Joé McKen is a progressive civil libertarian and third-wave atheist stuck in suburban Québec, Canada, where he spends his time composing, writing, drawing, nursing a layman’s passion for science and technology, speaking out for social justice, and poking idjits with a sharp pointy stick. Owner of a Nize Hat!, a persistent SIWOTI syndrome and an itchy snark finger.
A Reddit user made a map showing the words that appear most often on each country’s English-language Wikipedia page (click the image to open its full size):
Of course, the first thing we learn is that the rest of Canada can stop pretending they don’t have us Frenchies on the brain.
As for the United States: No surprises there.
Meanwhile, I think island nations may be feeling a bit self-aware.
(via @benjancewicz; RT: @pzmyers)
Trump’s latest travel ban gets court-blocked again by a Hawaiian federal judge the day before it was to take effect.
Jesus. Journalist [pictured] who led the Panama Papers investigation was murdered with a car bomb.
(via The Watch | The Washington Post)
Family business bankrupted by IRS told they can’t get their stolen money back, and other civil asset forfeiture horror stories.
Lawsuit: New Orleans DA used fake subpoenas and bogus arrests to force witnesses and victims to testify.
(via @ethanbrown72; RT: @radleybalko)
After weeks of player protests over criminal (in)justice, the NFL now backs a criminal justice reform bill.
(via @radleybalko)
Antivaccination, a play in three acts: 1) Cranks publish study claiming a link between vaccines and autism. 2) Study is widely debunked. 3) Study is retracted. And scene.
Finally, all aboard Trainy McTrainface … train.
(via @fark)
If you have any story suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments or send them in.
Techdirt (and I) would like to remind you that Congress is close to passing an “anti-sex-trafficking” bill that would do nothing to actually stop sex-trafficking and would instead stifle free speech on virtually every website that exists.
In case you were wondering, the US sex offender registry is still a horribly broken and cruelly unjust system that needlessly wrecks lives.
(via @Popehat)
Trump administration rejects an inconvenient study that shows refugees bring in more in taxes than they cost.
(via @donttrythis)
I don’t see why police charged these evangelical school athletes with felonies for kidnapping, beating and raping a younger student. After all, the school administration already punished them with community service and an eight-page essay.
Study finds racist hiring discrimination hasn’t changed since 1989.
(via Dispatches From the Culture Wars)
Illinois court reminds police that flag-burning is absolutely legal. (I’d also remind them it’s just a fucking colored cloth.)
Finally, Miami-Dade County has a novel approach to helping with the post-Irma cleanup: ticketing hundreds of property owners for code violations on their hurricane-wrecked properties.
(via @Popehat)
If you have any story suggestions, you can leave them in the comments or send them in.
Let’s play a game: Poe or legit? See the answer below. (If you watch the ad, you lose either way.)
| Transcript | (Click to open/close:) [−] |
Introducing the original Trumpy Bear: the fearless, super-plush American grizzly. Trumpy Bear was born June 14th, Flag Day. Just find a secret zipper and pull out the flag blanket, then wrap yourself in the red white and blue for comfort and warmth. Show your patriotism and proudly display Trumpy on Flag Day and on any American holiday. Trumpy can even honor your own family heroes.
WOMAN: God Bless America and God bless Trumpy Bear.
NARRATOR: Trumpy Bear sits proudly at the front of the motorcycle for all the world to see, and loves to cruise with his brother.
MAN #1: I’m a former Marine and I’m proud to have Trumpy Bear ride by my side. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
NARRATOR: Everyone knows Trumpy Bear loves to go to the golf course.
MAN #2: When I ride with Trumpy Bear, he makes my golf game great again. Thank you, Trumpy Bear!
NARRATOR: Simply style his trademark hair and plays live in its paper chair. Even the toughest guys will love Trumpy Bear.
MAN #3: When America is great, business is great. When business is great, I am great. I love you, Trumpy Bear!
MAN #4: I am an Army veteran. I am proud to own the Trumpy Bear and I will always be proud to be an American.
NARRATOR: Order the Super Plus Trumpy Bear for only two payments of $19.95 and receive a special certificate of authenticity. Don’t miss out on owning a piece of American history. Order now for only two payments of $19.95.
Trumpy: The most fearless bear anywhere. Order now.Sadly, this is, to quote The Poke, “a hideously real thing”. You can check out the equally hideous website if the video wasn’t enough for you.
In a way, though, commemorating the Trump presidency with a goofy, overpriced toy animal slathered in flag-worship and peddled to gullible supporters – it seems appropriate.
(via Joe.My.God.)
