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Man Who Recorded Pig’s Treatment Banned From Iowa State Fair

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Wheaten Mather was enjoying a day at the Iowa State Fair when he saw something that horrified him. A young boy was beating his pig in the face with a show stick. A show stick is a small, lightweight whip used to guide pigs and livestock in show rings.

Was the Fair Unfair?

Mather filmed the incident and contacted authorities at the fair. What happened next isn’t clear. Mather admits that he became agitated.

The fair’s director accused Mather of being “threatening” and banned him from the fair for life.

Difficult to Watch

Mather posted the footage on his Facebook page with warning that, “This is a difficult video to watch and a difficult video for me to post.”


Although Mather received a lot of support from fellow animal lovers, he also faced criticism from a few people.

What Is Painful to a Pig?

These people pointed out that pigs are very thick-skinned and that using a show stick is an acceptable way to get a stubborn pig to move.

Guides from the 4H, however, recommend using a light touch with a show stick and never hitting pigs on the face.

The animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also intervened.

“It is shameful that the Iowa State Fair sanctioned the good Samaritan who spoke out against whipping a crying pig and didn’t take allegations of animal abuse seriously,” the organization said in a statement.

PETA has offered a $5000 reward for information about the pig or his owner.

65-Year-Old Oklahoma Woman Gets Tased After Resisting Arrest

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The whole thing started when a police officer in Cashion, Oklahoma, pulled over 65-year-old Debra Hamil for a broken tail light.

A Wild Ride

Bodycam footage from the confrontation shows that Hamil asked the police officer to give her a warning and let her go. When he refused and continued writing the ticket, she became incensed and started cussing at him.

The police officer told her he was arresting her. In response, Hamil swore at him and drove off. This led to a crosstown police chase that finally ended with the police officer arresting Hamil in a parking lot.

Oklahoma Woman Gets Tased

KOCO 5 News

Just a Country Girl

When she tried to kick him in the groin, he pulled out the Taser.

“I’m a country girl,” Hamil said in her defense. “I don’t like being thrown on the ground.”


New Charges

Hamil was taken to the hospital after she complained that the Taser hurt her. She emerged to discover that she was charged with felony assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

She should have just taken the ticket.

Do you think the cop was too tough on this cantankerous grandma, or did she get what she deserved?

 

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Media Blasted For Calling Epstein’s Victims ‘Underage Women’ Instead Of ‘Children’

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The breaking scandal about financier Jeffrey Epstein’s arrest on sex abuse charges has led to a secondary scandal. Media critics and other observers have lambasted news reports that refer to Epstein’s victims as “underage women.”

Preying on Children

At the Fatherly parenting blog, Lizzy Francis blasted the use of the term. She noted that many of Epstein’s victims were as young as 14. They could not even legally consent to sex.

“There are children, and there are women,” Francis wrote. “There are girls, and there are adults. There is no in-between…Epstein preyed on children, plain and simple.”

A USA Today article quoted the New York Times, Fox News and New York magazine among media outlets that used the term “underage women.”

Epstein’s Victims

Call It Rape

In a Facebook post that went viral, sexual abuse survivor Jenny Glatzer urged her friends and colleagues not to use “polite words” when talking about the sexual assault of children. “Sex with [minors, girls, etc.], it’s rape,” she wrote. “Call it rape.”

At Jezebel, writer Tracy Clark-Flory pointed out that, “Since his arrest over the weekend, there have been over 90 radio and TV mentions of ‘underage women’ alongside Epstein’s name, according to the searchable database TVEyes.”

A Key Investigation

In the midst of the media frenzy, Martina Vandenberg, founder and president of the Human Trafficking Legal Center, reminded everyone that it was a reporter who made the new charges possible.

As she told USA Today, “This story is a tribute to the power of investigative reporting, because this case would have died long ago. Those girls, now women, would have been completely forgotten but for this one journalist who would not let it go.”

 

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Over 1,000,000 People Promising To “Storm Area 51” Despite Air Force Warning

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An anonymous Facebook post about Area 51 has led to government warnings and a flood of internet memes. It began when a poster created an event on Facebook titled, “Storm Area 51: They Can’t Stop All of Us.” Over 1 million people have responded to the event with interest.

Poster Cheyanne1242 replied, “My mom said I can storm Area 51 with you guys if I get a ride there and back.”

Storm Area 51

The Mystery of Area 51

Area 51 refers to the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base. For decades, conspiracy theorists have believed that the government uses Area 51 to conduct research into aliens. Some people think the government is housing captured alien POWs there.

The invitation states that the plan to “storm it” and “see them aliens” will take place on September 30.

Storm Area 51

Is It Real?

Since we’re talking about Area 51, it’s clear that this is not real.

Or is it?

The Air Force was concerned enough to issue a warning. A spokesperson reminded the public that storming a military base is both dangerous and illegal.

Are You Going To “Storm Area 51?”

The original invitation includes the following disclaimer: “Hello, U.S. government. This is a joke, and I do not intend to actually go through with this plan. I just thought it would be funny and get me some thumbsy uppies on the internet.”

If you’re planning to attend the event, Teen Vogue has posted helpful fashion tips on what to wear.

 

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Watch: Hilarious T-Rex Race at Emerald Downs Horse Track Goes Viral

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Visitors to the Emerald Downs Racetrack got a prehistoric treat when 25 roaring T-Rexes stormed out of the starting gate and around the field. T-Rex Race participants wearing oversize costumes ran, staggered and bumped their way down the field.

Roaring Rexes

The T-Rex race is an annual event at Emerald Downs, a racetrack owned and operated by the Muckleshoot Tribe in Auburn, Washington.

The scary, screeching monsters are employees at a Renton, Washington, pest control company.

Dawn of the Dinosaurs

A few years ago, TriGuard Pest Control employees began coming to the track as part of an annual company outing. One year, the whole group came dressed in togas. Track employees invited them to take a spin on the track.

After that, it was on. Cody Bennett, a sales manager for TriGuard, told KPBS News that, “The third, fourth, and fifth years we have raced in our T-Rex suits on the track, and everyone seems to love it.”

Dinosaur Derby

The race has attracted the attention of ESPN and the international press. The video of this year’s race got over 18 million views on Facebook.

The racers go by flashy racehorse names like Dino Dasher, Regular Unleaded and Rambling Rex. Racetrack announcer Tom Harris provides commentary for the video.

A T-Rex Race to Remember

The race organizers have promised that next year’s T-Rex Race will be even bigger and better. If you’re anywhere near Auburn, don’t miss what could well become the greatest day in racing.

 

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New Cytophone Laser Detects and Destroys Cancer Cells In Bloodstream

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A new medical discovery could make it easier for doctors to contain cancer and keep it from spreading. The treatment uses a cytophone laser to kill cancer cells without surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

Cytophone Laser

Credit: Ekaterina Galanzha / UAMS

Introducing the Cytophone Laser

Scientists at the University of Arkansas have discovered a way to stop cancer cells in their tracks using a handheld laser device. This breakthrough technique allows doctors to destroy cancer cells before they spread to other parts of the body.

The cancer-killing device is called a Cytophone. It finds cancer cells and destroys them before they can do more damage. The Cytopone:

  • Requires no surgery or incisions.
  • Is painless.
  • Is a simple, handheld device.
  • Works quickly and efficiently.

What is Metastasis, and Why Does it Matter?

One of the biggest concerns related to cancer is the fact that cancer cells metastasize. That means they grow and spread to other parts of the body.

The Cytophone laser could be an answer to this problem. It’s able to pinpoint the cancer cells while they’re in the bloodstream, hunt them down and kill them before they spread.

According to Science Translational Medicine, where the research was published, the “system accurately detected these cells in 27 out of 28 people with cancer, with a sensitivity that is about 1000 times better than current technology.”

What Does This Mean for the Future of Cancer Treatment?

The Cytophone is still in an early stage of development. Vladimir Zharov, the lead researcher on the study, found that the laser was able to destroy 96% of the cancer cells in one patient.

The device gives cancer researchers hope for a simple, noninvasive treatment to prevent cancer from getting worse. It offers a bright glimmer of hope for everyone facing this disease.

Nike Pulls Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers After Colin Kaepernick Complains

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Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is back in the news. This time it’s about the “Betsy Ross flag sneakers” that have fired up some controversy.

Nike Pulls Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers After Colin Kaepernick Complains

Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July – NIKE

What Are the Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers?

It all began when Nike announced that it was planning to release a commemorative Fourth of July version of its Air Max 1 sneakers. The sneakers sport a red, white and blue design and a flag emblem on the heel.

The flag design is based on the original flag sewn by Betsy Ross in 1792. Kaepernick protested the decision, saying that the design represents a time when slavery was legal in the U.S. Kaepernick is the face of the company’s “Just Do It” campaign.

Right before the holiday, Nike changed its mind. The company recalled all the “Betsy Ross” sneakers that had been sent to retailers.

Flagging Down Controversy

Nike’s decision caused an uproar among retailers and politicians. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) announced that he would rescind the state’s tax incentives to build a Nike plant in the state.

Nike Pulls Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers After Colin Kaepernick Complains

The debate even reached the halls of the U.S. Congress, where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said, “I’ll make the first order,” if Nike chooses to keep the design.

Reason for Concern

There is reason to be concerned about the design that Nike chose. Both the NAACP and NBC News reported that the so-called Betsy Ross flag “has been appropriated by the white nationalist group Identity Evropa and the Ku Klux Klan.”

In 2017, white nationalist Jeremy Christian murdered two Muslim women in Portland, Oregon, while wearing a flag in the same Betsy Ross design.

Will There Be a Flag Fallout for Nike?

Nike is a global company that made a conscious decision to hire Kaepernick. It’s likely that both Nike and Kaepernick are prepared to weather another wave of controversy.

 

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World’s First Gene-Edited Babies Created By Chinese Scientist

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If you could design a baby that was free of certain disease-causing genes, would you do it? A scientist in China claims to have done just that, setting off a firestorm of controversy about the ethics of creating gene-edited babies.

World’s First Gene-Edited Babies Created By Chinese Scientist

A Controversial Claim

He Jiankui of China’s Southern University of Science and Technology announced that he altered several embryos whose parents were HIV-positive. He said these “edited” babies will be able to resist developing HIV infection.

The announcement has raised the hackles of many in the scientific community. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) issued a statement denouncing the Chinese researcher’s work as unsafe, unethical and of no scientific value.

“The incident highlights the need for urgent improvement of ethics governance at all levels, the enforcement of technical and ethical guidelines, and the establishment of laws relating to such bioethical issues,” the NCBI said.

Gene-Edited Twins Are Born

Jiankui announced that “two beautiful little Chinese girls named Lulu and Nana came crying into the world as healthy as any other babies.” However, many experts argue that these babies may face a higher risk of premature death. According to a Nature Medicine study, the gene that was modified to protect the babies from the AIDS virus could also make them more susceptible to the influenza and West Nile viruses.

The Controversy Continues

The debate is likely to continue. Just days after the news came from China, Russian microbiologist Dennis Rebrikov told National Public Radio that he was eager to create more gene-edited babies.

Rebrikov said that he didn’t think the practice should be considered unethical, because it results in healthy babies. He said he wants to help women who are HIV-positive have babies who are not infected with HIV. He said he was certain he could get funding for this research.

The chief geneticist at the Russian Ministry of Health countered his claim, saying, “I am confident that Denis Rebrikov doesn’t have any chances to get approval from the Ministry of Health as of today.”

What Is Your Take on Gene-Edited Babies?

How do you feel about creating these babies? Would you have a gene-edited baby if you could? We may all be pondering these questions in the years ahead.

 

People Who Cry During Movies Are Emotionally Stronger, Study Shows

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Have you ever been so caught up in a movie’s emotional power that you started crying? If you’re embarrassed when this happens, you don’t have to be. Research shows that crying at the movies is a sign of emotional health.

Does Everyone Cry During Movies?

According to one survey, 92% of all people admitted to crying during at least one movie.

The responses included men and women. Men were more likely to cry during movies about war and sports, like Saving Private Ryan and Field of Dreams, while women were more likely to turn the waterworks on for movies like Fried Green Tomatoes, My Girl and Beaches.

Movies can move us deeply. The natural response to being emotionally overwhelmed is to start bawling.

A Good Cry is Good for Us

Now, it turns out that all that bawling is good for us and good for the world.

Neuroscientist and psychologist Paul Zak has done fascinating research on what happens to us physically when we experience strong emotions. After breaking into tears while watching Million Dollar Baby, Zak conducted a study to figure out what happens when we’re emotionally moved by scenes and stories.

His research found that when we cry over a moving story, our bodies release high levels of the bonding hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin makes us kinder, more generous and more compassionate.

“Oxytocin infusion increases prosocial behaviors,” Zak writes. “It’s like turning on a garden hose and watching the water spray out.”

Feelings Matter

If you weep your way through your next movie, you’re probably an empathetic, caring person. You’re not a weakling or a fool. Go ahead and indulge in your favorite melodrama. We’ll all feel a lot better.

 

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Hand-Knitted Baby Bird Nests Needed For Local Rescue Group

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If you’re like most knitters, you probably have more yarn than you know what do with. Now, you can put your yarn to good use creating hand-knitted baby bird nests.

Knitted Baby Bird Nests

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (CWR) needs tiny, knitted or crocheted nests for their orphaned and abandoned baby birds. CWR takes in thousands of baby waterfowl and songbirds every year. Rescuers need soft, cozy nests to keep these fragile babies warm. A secure nest ensures that the birds’ legs will grow properly.

Knitted Baby Bird Nests

Tremendous Response

The need for nests is especially critical in the spring. CWR puts out a plea for the handmade nests every year. In the past, they only received a few hundred. This year, the call went viral.

Knitted Baby Bird Nests

An adorable picture of a baby bird in a handmade nest went from CWR’s Facebook page all over the country. The post included a link to a pattern for wildlife nests.

Knitted Baby Bird Nests

CWR has been stunned by the response. Thousands of soft, knitted and crocheted nests have poured in from caring, compassionate knitters and crochet enthusiasts all over the country. CWR volunteers and staffers say they’re overwhelmed by the generosity of the stitching community.

Knitted Baby Bird Nests

Hand-Knitted Baby Bird Nests Are Still Needed

Despite the outpouring of support, CWR says that they can always use nests. They can also send extra nests to rescue groups that need them.

If your fingers are itching to create some handmade love, patterns are available on CWR’s Facebook page or on various YouTube videos.

Once your nest is completed, you can send it to:

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
PO Box 1484
Indian Trail, NC 28079

CWR asks that you use tracking on your package if you want to know when it arrives. They don’t have time to acknowledge each one.

This is great way to support a wonderful organization, so get those needles going.