All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Lay off the women in running tutus (and that includes you, SELF)

Fit and Feminist

You’ve probably all seen that list of the top ten professions that attract psychopaths going around by now, right?  I’ve seen it a few times, mainly because I run in circles with journalists and TV news people, and those professions both cracked the top ten.  As much as I want to lodge a protest on behalf of my profession and say that we aren’t all heartless jerks who view people as little more than fodder to fill our various news holes/magazine spaces/on-air times, sometimes I see a decision made by a media outlet that is so heartless, so cruel that I cannot help but think that the psychopath-career list is more accurate than I am comfortable with.

One of those instances just happened with SELF magazine.  SELF is getting called out in a big way because, well, here:

Monika Allen says she was excited to receive an email from…

View original post 830 more words

H5N1: Guinea: Ebola update from the US Embassy

U.S. Embassy Medical Practitioner attended the World Health Organization (WHO)  Ebola Task Force meeting hosted by WHO today and reports:

• There are a total of 88 suspected individuals of hemorrhagic fever in Guinea.

• 63 of these individuals have died.

• Out of 37 samples, 11 have tested positive for the Ebola virus to date.

• All of the positive tests have come from the far South Eastern Region of Guinea.

• There have been NO proven Ebola cases in Conakry and at this time there are NO suspected cases in Conakry.

via H5N1: Guinea: Ebola update from the US Embassy.

Eleven photos that define ‘American Cool’ | Art and design | theguardian.com

What do we mean when we say someone is cool? A new exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will explore this very theme, through photography, history and popular culture

‘Cool is the opposite of innocence or virtue. Someone cool has a charismatic edge and a dark side.’

via Eleven photos that define ‘American Cool’ | Art and design | theguardian.com.

American Cool | National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

The legendary jazz saxophonist Lester Young created the modern usage of “cool” in the 1940s. At first it meant being relaxed in one’s environment against oppressive social forces, but within a generation it became a password for stylish self-control.

This exhibition does not reflect our opinion of who’s cool. Each cool figure was considered with the following historical rubric in mind and possesses at least three elements of this singular American self-concept:

1.) an original artistic vision carried off with a signature style

2.) cultural rebellion or transgression for a given generation

3.) iconic power, or instant visual recognition

4.) a recognized cultural legacy

via American Cool | National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

Evangelical Bullies Win! World Vision admits ‘mistake,’ won’t hire married gays – Puget Sound Business Journal

Actually, they lose for going back to wrong side of history but bullies are happy for now.

Federal Way-based World Vision U.S. said it made a “mistake” earlier in the week regarding the hiring of married same-sex workers, and said it now won’t hire married gay employees.

On Monday, the Seattle Times reports the ministry organization said it would allow hiring of married gay employees, but the backlash from conservative Christian supporters was so intense, the board was forced to change its stance just two days later.

via World Vision admits ‘mistake,’ won’t hire married gays – Puget Sound Business Journal.

Bank of America to pay $9.3B to settle Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac claims – San Francisco Business Times

If you stole $900 from a corner store, you could do 5 or more years in prison. If you steal more than $9 billion, no jail just a negotiated fine…

What a day for BofA.

Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. Wednesday afternoon announced it will pay $9.3 billion in cash penalties plus mortgage bond repurchases to settle all outstanding mortgage-backed-securities claims brought by federal housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

via Bank of America to pay $9.3B to settle Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac claims – San Francisco Business Times.

Settlers destroy solar panels in south Hebron hills | Maan News Agency

A group of settlers from the illegal outpost of Mitzpe Yair on Thursday attacked and destroyed solar panels belonging to a Palestinian community in the south Hebron hills, locals said.

Witnesses told Ma’an that the settlers destroyed three out of five solar panels providing electricity to the small village of Khirbet Bir al-Idd.

The attackers fled before villagers arrived at the scene.

Local officials filed a complaint at an Israeli police station, where officers said they would search for the attackers.

Villagers told Ma’an that settlers frequently attack their property in an attempt to get them to leave the land so nearby Israeli settlements can be expanded.

via Settlers destroy solar panels in south Hebron hills | Maan News Agency.

A bill to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing any final rule under the Clean Air Act until the date on which the Administrator improves certain employment effect analyses under that Act. (S. 2161) – GovTrack.us

Polluting jobs more important your child’s health or your own!

S. 2161: A bill to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing any final rule under the Clean Air …

… Act until the date on which the Administrator improves certain employment effect analyses under that Act.

Introduced:

Mar 26, 2014

Sponsor:

Sen. James “Jim” Inhofe [R-OK]

via A bill to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing any final rule under the Clean Air Act until the date on which the Administrator improves certain employment effect analyses under that Act. (S. 2161) – GovTrack.us.

Kevin Brady assumes if you are out of work – you are a drug addict?

H.R. 4310: To direct the Secretary of Labor to issue implementing regulations for drug testing under State unemployment …

… compensation programs, and for other purposes.

Introduced:

Mar 26, 2014

Sponsor:

Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX8]

via To direct the Secretary of Labor to issue implementing regulations for drug testing under State unemployment compensation programs, and for other purposes. (H.R. 4310) – GovTrack.us.