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Trump's attorney general pick once sent an unsolicited memo to the Justice Department calling the Mueller investigation 'legally insupportable'

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william barr robert mueller

  • President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, William Barr, criticized the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in an unsolicited memo to the Justice Department earlier this year.
  • He called the investigation "legally insupportable" and said the Justice Department shouldn't sanction it.
  • If confirmed, Barr would have the power to fire Mueller.
  • Trump has said he wants to shut down the probe, which is investigating Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, whether Trump's campaign coordinated with the Kremlin, and whether Trump has obstructed justice in the course of Mueller's efforts.

William Barr, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, sent an unsolicited memo to the Justice Department in June calling the special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation "legally unsupportable" and "potentially disastrous," the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

In his 20-page memo, which the Wall Street Journal reviewed, Barr argued that Mueller's investigation is based on an overly expansive reading of the special counsel's powers. He wrote that Mueller shouldn't be allowed to demand an interview with Trump about obstruction of justice.

"As I understand it, his theory is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law," Barr wrote, according to WSJ. "Mueller should not be permitted to demand that the President submit to interrogation about alleged obstruction."

William Barr

The investigation, he said, shouldn't be sanctioned by the Justice Department — which Trump now wants him to lead.

"If credited by the Justice Department, [the investigation] would have grave consequences far beyond the immediate confines of this case and would do lasting damage to the Presidency and to the administration of law within the Executive branch," Barr wrote.

Read more:Meet William Barr: What you need to know about the possible future attorney general

Mueller's office is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, whether the Trump campaign cooperated with Russia, and whether Trump obstructed justice by firing former FBI director James Comey in a bid to stop those investigations.

If the Republican-controlled Senate confirms Barr as attorney general, he would have the power to fire Mueller.

In his memo, Barr argued that a president can only be accused of obstructing justice if he destroyed evidence or told a witness to lie. But firing Comey, he said, was perfectly within his powers.

"If a DOJ investigation is going to take down a democratically-elected President, it is imperative to the health of our system and to our national cohesion that any claim of wrongdoing is solidly based on evidence of a real crime — not a debatable one," he wrote. "It is time to travel well-worn paths; not to veer into novel, unsettled or contested areas of the law; and not to indulge the fancies by overly-zealous prosecutors."

In a 2017 Washington Post op-ed, Barr also argued that Trump made "the right call" by firing Comey.

Mueller

Trump nominated Barr a month after the resignation of Jeff Sessions, his former attorney general. Barr had a stint as attorney general from 1991 to 1993, under the administration of President George H.W. Bush, and was working as a lawyer in a private practice at the time he sent the memo.

Trump himself is deeply hostile to the special counsel investigation, often calling for it to be shut down, characterizing it as a "witch hunt", and falsely accusing Mueller of coercing people to "flip and lie". His acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, has also said he wants to curtail the powers of the investigation.

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The best snow and ice melt you can buy

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

best ice melt

  • High-quality ice melt is effective in temperatures well below zero, melts ice quickly while keeping it from refreezing, and won’t do damage to your property.
  • The 96% Pure Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Melt Pellets by FDC are the best ice melt because they melt ice in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and you cna use the pellets to do other things, too.

Shovels, snow blowers, and plows are all effective tools for removing snow. But, despite your best efforts, ice finds a way of creeping onto your driveway and sidewalks. In many municipalities, you are required to keep your walks free of ice. Removing ice can also protect you from potential slip-and-fall lawsuits. Therefore, if you live in a climate where temperatures regularly dip below freezing in the winter months, snow and ice melters are a must.

There are essentially six different salts that are used as ice melt. Each has their pros and cons. Most brands use a combination of two or more salts. The right type of salt will depend on the climate you live in and how you plan on using it. Here are the main types of salts and who they are good for:

  • Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is one of the most popular options because it works quickly in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The problem is it can damage plants and grass if you use too much.
  • Magnesium chloride is considered environmentally friendly and better than most for use around pets. It lowers water’s freezing point to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The downside is that it could damage your concrete, asphalt, and plants.
  • Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is less corrosive than salts with chloride, but it’s only effective in temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
  • Rock salt is great because it’s inexpensive, but it’s problematic in a number of ways: It’s damaging to just about any surface, lethal if pets ingest it, and it doesn’t work in low temps.
  • Potassium chloride is considered safer for pets but bad for plants and grass, and it only works in temperatures 25 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
  • Urea/carbonyl diamide is probably the safest option for pets and the environment, but it isn’t very effective when used for deicing.

Based on our research, calcium chloride is the best salt overall, though it’s a good idea to mix things up over the course of the season. Also, make a point of only applying the salt in the precise spots where you want to remove snow and ice. After it is done doing the job, remove any salt that is left over. This will minimize harmful runoff and dangers to pets and kids.

While researching the best snow and ice melt, we read through countless ratings and reviews from buyers and experts. Our guide features melters that have a track record of performance, quality, and versatility.

Here are the best snow and ice melters you can buy:

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best ice melt overall

Why you'll love them: Whether you live in an arctic tundra or in an area that just gets an occasional snowfall, the 96% Pure Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Melt Pellets by FDC will work quickly to make your driveway and sidewalk safer.

There are a few features that make the 96% Pure Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Melt Pellets by FDCspecial. First, of the many types of ice melters, calcium chloride is effective in the lowest temps. FDC claims its pellets work in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Secondly, you can use this melter in solid form or mix it with warm water (2.5 pounds of pellets per gallon of water) to create a sprayable defense against ice. At its current price, this salt is approximately $1.71 per pound.

As I was researching ice melting salts for personal use, I found this product. I wanted to know what all the hullabaloo was about so I contacted FDC, and they sent me the pellets to test. Unfortunately, they arrived a couple of days after our only significant snowfall so far this season, and I'd already removed the snow and ice. So, I haven't had much experience with the melter so far, but I was impressed with how quickly it melted the remaining snow when I just applied a minimal amount.

The bucket came with the wrong label on it. Instead of ice melt, it stated that the product was "Dust Down Pro." The ingredients are the same. It's just targeting consumers who want to keep the dust down along unpaved drives. So, conceivably, once winter is over, you might consider using your leftover pellets for dust control.

Morning Chores recommends the FDC Snow & Ice Melt Pellets because the reviewer found it could melt ice up to three times faster than other brands, though the reviewer did not mention which other brands were in the comparison test. The reviewer also noted that the pellets were not as effective on thick ice.

About 89% of the buyers who reviewed the FDC Snow & Ice Melt Pellets on Amazon gave them a positive rating. People mention that they had success adding a layer of pellets to their sidewalks and driveways both before and after snowfalls. Pre-applying it seemed to keep the first few inches of snow from sticking.

One buyer used these pellets to add calcium to his pool since it is much less expensive and stronger than what is sold at pool stores. However, FDC does not endorse this use.

Pros: Melts ice in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, acts quickly, has a variety of alternate uses

Cons: Has trouble with thick ice, can damage plants and grass if overused

Buy the 96% Pure Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Melt Pellets by FDC on Amazon for $59.99



The best colorful ice melt

Why you'll love it: If you have a hard time telling where you have and have not spread salt, the blue color of Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter will help you.

In addition to its blue coloration, Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter is unique because it consists of a blend of salts: calcium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and ferric chloride.

We weren’t able to find the specific percentages of each, but at least at one time, the label listed the calcium chloride content as 52%, which is enough to lower the minimum effective temperature of these pellets to -25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since Blue Heat is a blend, it exhibits the advantages of each of the individual salts while minimizing the potential damage to concrete, plants, and animals. And, the coloration helps you avoid spreading melter in areas where it could be harmful.

Ezvid Wiki appears to have the only expert review of the Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter. The reviewer recommends it because he found it gets the job done when deicing long stretches of road, driveways, and pavement. He had an easy time of seeing where the salt had been applied thanks to the light-blue tint. The handle of the bucket was also easy on the hands.

Approximately 76% of the people who reviewed the Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter on Amazon gave it four or five stars. T. H. Wilson has the most helpful review. He desperately needed the melter after a big Northeast storm. The vendor hand delivered it within 24 hours of the order. He noted that it’s effective in all sorts of wintry weather and didn’t harm his driveway or steps.

Other buyers were impressed with how quickly it melted ice even in the extreme cold, and it appeared to work on stubborn ice patches where rock salt failed.

Pros: Light-blue tint for easy visibility, effective in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit, acts quickly

Cons: Is harmful to pets if ingested

Buy the Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter (50-Pound Bucket) on Amazon for $64.99

Buy the Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter (12-Pound Bag) on Amazon for $21.99

Buy the Blue Heat Snow & Ice Melter (20-Pound Bag) on Amazon for $32.99

Buy the Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melter (50-Pound Bag) on Amazon for $56.99



The best affordable ice melt

Why you'll love them: The Snow Joe Professional Strength Calcium Chloride Pellets provide a great balance between affordability, versatility, and performance.

Like our top pick, the Snow Joe Calcium Chloride Pelletsare almost completely comprised of pure CaCl2. The concentration is just slightly lower at 94% instead of 96%. So, Snow Joe only rates it as effective to -25 degrees Fahrenheit, which should be good enough for just about anywhere.

The pellets are designed to generate heat for up to 24 hours upon coming into contact with snow and ice. At roughly 52 cents per pound on Amazon, it’s the most affordable option on our list.

Epic Gardening recommends the Snow Joe Pellets because the reviewer was impressed by the speeds in which it melts snow and ice, even in extremely cold temperatures. However, it didn’t perform as well as the FDC ice melt.

Morning Chores recommends this ice melt because of how well it does melting thick ice. And, the resealable bag was user-friendly and easy to store. 

The Snow Joe Pellets have received five stars from around 76% of the buyers who reviewed them. Several buyers commented that they purchased this salt as a cost-effective alternative to DampRid, which is used to absorb moisture in the air and has a similar chemical composition.

Others noted that the CaCl2 quickly melted ice. There are complaints of the reseal strips coming loose from the bag, and one buyer claimed the salt ate away at his concrete, but this was not a common problem.

Pros: Affordable, multiple uses, effective in temps as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit

Cons: Seals on bags are sometimes ineffective

Buy the Snow Joe Professional Strength Calcium Chloride Pellets on Amazon for $18.99 to $34.99



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13 surprising things you probably didn't know about 'Elf'

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buddy the elf

  • "Elf" first aired in 2003.
  • The film used a lot of unique perspective and film techniques to create elf-related illusions.
  • Will Ferrell has no plans to be in a sequel. 

The Christmas comedy "Elf" first premiered 15 years ago and it has since become a holiday classic. It stars Will Ferrell as a human raised by elves. His character, Buddy the Elf, ends up in New York City looking for his birth father. Naturally, hilarious shenanigans ensue, including the creation of chocolate spaghetti topped with chocolate Pop Tarts.

Here are 13 surprising things you probably didn't know about "Elf."

Buddy's super long belch was recorded by a famous voice actor.

No, Will Ferrell wasn't belching on-screen for an impressively long time in the film. Instead, the long burp was recorded by Maurice LaMarche.

Better known as the voice of Brain from "Pinky and the Brain," LaMarche's vocal contributions to the film were uncredited, but his belch will live on in cinematic history.



Jim Carrey reportedly almost played Buddy.

Although Buddy is one of Will Ferrell's most well-known roles, Vulture reported that when the script was first circulating in 1993, Jim Carrey was the first choice to play the curious elf. The film wouldn't be released until ten years later.

 



The movie is set in NYC, but most of it was filmed elsewhere.

Many scenes from "Elf" were filmed in NYC, but a lot of the production actually took place in Canada.

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Noah Centineo and Lana Condor announced the sequel to 'All the Boys I've Loved Before' in the most adorable way

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to all the boys ive loved before Noah Centineo Lana Condor netflix.JPG

  • Netflix officially announced a sequel to its hit romantic comedy, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."
  • The announcement was made by the film's stars Lana Candor and Noah Centineo.
  • There is no release date yet.

After the stars have already said they'd be into it, Netflix officially announced a sequel to its hit teen romantic comedy, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

Breakout stars Lana Condor and Noah Centineo will return for the sequel, which will be written by the first movie's screenwriter Sofia Alvarez.

It's currently in development, but Netflix didn't say when the sequel will premiere.

The movies are based on the popular "To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before" trilogy by Jenny Han, in which Lara Jean (played by Condor) must do damage control when the letters she wrote to every boy she’s ever loved are mysteriously mailed out — despite her intention to never let anyone see them.

In addition to a video announcement, Netflix wrote an adorable letter to fans apologizing for taking so long to confirm the sequel.

Read the letter and watch the video below.

to all the boys ive loved before part 2 netflix

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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Trump's Syria pullout saved the US from 'forever war' — but people are obsessed with a Russia conspiracy

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Trump US military

  • President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of US troops in Syria on Wednesday.
  • The move clashed with stated goals of his own administration, and recalled his betrayal of the US intelligence community in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • But he likely saved the US from another protracted Middle Eastern conflict with no clear mission or end in sight.
  • Many saw Trump as giving up Syria to Putin, possibly for clandestine reasons. But Trump didn't give Syria away, Putin took it with hard-fought battles starting in 2015. 
  • The Pentagon, the State Department, top Republicans, and Trump's national security advisor all wanted or gave reasons for the US to stay in Syria, but they're ultra-hawkish.

President Donald Trump made a shock decision to pull US troops out of Syria on Wednesday.

The move clashed with the stated goals of his own Pentagon and State Department and recalled his infamous betrayal of the US intelligence community, where he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin in denying that Russia meddled in the 2016 election.

But he likely saved the US from another protracted Middle Eastern conflict with no clear mission or end in sight.

"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency,"Trump tweeted as reports said that around 2,000 US military personnel would be leaving the country.

This directly contradicted his own National Security Adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and the Pentagon. Defense officials said just hours before that the US was committed to staying in Syria indefinitely to defeat ISIS.

But Bolton, Pompeo, and the Pentagon weren't elected to lead the country. Trump was. 

"Getting out of Syria was no surprise. I’ve been campaigning on it for years,"Trump tweeted on Thursday.

Read more: America's 'war on terror' has cost the US nearly $6 trillion and killed roughly half a million people, and there's no end in sight

The Pentagon notes that ISIS still has tens of thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and that the terror group remains a regional threat. But the formerly US-led coalition to defeat ISIS remains intact.

France, Britain, Germany, and about 70 other nations can stay back and fight ISIS to the last man if they want. 

ISIS believes in holding territory as a "caliphate" or empire under the rule of their brutal and twisted version of Islam. The US, alongside its partners, has robbed them of that. The group at one point held about 90% of Syria's oilfields and agrarian land. Now they hold nothing.

Additionally, the US air war against ISIS has killed hundreds of civilians in schools, mosques, and markets

While ISIS hasn't been completely defeated as Trump said, it is up to the president to determine when a foe like ISIS, which now mostly exists as a network or idea on certain propaganda channels and encrypted apps, has been satisfactorily defeated. 

Trump the dove

Syria

While top members of Congress and prominent media personalities criticized Trump apparently ignoring his top staffers, the most strident criticism has come from the anti-Iran hardliners.

Pompeo, Bolton, and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis share one thing in common: They're ultra-hawkish on Iran.

Bolton in September said US troops are not leaving Syria "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders."

The most hawkish Republicans from around Congress also wrote Trump a letter warning of him against the "premature and costly mistake" of leaving Syria.

Trump brought down enormous economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran by withdrawing from the Iran deal, but stopped short of outright military confrontation.

Read more:Trump has his cake and eats it too with sanctions tanking Iran's economy and oil staying low

Iran has an estimated 70,000 fighters in Syria. It has thousands more in Iraq. Iran is a sovereign nation that can deploy troops outside its borders whenever it wants, provided the host nation agrees to it.

As a policy goal, committing US troops to Syria until every single Iranian soldier returns home is a losing equation for the US that allows Iran to impose costs on Washington. 

For Trump, it seems he's happy to make ISIS other countries' problems and abandon the doomed concept of "forever war" in Syria, which would be a means to contain Iran.

A gift for Putin?

trump putin

National Security Action, an advocacy group founded by foreign policy aides to former President Barack Obama, sent a statement to Business Insider that implied Trump may have initiated part of a secret agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin or Turkey, citing gaps in the public record of Trump's relations with those two. 

Trump's withdrawal certainly solidifies a military victory in Syria for Putin, who saved Syrian President Bashar Assad from near certain defeat in 2015. But Trump by no means "gave" Syria to Putin.

Putin won in Syria when he launched a massive and victorious military campaign against rebel forces there more than three years ago. Putin did so at a time when Obama had refused for four years to meaningfully intervene in the fighting despite promising to do so if chemical weapons use continued

Read more: Inside the most embarrassing foreign policy failure of Obama's presidency — the Syrian 'red line'

Putin's dominion over Syria had been a foregone conclusion for years. Syria invited Russia. Nearby Iran supports Russia. Russia isn't the dominant military power in the most consequential conflict in the Middle East because of a gift from Trump, but because they moved a ton of warplanes and contractors into Syria and won hard-fought victories. They've also suffered humiliating defeats.

Also, Trump's supposed gift to Putin actually comes with heavy strings attached. Now, as Syria's savior, the responsibility to fight ISIS where it crops up in Syria may fall on Russia. Why not let Russia do that dirty work?

Similarly Israel, Iran's main regional enemy, has proven extremely willing to bomb Iranian forces in Syria when it sees them getting too close to their borders.

Read more:Iran launched an attack on Israel — and it got badly beaten and internationally abandoned

"Russia, Iran, Syria & others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there [sic] work," tweeted Trump on Thursday. "ISIS hits us they are doomed!"

Why Trump says he pulled out

Trump cemetary

Multiple and persistent reports say that Trump absolutely dreads talking to the families of slain US servicemembers.

Trump has never visited US troops deployed overseas in combat, and it's reportedly because he doesn't believe in the mission of meandering fights in places like Afghanistan. 

In announcing the pull-out, Trump again said he found it difficult to talk to the families of citizens killed in war while calling to bring home our troops. 

By accepting the hard reality of Syria and pulling the US out before national pride or overconfidence dragged the nation into another destabilizing, nation-building mission jacked up through the roof with wasted money, Pentagon jargon, and dead Americans, Trump may have showed his greatest act of military leadership and dodged another forever war.

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'Aquaman' director James Wan said he channeled 'Fast and the Furious' when putting the Pitbull song 'Ocean to Ocean' in the movie

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Aquaman Warner Bros 2

  • One entertaining moment of "Aquaman" is when the Pitbull song "Ocean to Ocean" appears as actors Jason Momoa and Amber Heard walk out of the ocean in slow motion.
  • Director James Wan told Business Insider why the song, which features a cover of Toto's "Africa" in the hook, was placed in that scene.

 

“Aquaman” is being praised the world over for bringing the DC Comic superhero to the big screen in a fun, CGI-fueled way. But the cherry on top is the out-of-left-field drop of the Pitbull song “Ocean to Ocean” in the middle of the movie.

In a shot that you can’t help but howl with laughter at, Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) emerge out of the crashing waves from the depths of the sea in slow motion while the bass-heavy “Ocean to Ocean” track plays. In the song, Pitbull raps about the plot of the movie (“They tried to get rid of me, but from ocean to ocean, they gonna have to deal with me”) followed by the hook which is a cover of Toto’s classic “Africa.”

But the song leaves as quickly as it appears, with Aquaman and Mera setting off in search of the Trident of Atlan. And the audience is left wondering what just happened.

Pitbull Myrna M. Suarez GettyBusiness Insider got a little insight on the origin of the “Ocean to Ocean” sequence from "Aquaman" director, James Wan, who said it was written for the movie before Pitbull signed on to record it.

Read more: Marvel leads the most anticipated movies of 2019 with "Captain Marvel" and "Avengers: Endgame"— but "Star Wars" is shut out

“And putting the song in the sequence where Aquaman and Mera walk out of the water in slow motion, I felt: For f---'s sake, let's have fun with it! It's something out of ‘Fast and Furious.’”

That's a tone Wan is very familiar with. He directed 2015’s “Furious 7,” which to date is the highest-grossing movie of that franchise.

“Pitbull was in there very early on,” Wan said of signing on to do the song. “He was really excited to do something for the film. That sequence is very tongue-in-cheek, and we just wanted to have fun with it. And we wanted a cheeky song at that point of the movie. I just wasn't sure what song it was going to be.”

But when he heard the Pitbull song, featuring the hook sung by Rhea, he knew right away he had his song.

“Aquaman” opens in theaters on Friday.

 

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25 beautiful and affordable fine jewelry gifts she'll love — all under $500

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

vrai & oro $110

If there's any time to treat your loved one to a beautiful and long-lasting piece of fine jewelry, it's the holidays. True fine jewelry made with materials like pure or 14-karat gold (not just gold vermeil, which is gold plated over sterling silver) costs a lot precisely because of its material composition and careful craftsmanship, so it's wise to budget accordingly. 

Don't stress too much, though. You don't have to spend more than $500 for a durable and pretty bracelet, necklace, pair of earrings, or ring this holiday season. She'll want to wear any of the following pieces every day of the new year. 

Most of these items are available with expedited shipping, and some should arrive within a few days' time, so don't stress too hard about your last-minute shopping — just remember that the sooner you order, the better your chances of a timely arrival.

These 25 thoughtfully designed pieces of fine jewelry are sure to impress her — and they all cost $500 or less. 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

Mini Gold Letter Charm Pendant

AUrate Mini Gold Letter Charm Pendant, $300, available at AUrate

Available in 18k rose, white, and yellow gold 

You can't go wrong with a subtle personal letter charm necklace. It's wearable at two lengths — collarbone and chest. 



Duo Ring

Mejuri Duo Ring, $299, available at Mejuri

One smooth and one twisted, the complementary rings in this two-in-one piece are forever linked together. 



Charming Hoops

Ariel Gordon Charming Hoops, $192.50, available at Ariel Gordon

These playful hoops, also available in star, heart, smiley face, and rainbow styles, really live up to their name. 



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I've donated my hair to charity 4 times now. Here's what you need to know if you want to do it.

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hair donation

  • I have donated my hair to charity four times.
  • The first two times I chose Locks of Love, the third time I chose Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and the fourth time I chose Children with Hair Loss.
  • Here's what you need to know about donating your hair, including how long it has to be and whether it can be colored.

The scissors snip together slowly making that unmistakable crunching sound, and 10 inches of hair that I spent two years growing are now gone.

But the strands didn't just fall to the ground to get swept up and thrown away.

Instead, my hair is now on its way to Children with Hair Loss, a nonprofit based out of Michigan that gives wigs to children and young adults in the US who have medical hair loss.

I have donated my hair to charity four times now.

In my experience, donating your hair is a much more personal gift than sending a check. You're sending a piece of yourself to a kid or adult who has a disease that's caused them to lose their hair.

The last time around, I still had some major questions about the process.

Where does my hair go once it's cut off my head? Who gets the wigs? Who makes the wigs? Where do they make them? How many people can it help? Which organization is best?

Before I made that final cut, I found the answers. Here's what I learned.

Which organization should I choose?

The first two times I donated my hair, I sent it to Locks of Love. But hearing they sell wigs to make a profit gave me pause.

Locks of Love doesn't charge kids for the wigs — but they do sometimes sell the hair if it's too short or grey. Once I dug into why, though, it made sense.

"Shorter hair will be separated from the ponytails and sold to offset the manufacturing costs. Although the shorter hair cannot be used in the hairpieces, it greatly helps to reduce costs,"the organization says on its website.

Another FAQ answer reads: "We can accept donations of gray hair. Because we only provide hairpieces to children, we cannot use this hair in a hairpiece but will sell it to offset our manufacturing costs."

becca hair donation

The third time I donated my hair, I chose Pantene Beautiful Lengths, an organization that partnered with the American Cancer Society to distribute free wigs to cancer patients.

But P&G spokeswoman Bilal Lakhani told me the program was shutting down at the end of 2018, after giving tens of thousands of wigs to patients over its 12-year existence.

"Over the last several years, synthetic hair technology has vastly improved, giving synthetic hair wigs more of a 'real-hair feel', making them lighter, cooler to wear, and easier to style," she said in a statement.

She continued: "Due to these advancements, patients have told the ACS that synthetic wigs are now their preferred wig choice. This change in patient needs has resulted in decreased demand for real-hair, and the time has come for us to wind down the Beautiful Lengths program."

So this time around, I asked the ACS to recommend other organizations to donate to. Here's a breakdown of five hair donation nonprofits:

hair donation charities compared table

Deciding which organization to donate your hair to is a personal choice. I went with Children with Hair Loss this time because I had 10 inches of hair, I wanted to help kids nationally, and I liked that they don't charge anyone for wigs.

Read more: I saw brain cancer erase someone I love — and it shows why healthcare coverage is so crucial

Where does the hair go?

Once you send your hair in, generally speaking, the organizations process it and send it to a wig manufacturer.

A Pantene spokesperson told Business Insider in 2016 that once Beautiful Lengths has enough hair donations at its collection location, they would send a shipment to Hair U Wear, one of the largest wig manufacturers in the world.

Hair U Wear made the wigs at its factory in Indonesia and then shipped them back to Pantene, which gave the well-traveled hair to the American Cancer Society to distribute at its wig banks across the US.

Hair We Share has a ponytail tracking program where you can donate $125 to find out where your hair ends up. If the recipient is willing, you could even get a photo of them wearing the wig made from your hair.

Who gets the wigs?

In 2016, Jessica Melore, 34, described losing her hair as "an outward manifestation of being sick." It was a constant reminder that her body was fighting cancer — in the drain when she took a shower, on her pillow when she woke up.

After finishing chemotherapy for her third bout with cancer, she said getting a wig was an important boost for her wellbeing, making her feel like herself again.

"It's a little bit of sadness like, 'Oh there it goes, I'm on my way to being bald,'" Melore told Business Insider in 2016. "But you have that reassurance that the wig is there and you feel good about it."

Before she lost her hair, Melore donated it and got a wig from the American Cancer Society all in the same day. She broadcast the experience on Facebook Live:

Patti Allen, the senior director of mission delivery for the ACS of New York and New Jersey, told Business Insider in 2016 that while they have styles for both sexes, mostly women come in for wigs.

Each ACS wig bank across the country has a salon where cancer patients can come pick out a wig and have it individually tailored by a professional stylist just like Melore did.

"It's not one size fits all. My hair is not like somebody else's hair. We really try to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible," Allen said. "It's hard enough that they're going through treatment that has altered their lifestyle. The wig is the least thing that we can do to try to make them feel a little bit better about what they're going through."

How can I donate?

hair donation

Each organization has slightly different donation requirements, which you can find on their websites, or in the graphic above.

Hair We Share and Children with Hair Loss both accept colored or grey but not highlighted hair over 8 inches.

Locks of Love and Pink Heart Funds both take hair colored or grey but not over-processed or bleached hair over 10 inches.

Wigs for Kids will take grey, but not dyed, hair that is at least 12 inches long.

You can stretch curly hair out to reach the minimum length, but the shortest layers have to meet that number or they probably won't be used.

Make sure you put the hair in multiple ponytails or rubber bands before you cut it so it stays together when you send it in. It actually takes about 10 to 12 ponytails to make one wig.

If you watch the first Facebook Live video embedded in this story, you can see how my stylist segmented the hair before he cut it.

The hair has to be completely dry before you send it, too, so it doesn't get moldy. They have to throw hair away if it is.

Ask your hair salon if they will give you a discount or even cut your hair for free if you're donating it. Wigs for Kids has a search function on their website to find a salon that works with them.

How can I get a wig?

While many of the 650,000 cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy every year in the US are able to grow their hair back after they complete treatment, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can cause permanent hair loss.

Over 6.8 million Americans have alopecia or will get it at some point in their lives, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, and it often begins in childhood.

If you have cancer, alopecia, or another medical affliction that has caused you to lose your hair, reach out to the organizations to see if you can get a wig. Only some of them offer wigs for adults, so keep that in mind if you need one and are over 18 or 21.

And if you're donating, no matter which organization you choose, your hair can help someone who no longer has theirs.

"I had been familiar with the American Cancer Society through their fundraising activities and the research that they do," Melore said. "But [it was comforting] to know that there was this whole other side that is dedicated to supporting you and making you feel like yourself, which is I think part of the whole experience, too, because it ties in with your whole sense of wellbeing. This is such a wonderful service."

This story was originally published in January 2016, when the author donated her hair for the third time. It has been updated with new information.

SEE ALSO: From Time's Up to the Tree of Life Synagogue victims, these are the 10 GoFundMe campaigns that raised the most money in 2018

DON'T MISS: Here's what you can do to help the homeless

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NOW WATCH: We tried Dyson's $400 supersonic hair dryer — here's the verdict


What Disneyland is really like on Christmas, according to former employees

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holiday castle

  • Working at Disneyland around Christmas can be tough.
  • It can get very crowded. 
  • But some employees don't mind. 
  • It's important to be respectful and patient when traveling during the holiday season. 

You would think that combining the happiest place on Earth with the perfect amount of tinsel and yuletide cheer would make Disneyland an ideal place to spend Christmas. As it turns out, that's not always the case.

Sure, Mickey and friends dressed head to toe in holiday garb, a 60-foot tall Christmas tree, and endless holiday songs enchanting the park is the epitome of everything the holiday should be, but with long lines and unimaginably large crowds, some former employees say spending Christmas at Disneyland isn't always magical.

According to one former Disneyland park employee, who wished to remain anonymous, Christmas at Disney isn't always full of fun and joy — for workers anyways

disney christmas

"[The park is] basically overcrowded and filled to capacity," the former employee told INSIDER. "The parking takes a long time, everything has long lines. You may wait 45 minutes in line at a quick food service." For reference, the park filling to capacity is reported to be about 80,000 visitors within the park's 85 acres.

In addition to having to turn away potential park goers on Christmas day due to the park being filled to capacity, lengthy lines and limited fast passes make it incredibly difficult to ride a variety of attractions.

Of course, if you do attend Disney's Christmas in the park, be sure to get fast passes to the biggest rides, like Space Mountain and Star Tours, or risk not being able to get on them at all. As a pro-tip, skip the parades and head for Big Thunder Mountain or Haunted Mansion for a shorter-than-normal wait. While everyone's distracted by the dancing Mickeys, you can get on one or two major rides without having a four-hour camp-out in line.

Speaking of parades, according to the anonymous Disney employee, the Christmas Parade is particularly popular during the holiday.

"The wait to see the Christmas Parade [can be] 10 people deep 20 minutes before [the] parade starts," the employee said. Take note that if you're not an hour early for parade seating, odds are you won't get to see the parade at all.

AP_04122209347

But not everyone who worked at Disney on Christmas day hated the experience

Former Disneyland park employee Jennifer Chambers says this time of year was her favorite time to work and visit.

"I loved working during the holidays for a few reasons," Chambers tells INSIDER. "Obviously, the parks look gorgeous during this season, but I found the guests also tended to be happier. It wasn't 100+ degrees, and guests were more open to having a good time."

Chambers notes however that the park reaching capacity shouldn't be a surprise to any guests looking to attend Disney during a holiday. "People visit even on a holiday," she said. "I had a British family that thought Thanksgiving would be a slow day. Most certainly not the case."

The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland gets a

She notes that if you are headed to the park for Christmas, try not to stress. "Holidays with high expectations can be stressful for all involved. If you find yourself getting tense, there are a lot of great shows that are a good way of getting off your feet and taking a breather," Chambers said.

Ultimately, spending Christmas at Disneyland means preparing for lines, planning ahead, and making sure you're always courteous to the employees you interact with. Odds are you aren't the first person to ask them when the next parade is or where the closest churro stand is located, so be kind and remember to spread the holiday cheer.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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Coca-Cola is leading a $15 million funding round in the trendy direct-to-consumer beverage startup behind Dirty Lemon (KO)

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Dirty Lemon

The trendy direct-to-consumer beverage startup behind Dirty Lemon has raised a $15 million round of seed funding, with Coca-Cola leading the round with a multimillion-dollar investment.

On Thursday, the startup announced it was rebranding from Dirty Lemon to Iris Nova. The company raised $15 million to expand its portfolio of brands and build tech capabilities through its SMS-based distribution platform. 

Coca-Cola Company's Venturing & Emerging Brands unit made a multimillion-dollar investment in the round, following Business Insider's report in October that the company was in talks with the startup. The round also includes venture firms such as GGV, Greycroft, CASSIUS, and Imaginary Ventures, as well as celebrities like Gary Vaynerchuk, Kate Hudson, Sophia Bush, Alex Rodriguez, and Scooter Braun. 

Read more:Coca-Cola is in talks to invest in Dirty Lemon, a direct-to-consumer company known for its trendy drinks, and the CEO says the startup is dropping its CBD-infused beverage

Dirty Lemon, Iris Nova's first brand, has made headlines since its launch in 2015 for selling directly to consumers via text message. The brand's rapidly expanding variations, most of which are named for signature ingredients like matcha, charcoal, or ginseng, helped the company win over celebrities and social media influencers. 

"When we launched the company three years ago, the idea was to really test out this idea of really connecting with consumers," CEO and founder Zak Normandin told Business Insider on Thursday. 

At the time, Normandin says he was not sure that Dirty Lemon would be a feasible concept. However, he now says that Iris Nova can create beverage concepts from ideation to production in 30 days. The company is projecting growth of 250% in 2019. 

In September, the company debuted The Drug Store, a store where shoppers abide by the honor system and pay via text message. Iris Nova plans to open three more locations of The Drug Store across the US in 2019. 

A significant amount of the $15 million in new funding will go towards building new brands, including Tres Limon, a nonalcoholic aperitif that will launch in the first quarter of 2019. $1 million from the funding round will be used to invest in early-stage beverage brands, offering the brands access to Iris Nova's SMS-centric distribution platform. 

The Coca-Cola connection

Dirty Lemon

Coca-Cola's investment in Iris Nova comes at a time when the beverage industry giant is looking towards new categories and strategies for growth. 

In recent months, Coca-Cola has invested in sports brand BODYARMOR, purchased Australian kombucha maker Organic & Raw Trading Company, bought juice company Tropico, and invested in healthy beverage company Made Group. Coca-Cola also spent $5.1 billion to buy Costa Coffee, a coffee chain with almost 4,000 locations.

"As our company's Futurist group, we are investing in thought-pioneers like Zak and companies like Iris Nova that can help us tap into consumer trends to bring even more products to market faster through new technology and innovation like c-commerce," Scott Uzzell, the president of Coca-Cola's Venturing & Emerging Brands North America unit, said in a statement. 

While the partnership is in its early days, it hints at future technologies and capabilities that Iris Nova could bring to Coca-Cola. For example, Coca-Cola products could be sold using Iris Nova's SMS technology or developed using data from The Drug Store. 

Dirty Lemon

The deal also reveals what Coca-Cola is still avoiding. In October, Normandin told Business Insider that the company was pulling its CBD-infused beverage. 

Normandin insisted on Thursday that Iris Nova did not ditch the drink — which was the most popular in its portfolio — because of pressure from Coca-Cola or any one investor. Instead, he said that the company wanted to "button up" as the legal status of CBD beverages remains unclear. 

"I don't want to be in a position where we have to rip something out of distribution or away from our customers," Normandin said. 

In September, a Bloomberg News report that Coca-Cola was in discussions with Aurora Cannabis to develop beverages infused with CBD created a stir. Executives have since distanced themselves from rumors that Coca-Cola is considering cannabis investments "at this stage." 

SEE ALSO: Coca-Cola's CEO shoots down rumors that the beverage giant is eyeing the legal cannabis market 'at this stage' — and it could mean missing out on a bigger market than soda

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NOW WATCH: This fish was sold for $1.8 million — here's why bluefin tuna is so expensive

Nike spikes on earnings after getting a big boost from digital (NKE)

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LeBron James Nike

  • Nike shares rose 8% in after-hours trading Thursday after beating analysts' expectations on both the top and bottom line.
  • The sneaker giant said it got a big boost from its digital business.
  • Watch Nike trade live.

Nike shares jumped 8% in after-hours trading Thursday after the company reported second-quarter results that topped Wall Streets estimates on both the top and bottom lines.

Here's what Nike reported, compared to what analysts surveyed by Bloomberg were expecting:

  • Earnings per share: $0.52 vs. $0.46 expected
  • Revenue: $9.37 billion vs. $9.17 billion expected
  • Gross margin: 43.8% vs. 43.5% expected

"Nike's ambitious digital transformation is driving strong results and momentum in North America and in our international geographies,” Mark Parker, Nike's chief executive officer, said in its earnings release. The report showed revenue for the Nike brand jumped 14% on a currency-neutral basis, driven by strong growth in digital.

Ahead of the earnings, Morgan Stanley analyst Lauren Cassel said she expected the results would "help to calm investor fears of a China and/or broader international slowdown," adding that they would be a "positive catalyst for the stock."

Cassel has an "overweight" rating and $103 price target — 54% above where shares were trading Thursday.

Nike was up 7% this year through Thursday.

Now read:

Nike shares.

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NOW WATCH: The equity chief at $6.3 trillion BlackRock weighs in on the trade war, a possible recession, and offers her best investing advice for a tricky 2019 landscape

25 last-minute gifts from Williams-Sonoma you can still get in time

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. 

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Blender

If you're shopping for last-minute gifts for the home cook or baker this holiday season, Williams-Sonoma has you covered with free Christmas Eve delivery on thousands of items for orders placed before 7 p.m. EST on December 20. 

There's no minimum amount you have to spend to get free standard shipping. Orders over $49 are eligible for free fast shipping if you use promo code "Ships4Free"at checkout.

We combed through William Sonoma's holiday deals and 25 that will make thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. From waffle makers, to Le Creuset Dutch ovens, to Christmas-themed dinnerware to bring some extra cheer, you'll find it, and more, below.

Looking for more last-minute gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

DON'T MISS: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

SEE ALSO: 78 thoughtful and cool last-minute gifts you can still get on Amazon — all under $100

Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven (2 3/4 Qt.)

$129.95 (originally $240) [You save $90.05]



All-Clad d5 Stainless-Steel Saucepan



Olivewood Box Grater

$29.99 (originally $39.95) [You save $9.05]



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Is sushi made by a robot as good as the real thing?

Military women are 3 times more likely to suffer infertility than civilians, but the Pentagon is forcing nearly all of them to pay for their own treatment

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military marines women

  • An advocacy group for female troops and veterans reported in early December that over 30% of women serving or who have served in the armed forces suffer from infertility arising from their service.
  • In a survey of nearly 800 women, many respondents say their infertility is linked to known causes of reproductive harm, but the military and veteran health care systems are not providing access to a full range of infertility treatment.
  • A Defense Department spokeswoman said the military provides full access to fertility services for military members, and an official report states that in vitro fertilization is provided for service-related infertility.
  • TRICARE, the military's health care provider, does not cover in vitro fertilization, forcing troops to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket — even when that condition arose from their service.
  • Advocates argue that these services should be provided at no cost to the service members when infertility is service-related.

An Army retiree says she was just 21 years old when exposure to a chemical used to strip paint from aircraft parts caused her to become infertile.

Hers is just one of the stories compiled in an alarming report by the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), an advocacy group for service women and women veterans, that details military women's access to reproductive health care.

Based on a survey of nearly 800 active-duty, reserve, retired, and veteran women, SWAN found that over 30% of women who currently serve or who have served in the armed forces reported infertility. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only 12% of civilian women experience difficulty getting or staying pregnant. It's this disparity that activists found most alarming.

"This data clearly cries out for more research to pinpoint the high levels of infertility," the report says.

Jessica Maxwell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Defense, said the military does collect data about infertility. A September 2013 issue of a monthly medical report showed that over 16,800 service women were diagnosed with infertility during a 13-year surveillance period.

That amounts to fewer than 1% of active-duty women who served during that time, a striking disparity with the findings of the SWAN report, which collected self-reported data. The military's numbers, now over five years old, represented women who "were hospitalized during the surveillance period" and whose hospitalization record showed a particular code for infertility, according to the report reviewed by Business Insider.

In an emailed statement to Business Insider, Maxwell said that military service members who can not conceive within "acceptable clinical guidelines are given full access maternal fetal medicine and advanced fertility services."

The military's report also states that its health care system "does not provide non-coital reproductive therapies ... except for service members who lost their natural reproductive abilities due to illnesses or injuries related to active service."

Many of the women who responded to its survey told SWAN that their infertility is service-connected. One respondent, a retired Army officer who was formerly enlisted, said that her military occupation exposed her to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), an organic solvent used to strip paint and clean parts. A report compiled by the World Health Organization lists reproductive harm as a possible long-term side effect of MEK exposure.

Another respondent said she was exposed to harmful toxins as a fuel handler; the Centers for Disease Control lists jet fuel as a potential cause of reproductive harm. A third woman said she was exposed to air pollution caused by burn pits; while conclusive data have not yet been compiled, some studies have linked poor air quality to decreased fertility. 

burn pit iraq us marine troops

Despite the science linking these hazards to infertility, many women say that military and veteran health care systems are not providing access to treatment. SWAN reports that only five military facilities provide a full range of treatment, and many survey respondents say they had to pay out-of-pocket, sometimes up to $30,000, for care.

Despite the military's insistence that it provides treatment when infertility is related to active service, TRICARE, the military's health care provider, does not cover in vitro fertilization.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Why Harvard scientists think this interstellar object might be an alien spacecraft

The UK's second busiest airport remains shut down after drones flew over the runway and now passengers are being told not to come to the airport

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Sleeping at airport Gatwick drone disruption

  • LondonGatwick Airport remains closed on Thursday more than 24 hours after being shut down due to the presence of drones over its runway.
  • The airport has advised passengers to check with the airlines before traveling to the airport.
  • EasyJet, one of the largest operators at the airport, has canceled all of its Thursday Gatwick flights. 

London Gatwick Airport remains closed on Thursday more than 24 hours after being shut down due to the presence of drones over its runway. Gatwick, the second busiest airport in the UK and handles more than 45 million passengers every year, was shut down around 9 p.m. Wednesday evening after a pair of drones were spotted.

Unfortunately for the affected passengers, flight activities are not likely to resume on Thursday. 

In fact, an airport spokesperson told Business Insider that passengers are advised to stay home this evening and to check with the airline in the morning before traveling to the airport. 

In its latest statement, Gatwick Airport said,

"All flights to and from Gatwick are suspended. If you are due to fly later today or are meeting someone from a flight, please do not travel to the airport without checking the status of your flight with your airline first. 

Gatwick Airport’s runway remains unavailable because of continued drone sightings and some airlines have canceled all flights. There is significant disruption at Gatwick today as a result of what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt flights, and we anticipate disruption to continue into tomorrow.

We are extremely disappointed that passengers are being affected by this especially at such an important time of year. We are working with our airlines to put plans in place to recover our operations once given the go-ahead to re-open our runway. We are prioritizing the welfare of those at the airport by deploying staff into our terminals to look after people as best we can."

Read more: The second busiest airport in the UK was shut down due to drones flying over the runway and stranded passengers probably won't get any compensation.

An EasyJet passenger aircraft makes its final approach for landing in Colomiers near Toulouse, Southwestern France, November 24, 2016.  REUTERS/Regis DuvignauEasyJet, one of the airport's largest tenants, has canceled all of its Gatwick flights on Thursday.

"We are making every effort to get people to their destination at this important time of the year, but following reports of drones flying over Gatwick Airport, the runway remains closed and all flights are currently suspended," the airline said in a statement Thursday evening. "At this stage, there is no indication of when the airport might re-open and as a result, we have canceled all flights due to operate to or from London Gatwick today."

The EasyJet also announced that they will reimburse any "reasonable expenses" incurred by passengers who make their own alternate travel arrangements. 

SEE ALSO: Major British airport forced to shut down for at more than 24 hours by someone flying drones over the runway

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Someone created a GoFundMe to 'buy ladders' to counter the fundraiser created to pay for Trump's wall

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Border Wall

  • A GoFundMe campaign to buy "ladders to get over Trump's wall" was created in response to a viral GoFundMe campaign that aims to raise $5 billion to pay for the border wall.
  • Though the "ladders" GoFundMe started as a joke, supporters have pitched in more than $20,000 since its creation Wednesday night. 
  • The new GoFundMe won't actually spend any funds raised on ladders but instead will donate it to RAICES, a Texas-based nonprofit that provides legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees.

On Wednesday night, after coming across the news of a viral GoFundMe campaign that is raising $5 billion to pay for a border wall, the Twitter account @HoarseWisperer made a joke:

"Should we crowdsource money for ladders just to troll them?"

 

Charlotte Clymer, a U.S. Army veteran and communications specialist from Texas, saw the tweet and made it a reality. 

"I was really stunned when I heard of the border wall GoFundMe," she told INSIDER. "More than being angry, I was sad at the blatant racism of donating money to a wall that will not be built, a wall that won't work."

And though the joke was that the campaign will use any money raised to buy ladders for immigrants, the funds will actually be donated to the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, a Texas non-profit that provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrants. 

"I've really been happy with how this has generated conversation on just the absurdity of the wall in general," Clymer said. "Undocumented folks are not bringing crime or drug smuggling or any of this job-stealing nonsense to our country."

Read more: A GoFundMe campaign is raising funds to pay for the border wall — and it has already raised more than $5 million

On Twitter, users picked up on the new fundraiser quite quickly.

 

The fundraiser, Clymer said, will stay open "for a few weeks if there's this continuous rate of donations." She said she is working with RAICES to hand over control of the GoFundMe page to them. The gofundthewall.net address was also bought on behalf of RAICES. Visitors to that website are sent to RAICES' actual website, where they can donate or find out more about what the nonprofit does. 

As of Thursday, Clymer's GoFundMe page had already received more than $20,000 in donations from nearly 900 people. Clymer said she has been "blown away" by the support the fundraiser has gotten. Most of the feedback is positive, she said, though she has seen some negative backlash from supporters of the wall. GoFundMe, she said, shut down the comments section on the page. 

Clymer said she hasn't heard from the creator of the other GoFundMe, Brian Kolfage, who is also a veteran. 

"I have never spoken with him," she said. "I'm also a military veteran and it really, really bothers me when military service is used as a cudgel against vulnerable people. That's not what we stand for."

Other GoFundMe campaigners had ideas similar to Clymer's. Luke O'Neil, a journalist in Massachusetts, started a fundraiser on the platform to "build a giant escalator over the wall."

"The wall is never going to be built but just in case it is we will build a series of giant escalators that are spaced out a half mile along the wall on either side," O'Neil wrote on his fundraiser's page. "If that doesn't happen we'll just give the money to people who care about the well being of human beings no matter where they're from."

"The escalators are a metaphor please do not come and investigate me ICE or whoever I'm not really going to build a series of giant escalators," O'Neil added.

The money raised in that GoFundMe campaign will also be donated to RAICES.

SEE ALSO: Mississippi congressman proposes crowdfunding border wall through 'border bonds'

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

30 last-minute tech gifts that are Amazon Prime-eligible and should arrive by Christmas

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, $49.99

Nobody plans ahead to be behind on their holiday shopping, but it happens to the best of us year after year, despite always planning to do better. Thankfully, Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping on millions of items, so nobody has to know you waited until the last minute to purchase their gift, again.

If you're shopping for last-minute tech gifts, you're in luck. There are still tons of great presents you can buy before Christmas, from noise-cancelling headphones to instant cameras to Amazon Echos.

We rounded up 30 of the best last-minute tech gifts we could find on Amazon, all of which are eligible for Prime shipping. That said, only Amazon Prime members can take advantage of Amazon's free two-day shipping perk (and dozens of others). So if you're not a member and want to try it out for a month for free, you can sign up for a 30-day trial.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.

SEE ALSO: 50 secret Santa gifts they'll actually want to keep — all under $25

SEE ALSO: 29 clever gifts from Amazon that work for everyone on your list — all under $50

The best smart home speaker you can buy

Amazon Echo, $69.99, available at Amazon

The new Amazon Echo is the uncontested best smart home speaker with its 15,000+ skills, smart home support, and strong audio.



A turntable that lets them digitize their records

Audio-Technica AT-LP60, $99, available at Amazon

Audio-Technica's AT-60 is a turntable designed for a digital world. Not only can it play records, but you can connect it to your computer over USB to digitize them.



A pair of stylish, totally wireless earbuds for audiophiles

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8, $221.90, available at Amazon

Bang & Olufsen's E8s are a stylish pair of totally wireless earbuds with touch controls that let you switch songs or take calls without looking at your phone.



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Donald Trump used a bizarre clip from the 2005 Emmy Awards to mark the signing of the farm bill — and people think it's inappropriate

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Donald Trump

  • Donald Trump signed the farm bill on Thursday.
  • He marked the occasion by tweeting a video clip from the 2005 Emmy Awards in which he and Megan Mullaly performed a "Green Acres" parody.
  • People think it's inappropriate.

On Thursday, Donald Trump signed the farm bill. But 15 minutes before doing so, the president took to Twitter to mark the occasion.

"Farm Bill signing in 15 minutes! #Emmys #TBT," he wrote alongside a video of himself and Megan Mullaly performing a "Green Acres" parody at the Emmy Awards in 2005.

In the clip, Trump, dressed in overalls and a straw hat, and Mullaly, debate farm and city living. They ultimately decided on farm life. The bit ends with the duo hugging and Trump kissing Mullaly on the cheek.

The farm bill reauthorizes crop insurance and conservation programs and legalizes the cultivation of industrial hemp, according to the Associated Press

Read more: Trump just signed a law that could spark a boom for the $1 billion marijuana-linked CBD industry

People are confounded by the tweet.

Many think it's inappropriate.

Some said they felt bad for Mullaly.

Read more: The man who taught Donald Trump how to tweet said the day the president could use Twitter on his own was comparable to velociraptors learning to open doors in 'Jurassic Park'

Mullaly herself responded to Trump's post within the hour. "Omg," she wrote. Adding in a second tweet, "If you guys need me, I’ll be in a hole in the ground."

This tweet comes just hours after Politico published an interview with Justin McConney, who served as the social media director at the Trump Organization from 2011 to 2017.

In the interview, McConney suggested that Trump take on a lighter tone on social media and that he "should go back to having more of a sense of humor about himself."

SEE ALSO: Michelle Obama says she wears dresses by young women, immigrants, and African-Americans because she knows it will 'change their lives'

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NOW WATCH: Microsoft News' corporate vice president explains how his team avoids fake news sorting through 170,000 stories a day

Here’s how IBM’s Call for Code winners are helping with natural disaster relief efforts

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Project OWL Group Photo IBM

By Bryan Knouse and Nick Feuer, Project OWL team members

“And the 2018 Call for Code winner is… Project OWL!”

On the evening of October 29, at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom, our world changed. We had just heard that we won the inaugural Call for Code Global Challenge, part of the Call for Code Global Initiative, the largest and most ambitious effort bringing start-up, academic, and enterprise developers together to help solve one of the most pressing societal issues of our time: preventing, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters. As the first place winner, we now had the opportunity for our technology to be deployed on the ground by IBM Corporate Service Corps, long-term, open source support from The Linux Foundation, and the chance to pitch global VC firm NEA — among many other benefits. We also won USD $200,000, and it happened to be the first time our team met face to face, ever.

To say we were excited is an understatement. Winning the competition inspired a unique feeling of growth, unity, and closeness among us, despite our team’s distributed locations across the US. With each individual focused on a different area of technical challenge, our past experiences blended together to form Project OWL — “Organization, Whereabouts, and Logistics” — in a complementary way; and so, here we are.

When we first learned about Call for Code from our mentors in May of this year, we saw this as an opportunity where our technical experience could make a real, positive difference. As veteran hackathon participants, both Bryan and I love creating technology for people. However, hackathons can leave some participants jaded as projects rarely continue to develop into impactful solutions. From the beginning, it was clear that IBM’s Call for Code was different. Highlighting an area of global challenge — natural disasters — the competition motivated a worldwide response from developers to tackle these challenges with their creativity. To tackle such enormous problems, the committed support of organizations such as IBM and The Linux Foundation is critical. Moving forward, IBM will act as a technology and implementation guide, and with the help of The Linux Foundation, we can move forward in open source together with developers from around the world.

Project OWL is comprised of two main pieces: a software called OWL Incident Management and a deployable hardware network. The OWL cloud software can provide organization, whereabouts, and logistics capabilities to first responders and civilians during a disaster. We believe that significant improvements can be made to disaster preparation and relief efforts through data. The OWL software tool can accumulate large amounts of data present during a disaster. This data might be logistical information from first responders, food and water needs from civilians, or data that is pulled from numerous APIs providing weather and geographical information. OWL combines and presents this information in an intuitive dashboard and conversational interface for anyone involved who may need it.

IMG_1572Still, there is a problem. OWL can be particularly useful in larger disasters, the same disasters where electricity and communications are typically offline. In these situations, we deploy an ad-hoc mobile network to allow OWL to see in the darkness of a disaster. The hardware network is made up of small, low-power IoT devices called DuckLinks. The DuckLinks are equipped with a battery, WiFi, and LoRa (a long-range radio technology). A networked cluster of these duck devices is called a ClusterDuck, which can cover large geographical areas in a cost-effective mesh. When deployed, civilians are able to communicate critical information about their situation with first responders. Accessing the ClusterDuck system is as easy as connecting to a WiFi hot-spot at your local coffee shop. Remember those confirmation portals that pop up when you log on to a cafe’s WiFi? We leverage this experience during disasters to provide civilians and first responders a fast, accessible communications portal.

In any disaster, situational awareness is crucial in order to move resources effectively to support first responders and help save lives. Despite this, information is often disorganized during a disaster and especially so when infrastructure such as electricity, cellular, and internet are down. This was the case when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in the fall of 2017. For months, families had no idea if their loved ones were okay, and it was difficult for first responders to communicate with survivors.

Together, the ClusterDuck network and OWL Incident Management leverage the data present during disasters to support more efficient and successful disaster preparation and relief efforts in these difficult situations.

Since the Call for Code Global Prize Celebration, we have been working closely with IBM and The Linux Foundation. We are excited to share that Project OWL is planning our first full-scale field test this spring with the help of IBM Corporate Service Corps. With support from The Linux Foundation, Project OWL’s technology will soon be open source. We are looking forward to working with the global developer community to bring Project OWL to new frontiers, such as wildfire relief, to help combat pressing societal problems. Additionally, we’re looking forward to deploying our technology via IBM to help make a real difference in people's lives, and are grateful for the opportunity IBM is providing us, as well as developers around the world, to make a difference for humanity.

If you are interested in contributing to the project, please reach out to us on our website, www.project-owl.com, or join our public slack channel to stay plugged into our progress.

This post is sponsor content from IBM and was created by IBM and Insider Studios.

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Someone is spreading an Amazon smear campaign as cloud giants compete for a $10 billion defense cloud contract (AMZN, MSFT, ORCL)

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Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy

  • Bloomberg reports that there's a dossier going around Washington, D.C. saying that Amazon and Pentagon officials engaged in activities that allowed Amazon to unfairly have an edge in the bidding for a $10 billion cloud contract with the Pentagon.
  • That contract is for a project called Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI), which Amazon is widely expected to win. 
  • These allegations include how a Pentagon aide helped write the contract to unfairly favor Amazon, and that an Amazon Web Services executive engaged in an improper relationship.
  • Microsoft, IBM and Oracle have protested the fact that only one company can win the JEDI contract, but there's no evidence that any of these companies are behind the dossier.

There's a 33-page dossier circulating in Washington, D.C. smearing Amazon, right as the cloud giants battle for a $10 billion winner-take-all contract with the Pentagon, Bloomberg reports

The dossier, Bloomberg reported, takes aim at Pentagon officials and company managers at Amazon. Microsoft, IBM, Oracle and Amazon are all in the running the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract, where one company will be awarded billions to work with the Department of Defense to move its data onto the cloud.

Currently, Amazon Web Services is seen as the runaway favorite to win the race. While Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle have all at some point protested the fact that only one company can win the huge contract, there's no evidence that they are behind the smear campaign.

One version of the dossier suggests that Defense Department officials unfairly gave Amazon an edge in the competition and that Amazon is the only company with the technical capabilities required by the contract. Amazon is currently the only company that holds the highest security authorization to handle government data.

The dossier reportedly alleges that Sally Donnelly, former senior advisor to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, helped write the contract to favor AWS, and that the cloud giant was a client of a company previously owned by Donnelly. Furthermore, the dossier is said to imply that a portfolio company of venture capital firm C5 Capital bought Donnelly's previous company as a way to expedite Donnelly's employment at the Department of Defense so she could help AWS.

 The dossier is also said to allege that an AWS executive engaged in an improper personal relationship with an executive at C5 Capital. However, the dossier reportedly did not provide substantial proof that this relationship had any impact on the JEDI race.

Donnelly's lawyer, Michael Levy, told Bloomberg that she had nothing to do with the contract. Amazon Web Services wrote in a blog post that neither C5 nor its subsidiaries were involved in its JEDI bid. C5 Capital published its own blog post in response, disavowing any involvement with JEDI whatsoever. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense said, "We do not comment on pending litigation."

The winner of the JEDI contract won't be announced until April 2019, but in the meantime, competition has been fierce. Google dropped out, citing both ethical concerns, and concerns over its ability to execute on the contract. Analysts have said Amazon likely moved HQ2 near D.C. at least in part because of JEDI.

Read more: As bidding closes, Amazon's cloud is the favorite to win a $10 billion defense deal. Here's why everybody else is so mad about it

Most recently, Oracle filed a protest on Dec. 6 in federal court after losing out in its Government Accountability Office protest. IBM had also officially filed a protest, but it was dismissed Dec. 11.

Read the full Bloomberg report here.

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