"But, while the meal known as the First Thanksgiving did happen—scholars believe it took place at some point during the fall of 1621 in the recently-founded Plymouth colony—that story reflects neither the 17th century truth nor the 21st century understanding of it. Rather, the American public memory of Thanksgiving is a story about the 19th century." The Separatists were assholes. Two other colonies were created to get away from them.
"But scientists have come to realize that flu vaccines are less effective for people who are overweight or obese. Considering that excess weight affects more than two-thirds of the U.S. adult population, that's a significant shortcoming." Rhut rho.
"Burglars broke into one of Europe's largest treasure collections - the Green Vault in the German city of Dresden - early on Monday, police say."
"Hong Kong’s democrats romped to a landslide and symbolic majority in district council elections after residents turned out in record numbers on Sunday to vote following six months of anti-government protests in the embattled city." Uh oh, someone has some 'splaining to do. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"China responded sternly to the landslide in the vote widely seen as a referendum on public support for the anti-government demonstration movement. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that no matter how the situation in Hong Kong changes, the semi-autonomous region is part of China."
How goes Brexit? "Former prime minister Tony Blair said on Monday that Britain was in a dangerous mess and that neither his own Labour Party nor Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives deserved to win a Dec. 12 election."
"The day after Brexit the UK will embark on arguably the biggest negotiation of the post-war era: to reconstruct 46 years of trade, security and foreign policy ties with the EU. Philip Rycroft, the former permanent secretary of the Department for Exiting the EU, told the Guardian: 'Obviously it’s going to be a huge negotiation, probably four or five times bigger than the withdrawal agreement negotiation and will absorb a huge amount of government effort.'"
"Transport for London said Monday that it would not renew the San Francisco-based ride-hailing giant operator’s license, citing a 'pattern of failures' that had 'placed passenger safety and security at risk.'" I guess "move fast and break things" isn't a good mantra for a transportation company.
"This issue came to a head last week, when Trump threatened to issue an order many senior military leaders see as bordering on unethical. The order would have effectively undermined efforts by a Navy leader to restore good order and discipline among the vaunted Navy SEALs." Gallagher is a war criminal, he violated his oath, and he brought shame to the service. He doesn't deserve to wear the trident and eagle.
"Navy Secretary Richard Spencer (not the Nazi) was fired Sunday by Defense Secretary Mike Esper, who ordered that a Navy SEAL acquitted of accused of murder be allowed to remain in the elite commando corps, the Defense Department said." At least for this decision, stands and salutes. While this could cover up other discrimination, as I remember it, SEALS determine who wears the trident, not the president or the Sec of Defense. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and other top White House officials have been hosting weekend getaways with House Republicans as President Donald Trump remains under intense scrutiny amid the impeachment inquiry… One lawmaker who attended a weekend getaway described Camp David as an 'adult playground.' Others were in awe of the 'famous White House staffers and other dignitaries who have slept in the same beds,' participants told The Post." Your tax dollars at work. But wait, isn't this how Russia typically gathers Kompromat? (Grokked from Michele)
"A confidential White House review of President Trump’s decision to place a hold on military aid to Ukraine has turned up hundreds of documents that reveal extensive efforts to generate an after-the-fact justification for the decision and a debate over whether the delay was legal, according to three people familiar with the records." I believe that's the very definition of "coverup." (Grokked from Michele)
Or from CNN "The Post, citing three people familiar with the records, said the office's confidential review surfaced hundreds of documents, including emails between acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and White House budget officials. Those emails from early August showed a search for an explanation for why Trump stalled the money Congress had approved to go to Ukraine after the President had ordered it held the month before, the Post said." The usual way is to have the reason before the decision. Which they did have, but it wasn't a reason they could say or admit to.
"The House Intelligence Committee is in possession of audio and video recordings and photographs provided to the committee by Lev Parnas, an associate of President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, who reportedly played a key role in assisting him in his efforts to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Ukraine, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News." No word on what is actually in those documents and audio/video… but my guess is there's a lot of worried people at the moment. (Grokked from Chuck Wendig)
"Slotted in between Chairman Adam Schiff’s daily paeans to conscience and Constitution and the witness’ earnest introductions—Nunes fundamentally sought to change the channel on impeachment. The millions of viewers getting a steady drip of Trump’s questionable activities on Ukraine were abruptly brought in, for five to ten minutes each day, into an entirely different political universe." The conservative media bubble on display.
In search of the unicorn. "More than a decade after his election, which represented one of the most hopeful moments in American politics, a debate is breaking out among Democrats over Obama's legacy and the direction the party should go in at a moment in which the historic divides Obama sought to bridge seem more vast than ever."
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