What's in the news?

[AmberStarfire]

This is off-putting:
http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/how-google-is-secretly-recording-you-through-your-mobile-monitoring-millions-of-conversations/news-story/8089bf3084a430f4c4be46b81710c158

And so is this:
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/face-body/dark-hair-dye-and-chemical-straighteners-have-been-linked-to-breast-cancer/news-story/2e6b470b92791426e92a3e680fd0b3c8

[TheGlyphstone]

This is off-putting:
http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/how-google-is-secretly-recording-you-through-your-mobile-monitoring-millions-of-conversations/news-story/8089bf3084a430f4c4be46b81710c158

And so is this:
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/face-body/dark-hair-dye-and-chemical-straighteners-have-been-linked-to-breast-cancer/news-story/2e6b470b92791426e92a3e680fd0b3c8

Eh, Google already knows everything about you from email anyways. Adding your conversations to its database of evil can't do much more damage.

[AmberStarfire]

Eh, Google already knows everything about you from email anyways. Adding your conversations to its database of evil can't do much more damage.

You say that now. :P


I just read this:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamiejones/times-britain-confused-the-fuck-out-of-america?bffbmain&ref=bffbmain&utm_term=.gbb5Kbq1w#.icwknw8Ld

Do those of you in America usually put cream in coffee? I mean regular coffee, not the rich coffee shop type with syrup added.

Over here, regular coffee usually has milk (some people drink it black), and in a coffee shop they usually use steamed milk (but may add cream if you want it). I just drink almond milk which basically no coffee shops sell, so if I have coffee out I have plain milk and keep the size small. Cream makes me ill, even though I like the flavour. But I just wondered if it's a thing - people having cream in their coffee all the time.

[Sara Nilsson]

Do those of you in America usually put cream in coffee? I mean regular coffee, not the rich coffee shop type with syrup added.

It is pretty common yes. Most people I know use cream over milk in coffee over here. Has taken me some time to get used to.

[AmberStarfire]

It is pretty common yes. Most people I know use cream over milk in coffee over here. Has taken me some time to get used to.

Okay. If you went to a coffee shop there could you get regular milk instead of cream (just wondering)?

And by cream do you mean actual cream (like whipped cream) or the powdered milk/creamer type?

I think it could be a difference in definition. What you call cream (creamer) isn't considered cream here.

[Sara Nilsson]

Okay. If you went to a coffee shop there could you get regular milk instead of cream (just wondering)?

And by cream do you mean actual cream (like whipped cream) or the powdered milk/creamer type?

I think it could be a difference in definition. What you call cream (creamer) isn't considered cream here.

Creamer not whipped cream. And yes you can get milk of various sorts at the coffee shops.

[AmberStarfire]

Okay, then I think to some extent it's a difference of definition. Coffee shops here don't have creamer but they sometimes have fresh cream.

[Iniquitous]

I prefer cream over creamer and have been known to use Half & Half instead of buying creamer.  I do not like milk in my coffee.  There is a difference between milk and cream as well between milk and creamer.

[Lustful Bride]

Controversy via diamond company "Brilliant Earth" as it sues internet investigator who claims some of their diamonds came from conflict zones.

http://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/brilliant-earth-sues-online-critic/

haven't found much information on this, but it is interesting.

[Oniya]

Okay, then I think to some extent it's a difference of definition. Coffee shops here don't have creamer but they sometimes have fresh cream.

I'll usually pour milk in mine, because that's what we have.  If I have access to half-and-half (like snagging a handful of the little restaurant cups) or fresh cream, I'll treat myself.  In a pinch, I'll use cocoa mix, powdered creamer or even dry milk (which I have on hand for the bread machine).  I've also occasionally used a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

[AmberStarfire]

Okay. I haven't tried icecream or cocoa in coffee as a milk replacement, but I have added cocoa to make a mocha. I think I improvised with custard or yoghurt once. It was disgusting. :D Icecream sounds alright.

I usually buy two types of coffee at home. The regular kind (instant), which I have with honey and almond milk. I also buy cappuccino and latte sachets in different flavours. You're supposed to be able to just add water to them, but they always taste better with milk (or almond milk) added (and honey in place of sugar). I very occasionally buy lactose-free milk, but when I go out to a coffee shop (one of my favourite places) I have no choice because they never stock almond milk or lactose-free milk. They sometimes have soya milk, but I don't want to drink it and it's probably sat there for ages because not many people drink it.

There's this shop in the city that sells imported foods (things like crisps, and chocolate, and cans of drink from countries like the US and Australia). They've had flavoured creamer there (the powdered kind) for some time, so I've tried a couple of flavours before, but I went light on it because it's dairy.

I try not to have more than one (or maybe 2) coffees a day made from sachets because I see them as richer/with more calories and sugary stuff added. I try to drink more instant/regular coffee. It's also my alternative to drinking soft drink because it doesn't have as much sugar (honey in this case).

Anyway, I should return us to our regular topic. :)

[Beorning]

By the way, the Danish police have found a body in tne water that may well be that of journalist Kim Wall, who vaninshed during a submarine trip - but the forensics now say the body may have been dismembered. The head and one arm are gone and seem to have been removed by cuts...

Yeah, this case seems to be quite outlandish.

From what I've read, Kim Wall went to a trip on private submarine with the submarine's owner / inventor. She vanished. Meanwhile, the submarine resurfaced, with the inventor calling for help because of a supposed technical emergency. He was rescued and the submarine sunk.

The inventor first claimed that he had been alone on board and that Kim Wall had not participated in the trip. Then, he started claiming that she had been on board, that she had died in an accident and that he had thrown her body into a sea (as a form of burial..???). Now, Ms. Wall's dismembered body was found...

So... a murder? With the inventor sinking the whole submarine to get rid off the evidence?

[gaggedLouise]

Early this morning, the Danish police tweeted out that  the torso found was indeed that of Kim Wall, and traces of her blood have been found inside the submarine. theyare now looking for her head and other parts...

At least, her parents and family will get to bury her. 

[RedRose]

Controversy via diamond company "Brilliant Earth" as it sues internet investigator who claims some of their diamonds came from conflict zones.

http://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/brilliant-earth-sues-online-critic/

haven't found much information on this, but it is interesting.

Interesting indeed. I have a couple cousins in diamond, and acquaintances too. I often Wonder what's the % of conflict zone and/or illegal trade.

[Lustful Bride]

UK CPS to step up on punishing hate crimes online.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/21/cps-to-crack-down-on-social-media-hate-says-alison-saunders

[Lustful Bride]

Storm Harvey has now intensified into a Hurricane.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/weather/harvey-intensifies-to-hurricane-likely-a-major-texas-storm/ar-AAqCLaq?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Lustful Bride]

Video surfaces of a highschool abuse case and I feel just...so heart broken.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/videos-show-high-school-cheerleaders-forced-splits-n795491


I wish the article showed more details but from at least what i heard on the Philip Defranco show, the girl in the video actually suffered Torn Muscle tissue, Damaged Ligaments and needs physical therapy.

[Lustful Bride]

North Korean Spies captured on film attempting to steal Ukrainian missile designs.

They had no idea it was actually a sting operation by Ukranian intelligence.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-north-korean-spies-ukraine-caught-stealing-missile-plans/ar-AAqEDct?li=BBnb4R7&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Lilias]

Teenager says eight A* GCSEs show deaf children can avoid underachieving tag

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/teenager-says-eight-a-gcses-show-deaf-children-can-avoid-underachieving-tag-36064772.html

[Lustful Bride]

US and Canadian Diplomats in Cuba seem to be losing their hearing and some have even suffered mild brain trauma over time to a still unidentified sonic device.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-north-korean-spies-ukraine-caught-stealing-missile-plans/ar-AAqEDct?li=BBnb4R7&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

Sounds like a spy listening device went on the fritz and did the opposite of what it was meant to...or its some kind of test for a sonic weapon similar to what some ships use to drive off pirates.

[Lustful Bride]

Even as IS lashes out in its final death throes, it tries to take as many innocents as it can with it.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/isis-uses-boy-from-america-to-issue-new-threat/ar-AAqDOIt?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=HPCOMMDHP15

[Sara Nilsson]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/25/politics/trump-transgender-military/index.html

And now trump has signed the directive banning trans people from the military and he claims he is pro lgbt.

Makes me ashamed to be american, and even more ashamed to be married to someone who voted for the asshole.

[WindFish]

I do hope he gets sued over that. There's few things Trump loves more than a good lawsuit.

It's disgusting that he won't denounce Nazis or right-wing terrorism, but he'll demonize patriotic Americans who want to serve their country because of their identity.

Makes me glad to be Canadian right now, where our government is making efforts to increase the rights of transgender people:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/transgender-passport-x-identify-1.4261667
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/transgender-policy-federal-government-1.4259844
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-transgender-military-trump-ban-1.4222787

[Callie Del Noire]

Okay, I'm probably going to get yelled at for asking this.

For folks on hormone replacement therapy, how physically stressful is in on your systems to come on and off of the regimen?

I ask because:
1. I think that most of the folks I personally know in real life going thru HRT and trying for reassignment are stable enough to pursue/hold/perform well in a high percentage of roles in the military. (There have been 8-9 folks in my workspace who were undergoing transition at some stage or another)
2. My single solitary concern are Combat roles. As a bipolar vet and someone who has lost several friends to high stress medical events (stroke, coronary events, and even a suicide) I know that the folks on the front lines need to be physically healthy. I want you to serve your country if you wish, I'd rather it be the other guy who dies in service to their country than you.

Considering the cost of hormone therapy is like less than 10% of the cost the services payment for fucking Viagra, it's not an expense issue.

The president is a tool and I think a ban is wrong, let me make that clear. We accommodate religious practices, medical conditions and such; we shouldn't be banning anyone who wants to make the sacrifices that service calls for. Given the number of folks who came out since the discontinuation Of Don't Ask, Don't Tell I think this was is a first cautious step towards the bad old days. I repeatedly ask my friends still in who are openly out if they have plans to exit with their reputation intact.

One of them saved my life by reporting my when my bipolar symptoms started endangering my life, and others. He is a mustang now, an amazingly good officer, and happily married.

I'm ashamed I'm more worried about what my country is going to do to him than our enemies.

Not to mention if he leaves office, The VP will do EVERYTHING he can to roll back any LGBT progress gained over the last 20 odd years.

[Sara Nilsson]

Okay, I'm probably going to get yelled at for asking this.

For folks on hormone replacement therapy, how physically stressful is in on your systems to come on and off of the regimen?

Not all that. Yes it is not fun, but you can go for two weeks easily with no pills before you start experiencing anything. Before the big op downstairs you have to go without for a month, and that wasn't too bad. A little bit of acne, some extra sweating and that was it for me. And considering its three small pills a day, it isn't much. You dont even need any water or anything to swallow em down with.

Honestly I was more of a wreck before the pills. So anyone trying to hide their trans nature after this is likely to be a worse soldier due to the mental strain it puts you on not being able to be yourself.