Last week was a "week from hell" and by the end of Friday, I was exhaustipated! Something had to give and it was my Open Threads. Saturday I had a doctor's appointment which turned out well — my blood sugar A1c test dropped. So although tired, at least I was happy. This coming week promises to be a "week from hell" again. And of course, it is tax filing time again . . . deadline 02/05/2016 in Canada. On the other hand, the weather has been glorious the past 4 days. I hope your spring is shaping up the way you like it.
Short Takes
Mother Jones — Add Bruce Springsteen to the growing list of people who are not fans of North Carolina's new anti-LGBT law. On Friday, just two days before a scheduled show in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Boss announced that he was canceling his appearance in a gesture of protest against the legislation.
"Some things are more important than a rock show and [the] fight against prejudice and bigotry—which is happening as I write—is one of them," the rock star wrote in a short statement on his website. "[Canceling the show] is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."
There have been many companies and individuals speaking out about North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, HB-2. Nathan Deal of Georgia vetoed legislation as a result of pressure brought to bear. I guess McCrory didn't get the memo!
Raw Story — The wait, at this and thousands of other pantries across the country, is about to get longer. New restrictions in the federally funded food stamp program have begun affecting hundreds of thousands of needy families throughout America, as revived rules designed to incentivize people looking for work result in the loss of benefits for 500,000 to 1 million people in 21 states. The Department of Agriculture program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, implemented a rule Jan. 1 that reinstates a three-month time limit for those receiving benefits who don’t have children or a disability and haven’t found a minimum 20-hour-a-week job, a requirement that was previously suspended thanks to recession-induced unemployment levels.
Perhaps the Republican dominated Congress should look to stop the jobs drain to overseas locations by large corporations. That would mean more people working and hopefully fewer needing assistance. But I doubt that will happen.
Think Progress — Bonnie Raindrop has been beekeeping for just nine years, but that’s been more than enough time to see the precipitous decline in bee populations that has been plaguing Maryland. Last year, according to the USDA, Maryland beekeepers lost 61 percent of their honeybee populations, which is two times higher than the national average. Over the last five or so years, Raindrop herself has witnessed crushing losses in her own hives, fluctuating between 50 and 100 percent.
Which is why Raindrop is so happy that the Maryland legislature has started to take notice. Thursday night, the Maryland House and Senate agreed upon and jointly passed a final version of the Maryland Pollinator Protection Act, which would eliminate consumer use of neonicotinoids, a widely-used class of pesticides that has been shown to negatively impact honeybees. If the bill — which now goes to the desk of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) — is enacted into law, it would make Maryland the first state in the country to codify such protection for honeybees at a statewide level.
Good news for bees and other pollinators. The world's total food production hangs in the balance.
My Universe — It is time to start relaxing for the weekend!
This was planned for last Friday, but hey, for cats, everyday is the weekend!
