November 6, 2016

Liberal Media - Really??

Headline:

Comey updates Congress on Clinton emails
Polarizing FBI director explains more on the Clinton email probe and what the agency found in recently revealed emails

http://www.cbsnews.com/

Even the Fox News headline is more detailed about the FBI decision

FBI'S DECISION STANDS: Comey says Clinton email review finished, guidance not to prosecute remains

November 6, 2016

Exclusive: Thousands of churches will broadcast this last-minute appeal from Mike Pence on Sunday

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/11/04/exclusive-thousands-of-churches-will-broadcast-this-last-minute-appeal-from-mike-pence-on-sunday?utm_content=buffer2919c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

According to the IRS, in order “to remain tax exempt under section 501(c)(3), leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions of the organization.”

The Republican ticket and the churches that play the video appear to be safe from any threat of losing their tax status, though, as long as the church itself does not endorse the comments made by Pence. Based on the tax code, it seems the video falls under a provision for providing a forum for the candidates which “is not, in and of itself, prohibited political activity.”

On face value, the video doesn’t even violate the summary of the law from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, an advocacy group against church political activity, which agues churches cannot actively campaign for any candidate.

November 6, 2016

Game of Thrones author backs Clinton and explains how her attack ads are different

http://www.denofgeek.com/us/culture/george-rr-martin/259813/george-rr-martin-donald-trump-is-unfit-to-be-president

Says Martin, “In my lifetime, there has never been a presidential candidate more unfit to lead this nation.” To emphasize the point, Martin compares the relentless attack ads of both candidates, noting how Trump campaign commercials are standard political hackery 101. Unflattering images (often black and white), ominous music, headlines taken out of context, and a grim narrator throwing around words like “criminal,” “liar,” and “pervert” (the latter being a classic example of the new gutter of American politics that the Republican nominee has dragged us into in 2016).

But Martin notes that Hillary Clinton’s attack ads on Trump are strikingly different.

“Clinton’s ads are something else,” writes Martin. “Very different, and—to my mind—much more truthful. The star of all the Clinton ads is Donald J. Trump. There are no deliberately unflattering photographs, however. Nothing in black and white. Just video clips, full color, professional footage from news cameras at his rallies, interviews, television appearances. There’s no name-calling either. Clinton doesn’t need to label Trump as ‘crooked’ or ‘a liar,’ or link him with ‘perverts.’ Clinton’s ads just show Trump being Trump.

October 16, 2016

Trinity Gay, daughter of Olympian Tyson Gay, dies after shooting at Lexington restaurant

http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Girl-shot-in-the-neck-in-Lexington-397225761.html

Poor young woman and her family

October 8, 2016

Speaker Ryan: ‘I am sickened’ by Trump’s comments

“I am sickened by what I heard today,” Mr. Ryan said in a statement. “Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/oct/7/house-speaker-paul-ryan-sickened-donald-trumps-com/

This quote shows that Ryan does not get it either. Women are to be treated with respect. Not championed and revered. At least that is how I see it. I think the statement reflects a crappy paternalistic attitude.

September 25, 2016

DOJ request for ADA compliance for MOOC Berkeley courses

The University of California, Berkeley, has announced that it may eliminate free online content rather than comply with a U.S. Justice Department order that it make the content accessible to those with disabilities.
The content in question is all free and is for the general public to use. "The department’s findings do not implicate the accessibility of educational opportunities provided to our enrolled students," said a statement on the situation by Cathy Koshland, vice chancellor for undergraduate education.
While the university has not made a final decision, she said, it may not be able to afford complying with the Justice Department's recommendations on how to make the online material accessible.


I really enjoy these courses. A number of other universities are also offering such courses. I would hate to see them go away.

I was wondering what are the thoughts of those on this board.




https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/09/20/berkeley-may-remove-free-online-content-rather-complying-disability-law

September 7, 2016

Move the federal government out of Washington

http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/06/opinions/government-departments-should-be-spread-out-price/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool


"In one bold move, it would bring the federal government closer to the people, reduce the threat a major act of terrorism would pose to our nation's capital, and create new jobs and new infrastructure throughout the country. But, perhaps most importantly, it would renew faith that our government exists not to serve the wealthy or the connected, but all the people.
No, not the White House nor the Congress, but the rest of the federal government, namely the Cabinet departments and large agencies that have grown up around the Beltway, should move and disperse. There is really no compelling reason that federal agencies and departments remain in Washington, D.C., and many good reasons why they should be relocated across the United States over time."

The key is over time.

This is actually a great idea, and I have been thinking along the same lines. Unlike his recommendation I would consider areas of economic depression for the location that also fits the role. Des Moines is doing well, and does not need the Dept of Agriculture, but perhaps Memphis? Dept of Transportation to Detroit? Department of Energy to Houston? What I don't like is wasting existing infrastructure.

August 28, 2016

Two gang members charged in murder of Dwyane Wade’s cousin

Source: New York Post

The shooting occurred during a brief period when one of the brothers had legally removed his mandatory ankle monitor, according to Johnson.

Read more: http://nypost.com/2016/08/28/two-gang-members-charged-in-murder-of-dwyane-wades-cousin/

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What?

July 26, 2016

Three arrested after shooting at Fort Myers Club Blu

http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2016/07/25/two-dead-up-16-injured-after-shooting-fort-myers-nightclub/87518214/

Lots to unpack. I am not sure 12-15 year olds should be hanging with 16-20 year olds in a nightclub setting. I can see the value of having activities for the older teens.

******
"The shootings led to the arrests of two former Dunbar High School football players. Derrick Church, 19, who had played last fall at Warner University, was identified as the white Impala’s driver. Tajze Battle, who had received a scholarship offer from Alabama A&M but did not play football there, was identified as one of the suspects who fled on foot along with Demetrius O’Neal, 19.

City councilman Forrest Banks and Congressman Curt Clawson accompanied Watson.

“The message is, we have a socioeconomic situation in Fort Myers, just like every city in the state and every city in this country,” Banks said. “We need to all get together. The problem is, too many people, they don’t see the value of a high school education. They get in trouble. They get a record. What do they do? Then you have social media. Social media is going on. When you type something, it’s not like when you’re saying it. People interpret it a certain way. You get a few back and forths, and then somebody is mad. I don’t know if this is the case, but I’ve heard that had something to do with it.”

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott attended the news conference and told The News-Press afterward during a phone interview one of his main concerns is the glorification of gangster-style behavior.

“Dress like a thug, speak like a thug, act like a thug,” Scott said. “I know we have dismal examples in the hip-hop world. These are people who these young kids in some places look up to. When I was 14-years-old, I wouldn’t be out at a bar at 12 o’clock midnight. You’ve got to look at parenting. You’ve got to look at a lot of different things.”"

June 19, 2016

First female teen to win Ohio masonry competition bumped from national contest

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/06/19/teen-girl-bumped-from-national-masonry-competition.html

Shania Clifford, a 17-year-old from Scioto County, became the first female to win a gold medal in the SkillsUSA Ohio masonry competition in late April.

But in mid-May, Clifford found out she would not be attending the next level of the competition, a national leadership and skills conference held in Louisville, Kentucky.

And she found out via Facebook.

This is a great competition that I knew nothing about. On the other hand the administration is abysmal.