Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Marc Dion: Where I Keep My Catholic Church (Creators Syndicate)
On a bookshelf in my home office, in the room where I am writing now, there is a set of rosary beads. They belonged to my father's mother, and to other family members before her. Family legend has it that, before my family came to Canada, they belonged to a Dion who was laid out for burial, with the rosary in his hands, back in France. One of his sons, desperate to remember him, stole the rosary from between his father's dead hands.
Connie Schulz: It Doesn't Matter What We Think of Omarosa (Creators Syndicate)
This week, The Washington Post published a story online with this headline: "White House press secretary can't guarantee public won't hear Trump use n-word on audio recording." My God. From President Barack Obama to this. We don't need a recording to prove what we already know about this president, and those of us who are white have to pick a side. We either are allies of our black fellow Americans or are not, and there's no pretending it doesn't matter.
Froma Harrop: Good Republicans Must Vote for Democrats (Creators Syndicate)
Donald Trump was elected, and the world coming fastest to an end is the sanity wing of the Republican Party. Responsible Republicans had better storm the cockpit before the exploding deficits, trade wars and crazed presidential attacks on American businesses rip up their one strong card, the economy. They need to vote for Democrats come November. Not a few Republicans feel this way.
Froma Harrop: Comic Relief as We Wait for Trump to Be Gone (Creators Syndicate)
"If being a Republican means buying into stories so obviously, barkingly insane that they sound like Roger Stone's conspiracy rantings after a three-day meth bender," Wilson writes with trademark subtlety, "then we don't have a political party; we have an inpatient mental health facility." Wilson does not spare the "little people." "If there's a sharper critique of America's failed education system than the breathless, mindless Trump voter," he writes. "I can't name it." … Need comic relief? Fire, fury and funny await in "Everything Trump Touches Dies." Plus the lewd taunts that my editor won't let me share. Turn on the A/C and enjoy.
Lenore Skenazy: Can a Non-Parent Give a Parent Advice? (Creators Syndicate)
It's the whole "walk a mile in someone else's bunny slippers" thing. However, whether or not a person has kids, all of us have been kids and had parents, making us all somewhat qualified to talk about child rearing. But that should also make us shut up. Parent or not, most of us don't like to be second-guessed. When we're flailing and failing, the best thing anyone can give is not advice; it's a helping hand. And you don't need to be a parent to have two of those.
Aislinn Leonard: Moai-This Tradition is Why Okinawan People Live Longer, Better (Blue Zones)
Okinawan women, on average, live 8 years longer than American women. Their moai (A group of lifelong friends; a social support group that forms in order to provide varying support from social, financial, health, or spiritual interests) is likely an important component of their long lives. In all five "Blue Zones" cultures, social connectedness is ingrained into the culture. […] By finding the right tribe, you'll not only add years to your life, but you'll enjoy your time here just a little more.
Sugar (NutritionFacts.org)
Under the American Heart Association's sugar guidelines, most American women should consume no more than 100 calories per day from added sugars, with the maximum for most American men being 150 daily calories. That means one can of soda could take us over the top for the entire day. The World Health Organization recommends we reduce our added sugars, along with consumption of salt, trans fats, and saturated fats, because consumption of such foods may be the cause of at least 14 million deaths every year from chronic diseases.
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Presenting
Michael Egan
took the day off.
has returned to semi-retired status.
In memory.
Reader Suggestion
Michelle in AZ
Reader Comment
Current Events
Most of the Aretha cartoons I've seen are fairly predictable or trite, but I liked the attached because I loved her in that outfit singing her heart out at Obama's inauguration--the addition of a crown to that glorious hat is a nice touch.
Linda >^..^<
We are all only temporarily able bodied.
Thanks, Linda!
Bonus Links
Jeannie the Teed-Off Temp
from Marc Perkel
Marc's Guide to Curing Cancer
So far so good on beating cancer for now. I'm doing fine. At the end of the month I'll be 16 months into an 8 month mean lifespan. And yesterday I went on a 7 mile hike and managed to keep up with the hiking group I was with. So, doing something right.
Still waiting for future test results and should see things headed in the right direction. I can say that it's not likely that anything dire happens in the short term so that means that I should have time to make several more attempts at this. So even if it doesn't work the first time there are a lot of variations to try. So if there's bad news it will help me pick the next radiation target.
I have written a "how to" guide for oncologists to perform the treatment that I got. I'm convinced that I'm definitely onto something and whether it works for me or not isn't the definitive test. I know if other people tried this that it would work for some of them, and if they improve it that it will work for a lot of them.
The guide is quite detailed and any doctor reading this can understand the procedure at every level. I also go into detail as to how it works, how I figured it out, and variations and improvements that could be tried to enhance it. I also introduce new ways to look at the problem. There is a lot of room for improvement and I think that doctors reading it will see what I'm talking about and want to build on it. And it's written so that if you're not a doctor you can still follow it. It also has a personal story revealing that I'm the class clown of cancer support group. I give great interviews and I look pretty hot in a lab coat.
So, feel free to read this and see what I'm talking about. But if any of you want to help then pass this around to both doctors and cancer patients. I need some media coverage. I'm looking for as many eyeballs as possible to read these ideas. Even if this isn't the solution, it's definitely on the right track. After all, I did hike 7 miles yesterday. And this hiking group wasn't moving slow. So if this isn't working then, why am I still here?
I also see curing cancer as more of an engineering problem that a medical problem. So if you are good at solving problems and most of what you know about medicine was watching the Dr. House MD TV show, then you're at the level I was at when I started. So anyone can jump in and be part of the solution.
Here is a link to my guide: Oncologists Guide to Curing Cancer using Abscopal Effect
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
R.I.P. KOFI ANNAN.
"AHED IS STILL IN PRISON."
"THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF COMPLICITY"
THE 'GOOD PERSON' DEFENCE.
"THE GESTATION GESTAPO".
THE 'KOCH' WHORES.
Visit JD's site - Kitty Litter Music
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
It's summer in California, but the tomatoes at my grocery store are from Canada. Huh?
Not Just Audio
Omarosa
It's not just audiotapes.
Omarosa Manigault Newman has a stash of video, emails, text messages and other documentation supporting the claims in her tell-all book about her time in the Trump White House, a person with direct knowledge of the records told The Associated Press Friday.
Manigault Newman has made clear that she plans to continue selectively releasing the pieces of evidence if President-for-now Donald Trump (R-OfPutin) and his associates continue to attack her credibility and challenge the claims in her book, "Unhinged." She's already dribbled out audio recordings of conversations, and video clips, texts or email could follow, according to the person who described what Manigault Newman has called a multimedia "treasure trove." The person was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and asked for anonymity.
"I will not be silenced. I will not be intimidated. I'm not going to be bullied by Donald Trump," the former Trump aide told The Associated Press this week as she seemed to dismiss a threat from Trump's campaign. She spoke to the AP hours after Trump's campaign announced it was filing an arbitration action against her alleging she'd violated a signed agreement with the campaign that prohibits her from disclosing confidential information.
She told PBS in a separate interview this week: "I have a significant amount, in fact, a treasure trove, of multimedia backup for everything that's not only in "Unhinged," but everything that I assert about Donald Trump."
Omarosa
Season 3 Inspired by...
'Stranger Things'
Stranger Things' return is still a year away, but star David Harbour has already let slip a main source of inspiration for Season 3.
In a new interview with Variety, the two-time Emmy nominee reveals that series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have partially modeled the next eight episodes after the 1985 action-comedy Fletch, starring Chevy Chase. "The Duffers are so specific each year with the movies… and Fletch is one movie we get to play around and have some fun with this season, which you wouldn't expect from Stranger Things… and you certainly wouldn't expect from a darker season," Harbour says.
For those unfamiliar with the aforementioned film, Fletch revolves around an investigative reporter (Chase) who goes undercover for his next big story. While disguised as a homeless man, he's approached by a wealthy suit who offers him a large sum of money to come to his home and kill him, all to avoid a terminal cancer diagnosis. When Fletch investigates, he discovers that the businessman is not in fact dying, and shenanigans ensue. (The film is currently available to stream on HBO Now.)
Word of the Fletch homage comes months after it was first announced that Jake Busey (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) would appear in Season 3 as Bruce, a journalist for the The Hawkins Post with questionable morals and a sick sense of humor. What's more, Cary Elwes (Princess Bride) is set to play the "slick and sleazy" Mayor Kline.
'Stranger Things' Summer 2019 return was recently confirmed by Netflix at the Television Critics' Assoc. summer press tour. The third season delay had first been teased back in July, when the streaming service released a cheeky promo/local-style commercial for Hawkins' new Starcourt Mall.
'Stranger Things'
Pop Up Bar Closed
'Rick and Morty'
The "Rick and Morty"-themed pop-up bar that opened Thursday has been shuttered due to copyright issues.
Drink Company, which ran the bar, said Turner Broadcasting and Cartoon Network, which airs the popular sci-fi show, wanted "exorbitant" fees to continue operating.
The bar features decorations and imagery from "Rick and Morty," including wall paintings and hand-sewn plushes of characters, News4's first look showed.
Drink Company has hosted several other pop-ups in the same space, including the incredibly popular "Game of Thrones" bar.
It's not the first time a pop-up bar has faced copyright trouble. Netflix cheekily asked a "Stranger Things"-themed bar to refrain from extending their run due to copyright concerns.
'Rick and Morty'
Earns Abysmal $126 on Opening Day
'Billionaire Boys Club'
Disgraced actor Kevin Spacey is enduring a career low at the box office this weekend.
The ensemble crime-drama Billionaire Boys Club quietly opened Friday in 10 theaters scattered in select states across the U.S. The indie film earned an abysmal $126 for the day following its release on premium VOD last month, according to those with access to theater grosses.
Put another way, that's a per location average of $12.60, which doesn't even equal two tickets if going by the current average ticket price of $9.27. For the full weekend, Billionaire Boys Club could have trouble hitting $1,000, by far the worst showing of a film starring Spacey. Titles that debut first on VOD aren't generally big draws at the box office, but Billionaire Boys Club is faring particularly poorly.
Billionaire Boys Club isn't playing in either Los Angeles or New York. Instead, the 10 theaters are in the Bay Area, Phoenix, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, the Hartford/New Haven area and Miami and Sarasota, Florida.
The movie's top gross on Friday - $45 - was earned at the Metro Movies 12 in Middletown, Connecticut, followed by the AMC Sundial in Sarasota with $19. Only $9 was generated at the AMC Deer Valley 16 in Antioch, California. That could mean only one person showed up at the Deer Valley cinema; ditto for the Lakeview 21 in the Minneaopolis/St.Paul area, where the film earned $10 on Friday.
'Billionaire Boys Club'
Remain Separated From Families
565 Migrant Children
Only a small fraction of the nearly 600 migrant children reported to still be in the custody of the U.S. government at the beginning of the month have been reunified with their families, according to a status update from the Trump administration filed Thursday.
In the court filings, lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department reported that a total of 565 children, including 24 who are younger than 5, remain in government-contracted shelters, separated from their parents.
More than two weeks earlier, the government had reported that there were 572 migrant children still in custody. That's only seven more children than reported on Thursday, though lawyers noted that the total numbers on the reports are approximate as data continue to be updated.
In June, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw ordered the Trump administration to reunite the more than 2,500 children who were split up from their families as part of Attorney General Jeff Sessions' zero tolerance crackdown on illegal immigration.
But when the July 26 deadline approached three weeks ago, there were still more than 700 children who remained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
565 Migrant Children
7 Major In Past Week
Environmental Setbacks
The Trump administration suffered seven major environmental setbacks in the past week as mounting losses in federal courts stall its ambitious deregulatory agenda.
On Friday morning, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against the Environmental Protection Agency's June 2017 decision to delay Obama-era safety standards for chemical plants, arguing the "action was arbitrary and capricious."
On Thursday, the U.S. District Court in South Carolina issued a nationwide injunction against the EPA's delay of the 2015 Water of the U.S. rule, which extended federal safeguards to 2 million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands, securing the drinking water of more than 117 million Americans. Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who resigned in disgrace last month amid mounting ethical scandals, said in June that he planned to unveil a proposal to replace the rule.
But Judge David Norton said the decision to delay the rule until 2020 ? allowing 26 states to opt out of the regulation ? violated rule-making procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act, or APA.
"As administrations change, so do regulatory priorities," Norton, a George H.W. Bush appointee, said in his ruling. "But the requirements of the APA remain the same. The court finds that the government failed to comply with these requirements."
Environmental Setbacks
Defective Military Ear Plugs
3M
The 3M Co. has agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle allegations it knowingly sold defective combat ear plugs to the U.S. military without disclosing defects that limited the effectiveness of the hearing protection devices, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad Readler said the settlement demonstrated that "government contractors who seek to profit at the expense of our military will face appropriate consequences."
A settlement frees 3M from the inconvenience of a long investigation and litigation, it said.
"We take great pride in our products and this resolution is not an admission of liability, but simply a decision to move forward with our mission to provide high-quality personal safety equipment products to our customers," the company said in a statement.
The 3M payment settles allegations that 3M and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies Inc., knew the ear plugs it sold the military were too short for proper insertion into the users' ears and could loosen and not perform effectively in some people, the Justice Department said.
3M
Sign To Keep Quiet
'Good Person'
President-for-now Donald Trump's (R-OfPutin) comment calling former campaign chairman Paul Manafort a "very good person," despite 18 criminal charges against him, was a "strategic" message to Manafort that he could be rewarded with a pardon if he keeps his mouth shut, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said Friday on MSNBC.
"I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad," Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One on Friday. "He happens to be a very good person. And I think it's very sad what they've done to Paul Manafort."
Vance noted: "If you're Paul Manafort and you hear about that - and we all know Paul Manafort's heard about that - it's difficult to read that as anything other than a message to Manafort: 'Hold on, don't cut a deal with the government while the jury is out.'" A deal would almost certainly involve cooperation in other investigations, possibly including the president.
Trump "is, in essence, saying, 'Don't do that. Help is on the way. I can pardon you in the future,'" said Vance. If word about Trump's comments gets out to a member of the jury, which has not been sequestered, there's "great risk of prejudicing the jury."
Trump's conduct is "reprehensible," she said. "He should be told to stay out of the criminal process." But she also warned that any pardon from Trump could potentially be part of a case against him for obstruction of justice.
'Good Person'
New Panda Mom Has Sneaky Zookeepers
Lee Lee
Crafty zookeepers are keeping a set of newborn panda twins alive by switching them out every day.
Although twins aren't uncommon, when pandas have multiple babies they tend to devote all of their attention to only one of their cubs, leaving the other to starve.
But these zookeepers have managed to get new panda moms to care for both babies by rotating them out, tricking the pandas into believing they only have one cub to care for.
A BBC Earth video - narrated by the one and only David Attenborough - shows the keepers' technique.
New mother Lee Lee hasn't realized that she had twins because her keepers have been switching her 18-day-old cubs out, so she only has one at a time.
Lee Lee
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