What goes through my my mind when I read the news with my morning coffee. …Or for the Simon's Rockers in the group, this is my response journal.
An outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was shot dead in broad daylight in Kiev Thursday, just two days after a lawyer for the family of a slain Russian whistleblower was injured in a mysterious fall from his fourth-story apartment near Moscow. Denis Voronenkov was a former Russian Communist Party member who’d become increasingly critical of Putin’s policies after fleeing to Ukraine in 2016.
The coincidences mount, as another Putin critic is shot dead [Video]
hmmm
The baby boxes that Finland gives to all new mothers are legendary. Now states in the U.S. are experimenting with them as a way to encourage safe sleep practices and reduce SIDS.
New Parents Get Baby Boxes To Encourage Safe Sleep : Shots – Health News : NPR
cool.
The art world weighs in via social media on both sides of a debate over a controversial painting in which Dana Schutz portrayed Emmett Till.
Art World Splits In Two Over Dana Schutz Controversy | artnet News
hmmm
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes apologized to committee members Thursday, a Democrat on the panel told reporters, coming the day after Nunes told the public and the President that communications of him and associates may have been collected by intelligence agencies before telling Democratic members of the committee.
Nunes apologizes to House Intel Committee, member says – CNNPolitics.com
Ass.
The funding request, which was rejected, offers the most detailed estimate yet of rising costs related to the first family’s elaborate lifestyle.
Sigh…
At best, Spicer’s answer is extraordinarily dismissive of single mothers — the reality is that not every woman who needs maternity care is going to be on a family plan, which are designed for couples and those with children or other dependents. At worst, it’s a tacit endorsement of only married women having access to affordable maternity care.
White House says maternity care won’t be more expensive for women —if they’re on a family plan
Sigh,,,
She thought “good people” would get to stay.
She Voted For Trump. Now, Her Husband Is Being Deported | The Huffington Post
She thought wrong.
When you buy snake oil, you get bit.
Most recently, Cracker Barrel shared an innocent performance by beloved icon Alison Krauss.
“I’m sure Brad’s wife would have loved to watch the performance. Monsters. #JusticeForBradsWife,” one commenter wrote.
Another commenter demonstrated how the perceived injustice has gone international.
“The shocking news has reached the UK about the disgusting decision to fire Brad’s wife,” the comment read. “International relations between your establishment and the people of the UK are now at an all-time low. You may want to consider employing her again for the greater good. #JusticeForBradsWife.”
Internet seeks justice for Brad’s wife after she was fired from Cracker Barrel | 9news.com
Heh
#justiceforbradswife
#bradswifematters
Some of the new vetting guidelines sent by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson were later withdrawn. One big change includes mandatory social media checks for anyone who has ever entered territory occupied by the Islamic State militant group.
For US visa hopefuls, screening hurdles grow. Shades of ‘extreme vetting’? – CSMonitor.com
hmmmm
Conservatives have long wanted to reverse an Obamacare requirement that all health plans include 10 key benefits, including emergency services, drug use treatment and maternity care.
It has led some people to question why they are paying for services they say they do not need – like…
…Republican Senator Pat Roberts expressed that view on Thursday, when asked about the negotiations, saying: “I wouldn’t want to lose my mammograms.”
He later tweeted an apology: “I deeply regret my comments on a very important topic. Mammograms are essential to women’s health & I never intended to indicate otherwise.”
All-male White House health bill photo sparks anger – BBC News
After the twitter storm he must endured when that comment got out, I bet he regrets leting that crap fall out of his mouth.
“I wish Americans understood that race is a social construct, even if we don’t want it to be,” she said in the release. “The system of racial classification is fiction, and we need to thoughtfully evaluate whether perpetuating it rigidly or allowing fluidity across the spectrum best supports human rights and social justice.”
Rachel Dolezal: I was ‘too black’ for my husband
Lovely theory. But in society, as in anything, theory is a different thing than practice.
Beth Fukumoto was a leader in the GOP. Now because of Trump, she’s becoming a Democrat.
The Republican Party is dying in Hawaii | The Outline
hmmm
Up to 400 people have reportedly been killed in the central DR Congo provinces of Kasai – what is going on?
DR Congo unrest: Why have 10 mass graves been found in Kasai? – BBC News
hmmm
The suspected high toll underscores the difficulties that Iraqi troops face in the weeks-long fight to route the Sunni militant group from Iraq’s second-largest city
U.S. investigating reports of more than 100 civilians killed in Mosul airstrike – CBS News
hmmm
Trump quickly walked back his oft-repeated campaign promise to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and he criticized Israeli settlements as “not good” for peace.
At their joint White House appearance, Trump told Netanyahu to “hold back on settlements for a bit.” Trump wanted a chance to conclude what he called “the ultimate deal”: peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s honeymoon with Trump reaches abrupt end – CNNPolitics.com
hmmmm
House Republicans’ failure to repeal Barack Obama’s health care law deals a serious blow to President Donald Trump’s tax reform agenda.
Trump’s failure on health bill also hurts tax reform prospects – NY Daily News
hmmm
“Sure,” Trump said. “I never said I was going to repeal and replace in the first 61 days” – contradicting his own statements and that of his own adviser, Kellyanne Conway, who told CNN in November that the then-president-elect was contemplating convening a special session on Inauguration Day to begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act.
…I mentioned to Trump that some of his allies were frustrated with Ryan. Did he share those frustrations, and would he be able to work with Ryan moving forward on plans to cut taxes and build an infrastructure package?
“I don’t blame Paul,” Trump said.
He then repeated the phrase: “I don’t blame Paul. He worked very hard on this.”
‘Hello, Bob’: Trump called my cellphone to say that the health-care bill was dead
hmmm
In hopes to help children cope while their parent serves their jail sentence, “Sesame Street” has introduced Alex, a puppet whose dad is incarcerated.
“Sesame Street” Introduces A Character Whose Father Is In Jail
hmmmm
It’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment (at 1:47), but it was enough for fans and social media user to ask, “Is this film even feminist if she shaves her armpits?”
The New ‘Wonder Woman’ Trailer Is Dividing The Internet Over Armpit Hair | GOOD
Self-proclaimed feminists and their litmus tests. So a woman who shaves can’t also be a feminist? Isn’t that appropriating the same standards of beauty that they say is the problem, flipping them inside out and creating yet another beauty standard women must live up to to be accredited with any worth?
Wouldn’t it be more feminist to say women don’t have to shave but if they do happen to want to shave, they are still valued as equals?
The president’s recent actions have disappointed some of his biggest fans
The ‘Trump Troubadour’ Now Regrets His Vote | GOOD
No sympathy for this moron.
Help sell snake oil end up getting bitten?
It’s exactly what is deserved.
“I can’t be doing so badly, because I’m president, and you’re not.”
5 Nonsensical Claims From Donald Trump’s Latest Interview | The Huffington Post
Oy….
Chinese officials warned a US military aircraft flying near South Korea Sunday, telling its pilots that they were illegally operating in Chinese airspace and ordering the American plane to leave, a US defense official told CNN.
Chinese officials warned US bomber during ‘routine’ East China Sea flyover – CNNPolitics.com
hmmm
Comments From The Peanut Gallery 