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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:37:20 GMT -8
Pirates struggle to finish the alphabet. They get lost at C
Japanese Just Can't Hold Their Liquor
J.R. Majewski — a QAnon-promoting rapper who lost a congressional race against Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) last year and is now running for a rematch after changing his mind about dropping out — wants voters to know that a drunk driving charge he faced while deployed overseas by the Air Force didn't really count.
Majewski, who is receiving endorsements from key Ohio Republicans like Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Sen. J.D. Vance, was dogged throughout his previous run by allegations that he lied about his military service, claiming to be a "combat veteran" deployed to Afghanistan, when military documents showed he worked unloading planes on a base in Qatar.
He has since claimed these allegations are debunked, providing as proof a Breitbart article revealing that the Air Force retroactively corrected his service record to award him the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. But this medal was not actually for combat, and he would have been eligible for this award even in a support role.
But Majewski's campaign was also blemished by another scandal — he had claimed during the campaign he was demoted a rank for getting into a dormitory fight, when in reality records show he was arrested for drunk driving off-base while deployed in Japan.
And on Tuesday, when confronted about this on X by a Republican voter, he had a ready explanation.
"My BAC was 0.05. I got the DUI because Japan's BAC was 0.03. Had I been on base, no DUI," wrote Majewski.
Many others were quick to point out that, aside from this not being an explanation for why he tried to cover up the incident, U.S. servicemembers are always expected to follow the laws of the host country when off-base.
"You were driving off base while over the legal limit according to host nation laws," said one commenter. "Host nation laws take precedence when you are off base, thus the on base rules don't apply to you. Don't drink and drive, and stop lying."
"No it's cool, I only broke the law of the host country, not like an actual law," said another.
I Suppose This is a Better Defense Than "If I Hit Someone Driving Drunk, At Least I Wouldn't Be Killing Americans".
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:40:04 GMT -8
I Find This Story Laughable. What Does That Say About Me?
New research published in Europe’s Journal of Psychology has found connections between different types of humor and mental health. The study indicates that while benevolent humor, characterized by kind-hearted jokes and good-natured teasing, is linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, darker forms of humor, such as cynicism and irony, are linked to aspects of emotional distress. Over the past 40 years, the academic community has increasingly recognized humor as a crucial element in coping strategies, helping individuals to distance themselves from their problems, and thereby increasing positive emotions and reducing tension. However, despite the universality of humor, its multifaceted nature – encompassing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components – has made it a complex subject for researchers. This complexity sparked the researchers’ curiosity, leading them to investigate how different styles of humor relate to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. Eight comic styles were examined, each representing a unique approach to humor. These included “Fun,” characterized by light-heartedness and joy; “Humor,” which focuses on gently poking fun at life’s quirks; “Nonsense,” reveling in absurdity and illogic; “Wit,” marked by intellectual sharpness and cleverness; “Irony,” where the said is often opposite to the meant, requiring a nuanced understanding; “Satire,” used for social critique through ridicule; “Sarcasm,” a more biting and direct form of verbal irony; and “Cynicism,” which embodies skepticism and a mocking attitude towards societal norms. Your type of humor might say something about your risk of depression and anxietyWhat Does it Mean if You Tell Dad Jokes? How About "Yo Mama" Jokes?
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:43:00 GMT -8
Is Amazon on the Hook For These?
Spy cameras disguised as clothes hooks are for sale on Amazon, despite the firm being sued over the gadgets.
One clothes hook camera listing seen by the BBC features a picture of the device positioned in a bathroom.
A US judge recently ruled the retail giant must face a case brought by a woman who alleges she was filmed in the bathroom using a clothes hook camera purchased on Amazon.
A privacy expert has said the misuse of such devices may break British laws.
Amazon declined to comment on the issue.
The US legal action against the company was brought by a foreign exchange student and aspiring actress.
She alleges that while staying in a West Virginia home and still a child she was surreptitiously recorded in the bathroom using a camera disguised as a clothes hook, which she says was purchased on Amazon.
The man alleged to have been responsible is facing trial.
What is the Legitimate Use for These?
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:46:23 GMT -8
Stupid Lawyers. The Victims were Threatend with ACTUAL DEATH
Giuliani Lawyer Says Georgia Election Workers' Damages Demand Amounts To 'Death Penalty'
Lawyers for two Georgia election workers played audio recordings in a Washington courtroom Monday of graphic and racist threats the two women received after Rudy Giuliani falsely accused them of fraud while pushing Donald Trump’s baseless claims after the 2020 election.
The recordings were part of the opening statements in a federal case that will determine how much Giuliani might have to pay the women.
The former New York City mayor has already been found liable in the defamation lawsuit brought by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, who endured threats and harassment after they became the target of a conspiracy theory spread by Trump and his allies. The only issue to be determined at the trial is the amount of damages, if any, Giuliani must pay.
The women’s lawyers estimated that reputational damages could reach $47 million, and suggested emotional and punitive damages on top of that could be “tens of millions.”
Giuliani’s lawyer said any award should be much less.
The recordings played by the lawyers Monday included threats accusing the women of treason and threatening to hang them.
"Actual Death" is not the Same As "Legitimate Rape".
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:52:12 GMT -8
Cruelty Toward Women: It's the Law
Texas' Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a woman who sued for an emergency abortion in her home state, overturning a lower court’s ruling last week.
Kate Cox, 31, filed a lawsuit after she said she was denied an abortion for a pregnancy with a severe anomaly.
In its opinion, released Monday night, the Texas Supreme Court acknowledged that Cox’s pregnancy "has been extremely complicated" and "parents would be devastated to learn of their unborn child’s trisomy 18 diagnosis." In its opinion, though, the judges wrote that "some difficulties in pregnancy, however, even serious ones, do not pose the heightened risks to the mother the exception encompasses. The exception requires a doctor to decide whether Ms. Cox’s difficulties pose such risks. [Cox’s doctor] asked a court to pre-authorize the abortion yet she could not, or at least did not, attest to the court that Ms. Cox’s condition poses the risks the exception requires."
MORE: Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling that allowed woman emergency abortion
Earlier on Monday, Cox was reportedly leaving the state to get care, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is representing her.
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:55:39 GMT -8
Sports Build Character.
A high school basketball coach in Texas is recovering from injuries suffered after being attacked by one of his players who he had benched during a game earlier in the evening, police say.
The assault took place on the night of Dec. 5 at approximately 9:52 p.m. when the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Texas sent deputies to Willis High School in reference to an assault that occurred in the school’s parking lot, according to a statement released by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in regard to the incident.
MORE: 3 fast-food workers arrested over extensive theft ring allegedly run out of their chicken restaurant
“According to the victim, who is a coach for Willis Independent School District, he was assaulted by several individuals, including a student … when they returned to the school after the Willis and Conroe game,” authorities said. “According to the coach, [the student] was benched at the game due to his behavior toward an opposing team player, which infuriated [the student] and his family.”
Police say that when the unnamed coach returned to the high school, the student and his family were waiting in the parking lot. The coach subsequently went into the school but when he came out the student and his family were still there which is when the assault took place.
They Just Don't Always Build Good Character
Turkish authorities on Tuesday arrested the president of top-flight soccer club after he punched a referee in the face at the end of match, prompting the Turkish Football Federation to suspend all league games.
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca attacked referee Halil Umut Meler on the pitch late Monday after the final whistle, following a 1-1 draw in a Super Lig game against Caykur Rizespor.
The referee, who fell to the ground, was also kicked in a melee that occurred after fans also invaded the pitch after Rizespor scored a last-minute equalizer.
The federation announced it suspended all league games indefinitely after an emergency meeting held to discuss the violence.
Meler was hospitalized with a slight fracture near his eye but was not in a serious condition. He was expected to be discharged on Wednesday.
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:57:05 GMT -8
Because We All Want More Robo Calls
Democrat Shamaine Daniels is running for Congress, eyeing a seat held by Trump-aligned Republican Representative Scott Perry, who played a key role challenging the 2020 election results.
Daniels, who lost to Perry by less than 10 points last year, hopes a new weapon will help her underdog candidacy: Ashley, an artificial intelligence campaign volunteer.
Ashley is not your typical robocaller; none of her responses are canned or pre-recorded. Her creators, who intend to mainly work with Democratic campaigns and candidates, say she is the first political phone banker powered by generative AI technology similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. She is capable of having an infinite number of customized one-on-one conversations at the same time.
Ashley is one of the first examples of how generative AI is ushering in a new era of political campaigning in which candidates use technology to engage with voters in ways increasingly difficult to track.
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 9:59:58 GMT -8
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He Goes Directly to SCOTUS. He Does Not Pass "Go". He Doesn't Collect $200.
Trump appealed a decision by the trial court saying that he was immune from criminal prosecution for acts taken as President as the first remedy for illegal acts by the President is impeachment and conviction by the Senate, and any action that was not subject to conviction by the Senate would not be subject to criminal prosecution.
To prevent further delay, Smith’s prosecutors asked the Supreme Court to step in and take this appeal from the appellate court to speed up the process.
They agreed to be briefed on this and gave TFG’s lawyers 9 days to argue why they should NOT hear the case.
The Court rules stipulate that at least 5 justices agreed to hear this. (4 Justices can agree to hear a case, but 5 have to agree to hear a motion)
So it can go two ways.
1. They meet at Conference on 1/5/2024 and agree to hear the claim of Presidential immunity and finalize this point once and for all
2. They decline to hear it, and send it back down to the Appeals court and make them rule on it, with the caveat that Trump can appeal the appellate court ruling back to SCOTUS.
In any event, which way it will go should probably be known by 1/9/2024 or 1/10/2024.
Monopoly Needs to Be Adjusted for Inflation. Where Can You Buy a House for $200 or Less in Real Life?
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Post by mhbruin on Dec 12, 2023 10:01:52 GMT -8
Prisoner of His Own Device
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Elon Musk posted a question on his X social media platform (formerly Twitter) asking President Joe Biden about the status of an American journalist supposedly being held as a political prisoner in Ukraine.
Except Gonzalo Lira is not a journalist. He’s a prolific YouTube poster who started his career as misogynistic pickup artist “Coach Red Pill.” Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lira remade himself as a fan of Vladimir Putin, cheerleader for the Russian invasion, and critic of the West. In May, Lira was arrested in Ukraine for producing pro-Russian propaganda.
Musk has been eager to help Russia, so it’s no surprise that he jumped in to elevate Lira’s story. What is surprising is that Musk now finds himself in a war not against Ukraine, but against his site’s own readers and moderation system.
Since his arrest, Coach Red Pill has become a hero of the pro-Russian right. On Saturday, fired Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson made Lira the focus of his “show” on X and claimed that Lira was being tortured for criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
As The Daily Beast reported, Lira’s actions in Ukraine included following reporters to their hotels and publishing their locations. He justified his actions by saying, “Everybody who works at the mainstream media is by definition a piece of shit.” He made videos supporting false Russian claims that America had secret biological warfare labs in Ukraine, videos that claimed that Ukrainian cities had been destroyed because Ukraine was shelling itself, and many simply praising Putin and the supposed brilliance of the Russian invasion over what he falsely called the neo-Nazi regime in charge of Ukraine. Lira was eventually arrested following videos in which he denied Russian war crimes as well as reports that he had attempted to film the location of Ukrainian soldiers.
Lira’s arrest took place in the beleaguered city of Kharkiv, which has been subject to years of Russian shelling and missile attacks. He’s now being held in a pretrial facility, and his next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
That a consistently pro-Russian ass like Carlson would defend Lira isn’t surprising. It’s even less surprising that Musk would jump in without understanding the slightest thing about the story. After all, elevating right-wing conspiracy theories is Musk’s signature move—that and blaming everything on Jews.
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