QUOTES AND QUOTABLE

“When the flood waters subsided and rushed into the oceans there was no vegetation on the earth because the earth had been covered with water. . . . The dinosaurs on [Noah’s ark] may have been babies and not able to reproduce.”

- Mary Lou Bruner, Candidate for Texas State Board of Education

   BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES

How could the Weekly Readlines stay on vacation when Justice Scalia died on his? It's just not possible. And what a week it’s been. They all seem to be monumental news weeks these days, or is it just the End Times? Scalia was found dead at a Texas getaway, with a pillow not far from his face that has the right-wing conspiracy theorists in hyper drive. Obama, as is his duty under the Constitution, vows to name a successor, while Republicans vow to block it. The presidential election has become all about the black robes.

Did I Mention?

The brilliant D'Angelo won for Best R & B album (I’ll bet you didn’t know). Beyoncé said something at the Grammys, and Lady Gaga gyrated strangely in a David Bowie tribute, but the Readlines loves her anyway.

   NEWS FOR Qs

How the Supreme Court Shakeup Will Affect Future of LGBT Rights
ThinkProgress

Wal-Mart Lawsuit Could Set Precedence for LGBT Protections
National Sun Times

South Dakota Senate Passes Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill
The Daily Beast

Nike Cuts Ties with Boxer Manny Pacquiao Over Anti-Gay Comments
Newsweek

   U.S. AND BEYOND

Apple Fights Ruling to Unlock San Bernardino Gunman’s Phone
New York Times

More Republicans Say They’ll Block Supreme Court Nominee
New York Times

George W. Bush Stumps for Jeb
The Boston Globe

Krispy Kreme to Challenge Dunkin’ Donuts in New England
The Boston Globe

   HEALTH, AGING & STUFF

Transgender Patients Face Challenges at the Hospital
New York Times

Is 78.8 Years Long Enough to Live?
Next Avenue

Study Finds Dementia Rates Falling Steadily
USA Today

Be Attuned to Seniors Who Carry a Burden of Debt
Washington Post

   ISN’T THAT SOMETHING?

Our Barbies, Ourselves
Salon

These Women Want to Change What Happens to Your Corpse
Broadly

Are Dog-Shaped Purses the Cat’s Meow?
Washington Post

   ON THIS DAY

Legendary transgender activist and Stonewall veteran Sylvia Rivera passed away in New York City. 2002
The Pat Collins Show, a morning program on New York’s WCBS, broadcasted live from the Continental Baths.  1974
Kansas became the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages. 1881
NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft began using its thermal emission imaging system to map Mars. 2002
Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Romours’ album was released, providing the background for a generation. 1977

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