US Women's National Soccer Team Wins World Cup Over Netherlands 2-0

The US Women's National Soccer team has won the World Cup beating the Netherlands 2-0.

From CNN:

Competing in its first World Cup final, few gave the Dutch hope. The reigning European champion it may be, but it had not yet come up against the best team in the world, the dominant force of its generation.

The Netherlands held on for over an hour but two goals within eight minutes sealed the underdog's fate. In a tournament where she has transcended her sport, Megan Rapinoe coolly drilled home a penalty before a Rose Lavelle thunderbolt made sure of a second successive title for the US.

This win makes for back-to-back titles and the fourth championship in total for the US women's team.

W ⭐️ O ⭐️ R ⭐️L ⭐️ D
C H A M P I O N S
#OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/6JMJRTJ69b

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019

ROSE. LAVELLE. 🌹🇺🇸

A beautiful solo effort doubles the @USWNT's lead in the #FIFAWWC final! pic.twitter.com/ToznvQiuxb

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 7, 2019

A reminder that @USWNT, which just won its fourth World Cup, is suing @ussoccer for fair pay and equal treatment https://t.co/f9SGiTJBNm

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) July 7, 2019

South Carolina Removes Confederate Flag To Chants Of "USA! USA! USA!"

This morning the country watched as South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from the grounds of the State House.

It was thrilling to hear chants of "USA! USA! USA" as the flag - long a symbol that divided not only South Carolina, but the entire country - was lowered and marched off the capitol grounds.

I loved that once the flag was removed it was handed to an African-American. Delicious.

Forward.

Fifty-Nine Months Of Positive Job Growth In US

Jobs report is out today for January 2015:

• 267,000 private sector jobs added to the economy, marking 59 straight months of positive job growth in the US

• With the January numbers, 11.8 million jobs have been added to our economy

• The unemployment rate inched up from 5.6 to 5.7% as more people re-entered the job arena.

• The US economy has seen 200,000+ jobs added each of the past 12 months - a scenario not seen since 1994-95

• Average hourly wages rose to  $24.75

• Economists see nothing on the horizon which would precipitate a slow-down in hiring

(source)

Census Bureau: 320 Million People Living In The USA

According to Reuters, the population of the United States (as of January 1, 2014) is over 320 million people. That shows an increase of almost 1% from the year before.

The Census Bureau predicts for 2015:

• One birth every eight seconds
• One death every twelve seconds
• Immigration will add one person every 33 seconds

The Census Bureau also predicts that the population for the entire planet on New Year's Day will be approximately 7.21 billion. That accounting would reflect about 4.3 births a second, and 1.8 deaths per second.

Remind me again why the anti-gay haters are worried that same-sex marriage will undermine pro-creation?

President Obama Announces Ambitious Climate Change Goals In Agreement With China

Photo: Greg Baker

From the AP:

The United States and China unveiled ambitious targets Wednesday to reduce greenhouse gases, aiming to inject fresh momentum into the global fight against climate change ahead of a make-or-break treaty to be finalized next year.

President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. would move much faster in cutting pollution, with a goal to reduce by 26 percent to 28 percent by 2025, compared with 2005 levels. Earlier in his presidency, Obama set a goal to cut emissions by 17 percent by 2020.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country's emissions are still growing as it builds new coal plants, didn't commit to cut emissions by a specific amount. Rather, he set a target for China's emission to peak by 2030, or earlier if possible. He also pledged to increase the share of energy that China will derive from sources other than fossil fuels.

The unexpected breakthrough by the world's two largest polluters reflected both nations' desire to display a united front on climate change, blunting arguments from developing countries that have balked at demands that they get serious about cutting emissions. Yet it was unclear how feasible it would be for either country to meet their goals, and Obama's pledge was sure to confront tough opposition from ascendant Republicans in Congress.

"This is, in my view, the most important bilateral climate announcement ever," said David Sandalow, formerly a top environmental official at the White House and the Energy Department. "It sends the signal the two largest emitters in the world are working together to address this problem."

Current state of marriage equality in the United States

Via Andrew Turnbull

46 Facts About America's First Ladies

Just in time for the 4th of July, Mental Floss shares with us 46 facts you probably don't know about America's First Ladies.

Get ready to be armed for your holiday weekend cocktail events with these little factoids.

(h/t JMG)

The state of marriage equality in the US by population

Currently, 19 states and Washington D.C. currently allow same-sex marriage licenses, which means 43.6% of Americans live in a state with marriage equality.

9 states have had their bans overruled, but a judge issued a stay while the decision is contested.  Those states represent 21.5% of the US population.

22 states have a same-sex marriage ban currently being contested in court. Those states represent 34.9% of the nation.  There are no states whose same-sex marriage ban is going unchallenged.

Those who married since Wednesday’s ruling striking down the state’s gay marriage ban are in limbo.

(via Chicago Sun-Times)

New, updated map of marriage equality in the USA

The Washington Post has published an interactive map that shows the current state of marriage equality in the US.

Note the lone North Dakota as the only state with neither same-sex marriage or a challenge to the state's ban.  That should change soon as Joshua Newville, the lawyer who filed the challenge in South Dakota, has stated a ND suit will be forthcoming in the near future.

Since 1996, when both Gallup and Pew polls reported those who approved of marriage equality was a mere 27%, support has grown to solid majority support at 55% at Gallup and 54% in Pew polls.

Team USA wins Gold over Russia in Sled Hockey at 2014 Paralympics

Team USA won Gold against Russia in Sled Hockey today at the 2014 Paralympics.

This makes back to back Gold for Team USA in the event.

You can watch the Games on YouTube by clicking here.

USA!  USA! USA!

Sochi Olympics 2014: "We Are All Athletes"

This video - “We Are All Athletes” - features athletes of varying gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and abilities.

Included in the video is openly gay hockey player Chris Brand hugging another man as they exit the rink.

From the US State Department via press release:

In honor of Team USA’s participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics (February 7-23) and Paralympics (March 7-16) in Sochi, Russia, the U.S. Department of State has produced a one-minute video highlighting the diversity of the U.S. athletes competing in the Games as well as everyday Americans. The video focuses on the theme “We Are All Athletes,” to promote diversity, social inclusion, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

“We Are All Athletes” showcases U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and recreational athletes of various backgrounds, including gender, race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and abilities.

Map of the United States as labeled by Australian who knows nothing about geography

This is making the rounds on the interwebs today. This is apparently a map of the United States as labeled by an Australian who has never been to the US, and clearly doesn't know much geography.

Some of the state labels are very funny. Click on the pic to enlarge.

(h/t Buzzfeed)

Updated Marriage Equality Map - October 2013

(h/t JMG)

What Americans want

Image via Politics with Jarred and Dave

The Republican-controlled House has voted to keep the government funded but its "continuing resolution" comes with a poison pill to defund the Affordable Care Act that Democrats have vowed is dead on arrival in the Senate. http://n.pr/19lQPNc

House Majority Leader says what he "thinks' Americans want.

Let's look at the numbers from the last election:

House Popular Vote:
Democrats - 54,301095
Republicans - 53,822,442

President Popular Vote:
Barack Obama - 65,917,257
Mitt Romney - 60,932,235

It's clear what the American people voted for.  And it wasn't this.

Map: Updated view of US states with marriage equality

Twelve states plus the District of Columbia now allow same-sex marriages, including Rhode Island and Delaware, which approved their own measures this month. Colorado lawmakers this year also approved a civil union bill.

Iowa, the other Midwestern state to allow same-sex marriage, does so because of a state Supreme Court ruling.

Illinois could soon allow gay marriage as well. The state already allows civil unions and a measure passed the state Senate in February, but has stalled in the House. Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, called on lawmakers last week to approve the measure.

Thirty-three states now don’t allow gay marriage by either state law or constitutional amendment.

Click the image above for larger view.

(via Stateline)

Next US states in play for marriage equality

(image via USAToday)

The Associated Press gives us a run down on what appear to be the next states in play for marriage equality:

Delaware: The state's House approved a bill Tuesday legalizing same-sex marriage on a 23-18 vote. The bill now moves to the Senate. It has the support of Democratic Gov. Jack Markell. Delaware approved same-sex civil unions last year.

New Jersey: The Democratic-led legislature is expected to attempt to override Republican Gov. Chris Christie's veto of gay marriage legislation a year ago. But there aren't enough Democrats to guarantee an override, and Christie has suggested putting the question before voters.

Oregon: Gay marriage advocates hope to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot that would reverse a ban on gay marriage passed by voters in 2004. The effort has the support of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Minnesota: Hundreds of gay marriage supporters gathered at the state Capitol this month to urge lawmakers to vote for gay marriage. Legislation has cleared committees in both the House and Senate.

Illinois: The state's Senate approved gay marriage legislation on Valentine's Day. Supporters in the House say they're still a few votes short but hope a vote is held before the General Assembly adjourns this spring. Gov. Pat Quinn supports the bill.

(h/t JMG)

Boston: Crowd sings National Anthem at Boston Bruins game

At last night's Boston Bruins game - the first major sporting event in Boston since the bombing - Americans made their voices heard.

Rene Rancourt, who has been singing the National Anthem there for more than 40 years, began to sing. He quickly let the crowd take over.

We are Americans. We will not be terrorized.

Forward.

Spend Local this holiday season

From my uber-smart friend Phil Attey: "Spend Local" means "Made in the USA" - and that means this Holiday Season, no shopping at Walmart or buying anything that says "Made in China" or any other foreign country.

If every American who complained in the election that too many companies were outsourcing jobs to China, made a pledge not to purchase any Holiday presents that weren't made in the USA, Corporate CEOs would realize it's not good business to screw over America.

Obama administration stops deporting DREAM Act-Eligible Immigrants

The Obama administration will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to younger illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives.

Under the administration plan, illegal immigrants will be immune from deportation if:

• they were brought to the United States before they turned 16
• are younger than 30
• have been in the country for at least five continuous years
• have no criminal history
• graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED or served in the military

They also can apply for a work permit that will be good for two years with no limits on how many times it can be renewed.

The policy will not lead toward citizenship but will remove the threat of deportation and grant the ability to work legally, leaving eligible immigrants able to remain in the United States for extended periods.

Only those individuals who can prove through verifiable documentation that they meet these criteria will be eligible for deferred action.  Individuals will not be eligible if they are not currently in the United States and cannot prove that they have been physically present in the United States for a period of not less than 5 years immediately preceding today’s date.

I personally support this policy change. These kids were brought to the US by family, not by choice. If they fit the above criteria, then they are law abiding people for whom the US is their home. They should be given the opportunity to remain.

Read more at Politico