would be premeditated mass murder if the crime meets certain conditions.

Lets see...


Any type of sex offense, rape, pedophilia, bestiality, etc

Murder any class of murder... That includes my half bro who should be dead for his crime.

Any class of violent crime... If you're violent with humans, animals you need to go too.

Having people who are guilty, sitting there wasting tax money irks me. I don't believe in rehabilitation of a person with a sick mind....

[kittygrrl]

re: death penalties-i don't see them resolving any of society's ills, bringing back loved ones or restoring the overall peace and tranquility of a community...killing is killing...housing those ill favored individuals won't redeem them it's true but neither does agreeing to kill them makes us a better society. Killing as punishment or for any reason is a indictment of a society that is rampant in greed, evil and has no mercy for the less fortunate..We are violent creatures and would rather wallow in a filthy soup filled with violence as a means to an end rather then search diligently and fervently to resolve poverty and seek all available means to provide equal opportunity for all individuals and to banish want..value charity and the inestimable worth of each creature on this planet.

[JDeere]

re: death penalties-i don't see them resolving any of society's ills, bringing back loved ones or restoring the overall peace and tranquility of a community...killing is killing...housing those ill favored individuals won't redeem them it's true but neither does agreeing to kill them makes us a better society. Killing as punishment or for any reason is a indictment of a society that is rampant in greed, evil and has no mercy for the less fortunate..We are violent creatures and would rather wallow in a filthy soup filled with violence as a means to an end rather then search diligently and fervently to resolve poverty and seek all available means to provide equal opportunity for all individuals and to banish want..value charity and the inestimable worth of each creature on this planet.

So you think pedophiles, sex offenders, abusers, etc should continue to live on this earth?

[C0LLETTE]

Gee whiz, couple of years ago (and maybe still ) we would have executed all "gay" persons and anyone buying a dildo or other sex toy...sexual perverts and all.
Maybe the only people we should consider executing are the ones who would execute others. Probably be a lot less executing going on if we did that.

[kittygrrl]

So you think pedophiles, sex offenders, abusers, etc should continue to live on this earth?

I don't think repaying cruelty with more cruelty will help things at all J..i hope someday you can see my point of view or even better live in a world where this is possible.

[JDeere]

I don't think repaying cruelty with more cruelty will help things at all J..i hope someday you can see my point of view or even better live in a world where this is possible.

Sorry no. Not gonna happen. But you answered my question by not answering at all.

I refuse to live in a world where sick fucks get to roam where their victims hide or kill themselves.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

So you think pedophiles, sex offenders, abusers, etc should continue to live on this earth?

I used to think this way, JDeere. To me, it was a simple matter of numbers - if someone did something that deserved death, it was cheaper to execute them than to keep them alive in some prison. It made perfect sense to me that people who didn't deserve to live, also didn't deserve to live off my money for the rest of their lives. I also (still think) it is not good to put people in the position of being prison guards. I think it is bad for them psychologically, and turns them into the kind of people we really don't need in society (and this remains an unsolved problem).

But more recently, I have decided that perhaps it is worth the money to keep people in prison. For instance, it is just not possible for our justice system to be right every time - so, if we kill everyone that we think deserves it, we will be wrong sometimes. Executing those people is just wrong, whether we do it in good faith or not.

I don't think some laws are perfect, either - for instance, the one for pedophiles. What if it's a 20-year-old who sleeps consensually with a 17-year-old - should we call that 20-year-old a pedophile? There are certainly some communities that would do so if the two people were the same gender, or perhaps if the parents of the 17-year-old wanted to put a stop to the relationship.

Also, there are people it is not a good idea to kill for the sake of society - for instance, Charles Manson. Charles Manson is clearly crazy and evil, and possibly the best thing for him and everyone else would have been to execute him. However, society can't risk making him into a folk hero. There are mass murderers and cult leaders and well-known Nazis and others that we can't execute simply because we don't want to turn them into martyrs for those causes.

And finally, I also decided that it is just more important to show mercy in most cases. Leaving people in prison to rot is more merciful in my mind than executing them. It is not even so much that it is important for the bad people to receive mercy; to me, it's even more important that good people (and bad people who don't get caught) show mercy. That's the kind of society I want to live in - not an "eye for an eye" kind of world, but the kind where people show each other mercy.

No problem here if you disagree with me - many people often do. I certainly think I understand your point of view, and a small part of me, in some circumstances, agrees with you.

[JDeere]

I used to think this way, JDeere. To me, it was a simple matter of numbers - if someone did something that deserved death, it was cheaper to execute them than to keep them alive in some prison. It made perfect sense to me that people who didn't deserve to live, also didn't deserve to live off my money for the rest of their lives. I also (still think) it is not good to put people in the position of being prison guards. I think it is bad for them psychologically, and turns them into the kind of people we really don't need in society (and this remains an unsolved problem).

But more recently, I have decided that perhaps it is worth the money to keep people in prison. For instance, it is just not possible for our justice system to be right every time - so, if we kill everyone that we think deserves it, we will be wrong sometimes. Executing those people is just wrong, whether we do it in good faith or not.

I don't think some laws are perfect, either - for instance, the one for pedophiles. What if it's a 20-year-old who sleeps consensually with a 17-year-old - should we call that 20-year-old a pedophile? There are certainly some communities that would do so if the two people were the same gender, or perhaps if the parents of the 17-year-old wanted to put a stop to the relationship.

Also, there are people it is not a good idea to kill for the sake of society - for instance, Charles Manson. Charles Manson is clearly crazy and evil, and possibly the best thing for him and everyone else would have been to execute him. However, society can't risk making him into a folk hero. There are mass murderers and cult leaders and well-known Nazis and others that we can't execute simply because we don't want to turn them into martyrs for those causes.

And finally, I also decided that it is just more important to show mercy in most cases. Leaving people in prison to rot is more merciful in my mind than executing them. It is not even so much that it is important for the bad people to receive mercy; to me, it's even more important that good people (and bad people who don't get caught) show mercy. That's the kind of society I want to live in - not an "eye for an eye" kind of world, but the kind where people show each other mercy.

No problem here if you disagree with me - many people often do. I certainly think I understand your point of view, and a small part of me, in some circumstances, agrees with you.


Yes i disagree of course. But when something happens to family personally.. You get tired of being kind.

[charley]

This is truly a difficult subject for everyone. Once upon a time, I bumped into an acquaintance who was chatting outside a coffee place with someone I didn't know, and so I said hi, and my acquaintance went to fetch coffee, and left me standing there alone with this really big fella. This fella was wearing biker logo, and so I took the opportunity to talk one-on-one with this fella, and being bloody curious, I began to talk about feelings cause I wondered what someone like that felt in his heart. (I was aware that this particular gang had to earn their "logo" by killing someone.).... So..... I asked him what he felt in his heart. And, curiously, he answered completely. He said that when he did feel inside, he felt a coldness. Without going into detail, I met someone else who had killed many years before, and the coldness coming off of him was incredible - so much so that I had to move away. I have understood that anyone who kills anyone has this inside of them, and there is nothing that would empty/heal this coldness, nothing, nothing at all, not even organized religion could "save" them. The thing is, for me at least, that anyone who kills anyone else has literally "killed" themselves.

Personally, I would not like to sit in judgement over anyone. I would feel responsible in some way, and this is not acceptable to me. I wouldn't want the bad karma associated with such a responsibility. So, the problem remains what to do with such monsters...? Obviously, they should never be allowed to live in the same world as I do and move around freely where they might harm anyone else again. Please understand that I live in Canada, where capital punishment is no longer permitted. So, the only thing I can say is that there is the judgement of life imprisonment, with no chance of parole, ever. That would be my take on the subject.

There is also the problem that approx. 1 in 25 people who are in prison for x sort of crimes who is innocent, and might possibly be exonerated. (I saw that on TV, hope I got the stats right ... not sure)

What I do know of criminal justice is that it was originally based on vengeance, an eye-for-eye... and tooth-for-tooth. The clever words of those in the legal profession seem to have morphed the idea of "vengeance" into the idea of "justice", a rather stupid euphemism. I do not feel nor think that this is justice, it is only a judgement. And, I would add, I do not believe for one minute that vengeance enacted can in any way "heal" the grieving relatives - those left behind.

What I have learned and understood is that there are professionals such as profilers who have studied "monsters" who are imprisoned and have used that understanding to catch other monsters. Not only that, but have used that understanding to discover the fact of very young kids starting off by doing harm (for example, to small animals) and someone being alerted to that and social services intervening.

[kittygrrl]

J..i never suggested nor do i believe those who have harmed people or other creatures should roam around freely...never should they be allowed out again but locked away securely and treated humanely..having access to decent food, mental health care, and an approved library for reading, access to some (in prison) college classes, outgoing mail w approval..access to internet?...probably not..No cell phones. Limited visitation from lawyers and close relations and all their correspondence and visitors should be checked thoroughly for objects and substances they shouldn't have.

[JDeere]

J..i never suggested nor do i believe those who have harmed people or other creatures should roam around freely...never should they be allowed out again but locked away securely and treated humanely..having access to decent food, mental health care, and an approved library for reading, access to some (in prison) college classes, outgoing mail w approval..access to internet?...probably not..No cell phones. Limited visitation from lawyers and close relations and all their correspondence and visitors should be checked thoroughly for objects and substances they shouldn't have.

Umm they already have access to all this including drugs, cell phones, etc.

Prisoners get better health care then non prisoners do.

The system allows them the use of notebook internet deals to check emails from family, etc.

So again taking my tax dollars to live better than me and feel no remorse, naw not cool. Maybe one day someone may burn down all the prisons with all the inmates in them. Spare us a shit ton of tax dollars to put back into other areas it's needed.

[homoe]

Hallmark channel caves to homophobes....


Not all is merry and bright in the land of endless Christmas known at The Hallmark Channel. Following a petition by a bunch of hateful homophobes, Hallmark has pulled a series of adds from wedding planning company Zola because they feature – GASP! – a lesbian couple kissing.

[dark_crystal]

(I pasted the whole thing due to paywall)

NYT: The Year Women Got ‘Horny’ (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/13/style/horny-women.html)

Women reclaimed a word once the province of crass boys and men who are boys.

By Tracie Egan Morrissey
Dec. 13, 2019

Coffee, “Star Wars,” turtlenecks, grief: These four seemingly unrelated things are “horny” — or induce horniness — at least according to many young women online, who are openly asserting their desires with a term long thought of as crass and juvenile.

But now, like vape stores or a broken container of glitter, it’s suddenly everywhere.

Take the last few months, when people called chicken parm, Ariana Grande’s “Christmas and Chill” EP and the obsessions of right-wing conspiracy theorists “horny.” While promoting “Hustlers,” Jennifer Lopez told GQ, “A lot of things make me horny.” It would seem as though people are horny for the word itself.

Phonetically speaking, “horny” is ugly. It lends itself to a nasal sound that’s comically inelegant. “Horny” is the aural equivalent of those Chinese Crested dogs that are so ugly that it’s actually funny — endearing, even. “Horny” has benefited, in part, from that same so-bad-it’s-good rationality.

“I used to hate the word,” Sophia Benoit said. “I used to think it was so disgusting.” Ms. Benoit writes a column for GQ about the sexiest things that men did during the month, called “Horny on Main,” which on the internet means posting sexually charged content to your main social media account, as opposed to posting on a separate, and likely secret, account that was created for that purpose. (According to Know Your Meme, a website that investigates and documents online phenomena, the first appearance of “horny on main” was in June 2016.)

“But I love it now, because I think we, especially women, have reclaimed it and made it not gross,” Ms. Benoit said.

And it’s true that, before this renaissance, “horny” had been gross for quite a long time. For many, the word has been most closely associated with unbridled adolescent male arousal thanks to conventional teen sex comedies like “Porky’s” or “American Pie.”

It was mischievous, it was socially acceptable, but above all, it was decidedly masculine. It’s a perception that was hundreds of years in the making.

This will probably come as a shock to absolutely no one, but the word “horny” stems from the description of an animal horn. Twenty-five years ago, William Safire wrote about “horny” for his etymology column in The New York Times Magazine, noting that a “horn is hard; it is shaft-shaped; since the 15th century, it has been used as a symbol for the male’s erect sex organ.”

But here we are, half a millennium later, and women are not just aroused, not just sexual beings, but are, indeed, horny, and reclaiming a word that never really applied to them to begin with.

“Horny” first went mainstream about halfway into 2018. That year, The Cut, a female-focused vertical from New York Magazine, dedicated all its content during one week to “summer horniness.”

Broadly, a female-focused vertical from Vice Media (which I used to edit), published a year-end roundup of “the horniest things that happened.” Teen Vogue explained what horny is and how to spot it to its young readership.

And of course, there was the “horny Beto tweet” that brought horny Twitter to many people’s timelines: Leah McElrath, a middle-aged political analyst, compared the potential Democratic presidential candidates Richard Ojeda, Michael Avenatti and Beto O’Rourke in terms of graphic sexual analogies.

Around the same time, BuzzFeed started “Thirst Aid Kit,” a podcast hosted by Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins. (“Thirst” is a term that can take a few different meanings, including overt eagerness — yes, sexually). The show was canceled, along with several other BuzzFeed podcasts, but was later picked up by Slate in September.

It’s possible that after a solid year of #MeToo, in which women were using social media to publicly share sexual harassment and abuse allegations, asserting what they didn’t want, maybe it felt good to pivot to communicating what they did want. Expressing one’s horniness, as a woman, represents a significant shift from that of sexual object to sexual subject.

Allison P. Davis, a staff writer for New York magazine and The Cut, considers it a form of thwarting the patriarchy.

“It’s being used as a sort of overcorrection to this idea that women can’t be heard when they express their desires,” Ms. Davis said. “It’s a big, bold way of taking up space.”

She would know. Ms. Davis is writing a book called “Horny,” a combination of personal storytelling and cultural reporting on “one of the last great taboos: female horniness.” It is due out next year from Avid Reader Press.

Ms. Benoit also thinks that the substantial contextual difference in this modern form of horniness is rooted in women’s liberation. “I think what is so nice about the reclaiming of ‘horny’ for the people that are using it now is that it’s from people whose horniness hasn’t been harmful to others, historically.”

However, she says that the recent popularization of “horny” predates the sexual harassment scandals of 2017 and 2018, first popping up on Twitter three or four years ago. “I think #MeToo came from women already knowing that they can have sex on their own terms, which is what horny is about,” she said.

A People’s History of Horny Culture

The idea that women could at once loathe sexual impropriety and desire dirty sex seems simple and obvious, yet it’s been an agonizingly protracted journey for us to arrive here.

In the early 1980s, “the feminist sex wars” — polarizing debates within the women’s movement around issues like sexual activity and pornography — heralded feminism’s third wave, with sex-positive writers like Susie Bright, Camille Paglia and Annie Sprinkle discussing and advocating women’s sexual desires, a topic that remained a subversive concept for decades to come.

In 1992, Madonna’s artistic exploration of her own horniness was brought to the mainstream with the release of her coffee table book, “Sex,” and her album “Erotica.” Both efforts were, at the time, received with vitriol by critics who believed she had “gone too far,” but are considered today as misunderstood masterpieces.

The market for vibrators is a fast and dirty way to grasp the glacial pace of progress in this matter. Good Vibrations, the pioneering, women-friendly sex-toy retailer, was founded in San Francisco in 1977.

Twenty years later, vibrator shopping was depicted as a healthy and normal element of female sexuality on an episode of “Sex and the City,” and then another 20 years after that, vibrators became available for sale in Walmart. And yet, despite sex toys for women being stocked and sold in the largest retailer in America, there are still plenty of people who still just don’t get it.

“The narrative, that women don’t get as horny as men, is starting, very slowly, to crack,” Ms. Benoit said. “I think it’s going to take a long time because the bedrock of that belief is still there.”

The age-old misperception that men get horny and women don’t was sharply addressed and debunked in a 2017 episode of “Big Mouth,” Netflix’s animated series about a group of seventh graders navigating their way through puberty. The episode is called “Girls Are Horny Too,” and the revelation promised by the title makes several (male) characters’ heads explode.

Female adolescent sexuality was also explored in the first season of “Pen15,” Hulu’s comedy series about two 13-year-old girls — played by adult women, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle — in “middle school as it really happened.” In the episode “Ojichan,” Ms. Erskine’s character discovers masturbation and it quickly becomes an obsession that dominates her life.

The contemporary, healthy representations of puberty and horniness in these two shows are, in a way, retroactively healing the scars of shame we have brought with us into adulthood.

This hornier shift in pop-cultural depictions of women has certainly played an important part in both advancing horny’s favor and evolving society’s understanding of female sexuality. ”Fleabag,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s critically acclaimed British dramedy, featured a young woman whose strongest character trait — being horny — was decidedly not male.

“Mrs. Fletcher,” the HBO mini-series about a middle-aged woman’s sexual reawakening, showcases a horny mom who can’t stop masturbating to pornography.

These episodes of “Big Mouth” and “Pen15” episodes, and “Fleabag,” were all written by women. Every episode, thus far, of “Mrs. Fletcher” has also been directed by a woman.

There’s an unsubtle distinction in arousal: Erections are visible. Women’s genitalia, for the most part, are hidden, helping to shroud female desire in mystery. Truly, the most reliable way to know if a woman is horny is if she says so. These days, women are doing just that.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

(I pasted the whole thing due to paywall)

NYT: The Year Women Got ‘Horny’ (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/13/style/horny-women.html)

Women reclaimed a word once the province of crass boys and men who are boys.

By Tracie Egan Morrissey
Dec. 13, 2019

Coffee, “Star Wars,” turtlenecks, grief: These four seemingly unrelated things are “horny” — or induce horniness — at least according to many young women online, who are openly asserting their desires with a term long thought of as crass and juvenile . . .

. . . In the early 1980s, “the feminist sex wars” — polarizing debates within the women’s movement around issues like sexual activity and pornography — heralded feminism’s third wave, with sex-positive writers like Susie Bright, Camille Paglia and Annie Sprinkle discussing and advocating women’s sexual desires, a topic that remained a subversive concept for decades to come . . .



Interesting, if also obvious.

I wish the writer had included a sentence or two about the lesbian community specifically, about how around the early 1980s it also became okay for lesbians to have hot and horny sex (or at least, admit it). I thought she was going to get there with the paragraph above about "feminism's third wave". I came out around the end of the second wave and very beginning of the third wave, and it seemed to me that the two communities had very different approaches to what was considered "okay" and "acceptable" sex. Second-wave feminists always seemed very touchy-feely in an emotional way to me, while third-wave feminists were more enthusiastic, like, "let's get it on!" and "all adult, consensual sexual expression is okay and good!"

[homoe]

Hallmark channel caves to homophobes....


Not all is merry and bright in the land of endless Christmas known at The Hallmark Channel. Following a petition by a bunch of hateful homophobes, Hallmark has pulled a series of adds from wedding planning company Zola because they feature – GASP! – a lesbian couple kissing.


Hallmark changed their mind and will allow Zola's ad to run.

Sidebar: IF I were in charge of Zola's ad department, I'd tell Hallmark I was taking my advertising $$$ elsewhere......

[homoe]

For more info........



https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bloombergs-sexist-remarks-fostered-company-culture-degraded-women/story?id=67744180

[homoe]

cS34FDgRH4A

[homoe]

The United States Department of Agriculture touted last week what it calls the "modernization" of rules regulating how swine is processed and inspected, but critics say the changes could lead to more food contamination. It's the first time in more than 50 years that significant changes have been made to pork processing rules, but they've been in the works since 1997. That's when the USDA started a pilot program among select plants to see how changes to processing and inspection rules would play out.

The agency says the changes won't negatively impact food safety, but critics say the rules, which include the option of using fewer federal inspectors on the production line, could lead to contamination from pathogens like Salmonella and E. Coli, and ultimately, more food-borne illnesses.

[homoe]

The United States Department of Agriculture touted last week what it calls the "modernization" of rules regulating how swine is processed and inspected, but critics say the changes could lead to more food contamination. It's the first time in more than 50 years that significant changes have been made to pork processing rules, but they've been in the works since 1997. That's when the USDA started a pilot program among select plants to see how changes to processing and inspection rules would play out.

The agency says the changes won't negatively impact food safety, but critics say the rules, which include the option of using fewer federal inspectors on the production line, could lead to contamination from pathogens like Salmonella and E. Coli, and ultimately, more food-borne illnesses.

The Trump administration will allow pork plants to reduce the number of Department of Agriculture line inspectors assigned to them and run their slaughter lines without any speed limit under a new rule intended to modernize an antiquated inspection system. But the changes have alarmed consumer advocates who believe the rule will make food less safe and endanger workers.

The new rule will let factory workers, rather than USDA inspectors, remove unsuitable carcasses and trim defects in plants that opt into the new inspection system. USDA inspectors will still examine the carcasses, but they will be stationed farther down the line, and off-line inspectors will be roaming the factory to conduct other kinds of safety checks.“This regulatory change allows us to ensure food safety while eliminating outdated rules and allowing for companies to innovate,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement.

REALLY. are you kidding me! Can you say L E T T U C E! We need MORE regulations and inspection when it comes to managing our food supply not LESS! And as for the fool in the White House, I wonder if he'd feel the same about chicken? We all know his favorite meal is a bucket of KFC......

[~ocean]

** looks around ** did you hear that ~ President Trump Your FIRED ** aaaaaaahhhhhhhh breath and release ~ justice baby !

[cathexis]

General Strike in France spreading. We need this for the World. The list of Socialist and non-Socialist countries and celebrities supporting the Strike and several South American who are either voting in Socialists or having revolutions.

Now, we impeach and remove Trump, get something moving in the US

[homoe]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders Makes a Rare Apology After Mocking Joe Biden's Stutter During Debate....

“I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I hhhave absolutely no idea what Biden is talking about. #DemDebate,” the former White House press secretary wrote on the social media platform.

Really, this is the example she wants to set for her 3 children!

[homoe]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said she was disturbed to hear Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell say there would be "total coordination" between the White House and the Senate over the upcoming presidential impeachment trial.

“And in fairness, when I heard that I was disturbed,” Murkowski told KTUU Tuesday before saying there should be distance between the White House and the Senate in how the trial is conducted.

[homoe]

(WASHINGTON) — Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg cut ties with a contractor that used prisoners to make calls for his presidential campaign, he said in a statement Tuesday.

The former New York mayor said that his campaign was unaware of the arrangement until a reporter sought comment. Earlier Tuesday, online news site The Intercept reported that Bloomberg’s campaign contracted a New Jersey-based call center company that, in at least one instance, used Oklahoma inmates to make calls on behalf of the billionaire’s campaign.

[homoe]

(WASHINGTON) — Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg cut ties with a contractor that used prisoners to make calls for his presidential campaign, he said in a statement Tuesday.

The former New York mayor said that his campaign was unaware of the arrangement until a reporter sought comment. Earlier Tuesday, online news site The Intercept reported that Bloomberg’s campaign contracted a New Jersey-based call center company that, in at least one instance, used Oklahoma inmates to make calls on behalf of the billionaire’s campaign.

Hopefully more will follow and take her lead.........

[homoe]

Susan Collins Becomes Second GOP Senator to Question McConnell Over Impeachment Trial.......


WASHINGTON—Maine Sen. Susan Collins has become the second Republican to question the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s approach to the impeachment trial of President Trump, underscoring how a few GOP defections could upset Mr. McConnell’s control of the highly charged proceedings.

[homoe]

Susan Collins Becomes Second GOP Senator to Question McConnell Over Impeachment Trial.......


WASHINGTON—Maine Sen. Susan Collins has become the second Republican to question the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s approach to the impeachment trial of President Trump, underscoring how a few GOP defections could upset Mr. McConnell’s control of the highly charged proceedings.

That's two, what will Mitt do?

[C0LLETTE]

That's two, what will Mitt do?

Aren't Democrats tired of all those false hopes that Susan Collins will actually get a spine. Every time she opens her mouth, lights go on all over the Democrats' world; and then she votes; and the lights go right out.

[homoe]

Aren't Democrats tired of all those false hopes that Susan Collins will actually get a spine. Every time she opens her mouth, lights go on all over the Democrats' world; and then she votes; and the lights go right out.

:goodpost:


Hopefully someday she'll realize that actions speak louder than words........

[homoe]

D8v-Mgrw0kI




Or not............:|

And as the saying goes........talk is cheap

[homoe]

3_0N9DKtAH8



Liar Liar pants on fire....


Collins was elected to the Senate in 1996..

[FireSignFemme]

Iran's Qassem Soleimani was killed in US raid at Baghdad airport. Iraqi protesters celebrate? What next.
1otkB_JOdto

[~ocean]

Iran's Qassem Soleimani was killed in US raid at Baghdad airport. Iraqi protesters celebrate? What next.
1otkB_JOdto

unfortunately they are going to take their revenge out on our armed forces as well as all Americans and prob. devastate Israel. seems Trump was punishing the democrats by not consulting w/ democratic congress in the decision he made on the attack. Soleimani needed to be taken down or out . I'm a bit taken back as to why Trump didn't consult congress or was it an action strike while the Americans had the chance.:blink::blink: God Bless our soldiers and Americans and Israelians.

[charley]

oh boy, at least 10 rockets (from either Iran or Iraq - they are not sure where-from as yet) have hit a military base in Iraq, which is also housing U.S. forces. Good Grief!!!
:slapfight:
:yesno:

[kittygrrl]

W9PIfOiIW30MItRPAe7gHY

[charley]

oh boy, at least 10 rockets (from either Iran or Iraq - they are not sure where-from as yet) have hit a military base in Iraq, which is also housing U.S. forces. Good Grief!!!
:slapfight:
:yesno:

After days of denial (plausible deniability - smh!), Iran has finally admitted that their military "accidentally" shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane, trying to justify this by saying that it was all provoked by U.S. military "adventurism" - the assassination of Soleimani. Of the 176 who died in this crash, 57 were Canadian. Many were students. It always seems to me that innocents get caught in the way when powers go at each other.

[Kätzchen]

The Pew Research Center published an ongoing study article, last October of 2019, about the Disaffiliation of Christianity, which has been on the rise since 2016 when you-know-who became POTUS.

Article Title (and link embedded):

In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace (https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/)

Here is a brief excerpt from the article above:

"The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip. In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade. Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated share of the population, consisting of people who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” now stands at 26%, up from 17% in 2009," (paragraph 1, The Pew Research Center: In US, Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace; October 17th, 2019).

**********************************************
**********************************************
**********************************************

It's taken the last four years, I think, for people to realize that religion plays a key role in teaching people how to kneel down to oppressive power regimes disguised as any venue or type of religion that persecutes others in the name of power, glory and (…)

-- all of which is so T O X I C and not good for the human race itself, and beyond.

#StopGlorifyingYourOppressor

I like that hash tag too (a senior librarian friend of mine, used it in her post today) as a way for women to not bow down to oppression of any kind or type because domestic violence abusers and oppressors are like a form of cancer: oppressors/oppression can kill you whether oppressor and/or oppression is identified as female or male (any human being, regardless of how they identify). In other words, stop glorifying anyone or any religion or any person whose behaviors and choices cause harm to others.

[charley]

Gabrielle Bouchard is the president of Quebec's largest women's federation (Federation des femmes du Quebec), and tweeted the following Tuesday:

"Heterosexual relationships are really violent. In addition, the vast majority of those relationships are based on religion. It may be time to have a conversation about banning them and abolishing them."

This tweet was in response to the murder charge on a 51 yr-old guy of a 22 year-old sex-worker (he had been in a halfway house, after having been paroled for the murder of his partner!).

She has "apologized" for this tweet (there was a comment that the Quebec gov't is re-evaluating $120,000 in public funding).

Personally, I like the way her mind works, and chuckled over her original tweet several times today. Even re-reading the above original tweet, I chuckle.

I checked her twitter page, and saw a photo of her, and a partial line drawing above her of what looked like a unicorn... :)

https://twitter.com/__Gabbrielle___

[C0LLETTE]

Northern Ireland's first same-sex wedding took place on Tuesday after the government lifted a ban on gay marriage in the province, marking legalisation of the practice throughout the United Kingdom.

[charley]

Weinstein has been found guilty on 2 of 5 counts: one count of 3rd degree rape, and one count of criminal sexual assault. He was placed into custody - and was led out of court in handcuffs (the judge granted his defense team's request for him to be placed in a medical facility while waiting sentencing - on March 11th). Of course, his defense team will be appealing.

He is also facing similar new charges in L.A. in the weeks to come.

Big cheers to the D.A. and the two brave women who accused him. :cheer:

[homoe]

Weinstein has been found guilty on 2 of 5 counts: one count of 3rd degree rape, and one count of criminal sexual assault. He was placed into custody - and was led out of court in handcuffs (the judge granted his defense team's request for him to be placed in a medical facility while waiting sentencing - on March 11th). Of course, his defense team will be appealing.

He is also facing similar new charges in L.A. in the weeks to come.

Big cheers to the D.A. and the two brave women who accused him. :cheer:

This great news thanks for posting!

Oh how these bastards want to portray themselves as poor sickly men who COULD NOT of possibly done these dastardly crimes they are charged with! Harvey isn't the only one, as I recall at one time Manafort was using a wheelchair during his trail!

[charley]

WHO (The World Health Org.) has just announced that the world must prepare for a pandemic re: the coronavirus.

It must be serious, cause stock markets are selling off as the coronavirus is threatening the global economy (stocks falling sharply).

Please take care.

[homoe]

~~
As it improvises its way through a public health crisis, the United States has never been less prepared for a pandemic. In 2018, the Trump administration fired the government’s entire pandemic response chain of command, including the White House management infrastructure and never replaced anyone.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/31/coronavirus-china-trump-united-states-public-health-emergency-response/

[homoe]

Weinstein has been found guilty on 2 of 5 counts: one count of 3rd degree rape, and one count of criminal sexual assault. He was placed into custody - and was led out of court in handcuffs (the judge granted his defense team's request for him to be placed in a medical facility while waiting sentencing - on March 11th). Of course, his defense team will be appealing.

He is also facing similar new charges in L.A. in the weeks to come.

Big cheers to the D.A. and the two brave women who accused him. :cheer:

Harvey Weinstein rerouted to hospital on way to Rikers Island jail in New York City

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein was rerouted to a New York City hospital Monday night as authorities transported him to the jail on Rikers Island.

Weinstein's attorney Donna Rotunno said Monday night that Weinstein was at Bellevue Hospital under observation for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. It wasn't clear whether he would stay overnight or go on to the infirmary at Rikers Island on Monday night. The city Department of Corrections had no comment other than to say Weinstein was remanded and transferred into custody.

WOW a rush to the hospital because of high blood pressure and heart palpitations? That bastard must have some GREAT insurance coverage!

[homoe]

Rush Limbaugh Claims The 'Common Cold' Coronavirus Is An Effort To ‘Get Trump’



Such an idiot! Need I say more!?


https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/rush-limbaugh-coronavirus-trump-023911730.html

[homoe]

Rush Limbaugh Claims The 'Common Cold' Coronavirus Is An Effort To ‘Get Trump’



Such an idiot! Need I say more!?


https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/rush-limbaugh-coronavirus-trump-023911730.html

Then this from our Fearless Leader: President Donald Trump suggested that the new coronavirus would “go away” in April, as temperatures warm.

He's holding a news conference tonight 6 p.m east coast time. I can't wait to hear what the delicate genius says now!

[homoe]

"Should Trump declare a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak"?


I COULD be mistaken but I doubt this will ever happen, WHY because he'd have to admit he was wrong and we all know he NEVER does that!



https://news.yahoo.com/should-trump-declare-a-national-emergency-over-the-coronavirus-outbreak-204620677.html

[homoe]

Republican senator tells Trump to "let the professionals do the talking’"after he repeatedly contradicts expert health advice.

A senior Republican senator has told Donald Trump to “let the professionals do the talking” after the president repeatedly contradicted medical experts in recent weeks. Mr Trump has sought to downplay the threat posed by coronavirus in the US, even as public health officials have warned of the potential for a serious outbreak.

The president has said a vaccine for the virus could be available “relatively soon”, despite experts saying it will take at least a year to produce one, and last week suggested virus cases were “going very substantially down, not up” as officials recorded numbers increasing.

Republican senator Lamar Alexander, the chairman of the Senate health committee, has intervened to assert that nonpolitical public health officials should be leading the response to the virus.“My advice to the president and the vice president is let the professionals do the talking,” Mr Alexander said.

[kittygrrl]

my bff (in Seattle) says she went to 7 stores looking for toilet paper..there was none :phonegab:..i woke up thinking maybe i should send her some?

[GeorgiaMa'am]

my bff (in Seattle) says she went to 7 stores looking for toilet paper..there was none :phonegab:..i woke up thinking maybe i should send her some?

My Dad (RIP) who died three years ago believed in buying things in bulk. And he generously purchased stuff in bulk for me and my sister, too, when he found a really good deal. So I am sitting on a lifetime supply of toilet paper and paper towels. I'm ready for the zombie apocalypse.

[Stone-Butch]

I read today that a great majority of people are hoping that summer with warmer weather will stop the virus. OMG. It may slow down the virus as far as warmer wetter air goes but it is unlikely it will stop it. Just think also of the millions of people going all over the world on summer vacation. I don't think this will help stop the virus. Some people will do what they want regardless. We all have to look out for ourselves and our loved ones and not depend on others to do it.

[charley]

I have seen on several American news stations over the past few days, journalists stating (in great surprise) how they have seen - for the first time! - men in public washrooms washing their hands! Shocking news, eh? OMG! ... laughing ...

And, on Dateline London (BBC) (a round-table discussion group of foreign correspondents), which I have just now watched (Velshi was on at the same time, and his voice grates on me - "ashes in the mouth", same as Trump and Bernie, bleh!), I have just seen a Russian journalist (Alexander Nekrassov) state that he didn't understand why it was so important to wash one's hands after going to the washroom (yikes! - smh). Globally, I think that is why so many people are buying face masks, and not buying hand sanitizers to the same degree.

I have not bought any face masks but I do carry some bacterial wipes in my backpack. I've had them for years.

I do have a male friend who I bumped into on the bus this week, and am thinking how to broach the subject with him the next time we go out for lunch, oy!

[CherylNYC]

I have seen on several American news stations over the past few days, journalists stating (in great surprise) how they have seen - for the first time! - men in public washrooms washing their hands! Shocking news, eh? OMG! ... laughing ...

And, on Dateline London (BBC) (a round-table discussion group of foreign correspondents), which I have just now watched (Velshi was on at the same time, and his voice grates on me - "ashes in the mouth", same as Trump and Bernie, bleh!), I have just seen a Russian journalist (Alexander Nekrassov) state that he didn't understand why it was so important to wash one's hands after going to the washroom (yikes! - smh)....

Wow. That explains a lot.

[charley]

John Hopkins has an excellent interactive map that shows in real time the progression of covid-19; globally, it notes how many deaths, how many have recovered - in all countries.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Being old, I am slightly concerned; and even if I catch this kind of flu and recover, I am sure it would take its toll on my body, so I put this out as general info, and it's for you to decide whether or not to take precautions:

WHO estimates that deaths from the coronavirus are 3.4%.
Compared with the flu that goes around yearly, the CDC says that the fatality rate for the seasonal flu is 0.14%.


So, you can see that this strain of the flu is a tad more dangerous. Of course, if you do catch something, it might just be the common cold.

[homoe]

President Trump mused about a career path not taken Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which is spreading across the United States and throughout the world, Trump mentioned how much he enjoys talking about "this stuff." He attributes his previously unknown interest in epidemiological research to his uncle, Dr. John Trump, who used to teach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The president, who considers himself a genius, raised the scale even higher for his uncle, who he described as a "super genius."
Trump said doctors he's come across as the administration tries to get a handle on the outbreak have been surprised about how much he knows about COVID-19. "Maybe I have a natural ability," he said. "Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president."

I saw him say this Friday! Searched and searched for the clip but sorry to say couldn't find it.

I would BET my life no doctor or doctors have ever asked him that! I mean come on, from a man first saying it was a hoax,then saying it would disappear in April, and now telling people it just cures itself.......give me a break!!!

[GeorgiaMa'am]

John Hopkins has an excellent interactive map that shows in real time the progression of covid-19; globally, it notes how many deaths, how many have recovered - in all countries.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Being old, I am slightly concerned; and even if I catch this kind of flu and recover, I am sure it would take its toll on my body, so I put this out as general info, and it's for you to decide whether or not to take precautions:

WHO estimates that deaths from the coronavirus are 3.4%.
Compared with the flu that goes around yearly, the CDC says that the fatality rate for the seasonal flu is 0.14%.


So, you can see that this strain of the flu is a tad more dangerous. Of course, if you do catch something, it might just be the common cold.

Thanks for the map, that is very interesting.

I'm sure you were being facetious when you said COVID-19 is "a tad more dangerous" than the common flu. But just for the sake of fun with math, let's do the numbers, shall we?

0.14% = for every thousand people who catch the flu, 1.4 will die
3.4% = for every thousand people who catch COVID-19, 34 will die

I think that's right, please someone correct my math if it's wrong.

[charley]

Thanks for the map, that is very interesting.

I'm sure you were being facetious when you said COVID-19 is "a tad more dangerous" than the common flu. But just for the sake of fun with math, let's do the numbers, shall we?

0.14% = for every thousand people who catch the flu, 1.4 will die
3.4% = for every thousand people who catch COVID-19, 34 will die

I think that's right, please someone correct my math if it's wrong.

Considering that the Trump has called it a "hoax", and I have seen elsewhere similar words (scoffing cough!)... no, actually, I was not being facetious, I thought for those who don't believe this "outbreak" is serious might get offended if I said what I actually thought. I never write down the depth of what I think, see, and feel on this site - apart from my thread on "Meditation" where I only put down a few basics, and never really elaborated [but then again, no one asked me to elaborate... oh well, smh].

My hypobole (or, if you prefer, intentional understatement) was only intended to get attention, and if anything to suggest a more careful attitude re: the Coronavirus. I leave facetiousness to those who would make light of serious matters, in general. I don't suffer from that much pain/damage, as to have that kind of humor. :)

I will say one thing, the word 'danger' actually means fear...

[JDeere]

I found this on fb.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2809958409125474&id=100003340269924

Dont give into fear and panic...this comes straight from a doctor.

[C0LLETTE]

"Hundreds of thousands of women across Latin America’s biggest cities flocked to the streets for International Women’s Day on Sunday, spurred by a growing outcry over inequality, femicide and strict abortion controls."
From The Globe and Mail

So what did one female Reuters reporter choose to write?

“The situation has gotten out of control … we have to march for those who no longer can,” said Daniela Molinero, 29, a jewellery shop owner who wore a purple bandana and eye liner."

Not sure why that descriptive bothers me so much, but it does. This must be a "real" women's march if the protesters are wearing eyeliner.

[C0LLETTE]

Still very early but it's looking like Sanders is preparing to lose tonight. Doedsn't even look good in Michigan...but hey, polls are just closing in 3 states... 2 seconds in now and Biden won Miss.

[charley]

Weinstein has been found guilty on 2 of 5 counts: one count of 3rd degree rape, and one count of criminal sexual assault. He was placed into custody - and was led out of court in handcuffs (the judge granted his defense team's request for him to be placed in a medical facility while waiting sentencing - on March 11th). Of course, his defense team will be appealing.

He is also facing similar new charges in L.A. in the weeks to come.

Big cheers to the D.A. and the two brave women who accused him. :cheer:

He has been sentenced to 23 years !!!

[charley]

John Hopkins has an excellent interactive map that shows in real time the progression of covid-19; globally, it notes how many deaths, how many have recovered - in all countries.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Being old, I am slightly concerned; and even if I catch this kind of flu and recover, I am sure it would take its toll on my body, so I put this out as general info, and it's for you to decide whether or not to take precautions:

WHO estimates that deaths from the coronavirus are 3.4%.
Compared with the flu that goes around yearly, the CDC says that the fatality rate for the seasonal flu is 0.14%.




WHO has just declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic.

I trust everyone is washing their hands after every outing or using hand sanitizer after shopping, etc., stocking up on hand sanitizer, etc. and making proper precautions: no unnecessary flying, obviously no cruises, not going to any activity with large groups (more than 15 people), sports activities, concerts, etc.

In every grocery store where I live, there are always have been - for some years - wipes and hand sanitizer on the counter, which I have availed myself of even before this outbreak. Banking this week, I noticed for the first time, hand sanitizer right on the counter by the teller for the use of clients. Presently, all these are now sold out in my region. There were empty shelves at Walmart where normally you would find all these things, even emergency kits were gone. In general, the kind of people who live in my area are germophobes to begin with.

I saw someone talking on CNN who has been diagnosed with this disease, and it had developed into viral pneumonia (which is probably what is causing these very quick deaths), and I think that anyone with any lung problems could be in extreme danger.

[Bèsame*]

The Houston Rodeo shuts down today at 4pm.

Apparently someone who was exposed went to a BBQ cook off. This person did not travel outside the state.

Wash your hands!

[JDeere]

The Houston Rodeo shuts down today at 4pm.

Apparently someone who was exposed went to a BBQ cook off. This person did not travel outside the state.

Wash your hands!


I work with idiots who dont. Omg it makes me so mad. They just use hand sanitizer.

Im not gonna panic just yet, however my folks are gonna stay in the house as much as possible except to go to drs... I will be the one who goes to the store and runs errands...

[randomnotes]

We have tickets for the Houston rodeo for Friday. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved!

[JDeere]

We have tickets for the Houston rodeo for Friday. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved!

The whole rodeo got canceled.

However people are getting ticket refunds for the concerts etc.

[randomnotes]

The whole rodeo got canceled.

However people are getting ticket refunds for the concerts etc.

Oh I know! I just meant I’m not sure if I’m saddened we won’t go or if I’m relieved we can’t go. I enjoy the rodeo but I don’t like being around that many people! Also disappointed to not get a turkey leg (hope to make a stop at the turkey leg hut instead).

Curious how difficult the refund process will be. Closing the rest of the rodeo is going to cost Houston a ton of money.

We couldn’t get tickets to Lizzo for Friday so I’m not worried about that. Just the tickets to get in and the tickets we preordered for rides for my nephews.

[JDeere]

Oh I know! I just meant I’m not sure if I’m saddened we won’t go or if I’m relieved we can’t go. I enjoy the rodeo but I don’t like being around that many people! Also disappointed to not get a turkey leg (hope to make a stop at the turkey leg hut instead).

Curious how difficult the refund process will be. Closing the rest of the rodeo is going to cost Houston a ton of money.

We couldn’t get tickets to Lizzo for Friday so I’m not worried about that. Just the tickets to get in and the tickets we preordered for rides for my nephews.



Hmmm not sure on that.

A turkey leg sounds good though Lol

[charley]

He has just made an address on the coronavirus from the Oval Office...
WOW, suspension of all traffic from Europe to U.S. for 30 days, starting Friday (except for the UK, + exceptions)... etc.
WOW! Finally, at least something,

[randomnotes]

Hmmm not sure on that.

A turkey leg sounds good though Lol

Have you ever been to The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston? It’s fairly well known and has all manners of turkey legs with toppings. My in laws live in Houston so we go frequently. And I’ve been harassing my wife to take me to the Hut for at least six months. Lol. She’s not going to get out of it this time if we still drive to Houston with this outbreak!

[JDeere]

Have you ever been to The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston? It’s fairly well known and has all manners of turkey legs with toppings. My in laws live in Houston so we go frequently. And I’ve been harassing my wife to take me to the Hut for at least six months. Lol. She’s not going to get out of it this time if we still drive to Houston with this outbreak!

Not yet but I hear about it all the time Lol

I just havent ventured outside my lil bubble in houston these days.

[randomnotes]

He has just made an address on the coronavirus from the Oval Office...
WOW, suspension of all traffic from Europe to U.S. for 30 days, starting Friday (except for the UK, + exceptions)... etc.
WOW! Finally, at least something,

We are set to do London and Paris in August now I’m a little worried we are going to get over there and not be able to get back. Hope this all boils over by then...but doubt it.

[randomnotes]

http://https://www.instagram.com/p/B9nXZ9OnYuX/?igshid=17ngelg0cg7rz


Tom Hanks and Rita have tested positive in Australia.

[randomnotes]

And now the NBA has suspended the season. It’s like in the last 48 hours it’s really blown up.

[dark_crystal]

Have you ever been to The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston? It’s fairly well known and has all manners of turkey legs with toppings. My in laws live in Houston so we go frequently. And I’ve been harassing my wife to take me to the Hut for at least six months. Lol. She’s not going to get out of it this time if we still drive to Houston with this outbreak!

I passed this place on Tuesday and was wondering if i should take my dad...

[randomnotes]

I passed this place on Tuesday and was wondering if i should take my dad...

Well we decided against going to Houston this weekend. But I think you should check that place out. It’s supposed to be crazy good!

[charley]

Um, well, from Canada, the CBC News Network which I have been watching through my cable is wall-to-wall 24/7 pretty much only about the coronavirus. Both the Federal govt (new emergency warning) and the provinces have advised that Canadians no longer travel abroad and that every Canadian who is travelling abroad return home, some of whom are having trouble getting a flight home and/or being offered "price-gouging" costs, ugh. Here, Parliament has been suspended for 5 weeks. There is even a rumour (?) of Canada closing its border (?) - idk. Quebec would like the feds to close the Canadian border to tourists - Trudeau doesn't agree - so far.

There are presently almost 300 confirmed cases in Canada. And, provinces are announcing measures to prohibit large gatherings. Many activities across Canada are being cancelled.

The only thing I liked about the above was that many of the doctors speaking from different provinces being interviewed were women and hardly had any makeup on at all. I really like seeing women who appear natural. :) After a while, I couldn't take watching all this bad news, so I watched 2 episodes of the new Natl. Geo series COSMOS: Possible Worlds (2020-), hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson - pretty good btw, except that it seemed like sci-fi compared with what is happening in the world.

There has been an incredible amount of panic buying and hoarding, as I witnessed last Friday, while doing regular shopping - the lines !!, in the 2 major supermarkets (Thrifty's & Save-on-Foods), no toilet paper (I saw a clerk wheeling a big dolly full of unopened boxes full of TP in that aisle), frozen vegs & frozen fruit packages pretty much all gone, etc. etc... I had to go to the 2nd supermarket 'cause Thrifty's was all sold out of Chapman's ice cream, which I managed to pick up at Save-on-Foods with some delicious apple pie; thank god I only had a few items and there was an express lane for people like me.

I am now actually concerned and worried. Also, I will have to alter some of my eating-out habits: I will miss going out weekly to get take-out Chinese food, my favourite weekly Japanese feasts, and others.

I am pretty well stocked up on everything else, even natural alcohol-based hand sanitizer, made locally :)

[homoe]

The calendar may say spring is almost here, but winter isn't quite done yet.

A blizzard is forecast for portions of the north-central U.S. this week, which will make travel "difficult if not impossible" in some areas. Weather conditions on the last day of winter "will seem more like the middle of January for an approximate 1,200-mile-long swath of the central United States on Thursday," AccuWeather said.

Blizzard conditions will spread across portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota, due to strong winds and a heavy rate of snow. A general 3-6 inches of snow is forecast to fall over parts of the central Rockies, central and northern Plains and the upper Great Lakes region," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "From 6-12 inches of snow is forecast in parts of Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska, as well as a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan." Up to two feet of snow is possible in mountainous areas of Wyoming and Colorado, the National Weather Service predicted.

Major metro areas in the path of the snowstorm include Denver and Minneapolis. Moderate accumulations are expected in the Denver metro area, with higher amounts, as usual, in the western and southern foothills, the Weather Channel said.Minneapolis could see a "plowable snowfall," the weather service said.

[charley]

I just watched a part of the National on the CBC News Network (which is now free to stream for anyone in the world because of the crisis, especially for those stranded in other countries) before logging off the news channels for this evening, and it seems that Canada and the U.S. are just about to close a "deal" to close the Canadian/U.S. border to anyone who is a tourist, etc. I guess truckers bringing in supplies - going back and forth will be exempt, apart from a few other exceptions.

I have enough stored up to stay here for a month or two or even more, before needing to go out to restock (my cabinets are full, so is my freezer and frig, apart from a little walk to the corner store to get milk, etc. as needed. I may just go out to get fresh air and just walk around the block.

The horror of it all.

[~ocean]

Trump just closed the US & Canadian border except essential personal and trade.

[homoe]

Rand Paul.......first it was...


Trying to block the funding of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

Now

He's put a damper on fast passage of a $$ bill which would include provisions for free coronavirus testing, secure paid emergency leave, enhance unemployment insurance, strengthen food security initiatives and increase federal Medicaid funding to states.

[homoe]

This morning on MSNBC Stephanie Ruhle engaged in a discussion pertaining to
airlines begging for bailouts, then pointed out how they've used 96% of the cash (they received in tax breaks) on buybacks. Being ignorant of even what buybacks were (I've since tried to educate myself somewhat) I found this riveting!

She also brought up an excellent example how the economy may not bounce right back up as Trump predicts. Another point, about small mom and pop businesses inability to survive these new close down regulations (many don't have pre-ordering apps, drive-thru, etc etc).I know yesterday at Trumps press meeting he featured Hilton Hotel big wigs etc etc I had to turn the channel it made me so disgusted he used them instead of small business owners!

In all honesty I have to admit I'd never cared much for Stephanie Ruhle, but after today I have a new found respect for her.

[homoe]

This morning on MSNBC Stephanie Ruhle engaged in a discussion pertaining to
airlines begging for bailouts, then pointed out how they've used 96% of the cash (they received in tax breaks) on buybacks. Being ignorant of even what buybacks were (I've since tried to educate myself somewhat) I found this riveting!

She also brought up an excellent example how the economy may not bounce right back up as Trump predicts. Another point, about small mom and pop businesses inability to survive these new close down regulations (many don't have pre-ordering apps, drive-thru, etc etc).I know yesterday at Trumps press meeting he featured Hilton Hotel big wigs etc etc I had to turn the channel it made me so disgusted he used them instead of small business owners!

In all honesty I have to admit I'd never cared much for Stephanie Ruhle, but after today I have a new found respect for her.

Oh another thing I forgot to mention. She brought up why should some of these cruise-lines be bailed out when they are based out of other countries and pay almost no corporate tax.

[~ocean]

This morning on MSNBC Stephanie Ruhle engaged in a discussion pertaining to
airlines begging for bailouts, then pointed out how they've used 96% of the cash (they received in tax breaks) on buybacks. Being ignorant of even what buybacks were (I've since tried to educate myself somewhat) I found this riveting!

She also brought up an excellent example how the economy may not bounce right back up as Trump predicts. Another point, about small mom and pop businesses inability to survive these new close down regulations (many don't have pre-ordering apps, drive-thru, etc etc).I know yesterday at Trumps press meeting he featured Hilton Hotel big wigs etc etc I had to turn the channel it made me so disgusted he used them instead of small business owners!

In all honesty I have to admit I'd never cared much for Stephanie Ruhle, but after today I have a new found respect for her.

what do u think of this idea....when this is in control and we get back to our lives.. The government gives SMALL business loans .05% interest rates for them to start again. also it should become an insurance option to take out personally and business wise. pandemic insurance.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

what do u think of this idea....when this is in control and we get back to our lives.. The government gives SMALL business loans .05% interest rates for them to start again. also it should become an insurance option to take out personally and business wise. pandemic insurance.

I think it would be a better idea to give small businesses the loans now, so they can use the money to stay open and pay their employees, at least for the short term.

[Jedi]

The thing that is getting me is the Airlines and cruise ships all wanting bailouts. These industries will survive just fine without a government hand out. Besides they just got one that was (don't quote me on this) but something like $46B and they spent it all on stock buy backs. Now if a small business or citizen did that and then asked for another hand out, what would they get told? All these tax cuts and things big corporations are getting are supposed to be for the employees and not the CEOs. Big companies have been hoarding for too long. Make them take care of the people they employ and fore go that new Yacht or Plane people. The little guy is proving right now.....during this very crisis......that THEY are the ones keeping you all going. It's about fucking time you took care of these people.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/airlines-and-boeing-want-a-bailout-but-look-how-much-theyve-spent-on-stock-buybacks-2020-03-18

[homoe]

Malarkey as Joe Biden would say!

Doesn't this fool (Trump) realize there is video of him as late as March 7th saying everything from it being a hoax by the dems, to it'll just disappear, etc etc!?

[homoe]

Trump met at the White House Tuesday with the heads of Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, and other major hotel chains to discuss the impact that the COVID-19 virus is having on their businesses. While the CEOs promised that it would be business as usual once the coronavirus crisis has passed, they told the president that they are being forced to shutter many of their hotels in the meantime and need to find a way to stay financially afloat amid the outbreak.

RIGHT and why didn't he include some small business hotel owners as well? With all the ways these big chains can and do apply "hidden fees" to room fees I would think they'd have some back up cash to see them thru!

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Per the Irish Times newspaper, an Irish appeals board for a land commission has denied the Trump family to build a sea wall along their golf course. The golf resort has already lost two holes and a third has been moved inland, due to the Atlantic Ocean washing them away.

In the request to build a sea wall, the Trump family claimed that climate change (a phenomenon that Donald Trump claims not to believe in) has affected the beach along his golf course, and proposes building a sea wall to correct the problem. Environmentalists and others protested the sea wall, and the land commission agreed with them: a sea wall would be unsightly, would make the corrosion worse, and would damage the sand dunes.

Trump has supposedly spent $40M on this property and has not made a profit.

[~ocean]

Per the Irish Times newspaper, an Irish appeals board for a land commission has denied the Trump family to build a sea wall along their golf course. The golf resort has already lost two holes and a third has been moved inland, due to the Atlantic Ocean washing them away.

In the request to build a sea wall, the Trump family claimed that climate change (a phenomenon that Donald Trump claims not to believe in) has affected the beach along his golf course, and proposes building a sea wall to correct the problem. Environmentalists and others protested the sea wall, and the land commission agreed with them: a sea wall would be unsightly, would make the corrosion worse, and would damage the sand dunes.

Trump has supposedly spent $40M on this property and has not made a profit.



golfing makes him orange lol couldn't resist !

[charley]

To me, it is obvious, that Trump knew that the coronavirus wasn't a hoax, just like when he called the impeachment a hoax. He lies, that's all there is to it. He isn't stupid, he's just an a**hole. He doesn't care about people, only about himself and $$. Moreover, my viewpoint is that he probably thinks that people who are vulnerable to the disease are just a drag on the economy, and if they die, so what - probably he thinks that it would be better if they do, because they would be the types who would vote for the Dems. He is not alone thinking that.

I think often of the lead poisoning in communities that are poor in the States, and that no one does much about it, knowing full well that it will affect a large sector of the black pop for a generation to come - it's a form of genocide - in other words, deliberate.

[ksrainbow]

...pathetic piece of shit!

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/19/senate-intel-chair-warned-of-coronavirus-disruption-in-private-137407

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/488545-burr-sold-off-significant-amount-of-stock-a-week-before-market-crash-started

[Kätzchen]

Per the Irish Times newspaper, an Irish appeals board for a land commission has denied the Trump family to build a sea wall along their golf course. The golf resort has already lost two holes and a third has been moved inland, due to the Atlantic Ocean washing them away.

In the request to build a sea wall, the Trump family claimed that climate change (a phenomenon that Donald Trump claims not to believe in) has affected the beach along his golf course, and proposes building a sea wall to correct the problem. Environmentalists and others protested the sea wall, and the land commission agreed with them: a sea wall would be unsightly, would make the corrosion worse, and would damage the sand dunes.

Trump has supposedly spent $40M on this property and has not made a profit.

Lmao (or not).

Forget that civics lesson we were all supposed to get during his impeachment trial.

I think everyone should have a Doctorate, by now, in what Narccisim / Sociopathy is.

That is exactly how disturbed individuals like this operate. They dont care because they cant care. Nothing fazes ppl with disturbing disorders like T***p, who will do anything to distract you from seeing who they really are.

Thanks for posting about how he couldnt con ppl into giving him a sea wall.

That just made my day hearing he couldnt get what he wanted.

I surely do hope ppl remember how he and his cronies have taken a wrecking ball to their lives and society, come November.

[homoe]

California governor issues statewide order to stay at home amid outbreak!

“This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said. “We need to recognize reality.”


I have a feeling WA will be next.......

[homoe]

~~~
The source says the contribution will be allocated in part to the New York Governor’s Office for the purchase of urgently needed ventilators and additionally towards WIN, an organization running 11 women’s shelters across New York City.

I saw a video Mathew McConaughey posted to Twitter Tuesday afternoon, giving a passionate, positive, and overwhelmingly McConaughey-esque call for the world to stay chill, keep our core resilience-respect-courage values—and, in what’s now his new favorite metaphor—turn a red light into a green light BLAH BLAH BLAH. He even went on to give advice on what we should do during this crisis to keep yourself going. Exercise, cooking, self-care—all that good stuff—not to mention, you can even donate money to organizations providing relief to those coronavirus has hit the hardest. However, I'm not sure he's put his money where his mouth is like Ripa has!

[homoe]

Trump after hearing Romney is in self-quarantine: 'Gee, that's too bad'.
Asked if there was any sarcasm in his remarks, Trump said "none whatsoever."


RIGHT and IF you believe that, I've got a great deal on a bridge to sell you!

[homoe]

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos faces backlash after publicising a relief fund the public can donate to for his contract employees working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Amazon Relief Fund was created with $25m from the e-commerce company to assist its "employees and partners", specifically those who are responsible for the necessary task of delivering all the products consumers order across the US. It's focused on "supporting our US-based Delivery Associates employed by Delivery Service Providers, our Amazon Flex Delivery Partners, and Associates working for Integrity Staffing, Adecco Staffing, and RES Staffing, and drivers and support team members of line haul partners under financial distress due to a Covid-19 diagnosis or quarantine."

Besides the company contributing $25m to the fund, it also allows the public to donate if they deem it important. "While we aren't expecting anyone to do so, you can make a voluntary donation to the fund if you desire to do so," Amazon wrote on its fund's website.

Amazon tweaked the wording to the above after initially encouraging people to donate via text, according to Popular Information. But asking for public donations has still caught some backlash online.

"How is your company worth over a TRILLION dollars and you want the public to donate to an employee relief fund?! As if Amazon can't pay their employees themselves," one frustrated consumer wrote on Twitter.

Amazon is worth $1tn, and Mr Bezos is worth an estimated $114bn. In 2018, the company reported an income of $11bn but paid $0 into federal taxes.

[homoe]

The White House and Senate leaders reached a breakthrough deal shortly after midnight Wednesday on a massive and historic $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for workers and businesses, capping days of heated negotiations. “Ladies and gentleman, we are done," White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland announced as he left the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., near midnight. "We have a deal."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the bill amounts to “unemployment compensation on steroids," and that every American laid off will have their missed salary remunerated. The stimulus package will enable companies to stay afloat and immediately bring back those employees when things are safe‬, Schumer said. In a letter to his colleagues, Schumer remarked, “Democrats are ready to give our unanimous consent to speed up the consideration of the bill and get the job done.“ That means that if there are no objections from Republicans, the Senate could clear this bill without a formal roll call vote. Parliamentarily, that is the fastest way to move something on the floor.

[homoe]

Romney posted on Twitter, “Thankfully I’ve tested negative for COVID-19.”
Romney says guidance from his physician is consistent with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and requires him to remain in quarantine. He says the test “does not rule out the onset of symptoms during the 14-day period.”

President Donald Trump, who has feuded with Romney for years, appeared to mock the Utah senator on Twitter, writing, “This is really great news! I am so happy I can barely speak. He may have been a terrible presidential candidate and an even worse U.S. Senator, but he is a RINO, and I like him a lot!”

“RINO” is an acronym standing for “Republican in name only,” commonly used by those on the far-right to mock more centrist Republicans, often when they disagree with the White House.

[homoe]

Fox News’ Brit Hume: It’s ‘Entirely Reasonable’ the Elderly Would Want to Die to Save Economy.

Fox News’ Brit Hume defended comments from Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick Tuesday night, saying it is “entirely reasonable” that elderly Americans could be fine with dying amid the coronavirus outbreak to save the U.S. economy.

You know Brit Hume isn't a spring chicken! I noticed he didn't mention if he'd be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the economy!

[homoe]

Alexander Britton "Brit" Hume (born June 22, 1943) is an American journalist and political commentator.

So if my math is correct that would make him 76!

[C0LLETTE]

Fox News’ Brit Hume: It’s ‘Entirely Reasonable’ the Elderly Would Want to Die to Save Economy.

Fox News’ Brit Hume defended comments from Texas lieutenant governor Dan Patrick Tuesday night, saying it is “entirely reasonable” that elderly Americans could be fine with dying amid the coronavirus outbreak to save the U.S. economy.

You know Brit Hume isn't a spring chicken! I noticed he didn't mention if he'd be willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the economy!

What's he waiting for? Lead the way Brit...and you too, Dan Patrick...lead by example.

[homoe]

Alexander Britton "Brit" Hume (born June 22, 1943) is an American journalist and political commentator.

So if my math is correct that would make him 76!


Dan Patrick....
Born: April 4, 1950 (age 69 years) again no spring chicken!

[homoe]

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is planning to issue guidelines categorizing counties across the nation as high-risk, medium-risk or low-risk to help state and local authorities decide whether to bolster or relax social distancing measures intended to combat the novel coronavirus.


Anyone with half a brain can see his hidden agenda in taking this approach!

[homoe]

Business host Neil Cavuto fiercely criticized Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s suggestion that soaring claims for unemployment benefits are “not relevant” at this stage of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Mnuchin told CNBC Thursday morning he thought “these numbers right now are not relevant, and you know, whether they’re bigger or smaller in the short-term.” Cavuto fired back at the tone of Mnuchin’s comments on his show, “Cavuto Coast to Coast.”

“Well, Mr. Secretary, they are relevant to those people,” he said. “Those are three-and-a-quarter million Americans that don’t have jobs anymore. Now, you might look at them as an aberration or whatever. But they matter to those people because, you know what? They don’t have jobs.” “Tone is everything, and I think that’s a very dismissive, condescending, just a dumbass tone,” Cavuto added.

[homoe]

Facebook Says Post Proposing COVID-19 Infection Parties Doesn’t Violate Its Policies

A right-wing magazine’s Facebook post suggesting people infect themselves with coronavirus en masse does not violate the platform’s rules, a spokesperson told HuffPost. The Federalist, a fervently pro-Trump outlet, shared the still-active post to its 100,000-follower Facebook page on Wednesday morning. It links to a Federalist article written by an unlicensed dermatologist, who argues that Americans should throw coronavirus infection “parties” as a way to establish “herd immunity” and save the economy.

Facebook explicitly prohibits coronavirus-related misinformation “that could contribute to imminent physical harm.” The company declined to explain how a post proposing readers deliberately contract a virus that has rapidly killed tens of thousands of people does not meet that standard.

Like other social media giants, Facebook introduced new policies under guidance from the World Health Organization to minimize the reach of “misinformation and harmful content” about the pandemic. But its decision to keep the Federalist post online raises questions about its enforcement of those policies.

[homoe]

What's he waiting for? Lead the way Brit...and you too, Dan Patrick...lead by example.



Well I guess neither were willing to put their money (or should I say lives) where their mouth is!

[homoe]

Florida coronavirus checkpoints screen for motorists entering.

Law enforcement officers are directing travelers entering Florida on Interstates 10 and 95 to weigh stations. Depending on the route they have arrived by, motorists are then being allowed to proceed on the highway or pulled aside for further screening, the department said in a release Saturday. Those entering the state will be required to complete a form that includes each traveler's contact information and trip details, according to the release. "Failure to complete the form and failure to follow any isolation or quarantine order from DOH are a violation of Florida law," it says.

I saw him this morning on Fox and Friends. Like a fool I kept waiting for the interviewer to take him to task for not being so concerned when spring break parties were let to run a muck but no, that never came up!

Mostly it was about what a wonderful job Trump is doing and how the Governor doesn't expect him to do the job of the Governors! This bastard couldn't get his nose up Trumps ass anymore if he tried!

Piss-ant!!!

[homoe]

Despite Coronavirus, Some Religious Services Continue.
Houses of worship defy calls to avoid group gatherings; ‘We rely on God for his protection’

On Sunday's news, I believe it was ABC's, they interviewed a preacher from one of these churches.

I guess the point he was trying to drive home made sense, but if it's between science and God, my money's on science just saying!

[nhplowboi]

I have always wondered if you believe in (a)God…..why do you want to test him/her?

[C0LLETTE]

I have always wondered if you believe in (a)God…..why do you want to test him/her?

I'm confused by the post. Can you expand on it?

[nhplowboi]

Collette it was in reference to homoe's post and I should have quoted...…"Houses of worship defy calls to avoid group gatherings; ‘We rely on God for his protection’"
Also to include religions that will not use the God given talent of modern medicine ie Christian Scientists and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[homoe]

Florida coronavirus checkpoints screen for motorists entering.

Law enforcement officers are directing travelers entering Florida on Interstates 10 and 95 to weigh stations. Depending on the route they have arrived by, motorists are then being allowed to proceed on the highway or pulled aside for further screening, the department said in a release Saturday. Those entering the state will be required to complete a form that includes each traveler's contact information and trip details, according to the release. "Failure to complete the form and failure to follow any isolation or quarantine order from DOH are a violation of Florida law," it says.

I saw him this morning on Fox and Friends. Like a fool I kept waiting for the interviewer to take him to task for not being so concerned when spring break parties were let to run a muck but no, that never came up!

Mostly it was about what a wonderful job Trump is doing and how the Governor doesn't expect him to do the job of the Governors! This bastard couldn't get his nose up Trumps ass anymore if he tried!

Piss-ant!!!

It had slipped my mind but a while back Trump changed his resident status from New York to Florida. Perhaps around reason for the brown nosing!

[homoe]

:carride:

How ironic......

[homoe]

It had slipped my mind but a while back Trump changed his resident status from New York to Florida. Perhaps around reason for the brown nosing!

As the coronavirus spreads throughout Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis finally took action this weekend—not to instate social distancing or quarantine requirements, like many other governors have done, but to target visitors from New York and various other states.

Update: He has ordered some restrictions on social distancing & stay home policies in certain Florida counties now as of this posting.

[homoe]

The 87-year-old Supreme Court justice is still working out twice a week with her personal trainer while employing safeguards, the trainer told Law360.

Many gyms have closed to enforce social distancing during the pandemic. But Ginsburg continues using the Supreme Court’s private gym, trainer Bryant Johnson said. The instructor noted that the two are cleaning the equipment and keeping their distance while Ginsburg sweats through “planks, pushups and other exercises,” Law360 wrote. “Everybody’s been shut down. The only reason why I didn’t shut the justice down is because, hey, she ain’t having it,” Johnson said. “If she wants to train, that‘s the least that I can do.”

I'm sure your heart is in the right place Mr Johnson but it's not only about RBG and you, it could be other's health you could effect!

[homoe]

The 87-year-old Supreme Court justice is still working out twice a week with her personal trainer while employing safeguards, the trainer told Law360.

Many gyms have closed to enforce social distancing during the pandemic. But Ginsburg continues using the Supreme Court’s private gym, trainer Bryant Johnson said. The instructor noted that the two are cleaning the equipment and keeping their distance while Ginsburg sweats through “planks, pushups and other exercises,” Law360 wrote. “Everybody’s been shut down. The only reason why I didn’t shut the justice down is because, hey, she ain’t having it,” Johnson said. “If she wants to train, that‘s the least that I can do.”

I'm sure your heart is in the right place Mr Johnson but it's not only about RBG and you, it could be other's health you could effect!

Washington, D.C., officials are strongly urging residents to comply with the stay-at-home order that goes into effect Wednesday (today April 1st) to slow the spread of coronavirus. Hopefully RBG has a area in her home where she can continue her workouts!

[homoe]

Really? Like we don't have enough problems ALREADY with the pandemic without throwing liquor into the fray!?

[charley]

Really? Like we don't have enough problems ALREADY with the pandemic without throwing liquor into the fray!?

There was a Maritime province (Canada) that had ordered the closure of liquor store(s), but through medical advice, had one reopened. You can google to understand the reasons for that.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Really? Like we don't have enough problems ALREADY with the pandemic without throwing liquor into the fray!?

I don't know, but I sure appreciate my :wine: when I'm watching hours upon hours of Netflix. And really, do you want a bunch of alcoholics going cold turkey during a time like this?

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Chris Cuomo, CNN presenter and Andrew Cuomo's brother, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

[homoe]

I don't know, but I sure appreciate my :wine: when I'm watching hours upon hours of Netflix. And really, do you want a bunch of alcoholics going cold turkey during a time like this?

Point taken GeorgiaMa'am.

My line of thought was that some people are already acting dumb and stupid with not obeying social distancing/stay home polices and liquor may only increase that! I guess this is what is called a double edge sword....

[homoe]

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez aren’t letting cautionary measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus stop them from hitting up the gym.

The couple were photographed leaving their local gym in Florida on Wednesday even though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had ordered most of them closed two weeks ago. And it occurred shortly before DeSantis finally announced a statewide stay-at-home order.

Rodriguez, 44, and Lopez, 50, were seen leaving the gym through a door that had a closed sign taped to the front saying “This gym is not open,” the sign reads. “Stay home stay safe.” DeSantis ordered the closure of gymnasiums and fitness centers in the state on March 20 with few stipulations. Gyms that were at a resident building, fire or police station, hotel with a capacity of 10 people or less, or in single-occupant office building, were exempt.

Are these idiots nuts!? They have four children they are endangering.

[homoe]

Washington state extends stay-at-home order to May 4.

[Gemme]

Really? Like we don't have enough problems ALREADY with the pandemic without throwing liquor into the fray!?

I don't know, but I sure appreciate my :wine: when I'm watching hours upon hours of Netflix. And really, do you want a bunch of alcoholics going cold turkey during a time like this?

Point taken GeorgiaMa'am.

My line of thought was that some people are already acting dumb and stupid with not obeying social distancing/stay home polices and liquor may only increase that! I guess this is what is called a double edge sword....

Georgia's right; the liquor stores are deemed essential because alcoholics can die from a rapid detox. That alcohol can take the edge off for the average person that drinks--making them and their stressors more bearable--is just gravy.

[homoe]

Washington state extends stay-at-home order to May 4.



This coming week's temps could cause problems over in Seattle. People just can't seem to stay off Alki beach!

[homoe]

This coming week's temps could cause problems over in Seattle. People just can't seem to stay off Alki beach!



Temps are forecasted to be above normal with some days hitting 60 or above which, without a doubt, will drive many people down to Alki Beach regardless of the stay-home policy!

[Kelt]

Temps are forecasted to be above normal with some days hitting 60 or above which, without a doubt, will drive many people down to Alki Beach regardless of the stay-home policy!

I am quite familiar with Alki beach and think you are right. Where I am now this last weekend the sheriff started writing citations for breaking social distancing. $1000 or six months in jail, or both. :thinking:

Wonder if it will work.

[Kelt]

Washington state extends stay-at-home order to May 4.

At least some of the WA workers in “essential“ roles have been issued transit letters for getting to and from work. These are not yet needed and I don’t know of anyone being asked for it, but the employers are preparing their employees in case it becomes needed.

[firegal]

Temps are forecasted to be above normal with some days hitting 60 or above which, without a doubt, will drive many people down to Alki Beach regardless of the stay-home policy!
Hell I,m happy to see the sun and get out in the yard.Hear lawn mowers in the distance.

[firegal]

At least some of the WA workers in “essential“ roles have been issued transit letters for getting to and from work. These are not yet needed and I don’t know of anyone being asked for it, but the employers are preparing their employees in case it becomes needed.
I know many folks working and they werent given letters.grocery store worker,bartender who is now working with the togo food orders.bank teller.Have not heard of anyone being checked.
Saw 4 mini-vans in Jack in the box parking lot backed up to each other with back hatches/door open 6 feet from each other.4 ladies sitting in the back of each of their own vehicle having a visit drinking coffee.I guess that is social distancing.:goodluck:

[Kelt]

I know many folks working and they werent given letters.grocery store worker,bartender who is now working with the togo food orders.bank teller.Have not heard of anyone being checked.
Saw 4 mini-vans in Jack in the box parking lot backed up to each other with back hatches/door open 6 feet from each other.4 ladies sitting in the back of each of their own vehicle having a visit drinking coffee.I guess that is social distancing.:goodluck:

Eastern WA agricultural warehouse workers and care providers for the elderly. Basically the folks I hire and their spouses. I don't know anyone else, that was just what I was told by them. Letters for future, no checking at this time. Maybe they won't ever be needed, I'm glad they have them though. My mother is in memory care there under very tight lockdown mandated by Wa state health department.

[firegal]

Eastern WA agricultural warehouse workers and care providers for the elderly. Basically the folks I hire and their spouses. I don't know anyone else, that was just what I was told by them. Letters for future, no checking at this time. Maybe they won't ever be needed, I'm glad they have them though. My mother is in memory care there under very tight lockdown mandated by Wa state health department.Well seems like it is like the virus testing... inconsistent my sister works at hospital and she/they weren't given letters and she is at work as I speak.Everything up here in greater seattle area has been kinda inconsistent.Yes ALL facilities are on lockdown. Its heartbreaking seeing relatives outside windows talking on cellphones to their loved ones inside and hospital staff using phones to face time their loved ones for the Pt. Some who didn't make it out of the hospital.
I look forward to seeing this change. Too much suffering