Matt Taibbi On Unequal Justice In The Age Of Inequality (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Muckraking journalist Matt Taibbi makes us look at what we might want to avoid, ignore.  And he does it with a rage that compels us to keep looking.  He’s gone after the lords of Wall Street as a “great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity.”  This time out, he’s going after a great skewing, he says, of American justice.  In an age of great inequality, says Taibbi, our rule of law has been subverted.  Divided into two tiers. Free passes for the rich.  Criminalization for the poor.  This hour On Point:  Matt Taibbi on separate and unequal American justice in the age of inequality. /Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/15/matt-taibbi-inequality-the-divide

I Raised a Religious Child (TheThinkingAtheist)

What happens when you reject religion AFTER you've already raised your children to believe in God? How does a parent approach children to inform them that the years of church services, mealtime prayers, bible verses and godspeak were actually a mistake, and what are the potential repercussions and responses? Anger? Denial? Relief? Joy? This show talks about parents who, for whatever reason, raised children under religious teachings and rules and now find themselves in disagreement with doctrine they once held as Truth. Have an opinion or perspective? Email podcast@thethinkingatheist.com - See more at: http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/podcast/i-raised-a-religious-child#sthash.w7NwStKI.dpuf

Online: http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/podcast/i-raised-a-religious-child
itunes Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/thethinkingatheist/id412308695?mt=2

RWW News: The Prophet Glenn Beck Has A Message From God

 Glenn Beck tells students at Liberty University that God sent him to Jerusalem in order to deliver the message that "I am coming and I will settle scores."

http://youtu.be/NSwOuLAK1E0

Using Blood Tests To Diagnose And Treat Disease (Diane Rehm Show)

Blood tests have long been a routine part of medicine; complete blood counts,red and white cell counts, blood chemistry and a number of other tests give doctors valuable information about a patient’s health. But researchers are discovering blood tests may also offer critical information about an even wider variety of illnesses and conditions, including the early detection of some cancers and the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease. For patients, the chance to avoid invasive procedures such as biopsies and the prospects for earlier intervention are clear benefits, but there are ethical questions as well. Please join us to discuss what we can learn from blood tests in the future.

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-04-09/using-blood-tests-diagnose-and-treat-disease

The Supreme Court On Aereo And The Future Of TV (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

The Supreme Court, in the thick of things yesterday on broadcast rights and on race.  In the land of television, the court took up the case of little Aereo, the start-up that wants to capture broadcast television on lots of dime-sized antennae and move it on to you for a fee.  Let you cut the cable cord and skip the ads.  Is that theft?  Is that innovation?  The high court was struggling yesterday to discern.  On affirmative action and racial preferences in college admissions, the court said states can decide to say no.  The dissent was blistering.  This hour On Point:  broadcasting, affirmative action, and the high court. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/23/aereo-cord-cutting-tv-scotus

Who Needs A Life Coach? (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Maybe it’s the final “Oprah-fication” of America.  Suddenly it seems “life coaches” are all over the place.  Lost in your career?  Get a life coach.  Lost touch with your mojo?  Life coach.  Want a big turn or tune-up?  Life coach.  You put down the cash and the life coach goes to work.  Teasing out your dreams, your desires.  Getting you on track to get there.  The challenge may be at work, may be at home.  Maybe both.  Some therapists worry life coaches are getting into their terrain.  There used to be a stigma.  Maybe not now.  This hour On Point:  we’re looking at the boom in life coaching. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/23/life-coaching-therapy-big-business

Collection of Bill Maher's New Rules About Religion Part Three

http://youtu.be/Rn4UQU46Rbc

Collection of Bill Maher's New Rules About Religion Part Five

http://youtu.be/F8D-2FDzwec

The Minimum Wage Index: Why the GOP's Filibuster Will Hurt Workers

This week, a minority of United States senators blocked a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour from coming to a vote, overruling ... Read more

Obamacare Truthers Lose Another One

First, the Obamacare Truthers—the Republicans and conservatives who insist that every piece of remotely positive news about the health-care law's impa... Read more

Paul Krugman: Economics Failed Us Because We Ignored Its Basic Precepts

And harmful austerity measures suited the rich and powerful just fine.

 ... Read more

Cantor's Immigration Obstructionalism

When looking for hollow words in Washington, there is certainly no lack; Eric Cantor (R-Virgina), however, has been an absolute fountain of shallow rh... Read more

Opponents of Peace

So the opponents of peace have had their way again, for now. Chief among them is Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, who threw so many obstacle... Read more

Politicizing Prayer: James Dobson Calls Obama ‘Abortion President’ At Allegedly ‘Non-Partisan’ Prayer Day Event

It's probably just as well that Dobson has no respect for decorum, because he showed the true ... Read more

Danilo Türk: Diligence Isn't Enough. Be Creative.

Former President of Slovenia Danilo Türk discusses the importance of cultivating creativity in the schoolroom. Interview:

http://youtu.be/3X1p_YUHbpo

RWW News: Environmentalists Are Idolaters, Communists: Truth In Action Ministries

Highlights of a Truth In Action Ministries film which attacks environmental protection as a religious crusade to grow government, worship the creation.

http://youtu.be/3t4ggc02KcI

Stop Being Defensive (Senataor Bernie Sanders, Independent)

Sen. Bernie Sanders discusses health care with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC.

http://youtu.be/OSjXwzVKasU

Week In The News: An NBA Ban, Deadly Storms, The US Economy (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

With all the news in the world, an NBA team owner topped the headlines this week.  Banned for racist remarks.  So long, Donald Sterling.  Across the south and up the east coast, epic twisters and downpour.  A deadly mess.  In Oklahoma, a botched execution.  In Ukraine, troops on the move.  Helicopters shot down.  In the Mideast, peace talks collapse and John Kerry warns of apartheid in Israel.  Takes heat.  A minimum wage hike dies under GOP Senate filibuster.  US job numbers are up, but China may be the top economy as of this year.  This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview: http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/02/tornado-la-clippers-us-unemployment-numbers

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

The U.S. adds 288,000 jobs in April. That brings the unemployment rate down to 6.3 percent – the lowest in more than five years. The Department of Education for the first time releases a list of colleges and universities under investigation for allegedly mishandling sexual assault on campus. A day after the Senate blocks a hike in the federal minimum wage, Seattle’s mayor proposes to increase his city’s minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. If passed, it would be among the highest in the nation. And Oklahoma issues a timeline of the botched execution of a death row inmate. A panel of journalists joins Diane to discuss this week's top US news.
 

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-05-02/friday-news-roundup-domestic

 

 

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Pro-Russian militants extend their reach in eastern Ukraine. Iraqis turn out for their first nationwide elections since the U.S. troop withdrawal. And Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is questioned over his alleged role in a decades-old IRA slaying. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.
 

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-05-02/friday-news-roundup-international

The Cosmic Time Machine

http://www.fb.com/ScienceReason ... The Cosmic Time Machine (Hubblecast 68). For this episode of the Hubblecast, the Hubble Space Telescope transforms into more than just a telescope — it becomes a time machine! How can Hubble look back in time to see the Universe as it was billions of years ago? Dr. J (Jochen Liske) explores the vast scale of our Universe, explaining how Hubble can be used to grasp cosmic distances, view very distant galaxies, and even explore our own past.

http://youtu.be/JdRqj9NTprw

"A Matter of Faith" More Like "A Matter of DISHONESTY!"

Yep, another one.

http://youtu.be/cbFssvRYnZE

The fundamentals of space-time: Part 2 - Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie

Light always travels at a speed of 299,792,458 meters per second. But if you're in motion too, you're going to perceive it as traveling even faster -- which isn't possible! In this second installment of a three-part series on space-time, CERN scientists Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie use a space-time diagram to analyze the sometimes confounding motion of light.

http://youtu.be/aeCsS6PjhK8

Paul Ryan vs. The People (Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent)

Sen. Bernie Sanders discusses the minimum wage with Chris Jansing on MSNBC.

http://youtu.be/H-1O0hJVwSc

The Christian Pseudopersecution Narrative

Addressing the frequent, and oft overstated (if not outright fabricated), accusations of persecution against Christians in the United States.

http://youtu.be/ukH8h2Smgvo

The Science of Spontaneity: Mastering Wu-Wei

"In this 5-part Big Think Mentor workshop Edward Slingerland teaches you how to apply the ancient Chinese concept of Wu-Wei to your everyday life. Following the teachings of four philosophers (Confucius, Laozi, Mencius, and Zhuangzi) you will learn strategies for attaining the seemingly paradoxical state of "effortless action." In other words, you will learn how to cultivate your inner spontaneity - how to try not to try. Slingerland is an expert in Chinese thought, comparative religion, and cognitive science. This workshop is an accompaniment to his latest book "Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneity" (http://goo.gl/p59V7N).

This first video lesson is an introduction to idea of effortless action, the concepts Wu-Wei and De, and the four philosophers that will be covered in the workshop..."

http://youtu.be/mq10ZvZgxy4

From U.S., the ABC's of Jihad (washingtonpost.com)

"In the twilight of the Cold War, the United States spent millions of dollars to supply Afghan schoolchildren with textbooks filled with violent images and militant Islamic teachings, part of covert attempts to spur resistance to the Soviet occupation..."


http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/USjihadABCs.html

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s stories to be reissued with sex, drugs, and dirty words put back in

A new edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fourth collection of short stories, Taps at Reveille, will present the tales as Fitzgerald intended them to be read, instead of how the editors of The Saturday Evening Post thought their audience wanted them to be.
Read more

Koch-Funded Groups Continue Their Assault On Kansas Clean Energy Law

If this sounds like déjà vu, that's because it is.The post Koch-Funded Groups Continue Their Assault On Kansas Clean Energy Law ... Read more

ALEC Has A New Tactic It’s Using To Take Down The EPA

In 2014, the influential right-wing group adopted a new tactic -- seeking out friendly state attorneys and encouraging them to ... Read more

Stronger ‘Frackquakes’ Are On The Way, Scientists Warn

Because of the warnings, the U.S. government is beginning to track the risks that man-made earthquakes pose. The post Stronger ... Read more

Cheat Fresh: Subway Is The Biggest Fast Food Wage Thief

Subway leads the nation in total wage theft violations. Here's what workers and regulators are trying to do about it.The post ... Read more

Bringing Voting Into The 21st Century

States act to expand voting access with common-sense laws and judicial decisions.The post Bringing Voting Into The 21st Century ... Read more

Matt Dillahunty debates Ray Comfort

Debate with Ray Comfort, CEO Founder of Living Waters and Matt Dillahunty, host of The Atheist Experience. They debated the existence of God.

http://youtu.be/sOlD0d3dAh0

Mega-church pastor Adam Hamilton’s scandalous take on Scripture

As pastor of Church of the Resurrection, Adam Hamilton has the honor of leading the largest United Methodist congregation in the United States. More than 8,600 attend services each week, and the Kansas congregation is considered by many to be America’s most influential mainline Protestant church. But with the release of his provocative new book, “Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today,” Hamilton is becoming known as someone who is challenging traditional understandings the Bible...
http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2014/05/01/adam-hamilton-offers-scandalous-take-on-scripture/#sthash.QKSXV21H.dpuf

Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton
http://youtu.be/XL31pUOUw_U

93 Percent Of Straight Men In This Study Said They've Cuddled With Another Guy

That’s according to a new study out of Britain on the changing social habits of heterosexual males. Published in the journal of Men and Masculinities in March, the study revealed that 98 percent of the study’s participants -- all white, college-age male athletes -- have shared a bed with another guy. In addition, 93 percent also reported having spooned or cuddled with another man.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/01/straight-men-cuddle-guys-study_n_5241953.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

 

Net Neutrality R.I.P. (1969 - 2014)

"The Federal Communications Commission is proposing we pave over the open internet with a 'fast lane' reserved for those who can afford to travel in style. And make no mistake, lobbyists and ex-lobbyists are the ones in the ditches with neon orange vests, tearing up the flat, even ground on which the internet was built."

http://youtu.be/vuctDRAQPwE

The Medicine for America's Healthcare Headache Lies in Vermont

A people's movement is leading the way to establishing the first genuinely universal healthcare system in the country.

 ... Read more

Watch Mark Fiore's Latest Animation: Why the NRA Stokes Paranoia and Fear

Bang bang, ... Read more

John Kerry Shouldn't Have Apologized: Israel's Practice of Apartheid Doomed the Peace Process

For the first time a senior American official acknowledges that Israel could become an apartheid state.

 ... Read more

Conservatives, Evil and Psychopathy: Science Makes the Link!

You knew it was true. Now research proves it! The real motivation behind Rush, Sterling and defenses of awfulness.

 ... Read more

4 Disturbing Reasons the Private Prison Industry Is So Powerful

A major cause of the industry’s staying power is how deeply it has entrenched itself in public institutions and channels.

... Read more

GOP Launches New Push To Arm Ukraine

Nineteen Republican Senators joined together Wednesday to unveil new legislation on Ukraine and Russia Wednesday in an effort to pressure the Obama ad... Read more

British Officials Portrayed Reagan as a “Bozo”

Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were often portrayed as geo-political soul mates, but government files declassified in London on Wednesday expose ... Read more

Follow the Honey: 7 Ways Pesticide Companies Are Spinning the Bee Crisis

Like the repulsive 'Think. Don't Smoke' ads from Philip Morris, the pesticide industry now lauds 'saving bees' campaign.

 ... Read more

Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren Discusses Her New Book, Thomas Piketty and the Disappearing Middle Class

Warren's book argues how she plans to keep the middle class from vanishing.

... Read more

Stop Being a Victim! Take Responsibility

I had a good friend I'll call Tara. When she got a grant to get an advanced degree at a school far from New York, we promised to keep our friendship g... Read more

Here's The House GOP's 'Incredibly Rigged' Obamacare Survey

Insurance industry source tells TPM that the House GOP survey of how many Obamacare enrollees have actually paid their first premiums was "incredibly ... Read more

Indicted Ex-Gov. Bob McDonnell Gets A Teaching Gig At Liberty University

You know the old saying. Those who can, do. Those under indictment, teach. Liberty University announced this week that it had recently named a new di... Read more

GOP Chairman Contradicts Issa: 'No Evidence' Hillary's State Dept Ordered Benghazi Stand-Down

The never-ending political spat over Benghazi flared up again this week as Republicans made another round of allegations that the Obama administration... Read more

Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. Done by Albert Bierstadt in 1868. [1400x835]

Read more
 

TIL that China has built

...a new skyscraper every five days, more than 30 airports, metros in 25 cities, the three longest bridges in the world, more than 6,000 miles of high speed railway lines and 26,000 miles of motorway, all in the last 5 years.
Read more

Anti-Dark Money Activist Lawrence Lessig Launches A Super PAC To End Super PACs

"Our democracy is held hostage by the funders of campaigns. We're going to pay the ransom, and get it back."The post Anti-Dark ... Read more

Iowa Senate Candidate Wants To Hand Public Lands Over To Fossil Fuel Companies

Marc Jacobs, one of the GOP's candidates for Iowa's Senate seat, has an unusual idea for lowering government debt: sell off ... Read more

How Scientists, Car Companies, And The Military Are Creating The Smartest Energy Solution On The Market

Batteries are the linchpin to greening the world's electricity supply. But the technology isn't there yet. Can we make it ... Read more

House GOP Chairman Scoffs At His Own Party’s Benghazi Witness

Republicans in the Oversight Committee swooned over the latest high-profile Benghazi witness, but one GOP chair is less than ... Read more

Matt Dillahunty - Greatest Rant Ever

"I don't want to live in a world where those with power impose their evil intent on the masses and not face any type of consequence. Without God people can easily escape human justice. I can't buy into that." - message from a woman to the Atheist Community of Austin, summarizing her reasons for being a Christian. http://www.atheist-community.org/boar...

http://youtu.be/DBezvtQ_3a8

The 800-Pound Gorilla Of The Christian Right Legal Team

The Alliance Defending Freedom wants to take America back to the 3rd century. Literally. On the website for its legal fellowship program, the organization explains that it “seeks to recover the robust Christendomic theology of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th centuries.”

“This is catholic, universal orthodoxy and it is desperately crucial for cultural renewal,” the explanation goes on. “Christians must strive to build glorious cultural cathedrals, rather than shanty tin sheds.”
 ... Read more

Senator: ‘I Don’t Believe There Ought To Be A National Minimum Wage’

Tom Coburn is not the only Republican to come out for abolishing the minimum wage. The post Senator: 'I Don't ... Read more

This Island Is The First In The World To Be Powered Fully By Wind And Water

The smallest and southernmost of Spain's Canary Islands is about to make an outsized mark on the path towards a more renewable ... Read more

Crop Insurance Had Higher Error Rate Than Food Stamps Last Year

One program serves wealthy farm owners and has high error rates. The other serves poor families and has low error rates. Guess ... Read more

Less Than 24 Hours After Virginia Oil Train Spill, Same Company Derails Again In Maryland

Another CSX train carrying 8,000 tons of coal derailed in Maryland early Thursday morning.The post Less Than 24 Hours After ... Read more

We Have A Vaccine That Can Help Prevent Cancer — But Most Americans Aren’t Using It

Public health officials are getting a little frustrated. The post We Have A Vaccine That Can Help Prevent Cancer — But ... Read more

The 1% are really raking it in

From 1981 to 2012, the share of income that the top 1% of Americans take in has more than doubled, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The rich now earn about 20% of all pre-tax income in the United States, up from 8% in 1981...
Read more

Bundy Ranch Militia Operating Illegal Checkpoints

"A Democratic congressman from Nevada said in a letter this week that his constituents have reported the armed militia supporting rancher Cliven Bundy have set up checkpoints to verify the residency of anybody passing through.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV), who represents the area, sent the letter Sunday to Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie, asking him to investigate.

"I am writing to bring your attention to the ongoing situation in northeastern Clark County which has caused many of my constituents to fear for their safety," Horsford wrote."

http://youtu.be/GNosZ1j30GU

Raise the Wage | The White House

It will lift wages for 28 million Americans.
It will give businesses customers with more spending money.
It will grow the economy for everyone — and we can do it right now.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/raise-the-wage

Matthew Vines Speaks on "God and the Gay Christian"

"Matthew Vines speaks about his new book, God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships, on April 24, 2014 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Wichita, Kansas.

U.S. News & World Report has said the book "is likely to become the biggest, most talked about, Christian book of the year -- and could help shatter misperceptions about the Bible's characterizations of same-sex relationships as a sin against God."

http://youtu.be/NX3ZvZT2qzk

Gov Rick Scott Confronts Ugly Obamacare Truth: Seniors Love It!

"Florida Gov. Rick Scott's (R) hunt for Obamacare horror stories during a visit to a senior center on Tuesday didn't go exactly as planned, as all but one resident expressed satisfaction with the new health care law.

According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, Scott spoke with 20 seniors assembled at a conference table at the Volen Center in Boca Raton in an effort to collect negative feedback on President Barack Obama's signature health care law. Instead, Scott was greeted with overwhelming support for the Affordable Care Act, as residents reacted to Scott's claims that "Medicare is being reduced" to fund Obamacare."

http://youtu.be/9Bn0PDpEOug

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria 'Thank God' for Anti-LGBT Laws

Catholic bishops in Nigeria congratulated the president on law that imprisons LGBT people.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2014/02/05/catholic-bishops-nigeria-thank-god-anti-lgbt-laws

In rare public split, Catholic bishops differ sharply on anti-gay laws

(RNS) The Roman Catholic hierarchy has generally been viewed as a unified bloc in opposition to gay rights, but the emergence of especially punitive measures against gays in various countries has opened unusually stark and public fissures among bishops in different nations.

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/13/rare-public-split-catholic-bishops-differ-sharply-anti-gay-laws/

The Christian Voices Behind LGBT Oppression

Laws in Africa are targetting the LGBT community allowing law enforcement to inflict violence on those suspected of being gay.

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/archive/segment/lgbt-christians-and-oppression/5302310878c90a303f000447

Full Interview: begin at 26:45 -- http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/olympics-top-stories-for-feb-17th/52fcfc0a78c90a303a0001b9

Christianity's Dubious Legacy of Dehumanization Continues in Uganda

In "God Loves Uganda," Academy Award winning filmmaker Roger Williams takes a circuitous route that begins with well meaning, if not naïve, young miss... Read more

How to watch the full movie: http://www.godlovesuganda.com/watch/

YouTube with commentary: http://youtu.be/4y-Rphi4e68

'Huh?!' Jon Stewart Baffled By Sarah Palin's Waterboarding Remarks (VIDEO)

Jon Stewart was clearly mortified at the prospect of an America under the leadership of a terrorist-baptizing Sarah Palin on Tuesday's "The Daily Show... Read more

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Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

Former Justice Stevens Urges Congress To Rein In Campaign Finance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is among those urging Congress to rein in the ever-increasing spending on elections. ... Read more

Beck: Hillary 'Will Be Having Sex With A Woman On The White House Desk If It Becomes Popular'

While trashing political "cowards" who have backed gay marriage as it has become more popular with the public, conservative icon Glenn Beck appeared t... Read more