We previously We discussed recent publications by academics arguing that math is a form of white privilege and male domination. Now, Marci Bianco, the communications manager of Stanford University’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research, has found a new manifestation of patriarchy: space exploration. In the article on NBC.com, Bianco declares that “the patriarchal race to colonize Mars is just another example of male entitlement.” The efforts reveals a “Columbusing attitude.” The movie The Martian will now be renamed “The Patriarch.”
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is now the state’s chief executive and its most famous accused felon. On Thursday, the Republican governor was indicted for felony invasion of privacy in a truly bizarre affair from 2015. Greitens, 43, is accused of involuntarily restraining a woman in an affair and taking pictures of her naked as leverage over her. The indictment occurs when nude pictures are also being raised in Nashville as possible evidence against the Mayor Megan Barry, who is also embroiled in a scandal over an affair.
Continue reading “Missouri Governor Charged With Felony Invasion of Privacy In Bizarre Affair”
Troy Miller, 46, has a curious defense when stopped as a suspected car thief. He claimed to be actor Matthew McConaughey. The problem is two fold. First, he looks nothing like the actor and second McConaughey is also not allowed to steal cars.
Continue reading ““Matthew McConaughey” Found In Car After Breaking Into Home”
Paul Manafort has been something of a target rich environment for Special Counsel Robert Mueller who has piled on an assortment of charges for financial and fraud crimes. The charges were not much of a surprise for many of us in Washington where Manafort has long held a reputation for dubious clients and practices. Indeed, as discussed before, it is astonishing that Donald Trump selected Manafort to head his campaign when minimal vetting would have revealed his controversial history and clients. Now Mueller has now filed greatly expanded charges against Manafort and Gates. There is a new allegation of mortgage fraud but one recently disclosed inquiry could present an even more serious issue for Manafort and the Administration. All of the past charges have been unrelated to election or the campaign. The new allegation is no exception, but it does involve the Administration in Manafort allegedly securing a $16 million loan in exchange for an appointment of the banker to a prestigious Administration position. Mueller is reportedly seeking information on the appointment of Stephen Calk to Trump’s council of economic advisers in August 2016. He is the president of Federal Savings Bank and gave Manafort the over-sized loan. As discussed in my most recent column, this is why I have been arguing the financial allegations are more important to watch than the collusion allegations.
Below is my column in USA Today looking at the array of threats still present for the Trump White House even if collusion fades as part of the Russian investigation. There still could be evidence discovered or disclosed on collusion. However, after multiple indictments, pleas, and a year of investigation, we have not yet seen any credible criminal allegations linked to collusion. As many on the blog know, I have long been skeptical about the real likelihood of a criminal case based on collusion or obstruction against President Donald Trump. However, even if collusion does recede as a threat, there remain significant areas of risk for the President.
We recently discussed the decision of Durham District Attorney Roger Echols to drop felony charges against protesters who destroyed a civil war monument in a premeditated and videotaped crime. The popularity of the crime was obvious as voters rallied around the accused — support that some have alleged pressured Echols to reduce the charges to mere misdemeanors. That reduction however was still criticized by the defendants and their supporters. Now, after an unfavorable ruling by a court, Echols has dropped all charges against defendants who not just committed criminal acts on camera but proudly proclaimed their guilt. It is hard not to view the outcome as an example of popular crimes enjoying a level of immunity.
We have been discussing recent publications by academics arguing that math is a form of white privilege and male domination — often citing the relatively low numbers of women in the field. Colleges and high schools have made a concerted effort to get women to join the field, though a recent poster at Brigham Young University (BYU) caused a degree of confusion and an even greater degree of mirth.
Continue reading “BYU Poster Sends Mixed Math Message . . .”
You know you are on the outs with the President when he not only unleashes an army of citizen trolls on you, but demotes you from plural to singular. President Trump posted another controversial tweet this morning in asking why he is being investigated but not his predecessor or the Democrats. He tells supporters to Just “Ask Jeff Session.” Attorney General Sessions appears to still be the persona non grata and, if anything, diminishing by the day.
Continue reading “Singular Demotion: Trump Tells Citizens “Ask Jeff Session!””
I have previously written about the endless calls for impeachment from Democratic members for everything from Trump criticizing NFL players to comments made about protesters to his reference to “shithole countries.” The Framers saw the great abuses caused not only by tyranny of nobility, but tyranny of the majority. They sought to insulate our government from the transient impulses of politics. The danger has been repeatedly shown by members who see virtually any act or comment by Donald Trump as a case for impeachment. It is a trend toward what I have called “the no-confidence impeachment” option and it is not only an abuse of our constitutional standard but a dangerous trend for this country. The latest grounds for impeachment was stated by former Breitbart spokesperson Kurt Bardella who was also spokesperson for Rep. Darrell Issa, Rep. Brian Bilbray and Senator Olympia Snowe. It appears that the failure to take additional actions or “accept” the fact of Russian interference is now grounds for impeachment and removal from office. His article appears in USA Today entitled President Trump’s Russia Denialism Is Grounds For Impeachment. (For full disclosure, I also write for USA Today).
Call it the “shot never heard around the world.” Elk Grove, California has earned national ridicule by preventing the Elk Grove Historical Society from holding a Revolutionary War reenactment with vintage flintlocks. City officials ruled that the reenactment would violate a ban on firing a gun in city limits, defined as “Use, maintain, possess, fire, or discharge any firearm.” It does not seem to matter that the guns are black powder muskets used in a performance. Would the city take the same position with a Hollywood production?
Continue reading “California City Bars Revolutionary War Reenactment From Using Muskets”
A study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin would seem to confirm what many take for granted: despite the common adage, money can indeed buy happiness . . . at least if you have a million dollars. Grant E. Donnelly, a doctoral candidate in the Marketing Unit at Harvard Business School, found that the more wealth that people have corollated with greater happiness. There is however a difference in happiness between those near the bottom and near the top of wealthiest individuals. Can you guess who was happier among the millionaires?
Continue reading “Study: Money Can Buy Happiness . . . But The More Money The Better”
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged Dutch lawyer Alex Van Der Zwaan. The charge however is another false statement indictment and is not tied to Russian collusion. Rather Van Der Zwaan was interviewed in rather to dealing concerning Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice in 2012. The expected guilty plea certainly adds to the prosecution cases but remains far removed from the Trump campaign. It is more likely related to the Paul Manafort prosecution.
Continue reading “Mueller Charges New Defendant: Alex Van Der Zwaan”
We have repeatedly discussed how Great Britain has been in a free fall from the criminalization of speech to the expansion of the surveillance state. The alarming rollback on free speech rights in the West, particularly striking in England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). Now, a new case shows how ambiguous laws are being used to criminalize conduct that was once viewed as simply rude or obnoxious. A woman has been arrested for leaving a furious note on an ambulance of the West Midlands Ambulance Service for parking in a reserved space during an emergency call. The note is disgraceful, but the arrest shows how England has plunged head-long into the waters of speech criminalization and regulation.
This could be a case for Angela Lansbury on Meldonium, She Wrote. There has been considerable coverage of Aleksandr Krushelnitckii, a bronze medalist in mixed doubles curling (with his wife), who tested positive for a doping drug. Many of us immediately wondered why a curler would need to dope. The sport is not viewed as the most intensive physical challenge. Yet, after the comprehensive cheating by Russia (leading to the banning of their flag and identifications at these games), the doping allegations seemed all-too-believable for many. Now, however, officials are looking at the possibility of sabotage.
Douglas Tompkins, who founded The North Face and Esprit clothing companies has left a truly inspiring legacy with his wife Kristine McDivitt Tompkins in the creation of one of the world’s greatest national parks. Chile has agreed to the establishment of a park in Patagonia stretching 10 million acres. The park was based on land purchases for $345 million by the couple to protect this gorgeous and unique place. I cannot imagine a greater gift to humanity.