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Celerity

Celerity's Journal
Celerity's Journal
February 21, 2023

Watch: Trump vows to use the federal government to discipline your children

https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-2659447838/



Donald Trump is promising to use the federal government to discipline children if he becomes president again. The one-term Republican ex-president who, according to one watchdog group has been "credibly accused of committing at least 56 criminal offenses" vowed to end crime, with a focus on America's "wild" youth.

"We will end the leftist takeover of school discipline and juvenile justice," Trump says in a five-minute pre-recorded campaign video released Monday (below). "Many of these carjackers and criminals are 13, 14, and 15 years-old. I will order the Education and Justice Departments to overhaul federal standards on disciplining minors," he added. "So when troubled youth are out of control, they're out on the streets and they're going wild, we will stop it. The consequences are swift, certain and strong and they will know that."

https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1627827857211752448
Trump's rambling remarks were part of an apparent seven-point plan that is focused on using police force and violence against American citizens, and going as far as calling up "federal assets" to flood America's streets. "I will not hesitate to send in federal assets including the National Guard until safety is restored," Trump says. He began his speech by falsely accusing "Joe Biden and the 'defund the police Democrats' have turned our once great cities into cesspools of bloodshed and crime."

President Biden has repeatedly said he opposes calls to "defund the police," and America's cities are far from "cesspools of bloodshed and crime." According to The New York Times and others, murders, gun deaths, and mass shootings were down last year. And USA Today reported, "Data from big cities suggests most violent crime fell last year," noting it is a "snapshot" and some property crimes increased. But according to Trump, crime is exploding. "There's never been anything like it," he falsely claims. Overall, crime is way down against its 1990's peak.

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February 21, 2023

Starbucks vanilla drinks recalled in US over fears they may contain glass

Frappuccino not sold in stores but distributed in supermarkets by PepsiCo recalled after glass detected in 13.7oz bottles

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/20/starbucks-vanilla-frappuccino-drinks-recalled-glass



American food and beverage regulators have recalled hundreds of thousands of Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccinos after their distributor warned the drinks could have glass in them.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said 25,200 cases of the caffeinated drink, carrying 12 bottles per case, were recalled starting 28 January after glass was detected inside the 13.7oz bottles. That means officials requested more than 300,000 bottles to be returned.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian. PepsiCo distributes the popular coffee chain’s beverages. The expiration dates for the affected bottles are 8 March, 29 May, 4 June and 10 June, all for this year.

Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccinos are not sold in Starbucks stores. But customers can find them at several retail chains across the country, including Walmart, Amazon and Target.

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February 21, 2023

Facebook and Instagram to get paid verification as Twitter charges for two-factor SMS authentication

Mark Zuckerberg follows Elon Musk’s lead in introducing fee for blue ticks, while Twitter to restrict 2FA via SMS to paid users

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/20/facebook-instagram-paid-meta-verification-twitter-charge-2fa-two-factor-authentication-via-sms



Facebook and Instagram users will soon need to pay to be verified on the social media platforms, as Meta follows in the footsteps of rival platform Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that the service would first roll out in Australia and New Zealand later this week.

The company said it would cost US$11.99 a month on web or US$14.99 on iOS and Android (or, in Australia, $19.99 on web or $24.99 on iOS and Android). Zuckerberg said in addition to a blue badge the service would offer “extra impersonation protection”, improved reach for verified users and direct access to customer support.

In a blog post, Meta said it would rely on government ID documents to prove the identity of verified accounts, to avoid the embarrassment of accounts impersonating people and brands – as happened when Twitter initially rolled out its paid verification service. Accounts must also have a posting history and users must be at least 18 years old.

The service would not be available to businesses at this stage, Meta said. The increased visibility of posts from verified users would “depend on a subscriber’s existing audience size and the topic of their posts”, the company said. Those with smaller audiences might see more of an impact.

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February 21, 2023

"Absurd censorship:" Changes to Roald Dahl's books spark criticism

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roald-dahls-changes-childrens-books-rushdie-telegraph/

Changes to Roald Dahl's children's books have ignited a firestorm of criticism from authors, organizations and some readers online. The changes were approved by the Roald Dahl Story Company and the books' publisher, Puffin Books, and carried out by a sensitivity organization for children's books called Inclusive Minds, according to the Daily Telegraph, who first reported the revisions. Dahl was the author behind such popular works as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "The Witches."



The purpose of the changes is to ensure that Dahl's works "can continue to be enjoyed by all today," Puffin told the Telegraph. Descriptions of characters as "fat," "ugly" and "crazy" have been removed from the works in an attempt to bolster body-positivity and more sensitive depictions of mental health. Some gendered descriptions have also been removed from the texts, changing what had previously been references to "boys and girls" as "people" or "children," reported the Telegraph, who also said that a previous description of the character Miss Trunchbull in "Matilda" as a "most formidable female" has been changed to a "most formidable woman."

The paper also reported that new passages, which were not written by Dahl, have been added to the texts. "In The Witches, a paragraph explaining that witches are bald beneath their wigs ends with the new line: 'There are plenty of other reasons why women might wear wigs and there is certainly nothing wrong with that,'" said the Telegraph. CBS News has reached out to both Puffin Books and the Roald Dahl Story Company for comment. The changes have been generating backlash among both readers and literary figures. Author Salman Rushdie, who has been recovering after a stabbing attack last summer, wrote on Twitter, "Roald Dahl was no angel but this is absurd censorship."

https://twitter.com/SalmanRushdie/status/1627075835525210113
"Puffin Books and the Dahl estate should be ashamed," Rushdie added. Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America — a nonprofit organization that "stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression" — said the organization was "alarmed at news of 'hundreds of changes' to venerated works by [Roald Dahl] in a purported effort to scrub the books of that which might offend someone."

https://twitter.com/SuzanneNossel/status/1627066101309018112
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February 20, 2023

4 Students Charged After N.J. High School Student Dies by Suicide Days After They Allegedly Beat Her

Adriana Kuch, 14, died by suicide two days after she was allegedly beaten in her high school hallway, police say

https://people.com/crime/4-students-charged-nj-student-suicide-after-allegedly-being-beaten-hallway/



Four New Jersey high school students have been charged in connection with the death of a 14-year-old classmate who killed herself days after they allegedly attacked her in the school hallway, recorded the incident and shared the video on social media, multiple outlets report.

According to the Associated Press, citing prosecutors, one juvenile has been charged with aggravated assault, two have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and another has been charged with harassment after their classmate, Adriana Kuch, died by suicide two days after they allegedly bullied and beat her at Central Regional High School in Bayville, N.J.

Citing Adriana's father, Michael Kuch, CNN reports the victim was found dead in her home on Feb. 3. Since then, the teen suspects and their guardians have been "served with copies of their complaints" and have been released from police custody "pending future court appearances," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said, according to NBC News.

According to the outlet, Kuch said prior to his daughter's death, a video circulated on social media platforms, including TikTok, allegedly showing her walking with her boyfriend in the school's hallway when she was brutally attacked with a water bottle.

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February 19, 2023

Everywhere You Need to Eat in San Diego Right Now

Worthwhile restaurant openings in San Diego include upscale NOLA cuisine in Oceanside, Latin-Asian fusion in the Gaslamp Quarter, and more.

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/san-diego/best-restaurants-san-diego











San Diego may be famous for fish tacos and craft beer, but why stop there? There’s so much more to this beach town’s culinary scene than fast-casual dining (although there’s still plenty of that). We’re ready to hit the latest hotspots, from sexy date night stunners to spectacular oceanfront dining and charming bistros. The latest entries into our culinary landscape include a Vietnamese-inspired sensation in Golden Hill, traditional hand rolls from a legendary seafood expert, and Milanese fine dining with European and Asian influences in La Jolla. San Diego’s restaurants are ready to step up and give you the best our region has to offer, and here is our list of the hottest, freshest, and tastiest places in town:



Ambrogio By Acquerello

La Jolla

$$$$

Ambrogio By Acquerello embraces fine Milanese dining combined with French, Korean, Japanese, and California influences. Dine on Dancing with the Stars, a seven-course, prix fixe menu that may include Mare e Monti featuring cauliflower mushrooms, seabass ceviche, and shellfish and Alla Riscoperta dell’Anatra featuring Peking duck, Florentine sauce, and Greek endive. A Walk in the Garden, a seven-course, prix fixe vegetarian counterpart, is also available. Add an optional wine pairing to experience Ambrogio’s array of organic and biodynamic wines.

How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available; otherwise, reserve a table online.




Kingfisher

Golden Hill

$$$$

Within months of opening Kingfisher, chef Jonathan Bautista garnered not only a spot in Michelin’s California Guide but was also named a 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist. The gorgeously appointed dining room has an Art Deco-ish vibe, with vibrant shades of teal and seafoam, gilded accents, cozy banquettes lining the wall, and a massive center bar. Bautista’s menu combines Vietnamese fine dining with French, SoCal, and Filipino flair. This includes a silky Duck Paté of herbs, chili oil, house pickles, and kumquat preserve; Wild Mushroom Congee that mingles chanterelles, crispy garlic, garlic chives, cilantro, egg yolk, and house spicy “sim”bal sauce; and Baja Striped Seabass with a caramelized fish sauce, mustard greens, green onion, crispy shallots, and Meyer lemon buttered rice garnished with toasted shrimp. The Smoked Dry Aged Duck—a crispy leg confit, duck xo sauce, rice noodles, lettuce wraps, and nuoc mam chimichurri—has developed a bit of a fan following and is limited to eight portions per day, so get there early if you have your heart set on it. The cocktail program follows suit with inventive twists on spirit-forward classics and fruity tropical refreshers, including a killer Singapore Sling.

How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available; otherwise, reserve a table online.




Valle

Oceanside

$$$$

After impressing Valle de Guadalupe diners with his noteworthy Malva Cocina de Baja California restaurant over the last several years, chef Roberto Alcocer has put down roots in Oceanside with Valle, a lush restaurant with stellar views of the Pacific Ocean. The four- or eight-course, prix fixe menus feature California-sourced ingredients, with flavors that are sealed over an open wood fire and offered alongside an optional wine pairing. For the ultimate experience, book the chef’s table inside the kitchen that seats one to six guests, where you’ll be dazzled by an 8-12 course tasting menu and a guided upscale wine pairing using the highest quality seasonal ingredients from the region in each course. A full bar serves craft agave cocktails.

How to book: Walk-ins are accepted if seating is available; otherwise, reserve a table online.


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February 19, 2023

Florida couple unable to get abortion will see baby die after delivery

Doctors’ interpretation of state law prevents procedure, family tells Washington Post, despite baby’s fatal illness

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/18/florida-abortion-law-couple-birth



In a few weeks, a Florida couple will have to bid farewell to their child shortly after the baby is delivered, a gut-wrenching reality created by the US supreme court’s elimination of nationwide abortion rights last year. Because of a new Florida law that bans abortion after 15 weeks except under certain circumstances, Deborah Dorbert has become one of many women having difficulty accessing necessary abortion procedures after the supreme court overturned the rights granted by the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision.

A report by the Washington Post chronicles how Dorbert and her husband, Lee Dorbert, are expecting their second child and have been told by doctors that the baby has been diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality known as Potter syndrome. But, they have said, the doctors could not perform an abortion because of their interpretation of a Florida law that took effect after the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade.

Potter syndrome is a rare condition related to a foetus's development in the uterus. The syndrome is a result of abnormal kidney growth and function, which affects how much amniotic fluid surrounds the foetus during pregnancy. It has been deemed a “doubly lethal diagnosis” because babies with malfunctioning kidneys can’t remove deadly toxins from their bodies and can in turn experience renal failure. Additionally, the absence of amniotic fluid in a womb causes a baby to be born without the ability to breathe.

According to Florida’s Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality law, which was implemented last July, abortions are prohibited after 15 weeks of gestation, with a few exceptions, including one that would allow for a later abortion “if two physicians certify in writing that the foetus has a fatal foetal abnormality and has not reached viability”. Last November, when the couple’s baby was diagnosed with the syndrome, a maternal foetal medicine specialist told the Dorberts that some parents choose to continue to full term while others opt to terminate the pregnancy through surgery or preterm labour.

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February 18, 2023

Crass - Big A Little A / Nagasaki Nightmare (1980)





Label: Crass Records – 421984/5
Format: Vinyl, 7", Single
Country: UK
Released: 1980
Genre: Rock
Style: Punk

















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Gender: Female
Hometown: London
Home country: US/UK/Sweden
Current location: Stockholm, Sweden
Member since: Sun Jul 1, 2018, 07:25 PM
Number of posts: 43,349

About Celerity

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