This and That

An interesting medical study was released yesterday, correlating the use of digital media and the increasing diagnoses of ADHD - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  ADHD symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, restlessness, or impulsivity that is more severe, frequent, or debilitating than normal.  The study followed a group of teenagers who had no, little, average, or above average usage of "digital media" - Smart phones, tablets, etc - and found those people who accessed their digital media more than 14 times per day were likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as they aged.

The 45th President of the United States was amazed and aghast by the American people's response to his "wonderful" time with President Putin in Helsinki.  He went on television today to say that he "misspoke" and meant that he thought he conveyed the idea that Russia might have interfered in the US 2016 election.  - I believe he did not misspeak, and that he meant exactly what he said...
   He also stated, "We met with the Queen, who is absolutely a terrific person, where she reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years, they tell me.  We walked in front of the underguard, and that was very inspiring to see and be with her.  And I think the relationship, I can truly say, is a good one.  ...  She was very, very inspiring, indeed."  -  Why is the President using the Royal "we?"  The Queen reviews the Coldstream Home Honor Guard multiple times each year.  And the Queen has only been Queen for 66 years - how could she not have reviewed her Honor Guard for 70 years?  Not to mention the fact that she was wearing a beautiful blue brooch that was a gift of the Obamas' during 45's visit; or that their "tea" lasted for 17 minutes only....
   And regarding his belligerence at the NATO meeting, he stated: "The press covered it quite inaccurately.  They said I insulted people.  Well, if asking for people to pay up money that they are supposed to pay is insulting, maybe I did.  But I can tell you when I left, everybody was thrilled and that's the way this was, too.  My meeting with President Putin was really interesting in so many different ways because we haven't had relationships with Russia for a long time.  And we started." -  Oh I can totally believe that "...when I left, everybody was thrilled..."  That stupid man doesn't think anything through before he says it!  (And, being a nasty, bitchy woman with a prurient mind, his comment about Putin and relationships with Russia being so very interesting in different ways makes me wonder what he's been up to with Vladi...)

Here in Boulder, we've just been notified that a "violent sexual predator" has been released from jail, and, having to declare a residence, has filed papers saying he is homeless and will be camping out along Fourmile Creek, within the city limits.  He states that he'll be staying east of Broadway, near Rosewood Avenue.  A lot of the citizens are suddenly upset because they live near there, in new, upscale homes and/or apartments and they are suddenly worried over their safety.  This is two blocks away from the Homeless Shelter, which is across the street from a topless girlie bar...  Am I the only person who finds this confusing?

I had planned on rehanging out outdoor balcony lights yesterday, but just didn't feel like it.  It was cloudy and threatening rain all day, after a day of clouds and rain on Sunday.  I slept and read, and slept and read...  Finished a new Alyce Clare book, and began a new Paul Doherty book.  Will hang the lights when I finish posting for the day...

Bits And Pieces

Monday is our Memorial Day, when we are given a paid holiday to honor our War dead.  Volunteers have been placing American flags in cemeteries, on graves of military veterans, all this past week.  We, as a country, actively honor all people who served in our Armed Forces, offering their lives in protection of our beliefs of justice, freedom, and democracy.  My Father was a career US Navy service member, my Uncle was a career US Army service member, and a brother-in-law was a career US Marines service member.  Our family has served in the armed services back into the times of Roman Emperors.  I am extremely proud of all of the men and women in my family who have ever served their country in times of need.
   In horse racing, it has been decided that Always Dreaming will not run in the Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown.  In today's 2,000 Guineas, Thunder Snow will be meeting Churchill...
   On the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, there have been 46 foals born so far...  The latest, seen this morning was out of the mare Chickadee and sired by Ace.  No photos yet.  Considering that the ponies are "wild," having lost only two foals so far this year is very good.  The first died from a massive infection that apparently entered through his umbilical cord; the second was lost to the thick marsh mud.  We're having a very good foaling season, so far.
    Then we come to the administration of the orange snowflake - His trip to the Middle East and beyond started out well.  He was very obsequious to the Saudis and signed a deal for another $110 billion in armed support for their country.  He then made a brief visit to Israel, where his performance was very uneven.  Then he was an unwelcome visitor to the Pope in Vatican City.  Francis looked extremely relieved and happy when the tangerine bigot left the premises.  In Brussels and then back in Italy, he was a complete and total boor.  He pushed the Prime Minister of Montenegro out of his way, so he could be at the front of a photo opportunity.  He yelled at the other members of NATO, saying they hadn't paid enough for US protection (which is NOT what NATO is about); never spoke of the 5th NATO Clause that states if you attack one of us, you attack all of us (and the only time that has been used was for US protection after 9/11); and he called Angela Merkel's German government "very, very bad."
    Now, with the Special Counsel appointed to look into any ties, connections, collusion, and monetary exchanges between the President and anyone remotely tied to his campaign, things are going to get very interesting.  Especially since the President has now hired a personal lawyer.  And then there's the new investigation into his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who reportedly asked for a "private channel of communication" to be set up between Putin and members of the new administration, which could not be "overheard" by US listening services.  They are all idiots.
   And, finally, the unprovoked attack on a British journalist who was asking a Republican running for a US Congressional seat...  The reporter, Ben Jacobs, from The Guardian, was trying to get a comment from man about the CBO score on the Republicans new health care plan, which had been released that afternoon.  Greg Gianforte, the candidate, grabbed the reporter by the neck, threw him to the ground, straddled his body, and began punching the reporter.  He broke the reporter's glasses and injured his elbow.  The candidate was charged with misdemeanor assault, and won the election, which took place the next day.
   The venality and callousness of the Republican party, and the seemingly calm acceptance of this violence by the American public, is very disturbing to me.