Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Pie Thrower Trial
An excerpt from Deadspin -
Will The First Amendment Save The Kevin Johnson Pie Bandit
By Dave McKenna
Can pie throwing be considered a protected form of speech? Will Kevin Johnson be asked, for the first time ever, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about his seamy side, so help him God? Will Michelle Rhee get cross-examined—or even examined?
Getting the answers to those questions will be among the reasons folks who’ve followed the never-ending soap opera of Johnson, the ex-NBA superstar turned disgraced (and now former) mayor of Sacramento, are excited about the upcoming trial of Sean Thompson, the man who hit Johnson with a pie at a fall charity gala, then took a beating from the pied politico. Thompson was charged with counts of assaulting a public official, a felony, and committing assault on school grounds, a misdemeanor. At a hearing last week in Sacramento Superior Court, a judge confirmed that the trial will indeed start on April 19. The court has set aside two weeks, a huge amount of time for a typical assault case. But nobody expects this trial to proceed typically.
http://deadspin.com/will-the-first-amendment-save-the-kevin-johnson-pie-ban-1794317698
Will The First Amendment Save The Kevin Johnson Pie Bandit
By Dave McKenna
Can pie throwing be considered a protected form of speech? Will Kevin Johnson be asked, for the first time ever, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about his seamy side, so help him God? Will Michelle Rhee get cross-examined—or even examined?
Getting the answers to those questions will be among the reasons folks who’ve followed the never-ending soap opera of Johnson, the ex-NBA superstar turned disgraced (and now former) mayor of Sacramento, are excited about the upcoming trial of Sean Thompson, the man who hit Johnson with a pie at a fall charity gala, then took a beating from the pied politico. Thompson was charged with counts of assaulting a public official, a felony, and committing assault on school grounds, a misdemeanor. At a hearing last week in Sacramento Superior Court, a judge confirmed that the trial will indeed start on April 19. The court has set aside two weeks, a huge amount of time for a typical assault case. But nobody expects this trial to proceed typically.
http://deadspin.com/will-the-first-amendment-save-the-kevin-johnson-pie-ban-1794317698
I Don't Drink, But I'd Go to This Bar
From Thrillist -
THIS JUST-OPENED NYC BAR IS DONATING ALL PROCEEDS TO CAUSES THREATENED UNDER TRUMP
By TANNER SAUNDERS
Get ready to drink, New York, because there’s a new bar putting all your pricey cocktail money towards charity.
Coup, which opened Friday night, is the city’s first 100% not-for-profit cocktail bar. Founded by Ravi DeRossi, the brains behind some of the city’s most influential cocktail bars (like Death & Co. and Amor y Amargo) and bartenders Sother Teague and Max Green, Coup was founded in response to the policies of President Trump. The goal is to offer people a way to support causes threatened by the new administration, and to celebrate the diversity of New York. “The way we define ourselves is: we’re not an anti-Trump bar, we’re just a pro-charity bar and the charities we happen to be working with right now are organizations that need money right now to fight this current administration or are being defunded,” DeRossi tells Thrillist.
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-york/east-village/coup-bar-nyc-protests-trump-donates-profits
THIS JUST-OPENED NYC BAR IS DONATING ALL PROCEEDS TO CAUSES THREATENED UNDER TRUMP
By TANNER SAUNDERS
Get ready to drink, New York, because there’s a new bar putting all your pricey cocktail money towards charity.
Coup, which opened Friday night, is the city’s first 100% not-for-profit cocktail bar. Founded by Ravi DeRossi, the brains behind some of the city’s most influential cocktail bars (like Death & Co. and Amor y Amargo) and bartenders Sother Teague and Max Green, Coup was founded in response to the policies of President Trump. The goal is to offer people a way to support causes threatened by the new administration, and to celebrate the diversity of New York. “The way we define ourselves is: we’re not an anti-Trump bar, we’re just a pro-charity bar and the charities we happen to be working with right now are organizations that need money right now to fight this current administration or are being defunded,” DeRossi tells Thrillist.
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-york/east-village/coup-bar-nyc-protests-trump-donates-profits
Yes Ladies!
From Oakland Magazine -
The Oakland Sisterhood
Women hold every top leadership job in the city’s bureaucracy. Plus, Libby Schaaf’s mayoral staff has six women in senior roles.
By Robert Gammon, Sarah Phelan, Matthew Artz, and Steven Tavares
Oakland has long been a liberal bastion, but it took 159 years for the city to swear in its first-ever female mayor. And now, just six years after that precedent-setting event, Oakland is making up for lost time. Not only did the city’s second female mayor take office in 2015, but women currently dominate nearly every corner of City Hall.
When Mayor Libby Schaaf swore in the city’s first-ever female police chief, Anne Kirkpatrick, on Feb. 27, women for the first time held all the major leadership roles in the city’s bureaucracy: the mayor, the city administrator, the city administrator’s three top deputies, the police chief, and the fire chief. Schaaf’s mayoral office staff also has six women in senior management jobs, plus 10 more women in supporting roles. And that’s not counting the four female city councilmembers and the city attorney.
Call it the Oakland Sisterhood.
http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/April-2017/The-Oakland-Sisterhood/
The Oakland Sisterhood
Women hold every top leadership job in the city’s bureaucracy. Plus, Libby Schaaf’s mayoral staff has six women in senior roles.
By Robert Gammon, Sarah Phelan, Matthew Artz, and Steven Tavares
Oakland has long been a liberal bastion, but it took 159 years for the city to swear in its first-ever female mayor. And now, just six years after that precedent-setting event, Oakland is making up for lost time. Not only did the city’s second female mayor take office in 2015, but women currently dominate nearly every corner of City Hall.
When Mayor Libby Schaaf swore in the city’s first-ever female police chief, Anne Kirkpatrick, on Feb. 27, women for the first time held all the major leadership roles in the city’s bureaucracy: the mayor, the city administrator, the city administrator’s three top deputies, the police chief, and the fire chief. Schaaf’s mayoral office staff also has six women in senior management jobs, plus 10 more women in supporting roles. And that’s not counting the four female city councilmembers and the city attorney.
Call it the Oakland Sisterhood.
http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/April-2017/The-Oakland-Sisterhood/
She's Fired Up
An excerpt from Salon -
Maxine Waters, Donald Trump and impeachment: One Democrat is ready — her party and the American people may follow
A California Democrat calls for impeachment, and the world says it's too early. That might change — and quickly
By HEATHER DIGBY PARTON
The anti-Trump resistance is very much a grassroots effort, but there are leaders emerging. One of the most vocal is Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democrat who represents Los Angeles. Appearing at the Washington Tax Day march last Saturday, Waters put it bluntly: “I don’t respect this president,” she said. “I don’t trust this president. He’s not working in the best interests of the American people. I will fight every day until he is impeached!” Then she led the crowd in a chant of “Impeach 45!” It doesn’t get any more resistant than that.
Waters has always been a tough and forceful politician, unafraid to take a position and speak her mind. She first came to national attention after the violence following the acquittal of police officers in the beating of Rodney King when she went on TV and explained to America through gritted teeth that the African-American community in L.A. hadn’t just exploded out of nowhere. It was a message a lot of people didn’t want to hear, but she made sure they received it anyway. She has been a thorn in the side of conservatives ever since then, once inspiring Ann Coulter to venomously spew that without affirmative action Waters “wouldn’t have a job that didn’t involve wearing a paper hat.” Right-wingers often lose their composure when confronted with such a strong, unapologetic African-American woman who is unafraid of getting right up in their faces.
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/17/maxine-waters-donald-trump-and-impeachment-one-democrat-is-ready-her-party-and-the-american-people-may-follow/
Maxine Waters, Donald Trump and impeachment: One Democrat is ready — her party and the American people may follow
A California Democrat calls for impeachment, and the world says it's too early. That might change — and quickly
By HEATHER DIGBY PARTON
The anti-Trump resistance is very much a grassroots effort, but there are leaders emerging. One of the most vocal is Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democrat who represents Los Angeles. Appearing at the Washington Tax Day march last Saturday, Waters put it bluntly: “I don’t respect this president,” she said. “I don’t trust this president. He’s not working in the best interests of the American people. I will fight every day until he is impeached!” Then she led the crowd in a chant of “Impeach 45!” It doesn’t get any more resistant than that.
Waters has always been a tough and forceful politician, unafraid to take a position and speak her mind. She first came to national attention after the violence following the acquittal of police officers in the beating of Rodney King when she went on TV and explained to America through gritted teeth that the African-American community in L.A. hadn’t just exploded out of nowhere. It was a message a lot of people didn’t want to hear, but she made sure they received it anyway. She has been a thorn in the side of conservatives ever since then, once inspiring Ann Coulter to venomously spew that without affirmative action Waters “wouldn’t have a job that didn’t involve wearing a paper hat.” Right-wingers often lose their composure when confronted with such a strong, unapologetic African-American woman who is unafraid of getting right up in their faces.
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/17/maxine-waters-donald-trump-and-impeachment-one-democrat-is-ready-her-party-and-the-american-people-may-follow/
Monday, April 17, 2017
He's a Heartless Idiot
From the Washington Post -
Charles Barkley ‘uncomfortable’ as Isaiah Thomas cries, playing one day after sister’s death
By Cindy Boren
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas struggled with his emotions Sunday, tearing up before the team’s playoff game as he stared down at sneakers on which he had written “RIP Lil Sis,” “Chyna” and “I love you.”
He was playing about 37 hours after his 22-year-old sister had been killed in a car crash in Washington and, while most people were moved by his emotions, Charles Barkley was not. The TNT commentator and former NBA player felt “that’s just not a good look for him.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/04/17/charles-barkley-uncomfortable-as-isaiah-thomas-cries-playing-one-day-after-sisters-death/?utm_term=.a1b2f4297db9&wpisrc=nl_most-draw7&wpmm=1
Charles Barkley ‘uncomfortable’ as Isaiah Thomas cries, playing one day after sister’s death
By Cindy Boren
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas struggled with his emotions Sunday, tearing up before the team’s playoff game as he stared down at sneakers on which he had written “RIP Lil Sis,” “Chyna” and “I love you.”
He was playing about 37 hours after his 22-year-old sister had been killed in a car crash in Washington and, while most people were moved by his emotions, Charles Barkley was not. The TNT commentator and former NBA player felt “that’s just not a good look for him.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/04/17/charles-barkley-uncomfortable-as-isaiah-thomas-cries-playing-one-day-after-sisters-death/?utm_term=.a1b2f4297db9&wpisrc=nl_most-draw7&wpmm=1
Hilariously Scary
From the New Yorker -
IVANKA’S NOTES FOR THE BABYSITTER
By Ellis Weiner
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/ivankas-notes-for-the-babysitter?intcid=mod-latest
IVANKA’S NOTES FOR THE BABYSITTER
By Ellis Weiner
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/ivankas-notes-for-the-babysitter?intcid=mod-latest
Great App
I just discovered Mr. Number, the call blocking and scam protection app. It immediately identifies scam calls and blocks them.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mr-number-call-block-reverse-lookup/id1047334922?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mr-number-call-block-reverse-lookup/id1047334922?mt=8
Sunday, April 16, 2017
It Matters
An excerpt from the New York Times -
The Real Reason Black Kids Benefit From Black Teachers
By David Jackson
For black students, having even one black teacher can make a huge difference. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which found that that black boys who had a black teacher during their elementary school years were less likely to drop out of high school. It also linked the presence of black teachers to kids’ expectations of attending college.
I wasn’t surprised to hear this. I’m one of a small fraction of black teachers in my district. I know that, as much as many would like to think that good intentions and talent are the only important qualities for educators, students respond differently to teachers whom they can relate to.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/opinion/sunday/the-real-reason-black-kids-benefit-from-black-teachers.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
The Real Reason Black Kids Benefit From Black Teachers
By David Jackson
For black students, having even one black teacher can make a huge difference. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which found that that black boys who had a black teacher during their elementary school years were less likely to drop out of high school. It also linked the presence of black teachers to kids’ expectations of attending college.
I wasn’t surprised to hear this. I’m one of a small fraction of black teachers in my district. I know that, as much as many would like to think that good intentions and talent are the only important qualities for educators, students respond differently to teachers whom they can relate to.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/15/opinion/sunday/the-real-reason-black-kids-benefit-from-black-teachers.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
A Heathen's Guide
An excerpt from the Root -
A Heathen’s Guide to Black Church on Easter Sunday
By Lawrence Ware
Easter—or, as the “woke” Christians call it, Resurrection Sunday—is one of my favorite holidays. Not because of the deep, symbolic weight of the day, but because of the fashion.
Black folks are aesthetically creative on a regular day—yet, on Easter, everyone is a black dandy.
There will be pastel suits, white hats and reflective sunglasses, but my favorite part of Easter, without question, are the little kids in ill-fitting suits and pouffy dresses.
... But let’s be honest.
Some of y’all who will be in church Sunday ain’t been there in a solid year—and that’s me being generous.
http://www.theroot.com/a-heathen-s-guide-to-black-church-on-easter-sunday-1794340498
A Heathen’s Guide to Black Church on Easter Sunday
By Lawrence Ware
Easter—or, as the “woke” Christians call it, Resurrection Sunday—is one of my favorite holidays. Not because of the deep, symbolic weight of the day, but because of the fashion.
Black folks are aesthetically creative on a regular day—yet, on Easter, everyone is a black dandy.
There will be pastel suits, white hats and reflective sunglasses, but my favorite part of Easter, without question, are the little kids in ill-fitting suits and pouffy dresses.
... But let’s be honest.
Some of y’all who will be in church Sunday ain’t been there in a solid year—and that’s me being generous.
http://www.theroot.com/a-heathen-s-guide-to-black-church-on-easter-sunday-1794340498
A Twitter Feud
From Thrillist -
WENDY'S JUST BURNED HARDEE'S SO BAD IT GOT BLOCKED
By DUSTIN NELSON
https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/wendys-hardees-twitter-feud-blocked
WENDY'S JUST BURNED HARDEE'S SO BAD IT GOT BLOCKED
By DUSTIN NELSON
https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/wendys-hardees-twitter-feud-blocked
Muted Ball
An excerpt from Slate -
Still a White Man’s Sport
Seventy years after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, the game has yet to embrace black culture.
By Lawrence Ware
Black culture is American culture, and the flamboyance of players in the Negro Leagues was a major part of why that great American institution was so beloved. Unfortunately, as black athletes integrated baseball, major-league players and fans did not embrace much of what made the Negro Leagues unique. Many teams, for instance, warmed up by miming baseball moves with great flamboyance, a practice known as playing “shadow ball.” Players in the Negro Leagues wowed the crowds with their convincing reactions to balls that were, in fact, not there. But when they made it to the majors, shadow ball ceased to exist.
As William Rhoden noted in the New York Times in 2014, Robinson didn’t leave the style of the Negro Leagues behind when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. His “speed and daring,” particularly his steals of home, were a trademark of black baseball. “At that time, [white] baseball was a base-to base thing,” Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil said in an interview for Ken Burns’ documentary Baseball. “But in our baseball … if you walked, you stole second … you actually scored runs without a hit.” Robinson’s aggression on the base paths infuriated his opponents, particularly the white ones. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Russ Meyer, annoyed at watching Robinson dance off third base, yelled, “Go ahead you nigger, try to steal.” Robinson did try. He was safe at home.
http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2017/04/seventy_years_after_jackie_robinson_mlb_is_still_a_white_man_s_sport.html
Making Music on His Phone
From Wired -
The Hot New Hip-Hop Producer Who Does Everything on His iPhone
By David Pierce
https://www.wired.com/2017/04/steve-lacy-iphone-producer/?mbid=nl_41417_p2&CNDID=
The Hot New Hip-Hop Producer Who Does Everything on His iPhone
By David Pierce
https://www.wired.com/2017/04/steve-lacy-iphone-producer/?mbid=nl_41417_p2&CNDID=
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