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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:04:28 GMT -8
The Price of Abortion BansAs professionals flee antiabortion policies, red states face a brain drainTexas has what may be the most draconian antiabortion law in the country. Its notorious SB 8 in effect places a bounty on the heads of medical providers and others deemed to have aided and abetted an illegal abortion, allowing plaintiffs even from out of state to claim damages of more than $10,000 for violations. The bounty provisions “are going to dissuade the most qualified professionals from accepting jobs in places where they could be prosecuted for saving the life of a pregnant person,” Jacobs says. “Over time, that degrades the entire medical apparatus.” Jacobs depends on the drug methotrexate to treat her rheumatoid arthritis. But because the drug can also be used to induce abortions, pharmacists in Texas can refuse to dispense it. “I can’t imagine being cut off from a medication that my doctor prescribes to reduce my symptoms.” University faculty members in red states are publicly expressing concerns about the impact of exclusionary right-wing policies on their efforts to attract students and recruit qualified people to their institutions. Some have put out public feelers soliciting job offers from states with less-restrictive abortion laws. Whether or how deeply those restrictions will serve as a factor in job recruitment or university admissions is impossible to say just yet — the decision is not yet a month old and was handed down after the academic year ended in most higher- and secondary education systems. Early indications, however, are that they may raise new obstacles to recruiting workers whose skills and qualifications allow them to choose from multiple job opportunities. University recruiters expect the political implications of the Dobbs ruling to permeate their discussions with faculty candidates. Quality of life is a major issue in recruitment discussions, says David Williamson Shaffer, an education professor at the University of Wisconsin. High school students applying for college are deleting institutions in some states from their lists of desirable destinations. One large medical recruiting firm said it recently had 20 obstetrician-gynecologists turn down positions in red states because of abortion laws. The reluctance extends beyond those interested in providing abortion care, as laws meant to protect a fetus could open doctors up to new liabilities or limit their ability to practice.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:05:44 GMT -8
La Niña Means Continued Drought in the West
La Niña—the cool phase of the ENSO climate pattern—influences the hurricane season, has links to springtime tornado activity, and can increase the chance of drought in some regions. The latest outlook has the odds of a La Niña three-peat this winter at close to 66 percent.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:10:04 GMT -8
The Grain From Ukraine is Floating on the Main
Four more ships carrying grain and sunflower oil have left Ukraine ports via a safe maritime corridor.
Millions of tonnes of grain have been stuck in Ukraine due to Russian blockades, leading to shortages and higher food prices in other countries.
But last week the first ship left Ukraine's ports since February.
The latest ships to set sail are bound for Turkey where they'll be inspected as part of a deal reached with Russia and the United Nations.
They left on Sunday from the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, and will all travel through the Bosphorus strait.
After the inspections, two are then scheduled to dock in Turkey, while the others are headed for Italy and China.
Another empty ship arrived in Chornomorsk on Sunday afternoon, ready to be loaded with grain for export.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:11:06 GMT -8
A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand
Republicans probably did not end up redrawing their way into the five congressional seats they need to take control of the House of Representatives, at least not on paper.
Instead, matching GOP gains in places like Texas and Florida with Democratic gains in blue states, Republicans nationwide ended up with nine new seats leaning toward them compared to eight now-Democratic seats based on their 2020 presidential performance, according to a 50-state analysis of the new congressional map by CNN’s political and data teams. It has the latest new congressional map for each state.
The larger story may not be that one party or the other gained seats, but rather that the number of competitive seats dropped by 17, part of a decades-long trend of polarization among voters and consolidation of power by political parties.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:15:10 GMT -8
You Can't Use It as a Source for Your College Paper, But ...Now comes a new paper from MIT and Maynooth University in Ireland offering yet more evidence of Wikipedia’s elevated status, finding that judges routinely rely on its articles not just for background information but for core legal reasoning and specific language they use in their decisions. Study finds Wikipedia influences judicial behavior
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:19:32 GMT -8
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:21:29 GMT -8
Another Reason Smart People Don't Want to Go to Red States
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:23:07 GMT -8
Today's Security Tip: Don't Discuss Classified Information In Front of Your Kids
From early May 1944 through early June 1944 the words Gold, Sword, Juno, Utah, Omaha, Overlord, Mulberry, and Neptune appeared in The Daily Telegram’s crossword puzzles. On June 6th the allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day), codenamed Operation Neptune, attacked the beaches codenamed Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha as part of the overall invasion called operation Overlord. The operation used portable harbors named Mulberry harbors. Needless to say the creators of this crossword puzzle series got a visit from MI5.
It turned out that the creator of the crossword puzzle was a headmaster for a school next to an army base housing soldiers preparing for D-Day. The soldiers were apparently using these words in front of their kids, which is against OPSEC. The headmaster would occasionally have these kids in his office while creating the crossword and ask them for word suggestions. It never occurred to him where these kids might be hearing these words. Oops.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:24:23 GMT -8
Who Won the Week?
The House, for passing a bill banning the sale of assault weapons
Karma, as the right-wing propaganda network staffed by MAGA idiots known as OAN disappears from cable as the last carrier it was on (Verizon) pulls the plug
President Biden: kick-ass jobs report; median gas price now $3.99/gal.; nails al Qaeda leader and bin Laden's BFF al-Zawahiri; reunites 400 children who were separated from their parents under Trump
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for knocking China down a peg by becoming the highest U.S. elected official to visit Taiwan in 25 years
Jon Stewart and Senate Democrats, for shaming Republicans into passing legislation increasing aid for veterans affected by toxic burn pits in combat zones
Federal Judge Amit Mehta, for laughing at Trump's claim of "absolute immunity" and allowing lawsuits brought by police officers injured in the Jan. 6 riot to proceed
Kansas voters, for turning out in huge numbers to approve (59-41) a measure keeping abortion rights enshrined in the state constitution
General Michael Langley, who becomes the Marine Corps' first Black 4-star general
Finland and Sweden, as the Senate approves their application to join NATO
AG Merrick Garland, for announcing DOJ charges against corrupt police officers involved in the search warrant that led to the killing of Breonna Taylor
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:39:53 GMT -8
Who Won the Last 18 Months? (My Opinion)Even if he public isn't giving him the credit he deserves, Joe Biden is quietly kicking ass. While portrayed as too old and not tough enough, somehow things are getting done. He already has a record of domestic achievements rivaling that of Lyndon Johnson, with razor thin majorities in both houses, including Manchin and Sinema. - COVID Relief Bill - American Rescue Plan
- Successfully fighting the pandemic, with 1/3rd of the country fighting him.
- Leading the US out of a recession and creating millions of jobs. Lowest unemployment in 50 years.
- A huge infrastructure bill
- First new gun regulations in decades
- Bill to boost US domestic chip production
- Largest US investment in climate, ever
- Lowering drug cost
- Improved health care for veterans.
- Postal Service Reform Act
What about foreign policy achievements? - Killing al Qaeda Leader al-Zawarhi
- Restoring relations with our allies after previous guy
- Leading the effort to support Ukraine
Is it everything a liberal could want? No. I would love to see action on: - Voting rights
- Criminal justice reform
- Gun control
- SCOTUS reform
- Eliminating the filibuster
However, given the restraints of the current situation in Congress, I am stunned at how much he has managed to accomplish. His approval numbers may remain low, but he has my approval.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:41:53 GMT -8
What's Marco Doing?
He's Still Ahead in the Polls
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:43:46 GMT -8
Ukraine NewsA Russian opposition outlet reported that Russian forces are storing explosives and mines in and around Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and may have mined parts of the plant. Russian forces may also be firing rockets at Ukrainian positions from within or near the plant. Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks northwest of Slovyansk and east and south of Bakhmut. Russian forces conducted a series of ground attacks to attempt to break through Ukrainian defensive lines north, west, and south of Donetsk City. Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations in southern Ukraine and continued to undertake defensive measures. Ongoing Ukrainian partisan activity and civilian resistance are frustrating Russian occupation forces as Russian occupation authorities continue to prepare for the integration of occupied territories into the Russian Federation following their upcoming sham annexation referenda. Russian state media advocated for labor camps, repressions, and shooting of Ukrainian partisans and civilians that refused to cooperate with Russian-appointed officials in occupied Ukrainian territories.
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 8:47:02 GMT -8
Sweet Sue: A Beautiful Way to Con the Marks
Former President Donald Trump asked supporters Friday in his online newsletter for donations toward his “impending” lawsuit against CNN for calling his claims of voter fraud regarding the 2020 presidential election “baseless,” according to The Daily Beast.
“I’m calling on my best and most dedicated supporters to add their names to stand with me in my impending lawsuit against fake news CNN,” wrote Trump. “Add your name immediately to show your support for my upcoming lawsuit against fake news CNN.”
The email concluded with a link to Trump’s online donation portal. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has warned Trump they would stop footing his legal bills if he declared his presidential candidacy for 2024, according to ABC News.
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Post by sagobob on Aug 7, 2022 14:34:18 GMT -8
La Niña Means Continued Drought in the WestLa Niña—the cool phase of the ENSO climate pattern—influences the hurricane season, has links to springtime tornado activity, and can increase the chance of drought in some regions. The latest outlook has the odds of a La Niña three-peat this winter at close to 66 percent. mh, A few months back I read a forecast that stated the current La Nina could persist thru the end of this year, so a winter "three-peat" is new, and the consequences are most profound. Would you please identify the source of this "latest outlook"?
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Post by mhbruin on Aug 7, 2022 16:25:29 GMT -8
La Niña Means Continued Drought in the Westmh, A few months back I read a forecast that stated the current La Nina could persist thru the end of this year, so a winter "three-peat" is new, and the consequences are most profound. Would you please identify the source of this "latest outlook"? The National Weather Service
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