DN Speak: 9/22/13

Saturday, September 28, 2013

VIDEO: Conservative Conference Cheers At Suggestion That Obama Is Going To Hell

Another conservative conference descends into chaos.The post VIDEO: Conservative Conference Cheers At Suggestion That Obama Is ... Read more

Fischer: Satan Using Islam To Usher In End Times

President Obama Statement (C-SPAN)

Published on Sep 27, 2013

President Obama spoke with reporters in the White House Press Briefing Room, where he announced he spoke on the phone with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani. It was the first time leaders from the U.S. and Iran have spoken directly with each other since 1979. President Obama also spoke about the continuing resolution to fund the government.

Robert Reich On Inequality (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/09/24/robert-reich-on-inequality

Subscribe on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wbur-fm-on-point-tom-ashbrook/id121534955?mt=2

Select on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/robert-reich-on-inequality/id121534955?i=168453778&mt=2

American inequality just keeps growing. Growing so great that it’s raising new questions for this country.

We had rich and poor in the great post-war 20^th Century, but the middle was all right, so the country felt all right. Today, the middle is not all right. And the top tier’s income and wealth have raced off the charts. Some conservatives say “what’s the problem with that?” And we’ve heard them.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich says it’s a big problem. For democracy and the economy. He’s got a new movie out. And he’s here.

This hour, On Point: Robert Reich and “Inequality for All.”
- Tom Ashbrook

Pope Francis Pushes For A Bigger Catholic Tent (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/09/23/pope-francis
(Lots of comments and info on the linked page.)

Subscribe or select in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wbur-fm-on-point-tom-ashbrook/id121534955?mt=2
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pope-francis-pushes-for-bigger/id121534955?i=168382037&mt=2

What a pope Catholics have right now. Out with the fancy car, and in with the little Fiat. A pope who takes the bus, and talks everywhere, all the time about reaching out to all.

Sits down for a big interview and says the Catholic Church has been too obsessed with abortion, gay marriage and contraception. Is asked about gays and says “Who am I to judge?” This is a new tone, new talk from the top of the Catholic Church.

This hour, On Point: a new kind of pope, and what Pope Francis means for the Catholic church.

- Tom Ashbrook

Catholic Bishops allied with Right-Wing Evangelicals in the Manhattan Declaration spearheaded by neocon activist Robert P. George

This is the genesis of all the "Fortnight for Freedom" and "Obama's war on religion" baloney. Learn these names and pay attention to their involvement in church and politics over the past years, as well as the future: Robert P. George and Ralph Reed, first and second photos below, respectively.

http://bilgrimage.blogspot.com/2013/07/fred-clarkson-on-christian-rights.html#more

What War on Religion? (Mother Jones)

"If Obama is hell-bent on waging battle with religious institutions—as his critics allege—he sure has a funny way of showing it."

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/what-war-religion-obama-catholic-charities

Senator Bashes House Republicans: ‘They Hate Government. They Don’t Want Government To Work.’

"This is dangerous. We've never been here before," Sen. Angus King (I-ME) said. The post Senator Bashes House Republicans: ... Read more

Kansas Group Tries To Remove Evolution From Schools By Claiming Science Is A Religion | Right Wing Watch

"A Kansas-based group that “promotes the religious rights of parents, children, and taxpayers” is challenging the state’s science standards because they include the teaching of evolution, which the group claims is a religion and therefore should be excluded from science class..."

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/kansas-group-tries-remove-evolution-schools-claiming-science-religion

Bishop: Democrats Endorse 'Intrinsic Evils' and Supporters put their 'Soul in Serious Jeopardy' | Right Wing Watch

This is a bit old, but I'm posting it because some people I talked to recently doubted this ever happened, and now you can see for yourself that it did. From the article:

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, Illinois, is warning that the Democratic Party has endorsed “intrinsic evils” and consequently, voters who back Democratic candidates have put their eternal salvation at risk. In the Catholic Times, the official newspaper of the Springfield diocese, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki uses the manufactured controversy about mentioning “God” in the Democratic Platform to argue that the Democrats are hostile to faith, and went on to attack Democrats for endorsing gay rights and opposing the criminalization of abortion. He said those two planks demonstrate that the Democrats “explicitly endorse intrinsic evils,” while noting that he has “read the Republican Party Platform and there is nothing in it that supports or promotes an intrinsic evil or a serious sin.”

Paprocki concludes with a warning that while he is “not telling you which party or which candidates to vote for or against,” backing the Democratic Party may put your eternal salvation at risk: “a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy.”

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/bishop-democrats-evils-soul-serious-jeopardy

MN Abp. Nienstedt To Mother of Gay Child: Accept Anti-Gay Church Teaching or Risk Your Salvation | Truth Wins Out

This is a bit old, but I'm posting it because some people I talked to recently doubted this ever happened, and now you can see for yourself that it did. This is the reply from the Archbishop in Minnesota to a woman who wrote about her gay son stating that she believed in marriage equality. Use this link to read more about the context and numerous comments from other readers:
http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2012/10/30335/

In Tehran, surprising news of presidents’ conversation greeted largely with optimism

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-tehran-surprising-news-of-presidents-conversation-greeted-largely-with-optimism/2013/09/28/802b3fee-2828-11e3-9256-41f018d21b49_story.html

Christopher Hitchens discusses "God Is Not Great" (2007)

Interview:

or watch on YouTube and subscribe to

Friday, September 27, 2013

This RD Extra features a lecture by Luke Galen entitled The Roots of Morality: Does Religion Play a Role or is the Tail Wagging the Dog? Grand Rapids Community College hosted and sponsored the event as part of the 2010-2011 Psychology Department Speakers Series. A pdf file of Luke's lecture slides can be downloaded here.

Description:

In this presentation, Dr. Galen, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at Grand Valley State University, will consider the root of morality and pro-social behavior. Are we kind and considerate of others because religion creates a set of rules and "commandments" or are these behaviors a natural result of our evolutionary need to live in community? Dr. Galen will also cover related topics such as why humans construct religions and how religion can create prejudicial beliefs and behaviors.

rd07 The Gospel Of Doubt with guest DJ Grothe (Reasonable Doubts)

Interview:
Download / Listen:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reasonabledoubts/Msxh/~5/LlCCORwkw7I/rd07_the_gospel_of_doubt.mp3

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reasonable-doubts-podcast/id266671828

Religious apologists are fond of sharing "testimonies"; emotional stories of the life changing experiences often associated with religious conversion. But what happens when a person looses faith? DJ Grothe (associate editor of Free Inquiry Magazine, host of the Point of Inquiry as well as Vice President and Director of Outreach Programs for the Center For Inquiry)joins us on the show to share his personal "de-conversion" story. Jeremy and Dave also comment on the joys and frustrations of leaving the faith, while Luke shares some illuminating research comparing the psychology of skeptics verses the religious when confronted with life's difficult moments. Also featured is a brief "History of Reasonable Doubts" in the form of an old time radio short. Please spread the word about Reasonable Doubts: your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challenge and freethinkers of all persuasions.

Richard Dawkins - Atheists Talk #001 Jan 13, 2008

House Resolution 888, Robert G. Ingersoll, the discovery of a transitional fossil, and an interview with Richard Dawkins.

Interview:
Download / Listen:
http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/CPieu7IcEno/Atheists_Talk-0001-1_13_2008.mp3

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/atheists-talk-radio-show/id541834599?mt=2

Secular Coalition for America, Edwina Rogers on Atheists Talk #216, April 28, 2013

Interview:
Download / Listen:
http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/ou1V1DJEuuM/atheists_talk-0216-20130428.mp3

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/atheists-talk-radio-show/id541834599?mt=2

Almost a year ago, Edwina Rogers took over as the executive director of the Secular Coalition for America. It's been an ambitious, busy year for the Secular Coalition. This Sunday, Rogers joins us to talk with Scott Lohman about what they've accomplished and where they're going in the next year. They'll also discuss the formation of the Minnesota chapter of the Secular Coalition.

"August Berkshire's Atheist Pamphlets" August Berkshire on Atheists Talk #222, June 9th, 2013

Interview:
Download / Listen:
http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/ZvdhyPN-2jc/Athiests_Talk-0222-20130609.mp3

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/atheists-talk-radio-show/id541834599?mt=2

August Berkshire has been an atheist speaker, debater, and activist since he cofounded the modern atheist movement in Minnesota in 1984. He is a past president and newsletter editor of Minnesota Atheists and a past vice president of Atheist Alliance International. He has served on the board of directors of the Humanists of Minnesota and cofounded Camp Quest of Minnesota in 2003. He is on the speakers bureau for the national Secular Student Alliance.

August has developed a series of pamphlets that are distributed at schools, festivals, and other venues. The pamphlets cover a diversity of topics, including atheism, religion, the problem of evil, abortion, fine-tuned universe, Jesus, Biblical commandments, and humor. Skeptics Society founder Michael Shermer said August's performance in a debate in Fargo was "the best overall defense of atheism that I have ever seen."

August's essay "My Road to Atheism" appears in the anthology "Atheist Voices of Minnesota." He is the owner of the ATHEIST car license plate for Minnesota and is proud to be listed in the reference book "Who's Who in Hell."

Week In The News: Shutdown Threat, Kenya Terror, Iran (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/09/27/week-shutdown-kenya-iran

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wbur-fm-on-point-tom-ashbrook/id121534955?mt=2

Green eggs and ham on the floor of the US Senate this week. And a storm of politics and power plays all round. The US government may well shut down Monday night. The Affordable Care Act – Obamacare – for now rolls on.

At a mall in Nairobi, Kenya – the terror nightmare. Blood and death and collapse on people who just went out to shop.

And at the United Nations in New York, a tone we have not heard in years from Iran. Big talk of a diplomatic drive to turn around bitter years of nuclear standoff. We shall see.

This hour, On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

- Tom Ashbrook

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-09-27/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wamu-fm-wamu-diane-rehm-show/id160993127?mt=2

Pressure is building for Congress to approve a spending measure and prevent a government shutdown at midnight on Monday. Another nerve-wracking deadline looms on Oct. 17, when the Treasury Department says the nation is likely to run out of money to pay its bills. Enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges begins Oct. 1, and President Barack Obama says he won't negotiate delays or other Republican demands to keep the government operating. The FBI and Navy release documents on the motives of the Navy Yard shooter. And former President George H.W. Bush is a witness at a same-sex marriage ceremony.

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-09-27/friday-news-roundup-international

Subscribe in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wamu-fm-wamu-diane-rehm-show/id160993127?mt=2

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council reach an agreement on Syrian chemical weapons. An al-Qaida affiliate in Syria gains the support of key rebel groups. Iran’s president makes his international debut at the U.N. President Barack Obama defends American engagement in the Middle East and says the U.S. is rethinking its surveillance activities. And Kenya mourns victims of the attack at a Nairobi shopping mall while investigators collect evidence at the site of the deadly siege. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.

Trader Joe's Invites Part-Timers Losing Company Coverage To Seek Additional Obamacare Subsidy

WASHINGTON -- Faced with employees upset by its decision to drop health insurance for part-timers, grocer Trader Joe's has invited workers who may fac... Read more

'WE FACE A CLEAR DANGER'

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warned Thursday that a coming Supreme Court case that could ultimately eliminate ... Read more

Here's The HUGE Crowd Of Support That Ted Cruz Drew At The Senate

A rally in support of Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was planned for today outside the U.S. Senate. HuffPost's Jen Bendery ... Read more

WTF? Bachmann Still Believes People Could Die From Obamacare

One day after President Barack Obama poked fun at one of her more grave Obamacare claims, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) ... Read more

Romney Disagrees With GOP Anti-Obamacare Effort

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Friday that he disagreed with the House tactics to try to tie the ... Read more

End Days for the GOP - The Daily Beast

"After years of sabotaging government and getting away with it, the GOP has finally gone too far. America knows it, and so does the party itself. By Michael Tomasky"

www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/27/end-days-for-the-gop.html

Student Cited By Cruz As Proof Of Failure Is Grateful For Obamacare

During his 21-hour talkfest on the Senate floor earlier this week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) went through a litany of examples ... Read more

Missouri GOP Senator Breaks From His Party, Encourages People To Sign Up For Obamacare Next Week

Unlike the the rest of the Republicans in his state, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) is telling his constituents to enroll in the law's ... Read more

Ten Years Later, 85 Percent Of Massachusetts Voters Say No Harm From Marriage Equality

Ten years after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that marriage equality is a constitutional right, a new poll ... Read more

15 Things You Should Know About The New IPCC Report On Climate Science

Scientists have a 95-100 percent certainty that the planet is warming, and humans are the main cause.The post 15 Things You ... Read more

Atheism Course Coming to Irish Primary Schools - Or at least, the small handful of them that aren't run by the Catholic Church

http://www.newser.com/story/174946/atheism-class-coming-to-irish-schools.html

Next time someone tells you they don't understand Obamacare...

Subject: Next time someone tells you they don't understand Obamacare:
Reply-To: info@messages.whitehouse.gov

Next time someone tells you they don't understand Obamacare:

Hello, everyone --
The Affordable Care Act. Health Reform. Obamacare. Whatever you'd like to call it, it's going mean something very tangible for millions more Americans in just four days.
Starting October 1 -- that's next Tuesday -- Americans who need or want health insurance will be able to be able to go to healthcare.gov. They'll be able to compare plans based on their needs, and they'll be able to sign up for quality, affordable health coverage.
There are folks out there with questions about what this law means for them. It's on all of us to make sure those questions are answered. That's the only way this is going to work.
Our team has put together a great video that unpacks the law, piece by piece, in an incredibly simple way. It explains exactly what October 1 is going to mean for those millions of folks who need coverage.
Take a look, but don't let it stop with you. We all know at least one person who either doesn't have insurance, or wants to know more about the law. Forward this on to other folks who you know need to see it.
You've probably heard about the 3.1 million young adults who have gained coverage through their parents' plans, the 6.3 million seniors who are paying less for prescription drugs, and the more than 100 million Americans who have gotten free preventative care like mammograms and cancer screenings.
Right now, the best thing we can do is make sure that, ahead of October 1, we don't let valuable information like this die in our inboxes. So don't let it happen. Start talking to your friends, your coworkers, your family members. Answer their questions. Make sure they know how to get covered, and then ask them to help others get covered.
That starts with sharing this video, right now, with the folks you know need to see it:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-obamacare-means-you
Let's get to it.
Thanks,
David
David Simas
Deputy Senior Advisor
The White House
@Simas44

The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111