In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

[Content Note: Colonialism; dehumanization] This weekend, lots of USians will be celebrating the Fourth of July, which is being recognized tomorrow, since it falls on the weekend this year. Ahead of the holiday, Mark Charles, a Navajo speaker, writer, and consultant, urges us to understand that "the United States of America does not share a common memory" and invites "every American to start their day by learning about the Doctrine of Discovery. Allowing the reality of the dehumanizing nature of this doctrine to temper your celebrations. You can still light your fireworks and eat your BBQ as you celebrate a hard fought victory over the British. But at the end of the day, I humbly ask you to conclude your celebrations with [a plea for] the courage necessary to create a common memory."

[CN: War on agency] A whole raft of new abortion restrictions went into effect in various states yesterday, and Teddy Wilson's got a round-up of what's new in the war on agency.

[CN: Environmental disaster; displacement] Fuck: "More than 5,000 residents of the US state of Tennessee have been evacuated [into temporary shelters for up to 48 hours] after a freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and caught fire. The train was carrying a flammable, toxic substance called acrylonitrile when it came off the rails near Maryville, just outside Knoxville. Firefighters evacuated people within a two-mile radius of the fire to prevent them breathing in the poisonous fumes. Local police said seven officers were hospitalised because of the fumes. ...Acrylonitrile is a chemical compound used to manufacture plastics. Officials say it is 'highly flammable and toxic' and can cause headaches, nausea, and kidney irritation if inhaled."

[CN: Environmental disaster] I can't really say this is good news, considering all the damage that was done: "BP has agreed to pay a record environmental fine of $18.7bn to settle legal actions brought by the US and several states over the fatal 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The US justice department, along with the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, all sued BP for damages not covered by the company's earlier settlements with businesses and individuals harmed by the worst offshore spill in US history. The settlement ends all litigation between BP, the states, and the US government and allows the company to pay over 18 years."

[CN: Homophobia; housing discrimination] This is a complicated but important case: "A federal judge in Alabama has dismissed a discrimination complaint against the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but in doing so, outlined how exactly housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation might be prohibited under federal law. ...The Fair Housing Act (FHA) offers protections on the basis of 'sex,' but not explicitly 'sexual orientation,' [HUD officials] argued. This prompted [District Judge William M. Acker, Jr.] to take up the question if any sexual orientation complaints could be considered under the FHA, and he actually agrees that they could. He acknowledges that in 2012, HUD issued the Equal Access Rule, expanding protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the constraints of the law's 'sex' protections. Specifically, this step opened up two grounds for such a complaint: 'discrimination because of nonconformity with gender stereotypes' and 'discrimination in the form of sexual harassment.' Acker affirms this interpretation of the law as a 'permissible reading of 'sex.'' 'These type of expanded protections for such individuals under the FHA is [sic] directly rooted in non-conformity with male or female gender stereotypes, and not directly derivative of sexual orientation as an independent and separate ground for protection.'"

[CN: Harassment; threats] Whitney Phillips is a media studies scholar who has done research on online trolling and has published a new book, This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things. She talks about her research in an interview with Patt Morrison, and has some interesting things to say about trolling and privilege.

Lovely: "20 Glorious Portraits of Native Americans by Ryan Red Corn."

Wowwwwwwww! "The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today announced that Rihanna has surpassed more than 100 million gold & platinum song certifications, elevating her to No. 1 on RIAA's list of artists with the most digital single awards and making her the first artist to surpass RIAA's 100 million cumulative singles award threshold." That is an amazing history-making record to hold!

[CN: Sexual abuse] The non-familial victim of Josh Duggar may file a civil suit against him: "Although the statute of limitations on the case expired, legal experts say the victim maintains the right to sue under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-56-30 where a sexual abuse victim may pursue civil action if they start to experience effects of that abuse several years later." If she does, I wish her so much strength for what will be a very difficult battle.

Such a rough, rough break for the English women's football team, and such a terrible bit of luck for England defender Laura Bassett, whose own goal led to a Japan win at the World Cup. I'm sorry, Laura Bassett! And I hate everyone who will be mean to you because of it!

Headline of the Day: "Aquatic Worm Species Can Inject Its Own Head With Sperm to Reproduce, Scientists Discover." Sure. Okay.

And finally! I CANNOT EVEN DEAL with the cuteness of an owlet and kitten who are BFFs! IT'S TOO CUTE!