In the grand scheme of things this event is absolutely minor, but I just wanted to share my joy and relief. I accepted my current position over a year ago, with the understanding that it was a permanent work from home arrangement, only to have the company go back on the deal and tell me I had to be in the office three days a week starting in September. Getting to the office via transit would cost $350 a month, to say nothing of the time spent going back and forth. I had a conversation with my department director to try to come to a compromise, and his response was, "Wow, sucks to be you. See you in the office, or else."

I applied for a management position that's full-time work from home, and found out today I got the job! I was stressing so hard about how to make this work, and now I'm getting a 10% raise and still get to work from home! The benefits package is even better than what I have now, to boot!

ETA: Thank you to all those who offered congratulations and wished me good luck! Your kindness is very much appreciated, and it's why DU is such a fantastic place!

Source: CNN

(CNN) The Israeli military struck targets in Gaza overnight Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement, citing incendiary balloons launched from Gaza earlier in the day. According to reports in Israeli media, incendiary balloons launched from Gaza sparked multiple fires in southern Israel.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/15/middleeast/israel-airstrikes-gaza-june-15-intl/index.html

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Here we go again.

Source: CNN

(CNN)A Texas florist charged in connection with the US Capitol insurrection will be allowed to go to Mexico later this month, a federal judge ruled Friday.

The case involving Jenny Cudd got national attention this week after she wrote to a judge asking for permission to visit Riviera Maya, Mexico, for a four-day retreat this month.

On Friday, Judge Trevor N. McFadden of the DC District Court granted her request. McFadden, a Trump appointee, noted that the Justice Department did not oppose Cudd's request to visit Mexico.

"The Court also notes (Cudd) has no criminal history and there is no evidence before the Court suggesting the Defendant is a flight risk or poses a danger to others," McFadden wrote in a written order.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/05/politics/capitol-riot-mexican-vacation/index.html

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A little insurrection shouldn't spoil someone's vacation, clearly. That'd be mean.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/31/us/flint-michigan-protest-police-trnd/index.html

Sheriff's deputy is invited to join the protesters in their march for justice, and he does so. From that and his words on the subject, he seems like a good one.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/04/us/boy-used-disney-money-to-feed-dorian-evacuees-trnd/index.html

This young man is an example of what's great about America. He put his dream on hold to help people in need. I emailed Disney and encouraged them to invite him and his family to the park as special guests, because kindness like this deserves an appropriate response. This kid's selflessness made my day!

Source: CNN

(CNN) A Texas woman is accused of killing her 3-year-old son after running over him with an SUV during a game of "chicken."

Lexus Stagg, 26, was seen in surveillance footage from her Harris County, Texas, apartment driving toward her three children as they ran toward the front of her 2006 Lincoln Navigator, according to a news release from Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

Two of the children moved out of the vehicle's path, but Stagg's 3-year-old was struck, Ogg's office said in the release.

The child was first caught under the SUV's right tire, the release said. Stagg didn't stop right away and the toddler was hit again by the rear tire of the vehicle -- which weighs about 5,600 pounds, according to the release.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/23/us/suv-chicken-child-death/index.html

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I don't get it. In what way could this have seemed like a good idea? That poor kid never had a chance.

Source: CNN

(CNN) A woman has been arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, after she was seen stomping on a sea turtle nest, according to police.

Yaqun Lu, 41, was seen by witnesses and Miami Beach police officers on Saturday "jabbing at the sea turtle nest" with a wooden stake and "stomping all over the nest with her bare feet," an arrest affidavit says.

Lu, a Chinese citizen who gave police a home address in Michigan, faces a charge of marine turtle or egg molestation or harassment, per online court records.

A number of sea turtle species are protected under both the 1973 US Endangered Species Act and Florida law, according to Miami Beach's website, and it's illegal to touch or harm them or their eggs.


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/16/us/miami-beach-sea-turtles-arrest/index.html

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What... the... actual... fuck... is wrong with this woman? Why would anyone do such a thing? I just can't comprehend what would drive a person to do this. I don't understand how some people can be so cruel to another living being. That fucking smirk on her face is just galling.

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)In the hours before the attack on the two tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, the Iranians spotted a US drone flying overhead and launched a surface-to-air missile at the unmanned aircraft, a US official told CNN.

The missile missed the drone and fell into the water, the official said.

Prior to taking fire, the American MQ-9 drone observed Iranian vessels closing in on the tankers, the official added, though the source did not say whether the unmanned aircraft saw the boats conducting an actual attack.

Still, it is the first claim that the US has information of Iranian movements prior to the attack.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/14/politics/us-drone-tracked-iranian-boats/index.html

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This is not looking good. In the article it mentions that the UK apparently believes that Iran is responsible. It also quotes a diplomatic source of a US ally (without specifying whether it's the UK or a different nation) saying that they believe Iran is responsible.

Bolton and Pompeo are licking their chops at the thought of going after Iran. An earlier article on CNN had something about Trump wanting to avoid "foreign entanglements" but with the way Dolt 45 flip-flops, who the hell knows.

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)Michigan GOP Rep. Justin Amash said Saturday he had concluded President Donald Trump committed "impeachable conduct" and accused Attorney General William Barr of intentionally misleading the public.

Amash's comments recommending Congress pursue obstruction of justice charges against Trump were the first instance of a sitting Republican in Congress calling for Trump's impeachment.

Amash said on Saturday that he made his conclusions "only after having read Mueller's redacted report carefully and completely, having read or watched pertinent statements and testimony, and having discussed this matter with my staff, who thoroughly reviewed materials and provided me with further analysis."

"Our system of checks and balances relies on each branch's jealously guarding its powers and upholding its duties under our Constitution," Amash tweeted. "When loyalty to a political party or to an individual trumps loyalty to the Constitution, the Rule of Law -- the foundation of liberty -- crumbles."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/18/politics/justin-amash-trump-impeachable-conduct/index.html

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In other news, a cold snap has been reported in Hell and they are expecting a couple inches of snow.

Less flippantly, one can hope that now that Amash has said it, a few other GOP Congresscritters will feel a strange sensation in their backs and rediscover their spines. Probably not terribly likely, unfortunately.

I had an iPhone and felt that it was a bit too restrictive, so when it came time to get a new phone I switched to Android. I still have my old iPad since I have a bunch of ebooks on it, but I mainly use my Android tablet now.

Apple's products are well-made and easy to use, which is great for people like my mother-in-law who aren't very tech-savvy.

With so many options out there, if one doesn't like Apple's products or the way they do business, the solution is simple: buy a different device. It's not as if they're the only smartphone game in town.