School shootings have become an epidemic, a childhood crisis, and a national shame. Aside from the shooters themselves, where do we place the blame for America's deadly pastime? What about gunmakers who lobby for fewer regulations? What about lawmakers who tell social media execs they have blood on their hands while responding to mass playground slaughters by loosening already loose gun laws? What about those who make the deadly farcical argument that the musket-toting Founding Fathers wanted the second amendment to cover widespread ownership of deadly automatic weapons? So far, none of the above have been held to account. But today, in a novel case, the mother of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley (who killed four students and is serving a life sentence) was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. "The gun was the Sig Sauer 9 mm his father, James Crumbley, purchased with him just four days earlier. Jennifer Crumbley took her son to a shooting range that same weekend." Mom has been removed from the courtroom in shackles. Dad's trial on the same charges begins next month. "The prosecution’s case against Jennifer Crumbley has focused on three main aspects: her knowledge of her son’s mental issues, how he got access to the firearm and her actions at a pivotal school meeting on the morning of the shooting. Prosecutors sought to portray her as an inattentive mother, more interested in her horses and her extramarital affair than her son’s well-being." Jennifer Crumbley, mother of school shooter, found guilty.

2

The Man Who Wouldn't Be King

"The ruling is significant not only for its stark repudiation of Trump’s novel immunity claims but also because it breathes life back into a landmark prosecution that had been effectively frozen for weeks as the court considered the appeal. Yet the one-month gap between when the court heard arguments and issued its ruling has already created uncertainty about the timing of a trial in a calendar-jammed election year, with the judge overseeing the case last week canceling the initial March 4 date." One of the characteristics of the Trump era is that it has forced us to seriously debate the ridiculous. It's true for our media. And it's increasingly true for our courts. Thankfully, a federal appeals panel saw the ridiculousness in Donald Trump's broad claim that he should be considered immune from prosecution for alleged criminal acts he committed as president. Trump is not immune in 2020 election interference case. Ironically, one of Trump's key reasons for wanting to be president again is to thwart the many legal challenges he faces. This ruling is a huge setback for Trump's legal strategy, but it's not just about winning the arguments. It's about delaying the process. At this point, I wish someone would grant us immunity from Trump news.

+ "It’s the sort of ruling that might have seemed superfluous not very long ago: Essential ideas about American government have long presupposed that the president, like every other citizen, can be punished if he commits crimes. Although the court makes that explicit, and clears the way (for now) for Trump’s prosecution for attempted election subversion to proceed, it is a sign of the country’s fragility that the question was even up for debate." Donald Trump Loses His ‘Absolute Immunity’ Claim.

+ OK, moving onto the next major Trump case...On Thursday, SCOTUS will hear arguments about whether or not Trump can remain on the ballot in Colorado. And lest you think the case is being brought by some young, rabid, liberal, snowflakes, meet "Norma Anderson, a trailblazing former GOP legislator." WaPo (Gift Article): The 91-year-old Republican suing to kick Donald Trump off the ballot.

3

The Metaworse

"Three male figures surrounded her avatar in Horizon Venues, a virtual live events program created by Meta. They touched her avatar’s breasts and pressed their torsos rhythmically against her, telling her that she wanted it. A fourth took photos of the incident in the app." WaPo (Gift Article): Attacks in the metaverse are booming. Police are starting to pay attention.

4

Which is Brew?

"Athletic has since become the country’s king of nonalcoholic beers, recently passing Heineken and Budweiser as the No. 1 brand by sales in U.S. grocery stores, according to an analysis of NielsenIQ data by consulting firm Bump Williams. In fact, at Whole Foods Market, Athletic now sells more than any other beer. Including the ones with alcohol." WSJ (Gift Article): The Hottest Beer in America Doesn’t Have Alcohol. This is part of what I predict will be the next great American culture war. As a non-drinker, I'm just gonna sit back, take a couple bong-hits, and watch.

5

Extra, Extra

Dire Hostage News: "Israel says it has informed the families of 31 people held in the territory since 7 October that their relatives are dead. The news comes as the Qatari prime minister says Hamas has given a 'generally positive' response to proposals for a deal trading a break in the fighting and release of Palestinian prisoners for the return of more hostages." More than a million Palestinians are trapped in Rafah.

+ Call Me Esmail: "Soleimani had built a relationship with them over the years and was respected by them tremendously ... Qaani lacks the charisma and history of relationship with these Iraqi and other Arab groups…As a result, Qaani struggles much more in keeping the Iraqi groups in check and in line with the broader axis. Same problem exists in relation to Houthis who are more independent-minded." Assuming he wanted to, could Esmail Qaani reel in Iran's proxy forces? The Shadowy Backroom Dealer Steering Iran’s Axis of Resistance.

+ Deal or No Deal: "It’s been an exceedingly weird 24 hours." That's a bold statement these days. Here's Heather Cox Richardson on the Senate GOP's attempt to kill an immigration/Ukraine deal they negotiated. Meanwhile, the U.S. Border Patrol union has endorsed the Senate immigration deal that is now being scuttled. Biden: "Show some spine." GOP Senate: No.

+ Age Ain't Nothing But a Number: "These days, you can order up a test to find out your biological age, an estimate of how quickly or slowly you're aging compared to your peers. It's based on an analysis of modifications in your DNA." Do you want to know? (I tried this and my DNA told the test to get of its lawn.)

+ Just Plane Wrong: What do Taylor Swift and Elon Musk have in common? They'd both like to to silence the student who tracks and shares the whereabouts of celebrity jets.

+ Bet the Over: "Nearly 68 million American adults — about 1 in 4 — plan to bet on this year’s Super Bowl, setting a record by a wide margin, according to the gambling industry’s national trade association."

6

Bottom of the News

"I have seen claims on social media saying that semen retention can boost your testosterone levels, cure erectile dysfunction, make you more manly, make you stronger, cure depression, make you more successful, clear your skin." Masturbation abstinence is popular online. Doctors and therapists are worried. (Don't worry, there a plenty of us willing to pick up the slack.)

+ There were a lot of positive reactions to yesterday's lead story on Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs at the Grammys. Just Duet.