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Lohan, who was diagnosed with Chikungunya, an incurable mosquito-transmitted virus, after a trip to Bora Bora, claims her illness has prevented her from completing the 240 hours of community service required of her by LA courts following her reckless driving case in 2012. Seems valid, especially considering that she had ONLY two years to complete the hours prior to her diagnosis. SURELY you can't judge her for that, can you? CAN YOU?
In November of 2014, Lindsay Lohan was due in court to prove that she had completed her community service hours. Turns out, she'd had completed less than half (UNDERSTANDABLE), so the judge, treating her as they'd treat any normal person, gave her an additionally week and permission to do the community service from London where she was working at the time.
She didn't do it. Instead, she went to Bora Bora, probably with a SUPER GREAT REASON, and got bitten by a bunch of mosquitos who were hell-bent on ruining her hitherto UNBLEMISHED record with the law. If you want even more of a reason as to why Lohan is NOT AT FAULT for falling short on her hours, the London community service center was closed when she skipped town and, like, what do you expect her to do? Tell the courts that in advance? Do you work for the big mosquito lobby or something? Because it sounds like you do.
Lohan is expected to prove the completion of her hours in court next Wednesday. Unfortunately, thanks in part to her recent Chikungunya-fueled hospital stay, she is still nowhere close and failure to complete could, according to TMZ, result in her going to jail.
That is unless a brave judge decides to take a stand against Big Mosquito once and for all and cut LL a break.
Opinion: A Linguist's Defense Of 'Falsehood' Geoff Nunberg says that "falsehood" isn't just a decorous synonym for "lie." Instead, it has a moral weight of its own — especially when it comes to the effects of what someone says.
In his essay "On Liars," philosopher Michel de Montaigne famously wrote that the truth has a single face, while its opposite has "a hundred thousand faces."
That disproportion is reflected in the English dictionary. We have only a handful of words to describe statements that correspond to reality, like "correct" and "accurate." In fact, we don't even have a single word that means "tell the truth," which is probably to our credit.
But we have a vast vocabulary to describe all the ways statements can depart from reality, and it's gotten a considerable workout over the last couple of years.
NPR's Policy On Referring To "Lies"
Every news cycle seems to bring a new claim from the White House or elsewhere that cries out for correction and sends editors and journalists to their thesauruses, as politics makes linguists of us all. Should they simply qualify the statement itself, and if so, should it be called false or questionable, spurious or bogus, misleading or baseless? Or should they directly challenge the speaker's sincerity, and use the charged word "lie"?
The establishment media have been pondering that question at length. A few of them, like The New York Times, allow themselves to use "lie" more-or-less sparingly. But a great many others have consigned the word to the verba non grata file.
They argue that "lie" implies an intent to deceive, and you can't objectively observe what someone believes — in fact, sometimes they don't even know themselves. And even when someone's deceptive intent is obvious, calling a statement a lie is invariably antagonistic. You can't use the word dispassionately; as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it, "lie" is a "violent expression of moral reprobation."
But that's exactly why a lot of people demand that journalists call out lies wherever they see them. The New York Times' Maggie Haberman provoked a torrent of indignant tweets earlier this year when she described two of the president's statements as "demonstrable falsehoods," rather than lies.
One journalist tweeted that "falsehood" should be removed from the dictionary, adding "Let's call a lie a lie." The linguist Dennis Baron says that "calling lies falsehoods is pulling your punch."
"Falsehood" can have a moral weight of its own, especially when we're more concerned about the effects of what someone says than whether they were being insincere about it.
But not so fast. It's true that "falsehood" can sometimes be just a decorous synonym for "lie." But often it's just the word we want. It's an old-fashioned word with the fusty ring of the pulpit, and we rarely use it in everyday speech. But "falsehood" can have a moral weight of its own, especially when we're more concerned about the effects of what someone says than whether they were being insincere about it.
The birther story is a quintessential falsehood — a narrative feeding on malice and ignorance, which took on an independent life as it passed from one person to the next. In that sense of the word, a falsehood does its work whether the person spreading it believes it or not.
Modern communication technologies have created powerful resources for publicizing and circulating falsehoods. They permeate social media, where we call them by other names — they're "misinformation," "propaganda" or "fake news."
Those words don't apply to individual statements, but to concerted efforts to shape public opinion. They're relatively recent words — they only date from the rise of the mass media, and their meanings have been disputed ever since. Even so, the engineers at Facebook find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to reduce them to rules, so that they can hand them to their moderators to police what they rather wistfully describe as the "Facebook community."
Facebook says that they'll take down content that's doing harm or attacking individuals. But they won't block something just because it's false. Their argument recalls the one that journalists give for their reluctance to call some statement a "lie": How can you tell whether people believe what they're saying or not?
In a recent interview with Recode's Kara Swisher, Mark Zuckerberg explained why they wouldn't remove the pages of Holocaust deniers. "It's hard to impugn intent and to understand the intent," he said. "There are things that different people get wrong. I don't think that they're intentionally getting it wrong." He said that Facebook might demote the post in the newsfeed, but they won't just remove it.
A lot of people found those remarks distressing. Shortly after the interview, the Anne Frank Center announced that they had gathered 150,000 signatures on a petition calling on Facebook to remove Holocaust denial pages.
The fact is that saying the Holocaust didn't happen isn't simply getting your facts wrong, like confusing Benicio Del Toro with Antonio Banderas or saying that carrots help you see in the dark. Whoever utters it is spreading a malignant falsehood, whether they're devious people or merely deluded ones. As the tech entrepreneur and social activist Mitch Kapor said, "The intent of Holocaust deniers is not the sole standard of judgment. It's the impact that matters."
In the current climate, it's easy to get fixated on mendacity in high places. But bear in mind that the word "truth" has two antonyms. Sometimes we contrast truth with lies and sometimes truth with falsehoods. We need both words. Even transparent or trivial lies erode our trust in one another. And when lies are more consequential, they can be amplified into pervasive falsehoods, which distort the way that people see the world.
Want something a little nicer?
If you're a voracious reader, you'll want to give Amazon's new Kindle Unlimited service a look. You don't have to be a Prime subscriber to use it, and you can even try it free for a month.
Soda and Streaming Sticks and Goats.
ORANGEVALE, Calif. - Twelve-year-old Jet Massagli was doing wheelies on his bike Friday when a man walking on the corner suddenly got his attention.
"I saw an old man face-first, down in the concrete," Massagli said.
The 87-year-old man tripped on uneven concrete and hit the ground with his face.
"It kind of scared me because I thought he was gonna pass out or something 'cause [blood] was running, dripping all over his clothes and all over the ground," he said. "I came over and said, 'Sir, are you OK?'"
Being on blood thinners, Chuck Martin knew he needed medical aid right away. So, he gave Jet his home address and asked the Carnegie Middle School student to go alert his wife to what happened.
"I was trying to use the phone and it was bloody. It was all bloody; I couldn't see anything, I couldn't see it," Martin said. "So, this was really helpful. Really so enormous because I could've bled out fairly quickly."
Massagli recognized the gravity of the situation and got down to business.
"I rode on my bike as fast as I could 'cause I was worried he was going to pass out," he said.
Once Jet broke the news to Martin's wife, Lizbeth, he hurried back and sat by Martin's side until help arrived.
Nothing was broken, but Martin's injuries required stitches and antibiotics for an infection.
Marton said he's forever grateful to Jet for taking quick action and showing true kindness.
"I'm just proud as can be," Martin said. "I'm just really happy to meet this guy and to get to know him."
"It could've been an extremely dangerous situation if not for Jet," Lizbeth Martin said.
"I'm just proud for him. He did a good job," said Jet's mother, Jian.
The caring seventh grader volunteers his time at the Shadow Glen Stables on the weekends.
"He's a very hard worker and I can tell you he genuinely cares about people," his father, Jeff, said. "I've seen that a lot in his life."
"Jet's a hero," Lizbeth said. "He just doesn't save old men, he also helps with horses and nature."
Jet said he's thinking about being a sheriff's deputy or a dentist so he can continue to help people.
Morning drive podcast and news roundup: Guns, school budgets and Lebowski!
It's the 11th anniversary of the Big Lebowski. Aug. 5, 1990, the Dude was in line at Ralph's listening to President Bush say the violence against Kuwait will not stand. As such, you should plan this weekend to go bowling, in honor of the Dude, Walter and the gang.
Chicago Public School will reveal how it plans to plug its $700 million budget deficit today. School officials have said they won't increase class sizes, won't cut language programs, preschool or antiviolence programs while adding money to kindergarten. The goal has been to keep cuts away from classrooms. What exactly gets chopped will be announced today.
After four days of intensive searching in Chicago's waterways, authorities say they haven't found any Asian carp. Searching began after DNA of the invasive species was found in waterways beyond the electric boarder meant to keep them in the great lakes.
Lollapalooza's 20th anniversary festival kicks off today in Grant Park. Residents looking to catch a free listen outside of the park will be out of luck. Traffic will be redirected to avoid the sidewalks to the east of the park. Drivers should expect delays through Sunday night.
It is official - July was hot. It was also very wet. The hottest day was July 13 in Dixon Springs, Ill. with 105 degrees. Illinois State Waterways reported yesterday that at least 38 places in the state hit 100 degrees or more throughout the month.
A 75-year-old woman was pulled over (in the skies) by two F-16 fighter jets when she ventured into restricted airspace during the president's birthday celebration Wednesday. The Daily Herald got confirmation from the North American Aerospace Command that the jets were summoned from Toledo, Ohio on Wednesday.
The National Rifle Association is good at what it does. It is good at lobbying Congress. In the final installment of "Under the Gun," Rob Wildeboar dives into why the NRA's successful tactics just don't fly in Canada.
The Sox lost (again) to the Yankees. Cubs won their fifth (fifth!) game against the Pirates. WBEZ's Jen Brandel's analysis: It would make sense that a bear could beat a man with an eye patch.
High in the low 80s, but the humidity is going to be up. Same throughout the weekend with a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.
Looking for something a little different and a chance to build on your sales, retail or hospitality skills? Come and be part of WOTSO, the innovative workspace provider taking over Australia (and beyond, if we have anything to say about it)!
We’re looking for outgoing, confident individuals who can bring in new members to the space, work to build a community through events planning and execution and above all keep the space looking great.
The successful candidate will bring with them a willingness to learn, have an existing understanding of sales techniques and be confident in end-to-end sales processes. If you’ve got an eye for detail, a passion for customer service and the drive to get the job done, then drop us a line with your resume and cover letter.
Previous experience in sales and customer service, especially retail or hospitality environments. You’re a guide, a guru, a master of analysing, managing and meeting customers’ needs & expectations. You don’t just solve problems, you make connections that enhance the days of your customers. Whether you’re a seasoned expert, or you’re looking for the right ladder to climb, we give you the tools you need to develop and progress.
Enjoying human interaction – there’s a lot of it in this role, so if you’re not a people person, this one’s not for you.
Good admin skills, there’s a lot going on with this job and you need to love a spread sheet or to-do lists if you want to come out on top.
Be a grown up. Whilst we have a great support team in place and a social culture, the Space Leader role is all about owning your decisions and being able to take the initiative.
Do you have any holidays booked?
Current events outstrip bizarre fiction: Russia and Israel create coordinating group to avoid mishaps in the region.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot (left) with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army General Valery Vasilevich Gerasimov, September 21, 2015.
The Russians have arrived in Syria. Because the United States has taken a pass on the unraveling of the world as we used to know it, Israel is making the best of it. Sometimes it is better to join them (to some extent) than to fight them, as the saying goes.
Over the past few weeks Russia has begun moving personnel and weaponry into Syria in an effort to prop up its ally, besieged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia is amassing a military presence, including deploying aircraft to a base in Latakia province. It has also sent fighter-bombers and ground attack aircraft, and is erecting a building large enough to house as many as 2,000 advisers in Syria.
The presence of Russians and the buildup of Russian weaponry has added to the complex and easily combustible situation on Israel’s border with Syria. Something Israel does not want to add into the mix is accidentally starting a conflict with Russia should Russian equipment or personnel become collateral damage from a mission to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah.
The effort will coordinate information regarding military activity in Syria, including aerial, naval and electromagnetic activity.
A U.S. official told Reuters that U.S.-Israeli coordination allowed the allies to share classified technologies for identifying Russian aircraft over Syria: “We know how to spot them clearly and quickly,” the official said.
Iran is in the region in order to assist Syria, which is no friend to Israel, and Syria is the main supplier of deadly weapons to Hezbollah, Israel’s enemy from the north. Also friend to Syria is Iran, which is Israel’s greatest threat.
This dangerous region continues to grow more volatile by the day. Everyone is improvising to fill the gap created by the absentee player – the United States.
Im starting to think russia is more of an ally to America than our own Gov.
I’m so happy! Together Israel and Russia destroy all terrorists!!!!!!!
Be careful and May God bless Israel.
I hope the two get along for stability in the region.
Hopefully….Russia and Israel will handle the issues.
The whole purpose of the arrangement is to prevent parralel efforts for stability from stepping on one another's toes. The US is present – through Israel. Or is the writer so dense and lacking in understanding that she believes that Israel would enter into this understanding without US backing?
This is a pretty sicko deal, the United States "NOT" supporting it's allies. What an administration? DA wants to talk about Climate Change. I for one can't wait for a new asminstration.
Well if these 2 countries (US and Russia) are so terrible why don't you go to live in Iran or Syria? Then what will complain about?
So when will the US say it is backing this agreement? They made sure that everyone knew that they made a DEAL with Iran with the help of Russia.
The US, as Israel's arms supplier and only ally in the mix, can easily signal its assent without a word being spoken.
Ch Hoffman, US is NOT present through Israel…Israel is alone here…You must be confusing US with IRAN!
Many, Many US Citizens are not in support of our national leader taking the stand it has. We are fighting to change this position toward Isreal. I wish it were different right now.
If both Russia and Israel start shooting at the same ISIS idiots, they don't stand a snowball's chance. But it is true; Russia's interests are purely ones of sales to Assad, are mercantile in nature. Arms-dealing is a lucrative business; and men the world over, fall into that death-trap.
There have always been a considerable number of Jews in the US Congress. Basically, they are Democrats. In recent years, their loyalties have been divided.
So, where is the American support for Israel to be found? Believe it or not, from Congressional Christians. They almost invaribly vote pro-Israel. The Jewish Congressmen? Usually; but not always.
There are others who see security and economic issues at play here. If Israel was not buying our arms, (albeit at good prices), you would see a lot less support from them.
Some of our Congressmen are owned by the arms merchants; some see Israel as a scapegoat, who keeps the Arabs away from us, as long as they are concentrating on Israel. They think of themselves as pragmatists, and not as snakes in the grass.
So yes; for various reasons, the American people, and Congress as a group, are Israel's allies.
Valerie Jarrett, and Barak Hussein?
The image of that big, bad, opressive Israel, which runs from Russia to Europe to Africa to India to China, trying to wipe out that tiny nation lying within their midst, resonates with naive American voters…Liberals that they all are.
Wait a minute…Did I get the geography all backwards?
If you look closely on a Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Nissan, Ram or Toyota dealer’s lot, you can probably unearth a few modestly equipped full-size pickup trucks built expressly for workmanlike duty. But the chances are you’ll find a far healthier assortment of higher-end luxury equipped models, where both the living, and the sticker prices, are large.
The latest entry in the battle for supremacy among upscale pickups is the redesigned-for-2019 full-size Ram 1500. It’s lighter, longer, wider and is engineered to be more durable than its predecessor (which continues to be sold for the time being as the “Ram Classic”). The new model features fresh styling that sheds the truck’s former “big rig” look for a more upright appearance that makes a bolder visual statement. But as it turns out, the biggest improvements reside inside the truck’s cabin.
We recently spent a week driving a top-of-the-line four-door Ram 1500 Limited version and can attest that the new model is well suited to challenge the uber-luxury-minded Ford F-150 Limited and GMC Sierra Denali models.
While the standard engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 305 horsepower, our tester came with the available 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a more-willing 395 horsepower. These are comparatively elderly powerplants, but they've been modernized with a new 48-volt “eTorque” mild-hybrid system. It both makes them quicker (the system adds up to 90 pound-feet of torque to the V6 and up to 130 pound-feet to the V8), and enables improved gas mileage. The Ram 1500 is EPA-rated at 20/25 mpg (city/highway) with the V6 and a still respectable 17/23 mpg with the V8. That’s about on a par with the standard turbocharged V6 and available V8 engines on the Ford F-150.
Acceleration from the Hemi V8 is consistently smooth, strong, and responsive. The standard eight-speed rotary-dial-controlled automatic transmission shifts without fuss or intrusion. The 2019 Ram 1500’s trailer-towing capacity is 12,750 pounds when properly equipped, yet it rides well and handles easily, especially with the air suspension with which our test model was equipped. Rear-drive is standard, but ours came with the optional four-wheel-drive system, which dry weather and the lack of an off-road venue kept us from giving a proper workout.
As before, the Ram 1500 comes in a wide range of cab configurations and bed lengths, with a choice of rear- or four-wheel-drive and a long list of purposeful options that include locking storage compartments in the rear fenders, a power tailgate release, power deployable running boards, and a tri-fold soft tonneau cover for the cargo bed. Also offered are assorted accident avoidance systems that include adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic detection, lane-departure warning, and forward auto-braking.