'Kids died.' The story of RFK Jr., anti-vaxxers, and a measles outbreak: Mehdi's deep dive

Don’t call RFK Jr. a “political maverick” or “vaccine skeptic.” As Mehdi notes, his anti-vaccine effort has real-life consequences. For proof, just look at the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, where dozens of children died thanks to a steep drop in vaccinations. Mehdi’s deep dive looks at the deadly cost of the anti-vaccine movement Kennedy has boosted.

https://www.msnbc.com/mehdi-on-msnbc/watch/-kids-died-the-story-of-rfk-jr-anti-vaxxers-and-a-measles-outbreak-mehdi-s-deep-dive-187033157936

Video is at the above link; I can't figure out how to embed it.

John Roberts Is Already Frustrated With the Response to SCOTUS Killing Student Debt Relief

The title of this post is the actual title of an article in Slate today! What a whiney crybaby Roberrs is. He needs to make his decisions and own them (yes, even the shitty ones, which is most of them lately), and act like an adult when people disagree and fellow justices dissent. Because that's what adults do. Any decision the court makes, somebody will disagree with it, and pouting when that happens looks incredibly childish. Anyway, here's the article...

Yes, yes, yes.

Especially the part about using terminology like "terrible choice" or "heart-breaking/agonizing decision." I don't even like it when people refer to abortion as a "difficult" choice/decision. I know it's difficult for some, and I sympathize with anyone who has been taught to regard abortion as a horrible thing and has to wrestle with that conditioning when faced with an unwanted pregnancy. But it is NOT a "heart-breaking" or even particularly difficult decision for everyone. It wasn't for me, when I was a pregnant college student. As soon as my period was late, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and the only really hard part was figuring out how to scrounge enough money to fly to New York where it was legal.

Hard as it may be for some to comprehend, I was never taught to regard abortion as something "sinful," evil, or horrific. I wasn't raised Catholic, which as far as I know was the only branch of Christianity that heavily opposed abortion at that time. The evangelical and fundamentalist churches didn't jump on that bandwagon until long after I had left the denomination I was raised in, so I never received those kinds of messages, or any message equating abortion with "murder." I never even heard the word "abortion" until I read it in a magazine article at the age of 14 or 15. I asked my mom what it meant, and her reply was very matter of fact, because she had never received any of those messages, either.

That was in the mid-60s, when second wave feminism was getting underway. By the end of that decade, I had started reading about the movement, absorbing its principles, and adopting them as my own. One of those principles was the need to legalize abortion and give women control of their own bodies. My reaction to that idea was, simply, "Of course!"

So when I (a first generation, full time college student, attending school on financial aid plus the earnings from a part-time job) unexpectedly fell pregnant in 1972, it was clear to me what choice I was going to make. I didn't have the financial resources to raise a child without dropping out of school, which was unthinkable to me.. Roe hadn't happened yet, but the state of New York had legalized abortion in 1970 and become a popular destination for anyone in need of abortion who could finance the trip. I proceeded to make my plans accordingly.

At that point, I didn't even know it was supposed to be a "difficult" decision, much less a controversial one. As far as I was concerned, I was simply making the most sensible and practical choice that was available to me. My father, bless him, helped me with the money, and I made the trip and returned to school afterwards, confident that I had made the right choice for me and relieved to be able to continue with my studies as planned.

When people use "scare" words like terrible, agonizing, and even difficult, to describe the choice to terminate a pregnancy, it feels like a judgment against people like me who didn't see it as something requiring a struggle. It implies that the reason we shouldn't judge a woman for having an abortion is. because it's such a terrible, hard choice. I don't think any woman should be judged for having an abortion, period. Whether it was a difficult choice or not is completely beside the point.

YouTube removes video of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Jordan Peterson for vaccine misinformation

Beginner camera advice needed.

I could use some advice on selecting a camera for a rank beginner (me). For the last few years, I've been mostly relying on cellphone cameras, and I'm really tired of it, especially not being able to take shots outside in bright sunshine because of glare on the screen.

Reading articles and reviews isn't helping much, because there are too many technical terms I don't understand. It takes forever to look everything up, and sometimes I don't understand it all even then.

First, a description of my needs, wants, and, preferences:

1. I am not into the technical side of photography. I want to be able to take interesting pics of scenery, people, animals, and everyday objects that come out looking reasonably good without having to think about the technical side of things any more than I absolutely have to.

2. What I enjoy about photography is selecting subjects to photograph and composing shots. I want a camera that will make it as easy as possible to do those things and get respectable results.

3. Small and compact is a must, because I have extremely small hands. (Seriously, a lot of 12 year olds have longer fingers than I do! ) Big and clunky is an absolute no-no for me.

4. I can't spend a ton of money. Thats just a fact. Staying under $200 would be ideal. I don't think that's ridiculously unrealistic, considering I want something pretty basic, but I could be wrong. I can save up for a while if necessary.

If this isn't enough information, let me know. I know some of you here are experienced professionals, so bear in mind that a camera that might seem unbearably limited and primitive to some of you could conceivably be ideal for little old me!

I deeply appreciate any information or advice this group can provide!

I think so.

When the news of the indictment first hit the fan, a huge wall of denial went up all over Republicanland. Gradually, a few Republicans began to acknowledge that the things 45 has been accused of do matter. I think Chris Christie and Mitt Romney were the first. Since then, it seems like every day or so, another Republican or two, or three, will allow as how, gee golly gosh, this is some pretty serious stuff, folks. Every time that happens, it feels like a chip in that wall of denial. Some of those chips are very tiny, but each counts, imo.

When enough chips accumulate, cracks will start to appear. Those cracks will form fissures, and eventually that wall of denial will start to crumble. Every time I hear another Republican say something that even halfway indicates that in their opinion, 45's actions were sort of, not exactly great, I see that as another chip in the wall. If my theory is right, there will eventually be a breaking point, and Republicans (other than the really delusional MAGAloons) will be admitting enough masse that yes, this really IS a gravely serious matter.

I don't know how long it will take, but I think that's where things are headed. When all of the people who are running against him for the GOP nomination finally stop solemnly promising to pardon him if they are elected, that will be a really strong sign that we're getting there, imo.

None of this applies to the diehard MAGA mob, of course, but I don't think that faction is nearly as big and powerful as many still seem to assume.

Postimages.org won't load for me this afternoon.

Can anyone recommend another easy to use picture posting site while I'm waiting for postimages to start working again? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

The 2024 GOP field: How they win, how they lose

I haven't been able to keep up with all the passengers in the GOP 2024 Presidential Clown Car, so I did some research while waiting for Trump indictment news. I found this.

How one quiet Illinois college town became the symbol of abortion rights in America

How one quiet Illinois college town became the symbol of abortion rights in America