Facebook Frolics 0
Fair-housing frolics. From the San Jose Mercury-News (emphasis added):
Much more at the link.
Afterthought:
And this surprises you how?
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Put the spotlight on politeness.
“It was right after the sun went down, between 9 and 10 p.m.,” Titus County Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Bragg told McClatchy. “So he starts feeling around in the dark for his spotlight.”
The man, who Bragg said is from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, thought he had found it. He pulled the trigger before he realized what he had actually found on the vehicle’s floor was his .40 caliber Glock handgun.
Yup. He shot himself in the leg.
And, in yet more news of the polite . . . .
The Medicine Show 0
Thom and Wendell Potter discuss how Big Pharma and Big Insurance are trying to scare Americans from fixing the healthcare mess that feeds their bottom lines.
More here.
Trumpling towards Totalitarianism 0
The Des Moines Register’s Rekha Basu sees a trend. An excerpt:
Or is that a strongman?
Since taking the oath of office last year, Trump has repeatedly emulated the tactics of totalitarian leaders he seems to admire, including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. He demonizes the free press as the enemy of the people and fake news purveyors, while waging disinformation campaigns against his perceived enemies.
I fear that she is quite correct.
Remember, experiments fail, even noble ones.
How Stuff Works, Everyone’s a Clickit Dept. 0
Sunday’s New York Times offered a detailed exploration of the lucrative business of selling ersatz “views” of YouTube videos, duplicitous “likes” on Facebook, and spurious listens on SoundCloud.
No Nunes Is Good Nunes 0
Mike considers the recently revealed remarks by Dennis Nunes regarding protecting Donald Trump. His remarks about Republicans who are retiring at about the five minute mark are spot on. (Warning: language).
The Climates They Are a-Changing 0
It doesn’t look good, folks.
Ding-Dong 1
A few days ago, I had two dental implants–er–mplanted. When the dentist was done with all the drilling, I told him that “now I know how an oilfield feels.” (I must say, he is quite skilled. If you are looking for an implant guy, I can recommend him whole-heartedly.)
On my way home, I stopped by my local drug store to drop off two scripts and pick up a snack, as it was snack time. As my mouth was wounded, I needed soft snacks (normally, I go for crackers and cheese, but I had been enjoined to avoid crunchy for two or three days).
I looked in vain for Tastycakes, because once you Tastycake, you will never Hostess again, but could not find any. As I looked at the display by the cash registers, I asked the clerk whether or not the store carried Tastycakes. She allowed as how she wasn’t sure (I’ve been using this store for years and know that she was new), and, if they weren’t on the rack before me, they probably weren’t in inventory.
I perused the rack, then said, “Oh, well, I’ll buy something named after our President,” and tossed a pack of Hostess Ding-Dongs on the counter.
She broke out laughing.
How Stuff Works, Gut Out the Vote Dept. 0
Thom and Greg Palast discuss the mechanics of voter suppression, focusing primarily on Florida and Kansas.
Ryan’s Derp 0
Field points out that there’s no there there.
Stray Thought 0
ESPN’s turning the Little League World Series into a television spectacle is a vile and despicable act of exploitation.
Ask me nicely, and I’ll tell you what I really think.