Vegetarian dinosaurs may have cheated with shellfish 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Science and Stuff,Leave a comment

Even Jurassic herbivores had to have a meat fix every now and then.

…scientists say they have evidence that the shell fragments were big enough to suggest that the hadrosaurs were intentionally chomping down on seafood, rather than accidentally eating some stray shell bits with their prehistoric salads.

The shell pieces also appeared in the majority of the poop samples over a span of 20 km (about 12.5 miles), which signaled to researchers that this was probably not just one herbivore gone rogue.

…The researchers believe the hadrosaurs only ate shellfish seasonally. It could have been that they switched over to shellfish when vegetation was scarce, or when they needed an extra calcium and protein boost, as they would during breeding and egg-laying season. For the most part, though, they probably stuck to their plant-based diets.

Herbivore dinosaurs may have cheated with shellfish — Quartz

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Trump vacancy raises consternation with Europe

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Money, Class, and Poverty,, Privacy,Leave a comment

A key vacancy in the State Department is creating friction between the European Union and United States over a new agreement affecting thousands of U.S. companies that do business in Europe.

The agreement, known as the privacy shield, allows businesses to swiftly send personal data across the Atlantic, something that affects a huge swath of U.S. companies, from Facebook and Apple to Netflix and Google.

Without the shield, companies that operate in Europe would have to enter into special contracts to transfer personal data.

EU officials are worried that the Trump administration has yet to nominate an ombudsman at the State Department to oversee complaints from Europeans about the access U.S. national security agencies may have to their data.

Trump vacancy raises consternation with Europe | TheHill

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Views among college students regarding the First Amendment

On By peanutgallerynhIn Education,Leave a comment

…there is a significant divergence between the actual and perceived scope of First Amendment freedoms. More specifically, with respect to the questions explored above, many students have an overly narrow view of the extent of freedom of expression. For example, a very significant percentage of students hold the view that hate speech is unprotected. In addition, a surprisingly large fraction of students believe it is acceptable to act—including resorting to violence—to shut down expression they consider offensive. And a majority of students appear to want an environment that shields them from being exposed to views they might find offensive.

Views among college students regarding the First Amendment: Results from a new survey

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Undocumented Parents Arrested at Children’s Hospital While Awaiting Their Infant Son’s Surgery

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,Leave a comment

Oscar and Irma Sanchez, both of whom are undocumented immigrants living in Texas, were arrested while awaiting a serious surgery for their two-month-old son, highlighting the excruciating human cost of President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant crusade.

Undocumented Parents Arrested at Children’s Hospital While Awaiting Their Infant Son’s Surgery

sigh….

India calls Pakistan ‘Terroristan’ in UN speech row 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Southern Central Asia,Leave a comment

In his speech [Pakistan’s] PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accused India of “war crimes” in the disputed Kashmir region and of “exporting terror” to Pakistan.

…In his speech Mr Abbasi addressed the issue of the Afghan war, saying Pakistan refused to be a “scapegoat” for the conflict. The US accuses the Pakistani intelligence services of ties to militants who operate in Afghanistan, allegations Pakistan rejects.

On Kashmir, the Pakistani leader accused India of employing “massive and indiscriminate force” against civilians protesting against Delhi’s rule.

“Shotgun pellets have blinded and maimed thousands of Kashmiris, including children. These and other brutalities clearly constitute war crimes and violate the Geneva conventions,” he said.

He also asked the UN to appoint a special envoy to oversee the region.

Exercising the right of reply, Eenam Gambhir, India’s first secretary to the UN, said it was “extraordinary that the state which protected Osama Bin Laden and sheltered Mullah Omar should have the gumption to play the victim”.

“Pakistan is now Terroristan with a flourishing industry producing and exporting global terrorism,” the envoy said.

India calls Pakistan ‘Terroristan’ in UN speech row – BBC News

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Trudeau confronts Canada’s failure of indigenous people in U.N. speech

On By peanutgallerynhIn The Americas,Leave a comment

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday admitted Canada had failed its indigenous people and told the United Nations his government would do better to improve the lives of aboriginals and achieve reconciliation.

Trudeau used his speech to the U.N. General Assembly to frankly acknowledge the dark history of Canada’s colonization as one of “humiliation, neglect and abuse” and promised to do more to help the nation’s 1.4 million indigenous people.

…“Though this path is uncharted, I am confident that we will reach a place of reconciliation,” Trudeau later added.

…indigenous Canadians, who make up about 4 percent of the population and face higher levels of poverty and violence and shorter life expectancies.

Canada’s national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women has been hit by resignations and complaints it is progressing too slowly.

…Many aboriginal communities do not have access to safe drinking water, and suicides have plagued several isolated communities.

…Acknowledging Canada’s attempt to force assimilation through residential schooling and other repressive policies, Trudeau called the living conditions aboriginals face “the legacy of colonialism in Canada.”

Trudeau confronts Canada’s failure of indigenous people in U.N. speech

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Rohingya crisis: Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina at UNGA proposes creation of safe zone in Myanmar

On By peanutgallerynhIn Southern Central Asia,Leave a comment

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday proposed creating “safe zones” inside Myanmar, supervised by the United Nations, to protect the Rohingya Muslims who are fleeing violence in Rakhine state, AFP reported. According to the international body, more than 4,20,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since August 25, when fresh violence erupted in Myanmar.

“These people must be able to return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity,” Hasina told the UN General Assembly.

She also called on the international community to take immediate measures to find a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis. She further urged the UN to send a fact-finding mission to Myanmar. The Bangladeshi leader demanded the full implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission report that recommends citizenship for the Rohingyas.

…The Bangladeshi prime minister accused the security forces of Myanmar of laying landmines on the border to prevent the refugees from returning. She called on the Myanmar government to end the violence in Rakhine state “immediately and forever.”

Rohingyas have been denied citizenship in Myanmar, and are classified as illegal immigrants, despite them claiming roots going back centuries in the country. The community has been subjected to violence by the Buddhist majority and the Army in Myanmar. 

Rohingya crisis: Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina at UNGA proposes creation of safe zone in Myanmar

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Trump aides begin looking for the exits 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,Leave a comment

After a wave of high-profile White House departures this summer, staffers who remained are reaching out to headhunters to discuss their next moves.

…Political appointees want to leave for myriad reasons, according to recruiters, Republican operatives, and White House officials. Morale is low, the Russia investigations only seem to grow in scope, and constant churn at the top has left some staffers without patrons in a workplace known for back-biting and a tribal-like attitude.

…“There will be an exodus from this administration in January,” said one Republican lobbyist, who alone has heard from five officials looking for new gigs. “Everyone says, ‘I just need to stay for one year.’ If you leave before a year, it looks like you are acknowledging that you made a mistake.”

Staffers are already laying the groundwork through networking, lunches, and resumes sent to D.C.-based executive recruiters, so that they can a land new job by the start of 2018. Two headhunters confirmed that they had heard from multiple White House staffers.

…The White House has already shed senior staff. Roughly 23 White House staffers have also resigned or been fired since January including high-profile departures such Trump’s first chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to lesser-known appointees such as Michael Short of the communications shop, Derek Harvey of the National Security Council, or former deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh.

…It’s not clear whether controversy over Trump’s policy positions will make it harder for people to find work. Former press secretary Sean Spicer has struggled to land a role as a paid network or cable news contributor because of concerns about his credibility.

Trump aides begin looking for the exits – POLITICO

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Senators: Facebook’s cooperation on Russian ads  is nice but not enough

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,, Media and Culture,Leave a comment

Facebook has agreed to provide details to congressional investigators about ads purchased by Russians to influence the 2016 presidential campaign, and on Thursday vowed greater transparency in political advertising. But some …senators want to make those pledges mandatory.

The moves come amid mounting pressure from Congress to release the Russian-related ads….

…writing legislation that would require web platforms with more than one million users to publicly disclose the names of individuals and organizations that spend more than $10,000 on election-related advertisements.

The sites would also have to provide a copy of the advertisement, and disclose details about the targeted audience, the number of people who view the ad, the time and date it was published, the amount of money charged and the buyer’s contract information.

Facebook’s cooperation on Russian ads doesn’t stop Democrats’ demands – POLITICO

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Is there evidence of voter fraud in New Hampshire, as Kris Kobach said? Nope.

On By peanutgallerynhIn Granite State,Leave a comment

Trump and his Cabinet have repeated baseless claims that thousands of Massachusetts residents “brought in on buses” voted illegally in New Hampshire, which we originally rated Pants on Fire.

…A voter can prove domicile using a New Hampshire driver’s license, a vehicle registration in the state, or a non-driver ID or other government issued photo identification that lists a New Hampshire address.

…in some towns, providing a form issued by a New Hampshire college or university is sufficient to prove domicile. In Manchester, a voter can prove domicile by presenting a monthly bill, a medical bill, pay stubs showing a current address, or postmarked mail within the last 30 days. Other towns accept similar documentation.

…cited 5,313 votes cast with out-of-state IDs, but New Hampshire law says there’s nothing inherently fraudulent about them, as a person can lawfully vote in New Hampshire while holding motor vehicle registration or a driver’s license in another state.

Is there evidence of voter fraud in New Hampshire, as Kris Kobach said? Not really | PolitiFact

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Mueller requests White House documents related to Trump conduct

On By peanutgallerynhIn Domestic Affairs,Leave a comment

Special counsel Robert Mueller has asked the White House to turn over documents related to some of President Trump’s most controversial actions in office, including his dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey.

…Mueller is also interested in the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, as well as an Oval Office meeting with Russian officials during which Trump reportedly said the Comey firing relieved “great pressure” on him.

Mueller has also requested documents related to the White House response to media questions about a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian government lawyer promising dirt on Hillary Clinton.

Mueller requests White House documents related to Trump conduct: report | TheHill

hmmmm

Has asset forfeiture gone too far? Truck seizure case sparks outrage, a call for change 

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,, Money, Class, and Poverty,Leave a comment

Critics argue that civil asset forfeiture program’s abuses outweigh its benefits.

Has asset forfeiture gone too far? Truck seizure case sparks outrage, a call for change | Fox News

Although the truck incident is unfair it is far from the most egregious example of asset seizure gone wrong. Apparently the truly outrageous thing here is that this dude is a white republican???

Asset seizure IS wrong but this case is nothing compared to what’s out there.

The Continuing Hatred Of Hillary Clinton 

On By peanutgallerynhIn Media and Culture,Leave a comment

Daou says he received way more negative backlash from the left and mainstream media than the right. There were even reporters writing stories about his family’s past and widowed mother who happened to be in the hospital at the time of the stories being released. All of this, because of a website for Hillary Clinton voters? I asked Daou if he thought a website launched for failed candidate Senator Bernie Sanders would have elicited the same response:

“If we had labeled the site ‘Media for the Bernie Revolution,’ I believe we would’ve gotten rave reviews from the very same writers.”— Peter Daou

…The fact that many on the left spent so much time attacking a site that promotes issues progressives care about — equal pay for women, civil rights, and combating climate change — is concerning. Important to note, this firestorm of criticism took place during the same week DACA was rescinded. 

…It was like watching a group of school children join in on a bullying chant without knowing how the chant even got started.

…you most likely didn’t hear much ado about …the Trump Foundation’s “self-dealing” because the story was released on September 10, 2016. This was the day before September 11th, or in other words, the weekend Hillary Clinton had pneumonia.

…Story after story was published about “Hillary’s Health,” and if you watched cable news that week, you would’ve had no idea that there was a Trump Foundation scandal at all.

…After the election, the Trump Foundation admitted to the IRS that they were indeed, “self-dealing.” It turns out, Trump was guilty of what the media was trying to accuse Clinton of — and one of their colleagues had already uncovered it. But Clinton’s pneumonia was more important to them.

…One of the main criticisms is that Clinton isn’t taking responsibility for her loss, despite having explicitly done so in her book. Simply outlining other factors that contributed to a loss isn’t avoiding responsibility, it’s speaking your truth. And Clinton’s truth happens to be very close to reality. Her story is one that needs to be heard. To blame the 2016 election loss of Hillary Clinton solely on the Clinton campaign, would be like pointing to a house that was taken down by a 200 mph tornado and saying “it collapsed only because it had weak infrastructure.”

The Blind Hatred Of Hillary Clinton – Rantt

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Oklahoma City Police Fatally Shoot Deaf Man Despite Yells Of ‘He Can’t Hear’

On By peanutgallerynhIn American Injustice System,Leave a comment

Police in Oklahoma City on Tuesday night fatally shot a deaf man who they say was advancing toward them with a metal pipe as witnesses yelled that the man was deaf and could not hear them.

Lt. Matthew Lindsey arrived at the address and encountered 35-year-old Magdiel Sanchez, who was on the porch holding a 2-foot metal pipe with a leather loop in his right hand. Lindsey called for backup and Sgt. Christopher Barnes arrived.

….”In those situations, very volatile situations, when you have a weapon out, you can get what they call tunnel vision or you can really lock into just the person that has the weapon that’d be the threat against you,” [said the person who doesn’t understand it is the cops jobs to protect, not kill in cold blood, even if their pansy asses are scared.]

….Police ordered Sanchez to drop the weapon and get on the ground, Mathews said. Both officers had weapons drawn — Lindsey had a Taser and Barnes a gun. Sanchez came off the porch and was walking toward Barnes.

Oklahoma City Police Fatally Shoot Deaf Man Despite Yells Of ‘He Can’t Hear’ : The Two-Way : NPR

…And instead of listening to bystanders or (more importantly) using the taser they already had drawn they killed him in cold blood.

Screw the tunnel vision bullshit. If a person can’t fight their instincts enough to overcome that, they have no business carrying a gun , let alone a badge.

These officers should be in prison. They committed cold blooded murder. Anyone who attempts to justify their action is aiding and abetting them and should be tossed into a dark and depressing prison right along with them.