In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

[Content Note: Tornadoes; injury and death] At least 16 people have been killed by a wave of tornadoes across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa. Many people were injured, and many people have lost their homes, property, businesses. I haven't yet seen links to aid for the affected areas; please feel welcome and encouraged to leave links in comments as they are made available. I'm so sorry to everyone who survived these storms. I hope you get the resources you need, that you're reunited with pets, that your recovery is not any more difficult than it has to be.

[CN: Racism; antisemitism] Over the weekend, a recording was made public of LA Clippers (basketball) owner Donald Sterling making racist comments to V. Stiviano, who, at the time of the recording, was his girlfriend, and who is a woman of color. Deadspin has 15 minutes of the recording, with partial transcript. There's nothing to say besides this guy's an indecent fuck. Well, I will say two quick things: 1. I love that Magic Johnson, with whom Stiviano had posed for a picture, which started the fight recorded and later made public, is interested in buying the Clippers. Perfect. 2. I have read in article after article about Sterling's rank racism that he's "from another century" or variations on that theme. Nope. He's not. He expressed what are very much contemporary views for a whole lot of white people. Part of meaningfully addressing racism, white privilege, and white supremacy means being honest about that.

[CN: Torture; Christian supremacy] Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin said during a speech at the National Rifle Association's "Stand and Fight" rally this weekend that, if she were president, she wouldn't hesitate to torture accused terrorists. "Well, if I were in charge, they would know that waterboarding is how we baptize terrorists." What a truly terrible person she is.

[CN: Guns] Also at the NRA convention this weekend: "The National Rifle Association on Sunday offered young children free membership and the opportunity to win a high-powered rifle or shotgun. A 'Youth Day' at the influential gun lobby group's annual convention in Indianapolis was scheduled to culminate with a prize draw in which participants could take home a WBY-X rifle or shotgun supplied by Weatherby, a major firearms manufacturer and a sponsor of the event. All were also given a free six-month youth membership of the NRA." I don't even have words. I really don't.

[CN: War on agency] Mississippi pro-choicers are fighting to keep open the last abortion clinic in the entire state: "Mississippi could become the first state in the country without a single abortion clinic, depending on the outcome of a current legal challenge that's in the hands of a conservative federal appeals court. ...In 2012, Republican lawmakers in the state enacted a burdensome new state law that requires abortion doctors to obtain admitting privileges at local hospitals. The only two doctors who provide abortion care in Mississippi fly in from out of state to serve their patients, and they haven't been able to get hospitals to agree to those partnerships, so the future of their work is in jeopardy." Sob.

And finally: Here is just a great video of a swimmer being protected by a pod of dolphins from a(n unseen) shark. Coincidentally: "Walker's swim raised money for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society." Aww!