Reading archive 2024-02-12

The meaning of one vote: An American soldier’s journey from Iraq 2007 to Election Day 2020

A great Super Bowl ending was overwhelmed by Tony Romo’s commentary

The remarkable power of holding hands with someone you love: Studies show that holding hands can reduce pain and buffer stressful experiences. But its impact on brain activity suggests something more profound is going on.

Trump says he’d disregard NATO treaty, urge Russian attacks on U.S. allies: GOP front-runner said he would encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to member countries he views as not spending enough on own defense

Trump’s NATO-bashing comments rile allies, rekindle European fears: But some officials question the veracity of Trump’s claim that he threatened to encourage Russian attacks on allies who failed to pay bills

J.D. Vance’s sloppy effort to turn MAGA world against Ukraine funding

Young Israelis block aid to Gaza while IDF soldiers stand and watch - "Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting this month, called on Israel to ensure the passage of aid for Gaza through Kerem Shalom. But there’s no apparent effort here to stop the teens.

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"The tactic is also about starvation. 'When a soldier is hungry, he’s not fighting so well.' 

"And the children? 'Nobody can say children are bad,' he says. But 'the children from the past were murdering and raping and kidnapping' on Oct. 7.

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"'Dead, dead, dead Arabs,' one camper shouts at a roaring volley of outgoing fire. Then she notes the presence of a reporter. 'Hamas,' she corrects herself.

"The IDF referred questions on why the protesters were allowed to remain at the crossing to COGAT, the Defense Ministry agency that oversees Palestinian civil affairs and crossing points. COGAT did not respond to requests for comment. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it could not provide data on how many trucks have been disrupted at the crossing. The office does not have a presence at the border point."

Biden moving closer than ever to a breach with Netanyahu over war in Gaza: Some of Biden’s aides are urging him to publicly criticize the Israeli prime minister as casualties mount

Tucker Carlson exposed Putin’s true war motive: For Russia to own Ukraine

Virginia House panel amends arena bill to limit Youngkin’s control

Arena spats escalate between Bowser and Leonsis, Youngkin and Va. Dems

Guard shoots alleged robber at Chinatown Walgreens, a frequent target of crime: Police say the man who was wounded has targeted the store in six previous robberies

Police kill female shooter at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church; 5-year-old injured: A boy and a 56-year-old man were wounded in the shootout with off-duty officers, police say

Would you weigh yourself before boarding a plane? This airline is trying it.

Panic mounts in Rafah over looming Israeli offensive after night strikes

Opinion  Why giving roses on Valentine’s Day — or any day — is really a bad idea - "A 2020 analysis of products sold in British grocery stores, by climate expert Mike Berners-Lee, found that a bouquet of imported flowers has a more significant impact than an 8-ounce steak raised on deforested land in Brazil and consumed in London.

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"Consumers can help, too. Avoid roses, carnations and chrysanthemums, the three species that make up the vast majority of imported flowers. The environmental impact of a bouquet plummets when the flowers are grown locally and are in season.

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"Instead, farmers in the United States primarily cultivate specialty flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias and snapdragons. They are more delicate and don’t travel well over long distances.

An Overview of the Cut Flower Industry [ed. note: Utah State extension office]

Trump asks Supreme Court to keep Jan. 6 trial on hold, citing 2024 election

They fled crumbling D.C. condos three years ago. Their lives were never the same.