World News Korner

Courtesy of the Arizona Snowbird's Facebook page:

We’re so proud that Bristol has been graduated tonight from Penrose Academy in Arizona. She’s heading back to Alaska soon (because she misses the snow, mountains, and her truck!) to continue her work at Dr. Cusack's dermatology practice. It's been a great four years with Doc; he's been an understanding and very patient boss as Bristol has enjoyed many opportunities in addition to her good employment in Anchorage at Alaska Dermatology and Laser Center. We’re happy for her to have finished this challenging, rewarding academy; and now she’s ready to be licensed in “all things skin,” which is what she’s always wanted to do. I’m a huge proponent of trade/tech schools that teach real-world employable skills that reward work ethic and integrity. Smart, employable, debt free, vo-tech grads have good jobs available for them right out of school! Go for it, vo-tech grads! Get out there and work, and change the world for the better! - Sarah Palin

I will have to assume that Palin herself wrote this post, and not one of her ghostwriters.

How else to explain the "Bristol has been graduated" description as opposed to the more grammatically friendly "Bristol graduated tonight" which the majority of people who paid attention in English class might use?

Courtesy of Facebook

As for this mythical job at Dr. Cusack's office, how many of us would love to have an employer who kept our position open while we took jobs on Dancing with the Stars, bought a house in another state, and then starred in our own reality show? (Update: By the way you should see how his patients rate his bedside manner.)

I mean it is almost like the job was created solely to give the impression that Bristol had steady employment as a favor to her mother or something. Or is that too cynical of me?

It is a good thing that this whole "skin school" thing is over with and that now Bristol can come back and face the music concerning her ongoing custody battle with Levi.

I believe the next hearing is early next month, and it looks like the Johnston's have a pretty strong case.

Well now Granny Grifter has both an in house wig wrangler and makeup slatherer, that she can put on the reality show payroll as well as use SarahPAC to funnel money to for providing "consultation."

Well I guess with hair and makeup covered the only thing left for poor Piper is to go to fashion school and learn how to help her mother to stop dressing like a rapidly aging teenybopper.

Good luck with that kid.




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Best scam EVER conceived.

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I actually enjoy Betty's take on the children's stories. Of course my favorite author is Stephen King.

Not that Mr. King's work has anything on the Bible. THAT book has more violence and sexually deviant behaviors than anything written by "Game of Thrones" author George R. R. Martin.

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For all who asked: Some clips of me apparently were mined for movie on geocentricism. So stupid does disservice to word nonsense. Ignore it.
— Lawrence Krauss (@LKrauss1) April 8, 2014

Courtesy of Slate:

A month or so ago, and again last night, my email, Facebook, and Twitter accounts began to buzz about clips of me appearing in some purported new documentary film promoting … wait for it … geocentrism! The notion that anyone in the 21st century could take seriously the notion that the sun orbits the Earth, or that the Earth is the center of the universe, is almost unbelievable. I say almost, because one of the trials and tribulations of being a scientist with some element of popular celebrity is that I get bombarded regularly by all sorts of claims, and have become painfully aware that ideas as old as the notion that the Earth is flat never seem to die out completely. Nevertheless, even after being inured to such things, I was surprised to learn of the premise of the film, until I learned that its producer also apparently questions the Holocaust. It is tempting to say that both claims are obscene nonsense, but I believe that does a disservice to the word nonsense.

So, the question I had to face after discovering this abuse of my words was what to do about it. I have no recollection of being interviewed for such a film, and of course had I known of its premise I would have refused. So, either the producers used clips of me that were in the public domain, or they bought them from other production companies that I may have given some rights to distribute my interviews to, or they may have interviewed me under false pretenses, in which case I probably signed some release. I simply don’t know.

Many people have suggested I litigate. But this approach seems to me to be completely wrong because it would elevate the profile of something that shouldn’t even rise to the level of popular discussion. The best thing we can all do when faced by nonsense like that, or equivalent silliness promoted by biblical fundamentalists who claim that science supports a literal interpretation of the Bible, is to ignore it in public forums, and not shine any light on the authors of this trash. As far as this particular film is concerned, one might hope that it has high production value that cost the producers a lot of money. Then, when no one beyond the three people in the country who may somehow have missed the last 500 years of science and history during their education watches the film, we can hope that the whole misbegotten enterprise will bankrupt the production company, or at least severely cramp its style.

I have to agree with Professor Krauss here, though it might be fun to watch this idiot defend his unauthorized use of the clips, it would also provide attention to something which does not deserve any.

However I am not sure I agree with him when it comes to his policy of ignoring those who espouse a literal interpretation of the Bible, and try to interject it into politics and education.

While I understand how distasteful it is to engage with mental midgets, there a lot of stupid people in the country who see them as visionaries or prophets.

It would certainly serve the greater good if there were always somebody ready and willing to shame these imbeciles every time they opened their slack jawed mouths.

You know, besides me of course.

As for Kate Mulgrew, the narrator of this piece of fiction, she is none to happy to have her name associated with it either:

“I am not a geocentrist, nor am I in any way a proponent of geocentrism,” Mulgrew said in her statement. “More importantly, I do not subscribe to anything Robert Sungenis has written regarding science and history and, had I known of his involvement, would most certainly have avoided this documentary. I was a voice for hire, and a misinformed one, at that.”

You know I don't think it exactly helps to convince people that you have a point of view worth considering, when it turns out you had to manipulate stolen film footage of scientists into making it appear they agree with you, and then trick an actress into narrating your "documentary."

I'm just saying.

(P.S. Here is my earlier post about this film.)

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This is what the Wasilla Wendigo posted on her Facebook page:

If Jon Stewart and I can agree on something, it's clear that all Americans should get behind career mentorship for our returning veterans by joining ACP AdvisorNet, a nonprofit online community that connects veterans with business leaders.

And Mediaite has this quote from Stewart concerning his participation:

“Unbelievable as it may sound, I am proud to join with Sarah Palin to address this urgent need,” added Stewart. “We are united in support for ACP and the thousands of Americans who have already signed up to volunteer their time on ACP AdvisorNet. During National Volunteer Week, we hope to inspire countless others to follow suit.”

Oh god, It's real! And I wanted oh so much to believe this was fake.

Look I am not saying it is not a worthy cause, it is.

And I'm not saying that Jon Stewart does not have he right to appear in any advertisement he desires, he does.

But to participate in ANYTHING with Sarah Palin, and give her that kind of legitimacy, well that is inexcusable.

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Courtesy of ADN:

Global mining giant Rio Tinto is pulling out of the Pebble mine project in Alaska, the latest blow to the controversial plan to build an open pit mine in the best wild salmon stronghold in the world.

Rio Tinto said Monday that it will donate its share in the project to a pair of Alaskan non-profits, the Alaska Community Foundation and the Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation.

Rio Tinto's decision comes after the Environmental Protection Agency moved closer in recent weeks to blocking the mine. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said Pebble would "likely have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the salmon of Bristol Bay." She said her agency would decide on action to protect the salmon under the Clean Water Act, which could lead to a veto of the project.

The British mining powerhouse Anglo American pulled out of the Pebble project last year. Now Rio Tinto is abandoning the effort as well, saying Monday "the Pebble Project does not fit with Rio Tinto's strategy."

What? Gouging giant trenches in the pristine Alaska wilderness and possible poisoning an important fishing area does not fit with Rio Tinto's strategy?

Actually I think, that in most cases, it does.

Freeport Mine, a Rio Tinto joint venture.

What I don't think is in their strategy is to have the EPA block their efforts, and for thousands of residents to be actively attempting to protect the surrounding environment.

Ever since Sarah Palin helped to derail the initiative that would have stopped the Pebble Mine in its tracks, Alaskans have been fighting to keep it from going forward.

Today it looks like that has finally come to pass.

Just another left over Palin mess that Alaskans have been working to clean up a whole five years after she quit her job as Governor.

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Courtesy of Mother Jones:

Minnesota Republican congressional candidate Aaron Miller's gripe with Washington is personal. Speaking at the district convention on Saturday, Miller, an Iraq War vet who won the nomination to challenge four-term Democratic Rep. Tim Walz, explained that he was running for office in part to ensure that his daughter won't have to learn about evolution at her local public school. Per the Mankato Free Press:

He also called for more religious freedoms. He repeated his story about his daughter returning home from school because evolution was being taught in her class. He said the teacher admitted to not believing in the scientific theory to his daughter but told her that the government forced him to teach the lesson.

"We should decide what is taught in our schools, not Washington D.C.," Miller said.

Miller has declined to provide any more information to verify his story.

If you think this story smells a little fishy, you are not alone.

A local Minnesota blogger, made this observation:

This is curious stuff, since the standards for curriculum in Minnesota are set by the Minnesota Department of Education.

You know I hate to call somebody a liar, but if it looks like his pants are on fire, and walks like his pants are on fire, then chances are that his pants are indeed on fire.

Even if this story were true, it would mean that this individual is running for office in order to suppress the teaching of universally accepted, peer reviewed science in Minnesota public schools.

If ever there were a reason to vote against somebody that should be it.

The last thing this country needs is yet another anti-science Republican helping to shape the laws that impact all of us.

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