So it seems some scientists are trying to breathe new life in the former wasteland surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. They have grown crops in the previously prohibited area and created a Vodka that they say is safe for consumption.
Proving even scientists have a sense of humor, they named it Atomik Vodka with much of the proceeds going back to the area.
I am seeing more and more restaurants move to paper straws for the sake of the environment but do nothing about the disposable plastic cups and other waste in their establishments. Outside of coastal waterway areas, is it just window dressing or a feel good thing with no real impact?
Heart goes out to those in Paris. Sad to see an iconic structure like Notre-Dame de Paris in flames.
There are some modern day Grinches (and not the Dr Suess Grinch) who once again are trying to take away the spirit of Christmas and the holidays. First we were told to stop saying “Merry Christmas” because it was insensitive to non Christians and then we were told to stop saying “Happy Holidays” because it was insensitive to Christians. Well now this year the big debate is around songs like “Baby it’s Cold Outside” or “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” which apparently are trigger songs for rape and bullying.
I agree that both of these things are terrible but unfortunately a one-sided viewpoint has gotten people arguing up a shitstorm about whether the songs mean what has been interpreted. I can understand not wanting to listen to particular songs because you have a personal sensitivity to it or wanting to discuss rationally why the song may create issues for you. But I cringe on all sides when the start off point is “I am offended, so ban this” or “I am offended, so you have to start/stop doing something”
So give it up to the Grinch who instead of stealing Christmas from the Whos down in Whoville, has created a whole list of potentially offensive songs that he will tweet on twitter in hopes we will do the rest.
I hope you have a Merry ChrismaKwanzikah.
So President Trump and President Putin met in Helsinki this past week. The press questioned Putin as to whether there was dossier on President Trump that resulted in a Kompromat. (full transcript here) Kompromat is a Russian term for any type of Compromising Materials on a Person. Now neither President would confirm or fully deny it which led many on social media and the press to really wonder what Putin has on Trump which has led the President to lambaste our historic allies while at the same time cuddling up to the Russian Dictator President.
Interesting questions but former CIA operative Jack Devine has concluded that it is impossible for Donald Trump to be a spy simply because of his actions in Helsinki:
If Trump were truly serving as a Russian intelligence asset, there would have been an obvious move for him to make during his joint press conference with Putin. He would have publicly lambasted the Russian leader, unleashing as theatrical a denunciation as possible. He would have told Putin that he may have been able to get away with a lot of nonsense under Barack Obama, but all that would end now: America has a strong President and there will be no more meddling. Instead, Trump gave up his single best chance to permanently put to rest any suspicion that he is working to promote Russian interests.
So conspiracy theorists, what is your take?
Easter Egg: This isn’t the first time Boris of Boris and Natasha fame (Rocky and Bullwinkle) has made an appearance. Check out this cartoon from 2010
If you pay attention to President Donald Trump you will notice a pattern in his negotiation tactics. He will have a point of view that is unchangeable and if he gets any resistance to that point of view he will act out (or tweet out) to an extreme position. This forces any negotiations to pull to his favor. Sometimes this works out (North Korea) and sometimes it doesn’t (The Wall/Immigration). If he moves to a “10” as the cartoon suggests on immigration, he is assuming the Democrats will give him the money for his border wall and then he will back off on the extremes with mass deportations and separating families at the border.
What he didn’t expect was the backlash not only from his same party but seemingly from his own household. But keep in mind this negotiation style will continue on trade and other political footballs.
Today’s cartoon is inspired by our friends at Netflix. Of course when you have vacation time over the holidays you tend to have some quality TV time as well. Don’t get me wrong, Netflix does have some decent things but have you ever tried to search for a movie to watch or something other than Stranger Things/Punisher (two I enjoy)? But it seems they don’t have to put on a ton of great shows because as long as you find something to watch suddenly you forget the hours spent trying to find something to watch.
I have heard tales of people spending 10-15 minutes scrolling to find something to watch. Just like our cartoon desert wanderer looking for a bit of nourishment, it is hard to come by. That’s why when something new finally pops up on the service, the internet seems to react like it is the best thing in the world. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is a shit sandwich.
With $8 Billion to spend on programming this year I would hope to find a lot more “Bright” spots (which I actually liked and the critics hated) and fewer “Iron Fists”.
What are you watching or not on Netflix??
It seems like the outing of the alleged sexual harassment from Harvey Weinstein towards many women has been the launch pad for women to feel empowered to speak out against the behavior. For those who have been on the publicity apology tour I wonder what they are truly apologizing for, the harassment or the fact that they were outed.
In Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati is a big deal. As a young team in US minor league soccer, they have pulled attendance rivaling all but 2 of the Major League Soccer teams. Of course, they want to be in contention then for a MLS expansion team. According to them, the only way they can do this is to move from their rented space at the University of Cincinnati and build their own stadium.
Jeff Berding, the President of FC Cincinnati, says that they don’t want city/county funds to build the stadium but need $75 million for infrastructure improvements (gas lines, water, roads, etc) to make it work. The local government, however, has no appetite for spending public funds on stadium projects, mostly IMO because Berding was the architect behind what is considered one of the worst stadium deals for a city in US history. Had Berding’s name not been associated with the team it may have been an easier sell.
That being said, I am all for infrastructure costs being absorbed by the city/county, HOWEVER we should never be involved in building a parking garage/lot for a private entity which may only be used infrequently.
