What's in the news?

[Lustful Bride]

8 Lion cubs killed via poisoning. :( 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/8-lion-cubs-killed-in-suspected-poison-attack-report/ar-AAvVuVn?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz


R Lee Ermey passes away at 74.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/r-lee-ermey-‘full-metal-jacket’-golden-globe-nominee-dies-at-74/ar-AAvV1Xr?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz


Severe Rains threaten Hawaii.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/severe-rainfall-strands-dozens-at-hawaii-evacuation-shelter/ar-AAvV6RX?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[Lustful Bride]

A bit of good news. I wish these ladies the best in the marathon. :)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/previewing-the-2018-boston-marathon-four-elite-women-vie-to-end-us-drought/ar-AAvOKos?ocid=spartandhp&ffid=gz

[gaggedLouise]

Some active members of the Canadian Liberal party are lobbying to decriminalize all narcotic drugs. Yes, possession and use of *all* illicit drugs.

what the...?? 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/canada-liberal-party-considers-decriminalization-all-illicit-drugs

[Lustful Bride]

Some active members of the Canadian Liberal party are lobbying to decriminalize all narcotic drugs. Yes, possession and use of *all* illicit drugs.

what the...?? 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/16/canada-liberal-party-considers-decriminalization-all-illicit-drugs

Brace yourselves Canadians, the bath salts zombies are coming.

[Regina Minx]

No, actually I am in favor of cutting from the budget aid that goes to support militaries around the globe that may or may not support the goals of the U.S.  $16.8 billion may mean nothing to you...

I don't feel like you read through to my source. The second chart on the site shows the dollar amount in 2017 that went to foreign military support, and it wasn't 16.8 billion dollars. Foreign military spending was 5.7 billion dollars in 2017, with 3.4 billion and 630 million going to Afghanistan Security Forces and Iraq Train and Equipment Fund, respectively. Since, then, it sounds like you're OK with counter-terrorism and mine removal programs and anti-drug initiatives, the amount we can trim is down to a mere 9.7 billion dollars.

[Maedalaane]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-cohens-third-client-is-sean-hannity

[Regina Minx]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-cohens-third-client-is-sean-hannity

Bear in mind that Cohen has every incentive to exaggerate his client communications to try to derail the doc review, so he may be spinning Hannity into a client when he really isn't, or is only minimally for a few communications.

[Sara Nilsson]

https://www.iq-mag.net/2018/04/rotting-christ-arrested-terror-charges-georgia/

Two members of veteran Greek extreme metal band Rotting Christ were detained on terrorism charges ahead of show in Georgia last Thursday, after authorities accused them of practising satanism, their record label has said.

[Oniya]

https://www.iq-mag.net/2018/04/rotting-christ-arrested-terror-charges-georgia/

I actually had to check:  That's the country of Georgia, not the state.

I would have believed it either way.

[Hades]

Does it say something that when I saw the headline, I wasn't sure if it was the country or the US state involved?

[Hades]

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/harry-anderson-night-court-star-225756854.html

Harry Anderson, star of the show Night Court has died at the age of 65.    RIP another piece of my childhood 

[Hades]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/us/barbara-bush-dead.html

New York Times is reporting that former First Lady Barbara Bush has died at the age of 92.

[elone]

I don't feel like you read through to my source. The second chart on the site shows the dollar amount in 2017 that went to foreign military support, and it wasn't 16.8 billion dollars. Foreign military spending was 5.7 billion dollars in 2017, with 3.4 billion and 630 million going to Afghanistan Security Forces and Iraq Train and Equipment Fund, respectively. Since, then, it sounds like you're OK with counter-terrorism and mine removal programs and anti-drug initiatives, the amount we can trim is down to a mere 9.7 billion dollars.

I think we are comparing apples and oranges here. But for one, if total spending for foreign military was 5.7 billion, how can it be that Afghanistan receives a total of over 4 billion, and Israel gets 3.8 billion. Egypt 1.3 billion, Iraq 800 million, and more for the rest of the world. (Washington Post stats.)

But while you seem focused on foreign aid, I am focused on the total spending for all of our foreign wars and adventures, coupled with the costs of veterans benefits present and future, and all the other costs of war on the people of the United States.

My point, there are many better ways to spend my tax dollars.

[Regina Minx]

I think we are comparing apples and oranges here. But for one, if total spending for foreign military was 5.7 billion, how can it be that Afghanistan receives a total of over 4 billion, and Israel gets 3.8 billion. Egypt 1.3 billion, Iraq 800 million, and more for the rest of the world. (Washington Post stats.)

Since you're not providing the links to your source, I have no idea why our numbers are discrepant. One possibility is that spending deals and aid packages tend to be announced as and budgeted over multiple years. "US to Fund the Hungry Puppy Rainforest Fund for 10 billion dollars over 5 years" sort of thing.

[Lustful Bride]

Plane Engine explodes mid flight, killing 1 passenger, but the pilots managed to safely bring the plane down in an emergency landing.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/airplane-engine-explosion-emergency-landing-philadelphia-airport-southwest-new-york-dallas-20180417.html

[Orval Wintermute]

Russia and Syria finally decided to let OPCW inspect the site of the alleged attack but only if a UN security force declared that the site was safe.
News just in, the UN security force has come under fire. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43792120

Anyone surprised by this?

[Lustful Bride]

Russia and Syria finally decided to let OPCW inspect the site of the alleged attack but only if a UN security force declared that the site was safe.
News just in, the UN security force has come under fire. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43792120

Anyone surprised by this?

After they delayed the investigators for almost a week, I am surprised they have anything left to hide.

[Orval Wintermute]

After they delayed the investigators for almost a week, I am surprised they have anything left to hide.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that "evidence" the UK was behind attack is being shipped and it takes time fake that stuff.

[elone]

Since you're not providing the links to your source, I have no idea why our numbers are discrepant. One possibility is that spending deals and aid packages tend to be announced as and budgeted over multiple years. "US to Fund the Hungry Puppy Rainforest Fund for 10 billion dollars over 5 years" sort of thing.

Using your source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/which-countries-get-the-most-foreign-aid/

I was looking at US security assistance by country, not military spending. I consider all  aid that is security as military. Still, the charts do not include the cost of war, veterans disabilities and the rest that will go on forever.

War is a waste of money in the middle east.

[Regina Minx]

Using your source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/world/which-countries-get-the-most-foreign-aid/

And it literally says in the first paragraph: Last month, the Obama administration announced an eye-popping $38 billion security assistance deal with the Israelis, to be disbursed over ten years starting in 2019.

So yes, a 2017 budget proposal won't reflect the start of a 38 billion, ten-year security assistance package that will begin two years later.

[Beguile's Mistress]

Within two hours, 14 women had been tried, convicted and sentenced to die.

A 10-Minute Trial, a Death Sentence: Iraqi Justice for ISIS Suspects

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/17/world/middleeast/iraq-isis-trials.html?nl=top-stories&nlid=72754896ries&ref=cta

[elone]

And it literally says in the first paragraph: Last month, the Obama administration announced an eye-popping $38 billion security assistance deal with the Israelis, to be disbursed over ten years starting in 2019.

So yes, a 2017 budget proposal won't reflect the start of a 38 billion, ten-year security assistance package that will begin two years later.

At this point, I have no idea what your point is. So Israel gets 3.8 billion per year. Way too much for a nation quite capable of standing on its own two feet. But my original point still stands, the cost of war in the middle east is Trillions, not billions, certainly not as little as you may believe. Again, I count all spending, including that which will last for years after the fighting stops.

From Politifact (Harvard study)

[Lustful Bride]

I don't wan to be that person, but I feel like you focus way too much on Israel.

Is the deal actually just giving them money btw, or is it one of those deals where its actually a great deal of give and take from both sides and the 38 Billion is more of what both sides might get out of it?

[Regina Minx]

At this point, I have no idea what your point is.

Same as it was when we began this exchange. You’re talking about a miniscule fraction of the budget. If the deficit is a concern of yours, this is just chump change.

[Sara Nilsson]

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/04/taxpayer_dollars_cant_be_used_to_fix_churches_nj_s.html

Taxpayer money can't be used for church repair projects that support religious activities -- even if it's for historic preservation, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

Victory! And something I can be proud of NJ for. Dammit, with last years trans protection that Christie pushed through there are now things I like about this state ^^