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Zoë Schlanger in the Atlantic: "Throw out your black plastic spatula. In a world of plastic consumer goods, avoiding the material entirely requires the fervor of a religious conversion. But getting rid of black plastic kitchen utensils is a low-stakes move, and worth it. Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. But, as Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth recently told me, black plastic is particularly crucial to avoid." This is a gift link from laura h.

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Back when the Washington Post had an owner/publisher who dared to stand up to a president:

Prime video is carrying the documentary. If you watch it, I suggest watching the Spielberg film "The Post" afterwards. There is currently a free copy (type "the post full movie" in the YouTube search box) on YouTube (or you can rent it on YouTube, on Prime & [I think] on Hulu). Near the end, Daniel Ellsberg (played by Matthew Rhys), says "I was struck in fact by the way President Johnson's reaction to these revelations was [that they were] 'close to treason,' because it reflected to me the sense that what was damaging to the reputation of a particular administration or a particular individual was in itself treason, which is very close to saying, 'I am the state.'" Sound familiar?

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~~~ New York Times: “MSNBC said on Monday that Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary who has become one of the most prominent hosts at the network, would anchor a nightly weekday show in prime time. Ms. Psaki, 46, will host a show at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, replacing Alex Wagner, a longtime political journalist who has anchored that hour since 2022, according to a memo to staff from Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC’s president. Ms. Wagner will remain at MSNBC as an on-air correspondent. Rachel Maddow, MSNBC’s biggest star, has been anchoring the 9 p.m. hour on weeknights for the early days of ... [Donald] Trump’s administration but will return to hosting one night a week at the end of April.”

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Tuesday

May242011

The Obamas in Britain

And the Band Played on over Him. President Obama toasts Queen Elizabeth:

Queen Elizabeth speaks at the state dinner in the Obamas' honor:

Elizabeth, Philip & the Obamas arrive at the state dinner:

Queen Elizabeth II poses with U.S. President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace ahead of a State Banquet in London. Getty image.

Here's the Guardian's liveblog of the Obamas' visit to Great Britain.

President Obama meets Leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party Ed Miliband at Buckingham Palace. Getty image.

WiffWaff, a/k/a Ping Pong Politics. President Obama & British PM David Cameron take on some local champs, who don't appear to have much to worry about:

Putting some English on it. Getty image.

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are greeted by British Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha outside Number 10 Downing Street. Getty image.

President Obama lays a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in London, England. Getty image.

President & Mrs. Obama had lunch with Queen Elizabeth of England today. Washington Post story here.

President Obama accompanied by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II view an exhibition at the Portrait Gallery inside Buckingham Palace in London. Getty image.

Mark Landler of the New York Times: "The ceremony inaugurated a two-day state visit by the American president, rich in pageantry but shadowed by concerns over the stalemate in Libya, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and deepening tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians."

Because who doesn't carry a purse to her own front door? Getty image.... Maybe this is why. Anthony Faiola of the Washington Post: "Perhaps foreshadowing an election season debate in the United States about the cost of America’s own projections of power overseas, the British are wondering whether their deeply indebted nation can maintain its substantial international role."