Coffee Talk
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Quick Quotes

“It will affect all the proteins… We’re already seeing that effect—prices are moving higher.”

CEO of Tyson Foods Inc. Noel White on the "African swine fever" sweeping China's hog farms, and impacting the overall supply of pork worldwide. An est. 200 million pigs will be lost in China due to the outbreak; more than the U.S. market produces each year. Fewer pork products will likely lead to higher meat prices overall for consumers.
Quick Quotes

“No U.S. casualties have been reported at this time, and Iraqi Security Forces are investigating the incident.”

U.S. Central Command issuing a statement about a bomb exploding near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad Sunday night. The U.S. State Dept. evacuated non-essential emergency personnel at this embassy last week due to "limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq." This comes amid heightened tensions with Iran.
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“I’ve spent four days trying to get gasoline…But I couldn’t.”

Yoli Urdaneta, an infectious disease doctor in Venezuela, on access to gasoline. Venezuela has the world's largest known oil reserve. U.S. sanctions have targeted the oil business as part of an overall goal to cripple the current government. The U.S. wants to pressure leader Nicolás Maduro to step down amid the country's humanitarian crisis.
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“…I was off right from the start.”

John Velazquez, Hall of Fame jockey, who was "ejected" from his 3-year-old colt "Bodexpress" at the beginning of Saturday's historic Preakness Stakes horse race. Bodexpress ran the race solo and even completed a second lap before finally being corralled. Although Bodexpress passed some of the horses WITH riders, he didn't catch the race champion, War of Will, who won the 144th running of the Preakness.
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Quote of the Day

“So I see glory that God prevailed. You know, it was a dark, dark day. But God shined his light, and life grew.”

GUNNY MACIAS

Quote of the Day

Background

  • Gunny Macias was shot 5 times, & survived one of America’s deadliest mass shootings at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas in Nov. 2017.
  • 26 died; 20 others injured.
  • The church reopened in a new location this Sunday, next to the church building where the shooting took place that now serves as a memorial.
Quote of the Day

The former church bell hangs in what's now the tallest building in Sutherland Springs; the new church's bell tower. Members say their new church shows evil did not win, but as one survivor says: "God is alive and well." Listen to the survivors on our source page.

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Worth-It-To-See

“PAY THIS FORWARD”

During a commencement address, a billionaire promised to pay the student debt held by an entire graduating class.

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Worth-It-To-See

“Between doubt and destiny is action.”

Robert Smith, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, posed his offer to pay the student loan debt for the graduating class of Morehouse College as a challenge. While he said his family will make a grant for the class of 2019 to eliminate their student loans, he encouraged the alumni to do the same as well for other future classes. Smith's estimated total gift to Morehouse Class of 2019? 40M.
Worth-It-To-See

Morehouse College:

  • The Atlanta-based University: “the world’s only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) for men.”
  • Dates back to 1867; originally founded as a seminary.
  • Just under 2200 students enrolled.
  • Famous graduates include: Martin Luther King Jr. who entered the college at age 15.
Worth-It-To-See

Robert Smith

  • Named richest black man in America; est. worth $5B (Forbes).
  • Currently leads a private equity firm that invests in technology.
  • He also donated $50M to his alma mater Cornell University in 2016.
  • Graduated from Cornell with an engineering degree before getting his Masters in Business from Columbia University.
Worth-It-To-See

The cost of attending Morehouse College (room & board, books etc) is just under $50,000 a year (about average for a private university in America). Total student loan debt in America totals an estimated $1.5 T.

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Quick Quotes

“This protects everyone’s right to religious freedom.”

Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) who wrote the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A” bill that passed the Texas Senate Thursday. This bill explicitly prevents the gov’t from punishing a company for their charitable donations. Hughes wrote this bill after the San Antonio City Council stopped the restaurant chain from opening in the city's airport due to charitable support of Christian organizations.
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“The bill does nothing but target the GLBT community. It send the wrong message that Texas discriminates, plain and simple.

Texas State Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston). Critics of Chick-fil-A's charitable arm say the foundation supports Christian organizations that are anti-gay, while the fast-food giant's supporters say the charities support Christian beliefs. The "Save Chick-fil-A" bill will head to the Texas House.
Quick Quotes

“I hope not.”

President Trump response when a reporter asks if the U.S. is going to war with Iran. This week America evacuated non-essential employees from its embassy in neighboring Iraq, and moved an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East due to heightened, yet unspecified threats. Iran recently threatened to not comply with restrictions for nuclear weapon development and pressure European nations to help it sidestep U.S. sanctions.
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“I just think both sides are going to have a hard time getting together on this.”

Sen. Shelley Moore-Capito (R-West Virginia) speaking about Pres. Trump's new immigration proposal unveiled Thursday that would award more green cards based on skills and education, rather than family ties. Currently, 12% of green cards are awarded based on merit. Under the new plan, it would grow to 57%. Broad-based immigration reform has eluded both Democrats & Republicans in recent years.
Quick Quotes

“I still believe that shooting a show in front of an audience is a wonderful way to tell a story.”

Chuck Lorre, co-creator of 'The Big Bang Theory.' The comedy series first aired in 2007 and comes to an end Thursday after 12 seasons. Unlike other sitcoms that use recorded laughter, the show has filmed in front of a live studio audience. During its run 'The Big Bang Theory' has generated an estimated $1B & won 10 Emmy Awards.
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Current Events

FACING REALITY

Is your face public property?

 

 

The first American city bans use of facial recognition technology.

What It Is & Why It Matters

Current Events

Facial Recognition

  • What Is It? Think of it like fingerprinting for your facial features. Surveillance technology matches a face to an identity. Ex: Scan of your face matches to your drivers license photo.
  • Where Is It Used? Airports. Stadiums. Shops. Schools. For security & even attendance.
  • NO federal laws regulate this technology or its use.
Current Events

San Francisco’s New Ban

  • First of its kind in the nation.
  • Prohibits local gov’t agencies (such as local police) from using facial surveillance technology & requires future surveillance devices approved by city officials; current technology in use, like body cameras, can stay.
  • Doesn’t apply to private homes, companies or places under federal jurisdiction (ex: airport).
Current Events

“Even if the technology is perfect, this is a genie we as a society should want to put back in the bottle, because this is the kind of technology that will inadvertently be used to make every city and state and every country a police state.”

Aaron Peskin, SF Board of Supervisors, who says the technology is too invasive.
Current Events

FACE OFF

  • Supporters of the ban cite privacy concerns, argue technology is unreliable, perpetuates bias.
  • Recent studies from MIT & Georgetown show the technology is less accurate at identifying non-white people.
  • Supporters of the technology say it keeps us safe as a deterrent and a tool for police to identify criminals & missing people.
Current Events

“The technology is improving and it is continuing to improve. We agree it needs to be tested and needs to be more reliable, but that time will come. But banning it forever doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Frank Noto, president of a neighborhood organization, Stop Crime SF. Although local gov't agencies in SF will not use facial recognition software, the ban doesn't stop police using private company surveillance to solve crimes.
Current Events

Facial recognition is already widely used by gov’t & private businesses

  • 2018: MD police used it to identify the gunman at the Capital Gazette.
  • 2017: Apple unveiled Face ID for iPhone.
  • 2016: Customs & Border Patrol began using it at U.S. airports.
  • 2006: DMV in MA began using to detect driver’s license fraud.
Current Events

Due to the lack of regulation, the list of unanswered questions (ex: What databases, gov't or otherwise, do private companies use or have access to? Are my kids faces already in a database somewhere?) are endless.

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Quick Quotes

“For me at least, for millions of consumers, they are just sick and tired of not being able to answer the phone with confidence…”

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on a proposal by the Federal Communications Commission to empower phone companies to block robocalls, similar to the way our email services root out spam emails. One industry source says approx. 5B robocalls were made to Americans last month alone.
Quick Quotes

“As citizens of this great country, we must always respect the authority of the U.S. Supreme Court even when we disagree with their decisions.”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signing an abortion bill into law that would effectively outlaw the procedure in the state, with very few exceptions. She recognized the law may not be enforceable because it conflicts with current federal law. She also said the sponsors of this new law want to challenge the U,S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade 1973 decision.
Quick Quotes

“There’s plenty of money in this country. It’s just in the wrong hands.”

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing he is running for President with a campaign slogan: "Working People First." In his campaign launch video, he highlights his priorities of providing universal healthcare & minimum wage. More than two dozen candidates seek the Democratic nomination.
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Quick Quotes

“Our investigators don’t have an opportunity to be 80% right, we have to be 100% right and it’s about getting closure for the fire survivors and victims.”

Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler on the conclusion of the state's investigation confirming California's largest utility company, PG&E, caused the deadliest fire in the state's history. A power line sparked the blaze last year that killed 85 people. "Wildfire season" unofficially begins next month.
Quick Quotes

“This will be a catastrophe for a lot of people.”

Feliciano Reyna, who leads the health nonprofit Acción Solidaria in Venezuela, reacting to news the United States will stop all commercial and cargo flights to Venezuela, citing safety concerns. The U.S. also continues to enforce sanctions hoping to pressure political change in Venezuela. The country is the site of a terrible humanitarian crisis & its current leader, Nicolás Maduro, befriends American adversaries: Russia, Iran & Cuba.
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On This Day

May 15, 1940

Two brothers open America’s first McDonald’s. They didn’t start with hamburgers, or even french fries … and there was no “Ronald.”

BBQ anyone?

On This Day

“At first it was a struggle and we didn’t know where our next cent was coming from. But we believed in our enterprise.”

Maurice McDonald, who with his brother Richard opened the first McDonald's. The two brothers left their home state of New Hampshire after the Great Depression, and headed to California to make it in the movie business. When their Hollywood adventure failed, they started with a hot dog stand, & later opened a restaurant in San Bernadino.
On This Day

Did You Know….

  • The first McDonald’s was actually “McDonald’s Bar-B-Q.”
  • 1948: A “revamped” McDonald’s opens, focusing on a limited menu with 15-cent burgers & fast service. Fries appear on the menu the following year.
  • 1954: Milkshake machine salesman Ray Kroc visits restaurant, becomes a franchise operator & buys business in 1961.
On This Day

“I was an overnight success alright, but 30 years is a long, long night.”

Ray Kroc developed the "McDonald's System" which later became the McDonald's Corporation. He focused on consistent, fast service across franchises, which also led to the development of Hamburger University where attendees received their degree in Bachelor of Hamburgerology. The program continues today.
On This Day

The brothers sold their McDonald's to Kroc for just under $3M. Now the company's market cap: $150B+.

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Quick Quotes

“I will definitely pay a premium, but $75 — probably not going to be happening for one cup.”

Kevin Gandy, a customer at Klatch, a coffee chain with cafes in San Francisco and Southern California. Klatch acquired a rare batch of coffee beans that sold at auction for approx. $80/lb; the avg. cost per pound of ground coffee in the U.S. is roughly $4. The taste? "floral, tea-like and stone fruit flavors." The cafe will brew you a cup for for a cool $75.
Quick Quotes

“The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. Government employees from Iraq…The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq.”

A security alert posted on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. This comes as the U.S. cites rising, unspecified threats from Iran in the region.
Quick Quotes

“Interference in American elections is unacceptable…We have encouraged them not to. We wouldn’t tolerate that. Our elections are important and sacred and they must be free and fair.”

Sec. of State Mike Pompeo at a press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister in Sochi, Russia. Sec. Pompeo also met with Russian President Putin to discuss a wide range of issues including Venezuela & Iran, in Sec. Pompeo's first official trip to Russia.
Quick Quotes

“The failure rate is too high, and so we absolutely agree with the spirit of this law, but instead of a ban, like a forever ban, why not just stop using it for now, and keep the door open for when the technology improves.”

Joel Engardio, VP of 'Stop Crime SF' on San Francisco becoming the first city in the nation on Tuesday to ban the use of facial recognition technology.
Quick Quotes

“Scammers like to keep up with the Joneses when it comes to using the latest techniques to defraud consumers.”

John Breyault, National Consumers League, on a new Social Security imposter scam. Scammers use robocalls or fake phone number IDs to look as if they are official government entities asking you to confirm your social security number to steal from you.
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