The very definition of cruel and unusual

The World Socialist Web Site does some good journalism, and they're in my surf cycle. But mostly they shoot socialism in the foot, one toe at a time.

Today's top story at WSWS is titled: On the anniversary of the assassination of Leon Trotsky, and that's a topic of less than zero interest to 99% of the world. We're all swirling down the global toilet together, and the socialists want to talk about Trotsky.

#446  [archive]
AUG. 22, 2024

There's no better way to anti-proselytize, to push people away, than by babbling about the proletariat and the bourgeoisie and Trotsky's time in exile on the Isle of Prinkipo.

Wait, Doug, you're a damned socialist?

I'd say politics should be about helping people who need help, instead of stomping on 'em. Some days that makes me a socialist, other days a pinko, a commie, even an anarchist, but seven days a week it doesn't matter what an almost-dead old dude thinks.

Kansas mom sentenced to life in prison after her 2-year-old son fatally shot her 4-year-old daughter 

This woman is presumably sorry that her stupidity got her daughter killed. She'll have to live with it for the rest of her life, so WTF is gained by imprisoning her for 26 years? It's the very definition of cruel and unusual.

Give her probation and let her get on with her ruined life.

Company that sent AI calls mimicking Joe Biden to New Hampshire voters agrees to pay $1 million fine 

Love the fine and wish it was more, but ain't it odd that lying to thousands of people by telephone is punished, while lying to millions via television or right-wing media is just the way things are.

Flooded with bad publicity, Disney backs off on using man's long-ago Disney+ subscription terms to block a wrongful death lawsuit over food poisoning at Disney World

Admitting no wrongdoing, the company has magnanimously waived its rights, but its 'rights' are still there. If you've subscribed to Disney+, now or ever, they can and will argue that you can't sue them for anything ... unless you can rally a huge wave of bad publicity.

When doing business with a company, almost any big company, requires signing away your rights, why pretend we have rights?

Won't someone please think of the children?

It's never about the children. 

"No comment" from California hospital sued for telling family patient had checked out when she'd actually died

Harley-Davidson caves to MAGA demands, drops diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives 

Oil firms and dark money fund push by Republican states to block climate laws 

Trump campaigns in Michigan town with historic links to white extremism

It's Republican branding, that's all.

Trump-appointed judge blocks FTC's non-compete rule 

Win, lose, or coup come November, the cancer of Trump and Republicans will be infecting America for at least decades to come.

84% of Americans want tougher online privacy laws, but Congress is too corrupt to follow through 

Climate emergency: 

• Modeling study suggests heat-related deaths in Europe could triple by century's end under current climate policies 

• The Atlantic is cooling at record speed 

• Shockingly warm waters near Alaska prove deadly for billions of crabs 

• Climate change brings bigger hailstones 

• Collision course: polar bears forced into people's path by climate crisis 

• Climate crisis fueled storm that sank yacht in Sicily, say experts 

• ... but there's money to be made, so la di da, la di da.

Bad guys wear badges: 

• 2nd Circuit to cop: someone observing all the laws is not "probable cause" for a search 

• Chicago police made nearly 200,000 secret traffic stops last year 

• South Carolina deputy charged with killing unarmed man and letting police dog maul innocent person 

⚡ LINKS FOR THINKS ⚡

• The problem of "peaceful protesters" 

• "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson, published in The New Yorker, 6/18/1948 

• Letters to The New Yorker, after publication of "The Lottery" 

• Phil Donahue changed my life — and millions of others 

⚰️  DEAD PEOPLE  ⚰️

Al Attles
Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Golden State Warriors 

Kevin Berry
forgotten person 

Daniela Larreal Chirinos
refugee 

John Clegg
actor, It Ain't Half Hot Mum 

Joseph Patrick Dorsey
in county jail  

Alice Green
activist 

Paul Green
in county jail 

Maria Branyas Morera
old 

Joshua Frank Swart
in county jail 

Randy Webber
in county jail

  8/22/2024   

Logo illustration by Jeff Meyer. All opinions fresh from my ass. Click any image to enlarge. Comments & conversations invited. 

Tip 'o the hat to the Anderson Valley Advertiser, Atomic Raunch, Bleepity-Bleep, Ensalada de lengua de pajaritos, Jesus Is My Hostage, Lemmy.world, A Sudden Violent Jerk, Mr Souza's Happy Place, Voenix Rising, and anywhere else I've stolen links, illustrations, or inspiration.

Special thanks to Linden Arden, Becky Jo, Wynn Bruce, Joey Jo Jo emeritus, Jeff Meyer, John the Basket, Dave S, Name Withheld, and always extra special thanks to my lovely late Stephanie, who gave me 21 years and proved that the world isn't always shitty.

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