Evangeline has a research project on Japan

[conuly]

She's been spending a lot of time at the library, but the first day she got this assignment it was too late to go there, so we looked up Japan on the ipad and I passed her a bunch of factoids, because all she needed for the next day was a few facts.

One of them, of course, was the fact that Japan has an emperor. "What? But I thought they were a free country!" "Um, they are. They just have an emperor. And, you know, plenty of 'free countries' have monarchies, and plenty that aren't free don't."

Mind. Officially. Blown.

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NY bill would bar the cops from using condoms as proof of prostitution

http://fxn.ws/1hEyddO

The nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization is setting up shop in the South, announcing plans to establish field offices in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.

The Human Rights Campaign said the new $8.5 million campaign, called Project One America, is focusing on these states because they lack nondiscrimination protections for LGBT residents in the areas of employment and housing.

http://usat.ly/1fiku1S

The Terrible Fear of Paying the Poor Too Much

http://bit.ly/1mNx5tK

Cups, You’re Gonna Miss Me: Evolution of a Song

One thing not mentioned is any discussion of the evolution of the cups game, which also predates the video. Still, it's interesting without it.

http://atomicsam.com/2013/06/24/cups-youre-gonna-miss-me-evolution-of-a-song/

Desperate Rohingya kids flee alone by boat

http://bit.ly/1lWWv6U

The United States and the Philippines will sign a new 10-year security pact on Monday that will allow for a larger U.S. military presence as it struggles to raise its defense capabilities amid territorial disputes with China.

http://reut.rs/1lX2tJl

Comments

[eofs.livejournal.com]

Did you have to explain to her about the difference between Head of State and Head of Government?

If she has any questions about what it's like living in a constitutional monarchy (or a 'free country' with a queen if that's how she'd prefer to think of it ;0) then I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd be happy to answer.

[conuly]

No, her eyes were so round I decided to just skip ahead and go "oh, look, ring of fire!" at her. I may have missed a moment.