May 1 and 2, 2016


News and Views


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-correspondents-dinner-pokes-fun-at-presidential-race/

White House Correspondents' Dinner pokes fun at presidential race
By ANDREA PARK CBS NEWS
May 1, 2016, 12:08 AM

Video -- President Obama’s Last Life
Photograph -- gettyimages-526633732.jpg, Actress Kerry Washington attends the 102nd White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 30, 2016 in Washington, DC. LARRY BUSACCA, GETTY IMAGES
Play VIDEO -- Obama reveals his "retirement plans"
Related: White House Correspondents' Dinner: Carrie Fisher interview
10 PHOTOS -- Inside the 2016 White House Correspondents' Dinner
Play VIDEO -- Watch: Obama's last WH Correspondents' Dinner Speech Pt. 2
Play VIDEO -- Watch: Obama's last WH Correspondents' Dinner Speech Pt. 3
Play VIDEO -- Larry Wilmore performs at WH Correspondents' Dinner Pt. 1
Play VIDEO -- Larry Wilmore performs at WH Correspondents' Dinner Pt. 2


Hollywood stars, politicians and Carrie Fisher's dog mingled at this year's White House Correspondents' dinner, hosted by Larry Wilmore of "The Nightly Show."

The nearly 3,000 guests at the Washington Hilton ballroom included celebrities ranging from Aretha Franklin to Kendall Jenner to Fisher, who brought her French bulldog, Gary. Absent was Donald Trump, who has been a regular at the event, though his sons and their wives were seen on the red carpet.

Prominent politicians at the event included Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Guests cheered on Jason Rezaian, the Tehran correspondent for The Washington Post who was imprisoned for 18 months in Iran before he was released in January.

The journalist announced the evening's major awards, which went to "CBS This Morning's" Norah O'Donnell of CBS News, winner of the Merriman Smith Award for broadcast journalism, Carol Lee of the Wall Street Journal, Matt Viser of the Boston Globe, Terrence McCoy of The Washington Post and Neela Banerjee, John Cushman Jr., David Hasemyer and Lisa Song of InsideClimate.

A blooper reel of President Barack Obama's snafus showed him calling Matt Lauer "Tim," Kanye West a "jackass" on a hot mic and poked fun at his habit of saying, "Let me be clear."

Obama then took the stage to give his final White House Correspondents' Dinner opening remarks, during which he made a "Game of Thrones" reference. He compared the dinner to the show's infamous Red Wedding after joking that he should lock in the Republicans at the dinner and hold Merrick Garland's confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court.

He also talked about the rise in his rising poll numbers, as photos of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump looking quizzical appeared behind him. "The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major," said the president.

Obama also took on the presidential race and commented on Bernie Sanders' "Feel the Bern" slogan.

"Hillary's slogan has not had the same effect," he said as an illustration of the Clinton logo pushing a giant rock uphill appeared on screen, which said, "Trudge up the Hill." He teased Clinton and said her attempt to connect with young voters made her like an old aunt who joins Facebook.

He also wondered aloud why Trump was a no-show this year, and said that the Republican frontrunner does indeed have foreign policy experience: "He has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan."

The president played a video that showed his future in Washington, after he leaves the Oval Office. The clip imagined Obama as he navigated the DMV, where a woman tells him he must present a birth certificate, and showed the president helping Biden pick sunglasses and watching "Toy Story" with John Boehner.

The night took an edgier turn when Wilmore approached the lectern. He started his speech with a jab at Fox News: "Welcome to Negro Night," he said. "Or as Fox News will report... 'Two thugs disrupt elegant dinner in DC.'"

The punches kept coming. Wilmore, who used to be "Senior Black Correspondent" on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, talked about his job hosting "The Nightly Show."

"I am a black man, who replaced a white man, who pretended to be a TV newscaster," he said. He took a big dig at Brian Williams and said, "Lester Holt and I have a lot in common."

He roasted the president, as well, making fun of Obama's aging in particular.

"President Obama's hair is so white it's started saying 'All Lives Matter,'" he cracked. "He's breaking stereotypes. Black does crack."

Race was a recurring theme in Wilmore's speech. He said, "Black Lives Matter are here tonight. It's just a joke, white people. Relax."

Wilmore took aim at broadcast networks and publications, and talked about Fox News' preoccupation with Beyonce: "They just renamed 'The Kelly File' 'Becky with the good hair,'" he said, referring to the singer's new album, "Lemonade."

But the host skewered CNN and MSNBC as well, saying about the former, "The finest black journalists are here tonight... and Don Lemon." Lemon grinned and flipped his middle finger at Wilmore. Wilmore targeted MSNBC even more harshly, saying the letters stood for "Missing a Significant Number of Black Correspondents" as the news channel has recently canceled Joy Reid's show and parted ways with Melissa Harris-Perry.

Wilmore made fun of Sanders' age and Clinton's relationship with the black community, but of course, he couldn't close his speech without taking some heavy hits on Trump and Cruz. He talked about the conspiracy theory that Cruz is the Zodiac Killer.

"That's absurd," he said. "Some people actually liked the Zodiac Killer."

He rehashed the national discussion on Trump's hands and said, "I can't understand why everyone treats Donald Trump with kid gloves, and then I realize they're the only gloves that'll fit his stupid little baby hands."

But there was one person Wilmore would not disparage: the First Lady.

"When it's all said and done, after eight years in the White House, we are really going to miss Michelle," he said as he finished his speech.



“The nearly 3,000 guests at the Washington Hilton ballroom included celebrities ranging from Aretha Franklin to Kendall Jenner to Fisher, who brought her French bulldog, Gary. Absent was Donald Trump, who has been a regular at the event, though his sons and their wives were seen on the red carpet. Prominent politicians at the event included Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Guests cheered on Jason Rezaian, the Tehran correspondent for The Washington Post who was imprisoned for 18 months in Iran before he was released in January. The journalist announced the evening's major awards …. A blooper reel of President Barack Obama's snafus showed him calling Matt Lauer "Tim," Kanye West a "jackass" on a hot mic and poked fun at his habit of saying, "Let me be clear." …. He also talked about the rise in his rising poll numbers, as photos of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump looking quizzical appeared behind him. "The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major," said the president. Obama also took on the presidential race and commented on Bernie Sanders' "Feel the Bern" slogan. "Hillary's slogan has not had the same effect," he said as an illustration of the Clinton logo pushing a giant rock uphill appeared on screen, which said, "Trudge up the Hill." He teased Clinton and said her attempt to connect with young voters made her like an old aunt who joins Facebook. …. The night took an edgier turn when Wilmore approached the lectern. He started his speech with a jab at Fox News: "Welcome to Negro Night," he said. "Or as Fox News will report... 'Two thugs disrupt elegant dinner in DC.'"


Following the US news is more often tense than fun, but at least on this night each year everybody gets together to liven things up a bit. My favorite is the “Two thugs” comment. We have too little true light heartedness in this country. Maybe we all think we are just too “sophisticated” for that. A video of this Washington Hilton affair is on Youtube if you want to clip it. I added it to my collection.

I’ve just spent ten minutes or so searching for a certain British festival which includes a parade in which Brits of all ages and social types march down the street together doing riotously bizarre and humorous things. It’s a hoot! I don’t know the name of it. It pops up on the TV news, though, and it’s really worth watching. I did find some other equally funny British events, which you may want to check out on the Net, or better still, in Merry Old England. Go to listverse.com for excerpts:

http://listverse.com/2010/04/02/10-very-strange-british-traditions/

Britain has a long and varied past – it has been conquered repeatedly, it has conquered others, and it has colonized half the planet. Through its history, many strange traditions and festivals have arisen. This list looks at ten of the most unusual.

Gurning2
The Egremont Crab Fair – one of England’s weirder events – gets its name from crab apples rather than the marine variety. It started back in the 13th century when the Lord of the Manor gave away crab apples to the populace. In fact, to this day, the Parade of the Apple Cart, where apples are thrown into the crowds on the Main Street, is part of the fair. There are a host of other non-mechanized, traditional events – greasy pole climbing, a pipe smoking contests, a talent show, Cumberland wrestling, a hounds trail. But lets face it, the reason Egremont makes the news every year is the gurning competition. Home of the Gurning World Championships.Gurning, involves a rubber-faced skill that is totally bizarre and unique to this part of England. Contestants put their heads through horse collar or braffin while they create the ugliest, most grotesque faces they can manage. A certain amount of skill is involved but a lot of beer and a certain amount of toothlessness probably has an impact as well. Celebrities occasionally have a go and the national news usually features the winning gurners. If you are in Cumbria visiting the Lake District, nearby, in September, stop in at the Egremont Crab Fair. You won’t see anything like this anywhere else and you won’t soon forget it. 9

Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill
Cheese-RollingThe Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event held on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester in the Cotswolds region of England It is traditionally by and for the people of Brockworth – the local village, but now people from all over the world take part. The event takes its name from the hill on which it occurs. The 2010 event has been cancelled due to safety concerns over the number of people visiting the event but it is hoped that it will be held on the late May Bank Holiday in 2011. Due to the steepness and uneven surface of the hill there are usually a number of injuries, ranging from sprained ankles to broken bones and concussion. Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling has been summarized as “twenty young men chase a cheese off a cliff and tumble 200 yards to the bottom, where they are scraped up by paramedics and packed off to hospital”.

Maypole Dancing
Maypoledancing1949Maypole dancing is a form of folk dance from western Europe, especially England, Sweden, Galicia, Portugal and Germany, with two distinctive traditions. In the most widespread, dancers perform circle dances around a tall pole which is decorated with garlands, painted stripes, flowers, flags and other emblems. In the second most common form, dancers dance in a circle each holding a colored ribbon attached to a much smaller pole; the ribbons are intertwined and plaited either on to the pole itself or into a web around the pole. The dancers may then retrace their steps exactly in order to unravel the ribbons.7

Pearly King and Queen
3497473524 7718Ac9F6DPearly Kings and Queens, known as pearlies, are an organized charitable tradition of working class culture in London, England. The practice of wearing clothes decorated with pearl buttons originated in the 19th century. It is first associated with Henry Croft, an orphan street sweeper who collected money for charity. In 1911 an organized pearly society was formed in Finchley, north London.6

Guy Fawkes Night
Lewes Bonfire, Guy Fawkes EffigyGuy Fawkes Night (or “bonfire night”), held on 5 November in the United Kingdom and some parts of the Commonwealth, is a commemoration of the plot, during which an effigy of Fawkes is burned, often accompanied by a fireworks display. The word “guy”, meaning “man” or “person”, is derived from his name. Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of Catholic Restorationists from England who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Their aim was to displace Protestant rule by blowing up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and the entire Protestant, and even most of the Catholic, aristocracy and nobility were inside. The conspirators saw this as a necessary reaction to the systematic discrimination against English Catholics.The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert Catesby, but Fawkes was put in charge of its execution. He was arrested a few hours before the planned explosion, during a search of the cellars underneath Parliament in the early hours of 5 November prompted by the receipt of an anonymous warning letter. Basically it’s a celebration of the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.5

Ascot Ladies Day
Ascot Ladies Day 6Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK’s 32 annual Group 1 races, the same number as Newmarket. The course is closely associated with the British Royal Family, being approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, and owned by the Crown Estate. Ascot today stages twenty-five days of racing over the course of the year, comprising sixteen Flat meetings held in the months of May and October. The Royal Meeting, held in June, remains a major draw, the highlight being the Ascot Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July. What makes this so special is that every year the fashion, specifically the hats get bigger, bolder and damn right weirder as the photo illustrates.

Bog Snorkeling
41945900 Ronniesnyder 416PaYes indeed, you read correctly, bog snorkeling. If any of you ever doubted that us Brits are mad, this should make up your minds for you. Basically participants dive into a bog, wearing goggles, a pair of flippers and a snorkel, they then proceed to race each other along a 120ft trench filled with mud. Held every year the participants come from all over the world and raise lots of money for charity.3

Straw Bear
Whittlesey Straw BearStraw Bear (Strawboer) Day is an old English tradition held on the 7th of January. It is known in a small area of Fenland on the borders of Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire, including Ramsey Mereside. This day is believed to be traditional start of agricultural year in England. A man or a boy wears a straw costume covering him from his head to toes. He goes from house to house where he dances. As prize for his dancing people give him money, food or beer. 2

Worm Charming
243096 2Fc7976CWorm charming is a way to of attracting earthworms from the ground. Many do it to collect bait for fishing. But there are also those who do it as sort of sport. The village of Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire is the place where since 1980 the annual World Championships have been organized. The competition was actually initiated by local man Tom Shufflebotham who on the 5th of July, 1980 charmed 511 worms from the ground in only half an hour. The competition has 18 rules. Here are just few of them. Each competitor competes in the 3 x 3 meters area. Music of any kind can be used to charm worms out of the ground. No drugs can be used! Water is considered to be a drug (stimulant). 1

Morris Dancing
41608984 Morris Dancing Pa 4164A Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Implements such as sticks, swords, and handkerchiefs may also be wielded by the dancers. In a small number of dances for one or two men, steps are performed near and across a pair of clay tobacco pipes laid across each other on the floor.
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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/seattle-may-day-march-turns-violent/

Seattle May Day march turns violent
CBS/AP
May 2, 2016, 3:30 AM

Photograph -- Dozens of people dressed in black gathered at a downtown Seattle park following the earlier, peaceful march, reports CBS Seattle affiliate KIRO-TV. The demonstrators, who didn't have a permit from city officials, then started marching through the streets. They carried signs including one saying "We Are Ungovernable." REUTERS
Photograph -- Police detain protester during anti-capitalist May Day demonstation in Seattle on May 1, 2016 REUTERS
Photograph -- Woman carries placard critical of Donald Trump during May Day march in Los Angeles on May 1, 2016 DAVID MCNEW, GETTY IMAGES
31 PHOTOS -- May Day around the world


SEATTLE -- Seattle police used pepper spray to disperse black-clad anti-capitalist protesters authorities say threw rocks, flares, bricks and Molotov cocktails at officers during a rowdy May Day gathering.

At least nine people were arrested Sunday evening. Authorities said five officers were hurt, none seriously.

The clashes followed a peaceful march in the city earlier in the day by advocates for workers and immigrants, just one of several events in cities nationwide Sunday to call for better wages for workers, an end to deportations and support for an Obama administration plan to give work permits to immigrants in the country illegally whose children are American citizens.

Earlier, some downtown businesses had earlier boarded up storefronts, anticipating violence. Police said there was some property damage, including broken windows at a residential building.

"Unfortunately, tonight we had some violence," said Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole. "Thankfully there were no serious injuries."

Authorities said eight males and one juvenile female were arrested Sunday evening. One person was arrested on a property destruction charges, five for obstruction and three on assault charges.

Police also said one officer suffered a head laceration after being struck by a rock, one was hit by a Molotv cocktail and hurt but not burned and another officer was bitten. Details on the other two injuries were not immediately available.

Bicycle police in riot gear pushed the protesters south past the city's sports stadiums to a Costco parking lot. Police said they then allowed small groups to disperse.

Seattle traditionally sees large, disruptive May Day gatherings. Last year, police arrested 16 people during demonstrations and in 2014, 10 people were arrested. In 2013, police arrested 18 people from a crowd that pelted them with rocks and bottles. Storefronts in downtown Seattle have also been smashed in previous protests.

In Los Angeles, hundreds of May Day marchers took to the streets chanting slogans and carrying signs - and at least one Donald Trump piñata, as the rally quickly turned into a peaceful, anti-Trump protest, CBS Los Angeles reports.

"We want them to hear our voices, to know that we are here and that we want a better life, with jobs," said Norberto Guiterrez, a 46-year-old immigrant from Mexico who joined families, union members and students who marched through downtown.

Demonstrators repeatedly called out Trump for his remarks about immigrants, workers and women. The Republican presidential front-runner has called for a wall on the border with Mexico and chided Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton for playing the so-called "woman card."

"In addition to fighting for workers' rights, we are fighting for our dignity this time around, our self-respect," said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

"We can certainly encourage folks to look at what they're watching, what they're hearing and have them represent themselves and their families - whether they can vote or not - and say, 'We are not the rapists. We are not the criminals you are talking about. And we are quite good for this country,'" Cabrera said.

Trump says he isn't racist or anti-immigrant; he simply wants the U.S. to stop illegal immigration and control its borders.

In San Francisco, hundreds of marchers rallied at Fisherman's Wharf for immigrant and workers' rights and to demand justice for several men fatally shot by city police.

Across the bay in Oakland, close to 1,000 people marched in the Fruitvale district to raise awareness for workers, housing and immigrant rights and denounce Trump.

In New York, nearly 200 people gathered in Union Square for the cause of workers' rights on Sunday for May Day, CBS New York reported.

"We must carry on the struggles in the spirit of May Day," one speaker said.

Meanwhile, social justice advocates in Durham, New Hampshire, made the rejection of racism, xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment the themes of their annual rally.

Around the world, union members have traditionally marched on May 1 for workers' rights. In the United States, the annual events have become a rallying point for immigrants and their supporters since massive demonstrations in 2006 against a proposed immigration enforcement bill.

In recent years, the marches have waned in size in U.S. cities, but the tradition has continued.



“The clashes followed a peaceful march in the city earlier in the day by advocates for workers and immigrants, just one of several events in cities nationwide Sunday to call for better wages for workers, an end to deportations and support for an Obama administration plan to give work permits to immigrants in the country illegally whose children are American citizens. …. Authorities said eight males and one juvenile female were arrested Sunday evening. One person was arrested on a property destruction charges, five for obstruction and three on assault charges. Police also said one officer suffered a head laceration after being struck by a rock, one was hit by a Molotv cocktail and hurt but not burned and another officer was bitten. …. In Los Angeles, hundreds of May Day marchers took to the streets chanting slogans and carrying signs - and at least one Donald Trump piñata, as the rally quickly turned into a peaceful, anti-Trump protest, CBS Los Angeles reports. "We want them to hear our voices, to know that we are here and that we want a better life, with jobs," said Norberto Guiterrez, a 46-year-old immigrant from Mexico who joined families, union members and students who marched through downtown. ….


“Black-clad anti-capitalist protesters,” union members, disgruntled immigrants, and students. Sounds like a heady mix to me. I was concerned when I first saw the article that it might be some serious-minded anarchic types, but it sounds more like those twenty somethings from colleges across the country who descend on Atlantic Beach and other fun places to generally act up, have sex on the beach and drink. There was one serious demonstration, but that was peaceful. From the way the police officer spoke of it he wasn’t taking it to be a dangerous threat to our country.


NOT ALL TV IS BAD FOR US, NOR BORING EITHER --

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-curiositystream-20150318-story.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=earnedlatimes

With CuriosityStream, Discovery Channel founder seeks online success
By Paresh Dave
March 18, 2015

Photograph -- John Hendricks, Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks retired as chairman of parent company Discovery Communications last spring. (John Hendricks)
Related: SIGN UP for the free California Inc. business newsletter
Related: How John Hendricks Is Helping Shape the Future of a More Intelligent World of Television
Related: See more of our top stories on Facebook.


The founder of the Discovery Channel, an early cable-TV hit, is turning to online streaming with a new subscription service called CuriosityStream.

John Hendricks started Discovery Channel in 1982, after watching HBO succeed in the 1970s. He made a fortune and left as chairman of parent company Discovery Communications last spring to pursue his new venture.

On Wednesday, CuriosityStream launched with about 600 series, feature-length documentaries and 20-minute-or-shorter clips on science, technology and history. Access costs $2.99 a month for standard-definition picture quality and $5.99 a month for high definition. The first month is free.

CuriosityStream is expected to feature a mix of content acquired from BBC, NHK and other producers as well as original programming. Aimed at the “curious” population, the programming should be understandable, Hendricks says, to everyone from 13-year-olds who enjoy building soda-bottle rockets to retirees looking for deep commentary on the latest scientific breakthroughs.

Because the cost of producing “factual content” is about one-fourth to one-sixth that of “dramatic content,” the service won’t need to show ads, Hendricks said. He expects about 400 titles to be added this year, including a signature original production called “Big Picture Earth.”

Hendricks said his service isn’t a threat to big brands like Discovery or Netflix. Since many people who fit into the targeted user base of academics, techies and subject experts have high incomes, he said, they’ll be able to afford two or all three of those services.

Some of CuriosityStream's original programming will be developed at the company’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., across the street from Discovery.

The Maryland location makes more sense than a base in Los Angeles, according to Hendricks, because it’ll be easier to film interviews with the large number of experts who visit government, academic and cultural institutions in Washington, D.C.

Hendricks said he watches CuriosityStream on an 84-inch television using Apple’s AirPlay casting functionality. His favorites include “Cosmic Front,” a 15-part series on space exploration, and “Twilight of Civilizations,” which explores the fall of the Roman Empire.

“I’m a science buff, and I was a history major in college,” Hendricks said.



“John Hendricks started Discovery Channel in 1982, after watching HBO succeed in the 1970s. He made a fortune and left as chairman of parent company Discovery Communications last spring to pursue his new venture. On Wednesday, CuriosityStream launched with about 600 series, feature-length documentaries and 20-minute-or-shorter clips on science, technology and history. …. CuriosityStream is expected to feature a mix of content acquired from BBC, NHK and other producers as well as original programming. Aimed at the “curious” population, the programming should be understandable, Hendricks says, to everyone from 13-year-olds who enjoy building soda-bottle rockets to retirees looking for deep commentary on the latest scientific breakthroughs. Because the cost of producing “factual content” is about one-fourth to one-sixth that of “dramatic content,” the service won’t need to show ads, Hendricks said.”


I do miss cable TV, but it just became too expensive at $60.00 a month. This CuriosityStream is starting out at only $2.99 a month, but then AT&T’s Internet service started at a little over $15.00 a month for one year, too, and is now around $40.00. I expect CuriosityStream will do the same thing. Of course I can watch a month’s worth for free, and may sign up for the presently very low fee after that. I have always enjoyed Discovery, History, Science, A&E and Animal Planet, and of course National Public TV has lots of good stuff. The Internet now fills the gap for me, with news, Wikipedia, etc. it keeps me busy. See below.


https://curiositystream.com/

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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boxer-sugar-shane-mosley-turns-hero-on-la-highway/

Boxer "Sugar" Shane Mosley turns hero on L.A. highway
CBS NEWS
May 2, 2016, 6:10 AM

Photograph -- Boxer "Sugar" Shane Mosley speaking to CBS Los Angeles on May 1, 2016 CBS LOS ANGELES


LOS ANGELES -- He's a world champion boxer who has won eight belts, but today when he saw a four-car pile-up on the 405 freeway, it wasn't about being a champion.

It was about being human, which is why "Sugar" Shane Mosley immediately stopped for help when he saw the wreck, reports CBS Los Angeles.

"You don't know if the car is going to catch fire, what's going to happen, then seeing there's a baby in there...," Mosley remarked to the station.

He said a baby was in his car seat, screaming, and bleeding. The car's driver -- the baby's father -- was so out of it he couldn't unlock the door to get to the baby, Mosley added.

Mosley and his girlfriend called 911 and finally got the baby out of the car, and held him until paramedics arrived.

"The baby was crying and bleeding, his neck was bruised," Mosley said.

Mosley grabbed the baby bag from the car and then followed the ambulance to the hospital.

Along the way, Mosley's girlfriend called the baby's mother, who is pregnant with her second child. They got to the hospital and thankfully found out everyone will be OK.

Mosley tweeted his reaction:

"He (the father) was crying and saying, 'You guys are like an angel, and thank you for helping me. And being there for me and protecting my son,"' Mosley recalled.

Mosley followed it all up by giving the family tickets to his upcoming fight, on May 28th.



“He's a world champion boxer who has won eight belts, but today when he saw a four-car pile-up on the 405 freeway, it wasn't about being a champion. It was about being human, which is why "Sugar" Shane Mosley immediately stopped for help when he saw the wreck, reports CBS Los Angeles. …. Mosley and his girlfriend called 911 and finally got the baby out of the car, and held him until paramedics arrived. "The baby was crying and bleeding, his neck was bruised," Mosley said. Mosley grabbed the baby bag from the car and then followed the ambulance to the hospital.”


I keep talking about being a “good citizen” in these blogs, and I mean something like this. He even followed the rescue up with giving them free tickets to his next boxing match. Most important, though, he stopped his car when he saw the wreck, and then somehow (the article doesn’t say how) he got into the locked car and pulled out the baby. Then he carried the baby bag to the hospital to give to the father. Many of us on the highway don’t even stop to investigate. We “don’t have time.” Living in large cities is removing from us our healthy human interactions with a view of so many as “strangers.” Our fear of “the Other” abounds. We tell our kids “don’t talk to strangers.”

Of course every day in the news we hear of a child being molested or even murdered, so it’s understandable, but it is still unfortunate. When I was young we lived in a small Southern city where life moved much more slowly and we did know our neighbors (sometimes too well). Also the churches, the youth groups, and even the police fostered caring and “getting involved.” I do miss those times. Evil did exist, and had we been black rather than white I know my life story would have been different, but it does please me to watch the old Andy Griffith Show, etc. I don’t want us to become so lacking in empathy that our cities will truly become reenactments of the movie called “Asphalt Jungle.” If you didn’t see that 1950s movie, go to a video shop and borrow a copy.

My anthropology professor so many years ago said that the human being is emotionally programmed to be part of a group in the size range of about 50 people. In the old days some million years ago things were more difficult -- you had to kill something large and probably dangerous before you could eat it -- but it was less complicated. Beyond that core group of one extended family, we don’t relate to people so well as being fully human anymore unless we really try to. Now, that’s an exaggeration, and if we will make a conscious effort to speak and exchange a little conversation with more people than we so often do nowadays, our ability to include more individuals into our umbrella of compassion will increase. I believe we can even develop the ability to include those with different physical and cultural characteristics into the inner circle of those who are “worthwhile.” Who knows, perhaps we could even create world peace!



http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/zika-virus-outbreak/study-shows-how-zika-gets-damages-brain-n531901

Study Shows How Zika Gets Into, Damages Brain
by REUTERS
MAR 4 2016, 1:00 PM ET

Related: Two Cases Link Zika to Paralyzing Condition
Related: CDC Confirms 9 Cases With Zika


The Zika virus is capable of quickly infecting and harming developing fetal brain cells, scientists said Friday in a study that provides insight into how the virus might cause the birth defect microcephaly in fetuses.

The researchers said their study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, does not prove directly that Zika causes microcephaly, but it does identify where the virus may be inflicting the most damage in developing fetuses.

The mosquito-borne virus infects a kind of neural stem cell that goes on to form the cerebral cortex, the brain's outer layer responsible for intellectual capabilities and higher mental functions, the study showed.

The researchers found that these cells, exposed to the virus in laboratory dishes, were infected within three days, turned into "virus factories" for viral replication and died more quickly than normal.

"Our study shows once the virus gets to the brain it can reach these very important cells," researcher Hengli Tang, the study's lead author from Florida State University, said in an interview.

Tang said the study suggests the virus would be capable of doing the damage seen in microcephaly, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems.

Zika has been linked to numerous cases of microcephaly in Brazil and is spreading rapidly in Latin America and Caribbean nations, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a global public health emergency.

Brazil said it has confirmed more than 640 cases of microcephaly, and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating more than 4,200 additional suspected cases of microcephaly.

"By determining whether Zika virus infects cells in the brain and what happens to a cell that is infected, this paper begins to tackle questions surrounding how a virus that had previously been known to cause a mild illness could be linked to microcephaly," Amelia Pinto, a Saint Louis University expert on viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks, said in a statement.

"We know people would be interested in knowing this information, but a lot still needs to be done," Tang said. "Ultimately the proof would need to come from the clinical side and animal studies."

The researchers are currently growing in the laboratory what they called "mini-brains" composed of the stem cells to see how the virus may affect development over a longer time.

Traces of Zika virus have been found in the bodily fluids and tissue of babies affected by microcephaly.

Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the division of vector-borne diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a news briefing on Wednesday at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington that there are numerous lines of evidence now linking Zika with microcephaly.

"I don't think there is any question about that any longer," Petersen said.



“The researchers said their study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, does not prove directly that Zika causes microcephaly, but it does identify where the virus may be inflicting the most damage in developing fetuses. …. The mosquito-borne virus infects a kind of neural stem cell that goes on to form the cerebral cortex, the brain's outer layer responsible for intellectual capabilities and higher mental functions, the study showed. The researchers found that these cells, exposed to the virus in laboratory dishes, were infected within three days, turned into "virus factories" for viral replication and died more quickly than normal. …. . "Ultimately the proof would need to come from the clinical side and animal studies." The researchers are currently growing in the laboratory what they called "mini-brains" composed of the stem cells to see how the virus may affect development over a longer time.”


There are too many problems with Zika. First, the great difficulty of controlling mosquitoes without resorting to poisons like DDT, which all but wiped out our bluebird population when they ate those poisoned mosquitoes. Introducing any deadly element into the environment can be almost as dangerous as the original problem is.

In the 1970s or so public health officials used another technique against mosquitoes, though I don’t like the idea of it. They spread a thin layer of a petroleum based oil over the water in swampy places which prevents those scary looking “mosquito wigglers,” or larvae, from coming to the top of the water and breathing. Yes, they do have to breathe. In cities the trick is to overturn things like flower pots so that no water will accumulate in them.

Of course there are still drainage systems like ditches, ponds and stagnant, blocked up streams. I see that frequently in Jacksonville. Every time it rains more than an inch or so here, there is water puddling and sometimes street flooding. I am sorry to say that Florida now has the highest number of cases of Zika illnesses in the country (or did have a month or so ago) and the city has already put out a warning for people to eliminate breeding places, use mosquito repellant before going out and watch for the symptoms of fever and a rash.

The good news is that the scientists of today know a great deal more than they did 20 or so years ago and are looking for more creative solutions than poisons. Scientific manipulation like the recent work on introducing a lethal gene into the mosquitoes, with the hope that they will pass it on to their dear children and cause them to die early before they are able to bite somebody and then successfully lay more eggs. I don’t know how they introduce the gene into the female mosquitoes.

Unfortunately, it can also be spread human to human, but not by casual contact or the air. So far it is not believed that our cases of Zika infection in this country have come from mosquitoes, but from sexual contact, both male to female and also in at least one case female to male. That’s a bit of a mystery, because though the virus has been found in the male testes, it hasn’t yet been detected in the reservoir within the female body. If I hear any more, I’ll write about it.

For more new information on Zika effects, see “http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/zika-virus-outbreak/zika-virus-birth-defects-may-be-tip-iceberg-experts-say-n565631.”



http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/enormous-deal-look-hillary-clinton-s-promise-cabinet-full-women-n564761,

'An Enormous Deal': A Look at Hillary Clinton's Promise of a Cabinet Full of Women
by PERRY BACON JR.
MAY 1 2016, 4:11 PM ET

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Photograph -- Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes the stage at her five state primary night rally in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 26, 2016. Charles Mostoller / Reuters


Hillary Clinton last week pledged that, if elected, she would appoint a presidential cabinet in which at least half of the members are women, a move that would profoundly shift the look of the people who govern America.

Clinton, in an interview on Monday with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, said, "I am going to have a cabinet that looks like America, and 50 percent of America is women, right?"

She was responding to a question about whether she would follow the example of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who campaigned on a similar pledge and enacted it once in office.

The potential first female president has made direct appeals to women a central part of her candidacy, which has lead Donald Trump to accuse her of constantly playing the "woman card."

And the pledge fits with Clinton's history: as first lady, senator and secretary of state, Clinton tapped often women as top aides.

But a cabinet that is half-female would be setting a new bar.

Only 30 women have ever held Cabinet posts. Both George W. Bush and Barack Obama appointed a number of women to key posts, but women held just four of the 16 official Cabinet posts during most of their tenures. Clinton is pledging to double that number.

Including both the official cabinet and jobs that are designated as cabinet-level (such as White House Chief of Staff), President Bill Clinton had the most women in top roles, according to data compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. In Clinton's second term, 41 percent of women held those top jobs. The second-highest level of women in such jobs is right now, in Obama's second term, with 35 percent of cabinet and cabinet-level jobs occupied by women.

"No hint of quotas or numeric targets — other than 'more than my predecessor'— has ever been part of cabinet head discussions before," said Heather Hurlburt, who served as a senior adviser at the State Department and National Security Council from 1995-2001. "So it's an enormous deal."

"The matter-of-course suggestions that it would be easy to find that many qualified women at that level, and that representation that matches or comes close to societal representation matters, are also entirely new," she added.

Author Jay Newton-Small, who interviewed Clinton and other female politicians for her recent book "Broad Influence," said this move is particularly unique considering the traditional American aversion to set targets for gender or race.

"In the rest of the world, quotas are quite normal. But in the U.S., a country founded on the idea of merit —it's hard to imagine that these days quotas could get through Congress," Newton-Small said. "But making half your cabinet women is something Clinton can do unilaterally."

In previous administrations, women have most often run departments such as Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor. No woman has served as the head of the departments of Defense, Treasury or Veterans' Affairs or been the White House Chief of Staff.

"The more women you commit to naming to your cabinet, the less likely you are able isolate women to the least visible and least prestigious positions," said Jennifer Piscopo, a professor of politics at Occidental College, who has written extensively about the role of women in government, particularly in Latin America.

In part, experts say this reflects discrimination against women in the past. The first woman appointed to a cabinet post in American history did not happen until 1933, when Frances Perkins was tapped by Franklin Roosevelt to run the Labor department.

Many heads of the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs have served in combat roles in wars, something women were until recently not allowed to do. Treasury Secretaries often have deep ties to Wall Street, another sector dominated by men.

"Just as HHS and the policy areas in its jurisdiction are more stereotypically associated with women's experience and expertise, the policy expertise required in these agencies (Defense and Veteran Affairs) is more stereotypically associated with men and masculinity," said Kelly Dittmar, a professor at Rutgers' Center for Women and Politics.

"As more women reach higher ranks in the U.S. military," Dittmar added, "and are accepted as equals while both in and out of active service, we should see greater likelihood of women reaching top leadership roles."

According to Hurlburt, "in some ways, White House chief of staff is the most masculinized job in the federal government."

"Your job is to be the president's enforcer, sergeant-at-arms and strategist," she said.

Bush and Obama both prized some of their top female aides.

Margaret Spellings ran domestic policy during Bush's first term, and then became Education Secretary. Condoleezza Rice became Secretary of State after a stint as national security adviser. Those in the Obama administration say the president's longtime adviser and friend Valerie Jarrett has more influence than any cabinet member, offering her counsel to the president on nearly every issue.

That said, even as Obama aggressively sought the votes of women during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns, other considerations at times blocked the ascension of women to top cabinet posts. In 2013, he tapped Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam War veteran and former senator, as Defense Secretary, passing over national security policy expert Michele Flournoy, who was another top candidate for the job.

"Presidents pick people they know, trust and respect, and often who are friends, to serve in the White House and as cabinet members," said Gina Glantz, a longtime Democratic political operative who is now working on an initiative called GenderAvenger aimed at making sure women are not underrepresented at conferences, on TV shows and in other public forums.

"All the guys have tended to pick guys," Glantz added.

Can Clinton live up to her promise? Experts say she is in some ways well-positioned to do so.

Obama has appointed more minorities and women to senior (not necessarily cabinet) jobs than any previous president. Some of these women could be ready for promotions in another Democratic administration.

"Presidents have been appointing more and more women and people of color. It's not a hard mark to reach today," said Paul Light, a New York University government professor who has written extensively about the federal bureaucracy and civil service.

"I would like to hear from her that she will pick a woman to be Secretary of Treasury, or Secretary of Defense," Light added. "That kind of commitment would really put her on a different level from any past president."

And Clinton's own record of hiring women could help her reach this goal of gender parity.

Neera Tanden, who was Clinton's Senate legislative director, and Cheryl Mills, who was Clinton's chief of staff at the State Department, are part of a cadre of women who could ascend to cabinet or cabinet-level posts if Clinton is elected.

"Clinton has an enormous network, filled with loads of women with whom she has worked, whom she trusts, respects and, yes, who are friends," said Glantz.

One barrier Clinton seems unlikely to break is the highest-ranking member of the cabinet, the vice-president. No woman has held that title either.

"Everyone said WJC [Bill Clinton] was crazy for doubling down on a Southern Democrat in Al Gore, and he won," said Newton-Small.

"But I agree that especially for some older voters, too much change at once can be scary, and that's probably a risk the campaign won't take," Newton-Small added.

PERRY BACON JR.


“Hillary Clinton last week pledged that, if elected, she would appoint a presidential cabinet in which at least half of the members are women, a move that would profoundly shift the look of the people who govern America. Clinton, in an interview on Monday with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, said, "I am going to have a cabinet that looks like America, and 50 percent of America is women, right?" …. "I would like to hear from her that she will pick a woman to be Secretary of Treasury, or Secretary of Defense," Light added. "That kind of commitment would really put her on a different level from any past president." …. Presidents pick people they know, trust and respect, and often who are friends, to serve in the White House and as cabinet members," said Gina Glantz, a longtime Democratic political operative who is now working on an initiative called GenderAvenger aimed at making sure women are not underrepresented at conferences, on TV shows and in other public forums. …. "Clinton has an enormous network, filled with loads of women with whom she has worked, whom she trusts, respects and, yes, who are friends," said Glantz. One barrier Clinton seems unlikely to break is the highest-ranking member of the cabinet, the vice-president. No woman has held that title either.”


"But I agree that especially for some older voters, too much change at once can be scary, and that's probably a risk the campaign won't take," Newton-Small added.” Those “older voters” clearly have a different idea from mine about just how much change we need in this country. I have been disgusted by the unfairness, lies, and unnecessary internecine warfare that our government has and always has had. I really want to see that change. The Tea Party has made it much worse, but as long as I can remember, Congress was one huge (yuge!!) struggle that on the playground would be called “King of the Hill.” I think we can do with 50-50 women. Some people think I’m being sexist when I say something like that, but there really is a “testosterone effect” on human nature. In the bed that isn’t a bad thing, but in day to day relationships it is not a good, respectful, logical human relationship, and it spreads the related psychological virus to the next generation.


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