Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Cooley Hurd

Cooley Hurd's Journal
Cooley Hurd's Journal
December 30, 2016

Activist and Educator Cyril deGrasse Tyson dies (father of Neil)

https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/814669939726368769

Neil deGrasse Tyson Verified account
?@neiltyson
Athlete, Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Public Servant, Dad. RIP Cyril DeGrasse Tyson b. Oct 19, 1927 — d. Dec 29, 2016.




Cross gently, Sir.
December 27, 2016

Fights break out at malls across United States

Source: CNN.com

(CNN)Disturbances that included gunfire, massive brawls and food-court fights played out at more than a dozen malls across the country in what proved to be a chaotic day after Christmas.

The disturbances, some of which were captured on social media, prevented some shoppers from clearing off clearance racks and returning Christmas gifts as they intended.
The mall incidents, which ranged from minor melees to mass evacuations, occurred nationwide from Colorado to Tennessee, Texas to New Jersey. Here's what happened at six of those malls.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/27/us/mall-disturbances-after-christmas/



Although not mentioned in the article, Destiny USA - the mall in Syracuse NY, also had a huge fight broken up: http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/fight-at-destiny-usa-prompts-large-police-response/631922716

Was something posted on social media that caused this?
December 25, 2016

25 Years Ago Today: Gorbachev resigns as President of the Soviet Union.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gorbachev-resigns-as-president-of-the-ussr

Mikhail Gorbachev announces that he is resigning as president of the Soviet Union. In truth, there was not much of a Soviet Union from which to resign—just four days earlier, 11 of the former Soviet republics had established the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), effectively dismembering the USSR. The Soviet Union, for all intents and purposes, had already ceased to exist.

In his farewell speech to the nation, Gorbachev indicated that the recent establishment of the CIS was the primary motive for his resignation, claiming he was “concerned about the fact that the people in this country are ceasing to become citizens of a great power and the consequences may be very difficult for all of us to deal with.” In words that were sometimes prideful, sometimes resentful, Gorbachev stated that he stood on his record of achievement. He had, he claimed, overseen the Soviet Union’s trip down the “road of democracy.” His reforms “steered” the communist economy “toward the market economy.” He declared that the Russian people were “living in a new world” in which an “end has been put to the Cold War and to the arms race.” Admitting “there were mistakes made,” Gorbachev remained adamant that he “never had any regrets” about the policies he pursued.

In reality, Gorbachev had lost much of his power and prestige in the Soviet Union even before the establishment of the CIS. The economy was unstable. No one seemed pleased by Gorbachev-some opponents demanded even more political freedom while hard-liners in his government opposed any movement toward reform. In August 1991, he survived a coup attempt only through the assistance of Russian Federation president Boris Yeltsin. Following the failed attempt, Yeltsin became a vocal critic of the slow pace of economic and political reforms in the country. As Gorbachev’s power slipped away, Yeltsin took over the Kremlin and other Soviet government facilities and replaced the Soviet flag with the flag of Russia. After over 70 years of existence, the Soviet Union-America’s archenemy in the Cold War-was gone.


December 15, 2016

Bernard Fox, Film and TV Star of BEWITCHED, TITANIC, THE MUMMY and More, Passes Away

http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Bernard-Fox-Film-and-TV-Star-of-BEWITCHED-TITANIC-THE-MUMMY-and-More-Passes-Away-20161214#



BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that famous welsh actor, Bernard Fox, known to millions of fans for his iconic roles of Dr. Bombay on the hit series Bewitched and the naive, bumbling Colonel Crittendon on Hogan's Heroes, as well as key roles in Titanic (1997), The Mummy (1999) and daytimes General Hospital has died today at Valley presbyterian hospital in Van Nuys of heart failure.

Mr. FOX started his film career at the age of only 18 months and by the age of 14 he was an assistant manager of a theatre.

After his naval services in the Royal Navy during World War II he resumed his career and soon was in 30 film credits from 1956 to 2004 include two films revolving around the sinking of RMS Titanic, separated by 39 years. FOX was in both Titanic (1997) (as Colonel Archibald Gracie IV) and the earlier version of the tragedy A Night to Remember (1958) (uncredited as Frederick Fleet). In the latter, he delivered the line "Iceberg dead ahead, sir!" while playing the part of a sailor in the ship's crow's nest.

Other film roles ranged from supporting parts in broad comedies (Yellowbeard, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, and The Private Eyes, playing a homicidal butler in the last) to supplying THE VOICE of the Chairmouse in the Disney animated features The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under. He played the role of Winston Havelock, a retired Air Force pilot, in the 1999 adventure film The Mummy. In 2004, FOX made his final appearance before retirement in Surge of Power: The Stuff of Heroes.

</snip>


2016... again. Cross Gently, Mr Fox...
December 11, 2016

Walter White is alive!

He just opened SNL!

He faked his death!

December 10, 2016

Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson named secretary of state: reports

Source: McClatchy

WASHINGTON
Diplomacy in the world of Donald Drumpf is going to be directed by the CEO of Exxon Mobil, one of the world’s largest oil companies.

The President-elect tapped Rex Tillerson, a private sector Texan with no formal diplomatic experience, to be Secretary of State on Saturday according to NBC news.

Despite a dining with 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney and courting former Gen. David Petraeus for the nation’s top diplomatic post, Drumpf went with Tillerson, who has served as Exxon CEO since 2006 and worked for the oil giant for over four decades.

Tillerson will face confirmation hearings in the Senate.

The CEO, who made $27.3 million in salary last year, has some policy differences with the President-elect.

Tillerson believes in man-made climate change and supports the Paris climate agreement, but Drumpf has indicated he will pull out of the agreement when he assumes the presidency.

Exxon has been criticized for denying climate change in public while privately preparing its oil infrastructure for rising sea levels during the 1980s and 1990s, although the company called for a carbon tax starting in 2009.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article120141513.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article120141513.html



Awful fucking choice!!!!!!!
December 8, 2016

The MiG Mad Marine crosses...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn#World_War_II

World War II

When the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II, Glenn quit college to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps. However, he was never called to duty, and in March 1942 enlisted as a United States Navy aviation cadet. He went to the University of Iowa for preflight training, then continued on to NAS Olathe, Kansas, for primary training. He made his first solo flight in a military aircraft there. During his advanced training at the NAS Corpus Christi, he was offered the chance to transfer to the U.S. Marine Corps and took it.

Upon completing his training in 1943, Glenn was assigned to Marine Squadron VMJ-353, flying R4D transport planes. He transferred to VMF-155 as an F4U Corsair fighter pilot, and flew 59 combat missions in the South Pacific.[7] He saw combat over the Marshall Islands, where he attacked anti-aircraft batteries on Maloelap Atoll. In 1945, he was assigned to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and was promoted to captain shortly before the war's end.

Glenn flew patrol missions in North China with the VMF-218 Marine Fighter Squadron, until it was transferred to Guam. In 1948 he became a flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, followed by attending the Amphibious Warfare School.

Korean War


Glenn's USAF F-86F that he dubbed "MiG Mad Marine" during the Korean War, 1953

During the Korean War, Glenn was assigned to VMF-311, flying the new F9F Panther jet interceptor. He flew his Panther in 63 combat missions, gaining the nickname "magnet ass" from his alleged ability to attract enemy flak.[9] On two occasions, he returned to his base with over 250 holes in his aircraft.[10] For a time, he flew with Marine reservist Ted Williams, a future Hall of Fame baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, as his wingman. He also flew with future Major General Ralph H. Spanjer.

Glenn flew a second Korean combat tour in an interservice exchange program with the United States Air Force, 51st Fighter Wing. He logged 27 missions in the faster F-86F Sabre and shot down three MiG-15s near the Yalu River in the final days before the ceasefire.

For his service in 149 combat missions in two wars, he received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross (six occasions) and the Air Medal with eighteen award stars.

</snip>


Cross gently (and do a victory roll) John Glenn.
December 7, 2016

Former senator, astronaut John Glenn hospitalized

Source: CNN.com

(CNN)Former astronaut and US Sen. John Glenn, 95, was hospitalized "more than a week ago," according to Ohio State University spokesman Hank Wilson.

"Sen. Glenn is at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University (and) was admitted there more than a week ago," Wilson wrote in an email. "I do not know his condition or illness or prognosis. I caution that even though Sen. Glenn is at The James that does not necessarily mean he has cancer."

</snip>

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/07/health/john-glenn-hospitalized/index.html



Godspeed and get well, Senator Glenn!
November 24, 2016

Happeeeee Thaaaanksgiving from W........K.......R.........P!



Happy Thanksgiving, DU!!!!

Profile Information

Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 26,877
Latest Discussions»Cooley Hurd's Journal