A blog about societal, cultural, and civilizational collapse, and how to stave it off or survive it. Named after the legendary character "Crazy Eddie" in Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's "The Mote in God's Eye." Expect news and views about culture, politics, economics, technology, and science fiction.
In the age of typing, scrolling and voice-to-text, putting a pen to paper is increasingly rare but states including New Jersey, Georgia, Kentucky and California have recently enacted requirements to incorporate instruction on cursive handwriting. Language experts says the move is backed by science with cursive shown to improve reading, memory and fine motor skills in children. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports for TODAY.
Cursive? That's definitely a throwback. I first wrote about it in The collapse of cursive from July 31, 2013. It was one of the top posts of last year, which is why I'm revisiting the topic.
A new law passed in New Jersey by departing Gov. Phil Murphy is reintegrating a cursive program back into schools. Jen Maxfield has the latest.
I described how politicians, mostly Republicans, reacted to the absence of cursive in the Common Core standards in Vox on the decline of cursive by mandating teaching it. Former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shows that at least some Democrats are doing this, too.
The skill of writing in cursive nearly disappeared during the pandemic, but students at an elementary school in Georgia are proving it's far from forgotten.
I think Lisa Washington won the handwriting contest.
Follow over the jump for how a 13-year-old entry about cursive returned to the top posts during the 15th year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News.
Jordan Klepper dives into the big wins for Democrats across the country last night, including in the hotly contested mayoral race in New York City, which ended in a historic victory for Zohran Mamdani that sparked threats of a mass exodus of Cuomo supporters from the city. Plus, nobody is more eager to get out of the city than Eric Adams, the guy who's still in charge at City Hall, so The Daily Show takes a final look back at the legacy the outgoing mayor is leaving behind.
Don't let any of us stop you, Mayor Adams. Your leaving may not be the best news of this election, but it certainly won't be the worst.
Democrats swept the first major elections of Trump's second term, including the New York City mayoral race where Zohran Mamdani triumphed over his billionaire-backed opponents, and Virginia and New Jersey, which will each be led by a female Democratic governor for the next four years.
It wasn't just the audience who craved good news. Stephen did, too. That the results were bad news for billionaires came as a bonus. It helps to have the right enemies.
Election Day was big for Democrats across the country, Zohran Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York, it was not a good night for Trump as everything he touched lost, he was up late throwing a tantrum about Mamdani’s victory, Republicans are screaming and yelling about election fraud, JD Vance’s half-brother lost by more than 56 points in his race for Mayor of Cincinnati, the Government shutdown is now on day 36, Mike Johnson is doing everything he can to try and convince people that Republicans care, Flavor Flav stopped by our Big, Beautiful Food Bank in support of St. Joseph Center and the LA Food Bank, Tom Brady announced that his current dog is a clone of the now-deceased dog he had with his ex-wife, Gavin Newsom has been going at it with Donald Trump, and even had Mike Lindell on his podcast.
Once again, Jimmy K has the most comprehensive video description.
That's a wrap for today's post. Stay tuned for an examination of ABCsuspendingJimmy Kimmel tomorrow.
Democrats swept key races on Tuesday night, gaining momentum against President Trump. Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral race, while the party notched victories in Virginia and New Jersey governor's races. The Morning Joe panel discusses.
While I selected this video for the preview image, which made a great visual headline, I'm glad I selected it because the panel told a much bigger story of victories for Democrats, democracy, and diversity. In addition to Democratic wins in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, which added the first female Governor and Muslim Attorney General in Virginia, first female Democratic Governor in New Jersey, and first Muslim Mayor of New York City, former U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill listed victories for Democrats, voting rights, and gun control in Maine and Georgia. Joe Scarborough added that the Pennsylvania voters retained three Democratic State Supreme Court Justices in Pennsylvania. It's not just blue states that voted for Democrats and against Hoover Cleveland and his policies. Speaking of pushing back, Mika mentioned Proposition 50 passing in California, which counteracted Texas's redistricting to gain more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fight fire with fire!
One of the notable results in New Jersey was the swing of Latino voters toward Democrats. That reminds me of what I wrote last year.
Latino support for Trump was even more pronounced in Michigan, where exit polling showed 62% of Michigan Latinos voting for Trump. That could be enough to swing the state to him...For Latinos, there is nothing I can do that Trump and his core supporters would do more effectively except be a positive example. Who knows, Trump might actually overcome his bigotry and cater to his new voters. We should be so lucky.
We, including Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump, the rest of the Republican Party, and Latinos themselves, were not that lucky. As Scarborough pointed out, Hoover Cleveland and Stephen Miller couldn't help themselves. This is still a democracy and the voters pushed back.
Detroit made history Tuesday night by electing its first woman mayor, marking a significant milestone as the city continues its post-bankruptcy revival. The Associated Press called the race at 9:17 p.m., about an hour after polls closed. Mary Sheffield built on her primary success by securing more than 75% of the vote over Solomon Kinloch Jr. Sheffield addressed the city for the first time just minutes after the race was called, celebrating the victory and the opportunity to lead Detroit into its next chapter. But Detroit was not the only community making decisions Tuesday. More than a dozen other cities also voted on new mayors and important proposals that could shape their neighborhoods for years to come.
Congratulations, Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield! Add your victory to those of Mikey Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger to history-making wins by women!
The Hamtramck mayoral race remains undecided, with dozens of rejected ballots potentially impacting the outcome in what has become a razor-thin contest. Adam Alharbi currently leads Muhith Mahmood by just 11 votes with all five precincts reporting, but city officials say the final results could change as voters have an opportunity to correct rejected ballots.
File this story under every vote counts.
That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for Vox and the Marsh Family on free speech tomorrow.
Camden County, New Jersey's Jersey Surf perform a segment from the corps' #DCI2023 production, "Express Yourself," during the 2023 DCI World Championships hosted August 10-12 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Camden County, NJ | 23rd Place | 75.488
By coincidence, this happened to be a great selection for Pride Month.
Normally, I'd continue with the Garden State's other DCI corps, the Raiders, but New Jersey is such a great state for all-age corps that I'm embedding 2022 DCA World Championships | Hawthorne Caballeros (World Class) - Timeless from Drum Corps Associates (DCA) next. Don't worry, I'll get to the Raiders.
Presenting selected clips from their 2022 Production "Timeless" in partnership with Box5 Media.
The Caballeros perform at the 2023 Plymouth Show part of the Americas Hometown Thanksgiving Celebrations in Plymouth Ma.
I count this as a semi-official upload. Also, the sound of late 20th Century drum corps lives on!
I wrote above that I would get to the Raiders, so here is 31st Raiders 2023 from Drum Corps Library.
I enjoyed this show concept and found the performance fun!
Since this is an unofficial upload, it may not last long, so enjoy it while it lasts. I just hope the account persists until Canada Day so that I can use the videos of Les Stentors for this year's drum corps Canada Day to begin July.
Follow over the jump for the marching bands from the District of Columbia and the rest of today's primary states, including an encore from the Rutgers band.
Michael Cohen’s testimony in Trump’s hush money trial reveals a man who likes to act like a mafia boss, Melania Trump suggested her husband brush off the “Access Hollywood” tape as “locker room talk,” and the former president’s congressional allies are giving dumb speeches outside the courthouse.
No, Vivek, you were right the first time. Trump is a "sham politician."
Stephen's writers had even more fun with "the former president’s congressional allies are giving dumb speeches outside the courthouse" in last night's cold open, MAGA Takes Manhattan.
Donald Trump has his MAGA puppets lined up outside the courthouse to defend him.
Naptain America couldn't get his family other than Eric to show up at his trial, nor could he get his base supporters to appear, but he was able to get a lot of Republican politicians to support him. Also, I think he sounds like Crazy Frog when he goes "bing, bing." I'm not alone.
Desi Lydic reports on the latest updates from Trump’s criminal trial, which has turned into a who’s-who of wannabe vice presidents and political ass-kissers. Plus, an art installation connecting New York and Dublin turns into utter chaos, and ChatGPT debuts a flirty new voice to answer users that might just have Ronny Chieng and Josh Johnson sold on AI.
"Whoever this guy is" turns out to be North Dakota Governor Doug Bergum, who might be Trump's running mate now that Kristi Noem may have sabotaged her candidacy by "winning" a race to the bottom. Sorry, Elise Stefanik, you haven't risen to the top of the list. Maybe you should attend the trial, too.
All of that was from last night. Follow over the jump for more on Monday from Colbert and Meyers.
Marijuana is now legal in New York, and the first dispensaries recently opened up. Legalization in the state goes beyond just how to purchase marijuana — it also carries hopes for social justice, as the first stores are run by either non-profits, or those impacted by the previous prohibition of cannabis.
But New York is grappling with the nationwide growing pains associated with turning an entrenched illegal market into a legal industry. The PBS NewsHour spoke to three marijuana industry experts to explore how New York’s booming illegal marketplace could hurt those hopes for social justice, and the nationwide struggle to move marijuana consumers to the legal market.
While I am still optimistic about marijuana legalization following in the tracks of marriage equality, it's frustrating that it's such a patchwork and federal decriminalization/legalization still hasn't happened.
As marijuana legalization spreads, states are looking at different ways to ensure those most affected by decades of racially biased anti-drug policies have a leg up.
Under a special program, New Jersey prioritizes granting licenses to dispensaries run by people with marijuana convictions on their records.
Lawmakers hope that by making equity a cornerstone of their newly legalized markets, those who dealt marijuana in the illegal, or “legacy,” market will be persuaded to go legit.
Looks like the illegal market may be coming around, but it's not there yet. At least both New York and New Jersey are thinking about reversing some of the harm from the previous legal regime.
Follow over the jump for a brief retrospective about last year's top post on the topic.
Stephen finds out why New Jersey-based celebs like Lil Stevie Van Zandt are getting involved in the Pennsylvania Senate race, and he introduces a brand new long-running segment that will ensure he gets his facts straight.
Leave it to Stephen to make the already hilarious trolling by John Fetterman even funnier.
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski discuss new ads out of the Senate race in Pennsylvania between Dr. Mehmet Oz and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, and the meme war taking place between the two candidates online. Scarborough and Brzezinski also discuss Oz's history of false statements.
I knew someone was going to make comparisons between Dr. Oz and "The Wizard of Oz." I'm glad it was done this well.
That was a lot more fun than the post about monkeypox I planned to write until I watched Colbert's monologue. I guess I was in an "I can't be all DOOM all the time mood." Maybe tomorrow, or maybe I'll write about Saturday Night Live'sEmmynominations. Stay tuned to find out.
While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction since the U.S. banned the pesticide DDT in 1972, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida, researchers say.
Similar rates of lead exposure were found in golden eagles, which scientists say means the raptors likely consumed carrion or prey contaminated by lead from ammunition or fishing tackle.
I told my readers "I have lots more holiday posts to recognize, but I've run out of spoons for today. Stay tuned for the rest tomorrow." It's tomorrow, so I will continue the retrospective about last year's top holiday posts after recognizing Ramadan for the first time on this blog. I begin with CBS New York reporting Muslim communities in New Jersey observe Ramadan.
Muslim communities are observing the holy month of Ramadan, and because of the pandemic, this year, there is a heightened appreciation for the togetherness and unity that Ramadan brings; CBS2's Dave Carlin reports.
Ramadan Mubarak to you, too, Mayor Sayegh! I'm happy to take you up on your offer to learn more about Ramadan.
Every year, Ramadan begins a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims around the world. It is the holiest month of the year for those in the Islamic faith.
The date of the observance is during the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. This is why it changes every year. The holy month begins the morning after the crescent moon is visible to the naked eye. Because visibility of the moon differs throughout the world, Ramadan does not officially begin until religious leaders declare they have seen the crescent moon.
Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four pillars include:
Giving a profession of faith.
Praying five times a day while facing Mecca.
Donating a fixed portion of their income to community members in need.
Taking at least one visit to the holy city of Mecca.
Ramadan Traditions
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from food and drink (including water) from sunrise to sunset. Muslims are also supposed to abstain from sexual relations, immoral behavior, smoking, and anger. After sunset, Muslims are allowed to eat and drink. It is customary to eat dates, along with fruits, vegetables, nuts, camel milk, and water.
Muslims believe fasting produces self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for the less fortunate. While all Muslims are strongly encouraged to fast during Ramadan, there are a few exceptions. These include women who are menstruating, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Muslims who are traveling during Ramadan or who have a severe illness are also exempt from fasting. Children under the age of 13 don’t have to fast, either.
Ramadan ends with a three-day celebration. This is called Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast. During this time Muslims exchange gifts with one another. This festival is often referred to as the “Muslim version of Christmas.”
I knew most of this, but I didn't learn that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It's always a good day when I learn something new.
Follow over the jump as I resume my retrospective of the top posts about holidays from the eleventh year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News.
The gubernatorial election results in Virginia and New Jersey pointed to a strong showing by Republicans and those unhappy with President Biden. Elsewhere in the GOP, Rep. Lauren Boebert offended many by mocking the idea that new parents deserve paid family leave to tend to their newborns.
While I don't like Youngkin winning in Virginia any more now than I did Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, being able to laugh at it makes it hurt less. Still, it shows that I wasn't worrying over nothing. Also, it helps that Stephen and his writers were able to find good news in the mayors-elect of both New York City and Boston.
Seth takes a closer look at beltway insiders ludicrously blaming progressives for Republicans winning big in a closely watched race in Virginia last night.
I'm with Seth; centrists Manchin and Sinema are the ones standing in the way of Biden's agenda and making him look bad, not the progressives. Blame them.
The incumbent beat his Republican challenger by a slim margin. And with Democrats reeling from the Republican gubernatorial win in Virginia – they are now concerned about the midterm elections in 2022.
Texas’s new abortion law is the most restrictive in the country. Here’s why banning abortions isn’t an effective (or safe) way to lower the abortion rate.
None of this comes as a surprise to me, so I'm saddened but not disappointed. It's also the bad news. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has some good news for reproductive rights in New Jersey Is Paving The Way For Reproductive Rights.
We love...New Jersey? As shocking as it may be, the Garden State has been planting seeds to ensure that Roe V. Wade always thrives within its borders. Sam breaks out the celebratory pork rolls with NJ Governor Phil Murphy and Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, VP Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood Access Fund of NJ.
This piece was produced by Amber Watson with Annie Kopp and edited by Daphne Gomez-Mena.
I wish Governor Murphy, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, and all of the bill's sponsors and supporters good luck and success in passing the bill next month so the Governor can sign it.
Enough serious business, even if I filtered it through comedy. Stay tuned for more on the winners of the Primetime Emmy Awards, probably about "Saturday Night Live," the next biggest winner with eight Emmy Awards, as the Sunday entertainment feature.
The presidential contest is still being decided as I write this, so I'm going to concentrate on the issues that have been. ABC's Good Morning America has a video about some of them in Ballot initiatives make history to state and local laws.
"GMA" takes a look at the legislation that will change things in states across the U.S., from Mississippi approving a new state flag to Oregon decriminalizing possession of hard drugs.
I'm glad to see Mississippi replace variants of the Confederate Battle Flag and the Stars and Bars with the state flower and motto from the state seal. Consider it another Confederate monumentremoved.
Marijuana legalization passing in five states (recreational in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota and medicinal in Mississippi), it fits a trend I first identified ten years ago and reported here two years later in 2012's Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ballot: "Two years ago, I told one of my students that there would be two changes in his lifetime propelled by his generation--marijuana legalization and marriage equality." When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality five years ago (three years later), I commented "One down, one to go." It's getting there. I didn't have to wait another year from this year's 4/20 post to report more encouraging news about marijuana legalization.
California showed the limits of the progressive agenda by not overturning the ban on affirmative action and reclassifying drivers for Uber and Lyft as independent contractors instead of employees. My wife was surprised by that second result. I wasn't. Not only was the polling not in its favor, but as an expatriate Californian, I remember what Golden Staters are like. They love convenience, efficiency, and technology and are starting to hate driving, so they might think classifying ride-share drivers as employees might threaten that. Besides, California is an expensive state for political advertising; Uber and Lyft, who supported this ballot initiative, have the money for it, while the other side does not. Color me disappointed, but not surprised.
I think this is a good idea that needs more time. I suspect the voters in Massachusetts may be waiting to see how ranked-choice voting works out in Maine. I'll report on that if it makes a difference in the U.S. Senate contest and Maine's Second Congressional District.
A winner has not yet been determined in the presidential election. The numbers currently stand too close to call in several battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Incumbent President Donald Trump or his challenger, democratic Vice President Joe Biden need 270 electoral college votes to be declared a winner. Inside Edition Digital’s Leigh Scheps explains.
While all the states still have not been called, the trends look good for Biden. Stay tuned.
*I opened with a news division's idea of an entertainment program and I closed with an entertainment company's idea of a news program. Consider it a closing of a circle. As an environmentalist, I like that.
Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed into law House Bill 346, legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst that allows Delawareans to vote by mail in the 2020 primary, general and special elections.
That wasn't specifically about this primary, but it is important election reform news just the same.
Observed each year on June 20th is National American Eagle Day. This day is set aside to honor our national symbol, raise awareness for protecting the Bald Eagle, assist in the recovery of their natural environments and take part in educational outreach.
In 1973, there was one American bald Eagle nest in New Jersey. The pesticide DDT was largely blamed for the near extinction of this large predatory bird species. Today, there are an estimated 200 nesting pairs. The return of the bald eagle is considered one of the biggest environmental comeback stories in the state.
That was the success story of the return of the Bald Eagle in one state. SciShow talks about the recovery of the entire species as one of 7 Species That Were Saved From Extinction. The Bald Eagle is #3.
Humans are pretty good at destroying things. Like habitats, animal populations... you catch my drift. But, there have been a few species that humans have helped bring back from the brink of extinction.
Follow over the jump for the other wildlife holiday I observe today, National Seashell Day, which I observe on the 20th regardless of the day the Summer Solstice falls because the day fell on the 20th when I first noticed it and because WorldGiraffeDay is always on the 21st.
Thanks to National Day Calendar, I found out that today is National Nonprofit Day.* As a director and officer of Coffee Party USA, a nonprofit organization, that's a special day to me. In particular, I found the site's explanation of the importance of nonprofits informative and inspirational.
Somewhere a volunteer reads to school children; a patient receives steady medication; a lawyer provides legal services for low-income individuals; a nonprofit funeral home buries a lost soul; or a first-time homebuyer is moving into his own home. On August 17, National Nonprofit Day (NND) reminds us that each of these scenes is possible because of the nonprofit sector and the work performed by capable men, women and organizations.
NND recognizes more than nonprofits’ primary altruistic goals (awareness, research, and aid); it also acknowledges the added positive impacts they have on communities and the world.
For example, following the recent U.S. recession, in 2012 the nonprofit sector provided 5.4% of the nation’s entire GDP (gross domestic product), or $887.3 billion; continuously employing nurses, web developers, lawyers, computer engineers and more (sources: John Hopkins and Tactical Philanthropy Advisors reports).
That's an impressive share of the nation's economy as well as an inspirational list of good deeds. It makes me glad to be doing my part in the nonprofit world.
I'm not the only person favorably impressed by the role of nonprofits. The Freeholders of Monmouth County Government are as well.
Monmouth County Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger, Ph.D., highlights the vital role nonprofit organizations have in Monmouth County. He reminds the public of the County's Faith-Based Initiative as a way to connect residents with services provided through nonprofits.
I'm glad Dr. Scharfenberger and his colleagues are putting their money where their mouths are with nonprofits. May they continue to support worthy efforts.
Speaking of supporting worthy efforts, it's time for a description of all the things Coffee Party USA has been doing the past year as well as an appeal for support. To see and hear both, watch this report from the Coffee Party USA Yearly In-Person Board Meeting 2017 by fellow director Egberto Willies.†
During the annual, in-person board meeting (Aug 24-27), the Coffee Party directors watched as Hurricane Harvey approached the Texas coast. And we continued planning.
We reviewed the 640 responses to our annual survey. We reviewed Coffee Party mission and vision statements with core values. We reviewed the five end-state goals that break out into the 15 issues with Coffee Party positions. We discussed the need for a unified Coffee Party voice, and a better plan to communicate the Coffee Party voice effectively. And the need to upgrade the Coffee Party website.
We persisted in laying out a focus and goals for the next fiscal year. The result? Coffee Party USA will highlight our Electoral Reform end state goal through the 2018 election to help make sure our voices of civility and reason cut through the bias and polarization. We will be heard.
Coffee Party USA has been busy this past year doing everything in the video that our resources allow. To support these efforts, the actions the Board of Directors will decide on next week at the 2018 annual retreat, and Coffee Party USA's mission of "building, nurturing and connecting communities to reclaim our government for the people," become a member. One can also donate without becoming a member. Either way, the other directors and I will thank you, even if you won't get a tax deduction (Coffee Party USA is a 501c4 organization under the tax code).
Just the same, anyone who contributes to us will know that they did their best to help make American government more responsive to the people instead of corporations and anyone who uses our website will benefit from a better user experience. As the image below says, become a member today!
On July 28, laughter and fun are just a couple of the requirements on National Waterpark Day! We recommend bathing suits, too!
Waterparks around the world provide thrilling, water plunging rides for those who seek the white-knuckle hydro powered slides. For those who prefer to relax and unwind, lazy rivers, wave pools and spas in tropical scenes satisfy these vacationers.
With so many options to choose from, waterparks can be more than just a portion of a vacation. They can be the destination. In the United States, nearly every state has a waterpark.
Defunctland takes on Vernon, New Jersey's infamous water park, Action Park! Watch and learn the full history of this dangerous amusement park.
Between this video and the one on America Sings, I seem to have picked the more gruesome attractions to feature here. I'd like to promise that future selections won't be this grim, but after National Roller Coaster Day, the next time I plan on using a Defunctland video will be for Halloween. Trick or treat!
Railroads aren’t great if they’re underwater. ... Scientists have directly observed sea level rise since the late 18th century. And as they forecast the next 20, 50, and 100 years, sea level rise will continue to accelerate at an alarming rate. That rise won’t just threaten homeowners on the coast -- it will also impact the critical infrastructure that supports many of our largest cities.
While sea level rise is often phrased as an issue of concern in the future, we can already see some of the implications. Many coastal communities have witnessed a sharp uptick in flooding, during lunar king tide periods. Other places are forced to consider what life might be like as the land they currently occupy goes underwater.
The main focus on coastal flooding is usually on south Florida. However, the mid-Atlantic coast, including New Jersey, is at just as much, if not more risk, and it deserves the attention Vox gave it. For what it's worth, "An Inconvenient Sequel" portrayed the situations at both locations, although mostly in the context of Hurricane Sandy for New York, while showing the chronic flooding in Florida.* Sea level rise will become a chronic issue for both locales.
*I also watched "ChasingIce." Right now, I'm favoring the latter to show to my students.
I concluded Drum corps for the Oregon primary by telling my readers "The big finale will come on June 7, when I feature corps from California and New Jersey, two great drum corps states." That's today!
I begin with the political forecast. FiveThirtyEight has predictions for both California and New Jersey. Both show Hillary Clinton likely to win, in California with a 90% chance according to the polls-plus and 86% chance according to the polls-only, while she has more than a 99% chance of winning New Jersey. Even without the Associated Press announcing yesterday that Clinton has enough delegates to win the nomination, I expected that today would be Bernie Sanders' last stand. Just the same, he has a chance to go out on a high note with at least one victory tonight, as Montana and South Dakota, two likely Sanders states, and New Mexico, a likely Clinton state, also vote today. He could go on a very high note if he upsets Clinton in California. Whatever the outcome, this Sanders supporter is now ready for Hillary.
Enough analysis. It's time for the drum corps to entertain my readers while they are waiting for the election returns. In this first installment, I feature the corps from New Jersey, beginning with the Hawthorne Caballeros - 6.20.15 Wildwood, NJ.
One of two physicists in the U.S. House of Representatives announced today that he is retiring at the end of the year.
Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ), a plasma physicist, didn’t reveal why he has decided to leave Congress after eight terms, or what lies in his future. “This is not the time to discuss next steps in my career; that can come later,” said Holt, who was assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory before coming to Washington in 1999.
However, one science lobbyist who knows him well speculates that Holt, who was beaten badly in the Democratic primary last year for an open Senate seat, could still harbor statewide ambitions. “If you wanted to run for governor [in New Jersey in 2017], getting out of the House is probably a good idea,” says Mike Lubell, head of the Washington, D.C., office of the American Physical Society. “At least, that’s what I’d advise him if he asked me.”
The bad news is that a scientist is leaving public office. The good news is that he may not be gone for good. Here’s to hoping he runs for N.J. Governor in 2017. The state needs someone better than Fat Bastard.
I promised in KPBS on the business of the Super Bowl to "come back with my comments on commercials with science fiction, fantasy, or sustainability themes later." This isn't that post. Instead, I'm going to give something I care about nearly as much as all of those the attention it deserves and likely didn't get--marching band.
The marching bands from both Rutgers and Syracuse performed at pregame at the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, I missed that performance. However, through the magic of YouTube, I can watch the bands rehearse and, at least for now, a part of their show. Follow over the jump for four videos that allow me to do just that.
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