In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

I didn't see this in time to include it in today's Primarily Speaking, so I'll just stick it here: Joe Biden's camp is floating an absurd trial balloon, suggesting he's considering a one-term presidency. "If Vice President Joe Biden makes the leap into the Democratic presidential race, he could promise that he would serve just one term in the White House, journalist and author Carl Bernstein said Friday. 'And one thing that I keep hearing about Biden is that if he were to declare and say, because age is such a problem for him if he does, I want to be a one-term president. I want to serve for four years, unite Washington. I've dealt with the Republicans in Congress all my public life,' Bernstein told CNN's New Day." OH GOOD JUST WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR! ANOTHER STUNT PRESIDENCY CAMPAIGN.

What are the Democrats even doing?! They're coming off eight years of a historic and successful and virtually scandal-free presidency, they're going up against the most hideous field of candidates the Republicans have ever mounted, they have among their candidates (and currently leading the pack) arguably the most qualified presidential candidate ever, they have a solid challenger to the frontrunner who is gaining in popularity, and we're getting proposals like referendum presidencies and one-term presidencies to unite the two parties?! Jesus fucking Jones.

[Content Note: Rape; child abuse; forced pregnancy and birth] Rage seethe boil: "An 11-year-old girl in Paraguay who became pregnant after being raped by her stepfather—and whose case sparked international outrage after Paraguayan officials prohibited her from getting an abortion—has given birth to a daughter. ...In Paraguay, abortion is illegal except in very rare cases when the procedure is deemed necessary to save a woman's life. Government officials said that the 11-year-old girl, referred to with the pseudonym 'Mainumby' in legal documents, was not in danger from her pregnancy—even though medical experts say that young adolescents under the age of 15 are more at risk for medical complications during childbirth. Mainumby's child was delivered via Cesarean section because doctors determined that a vaginal birth would be too dangerous. ...Erika Guevara, the Americas Director at Amnesty International, said in a statement that her organization is glad to hear that Mainumby and her child are healthy, but 'only time will tell the true extent of the physical and psychological consequences of her tragic ordeal. The fact that Mainumby did not die does not excuse the human rights violations she suffered at the hands of the Paraguayan authorities, who decided to gamble with her health, life, and integrity despite overwhelming evidence that this pregnancy was extremely risky and despite the fact that she was a rape-victim and a child,' Guervara added." This is what Republican presidential candidates like Marco Rubio and Scott Walker want for US girls.

[CN: War on agency; anti-choice terrorism] In related news: "A man accused of removing signs at an abortion clinic in Metairie, Louisiana, was arrested last Thursday and charged with committing a hate crime. William Kennedy, 27, is accused of removing signs from the Causeway Medical Clinic, which is within the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, reported the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The arrest report states surveillance footage shows Kennedy pulling the metal lettering off of the clinic in the early morning hours of August 1. Kennedy was arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies at his home on August 6, and released on a $10,000 bond on August 7. Policed charged him with simple criminal damage to property and with committing a hate crime. If convicted of both, he could be sentenced to up to six months in prison and fined up to $500."

[CN: Natural disaster; racism; death] This opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune by Kristen McQueary, in which she wishes a similar fate to Hurricane Katrina devastating New Orleans could befall Chicago in order to instigate necessary change, is one of the most offensive things I've ever read in the Trib, which is really saying something.

[CN: Stalking; child endangerment] Good lord: "Kensington Palace has accused paparazzi photographers of harassing Prince George and using 'increasingly dangerous' tactics to get pictures of the royal toddler. In an unusually strongly worded open letter, Jason Knauf, the communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said the tactics used by some photographers were creating a 'very real security risk.' ...As well as creating a 'very real security risk,' he said their actions had left the Duke and Duchess 'concerned about their ability to provide a childhood for Prince George and Princess Charlotte that is free from harassment and surveillance.'" I can only begin to imagine the fear and anger that Prince William must feel, especially considering the circumstances under which his mother, Princess Diana, was killed.

[CN: Rape culture; child sex abuse] TLC is utterly shameless: "TLC has scheduled its documentary about child sex abuse that was prompted by child molestation allegations against Josh Duggar. The film Breaking the Silence will air at 10 PM on August 30. The one-hour commercial-free documentary aims to shine a light on the challenges faced by those affected by child sexual abuse, as well as raise awareness of where people can turn for help, the network told The Associated Press... 'The goal is to take what has been a difficult and painful experience, and focus that attention on the really critical issue of child protection and child sexual abuse,' TLC honcho Marjorie Kaplan said." I love how TLC just continues to pretend it knew nothing until the rest of the public did. Sure.

Neat: "A planet 100 light-years away resembles an infant version of Jupiter, astronomers say. The new world, known as 51 Eridani b, is only 20 million years old—a toddler by astronomical standards. The alien world could yield clues to the formation of our Solar System."

Please please please, Maude, let this happen: "It's been more than 25 years since Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin shared the screen in buddy comedy classic 9 to 5. And while Fonda and Tomlin have since collaborated on recent Netflix series Grace and Frankie, the holy trinity of frustrated feminists has yet to get the whole band back together. Brace yourself for that to potentially change. While shilling for her NBC telepic Coat of Many Colors at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Thursday, Parton seemed quite enthusiastic about booking a spot on Grace and Frankie... While she's not seen the series, and wasn't exactly sure that it was still up and running, she did not mince words about her desire to be reunited with two actresses. 'I told them whenever I get a little block of time, I'd love to come be on the show,' she said." YES.

And finally! Tom Hardy's dog Woody stole the show at a London screening of his new film, Legend, because of course he did! Hardy "was discussing his role in the movie when his canine companion interrupted him and stood in front of the stage. ...Woody then ambled onto the centre of the stage and started to roll around on the floor, in front of the actor as he continued speaking." LOL. Perfection. I'm guessing there's nothing that could have made Tom Hardy any happier!