August 12, 2013

Almost 40 Percent of Internet Traffic is Fake

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

36%

Of all traffic on the web is nonhuman, though that includes certain bots — such as those from Google — that do not inflate ad impressions, according to ComScore. The percentage has increased sharply from 2011, when it was just 6%.

Stephen Fry Calls for IOC to Move Winter Olympics from Russia

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

Stephen Fry published an open letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron and the International Olympic Committee, calling for the IOC and world pressure to move the winter games from Russia and its increasingly hostile environment toward the LGBT community. Here’s an excerpt:

I am gay. I am a Jew. My mother lost over a dozen of her family to Hitler’s anti-Semitism. Every time in Russia (and it is constantly) a gay teenager is forced into suicide, a lesbian “correctively” raped, gay men and women beaten to death by neo-Nazi thugs while the Russian police stand idly by, the world is diminished and I for one, weep anew at seeing history repeat itself.

In response to Fry’s erudite, well-reasoned and heartfelt letter, Cameron responded with two posts on Twitter:

Thank you for your note @stephenfry. I share your deep concern about the abuse of gay people in Russia.

However, I believe we can better challenge prejudice as we attend, rather than boycotting the Winter Olympics. DC.

The IOC has remained characteristically mum on the topic.

Reid Hopes GOP Obstructionism Isn’t Race-Based

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

It’s been obvious that they’re doing everything they can to make him fail. And I hope, I hope — and I say this seriously — I hope that’s based on substance and not the fact that he’s African-American.

— Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), quoted the The Hill, on GOP obstruction of President Obama’s agenda.

Majority Favors ID Checks for Voters

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

74%

Of all Americans support the idea that people should have to show photo identification to vote, a new Washington Post poll finds. Also, 81% are concerned about possible fraud and 73% are concerned about voter suppression in a presidential election. Asked to trade off the two, slightly more Americans are concerned with fraud than with voter suppression, although stark partisan and racial differences emerge.

MO Minstrel Show

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

Poor Barack Obama, his popularity numbers are down,
And coming up he’s got a budget and health care showdown.
But to add insult to injury
At the state fair in Missouri,
They portrayed our first black president as a rodeo clown.

What’s His Name Who’s Running for NYC Mayor Claims He’s Not Boring

August 12, 2013August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

Most of the people I meet won’t walk away and say, ‘Wow, he put me to sleep.’ Almost nobody says that. People are still awake when I’m talking to them.

— New York City mayoral candidate Bill Thompson (D), quoted by the New York Times, countering the perception that he’s boring.

So Do We, Sherwood, Even Us Atheists

August 12, 2013 Buck Banks

Day: August 12, 2013

Almost 40 Percent of Internet Traffic is Fake

36%

Of all traffic on the web is nonhuman, though that includes certain bots — such as those from Google — that do not inflate ad impressions, according to ComScore. The percentage has increased sharply from 2011, when it was just 6%.

Stephen Fry Calls for IOC to Move Winter Olympics from Russia

Reid Hopes GOP Obstructionism Isn’t Race-Based

It’s been obvious that they’re doing everything they can to make him fail. And I hope, I hope — and I say this seriously — I hope that’s based on substance and not the fact that he’s African-American.

— Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), quoted the The Hill, on GOP obstruction of President Obama’s agenda.

Majority Favors ID Checks for Voters

74%

MO Minstrel Show

What’s His Name Who’s Running for NYC Mayor Claims He’s Not Boring

Most of the people I meet won’t walk away and say, ‘Wow, he put me to sleep.’ Almost nobody says that. People are still awake when I’m talking to them.

— New York City mayoral candidate Bill Thompson (D), quoted by the New York Times, countering the perception that he’s boring.

So Do We, Sherwood, Even Us Atheists

I thank God every night in my nightly prayers for giving me the insight to decide in 2006 not to seek re-election.

— Ex-Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), quoted by National Journal Daily.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“They’ve invested heavily in AI labs. They’ve invested heavily in data centers. So, the first family has a financial stake in this industry, and as a result, the president of the United States is compromised.”

— “Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) on Monday said President Trump will likely not heed calls from technology leaders to implement guardrails on the development of artificial intelligence because of his family’s investments in the industry,” NewsNation reports.

— Jane Haman

“We’re working through some political issues in Israel. I think we agree with them on the end state. They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards.”

— Jared Kushner, quoted by CBS News, on the lack of progress in Gaza.

Numerati

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.

$184 million

50%

38%

31%