Welcome to The Now

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Did you know that Rosa Parks ended racism ? 20 things the poor do every day . If you stop hearing news about Republicans and tax reform , don't be surprised. Yes, even pastors fall short of their status as standard-bearers. Joe Morton gives his take on slave films . Why no Wonder Woman movie ?

In light of the news regarding Detroit , I'm curious: Will future cities try this to get out of paying pensions? What does say about Michigan's attempt to put "managers" in charge of cities, instead of letting elected officials work things out? How does the auto industry spin this? I mean, shouldn't they have been in the forefront to make sure that the city that made them an economic power didn't fail? I have a few more, but this will do for now.

Suzanne Summers: health care expert ! Maybe she should talk to this guy . Or ask about this . Van Jones says to stop trying to please Republicans . " I was shot by my own gun ." Keep you package from being destroyed . Marvel Thor vs. Norse Myth . Foods to fight off the common cold . 25 things holding you back . Miss USA dressed up like Optimus Prime because America . One Colorado politician knows whats wrong with America (hint: it's race-related). School makes little girl cut her hair . Off-duty pilot gets grabby . They used to be of better quality . Pokemon/King of the Hill mashup . Daily Show: " Is It a Good Thing or a Bad Thing? "

25 websites to make you more clever . How to make money doing (almost) nothing .

Real Quick Review: If you ever wondered what would happen if Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter crossed over, it's Thor: The Dark World. In Context Review: It's probably in the top ten of the best movies based on Marvel characters, in the top five of MCU movies, and certainly an upgrade from Thor (with less Shakespearean flare). My Review: Most people expect movies that come out in the fall to be more dramatic (I will always say that this is why the first Hulk movie went over so badly; it was a drama being shown during popcorn-season) but this second installment of Thor's adventures could easily be seen as last-minute entry for summer 2013. Reason #1 for this is the main villain's motivation: Malekith, leader of the Dark Elves (Christopher Eccleston) apparently liked it when everything in the universe was literally dark and wants to use the super-McGuffin known as the Aether to put things back that way. Last anyone saw him, Thor's (Chris Hemsworth) grandpa ...

A collection of 3,000 comics ended up being worth $500.00 . Digital comics and the advent of comic-book movies are more than likely the main culprits. Not to mention that nowadays, more copies are printed so more people have access to #1's or classic stories/crossovers.

"We’re in the post-antibiotic era. ‘There are patients for whom we have no therapy, and we are literally in a position of having a patient in a bed who has an infection, something that five years ago even we could have treated, but now we can’t." -- Dr Arjun Srinivasan, who says that we are at the end of the Antibiotic Era .

Here's a big one to make up for being away so long: A U.S. military newspaper cut Beetle Bailey . Some songs just aren't for kids . Two different Republicans who grew to appreciate Obamacare. Science can be used to answer a lot of things . An infant gives birth to his own twin . Five famous people who couldn't handle criticism . A mother poisons her child after losing custody. Are you washing your hands the right way after using the bathroom? If so, you're one of 5% . It's not even safe to make comments on Facebook anymore. Zack Morris is a sociopath . Guess who sold Lance Armstrong out . Pastor murders ex-business partners, attends their funeral . Keep these things in mind when going for that promotion .

I'll just say this about the current political brew-ha-ha: neither President Obama, nor the Democrats in the Senate or House of Representatives, nor the 10 Republicans who are either sane or unafraid of the Tea Party, should negotiate withe the House Republicans. They are not negotiating from a position of reality; they think the Affordable Care Act is illegal , they act like Democrats were never trying to be inviting and negotiable , and they believe that Obama personally sent police to prevent WWII veterans from visiting a memorial . Even dyed-in-the-wool Republicans warm up to the Act once they, you know, read up on it . And as Obama pointed out yesterday, shutting down the government has zero effect on financing "Obamacare." Whatever proposal the President or the Democrats submit will be dismissed as "too liberal" or "unrealistic" anyway. And let's not forget that the House has been gerrymandered to the point where the laws of political ph...

That moment when you realize you screwed up bigtime . There's never been a female NAACP president; maybe that should change . Apparently Idris Elba has an insane workout regimen .  That's one creative woman .

More here ...

The rumors of my demise were unfounded... Famous people who became homeless . Check out these street artists . Lies that commonly come up in relationships .  This molly isn't really anyone's friend. Syria Cheat Sheet . The 90's never really died, at least not in a TV-sense .

Ever wondered what Disney Princesses would look like as space-warrior strippers? Me neither, but here ya go . For the Transformers G1 lovers: a new Metroplex ! 20 questions for church-goers . Is it time to change careers? Depends . "Post-racial society" my ass . Four types of people most likely to murder their families .

At this rate , the only "in shape" people will be athletes, musicians and actors/actresses. Time to cut back on the sugar, fat and salt America.

...will no doubt recognize these responses whenever you bring the subject up with fellow comic readers.

Wanna know more about Smurfs? Sure you do . Make your own sunrise/sunset calendar. The movie named after this phenomenon pretty much confirmed this . Degrees that are fairly easy to get and extremely useful .  Companies have a legal right to lie to you .

This Daily Kos post explains why.

...and Facebook ruins another relationship (sorta). Hugh Jackman's down for a mega-Marvel Cinematic Universe Crossover. Why do people cheat ? What attracts a Mosquito ?  Some supermarket secrets . As one of the "Awkward," I can vouch for this .

Of course, the NYTimes story is more about Detroit itself and it's problems, not that a governor has been appointing the equivalent of feudal lords over American cities (due a search on some of Rachel Maddow's stories on the issue to get that side of things).

Now I have an idea why the Comics Code came into play (although it doesn't explain why they let this slide and then suddenly had a problem with bad words).

This is why Bill Murray is Mill Murray . To be a kid again . Why are you still broke ? We're going to get mech suits before a hover board? Argh.  We all need a laugh , right? Sometimes the government does weird things, sometimes they do morally-questionable things, and sometimes they do dumb things .  ( pic via )

As in, "The only reason I was caught on camera choking my wife was because she actually chokes me in private ! I swear!"

The Internet can be helpful sometimes.

...I learned that someone actually decided to create an "Angry Trayvon" game.

"I had government sex once. After she broke up with me I continued to stalk her, read her emails and listen to her phone calls. You know, to make sure she was safe." -- " TSuperbus ," commenting on " 12 Sexual Positions That Should Be Named After Celebrities ."

There are reasons why some superheroes shouldn't be replaced.  Increase your charisma .  Remembering Richard Matheson (aka, I am Legend ). Some happy songs . Before you go camping, check this out . Twitter can help identify psychopaths ; who knew?

I'd tell you where she got it from , but guessing is so much more satisfying.

Tamar Jeffries shares some tips .

( pic via ) In case you didn't know: junk food is addictive on purpose . Celebrities who were soldiers .  A very smart high school graduate gets all Biggie Smalls . A person is likely lying if ... Cut this teacher a check .

One woman gets stabbed for not donating to a panhandler who has a sign saying, “ F—k You Give Me A Dollar, Please ,” and another woman gets fat-shammed for dating/loving some skinny dude.

Hell, it's only my soul and innocence , right? Besides, I think I still have something about Gummi Bears to hang onto.

Seriously, why are they being asked about the NSA and income inequality ? Our Elected officials should be answering these questions.

A pretty good list .

Meet Ethel Hylton , and learn about her extraordinary accomplishments at Harvard.  Good writing advice from the late Iain M. Banks.   It's a big universe out there ... Marlon Wayans on Tupac .  Meet Ken Tarr; he's out to expose reality television .   MHP is basically the only cable news host who pays regular attention to economic issues .  Want to guess how some models stay thin ?  Celebrities aren't always who you think . 

Learn what his "death" really did for the character and comics in general, and why DC Comics have been trying to make Superman relevant ever since.

And that little name change is part of the reason they can up-charge you on your bill; most people wouldn't bother to translate. Suffice it to say, it's not the only thing they overcharge patients on .

I guess this explains his own lack of children, despite being married four times.

So depending on your politics, party-loyalty and trust of the government, he's either a lying sell-out or a much-needed voice of reason . That said, I can see some liberals dismissing Franken for this...just like they'll dismiss Elizabeth Warren when she'll inevitably support/endorse something that goes against "The Checlklist."

How about this ?

  ( via )

Keeping the bugs out . Cracked.com tackles health care and the economy .  One mother decides to pass on the princesses and use real-life women to inspire her daughter . These will have to do until they decide to make a real Legend of Zelda movie.  Sequestration has impacted domestic violence funding in a bad way. Peter Jackson shoehorns a character (see pic) into his new Hobbits Trilogy, and no, it's not an homage to Link.  If you ever wanted to work for a celebrity, here's your chance .  If it wasn't already clear that Donald Trump isn't a poster child for race relations ... 

Lengthy, but relevant .

Simultaneously cool and frightening .

In other words: going to war with Iraq not only didn't address the 9-11 Attacks, i t helped to stabilize a country that some thought would sputter out due to their "commie" way of doing things.

At least that's what this writer suggests as a reason for Will Smith's "After Earth" getting less-than stellar reviews.  I think this particular case -like most really- has a few layers: Will Smith is obviously trying to transfer some of his star-power to his son Jaden . Why not? Every good parent wants their child to succeed. However, Jaden isn't Will, and Jaden's "cute kid phase" is pretty much done, leaving him at "awkward teen phase" (see Frankie Muniz). The harsh truth is: unless a cute kid turns into a cute teenager right away, their movie appeal will wane. Will Smith hasn't been making movies on a regular like he used too . Back in the day, I used to wonder why then up-and-coming rap artist DMX was making a new album like every 14 months. But then a strange thing happened: he took about two years off and when he came back, the niche he had created and profited on was filled by others. Then I got it: in the entertainment biz,...

After all the whining the Congressional GOP put up (BENGHAZI!) it looks like Susan Rice is getting a key position after all . A gay rights protester confronts Michelle Obama; guess who wins ?

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy marries girl. Girl has an affair with old roommate. Boy catches girl and roommate in bed and shoots roommate. Boy gets acquitted because of Stand Your Ground .

Chivers are also gamers . There was a time when we used animals for warfare . You'd be better off asking a doctor than believing in these myths . Day of Nude on Facebook . Why you need a hobby .

The Senate works on immigration. Allison Brie proves her talent . The Cavaliers steal acquire the #1 pick ; the Wizards get #3. Weiner wants to be mayor .

( pic via ) The Rescuers was probably the nicest, least-disturbing "Disney Prom Pic" from that list.  Being born in space , huh? Can you do the 7-minute workout ? Monique has lost weight (give a woman -regardless of her initial size- enough time around Hollywood and they all will eventually go down in pounds).  Yeah; but it doesn't mean that these are the five types of women guys should go for.

The Miami Heat smash the weakened Chicago Bulls. R.I.P., Dr. Joyce Brothers . Shorter Obama : Benghazi isn't an issue, but what the IRS did is. Severe peanut allergy forces student to leave college .

More here , including a dance pose that proves that, yes, she has had sex.

...of course, he'd have to give up being a superhero.

You won't believe what they found in Chile. Get the scoop on life behind the camera on the morning TV shows. Take it easy with these snacks ...and try eating these foods more. While we're at it, here's what not to wear at the gym . Guys: be able to do at least 4 out of these 10 things .  The gap in "The Great Gatsby."

      Every ten-to-twenty years, someone (presumably older than 30) writes how the generation just entering their twenties are either promising-yet-terrifying or terrifying-yet-promising. Jezebel has a little more on this , but the way I see it there will always be some group complaining that the generation before screwed everything up and the generation coming up doesn't realize how good they have it.

Whenever there are relatively normal-looking people advocating more radical GOP candidates/policies, odds are they are really part of the GOP themselves and are not "independent."

I say that not just because of the Pentagon survey , but because of the sex-prevention-official-turned-groper story .

More on the California limo fire . The Brooklyn Nets fire their coach (but people won't care because Jay-Z is no longer with the team). Only 20 more years until we start declaring wars on other worlds. Interesting story on domestic terrorists . Of course, a professor from Maryland predicted much of this before Timothy McVeigh became a household name.

I really don't think anyone knows what size terms to use anymore. Speaking of using the wrong terms .. Ray J really didn't know what he started . Cracked.com is really good at taking heroes -both movie and comic - and completely crushing our impressions of them. They're intense and usually good, but they're not really movies most people watch more than once . TV and movies have fooled us into thinking what drowning looks like. I'm shocked that (a) revenge porn is a thing, and that (b) there actually has to be a campaign to stop it .  About dating " bad boys ..."

And by "crazy" I mean describing the Civil War as if the big, bad mean North invaded the South to take away all the happy slaves.

Phil Jackson is hired by the Detroit Pistons t help find a coach , much like Dick Cheney was hired to help George W. bush find a vice presidential candidate I'm sure. On the other hand, if it doesn't work out, Jackson can deflect the blame and just say Detroit didn't listen to him. The 49ers rookie QB has impressed some... but he may need a watch, a phone and an agent .

Here's a hint: they could just as well appear in an X-Men movie, but for some reason they've always been more popular as Avengers in the comics .

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have been married for five years now . What I think is so cool is that while they met in 2005, they didn't start dating until 2008. It's reassuring to see that there are people who don't just rush/jump into things and let relationships develop naturally. Also, Cannon embraces Carey's craziness just enough to keep her from going completely overboard; remember, this is a woman who dressed and acted like she was 23 for about 15 years straight. OKC cheerleader Kelsey Williams probably doesn't care, but the critic/news blogger who called her fat has been fired . Honestly, I think the only occupation where looks should be #1 is modeling. Sure, people want attractive entertainers, whether they be cheerleaders, actors/actresses, or dancers. But the fact is all of those jobs require a skill-set that is mutually exclusive to looks.

Since you're not going to really apologize and you've decided to argue an "openly living in unrepentant sin" angle, when will you begin condemning all of the other athletes who are having sex before marriage, using drugs, abusing their significant others and drinking heavily? I think most people already know the answer.

Do you know how old the Disney Princesses are ? Cracked has has some creepy lists as of late . Add a little more MacGyver to your day. Women can know knit their own boyfriends ... ... not that men haven't given women a reason to do something like that. It only takes 90 seconds for the interviewer to figure out if they want to hire you. Want to learn how to be more successful ?  Hopefully these costumes will make it into the next movie.  Work on this and you should ace your interview.

Pretty darn cool .

Most people don't know anything about the country (like most of it's people are descended from North Caucasus).

The suspect behind the Boston Marathon Bombing has been charged , and the surviving victims are dealing with the costs ( in every sense of the word ). Two young entrepreneurs invent an anti-malaria soap .  Chris Evans goes back on ice, so to speak .

Click here to find out who they are.

Her name is Alison Brie ; you might have heard of her. Anyone looking for a new webcomic to follow? I guess we'll know where Teen Mom will be located next season.  The " Pretty Brown Girl " doll project. Unemployment in Black America .  You wouldn't believe the things people have tried to patent .

"Making marriage your goal (instead of, say, happiness! Or compatibility!) is like saving up all your money to buy a really expensive lottery ticket." -- Linday West, in this Jezebel post .

Just setting the record straight.

Here's my take: if you're OK with your state/county/district/town banning books, than you shouldn't get all huffy about gun restriction in the least. And if you're best comeback is, "Books aren't guaranteed in the Constitution!" then you're completely missing the point. A world where we can shoot anyone with anything but can't read Catcher in the Rye is a twisted world.

These parasites are what we would call "control freaks." Plus, snails eat poop. Color affects your spending .  Dirty dentist may be responsible for spreading diseases/viruses.  Mad mom may have killed infant for insurance money. It appears that factions of the Bush Administration were fighting each other over Iraq's oil.  The only difference is : one's about toys, the other has zombies.  Only in a world of celebrities would anyone think this woman is fat.

Replace the word 'marriage' with 'contract', and you see how ridiculous the argument against same sex marriage really is: "Contracts between a man and a man or a woman and a woman threatens traditional contracts between a single man and a single woman. Once you allow contracts between people of the same sex, what's next? A woman entering a contract with a dog in a state that recognizes animals as sentient beings? A man entering a business contract with a minor without their guardian's consent?" -- "spookymoster," from this Gawker story on Ben Cardin. 

Good info-graphic that cuts out the unnecessary fat.

Via the lovely people over at DU .

There's no doubt that the guy has made money by making movies to satisfy a niche Hollywood barely wants to acknowledge, but his latest effort into the world of drama/suspense appears to be somewhere between anvilicious camp to a dangerously distorted view of women and faith .

The late great film critic liked films that some people have all but dismissed .

McDonald's thinks that using green-colored wrapping will be enough to fool people into thinking that they sell healthy food. California has the most millionaires and other tax facts . Represent your block . Things to consider when buying a house at a young age . Bill O'Reilly has had some difficulty dealing with the eventual acceptance of marriage equality.   There's a reason you can get arrested with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%.  According to GQ, guys should be wearing this .  If their magazine is any indication , the NRA has been living in a world full of paranoia.   You've probably eaten some of these things whether you want to admit it or not.

When some sicko is going after your daughter on Facebook, you just don't take that lying down .

Rick Ross is still feeling the heat; this time it's from Talib Kewli . Google wants you to Blink . Baldness may be in indicator for something worse. Of course he's an Ex-Wizard player. There's a price for Kony . Craigslist Murder Trial concludes.

Sure, why not get financial advice from hip-hop lyrics ?

There's a lot of things orbiting the gun debate that people don't know, but should .

Cab drivers and bribes . Very strange double murder in Texas .

As Erica Mena has painstakingly proven with this video . Yikes. (Seriously; she can be a model or actress in a soap opera and still make some decent cash. Just stay away from the studio.)

* The Governor is getting a little tired making all of these rest stops ( pic via ). * Coming as a person who is a die-hard LOST fan (I watched all six seasons with glee; in fact, I started re-watching them since last week), I can understand disappointment. Granted, my disappointed with LOST differed greatly compared to those who expected every friggin' secret to be revealed, but what can I say? I'm a cat who walks his own path. Anyway, I think my experience in "Shows With An Unrealistic Premise Using Realistic Characters" is pretty established, which is why I'm confused at all the early-bird hate over the Season 3 Finale of The Walking Dead. Did we get an epic, Mano-y-Mano fight worthy  of Stephen King's "The Stand?" Did the romances fans have fervently tried to ship come to fruition? Did things get wrapped up in a nice bow, so we can prepare to speculate the potential awesomeness that would surely be Season 4? Hell no. But look at w...

Beating women is "badong." Thanks, Chris...and we're glad you realized that beating up women is wrong before things went too far. Otherwise, you'd be on TV during your album release saying things like this:

It ain't Burger King, Checkers or Wendy's .

Lay off the chocolate bunnies , OK?

If you think social media won't have an impact on your relationship, than check this out . Ever wonder how the 1% operate ? Are you being defined by your Facebook likes ? Good quotes for leaders-in-training .  The time Lois Lane became a Black woman ; it involves "plastimold" and "transformoflux." Who knew that l ooking at pictures of sick people while you're sick yourself can help you get better ? A turning point in TV news . Some quotes in leadership .

Between Twitter and phones, there doesn't seem to be much use for it .

The school has basically said, " We can't stop this 'White Student Union' group from existing ." I wonder if they're aware that the WSU is planing on patrolling the streets to find and stop "black predators."

H/t to Jezebel .

Sweet Jesus on a pogo stick; the nerve of some people .

He travels and fouls with reckless abandon yet rarely gets called for it, and he whines like a baby when things don't go his way. Despite the downplaying of the Heat's winning streak, i t's obvious that it meant something to the guy . But instead of complaining about the officiating, he should just accept that teams are going to target him because he's currently the best player in the NBA and he's on the best team in the NBA.

They can be cool , but even the temporary ones carry a risk .And that's not to say that the real ones are any safer .