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Republicans at that level of power — and often lower down the politician chain — apparently care first and foremost about protecting the super rich from having to help society, and related to that, letting corporations use and abuse Americans and their health as much as they wish. These Republicans may also have a stro... |
The absurd robbing of the poor and middle class to give to the rich, and the chronically obsessive hypocrisy, are so insane that you have to either be massively misinformed or totally idiotic to vote for Republicans for Congress and the presidency. |
Yes, there are Democrats with political power that also shouldn’t have it, but “a few bad apples” is not the same as having a party platform that attacks common Americans’ bank accounts, health, and basic rights. |
Anyhow, let’s get into the idiocy a little bit. |
First of all, these people voted for a blatantly idiotic conspiracy theorist, a guy who claimed for years that the US president was not born in the USA, was a Muslim, and hated America. This guy thinks asbestos is safe and the only reason it’s no longer allowed is because of some Mafia-linked conspiracy. This guy has c... |
And then there are blatant, real conspiracies Republican leaders are involved in, which they hardly bother to conceal, and which voters somehow fall for. In a totally unprecedented move, Republicans in Congress wouldn’t let President Obama put a new Supreme Court Justice in place after Justice Scalia died. Absurd. Horr... |
In another case of absolute hypocrisy, Republicans were incessantly obsessed with a complete non-scandal — Hillary Clinton using a private server — and now they don’t care that Russia hacked our electoral process in order to get Trump elected (as confirmed by the USA’s intelligence agencies), that Trump and his family ... |
Then you’ve got the whole health care scandal. Trump and Republicans keep lying to the American public about Obamacare. The flat-out lie. They are gutting the health care policy in order to shift money from normal and poor people to the super rich. It’s a thinly disguised tax cut for the rich that hurts everyone else. ... |
The problem is, the full facts of the case seldom get to Republican voters, and when they do, these voters would rather block out inconvenient information than question if their entire premise may be wrong. After all, if you’re a blood brother, it’s better to side with your fellow gang members than admit any mistakes o... |
Then we get to the US military — the most over-inflated military in the history of the world, bigger than the next 7–8 nations’ militaries combined — and Trump wants to massively cut essentially everything else in the US government budget to jack it up much more. Insane. Ridiculous. And how great nations fall — by focu... |
But this is the thing — Trump (and many other Republicans) respect dictatorial, murderous, warmongering strong men over thoughtful moderation and moral life. Trump has praised and provided invitations to the most notorious murderers at the heads of government. The irony of a “pro life” and supposedly “pro democracy” pr... |
It’s also not too surprising but still completely absurd that every time attention is putting on completely unprecedented hidden information (like Trump’s tax returns) and potential corruption, he distracts with something that gets the media focused on a less threatening (for Trump) story — like North Korea, Syria, or ... |
Unfortunately, the lying, baiting, and hypocrisy run deep in the Republican Party. |
But hey, don’t be too brought down by the game. |
EXPRESS SPORT looks at the most controversial transfers that could possibly happen in January involving Premier League clubs. |
Diego Costa has long been linked with a return to Spain with Atletico Madrid, having publicly spoken of his affiliation with the club. |
And his relationship with boss Diego Simeone remains strong, even since his move to Chelsea in 2014. |
However, the potential for a switch back to Atletico is wearing thinner, especially with the striker flourishing under Antonio Conte at Chelsea this season. |
The Blues want to open talks over a new contract in the New Year, and Costa is now happy at Stamford Bridge. |
If he agrees to an extension, talk can finally end over a return to La Liga. |
Arsene Wenger is desperately hoping to tie Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez down to a new contract. |
But the Chilean's wage demands have left his future in north London in doubt, and Premier League rivals are ready to swoop. |
Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is keen on a reunion at Manchester City, while Conte could reportedly turn to Sanchez to bolster Chelsea's attacking threat. |
The 28-year-old's contract expires in 2018, meaning Arsenal may yet be forced to sell beforehand to ensure they don't lose him for free, even though Wenger insists that won't happen. |
While Rodriguez could head for Stamford Bridge, Madrid are keen to lure Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the opposite direction. |
The Belgium international has been a long-term target of the La Liga giants, who failed to land David De Gea in the summer of 2015. |
Courtois’ representatives and Chelsea have apparently not given Madrid any indication the shot-stopper wants to join. |
However, the chance to become Zidane’s No.1 at the Bernabeu ahead of Keylor Navas may prove tempting, despite Chelsea’s ongoing push for the Premier League title. |
“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. |
Today I am tired. I worry about the work that needs to get done, the food that needs to be cooked and the laundry that needs to be washed. There are letters to be written, animals that need to be cared for, errands to run. |
My mind is full of chaos and worry. So I carefully dodge the traffic and walk across the busy street from my office to the park. |
This park is simply an athletic field of mown grass, not meant for meditation or peaceful contemplation. With the exception of short grass, the field is barren. |
I begin to wander around the edge of the field. I feel my mind going back to the day’s concerns and things I need to do. Here begins my journey of mindfulness, a deliberate way to clear my mind and be fully present in the moment. |
As I stand in the field, I use my senses of sight and sound and smell and feeling to crowd out concerns and worries. |
I look to the edges of the field and notice the thick boundary of dense growth I cannot see through. There are wild bushes and vines, trees and flowers. Stoic blue cornflowers. Delicate Queen Anne’s lace. Yellow daisy blooms and massive waist high thistles. |
There are small alcoves within these plants and trees. I have to duck down to see them, but once in, there is a gentle peacefulness, small spaces that feel secure and magical. The sheltered cove is a small refuge of sorts from traffic and noise and chaos. At the very back of this refuge is a tall chainlink fence, the o... |
I walk on, and again I notice unwanted thoughts creeping in. It is hard to stay in the moment and push out the concerns of the day. |
In response, I tune into the birds that surround me in the thicket. I try to focus on each individual sound. I recognize the call of a cardinal and a red winged black bird, the annoyingly loud noise of cicadas. I hear the traffic beyond the protective radius of nature. |
When my mind starts to fill with problems, I focus on my sense of smell. It’s the season for honeysuckle, and I breathe it in. I identify mown grass and the exhaust of the truck in the parking lot. I smell the dirt and the mud, the earthly fragrances. |
Evey time a troubling or worrisome thought invades, I notice it and then let it go. Like a wave on the beach, I watch it come and leave. |
I fill my mind with my sense of feeling. I use my hands to touch the bark of a branch and the prick of a thistle. My feet sink into the muddy grass. I walk in the woods and feel the hard, compact soil. I step on branches. I feel spider webs across my face and try to brush them off. |
When my mind is busy, I tune into the things around me to feel centered. By deliberately singling out my senses of smell, hearing, sight, and feeling, I force my thoughts away from the busy and worrisome ideas floating in my head. |
In the end, concern about paperwork that is due is replaced by focusing on each leaf of the vines. My internal debate about what to cook for dinner is shut out when I intensely listen to the birds and cicadas and even to my own quiet heartbeat. When my mind goes back to the daily aggravations, to-dos, and stresses, I m... |
I leave calmer. Happier. Centered. I end with the quote I began with, from Benjamin Franklin. |
And so now, today, I choose to push away my troubles and stay in the gorgeous warmth of the sunlight. |
Latham Centers, Inc., a leading non-profit agency for the treatment of children and adults with emotional, developmental and physical disabilities hosted its 2011 Annual Meeting and Year-End celebration on their Brewster campus last Friday. |
The 2011 celebration entitled “Building Our Circle of Courage”, featured special presentations by Latham Board Chair Keith W. Bradley, staff and students. Highlights included the announcement of the Roy T. Morgan Community and Staff Awards and the McClennan Award for Staff Excellence. |
The Morgan Award, named after the late Rhode Island philanthropist Roy T. Morgan, acknowledges individuals who have made a significant contribution to the work of Latham Centers and the children and adults the agency serves. The nominees’ performance and achievements reflect leadership and commitment to the high princi... |
2011 community recipients of the Morgan Awards are Charlie Sumner, Brewster Town Administrator; Janice Baltrushunas of Capewood Labrador Retrievers in Dennis; and Bob and Kris Thompson of Great Hill Farm in East Sandwich. |
Mr. Sumner ran his first marathon at age 55 last Halloween to fundraise for the children of Latham School. In his professional role as Brewster Town Manager, he has also worked closely with Latham staff and administration to advance the school’s mission to educate and treat some 45 resident students annually with varyi... |
Ms. Balrushunas works with several Latham students at her kennel, training them to clean and care for the dogs at Capewood Labrador Retrievers. Her support, understanding, and high expectations assist Latham individuals to learn and develop important skills and prepare for possible careers in animal care. |
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the lead trainers of Latham’s highly innovated Asinotherapy program, based in East Sandwich. The Thompsons work with Latham individuals on the care of two resident miniature donkeys owned by Latham in addition to general Donkey Training. Similar to equine therapy, this innovate program provide... |
The Morgan staff award for Latham Children’s Services is awarded to Melissa Weber, a Latham employee since 2002. Weber has worked in various capacities as a teacher’s aide, a child care worker, and presently as the school’s Behavior Specialist. Melissa’s compassion, and her ability to temper firmness with kindness, cre... |
The Morgan staff award for Latham Adult Services is presented to Helene Delaney, an outstanding employee of Latham Centers for nearly eight years, both in the Children’s and the Adult Programs. She currently works weekends in the Supported Adult Independent Living (SAIL) program. SAIL provides young adults with hands-o... |
The 2011 Mr. McClennan Award, named after the late William A. McClennan, a longtime Latham volunteer fundraiser, recognizes outstanding contributions by support and administrative staff who assist in Latham’s Children’s and Adult Programs. The recipients’ performance and achievements reflect strong leadership and commi... |
The 2011 recipient is Missy Adle, Latham Scheduling Supervisor. In addition to her hectic and challenging scheduling duties, Ms. Adle volunteers on a regular basis to go the extra mile with weekend, holiday and fundraising activities on behalf of Latham. She has served the agency with caring and competence for 17 years... |
The mission of Latham Centers Inc. is to assist emotionally and developmentally challenged children and adults to achieve their potential as responsible members of their community. Founded in 1970, Latham serves on average 100 adults and children annually from its Brewster Children’s campus and multiple adult group hom... |
Today, Latham is internationally recognized for its expertise and success in working with individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome a rare genetic disorder with no known cure. More than 40% of our residents are diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, while others present bi-polar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, and R... |
Latham’s residential population largely hails from Massachusetts and New England, but the agency also serves individuals from as far away as Alaska and France. Also approved as a private needs school by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, and the Department of Early Education and Care, Latham Center... |
Recently, Iran has had many protests, so the government has attempted to cut-off protesters by controlling the Internet. But their attempt to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the outside world has been less than successful. |
How is Iran attempting to control the Internet in their country? |
Using a similar approach to the “Great Firewall of China” (a term for the attempts by the Chinese government to control what their citizens have access to), Iran has blocked access to many popular social media sites. By implementing these blocks, Iran hopes to restrict the protesters access to information which allows ... |
In trying to control the Internet what social media sites has Iran blocked? |
With Facebook and Twitter already restricted in Iran since 2009 their focus has moved to other networks such as Telegram and Lantern. Telegram is described as “a cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app with a focus on security and speed.” Much like WhatsApp, Telegram allows users to communicate with each other ins... |
How are the people working to defeat Iran’s attempt to control the Internet? |
Using “Circumvention tools” Internet users are able to bypass many of the blocks. These tools have been around for a long time (in Internet years) but have been growing in capability and sophistication in recent years. Of the numerous methods to get around blocks is through encryption and masking of data – say making a... |
Overall, Iran’s attempt to control the Internet is proving unsuccessful. People want free access to information and are willing to figure out how to work around blocks to get to it. This is proving to cause an ongoing battle. As the government blocks information the people find a way to access it. |
Even pop culture icons have their moments! Oprah Winfrey is returning to the acting world in her lead role as Deborah Lacks in the upcoming movie based on a true story, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. |
So now that she’s dipped her toes back into the acting world, will Oprah continue to take on new roles? |
“I like it and will probably see if I can do more of it, but I was intimidated, there was no question about that and I don't get intimidated easily but this intimidated me a little bit,” she admitted. |
The HBO film premieres later this month, and Winfrey admits she has just one regret ahead of its small screen debut. |
Oprah’s co-stars all praised her performance and noted that the former talk show host is secretly funny. |
“It's true! And they are telling the truth. I cannot be funny on the spot, but if you ever spend more than 10 minutes with me privately, it would be, you would be on the floor in hysterics,” she insisted. |
As for her dream comedy co-star? |
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks premieres on April 22 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO. For more from the premiere, watch the clip below! |
The two-volume, 448-page report recounts how the president repeatedly sought to take control of the Russia probe. |
The authority has told the commissioners it can no longer shoulder the burden of its $4.28 million debt. It's hoping the county can. |
But with litigation ongoing, nothing can be approved yet. |
Twenty years after killings, area schools, police and mental health professionals work together to identify threats, develop strategies to prevent violence. |
The Office of State Inspector General has agreed to look into whether the Department of Human Services acted properly in its handling of the Grace Packer case. |
Letter: Does Trump message apply to all migrants? |
Alma J. Lee, 98, of Fostoria, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at Independence House, Fostoria. |
She was born Sept. 6, 1920, in Perry Township, to Jacob B. and Mary C. (Burns) Gase. She married Paul B. Lee Oct. 1, 1942. |
Surviving are two sons, Gerald (Vicki) Lee of Spring, Texas, and John Lee of Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. |
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Lucille Foster and Ann Schetter. |
Visitation will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Feb.11, at Hoening Funeral Home, 242 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria. |
Her service begins at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Todd Dominique presiding. Burial will follow in St. Wendelin Cemetery. |
Memorials are suggested the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Bridge Hospice or St. Wendelin Church. |
PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines—As the C130 plane carrying Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. and his entourage touched down here, the AFP chief saw for himself the crumbling airstrip that badly needs repair. |
“I congratulate the pilot because the runway is very short so we’re always at the tip of the runway when we’re about to land or stop. I congratulate the pilot who is very good in landing,” he later told reporters during his visit last Monday. |
The 1.3 kilometer dilapidated airstrip called Rancudo airfield needs improvement since both of its sides have slowly eroded in recent years. |
“It’s quite a short runway so it only justifies that we have to improve this runway because it is very difficult to land,” Catapang said. |
An Air Force official said big planes such as the C130 transport plane could make landings in airstrips like Rancudo, but a longer runway would also mean better safety margin. |
“It also helps that our Air Force pilots have become proficient,” he said. |
A longer runway would also let planes abort take offs when there is a need. |
So far, there have been no recent cases of Air Force or Navy planes overshooting the runway in Pag-asa. |
Catapang’s visit in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) was a first for a military chief in recent years, and Catapang is the first AFP chief to do so under the Aquino administration. |
Pag-asa (Thitu) Island is the biggest of the nine occupied territories of the Philippines. It is the second largest in the whole of Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys). |
Catapang’s visit also comes at a time when China is aggressively pursuing its reclamation activities in the disputed seas. |
China has been reportedly doing massive construction activities in at least seven areas in the disputed seas. |
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