Talking It Out

A few things we've seen on the Internet this week: Get the feeling that the government has been filled by supervillains? Turns out we've seen some of these tactics in comic books already . (via io9 ) There's a reason rural, Christian white America won't change , and we won't be able to convince them otherwise.  Think it's just the patriarchy that wants to push women back into the dark ages? Nope. There are plenty of women who think this is a good idea.  5 things parents need to know about the #WealthCare bill.  195 members of Congress have filed a lawsuit against 45 . Rep. Alan Lowenthal said, "The suit alleges that the President, by retaining interests in his business organization, has violated constitutional restrictions on taking gifts and benefits from foreign leaders. According to the Constitution’s ‘emolument clause,’ the President must seek Congressional approval to receive such gifts. If the President won’t follow the Constitutio...

So, Jared Kushner's meeting with Abbas was "tense", and when he gives his report to his father-in-law, Trump may decide to abandon Mideast peace talks. I'm shocked, just shocked, I tell you.  I mean, who knew that peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians could be so difficult to achieve? (Um, Hillary Clinton knew...a First Lady who was present when Ehud Barak and Yassir Arafat were brought together at the White House...a Secretary of State who negotiated a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas...but I digress.) Fifty years after the Six Day War,  the West Bank situation is reaching critical mass.  There are only two options:  create a Palestinian State on the West Bank, or grant the inhabitants of the West Bank full Israeli citizenship, But the Palestinian population of the West Bank, as well as the Israeli Arab population, is large, and growing.  The Arab population will eventually outnumber the Jewish population, and Israel as a uniquely Jewish s...

In case you missed it... Science has a new explanation for homosexuality. It's a way to keep a family strong . If you've been on Twitter lately, you already know this is the case. 45 hasn't been tweeting about attacks against Muslims . The FBI won't say that 45 is not a Russian agent . Oops. The Republican party "accidentally" leaked info for for a whole bunch of voters . And before the text of the health care bill leaked (spoiler: it's worse than we thought), McConnell hid the bill in his mouth . (This one's from The Onion , because we need a laugh right about now.) The administration is trying to create instability in the insurance market by delaying payments so that ACA insurers may have to raise rates . Have a Democratic Senator (like me) and have no reason to call them? Now you do. Ask them to withhold consent and filibuster by amendment . What stories have we missed this week?

I've been neglecting this blog since April. Not because there aren't things to say. I think it's because it's all been coming at us fast and furious, and it's hard to boil down feelings to just one topic. So, today I thought I'd post this video I stumbled across about three weeks ago. I meant to post it before now, but, well... It kind of explains a lot, don't you think? I found this via the Huffington Post . Check it out to find links to the Dunning-Kruger effect and Salience Bias.

Have you heard? The Senate is getting ready to vote on Trumpcare. TIMELINE: The Senate GOP's plan is to pass this bill FAST—by June 30. Enough time to fight, no time to spare. Here are the steps. 2/ — Ben Wikler (@benwikler) June 8, 2017 I'm here to give this a signal boost. I am lucky enough to live in a state with two Democratic Senators, and both have been fighting this atrocity. But their support is not enough. We need those of you who live in states with Senators who think tax breaks for millionaires are more important than access to affordable health care to call and #resist. Do you live in Alaska, West Virginia, Nevada, Arizona, Maine, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Colorado, South Carolina, Arkansas, or Pennsylvania? You can help. Call your Senator(s)! Daily. Not sure what to say? Would you rather tweet at them or contact them on Facebook? Check out the Trumpcare Toolkit . Reminder: Amidst this Russia investigation, Republicans are still trying to take awa...