Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News

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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Facial recognition is controversial and often banned. But new AI-based technology identifies people without scanning their faces. read more


The Trump administration suffered three legal defeats within hours on Friday as opposition to its policies continues to be channeled through the courts. read more


Amid the brutal cuts across the federal government under the Trump administration, perhaps one of the most gutting is the loss of experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who respond to lead poisoning in children. read more


Saturday, May 24, 2025

On May 24, 1844, the first U.S telegraph line was formally opened -- between Baltimore and Washington.


It's been found that hundreds of credentials from Facebook, Google, Instagram, Roblox, Discord, Microsoft, Netflix, PayPal, and other major platforms have been compromised. read more


Comments

Are Democrats Dysfunctional Or Just Disagreeing? (2021)
fivethirtyeight.com

... Narrow majorities and an ambitious policy agenda have proven to be a tough combination for Democrats. In the past few weeks, congressional Democrats have been involved in a number of talks among party factions and with the Biden administration over the fate of two major bills: their bipartisan infrastructure bill and their $3.5 trillion spending plan. At this point, too, both progressive and more moderate Democrats have threatened to walk away from the deals " one reason why so many headlines are declaring that Democrats are in disarray. Moreover, regardless of the outcome of these specific bills, it is likely that struggles between moderate and progressive members of the party will continue to be an issue going forward.

But does this mean that the internal fault lines in the Democratic Party are likely to be detrimental to its functioning?

Or are we just seeing healthy negotiating in a party that represents a diverse array of constituencies and interests? ...

[emphasis mine]


I am not a comic book fan, never have been.

But I do respect those who folk who have made contribtions to our society.

Legendary comic book writer Peter David dies after series of health issues at age 68
www.the-independent.com

... Legendary comic book creator Peter David, best known for his 12-year run on the The Incredible Hulk, has died.

He was 68.

His death was announced on Sunday by friend and fellow author Keith R.A. DeCandido.

"Just got the news that Peter David finally lost his rather lengthy battle with his failing physical form last night," DeCandido wrote on Facebook. ...



More from the OpEd ...

... One day before President Trump hit 100 days in office, his vision for policing in the United States fully came into focus. On April 28, Trump signed Executive Order 14288, entitled "Strengthening and Unleashing America's Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens."

"Unleashing" things is a theme in Trump's executive orders -- at least six executive orders (EOs) to date have included a form of that word in their titles. But "unleashing" is particularly stark in the policing context, suggesting a desire for policing unconstrained by law or democratic norms. The substance of the EO is consistent with this suggestion. In contrast to the first Trump administration, there is no semblance of commitment to police accountability. Instead, the EO rejects a federal role in holding state and local police accountable to law, and commits instead to policing that is militarized and unaccountable.

While split into seven short sections, the EO essentially reflects two overarching aims: First, it seeks to redefine desirable American policing as politicized, militarized, and repressive. In this respect, the tone set by the EO is as important as any of its purported requirements. Second, the EO reflects the administration's efforts to make police accountability even more difficult to achieve than it already is.

To be sure, nothing in the EO is self-executing, and, in many respects, it restates what is, or demands what cannot be (at least legally). Nonetheless, people concerned about accountable, democratic policing should take the EO seriously because it illustrates how Trump hopes to use policing to further his own aims rather than to protect people. But a close read of the EO also provides insights into how to thwart those aims.

Politicized Law Enforcement ...



[as the norm with lawfaremedia articles, it's a deep dive, but worth the read]

Original Minneapolis Police Dpartment Statement on Floyd: "A Medical Incident"

How Minneapolis Police first described the murder of George Floyd (2021)
www.cnn.com

...
Man Dies After Medical Incident During Police Interaction

May 25, 2020 (MINNEAPOLIS) On Monday evening, shortly after 8:00 pm, officers from the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the 3700 block of Chicago Avenue South on a report of a forgery in progress. Officers were advised that the suspect was sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence.

Two officers arrived and located the suspect, a male believed to be in his 40s, in his car. He was ordered to step from his car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later.

At no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been called in to investigate this incident at the request of the Minneapolis Police Department.

No officers were injured in the incident.

Body worn cameras were on and activated during this incident.

The GO number associated with this case is 20-140629.
...


Another view ...

Pete Hegseth clamps down on press inside Pentagon amid row over leaks
www.theguardian.com

... Defense secretary's move outlined in memo seemingly punishes media for reporting on leaks inside department ...

Another view ...

Wi-Fi tracking: A data gold mine or privacy nightmare? (2020)
www.retaildive.com

... When customers carry phones with Wi-Fi turned on, their presence can be tracked, even if they are not connected to a network.

Each Wi-Fi enabled device broadcasts its MAC address, a unique identifier for that device, that can be detected by a tracker device or standard off-the-shelf Wi-Fi access point.

Retailers can measure how many people pass by the store, how many enter, and track their journey within the store. ...



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