Author Archives: Jim deMaine

Ken Jennings: Trivia and ‘Jeopardy!’ Could Save Our Republic

By Ken Jennings, the host of “Jeopardy!” – in the NYT (thanks to Marilyn W.) When I first stepped behind the host lectern on the quiz show “Jeopardy!,” I was intimidated for two reasons. Most obviously, I had the hopeless task … Continue reading

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TACO Bell

Revenge satire from Borowitz Report – Thanks to Mary Jane F. TACO=Trump Always Chickens Out. (Trump is very annoyed by the TACO moniker that refers to his chaos around tariffs).

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MAHA report on chronic disease in US kids includes fake citations, other errors

thanks to Ed M. A Trump administration report outlining the potential factors related to the rise in chronic diseases in US children cites several studies that don’t exist, according to media reports. The Make Our Children Healthy Again report, issued last … Continue reading

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A bit of hopeful news

On May 30, the Trump administration released further details about its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget request, including a request to preserve the current $430.5 million Peace Corps appropriation in the coming year. NPCA would like to congratulate the tens of thousands … Continue reading

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Homework help. Free. All ages.

Thanks to Robbie R. “Every afternoon, 68-year-old Kathy set up two folding chairs and a chalkboard on her porch. Rain or shine, she’d write, “Homework help. Free. All ages.” Her neighbors in the quiet town of Cedar Hills thought she … Continue reading

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Skydiving indoors!

Team Singapore 4-Way Dynamic Free Routine at the World Indoor Skydiving Championships Thanks to Bob P. Routine in the grand final against Switzerland. The championship winning Singapore team of Kai Minejima-Lee, Kyra Poh, Vera Poh, and Choo Yi Xuan’s viral … Continue reading

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50 Winnie The Pooh Quotes That Will Speak Directly To The Soul Of Your Inner Child

Thanks to Bob P. So it can be really comforting to go back to the things that brought us joy and calm from our childhood. For me, one of my favorite childhood books that never failed to make me smile was the … Continue reading

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Waterfront 5K on Saturday – Skyline rocked!

from mutual friend Jody Foster Dear friends, Skyline should be proud!  I don’t have permission [now obtained], but I’m sending this anyway. (hoping she’ll forgive me 🤞) Your very own Barbara Rait (Olympic Tower) was the oldest (94) participant to … Continue reading

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“I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny—Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.” Margaret Chase Smith

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson “I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition,” Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine told her colleagues on June 1, 1950. “It is a national feeling of fear and frustration … Continue reading

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What’s Behind the Gilded Doors of Aegis Senior Living?

Allegations of Labor Violations and Neglect, and the CEO at the Heart of it All Conor Kelley in The Stranger (thanks to Ed M.) Aegis Living in Laurelhurst. Joe Mabel If you’ve seen old folks’ homes with a certain Cheesecake Factory … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Business, Caregiving, end of life, Health | 2 Comments

I’m Normally a Mild Guy. Here’s What’s Pushed Me Over the Edge.

by David Brooks in the NYT When I was a baby pundit, my mentor, Bill Buckley, told me to write about whatever made me angriest that week. I don’t often do that, mostly because I don’t get angry that much … Continue reading

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Skyline Strummers put on a great show!

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Messing with science and COVID degrades public health

Ed note: As we heard from Dr. Paul Pottinger on Tuesday, our nation’s health is being placed at risk because of misguided and harmful directives coming from HHS. New variants of COVID are coming, but instead of tweaking the vaccine … Continue reading

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The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

Ed note: Given the personal hygiene problems as we age, I have to wonder why these toilets aren’t universal. We’ve had one for 15 years. In fact we carried this removable bidet/seat combo to Skyline and purchased a second one … Continue reading

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Top 10 Pop Songs in the 1950’s

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Amid tensions with Trump administration, Harvard offers free courses on US history, politics

From Goodgoodgood (thanks to Pam P.) This summer, any American can add ‘Harvard University’ to their resume — for free. The university has offered free online courses for several years, but with tensions rising in relation to the Trump administration, more attention … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Government | 1 Comment

Scientists believe penguin poop might be cooling Antarctica — here’s how

This story was originally published by Grist. Thanks to Pam P. In December 2022, Matthew Boyer hopped on an Argentine military plane to one of the more remote habitations on Earth: Marambio Station at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where … Continue reading

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Two Japanese TV Show Contestants Act As a Single Gymnast Performing a Pommel Horse Routine

Thanks to Bob P.

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Will this symbol stand?

Thanks to Pam P.

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Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates

Thanks to Mike C. Good morning, everybody. What a beautiful day. What a beautiful North Carolina day for a graduation. Incredible. Thank you, President Wente, Provost Gillespie, members of the Board of Trustees and Katy Harriger, my faculty sponsor, for … Continue reading

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The Unfolding Catastrophe Emanating From DC and Its Implications for Everyone’s Health – Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the MBR

Paul Pottinger, MD, DTMH, FACP, FIDSA, is a board certified physician and Director of the Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake and a Professor in UW School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Division of … Continue reading

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There’s never an end to Zucchini commentary

Thanks to Ed M (and to Gary Larson!)

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May we remember

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We Are Not Being Asked to Run Into Cannon Fire. We Just Need to Speak Up.

By Drew Gilpin Faust in the NYT Ms. Faust is the author of “This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War” and a former president of Harvard University. Frederick Douglass thought Decoration Day — the original name for Memorial … Continue reading

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Kipling’s “When Earth’s Last Picture is Painted”

Ed note: I was talking to Mike C. at dinner about our early education and how, at times, we were required to memorize poetry. This is one poem he still recalls. We discussed the value of memorizing things in childhood, … Continue reading

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