In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today!

The US Department of Labor issued new guidelines stipulating that LGB people in same-sex relationships "can now participate with their spouses in employee health care and pension benefits even if same-sex marriage is not recognized in their state." Right on.

Senator John McCain, who is definitely the worst, went off on Russian President Vladimir Putin in a Pravda editorial. That seems helpful. It's not that Putin isn't a despicable dirtbag, but I'm not sure that "you said something I didn't like in one of our newspapers, so I call you a tyrant in one of yours" is a wise diplomatic strategy. But, hey, McCain's a maverick. What do I know.

[Content Note: Violence; guns] Naval Yard shooter Aaron Alexis had carved messages into his shotgun, reading: "Better Off This Way" and "My ELF Weapon." In other news, Alexis had sought treatment for mental health issues, but told doctors as recently as last month that "he was not depressed and was not thinking of harming others." So, you know, maybe better access to mental healthcare isn't the entire answer.

Lenders are now scrutinizing social media to determine if applicants qualify for a loan: "It's already well known that Facebook and other social media networks harvest user data and sell it to companies that use that info to peddle their products to consumers. But some lenders have begun to find a new use for this information, scrutinizing Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn data to determine the credit-worthiness of loan applicants. ...Big banks have not yet jumped on board with this controversial credit-vetting method, but consumer advocates and financial industry experts say it's probably only a matter of time." Terrific.

There are still 200 people unaccounted for in Colorado due to the widespread flooding, but the number of missing "has fallen dramatically as rescuers reach stranded victims, and electricity and phone services are restored to ravaged areas, allowing residents to contact family, friends or authorities." There are still areas, however, where essential services may not be restored for awhile.

MSNBC's Chuck Todd says it's not the media's job to educate the public on healthcare. Specifically, it is not his job to point out when the GOP is lying. And that's your liberal media, folks!

A bunch of jerk kids broke into former NFL lineman Brian Holloway's (second) home and had a party, then tweeted pictures of the revelry and destruction. "Holloway helplessly watched the scene unfold from Florida, where he lives. By the time police arrived at his property, thousands of miles away in upstate New York, there was more than $20,000 in damage." But: Holloway "easily gathered the names of about 200 of the suspected home invaders, based on their Twitter handles."

RIP: "Former Nintendo Co Ltd President Hiroshi Yamauchi, who built the company into a video game giant from a maker of playing cards during more than half a century at the helm, died on Thursday of pneumonia, the company said. He was 85."