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Featured: Interviews for the Well-Informed

Featured: Interviews for the Well-Informed

Did you know? After the last post on this page is a link to "Older posts".

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Interview an Atheist in Church Day (Jackson, MS) (repost)

In conjunction with National Interview an Atheist in Church Day (May 5, 2013), the pastor of the Meadowbrook Church of Christ in Jackson, MS interviewed Neil Carter on May 1st.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/7hzHSA7pSWc

People Planning On Moving To Canada Because Of The Supreme Court Decision

https://youtu.be/-kTJr5h5HKU

Real Time with Bill Maher: Future Headlines – June 26, 2015 (HBO)

Bill delivers some “future headlines” viewers can expect while Real Time is on summer break.
https://youtu.be/xurHizmMREI

SCOTUS Upholds State Health Care Subsidies (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

A major victory today for President Obama and supporters for the Affordable Care Act. In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit that would have barred millions of Americans from receiving tax credits to help them pay for health insurance. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority decision, stating, “Congress passed the Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to destroy them.” In his dissent, Justice Scalia said, “We should start calling the law SCOTUS Care.” This hour, On Point: the Supreme Court upholds Obamacare subsidies.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/06/25/scotus-obamacare-upheld-john-roberts-antonin-scalia

Supreme Court Makes Same-Sex Marriage Legal Nationwide (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that gay marriage is now the law of the land. States now must allow same sex couples to marry and they must respect same sex marriages from other states. That means 14 states that don’t allow same sex marriage now have to fall in line with the others. The majority decision was written by Justice Kennedy, just as he did in the court’s previous three major gay rights cases dating back to 1996. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the dissent. We’ll unpack it all. This hour On Point: Same-sex marriage, law of the land.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/06/26/same-sex-marriage-legal

Week In The News: Obamacare Lives, Confederate Flag Falls, Same-Sex Marriage Becomes A Right (Tom Ashbrook, On Point, 6/26/2015)

The Supreme Court upholds Obamacare subsidies. A huge win for the president. Republicans vow to keep fighting. And same-sex marriage becomes the law of the land. In Charleston, funerals begin for the nine killed at Mother Emanuel. Across the nation deep conversations about racism, forgiveness, and the Confederate flag. The US sends tanks to Eastern Europe. Still no deal for Greece. France investigates a suspected terror attack. Back home, new questions about Hillary’s emails. Bobby Jindal jumps in to the 2016 fray. Jordan Spieth stuns at the Masters.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/06/26/obamacare-scotus-tpa-tpp-congress-obama

The Supreme Court Rules on King v. Burwell (Diane Rehm Show)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this morning that the federal government may continue to provide tax subsidies to lower income individual and families who signed up for health insurance on federally run health exchanges. The plaintiffs in the case, King versus Burwell, had argued these subsidies were illegal per IRS tax code. The decision leaves intact the Affordable Care Act, a signature, but much challenged, achievement of the Obama administration. Join us for an update on the decision and its implications
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-06-25/the-supreme-court-rules-on-king-v-burwell

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show, 6/26/2015)

In a big win for President Barack Obama, the Supreme Court upholds federal healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Following the decision, Obama says the law is “here to stay.” In more good news for the President, Congress clears the way for the Trans-Pacific trade deal. Funerals begin in Charleston for the victims of last week’s church shooting, as calls to take down Confederate symbols grow louder across the country. And Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal adds his name to the field of Republican candidates running for president. Guest host Susan Page and a panel of reporters discuss the week in news.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-06-26/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show, 6/26/2015)

Terrorist attacks leave a deadly toll in France, Tunisia and Kuwait. With a June 30 deadline looming for an Iran nuclear deal, Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart head to Vienna for a final push toward an agreement. The White House announces changes to U.S. hostage policy, at a time when more than 30 Americans are being held by terrorist groups abroad. Russian president Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama speak directly for the first time in months, in the same week that NATO has been beefing up defenses against Russian threats. And Greece makes an 11th-hour try for a deal with international creditors. Guest host Susan Page and a panel of journalists discuss the week’s top international stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-06-26/friday-news-roundup-international

State Moves To Block Cities From Increasing Minimum Wage Or Requiring Paid Sick Leave

Michigan is on the verge of banning local governments from increasing their own worker protections.  ... Read more

"Giant Step Toward Banana Republic": Conservative Media React To Supreme Court's Health Care Decision

Right-Wing Commentators Savage Chief Justice Roberts As "Scumbag," "Disgrace" For Preserving Affordable Health Care.
...  Read more

The Gospel of Denial

Now that Pope Francis has come out on the side of acknowledging human-caused global warming, Republican presidential contenders are suddenly on the side of “science” not religion. Where does this pope guy get off on mixing religion and politics, sheesh!
https://youtu.be/67lZGJj7Z7k

RWW News: Todd Starnes Warns Pastors To 'Prepare For Hate Crime Charges'

Todd Starnes warns pastors who refuse to perform gay marriage that they had better prepare themselves for the reality of facing hate crimes charges.
https://youtu.be/BmuC5X_RwYw

RWW News: Franklin Graham Says Christians Must Prepare For Persecution And God's Judgment On America

Franklin Graham says the Supreme Court has endorsed sin by legalizing gay marriage and so Christians must prepare for persecution and God's judgment to come upon this nation.
https://youtu.be/NaeJafw9Jms

Marriage Equality Scorecard

America's Best Christian, Mrs. Betty Bowers, breaks down who is on the side of the gays and who is on the side of conservative Christianity.
https://youtu.be/khiB9WONSqs

Real Time with Bill Maher: The United States of You Don’t Wanna Know (HBO)

In his editorial New Rule, Bill Maher calls out deregulators for shielding corporations at the expense of consumers.
https://youtu.be/sn_puUVJAYw

Christian Pastor Promises To Set Himself On Fire If Gay Marriage Is Legalized Nationwide (AUDIO)

A "Christian" pastor has threatened to set himself on fire if gay marriage is legalized nationwide. Promises, promises.  Read more

Proof Republicans Have Gone Insane: Trump Comes In 2nd In GOP Presidential Poll

It must be the hair. Read more

72 mass shootings since Sandy Hook, in one map

In December 2012, a gunman killed 20 children, six adults, and himself at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The event caught the e...  Read more

Friday, June 26, 2015

Pastor Who Prayed For Obama’s Death Wants God To Rip Caitlyn Jenner’s Heart Out (VIDEO)

Is it really any wonder that Christianity is on the decline in America? Pastor Stephen L. Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona is a veritable fount of hatred — so much so that the SPLC has officially recognized him and his flock as a hate group.

Pastor Anderson, who would be a virtual unknown if not for his decision to repeatedly provoke border agents in hopes of finally getting a response he could construe as an example of the government persecuting Christians — and, of course, his Secret Service visit after he threatened the President’s life. True, he was threatening to use magic, but he still prayed for his god to smite Barack Obama...
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/09/pastor-who-prayed-for-obamas-death-wants-god-to-rip-caitlyn-jenners-heart-out-video/
http://youtu.be/Fu-MC0A5THE

Fat back on the menu in new, Republican-opposed dietary guidelines

...Fat, on the whole, is no longer our enemy, but saturated fat is. Also, Americans should consider switching to a more plant-based diet for the good of the environment. Unsurprisingly, those two key guidelines have the meat industry (and the Republicans whose coffers they fill) up in arms...
http://natureworldreport.com/2015/06/fat-back-on-the-menu-in-new-republican-opposed-dietary-guidelines/


This Is Bernie Sanders' Plan to Beat Hillary Clinton

"We have to present the differences in the ads without him coming across as part of the political system," says Tad Devine, Sanders' longtime strategist and ad man.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/06/bernie-sanders-plan-to-beat-hillary-clinton

Alberta passes bill banning corporate and union donations to political parties

“Getting union and corporate donations out of politics is good for democracy, it’s good for Alberta. The NDP even accepted one of our amendments, which shows some progress,” said Jean. “But there is still a horrendous loophole in this legislation; unions can actually pay their employees to volunteer for a political party. We don’t think that’s right.”
Read more

The Sound Of Silence: Fundamentalist DJ Company In Md. Refuses To Work Gay Man’s Birthday Party

What a typical (and appalling) Religious Right attitude. Lampiris firmly believes his personal concept of religion not only gives him tremendous power over others, it even allows him to ignore laws he doesn’t like. The arrogance is astounding.
... Read more

The Truth Leaks Out: Top Southern Baptist Official Admits Churches Won’t Be Forced To Marry Same-Sex Couples

In the years to come, churches that hold views that are considered backward and bigoted may find that fewer and fewer people are interested in attending their services. But that won’t come about because of a government fiat; it will occur due to a natural cultural evolution.
... Read more

Memo To The Religious Right: When It Comes To Marriage, You Don’t Speak For All People Of Faith

Americans of all stripes and ideological perspectives are seeing that same-sex marriage should no longer be wielded as a battering ram to divide our local communities.
... Read more

Fire up your Mac's firewall

"A few weeks back, after the Working Mac column about scanning your Mac for viruses I received an email message from" ... Read more

Ted Cruz slams 'rogue justices'

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz had choice words Thursday, for the Supreme Court justices whose majority vote upheld President Obama's Afford... Read more

5 Points On Why John Roberts Upheld Obamacare Subsidies

In voting to uphold Obamacare Thursday, the Supreme Court preserved health care insurance for millions of Americans, ended what is likely the last maj... Read more

Why scientists are so fascinated with how the turtle got its shell

A 240-million year-old fossil from Germany has helped solve 'one of the longest standing controversies' in understanding evolutionary history. ... Read more

Yet Again, A Scalia Dissent Is Used Against Him

Justice Antonin Scalia strongly objected to Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, so it was amusing to see Chief Justic... Read more

The Future Is Here: Google Is Turning An Old Coal Plant Into A Clean Energy-Powered Data Center

Google's cool new project: building a data center on the grounds of a closing coal plant.  ... Read more

The Obamacare Issue That Should Still Be A Political Scandal For Republicans

Subsidies may be safe, but the political resistance to Medicaid expansion is leaving millions of people locked out of ... Read more

Senate Recommends $1.7 Billion In Education Cuts

The Senate advanced a spending bill that cuts The U.S. Department of Education by $1.7 billion but the House appropriations ... Read more

How The Supreme Court’s Major Housing Ruling Could Impact Voter ID

Senior Attorney Kathy Culliton-Gonzalez with the Advancement Project, which is involved in several voting rights lawsuits around the country, said the ruling is “very helpful” because it asserts that it’s not necessary to prove intentional voter suppression based on race.
... Read more

The Supreme Court’s Obamacare Decision Is The Biggest Possible Win For The Obama Administration

King v. Burwell is the most perfect victory that the Obama administration could have achieved in this case. It not only ... Read more

healthfinder.gov - Same-Sex Marriage Offers Couples Psychological Benefits, Experts Say

Supreme Court decision to support it would also boost well-being of couples, according to social scientists.
http://healthfinder.gov/News/Article/700739/same-sex-marriage-offers-couples-psychological-benefits-experts-say

‘A New Era': Canada’s Oil Country Promises To Become ‘World Leader’ On Climate Change

“We need a climate change plan that is bold, ambitious, and will bring Alberta into a new era of responsible energy development and environmental sustainability,” Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said Thursday. “If we get it right, our environmental policy will make us world leaders on this issue, instead of giving us a black eye around the world.”
. .. Read more

Pope Francis Says Divorce Can Be 'Morally Necessary' To Protect Kids

The pontiff was clear in specifying the extreme cases in which he saw family breakdown as justifiable: “when it comes to saving the weaker spouse, or young children, from more serious injuries caused by intimidation and violence, by humiliation and exploitation, by lack of involvement and indifference.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/25/pope-francis-marital-separation_n_7657512.html

Top 10 Funny Richard Dawkins Moments - Best Of Richard Dawkins HUMILIATING Theists!

Watch as Richard Dawkins taunts, humiliates and out-smarts theists and creationists like it's nothing! These are Richard Dawkins' top 10 funny moments.
http://youtu.be/dyB1wTV3Tj0

Thursday, June 25, 2015

US president Barack Obama heckled at White House gay pride event

The heckler interrupted Mr Obama, who was joined by vice-president Joe Biden, shortly after he started speaking at a reception for LGBT pride month.

"Listen, you're in my house ... you're not going to get a good response from me by interrupting me like this," Mr Obama said.

Mr Obama said "Shame on you ... you shouldn't be doing this" in response to the heckler who said "Shame on you".

The heckler continued shouting as Mr Obama requested the man be removed from the room.

The heckler, who was heard shouting "no more deportation", was reportedly removed from the event.
Interview:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-25/president-barack-obama-heckled-at-gay-pride-event-at-white-house/6573854
https://youtu.be/M5WsDgJo2Q4

Gov. Scott Walker OKs Looser Gun Law One Week After Charleston Shooting

MILWAUKEE (AP) — After signing two bills that loosen Wisconsin's gun laws, Gov. Scott Walker defended the timing of his public event Wednesday, saying... Read more

Anti-Abortion Terrorism and Free Speech, with David Cohen (Point of Inquiry, 6/8/2015)

Opponents of abortion have been largely successful in wielding the First Amendment in their fight to protest abortion providers and patients, and according to this week’s guest, this freedom has too often resulted in the terrorization and harassment of providers who are forced to live each day fearing for their lives. Few realize just how dangerous it is to be a doctor who preforms abortion procedures, who often feel that they have no choice but to wear bulletproof vests or carry a firearm for protection.

David Cohen is associate professor at the Drexel University of Law and co-author of Living in the Crosshairs: The Untold Stories of Anti-Abortion Terrorism, co-authored with Krysten Connon. They interviewed abortion providers across the country about what they deal with on a day to day basis. Talking with host Lindsay Beyerstein, Cohen brings the insight he’s gained as to how exactly we should be responding to anti-abortion terrorism, and the need to protect the lives of health care providers as much as we protect freedom of speech.
Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/anti-abortion_terrorism_and_free_speech_with_david_cohen/

Benjamin Todd on 80,000 Hours (Rationally Speaking #121)

If you want to choose a career that helps other people effectively, which should you pick? Medicine? Research? Non-profit? The answers may not be as straightforward as you think. This episode of Rationally Speaking features special guest Benjamin Todd, the co-founder and executive director of 80,000 Hours, an organization devoted to helping people choose career paths to do good better. Ben, Massimo and Julia debate the heuristics that should go into career choice, utilitarianism vs. virtue ethics, and what exactly we mean by "doing good."

Benjamin's pick: The Open Philanthropy Project
Interview:
http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs121-benjamin-todd-on-80000-hours.html

"Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing To Do With God" Greta Christina on Atheists Talk #294, December 21, 2014

Whether we call ourselves atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers or none of the above, we have likely all given some thought to the consequences of our non-belief. One of those consequences is the way that we view the concept of death, and more specifically the knowledge that we will one day die, as will every living being in existence. It can be quite a daunting topic to think about. As we well know, there are many ways that human beings comfort and protect themselves against the idea of death, but many of them are focused on the idea of an afterlife, reincarnation or other supernatural ideas, which leaves nonbelievers and skeptics out in the proverbial cold.

Here to continue the conversation of how non-believers perceive the ideas and field the existential questions surrounding death and the meaning of a finite life is Greta Christina with her newly published book Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing To Do With God. Greta Christina tackles hard philosophical questions in a relaxed, conversational tone, and one cannot help but be...comforted...by the thoughts and ideas that she lays out.
Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/1022-comforting-thoughts-about-death-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-god-greta-christina-on-atheists-talk-294-december-21-2014

JENNIFER MICHAEL HECHT, AUTHOR OF DOUBT: A HISTORY (The Friendly Atheist, #54)

Jennifer Michael Hecht is a historian, philosopher, and author of several bestselling books including Doubt: A History.

Her latest book is called Stay: A History of Suicide and the Philosophies Against It.

At the American Atheists 2015 convention in Memphis, Tennessee, Jessica spoke with Jennifer about how thoughts of suicide differ between atheists and religious people, how more people in history have been atheists than believers, and whether it’s possible to discern what certain historical figures thought about God.
Interview:
http://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2015/05/10/jennifer-michael-hecht-author-of-doubt-a-history/

WTF Podcast Interview with President Barack Obama

Marc welcomes the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, to the garage for conversation about college, fitting in, race relations, gun violence, changing the status quo, disappointing your fans, comedians, fatherhood and overcoming fear. And yes, this really happened.
Interview"
http://potus.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_613_-_president_barack_obama/

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

GOP pushes back against dietary guidelines that wade into climate debate

House and Senate spending bills say the guidelines must focus only on nutrition and diet. That's a clear effort to thwart a recommendation by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that eating a diet higher in vegetables and other plant-based foods is better for the environment than eating a diet based more on foods from animals.

The advice from a government advisory panel of independent doctors and nutrition experts has raised the ire of the meat industry.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-dietary-guidelines-climate-20150624-story.html


Family Acceptance Is The Biggest Factor For Positive LGBT Youth Outcomes, Study Finds

Of all the factors that help LGBT youth thrive, family acceptance makes the biggest difference ... Read more


The ‘Abortion Drone’ Is Bringing Women A Safe Way To End An Early Pregnancy

The stunt is already going viral.  ... Read more

High School Students Come Up With Brilliant Way To Detect Sexually Transmitted Infections

"We wanted to make something that make detecting harmful STIs safer than ever before." ... Read more


Atheism and Crime

http://youtu.be/aRYmokmBOdE

The Real Origins Of ‘Lone Wolf’ White Supremacists Like Dylann Roof

The "lone wolf" idea is a strategy coined by white nationalists to adapt their racist insurrection for a new age.... Read more

Bobby Jindal Blurs The Lines Between Policy and Religion

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is set to official announce his plan to run for the Republican presidential nomination, ... Read more


This Is How They Teach The History Of Slavery In South Carolina

American history classes teach us a lot about whose perspective we value. Often, South Carolina lesson plan examples show us ... Read more

Democrats Unveil Bill To Restore Gutted Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Advancement Act, a stronger bill than the version introduced in 2014, has no Republican co-sponsors. ... Read more

Senator On Charleston Shooter: ‘That’s Mideast Hate. That’s Something I Didn’t Think We Had Here’

A very weird moment.  ... Read more

South Carolina Lawmaker Blames Victims Who ‘Waited Their Turn To Be Shot’

If victims had protected themselves, the GOP lawmaker says, "we'd have less funerals than we're having." ... Read more


Law Enforcement More Afraid Of Right Wing Attacks Than Islamic Extremism: Survey

C&L has been covering the rise of right wing extremist violence since our beginning days and we've seen a huge increase in their behavior ever since P...  Read more

Anchor Laughs at Ted Cruz LYING About Govt. Shutdown

"Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) argued forcefully Sunday that the government shutdown late last year was not the Republican Party's fault, but was in fact the Democrats' doing -- a contention that even members of Cruz's own party disagree with."*

In an interview with CBS' Bob Schieffer, Ted Cruz lied, completely ironically, saying he didn't push for last year's government shutdown, putting the blame on President Obama instead. The facts, other members of the Republican party, and a well-documented "filibuster" from Cruz point to that being an absolute lie. Cenk Uygur breaks it down.
http://youtu.be/QF7rQRNCCOY

The Patriotic Racism of the Republican Party...

Thom Hartmann wonders why Republican racism isn't called out as unpatriotic?
http://youtu.be/l5UgMkWlnvs

Jon Stewart Slams Fox For Hypocrisy On 'Politicizing' Charleston Shooting

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart opened his show this Monday by taking on the hypocrites over at Faux "news" for their carping that President Obama and th...  Read more

Larry Wilmore Whacks Fox For Attacks On Obama For Using The N-Word

The Nightly Show's Larry Wilmore let the talking heads over at Fox and the rest of our corporate media have it for their ridiculous attacks on Preside...  Read more


North Carolina Teen Planned Assassinations To Prove Worth To ISIS

Another illustration of why there should have been no surprise over the concerns about domestic terrorism. Were it not for Justin Nojan Sullivan's fat...  Read more

Poll: Protests Are Great For America Unless Protesters Are Black

Look no further than this poll to understand why Ferguson protesters were regarded as "thugs" but Tea Partyers were just Americans exercising their Fi...  Read more

The Fear of Death (The Thinking Atheist, 2/3/2015)

Believers in Heaven look forward to an afterlife. But does their belief in posthumous existence alleviate their fears about death and dying? How does the atheist approach the reality that, one day, the curtain will close on his/her life? Join us for an intriguing exploration of the subject of death.
Interview:
http://www.thethinkingatheist.com/podcast/the-fear-of-death#sthash.svhn8bBT.dpuf








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