The campaign behind legal pot in Oregon has said all along convincing young people to fill out ballots for November's election will be crucial in the push for Measure 91. (It's not a presidential election year, meaning youth turnout could be pitiable, and the older folks who have no difficulties filling out a VERY EASY BALLOT are less inclined to see Oregonians puffing legal-consequence-free ganj.) Now, pot campaigners have put a dollar amount on the sentiment, kicking in $100,000 to liberal political operatives at Our Oregon for voter registration. The people behind a measure to require labeling of GMOs have donated more.

The case of a Legacy Emanuel ER nurse who sexually assaulted patients and coworkers has always been egregious. But then you hear from the woman who finally—FINALLY—got Jeffrey McAllister called out on his predations after repeated complaints, and you wonder anew just what the hell was going on in that hospital.

But what am I saying—we haven't even gotten to the latest ISIS news! It's not looking so likely that the US will be greeted as liberators by Arab states if/when President Obama ramps up strikes in the region targeting ISIS. There are a lot of complicated reasons behind that, and one not-so-complicated reason: People have seen what US involvement leads to.

Also: Americans and American politicians seem to be coming around on stepped-up involvement in Iraq and Syria—particularly given the grisly beheadings of two American journalists in recent weeks. But then the NYT talked to some people and found out—surprise!—it's not that clear cut.

Another shocker: Arming Syrian opposition forces to battle ISIS on the ground could be risky.

Be heartened that Ray Rice was let go and suspended by the NFL over brutal footage that shows him beating his fiancee in an elevator. But don't be too heartened.

Potential price tag for denying a hard-charging US government bent on obtaining the American public's communications? $250,000. And that's 2008 dollars.

Today in Ebola quotes: "Liberia is facing a serious threat to its national existence."

Fresh US sanctions for Russia, over Ukraine.

Someday soon, when journalism is a thing of the past, I'll be holed up in some other thankless profession. And perhaps I'll find the time/backbone to wriggle free of coffee's aromatic grip. Until then, I've got company.

Ian Paisley died, for all you Northern Ireland religious/political war -philes out there.

And in case some other screen hasn't already screamed this at you today: South African track star Oscar Pistorious is guilty of "culpable homicide," a day after being cleared of premeditated murder. He could get 15 years; it'll probably be 5.

This is not necessarily safe for work. More importantly, it's not necessarily safe for your tender heart.