The tragic truth behind all of those people posing with wild animals for Instagram pics
For people who travel to central Africa, Thailand or other vacation spots, animal attractions are huge. Selling elephant rides, tiger selfies or making wild animals perform for the tourists is simply part of the economy. But a National Geographic report is revealing just how horrific the lives of those animals are.
"Meena is one of 10 show elephants," wrote Kirsten Luce. "To be precise, she’s a painter. Twice a day, in front of throngs of chattering tourists, [a staffer] puts a paintbrush in the tip of her trunk and presses a steel nail to her face to direct her brushstrokes as she drags primary colours across paper. Often he guides her to paint a wild elephant in the savanna. Her paintings are then sold to tourists."
When Meena is older and incapable of performing anymore, she'll carry tourists on her back. Then she'll die. If she's lucky, she'll get a year or so in retirement. Her entire life will be spent chained up in a small cell like a prisoner. When she first came to the company, she tried to run away. But her handlers said she'd been more well-behaved since they started using spiked chains.
[caption id="attachment_1509095" align="aligncenter" width="343"] European tourist with Asian elephant in Thailand. Elephants training camp and show in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - Image (Photo: Ben Heine/Shutterstock)[/caption]
The report featured a series of photos of tourists sitting behind a tiger laying on the ground. Around its neck is a collar attached to a chain. That chain is so short that the tiger can't stand up. Sometimes they're drugged. Some of the parks clip the tips of the paws of the tigers to ensure it doesn't grow claws and harm tourists desperate for the perfect vay-kay shot for Instagram.
The same is true for dolphins in Brazil, where tourists surround the poor porpoise dangling a fish.
Twice as many trips are taken today than 15 years ago specifically for animal tourism. "Their selfies—of swims with dolphins, encounters with tigers, rides on elephants, and more—are viral advertising for attractions that tout up-close experiences with animals," Luce wrote.
From polar bears to whales to wolves and every animal in between, animal tourism exists all for the precious photo people can post on social media to make their lives look more important than they really are. Meanwhile, the animals they smile with are being stabbed with nails, chained to the floor, tranquilized or worse.
’No bluff!’: Trump denies he won’t wage a trade war against Mexico after Chuck Schumer calls out his bluster
President Donald Trump seemed confused again about his trade war.
On a day when Republicans are saying that they're not up to support him, Trump somehow decided to blame Democrats.
"Can you imagine Cryin’ Chuck Schumer saying out loud, for all to hear, that I am bluffing with respect to putting Tariffs on Mexico. What a Creep. He would rather have our Country fail with drugs & Immigration than give Republicans a win. But he gave Mexico bad advice, no bluff!"
Can you imagine Cryin’ Chuck Schumer saying out loud, for all to hear, that I am bluffing with respect to putting T… https://t.co/uszSLebT9F— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1559693098.0
Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Tuesday that he is unwilling to pass any of Trump's tariffs. Just months ago, China said that they believed Trump was bluffing on tariffs.
Fox News Tucker Carlson says NY Times wants South African farmers murdered
On Monday, Fox News host Tucker Carlson peddled conspiracy theories about South African farmers. During his show, he blamed "western" media such as Bloomberg and the New York Times for "cheering on" the murders of South African farmers.
"Instead of protecting the farmers, the government of South Africa has worked to change it's country's laws to seize their land without compensation. Skin color is a central motivation here; nobody denies that. Let's be clear about what's happening," Carlson said.
He noted that the problem was even worse than apartheid.
"This is racist violence, as brutal and horrifying and indefensible as anything that happened under apartheid," he added.
"The difference is at this time; the western media are cheering it on. Bloomberg has published articles suggesting that race-based land seizures will somehow supercharge the South African economy, when, of course, the opposite is exact. Zimbabwe tried that and became the poorest country in the world -- but whatever. Nobody in American journalism wants to hear about it," Carlson said.
Carlson continued to push the old conspiracy theory throughout the segment.
Watch below:
Scathing Washington Post editorial rips Trump's 'ignorant' London visit
On Monday, the editorial board at the Washington Post ripped President Donald Trump's visit to London as "ignorant and unhelpful."
Trump arrived in London greeted by protesters and a city that was not too pleased with his visit.
"Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to cram central London Tuesday to reject the U.S. president, beneath a huge orange balloon portraying him as a baby in a diaper," the editorial board wrote.
The board went on to explain the weakening relationship between Britain and the U.S.
"Such substantive discussions as occur between Mr. Trump and Ms. May are likely to be contentious. The two governments are at odds about policy toward Iran, the use of telecommunications equipment from China's Huawei and climate change, among other issues. In interviews with the British press, Mr. Trump offered ignorant and unhelpful advice about the Brexit impasse, suggesting that far right anti-E.U. Campaigner Nigel Farage be dispatched to negotiate the new relationship or that Britain simply 'walk away' from a deal with Brussels," they wrote.
They noted that 70 percent of Britons disapprove of Trump and that even though historical bonds of the two countries are keen that this week will go down as a "low moment."
Read the full editorial here.
North Virginia pastor apologizes for praying for Trump
Pastor David Platt of McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia apologized to his congregation after praying for President Donald Trump. Trump made an unannounced visit to the church to meet with McLean and to pray for the families and victims of Virginia Beach, that left 12 dead.
McLean noted that Trump's policy and language had hurt members of his church, but explained that he tried his best to love and honor all people.
"Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we didn't see coming, and we're faced with a decision in a moment when we don't have the liberty of deliberation, so we do our best to glorify God," Platt said in a statement. "Today, I found myself in one of those situations."
He added that he was not expecting the president's visit and acted in the best way he knew how to.
"At the end of my sermon at the 1:00 worship gathering, I stepped to the side for what I thought would be a couple of moments in quiet reflection as we prepared to take the Lord's Supper. But I was immediately called backstage and told that the President of the United States was on his way to the church, would be there in a matter of minutes, and would like for us to pray for him," he said.
Adding, "This weighs heavy on my heart," he continued. "I love every member of this church, and I only want to lead us with God's Word in a way that transcends political party and position, heals the hurts of racial division and injustice, and honors every man and woman made in the image of God."
Ex-CIA officer unleashes on Kushner for being too stupid to inform the FBI of international espionage
On Monday, former CIA-officer Phil Mudd slammed Jared Kushner after he failed to say what he would do differently if Russia contacted him again for campaign support.
Kushner, President Donald Trump' son-in-law, and adviser blew off Russia's influence in 2016 election.
"Again, I would get about 250 emails a day. I saw show up at 4:00. I showed up at 4:00. It's hard to do hypotheticals, but the reality is we were not giving anything salacious," he said in an interview with Axios.
"Were you surprised, Phil, when he didn't say specifically when he was asked would you call the FBI if it happened again?" CNN host Wolf Blitzer asked.
"Are you kidding me? I mean we go through 2 1/2 years where his father-in-law's administration is damaged by comments from the left and right, including conservatives, about the inappropriateness of even considering accepting dirt from people representing a foreign intelligence service," Mudd said.
"You would think you would let your father-in-law go through that again? How about pick up the phone as director Mueller told us in the final thing he said publicly. Every American should be concerned about Russian intervention. Pick up the phone if a Russian offers dirt about your opponents. Man, I was not surprised. I almost fell down and cried,” he said.
Watch below via CNN:
GOP leadership fears ‘incessant headaches’ as Tea Party Republicans seek to resurrect racist congressman
Republicans are not looking to take back Rep. Steve King ( R-IA), as an effort by a group of Republicans failed to get the disgraced Congressman back on his committee assignments.
King was stripped of his assignments earlier this year after making racist comments.
"The cadre of hard-line conservatives, spearheaded by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), among others, has been trying to round up signatures for a draft petition that would force the GOP to consider reinstating King. The effort, however, has failed to garner enough support in the caucus. The letter needed the backing of 25 lawmakers to raise the issue with the Republican Steering Committee and 50 members to force a closed-ballot vote in the wider GOP conference," a report from Politico said.
However, the rest of the party wants nothing to do with King.
"Steve King's rhetoric has been a thorn in everyone's side for years, and I don't think anyone is eager to return to the incessant headaches that lending him credibility brings," a GOP aide told Politico. "While there may be a very small fraction of his friends that want to help him out, the vast majority of Republicans know that his offensive views haven't changed, and that those views have no place in our party."
King's behavior has not genuinely changed since being booted off of committee assignments. Most recently he made racist comments at a town hall.
"If we presume that every culture is equal and has an equal amount to contribute to our civilization, then we're devaluing the contributions of the people that laid the foundation for America, and that's our founding fathers," King said told one of his constituents. "It is not about race; it's never been about race. It is about culture."
New York Times editorial board rips Trump for failed promises to American workers
On Monday, The New York Times editorial board said that President Donald Trump is sending a loud and clear message to American workers. They noted that while Trump campaigned on supporting workers that his actions over the past two years have proven otherwise.
"Mr. Trump said during the 2016 campaign that he supported a $10 federal minimum hourly wage, but since taking office he hasn't sought any increase in the minimum wage, currently $7.25 an hour," the editorial board wrote.
Adding, "Instead, his administration has tried to limit worker pay. In April, the Labor Department ruled that workers for an unidentified cleaning company, and for similar businesses, were contractors rather than employees and therefore not entitled to be paid a minimum wage or overtime or to have the company pay a portion of their Social Security taxes."
The board went onto explain that Trump's nomination for the Supreme Court shows that he does not have workers best interest in mind.
"Mr. Trump's first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, provided the deciding vote last year in a case that hobbled public-sector unions by barring the mandatory collection of fees from workers who decline to join. The ruling allows workers to enjoy the benefits of unions without contributing to the cost — and, over time, will make it more difficult for unions to provide those benefits. The confirmation of Mr. Trump's second nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, has solidified a pro-business majority on the court," they wrote.
The board ripped Trump for treating American workers as if they are on their own.
"The decision, and the administration's broader pattern of actions and inaction, is sending a clear message to American workers: You're on your own," the editorial board wrote.
Trump backer squirms trying to defend president -- after admitting his trade war could crash the economy
A supporter of President Donald Trump on Monday issued a dire warning about what the president's trade war with Mexico could do to the American economy -- and then furiously tried to backtrack by heaping praise upon him.
During an interview with CNN's Brooke Baldwin, former Trump Campaign Finance Committee member Tom Maoli laid out the dangers posed by an extended trade war with Mexico, particularly with regards to the American auto industry.
"The consumers are ultimately the ones that are going to pay the price for this," said Maoli, who is the owner of Celebrity Motor Car Company New Jersey. "You're talking about 70 percent of the wiring harnesses that are produced for an automobile are produced in Mexico. We're talking about shutting down assembly lines, putting people out of work!"
Baldwin pointed out that Maoli was making it sound as though the president was putting the economy at extreme risk through his trade policies, at which point Maoli said he believed the president was putting pressure on Mexico as a negotiating technique.
"I don't think he's making a mistake," Maoli insisted. "I think he's done his job -- he's getting them to the table!"
Maoli then went on to call Trump "very smart" and someone who "knows what he's doing."
At one point, Baldwin asked him if he was trying to use her show to communicate with Trump directly, as he regularly gets most of his information through cable news shows.
"No," he said.
Then he added, "I'm sure he's watching."
Watch the video below.
CNN chronicles all the people Trump insulted ahead of London trip
President Donald Trump launched his official state visit to the U.K. Monday.
Although he was greeted warmly by the older Royals and is expected to dine in Buckingham Palace tonight with his family, Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle, formerly an American actress, appears to be avoiding the President.
Ahead of his visit, the president insulted Markle, saying that he hadn't realized she was "nasty." During the campaign, Markle had said she'd move to Canada if Trump got elected.
He also insulted London's Mayor, Saddiq Khan. The President has also signaled he approves of Brexit, a vote that has largely been seen as the reason for the political defeat of former Prime Minister Theresa May.
On Monday, CNN chronicled all the public figures Trump managed to insult ahead of the official visit, with a penchant for describing them as "nasty."
"And in true Trump fashion and before he even touched down the president took jabs at everyone from the London Mayor to Meghan Markle, the former American actress who married Prince Harry last year during the 2016 presidential campaign. The Duchess vowed to move to Canada if trump were elected," Brooke Baldwin observed. "And in response Trump told a British paper over the weekend -- quoting him here, "'I didn't know she was nasty."
Watch:
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