I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Linkee-poo guesses you're just what I needed

Cokie Roberts, and so it goes. (Grokked from Ken McConnell)

"An explosion at Russia’s State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology (Vector) resulted in a fire, glass blown out throughout the building, and one worker suffering third degree burns on Monday, according to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Vector is one of the only two places in the world where live smallpox virus samples are officially stored, as well as retains stocks of other deadly pathogens including the Ebola virus and anthrax spores." I'm sure everything is fine (orders more HEPA filters). I mean, the Russians have always been totally straight forward and honest about incidents at their research facilities. Stay safe my Russian friends.

Chuck Wendig on the article du jour. "Your reading today comes in the form of this Medium article by Heather Demetrios: 'How To Lose A Third Of A Million Dollars Without Even Trying.' It’s a good article. I feel deeply for the writer, because this shit we do comes with no real map. No creative map, no story map, no industry map, no money map. 'HERE IS A BUNCH OF MONEY,' a sinister shadowy figure says in an alley. 'IN SIX MONTHS, WE WILL EXTRACT FROM YOU A BOOK, AND THEN THE DEAL IS COMPLETE.' And then the shadowy figure is gone, and all you’re left with is the crisp smell of burning paper and a mysterious whisper in the well of your ear that says, 'deckle edge.'" What all the kool kids are talking about. Have a plan, more than "I'll buy this and then this…" No, have a "this third for taxes, this part for the future, this part is my "crazy money." A fully rounded plan based in reality.

"The Far Side's website was updated with the following text: 'Uncommon, unreal, and (soon-to-be) unfrozen. A new online era of The Far Side is coming! Additional information about what this might mean was not provided." Bummer of a birthmark, Hal. (Grokked from Dan)

"Two tourists face criminal charges for taking a dangerously close look at Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, officials said." I've been to Yellowstone, you really can't miss the signage. Also, the ground around thermal vents is not exactly stable. So even if Old Faithful wasn't about to erupt, the ground they were walking on could have collapsed, trapping them and possibly killing them.

"More than 3 million women experienced rape as their first sexual encounter, according to a new study… The study… found that most respondents were adolescents when they were raped. It also found that these women were more likely to suffer worse long-term health outcomes than women who had sex voluntarily the first time." Frankly, I agree with those who think this figure is lower than the actual number.

"The teenager — who was celebrating his 18th birthday on April 22, 2017 — was misled to believe that his order was safe to eat when he asked about a meal that did not label any allergens on the menu, a coroner has concluded, according to the UK’s Press Association."

"The nation’s worst measles epidemic in 27 years could be in its final stages as a week went by with no new reported cases." Wait for it…

"OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP filed for bankruptcy protection Sunday night, succumbing to pressure from more than 2,600 lawsuits alleging the company helped fuel the deadly U.S. opioid epidemic." Chapter 11 isn't exactly a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, but it's close enough to not make a difference.

"Given recent reports of deaths tied to smoking electronic cigarettes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday it is activating its Emergency Operations Center." I'm sure our Hollywood informed vision of what that's like is totally overblown (plays soundtrack of the Imperial March while imagining heavy steel doors sliding open and lots of smoke and steam as the team of buff scientists enter the room).

"The European Space Agency and Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter caught sight of a frosty-looking section of ground in the region of the planet's north pole… The spacecraft's CaSSIS camera snapped a squiggly collection of dunes with darker patches showing through. It looks like a close-up of cookies-and-cream ice cream."

"Three JPMorgan Chase traders in gold and other precious metals have been charged with alleged market manipulation by the US Department of Justice."

Ah, the Amish, they lead such a simple and wholesome life. "Deputies said they pulled over an Amish buggy complete with alcohol and a stereo system early Sunday morning… Just before 1 a.m., Trumbull County sheriff’s deputies said they saw two Amish men drinking alcohol while riding on the back of a horse and buggy." So they finally got these assholes (well, not really because they ran off).

"That's one example of how local governments around (PA) and the Amish are adjusting to the pressure a growing population is putting on the plain community's traditional way of life." In NE Ohio this is also happening, but there is more resistance from local governments to change their zoning to allow horses in incorporated areas.

How goes Brexit? "British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a barrage of protesters’ boos, and an exasperated message from his host, after an hour of talks with his Luxembourg counterpart in the normally quiet cobbled streets of this small European nation." But they agrees to continue to talk, the UK and EU that is. You know, like we might expect them not to or something.

How go the Trade Wars? "China's economic slowdown keeps getting worse. That could give the country incentive to repair its trading relationship with the United States and take more steps to stimulate its economy."

But on the other hand, "U.S. and Chinese officials will restart trade talks at the end of this week, but any agreement the world’s largest economies carve out is expected to be a superficial fix."

"The ramping up of tent courts in Texas on Monday was marked by confusion and disorganization as only about half the migrants scheduled to appear showed up, most without legal representation."

"The reason: A decision in April by President Donald Trump to freeze $450 million in U.S. foreign aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — the so-called Northern Triangle — over what he described as their failure to stem the outflow of northbound migrants." I'm sure this won't drive more to migrate.

"Canada's election sprint has begun, with six whirlwind weeks of nationwide campaigning before voters decide on Oct. 21 whether Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will get a second mandate." Oh Canada, stop making me want you so badly.

"Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces his toughest political battle for survival in years, as the country holds unprecedented repeat elections Tuesday."

"An explosion at a campaign rally for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani killed at least 26 people and wounded more than 30 others on Tuesday. Ghani reportedly was not harmed in the bombing, for which the Taliban later claimed responsibility."

"Good riddance, John Bolton! By dismissing his third National Security Advisor, President Trump prompted renewed concern over White House instability. This week, On the Media makes the case that John Bolton’s outster is good news for the republic. Plus, after four decades of progress, domestic abuse is on the rise and Senate Republicans are stymieing the Violence Against Women Act. And, Brooke visits Lady Liberty to learn about the 130-year political war over the meaning of the statue." On the Media has been producing exceptionally great content lately.

"For a second straight time, the Federal Reserve is set to cut interest rates this week to try to protect the economy from the consequences of a global slowdown and President Donald Trump’s trade war with China." And so begins the bimonthly "will they, won't they" speculation.

"Trump launches ambitious play to turn New Mexico red… The strategy centers on wooing Hispanics in the state, which has voted for a Republican presidential candidate only once since 1992." Good luck with that.

"From the stage, (Trump) asked (CNN contributor Steve) Cortes: 'Who do you love more, the country or Hispanics?' Cortes appeared to mouth 'country,' to which Trump replied 'I don’t know. I may have to go for the Hispanics, to be honest with you. We got a lot of Hispanics.'" Yeah, you're gonna need a lot of luck.

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