Interesting News, Articles & Stuff

[vapviking]

Rudy Giuliani Tries New Way To Make Money, “When I Need Energy”

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is facing numerous lawsuits related to his work for former president Donald Trump after the 2020 election, including a civil defamation case brought by two Ge

2paragraphs.com

Court orders Balance of Nature to stop sales of supplements after FDA lawsuits

Two companies behind the supplements brand Balance of Nature had flouted years of warnings, the FDA said.

www.cbsnews.com

I'm looking for another source.

This Balance of Nature stuff has allowed me keep my job and to have a robust sex life, run mini-marathons and I can remember the smallest details from all of my life -- and I'm 112!

 

[Trajectory.]

It's coming together very nicely.

The Amazon’s record-setting drought: how bad will it be?

Scientists tell Nature why the rainforest has dried out, and what to expect in the coming months.

www.nature.com

Related:

The Amazon rainforest has already reached a crucial tipping point

About 26 per cent of the Amazon rainforest has already been lost or badly degraded and without intervention the rest could transform into savannah, says a report on its status

tinyurl.com

 

[macbill]

Aardman is about to run out of clay – now the Chicken Run creators face a crisis

The British animators weave magic out of sugar, foil and plasticine – but trouble beckons on the eve of the sequel to their 2000 smash-hit

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[florduh]

The bad news? Argentina just elected a weird, psychotic, fascist President.

Argentina presidential election: far-right libertarian Javier Milei wins after rival concedes

Victory for TV celebrity turned politician catapults South America’s second-largest economy into an unpredictable future

www.theguardian.com

The good news? Elon Musk made another very funny prediction.

Here's some previous Elon predictions:

So, sounds like there are hard times ahead for Argentia.

 

[Canna Chameleon]

Well. He’s not saying fuckcombustion….

No, Snoop Dogg isn't quitting cannabis. Here's why he's 'giving up smoke'

Snoop Dogg shocked fans when he announced he was "giving up smoke." Now, he reveals his decision isn't related to cannabis.

www.usatoday.com

 

[cybrguy]

Moms for Liberty leader turns out to be a convicted sex offender

A Republican pastor who coordinates the faith-based outreach for the Philadelphia chapter of Moms for Liberty was convicted a decade ago of sexually abusing a teenage boy.Phillip Fisher Jr., who leads the Center of Universal Divinity in Olney, helps connect the right-wing group with local faith...

www.rawstory.com

 

[florduh]

Moms for Liberty leader turns out to be a convicted sex offender

A Republican pastor who coordinates the faith-based outreach for the Philadelphia chapter of Moms for Liberty was convicted a decade ago of sexually abusing a teenage boy.Phillip Fisher Jr., who leads the Center of Universal Divinity in Olney, helps connect the right-wing group with local faith...

www.rawstory.com

At this point, if anyone spends any amount of time crying about trans people and "the gays"...I just assume they're pedophiles until proven otherwise. Much safer that way. The people who want to do "dick and pussy checks" on every child athlete? Who coulda seen this coming?!

Most Americans have no problem with gay people. And while most Americans may not yet be totally comfortable with trans people, they find the people crying about them to be far more weird and off-putting than trans people themselves.

And I'm not even referencing polling data. I'm talking about actual elections. Republicans have lost numerous recent elections because they keep listening to certified freaks like "Moms for Liberty". Keep it up, fellas!

School Board elections deliver losses for Moms for Liberty, culture wars - UPI.com

Moms for Liberty-endorsed school board candidates largely fell flat in recent elections across the country, signaling a rejection of book bans and culture wars in the sphere of education.

www.upi.com

 

[GetLeft]

So, sounds like there are hard times ahead for Argentia.

Sadly, times have been hard for Argentina for 60+ yrs. thanks in large part to U.S. meddling and the World Bank. Not saying it doesn't take two to tango but when you're tangoing with the U.S. best to be paying attention to your open step (and your back).

 

[florduh]

Sadly, times have been hard for Argentina for 60+ yrs.

Sorry, I should've said times will be even harder with this weirdo at the helm.

thanks in large part to U.S. meddling and the World Bank.

Oh, shit. Bringing up the IMF around me is like dangling catnip in front of a cat. The whole Argentina debacle reminded me of this book.

There's a Parenti quote that goes something like... "the third world isn't poor. You don't go to poor countries to make money. Only the people are poor." Funny how that works!

Good primer on "Economic Hitmen":

If you're unfamiliar with Milei, John Oliver did a good primer on him recently:

While this situation will be awful for the people of Argentina, there is a silver lining. In about 12 or 18 months, any time a libertarian starts running their mouth, you'll be able to say "lol, sure bud...look at Argentina".

 

[florduh]

Ex-Obama Adviser’s ‘Vile’ Islamophobic Rant Caught on Camera

“Did you rape your daughter like Mohammed did?” Stuart Seldowitz asked a halal vendor in New York City, at one point calling him a “terrorist.”

www.thedailybeast.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1726986614591885484

This guy won numerous awards from the State Department.

You know, I gotta wonder. With Liberals like these...who even needs fascists?

 

[Farid]

I hate to say it, but that "Bill Maher" brand of racism is par for the course. In many ways I find it more hateful than a lot of the racism of the Bush years because it seems more personally directed.

What's more disturbing is the fact that he is threatening to try and have the man's parents tortured. Thankfully Egyptian authorities would not give a rats ass about this guy - especially in today's climate...

 

[macbill]

Today is the 60th Anniversary of JFK's Death

Last surviving witnesses of JFK assassination share memories on 60th anniversary

Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself…

www.france24.com

 

[florduh]

I hate to say it, but that "Bill Maher" brand of racism is par for the course. In many ways I find it more hateful than a lot of the racism of the Bush years because it seems more personally directed.

I guess it shouldn't be surprising, but this scumbag was a highly decorated State Department diplomat. His entire job was to be...diplomatic.

He was also an Obama National Security Advisor. Really glad this dude was in Barack's ear as he was vaporizing hundreds of civilians (including American citizens) with his drone strikes.

Obama says 'took no joy' in drone strikes but 'couldn't afford to look soft on terrorism'

"It was my responsibility to make sure our operations were as effective as possible," the former US president says.

www.dawn.com

Obama said he couldn't afford to look "soft" on terrorism, or the Republicans would call him a pussy. So he murdered more civilians than he technically had to.

And guess what? It worked! Republicans were very impressed with Barack's manliness, and never once called him a terrorist loving pussy! Mission accomplished!

Phew.... I'd hate to think we burned hundreds of innocent people alive for absolutely nothing!

I'm so glad I wake up every morning as an American! One of the Good Guys.

Can you imagine being Chinese? LMAO! You wake up every morning saying "Awwww, jeez. Awwww fuck!! I'm one of the Bad Guys?? What bad luck! This sucks "

Today is the 60th Anniversary of JFK's Death

Last surviving witnesses of JFK assassination share memories on 60th anniversary

Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself…

www.france24.com

You know, they say: everyone could tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they found out Kennedy had been shot. With one exception...former President George HW Bush.

Now... CIA documents say there was a George W Bush in Dallas in 11/22/63. But let's not jump to any conclusions. Turns out it wasn't the George Bush who would later become CIA Director. Common name, I guess!

It's important that we don't draw too many conclusions about George Bush's smirking at the "lone gunman theory". After all, it's funny stuff! Sometimes one crazy guy with numerous ties to the intelligence community kills the President! LOL, amirite?!

Plus. George was at Gerry Ford's funeral. Funerals are famously giggle-fests! Or maybe he was just thinking about that Chevy Chase Ford impression on SNL!

 

[macbill]

Judge finds evidence that Tesla, Musk knew about Autopilot defect

A Florida judge found "reasonable evidence" that Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk and other managers knew the automaker's vehicles had a defective Autopilot system but still allowed the cars to be driven unsafely, according to a ruling.

www.reuters.com

 

[Abele Rizieri Ferrari]

In a shock for Europe, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders records a massive win in Dutch elections

The far-right, anti-Islam candidate's win is one of the biggest political upsets in Dutch politics since World War II.

apnews.com

Mammoth victory for far right party PVV in my home country Netherlands.

 

[Canna Chameleon]

Daryl Hall files lawsuit and restraining order against bandmate John Oates | US news | The Guardian

Pop rock duo Hall & Oates are embroiled in a confidential lawsuit, with court documents detailing the case sealed

amp.theguardian.com

 

[vapviking]

Today is the 60th Anniversary of JFK's Death

Last surviving witnesses of JFK assassination share memories on 60th anniversary

Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself…

www.france24.com

I was 12 years old when this happened.
I am certain that no single event since has been felt by everyone in the country like this one was.
We all saw the same coverage of Camelot Lost in an instant, then almost immediately we all saw the 'perpetrator' shot.

I have not made a study of all the background and static over it, but Rob Reiner has studied it since it happened, and has a 10 episode podcast coming that he says will answer the big questions about the JFK assassination.

 

[cybrguy]

I was 12 years old when this happened.
I am certain that no single event since has been felt by everyone in the country like this one was.

I was only 9, and I was home for lunch watching Bozo's Circus when they broke in to tell us. I lived only a block and a half from the school. When I got back to school they immediately called an assembly, told us what happened, and sent us all home. I can't remember exactly how meaningful and upsetting the actual event was for me, but the attention applied to it for the next several weeks was very meaningful. At 9, the full significance of the assassination itself may have been lost on me, but certainly not the attention adults and older peers paid to it.

 

[macbill]

Blame Canada

A population of hard-to-eradicate ‘super pigs’ in Canada is threatening to invade the US

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and other northern states are making preparations to stop an invasion of wild pigs from Canada.

apnews.com

 

[Canna Chameleon]

Blame Canada

A population of hard-to-eradicate ‘super pigs’ in Canada is threatening to invade the US

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and other northern states are making preparations to stop an invasion of wild pigs from Canada.

apnews.com

May I suggest a solution?

3 Easy Ways to Make Any Wild Hog Delicious

A lot of folks get nervous when you start throwing wild pig into the dinner table conversation. Log onto any hunting forum and the majority of people will say they don’t bother eating hogs for any number of reasons—smell, taste, unfounded rumors, you name it. It’s simply the majority mindset, or...

www.themeateater.com

 

[Madtater]

Blame Canada

A population of hard-to-eradicate ‘super pigs’ in Canada is threatening to invade the US

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and other northern states are making preparations to stop an invasion of wild pigs from Canada.

apnews.com

Happening at the southern border too.

 

[florduh]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1727889381309239731

Here's a video of Elon promising full self driving cars "next year", every year, from 2014-2022. As you can see in the video above, it clearly didn't happen in 2023 either.

This is the guy predicting that "prosperity is ahead" for Argentina, lol.

 

[Canna Chameleon]

This is exactly why SAF-AFTRA struck.

An agency created an AI model who earns up to $11,000 a month because it was tired of influencers 'who have egos'

Aitana López is a Spanish AI model and influencer with 124,000 followers on Instagram. She was created by a Barcelona-based agency.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[CANtalk]

Donald Trump's lawyers say that false statements are free speech

In a written submission, Trump's lawyers relied heavily on a 2012 Supreme Court decision saying that the First Amendment defends a person's right to lie.

www.newsweek.com

 

[florduh]

This is exactly why SAF-AFTRA struck.

Yep. They were more concerned about studios stealing the likenesses of real human actors and profiting off of them. But eventually, there will be nothing to stop them from inventing new AI "actors" out of whole cloth.

I just watched the new Top Gun movie for the first time this week. It's a movie about how hotshot fighter pilots are about to go extinct. Replaced by drones. But....not QUITE yet. The Top Guns are getting together for one last mission drones aren't yet capable of.

I could not shake the feeling while watching it....that this movie isn't REALLY about fighter pilots going extinct. No. It's a movie about Movie Stars going extinct. But just before AI Actors are ready for prime time, we get to go on one last kick-ass cinematic ride with maybe the world's last great human movie star, Tom Cruise.

And then I see this shit...

OpenAI researchers warned board of AI breakthrough ahead of CEO ouster, sources say

Ahead of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s four days in exile, several staff researchers wrote a letter to the board of directors warning of a powerful artificial intelligence discovery that they said could threaten humanity, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

www.reuters.com

My feeling on AI hype is usually that it's bullshit marketing. "Our software is so good it's DANGEROUS!" But maybe I'm wrong?