**SPOILER FREE** Spielberg's new film, Ready Player One, is based on the once loved, now often ridiculed or outright disliked novel of the same name written by Ernest Cline. The novel is unread by me but I understand the premise. And I’ve seen the movie now which probably means all the good parts of the book have been spoiled for me. The novel, from what I understand, is a nostalgic, geek lore Easter egg hunt oft criticized for being fun but not exactly a writing masterpiece, but whatever. The reader was bombarded with nostalgic, nerdy, geek references from the 80’s. And that nostalgic weight carried RPO on to the NYT best seller list for a long time. And now Steven Spielberg, the man directly responsible for much of our actual 80’s pop culture and nostalgic geeky moments has his new movie! So what is it about? From rottentomatos.com: “In the year 2045, people can escape their harsh reality in the OASIS, an immersive virtual world where you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. OASIS creator James Halliday left his immense fortune and control of the Oasis to the winner of a contest designed to find a worthy heir. When unlikely hero Wade Watts conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-known as the High Five-are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS and their world.” Okay. Fair enough. Dystopian world - bad.…

Treason-In general, it is the offense of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance, or of betraying the state into the hands of a foreign power. –Webster’s 1828 Dictionary Last week, the news broke that behind the smokescreen of the March on Washington D.C., President Donald Trump did the unthinkable when he signed off on the budget-busting $1.3 trillion spending bill, which is nothing short of a complete betrayal of the American people. The bill also finances countries that are avowed enemies of America. (Article 3 sections 3 US Constitution) HE SAID THAT IT WAS SIGNED FOR “NATIONAL SECURITY” WHILE FUNDING AVOWED ENEMIES TO AMERICA. This in part is what we found in the bill: $12m for Scholarships for Lebanon $20m for Middle East Partnership Initiative Scholarship Program $12m in military funding for Vietnam $3.5m in nutrition assistance to Laos $15m in Developmental assistance to China $10m for Women LEOs in Afghanistan $1m for the World Meteorological Organization $218m for Promoting Democracy Development in Europe $10m for disadvantaged Egyptian Students $1.371bn for Contributions to International Organizations $51m to promote International Family Planning and Reproductive Health $7m promoting International Conservation $10m for UN Environmental Programs $5m for Vietnam Education Foundation Grants $2.579m for Commission on Security and Co-operation in Europe $15m to USAID for promoting international higher education between universities $1m for the Cultural Antiquities Task Force $6.25m for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation $20m for Countering Foreign State Propaganda $12m for Countering…

Canadian neuroscientists suggest taking Ibuprofen daily may prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. IMAGE FROM ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION Researchers from the University of British Columbia believe those who take daily ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), can decrease inflammation of the brain caused by the abnormal proteins that cause Alzheimer’s. In 2004, Dokmeci et al suggested ibuprofen could delay Alzheimer’s onset as it protects neurons (nerve cells) and decreases inflammation of the brain. In this study, Dr. Patrick McGreer and his team believe they can identify those early on who could benefit from the inexpensive, over the counter treatment. McGreer is President and CEO of Vancouver-based Aurin Biotech. He and his team developed a saliva test that measures the protein Abeta42 (amyloid beta protein 42). In patients at risk of Alzheimer’s, they found levels of Abeta42 to be two to three times higher than normal. Abeta42 accumulates in the brain, causing inflammation and destroying nerve cells. Though previously believed Abeta42 is made exclusively in the brain, the saliva test suggests Abeta42 is made elsewhere in the body and can be detected years earlier. If the protein/peptide is found earlier and known to cause inflammation, McGreer and his team believe preventing the inflammation with ibuprofen could essentially prevent Alzheimer’s onset. He states, “What we’ve learned through our research is that people who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s exhibit the same elevated Abeta42 levels as people who already have it; moreover, they exhibit those elevated levels throughout their lifetime so, theoretically, they could get…

The biggest reason for fans of every MLB team to watch Opening Day is that their team is in first place. It’s the only day of the year every team can say that, but fans of every team, even the Miami Marlins, have at least one reason to watch Opening Day baseball. The Playoff Contenders Houston Astros The defending champions take on their in-state rivals the Texas Rangers on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. CST, and the biggest reason for Astros fans to tune in is to see if 35-year-old Justin Verlander can repeat his stellar 2017 season and carry a staff of mostly question marks. Dallas Keuchel followed up his Cy Young season in 2015 by posting an ERA+ of just 86 in 2016. He rebounded with an ERA+ of 136 last season, but pitched just 145.2 innings. He’s pitched 200 innings just twice in his six-year career. Verlander has done it in 10 of 13 seasons, which is five more times than the rest of the Astros’ starters combined. But the Astros are prepared in case their starters fail to eat innings, with Collin McHugh and Brad Peacock available in the bullpen. Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw takes the mound against San Francisco at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN. That’s all Dodgers fans should need to tune in on Opening Day, because it could be Kershaw’s last season with the Dodgers. New York Yankees Yankees fans will get their first look at last year’s home run champion Giancarlo Stanton…