demonnapologist

[tomoleary]

A few more Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 50 Pinups by Jim Lee, Howard Chaykin, P. Craig Russell, Sandy Plunkett, Mark Schultz w/Al Williamson, and Michael Kaluta

[letterboxd-loggd]

Cherry (2022) Sophie Galibert

July 1st 2023

[lobbycards]

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band , Italian Lobby Card (Fotobusta), 1978

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - September 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon!

1. A beam of hope for North America’s most endangered sparrow

“Dozens of conservationists, gathered some distance away to avoid spooking the skittish sparrows, celebrated the [release of the 1000th captive-raised sparrow] in an unprecedented recovery program that in only a few years has doubled the bird’s wild population, from a mere 80 five years ago to some 200 today. […] “What we have achieved is the best case scenario.””

2. U.S. overdose deaths plummet, saving thousands of lives

“"In the states that have the most rapid data collection systems, we’re seeing declines of twenty percent, thirty percent," said Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, an expert on street drugs at the University of North Carolina. […] According to Donaldson, many people using fentanyl now carry naloxone, a medication that reverses most opioid overdoses. He said his friends also use street drugs with others nearby, ready to offer aid and support when overdoses occur.”

3. Propagated corals reveal increased resistance to bleaching across the Caribbean during the fatal heat wave of 2023

“”[… Y]oung corals bred for restoration are a lot more resistant to bleaching under extreme levels of heat stress than the prevailing corals on the reef." [… Unlike with the previous propagation strategy, fragmentation, e]very time a population reproduces, new offspring receive newly mixed sets of genes through recombination, making them different from their parent colonies and thus enabling adaptation.”

4. Habitat Management Helps At-Risk Butterflies

“For a number of at-risk butterflies in the United States, habitat management can play an important role in keeping them from going extinct. [… “In] places where people are actively engaged with ways to manage the habitat, the butterflies are doing the best,” said Cheryl Schultz, a professor of conservation biology at Washington State University[….]”

5. Study: Protecting the ocean helps fight malnutrition

“[The study] found that fish catches in coral reefs could increase by up to 20 percent by expanding sustainable-use marine protected areas — that is, areas where some fishing is allowed with restrictions[, … and] that sustainable-use marine protected areas have on average 15 percent more fish biomass than non-protected areas. […] “Allowing regulated fishing in marine protected areas can support healthy fish populations, while also having a positive impact on the quality of life of surrounding communities.””

6. [FWS] Advances Effort to Create Urban Conservation Footprint in Tucson

““We want to continue to work together to create an urban footprint to improve access to nature, conserve habitats, and improve air and water quality.” […] The area provides habitat for several federally listed species, including southwestern willow flycatcher, western yellow-billed cuckoo, and Mexican garter snake. If protected, the area will also help connect critical habitat for jaguar and Chiracahua leopard frog.”

7. ‘Exciting’ solar breakthrough means energy can be kept in sustainable batteries that don’t overheat

“The technology is based on a specially designed molecule of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen that changes shape when it comes into contact with sunlight. These are common elements - providing an alternative to other technologies relying on scarce materials like lithium. […] A unique feature of the system is that the molecules also provide cooling in the photovoltaic cell[, which can store solar energy “for up to 18 years.”]”

8. Sea turtles make big comeback on sandy beaches at 2 British military bases in Cyprus

“[… The] number of nests surpass[ed] last year’s record count by nearly 25%, environmentalists said Tuesday. […] “The steep increase in turtle nests has been the result of a consistent, systematic ‘hands-off’ approach, together with enforcement efforts to minimize illegal, damaging activities on nesting beaches[….” D]aily patrols by volunteers ensure that aluminum cages set atop the nests remain in place to protect the turtles from predators like foxes and dogs.”

9. First ever photograph of rare bird species New Britain Goshawk

“The last documented scientific record of the bird is from 1969[….] Working closely with [“the Indigenous Mengen and Mamusi peoples”], WWF hopes to support local stewardship to safeguard the future of these incredible biodiversity hotspots through community-led conservation.”

10. Hospitals begin offering breakthrough radiation therapy for metastatic cancer tumors

“[First,] a patient is injected with a radioactive glucose (or sugar) tracer. The machine picks up the tracer in real time and in bright colors, [… then] reads a signal from the cancer cells breaking down the tracer. [… “The] machine is automatically and autonomously reacting and responding to those signals by shooting radiation back to their source[….]””

September 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[xtruss]

Researchers Dig Into the Genetic History of the Vikings

Nearly 300 genomes from 2,000 years of Scandinavian history point at several new findings.

— By Isaac Schultz | January 05, 2023

Human remains found on the Kronan wreck. Photo: Lars Einarsson

Paleogeneticists have taken a sweeping look at 297 ancient genomes from Scandinavia and compared them with genetic data from 16,500 living Scandinavians to better understand the genetic history of the region.

From their analysis, the team determined the origin and timings of major gene flows into the region, the dilution of external ancestries from the gene pool over time, and the reason for a north-south cline in the modern gene pool.

The research, published today in Cell, was originally three different genetic studies: One looked at data from the Sandy borg ringfort; one investigated human remains from the wreck of a 17th-century Swedish warship; and another looked at the genetic identities of ancient Scandinavians who were buried in boats.

“At some point it made more sense to unite them to one study on the Scandinavian demography during the latest 2,000 years,” said Anders Götherstrom, a paleogeneticist at the Center for Paleogenetics in Sweden and a co-author of the paper, in a Cell release.

The research tracked gene flow into Scandinavia, and the team reported sources of gene flow from the eastern Baltic, Britain and Ireland, and southern Europe.

With ancient DNA extracted from human remains found across a diversity of archaeological sites, the researchers acquired a similarly diverse sample of people in the region across two millennia. “I do not think there is any other study digging this deep into Scandinavia,” Götherstrom said.

The team interrogated a genetic cline—a geographically based differentiation—in modern Scandinavians from the northern and southern parts of the region, with people in the north having more Uralic ancestry. They posit that the difference may be due to Uralic people arriving in the eastern Baltic around the end of the Bronze Age, around 1200 BCE.

The researchers also explored the Viking Age (from about 750 CE to 1050 CE), during which there was significant cultural (and genetic) exchange—in no small part thanks to Vikings’ seafaring ways.

Part of a human jaw exposed at Sandy borg, one of the featured archaeological sites. Photo: Daniel Lindskog

Based on their analysis, the researchers believe that the Viking Age contributed to the British and Irish gene flow into Scandinavia. In the study, they wrote that “the circumstances and fate of people of British-Irish ancestry who arrived in Scandinavia at this time are likely to have been variable, ranging from the forced migration of slaves to the voluntary immigration of more high-ranking individuals such as Christian missionaries and monks.”

Two examples are a female buried in a boat in central Sweden in the Late Viking period; her burial circumstances suggested a high social status. Meanwhile, a 5th-century female with British-Irish ancestry buried in Denmark had no such trappings, suggesting a different sort of social class.

Andre Luiz Campelo dos Santos, an archaeologist at Florida Atlantic University who was unaffiliated with the recent study, told Gizmodo via email that the work “confirms that the Viking Age—besides representing the past expansion of Scandinavians to other regions within Europe—also enabled the first arrival of diverse foreign genomic ancestries into the Scandinavian Peninsula.”

“I am excited to see future outcomes of a fine scale investigation in Scandinavia, as it has the power to reveal the detailed levels of diversity in the region,” Santos said.

Despite of all the ancient gene flow into Scandinavia, a relatively small amount of external ancestry actually made it into the modern gene pool in Scandinavia. The team isn’t sure why. In future work, they intend to add more genomes to the already voluminous dataset, which could help elucidate this and other remaining questions.

[ulkaralakbarova]

Veteran catcher Crash Davis is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, “Nuke” Laloosh. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Crash Davis: Kevin Costner Annie Savoy: Susan Sarandon Ebby Calvin ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh: Tim Robbins Skip: Trey Wilson Larry: Robert Wuhl Jimmy: William O’Leary Bobby: David Neidorf Deke: Danny Gans Tony: Tom Silardi Millie: Jenny Robertson Jose: Rick Marzan Nuke’s Father: George Buck Mickey: Lloyd T. Williams Self: Max Patkin Doc: Gregory Avellone Teddy (Radio Announcer): Garland Bunting Whitey: Robert Dickman Ed: Timothy Kirk Scared Batter: Don Davis Umpire: Stephen Ware Bat Boy: Tobi Eshelman Mayor: C.K. Bibby Sandy: Henry G. Sanders Ballpark Announcer: Antoinette Forsyth Cocktail Waitress: Shirley Anne Ritter Minister: Pete Bock Chu Chu: Alan Mejia Core Baseball Player: Sid Aikens Core Baseball Player: Craig Brown Core Baseball Player: Wes Currin Core Baseball Player: Butch Davis Core Baseball Player: Paul Devlin Core Baseball Player: Jeff Greene Core Baseball Player: Kelly Heath Core Baseball Player: Mo Johnson Core Baseball Player: Tim Kirk Core Baseball Player: Todd Kopeznski Core Baseball Player: John Lovingood Core Baseball Player: Eddie Matthews Core Baseball Player: Alan Paternoster Core Baseball Player: Bill Robinson Core Baseball Player: Dean Robinson Core Baseball Player: Tom Schultz Core Baseball Player: Sam Veraldi Core Baseball Player: ElChico Williams Film Crew: Editor: Adam Weiss Producer: Thom Mount Set Decoration: Kris Boxell Writer: Ron Shelton Executive Producer: David V. Lester Editor: Robert Leighton Original Music Composer: Michael Convertino Costume Design: Louise Frogley Producer: Mark Burg Casting: Bonnie Timmermann Production Design: Armin Ganz Art Direction: David Lubin Director of Photography: Bobby Byrne Stunt Coordinator: Webster Whinery Construction Coordinator: Jim Hill Makeup Artist: Cynthia Barr Music Supervisor: Danny Bramson Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Bob Minkler Sound Recordist: Steven B. Cohen Script Supervisor: Karen Golden Camera Operator: Richard Craig Meinardus Foley Artist: Paul Holzborn Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Robert Thirlwell First Assistant Camera: Robert Allan Guernsey Additional Photography: Charles Minsky Gaffer: John Ferguson Supervising Sound Editor: Larry Kemp Camera Operator: Eric Engler Sound Recordist: Larry Boudry Still Photographer: Joel David Warren Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Robert W. Glass Jr. Hairstylist: Leslie Ann Anderson Costume Supervisor: Deborah Latham Scenic Artist: John A. Kelly Music Editor: Ellen Segal Supervising Sound Editor: Lon Bender Title Designer: Dan Perri Poem: Walt Whitman Associate Producer: Charles Hirschhorn First Assistant Director: Ric Kidney Second Assistant Director: Nina K. Noble Key Dresser: Dwain Wilson Set Dresser: Polar Bear Shaw Set Dresser: Kim McClees Set Dresser: Robert Beck Set Dresser: Ron Servicky Second Assistant Camera: Perry Adleman Costumer: Alonzo Wilson Costumer: Robin Hill Seamstress: Selma F. Hill Assistant Makeup Artist: Doreen Van Tyne Assistant Editor: Steven Nevius Assistant Editor: Margaret Goodspeed Assistant Editor: Celeste Beard Production Coordinator: Janice F. Sperling Second Second Assistant Director: Donald J. Lee Jr. Sound Mixer: Kirk Francis Boom Operator: Mychal D. Smith Special Effects Technician: Vern Hyde Special Effects Technician: Jeff Hyde Local Casting: Karen Standard Sound Recordist: Michael Boudry Sound Editor: Neal Burger Sound Editor: Kevin Hearst Sound Editor: Lou Kleinman Sound Editor: Dan M. Rich Sound Editor: Jeff Watts Sound Editor: Lorna Anderson Sound Editor: Wylie Stateman ADR Supervisor: Devon Heffley Curry ADR Editor: Stan Gilbert ADR Editor: Frank Smathers Assistant Sound Editor: William Dotson Assistant Sound Editor: Scott Warner Foley Recordist: David W. Alstadter Foley Recordist: Steve Cohen ADR Mixer: Alan Holly Foley Mixer: Richard L. Morrison Foley Mixer:...

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

July 16, 2024

“GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE”

Hey Wilson, how many times have you heard Republicans say,“Guns don't kill people, people kill people.” Way too many. We heard it after Sandy Hook; we heard it after the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas; we heard it after Uvalde, Texas – the list of mass shootings in this country goes on and on and on. There may be limits on the First Amendment but with the Second Amendment, not so much. We have some 400 million firearms in the United States – more than one for every man, woman and child. This is a violent country with well over 40,000 gun-related deaths per year – an average of 120 per day. The United States imported or manufactured 2.8 million AR-15 assault-style rifles in 2020 alone. It is by far the biggest selling firearm and was designed for one purpose – to kill people. Not surprisingly Donald Trump was shot by an assault rifle purchased legally. Since 2016, Trump more than any other major political figure, has contributed to a rising trend in violent rhetoric. Now, however, Republicans are blaming Democrats for the attempted assassination, as though Dems had called for the violent insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021. No one knows why 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks wanted to kill Trump but one thing is for sure – he wanted to do it with a gun. Call it freedom.

DEMONIC PORTAL OPENS OVER WHITE HOUSE

“Satan get thee behind me.” That's just one of the phrases heard echoing around Milwaukee's Republican National Convention where Democrats aren't political opponents but enemies to be smitten down like Kraken. Christian Nationalism has swarmed over the GOP confab, preaching that America's godliness is under siege and Christian soldiers must rise up to take it back. It's a fun-loving bunch who can throw down with the best. A “demonic portal” has opened above the Biden White House, said Donald Trump's fixer Roger Stone in The Washington Post. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn, called former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a demon, the Post reported. As many MAGA acolytes know after watching a viral Trump video, God sent him to Earth to save it. They have, along with the former president, himself, compared Trump's trials and tribulations to the plight of Jesus of Nazareth. Proof positive: God saved Trump from an assassination attempt last weekend. Earlier, Trump declared election day, Nov. 5, as “Christian Visibility Day.” But it's not love the Trump faithful came to Milwaukee to spread but a call to arms. Matthew 10:34-36: “I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Oh yeah, and God bless America.

HEY GOV. COX, GO AHEAD, EAT YOUR DAMN CAKE

OK, we know politicians can talk out of both sides their mouths, but this takes the cake: (WARNING – possible neck injuries due to whiplash.) At the National Governors Association’s meeting last week Gov. Spencer Cox said he would not vote for Donald Trump but hopes he wins. Eat your cake and have it, too? Incredible. Yep, he's the same Gov. Cox who urged us to be kind to transsexuals and then signed legislation to keep them from public restrooms. What is wrong with our politics? Here's a clue: The Utah Supreme Court just ruled the state legislature can not mess with citizen initiatives – in this case, one that would create an independent commission to draw voting districts. The initiative passed after Utahns – particularly Salt Lake County residents – grew sick and tired of Republican gerrymandering that sliced up the county like rhubarb pie. True to form lawmakers twisted the public's petition into the same old pretzel. Voters sued. And guess who submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the legislature – Spencer “Disagree Better” Cox. Surprise! The court's unanimous ruling was met with sour grapes from GOP leaders. House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams issued a joint statement, saying in part, “Boohoo. Who's democracy is this, anyway. Boohoo, boohoo.”

Post script – Well that's gunna do it for another historic week here at Smart Bomb where our staff keeps track of political rhetoric so you don't have to. Utah Sen. Mike Lee: “We need government control, not gun control. Otherwise, tribalism advances at the national level.” WTF. Former White House attorney Ty Cobb: “[I] think it was always Judge Aileen Cannon's objective, frankly, to prevent this (Trump's classified documents case) from going to trial.” House Speaker Mike Johnson: “When the message goes out constantly that the election of Donald Trump would be a threat to democracy, that the republic would end, I mean it, it heats up the environment.” Ohio Sen J.D.Vance (just selected as Trump's running mate): “I’m truly skeptical that Mike Pence’s life was ever in danger (on Jan. 6). I think politics and politics people like to really exaggerate things from time to time.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC): “Corruption, without consequence, infects all it touches. And that is why Congress has a constitutional and moral obligation to hold these (Supreme Court) justices accountable...” she said introducing a pair of resolutions calling for the impeachment and removal of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

Hells bells Wilson, it's kinda like we've collided with a parallel universe where everything is crazy or maybe someone put LSD in the water supply. You know, they are selling all kinds of new bottled water said to be magic. Who knows. What we do know is that you and the band have something apropos for this moment in history. So, hit it, Wilson:

One pill makes you larger And one pill makes you small And the ones that mother gives you Don't do anything at all Go ask Alice When she's ten feet tall And if you go chasing rabbits And you know you're going to fall Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar Has given you the call Call Alice When she was just small When the men on the chessboard Get up and tell you where to go And you've just had some kind of mushroom And your mind is moving low Go ask Alice I think she'll know When logic and proportion Have fallen sloppy dead And the White Knight is talking backwards And the Red Queen's off with her head Remember what the dormouse said Feed your head Feed your head

(White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane)

[sandyhookhistory]

Justice Is Served... 'Extra Crispy'

'Evening, folks. We have a very dark chapter of New York City's WWII-era History to share with you tonight.

80 Years Ago Today - (Saturday) March 4th, 1944:

(From left to right, going clock wise) Seen here, in Photo 1, in their mug shots, are Mafia members Louis Capone, Emanuel "Mendy" Weiss (top right), and Louis "Lepke" Buchalter (bottom right) But, these aren’t just ANY mobsters. These creeps are members of "Murder, Inc," the contract killers who worked for the Italian and Jewish mobs, primarily in New York. Buchalter, in fact, was its first President. All three of them are nothing but cold-blooded killers.

Buchalter, in fact, had a hand in The Hit on Dutch Schultz in Jersey City, NJ in October, 1935.

Each man has a bone-chilling record that is too numerous to list here. After years of crime and a body count to match, all three were ultimately caught, convicted, and given the death sentence in New York City on December 2nd 1941 - five days before Pearl Harbor. Capone and Weiss were sent 'Up The River' to Sing Sing Correctional Facility on the Hudson River while Buchalter ended up back at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas on a previous racketeering charge. The State of New York wanted him back - BAD. Following the loss of a long string of appeals, he was extradited to New York on January 21st, 1944.

All three got a seat in "Old Sparky," the Electric Chair at Sing Sing on Saturday, March 4th, 1944 around 11:00 pm, EST - hence while we waited until now to do our post.

Capone, who had been sentenced last among the three, was slated to go first. Ironically, he had a heart condition, and the State was worried he would have a heart attack and "cheat the hangman." Weiss went second, and Buchalter, sentenced first, and being known as a "tough guy," was intentionally made to go last - forced to watch his two henchmen go before him.

Regular... Or Extra Crispy?

Macabre as this you might think this to be, they earned it, and they got what was coming to them. This story plays a unique part of the WWII timeline within America's 1940s Home Front culture as the Mobs were being consistently hunted down and dismantled by the FBI. The glory days of the Depression and the "Public Enemies" in the 1930s were long over, and the Federal Government had little patience or mercy for thugs like these as it had to execute and fight a War that was raging around the planet.

But... quite paradoxically, in the "Fog Of War," American Organized Crime wove itself in and out of America's War Effort - both here, and overseas - with the blessings and absolution of that very same US Government. But that's an incredible story for another day. 😉

🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

🇺🇲🇺🇲 ** Please Like & Follow "Sandy Hook History" on Facebook & Instagram for more amazing maritime and military histories of the Garden State and New York Harbor as well as a review of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle Of The Atlantic and World War 2** 🇺🇲🇺🇲

#visitmonmouth #newjerseybuzz #thejournalnj #locallivingnj #journeythroughjersey #centraljerseyexists #discovernj #yesnj #newjerseyhistory #newjerseyforyou #sandyhookbeach #sandyhooknj #sandyhookhistory #forthancockhistory #forthancock #themafia #publicenemies #murderinc #oldsparky #singsing #deathpenalty #federalprison #federalpenitentiary #electricchair #newyorkhistory #newyorkcityhistory #hitmen #contractkiller #extracrispy #crimedoesntpay

[maysshortmoviereviews]

Trackers (2019 - )

Action series featuring various stories of organized crime, diamond smuggling, Black Rhinos, the CIA and terrorism in Cape Town, South Africa.

I recently joined Now TV to see what they had on offer and came across this show from South Africa. What a wonderful find! This is a fantastic mystery and I enjoyed the different setting for a change. 

After I finished the season, I quickly Googled it and found out that it is based on a novel by a very highly rated South African crime novelist, Deon Meyer (I am a massive fan of Michael Connelly and he is also a fan of Mr. Meyer). I have now ordered a book by him because the series left me wanting to read more about mysteries set in South Africa! I hope they will make a second season.

Check it out for a change of scenery, a good mystery and acting. 

[rare-faceclaims]

Sandi Schultz - Insta

Age: 56 (1964) Ethnicity: African (South African) Eye Colour: Dark Brown Hair Colour: Brunette Body: Average Known For: Acting

[moviemosaics]

Number 37

directed by Nosipho Dumisa, 2018

[rolloroberson]

Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin backstage with The Runaways at their show in Los Angeles, CA, circa 1975. Photographed by © Barry Schultz.

[lisentrailer]

Blood & Water Season 1 Official Trailer (2020) , Drama Movies Series

[lieh21]

Movies and favorite characters

The Gentlemen(2019)  Ray (translation: What the fuck are you doing in my bed) Interview with the Vampire(1994) Louis Reservoir Dogs(1992)  Mr. Orange Django Unchained(2012)  Dr. King Schultz Rise of the Guardians(2012)  Sandy LotR(2001-2003)  Aragorn

[ramascreen]

Watch This Official Trailer For Cinemax’s Drama Thriller, TRACKERS Check out this official trailer for the new drama/thriller series, TRACKERS which debuts June 6th exclusively no Cinemax.

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]