 |
| RIP Ruth Bader Ginsberg |
In July I came up with the brilliant idea of posting some of the day's headlines from various news sources and writing comments about them that were either pithy, snarky, wise or brilliantly on point (or a combination thereof). The response was so overwhelming (thank you Lloyd Foghorn of Punxsutawney, PA) that I offered readers two more editions in August and one earlier this month. Since no protests (at least no violent ones) have resulted, I am continuing the series with part five. Enjoy!
From SF Gate:
Video shows mountain lion stalking child on bike in Bay Area
My first interpretation of this headline was that the mountain lion was riding the bike. Upon reading the story that turns out not to be the case. I also thought it would be amusing if the bike was a mountain bike and downright hilarious if it was a mountain lion bike. Don't worry, folks, the kid is okay.
If Trump appoints a third justice, the Supreme Court would be the most conservative it's been since 1950
The death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the willingness, nay eagerness, of Senate Republicans to allow Trump to appoint her successor has been, to me, the most depressing story of 2020. And that's saying something in a year that has brought us Covid-19, climate disruption and police murdering more African Americans. The ramifications to this country are enormous and horrible and could cause damage for decades to come -- even if Biden is elected and Democrats re-take the senate.
200,000 dead as Trump vilifies science, prioritizes politics
The number above reflects, of course, deaths from the coronavirus. Could the pandemic have happened at a worse time in our history given who the president is? Nope. Clearly, Trump doesn't care how many people die and neither do any other conservatives, except as it effects their poll numbers. History will not be kind.
Pentagon used taxpayer money meant for masks on military gear
I was under the impression that the military followed orders and obeyed the letter of the law. My mistake.
From the New York Times
As Schools Go Remote, Finding ‘Lost’ Students Gets Harder
Ladies and gentlemen I give you the least surprising headline of the year. I'm glad I'm not teaching at a public school right now, it's tough enough under normal circumstances. I admittedly haven't studied the issue but think it a safe guess that it's much easier to "cut class" these days, and reaching those students who traditionally struggle in a traditional classroom setting and meeting their needs, is especially difficult.
Trump Demands U.N. Hold China to Account for Coronavirus Pandemic
How about the United States hold Trump responsible for his disastrous handling of the pandemic? The nerve of the asshole to point fingers. Get back in your glass house, Trumpy.
Democratic Donors Push Biden for a Cabinet Free of Fossil Fuel Connections
I'm all about this. People who get in bed with the fossil fuel industry should play no part in a Biden cabinet nor anyone else's, for that matter. We're in the midst of a climate crisis and this is no time to play nice with folks who are part of the problem.
How Republicans Are Trying to Use the Green Party to Their Advantage
See what bastards these people are? They can't win legitimate elections so they have to resort to such tactics as voter suppression and pushing third party candidates to siphon votes from Democrats. Utter low lifes.
From CNN:
Sean Lennon hosting 80th birthday celebration for dad and chatting with Paul McCartney
Strange to think that John Lennon would be turning 80 next month and weird to think that it's been almost 40 years since his murder. Lennon's death still feels recent and sad to me but fortunately his time on the scene also seems so fresh and new. Growing up, The Beatles were a huge influence on me and a great comfort. Their music has remained part of my life since their first appearance on US TV over 56 years ago. Good for Sean and Paul to celebrate the life of a great and positive cultural influence.
Kentucky hospital CEO pleads with people to wear masks as the hospital fills up with Covid-19 patients
Tells you everything you need to know about our society. Imagine having to beg people to do the right and obvious thing. It boggles the mind and like so much of the news these days is pretty goddamned depressing.
'The girls go crazy over him': Meet Jenisbek Tserik, Mongolia's most eligible eagle hunter
Who knew that women go for eagle hunters? Who knew that there are eagle hunters? Good for Mongolia for getting a little publicity. However odd.
Using weed during pregnancy linked to psychotic-like behaviors in children, study finds
Can't say I'm surprised. Best to stay off any mood-altering substance while with child. I had a student once who was -- in the terminology of that time -- a crack baby. (I understand this is no longer an acceptable term but am not sure what to replace it with.) The point was that the mother smoked crack during her pregnancy and that child was a mess. Impossible to handle in a classroom and there were no special programs available for him. The funds to maintain or create such programs were unavailable because rich people needed tax breaks and the military needed lots and lots of weapons. Cool.
From the BBC
Breonna Taylor: Kentucky city on edge ahead of prosecutor decision
This could really be bad. A grand jury is going to announce a decision today regarding charges in the police slaying of Breonna Taylor. Hopefully justice will be served. History teaches us not to expect that the rights of Black people to not be killed by the police will be upheld. It could get nasty tonight in Louisville.
The ‘Trump train’: 'I'm tired of people putting down our president'
Not nearly as tired as most of us are of putting up with an idiot-in-chief who continues to debase the office of the presidency and inflict irreparable damage to the country. You're tired of your president being "put down?" Many of us are tired of being put down by him.
How the oil industry made us doubt climate change
Okay, for the record they didn't make me doubt climate change nor a lot of other intelligent people. Sadly they (no pun intended) polluted the minds of many people for whom logic, reasoning and empirically verifiable facts are strangers. Rest assured that oil company bastards will have a special place in hell right next to tobacco industry executives and the Trump family.
No comments:
Post a Comment