Miscellaneous news items that don't warrant their own thread

[SeattleGriz]

You're fine with a 16 year old going through hormone therapy?

[UNI88]

In other news. Due to the rain, and some work, my front yard looks pretty good this year...bitches.

I'll bring some roundup and write something interesting to spice it up.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[BDKJMU]

So she’s a girl pretending to be a boy?

[SeattleGriz]

Holy shit. What a nutjob. "Call to arms". WTF she mean by that. Insanely wreckless.

[Winterborn]

This could go under multiple threads, so I decided to just put it here.

More people like her need to put their money where their mouth is. Knuckling under to pressure due to just asking legitimate questions (and having a society that is okay with marching in lockstep) is never a good thing.

My tenure at Levi’s began as an assistant marketing manager in 1999, a few months after my thirtieth birthday. As the years passed, I saw the company through every trend. I was the marketing director for the U.S. by the time skinny jeans had become the rage. I was the chief marketing officer when high-waists came into vogue. I eventually became the global brand president in 2020—the first woman to hold this post. (And somehow low-rise is back.)

Over my two decades at Levi’s, I got married. I had two kids. I got divorced. I had two more kids. I got married again. The company has been the most consistent thing in my life. And, until recently, I have always felt encouraged to bring my full self to work—including my political advocacy.

That advocacy has always focused on kids.

In 2008, when I was a vice president of marketing, I published a memoir about my time as an elite gymnast that focused on the dark side of the sport, specifically the degradation of children. The gymnastics community threatened me with legal action and violence. Former competitors, teammates, and coaches dismissed my story as that of a bitter loser just trying to make a buck. They called me a grifter and a liar. But Levi’s stood by me. More than that: they embraced me as a hero.

Things changed when Covid hit. Early on in the pandemic, I publicly questioned whether schools had to be shut down. This didn’t seem at all controversial to me. I felt—and still do—that the draconian policies would cause the most harm to those least at risk, and the burden would fall heaviest on disadvantaged kids in public schools, who need the safety and routine of school the most.

I wrote op-eds, appeared on local news shows, attended meetings with the mayor’s office, organized rallies and pleaded on social media to get the schools open. I was condemned for speaking out. This time, I was called a racist—a strange accusation given that I have two black sons—a eugenicist, and a QAnon conspiracy theorist.

In the summer of 2020, I finally got the call. “You know when you speak, you speak on behalf of the company,” our head of corporate communications told me, urging me to pipe down. I responded: “My title is not in my Twitter bio. I’m speaking as a public school mom of four kids.”

But the calls kept coming. From legal. From HR. From a board member. And finally, from my boss, the CEO of the company. I explained why I felt so strongly about the issue, citing data on the safety of schools and the harms caused by virtual learning. While they didn’t try to muzzle me outright, I was told repeatedly to “think about what I was saying.”

Meantime, colleagues posted nonstop about the need to oust Trump in the November election. I also shared my support for Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary and my great sadness about the racially instigated murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. No one at the company objected to any of that.

https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/yester ... sident?s=r

[AZGrizFan]

This could go under multiple threads, so I decided to just put it here.

More people like her need to put their money where their mouth is. Knuckling under to pressure due to just asking legitimate questions (and having a society that is okay with marching in lockstep) is never a good thing.

My tenure at Levi’s began as an assistant marketing manager in 1999, a few months after my thirtieth birthday. As the years passed, I saw the company through every trend. I was the marketing director for the U.S. by the time skinny jeans had become the rage. I was the chief marketing officer when high-waists came into vogue. I eventually became the global brand president in 2020—the first woman to hold this post. (And somehow low-rise is back.)

Over my two decades at Levi’s, I got married. I had two kids. I got divorced. I had two more kids. I got married again. The company has been the most consistent thing in my life. And, until recently, I have always felt encouraged to bring my full self to work—including my political advocacy.

That advocacy has always focused on kids.

In 2008, when I was a vice president of marketing, I published a memoir about my time as an elite gymnast that focused on the dark side of the sport, specifically the degradation of children. The gymnastics community threatened me with legal action and violence. Former competitors, teammates, and coaches dismissed my story as that of a bitter loser just trying to make a buck. They called me a grifter and a liar. But Levi’s stood by me. More than that: they embraced me as a hero.

Things changed when Covid hit. Early on in the pandemic, I publicly questioned whether schools had to be shut down. This didn’t seem at all controversial to me. I felt—and still do—that the draconian policies would cause the most harm to those least at risk, and the burden would fall heaviest on disadvantaged kids in public schools, who need the safety and routine of school the most.

I wrote op-eds, appeared on local news shows, attended meetings with the mayor’s office, organized rallies and pleaded on social media to get the schools open. I was condemned for speaking out. This time, I was called a racist—a strange accusation given that I have two black sons—a eugenicist, and a QAnon conspiracy theorist.

In the summer of 2020, I finally got the call. “You know when you speak, you speak on behalf of the company,” our head of corporate communications told me, urging me to pipe down. I responded: “My title is not in my Twitter bio. I’m speaking as a public school mom of four kids.”

But the calls kept coming. From legal. From HR. From a board member. And finally, from my boss, the CEO of the company. I explained why I felt so strongly about the issue, citing data on the safety of schools and the harms caused by virtual learning. While they didn’t try to muzzle me outright, I was told repeatedly to “think about what I was saying.”

Meantime, colleagues posted nonstop about the need to oust Trump in the November election. I also shared my support for Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary and my great sadness about the racially instigated murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. No one at the company objected to any of that.

https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/yester ... sident?s=r

Our country is well and truly fucked.

National media picked up on our story, and I was asked to go on Laura Ingraham’s show on Fox News. That appearance was the last straw. The comments from Levi’s employees picked up—about me being anti-science; about me being anti-fat (I’d retweeted a study showing a correlation between obesity and poor health outcomes); about me being anti-trans (I’d tweeted that we shouldn’t ditch Mother’s Day for Birthing People’s Day because it left out adoptive and step moms); and about me being racist, because San Francisco’s public school system was filled with black and brown kids, and, apparently, I didn’t care if they died. They also castigated me for my husband’s Covid views—as if I, as his wife, were responsible for the things he said on social media.

All this drama took place at our regular town halls—a companywide meeting I had looked forward to but now dreaded.

Meantime, the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the company asked that I do an “apology tour.” I was told that the main complaint against me was that “I was not a friend of the Black community at Levi’s.” I was told to say that “I am an imperfect ally.” (I refused.)

The fact that I had been asked, back in 2017, to be the executive sponsor of the Black Employee Resource Group by two black employees did not matter. The fact that I’ve fought for kids for years didn’t matter. That I was just citing facts didn’t matter. The head of HR told me personally that even though I was right about the schools, that it was classist and racist that public schools stayed shut while private schools were open, and that I was probably right about everything else, I still shouldn’t say so.

[SeattleGriz]

I had never seen this clip before, just always seen Jen Rubin described as a conservative. Oof, I didn't know she was this bad.

[SeattleGriz]

We all know Biden is losing it, like everyone else at his age, but this honestly, is no big deal. He's got straps on his pedals to help keep his feet on them and he simply got his foot caught in one of them, preventing him from putting his foot down. He actually had a pretty soft hit and a nice little roll AND his helmet didn't bounce off the pavement.

Happens to a lot of people.

[BDKJMU]

We all know Biden is losing it, like everyone else at his age, but this honestly, is no big deal. He's got straps on his pedals to help keep his feet on them and he simply got his foot caught in one of them, preventing him from putting his foot down. He actually had a pretty soft hit and a nice little roll AND his helmet didn't bounce off the pavement.

Happens to a lot of people.

If one foot got caught in the straps, then simply put the other foot down. It shouldn’t cause a fall.

[SeattleGriz]

We all know Biden is losing it, like everyone else at his age, but this honestly, is no big deal. He's got straps on his pedals to help keep his feet on them and he simply got his foot caught in one of them, preventing him from putting his foot down. He actually had a pretty soft hit and a nice little roll AND his helmet didn't bounce off the pavement.

Happens to a lot of people.

If one foot got caught in the straps, then simply put the other foot down. It shouldn’t cause a fall.

You can't help it. You get too much of your center of gravity on the one side of the bike and your opposite foot is on the wrong side of the bike, so you can't move it to recover. It usually happens when there is a group of people around like Biden had and you just get caught in a bad position. Trust me, I'd love to see Biden made fun of, but in this case, he just had a bad move.

[SeattleGriz]

Don't want none, don't start none.

Shooter had a restraining order against the guy, and the guy had a knife in his waistband.

[SeattleGriz]

In other news. Due to the rain, and some work, my front yard looks pretty good this year...bitches.

I'll bring some roundup and write something interesting to spice it up.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The backyard is a different story. It could use some Roundup. The youngest is always in the backyard without shoes so I can't put down any harsh chemicals. Living in the Portland area, I'm sure you've noticed how weeds grow everywhere.

[AZGrizFan]

Don't want none, don't start none.

Shooter had a restraining order against the guy, and the guy had a knife in his waistband.

You just love to see it.

[Winterborn]

We all know Biden is losing it, like everyone else at his age, but this honestly, is no big deal. He's got straps on his pedals to help keep his feet on them and he simply got his foot caught in one of them, preventing him from putting his foot down. He actually had a pretty soft hit and a nice little roll AND his helmet didn't bounce off the pavement.

Happens to a lot of people.

Yup. I have done it a few times. I use clip-in's and for the first few rides of the season I always seem to forget about them once.

Most embarrassing one was tipping over right on a intersection sidewalk next to a cop. He took one look at me, shook his head and drove off.

[Winterborn]

If one foot got caught in the straps, then simply put the other foot down. It shouldn’t cause a fall.

You can't help it. You get too much of your center of gravity on the one side of the bike and your opposite foot is on the wrong side of the bike, so you can't move it to recover. It usually happens when there is a group of people around like Biden had and you just get caught in a bad position. Trust me, I'd love to see Biden made fun of, but in this case, he just had a bad move.

That feeling when you start tipping and know that your feet are stuck, then trying to get them out as you go over. I actually ripped my foot out of my shoe once (overloaded the clip somehow) as I went down.

Hilarious to watch but usually only embarrassing to have happen to oneself.

[Winterborn]

I'll bring some roundup and write something interesting to spice it up.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

The backyard is a different story. It could use some Roundup. The youngest is always in the backyard without shoes so I can't put down any harsh chemicals. Living in the Portland area, I'm sure you've noticed how weeds grow everywhere.

Round up is a very benign chemical. I have washed my hands in it and ran through fields that were just sprayed with it. If one drinks it regularly it can cause problems, but it does take quite a bit.

Now 2-4D, Tordon, and Picloram are different stories. I would let those dry and sit 24 hours before I went through a field sprayed with them.

Then again maybe I should not be used as a Round-up example. I did turn into an engineer and have more than a few quirks.

[SeattleGriz]

The backyard is a different story. It could use some Roundup. The youngest is always in the backyard without shoes so I can't put down any harsh chemicals. Living in the Portland area, I'm sure you've noticed how weeds grow everywhere.

Round up is a very benign chemical. I have washed my hands in it and ran through fields that were just sprayed with it. If one drinks it regularly it can cause problems, but it does take quite a bit.

Now 2-4D, Tordon, and Picloram are different stories. I would let those dry and sit 24 hours before I went through a field sprayed with them.

Then again maybe I should not be used as a Round-up example. I did turn into an engineer and have more than a few quirks.

What the yard really needs is a weed and feed product. What are your thoughts on the type you can spray down when attached to a hose? That's been about the only option I could think of that wouldn't hang around too long. Spray it on a hot day in the evening and hopefully it's "inert" by morning.

[Winterborn]

Round up is a very benign chemical. I have washed my hands in it and ran through fields that were just sprayed with it. If one drinks it regularly it can cause problems, but it does take quite a bit.

Now 2-4D, Tordon, and Picloram are different stories. I would let those dry and sit 24 hours before I went through a field sprayed with them.

Then again maybe I should not be used as a Round-up example. I did turn into an engineer and have more than a few quirks.

What the yard really needs is a weed and feed product. What are your thoughts on the type you can spray down when attached to a hose? That's been about the only option I could think of that wouldn't hang around too long. Spray it on a hot day in the evening and hopefully it's "inert" by morning.

Most over the counter (i.e. public chemicals) are inert in 12 hours or so for lawns. I have heard that the weed-n-feed ones can have good results but I have never used them and back on the farm, we used the same stuff that we used farming as it is what we had available. (the lawn would be covered in two passes with the sprayer or spreader (30ft sprayer and 100ft fertilizer spreader passes make short work ). My lawn at my new place is a mess and I plan on ripping it all out when I start construction next year as it is 80% weeds and only 20% grass. I have a fine crop of dandelions and my lawn is a pretty yellow.

Kalm would be a better person to ask as golf courses use many of the same products as lawn maintenance companies. We had to have a chemical license to purchase and use some of our products farming. I know for a fact that our 2,4-D and Tordon were restricted chemicals due to the purity of them. Just about all over-the-counter chemicals available are very watered down. Co-worker who is very particular about his lawn used a generic weed-n-feed this spring and said it worked good.

[SeattleGriz]

What the yard really needs is a weed and feed product. What are your thoughts on the type you can spray down when attached to a hose? That's been about the only option I could think of that wouldn't hang around too long. Spray it on a hot day in the evening and hopefully it's "inert" by morning.

Most over the counter (i.e. public chemicals) are inert in 12 hours or so for lawns. I have heard that the weed-n-feed ones can have good results but I have never used them and back on the farm, we used the same stuff that we used farming as it is what we had available. (the lawn would be covered in two passes with the sprayer or spreader (30ft sprayer and 100ft fertilizer spreader passes make short work ). My lawn at my new place is a mess and I plan on ripping it all out when I start construction next year as it is 80% weeds and only 20% grass. I have a fine crop of dandelions and my lawn is a pretty yellow.

Kalm would be a better person to ask as golf courses use many of the same products as lawn maintenance companies. We had to have a chemical license to purchase and use some of our products farming. I know for a fact that our 2,4-D and Tordon were restricted chemicals due to the purity of them. Just about all over-the-counter chemicals available are very watered down. Co-worker who is very particular about his lawn used a generic weed-n-feed this spring and said it worked good.

Thank you for the information. I've used the spray weed and feed on the backyard before, and it did work great, but haven't been able to for the last five years due to my son.

I'll reach out to Klam if he doesn't chime in. Still waiting for our summer to start here in the Puget Sound.

[Winterborn]

Most over the counter (i.e. public chemicals) are inert in 12 hours or so for lawns. I have heard that the weed-n-feed ones can have good results but I have never used them and back on the farm, we used the same stuff that we used farming as it is what we had available. (the lawn would be covered in two passes with the sprayer or spreader (30ft sprayer and 100ft fertilizer spreader passes make short work ). My lawn at my new place is a mess and I plan on ripping it all out when I start construction next year as it is 80% weeds and only 20% grass. I have a fine crop of dandelions and my lawn is a pretty yellow.

Kalm would be a better person to ask as golf courses use many of the same products as lawn maintenance companies. We had to have a chemical license to purchase and use some of our products farming. I know for a fact that our 2,4-D and Tordon were restricted chemicals due to the purity of them. Just about all over-the-counter chemicals available are very watered down. Co-worker who is very particular about his lawn used a generic weed-n-feed this spring and said it worked good.

Thank you for the information. I've used the spray weed and feed on the backyard before, and it did work great, but haven't been able to for the last five years due to my son.

I'll reach out to Klam if he doesn't chime in. Still waiting for our summer to start here in the Puget Sound.

If one has high humidity, it does take longer for spay to dry and go inert. Otherwise, happy to help and wish you and your lawn the best of luck.

[JohnStOnge]

Ah, the Texas Republican Party: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/20/11062299 ... -secession

Yes, it's Texas, but it should be warning beyond that. You people who keep supporting the Republican Party no matter how whacked out it is need to repent. These people are nuts. They are not good for the country. In fact they will completely ruin it if they get their way. It's completely become the tinfoil hat club.

[AZGrizFan]

Ah, the Texas Republican Party: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/20/11062299 ... -secession

Yes, it's Texas, but it should be warning beyond that. You people who keep supporting the Republican Party no matter how whacked out it is need to repent. These people are nuts. They are not good for the country. In fact they will completely ruin it if they get their way. It's completely become the tinfoil hat club.

Yes, yes….repent.

Because there’s NO ONE on the left side that’s like this. Nobody. Every single one of them are altruistic to the core, concerned only about our country’s future.

[SDHornet]

We all know Biden is losing it, like everyone else at his age, but this honestly, is no big deal. He's got straps on his pedals to help keep his feet on them and he simply got his foot caught in one of them, preventing him from putting his foot down. He actually had a pretty soft hit and a nice little roll AND his helmet didn't bounce off the pavement.

Happens to a lot of people.

This was just

[Pwns]

Keith Olbermann, who is really concerned about the Trumpian assault on democratic norms, made this brilliant suggestion.:

[GannonFan]

Keith Olbermann, who is really concerned about the Trumpian assault on democratic norms, made this brilliant suggestion.:

Keith has gone full nullification. Heck, he even stole Andrew Jackson's line in response to Chief Justice Marshall regarding a Court opinion Jackson didn't care for (the quote may be the thing of myth, but Olbermann should at least acknowledge that his sentiment and quote are clearly in line with Jackson for the Court disregard and Calhoun for the nullfication). I'm sure Olbermann will appreciate the irony of his embracing the tactics of the High Priest of the Confederacy.