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FakeNoose
FakeNoose's Journal
FakeNoose's Journal
August 15, 2023
Rachel Maddow right now - Georgia grand jury has returned an indictment
Turn on MSNBC now!
UPDATE: it's a total of 10 indictments but I don't know if they're all for Chump, or maybe some others. Still digesting the info.
August 14, 2023
Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/08/pennsylvania-water-sewer-privatization-public-utility-commission-aqua/
- more at link -
The Court ruling can be downloaded (PDF) here: https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Commonwealth/out/910CD22_7-31-23.pdf
How a recent court ruling could put the brakes on water and sewer privatization in Pennsylvania
Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/08/pennsylvania-water-sewer-privatization-public-utility-commission-aqua/
HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania court recently found a state commission should not have approved the sale of a municipal sewer system to a private company because the deal would harm consumers, a ruling that has the potential to raise the bar for such acquisitions. The decision challenges six years of precedent in favor of water consolidation that critics contend has led to customers overpaying tens of millions of dollars on their bills.
The Public Utility Commission, which approved the deal, said it was still reviewing the ruling. But privatization skeptics say that if the ruling stands it will force the panel to more closely scrutinize proposals.
- snip -
In the July 31 ruling, a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel found the Public Utility Commission erred in allowing Bryn Mawr-based Aqua Pennsylvania to buy a municipal sewer system without showing how the sale would benefit the public.
The judges found that the potential doubling of nearly 3,900 customers' bills in a suburban Philadelphia township outweighed the possible benefits from digital billing, a 24/7 hotline, and almost $17 million in planned investment for the system.
The Public Utility Commission, which approved the deal, said it was still reviewing the ruling. But privatization skeptics say that if the ruling stands it will force the panel to more closely scrutinize proposals.
- snip -
In the July 31 ruling, a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel found the Public Utility Commission erred in allowing Bryn Mawr-based Aqua Pennsylvania to buy a municipal sewer system without showing how the sale would benefit the public.
The judges found that the potential doubling of nearly 3,900 customers' bills in a suburban Philadelphia township outweighed the possible benefits from digital billing, a 24/7 hotline, and almost $17 million in planned investment for the system.
- more at link -
The Court ruling can be downloaded (PDF) here: https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Commonwealth/out/910CD22_7-31-23.pdf
August 14, 2023
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/08/14/david-mccormick-senate-pennsylvania/stories/202308140047
- more at link -
Really, David McCormick? Do you REALLY want to go there?
David McCormick is gearing up for a Senate run in Pennsylvania. But he lives in Connecticut.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/08/14/david-mccormick-senate-pennsylvania/stories/202308140047
WASHINGTON — David McCormick had a clear explanation for why his fellow Republican, Mehmet Oz, lost a critical Pennsylvania Senate seat: Voters viewed the daytime television celebrity as an interloper from New Jersey with limited ties to the state he hoped to represent.
“People want to know that the person that they’re voting for ‘gets it,’” Mr. McCormick, who narrowly lost to Mr. Oz in a GOP primary, said in March when asked to offer a postmortem of the general election defeat. “And part of ‘getting it’ is understanding that you just didn’t come in yesterday.”
As Republicans aim to gain the one seat they need to retake the Senate in next year's elections, Mr. McCormick is a top recruit. And before his anticipated campaign, he's working to avoid Mr. Oz's fate, frequently noting his upbringing in Pennsylvania, his ownership of a home in Pittsburgh and a family farm near Bloomsburg.
“I live in Pennsylvania,” Mr. McCormick said during a March appearance on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast. But the reality is more complex. While Mr. McCormick does own a home in Pittsburgh, a review of public records, real estate listings and footage from recent interviews indicates he still lives on Connecticut's “Gold Coast,” one of the densest concentrations of wealth in America. The former hedge fund CEO rents a $16 million mansion in Westport that features a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, an elevator and a “private waterfront resort” overlooking Long Island Sound.
“People want to know that the person that they’re voting for ‘gets it,’” Mr. McCormick, who narrowly lost to Mr. Oz in a GOP primary, said in March when asked to offer a postmortem of the general election defeat. “And part of ‘getting it’ is understanding that you just didn’t come in yesterday.”
As Republicans aim to gain the one seat they need to retake the Senate in next year's elections, Mr. McCormick is a top recruit. And before his anticipated campaign, he's working to avoid Mr. Oz's fate, frequently noting his upbringing in Pennsylvania, his ownership of a home in Pittsburgh and a family farm near Bloomsburg.
“I live in Pennsylvania,” Mr. McCormick said during a March appearance on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast. But the reality is more complex. While Mr. McCormick does own a home in Pittsburgh, a review of public records, real estate listings and footage from recent interviews indicates he still lives on Connecticut's “Gold Coast,” one of the densest concentrations of wealth in America. The former hedge fund CEO rents a $16 million mansion in Westport that features a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, an elevator and a “private waterfront resort” overlooking Long Island Sound.
- more at link -
Really, David McCormick? Do you REALLY want to go there?
August 14, 2023
Reuters link: https://www.reuters.com/legal/bankman-fried-heads-brooklyn-jail-notorious-poor-conditions-2023-08-14/
- more at link -
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
It's FAFO time: Bankman-Fried heads to Brooklyn jail notorious for poor conditions
Reuters link: https://www.reuters.com/legal/bankman-fried-heads-brooklyn-jail-notorious-poor-conditions-2023-08-14/
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Sam Bankman-Fried will prepare for his fraud trial from a Brooklyn jail where inmates ranging from convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell to Honduras' former president have complained of subpar conditions.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan ruled on Friday that Bankman-Fried, the founder of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, must be jailed for tampering with witnesses while free on $250 million bond at his parents' home in Palo Alto, California.
Bankman-Fried, who has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges over FTX's collapse, will now be housed before his Oct. 2 trial in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, a far cry from the luxurious Bahamas resort where he lived until his December 2022 arrest and extradition to the United States.
In recent years, MDC has been plagued by persistent staffing shortages, power outages and maggots in inmates' food. Earlier this year, a guard pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to smuggle in drugs. Public defenders have called conditions "inhumane." In the winter of 2019, an electrical fire cut off the jail's lighting and heat for days as temperatures fell to near zero Fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius).
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan ruled on Friday that Bankman-Fried, the founder of bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, must be jailed for tampering with witnesses while free on $250 million bond at his parents' home in Palo Alto, California.
Bankman-Fried, who has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges over FTX's collapse, will now be housed before his Oct. 2 trial in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, a far cry from the luxurious Bahamas resort where he lived until his December 2022 arrest and extradition to the United States.
In recent years, MDC has been plagued by persistent staffing shortages, power outages and maggots in inmates' food. Earlier this year, a guard pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to smuggle in drugs. Public defenders have called conditions "inhumane." In the winter of 2019, an electrical fire cut off the jail's lighting and heat for days as temperatures fell to near zero Fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius).
- more at link -
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
August 13, 2023
Link: https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/fuck-yes-donald-trumps-trials-should
Skipping over the intro (it's on his blog):
- more at link -
The guy has a point. A GREAT point. There needs to be a visual record.
These Chump trials are unprecedented and Americans need to witness them in real-time. Nobody will be satisfied with court reporter rehashings and color-pencil renderings. Maybe the reporters WILL be unbiased, anything is possible, but how do we counter-act the lies of the Repukes like McCarthy, Jordan, and all the others?
Americans - ALL OF US - need to see these trials for ourselves.
Jeff Tiedrich: fuck yes, Donald Trump's trials should be televised
Link: https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/fuck-yes-donald-trumps-trials-should
Skipping over the intro (it's on his blog):
...
the Trump trials will be historic. never before has a shithole president conspired with his shithole flunkies to overthrow his own government because he was too big a baby to deal with losing an election. never before has the same shithole president, now a civilian, stolen classified war plans, stashed them in the shitter of his tacky vermin-infested Florida golf motel, and waved them in the faces of randos at this equally-tacky New Jersey ex-wife cemetery.
there needs to be a visual record.
Donald Trump is a liar. whatever happens inside those courtrooms, he’s going to lie his fucking face off about it — and his gullible worshipers are going to eat it up. and it won’t just be Trump doing lying. Jim Jordan is going to lie about it. so will Kevin McCarthy. the entire wingnut outrage-industrial complex is going to be spinning the fuck out of this thing.
there needs to be a visual record. there needs to be an easy way to counter the lies. our feckless media, terrified of being labeled biased, will find a way to both-sides the trials of an insurrectionist and confessed national security risk.
the Trump trials will be historic. never before has a shithole president conspired with his shithole flunkies to overthrow his own government because he was too big a baby to deal with losing an election. never before has the same shithole president, now a civilian, stolen classified war plans, stashed them in the shitter of his tacky vermin-infested Florida golf motel, and waved them in the faces of randos at this equally-tacky New Jersey ex-wife cemetery.
there needs to be a visual record.
Donald Trump is a liar. whatever happens inside those courtrooms, he’s going to lie his fucking face off about it — and his gullible worshipers are going to eat it up. and it won’t just be Trump doing lying. Jim Jordan is going to lie about it. so will Kevin McCarthy. the entire wingnut outrage-industrial complex is going to be spinning the fuck out of this thing.
there needs to be a visual record. there needs to be an easy way to counter the lies. our feckless media, terrified of being labeled biased, will find a way to both-sides the trials of an insurrectionist and confessed national security risk.
- more at link -
The guy has a point. A GREAT point. There needs to be a visual record.
These Chump trials are unprecedented and Americans need to witness them in real-time. Nobody will be satisfied with court reporter rehashings and color-pencil renderings. Maybe the reporters WILL be unbiased, anything is possible, but how do we counter-act the lies of the Repukes like McCarthy, Jordan, and all the others?
Americans - ALL OF US - need to see these trials for ourselves.
August 13, 2023
BBC link: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66472938
- more at link -
Link to the BBC podcast : https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5lc6
---
Ellie House the BBC reporter contacted Netflix, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms to find out what details they are holding for her user account and how the algorithms point to certain tendencies. It's available to every user in the UK because of their privacy laws.
This is really an eye-opener for me! I'm not a Netflix user anymore; I quit because I was so unhappy with their impossible-to-navigate search function (among other things.) To me it seemed that Netflix didn't really want me to "find" it, and that's why their search function was deliberately awkward. They wanted to learn what I would finally settle for, since they never actually gave me what I wanted. No thanks.
Ellie House learned that Netflix keeps user preference data for every user - what she searches, what she "likes," which device she uses to view each selection, what she allows on autoplay (no clicks.) Looking at her own file that Netflix provided, she found nothing that identifies her as a "gay" or "bi" user, but nevertheless Netflix was able to make assumptions based on some of her choices. AND they also limited her opportunities to view anything that WASN'T tagged as "gay" or "bi."
BBC Editorial: How did Netflix know I was gay before I did?
BBC link: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66472938
I realised that I was bisexual in my second year of university, but Big Tech seemed to have worked it out several months before me. I'd had one long-term boyfriend before then, and always considered myself straight. To be honest, dating wasn't at the top of my agenda.
However, at that time I was watching a lot of Netflix and I was getting more and more recommendations for series with lesbian storylines, or bi characters. These were TV series that my friends - people of a similar age, with a similar background, and similar streaming histories - were not being recommended, and had never heard of.
One show that stuck out was called You Me Her, about a suburban married couple who welcome a third person into their relationship. Full of queer storylines and bi characters, it has been described as TV's "first polyromantic comedy".
It wasn't just Netflix. Soon, I had spotted similar recommendations on several platforms. Spotify suggested a playlist it described as "sapphic" - a word to describe women who love women. After a couple of months on TikTok, I started seeing videos on my feed from bisexual creators. A few months later, I came to the separate realisation that I myself was bisexual. What signs had these tech platforms read that I myself hadn't noticed?
However, at that time I was watching a lot of Netflix and I was getting more and more recommendations for series with lesbian storylines, or bi characters. These were TV series that my friends - people of a similar age, with a similar background, and similar streaming histories - were not being recommended, and had never heard of.
One show that stuck out was called You Me Her, about a suburban married couple who welcome a third person into their relationship. Full of queer storylines and bi characters, it has been described as TV's "first polyromantic comedy".
It wasn't just Netflix. Soon, I had spotted similar recommendations on several platforms. Spotify suggested a playlist it described as "sapphic" - a word to describe women who love women. After a couple of months on TikTok, I started seeing videos on my feed from bisexual creators. A few months later, I came to the separate realisation that I myself was bisexual. What signs had these tech platforms read that I myself hadn't noticed?
- more at link -
Link to the BBC podcast : https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct5lc6
---
Ellie House the BBC reporter contacted Netflix, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms to find out what details they are holding for her user account and how the algorithms point to certain tendencies. It's available to every user in the UK because of their privacy laws.
This is really an eye-opener for me! I'm not a Netflix user anymore; I quit because I was so unhappy with their impossible-to-navigate search function (among other things.) To me it seemed that Netflix didn't really want me to "find" it, and that's why their search function was deliberately awkward. They wanted to learn what I would finally settle for, since they never actually gave me what I wanted. No thanks.
Ellie House learned that Netflix keeps user preference data for every user - what she searches, what she "likes," which device she uses to view each selection, what she allows on autoplay (no clicks.) Looking at her own file that Netflix provided, she found nothing that identifies her as a "gay" or "bi" user, but nevertheless Netflix was able to make assumptions based on some of her choices. AND they also limited her opportunities to view anything that WASN'T tagged as "gay" or "bi."
August 12, 2023
The INNOMINATE (or anonymous) jury allows the jury members to view the trial proceedings behind a screen or from another room. The jury can't be seen by the defendant, the lawyers or any other attendees in the courtroom. However the jury can see and hear all testimony and other activities that are part of the trial. It's not the same thing as sequestering, as I have learned.
In the past few years innominate juries have been used for trials where there was a possibility of jury intimidation or tampering, or where there was high media interest in the outcome of the verdict.
With Chump's recent forays into in witness intimidation already happening, doesn't it make sense for courts to establish innominate juries for their own safety?
What is an "innominate jury"?
Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innominate_jury
An innominate jury, also known as an anonymous jury, is a jury whose members are kept anonymous by court order. This may be requested by the prosecution or defense in order to protect the jury from the media, potential jury tampering, or social pressure to return a particular verdict.
In some cases, the identity of the jury is not revealed to anyone; in other cases, the identity of the jury is revealed to the prosecution and defense, but not released to the public or media.
In most jurisdictions, several criteria are used to determine if an anonymous jury is appropriate. The defendant's involvement in organized crime, the defendant's participation in a group with the capacity to harm jurors, the defendant's past attempts to interfere with the judicial process, the potential that the defendant will get a long jail sentence or substantial fines if convicted, and extensive publicity that could expose jurors to intimidation or harassment are situations in which an innominate jury may be appropriate.
In some cases, the identity of the jury is not revealed to anyone; in other cases, the identity of the jury is revealed to the prosecution and defense, but not released to the public or media.
In most jurisdictions, several criteria are used to determine if an anonymous jury is appropriate. The defendant's involvement in organized crime, the defendant's participation in a group with the capacity to harm jurors, the defendant's past attempts to interfere with the judicial process, the potential that the defendant will get a long jail sentence or substantial fines if convicted, and extensive publicity that could expose jurors to intimidation or harassment are situations in which an innominate jury may be appropriate.
The INNOMINATE (or anonymous) jury allows the jury members to view the trial proceedings behind a screen or from another room. The jury can't be seen by the defendant, the lawyers or any other attendees in the courtroom. However the jury can see and hear all testimony and other activities that are part of the trial. It's not the same thing as sequestering, as I have learned.
In the past few years innominate juries have been used for trials where there was a possibility of jury intimidation or tampering, or where there was high media interest in the outcome of the verdict.
With Chump's recent forays into in witness intimidation already happening, doesn't it make sense for courts to establish innominate juries for their own safety?
August 12, 2023
Variety link: https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/saturday-night-live-cast-emmys-bill-hader-1235691358/
- more at link -
There are rumors that "Ted Lasso" isn't coming back for a 4th season, but we'll see. The new 3rd season of "Only Murders in the Building" has just started, and it's one of my favorite shows.
It seems the old-time definition of "comedy" shows with a laugh track have morphed into intriguing stories that include some amusing banter between characters, but the story is more important than the laughs. For example, "Only Murders in the Building" is actually a murder mystery told over 10 episodes, with several funny scenes and cameo appearances of famous actors. It's quite entertaining, but the episodes need to be seen in sequence. That wouldn't be true of Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, or any of the older sit-coms.
'Saturday Night Live' Alums Continue Emmy Nominations Streak, Even as TV Academy Redefines Comedy
Variety link: https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/saturday-night-live-cast-emmys-bill-hader-1235691358/
The Emmys may be having an identity crisis over what constitutes a comedy these days, but one thing remains crystal clear about the Television Academy — voters still find the men of ”Saturday Night Live” irresistibly funny.
For the second year in a row, the actor in a comedy series category is dominated by “SNL” alums. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”), Bill Hader (“Barry”) and Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”) all made the cut for the 75th ceremony. It’s a repeat of last year, when the same trio nabbed nominations, in addition to Short’s co-star Steve Martin, who was never an official “SNL” cast member but served as a frequent host and is forever associated with the show. (He was oddly snubbed this year.)
Go back a decade, and other “SNL” men have held their ground in the category: Kenan Thompson (“Kenan,” 2021), Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” 2018) and Will Forte (“The Last Man on Earth,” 2016). And women, including Tina Fey, have also picked up acting trophies for post-“SNL” projects.
“SNL” is a comedy institution with a nearly 50-year legacy as a training ground for talent that eventually flies the nest to take the industry by storm. It shouldn’t be that big of a shock that the TV Academy loves to throw nominations (and statues) at those that cut their teeth inside the walls of Studio 8Hin Rockefeller Center.
For the second year in a row, the actor in a comedy series category is dominated by “SNL” alums. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”), Bill Hader (“Barry”) and Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”) all made the cut for the 75th ceremony. It’s a repeat of last year, when the same trio nabbed nominations, in addition to Short’s co-star Steve Martin, who was never an official “SNL” cast member but served as a frequent host and is forever associated with the show. (He was oddly snubbed this year.)
Go back a decade, and other “SNL” men have held their ground in the category: Kenan Thompson (“Kenan,” 2021), Larry David (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” 2018) and Will Forte (“The Last Man on Earth,” 2016). And women, including Tina Fey, have also picked up acting trophies for post-“SNL” projects.
“SNL” is a comedy institution with a nearly 50-year legacy as a training ground for talent that eventually flies the nest to take the industry by storm. It shouldn’t be that big of a shock that the TV Academy loves to throw nominations (and statues) at those that cut their teeth inside the walls of Studio 8Hin Rockefeller Center.
- more at link -
There are rumors that "Ted Lasso" isn't coming back for a 4th season, but we'll see. The new 3rd season of "Only Murders in the Building" has just started, and it's one of my favorite shows.
It seems the old-time definition of "comedy" shows with a laugh track have morphed into intriguing stories that include some amusing banter between characters, but the story is more important than the laughs. For example, "Only Murders in the Building" is actually a murder mystery told over 10 episodes, with several funny scenes and cameo appearances of famous actors. It's quite entertaining, but the episodes need to be seen in sequence. That wouldn't be true of Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, or any of the older sit-coms.
August 11, 2023
MSNBC reports that Chump spent $27mill on legal defense in first 6 months of 2023
Campaign finances are strained because he's taking most of the donated $$ to pay legal bills. So ... the lawyers are probably OK with this, otherwise they wouldn't get paid. Question is, why are people donating to his "campaign" when it's not really for him to run for president. He's just running for the grift.
August 11, 2023
Link: https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/holy-shit-these-federalist-society
Screenshot includes quote and JT emphasis:
- more at link -
Classic Tiedrich rant, includes tipping his hat to Thom Hartmann, farther down.
Tiedrich Rant: holy shit, these Federalist Society lawyers want to 14th Amendment the fuck out of...
Link: https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/holy-shit-these-federalist-society
Screenshot includes quote and JT emphasis:
- more at link -
Classic Tiedrich rant, includes tipping his hat to Thom Hartmann, farther down.
Profile Information
Name: Kathy HinsmanGender: Female
Hometown: Pittsburgh PA
Home country: USA
Current location: Pittsburgh
Member since: Sat Feb 18, 2017, 02:16 PM
Number of posts: 32,639
