May 4, 2020

'Not just weeds': how rebel botanists are using graffiti to name forgotten flora

Pavement chalking to draw attention to wild flowers and plants in urban areas has gone viral across Europe – but UK chalkers could face legal action

Arising international force of rebel botanists armed with chalk has taken up street graffiti to highlight the names and importance of the diverse but downtrodden flora growing in the cracks of paths and walls in towns and cities across Europe.

The idea of naming wild plants wherever they go – which began in France – has gone viral, with people chalking and sharing their images on social media. More than 127,000 people have liked a photo of chalked-up tree names in a London suburb, while a video of botanist Boris Presseq of Toulouse Museum of Natural History chalking up names to highlight street flowers in the French city has had 7m views.

Presseq told the Guardian: “I wanted to raise awareness of the presence, knowledge and respect of these wild plants on sidewalks. People who had never taken the time to observe these plants now tell me their view has changed. Schools have contacted me since to work with students on nature in the city.”

France banned pesticide use in parks, streets and other public spaces in 2017 and in gardens from 2019, leading to a surge in awareness of urban wild flowers in the country.

French botanist and campaigner Sophie Leguil, who lives in London, set up the More Than Weeds campaign to change perceptions of urban plants in the UK after helping to spread the Sauvages de ma rue (“wild things of my street”) chalking campaign in France led by Tela Botanica. She has won permission to chalk up Hackney’s highways and make chalk trails to highlight the forgotten flora at our feet and is asking other councils to allow the same.


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/01/not-just-weeds-how-rebel-botanists-are-using-graffiti-to-name-forgotten-flora-aoe



Sophie Leguil, founder of More Than Weeds, stands over chalk names of plants on the pavement. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

May 4, 2020

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - Coronavirus VI: Testing

As experts encourage widespread coronavirus testing, John Oliver discusses exactly how much testing the US has done, the difference between diagnostic and antibody tests, and why we need to do more.

May 3, 2020

Blocked From Testifying, Fauci Plans Zoom Call with Entire Country (The Borowitz Report)

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Blocked by the White House from testifying before Congress, Anthony Fauci said on Saturday that he would schedule a Zoom call with the entire country.

The esteemed virologist said that the Zoom call would be an opportunity for all three hundred and twenty-eight million Americans to ask him questions about the White House’s response to the pandemic. “It’ll be just like one of the task-force briefings, only I’ll actually be allowed to talk,” he said.

Fauci acknowledged that there could be logistical challenges to getting every person in the country on the same Zoom call.

“Our faces will probably look pretty small, and they may freeze if there’s not enough bandwidth,” he said. “You might want to tell your kids to get off Fortnite for fifteen minutes.”

He said that it was “unlikely” that Donald Trump would be joining the call. “We’re mainly going to be talking about science, so I don’t think it’s his thing,” Fauci said.

(No more at link ): https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/blocked-from-testifying-fauci-plans-zoom-call-with-entire-country

May 2, 2020

Stephen Colbert - Opening and Monologue - 5/1/20

Stephen's Animated Monologue: Biden Denies Assault, Trump Plots Lincoln Memorial Town Hall



Imagine falling asleep at home and waking up as a two-dimensional cartoon hosting a talk show at the Ed Sullivan Theater. That's exactly what happened to Stephen Colbert and Jon Batiste in The Late Show's first-ever animated monologue.




President Trump Is Watching, And Tweeting About, "This Stupid Show"



Thanks to his revealing Tweets about the quality of this program, everyone knows that President Trump tuned in to A Late Show last night to watch Stephen Colbert's interview with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.




John Mulaney Reads The Internet's Community Calendar



Resident of The Internet, comedian John Mulaney, joins Stephen Colbert to announce real upcoming events that are available to attend online. To read more about each event, visit https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert/news/1009802/community-calendar-the-internet-with-john-mulaney/




Chicano Batman Perform "Color My Life" - Late Show



One of the West Coast's most innovative bands, Chicano Batman, show off the beauty of their hometown of Los Angeles in this #PlayAtHome performance of their new single "Color My Life." Chicano Batman's new album "Invisible People" is out now.

May 2, 2020

Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - 5/1/20

Monologue: Different Sh*t, Same Day



Bill recaps the top stories of the week, including the president's sagging approval ratings and the decision by some states to reopen public spaces.




Eric Holder on the 2020 Elections



Former Attorney General and current Chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee Eric Holder joins Bill to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on America's elections.




Bret Stephens: Lives vs. Lives



New York Times columnist and MSNBC contributor Bret Stephens joins Bill to discuss his recent controversial op-ed.




24 Things You Don't Know About Joe Biden



Bill shares a few fun "facts" about former vice president and 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden.




Matt Taibbi: Return of the Vampire Squid



Rolling Stone contributing editor and "Useful Idiots" podcast co-host Matt Taibbi joins Bill to discuss the potential for fraud and abuse of the government's economic bailout.




New Rule: Immunity Booster



In his editorial New Rule, Bill argues that people should fight the coronavirus by strengthening their immune systems, rather than by sanitizing the universe.

May 2, 2020

Seth Meyers: Guest California Governor Gavin Newsom

Gov. Gavin Newsom Has a Plan to Reopen California



California Governor Gavin Newsom talks about being the first governor to issue a stay-at-home order, his plan to reopen the state and California’s relationship with the federal government.




Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls Out Republicans’ Blue State Bailout Rhetoric



California Governor Gavin Newsom talks about parenting in the age of COVID-19, California’s budget and recruiting Shaq to check in on neighbors during quarantine.

May 2, 2020

Seth Meyers - CDC Extends Social Distancing Guidelines to Include Pets - Monologue 4/30/20

Seth's Brother Josh Meyers as California Governor Gavin Newsom



Seth’s brother, Josh Meyers, delivers his impersonation of California Governor Gavin Newsom.




Seth's Favorite Jokes of the Week: Blue Angels Flyover, Pug Tests Positive for COVID-19



Seth's favorite jokes from the week of April 27.

May 2, 2020

The Daily Social Distancing Show: Danny Meyer - Coronavirus's Impact on the Restaurant Industry

Shake Shack founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group Danny Meyer addresses the controversy over the PPP small business loan that Shake Shack applied for and returned and how the restaurant industry might look post-pandemic.

May 2, 2020

The Daily Show: Remember When Trump Said Coronavirus Would Disappear in April?

Any big predictions for May?

May 2, 2020

The Daily Social Distancing Show - Corona Sports Update: Michael Jordan Doc & Gronk's NFL Return

Roy Wood Jr. and Michael Kosta unpack “The Last Dance,” discuss the return of baseball in Asia and cover Rob Gronkowski's NFL comeback.