Political Venom

Friday, September 13, 2019

'National tragedy': Trump begins border wall construction in Unesco reserve

Reason #5,492 to despise Trump:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/border-wall-organ-pipe-cactus-arizona

Thursday, September 12, 2019

EPA Makes Rollback Of Clean Water Rules Official, Repealing 2015 Protections

More irresponsible and childish behavior:

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/12/760203456/epa-makes-rollback-of-clean-water-rules-official-repealing-2015-protections

Hello From the Year 2050. We Avoided the Worst of Climate Change — But Everything Is Different

But here's probably the best we can hope for if we get our shit together (not including any special advancing technologies):

https://time.com/5669022/climate-change-2050/

What It’s Like Living in One of the Hottest Cities on Earth—Where It May Soon Be Uninhabitable

This is scary. Out front of my house temperatures can hit 118 degrees F a few times during the summer. Fortunately it's much cooler out back:

https://time.com/longform/jacobabad-extreme-heat/

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Study Finds Political Conservatives Make the Best Investors

Finally, something good about conservatives! Surprisingly, their investment strategies are not what you'd expect (although I have to say I'm both a progressive and a risky investor):

https://scitechdaily.com/study-finds-political-conservatives-make-the-best-investors/

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Some State GOP Parties Are Canceling Their Primaries. Here's Why It May Not Protect President Trump

I had no idea canceling primaries was a regular thing--for both parties:

https://time.com/5672551/gop-canceling-primaries-trump/

Trump Admin Leading ‘Brazen’ Public Land Liquidation In Alaska, Analysis Finds

A politician who denies climate change needs to be kicked out:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/analysis-alaska-public-lands-trump_n_5d76bffde4b07521023154ce

CIA reportedly removed top spy from Russia over fear of retaliation — and maybe Trump

The CIA couldn't trust Trump not to be a traitor:

https://www.vox.com/2019/9/9/20856915/cnn-trump-russia-spy-putin-cia

Monday, September 9, 2019

Trump's New Math: Inside the Plan to Flip Blue States in 2020

But there IS still the possibility he'll get reelected. Here's his plan:

https://time.com/5669093/trump-election-campaign-democratic-states-2020/

Trump Family Is Building ‘Dynasty’ To Last ‘Decades,’ Says Campaign Manager

Unless Trump becomes a dictator, there's not a fart's chance in a hurricane this will happen:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-family-dynasty-decades-campaign-manager_n_5d75611be4b064513570273b

NOAA Warned Staffers Not To Contradict Trump On Hurricane Dorian

It appears NOAA was forced to support Trump's lie:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/noaa-contradicting-trump-dorian-alabama_n_5d753853e4b07521022e541a

Suicide Rates Soaring in America, Especially in Rural Areas

My take on this is that Republicans are already facing a serious demographic shrinkage, and this isn't going to help them:

https://scitechdaily.com/suicide-rates-soaring-in-america-especially-in-rural-areas/

Sunday, September 8, 2019

'He's losing his s---': Trump's advisers are increasingly worried about his mental state following days of erratic behavior

Schadenfreude!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hes-losing-trumps-advisers-increasingly-202200411.html

Study links lower emotional intelligence to prejudiced, right-wing views

Surprise, surprise....

https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/emotional-intelligence-conservative

Friday, September 6, 2019

Donald Trump isn't up to the job

I wholeheartedly agree:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/03/opinions/trump-dorian-golf-twitter-filipovic/index.html

Trump Holds Up Doctored Hurricane Map, Meteorologists Cringe

This is illegal...so I guess it's item #622 of what could take down Trump:

https://www.livescience.com/trump-sharpiegate-doctored-hurricane-map.html

Trump may have committed tax fraud by fabricating a loan to avoid paying income taxes on nearly $50 million

Item #621 for what could take down Trump:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-may-committed-tax-fraud-205751668.html

Thursday, September 5, 2019

These states have the highest and lowest death rates

Notice that the states with the highest death rates are red states, while the states with the lowest death rates are blue states:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/05/health/highest-death-rates-states-cdc-study/index.html

Trump's Energy Department Swoops in to Save Us From the Tyranny of More Efficient Lightbulbs

Trump is SUCH an asshole:

https://earther.gizmodo.com/trumps-energy-department-swoops-in-to-save-us-from-tyra-1837889616

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Media overcorrect for past flubs

To be honest, I won't mind if it's the media who leads us into recession. Whatever it takes to get rid of the most loathsome person to ever hold the office of the presidency:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-2afebae5-bfbd-4a4a-9c35-0bd7adf82d63.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0

Melania’s ‘Einstein Visa’ Was Based on Her Having a College Degree — Which She Lied About Having

Send her back! Send her back!

Turnabout is fair play:

https://www.politicalflare.com/2019/09/melania-trumps-einstein-visa-was-based-on-her-having-a-college-degree-which-she-lied-about-having/

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

The U.S. can slash health-care costs 75% with 2 fundamental changes — and without ‘Medicare for All’

This at least sounds quite effective:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-us-can-slash-health-care-costs-75-with-2-fundamental-changes-and-without-medicare-for-all-2019-08-15

Trump's trade deficits are only growing

Another Trump failure. He promised to reduce the trade deficit; instead, it has increased massively:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-cfd6c9e8-91c9-469c-a553-95e1162d4639.html?chunk=3&utm_term=emshare#story3

Chasing The Methane Dragon That Lurks In The Deep Sea

The melting of frozen methane hydrates in the oceans could lead to a massive increase in global warming:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/methane-hydrate-atlantic-samantha-joye_n_5d681737e4b0488c0d117841

Monday, September 2, 2019

Evangelical Leader Claims Teaching Kids Basic Science Causes Mass Shootings

Evangelicals are among the greatest idiots on the planet:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tony-perkins-mass-shootings-080832225.html

Friday, August 30, 2019

Trump suggests he should have extra time as president, in rant over ‘dishonest fool’ Comey’s leaks

The dictator wannabe wants more time as president:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-suggests-could-serve-more-123946429.html

McConnell to Supreme Court: We won’t let Dems 'pack the court'

McConnell's hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/29/mitch-mcconnell-supreme-court-1477947

AOC says ad attacking her climate change warning actually helps spread her message

Yeah, this is more like an ad FOR AOC, not against her (except for the word "shallow"):

https://www.indy100.com/article/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-climate-change-ad-republican-own-aoc-9085126

UN draft climate report warns oceans rising, warming

It's looking bleak....

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/draft-climate-report-warns-oceans-rising-warming-190829132723704.html

Outlook For The Great Barrier Reef Is Now ‘Very Poor,’ Australian Government Says

This is heartbreaking. I remember spending a couple weeks on the Great Barrier Reef as a kid:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/great-barrier-reef-outlook-very-poor_n_5d68a900e4b02bc6bb372c4a

Thursday, August 29, 2019

California joins a handful of other states that provide community college tuition-free

Now this is smart:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/28/us/california-free-community-college-tuition-trnd/index.html

Political Polarization Driven by Chance, Not Ideology

Hmm, not sure I buy this, but here it is anyway:

https://scitechdaily.com/political-polarization-driven-by-chance-not-ideology/

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Trump Tweets ‘Fox Isn’t Working For Us’ After Amicable Interview With DNC Staffer

I guess it's true that Trump eventually turns on everyone, even his closest allies:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-tweets-fox-isnt-working-for-us-after-its-amicable-interview-with-dnc-staffer_n_5d66939ee4b01fcc690d2f5d

Trump suggests pardons for wall action

Trump said "Take the land." That'll go over well with Republicans and Libertarians:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-a0c3e931-4e23-4e15-953c-b5e5bab6c381.html?chunk=5&utm_term=emshare#story5

Climate Change Is Warming Europe Faster Than Expected

Looks like the safest places to be are Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Norway, Switzerland, Austria, and a few parts of France, Spain and Germany. Stay away from most of France and Spain:

https://scitechdaily.com/climate-change-is-warming-europe-faster-than-expected/

Amazon Wildfires Are Horrifying, But They're Not Destroying Earth's Oxygen Supply

The fires in the Amazon are destroying biodiversity and producing carbon dioxide, but they are not reducing the oxygen content of our atmosphere:

https://www.livescience.com/amazon-fires-are-not-depleting-earth-oxygen.html

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

After Losing Ten Commandments Battle, NM City Tries Crowdfunding Legal Bills

It's expensive to be stupid:

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/08/25/after-losing-ten-commandments-battle-nm-city-tries-crowdfunding-legal-bills/

Monday, August 26, 2019

Trump Reportedly Discussed Nuking Hurricanes Headed To The United States

I can't keep up with the crazy:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-nuking-hurricanes-axios_n_5d632362e4b02cc97c8fbf9b

Sunday, August 25, 2019

More on America’s Fading Faith

I don't have much problem with more liberal strains of Christianity or other religions than literalist zealots like evangelicals. And this shows that my position is well founded:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/daylightatheism/2019/08/more-on-americas-fading-faith/

Trump Administration Revives Clause That Kept Nazi-Era Refugees From the US

From our Dictator in Chief:

https://truthout.org/articles/trump-administration-revives-clause-that-kept-nazi-era-refugees-from-the-us/

These Fascists Inadvertently Raised Over $35,000 For A Cause They Hate

This is how it's done!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/portland-fascists-donations-latino-immigrants_n_5d624b7fe4b0dfcbd48eae54

Don’t look now, but the U.S. Labor Dept. is privileging Christians

This is why separation of church and state are so important:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/godzooks/2019/08/religious-freedom-government-trump-atheism/

Saturday, August 24, 2019

The Don who would be King

I'm SO glad government and society aren't letting him do what he wants:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/22/opinions/trump-reality-show-president-danger-avlon/index.html

Friday, August 23, 2019

Bernie Sanders Releases $16 Trillion Climate Plan That Declares Issue a National Emergency

Finally candidates are beginning to take climate change seriously:

https://time.com/5659372/bernie-sanders-climate-plan/

Trump tells Republicans he may begin cutting social security and Medicare if he wins in 2020

Oh this should go down REALLY well with seniors:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-tells-republicans-may-begin-162457862.html

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Democrats Cite ‘Evidence Of Possible Misconduct’ With Trump Tax Returns

This is good reason to go after his tax returns:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-tax-returns-whistleblower_n_5d5d9d27e4b0d043dd74965f

Trump's contradictions hit a fever pitch

Even a stupid person isn't this stupid:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/22/politics/donald-trump-economy-guns-republicans-foreign-policy/index.html

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Russian interference, 2020

Of course Russian interference had to have handed Trump the presidency, and he's incapable of doing what's best for the country, only himself:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-future-ee11316b-0a82-438c-b29c-ab91fa6bb950.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0

Yes, Donald Trump really believes he is 'the chosen one'

The Narcissist in Chief (watch the video):

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/21/politics/donald-trump-chosen-one/index.html

Republican Group Urges GOP Senators To Stand Up To Mitch McConnell In Damning New Ads

I love seeing Republicans attack Republicans, and I REALLY hope this sinks Mitch:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republicans-mitch-mcconnell-election-ads_n_5d5cce2ae4b0d1e11369ce03

Trump, the promise-maker

The promises he's kept are almost all the awful ones:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-d97f5ef2-1026-4ef8-b53c-af5b01f98138.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0

Cruz: President Trump would nuke Denmark

Wow, who knew Ted Cruz was Nostrafuckingdamus back in 2016?

"I don’t know anyone who would be comfortable with someone who behaves this way having his finger on the button,” Cruz continued. “I mean, we’re liable to wake up one morning and Donald, if he were president, would have nuked Denmark."

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/ted-cruz-donald-trump-denmark-218694

Fake News Can Lead to False Memories

One has to keep vigilant for one's own biases:

https://scitechdaily.com/fake-news-can-lead-to-false-memories/

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Here’s what new tariffs will cost the average American household

Thanks a pant-load, Drumpf:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/19/heres-what-new-tariffs-will-cost-an-average-american-household.html

Why Some White Liberals Will Probably Vote For Donald Trump

Not all assholes are conservatives:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-liberals-racism-trump_n_5d5aaec5e4b056fafd0f07e1

Monday, August 19, 2019

European wind farms could meet global energy demand, researchers now say

"A new study found that maximizing onshore wind potential could enable Europe to generate 100 times more electricity than it currently does. That's enough to cover energy demand for the entire world from now until 2050, according to the researchers."

https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/europe-wind-potential

The new threat to capitalism

Capitalism may have to change:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-future-489aac29-de2c-4b91-bb92-dd90f2e6f68c.html?chunk=0&utm_term=twsocialshare#story0

Record-Breaking Temperatures Around the World Are 'Almost Entirely' Due to Climate Change

And there will be many more record-breaking Julys in the future:

https://time.com/5652972/july-2019-hottest-month/

Fracking boom tied to methane spike in Earth’s atmosphere

A good reason to phase out natural gas, too:

https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2019/08/fracking-boom-tied-methane-spike-earths-atmosphere

This Land Is the Only Land There Is

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/08/how-think-about-dire-new-ipcc-climate-report/595705/

Climate change: German MPs want higher meat tax

Well, this is the first of four climate change articles I'm posting (it's also the least depressing of them). Taxing climate-damaging products makes a lot of sense:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49281111

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Biggest News of the 21st Century

I am SO happy to see this and to be a part of it:

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/daylightatheism/2019/08/the-biggest-news-of-the-21st-century/

Thursday, August 15, 2019

The Coming Secular Era, Continued

This warms my heart. :-)

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/daylightatheism/2019/08/the-coming-secular-era-continued/

July 2019 Was the Earth's Hottest Month Ever Recorded, NOAA Says

This just keeps getting scarier:

https://time.com/5652972/july-2019-hottest-month/

Conspiracy Theories Can Have Dangerous Consequences. Here’s Why Experts Say We Can No Longer Ignore Them

About damn time:

https://time.com/5541411/conspiracy-theories-domestic-terrorism/

Everyone will eventually turn on Trump. Even Steve Doocy.

The feel good story of the day:

https://theweek.com/articles/858707/everyone-eventually-turn-trump-even-steve-doocy-

Except that isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/456997-scaramucci-fires-back-at-trump-he-will-turn-on-everyone-and-then

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Extreme climate change is here

The East Coast and Southwest are in dire straights. Texas is schizophrenic:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-c5f11d78-b572-4f3b-9705-00b9b938948f.html?chunk=1&utm_term=emshare#story1

Climate Change Threatens the World’s Food Supply, United Nations Warns

This is bleak. Really bleak:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/climate/climate-change-food-supply.html

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

21 States Sue Trump Administration Over Relaxed Coal Restrictions, Citing 'Climate Crisis'

Good!

https://time.com/5651229/states-sue-trump-climate-rule/

Even a Small Change in Earth’s Carbon Dioxide Makes a Big Difference – Here’s Why

Interesting. I had no idea CO2 was only a fraction of one percent of our atmosphere...nor how little it takes to massively change our climate:

https://scitechdaily.com/even-a-small-change-in-earths-carbon-dioxide-makes-a-big-difference-heres-why/

Trump's trade war could spark a recession, Goldman Sachs warns

The shitbird is his own worst enemy, although we get the blowback:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/trump-s-trade-war-could-spark-recession-warns-goldman-sachs-n1041501

Monday, August 12, 2019

'A brutal dinner': celebrities talk about meeting Donald Trump

No surprises here:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/aug/12/celebrities-meeting-trump-stories-woody-harrelson

Trump Administration Weakens Endangered Species Act Amid Global Extinction Crisis

Yet another reason to despise Trump:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-endangered-species-rule_n_5cf7b7b4e4b01713bed4df9b

The rural America death spiral

One good thing about this is that it means Trump supporters are a dying breed:

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-ba4976ca-244a-4d4b-a7fc-e5860caebd34.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0

Sunday, August 11, 2019

SE Cupp makes plea to her fellow Republicans

One of the few Republicans (and she claims to be an atheist) coming out for gun control:

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/08/10/se-cupp-monologue-we-must-do-something-about-guns-unfiltered-vpx.cnn

New UN Report Puts A Dagger Through Climate Deniers’ Favorite Argument

No, rising CO2 levels won't help the world's crops:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ipcc-climate-report-co2-crop-yields_n_5d4de3d9e4b0fd2733f06150

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Evangelical Christians Are the Least Trusted Religious Group in New Zealand

Well this is a nice switch to see--it's almost the opposite of the US:

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/08/09/evangelical-christians-are-the-least-trusted-religious-group-in-new-zealand/

Report: Trump Happily Employing Undocumented Workers While ICE Rounds Them Up

Just more Trump hypocrisy:

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/08/trump-organization-undocumented-workers

How Trump Is Trying—And Failing—To Get Rich Off His Presidency

Old article but enjoyable:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2018/10/02/how-trump-is-tryingand-failingto-get-rich-off-his-presidency/#9cea063b1aa0

Friday, August 9, 2019

After Sandy Hook, we said never again. And then we let 2,179 mass shootings happen.

A very effective infographic:

https://www.vox.com/a/mass-shootings-america-sandy-hook-gun-violence

Nadler: ‘This is formal impeachment proceedings’

About damn time!

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/08/nadler-this-is-formal-impeachment-proceedings-1454360

Iraqi man dies after Trump administration deports him

This is just sad. How emblematic of the Trump administration:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/07/iraqi-man-dies-deportation-trump-administration-1643512

Thursday, August 8, 2019

‘We Are Being Eaten From Within.’ Why America Is Losing the Battle Against White Nationalist Terrorism

Yikes. US law enforcement is hobbled in its fight against white nationalist terrorists:

https://time.com/5647304/white-nationalist-terrorism-united-states/

If We Want to Stop Climate Change, Now is a Moment of Reckoning for How We Use the Planet, Warns U.N. Report

This is getting dire:

https://time.com/5646787/ipcc-climate-change-land-report/

It Might Be Time To Cut My Right-Wing, Trump-Loving In-Laws Out Of My Kids’ Lives

This hits close to home with my own experience with my father:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-cutting-off-relatives_n_5d448ed4e4b0ca604e31f5ba

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

'Good Guys With Guns' Can Rarely Stop Mass Shootings, and Texas and Ohio Show Why

Excellent point. I think banning semi-automatic weapons would make mass shootings much more difficult (revolvers and lever action rifles would be the fastest shooting weapons, with limited ammunition and relatively long reload times), while having essentially no negative impact on hunting or sport shooting.

https://time.com/5644578/good-guys-with-guns-el-paso-dayton/

Trump Sues California Over Law Requiring Candidates to Reveal Tax Returns

Of course Trump is suing. I REALLY hope he fails:

https://time.com/5645909/trump-sues-california-tax-returns/

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

These Countries Are the Most at Risk From a Water Crisis

Well, the US is reasonably safe, but a lot of Europe isn't. Neither is Chile, my birthplace. Canada, Brazil and parts of Africa look pretty safe:

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-countries-facing-water-crisis/

Excellent explanation for why climatologists accept human-caused climate change as real

Most profound point: “In the past, when CO2 levels rose higher than they are today, it often happened over millions of years and the various forms of life on earth were able to evolve and adapt. But there were a number of times when CO2 levels and temperatures rose as quickly as they have risen in the last 100 years. These changes had profound consequences leading to mass extinctions. For example, 252 million years ago there was a rapid rise in CO2 due to a series of volcano eruptions, and global temperatures rose 11 deg. C wiping out 95% of all species on earth.”

https://www.quora.com/Considering-that-the-Earth-has-always-warmed-and-cooled-naturally-do-you-believe-that-human-actions-are-mainly-responsible-for-present-day-accelerated-global-warming-Why-why-not/answer/Roger-Fjellstad-Olsen?ch=99&share=294aec04&srid=uBhZO