GOP Debate Means Big Numbers for CNN
The top Republican presidential candidates duked it out on stage at the Reagan National Library. While pundits are still arguing over who won the debate, CNN has emerged as the clear winner. The network had an average of 22.9 million viewers for the second debate of the primary season. The cable network's previous record of 16.8 million viewers was set in 1993 on a episode of "Larry King Live" featuring Al Gore and Ross Perot debating NAFTA. [CNN]
How Mass Incarceration Impacts Black Families
Journalist Ta-Nahesi Coates, who has previously made headlines with his article "The Case for Reparations" and his recently published book "Between the World and Me," is back with another massive, detailed look at race in America. This time, Coates examines how the country's era of mass incarceration has impacted black families. The article reaches back to slavery and the Moynihan Report of 1965 to explain the country's current prison system and emphasizes how difficult reforming it will be, despite recent calls on both sides of the political aisle to do so. [The Atlantic]
Jon Stewart Goes to Congress for a Cause
Comedian and former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart was in Congress Wednesday to support permanently extending the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides compensation and health coverage for first responders sickened at Ground Zero.
“I am here today basically to apologize to all these men and women, that you had to come down here today,” Stewart said. “I am embarrassed for our country. I am embarrassed for New York.” [Daily News]
#NursesUnite
#NursesUnite became a trending topic on Twitter and a rally crying for nurses across the country this week after “The View” hosts Michelle Collins and Joy Behar criticized a Miss America contestant’s monologue based on her clinical experiences and her scrubs and stethoscope.
The online backlash was swift, with nurses calling out the show and its hosts. Some nurses also shared photos of themselves wearing stethoscopes, using the hashtag #NursesShareYourStethoscopes.
Behar and Collins apologized for their comments online and on Wednesday’s episode.
I am truly sorry to anyone I have offended.
— Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar) September 16, 2015To all nurses: I want to apologize. You're the last people I'd ever want to hurt. I'm thankful for all the amazing work you do.
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) September 16, 2015Johnson did not directly respond to the Behar and Collins’ remarks, but said she was delighted to see her monologue and #NursesUnite trend on social media in an interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." [CNN]
Remembering the Gardener of the Lower East Side
Adam Purple, a community gardener, environmental activist and legendary figure on the Lower East Side, died Monday of an apparent heart attack. Learn more about Purple and his most memorable work — when he transformed five vacant lots on Forsyth Street into a flourishing and elaborately planned garden — by revisiting this 2011 short film by Harvey Wang and Amy Brost about the "Garden of Eden."
Noble Dog Refuses to Leave Stranded Pal
Forget man’s best friend. This pooch stayed loyal to her own kind.
When Tillie, a setter, and Phoebe, a basset hound, went missing for a week from their Washington home, their owners feared the worst. But then someone contacted a shelter to report a reddish dog matching Tillie's description running out of the woods to get people's attention before returning.
When volunteers followed Tillie, she led them to a cistern where the smaller Phoebe had been trapped for days. The loyal Tillie had refused to leave her stranded pal. [KHOU]
Adam Savage takes "Duck Army" to the Next Level: Duck Bomb
Myth Busters host Adam Savage, seeing the hilarity and absurdity in the original “Duck Army” video, used his noggin to come up with the next duck video by creating his own “Duck Bomb.” Releasing a board, holding all of his ducks between two other pieces of wood, the explosion of fake quacks erupts in a matter of a second.
