The Contrarian
The Contrarian's JournalI have no problem at all with RFK Jr being on the ballot in all 50 states
If we are going to be the party that defends and protects democracy, they we should support people having options and free will to make their own choices. Thats what democracy is all about. Even if the options and choices are ones we don't like.
An editorial comment.
Unruly high school asks Massachusetts National Guard to restore order
Source: ABC News
BROCKTON, Mass. -- Officials have asked Gov. Maura Healey to send in the Massachusetts National Guard to stop violence and address security concerns at a troubled high school in a city south of Boston, some school committee members said Monday.
Four of the seven members of the Brockton School Committee backed the National Guard request amid teacher shortages and budget deficits, but city officials weren't unanimous in their support.
The governor's office acknowledged the concerns about Brockton High School, where teachers reported fighting and drug use in the hallways, and verbal abuse of staff. “Our administration is committed to ensuring that schools are safe and supportive environments for students, educators, and staff," Healey's office said.
Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan, who serves as chair of the school committee, said he forwarded the request to the governor on Friday, even though he opposed it. “National Guard soldiers are not the answer,” he said.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/unruly-high-school-asks-massachusetts-national-guard-restore-107349879
Minnesota: Religious extremists successfully pressure school board to make reading some books optional
Some families had threatened legal action unless parents were notified and allowed to opt their children out of classroom discussions about sexuality and LGBTQ+ topics.
The school board caved.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/st-louis-park-schools-says-parents-can-opt-students-out-of-lgbtq-books/
Chicago scraps gunshot detection system accused of racial bias
Chicago will not renew its ShotSpotter contract and plans to stop using the controversial gunshot detection system later this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced on Tuesday.
The system, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and network of microphones to identify gunshots, has been criticized for inaccuracy, racial bias and law enforcement misuse. An Associated Press investigation of the technology detailed how police and prosecutors used ShotSpotter data as evidence in charging a Chicago grandfather with murder before a judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence.
Chicago’s contract with SoundThinking, a public safety technology company that says its ShotSpotter tool is used in roughly 150 cities, expires on Friday. The city plans to wind down use of ShotSpotter technology by late September, according to city officials. Since 2018, the city has spent $49m on ShotSpotter.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/14/chicago-shotspotter-contract
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A small step towards more equitable policing in Chicago.
Surging restaurant prices are making dining out a luxury
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/economy/food-prices-cpi-inflation/index.htmlNew York
CNN
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If you’ve opted to cook a romantic meal at home with your partner this Valentine’s Day — no matter how it comes out — know that you’re saving a decent amount of money compared to couples dining out.
Even excluding pricey Valentine’s Day menus, it’s becoming increasingly cheaper for Americans to eat at home instead of dining out, according to January Consumer Price Index data. That’s because prices for groceries are up 1.2% year over year, while the price of food consumed at restaurants is up 5.1%.
It’s another reminder of the sting inflation is having on Americans’ daily lives. Even though price increases are slowing, prices remain much higher than they were before the pandemic, which has led people to have a miserable feeling about an otherwise strong economy.
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Grocery prices only up 1.2%, but restaurant prices up 5.1%. Clearly restaurant owners are getting in on the greed of corporate America and cashing in.
Is a $50 an hour minimum wage too much?
That’s what Barbara Lee is advocating for in California. Honestly interested in opinions on this. It would certainly help pull many people out of poverty.
https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/poverty/4464365-50-minimum-wage-heres-what-us-senate-candidates-for-california-say/amp/
The 88 cars seized during Northern California sideshow may never return to owners
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/88-cars-seized-during-stockton-sideshow-may-never-return-to-owners/I've not heard the term "sideshow" before, but apparently its a street takeover. The sheriff in Stockton is trying a new approach.
Why Volvo has pulled the plug on its electric car brand
To hear him speak, you would think Volvo Cars’ Scottish chief executive Jim Rowan is very much an electric vehicle crusader. Standing beside the company’s new EX30 as he unveiled the Swedish carmaker’s full-year results on Thursday, Rowan said Volvo was leading “a paradigm shift for us and for our entire industry”, boasting that only Tesla had stronger profit margins on sales of electric cars.
But that enthusiasm apparently no longer extends to Polestar, Volvo’s dedicated electric marque.
On Thursday, Volvo said it would no longer provide financial support to Polestar and would look at offloading some of its 48pc stake in the company to other shareholders, including China’s Geely. (Most of the rest of Polestar is already owned by Geely chairman Eric Li.)
The news is the latest blow to Polestar, an early mover in electric cars that has struggled to keep up with premium rivals such as Tesla and which remains heavily loss-making despite its cars receiving critical acclaim.
AOC: US aid to UNRWA should resume immediately
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1751962808378421696She makes some valid points. UNRWA does a huge amount of good, yet we cut off funding over the actions of 12 people?
Time to deploy the US Army to Texas?
Texas is openly defying the Supreme Court.
https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1749861371074744520
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