"The Smithsonian Institution has released a massive trove of images and 3D models from their collections into the public domain, allowing the public to use the images however they see fit." Well shit. (Grokked from John)
"A gargantuan explosion tore through the heart of a distant galaxy cluster, releasing about five times more energy than the previous record holder, a new study reports." It's a clinker.
"When it was stolen, the driver of the hearse was delivering another body to the church and left the vehicle running, according to NBC Los Angeles." Never leave the hearse running.
"The battle over vaccinations ramped up in Connecticut this week as state lawmakers narrowly advanced a bill—with last-minute amendments—aimed at banning religious vaccine exemptions for children."
Before we get into Corona Corona Corona all the time, "As the coronavirus spreads around the globe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family." Wash your hands. Also, "But what does preparedness look like in practice? The short answer: Don't panic — but do prepare."
"The key thing about the coronavirus -- and what Americans need to know and do about it -- is apparently that Trump was right about it from the start, even though some people ridiculed him. And away we go!" A breakdown of the president's speech on Wednesday.
"For Trump, however, the main priority — in fact, the only significant one — is to make sure this viral outbreak doesn't harm his chances of getting re-elected in November. If that means lying to his loyal supporters, even in a way that puts their own lives in danger, he won't hesitate to do that." An opinion piece, but it does (IMHO) show the problem with Trump's strategy and his loyal followers not caring if he lies. It's all fun and games until it's your throat they rough up intubating you.
"President Donald Trump is hoping for a 'miracle' that will make the coronavirus disappear but tanking stock markets and signs the disease is stalking America are delivering their verdict on his scattershot management of the crisis… 'It's going to disappear. One day it's like a miracle, it will disappear,' Trump said at the White House Thursday as the virus marched across Asia and Europe after US officials said the US should brace for severe disruption to everyday life." Yeah, sure, Bob. Our government response is off to a great start, blaming "socialism" and a little open warfare on who exactly is in charge.
So how's our great response going so far? "A whistleblower at the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking federal protection after complaining that more than a dozen workers who received the first Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China, lacked proper training or protective gear for coronavirus infection control." There was also a report about healthcare workers in California who treated the patient that apparently had no connection to foreign travel being quarantined. Numbers were "dozens but less than 100" (IIRC). Cool, cool.
"The US Navy has ordered all ships that have visited countries in the Pacific region to effectively self-quarantine and remain at sea for 14 days in order to monitor sailors for any symptoms of coronavirus." Totally in control. Everything is fine.
"Altogether, China has 78,824 confirmed cases and the death toll was at 2,788." An updated list of what's happening worldwide, including the prediction that it will be worldwide.
"The coronavirus outbreak has reached a 'decisive point' and has 'pandemic potential', World Health Organization head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus says… His comments come as countries around the world battle to prevent the virus spreading further."
Meanwhile, on Bullshit Mountain, "Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News' Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview Thursday that 'the risk of the spread of coronavirus in the United States of America remains low' and credited what he called 'decisive action' by President Trump earlier this year." I'm sure you can believe the guy who "signed legislation that cut Indiana's budget for public health programs, despite Indiana's high smoking rate, high obesity rate, and high infant mortality rate. The state spent just $12.40 per resident on public health in Pence's last year as governor — less than almost any other state." Especially as he takes direction and orders from the guy who thinks windmills cause cancer. Oh, and just in case you forgot, at the end of that article they want you to know Biden is a dirty, rotten scoundrel, in case the coronavirus news pushed that out of your head.
So, okay, one the Dow Jones is not the economy, but let's see how that's working for all those "economically concerned voters" out there. "Global stock markets plunged further Friday on spreading fears over the impact of the new coronavirus, with some indexes set to close out their worst week since the depths of the financial crisis in 2008." As of this writing, the Dow broke through 25,000 and has begun a climb back up (however this mirrors activity of the last week where the Dow would hit a psychological floor, slightly recover, and then drop below that floor before closing).
"Coronavirus panic sent world share markets crashing again on Friday, compounding their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis and bringing the wipeout in value terms to $5 trillion." I'm sure that won't cause any issue.
"In 2015, the boss of a card payments company in Seattle introduced a $70,000 minimum salary for all of his 120 staff - and personally took a pay cut of $1m. Five years later he's still on the minimum salary, and says the gamble has paid off… The headcount has doubled and the value of payments that the company processes has gone from $3.8bn a year to $10.2bn." Funny how that works. (Grokked from John)
Hey, ho, way to go Ohio… "The Ohio Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday calling on members of the U.S. Congress to make daylight saving time permanent… Republican State Sens. Kristina Roegner and Bob Peterson introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 urging Congress to pass the 'Sunshine Protection Act of 2019.'" Sunshine Protection Act… While I do agree that DST has become less of a money saver and more of a "we need to be seen doing something", the real solution is to end DST, stay on standard time, and enact social changes to move the timing of society. Instead, this is the opposite direction.
"US students lag other countries in math. The reason likely lies in how schools teach it." Nope, the reason is how we as a society value math. There are things that can be changed in education (like the part about getting early education teachers comfortable with math), but mostly it's because we tell kids they don't need to know math to get ahead.
Let's check in with Syria… "At least 33 Turkish soldiers have died in a Syrian government attack in opposition-held north-western Syria, in a major escalation of the conflict." Oh, still going pear-shaped.
"The Navy said the People's Republic of China naval destroyer lased the American P-8A Poseidon aircraft in an act the U.S. deemed unsafe and a violation of international codes and agreements. The statement from U.S. Pacific Fleet said the laser was detected by sensors on the aircraft, but was not visible to the naked eye." Pew pew. More than likely a targeting laser.
"The Department of Justice today announced the creation of a section dedicated to investigating and litigating revocation of naturalization. The Denaturalization Section will join the existing sections within the Civil Division’s Office of Immigration Litigation—the District Court Section and the Appellate Section. This move underscores the Department’s commitment to bring justice to terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders, and other fraudsters who illegally obtained naturalization." I would say, "so it begins", but frankly we've been here for a while. This is just one more step down the totalitarian road. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"With supporters calling it more than 100 years in the making, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Wednesday that makes lynching a federal hate crime for the first time in U.S. history." That didn't take long at all. On twitter I mused this passed 410 to 4 because Republicans know what happened to Mussolini.
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