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I had my date with Annie last night. We live in the same community, so I took her to the local park for some skating. There is a park near where I live that has a lagoon for people to skate on in the winter. They have fireplaces and they put Christmas lights on the trees. It's beautiful to be there at night. There were maybe a dozen other skaters on the huge lagoon. Absolutely perfect.

Annie and I skated around and around while chatting. We talked about my relationship and she said that she has been learning about polyamory by watching youtube videos and such. It's really nice to hear that, as she isn't walking into things blind. We went down a narrow, dark part of the lagoon and reached a dead end. I brought her in close, went for the kiss, and DENIED.

She would later tell me that she would not let me kiss her before she talks to my wife to make sure everything is on the up and up. I was a little dissapointed, but I respect that.

We skated for a long time - a couple hours, then I took her to a restaurant nearby and we got some dessert and chatted some more. At the end, the bill comes and she refused to let me pay for it (which is super rare and always a good sign). I let her pay, but insisted that she let me pay for the next one.

I took her home, told her that normally after a date like this I would end it with a kiss, and she allowed me to kiss her cheek. I did, and with that, the date came to a close.

I learnt that Annie comes from a pretty Christian background and so is pretty inexperienced when it comes to sex. She also told me that she likes to move slowly.

It was a great night, and I feel something for her that I don't feel for Jasmine. I like Jasmine, but I don't get that electric feel like I did from Annie.

Tonight I'm seeing Jasmine. I'm kind of dreading it because I think I need to have a talk with her. I would like to see more of Annie, and because I don't have a lot of free time, my time with Annie will come at the expense of time with Jasmine. I also think that Jasmine wants more from me. I think she is falling in love with me and I just don't feel that way about her. It might be a tough night tonight.

takyon writes:

I'll put this here so it can appear on the front page, since it would not with this user's low karma. Use this advice at your own risk.

fakefuck39 writes:

If anyone is interested, I thought I would share some practical results from shocking yourself with electricity for years. Typing this now w/ a 3-electrode ab-belt on my stomach, and 8 electrodes on my arms, while eating oatmeal. I had this up on reddit in /fitness. got me banned because it's not about the latest cabbage diet. you can get fit while you sit in a chair, just put up with pain and discomfort.

SUMMARY

Can EMS completely replace working out, and make me fit w/ bulging muscles: yes.

Is it bad for you: there is literally nothing you can do to hurt yourself unless you get a plug-in medical device that costs over $1k. The little pocket battery units don't have enough power to reach your heart or organs, even on max power. Even if you put electrodes to go through your body, it'll still traverse through the outside tissue (uncomfortable but safe - tested many times). In fact, since I replaced lifting with EMS for half my workouts, my joints stopped hurting.

How does it compare to lifting: Not as much visible muscle volume increase (but some), but more actual strength, like when you punch.

Do those electric body vests at the gym do anything: No. Waste of sweat/time/money.

Are $1k+ medical plug-in units better: No. You need the help of a professional to use them, as they have the power to kill you. They can crank it much higher, and with a lot of pain (bite down on something) cut your 5-hour pocket EMS workout to 30min.

If I bench 300lb 20 times, stop lifting and just do EMS for a year, can I still bench 300? Yep, and now you'll push it up it 25 times. But you won't be able to do 350lb 20 times. You'll have more muscle, but it'll look the same volume-wise.

Is it expensive: No. About $200 initial investment for everything I use, about $10/year for replacement stuff.

Does it hurt or itch: Yes, a lot. If you power through a few months of being uncomfortable 1/4 of your day, you no longer notice it.

Can I work out w/ EMS under my clothes while in a meeting at work, at dinner, or dancing at a club: absolutely.

If I'm a fatass, can EMS alone, w/o going to the gym, with no effort, get me in shape so I look toned and built: Yes. You have to do it several times a week for 5-10 hours at a time. The more fat you have the less electricity reaches your muscle, so you have to turn it up more till you lose the fat.

Has anyone famous gone hardcore on EMS for an extended time: Bruce Lee.

ME

40/male. 5'11, 170lb, ~6% bodyfat, fit all my life. I don't pay attention to my diet and often eat before bed. I pop a lot of dried berry type supplements and a centrum per day, but don't do anything else like protein powder or creatine. I'm in STEM, and know quite a bit about biology and organic chemistry. I have worked at a hospital assisting nurses and am fairly well-versed in medicine.

I will link to some stuff I use. I am in no way affiliated with anything or make money from it - it is simply what I've come to find as an optimal complete solution in my 20 years of experience. What I have done is a ridiculous amount of research over the years, and tried many different pads, belts, EMS units, leads/wires, and even tshirts.

I did a lot of track, and after 18 started lifting, which progressed to some ridiculously heavy weights - and that caused some joint problems later in life. About 20 years ago I injured my shoulder. I picked up a soccer mom ab belt as seen on TV, strapped it to my shoulder and did that for about 6 months till I could lift again. It used a watch battery and made the aux muscles in the shoulder stronger around the scar tissue. Once that passed, I tossed it and got one with larger batteries for my abs. I've been doing that instead of sit-ups since then - for 20 years.

ABS

I wake up, put on an ab belt, and do my morning wash/brush/dress stuff, including eating breakfast, with it on. I start at 50% and after an hour go to 100%. 2 hours a day, pretty much every day. The morning belt only does the front, and does not use gel pads. It has these carbon-rubber nipples - you just touch them with a wet hand for conductivity and put on the belt. They don't itch at all, but leave little red marks that go away fully an hour after you take it off. I place it low (touching top of pubes) one day, and high (touching bottom of ribs) the next day. This works the middle muscle twice as much as the upper and lower, which keeps all 6 the same size, as the middle ones are slowest to grow.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7RAQ6F

I use programs 1-3. Start at level 12, then crank it to 20(max). It takes 3 AAA, and I just put in 3 NiMH rechargeables which last 2 months before needing a recharge. Make sure to get a charger that charges individual slots, not pairs. The 3 batteries last 5-10 years.

https://www.amazon.com/EBL-Battery-AAA-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B071X6KHCW

A couple of times per week I wear a different belt to the office. This does obliques. I use program 8. On level 30-40 there is no visible twitching and you can be in public. At home I use level 100-150(max). It has a big pad in the middle, and a pad on each side. 3 gel pads total, and I stick the outer ones as far out as they go. If you take care of the pads, they last over a year, and then you shell out $5 for a new set. These don't need gel - they are made of a conductive gel. Any gel pads itch, and the higher the electricity the more they itch. The unit I am linking has a non-removable battery and needs to be charged weekly. The battery has been the same for a year, so I'll estimate it lasts 3-5 years. After that you need to toss the belt and get a new one, because batteries are non-removable, or pull the charger apart and do some tinkering. This belt is very thin and invisible under a shirt, and the control/battery just goes in your pocket.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G748N5R

EMS

I have two EMS7500 units. https://www.tensunits.com/product/DE7502.html

You cannot get these on amazon, as they are "almost/kinda" medical grade. The ones on amazon have much less power than these. Thankfully if you go to many of the sites specializing in these, they resell the units. If you go to the manufacturer, Rosco Medical, they'll want a prescription.

This has 3 modes - I only use the Constant mode (C). Frequencies of https://www.amazon.com/OKcell-Rechargeable-Battery-Helicopter-Microphone/dp/B01LZIQ7EA

fan: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XN24GY

PADS

You need large pads. What comes with all the units goes in the trash. 3x5" pads are perfect, because if they fold a little or crease you don't care as the remaining contact area is enough. If you can't fit 4 of these on your tiny girl-chest, I recommend a 3x5 for the negative (black) going to a 2x4 positive (red). Keep in mind that the black wire is going to hit your muscle harder than the red. The right side of your body also conducts worse, so if you just do 2 pads across the chest, black on the right and red on the left, unless you want one of your tits to look bigger.

When you take them off, put the plastic cover back on. Once every couple of weeks, get your hand wet and wash the conductive side. I also spray that side with 91% alcohol weekly. This will keep them working for about 6 months.

Putting some electrical tape on the wire joints also keeps the wires from folding too much and breaking in your pocket. With that, the wires are also good for about 6 months.

3x5 pads https://www.otcwholesale.com/axelgaard-cf7515-3-5-rectangle-cloth-electrode.html

2x4 pads https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HX1NO8I

wires https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HX1NO8I

Pads no longer stick after about 10 uses. This is fine, as even when they are fresh, it's helpful to wear a compression shirt to keep them in place. I just bought 10 shirts and I wear them under everything when I have the pads on. You want it way tighter than a regular shirt, so if you sweat a little pads don't spil - they press on parts where muscles curve, such as the inner part of the chest. When I do arms, I put socks on the upper arm over the pads. Just take thin tight dress socks and make them into a tube by cutting off the toe.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G7CM82M

If you have the pads on the same spot for 5-10 hours at a time, you'll get little skin bumps in those spots after you shower. Don't scratch that area, don't use a hard sponge in the shower. The bumps go away when your skin dries. If you scratch the area and rip off a little skin, you're not in for a good time when you put the electrodes back on. You can put pads on top of lotion after it dries - I do. You do not need to clean the skin area before putting on pads.

Chest / Arms / Upper Back

Simplest thing is take one wire, stick the black far on your right tit, stick the red far on your left, and turn everything all the way up. Go to work in the morning and take it off when you come back. Turn it down to 20-50Hz while you eat lunch. That's about 2 hours of hardcore bench press, and you'll see it volume-wise and feel quite sore the next morning.

I use 2 EMS units for this - one for each side of the body. I also work out opposing muscles in groups. Doing this lets you not lock up and have the EMS going while you go on about your day. Chest+back and bis+tris. For example, per arm, I put a negative (black) from the wire on the bottom of the bicep, and it's positive (red) on the top or the front of the shoulder. The second wire's negative goes on the bottom of the tricep under your armpit, or the back of the shoulder.

For chest, you can have positives on the outer chest and negatives in the middle. I do back at the same time, so I'll have positives on the back below the armpits, and negatives at the base of the neck. You can also just use 2 3x5" pads on one wire to go across the chest. I do this when I'm going to be out while having the EMS on - less wires, less distraction - like when you're at work or at dinner.

When you turn it up high, you'll be twitching a bit and it'll hurt. The pain goes away after 10-30min. I recommend cranking it to max pulse width and max power on the knobs, at 150Hz for 10min. You get used to it, then turn it down to 120Hz and cut the pulse width by 1/3 (to 200). After being on max, this will feel like nothing, and you can go to work. You twitch a little bit, so if you're out in public, find the frequency range and power that makes you twitch less. Careful carrying that hot cup of coffee if you have it on max.

Lower back and Legs

I do this a couple of times per week when I sleep, as the wife is not happy with me sleeping with a compression shirt on. Use the lowest pulse width so it doesn't itch, and use 10-20Hz. I put the red terminals from each of the 2 wires on the lower back just above the ass, and the black terminals about half way in the middle of the back shoulder blades. With a compression shirt on, you sleep fine and they don't slip. It took about a week to get used to sleeping w/ the EMS on, now it's almost like falling asleep to a massage.

Same goes for your legs, just borrow your wife's pantyhose to keep the electrodes on at night (if you're into that). I walk around a crazy amount and take the stairs when I can, so I don't put electrodes on my legs at all, but you're free to try it if you're comfortable in your masculinity. I'm kidding - just get some biking pants.

I know a girl who just puts one pad on the left of her stomach and the other on the right, and on 10Hz sleeps while working out her abs. If you do this, keep in mind to put the black electrode on the right side of your stomach and red on the left - the black hits more, and the right side of the body conducts less, so it balances out. This itches, so I can't do it while sleeping. The belts all have timers, so you can't leave those on all night. If you are able to find an electric ab belt w/o a timer, dear god please post a link here.

Extended Use

I've been doing abs like this for about 20 years, no sit-ups at all. It's perfect, and I'd say even better. Other muscle groups, I've been using EMS for about 5 years. I cut lifting time about in half - I just do an hour of weights on the bowflex in the morning 3-4 times per week. You can also have electrodes on while you lift if you want, although I don't.

For over a year, I couldn't work out due to injury. In that year, I only used the electrodes - 5-10 hours per day, 4-5 times a week. Bodyfat did not increase at all, and muscle volume stayed the same. When I resumed lifting, I was not able to do more weight, but was able to do more reps w/ the same weight. This tells me you can actually replace working out w/ just EMS and you'll maintain your fitness level and muscle mass - you just won't get bigger. But you do have to crank it all the way up, and work out both type 2A muscle (20-80Hz) and 2B type muscle (80-150Hz).

You can place the electrodes anywhere, just make sure they don't go through your body - the amps still go around, not through, but it feels weird. Don't stick a positive terminal on your chest and the negative from that wire on your back. It won't kill you if you do, and it's not a big deal or really dangerous. It's just really, really uncomfortable. You can however put one pair of terminals from a wire on the chest, and another pair of terminals (from another wire) on your back. You can go across your chest, but don't go across your back so you don't hit your spine. On the back, you can either do black on the outer and red on the inner (by your spine), or go up and down your back. Even a red electrode above the left ass cheek, and the black on your left trap/shoulder by your neck.

Anywise, as I have gotten older and the joints can't take as much weight, as there is less time in my schedule, cutting down lifting to about 3-4 hours per week and using EMS to supplement it has been perfect. After 5 years, I am at least as fit as I was, probably a little better. You'll see stuff out there online that says don't put them across the chest - complete BS, it's fine. People will also write to take breaks. For example, the EMS has 2 other modes, where it's on a minute, then off a minute. Completely useless - just put it on always-on (Constant) and forget about it.

I also have some friends and family that do the same thing as I do w/ EMS. Same results, same lack of issues. If you want to be a little lazy and a lot fit, maybe give it a try.

Original Submission

We need to return the government back to our regular multimillionaire democrats! They'll fight for the working man, not the businessman! Amirite??

Japan's Supreme Court upholds transgender sterilization requirement

Those who wish to change their gender on official documents must have their original reproductive organs removed, according to the 2004 law.

Japan’s Supreme Court has upheld a law that effectively requires transgender people to be sterilized before they can have their gender changed on official documents.

The court said the law is constitutional because it was meant to reduce confusion in families and society. But it acknowledged that it restricts freedom and could become out of step with changing social values.

[...] [Takakito] Usui, 45, had appealed to the top court after he unsuccessfully requested lower courts to grant him legal recognition as male without having his female reproductive glands surgically removed.

Despite the unanimous decision, presiding justice Mamoru Miura joined another justice in saying that while the law may not violate the constitution, “doubts are undeniably emerging,” according to Usui’s lawyer, Tomoyasu Oyama.

The two judges proposed regular reviews of the law and appropriate measures “from the viewpoint of respect for personality and individuality,” according to Japanese media reports.

[...] Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriages. As LGBTQ rights awareness has gradually grown in recent years, some municipalities have begun issuing partnership certificates to ease problems in renting apartments and other areas, but they are not legally binding.

Possible 12-Core Third-Gen Ryzen 'Matisse' CPU Pops up in UserBenchmark Database

Exclusive: AMD 7nm Mobility Supported OEMs And Current Roadmap

The White House has published an important new Fact Sheet, entitled The Historic Results of President Donald J. Trump’s First Two Years in Office.

Issued on: January 20, 2019

IGNITING A HISTORIC ECONOMIC BOOM: President Trump’s pro-growth policies are unleashing economic growth and providing opportunities to workers across the country.

• Due to President Trump’s pro-growth policies, real gross domestic product (GDP) growth exceeded 3 percent over the last four quarters.
  • Real GDP grew at annual rates of 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018 and 4.2 percent in the second quarter.
• More than 5 million jobs have been created since President Trump’s election and the unemployment rate remains below 4 percent.
  • This is the eighth time this year that the unemployment rate has been below 4 percent.
  • Prior to this year, the unemployment rate had fallen below 4 percent only five times since 1970.
  • The unemployment rate for African Americans in May fell to 5.9 percent, which is the lowest rate on record.
  • Asian and Hispanic-American unemployment rates have reached record lows this year.
• Initial weekly jobless claims have hit a nearly 50-year low under President Trump.
• Under President Trump, job openings outnumber the unemployed for the first time on record.
• Recently, more than two-thirds of Americans rated “now” as a good time to find a quality job, tying a record high in a poll by Gallup.
• Americans are seeing more money in their pockets thanks to the booming economy.
  • In recent months, workers have seen their largest nominal year over year wage growth in nearly a decade.
  • In 2017, real median household income rose to a post-recession high.
• President Trump’s policies are helping to lift Americans out of poverty.
  • African-American and Hispanic-American poverty rates reached record lows of 21.2 percent and 18.3 percent, respectively, in 2017.
  • Since the election, 4.6 million Americans have been lifted off of food stamps.
• Consumer confidence has soared under President Trump, recently reaching an 18-year high.
• President Trump is delivering on his promise to bring back American manufacturing.
  • The National Association of Manufacturers’ Outlook Index had the highest annual average in its history over the past year.
  • Manufacturing added 284,000 jobs in 2018, the most added in a year since 1997
• Small Business optimism jumped to a record high under President Trump, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
  • The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index broke a 35-year record in August.
• President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law, ushering in the largest package of tax cuts and reforms in American history.
• These tax cuts are delivering real results for American families and workers.
  • More than 6 million workers received tax cut bonuses and benefits.
  • More than 100 utility companies have announced lower rates.
• President Trump is ensuring American workers receive the training and education they need to compete in today’s economy.
  • President Trump signed an executive order establishing the National Council for the American worker.
  • More than 185 companies and associations have signed our “Pledge to America’s Workers,” promising more than 6.4 million new training and career opportunities.
  • The President signed legislation that reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, making more than $1 billion available for career education programs.
• President Trump has prioritized the economic empowerment of women.
  • The women’s unemployment rate recently reached its lowest rate in 65 years.
  • The Small Business Administration lent approximately $500 million more in capital to women-owned businesses in 2017 compared to 2016.
  • The Administration helped launch the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, which could leverage more than $1 billion to support women entrepreneurs.

ROLLING BACK RED TAPE: President Trump is rolling back costly regulations that have burdened hardworking Americans and stifled innovation.

• President Trump has followed through on and exceeded his promise to roll back two regulations for every new one created.
  • President Trump’s Administration surpassed the 2:1 ratio in 2018, eliminating 12 regulations for every new one in 2018.
  • In 2017, the Trump Administration eliminated 22 regulations for every new one.
• Since taking office, President Trump’s deregulation efforts have achieved $33 billion in regulatory savings.
  • In 2018, these efforts alone delivered $23 billion in benefits to American families and business owners.
• President Trump has signed 16 Congressional Review Act resolutions into law, eliminating burdensome Obama-era rules and regulations.
• President Trump announced U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, which would have harmed America’s economy and cost American workers millions of jobs.
• President Trump signed an executive order to streamline the permitting process for infrastructure projects with a goal of cutting approval time from up to 10 years to an average of 2 years.
• President Trump signed legislation to roll back burdensome Dodd-Frank regulations that harmed community banks.

NEGOTIATING BETTER DEALS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Trump is negotiating fair and balanced trade deals that protect American industries and workers.

• President Trump negotiated a new trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to replace the disastrous and outdated North American Free Trade Agreement.
  • Once enacted by Congress, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) will better serve the interests of American workers and businesses.
  • USMCA will incentivize billions of dollars in auto and auto parts production in the United States and create a freer and fairer market for American agriculture.
  • USMCA also includes the strongest-ever provisions on labor, environmental, digital, and intellectual property protections to reflect the realities of the 21st century economy.
• The President renegotiated the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement to preserve and grow jobs in the American auto industry and increase American exports.
• The United States and Japan are set to begin negotiations on a United States–Japan Trade Agreement.
• President Trump is establishing a new trade relationship with the European Union (EU), working toward the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to transatlantic trade.
• President Trump has established a Trade and Investment Working Group to lay the groundwork for post-Brexit trade with the United Kingdom (UK) and has notified Congress of his intent to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK.
• This year, President Trump filed a withdrawal notification with the Universal Postal Union, launching a one-year negotiation to secure fair international postal rates for American mailers.
• President Trump has expanded market access for American agricultural producers.
  • Argentina has opened to American pork and beef, Brazil to American beef, Japan to lamb and Idaho chipping potatoes, South Korea to American poultry, and more.
  • The Administration authorized $12 billion to aid farmers affected by unfair retaliatory tariffs.
  • The Trump Administration has begun the process to expand the sale of E15, or gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol, to year round.
• Under President Trump, the United States will no longer accept bad trade deals and unfair trade practices that harm American workers and industries.
  • One of the President’s first actions after taking office was withdrawing the United States from the terrible Trans-Pacific Partnership, which incentivized outsourcing.
  • In 2017, the Administration oversaw 82 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
• President Trump is holding China accountable for its unfair trade practices, such as the theft of intellectual property, by imposing tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods.
  • Following President Trump’s successful meeting with President Xi in Buenos Aires, both agreed to conduct negotiations over 90 days to address the United States concerns.
• American steel and aluminum jobs are coming back following President Trump’s tariffs to protect domestic industries that are vital to national security.
• President Trump imposed tariffs to protect American-made washing machines and solar products that were hurt by import surges.

UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump is rolling back costly and burdensome regulations to unleash America’s incredible energy resources.

• After years of stifling regulation under the last Administration, President Trump is unleashing America’s energy potential.
• America is the largest crude oil producer in the world and production has hit a record high.
• President Trump’s policies are helping to boost American energy exports.
  • The Administration has streamlined Liquefied Natural Gas terminal permitting.
  • In 2017, the United States became a net natural gas exporter for the first time in 60 years.
  • American coal exports increased by more than 60 percent in 2017.
• President Trump is expanding access to our country’s abundant natural resources.
  • The President signed legislation to open up energy exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.
  • In July 2018, the Department of the Interior announced it would hold the largest oil and gas lease sale in history.
• In 2017, the Administration approved construction of the Dakota Access pipeline and the cross border permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.
• The Administration issued permits for the New Burgos Pipeline that will export American petroleum products to Mexico.
• The President has ended the war on coal, cutting Obama-era regulations such as the “Stream Protection Rule” which was estimated to cost industries $81 million a year.
• President Trump is replacing the Clean Power Plan, a flawed Obama-era regulation that the Supreme Court ordered halted.
• President Trump rescinded the hydraulic fracturing rule, which was expected to cost the oil and gas industry $32 million per year.
• The Trump Administration curbed the burdensome Obama-era rule on methane, saving American energy developers hundreds of millions of dollars in regulatory costs.

EXPANDING OPTIONS FOR QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE: President Trump is expanding access to affordable healthcare choices and taking action to lower drug prices.

• President Trump’s Administration is working to provide Americans with affordable alternatives to Obamacare.
• The Administration expanded short-term, limited duration health insurance plans that are expected to be nearly 50 percent cheaper than unsubsidized Obamacare plans.
• President Trump has expanded association health plans, allowing more employers to join together across State lines and affordably offer coverage to their employees.
• The Administration proposed a reform to Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) regulations that will give consumers more freedom to purchase benefits that fit their needs.
  • Roughly 800,000 employers are expected to provide HRAs for more than 10 million employees once the rule finalized.
• Americans have more healthcare freedom thanks to the President signing legislation that ended Obamacare’s individual mandate penalty.
• While healthcare premiums had been steadily increasing as a result of Obamacare, the average benchmark exchange premium will decline for the first time in 2019 thanks to President Trump’s policies.
  • Next year, Americans will benefit from more insurer participation on the exchanges.
• Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefit options than ever before, and average premiums in 2019 will be 6 percent lower than in 2018.
• President Trump launched an unprecedented campaign to drive down drug prices, leading more than a dozen drug manufactures to enact price freezes, reductions, or rollbacks.
  • In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a record number of generic drugs, breaking the previous record set by the Administration in 2017.
  • The FDA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 generic drug approvals are expected to bring nearly $9 billion in savings in 2017 alone.
  • President Trump signed legislation eliminating contractual gag clauses that stopped pharmacists from informing patients about lower drug prices.
• The President put forth an initiative to stop global freeloading that drives up prices for American patients.
• The Administration provided Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans with new negotiating tools to drive down drug costs for American patients.
• The Administration implemented reforms to the amount Medicare pays hospitals for drugs that are purchased under the 340B program, saving seniors $320 million in 2018.
• President Trump signed “Right to Try” legislation to expand access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients.

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE CRISIS NEXT DOOR: President Trump mobilized his entire Administration to combat the opioid crisis that has devastated communities across the country.

• President Trump launched an Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand, introducing new measures to confront the driving forces behind this crisis.
• The President signed the landmark SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, the largest and most comprehensive legislative package addressing a single drug crisis in history.
• The President helped secure a record $6 billion in funding to fight the opioid epidemic.
• The Administration provided more than $2 billion in grants in 2018 to help States, territories, tribes, and local communities prevent and treat opioid abuse.
• The Administration pursued scientific solutions to prevent and treat addiction through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative.
• The President launched a national public awareness campaign about the dangers of opioid addiction and youth opioid usage.
• Last year, President Trump created a Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, which recommends ways to tackle the opioid crisis.
• The Administration declared the opioid crisis a nationwide Public Health Emergency in 2017.
• President Trump is working to cut off the flow of deadly opioids into our country and to disrupt the networks that distribute them to our communities.
  • The Administration secured first-ever indictments against Chinese nationals for fentanyl trafficking.
  • The Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a surge to target fentanyl and heroin dealers in the districts with the most severe overdose death rates.
  • The DOJ formed a Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement team and shut down the biggest Darknet distributor of drugs.
• Last year, the DOJ announced the largest healthcare fraud takedown in history, arresting more than 120 defendants with opioid-related crimes.
• The President launched a Safer Prescribing Plan that seeks to cut nationwide opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years.
• The Administration has led four National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days, collecting a record-breaking 1,837 tons of expired and unneeded prescription drugs.

STANDING UP FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE AND PROTECTING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: The President is committed to defending the right to life and religious liberty.

• Shortly after taking office, President Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy.
• President Trump defunded a United Nations (UN) agency for colluding with China’s brutal program of forced abortion and sterilization.
• The Administration withdrew guidance that constrained State’s ability to exclude family-planning providers that provide abortion services from the Medicaid program.
• The Trump Administration proposed new regulations to ensure Title X family planning funding does not go to projects that perform, support, or refer patients for abortion.
• The Trump Administration issued regulations establishing new or expanded exemptions from the Obamacare contraceptive mandate based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.
• In 2017, the President issued an executive order to promote free speech and religious liberty.

KEEPING AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SAFE: President Trump has made clear that his first responsibility is to protect the safety and security of Americans.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation data shows violent crime decreased under President Trump’s watch in 2017, following two consecutive years of increases.
• United States Attorneys indicted the most violent criminals on record last year.
• Last year, the DOJ announced nearly $100 million in grant funding to hire hundreds of additional law enforcement officers.
• President Trump is cracking down on the vile MS-13 gang that has brought violence to communities across the country.
  • In 2017, the DOJ worked with international partners to arrest and charge approximately 4,000 MS-13 members.
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations arrested nearly 800 MS-13 members and associates in FY 2017, an 83 percent increase from the prior year.
• President Trump signed an executive order to restore State and local law enforcement’s access to surplus equipment that can be used to help keep our communities safe.
• President Trump enhanced and updated the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.
• The DOJ announced the creation of the National Public Safety Partnership in 2017, launching a cooperative initiative with cities to reduce violent crime.
• President Trump signed legislation to improve the Federal firearm background check system and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals.
• President Trump signed the First Step Act, which includes bipartisan reforms to make our Federal justice system fairer and our communities safer.
  • The First Step Act will help prepare inmates to successfully rejoin society, reducing recidivism and improving community safety.
  • This legislation includes commonsense sentencing reforms that will make our Federal justice system fairer while keeping violent criminals and sex offenders off our streets.

ENFORCING OUR LAWS AND SECURING OUR BORDERS: From the first day of his Administration, President Trump has worked to uphold the rule of law and secure our borders.

• President Trump released an immigration framework that would fix our broken immigration system through merit-based reform and provide the resources needed to secure our border.
  • This includes closing the legal loopholes that enable illegal immigration, ending chain migration, and eliminating the visa lottery.
• President Trump secured funding to begin building the wall and construction has already begun in areas along the southern border.
• President Trump deployed the military to assist in securing the southern border.
• President Trump and his Administration took action to require aliens seeking asylum to go to a port of entry to make their claim.
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended 17,256 criminals and 1,019 gang members in FY 2018.
• ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 158,581 aliens in FY 2018, an 11 percent increase from FY 2017.
  • 90 percent of those arrested had criminal convictions, pending charges, or had been issued final orders of removal.
• ICE ERO increased removals by 13 percent in FY 2018 to 256,086, the majority of whom were convicted criminals.
  • Removals of convicted criminal aliens increased by 14 percent from FY 2017.
  • Nearly 6,000 known or suspected gang members were removed in FY 2018, a 9 percent increase from FY 2017.
• The Department of Justice prosecuted a record number of criminal immigration offenses in FY 2018, and increased the number of prosecutions for illegal entry by 84 percent over FY 2017.
• Immigration courts are now completing more cases than at any point since 2011
• President Trump kept his promise by launching the office of Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) within the Department of Homeland Security.
• The Administration has more than doubled the number of jurisdictions participating in the 287(g) program, which enables State and local law enforcement to aid immigration enforcement.
• President Trump has made our country safer by ordering the enhanced vetting of individuals entering from countries that do not meet our security standards.
  • These procedures were upheld in a June 2018 Supreme Court ruling.

REBUILDING AMERICA’S MILITARY FORCE: President Trump is rebuilding our military and defending America’s interests across the world.

• President Trump ended the devastating defense cuts of the past Administration and has secured historic investments to rebuild our military.
  • President Trump signed legislation providing $700 billion for defense in FY 2018 and $716 billion in FY 2019.
• President Trump is supporting America’s men and women in uniform, securing the largest military pay raise in nearly a decade.
• The President issued a new National Security Strategy to keep America safe from all threats.
  • The Administration has also released new strategies specific to cybersecurity, biodefense, counterterrorism, and weapons of mass destruction terrorism.
• President Trump directed the first whole-of-government assessment of United States manufacturing and defense supply chains since the Eisenhower Administration.
• President Trump initiated the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, improving United States deterrence policy and existing capabilities to counter nuclear threats.
• President Trump empowered our military commanders with broad authority in order to take the fight to ISIS, and the results are clear.
  • ISIS has lost nearly all of its territory, more than half of which has been liberated since President Trump took office.
  • All of ISIS’ territory in Iraq was successfully liberated.
  • ISIS’ self-proclaimed capital city Raqqah has been recaptured.
• ISIS’ territorial caliphate has been defeated and President Trump has announced that he is bringing America’s troops in Syria home.
• President Trump announced a new Iran strategy to confront all of Iran’s malign activities and withdrew from the horrible, one-sided Iran nuclear deal.
  • All sanctions that had been lifted or waived under the Iran deal have been reimposed.
  • The Administration has sanctioned more than 160 individuals tied to the regime’s support of terrorism, ballistic missile program, human rights abuses, and more.
• President Trump took decisive military action to respond to the barbaric use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
  • President Trump directed strikes in response to the regime’s chemical weapons attacks in April 2017 and April 2018.
  • The Trump Administration has also rolled out sanctions targeting those tied to Syria’s chemical weapons program.
• President Trump is strengthening America’s cyber defense and directed the elevation of the United States Cyber Command into a major warfighting command.
• The President announced that the Department of Defense will work to create a Space Force to serve as an independent branch of the United States military.

RESTORING AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ABROAD: President Trump is restoring American leadership on the world stage and advancing an America first agenda.

• President Trump held an historic summit with Chairman Kim Jong-Un, bringing beginnings of peace and denuclearization to the Korean Peninsula.
  • Since the summit, the leaders have exchanged letters and high-level officials from both countries have met.
  • Because of the President’s actions, North Korea has halted nuclear and missile tests.
  • The remains of POW/MIA service members from the Korean War are being returned to the United States.
• Prior to the summit, President Trump’s leadership helped secure the passage of historic UN sanctions on North Korea.

• President Trump followed through on his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the American embassy there.
• President Trump withdrew the United States from the UN Human Rights Council due to its bias against Israel.
• The Administration made clear that it does not accept the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over Americans and will continue to protect America’s sovereignty.
• President Trump has successfully advocated for cutting waste at the UN.
  • Changes made to the organization’s structure allowed the UN to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from their budget, while making the organization more efficient.
• The President’s leadership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has encouraged members to increase their defense spending and realign the Alliance’s priorities.
  • In 2017 alone, there was an increase of more than 4.8 percent in defense spending among NATO allies.
  • President Trump convinced the Alliance to strengthen counterterrorism activities, and NATO formally joined the coalition to defeat ISIS.
• President Trump’s Administration is working to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific through investments and partnerships.
• President Trump has imposed tough sanctions on the corrupt regimes in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
• President Trump has taken tough action to combat Russia’s malign activities, including Russia’s efforts to undermine United States elections.
  • The Administration has imposed sanctions on more than 200 individuals and entities related to Russia’s destabilizing activities.
  • The Trump Administration has enhanced support for Ukraine’s defense by stepping up sales of weapons to its military.
• The Trump Administration has secured the release of numerous American citizens held abroad, including Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey, Josh Holt from Venezuela, and more.
• President Trump attended G20 summits in Argentina and Germany, where he promoted American First policies and encouraged closer cooperation.

• In 2017, President Trump conducted tours through Asia to promote America’s interests.

HONORING AMERICA’S COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS: President Trump is honoring America’s commitment to our veterans by ensuring they receive the quality care they have earned.

• President Trump secured a record $73.1 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide quality medical care for our veterans.
  • This funding included $8.6 billion for mental health services, $400 million for opioid abuse prevention, $206 million for suicide prevention, and more.
• The President signed the VA MISSION Act, revolutionizing that VA healthcare system and reforming numerous services for our veterans.
  • This legislation will consolidate and reform existing programs to give eligible veterans better access to healthcare providers in their communities.
  • Thanks to this legislation, eligible veterans will have access to walk-in community clinics that offer immediate, local care.
• President Trump and his Administration have expanded access to telehealth services for veterans, including through the “Anywhere to Anywhere” VA health care initiative.
• President Trump issued an executive order requiring the Administration to improve access to mental health treatment and suicide prevention resources for veterans.
• President Trump signed the Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, making it easier to fire failing employees and protect whistleblowers.
  • Under President Trump, the VA has removed, demoted, or suspended more than 4,300 employees for poor performance.
• President Trump signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, streamlining the process used by veterans when appealing benefits claims.
• President Trump fulfilled his promise to create a new White House VA Hotline to provide veterans with 24/7 support.
• The VA is providing veterans with online access to wait time and quality of care data.
• The President signed the Forever GI Bill, providing veterans, service members, and their families with enhanced education benefits.
• Last year, programs at the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development helped more than 51,000 veterans find permanent housing and access supportive services.

TRANSFORMING GOVERNMENT: President Trump has followed through on his pledge to transform the Federal Government and increase accountability and transparency.

• President Trump’s Administration submitted a plan to reorganize the executive branch in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• In a historic show of transparency and accountability, the Trump Administration completed the Department of Defense’s first ever audit.
• The President implemented a five-year ban on lobbying for White House employees and a lifetime ban on lobbying for foreign countries.
• Each quarter since taking office, President Trump has donated his salary, fulfilling a promise he made to the American people.
• President Trump is reshaping our Federal judiciary, appointing judges who will follow the Constitution as written.
  • The President has appointed Circuit Court judges at a record pace.
  • President Trump has appointed two Supreme Court justices, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Boyfriend and girlfriend are out. ‘Partners’ are in. Here’s why more millennials are changing how they define their relationships.

I've written about Annie in a couple of previous journals (most recently here: https://soylentnews.org/~Snow/journal/3011 ). Annie works at the coffee shop a block from my house.

Annie recently cut back her hours because she has applied to the school board to become an art teacher. She should find out this week if she is accepted for the position. Obviously, I'm cheering for her.

I went to the coffee shop this weekend to get my morning coffee for my wife and I and Annie was there. I hadn't seen her in about a month, and she ran up to me and gave me a really big hug (as she always does). I really love getting hugs from her. She always gets real close and lets them linger for a bit. It's always a highlight of my day.

While I was waiting for another girl to make my coffee, she stood across the counter from me and asked how I was doing. She placed her hand on mine and I started caressing her fingers. We chatted for a couple minutes and then she had to get back to work. Before she left though, I said I missed seeing her and that we should hang out sometime soon. She said she was going to say the same thing.

I've got to give her credit. Reaching out and grabbing my hand took balls. She put herself out there for me. She was also the one who initiates all the hugs.

I texted her later in the day saying it was great to see her and that I missed her. I'd like to see her next week.

I've had a crush on her for several years now. She's a petite Asian girl. Very cute. Very into DOTA2. Very sweet.

I'm still seeing Jasmine once a week. It's going pretty well. Jasmine is a great girl and I enjoy my time with her. I feel that she is falling in love with me though. I like her, but I don't get that electric feeling with her. She sends me texts and says things that kinda hint that she is falling in love with me, and I just don't know what to say. I would like things to stay at an intimate friends level, but I feel like she wants something more. I don't think I can offer that.

It's also not fair to my wife if I'm going on multiple dates per week. I've been trying to keep it to one date night per week. That means that to see Annie, I need to give up my date night with Jasmine, which will probably disappoint her and make me feel guilty.

I really want to kiss Annie though and have wanted to for over a year. I don't want to let this chance slip by. I'm just not sure how to tell Jasmine that I won't be able to see her next week...

There's smog and haze up there at cruising altitude, during the entire flight. There's that many damn planes in the air now? Maybe it's all the forest fires...

When is the last time you saw a clean, crisp horizon in your part of the world?

Microsoft to hold HoloLens 2 press event next month

Microsoft is holding a press event at Mobile World Congress next month, and it looks like we’ll get some details on HoloLens 2. The software giant will hold its event on Sunday February 24th at 5PM CET (11AM ET), and CEO Satya Nadella, Technical Fellow Alex Kipman, and CVP Julia White will all be in attendance. Kipman’s name indicates this will likely be a HoloLens 2 event, given his close involvement with this project.

[...] Microsoft has been working on its next-generation HoloLens headset for years. Codenamed Sydney, the headset is expected to include an improved field of view, and be a lot lighter and more comfortable to wear. HoloLens 2 will also include Microsoft’s latest generation of the Kinect sensor and a custom AI chip to improve performance. Microsoft is also rumored to be using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 processor inside the HoloLens 2, making it an ARM-powered device.