New York governor regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don't know what a computer is

Source: Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she regrets making an offhand remark that suggested Black children in the Bronx do not know what the word “computer” means.

Hochul, a Democrat, made the extemporaneous comment Monday while being interviewed at a large business conference in California to discuss expanding economic opportunities in artificial intelligence for low-income communities.

“Right now, we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word computer is. They don’t know, they don’t know these things,” Hochul said while on stage at the Milken Institute Global Conference.

The remark was not addressed during the interview and the governor went on to explain that her goal is to provide avenues for communities of color to access emerging artificial intelligence technologies as a means to address social inequality.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hochul-black-kids-bronx-computer-comment-e0c3c69b1ebf9639d8f9e402096f8446

Biden calls US ally Japan 'xenophobic' along with India, Russia and China

Source: CNN

President Joe Biden on Wednesday called close US ally Japan “xenophobic” at a Washington, D.C., fundraiser, just weeks after lauding the US-Japan alliance at a state dinner.

The president made the remark at the off-camera event while arguing that Japan, along with India, Russia and China, would perform better economically if the countries embraced immigration more.

“You know, one of the reasons why our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants. We look to – the reason – look, think about it – why is China stalling so badly economically? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they’re xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants,” Biden said, according to an official White House transcript released Thursday. An initial report of Biden’s comments that was released by pool reporters did not include India in the list of countries he mentioned.

On Thursday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was attempting to make a larger point when he described Japan and India as “xenophobic.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/we-need-a-national-divorce-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-calls-for-republican-states-to-secede-from-the-union/ar-AA17Islf?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=5c8edc94cdd3439b89c18122dc0b6ea3

N.J. congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies

Source: nj.com

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a former Newark councilman and a member of a New Jersey political dynasty who spent the last 12 years representing a heavily populated swath of the state in Congress after succeeding his late father, died Wednesday.

The Essex County Democrat, who had been hospitalized for weeks after suffering a cardiac episode related to his ongoing diabetes, was 65 and still in office.

A relatively soft-spoken but gregarious politician who fought for social justice and transportation funding, Payne was in his sixth term representing New Jersey’s 10th congressional district — which includes Newark, the state’s largest city — in the House of Representatives.

Payne, then Newark’s council president, was elected to the seat after his father, Donald Payne Sr., New Jersey’s first Black congressman, died after 23 years in office.

Read more: https://www.nj.com/politics/2024/04/nj-congressman-donald-payne-jr-dies.html

Fetterman tells Columbia president amid protests: 'Do your job or resign'

Who do you think the student protestors be voting for in November?

Simple question. Obviously, they won't all vote the same, but I'm talking about the majority.

Maryland Senate poll (Baltimore Sun): Hogan up by double digits

I dismissed the last poll where he was leading by a few, but this is not good.

General election
Hogan 53, Trone 40
Hogan 54, Alsobrooks 36

Democratic primary
Trone 48, Alsobrooks 29

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/04/16/poll-trone-alsobrooks-senate-hogan/

John Fetterman Shoots Down Biden's Approach on Iran

Source: Yahoo! News

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) pushed back on Sunday against President Joe Biden’s reported warning to Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not join in an attack against Iran, repeating his monthslong refrain that the U.S. should unconditionally support Israel.

“It’s astonishing that we are not standing firmly with Israel,” Fetterman told CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union. “There should never be any time for conditions—all of that when a nation can launch hundreds of drones towards Israel—and I’m not going to be talking about conditions ever.”

Tapper asked Fetterman whether he agreed with Biden’s decision to tell Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to “take the win” for intercepting Iran’s missiles and drones, and his discouragement of an Israeli response, as reported by Axios and others. Fetterman said that, while he still supported the president, he disagreed with Biden and urged him to maintain full-throated support for Israel.

“The president is entitled to his own views and whatever he decides to do, but I would never capitulate to the fringe,” Fetterman said. “In fact, that helps—that empowers Hamas, and Hamas is actually convinced that they are winning the PR war, and they’re never going to negotiate at this point. They think that they’re going to hold onto the very end.”

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/john-fetterman-shoots-down-biden-150603395.html

Vatican stands firm on social issues like sex change and surrogacy

Source: BBC News

The Vatican has reiterated its staunch opposition to sex changes, gender theory, surrogate parenthood, abortion and euthanasia in a text dubbed "Dignitas Infinita" (Infinite Dignity).

Other social themes, such as poverty, migration and human trafficking are also emphasised as being potential threats to human dignity.

The text was signed by Pope Francis.

The pontiff has often been criticised by Catholic conservatives over his perceived liberal stance.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68761487

Kurt Cobain died 30 years ago today

Hard to believe it's been that long. His music changed the world and his death brought an entire generation (X) to tears. RIP to an absolute legend.

Kurt Cobain's Death: Looking Back at the Rock Icon's Final Days and Legacy, 30 Years Later

Sonia Sotomayor's Retirement Is A 'Personal Decision': White House