We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
I had the good fortune, and position, to have attended a few of these White House Correspondents' Dinners. It was a long time ago in a previous job. They were not, by any means, for the faint of heart. The roasting was often hot, barbed, but generally all in good spirits (with one or two notable exceptions, naturally involving Republicans). I heard it described as the "Super Bowl of Washington and general news journalism." I'd have to say this was an accurate description. The people in the good seats were high-profile, the coverage (like any in media) was extensive because what's better than the media reporting on itself?
The past two, however, have taken on a different look and feel than those which preceded. It's no surprise to me that Trump wouldn't want to attend. I do think he can handle a barb or two, even a few good-natured jabs. But the press refuses to deal with him in any tone except the most vicious. I've never hidden the fact that I am not a Trump supporter. That said, I don't hate him the way his opposition and the media does. I don't see a good reason for making outrageous and unsubstantiated claims about him, or using them as the basis for mean-spirited attacks. I also don't see any logical reason for attacking his support staff or supporters, even on the basis of some of the more lurid details which are well-known about his behavior and commentary.
You can argue that some people have difficulty accepting terminal illness. True, some people do. However, there is a freedom issue missing here. The Brits do not value freedom in the way that we American rebels do.
China Assigns Every Citizen A ‘Social Credit Score’ To Identify Who Is And Isn’t Trustworthy - Country Determines Your Standing Through Use Of Surveillance Video, Plans To Have 600 Million Cameras By 2020
America is 61 percent white, 18 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent black. California, by contrast, is 39 percent white, 38 percent Hispanic, 15 percent Asian, and 5 percent black. Moreover, one-fourth of the nation’s immigrant population lives in California. More than a quarter of California residents are immigrants, a number that almost doubles the national average.
Below, you already know this: there was no intelligence supporting Trump-Russia collusion. So why was there any investigation? What cabal set that up to weaken Trump? And why?
There is no target. Just fishing for dirt anywhere they can find some or induce some to justify their existence. That is not the American version of law enforcement. Anyway, the Russia thing seems to have been left behind. Russia dirt seems to lead only to the Clintons.
Science is not about finding the truth at all, but about finding better ways of being wrong. The best scientific theory is not the one that reveals the truth — that is impossible. It is the one that explains what we already know about the world in the simplest way possible, and that makes useful predictions about the future. When I accepted that I would always be wrong, and that my favourite theories are inevitably destined to be replaced by other, better, theories — that is when I really knew that I wanted to be a scientist.
Read the utterly innocuous but useful piece. How the idea of debating scientific theories could be "high risk" is beyond me. Or maybe the very phrase "free speech" triggers people. If so, I feel depressed.
Details: Meet at Dunkin' Donuts, 64 Fulton St. in Manhattan, 3 blocks south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Well, it's Dunkin' Donuts or Ruben's Empanadas. Maybe it's both. I'm fairly certain there's a DD there, Google Maps is never wrong. Ever. I'm guessing we meet at 9:30 and get started ASAP. We'll leave a trail of donut crumbs for stragglers.
Weather report says high of 53, partly cloudy. Perfect for a 10-12 mile hike with some beer and pizza. Come one, come all. Exciting Brooklyn!
I have made one update, but the map was tapped out...so on to two maps (which Bing interestingly allows and Google does not). We are always open to suggestions for additional stops. At this point, the hike is about 12 miles long, close to 4 hours of walking without stops. We will have stops, however, so let's call it 5 to 5 1/2 hours right now. Maybe 6 with a stop for lunch. The map looks like this. It's a brisk stretch of the legs, and we finish at a chocolate shop (and distillery - Widow Jane's) near the Water Taxi back to Manhattan.
I believe (hope) this will be the biggest one yet. I got confirmations from people I know around here (6 people), and many have expressed great interest. I am sending them reminders, as well.
Remember - wear comfortable shoes and clothes, prepare for the weather, and if you have anything you'd like to see - suggest it now so we can add it!
Also, give us a heads-up if you want to come. No need to use your name, but we'd like to anticipate rough numbers. Right now, I've got 14 that I am 100% sure of.
‘How Long Do I Have Left?’ AI 
Archaeologists Release Grisly Details of 
