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killaphill

killaphill's Journal
killaphill's Journal
March 26, 2020

DNC should go with Cuomo for president

An excerpt from Newsday:

If extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, and they do, then this is the time for the Democratic Party to nominate Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for president. Why?

First, because he is the only elected official in the United States today who has fully demonstrated the leadership, toughness, management skill and humanity that meeting the coronavirus pandemic demands. To be crudely political — and practical — he is the only Democrat who can absolutely beat President Donald Trump in November.

Second, because the coronavirus national emergency has revealed Trump's manifest unfitness for the office he holds, and put on display his utter inability to effectively use the powers and tools of the federal government in the current crisis. The country simply cannot afford four more years of this chaotic, corrupt and cold-blooded administration.

And third, because beyond this crisis many believe that the damage this president done thus far can be reversed. But this is not true if Trump has four more years to further damage and degrade the constitution, politicize the courts, dismantle key institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and make a fool of himself and our country on the world stage.

https://www.newsday.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-andrew-cuomo-2020-president-1.43453549

Don't shoot the messenger, but I'm hearing more and more rumblings about Andrew Cuomo. Newsday isn't the only place. Serious? I don't know. But these are proving to be extraordinary times.

March 25, 2020

Coronavirus India: India bans export of wonder drug - Hydroxychloroquine

Source: MSN

Coronavirus India: In a significant move, India has banned the export of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-Malaria drug that is believed to work as a medicine for treating Coronavirus infected patients as well.

According to a late-night notification by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the export of medication and the composition ingredients used for its manufacturing have been banned.

"The export of Hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from Hydroxychloroquine under any ITCHS Code... is prohibited with immediate effect," the DGFT under the ministry said in the notification.

Recently, the national task force for COVID-19 constituted by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended hydroxy-chloroquine as a preventive medication.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/coronavirus-india-india-bans-export-of-wonder-drug-hydroxychloroquine/ar-BB11FcsI

March 23, 2020

Supreme Court raises bar for racial discrimination claims in contracts

Source: The Hill

The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously ruled against an African American-owned media company that alleged Comcast had racially discriminated against the network when it refused to enter into a contract for its programming.

Writing for the 9-0 majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch ruled that federal civil rights lawsuits concerning contracting decisions must show that race was the determining factor behind an injury, not simply part of a company’s motivation not to move forward with a deal.

“Under this standard, a plaintiff must demonstrate that, but for the defendant’s unlawful conduct, its alleged injury would not have occurred,” Gorsuch wrote.


The decision returns the case to a lower federal appeals court to reconsider in light of the stricter standard the justices set on Monday for lawsuits alleging race-based contract discrimination.

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/489028-supreme-court-raises-bar-for-racial-discrimination-claims-in

March 2, 2020

Proposed California bill calls for gender-neutral toy and clothing aisles in department stores

A new bill in the California Assembly has gained the attention of many parents across the state. Assembly Bill 2826 would require retailers in California to create gender neutral aisles for children's merchandise. The bill would apply to children's clothing, toys and childcare items.

“As a mom of two toddlers, if I have a boy and a girl, having it centralized where I don’t have to run around the store is a great idea,” said Chloe Gannage, a Paso Robles mom.

The bill proposed by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) would require all retail department stores with 500 employees or more to comply.

The bill states that "keeping similar items that are traditionally marketed either for girls or for boys separated makes it more difficult for the consumer to compare the products and incorrectly implies that their use by one gender is inappropriate."

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/proposed-california-bill-calls-for-gender-neutral-toy-and-clothing-aisles-in-department-stores


Long overdue in my opinion

February 27, 2020

Western Michigan University Under Fire From Student After Mostly White Choir Sings Negro Spirituals

A choir at a Michigan university is embroiled in controversy after a Black student complained about them group singing Negro spirituals during a recital.

Shaylee Faught wore a look of disgust as Western Michigan University’s predominately white choir sang “Wade in the Water” and other songs during a Feb. 19 show. The senior music major couldn’t leave the show because it was for class credit.

WMU senior Shaylee Faught professed disgust at a mostly white choir singing Negro spirituals. Instead, she posted clips of the performance on Twitter to express her disapproval.

It went viral, garnering more than 1 million views. The show, titled “Spirituals: From Ship to Shore,” was produced by guest artist and Salisbury University professor John Wesley Wright, who is also Black. According to Faught, he declared the songs “don’t belong to one race.”

https://atlantablackstar.com/2020/02/24/western-michigan-university-choir-under-fire-after-mostly-white-students-sing-negro-spiritual/


Interesting. I'm torn on this.

February 27, 2020

I have a gnawing fear they are lying to us

I keep hearing that there are only 50 or so diagnosed Coronavirus cases in the US. But are we even testing for it? Do we even have the ability to do widespread testing? Plus, I keep hearing the "60,000 people die from the flu every year" canard. What? Where did that number come from?

I think the virus is already here in very large numbers, and that deaths are happening and being blamed on the flu. This is about to get a whole lot worse very very fast, and they won't be able to keep a lid on the numbers.

Just my fear. Talk me off the ledge.

February 21, 2020

State Lawmaker Introduces Universal Basic Income Bill; Californians Over 18 Would Get $1K Per Month

Source: CBS

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A state lawmaker has introduced a universal basic income bill that would give every Californian $1,000 per month.
AB 2712 was introduced by Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) on Thursday.

The bill would create a California Universal Basic Income Program (CalUBI) where residents over 18-years-old would receive $1,000 per month. As written, the bill would only exempt people who are already getting Medi-Cal, County Medical Services Program, CalFresh, CalWorks or Unemployment Insurance from getting the universal basic income.

Low’s bill would pay for the CalUBI program with a 10 percent value-added tax on goods and services in California.

One California city, Stockton, has already been experimenting with a basic income program where 125 residents were selected at random from low-income neighborhoods to get $500 per month.

Read more: https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2020/02/21/california-universal-basic-income-bill-introduced/

February 21, 2020

University at Albany investigating reports of coronavirus-themed party

Source: Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York college is investigating whether an off-campus coronavirus-themed party violated the student code of conduct.

An Asian American student organization at the University at Albany condemned the party hosted by students last weekend by saying it was insensitive and racist.

Video of the party was briefly posted on Instagram on Sunday night. WGY News Radio reports the video showed a bucket of iced Corona beers and a person wearing a surgical mask with the caption,

The school says the party was distasteful, hurtful and not representative of UAlbany or its students.

Read more: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/university-at-albany-investigating-reports-of-coronavirus-themed-party



This is just gross. A fraternity no doubt. I think some expulsions are in order.
February 12, 2020

Girls sue to block participation of transgender athletes

Source: ABC News

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The families of three female high school runners filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from participating in girls sports.

"Forcing them to compete against boys isn’t fair, shatters their dreams, and destroys their athletic opportunities,” attorney Christiana Holcomb said in a news release. “Having separate boys’ and girls’ sports has always been based on biological differences, not what people believe about their gender, because those differences matter for fair competition.

“And forcing girls to be spectators in their own sports is completely at odds with Title IX, a federal law designed to create equal opportunities for women in education and athletics,” Holcomb said. "Connecticut’s policy violates that law and reverses nearly 50 years of advances for women.”

The lawsuit centers on two transgender sprinters, Terry Miller and Andraya Yearwood, who have frequently outperformed their cisgender competitors. The two seniors have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017, according to the lawsuit.
The three plaintiffs have competed directly against them, almost always losing to Miller and usually behind Yearwood. Mitchell finished third in the 2019 state championship in the girls 55-meter indoor track competition behind Miller and Yearwood.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/girls-sue-block-participation-transgender-athletes-68941543?cid=clicksource_4380645_2_heads_hero_live_twopack_hed

February 11, 2020

The change in discussion over the past 2 weeks is shocking and depressing at the same time

On one side we have good, decent candidates who have done their best to build up grass roots bases of support from millions of individual donors and voters. Candidates who have fought racism their entire lives. Candidates who have honorably discussed the issues for months in multiple debates all over the country, invested months in on the ground campaigning, and actively advocated against the influence of billionaires in our political discussions.

On the other side we have a billionaire. Not just a billionaire, but a mega-billionaire worth $60B+. Who until a few years ago was a Republican. Someone who implemented horrible racist policies as a mayor, and is on tape and on record making multiple, MULTIPLE sexist and racist comments. A billionaire who has the audacity and arrogance to skip all of the on the ground campaigning and debates. Think about it. He has not been in a single debate. Just running tens of millions of dollars worth of TV ads.

And, he's rising. Rapidly. And one by one eclipsing our honorable candidates.

Given polling, punditry, and what I'm reading here, there is a genuine chance that a mega-billionaire will buy the Democratic nomination.

We are selling our soul. I hope the 30 pieces of silver are worth it.

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