COF 087 - dfs-archiver/dfs-archive GitHub Wiki
Cranky Old Man #87
a frothy mix of leftovers and links
Nancy Pelosi says she's running for reelection
Like COVID-19, she'll never be gone.
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Because at least one parent complained that it's "racially insensitive" and "marginalizes characters of color" and promotes the notion of "white saviorhood," the Mukilteo (WA) School District has removed To Kill a Mockingbird from the required reading list for 9th-grade students.
And that's the right thing to do. TKAM is one of my favorite novels, ahead of its time when it was written in the 1950s, and I've re-read it every few years since the 1970s — and of course it's racially insensitive, marginalizes characters of color, and promotes the notion of "white saviorhood." It's still on the library shelf and ought to be, but it's not appropriate as required reading for every 9th grade kiddo.
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Brilliant innovation from a public library in Virginia
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Biden had to be forced to stand up for voting rights, but finally he did it.
He demanded that Americans be allowed to vote, and failed to get that. He might have succeeded if he'd gone about it less clumsily, as if the matter mattered to him, instead of needing to be nudged.
The push accomplished something important, though: It helps define what Republicans are — they're the party opposed to democracy — and defines Democrats, too, as the party that thinks democracy is OK.
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A lovely blue unbroken, unchipped 2,000-year old bowl
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After a November storm grounded a huge barge on the beach in Vancouver BC, the city's Parks Department put up a sign announcing "Barge Chilling Beach," which most locals loved. They've now taken the sign down, after it was graffitied. The barge, however, remains.
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It's a bad time for a strike, I suppose, but fuck this ruling and the premise behind it.
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Do countries with better-funded public media also have healthier democracies? Of course they do.
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How beer and drugs empowered an ancient Andean empire
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US Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee) is gerrymandered out of Congress
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Man can’t get heart transplant because he’s not vaccinated against COVID-19
I'm including this because I suspect it'll get broad coverage and/or be misinterpreted, but it's really not news. This is how the transplant system works, has always worked, and should work.
If you're an alcoholic they're not going to give you a liver transplant. If you're diabetic with poorly-controlled blood sugars, you won't make the list for a kidney transplant. If you're hoping for a transplant, any transplant, they'll assess the risk factors — which necessarily includes your willingness to comply and cooperate with doctor's orders. Sucks if it's you, but this is sensible.
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The Supreme Court said Monday it will revisit the question of affirmative action in higher education
Seems unlikely that the current illegitimate and arch-right Supreme Court wants to strengthen affirmative action...
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The moderators of r/antiwork have set this community to private.
This is the third act of a Greek tragedy. If you don't know what's going on, no worries, the coverage will soon be everywhere. Meanwhile, when the flurry of bitching and moaning is over, r/WorkReform looks like a better place.
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Spotify sides with Joe Rogan, agrees to remove Neil Young's music from service
Best news I've seen this week. One performer does the right thing, even though it's expensive.
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San Jose passes first U.S. law requiring gun owners to get liability insurance and pay annual fee
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Oh my god. She's a woman but she didn't smile.
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Justice Stephen Breyer to retire from Supreme Court, paving way for Biden appointment
Wild card — who the hell knows what happens now? The very best we can hope for is that Biden nominates another milquetoast like Merrick Garland.
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Sorry, man, but it's part of the witness-protection deal:
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Trump supporters left death threats for election workers. We called back.
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One-word newscast:
• cops
• cops
Dead:
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Mystery links — Like life itself, there’s no knowing where you’re going:
Sing along with Doug:
♫♬ "Don't Do Pharmaceuticals"
Luther Wright and the Wrongs ♫
Tip 'o the hat:
All Hat No Cattle • Linden Arden
BoingBoing • Captain Hampockets
Follow Me Here • John the Basket
LiarTownUSA • Messy Nessy Chick
National Zero • Ran Prieur
Vintage Everyday • Voenix Rising
Extra special thanks:
Becky Jo • Name Withheld • Dave S.
and always, Stephanie
01/27/2002
Cranky Old Man