What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly saying, "hooray for our side"

Friday, July 21, 2017

Linkee-poo stumbles into the weekend

"Algebra is one of the biggest hurdles to getting a high school or college degree — particularly for students of color and first-generation undergrads… It is also the single most failed course in community colleges across the country. So if you're not a STEM major (science, technology, engineering, math), why even study algebra?" Hi, I'm a professional graphic designer. Artists are notoriously bad at math (ask me for stories). However, without algebra, I would find it hard to do my work. Most professions would find it hard. I've even used algebra to work on finance problems at home. If I remembered more trigonometry it would make my woodworking projects go easier (I still have my trig book, BTW). I know numerous business majors who hated Western Civ classes. And after all, it has nothing to do with their major. That I found them boring as shit in the grass to talk with I'm sure has nothing to do with their less than attentiveness to culture and life.

"And just feeling less fit in comparison to others might trim away years of life, says Zahrt, a Ph.D. candidate in health psychology at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business." Well, doesn't that just beat all.

"Given the fact that 'New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee' has been marketed as a 'male enhancement' product, it might be fair to assume consumers who plucked the instant coffee off store shelves had a clear idea of its intended effects… But according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they probably weren't aware of some of its key, undisclosed ingredients… which the FDA says is structurally similar to the active ingredient in Viagra, a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction." That's a stiff cup of joe. And if that isn't a part of the ad campaign for the next coffee product like this (no, this isn't the first) I'm going to be sorely disappointed. Also note, they're talking about "undisclosed ingredients" on product labels like "this happens all the time."

"Childbirth is one of the most common reasons women go into hospitals, and yet the American health care system handles complicated pregnancies with a stunning lack of preparation and precision. Put simply, women who give birth in the US have a greater risk of dying relative to other rich countries — and the problem has been growing worse at a time when America’s peers have continued to make pregnancy safer." But California had enough and decided to do something about it. With some explanations of how the GOP healthcare "plans" would increase maternal morbidity. So when we say "people will die," understand that we are not being hyperbolic. (Grokked from someone, sorry, lost the link)

Sean Spicer takes a knee. Not exactly unexpected, and he's probably glad he has a good excuse, but this mostly shows Steve Bannon gaining the upper hand over Reince Priebus. Kremlinology? Sure.

"A former head policy adviser at the Interior Department is accusing the Trump Administration of reassigning him to a lesser position for speaking out about the dangers of climate change." A major problem (other than the ethics of screwing us all over for just a little more profit) is that they're so damn ham-fisted about this whole thing.

You know, you try to get away from the Nazi allusions, and they keep pulling you back in. "Jack Posobiec, a prominent alt-right activist and promoter of right-wing conspiracy theories, on Thursday posted a video at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in response to a list the Anti-Defamation League compiled associating him with the so-called 'alt-right' movement."

So after the president said, basically, he appointed Jeff Session as Attorney General to quash the Russia investigation, Jeff has no plans to leave the office. You know, until the president fires him. It would be a small gain of honor for someone who has traded a lot of it away.

"The political right has persistently used Obamacare as political fodder in elections. In the 2014 midterm elections, for example, Republicans used ACA messaging in 84 percent of their political ad spots, compared to just 15 percent of ads run by Democrats, according to an analysis by Kantar Media. That year, more than 1.3 million health insurance and political ads aired, half of them referencing the ACA." The political action groups on the right are up in arms over the Senate crumbling on the Obamacare repeal. Just in case you're wondering why they'll be bringing it up for a vote even though it looks to not have enough votes to pass. Keep calling.

"A conservative political consultant was on the payroll of the Trump 2020 re-election campaign this spring, while also defending the president in political commentary on the Fox Business Network." And it's not Lewandowski (but then he was two timing at CNN). It's almost like there was a media strategy or something. Second line, no no no, Fox. You have to wait until they're discredited before hiring them on.

"Contrary to the official White House line, Donald Trump engaged in a policy discussion with a U.S. adversary with no official witnesses or record." And just who is the source of this? Why that would be the president himself. (Grokked form Jim Wright)

Evidence #1328 that the president is clueless. "Because you are basically saying from the moment the insurance, you’re 21 years old, you start working and you’re paying $12 a year for insurance, and by the time you’re 70, you get a nice plan. Here’s something where you walk up and say, 'I want my insurance.' It’s a very tough deal, but it is something that we’re doing a good job of." He might have been talking about life insurance, but he wasn't. (Grokked from George Takei)

As reported elsewhere, president Trump is looking to see if he can pardon himself and his family and staff. Because that won't look bad at all (and it wouldn't really stop the investigation).


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