LBN Examiner 3/14/2021

*CDC STUDY FINDS ABOUT 78% OF PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID WERE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE:

An overwhelming majority of people who have been hospitalized, needed a ventilator or died from Covid-19 have been overweight or obese, the CDC said in a new study Monday. Among 148,494 adults who received a Covid-19 diagnosis during an emergency department or inpatient visit at 238 U.S. hospitals from March to December, 71,491 were hospitalized. Of those who were admitted, 27.8% were overweight and 50.2% were obese, according to the CDC report. Overweight is defined as having a body mass index of 25 or more, while obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or more. The agency found the risk for hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths was lowest among individuals with BMIs under 25. The risk of severe illness “sharply increased,” however, as BMIs rose, particularly among people 65 and older, the agency said. Just over 42% of the U.S. population was considered obese in 2018, according to the agency’s most recent statistics.

*YOUR 3-MONTH OLD MIGHT BE RACIST, & THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS HERE TO HELP:

The bad news is that your three-month-old precious bundle of joy — yeah, she might be a racist. On the up side, Arizona’s Department of Education is offering an “equity” toolkit to help you tamp down their racism. Journalist Christopher F. Rufo exposed the ideological “equity” toolkit within the department’s diversity program that claims babies can develop signs of racism at just three months old and should be talked to about race even before they can talk.“Silence about race reinforces racism by letting children draw their own conclusions based on what they see,” the program states, outlining a graphic titled, “They’re not too young to talk about race!”

As highlighted by Rufo, the AZ Department of Education recommends reading from HuffPost titled, “How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race.” “The Department of Education recommends a reading that claims babies are not ‘colorblind’ and that parents must instill ‘antiracist attitudes and actions’ beginning at birth, in order for their children to not ‘absorb bias from the world around them,’” he reports. HuffPost writes: “White parents can and should begin addressing issues of race and racism early, even before their children can speak. Studies have indicated that infants as young as 3 months old can recognize racial differences. Avoiding the topic, rather than actively countering it with anti-racist attitudes and actions, simply opens the door for children to absorb bias from the world around them.”

*MEGYN KELLY RIPS MEGHAN MARKLE AS ‘UN-SELF AWARE’ AFTER OPRAH INTERVIEW:

Megyn Kelly didn’t buy what Meghan Markle served up to OprahWinfrey. The veteran journalist, 50, slammed Markle as “un-self-aware” Monday morning — hours after Markle and Prince Harry’s bombshell interview with Winfrey aired — for claiming she wasn’t attached to the “grandeur” of being the Duchess of Sussex.

“[Meghan] goes onto say, I don’t believe in any of the grandeur. There’s an article already up on the New York Post here in the States that’s saying this is the person who had Clooney and Oprah at her wedding even though she didn’t even know them, and then covered herself in blood diamonds from a Saudi prince, so like, spare us that you’re not into any of the grandeur,” Kelly said on ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” (via the Daily Mail). Last week it was reported that Markle, 39, wore a pair of lavish drop earrings gifted to her by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, just three weeks after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. At the time, Kensington Palace said the earrings had been “borrowed” but did not reveal from whom.

*’MIRACLE ON ICE’ HOCKEY STAR MARK PAVELLICH FOUND DEAD:


Mark Pavelich, a star of the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey team of the 1980 Winter Olympics, was found dead Friday. He was 63. He had been placed at Eagle’s Healing Nest, a veterans’ health-care facility, for treatment for mental illness after a savage assault on a neighbor in 2019. A cause of death has not been released. Following his stint on the U.S. Olympic team, Pavelich went on to success in the NHL, but in 2019, he was found incompetent to stand trial and ordered to a treatment center.

*RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN TARGETS PFIZER VACCINE:

Russian intelligence has been planting disinformation about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in recent months, pushing misleading claims in four Kremlin-linked publications about the safety and efficacy of the company’s mRNA shot, an unidentified State Department official told The Wall Street Journal. The official said two of the outlets are fronts for the SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service; one is controlled by the FSB, which is a successor agency to the KGB; and one is linked to the GRU, which is Russia’s military intelligence service. None of the three vaccines being offered to Americans—developed and manufactured by Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer—have been linked to any serious side effects, and are all highly effective, according to the CDC.

A new report by the Alliance for Securing Democracy, an NGO under the aegis of the German Marshall Fund, explains what it believes is behind the Russian disinfo campaign. “The emphasis on denigrating Pfizer is likely due to its status as the first vaccine besides Sputnik V to see mass use, resulting in a greater potential threat to Sputnik’s market dominance,” it says. A Kremlin spokesman denied the report, blaming the U.S. for overreacting to what amounts to nothing more than a “debate” over vaccines.


*ACCLAIMED AUTHOR & EDUCATOR, JOSHUA M. GREENE, EXAMINES THE RISE OF RACISM AND ANTISEMITIC HATE CRIMES:

In 2019, a 19-year-old man from New Jersey pleaded guilty to plotting with white nationalists to vandalize synagogues and minority-owned businesses. Richard Tobin faces up to ten years in jail when he is sentenced on June 28. In September 2019, vandals targeted a number of synagogues across the Midwest. Tobin ordered members of the anti-Semitic, white nationalist right-wing party The Base to distribute racist flyers, smash windows, and slash the tires of synagogue congregants. Acclaimed Author and Educator, Joshua M. Greene, is deeply disturbed by the increase in hate crimes and has much to say on the matter. “Two tragedies operate at the core of our moment in history,” states Joshua Greene. “One is a rise in racism and antisemitism that is scarily reminiscent of Europe in the 1930s. The other is the legitimate but risky compulsion to fight back. The law sanctions ‘necessity,’ meaning any means necessary to respond if we are aggressed upon. The law also cautions that in pursuing such redress we adhere to ‘humanity,’ meaning the least amount of harm possible.”

One of Tobin’s co-conspirators, Yousef Omar Barasneh, previously pleaded guilty. Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig said, “This defendant encouraged hateful acts of violence against individuals and their houses of worship, based solely on their religion or the color of their skin.” Joshua Greene continues, “If we have learned anything from history, it is that doing nothing is not an option. Standing by is to stand with the oppressors and against the victims. We have also learned that self-righteousness cuts both ways. I remember myself at age 19. I never vandalized a synagogue, but let’s say my faculties of discernment weren’t in full gear yet. If this young man’s guilty plea was sincere, we might think in terms of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission form of law: a move away from punitive justice to reformative, restorative justice.”

“I like to keep in mind what Carl Jung once said, concludes Joshua Greene. What if I should discover that the least among them all, the poorest of all the beggars, the most impudent of all the offenders, the very enemy himself — that these are within me, and that I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness — that I myself am the enemy who must be loved? What then?”

*TIM ALLEN REFLECTS ON 2-YR PRISON SENTENCE FOR COCAINE:

Tim Allen is reflecting on his troubled past with drugs and alcohol. The “Last Man Standing” star, who is now nearly 23 years sober, served almost two-and-a-half years in federal prison after being busted in 1978 with more than a pound of cocaine at Michigan’s Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. The now-67-year-old actor pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges. “I just shut up and did what I was told,” Allen, who was 23 at the time, recalled of his prison stint on Monday’s episode of the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast. “It was the first time ever I did what I was told and played the game … I learned literally how to live day by day. And I learned how to shut up. You definitely want to learn how to shut up.” After about eight months behind bars, Allen “got used to” being in lockup and even had “OK times.” Tim Allen was busted for cocaine in 1978. Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Department.

Allen’s troubles began after his father was killed by a drunk driver when the “Home Improvement” star was just 11 years old. “After my old man died, I really just played games with people and told adults what they wanted to hear and then stole their booze,” he shared. Looking back, Allen said he feels “shame” over his actions given the way his father died. “I look back on those things, this is sober guy stuff, I had so much shame at the things that I did … especially driving people around,” he said. “Coming from a dad that was killed that way, it’s difficult to get past it.” He added, “I love my life. I’m not any more mentally stable, I have the same issues I had. Now, I can’t hide from them.”

*FOUNDATION OF THE NATION ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR 2021 NATASFS SCHOLARSHIPS:

The Foundation of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATASFS) is happy to announce the call for entries for the Foundation’s 2021 Scholarship Programs. “The Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science is excited to introduce several new scholarships this year,” said Doug Mummert, Chairman, NATAS Foundation. “We welcome with gratitude, our newest donor, the McKenzie Family and are proud to have them as part of our family of generous supporters. We want to thank all of our donors for the scholarships they fund which support and encourage the future generations of leaders in our craft and industry.” “It is our honor to participate with the Academy in helping make the dreams of young people come true by achieving an education in our industry,” said David McKenzie, President, Associated Television International. “It’s our hope they will pass this forward by helping others through education that will lead to more kindness and understanding in an ever-changing time.”

“Supporting the future of our industry is a critical pillar of the NATAS mission,” said Melinda Roeder Skrbin, Chair, NATASFS Committee. “Year after year our judges continue to be impressed with the talent and professionalism of the high school seniors who enter this scholarship contest and we are looking forward to another successful year of entries.” “This year, we are very happy to welcome WeVidIt as an Official Sponsor of the NATAS Foundation Scholarships (NATASFS) and as the Official Submission Platform of the NATASFS Scholarships,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO NATAS.

“WeVidIt is excited to partner with NATAS to further promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry for the next generation,” said Matthew Sherwood, Ph.D, WeVidIt CEO. “Through WeVidIt’s data insights and technology tools, this partnership will further empower the creator and entertainment industry professional.” These are the distinguished national scholarships awarded to outstanding high school seniors planning to pursue television-related baccalaureate degrees: THE LINDA GIANNECCHINI MEMORIAL TRUSTEES SCHOLARSHIP ($20,000): Awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry.

THE MCKENZIE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ($20,000): Awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry who demonstrates a financial need or hardship. The recipient must be enrolled in an accredited college program that is at least two years. The award will be distributed as $10,000 per year for two years. The need-based scholarship requires applicants to submit a “Statement of Need” and a FAFSA as proof of financial need. All applicants should have an Expected Family Contribution of $5,000 or less and be eligible for a federal Pell grant to be considered for this scholarship.

THE UNIVISION NATAS SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000): Awarded to a Hispanic or Latino student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry. THE NATAS INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIP ($10,000): Awarded to a student pursuing a career in any aspect of the television industry who identifies as black, indigenous, or a person of color. This is the tenth year of the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship, funded by a grant from CBS News in honor of longtime correspondent Mike Wallace (1918-2012) and presented each year at the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards. The Jim McKay Memorial Scholarship, now in its twelfth year, honors sportscaster Jim McKay (1921-2008) and was established in 2009 by the HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX networks. Applications for national scholarships are due by 5 pm EST on Thursday, April 15th, 2021 via the online forms at https://theemmys.tv/scholarships/ NATAS Trustees and officials with the National Scholarship Committee will review applications and creative works along with participation from Univision Communications Inc.

*EXAMINER – INVESTIGATES:

 The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she is from Willows, Wisconsin. Her birthday is March 9, 1959, when Mattell first displayed her at the New York Toy Fair.

*EXAMINER – LENS:



 A Madame Tussauds wax figure of Audrey Hepburn sits at an empty table at Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn, New York, February 26, 2021. As New York City restaurants reopened indoor dining rooms at 35% capacity, the steakhouse and wax museum joined forces to welcome diners back in a fun way and to enforce social distancing guidelines.

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