For anyone who thinks stories of sexual harassment and assault are complicated, writer Maura Quint has a story for you. Actually, she has quite a few. Quint posted a thread on her Twitter account that quickly went viral in which she talked about a number of real-life encounters with men that started out sexual, involved her expressing disinterest, and the men responding appropriately.It wasn't an unrealistic hero's tale of men handing over the keys to their autonomy. Rather, Quint's incredible thread made it clear that the only variable in cases of assault vs. non-assault are when a man doesn't respect the autonomy of the woman he's propositioning. Her thread opens up in an all-too-familiar tone, where we're led to believe it will go to an incredibly dark place:Instead, Quint says her indifference to his proposition was met in kind with a guy just acting in a basic, non-rapey way:She goes on to offer several other examples of being in sexual or potentially sexual situations with men who also managed to not sexually assault her:And here's the real kicker, Quint says she has been assaulted. To her, the difference isn't hard to pinpoint:Her thread has been re-tweeted nearly 50,000 times and "liked" more than 100,000 times. Other women and some men jumped in with their own tales of drinking, partying and still, somehow, managing to not assault or even harass the women they encountered.It's a stark contrast to the half-baked defenses of Brett Kavanaugh and other men like him. There are incredibly rare exceptions where a man is accused of assault or harassment and he is entirely free of guilt. But for women, or anyone for that matter, who has survived sexual assault or experienced sexual harassment, there is no "gray area."There's being OK with assault and then there's everything else. Whether or not we're consciously aware of this, we've all chosen a side. But if you're on the wrong side, it doesn't have to be that way forever.This article originally appeared on 10.02.18

With Donald Trump threatening to reverse Roe v. Wade upon taking office, the need to defend women's reproductive rights has never been more urgent. As other writers have pointed out, pro-life fanatics have the power of positive connotation on their side and use this advantage to demean the valid arguments of pro-choice advocates.I mean, who would ever claim to be in opposition to life? Only, equating zygotes with adult human beings fails to recognize the science behind conception, as Bill Nye points out in an older video that has recently gained new relevancy.In the video, you can see how frustrated Nye is explaining why abortion rights aren't something we should be debating in the first place. After a brief explanation of how conception occurs, the science educator proves how little our laws have to do with reason or logic."You cannot help but notice — and I'm not the first guy to notice — you have a lot of men of European descent passing these extraordinary laws based on ignorance," he says, adding, "It's just a reflection of a deep scientific lack of understanding and you literally apparently don't know what you're talking about." We can only imagine how frustrated he — along with every other advocate of logic — must be feeling now.While anti-abortion zealots aren't typically eager to consider science or reason, this video could potentially sway those who are on the fence about impeding on women's rights. And while it shouldn't take a white guy to explain why women's rights are human rights, sadly, few people seem to listen when the plea for respect comes from women — despite the fact that these draconian laws only affect them.Still, Nye and other logic-lovers are willing to hear you out, pro-lifers. If the argument truly comes down to protecting children and not depriving women of basic rights, there are several discussions worth having. For instance, instead of focusing on the rights of unborn babies, perhaps we could put our resources into protecting the children that already exist. We take it for granted that real, live children don't enjoy the same human rights that adults do — an archaic way of thinking that time and time again puts kids in harm's way. By actively fueling global warming, we deprive today's children from having any semblance of a dependable future.Now, more than ever, it's imperative that we focus on the facts. By relying on scientific evidence to guide a course of action, we can respect one another's beliefs without infringing on one another's rights. It's really not that hard. Take it from The Science Guy himself: "Be objective about this. We have other problems to solve, everybody."This article originally appeared on 11.23.16

Some members couldn't even be bothered to turn up... The post The awful Aerosmith album that came about when the band “stopped giving a fuck” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

by John Nolte, Breitbart: An ex-girlfriend of America’s Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, has come forward to accuse the man who hopes to be history’s first First Gentleman of physically assaulting her in 2012. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, the woman, who is remaining anonymous for obvious reasons (we’ve all seen what the corporate media and Democrats do […]

from SettingBrushfires: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

Abdelaziz Barrada, a former professional footballer for Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, has passed away. He was 35. According to Mirror, he reportedly suffered a heart attack while living in France. No official cause of death has been announced. Barrada also represented Morocco at the international level, scoring four goals. “Olympique de Marseille learned with sadness of the death of its former player and Moroccan international, Abdelaziz Barrada. Arriving in the summer of 2014, the attacking midfielder wore the colours of OM for 2 seasons. The club would like to extend its sincere condolences to his family and share in the grief of his loved ones,” Marseille stated (translated). Repose en paix Abdelaziz L’Olympique de Marseille a appris avec tristesse le décès de son ancien joueur et international marocain, Abdelaziz Barrada. Arrivé à l’été 2014, le milieu offensif a porté les couleurs de l’OM durant 2 saisons.Le club tient à présenter ses plus… pic.twitter.com/Ypgh08x6UT — Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) October 24, 2024 Per Daily Mail: Former Marseille midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada has died at the age of 35, the club said on Thursday, with the Moroccan football federation describing his death as a ‘great tragedy’. ‘The Royal Moroccan Football Federation extends its sincere condolences to the family of the former Moroccan international, the late Abdelaziz Barrada, and through them to all his family and relatives, as well as the national football family,’ the statement read. No official cause of death has been announced, however widespread reports from Morocco claim that he suffered a heart attack. Born in France, Barrada went on to represent Morocco at international level and was part of the side that were runners-up in the 2011 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations. He then became a regular feature for Morocco at full international level and won 26 caps between 2012 and 2015, scoring four goals. “It is with great sadness that Paris Saint-Germain learned this Thursday evening of the death of Abdelaziz Barrada, Moroccan international, trained at the Club. To his family and loved ones, Paris Saint-Germain offers its most sincere condolences,” Paris Saint-Germain stated (translated). C’est avec une grande tristesse que le Paris Saint-Germain a appris ce jeudi soir le décès de Abdelaziz Barrada, international marocain, formé au Club. À sa famille et ses proches, le Paris Saint-Germain présente ses plus sincères condoléances. pic.twitter.com/4hNojxsfvi — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) October 24, 2024 And…'suddenly'*Abdelaziz Barrada-35-France *Former Moroccan Footballer-Getafe, Marseille, National Team*Oct 24 2024*Tragically, Abdelaziz died suddenly from a Heart Attack.https://t.co/WCPcrfbNXr pic.twitter.com/nbaBik5Hsl — cheri maday (@resilient333) October 24, 2024 Barrada retired from football in 2021. The former Moroccan international also spent several seasons with Spanish football club Getafe. Terrible nouvelle. Abdelaziz Barrada est décédé aujourd'hui à l'âge de 35 ans. Passé par l'OM et ex-international marocain, le milieu offensif laisse derrière lui deux familles endeuillées : celles du sang et du football. Condoléances sincères à ses proches. pic.twitter.com/6UtUmVTKLp — Instant Foot (@lnstantFoot) October 24, 2024 Mirror reports: Getafe wrote: “The Getafe CF family is shocked by the death of Getafe player Abdel Barrada. The footballer played 66 matches and scored 4 goals for Getafe in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. Our thoughts and support at this time go to Abdel’s family and friends. RIP.” Morroco star Amine Harit posted: “Abdelaziz Barrada may Allah have mercy on you support his loved ones.” Barrada captained the Morocco squad at the 2012 London Olympic Games and made 26 appearances for his country, scoring four goals between 2012 and 2015. Born in France in 1989, he started his professional career in the country of his birth at Senart-Moissy. The midfielder went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain’s B side between 2007 and 2010. He then had spells at Spanish club Getafe before turning out for Al-Jazira, Al-Nasr, Antalyaspor, Al Shahania and Lusitanos Saint-Maur, where he hung up his boots three years ago.

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday against a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots to be counted if they are received up to five days after Election Day. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it conflicts with federal law designating a “day for the election.” However, the three-judge panel declined to issue an injunction and sent the issue back to a lower court for further consideration. Breaking News: The 5th Circuit has just ruled that ballots must be received by Election Day and state laws allowing them to arrive later are preempted by federal law. pic.twitter.com/ApdUo4Q4YA — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) October 25, 2024 “The lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee and the Mississippi Republican Party,” USA TODAY reports. The ruling could lead to a future challenge that makes it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which would have significant ramifications nationwide. “5th Circuit Court of Appeals delivers critical ruling that affects mail-in ballots. All ballots must now be received by Election Day in order to be counted. This U.S. court of appeals decision overrides state laws permitting post-Election Day ballot counting, affirming that federal law mandates the deadline,” Kyle Becker wrote. “The day for the election is when ballots must be both cast and received by state officials,” Judge Andrew S. Oldham stated, according to Becker. “The ruling directly impacts Mississippi’s previous policy, which allowed ballots to be counted for up to five days after Election Day. This sets a clear precedent for election integrity and increases pressure on states to adhere strictly to this standard as the 2024 election approaches,” Becker continued. ELECTION VICTORY. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals delivers critical ruling that affects mail-in ballots. All ballots must now be received by Election Day in order to be counted. This U.S. court of appeals decision overrides state laws permitting post-Election Day ballot… pic.twitter.com/TH6pum3iPB — Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) October 25, 2024 USA TODAY reports: In defending its law, the state suggested that its receipt of ballots isn’t a necessary part of voters casting ballots. “The State’s problem is that it thinks a ballot can be ‘cast’ before it is received,” wrote Judge Andrew Oldham, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. If that were true, Oldham suggested, then a state could allow voters to cast ballots by marking them and then putting them in a drawer or posting photos of them on social media. “The hypotheticals are obviously absurd,” Oldham, who was appointed to the court by former President Donald Trump, wrote. Many states as well as Washington, D.C. allow ballots to be counted that arrive after Election Day, including Nevada, a swing state that requires mailed ballots to be received within four days of the election. In July, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee and Nevada Republican Party to get Nevada’s four-day allowance struck down. MASSIVE ELECTION INTEGRITY VICTORY The ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, strikes law that provided a grace period for mail ballots— ruling ballots must be received *by* Election Day pic.twitter.com/CrgS4Xdnj8 — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2024 “The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, a federal court that oversees cases in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, ruled that all mail-in ballots must arrive by Election Day. This overrules state laws that allowed some late-arriving ballots to be counted if they were mailed on time,” Mario Nawfal wrote. “Supporters, like the RNC, say this ensures clear results on Election Day. Opponents argue it could disenfranchise voters who rely on mail delays,” he added. BREAKING: BIG WIN FOR RNC – 5th Circuit Orders Election Day Ballot Deadline The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, a federal court that oversees cases in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, ruled that all mail-in ballots must arrive by Election Day. This overrules state laws… pic.twitter.com/7akpUzpT3q — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 25, 2024 Per NBC News: It does, however, pave the way for a possible challenge that could go up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could have ramifications for states that do allow ballots postmarked before Election Day to be counted. The appeals court ruling says that no such ballots should be counted. “Congress statutorily designated a singular ‘day for the election’ of members of Congress and the appointment of presidential electors,” the three-judge panel wrote in its opinion. “Text, precedent, and historical practice confirm this ‘day for the election’ is the day by which ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials.” The decision by Judges James Ho, Kyle Duncan and Andrew Oldham notes that as of November 2022, 18 states and the District of Columbia allow post-election receipt of ballots — and suggests they should not be allowed to do so. “Federal law requires voters to take timely steps to vote by Election Day. And federal law does not permit the State of Mississippi to extend the period for voting by one day, five days, or 100 days,” the ruling said.