In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

President Obama and members of his administration continue to advocate for the Iran nuclear deal, arguing that it will facilitate peace. Not everyone is convinced! By whom I mean: Republicans and their BFF Netanyahu.

[Content Note: Class warfare] In good news: "Kansan politicians tried to force public administrators to make life harder for poor people on welfare, passing a controversial law earlier this year to limit the amount of money public assistance benefits cards can withdraw from ATM machines at any one time to $25. But the public servants are fighting back, announcing Tuesday that they would rescind the law." GOOD.

[CN: Transphobia] In more good news: "Today, five national organizations introduced Schools In Transition: A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools, a first-of-its-kind publication for school administrations, teachers, and parents about how to provide safe and supportive environments for all transgender students, kindergarten through twelfth grade." The guide is available for download here.

[CN: War on agency; NB: Not only women need access to reproductive healthcare] In yet more good news: Democratic Indiana State Senator Karen Tallian, who is running against Mike Pence for governor, calls out Pence for his campaign against Planned Parenthood—and, by the way, isn't afraid of the word abortion. "And take note: This is not merely a war on abortion services, but a war against an organization that has become an icon for providing low-cost services, such as contraception and cancer screenings, to millions of women across this country." I LOVE THAT. And I love her! If you have some money you're looking to donate to progressive causes and/or progressive women, consider Karen Tallian!

[CN: Homophobia] "Same-sex couples across the Philippines went to their local civil registries Monday to apply for marriage licenses, but were roundly rebuffed by local officials because the country's civil code bans same-sex marriage. One activist who sought to get a marriage license says that even though he knew he would be denied, he felt it important to force officials to reject him in order to bring attention and 'bolster' a case before the country's Supreme Court that challenges the constitutionality of the marriage ban." I wish them safety, good luck, and justice!

[CN: Police brutality; guns] In news that should surprise no one: "Mere sight of a gun makes police—and public—more aggressive, experts say." No kidding.

[CN: Police misconduct; classism; racism; dehumanization] A Sarasota police officer who threw "peanuts to a handcuffed, homeless inmate" and barked "dog commands" at the man "resigned from the department, minutes before he was scheduled to be interviewed by Internal Affairs." The Mayor says all the same: "I don't worry because the men and women we have within the Sarasota Police Department is one of the greatest group of people that you're gonna find anywhere." Meanwhile, Michael Barfield of the ACLU says he hopes "that no other department will hire him. But as we've seen many times, officers resign and then move on to another department. Sometimes these resignations are just a manipulation of the system." For fuck's sake.

[CN: Guns; terrorism] Today in domestic terrorism which will never be called that ever: "Three North Carolina men fearing a government takeover and martial law stockpiled weapons, ammunition, and tactical gear while attempting to rig home-made explosives, according to charges announced by the Justice Department on Monday. ...According to the documents, both Litteral and Campbell spoke openly about their opposition to Jade Helm 15, a series of ongoing special forces training missions in several Southwestern states that has drawn suspicion from residents who fear it is part of a planned military takeover. In addition to ammunition for a long-range .338 caliber rifle, the authorities said Litteral purchased hand-held radios, Kevlar helmets, body armor and face masks in preparation for an armed resistance to the feared military occupation."

[CN: Death; drowning] Very sad: "Natalia Molchanova: world's 'greatest freediver' feared dead after failing to surface."

[CN: War on agency; video autoplays at link] The anti-choice group targeting Planned Parenthood with heavily edited videos has released a fifth video, because of course they have.

Netflix has announced, in addition to their "unlimited time off" policy, a new "unlimited leave policy for new moms and dads that allows them to take off as much time as they want during the first year after a child's birth or adoption." That's really good news—provided that the company really does allow its employees to take the time they need without coercive communication that makes it a policy only in theory but not in practice.

And finally! Cat dentist. LOLOLOL.