Linkee-poo, that's where the fun is

Elizabeth Bear post the proposed TOC of her writing book. I guess I should explain my fascination. Ms. Bear was an instructor at the Viable Paradise I attended. Her lecture on story plot structure was fabulous and I really wish I remembered more of it (I was stone-cold, deadman walking throughout my VP because of being overworked the week before and not getting adequate sleep while there). I also would devour her live journal posts on writing and re-writing.

Another example in the pageant of how stupid are we, "People in Vancouver reportedly paid $38 for bottles of unfiltered 'hot dog water' said to support weight loss, increase brain function, and give a more youthful appearance, Yahoo News reported." Yes it was a stunt, but people bought it. (Grokked from Lizz Winstead)

"Colored bulbs cast an eerie blue glow in the restroom of a convenience store where people who inject heroin and other drugs have been seeking the relative privacy of the stalls to shoot up… The blue lights are meant to discourage people from using drugs in store bathrooms by making it more difficult for them to see their veins. It's an idea that's been around for years but is getting a fresh look as a result of the nation's opioid epidemic." That'll show them.

"If you read the latest Social Security Trustees Report, you're aware that the program's combined trust funds are expected to run dry in 2034. And clearly, that's not great news. But before you start panicking about your benefits, it's important that you understand the implications of those trust funds running out." It's not actually a "trust fund", these are US Treasury Bonds Social Security has been buying with its surplus. They just aren't reinvesting them like before. Social Security is a pay as you go program, and just like Medicare/Medicaid it is paid for by a separate payroll tax (not your income tax). Want to make Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid solvent for the foreseeable future? Make all income taxable for Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid (currently you only pay on the first $128,400 of your income).

"A woman in Arizona made the brave choice this week, to make a very private loss — a miscarriage — into a public discussion, in the hopes that her story can save other women from what she went through at her local Walgreens. The pharmacist there refused to fill the prescription required to help her end her pregnancy, citing moral objections, even though her fetus no longer had a heartbeat." When people complain about Huckabee-Sanders being refused restaurant service, I just remember that conservative championed these "moral consciousness" exclusion laws and I'm just fine with it.

"In a major win for privacy rights, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that police must obtain a search warrant in order to get access to cellphone location information." Good.

"In Virginia, where the law already requires schools to post 'In God We Trust' signs in public buildings, the Lee County Public Schools is going a step further… Starting next year, the school buses will also have to promote God using these (same) signs." (Grokked from Matt Staggs)

"By a razor-thin margin, the House of Representatives passed its version of the farm bill Thursday as Republican leadership was able to round up just enough support from members of its conservative wing to clear passage… The $867 billion package renews the safety net for farmers across the country, but also includes tougher work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Program or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps." Because the GOP likes to fuck the poor to give money to millionaires.

"Months before he was asked to review a Justice Department request for a citizenship question to be added to the 2020 census, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross already had concluded that including one 'could be warranted.' In fact, Ross and his staff asked the Justice Department to submit the formal request for the controversial question, according to a newly released memo written by the Commerce secretary." Wow, that's like a whole closet of shoes dropping. Because not also means Wilbur Ross committed perjury during his congressional hearings.

"The White House unveiled a plan Thursday to merge the Education and Labor departments into a single Cabinet agency: the Department of Education and the Workforce. The proposal is part of a 132-page document outlining a broad restructuring of the federal government. The changes would require congressional approval."

"The Pentagon is being asked by the Department of Health and Human Services to provide temporary beds for up to 20,000 undocumented children. That bed space would be needed beginning in July and running through the end of the year."

"President Trump is repealing a controversial executive order drafted by former President Obama that was meant to protect the Great Lakes and the oceans bordering the United States… In his own executive order signed late Tuesday, Trump put a new emphasis on industries that use the oceans, particularly oil and natural gas drilling, while also mentioning environmental stewardship." Because of course they would. I've seen this movie before. (Grokked from Chuck Wendig)

"Days before taking office, Donald Trump said his company would donate all profits from foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury, part of an effort to avoid even the appearance of a conflict with the Constitution’s emoluments clause… Now, however, the Trump Organization is telling Congress that determining exactly how much of its profits come from foreign governments is simply more trouble than it’s worth." What's a law? Most corrupt presidency ever, and that's working hard to cross that bar. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)

How go the Trade Wars? "Harley-Davidson says it plans to move production of motorcycles it sells in Europe overseas in response to growing trade friction between the United States and Europe." I'm sure this somehow means more American jobs somewhere.

"Ranking U.S. House Democrats are calling for an ethics investigation into Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. They want to know more about a land deal between Zinke's family foundation and a real estate project with ties to the oil and gas giant Halliburton. Earlier this week, Politico first broke the story on a possibly unethical relationship between Zinke's family foundation and a proposed real estate development in his hometown of Whitefish, Montana." Corruption Junction, what's you're function? To bilk the people, and hide the money careful.

"Federal prosecutors have canceled their planned interview with Stormy Daniels Monday, according to Daniels' attorney."

"They've promised a vote on compromise legislation that was brokered among moderates, conservatives, GOP leaders and the White House in the hopes of crafting an immigration bill that can win the votes of 218 of the 235 House Republicans. At the end of last week, multiple GOP sources told NPR that leaders were still far short of that threshold. Leaders have so far been unable to bridge the divide, and the fight is fueling accusations that they are out of step with members of their conference."

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged victorious in a high-stakes election, seeing off the most serious challenge yet to his political dominance and tightening his grip on the nation he has ruled for 15 years." Just barely eking out an above 50% showing so as to avoid a runoff.

"The way these recent presidential decisions on major national security issues have played out, as detailed by current and former White House and defense officials, underscores a significant change in Mattis's role in recent months. The president is relying less and less on the advice of one of the longest-serving members of his cabinet, the officials said." Funny how the longer someone serves in this administration, the more on the "outs" they become.