Patrick Pleul/Getty Images
Friday, October 3
Headlines
Patrick Pleul/Getty Images
Robert Reich
In the unfriendly skies
Friends,
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I have a good idea how this shutdown ends. Trump and Republicans will cave (he won’t admit he’s caving, of course, but he will cave).
Here’s why: Air traffic controllers.
Like other federal workers, the controllers aren’t being paid now (they’ll get back-pay when the shutdown ends). But unlike most other federal workers, their workloads and stress loads have been soaring.
Recall the last big shutdown that started in late 2018 and went on for 35 days — a record. What ended it? Air traffic controllers.
In January 2019, several controllers at a facility near Washington, D.C., that handles air traffic for most of the region, called in sick.
At A Glance
How much alcohol do Americans drink?
Tourists are flocking to China's futuristic megacity.
One in five people experience lucid dreaming at least once a month. (w/video)
World War II made Hershey and Mars candy giants.
Why smartphones have multiple cameras. (w/video)
Philadelphia woman wins the "Cheesemonger Olympics."
... and a Cleveland baker will represent the US in the "Bread Olympics."
Ranking America's 10 most haunting hikes.
Clickbait: Why the kids are saying "6-7."
Historybook: American singer-songwriter Chubby Checker born (1941); Gwen Stefani born (1969); East and West Germany are unified (1990); OJ Simpson acquitted of murdering ex-wife and her friend (1995); "Psycho" actress Janet Leigh dies (2004).
In The NEWS
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> MLB Wild Card Series wraps tonight; see complete playoff bracket and schedule (More) | WNBA Finals matchup set after the Las Vegas Aces top the Indiana Fever in overtime; the Aces will take on the Phoenix Mercury for the WNBA title (More)
> Colorado officials to review 2005 death of author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson at the request of his widow; Thompson's death was initially ruled a suicide (More)
> Big Ten in talks with private capital group over $2B deal that would include an extension of the media rights for the athletic conference's 18 universities through the 2046 season (More)
Science & Technology
> Department of Energy takes 5% stake in Lithium Americas and its Nevada mining project, considered key to reducing US reliance on Chinese lithium for battery development (More) | How much is lithium demand projected to grow? (1440 Topics)
> Scientists confirm complex organic molecules in geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus, offering further evidence the moon is habitable; Enceladus' underground oceans have long made it a prime candidate to host life beyond Earth (More)
> Paleontologists analyzing 430-million-year-old fossil determine leeches emerged 200 million years earlier than previously thought, with the earliest species feeding on marine creatures instead of blood (More)
Business & Markets
> US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +0.3%, Dow +0.1%, Nasdaq +0.4%) as weak private payrolls data spurs further rate-cut bets (More)
> Attorneys general from five states sue Zillow, Redfin over alleged scheme to stifle online rental market competition; challenge follows similar FTC antitrust suit (More)
> Supreme Court allows Lisa Cook to remain as Federal Reserve governor, will hear arguments in January on whether President Donald Trump can fire her from the independent agency (More)
Politics & World Affairs
> Trump administration freezes $26B for Democratic-leaning states—roughly $18B for NYC transit projects and $8B for green energy projects in 16 states—acting on threat to target Democratic priorities during government shutdown (More)
> United Nations Security Council approves creation of 5,550-person force to help Haiti suppress gang violence; mandate for smaller and underfunded UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police expires today (More)
> Israeli navy intercepts flotilla seeking to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza (More) | Three alleged Hamas members arrested yesterday on suspicion of plotting attacks against Israelis and Jews in Germany are set to appear in court today (More)
Shutdown
WE ARE IN A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN...
For my wife and I who are both retired and been retired for 10 years, this shutdown will not affect/effect either one of us at all.
However, there are millions of people here in the US of A that are not that lucky.
ALL SHUTDOWNS are POLITICALLY MOTIVATED... no matter which political party is in power... each side blames the other side... and whoever blinks first loses.
Unfortunately, the AMERICAN PEOPLE are the real losers.
It is for this reason, among others, that I DO NOT SUPPORT EITHER PARTY with my time or money. Whatever you decide to do is your business, not mine, but if you are smart you will not listen to the NEWS MEDIA as they favor one side or the other side and ARE NOT FAIR AND BALANCED.
Do your own research!!!
And if you are not sure how to do that, then use the AI app on your phone, computer, or laptop to do the research for you, making sure that you let them know YOU DON'T WANT A BIASED OPINION.
Don't just accept the first result that AI gives you... continue to ask questions, to make sure they are not favoring one side over the other side.
Microsoft's CoPilot and ChatGPT are the two I use often along with Gemini on my android phone, but I don't trust either of the three 100%.
Check out the Republican argument.
Check out the Democratic argument.
Check out the amendment that the Democrats presented to the Republicans - it is this amendment to the CR that caused the shutdown.
If you read the amendment yourself, you will be able to see who is telling the truth and who is not.
Ask AI to connect you with this amendment if you don't know how to do it yourself.
I NO LONGER BELIEVE ANY GOVERNMENT ELECTED OFFICIAL, EITHER STATE OR LOCAL...
Scientists find direct link between solar storms and heart attacks
We live on a planet wrapped in a magnetic shield that waxes and wanes with solar activity. Most days, that quiet background barely draws notice. Some days, it fluctuates more strongly.
The study behind this article asked a simple question: when Earth’s magnetic field gets unsettled, as it does during solar storms, is there a direct correlation to the number of heart attacks reported in humans on Earth?
Doctors in Brazil analyzed hospital admissions for myocardial infarction (heart attacks) over several years.
They tracked age, sex, and whether patients survived to discharge. Then they set those numbers alongside daily magnetic activity scores to see whether patterns aligned.
Thursday, October 2
Headlines
Araya Doheny/Getty Images
Robert Reich
Here’s what’s at stake, and why Dems must hold the line.
Friends,
I’ve been directly involved in government shutdowns, one when I was secretary of labor. It’s hard for me to describe the fear, frustration, and chaos that ensued. I recall spending the first day consoling employees — many in tears as they headed out the door.
In some ways, this shutdown is similar to others. Agencies and departments designed to protect consumers, workers, and investors are now officially closed, as are national parks and museums.
Most federal workers are not being paid — as many as 750,000 could be furloughed — including those who are required to remain on the job, like air-traffic controllers or members of the U.S. military.
So-called “mandatory” spending, including Social Security and Medicare payments, are continuing, although checks could be delayed. (Trump has made sure that construction of his new White House ballroom won’t be affected.)





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