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.

Linkee-poo's got two tickets in my pocket, now baby, we're gonna disappear

Eddie Money and Ric Ocasek, and so it goes.

I'm sure I've posted this before, but… "Links and Resources for Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers" from Cat Rambo.

"Madison didn't bother going to a doctor after the microwave incident. She knew that hearing aids were so expensive that she could never afford them. So she decided to deal with the hassles of hearing impairment on her own and 'just kind of pulled up my socks.'… Before long, her world began to shrivel." Self-isolation in the elderly is a real problem. Also noted for the anecdotal evidence that some over-the-counter hearing devices are many times better than $6000 hearing-aids.

"Utility giant PG&E has agreed to a second large settlement over devastating Northern California wildfires, saying it will pay $11 billion to resolve most insurance claims from the wine country fires in 2017 and massive Camp Fire in 2018." That's a little over half of the actual liability.

"A small amount of daily aspirin, it turns out, can significantly cut the risk of developing preeclampsia in pregnancy. It's currently recommended for many pregnant women by two influential groups — the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts commissioned by the federal government."

"School official says boy's hair doesn't follow dress code and he must cut it or wear dress." Hey, I got an idea. Why doesn't the school board update their dress code to get with the 80s, or, you know, cut the patriarchal racism shit out of it. Maybe be not so concerned about bullshit things and get back to educating kids. Also, fire that principal because no fucking idiot like that should be around kids. (Grokked from Jim Wright)

"Femicide — killing women because of their gender — is a longstanding issue in Turkey. Nearly 300 women have been killed so far this year, according to the Istanbul-based advocacy group We Will Stop Femicide, which has been tracking gender-related deaths since Turkish authorities stopped doing so in 2009." Now do the US.

How goes Brexit? "Boris Johnson has said he 'won't be deterred by anybody' from leaving the EU on 31 October." Hey Boris baby, there's this law, see. The UK Parliament runs by a series of traditions for much of their activity. Traditions that when you ask just WTF is going on, the explanation usually starts with, "a few centuries ago, we had this problem…". So I wonder if they'll have a new tradition of law enforcement mock-arresting a newly installed Prime Minister?

"The prime minister is having a working lunch with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg, the first time the two men have met since he took office in July." And there's a bunch of deflection going on, such as the PM saying he won't countenance the EU forcing another delay… when it's been the UK begging for delays.

How go the Trade Wars? "U.S. retail sales got a big boost in August from purchases of new autos and building supplies, but most other stores reported weak or declining receipts in a sign that consumers trimmed spending toward the end of summer."

"'Seven out of 10 of the bankers he surveyed support either continuing with the tariffs or in some cases raising the tariffs, Goss said. 'Their belief is that the long-term gain will outweigh the short-term pain.'… The agriculture economy was already struggling, and the trade war is insult to injury that won't be solved overnight, says Iowa State University agriculture economist Chad Hart." The long-term gain isn't going to mean anything if the farmers go out of business before that gain is realized? Also, after trade disputes like this the level of market share never returns to the same for at least a decade.

"China will exempt American soybeans and pork from its latest round of tariffs, in what appears to be another move to ease tensions between the countries as they prepare for a new round of trade talks." Doesn't mean they'll actually buy any more from US producers.

"In fact, shoppers are only starting to feel tariffs. Last year, the Trump administration specifically targeted industrial materials and parts rather than consumer products, to avoid shocking Americans with price hikes. The new rounds kicking in this month and in December will more directly affect a lot more of things people buy every day, like shoes, clothes and electronics." There is also the fact that real consumer inflation is way more than the official numbers.

"80% of the world's vanilla is grown by small holding farmers in the hilly forests of Madagascar. For a generation the price languished below $50 a kilo (about 2.2 pounds) but in 2015 it began to rise at an extraordinary rate and for the past four years has hovered at ten times that amount, between $400 and $600 a kilo." And higher prices bring wealth, prosperity, and crime.

"Contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and General Motors are expected to run down to the wire as both sides work to get a deal before their current labor agreement expires just before midnight on Saturday." After posting record profits the company is begging poor because of the potential recession. Time to call BS.

"The United Auto Workers began a nationwide strike just before midnight on Sunday at General Motors after both sides failed to agree on a new contract over issues including wages, health care and profit-sharing."

"A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday revived a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump violated the U.S. Constitution by profiting from foreign and domestic officials who patronized his hotels and restaurants, adding to the corruption claims against Trump." Tick tock.

"'Brett Kavanaugh should start suing people for liable, or the Justice Department should come to his rescue,' the president wrote on Twitter, misspelling the word 'libel.' Approximately an hour after the original tweet, he sent out a new one with the correct spelling." So, we all know Kavanaugh lied during his confirmation hearings, right. But this is what happens to liars, eventually it all comes out. Get ready to relitigate the definition of "devil's triangle" and just how many times (and why) he threw up, not to mention the serial sexual-assault.

"Congressman Adam Schiff claimed on Sunday that the official who sits atop the intelligence community is rejecting a subpoena to turn over a whistleblower complaint in order to protect an even higher-ranking official, possibly a top administration official or even President Trump." Tick tock.

A video of Lou Dobbs that so strongly echos the Ministry of Truth vibe it's almost a self-parody. "There's sunshine beaming throughout the place…" Man, that must be some strong kool-aid. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)

"In their decision this month, three superior court judges in Wake County ruled that all aspects of the mapmaking process need to be public — a clear rebuke of the backroom conversations through which redistricting negotiations traditionally are conducted… The computers that lawmakers worked on, in both the Senate and House redistricting committee rooms, were livestreamed to YouTube. And negotiations were forbidden outside of public view." Ah North Carolina, you can gerrymander in full view of the public when the public doesn't understand exactly what's going on.

"At a recent Trump campaign fundraiser, first daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump appealed to wealthy donors by sharing that she got her moral compass from her father, President Donald Trump." Oh honey, that's nothing to brag about. Although it is a way to say, "I'm just like you" to that crowd. So I wonder if she's also paid hush money to pornstars for sex when Jared has been out of town.

"Among the projects is a boiler replacement at Eielsen Air Force Base in Alaska, which the report says is in 'imminent' danger of failing. According to NBC News, the boiler in question 'provides all electrical power and steam heat for the base' and the Air Force would have to evacuate the entire base if it went down." You know all those videos and stills of US fighter planes escorting Russian bombers back into international airspace? Guess which base they normally launch from. Also these fund diversions by the Trump administration to build his wall may also affect our readiness stance in Europe. Why do we have bases in Europe, what are we prepositioned for? (Grokked from Jim Wright)

"Two Saudi sources familiar with the kingdom’s oil operations tell CNN that restoring oil production to its pre-weekend attack levels 'will take weeks, not days.'" What's that I hear, could those be the drums of war? What a time to be without a national security advisor. And imagine John Bolton's feelings right now as we look to get the war he so longed for, just after he was pushed out.

"Iran says it is not behind Saturday's drone attacks on oil plants in Saudi Arabia, denying accusations from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Tehran was responsible for 'an unprecedented attack on the world's energy supply.'" That's exactly what you'd expect the perpetrators to say. War by proxy.

Linkee-poo, the sirens are screaming, and the fires are howling way down in the valley tonight

"A brewing storm system is posing a new threat to the northern islands of the Bahamas hit hard by Hurricane Dorian, and meteorologists say it could likely become a tropical storm over the weekend." Oh look at the cone of concern. It looks awfully familiar.

Our Lafferty's I Should Be Writing podcast with NaNoWriMo prep (and some tools to help).

John Scalzi's Whatever is 21. Congrats, John. Have a burrito. Now get back to work on that novel.

"'Lovers of Modena' skeletons holding hands were both men… Researchers believe pair might have been siblings, cousins or soldiers who died together". It would be an easy exercise to use this as another example of western beliefs and sexual taboos coloring the interpretation, but much of the world also doesn't hold to those values (and neither did the Romans). It is quite possible these are siblings, cousins or soldiers… but then that also doesn't negate them being lovers as well. And that this (so far) is the only grave found with a same sex burial this way, I would say most likely they were lovers. (Grokked from Deborah Beale)

"On a dirt road past rows of date trees, just feet from a dry section of Colorado River, a small construction crew is putting up a towering border wall that the government hopes will reduce — for good — the flow of immigrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally." I'll note this isn't new miles of barrier wall, they're just replacing lower barriers.

"The company that owned the mine, Blackjewel, had failed to pay the miners for their work, and, in turn, the miners had pledged to block the coal train until they got the money they were due. They were still waiting." But sure, let's not tax the billionaires because that would be "stealing." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

"A man checking out aerial views of his former Florida neighborhood on Google Earth helped officials discover the skeleton of a man missing for more than 20 years."

"An Ohio woman accused of killing her newborn daughter and burying her in her Carlisle backyard has been found guilty of abuse of a corpse… Brooke Skylar Richardson, 20, was found not guilty of aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment."

How goes Brexit? "John Bercow has vowed 'creativity' in Parliament if Boris Johnson ignores a law designed to stop a no-deal Brexit… The Commons Speaker also said in a speech that the only possible Brexit was one backed by MPs." Never piss off a parliamentarian.

How go the Trade Wars? "Many of the president's top economic officials are trying to resurrect the terms they previously were negotiating with China, a deal officials said was '90 percent' done before a sudden impasse this summer, according to a person familiar with the discussions." So, back to square one then. I wonder when the markets will figure that out?

"Walt Disney Co., which became a dominant player in television production with its acquisition of Fox assets earlier this year, is pushing to transform how TV show creators are compensated for their work." Wow, they didn't even wait a year after acquiring Fox before going the route of the monopolist.

"Let's go to North Carolina now, where tensions between Republicans and Democrats have reached a whole new level. This is the same state where just last week, a judicial panel ruled that that Republicans legislative maps were unconstitutional. Today, Republicans who control the state House called a surprise vote on a critical issue. At least, it took Democrats by surprise."

"But what happened Wednesday is the result of a win-at-all-stakes mentality that’s come to define the North Carolina’s Republican party in recent years. Last week, North Carolina’s state court ruled the state’s legislative district map unconstitutional; 'extreme partisan gerrymandering,' it said, has allowed Republicans to control 29 out of 50 state Senate seats and 65 out of 120 state House seats despite having received less than half the vote overall." Here's what I've not been able to learn, overriding a veto requires a supermajority of members, does NC law specifically state "in attendance"? If not, they still wouldn't have the votes to override. When conservatives start yelling about how their (hopefully "minority" voices aren't being heard) just remember these moves (including the attempts in NC, Michigan and Wisconsin to remove power from the governor's office after the GOP lost those governorships). (Grokked from Seanan McGuire)

Remember that Politico article I shared about Liberty U and Jerry Falwell Jr? "High-profile evangelical conservative Jerry Falwell Jr., a staunch Trump supporter and president of Liberty University, wants the FBI to investigate current and former university employees for... forwarding emails." Jerry Jr. is not pleased. Remember the conservative talking point about "as long as you're doing nothing wrong you've got nothing to worry about"? Apparently Jerry has a lot to worry about. (Grokked from John)

Jim Wright ostensibly on John Bolton's resignation but more about the remaining imperial ambitions of the US and the work to be done in Afghanistan, the graveyard of empires. There are no good options. So our choice is the hard road (two generations of "occupation" and trillions in reconstruction to build a modern nation-state engaged with the world), or draw a line, declare that victory and leave… for the moment, because it will come back to bite us again just like last time.

"Gregory Cheadle, the black man President Donald Trump once described at a rally as 'my African American,' is fed up… After two years of frustration with the president’s rhetoric on race and the lack of diversity in the administration, Cheadle told PBS NewsHour he has decided to leave the Republican party and run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representative as an independent in 2020." It's not his first run. He also hasn't seen that the politics he still supports are intimately tied into the racism he abhors. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

"The widely reviled commercial, which aired on ABC and was paid for by donors to the GOP New Faces PAC, opened with a photograph of the young Latinx congresswoman’s face being set on fire to reveal images of the 1970s genocide in Cambodia underneath." Dear Elizabeth Heng, Khmer Rouge were communists, not socialists. I know conservatives get confused on this point, so I thought I'd help you out. Also, they were authoritarians who wanted totalitarism and were exceptionally reactionary. You might want to re-examine the party you belong to, because the GOP falls into that spectrum. You would think someone so intimately involved in the events would understand these things better. Also, can we stop with the violence porn from conservatives? (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

Like this… "Less than an hour later, O’Rourke received what he described as a “death threat” from a fellow Texas politician. 'My AR is ready for you Robert Francis,' Briscoe Cain, a Republican state representative from the Houston area, wrote on Twitter, using O’Rourke’s legal name."

"Mike Pence’s controversial visit to President Trump’s resort in Doonbeg is slated to cost taxpayers $599,454.36 in limousine service alone, according to State Department contracts reviewed by CREW… The choice to stay at Trump’s Irish resort in Doonbeg was both highly inconvenient, and extremely expensive. Located 181 miles away on the opposite side of the country from Pence’s meetings in Dublin, Doonbeg was far from a convenient location." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

When is a non-impeachment actually an impeachment? "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler tried to clear up confusion within his caucus about impeachment on Thursday as the committee approved guidelines for impeachment hearings on President Donald Trump."

"Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe has failed in his efforts to convince the Justice Department not to file potential criminal charges against him for allegedly lying to federal agents, NBC News reported Thursday."

"Trump says he hates the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran. But he’s toying with a French proposal to get the Iranians to comply with it: a $15 billion line of credit to Tehran." And now you know why John Bolton is out. "The deal put forward by France would compensate Iran for oil sales disrupted by American sanctions." Wow, that's a huge capitulation. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

Tweet of my heart: @MrJonCryer So all the Trumpers who were furious that Obama allowed Iran to get $50 billion of its own money back will be fine when Trump lends them $15 billion of our money just to get them to agree to the same terms Obama already got… Cool. (Grokked from Laura J. Mixon)

Linkee-poo may be mad, I may be blind, I may be viciously unkind, but I can still read what you're thinking

Just as a general note, here at the day thing I still get email for the previous occupant of this position, and she was bit of arch-conservative. So I can tell you concretely that the forces of Fake News (the real ones, not what the president wants you to believe) are ramping up production ahead of 2020. The scapegoats are the same, their direction of their writing is the same, and while there are some new attempts to sell it to the left, they know their money is dependent on getting clicks from conservatives. And it is all about the ad dollars (with a little from sponsors, waves to the you know whos).

Okay, so you may know I support the Planetary Society. They're the ones who are pursuing the solar sail technology (and space exploration in general). What you may not know is my secret car crush are mid 60s VW Beetle convertibles (yes, yes, I know the genesis of the VW Beetle). But the heart wants what the heart wants. You also may not know that there is a company who takes old VW's and swaps out their power plants for engines from totaled Teslas. And now, the Planetary Society is giving away one. You can enter for free, or you can donate for more entries. For me, it's a win-win-win. I support the Planetary Society, I could win a car I've always wanted, and that car is also a product of up-cycling. Does sharing this with you lower my chances, yes. But in real terms, not by much.

"Astronomers have all but confirmed that the second known interstellar object is currently whizzing through our Solar System – and unlike the first event, we’ll be able to study it in a huge amount of detail." Rama II?

"Astronomers at the Centre for Space Exochemistry Data at the University College London (UCL) detected water vapour in the atmosphere of the K2-18b 'exoplanet,' a planet outside our solar system, between the mass of Earth and Neptune, that also has the right temperatures that could support life." Things are getting interesting.

"But when the child was about two years old, the couple, who are white, began noticing changes in her features. She looked Asian. A DNA test later revealed Wasilewski was not her biological parent, according to a filed lawsuit against the clinic." Oopsie. Also, let me call bullshit on blaming the child for the divorce, and that the child is "not 100% your child." This is an insecure man looking for an excuse to bail on commitment (or at least that's IMHO). Also, this should not excuse him from either child care or support. Welcome to a late 20th Century problem.

"Tobacco stocks surged Wednesday after regulators threatened to pull e-cigarettes from shelves if manufacturers do not control 'widespread' teen use." Guess who forgot to create a lobbyist army to protect their interests, and who else has their lobbyist army already marching. Why it's the same people that just so happen to have a competing product almost ready to market. Remember when Trump promised no new regulations? I wonder which regulations the FDA will roll back to institute this one? (Grokked from Kameron Hurley)

"The Environmental Protection Agency is set Thursday to announce the repeal of the Obama-era Waters of the United States rule that extended federal authority and protections to streams and wetlands, according to a source familiar with the details of the announcement."

"For more than 20 years, the eastern Michigan town of Lapeer sent leftover sludge from its sewage treatment plant to area farms, supplying them with high-quality, free fertilizer while avoiding the expense of disposal elsewhere." However, PFAS is now showing up in the sludge (and people's water and bodies). While human waste is great fertilizer (especially concentrated human urine), not everything that makes it to the sewer plants is "human" waste. And all effluent should be tested for a wide variety of chemicals. Better living through chemistry.

"A FRONTLINE documentary, drawing from a two-year investigation, uncovers the extent of a deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak during the Flint water crisis — and how officials failed to stop it." And you might remember, "The Michigan Attorney General's Office has dismissed all pending criminal charges arising from the Flint drinking water crisis, saying the initial investigation was bungled and it is opting to launch a new but expanded probe." So far, no new charges. And yes, it did go all the way to the former governor's office.

"For many students, this new school year will mean more reasons to watch what they do or say online. Spurred in part by the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., a year and a half ago, schools nationwide are collaborating with law enforcement in new ways in efforts to avoid the kind of tragedies that, while still rare, are far too familiar. They're investing in new security technologies that scan social media posts, school assignments and even student emails for potential threats." Big Brother loves you. "'There's no proven information showing that social media monitoring is useful," (Amelia Vance, a student privacy advocate with the Future of Privacy Forum) says. 'We have a lot of data showing it overwhelms with false flags.'" But if they didn't, they would be open to criticism (and legal liability) in case something did happen. As Winston Churchill supposedly said, "Why, you may take the most gallant sailor, the most intrepid airman or the most audacious soldier, put them at a table together — what do you get? The sum of their fears."

"The CEOs of more than 100 companies are stepping into the nation’s gun debate, imploring Congress to expand background checks and enact a strong 'red flag' law." The chorus grows louder.

How goes Brexit? "UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected accusations that he lied to the Queen over his controversial suspension of Parliament in the run-up to the Brexit deadline."

Jim Wright on honoring 9-11 (or not as the case may be). I've said this often enough that I'm tired of it; what is the goal of terrorists? It isn't to kill people, it's to provoke the response. The terrorists accept they won't live to see the fall of the governments they target (and even though the kill mostly citizens, at least for those that understand what they're trying to accomplish do, the real target is always the governments of those citizens). But their goal is to destroy those governments and they expect the response to their attacks to achieve that goal eventually. Look around at our political situation. We may have killed those who attacked us any anyone we thought might be connected to them (unless they could offer us something, like the Saudis), but I'm not sure we've defeated them.

"By a vote of 7-2, the justices said the administration can enforce a rule announced in July requiring migrants to first seek asylum in the country through which they traveled to get to the United States, commonly referred by U.S. officials as 'a third country.'"

"'Once again the Executive Branch has issued a rule that seeks to upend longstanding practices regarding refugees who seek shelter from persecution,' Sotomayor wrote in her dissenting opinion. 'Although this Nation has long kept its doors open to refugees — and although the stakes for asylum seekers could not be higher — the Government implemented its rule without first providing the public notice and inviting the public input generally required by law.'" Justice Sotomayor dissents.

Mexico also dissents. "Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Thursday that Mexico’s government doesn’t agree with a U.S. Supreme Court order that would block migrants from countries other than Mexico and Canada from applying for asylum at U.S. borders."

"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Democrats are engaging in 'theatrics' over gun control legislation, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that 'people are dying' because the Senate leader refuses to act." So much for anything happening. Thanks, conservatives. We're still at the point in the AIDS crisis that one side just doesn't care because it'll never affect people they know or care about… except it already has and will increase because of the inaction.

"Fights over abortion and President Donald Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall have thrown Senate efforts to advance $1.4 trillion worth of agency spending bills into disarray, threatening one of Washington’s few bipartisan accomplishments this year." Here we are again.

Just how deluded is the radical-right? "'If you are wondering why so many progressives are mourning Bolton’s firing tonight, it's because Bolton himself fundamentally was a man of the left. There was not a human problem John Bolton wasn’t totally convinced could be solved with the brute force of government. That’s an assumption of the left, not the right. Don’t let the mustache fool you,' said (Tucker) Carlson, accusing Bolton of 'promoting Obama loyalists within the National Security Council.'" Clearly whatever Tucker is imbibing is some good shit.

"While there are some elements of where-were-you-when-ism that go around the internet on every anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, it's striking the extent to which the President of the United States -- speaking to a group of victims' families -- looked inward. Yes, he talked about what he was doing that day. What he was watching on TV. What he thought had happened. But then, his latest drama on how he decided to cancel the talks with the Taliban."

"The Chinese woman who was arrested for breaching security at President Trump's private Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida earlier this year, has been found guilty on counts of lying to federal officers and illegally entering a restricted area." And now the appeals begin.

"Russian law enforcement authorities on Thursday carried out mass raids on the homes and offices of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s supporters, as part of an investigation into money-laundering." You don't think this might have anything to do with opposition parties winning local elections, do you? Choose carefully, my Russian friends (and you are being asked to make choices).

Linkee-poo remember, remember, the eleventh of September

We vow to never forget, but then we forget other lessons and we make the same mistakes that brought about later events we swore never to forget.

"When researchers at the University of Kentucky compare brains donated from people who died with dementia, very rarely do they find one that bears only Alzheimer’s trademark plaques and tangles — no other damage."

"The next generation of doctors will start their careers at a time when physicians are feeling pressure to limit prescriptions for opioid painkillers… Yet every day, they'll face patients who are hurting from injuries, surgical procedures, or disease. Around 20% of adults in the U.S. live with chronic pain." It's not just a problem for new doctors. Existing practices are under intense scrutiny when they prescribe pain killers, to the point where people with chronic pain are forced to jump through hoops every month to keep their pain under control.

With energy production we often don't consider the other end of the problem, what to do with the waste. "While most of a (wind energy) turbine can be recycled or find a second life on another wind farm, researchers estimate the U.S. will have more than 720,000 tons of blade material to dispose of over the next 20 years, a figure that doesn't include newer, taller higher-capacity versions."

"The proportion of Americans without health insurance edged up in 2018 — the first evidence from the government that coverage gains under President Barack Obama’s health care law might be eroding under President Donald Trump." Sputter, sputter, cough.

"The M.I.T. Media Lab, which has been embroiled in a scandal over accepting donations from the financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, had a deeper fund-raising relationship with Epstein than it has previously acknowledged, and it attempted to conceal the extent of its contacts with him." And they knew all along whom was giving and what their character was, but they took the money anyway. Money at these levels corrupts, and Epstein found a way (they thought) to wash his credentials clean of the stain by association. (Grokked from Xeni Jardin)

"'Some girls don't like pink, so please can you make army girls that look like women?' the young girl wrote. 'I would play with them every day and my friends would to!'" Green Army Men will now include Green Army Women, and it only took a (number of) letter(s and emails).

"The NCAA’s Board of Governors is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom not to sign a California bill that would allow college athletes to receive money for their names, likenesses or images." You know, if the NCAA had more rules about schools paying their coaches, what they do with network money and licensing deals, and about profiting (or at least promoting) with the student's images I would favor the NCAA's position more. But instead it appears as if the NCAA's rules are more about funneling money away from athletes who deserve a cut.

How goes Brexit? "The nature of the Irish border post-Brexit is a major sticking point in negotiations between the British government and the European Union… Both sides agree, whatever the outcome of Brexit, that checks along the Irish border must be avoided." Well, actually not.

"'If you're not interested, leave the chamber,' (Speaker Bercow) said. 'I'm not remotely interested in your pettifogging objection, chuntered inelegantly from a sedentary position.'" Oh my right, honorable gentleman. And with that, the UK Parliament is prorogued.

"Judges at Scotland’s highest civil court said the government’s action was illegal 'because it had the purpose of stymieing Parliament.' But the Court of Session judges said Britain’s Supreme Court must make the final decision at a hearing next week." Naughty naughty.

How go the Trade Wars? "China’s Ministry of Finance announced plans to exempt 16 types of U.S. products from additional tariffs on Wednesday, including food for livestock, cancer drugs and lubricants."

Remember when we were laughed at suggesting that a President Trump would try to declare bankruptcy and try to refinance the US debt (which you can't do)? "'The Federal Reserve should get our interest rates down to ZERO, or less, and we should then start to refinance our debt. INTEREST COST COULD BE BROUGHT WAY DOWN, while at the same time substantially lengthening the term,' (Trump) said." Well, tweeted. The president is an idiot who doesn't understand how government works.

"The dramatic rescue of the last four crew members trapped inside the capsized M/V Golden Ray off the Georgia coast on Monday signaled the start of a new challenge for maritime authorities and salvors: What do you do with a 650-foot-long, 71,000-ton cargo ship filled with oil and thousands of cars, flopped over on its side, blocking the nation's second-busiest port for vehicles and heavy machinery?"

"The top 15 richest Americans would have seen their net worth decline by more than half to $433.9 billion had Warren’s plan been in place since 1982, according to the paper by University of California, Berkeley professors Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman." It sounds like you're trying to say this is a bad thing, but I can't see the downside here. Although I should say this is the first article that basically describes the effect of compound interest, but in a negative light.

"If reelected in next week's general election, the longtime Israeli prime minister said he plans to annex a significant chunk of the occupied West Bank." If re-elected (remember there is an election Netanyahu might lose, and most polls show it close), Netanyahu will drive another nail into the peace process.

"Federal prosecutors in Puerto Rico have accused a FEMA official of taking bribes in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. These bribes allegedly came from the then-president of an Oklahoma-based federal contractor. That contractor was one of the main companies hired to rebuild the island's devastated power grid."

"'It's part of a pattern of deemphasizing science and facts and the truth in order to play some often naive or silly political agenda,' said Beyer, who serves on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The committee's chairwoman, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, endorsed an investigation of the NOAA statement by the Commerce Department's inspector general." Oh, Wilbur.

"Lawmakers in California have advanced a bill aimed at ensuring minimum wage, workers' compensation and other benefits for contract workers in the gig economy." A blow is struck for the workers in this "new economy." Now do adjunct faculty.

"On March 30, 2016, in an immigration courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, a 2-year-old boy was doing what you might expect: He was making some noise. But Judge V. Stuart Couch—a former Marine known to have a temper—was growing frustrated. He pointed his finger at the Guatemalan child and demanded that he be quiet… When the boy failed to obey his command, the threats began. 'I have a very big dog in my office, and if you don’t be quiet, he will come out and bite you!' Couch yelled… In August, the Trump administration promoted Couch and five other judges to the Justice Department’s Board of Immigration Appeals, which often has the final say over whether immigrants are deported." I've said elsewhere that the next president needs to appoint a Czar to Fix All This Shit so the president can focus on moving the needle forward. One of those things needing fixing is to drum assholes like this out of government service. (Grokked from Chuck Wendig)

"A conservative television network sued Rachel Maddow for more than $10 million on Monday for calling it 'paid Russian propaganda.'" Lawsuits as marketing leverage and brand building.

"President Trump has fired national security adviser John Bolton, the lifelong proponent of American hard power, after months of division between the men over the direction of foreign and national security policy." Another one bites the dust. And then there's the whole, "You can't fire me, I quit!" aspect of the thing.

"The U.S. military court and prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, have cost more than $6 billion to operate since opening nearly 18 years ago and still churn through more than $380 million a year despite housing only 40 prisoners today." Remember the big discussions about if GitMo was actually a Good Idea™ or not? What the legal process should be? Seems like we're still asking those questions.

"Republican Dan Bishop narrowly won the special election in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, keeping the GOP's grasp on the traditionally conservative seat." While a win is a win, I'm not sure a 2% margin is that good in what should be a solid GOP district.

Linkee-poo's sleeping on a planter at the Port Authority waiting for my bus to come

Edit 12:11 pm EST Apparently Trump has fired John Bolton for "being to hawkish."

In case you haven't heard, The Testaments Margret Atwood's long awaited sequel to The Handmaid's Tale has finally arrived. They have always fought. "More than a millennium ago… a wealthy Viking warrior was laid to rest, in a resplendent grave filled with swords, arrowheads, and two sacrificed horses. The site reflected the ideal of Viking male warrior life, or so many archaeologists had thought… New DNA analyses of the bones, however, confirm a revelatory find: the grave belonged to a woman." (Grokked from Jason Sanford)

"The U.S. government will allow oil and gas companies to make lease bids Monday on lands considered archaeologically sensitive near a national monument stretching across the Utah-Colorado border that houses sacred tribal sites." As I've said before, I want a candidate for president who will appoint a Czar of Fixing All This Shit so they can focus on moving the needle forward.

"A formal statement issued by the American Sociological Association…, and endorsed by 17 other scholarly associations, describes the current use of student evaluations of teaching as 'problematic' and identifies ways to use student feedback appropriately as one part of holistic assessment of teaching effectiveness in institutions of higher education." Yes, this. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)

"After seven states passed sweeping abortion bans this year, speculation soon arose about the potentially onerous travel burdens the laws could someday impose on women seeking to end unwanted pregnancies." In some parts of the country, like West Texas, it's already here.

"Today, when older homes are renovated or repaired, contractors are required to take special precautions to avoid exposing residents to lead-laden dust and paint chips that are dangerous, especially to children and pregnant women… But an internal investigation by the federal watchdog for the Environmental Protection Agency finds that the EPA is not enforcing many of those requirements adequately."

How goes Brexit? "Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted Monday that a new Brexit deal can be reached to ensure Britain leaves the European Union by the Oct. 31 deadline, as he prepared to suspend Parliament and send rebellious lawmakers home until two weeks before the country is supposed

to leave the bloc." What a lot of these stories tends to ignore is that there is another half of this process, just what will the EU do? "A law that would stop the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal has been given Royal Assent." That doesn't mean it won't happen, but it makes it much tougher. It all depends on your view of what Boris Johnson is really up to. But then, it would be just as easy to push through a crappy deal which might be as harmful as crashing out. But it definitely means elections before Xmas. (Grokked from John)

"A colorful era in British parliamentary history is coming to a close with Speaker of the House John Bercow’s abrupt announcement Monday that he will leave his influential post by the end of October."

"With the U.K Parliament now shuttered for five weeks and the recent political turmoil throwing up more questions than answers, analysts have been busy contemplating what could happen next in Britain as it approaches its Brexit deadline."

"The head of the National Weather Service issued a strong public defense Monday of forecasters who contradicted President Donald Trump’s claim that Hurricane Dorian posed a threat to Alabama as it approached the United States."

"The Department of Homeland Security has released additional guidance on visa requirements for Bahamians trying to travel to the U.S. after Hurricane Dorian. The details follow a day of U.S. officials sending mixed signals about how Bahamians, especially those traveling by boat, will be allowed into the U.S."

"After days of seeing nobody coming over to their booth at the N.C. Mountain State Fair in Asheville, the Republicans began giving inflatable assault rifles away to kids." Ain't that special. (Grokked from Dan)

More on those USAF crews staying at Turnberry… "The partnership, which began a year before Trump’s presidential campaign kicked off, worked to add Trump Turnberry to a list of hotels used by the airports aircrew, despite the fact that it is significantly farther away from the airport than other hotels used in a similar manner and has higher advertised prices, according to the Times."

"The granite slabs were installed on the memorial plaza this spring. They recognize an initially unseen toll of the 2001 terrorist attacks: firefighters, police and others who died or fell ill after exposure to toxins unleashed in the wreckage."

"Even opposition from within his own national security team, including Vice President Mike Pence, could not deter Trump from pressing forward with his plan to host Taliban leaders at the rural presidential getaway." Proactively covering your ass by throwing the boss under the bus.

"'When he does stupid stuff, people will mention it to others they consider confidants and not keep it totally secret,' a trusted adviser to Falwell, the school’s president and chancellor, told me. 'But they won’t rat him out.'… That’s beginning to change." Liberty University is more than just a power play, it is the reason and fulcrum of the Reagan Compromise. Reagan promised to end the IRS's inquiry into Liberty (that potentially would have revoked it's tax exempted status) as long as Falwell delivered the social conservatives to the GOP and helped him get into the White House (and consequently kept Republicans in power since the 80s, a grip that has only recently been crumbling as the older members die out). IT's time to revoke their non-profit status and tax Liberty (Grokked from Xopher Halftongue)

"President Donald Trump’s job approval rating fell several points in a new survey, while Americans’ fears of a looming recession have escalated and their confidence in Trump’s handling of the economy has sagged." Basically it's back down to it's rock bottom after having floated a little in previous months.

"The North's projectile launches and demand for new proposals were apparently aimed at pressuring the US to make concessions when the North Korea-US talks resume. North Korea is widely believed to want the US to provide it with security guarantees and extensive relief from US-led sanctions in return for limited denuclearisation steps."

Just when you think it can't get any more ridiculous… "The trial of a Chinese businesswoman charged with lying to a Secret Service agent and trespassing at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club bogged down Monday before jury selection over her lack of underwear, the latest bizarre moment in a case that has been filled with them." And at the time of her arrest she was supposedly carrying a lot of tech with her, but apparently some of those accusations have been rolled back.

"A person directly involved in the discussions said that the removal of the Russian was driven, in part, by concerns that President Donald Trump and his administration repeatedly mishandled classified intelligence and could contribute to exposing the covert source as a spy." Because the president might fuck it up, we had to extract a highly placed source from Russia.

"A handful of media outlets published details about a former CIA asset this week that could put that person's safety at risk." I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure our Russian friends know who the person was, even if it's just at the level of, "I don't see Ivan at the daily meetings anymore. Shouldn't he be back from vacation by now?"

"President Trump is betting that his political brand will help Republicans keep hold of a North Carolina U.S. House seat in a special election Tuesday." You might remember this was the election where there was a trial about actual election interference by operatives working for the Republican candidate collecting absentee ballots and either changing them or just dumping them.

Just how nasty will 2020 be? "'To stop the far-left, you must vote in tomorrow's special election,' Trump told attendees, before slamming Democratic candidate Dan McCready as a dangerous proponent of 'sanctuary cities' and rolling back gun rights." Notice how this Fox News article phrases the points here including this being a redo election "after uncovering alleged ballot fraud efforts." They're not alleged. Also it was wishy washy whom the election fraud was meant to help. They also tick off the main talking points even when they're not really relevant to the story.

On the death of democracy… "And therein lies the core of his argument: Democracy is hard work and requires a lot from those who participate in it. It requires people to respect those with different views from theirs and people who don’t look like them. It asks citizens to be able to sift through large amounts of information and process the good from the bad, the true from the false. It requires thoughtfulness, discipline and logic." Unfortunately there are forces who fight against that and make the work even harder than it needs to be. And there's also some lazy thoughts in this article (like "social media" = "greater democracy"), but it's fundamental truth holds, people (especially white people in some power) will gravitate to the easy answers to hard problems and swallow the lies those easy answers require. "It’s easier to pledge allegiance to an authoritarian leader than to do the hard work of thinking for yourself demanded by democracy." It's the fundamental aspect of government, might makes right.

Linkee-poo is gonna be a long week

"The sad, short answer is that any pressure one need not take seriously is no pressure at all. If you feel this pressure to write that breakout novel, you must take it seriously… That doesn’t mean, however, that you need to sit down and try to write a breakout novel." Nick Mamatas on Publishing 201. (Grokked from Cat Rambo)

Remember the kid who went blind after only eating "junk food"? Well, some people had a problem with that. "The news article I just linked to has a giant picture of French fries, but while French fries are a convenient scapegoat that makes this whole thing cognitively easier to digest, demonizing specific foods is not what we should be focusing on. The focus should be on mental health as it relates to eating, and how systemic factors can lead to a child like this going so long without appropriate help. We should be talking about how this was a preventable tragedy, not about junk food and veganism." And the author both has a point (the disease was caused by the underlying eating disorder which lead to a limited diet which included highly processed/"junk" food), but also misses the point ("junk food" diets are really bad for you, here's an extreme case). And yes, not discussing the eating disorder is a mistake (as was missing the disorder in the first place, which is not really a given, but certainly was not covered in the initial news). They also conflated the "vegan diet" with a "well-planned vegan diet" which is not the same criticism at all (just "going vegan" without researching how to eat a well balanced diet of plant based food is asking for trouble in the same way that serving "salads" is not the same as serving "vegan" food). I'll also point out that the author is diagnosing the patient without examining that patient and could be simply applying a diagnosis code with limited data (this is a corollary with medical students self-diagnosing with everything as they begin studying diseases) and that the author has an axe to grind (that there is poor societal awareness of eating disorders). But the end result of this should be, "eat a balanced diet that fulfills your nutritional needs, because if you don't bad things happen." And if you notice children being consistently picky and limiting the type and quantity of foods they eat (to extreme levels and for prolonged periods), that may not just be a stage or fussiness, but could be the start of a disease process. (Grokked from Xopher Halftongue)

"The family that owns Purdue Pharma, maker of Oxycontin, has rejected a demand that they give up $4.5 billion of their personal wealth to settle opioid claims against the company, according to state attorneys general negotiating with the company." No no no. That's money they rightly profited from their scheme to addict the country to opioid pain killers and then quickly skimmed off the top into their personal bank accounts before they decided to give the company (and it's attendant liability) to the "public good."

"India has located the lander from its Chandrayaan-2 mission to soft land a rover on the moon but has not yet been able to establish communication, India's space agency said." Space is hard.

This is how the horror movie starts. "An underwater laboratory disappeared one night last month, and scientists have no idea what happened… Because they weigh more than 1,500 pounds combined, GEOMAR said it suspects a storm, current or sea creature is to blame for the uprooting." Wait, what "sea creature"? (Grokked in a roundabout way from Kelly Link)

"An electrocatalysis reactor built at Rice University recycles carbon dioxide to produce pure liquid fuel solutions using electricity. The scientists behind the invention hope it will become an efficient and profitable way to reuse the greenhouse gas and keep it out of the atmosphere." The problem is the conversion process to formic acid, which "more" efficient than other processes, is still less than 50% (which means you use more than twice as much energy to produce the fuel than you can get back out of the fuel). And then, of course, the byproduct of using that fuel is CO2.

"Around the U.S., a number of health care providers, such as Garfield in Chicago and the non-profit 'Bootcamp for New Dads' in New York City, have begun trying to change their approach to such classes. Some go so far as to hold single-sex prenatal classes specifically for men."

"It's impossible to fully capture the devastation we see every day. We're only about 80 miles from Florida, but the miles of rubble Dorian left in its wake have made this part of the Bahamas feel as remote as any place on Earth."

"Over the weekend, nearly 1,500 evacuees arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on board the Grand Celebration humanitarian cruise ship. All of them were properly documented to enter the country, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said… But on Sunday, a different story." Performative cruelty.

"The (ACLU's) letter asked (Michigan University) to withdraw an interim policy that requires students who file sexual misconduct complaints to undergo cross-examination conducted personally by their alleged abusers." Oh U of M, you are soooo going to get sued because of that. And in a way that will make you long for the days when you were just dealing with Larry Nassar. (Grokked from Annalee Flower Horne)

Conservatives love thems some free markets and letting businesses do what they want. Until they don't do what the conservatives want. "The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether the decision of four automakers in July to reach a voluntary agreement with California to adopt state emissions standards violated antitrust law, people briefed on the matter said on Friday." It's a dicey legal argument (again it sounds like one of those "drunken libertarians reading of the law" kinds of things). But I don't think they're hoping to win, but just to scare companies of going against the wishes of the Trump administration. And that they're doing it over the issue of fuel efficiency (the administration is actually going to argue against progress in fuel efficiencies) shows how drastic and desperate the forces working to accelerate climate change will go to.

"Faced with the prospect of a widespread pilot strike, British Airways is giving its customers some simple advice: 'please do not go to the airport.'"

"The (power plant) operator blamed its failure to apply the firewall security updates on the lack of a proper firmware review process to vet security updates before being deployed. Work was being done on standardizing such process, but the procedure had not been ready in time, resulting in a bottleneck of firmware updates not being reviewed and deployed." That's tech-geek speak for "we didn't think we had to do that at all."

How go the Trade Wars? "The escalating U.S.-China trade war is unwinnable by either side, according to new research shown exclusively to TIME." Yes, trade wars, like cold wars, are not "winnable." At best they are "survivable." The markets for agriculture products which Trump's tariffs have destroyed will never be like they were before, even if they gain back some of the sales to China. Trade wars like these cut into muscle, and while muscle may heal (and possibly grow), because of the extent of damage they are never as strong as they were before.

"Nearly three decades after the Cold War ended between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a new debate is stirring: Is the U.S. heading into a new Cold War, this time with China?" Too late.

"So the two sides have laid down their arms and agreed to a ceasefire in hopes of 'creating the conditions' that will make it possible for discussions to resume in October… Unfortunately those talks, should they ever occur, will achieve little aside from temporarily calming financial markets. Donald Trump's trade war is a trade war that cannot be won."

"That has led to a scrambled and sometimes incoherent message from Trump’s rivals even as global markets gyrate, U.S. consumer prices of Chinese imports rise and farmers lose their biggest export market as a result."

"The Chinese Labor Watch group released a lengthy report alleging several violations of Chinese law against Foxconn, the key iPhone assembler. Apple said it investigated and denies most of the allegations but did say that it found Foxconn’s iPhone factory workforce was made up of 50% temporary labor, way above the 10% rule according to the law."

How goes Brexit? It seems the British people are growing tired of their government and don't trust them (from either side) to do what it right. And besides the economic damage to the UK and EU, that might have been the Russian goal all along. It's at least something that aids their cause.

"A report out Wednesday by the San Antonio Express-News found that a gun owner in Texas had sent more than 100 pages of racist and violent letters to the Texas Attorney General's office threatening to kill undocumented immigrants over the course of a year and a half, and that nothing was done to stop him or to communicate the threat to local authorities." While I don't believe there is a mandatory reporting law for white supremacy, there are laws about reporting crimes or criminal intent. And seriously, this is the fucking AG, he should know better. (Grokked from Xopher Halftongue)

"Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate's Republican leadership, called on President Donald Trump Sunday to make clear what he would support on gun control legislation." Yeah, that ain't gonna happen. How would Russia funnel funds to his re-election if he pisses off the NRA?

"'The Adrian Darya oil tanker finally docked on the Mediterranean coast ... and unloaded its cargo,' Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted Abbas Mousavi as saying, according to Reuters… The news outlet reported that the vessel had been photographed near a Syrian port."

"Experts say Iran’s ability to keep the Darya out of the U.S. government’s long reach illustrates the shortfalls of the U.S. strategy. And it comes as Iran leaders once again rejected negotiations with Washington, saying Trump must lift U.S. sanctions first."

"Republican and Democratic leaders sharply criticized the president over two main concerns: bringing members of the Taliban to the U.S.—specifically to Camp David, a presidential retreat for presidents used for administrations, and the timing of the meeting — just days before the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks." The whole story sounds fishy, and there are a ton of various takes on this. I suspect we won't know what's close to the truth for a number of years. Inviting them to Camp David was a stupid move, but we must either ramp up our presence in Afghanistan and be prepared to occupy it for a decade to allow reforms to take root, or we need to a negotiated settlement to leave. There's also talk about "both Trump and the Taliban wanting Russia to be present at any signing". Really? You all do remember when, where and why the Taliban started, right?

"In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, said it was the president's idea to hold the talks at the presidential retreat in Maryland, adding it was a 'perfectly appropriate place' to do so." How to throw your boss under the bus while appearing to support him.

"Instead, when Harris was first asked by the media about the remark, she stated, 'I would never condone anyone using that word in any way, shape or form, even including the guy -- against the guy I'm running against.'"

"Senior Republicans concede they’re at risk of losing dozens of state-level elections that will determine who wields power over the post-2020 congressional map — and potentially which party controls the chamber for the following 10 years. While Republicans are establishing a massive national infrastructure devoted to reelecting President Donald Trump and winning congressional majorities, party officials say the state legislative races are being overlooked." Also add to the fact that in response to RedMap (the GOP 2010 initiative), many states passed laws taking the redistricting process out of a completely political process controlled by the party in majority and the continuing shifting demographics.

"Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will launch a longshot primary challenge for the 2020 Republican nomination, he announced Sunday, giving President Donald Trump another Republican challenger as he runs for reelection." One philanderer against another. Great look for the GOP. And his stated goals, to bring Republicanism back to it's (80's) roots is a little too late. Trump recognized the true makeup of the GOP on the ground and played to that base, the base created by 40 years of GOP campaigning and the Reagan Compromise (to bring in the social conservatives). While he may give the GOP a good retreat position for (and "acceptable" public facing mask) 2024, he's not really going to be able to "change" the party. At this point, you'd have to burn it down to the stump and replant.

"All of this disinformation is taxpayer-funded. It is being directly supported by the American people." I'm old enough to remember when Congressional franking was considered a big issue.

"ThinkProgress, the influential news site that rose to prominence in the shadow of the Bush administration and helped define progressivism during the Obama years, is shutting down." (Grokked from Justine Larbalestier)

Linkee-poo closes out a short week

"After raising alarms for much of the Southeast coast, Hurricane Dorian finally made landfall Friday morning, its eye passing over Cape Hatteras, N.C. at 8:35 a.m. ET, the National Hurricane Center says. Its maximum sustained winds were near 90 mph — making Dorian a Category 1 storm when it hit." Well, landfall in the continental US that is.

"For the first time, scientists have identified the genetic differences associated with left-handedness, a trait found in 10% of the human population." Again, small study, and their conclusions of lefties having better verbal skills is just the old "left brain right brain" fallacies being brought up again.

Another aspect of climate change… "Keeping cool in the summer months isn't just a matter of comfort, says Churchill. It helps her manage the symptoms of her bipolar disorder. Churchill says if she doesn't keep her house cool enough to sleep through the night, she can spiral into a manic episode with fits of rapid talking, irrational purchases, or even suicidal thoughts."

"The numbers of low-income people turning to food pantries for help are climbing. And with signs of trouble for the economy on the horizon, advocates at Ohio's 12 regional foodbanks and the hundreds of food pantries and soup kitchens that they serve are worried." Best economy my ass.

"More than a million Americans have donated genetic information and medical data for research projects. But how that information gets used varies a lot, depending on the philosophy of the organizations that have gathered the data."

"There's mounting evidence that when a person is infected with measles, the virus also wipes out the immune system's memory of how to fight off all sorts of other life-threatening infections – ranging from gastro-intestinal bugs that cause diarrhea to respiratory viruses that trigger pneumonia." Ta-da!

"The World Health Organization is partnering with Facebook to stop the spread of inaccurate information about vaccines, which the WHO calls 'a major threat to global health that could reverse decades of progress made in tackling preventable diseases.'" Now do climate change, evolution, and politics.

"Since (Ohio) passed a medical marijuana law in 2016, not many growing sites, processing facilities and dispensaries have been approved by the state. This delay is slowing down the expansion of the cannabis industry." Shocked, shocked I am that the program initiated by conservative state legislators is poorly written, poorly executed, and poorly managed.

"Last week, a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh announced the latest tool to detect THC — delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component in pot — in breath." Uh, sure, but, "Is there a ratio that links the amount of THC in someone's breath to the amount in the person's blood — and then to exactly how stoned that person is?" Nope.

"It's still a mystery — what's causing the cluster of severe respiratory illnesses among people who've used e-cigarettes? The FDA says there have been at least 215 reported cases in 25 states… Nearly three dozen of those cases are in New York state, and investigators there say they are now zeroing in on vitamin E as a possible culprit." But not all of the pods (off those affected) have tested positive for Vit. E.

"FirstEnergy Solutions, the owner of Ohio's two nuclear plants, is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to stop a potential referendum on next year's ballot. That initiative would hold a referendum on HB6 which bails out FirstEnergy Solutions' two nuclear power plants… The legal challenge from FirstEnergy Solutions argues that those increased charges should be considered tax increases, which cannot be challenged by a referendum." In an odd way, I hope they win. Because this is some libertarian junior-league lawyering. If that "fee" is actually a tax, then PUCO has been illegally approving taxes (and First Energy and AEP have been illegally collecting taxes) for decades. If it is a tax, Democrats can charge that conservatives raised Ohioans' taxes for the lower-classes while giving the 1% huge breaks. Also, First Energy is not a tax collection agency, so paying them would be illegal. But let's say they jigger in some mumbly, mumbly, sales/point-of-consumption tax language in the verdict. Then First Energy must submit that money to the State, and then the legislature would have to appropriate the money back to First Energy, in every budget. This argument is a fucking nightmare for the company making the argument. In Ohio, they've been working overtime to save this law. Including saying that the Chinese are behind the referendum, and changing the rules to get the referendum approved for the ballot.

"Angela Turner Wilson, an opera singer, is the latest alleged victim to come forward with sexual harassment allegations against iconic tenor Placido Domingo."

And they will know we are Christians by the six-story steel cross we'll erect where you can't avoid seeing it. I'm sure he was totally unbiased with the kids he used to teach.

"Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean independence icon turned authoritarian leader, has died aged 95."

How goes Brexit? "Northern Irish farmers who have built lucrative cross-border trade with the Irish Republic are especially worried… Thirty-five percent of Northern Irish milk is sold to Ireland." Without an open border, this could be very bad news.

How go the Trade Wars? "China’s People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced Friday that it was reducing the amount of funds that banks have to hold in reserve in an effort to further stimulate its economy." Loans for everybody. Say, didn't we try that once?

"U.S. employers added a modest 130,000 jobs in August, a sign that hiring in the United States has slowed but remains durable in the face of global economic weakness and President Donald Trump’s trade war with China… The job gain was boosted by the temporary hiring of 25,000 government workers for the 2020 Census. Excluding all government hiring, the economy added just 96,000 jobs in August, the fewest since May." Whispers, I'm old enough to remember when 120,000 jobs was considered anemic.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he recently offered US President Donald Trump the chance to purchase some of Russia's new weapons, including hypersonic missiles, purportedly to prevent an arms race." The media just accepts this stupid gambit. And a new front opens on the disinformation campaign. And our president responds like the French/Italian knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail, "I told him we already had one." Oh yes, itsa very nice.

"The Air Force is investigating after a jet accidentally fired a rocket into the desert about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday." Oopsie. What I want to know is since they were flying a training mission in a range not designated for live fire, why did they have live ammo racked?

"China's Premier Li Keqiang has said Beijing supports the Hong Kong government 'to end the violence and chaos'… He is the most senior Chinese official to comment on the unrest which has rocked Hong Kong for months." Functionary of autocratic government supports power structures in "semi-autonomous" province. Thanks, Capt. Obvious.

"Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued eight executive orders Thursday that aim to stop potential mass shooters by strengthening reporting techniques, although he conceded in a release that 'legislative action' is still needed. Abbott's orders come as the Lone Star State reels from two mass shootings in August that left 29 people dead." Action without impact, or he had to make it appear that he was doing something.

"CVS and Walgreens joined the growing list of retailers asking shoppers to not bring guns into stores." We shall bathe in conservative tears.

"A top government watchdog says the Trump administration violated the law when it used funds taken from park entrance fees to keep national parks open during this year's partial government shutdown." And nothing will happen. (Grokked from Jim Wright)

"Now the Trump administration says it wants to make Fannie and Freddie private companies again, make changes to the backstop they provide to the mortgage market, and introduce more competition from other private companies as well." Many of the things they want to do would require Congressional approval (and legislation). Considering the Obama Administration couldn't get some of these changes done (like recapitalize and re-privatize the companies) it's doubtful these will go anywhere.

"Missteps during Mike Pence’s visit to Ireland that included controversial praise of the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, have led to accusations of betrayal and 'humiliation'." I miss having smart people in positions of power.

"Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a property in Ireland owned by the president's company has prompted a Senate Democrat to question if the taxpayer-funded visit was cost effective and to label it an 'apparent conflict of interest.'" Seriously miss smart people in government.

"As Pence told Johnson that the US was ready to negotiate a free-trade agreement with the UK, the prime minister responded with enthusiasm but also said he wanted to ensure any deal was one that works for 'all sides.'… Before launching into his joke about chickens, Johnson then added that the UK would not accept any deal that could weaken the state-funded National Health Service." That last part is a major concern for the British public. So, to any conservative who wants to tell you how much the British (or Canadians) hate their health system, just keep this in mind, by no means do they want anything to do with the American system (with some exceptions for rich people wanting elective procedures done quickly).

"Fox News senior White House correspondent John Roberts had just finished his 3 p.m. live shot on Thursday when President Donald Trump beckoned him into the Oval Office." Let it go.

"Four states are poised to cancel their 2020 GOP presidential primaries and caucuses, a move that would cut off oxygen to Donald Trump’s long-shot primary challengers." There's a lot sturm and drang about the DNC winnowing the next debate field to just 10 candidates (and the 2016 primaries being "rigged" for Hillary), but so far hardly anything about this.

"So far, 15 House GOP lawmakers have announced they will not run for re-election… On the Democratic side, three members have said they will not run, and Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján has decided to run for Senate in New Mexico instead of for his House seat."

"Anti-government protesters in Russia are increasingly relying on an encrypted and officially banned messaging app to pass on information in critical situations, from dodging riot police to giving those arrested a line to the outside." Waves to my Russian friends.