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MOSCOW—The Russians were excited once again for a U.S. presidential election in which they could interfere to sow division and discord, but their excitement soon turned to dismay when they found an election already too chaotic for them to follow. (Snip) Evil leader of Russia and interferer of elections, Vladamir Putin, agreed. “In our wildest ambitions, we never would have tried to get a straight out Communist to win the nomination in a major U.S. party,” Putin said. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to interfere and add to that.” Putin hung his head sadly. “It’s like people don’t even...

Whether as co-founder of Black Sabbath or as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne spent his life and art (at least, the non-reality television part) conjuring death, summoning its spirits and welcoming its hold on heaven or hell. You know the drill: his albums were filled with graveyards, devils and bloodlust. At times Ozzy was ferocious, even if the hair metal scene of the ’80s made his dread seem garish, and his evil had a comic-book edge as time went on. The point is, since his first album with Sabbath in 1970, Osbourne has worked death, darkness and demon seeds like...

At the Penny Arcade Expo East Coast (PAX East) later this week, several gaming studios will be showing off their latest games and ideas, providing expo goers with a sneak peak into what to expect from unreleased games. Among the gaming studios will be Ireland-based Larian Studios, which will reveal eagerly anticipated gameplay of Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian’s Creative Director Swen Vincke will be playing live on stage with a special guest, revealing more about the story, mechanics, and the answers to much-asked questions. With seating for 1000 people, expo goers won’t have to worry about finding a space to...

**DRUDGE POLL** WHO WON DEM DEBATE IN CHARLESTON BIDEN BLOOMBERG BUTTIGIEG KLOBUCHAR SANDERS STEYER WARREN Vote

**SNIP** Radical optimism echoes an organization the authors formed, Global Optimism, to combat pessimism and denialism. Endless abundance is the sense that there are resources enough for all, to combat competitiveness and tribalism. Radical regeneration means caring for both nature and oneself, to combat exploitation and burnout. Then the authors get to action. “We have discussed the mindset everyone needs to cultivate in order to meet the global challenge of the climate crisis, but on its own, this is not enough,” they write. “For change to become transformational, our change in mindset must manifest in our actions.” **SNIP** 1 Let...

Continuation from #2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3819175/posts?q=1&;page=493#493

A new survey of registered African American voters found that a significant number are disillusioned with the Democratic Party. The survey, conducted by the political action committee BlackPAC, found that while black voters are largely supportive of the Democratic Party and align most with its values, more than half feel that the party is not paying close enough attention to the black community. Democrats, they argue, grew too distracted by impeachment to focus on the issues that matter to black voters, putting them out of touch with the key bloc whose support they’ve relied on for decades The Democratic Party...

If only being president didn’t involve public speaking. Jaws dropped at a major South Carolina Democratic event when Joe Biden referred to himself as “a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate.”

“I have to be there at least an hour before the puck drops,” he said. “I just let one of the Leafs guys know I’m there, and I head up, grab something to eat, and watch the game.” The Canes were now selling a T-shirt with Ayres’s name on the back, donating all proceeds to a local kidney foundation. Since his win, Ayres’s day job has been abbreviated to “Zamboni driver,”...these days, his co-workers handle most of the driving....needed. “I pride myself on doing a really good flood,” Ayres said, offering a bit of Zamboni-speak. “I don’t like to miss...

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Dire Warning: Bernie Sanders’ Candidacy ‘Built On False Premise” CHICAGO (CBS) – Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel had a clear warning for Democrats: A primary victory for Bernie Sanders puts the whole future of the party at risk. “His candidacy is built on a false premise, strategically and policy-wise,” Emanuel, who served in both Clinton and Obama administrations, said of the far left candidate on CBS This Morning. Sanders, he said, is playing with political fire by dismissing moderate Democrats. “Bernie Sanders view is, I don’t want these moderate and fickle voters. We just have...

Today's Quotefall Puzzle features a quote by Joe Biden. Click puzzle (or click here) for full size rendition, then use your browser's print command to print puzzle. Joe Biden is an American comedian, whose main schtick is to provide presidential voters a good laugh or two at his sparsely attended comedy shows, disguised as "Presidential Campaign Events." All hints, along with the answer, are provided in the first reply comment below, using filtered font to prevent accidental spoilers. Please refrain from disclosing the full answer in comments to prevent spoilers.To solve the puzzle: Enter the letters in the top half (letter columns)...

Over two decades and 2 million miles, Karl Williams has driven practically every diesel-powered truck brand on the road. Now behind the wheel of an electric-powered rig, he relishes keeping his place in stop-and-go traffic and misses neither the engine clatter nor the smell of diesel fuel Unless compelled, he won't be going back to diesel trucking. In about four months, NFI's fleet of nine electric day cabs has racked up about 50,000 miles. "I would have the space of two diesel trucks in front of me. By the time I get going, five cars jump in front of me,"...

Today’s Cryptogram from The Arkansas Gazette. This is one of those CGs where you can’t type the answer fast enough. 2 minutes or less today is the goal. Look it over before you start. N WTU PHWSRP PFPMJBVNUY LSB LAMPZAD. LAMNUY GPAGKP ZAU’B VTFP BA RBTJ BVTB ITJ. —VPZJ KTDTMM

What’s cute, green and everywhere you look at Toy Fair? Adorable little Baby Yoda — the breakout star of the Disney+ streamer “The Mandalorian,” has stolen the hearts of “Star Wars” fans across the galaxy and soon will bombard those fans with countless products.

Nothing can stop Ethan Hunt ... except the coronavirus. That's right ... Tom Cruise and co. are gonna be sent packing from Italy after Paramount announced Monday they were putting a pause on production for their latest installment in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise -- and it's all because of the worldwide outbreak. The studio says, "Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot...

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has one supporter: Bill Cosby. Cosby, one of the country’s most beloved comedians-turned-sex convict, directed his spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, to release a statement on social media railing against Monday’s verdict, which found Weinstein guilty of rape and another criminal sex act. “Here’s the question that should haunt all Americans, especially wealthy and famous men,” wrote Wyatt on Bill Cosby’s Instagram page. “Where do we go in this country to find fairness and impartiality in the judicial system; and where do we go in this country to find Due Process?”

DES MOINES, Iowa - Tuesday, the Iowa Democratic Party will begin recounting select results from the Iowa Caucus. The party has agreed to re-tally results from twenty-three different precincts. Fourteen of those precincts were requested by Pete Buttigieg’s campaign and another 10 were requested from Bernie Sanders’ campaign. Administrators will conduct the recount and it will be overseen by the IDP’s recanvass and recount committee, with both campaigns able to have representatives present. It is expected to take two days to complete.

Just think. Ten months till Christmas. This is the continuation of the Thread.

The internet is not laughing after 50 Cent made a joke about Dwyane Wade‘s transgender daughter, Zaya. The “Power” producer shared a meme on Sunday that featured an image of Wade, 38, and R. Kelly during New York Fashion Week in 2016. A talk bubble above Kelly reads, “Heard you had a daughter now,” while one above the former NBA star reads, “U touch her I’ll kill ya.” “LOL NOW THIS SOME FUNNY S–T,” 50 Cent, 44, captioned the post. Kelly, 53, has been accused of sexually abusing several minors. He also faces racketeering, sex-trafficking and bribery charges in Brooklyn...

Today's Quotefall Puzzle features a quote by Pat Riley. Click puzzle (or click here) for full size rendition, then use your browser's print command to print puzzle. Today's non-Constitutionalist author, Pat Riley, long associated with the NBA, was coach of the Los Angeles Lakers during their heyday with (the decidedly non-Constitutionalists) Kareem Abdul Jabbar, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson. (And don't forget Kurt Rambis!) All hints, along with the answer, are provided in the first reply comment below, using filtered font to prevent accidental spoilers. Please refrain from disclosing the full answer in comments to prevent spoilers.To solve the puzzle: Enter the...