PRESIDENT OBAMA WRITES A POST FOR SCOTUS BLOG

You cannot have missed the fact that even before Justice Antonin Scalia's body was cold, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the Senate will not fulfill its constitutionally-required duty to “advise and consent” on the president's nomination of a replacement for Scalia.

A couple of days ago, President Barack Obama wrote a post for the highly-respected Scotusblog about the criteria he is using to select his nominee. In part, he writes,

“...the third quality I seek in a judge is a keen understanding that justice is not about abstract legal theory, nor some footnote in a dusty casebook.

“It’s the kind of life experience earned outside the classroom and the courtroom; experience that suggests he or she views the law not only as an intellectual exercise, but also grasps the way it affects the daily reality of people’s lives in a big, complicated democracy, and in rapidly changing times.”

You can read the president's entire post at Scotusblog.

Does anyone know if there is a legal remedy when elected federal officials refuse to comply with the requirements of their job? I know what would have happened to me if I had refused to do my job back when I was working.

106-YEAR-OLD FULFILLS DREAM TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE

Virginia McLaurin is so excited to meet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that she can hardly contain herself. She's just delightful.

WHAT GLOBAL WARMING LOOKS LIKE IN YOUR STATE

In reports released this week, scientists confirmed that the seas are likely rising faster than at any time in 28 centuries. That's 28 CENTURIES in case you were reading too fast.

The findings,” reports The New York Times, “are yet another indication that the stable climate in which human civilization has flourished for thousands of years, with a largely predictable ocean permitting the growth of great coastal cities, is coming to an end.”

Meanwhile, where I live the crocuses and daffodils have been in bloom for at least two weeks and Climate Central reports

”...that winters are warming fastest from Montana to Florida, springs are cranking up the quickest in the Southwest, and...there are only three instances of cooling. The Dakotas and Iowa are cooling ever so slightly in summer.”

Climate Central has provided this interactive map on which you can check out how your state is doing:

JOHN OLIVER ON ABORTION

Abortion is theoretically legal in the United States, but some places make it, in any practical sense, impossible. Here is John Oliver on his HBO program, Last Week Tonight on that very topic:

What would we do without John Oliver.

FOUR BITCHIN' BABES SING OH NO

That's what they call themselves, Four Bitchin' Babes and you'll quickly realize that they understand exactly what you and I go through each day.

The Four Bitchin' Babes have been touring and releasing CDs and DVDs for 25 years and I never heard of them until now. Find out more here.

DANNY AND ANNIE

This week, TGB reader Tom Delmore emailed the StoryCorps animation titled Danny and Annie, a real-life couple who narrate the film about their 25-year marriage. I had posted this video way back in 2010, but I loved watching it again so here it is a second time.

Stick around; I've got more for you about it afterward.

As I poked around the StoryCorps website looking for information I might want to pass on to you, I discovered there is a bittersweet Part 2 to Danny and Annie. Here it is:

CONTEMPLATION

Before I shut down The Elder Storytelling Place website, Henry Lowenstern was among the regular contributors – in his case, limericks or what I always thought of a “ditties” which, apparently, fall out of his mind onto paper or screen at the slightest motivation.

He recently sent this one, titled Contemplation, with a “Hi, how are you, Ronni” email.

Each memorial service I attend
for a neighbor or a friend
makes me wonder what will be
my legacy
when my life comes to an end.

Ain't it so for all of us at our age.

HOUSE OF CARDS RETURNS FRIDAY 4 MARCH

Any Netflix subscribers out there who are House of Cards fans like me? Whether you are or not, you may recall that this series starring Kevin Spacey as President Frank Underwood was the first to make all episodes available at once.

If binge watching was a minor passtime before House of Cards came along, it became a big-time meme after the release of the first season. I was less enthusiastic about the most recent season but I'll certainly give a try next Friday or Saturday.

Here's the trailer for the new season:

AIRPORT K9

The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, employs a dog named Piper. Yes, employs him to keep the birds away from aircraft.

”The Cherry Capital Airport’s operations director Dan Sal told Mlive that Piper has been better than pyrotechnics at keeping wildlife away since the snowy owls he chases 'seem to remember' him and stay away.” reports Travel+Leisure.

“'Though rare, dogs are one of the most effective methods of wildlife mitigation at airports...'”

Here is a compilation video of Piper on the job at Cherry Capital:

There's a lot more about Piper at the airport's website.

Interesting Stuff is a weekly listing of short takes and links to web items that have caught my attention; some related to aging and some not, some useful and others just for fun.

You are all encouraged to submit items for inclusion. Just click “Contact” in the at the top of any Time Goes By page to send them. I'm sorry that I won't have time to acknowledge receipt and there is no guarantee of publication. But when I do include them, you will be credited and I will link to your blog IF you include the name of the blog and its URL.