The unimportant news thread

[DavidW]

Well that was interesting.

In other news, I just learned that South Carolina is about to ban students from having cell phones in the classroom.

[steve ridgway]

Well that was interesting.

In other news, I just learned that South Carolina is about to ban students from having cell phones in the classroom.

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:21, The Bible, by God.

[AnotherSpin]

Well that was interesting.

In other news, I just learned that South Carolina is about to ban students from having cell phones in the classroom.

That's very good.

[LKB]

That's very good.

Yes... and no.

Whereas usage should not be allowed during class under normal conditions, mere possession should not be an infraction. When any sort of balloon goes up, the more people calling 911, the better.

[AnotherSpin]

Yes... and no.

Whereas usage should not be allowed during class under normal conditions, mere possession should not be an infraction. When any sort of balloon goes up, the more people calling 911, the better.

They don't have time to call 911, they're busy scrolling tik-tok and messaging.

[DavidW]

Who are These 20 Somethings Buying a Kindle?

If you didn't know, I feel happy for you.  These tiktokers are so insufferable and they're slowly taking over all forms of bookish social media.  They have a dedicated section in every Barnes and Noble.  And just about half of Books a Million (the other national US chain if you didn't know) is devoted to BookTok.  Now it has become the thing for them to jump on Reddit, YT, Instagram etc and post their Kindles with stickers, a clear case, a pop socket.  It is all about looking great in their life at the beach, cafe etc and not really about reading in these vain photos.  But I'm sure they do read though because they also have this odd thing about trying to read 50, 100, 1000 books a year. 

But it seems like a good thing (even though the individuals are annoying) because these gen-z and millenials are using it to move away from doomscrolling social media or obsessively playing video games for hours to reading instead.

[steve ridgway]

Who are These 20 Somethings Buying a Kindle?

If you didn't know, I feel happy for you.  These tiktokers are so insufferable and they're slowly taking over all forms of bookish social media.  They have a dedicated section in every Barnes and Noble.  And just about half of Books a Million (the other national US chain if you didn't know) is devoted to BookTok.  Now it has become the thing for them to jump on Reddit, YT, Instagram etc and post their Kindles with stickers, a clear case, a pop socket.  It is all about looking great in their life at the beach, cafe etc and not really about reading in these vain photos.  But I'm sure they do read though because they also have this odd thing about trying to read 50, 100, 1000 books a year. 

But it seems like a good thing (even though the individuals are annoying) because these gen-z and millenials are using it to move away from doomscrolling social media or obsessively playing video games for hours to reading instead.

There must be a whole world going on somewhere out there where I am not LOL .

[Todd]

From The Seattle Times: Steve Ballmer richer than Bill Gates, a first for Microsoft billionaires

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Pro-democracy, reformist candidate wins in Iranian presidential election.


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx824yl3ln4o

[Todd]

From Airways Magazine: Boeing Agrees to Plead Guilty in Boeing 737 Max Crashes

While the plea deal avoids a potentially lengthy and damaging trial, it has drawn criticism from some victims' families who sought harsher punishment. The settlement amount of $243.6 million falls far short of the $24.8 billion sought by the families. The Justice Department acknowledged this opposition in its court filing.

However, families of the victims who lost loved ones in the crashes have filed an objection to the plea deal, according to Reuters. Their opposition stems from a previous statement by Judge O'Connor, who called Boeing's actions "potentially the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history."

The settlement also raises questions about Boeing's future ability to secure government contracts. However, the company may be able to seek waivers to mitigate this potential impact.

Oh, Boeing.  Yet again.

(I predict sweet, sweet government contracts will continue to be secured.)

[drogulus]

    Parkinson's Expert Visited the White House Eight Times in Eight Months

An array of neurologists who have not personally examined Mr. Biden said they observed symptoms in his public appearances that were consistent with Parkinson's or a related disease, such as hypophonic speech, forward flexed posture, a shuffling gait, masked face and irregular speech pattern. But they emphasized that a specific diagnosis could not be given without firsthand examination.

White House officials said that Mr. Biden had shown no signs of Parkinson's and that Dr. O'Connor found no reason to re-evaluate Mr. Biden for the disease since his physical in February. Mr. Bates also said the president has never taken Levodopa or other drugs for that condition.


     I don't know that it matters much whether Biden has this disease or another condition with the same symptoms.

[Todd]

Angry Biden: 'Go ahead. Challenge me at the convention'

Yes, challenge him to a debate.  He'll do his goodest job. 

(To the moderators, are US politics fair game or not?)

[DavidW]

(To the moderators, are US politics fair game or not?)

Well perhaps not this thread, it is supposed to be for "fun news stories" as the OP put it.

[Jo498]

Angry Biden: 'Go ahead. Challenge me at the convention'

Yes, challenge him to a debate.  He'll do his goodest job. 

Or even his bestest and most optimal job...

[Todd]

Well perhaps not this thread, it is supposed to be for "fun news stories" as the OP put it.

Few things are more fun than watching an elderly potentate trip over his own words every time he talks.  There is a fresh video of Biden speaking in Pennsylvania where he very clearly states that while he was senator (of Delaware, of course) the city of Philadelphia always put him over the top.  That's hilarious.  Mocking the president, any president, is great good fun. Silencing jest does not eradicate decay and decline.

[DavidW]

Few things are more fun than watching an elderly potentate trip over his own words every time he talks.  There is a fresh video of Biden speaking in Pennsylvania where he very clearly states that while he was senator (of Delaware, of course) the city of Philadelphia always put him over the top.  That's hilarious.  Mocking the president, any president, is great good fun. Silencing jest does not eradicate decay and decline.

I always roll my eyes when Biden describes himself as a salt of the Earth type by referring to his childhood... while neglecting to mention that was in the 1940s and bears no resemblance to a working family's life in the 2020s.

[Todd]

I always roll my eyes when Biden describes himself as a salt of the Earth type by referring to his childhood... while neglecting to mention that was in the 1940s and bears no resemblance to a working family's life in the 2020s.

Many presidents started off life in poverty or otherwise humble circumstances, but by the time they are in the arena competing for the Oval Office, they are not salt of the earth and have not been for a long time.  That phenomenon died with the 19th Century.

[Todd]

United Airlines flight loses wheel after takeoff from Los Angeles and lands safely in Denver

Yep, the plane was a Boeing.

[Todd]

From Barron's: The 30-Year Auction Was Expected to Be Strong. Why Buyers Held Back.

"Foreign buyers, especially, were seen stepping back. They bought 60.8% of the debt on offer to them, versus an average of 67.3%."

[Todd]

From American Pravda NBC News: Judge dismisses involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting

Hot shot actor Alec Baldwin dodges a bullet.