I was on Fox News this morning
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Just One Thing: GOP Hypocrites
Red states are passing laws banning medical treatment for minors that relate to gender transition, including hormone therapy and surgery. I’ve long argued that there is a role for government to protect children more than it should protect adults, such as from drugs or physical abuse. Now I know that some folks – who probably have absolutely no knowledge of these situations – think that such medical treatments are a form of abuse. But it’s pretty rich, coming from the group that ALWAYS criticizes the left for trying to have the government intercede in the role of parents for Republicans to be doing just that. It’s hard to imagine just how difficult the decision must be for a parent, how much thought and pain must go into this path for their child. It's hard to imagine that a parent would allow his or her child to go down that path without being as certain as could be that it's the best thing for the child. Yes, they can be wrong but they know better than any (and every) politician. Conservatives' legislating in this arena is wrongheaded and wildly hypocritical.
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Today's Guests
Aimee Techau (pronounced like "tech-cow") is a psychiatric and addictions nurse practitioner and senior instructor at the CU College of Nursing. Now that the FDA has approved Naloxone, also known by its branded name "Narcan", which can in many cases reverse an opioid overdose, for over-the-counter sale, who should buy it and keep it on hand?
Why over-the-counter Narcan may not reach those most in need (axios.com)
Related: a scary story about a new street drug that is not reversible by naloxone in the case of an overdose.
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Chris Boyer served four years in the US Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged he qualified for 100% VA disability for a range of issues including physical issues and PTSD. He's currently the executive director of the Honor Bell Foundation, which I appreciate and donate to. Today, with his awesome service dog Noodle joining us in studio, we're going to talk about how Chris has managed his post-military struggles, in the hopes that the information may be helpful to listeners who are, or who know people who are, in similar situations.
One Veteran’s Story of Managing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (maketheconnection.net)
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Other Stuff
There was a LOT of misinformation going around conservative Twitter about this over the weekend, namely that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg had filed charges against the parking garage attendant who disarmed his assailant and shot him with his own gun. Yes, the police charged him initially but the first story, linked below, never says that the DA was going to pursue the case. Then outlets like Hot Air started spreading headlines about Bragg pressing charges. The second article linked below says that Bragg announced on Sunday that he would not be pressing charges unless the facts turn out to be different from how they currently appear. I can't stand Alvin Bragg, and he's responsible for much of what ails New York City, but the truth matters.
NYC garage worker charged with attempted murder for shooting thief (nypost.com)
Bragg won't charge wounded NYC garage worker who shot suspected thief (nypost.com)
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Why gasoline will be more expensive today than it was yesterday: OPEC+ announces surprise oil production cut that could lead to higher prices at pump (msn.com)
Keep an eye on oil prices (and other financial market stuff) here: Energy Futures Prices - Investing.com
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If we're not France yet, we're well on the way:
Polling says that voters want politicians to leave Social Security untouched but that’s because voters are ignorant and politicians are afraid to tell them the truth. In the real world, something must be done. And whatever it is will be painful, but some choices much more painful than others.
Social Security Reserves Projected to Run Out Earlier Than Expected - WSJ
The actual report: Trustees Report Summary (ssa.gov)
Almost 8 in 10 would oppose raising full Social Security retirement age: poll | The Hill
Poll: Nearly 9 in 10 Americans oppose cutting Social Security or Medicare (msn.com)
Some suggestions here: Social Security in Deficit: Why and What to Do About It | Tax Foundation
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This is a big deal because "milbloggers" (military-topic bloggers) in Russia tend to be quite close to, and supportive of, Vladimir Putin. They're basically arms of his massive propaganda machine: Russian military blogger killed in explosion at St. Petersburg cafe | The Hill
Obviously, Russia is blaming Ukraine, though strangely one important guy didn't (see third link below.)
Meanwhile, the bomb was hidden in a statue presented to the milblogger by a woman at a public event: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 2, 2023 | Institute for the Study of War (understandingwar.org)
BBC reports that a woman suspected of involvement has been arrested: Vladlen Tatarsky: Woman detained over killing of pro-Kremlin blogger - BBC News
Update - the arrested woman apparently admits to giving the disguised bomb to the milblogger, but won't say who gave it to her: Ukraine war live updates: Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine (cnbc.com)
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This piece is too long but still an interesting realization by a typical NY Times liberal, that government is part of the problem, not the solution:
The Problem With Everything-Bagel Liberalism – DNyuz
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Tough call for the left whether they should appeal, though I suspect SCOTUS wouldn’t take the case. I note that this is separate from a question over whether federal or state laws restricting the purchase of handguns to people aged 21 and older is constitutional. If those laws are constitutional then I'd think barring concealed carry is likely also constitutional, and if the latter is unconstitutional then preventing ownership is probably also unconstitutional.
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It’s not going well for Fox News: Dominion wins rare judgment against Fox News on every legal issue but actual malice before blockbuster trial
Here's the actual opinion: Dominion v. Fox summary judgment - DocumentCloud
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Another Republican jumps in. I don't mind Hutchinson. In a way he seems rather presidential. But voters these days, esp in the GOP, want sizzle more than they care about steak and I think Asa is not exciting enough for them. And, of course, he's "non-Trump" which isn't the flavor of the day (or maybe of the decade) among a significant percentage of the GOP base. Easier to imagine a Trumpy sort of character winning than a sober older Southerner who's been admirably critical of Trump for a few years.;
Ex Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson running for president (axios.com)
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I love the last-minute mention of the pig, but the whole story is pretty funny: https://www.kktv.com/2023/04/02/officials-jogger-injured-cow-attack-owner-faces-possible-charges
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Judge Ho is right: Federal Judges Say They Won't Hire Clerks From Stanford Law School (freebeacon.com)
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Today's Videos
Watch this and ask yourself, "when's the next time either party will field a presidential candidate like this?"
Voting for Reagan in his re-election in 1984 was my first-ever vote for president (or for anything else.) It remains the only vote for president that I'm proud of casting.
OK, this is one of the most insane things I've ever seen. It's so nuts that it's hard to know if the guy's being trolled.
Fundraiser by Mark Laita : Help the Whittakers-Soft White Underbelly
At least we know how this all ends