MuckRock News reports that Freedom of Information Act requests faxed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) started coming back as undeliverable a couple weeks ago. The OSD confirms their fax machine is down, possibly for another few months, because there's no money in their tens of billions of dollars a year budget for a new one, and they can't switch to email as a request method. "The office that oversees the most powerful military in history (not to mention the best-funded) is unable to project when its single fax machine will once again be operational."
DoD office can't process FOIAs because fax machine broken, no money for new one
Rachel Levine sworn in as first trans 4-star officer
Rachel Levine is the first transgender four-star officer in the United States, reports The Advocate. Levine, currently the Biden administration's assistant health secretary, was chosen to lead the 6,000-strong U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and sworn in as an admiral. The corps is a non-combatant branch of the U.S. uniformed services consisting exclusively of… READ THE REST
XBox controller cast in lead and copper to protest use of gaming gear in war
Rachel Berger, a design professor at California College of the Arts, cast an XBox controller in lead and copper to protest the U.S. military's use of XBox controllers as battle equipment. The United States military has been integrating Microsoft Xbox video game controllers into battle equipment for more than a decade. Officials tout the ergonomic,… READ THE REST
Testicle tattoo lands soldier in prison for 19 months
A soldier in Austria will spend 19 months in prison for the glorification of Nazism (and illegal firearms possession) after downing two bottles of whiskey and having his brother tattoo a swastika on his scrotum. He apparently posted the tattoo online, and showed it off to colleagues and friends while drunk on a separate occasion.… READ THE REST
Channel your inner artist with these epic $30 drawing lessons
Whether you love to sketch figures now and then or can't do much more than "paint by numbers," there's no denying the therapeutic effect drawing and creating art has on your mind and soul. But if you're looking to take your drawing skills up a few pegs, whether it's for fun or to strengthen your… READ THE REST
This 4-in-1 device targets allergens and uses white noise to lull you to sleep
Why do some people experience incredible sleep while others suffer? The Allergy Institute has answers, noting that allergies are triggered by nasal congestion. It's harder to breathe when you're congested, which is why many people either wake up frequently or feel as if they aren't fully rested. Eliminating those nasty allergens is an easy way… READ THE REST
Electrical engineering has never been more fun with these build-at-home robotics kits
The world of electrical engineering and robotics is exciting and full of endless possibilities. In fact, getting kids hooked early will boost their problem-solving skills, stimulate their creativity, and better prepare them for the future. They just need the right push to get started. These kits are the perfect place to start whether you want… READ THE REST
