(no subject)

* Fighting continues in Kiev despite claims of a truce. Casualties continue to mount. The EU talks of sanctions. President Obama has issued a threat. Parts of Kiev continue to burn and people keep dying.

Added at 4:19AM: The police brought in reinforcements to try to take Independence square in violation of the truce, but the protesters repulsed them. Fighting continues to spread in Kiev. The official figure is seventeen dead, but honestly, it sounds like people are guessing. Most of the dead appear to be protesters shot in the head and neck by police with assault rifles.

* "UK Court: David Miranda Detention Legal Under Terrorism Law:" https://firstlook.org/theintercept/article/2014/02/19/uk-court-david-miranda-detention-legal-terrorism-law/

* "VW workers may block southern U.S. deals if no unions: labor chief:" http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/19/us-vw-usplant-idUSBREA1I0S820140219

* "Tom Perkins' big idea: The rich should get more votes:" http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/14/investing/tom-perkins-vote/index.html

* "We Did the Math on Tom Perkins' Vote-Buying Scheme:" http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/tom-perkins-math-pierce

* "One-Percent Jokes and Plutocrats in Drag: What I Saw When I Crashed a Wall Street Secret Society:" http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/02/i-crashed-a-wall-street-secret-society.html

* "After background checks were scrapped in Missouri:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/after-background-checks-were-scrapped-mo

* "BART riders get measles scare from UC Berkeley student:" http://www.techtimes.com/articles/3454/20140215/bart-riders-get-measles-scare.htm

* "America’s First President Was The Tea Party’s Worst Nightmare:" http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/02/17/3297131/george-washington-tea-partys-worst-nightmare/#

* "Noose tied on Ole Miss integration statue:" http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Noose-tied-on-Ole-Miss-integration-statue-5245153.php

* "The Problem With Little White Girls (and Boys):" https://medium.com/p/b84d4011d17e

* "Black Boy Interrupted:" http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/02/black-boy-interrupted/283881/

* "The evolutionary puzzle of homosexuality:" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26089486

* "How Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Are Trying to Defend Their State Bans:" http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/02/how-same-sex-marriage-opponents-are-trying-defend-their-state-bans/358095/

* "May a Man Marry a Man? A Medieval Debate:" http://www.religiousleftlaw.com/2014/01/may-a-man-marry-a-man-a-medieval-debate.html

* "If you step on my foot, you need to get off my foot.:" http://mostlysignssomeportents.tumblr.com/post/77147550594/if-you-step-on-my-foot-you-need-to-get-off-my

* "Rubber-Duck-Race Bill Expected to Pass in Wisconsin:" http://www.loweringthebar.net/2014/02/rubber-ducky.html

* "Made in Maine scent makes farmers more attractive to livestock:" http://www.wmtw.com/news/made-in-maine-scent-makes-farmers-more-attractive-to-livestock/24434818

* Facial reconstruction of a vodka bottle skull.: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151824863486326.1073741845.91373316325&type=1

* "Skeleton Typogram, A Human Skeleton Illustration Made Using The Words For Each Bone:" http://laughingsquid.com/skeleton-typogram-a-human-skeleton-illustration-made-using-the-words-for-each-bone/

(no subject)

* The President of Ukraine called on Parliament to pass a law granting him more powers to crack down on protesters. The Parliament voted that down and unanimously (with two abstentions) passed a law against police using live ammunition on the protesters and ordering the withdraw of security forces from Kiev. No one really thinks the law will be obeyed as Yanukovych is still President, but it was a strong symbol of solidarity with the protesters who continue to die in Independence Square and environs.

* A young woman was s fatally shot in the head when pro-government thugs opened fire on peaceful protesters in Venezuela. This is the second week of protests there.

* "Obama's tea party cousin who's running for Senate compared president to Hitler:" http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/02/milton-wolf-pat-roberts-obama-cousin

* "2 Poems by Greek Writer Sappho Discovered on Papyrus:" http://www.livescience.com/42940-new-sappho-poems-discovered.html

* "Archaeologists Have Found the Oldest Roman Temple:" http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116396/archaeologists-have-found-oldest-roman-temple

* Dissenting view on lead and the Franklin Expedition. "Why our explanation of the 1845 polar tragedy should be put on ice:" http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jan/26/lead-poisoning-polar-sir-john-franklin

* They repeatedly tasered and beat him then charged him with assault for answering their questions. "Southern California Police Beat and Taser an Innocent Deaf Man:" http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/02/14/65377.htm

* "In One Day, Bills Allowing Anti-LGBT Discrimination Fail In Four States:" http://www.buzzfeed.com/tonymerevick/lgbt-discrimination-bills-fail

* Email I would send to James Lipton and/or Bravo if I could figure out how to send a complaint: Dear James Lipton, do not refer to a Trans Woman as "a transgender." Yes, even if the woman in question is fictional. Speaking as you do marks you as ignorant and possible hostile and/or prone to dehumanizing treatment of the women of our community. It's 2014. Go watch some Melissa Harris-Perry to see what good trans coverage looks like. Google yourself some trans 101. Remember that trans people are likely watching your show, as are people who may be as ignorant as you currently are who might mistake you for someone who knows what he is talking about on TLGB issues, you being a celebrity who worked in the theater. Why not do even five minutes of research before showing your ass to a National Television audience? Why misinform when you can educate? You are meant to be an educator, are you not?

* Satire: "Bill Nye Science Guy to Debate GOP Rep Gohmert on Gravity:" http://www.juancole.com/2014/02/science-gohmert-gravity.html

* "EXCLUSIVE: National clown shortage may be approaching, trade organizations fear:" http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/exclusive-national-clown-shortage-approaching-article-1.1616801