Across The Universe, Cont. -- Deep GOODS North Field

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From NASA/ESA, August 20, 2018: The Hubble Deep Field from 1995 allowed astronomers a first glimpse into the early Universe. This first picture was followed later by an even deeper observation, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field in 2004. Both images were observed in visible light, the same form of light human eyes can see. But astronomers are also interested in the many forms of invisible light out in the Universe. Therefore, the Ultra Deep Field was later observed in the infrared and the ultraviolet as well, allowing scientists to learn even more about the Universe and to look back even further into its history.

It is less known that the famous deep field observations were not the only images the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope took of the distant Universe. Hubble is also an essential part of the GOODS (The Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey) programme, which unites extremely deep observations from several space telescopes: NASA’s Spitzer and Chandra; ESA's Herschel and XMM-Newton; and Hubble.

Together these observatories observe two patches of the sky, the GOODS North and the GOODS South fields, with the aim of studying it in as many different wavelengths as possible. The new image here shows part of the GOODS North Field; it includes new Hubble data at ultraviolet wavelengths in addition to the existing data. Because Earth’s atmosphere filters out most ultraviolet light, these observations can only be accomplished from space.

The observation programme, called the Hubble Deep UV (HDUV) Legacy Survey, harnessed the ultraviolet vision of Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3. This study extends and builds on the previous Hubble multi-wavelength data in the CANDELS-Deep (Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey) fields within the central part of the GOODS (The Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey) fields. This mosaic is 14 times the area of the Hubble Ultraviolet Ultra Deep Field released in 2014.

Credit:  ESA/Hubble & NASA

Neil Simon, Broadway's Comedy King, Dead At 91

Neil Simon, the prolific playwright whose comedies dominated Broadway for the second half of the 20th century, passed away today at the age of 91. The genius behind such works as "Come Blow Your Horn," "Barefoot in the Park," "Sweet Charity," "The Sunshine Boys," and "The Odd Couple, " Simon was honored with 4 Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the Kennedy Center Honors, among many other honors. His own life was reflected in his play trilogy, "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Biloxi Blues," and "Broadway Bound."

Before launching his Broadway career, Simon was one of the brilliant writers who wrote comedy sketches for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows," with Carl Reiner, Woody Allen, and Mel Brooks.
Some tributes to Simon from all walks of life are being collected by Variety. He was an original, and Broadway's irreplaceable king of comedy.

(photo: Simon and Schuster)

The Deplorable Kelli Ward

On a day when decent people are respectfully observing the passing of Sen. John McCain, there are always exceptions, even from McCain's home state of Arizona. Trumpist candidate for Senate Kelli "Smelly" Ward, a foe of McCain's within the Arizona Rethuglican Party, decided that McCain's announcement that he was suspending treatment for his aggressive brain cancer was actually timed to hurt her ugly campaign.  Saturday, just hours before McCain died, Ward wrote on Facebook, "I think they wanted to have a particular narrative that they hope is negative to me." The narcissism, lack of empathy, vindictiveness and delusion of Ward's statement is staggering. But we should expect it from a hardcore Trumpist, because that's what Cadet Bone Spurs would say if he were in her position. Gutless as she is, she later deleted the statement after receiving a torrent of criticism.

The Arizona Rethuglican primary is Tuesday. We obviously don't have a horse in their race (which also includes the nasty bigot "Blow" Joe Arpaio), but if anyone deserves to finish dead last it's the deplorable Ward.

John McCain, 1936-2018

After a long battle, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) died Saturday at the age of 81.  Despite our long list of issues with McCain, he had the courage to stand up for his beliefs (including casting the deciding vote to save the Affordable Care Act last year). Especially compared to the political and moral midgets in his caucus and the unstable Man Baby in the White (Supremacist) House, McCain was a giant.

His biography is well known. He served his country in the Navy, including as a severely wounded POW in Vietnam, during which time he was tortured but emerged a hero 5 1/2 years later.  He has represented Arizona, first as a Congressman then as a Senator, from 1983 until his death. He ran for president, first in 2000 (defeated in the primaries by George Bush), then in 2008, when he made the mistake of elevating Sarah Palin to the ticket and national prominence.

We'll let one of his biggest political rivals, President Barack Obama (who, along with Bush was asked by McCain to deliver eulogies at his funeral), speak for most Americans:

"John McCain and I were members of different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher-the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible - and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way. 

"Few of us have been tested the way John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did. But all of us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John's best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt. Michelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and their family."

Rest in peace.

You can read more statements on McCain's passing here.

Tweets Of The Day -- Got A Hold On You

Sen. Lindsey Graham's "conscience" is in the grip of someone with small hands (or his handler):

Sen. Lindsay Graham: “I cannot in good conscience support Donald Trump.” May 6, 2016

What happened to Lindsay Graham’s conscience? https://t.co/LWx1JQq2RT

— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) August 25, 2018

There is a story here. This kind of about-face, from a guy outspoken about country over party, does not just happen. https://t.co/iX42KrxyTk

— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) August 25, 2018

The next time a reporter stops Graham to comment on something, he should be questioned closely and fearlessly about what has caused him to “flip” toward Trump. https://t.co/mFtes1aED2

— Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter) August 25, 2018

Hmmm.... could it be someone's got some kompromat on him? 

Today's Cartoons

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(Matt Wuerker, Politico)


(Clay Jones, claytoonz.com)


(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)


(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)


(Jim Morin, Miami Herald)

The "Don" In The White (Supremacist) House

A "don" is the mafia term for "boss." Infamous Gambino crime family boss John Gotti was referred to in the media as the "Teflon Don" for his ability to escape jail -- for a while. Organized crime is structured around family-style hierarchies, have a code of silence ("omerta") for members, and deal with betrayal ("ratting") with threats and violence.

With corrupt demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump's history in the New York real estate development and management business (as well as with Atlantic City casinos), he had to deal with organized crime figures who controlled everything from trucking to concrete supply. We've seen Rump in recent weeks adopt a mob boss persona: praising convicted felon Paul Manafort for standing tough against law enforcement prosecutors, demeaning the Justice Department and the FBI, and calling the practice of getting criminals to turn state's evidence -- or "flipping" -- "unfair" and something that should be outlawed.  Jeffrey Goldberg has an interesting read in The Atlantic about Rump's affinity with mob language and law breaking, starting with Rump's sinister jury-tampering tweet about Manafort:

I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” - make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018

"What we see in this astonishing tweet is an implicit endorsement by the president of the United States of omertà, the Mafia code of silence, which has been honored, especially over the past 30 years or so, more in theory than in practice. 

Trump expanded upon his views this morning, in an interview on Fox & Friends, in which he seemed to refer, obliquely, though elegiacally, to the dismantling of the Mafia in New York City (an effort led for a time by his current attorney Rudy Giuliani). [snip]

'It’s called ‘'flipping'’ and it almost ought to be illegal,' Trump said. 'I know all about flipping. For 30, 40 years, I have been watching flippers. Everything is wonderful and then they get 10 years in jail and they flip on whoever the next highest one is or as high as you can go.'”  

In these statements, Trump displays contempt for the rule of law, and honors criminals who refuse to cooperate with law enforcement. He’s doing nothing less than elevating gangster ideology to the status of high principle."

So when you hear Rump discussing the various cases and personalities involved in criminal activity either with him or on his behalf, you're hearing not only the argot of the mob boss, but also his guiding philosophy.

(photo: Investigations? Fugettaboutit!)

Kremlin Detains Dissident

Reports out of Russia indicate that the regime of thug Vladimir Putin has detained anti-Putin dissident Alexei Navalny on unspecified charges, a sign that the regime may fear new protests by pro-democracy forces. Navalny has been repeatedly jailed and harassed by the Kremlin in order to stifle dissent. He was barred from running in Russia's rigged elections last spring (after which Putin puppet Donald "Rump" Trump called Putin to "congratulate" him). Navalny organized protests in 90 Russian cities last spring against Putin's autocratic rule.

Meanwhile, the details of Rump's private meeting with Putin in Helsinki in July have yet to be disclosed. Some Senate Dems are continuing to press for a complete accounting of what Rump discussed or promised during the 2-hour meeting with Putin. His subsequent press conference with Putin showed Rump's subservience to Putin, and was widely seen as undercutting U.S. intelligence's consensus that Russia meddled in the 2016 elections, and as a treasonous display in front of an international audience.

In a better time, a President would be blasting Putin, and supporting Navalny. Instead, we have someone compromised by the Kremlin and who owes them allegiance for a reason we will know eventually.

That Was The Week That Was

I believe this has been the best infrastructure week yet!!

— Al 007 (@AL5150_) August 24, 2018

Let's recap this past week: the former lawyer/fixer for unindicted co-conspirator and con man Donald "Rump" Trump pleads guilty to 8 felonies and says Rump directed his felonious activities in two; Rump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort is found guilty on 8 felony counts of tax and bank fraud; the Trump Organization's chief financial officer receives immunity from prosecution from the Feds to spill what he knows; Rump's pal, publisher David Pecker, agrees to an immunity deal to spill what he knows; the State of New York is reported to be considering criminal charges against the Trump Organization for involvement in the hush money payoff to Stormy Daniels; Rump gets push back from his hapless Confederate States Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions on his recusal decision, etc. etc.

All together now: Infrastructure Week!

BONUS: Then there's this voided nondisclosure agreement with the National Enquirer regarding Rump fathering a child out of wedlock with his former housekeeper. Release the Pecker Papers!

BONUS II:  "Promise made, promise kept"?

Mexico has volunteered to pay for the walls that are closing in on Trump.

— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) August 24, 2018

Today's Cartoons

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(Stuart Carlson, gocomics.com)


(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)


(Tom Toles, Washington Post)


(Drew Sheneman, The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ)

And, with the "American Excess" card --


(Steve Breen San Diego Union-Tribune)

Weekend It's Me Song

Jazz / r&b vocalist Lindsey Webster has a languid, lovely new single out, "It's Not You, It's Me," from her top 5 album "Love Inside." The track features a favorite of ours, Rick Braun, on trumpet. Good tune for a summer night to relax and drift away by.

Cover Of The Month -- In Deep

TIME magazine's September 3 cover, ladies and gentlemen.

(click on image to enlarge)



Here are the earlier, related TIME covers.

Trump Accountant Got Immunity In Trump Organization Probe

Ticktockticktock...

The longtime chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, was given immunity by federal prosecutors in New York during the course of the Michael Cohen investigation, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. 

The news was first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal. 

Weisselberg is "Executive 1" on page 17 of the criminal information filed by prosecutors in the Michael Cohen case, a person with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. 

According to prosecutors, Cohen sent an invoice to Executive 1, meaning Weisselberg, for "Payment for services rendered for the month of January and February, 2017," a payment that was really meant to reimburse Cohen for a payment to Stormy Daniels. 

Weisselberg then sent the invoice to another Trump Organization executive via e-mail directing him to "Please pay from the Trust. Post to legal expenses. Put 'retainer for the months of January and February 2017' in the description."

Again, this investigation is being conducted not by the Mueller team, but by Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, who've been moving aggressively (see Michael Cohen, David Pecker) on the Trump crime family. Between this and the parallel investigation by New York State's Manhattan District Attorney (see post below), the heat on the Trump crime family has gone up significantly in a matter of days.

State Prosecutors Looking At Trump Organization

The Manhattan District Attorney's office is looking into criminal charges against the Trump Organization for it's role in the $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 elections. Two unnamed officials with the Trump Organization are the focus of the investigation, and it's likely that the Organization's chief financial officer Allen Weisellberg is one of the two. Former Trump fixer and Organization lawyer Michael Cohen is also likely to the the other.

According to Michael Cohen's plea deal on Federal felony charges on Tuesday, the Trump Organization reimbursed him $420,000 for the payment to Daniels, plus his fees and other costs, but labeled the cost "legal fees." False invoices were then submitted to cover the payments to Cohen apparently with the knowledge of Organization officials.

The important factor, if criminal charges are pursued, is that Presidential pardoning powers don't cover New York State criminal actions. Also, this potential State action is in addition to State charges filed against the Trump Foundation for self-dealing and fraud, for which Cohen has been subpoenaed. The State's Trump Foundation suit names Trump's children Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka in the fraudulent activities.

Trumpist Duncan Hunter: My Wife's The Guilty One (UPDATED)

Indicted Trumpist slime ball Rep. Duncan Hunter has lots of class and integrity, like his cult leader, misogynist groper Donald "Rump" Trump. Here he is throwing his wife Margaret under the bus:

"She was also the campaign manager, so whatever she did that'll be looked at too, I'm sure," the California Republican said on Fox News. 

"But I didn't do it," Hunter said. "I didn't spend any money illegally."

Hunter, the second Congresscritter to endorse Rump, after Chris Collins who has been charged with securities fraud, was indicted for illegally using $250,000 in campaign contributions to pay for everything from an Italian vacation, to clothing, to flying a pet rabbit across country.

This vile character just oozes cowardice, venality and self-preservation at all costs, just like you-know-who.

UPDATE:  Seems there was some extramarital hanky- panky being indulged in by Hunter, too.  The resemblance to Trump is uncanny. What a guy!

(photo: Hunter with soon-to-be-estranged wife Margaret. Facebook pic)