From the Trenches World Report

Washington Post

Crews removed Baltimore’s Confederate statues early Wednesday, days after the deadly unrest in Charlottesville instigated by white nationalists rallying to defend a downtown Confederate monument.

The quiet and sudden removal of four monuments, with little fanfare and no advance notice, marks an attempt by the city to avoid a long, bruising conflict that has embroiled Charlottesville and other communities rethinking how they honor figures who fought to preserve slavery.   Continue reading “Baltimore hauls away four Confederate monuments after overnight removal”

Fox 10 News

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) – Deputies have arrested the woman who climbed a Confederate statue and tied the rope that was used to tear it down.

During a news conference Tuesday, Takiyah Thompson identified herself as the woman who climbed the statue in Durham. She said her actions were justified because Confederate statues represent white supremacy.   Continue reading “Durham protester who helped topple Confederate statue arrested”

Perth Now

Meegan Hefford was taking protein shakes and eating protein-rich foods, such as lean meat and egg whites, to get in shape for a bodybuilding competition.

Unknown to the mother-of-two, she had a rare genetic disorder that stopped her body from properly breaking down the protein.   Continue reading “How a protein diet killed a young mum”

Reuters

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas measures criticized as being discriminatory for limiting transgender people’s access to bathrooms in schools and public buildings died on Tuesday, as the House adjourned and ended its special legislative session.

Business leaders and civil rights groups had battled to defeat the bills, saying they advanced bigotry, would tarnish the state’s image and damage its economy. The measures were blocked by moderate House Republicans.   Continue reading “Texas ‘bathroom bill’ dies in special legislative session”

My San Antonio – by Marie Monteleone and Eric Martin

More than 180,000 people have been killed in Mexico since then-President Felipe Calderon sent the army to fight organized crime groups in his native state of Michoacan in 2006.

But one small town in that state says it hasn’t had a homicide since 2011 because its residents – led by women – took up arms to kick out groups who had expanded from drug trafficking into illegal logging.   Continue reading “Women kicked out organized crime in this Mexican town”

Idaho Statesman – by Ken Ritter, AP

LAS VEGAS – In a dramatic end to a contentious trial, defense attorneys declined Tuesday to make closing arguments on behalf of four men accused of wielding assault weapons against federal agents in a 2014 standoff near Nevada anti-government figure Cliven Bundy’s ranch.

The move left defendants Eric Parker, Steven Stewart and Ricky Lovelien of Montana and Oklahoma essentially mute in answer to 10 felony charges including conspiracy, weapon possession and assault on a federal officer.

Defendant Scott Drexler of Idaho testified in his defense on Monday.
Continue reading “Drama closes US trial: Bundy case defense lawyers stay mute”

The Daily Sheeple – by Claire Bernish

Forced into her car for shelter after several months spent living in economical hotel rooms, the downtrodden woman’s parking tickets accumulated rapidly into the hundreds of dollars — a total she couldn’t imagine paying, considering her impoverished current circumstances. Then, seeming to confirm her bad luck would, indeed, never run out, a tow truck arrived to haul the car away over the unpaid fines.

Distraught and in tears, pleading with the tow truck driver as her last remaining possessions lay strewn across the Idaho sidewalk, it seemed the woman’s situation couldn’t get worse — but someone saw what was taking place, her tears, and despair.  Continue reading “No Rage. No Violence. Just a Bar Owner Spontaneously Saving a Stranger from Homelessness.”

Red State – by Sarah Lee

Or, because it’s just a really fabulous headline from Metro UK, “This nasal spray could cure you of your burning hatred of refugees.”

The gist is that Oxytocin, a hormone closely associated with maternal instincts and childbirth, can be very effective in causing even the most hardened anti-immigration meanie to relax and find the joy in open borders. From Metro UK:   Continue reading “Skeptical Of Open Borders? There’s A Drug For That”

NBC Washington

Someone has vandalized the Lincoln Memorial, the National Park Service says.

The words “F— law” were found written in red spray paint early Tuesday on a pillar at the monument that overlooks the Capitol building and National Mall, NPS said Tuesday afternoon. The graffiti was found about 4:30 a.m.

“It’s frustrating, not only for the Park Service but certainly for the visitors that come here, that anyone would vandalize any of our iconic memorials. Especially the Lincoln Memorial. Especially with everything that’s going on now — the calls for unity and people to come together,” NPS spokesman Mike Litterst said.    Continue reading “Lincoln Memorial Vandalized With Red Spray Paint”