She believes denying her release was wrong and “could have saved her” from the suffering she currently must endure.“Later, only after this appeal was filed, the government amended its position to state that her request was received but the government chose to treat it under a different statute, despite the fact that Reality cited the specific compassionate release statute in both requests she submitted and in every filing submitted to the district court.” “They have been deprived of all programs—recreation, fresh air and sunlight, and nutritional food. How long can the government keep them...…She believes denying her release was wrong and “could have saved her” from the suffering she currently must endure.“Later, only after this appeal was filed, the government amended its position to state that her request was received but the government chose to treat it under a different statute, despite the fact that Reality cited the specific compassionate release statute in both requests she submitted and in every filing submitted to the district court.” “They have been deprived of all programs—recreation, fresh air and sunlight, and nutritional food. How long can the government keep them...WW…

The New Orleans punk band released their sophomore album “The Passion Of,” which the group describesMany seem to deny that systemic racism exists. They close their eyes to the issues of police brutality by trying to dismiss the problem as just a few bad apples.Special Interest sound out the wake-up call. Open your eyes and act, before it is too late.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions...…The New Orleans punk band released their sophomore album “The Passion Of,” which the group describesMany seem to deny that systemic racism exists. They close their eyes to the issues of police brutality by trying to dismiss the problem as just a few bad apples.Special Interest sound out the wake-up call. Open your eyes and act, before it is too late.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions...WW…

With the United States mourning the death of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, several Iraqis from families that were bombed during the Persian Gulf War expressed their condolences and paid tribute to him.“Bush knew how to raise the morale of U.S. military forces by unleashing tons of radioactive bombs, which would poison generations of my family,” said Sama. “Khalil was born with his kidney on his face, but we kept him alive as long as we could for the sake of the ‘New World Order.'”Nasim shared fond memories of the savage form of dysentery he contracted during the war. “I was...…With the United States mourning the death of former President George Herbert Walker Bush, several Iraqis from families that were bombed during the Persian Gulf War expressed their condolences and paid tribute to him.“Bush knew how to raise the morale of U.S. military forces by unleashing tons of radioactive bombs, which would poison generations of my family,” said Sama. “Khalil was born with his kidney on his face, but we kept him alive as long as we could for the sake of the ‘New World Order.'”Nasim shared fond memories of the savage form of dysentery he contracted during the war. “I was...WW…

***“People are doing the things that they need to do for change, however, I’m a little startled at how quickly we were able to flip the switch from the pandemic to this.”Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation...…***“People are doing the things that they need to do for change, however, I’m a little startled at how quickly we were able to flip the switch from the pandemic to this.”Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation...WW…

Weekend Art: Lucretius & Atomic Theory in the Age of Caesar — NormanB ("Deviations from the Norm")Lucretius was a brilliant teacher in ancient Rome. In the first half of the First Century BC, he compiled some of his lectures into a powerful didactic epic poem called On the Nature of Things (or On the Nature of the Universe, or simply The Nature of Things). His art is at once poetry, philosophy, and science. It gives us invaluable insight into the history and culture of First Century Rome.Atomic theory was already at least 5 centuries old when Lucretius taught it. You’ll note, by his...…Weekend Art: Lucretius & Atomic Theory in the Age of Caesar — NormanB ("Deviations from the Norm")Lucretius was a brilliant teacher in ancient Rome. In the first half of the First Century BC, he compiled some of his lectures into a powerful didactic epic poem called On the Nature of Things (or On the Nature of the Universe, or simply The Nature of Things). His art is at once poetry, philosophy, and science. It gives us invaluable insight into the history and culture of First Century Rome.Atomic theory was already at least 5 centuries old when Lucretius taught it. You’ll note, by his...WW…

Happy Sunday Bread Heads!This week we’re going to continue on the mini-Whole Wheat binge I’ve been for the last couple of weeks. Almost everyone has made or had Soda Bread before. It is a bread that is not kneaded and uses only baking soda for its leaving. These little breads can be quite tasty but they are often really dense.This week’s recipe is adapted from a recipe I am told is from the Royal Hibernian Hotel in Dublin. The texture is about halfway between soda bread and a scone .It not only gets a better lift out of the bread (though it is still quite dense) it also allows the baker to...…Happy Sunday Bread Heads!This week we’re going to continue on the mini-Whole Wheat binge I’ve been for the last couple of weeks. Almost everyone has made or had Soda Bread before. It is a bread that is not kneaded and uses only baking soda for its leaving. These little breads can be quite tasty but they are often really dense.This week’s recipe is adapted from a recipe I am told is from the Royal Hibernian Hotel in Dublin. The texture is about halfway between soda bread and a scone .It not only gets a better lift out of the bread (though it is still quite dense) it also allows the baker to...WW…

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, the twin-reactor power plant that spread its isotopic glow across coastal communities from Los Angeles to San Diego, was declared dead last week. SONGS, as it was affectionately known, was 44, though many of its parts are considerably younger.Originally conceived as a single Westinghouse pressurized water reactor in 1964, San Onofre was officially commissioned on January 1, 1968. Two additional units were brought online in the early 1980s. The original Unit 1 was closed permanently in 1992, and stands as a radiant monument to nuclear’s 20th Century...…San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, the twin-reactor power plant that spread its isotopic glow across coastal communities from Los Angeles to San Diego, was declared dead last week. SONGS, as it was affectionately known, was 44, though many of its parts are considerably younger.Originally conceived as a single Westinghouse pressurized water reactor in 1964, San Onofre was officially commissioned on January 1, 1968. Two additional units were brought online in the early 1980s. The original Unit 1 was closed permanently in 1992, and stands as a radiant monument to nuclear’s 20th Century...WW…

 Despite later allegations that I somehow spent my time in Connecticut on a private lear jet with Ned Lamont sipping champagne and plotting the chess moves of the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy, virtually every time I’ve ever seen Ned I was part of a large pack of bloggers, journalists and supporters who followed him around to events.  Of all the journalists in that group — and over time they grew to be legion (four from the NYT alone) — nobody was smarter or made more of an attempt to really get inside the story of the race than Ken Caine of GQ.His p in the issue of GQ released today is...… Despite later allegations that I somehow spent my time in Connecticut on a private lear jet with Ned Lamont sipping champagne and plotting the chess moves of the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy, virtually every time I’ve ever seen Ned I was part of a large pack of bloggers, journalists and supporters who followed him around to events.  Of all the journalists in that group — and over time they grew to be legion (four from the NYT alone) — nobody was smarter or made more of an attempt to really get inside the story of the race than Ken Caine of GQ.His p in the issue of GQ released today is...WW…

As I was surfing around the net Saturday night, I found this really great clip on one of my favorite blogs Crooks and liars.  Lawrence O’Donnell had an excellent panel on the other night which included Jane Hamsher, Alan Grayson, Ralph Nader,  and Michael Lerner. They were all discussing the possibility of a 2012 Primary challenger for Obama.   Great Stuff! Jane thinks there’s absolutely no way Russ would ever primary Obama.  Wow!  Bummer.  That’s who I was hoping would take the reins away from Barry.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from...…As I was surfing around the net Saturday night, I found this really great clip on one of my favorite blogs Crooks and liars.  Lawrence O’Donnell had an excellent panel on the other night which included Jane Hamsher, Alan Grayson, Ralph Nader,  and Michael Lerner. They were all discussing the possibility of a 2012 Primary challenger for Obama.   Great Stuff! Jane thinks there’s absolutely no way Russ would ever primary Obama.  Wow!  Bummer.  That’s who I was hoping would take the reins away from Barry.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from...WW…

ALF is under investigation for 2008 arsons at UC Santa CruzA week ago, I wrote that ”the government has secured the cooperation of a reluctant witness in a grand jury investigation of two 2008 arsons targeting faculty members at UC Santa Cruz, according to IndyBay.org.”A new post on Indybay takes issue with the characterization of earlier reports of activist Ariana Tanabe’s conduct as “cooperation.” Written by “Ben Rosenfeld, Attorney,” the post says:I am not Ariana’s attorney, but I have knowledge that the characterization that she cooperated with a grand jury is misleading and...…ALF is under investigation for 2008 arsons at UC Santa CruzA week ago, I wrote that ”the government has secured the cooperation of a reluctant witness in a grand jury investigation of two 2008 arsons targeting faculty members at UC Santa Cruz, according to IndyBay.org.”A new post on Indybay takes issue with the characterization of earlier reports of activist Ariana Tanabe’s conduct as “cooperation.” Written by “Ben Rosenfeld, Attorney,” the post says:I am not Ariana’s attorney, but I have knowledge that the characterization that she cooperated with a grand jury is misleading and...WW…

It now looks like the people of Alaska will soon be voting on whether to legalize and regulate marijuana. The Alaska Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol has gathered enough signatures that their initiative should likely qualify for the 2014 August primary ballot. From :A representative with the “Campaign to Regulate Marijuana” (CRM) said Wednesday petitioners have collected 44,845 signatures. State law requires 31,169 names for a petition to go before voters. Those working with the campaign say they’re working toward an internal goal of more than 45,000 signatures before they...…It now looks like the people of Alaska will soon be voting on whether to legalize and regulate marijuana. The Alaska Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol has gathered enough signatures that their initiative should likely qualify for the 2014 August primary ballot. From :A representative with the “Campaign to Regulate Marijuana” (CRM) said Wednesday petitioners have collected 44,845 signatures. State law requires 31,169 names for a petition to go before voters. Those working with the campaign say they’re working toward an internal goal of more than 45,000 signatures before they...WW…

Some housekeeping notes:What’s on your mind tonight?Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation today.…Some housekeeping notes:What’s on your mind tonight?Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our operating costs. Monthly membership subscriptions give us the stability we need to make plans while ensuring our organization does not depend on grants or major funders. If you like what you read, support our writers with a donation today.WW…

In the past fifty years, the Civil Rights movement has changed America more than any other social movement. The efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King and others profoundly altered America’s treatment of its minorities, in a way which represents one of its most powerful domestic accomplishments over the past century.Yet one aspect of the Civil Rights movement has always been neglected in the conventional history of the movement. This was its connection to the Cold War. For America to win the Cold War, Civil Rights was a necessity. Continuing domestic discrimination against non-white minorities...…In the past fifty years, the Civil Rights movement has changed America more than any other social movement. The efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King and others profoundly altered America’s treatment of its minorities, in a way which represents one of its most powerful domestic accomplishments over the past century.Yet one aspect of the Civil Rights movement has always been neglected in the conventional history of the movement. This was its connection to the Cold War. For America to win the Cold War, Civil Rights was a necessity. Continuing domestic discrimination against non-white minorities...WW…

I guess after Grandpa Clint’s senior moment during the RNC, we messages from Hollywood conservatives are out there in attempt to resonate with some unidentified demographic out there. “Eastwooding” has taken the country by storm.Now we have Chuck Norris (along with his wife) here to share a message for you about the dire consequences of re-electing Barack Obama. ()Norris and his wife, Gena, have filmed a public service announcement, unveiled exclusively at WND, wherein the two urge Christians to help save the country in November.“We are here to talk about a growing concern we all share,”...…I guess after Grandpa Clint’s senior moment during the RNC, we messages from Hollywood conservatives are out there in attempt to resonate with some unidentified demographic out there. “Eastwooding” has taken the country by storm.Now we have Chuck Norris (along with his wife) here to share a message for you about the dire consequences of re-electing Barack Obama. ()Norris and his wife, Gena, have filmed a public service announcement, unveiled exclusively at WND, wherein the two urge Christians to help save the country in November.“We are here to talk about a growing concern we all share,”...WW…

Governor Jan BrewerAmerica’s economy is awful. Unemployment is , young people , and according to a Wells Fargo survey It’s not a wonderful life – unless, you happen to have some friends in state government.In adetails the growing use of “public-private partnerships” (PPPs) to promote economic development and the conflicts of interests they carry. Unlike traditional economic development which is run from a department of government (Commerce for example), PPPs allow private interests to borrow public authority to promote an economic agenda. Not surprisingly, that agenda often benefits the...…Governor Jan BrewerAmerica’s economy is awful. Unemployment is , young people , and according to a Wells Fargo survey It’s not a wonderful life – unless, you happen to have some friends in state government.In adetails the growing use of “public-private partnerships” (PPPs) to promote economic development and the conflicts of interests they carry. Unlike traditional economic development which is run from a department of government (Commerce for example), PPPs allow private interests to borrow public authority to promote an economic agenda. Not surprisingly, that agenda often benefits the...WW…

Just to update: I’ll be having a "surgical procedure" Tuesday morning that will hopefully correct what ails me. For those who had Ureteropyeloscopy and Laser Lithotripsy in your office pool – you can collect your money tomorrow morning.Usually I enjoy it when a great deal of  attention is paid to my favorite organ, but this time… not so much.Some blogging tomorrow (when I’m not getting my affairs in order) and then we’ll just play it by, um, ear Tuesday night and beyond.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers...…Just to update: I’ll be having a "surgical procedure" Tuesday morning that will hopefully correct what ails me. For those who had Ureteropyeloscopy and Laser Lithotripsy in your office pool – you can collect your money tomorrow morning.Usually I enjoy it when a great deal of  attention is paid to my favorite organ, but this time… not so much.Some blogging tomorrow (when I’m not getting my affairs in order) and then we’ll just play it by, um, ear Tuesday night and beyond.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers...WW…

.  This cartoon first aired on .Directed by Steve Clark. Produced by Peter DeMet and Henry G. Saperstein, Executive Producers, Glan Heisch, Producer, and Abe Levitow, Associate Producer. Story by Dick Shaw. Created by Stephen Bosustow. Animation by Ed Soloman and Xenia. Color Styled by Barbara Begg. Layouts by Bob Singer. Backgrounds by Gloria Wood. Production Design by Marty Murphy. Art Direction by Victor Haboush (as Vic Haboush). Production Management by Earl Jonas. Editing Supervised by Ted Baker. Dialogue Directed by Jerry Hausner. Voices by Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo – uncredited) and...….  This cartoon first aired on .Directed by Steve Clark. Produced by Peter DeMet and Henry G. Saperstein, Executive Producers, Glan Heisch, Producer, and Abe Levitow, Associate Producer. Story by Dick Shaw. Created by Stephen Bosustow. Animation by Ed Soloman and Xenia. Color Styled by Barbara Begg. Layouts by Bob Singer. Backgrounds by Gloria Wood. Production Design by Marty Murphy. Art Direction by Victor Haboush (as Vic Haboush). Production Management by Earl Jonas. Editing Supervised by Ted Baker. Dialogue Directed by Jerry Hausner. Voices by Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo – uncredited) and...WW…

Nancy PelosiIt was kind of odd to see the given the party’s alleged commitment to civil liberties. Now it is reported that not only did the Democratic Leadership vote against the bill but that Minority LeaderThe obituary of Rep. Justin Amash’s amendment to claw back the sweeping powers of the National Security Agency has largely been written as a victory for the White House and NSA chief Keith Alexander, who lobbied the Hill aggressively in the days and hours ahead of Wednesday’s shockingly close vote. But Hill sources say most of the credit for the amendment’s defeat goes to someone else:...…Nancy PelosiIt was kind of odd to see the given the party’s alleged commitment to civil liberties. Now it is reported that not only did the Democratic Leadership vote against the bill but that Minority LeaderThe obituary of Rep. Justin Amash’s amendment to claw back the sweeping powers of the National Security Agency has largely been written as a victory for the White House and NSA chief Keith Alexander, who lobbied the Hill aggressively in the days and hours ahead of Wednesday’s shockingly close vote. But Hill sources say most of the credit for the amendment’s defeat goes to someone else:...WW…

Brains…BRAINS! Teh Gay Activists® are “kidnapping the brains” of California’s kids! It must be true because of said so in a Fox 40 ! …umm, right?From Thomasson’s interview with Fox 40 regarding (SB48), the (emphasis added):“Any day of the week starting in January, children as young as kindergarten will be told that a homosexual, a bisexual, or even a cross-dresser or someone who has had healthy body parts in a sex-change operation cut off – that this is a positive role model. They’re not going to be told that it’s unhealthy; they’re not going to be told, well is this natural or is this a...…Brains…BRAINS! Teh Gay Activists® are “kidnapping the brains” of California’s kids! It must be true because of said so in a Fox 40 ! …umm, right?From Thomasson’s interview with Fox 40 regarding (SB48), the (emphasis added):“Any day of the week starting in January, children as young as kindergarten will be told that a homosexual, a bisexual, or even a cross-dresser or someone who has had healthy body parts in a sex-change operation cut off – that this is a positive role model. They’re not going to be told that it’s unhealthy; they’re not going to be told, well is this natural or is this a...WW…

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee cleared Hilda Solis’ nomination as Secretary of Labor today. The vote by the entire Senate will probably happen this week.Only two Republicans voted against her — Pat Roberts and Tom Coburn. Even though Mike Enzi made a stink and said that she was not qualified to be Secretary of Labor because she supported labor, he ultimately voted for her.Mike Hall of the :After eight years of the Bush administration’s Department of Labor under Elaine Chao—trashing workers’ rights, weakening workplace safety rules, ignoring wage and hour...…The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee cleared Hilda Solis’ nomination as Secretary of Labor today. The vote by the entire Senate will probably happen this week.Only two Republicans voted against her — Pat Roberts and Tom Coburn. Even though Mike Enzi made a stink and said that she was not qualified to be Secretary of Labor because she supported labor, he ultimately voted for her.Mike Hall of the :After eight years of the Bush administration’s Department of Labor under Elaine Chao—trashing workers’ rights, weakening workplace safety rules, ignoring wage and hour...WW…

Jared Bernstein of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has an that reinforces something I’ve been saying for a long time. Contrary to the opinion of that there has been no austerity in Obama’s first term, Bernstein lays out the numbers that actually shows the austerity, in both the short- and long-term, that actually encompasses most of what deficit scolds seek in their grand bargain.And this is actually a bad idea, as Bernstein illustrates.These developments are poorly understood by those—most vocally, SB advocates—who continuously inveigh that we’re not “serious” about cutting...…Jared Bernstein of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has an that reinforces something I’ve been saying for a long time. Contrary to the opinion of that there has been no austerity in Obama’s first term, Bernstein lays out the numbers that actually shows the austerity, in both the short- and long-term, that actually encompasses most of what deficit scolds seek in their grand bargain.And this is actually a bad idea, as Bernstein illustrates.These developments are poorly understood by those—most vocally, SB advocates—who continuously inveigh that we’re not “serious” about cutting...WW…

At first, I was not going to post this. I considered the meeting semi-private and was hoping that it might lead to further reconciliation. It appears however that the story  has become quite a topic of conversation (I guess in hindsight, how could it not), so I'll add my two-cents. I've had an interesting 2 years since Prop 8 in many ways, but there's one that's really turning out interesting.The last year, and especially the last month, has brought a lot of hope for more understanding between the LDS church and it's gay members and the community. Sadly, on the heals of that talk by Elder...…At first, I was not going to post this. I considered the meeting semi-private and was hoping that it might lead to further reconciliation. It appears however that the story  has become quite a topic of conversation (I guess in hindsight, how could it not), so I'll add my two-cents. I've had an interesting 2 years since Prop 8 in many ways, but there's one that's really turning out interesting.The last year, and especially the last month, has brought a lot of hope for more understanding between the LDS church and it's gay members and the community. Sadly, on the heals of that talk by Elder...WW…

has found his Basquiat, his Jack Abbott.Someone needs to tell Fish that his post was written better and longer by in 1972. I’d give him about twenty minutes in a room with Sarah Palin, listening to her drop her g’s while talkin’ about Trig and snow machines and the cold , in that voice, before he threw himself out the window of his ivory tower seeking the sweet release deceleration trauma can bring.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our...…has found his Basquiat, his Jack Abbott.Someone needs to tell Fish that his post was written better and longer by in 1972. I’d give him about twenty minutes in a room with Sarah Palin, listening to her drop her g’s while talkin’ about Trig and snow machines and the cold , in that voice, before he threw himself out the window of his ivory tower seeking the sweet release deceleration trauma can bring.Shadowproof is a financially independent news organization. All of our funding comes from small donations made by readers like you.We use your donations to hire freelance writers and cover our...WW…

Dealbook had an item yesterday about and the bid by mortgage lenders to acquire a “safe harbor,” essentially a shield against consumer lawsuits, in the process. I’ve already and continue to oppose giving banks a safe harbor of any kind on the merits. But just to shift gears away from the precise details for a moment, consider why you would want to give any entity that does something like protection from legal exposure:Geraldine Bates lost her husband to kidney failure last year. Now, she has fallen behind on her mortgage payments and is terrified that she will lose her home in Jacksonville,...…Dealbook had an item yesterday about and the bid by mortgage lenders to acquire a “safe harbor,” essentially a shield against consumer lawsuits, in the process. I’ve already and continue to oppose giving banks a safe harbor of any kind on the merits. But just to shift gears away from the precise details for a moment, consider why you would want to give any entity that does something like protection from legal exposure:Geraldine Bates lost her husband to kidney failure last year. Now, she has fallen behind on her mortgage payments and is terrified that she will lose her home in Jacksonville,...WW…