Wingnut Man states that aren't Florida, Alabama, Georgia, or the Carolinas

[O Really]

Otherwise:

Republicans retake commanding supermajorities in both (SD) legislative chambers

George McGovern wouldn't recognize his state.

[Vrede too]

George McGovern wouldn't recognize his state.

These lists are subjective at the margins, but do offer some guidance:

Texas tops list of worst places to live and work in America, study says

Texas has received the number one spot on a not-so-pleasant list: The top ten worst places in America to live and work in 2023.

While Texas landed at number six on CNBC's yearly America's Top States for Business study, the state scored significantly low in one category: Life, Health & Inclusion. Factors in this category include:

crime rates
environmental quality
health care
quality and availability of childcare
inclusiveness in state laws such as reproductive rights, protections against discrimination and voting rights

Texas received 53 out of 350 points for its 2023 Life, Health & Inclusion score, giving it an F in its Top States grade and the lowest nationwide, securing its number one spot on the list.

Texas' low ranking in its Life, Health & Inclusion score is attributed to a lack of inclusiveness, according to CNBC, considering factors such as laws targeting the LGBTQ+ population, voting rights, and the strict abortion ban implemented statewide. Another weakness identified in the study was worker protections.

Another reason behind the ranking is the state's current health care infrastructure, with the nation's highest percentage of people without health insurance and the second lowest number of primary care physicians per capita, according to CNBC. Texas also ranks thirteen in the nation for having high violent crime rates.

Top 10 worst states to live and work

The rest of the states that landed on the top ten worst states to live and work for 2023 were:

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Louisiana
4. South Carolina and Alabama (tie)
6. Missouri
7. Indiana
8. Tennessee
9. Arkansas
10. Florida

CNBC did mention the boom in economic opportunity across the state. In the overall Top States for Business study, Texas received sixth place, with North Carolina taking the number one spot.

According to CNBC, the best state in the country to live and work is Vermont, with Maine in second and New Jersey in third.

Life, Health & Inclusion, other states
Washington is 7th best.
Maryland is 11th best.
Illinois is 17th best.
California is 19th best.
Montana is 28th best.
North Carolina is 34th best.

Other categories ranked in America’s Top States for Business 2023:
Workforce
Infrastructure
Economy
Cost of Doing Business
Tech & Innovation
Business Friendliness
Education
Access to Capital
Cost of Living

Methodology

North Carolina Score and Ranking
WORKFORCE 1, now that I'm retired
INFRASTRUCTURE 16
ECONOMY 3
LIFE, HEALTH & INCLUSION 34, see above
COST OF DOING BUSINESS 18
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 6
BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS 10
EDUCATION 7, despite the cuts to public grade schools and teacher flight?
ACCESS TO CAPITAL 6
COST OF LIVING 27
OVERALL 1

[Vrede too]

Neo, how dare you expose the chillens to sexy fish pictures

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/09/mom ... orse-sexy/

“'Moms for Liberty” group demands school censor book because drawing of seahorse is too “sexy”'

"The Tennessee group “Moms for Liberty” is demanding that schools give up the freedom to choose the books appropriate for students to read and study – and the Williamson County School District is the latest battleground."

"'The group insists that illustrations of seahorses touching tails together would be appropriate in the 8th grade."'


It is kinda a sexy picture,
but it is also just seahorses

Well, it was a tossup between sexy fish pictures and fishy sex pictures but decided either would serve to stir up rural TN ignorance. But as for what age is appropriate to expose kids to seahorses touching tails pics, I say the earlier the better.

Groomer. 'Hung like a seahorse'?

Wiki: Moms for Liberty

... In June 2023, it said that it had 245 chapters in 45 states and a membership of more than 115,000. As of July 2023, the organization has 285 chapters in 45 states.

Nicknames found on YouTube: Assholes with Casseroles, Minivan Taliban, Klan Karenhood.

[Vrede too]

Former Tennessee state senator gets 21-month prison sentence for campaign finance cash scheme

Just another corrupt and criminal RepuQ is hardly worth posting about. However, even for the GQP this asshole Brian Kelsey is a real piece of work:

... Kelsey is the only legislator in Tennessee history to sponsor three successful amendments to the state constitution: the first prohibited a state income tax, the second changed the selection of state appellate judges from popular vote to gubernatorial appointment, and the third added a new section to the Tennessee Constitution to make it illegal for workplaces to require mandatory labor union membership for employees as a condition for employment. He also sponsored the Governor's comprehensive tort reform act in 2011, and passed a law to prohibit Obamacare Medicaid expansion in Tennessee in 2014.... In 2021, Kelsey was one of four Republican senators who voted against removing from the Tennessee constitution the article which allows involuntary servitude as punishment for people convicted of a crime.

! Lock him up!

UNC grad, O Really.

[O Really]

! Lock him up!

UNC grad, O Really.

Yeah, Georgetown Law, too.
Somebody needs to improve screening.

[billy.pilgrim]

Former Tennessee state senator gets 21-month prison sentence for campaign finance cash scheme

Just another corrupt and criminal RepuQ is hardly worth posting about. However, even for the GQP this asshole Brian Kelsey is a real piece of work:

... Kelsey is the only legislator in Tennessee history to sponsor three successful amendments to the state constitution: the first prohibited a state income tax, the second changed the selection of state appellate judges from popular vote to gubernatorial appointment, and the third added a new section to the Tennessee Constitution to make it illegal for workplaces to require mandatory labor union membership for employees as a condition for employment. He also sponsored the Governor's comprehensive tort reform act in 2011, and passed a law to prohibit Obamacare Medicaid expansion in Tennessee in 2014.... In 2021, Kelsey was one of four Republican senators who voted against removing from the Tennessee constitution the article which allows involuntary servitude as punishment for people convicted of a crime.

! Lock him up!

UNC grad, O Really.

Seems like a fairly minor violation when contrasted to all those by trump that were ignored by merrick - starting with his Inauguration

[Vrede too]

Seems like a fairly minor violation when contrasted to all those by trump that were ignored by merrick - starting with his Inauguration

Point taken, but Brian Kelsey's (R-TN) crime occurred during his 2016 campaign. An optimist would urge patience.

[Vrede too]

George McGovern wouldn't recognize his state.

Nor would Mike Mansfield.

Jason Ellsworth, RepuQ President pro Tempore of the Montana Senate - serial abuser of authority and one-man crime wave:


Lawmaker Tries to Pull a Fast One During Traffic Stop

Speeding, reckless driving, lying, DV, DA.

[Vrede too]

...

Highland Park makes national news:

A wealthy suburban city in Illinois is getting slammed for offering a 2.5-hour 'poverty simulation' that it said would show residents what a 'month' of living poor feels like

Canceled.

[GoCubsGo]

...

Highland Park makes national news:

A wealthy suburban city in Illinois is getting slammed for offering a 2.5-hour 'poverty simulation' that it said would show residents what a 'month' of living poor feels like

Canceled.

Damn straight.

It pisses me off that every article calls it a country club. It is now the recreation center and actually a very nice facility for the public. The old golf course has been repurposed into a very nice nature park. I walk it all the time.

[Vrede too]

Damn straight.

It pisses me off that every article calls it a country club. It is now the recreation center and actually a very nice facility for the public. The old golf course has been repurposed into a very nice nature park. I walk it all the time.

The article explains:

... Despite its name, the Highland Park Country Club isn't a private country club or golf course but a facility purchased by the local government in the 1990s that has been repurposed as a center for older people, city park, and private event venue, The Chicago Tribune reported, citing city officials.

It was chosen for the simulation because it was the only government-owned space large enough for the event, which was expected to receive about 100 participants, the Highland Park communications manager, Amanda Bennett, told The Tribune....

Maybe this will spur a name change. Highland Park Recreation Center and Nature Park would be one option, or Highland Park Community Center.

[GoCubsGo]

It was chosen for the simulation because it was the only government-owned space large enough for the event, which was expected to receive about 100 participants, the Highland Park communications manager, Amanda Bennett, told The Tribune....

Maybe this will spur a name change. Highland Park Recreation Center and Nature Park would be one option, or Highland Park Community Center.
[/quote]
It already has, it's the reporting that's wrong.

https://www.pdhp.org/recreation-center- ... land-park/#

The former golf course has about five miles of trails now.

https://www.thepreserveofhp.org/

[O Really]

That looks great!
I'll withhold judgement on the idea of a 3-hour poverty experience. I see how it could be worthwhile in showing how people in poverty really don't have the same options that seem "normal" to those with greater means. For example, "buy in bulk when stuff is on sale." Nope. If you don't have the money for tomorrow's meal, you don't have the money to buy ahead. "Avoid high interest loans". OKfine, who's going to give them a low interest loan?
"Get a better job." Who's going to hire them without experience/qualifications? "Go back to school for more training." See the part above about not having money for tomorrow's meal. There's a really big difference between being "broke" temporarily and being in poverty, which is a vicious circle with few exit options.

[Vrede too]

It was chosen for the simulation because it was the only government-owned space large enough for the event, which was expected to receive about 100 participants, the Highland Park communications manager, Amanda Bennett, told The Tribune....

Maybe this will spur a name change. Highland Park Recreation Center and Nature Park would be one option, or Highland Park Community Center.

It already has, it's the reporting that's wrong.

https://www.pdhp.org/recreation-center- ... land-park/#

The former golf course has about five miles of trails now.

https://www.thepreserveofhp.org/

Sheesh, it's been over 3 years:

New Name for Our New Park: The Preserve of Highland Park
May 4, 2020

Blame the Trib:

‘Poverty simulation’ at Highland Park Country Club canceled amid social media backlash over venue, which isn’t a private country club

It even stated and linked the correct names in the article:

... The Preserve of Highland Park opened to the public in 2022 and includes “green lawns, nature-based play areas, specialized native gardens, restored woodlands, and walking and biking trails that connect neighborhoods, downtown Highland Park, and regional biking trails,” according to the park district’s website....

Opps.

[GoCubsGo]

Blame the Trib:

Really sloppy.

[Vrede too]

Blame the Trib:

Really sloppy.

Y'all should pour your martinis, hop in your golf carts and go protest.

[GoCubsGo]

Blame the Trib:

Really sloppy.

Y'all should pour your martinis, hop in your golf carts and go protest.

LOL

That's a bit of a ways to drive my golf cart, especially without air conditioning.

[Vrede too]

Haters gonna hate and Tennesseans, especially its most vulnerable, will suffer:

Tennessee GOP is willing to reject millions in funding, if it avoids complying with federal strings

Tennessee Republican leaders are escalating their calls to reject millions of federal dollars rather than comply with requirements over LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access and other hot-button issues.

Already this year, the Volunteer State has rebuffed federal funding designed to prevent and treat HIV and money that would help clinics serving low-income women. Now, GOP lawmakers are talking about cutting off nearly $1.8 billion in federal education dollars — much of it targeted to serve low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities....

States declining to accept federal funding isn’t new. Tennessee is currently among 10 states that have long refused to expand Medicaid to thousands of low-income residents, many of whom can’t afford health coverage. And several years ago, many Republican-led states declined to keep accepting federal money for extra unemployment insurance payouts later in the COVID-19 pandemic....

Tennessee currently ranks among the lowest per-pupil spending in the United States and among the top 10 highest states in teen birth rates.

Outside of education funding, public health advocates say they were stunned when the state announced back in January that it was rebuffing roughly $9 million in federal funding designed to prevent and treat HIV....

Oh well, more money for the needy elsewhere, and those recipients will spend that money in businesses in their states. Tennessee's entire economy is a victim of GQP bigotry and stupidity.

[Vrede too]

Human skull found in _______ charity shop Halloween section

Guess.

Spoiler:

Florida, of course. I just picked this thread to throw you off.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67333740

[billy.pilgrim]

Human skull found in _______ charity shop Halloween section

Guess.

Spoiler:

Florida, of course. I just picked this thread to throw you off.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67333740

The store owner told investigators the skull had been in a storage unit after being purchased several years ago.
Police in North little city spoiler around 160 miles (260km) north-west of big city spoiler, and the local medical examiner are now investigating the discovery and will inspect the skull further.
Officials do not believe the case is suspicious. (why would a skull in a storage locker near big drug city be suspicious?)
The Lee County Sheriff's Office made light of the discovery on social media, describing it as a "twist of not-so-humerus events".