Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Josh Marshall: "Data Lords: The Real Story of Big Data, Facebook and the Future of News" (TPM)
This afternoon I saw a friend on Twitter say that he doesn't buy the idea that if people just paid Facebook some sort of fee the data and privacy issue would go away. Because he subscribes to the Times, the Post and the WSJ and they each track his readership habits and sell that data to advertisers or make it available to them for targeting. This is at least partly true - I'll discuss the ins and outs of that point in a moment. But this is a good opportunity to discuss the real relationship between publishers and big data. It's actually very different than it looks.
Matthew Yglesias: The Wisconsin Supreme Court election shows the blueprint for a Democratic wave (Vox)
Obviously, there's no guarantee that these patterns will hold up in the midterms. But what we're seeing so far is a recipe for a strong Democratic wave that's based fundamentally on a rejection of some of the big dichotomies that rapidly arose in November 2016 - Democrats are showing a real ability to win back a healthy slice of the white working-class voters who swung to Trump without ceding the educated suburban professionals whom he repulsed back to the GOP.
Paul Krugman: Unicorns of the Intellectual Right (NY Times Blog)
The hiring-then-firing of Kevin Williamson followed a familiar script. A mainstream media organization hires a conservative in the name of intellectual diversity, then is shocked, shocked to discover that he's dishonest and/or holds truly reprehensible views - something that the organization could have discovered with a few minutes on Google. But when the bad hire is let go, the right treats him as a martyr, proof of liberal refusal to let alternative viewpoints be heard. Why does this keep happening?
Gorgeous Photography of Frozen Lake Baikal by Kristina Makeeva
"Russian photographer Kristina Makeeva (@hobopeeba) journeyed to Lake Baikal in Southern Siberia, and took stunning photographs of the world's largest freshwater lake during winter when it is frozen." - Neatorama
Mark Silver: So 2 Goats Were Stuck On A Beam Under A Bridge … (NPR)
So when NPR listener Jason E. Farabaugh sent us a Facebook posting about two goats stuck on a beam under a Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge in rural western Pennsylvania, we jumped to it.
Susan Estrich: College Blues (Creators Syndicate)
In those days, you could tell by the size of the envelope. A thick envelope, full of registration materials and welcoming letters, meant you got in. A thin one was a one-page rejection. They all came the same day. My mailbox was full of thin envelopes - plus a fat one from my last-choice school.
Joe Bob Briggs: I'm a Terrible Person (Taki's Magazine)
I just recently realized that I'm a miserable selfish tone-deaf insensitive creep. Why didn't I see this before? All those years of reading the Times, the Post, Buzzfeed, and the Vanderbilt University alumni magazine have worked their way through the crusty rawhide of my soul and penetrated to my essence, revealing me to be beyond redemption, like a smoker who lights up in the cancer ward of St. Jude Children's Hospital.
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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
meme
punkinhead's bad suit meme
some guy
Thanks, Guy!
Bonus Links
Jeannie the Teed-Off Temp
Reader Comment
Current Events
A picture of Cohen's files:
Linda >^..^<
We are all only temporarily able bodied.
Thanks, Linda!
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
FASCIST AMERICA?
FASCIST AMERICA? PART TWO.
"THE ART OF THE FLAIL"
"TUBBY THE TUBA" AND HIS PAL "THE TURTLE".
LET'S HAVE AN ICE CREAM PARTY!
Visit JD's site - Kitty Litter Music
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Got up to 96° - set a mew record.
"Challenged" Books
American Library Association
Before allegations of sexual harassment, Jay Asher and Sherman Alexie were facing criticisms of a different kind.
Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why" and Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" top the American Library Association's list of "challenged" books from 2017, those most objected to by parents and other community members. The list also includes Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" and one of last year's top-selling young adult novels, Angie Thomas' "The Hate U Give."
Complaints about books range from the theme of suicide in "Thirteen Reasons Why" to profanity and sexual content in Alexie's book. James LaRue, who runs the library association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said that future challenges could well be based on the authors themselves. Last year, Bill Cosby's "Little Bill Books" were on the ALA list because of multiple accusations of sexual assault against the actor-comedian.
"I personally believe the book is distinct from the author," LaRue said. "But when a librarian faces that kind of challenge, my advice is to treat it like any other kind of challenge. You look at the nature of the challenge, consider the context and make the decision based on the needs of the local community."
The ALA list is part of the association's State of America's Libraries report and marks the beginning of National Library Week, which runs through April 14. Books drawing attention, whether because of sales or a film adaptation, often become more likely to receive challenges. In 2017, "Thirteen Reasons Why" was adapted into a popular Netflix series, while "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" has been widely read and taught since coming out a decade ago. In previous years, Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series have been among notable challenged works.
American Library Association
Top 10 Challenged Books: Resources & Graphics | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues
State of America's Libraries Report 2018 | News and Press Center
Journalism School
Backlash
Fourteen journalism schools have now signed a letter denouncing Sinclair Broadcast Group for ordering local TV anchors to read controversial on-air scripts about "fake news."
New York University's journalism school is joining the deans and department chairs of 13 other institutions who signed the letter on Friday, a program director at NYU said Sunday.
The other journalism schools include those at the University of Southern California, Syracuse University and the University of Maryland, whose Philip Merrill School of Journalism is known for sending graduates to work at Sinclair, Poynter noted.
The letter addressed to Sinclair Executive Chairman David Smith warns that the required readings violate a basic tenet of independent journalism that news content should not be slanted to advance the business or political interests of the outlet's owners:
In making the leap to disparage news media generally - without specifics - Sinclair has diminished trust in the news media overall. Ironically, Sinclair's use of news personnel to deliver commentary ? not identified as such ? may further erode what has traditionally been one of the strongest allegiances in the news landscape, the trust that viewers put in their local television stations.
Backlash
'Equally Sacred'
Pope Frankie
Pope Francis issued a scathing rebuke of Catholics who prioritize some church laws and doctrines - including those condemning abortion - over fighting for the poor and the oppressed.
In an apostolic exhortation released Monday, Francis lamented that some Catholics think of protecting many marginalized groups as a secondary or superficial issue. The pontiff said that while efforts to restrict abortion are crucial, it's just as important for members of his flock to fight for the rights of the "already born."
"Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate," Francis wrote in his exhortation. "Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, the victims of human trafficking, new forms of slavery, and every form of rejection."
He added that he's often heard Catholics talk about the plight of migrants as a "lesser issue," compared to certain "bioethical" concerns. In what looked like an admonishment of anti-refugee sentiment among Christians in Europe and the U.S., Francis condemned the idea that defending migrants should be a secondary concern.
"That a politician looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian, for whom the only proper attitude is to stand in the shoes of those brothers and sisters of ours who risk their lives to offer a future to their children," he wrote.
Pope Frankie
Fleetwood Mac Fires
Lindsey Buckingham
Fleetwood Mac has fired Lindsey Buckingham after a disagreement over the band's upcoming tour, Rolling Stone has confirmed. The band announced Monday that Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House will replace him.
News of Buckingham's departure initially broke when former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette shared an April 4th tweet that has since been deleted, saying: "Breaking news: Lindsey Buckingham is out but I'm not in." Rolling Stone has confirmed Buckingham's departure, though no specific tour dates have been announced.
Fleetwood Mac issued a collective statement about the news, saying: "We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the caliber of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family. With Mike and Neil, we'll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we'll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs. Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honoring that spirit on this upcoming tour."
Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 along with Stevie Nicks. He wrote and sang many of their most memorable songs, including "Go Your Own Way," "Tusk" and "Second Hand News." He left in 1987 shortly before the Tango On The Night tour (where he was replaced by Billy Burnette) and rejoined in 1996 for The Dance reunion tour. He remained active on the road with them for the next two decades. They last played full sets at Classic East and Classics West in July of last year, through they did play a brief set in January at the pre-Grammy MusiCares concert in their honor. The set ended, fittingly enough, with "Go Your Own Way."
Lindsey Buckingham
Giving Up
House Seats
Republican House members are leaving Congress at the fastest pace in modern history, according to elections data compiled by Daily Kos.
So far, 37 House Republicans have announced they are retiring, running for another office or resigning outright. Such an exodus usually precedes the beginning of every primary season, but this year is shaping up to break records.
"This is more Republican retirements than any year since at least 1952 (and possibly much earlier than that)," Daily Kos Elections editor Daniel Donner tweeted last week.
By contrast, the comparable number for House Democrats totals 18.
Victories in several local and state races across the country - most recently in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race - have given Democrats more momentum for a potential blue wave in November's midterm elections.
House Seats
On Track
Congress
A leading Republican pollster has predicted Donald Trump (R-Crooked) could take a hit in the 2018 midterm electi, with Republicans in danger of losing control of the Congress and the Senate.
Frank Luntz said if that the elections were to be held now, the Republican Party would likely lose control of both.
"I think the Republicans are in deep trouble in the House and the Senate as well. If the election were held today, frankly, I think Republicans would lose both," the conservative pollster said on Fox News.
America's best known public opinion guru partially heaped blame on Mr Trump for the Republican Party's dwindling electoral hopes.
Congress
Details Hazy On 'Death Threats'
Pruitt
President-for-now Donald Trump (R-Corrupt) cites "death threats" to justify the $3 million round-the-clock security detail for Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt, who cites his own security to justify lavish spending on first-class air travel.
But details about any threats to Pruitt are sparse. One supposed threat that was investigated was a postcard to Pruitt with the message: "You ignorant f***," according to EPA records. Authorities also investigated two protesters who interrupted a speech by Pruitt.
The EPA said there were "zero records" about death threats in reply to BuzzFeed investigative reporter Jason Leopold's request for all information.
The Washington Post sought records under the Freedom of Information Act late last year, asking for "copies of all emails, letters, voicemails and other communication in which Administrator Pruitt was threatened with violence or which were otherwise considered to be threatening to the administrator." The EPA's answer, dated early December, was "undetermined," with "no records released."
The Associated Press reported last week that its "nationwide search of federal and state court records ... found no case where anyone has been arrested or charged with threatening Pruitt." The EPA did not respond to AP's request Friday to provide details of "any specific threats or arrests."
Pruitt
The New Normal
Oklahoma
A cluster of earthquakes hit Oklahoma over the past few days, unsettling thousands of the state's residents.
As of 11 a.m. ET Monday the U.S. Geological Survey says that 2,274 people reported feeling a 4.3 magnitude quake Sunday night. There have been at least 16 noticeable earthquakes (above 2.5 in magnitude) observed by the Geologic Survey since Friday, April 6.
While nerve-rattling, the quakes are normal for the area - at least since 2009. That's when the problematic quakes began, Jeremy Boak, Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, said in an interview.
Oklahoma's dramatic rise in quakes has been stoked by oil and gas extraction activity in the region.
But most Oklahoma quakes aren't caused by fracking itself, but by a secondary process called "wastewater injection." After water is used to fracture apart rocks thousands of feet below, it comes back up as "wastewater," and is usually injected back into the ground nearby (the mixture has to go somewhere). Water is extremely heavy, so, this can put pressure on deep-lying faults. And if enough pressure is applied to these cracks in the Earth's crust, they'll rupture and move, causing sizeable quakes.
Oklahoma
(Middle) Finger Bone
Saudi Arabia
A lone finger bone unearthed in the desert suggests modern humans had penetrated deep into Arabia already 85,000 years ago, said a study Monday that claimed to advance our African exodus by millennia.
The research, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, challenged a long-held consensus that humans started to move en masse from our birthplace in Africa only about 60,000 years ago, with a few small, unsuccessful migrations before.
Their new fossil finger bone, unquestionably belonged to a human and could be dated directly using radiometric technology, said the team.
The bone, just 3.2 centimetres (1.6 inches) long, is thought to be the middle bone of a middle finger, likely of an adult. It was discovered in the Nefud Desert of Saudi Arabia in 2016, and analysed over two years.
The tests revealed it was at least 85,000 years old -- possibly 90,000 -- making it the "oldest directly-dated homo sapiens" fossil ever found outside of Africa and the Levant, said the team.
Saudi Arabia
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