How Much the Government Really Costs You

The size and cost of federal government will be top of mind as the presidential contenders race toward 2016. Some have already suggested saving money by closing the Supreme Court, the Department of Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency. But how much do these and other government programs really cost you, and would eliminating them make a dent in the $3.8-trillion budget? We calculated the cost of federal departments and programs per U.S. resident—there are currently 321.4 million—to get an rough-and-ready idea of the per-person tab. Take the quiz to see how much you, and the candidates, know about where your tax dollars go.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/graphics/2015-budget-quiz/

Big Bad Socialism? The U.S. Is Already A Socialist Nation – And Conservatives Love It (VIDEO)

Show this video to all your conservative relatives who don't seem to realize they enjoy socialism each and every day... Read more
https://youtu.be/0zq-2cKENOc

Week In The News: GOP Presidential Debate, Malaysia Airlines Debris, Clean Power Plan (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

The first great GOP debate of the season, and the mini-debate that preceded it. Trump uses the “S” word. “Stupid.” Fiorina gets a boost. Christie and Paul go head to head. On the Iran deal, the President has sharp elbows, but not the support of one key Democrat. Planned Parenthood gets a reprieve, but is still in the firing line. Texas voter ID law: it’s discriminatory, an appeals court says. And Jon Stewart has the curtain call of the decade. This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/08/07/gop-debate-malaysia-airlines-election-2016-republican-party

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Republican candidates staked their positions Thursday in the party’s first presidential debates. The U.S. economy added 215,000 jobs in July, leaving the unemployment rate unchanged at 5.3 percent. New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer says he won’t support President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. Hillary Clinton releases new television ads as her favorability ratings shrink. A federal appeals court says a Texas voter ID law violates the Voting Rights Act. And Jon Stewart ends his run on “The Daily Show.” A panel of journalists joins guest host Laura Knoy to discuss the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-08-07/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show)

President Barack Obama takes on critics of the Iran nuclear deal. More airplane debris is found near Madagascar possibly connected to the missing Malaysian flight. And the world marks the 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. A panel of journalists joins guest host Laura Knoy for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-08-07/friday-news-roundup-international

Republicans Bash How Obama Talks About Terrorism. But He Sounds A Lot Like George W. Bush.

They might differ greatly on how to combat terrorism, but President Obama and former President Bush sound a lot alike when they ... Read more

Can taxing pimps and prostitutes save Social Security?

Mike Huckabee thinks so.
Read more

Shell Just Broke Up With ALEC Over Climate-Change Denials

Shell has left the conservative group -- but still keeps investing in new, risky fossil fuel development.  ... Read more

New Zealand Pledges An End To Coal By 2018

On Thursday, New Zealand's largest electricity and gas retailer announced it would close its last two coal-fired power plants ... Read more

India Could Plateau Coal Use By 2025-2030, Leading Politician Says

India may not commit to an absolute CO2 target for 2025-2030 at the Paris climate talks. But such a target is inevitable given ... Read more

Coal’s War On America

Coal companies want you to think they are helping the economy. They aren't. ... Read more

How New York City Plans To Treat Homeless People’s Mental Health Problems

"The bottom line here is that treatment saves lives. The absence of treatment puts lives in danger."  ... Read more

What The GOP Candidates Meant When They Were Talking About God At Last Night’s Debate

ThinkProgress' God Squad explains it all.  ... Read more

The Five Most Damaging Ideas GOP Candidates Have For Social Security

Social Security became a heated topic at the first Republican debate, but many candidates have backed cuts and other extreme ... Read more

Why Did Chris Christie Say He Was Appointed U.S. Attorney The Day Before 9/11 When He Wasn’t?

For years, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has been claiming he was appointed to a federal prosecutor job the day before the ... Read more

Fox News Had Time To Ask The Candidates If They’ve ‘Received Word From God,’ But Not These 7 Topics

Republicans would rather talk ISIS than paid family leave or voting rights. ... Read more

Rick Santorum’s Plan To Devastate The Poorest People In America

Rick Santorum laid out a proposal to drastically change the country's safety net and drop millions from assistance. ... Read more

As phone companies ditch copper, they nix the ability to call during blackouts

Some telecoms embrace fiber and wireless phone lines, which are faster but do not supply electricity on their own, as copper lines do. ... Read more

GOP Candidates Reveal Their Terrifying Fantasies About Abortion At First Debate

Here's what your reproductive rights would look like under a Republican president.  ... Read more

Republican Debate: Everybody Loses

https://youtu.be/XXOZVhW-s38

WTF Are Gog and Magog?

https://youtu.be/60BSdoE_a1o

Spotlight on Ferguson courts one year later

Poor people are repeatedly jailed because they cannot afford to pay traffic tickets and all the fees that apply...
https://youtu.be/uuugdWpP6pQ

FULL: 2016 First Republican Presidential Debate- Top 10 Candidates

https://youtu.be/B_AIC__r_5A

Catholic bishop in ‘death to gays’ storm

Regarding homosexuality, the 73-year-old bishop quoted two verses from the book of Leviticus, including Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
In response to applause, he continued: “Both of these passages alone suffice to clarify unambiguously the church’s position on homosexuality”...
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/homophobia_catholic-bishop-in--death-to-gays--storm/41582320

TX Public School Posts Made Up Quotes from Reagan, Bible, George Washington to Promote Christianity

Did you have any idea that our first President believed that government required God and the Bible in order to function? And are you familiar with the following quote from President Ronald Reagan? “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” Chances are you haven’t heard of either of these – because they’re both fiction. George Washington is better categorized as a Deist (rather than a traditional Christian), and Reagan never made such a statement about the Bible...
https://www.ringoffireradio.com/2015/08/texas-public-school-posts-made-up-quotes-from-ronald-reagan-the-bible-george-washington-and-others-to-promote/

This Is What Planned Parenthood Has Actually Done For People

Contrary to what anti-abortion Republicans trying to defund Planned Parenthood may want you to believe, the organization is a vital healthcare source to millions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-what-planned-parenthood-has-actually-done-for-people_55c21456e4b0f7f0bebb0301

GOP Debate: Best and worst money moments

"Economic growth is the key to everything," said one of the Republican presidential candidates in the first debate...
Read more

Historic ACLU Victory: State of Nebraska Barred From Discriminating Against LBGT Foster Parents

LINCOLN, Neb – Today a Nebraska District Court Judge ruled that Nebraska’s discriminatory treatment, policy and practice, toward gay and lesbian foster parents is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause.
http://aclunebraska.org/index.php/lgbt-rights/247-historic-aclu-victory-state-of-nebraska-barred-from-discriminating-against-lbgt-foster-parents

Conservatives are mad at Fox News and Megyn Kelly. They shouldn’t be.

So, I guess this means that it’s not that conservatives are unwittingly bamboozled by Fox’s biases while claiming to be fair and balanced, they actually want to be presented a biased and distorted view disconnected from reality.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/07/conservatives-are-mad-at-fox-news-and-megyn-kelly-they-shouldnt-be/

This Is How Much A Big Mac Would Cost If The Minimum Wage Was $15

An estimate of how much fast food prices would increase if the minimum wage were raised to that level across the country. The ... Read more

Republicans Repeatedly Voted To Use Aborted Fetuses For Scientific Research

Several GOP lawmakers voted to approve the same thing they're outraged at Planned Parenthood for doing. ... Read more

National Association of Manufacturers opposes EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases - SourceWatch

... using lots of money from the Koch brothers and their front groups...
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/National_Association_of_Manufacturers#Ties_to_the_Koch_Brothers

Kochs Rebrand Themselves As Champions Of Poor, Fight To Slash Wages And Eliminate Their Health Care

"We, too, are seeking to right injustices that are holding our country back," Charles Koch told the room full of donors and ... Read more

Despite 'Light' Reserve Duties, Lindsey Graham Kept Getting Promotions

Of all the candidates vying to become the nation's next commander in chief, none has spent as much time in the military as Sen. Lindsey O. Graham....  Read more

GOP Bingo, The Cards Don't Change

"I came across this Bingo Card from one of the GOP debates from 2012 and was struck with how little has changed in GOP rhetoric. It's hard not to miss ..."  Read more

These companies want LGBT discrimination banned

While June's Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage was a huge win, the LGBT community can still be legally discriminated against in much of the country.
Read more

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia is having to borrow money

The oil kingdom is facing a big hole in its budget, caused by the slump in oil prices and a sharp rise in military spending. That's forcing the government to raid its reserves, and it may even borrow from foreign investors, analysts say.
Read more

The Most Ironic Moment Of The First Republican Debate, Courtesy Of Rick Santorum

Equality, with some major exceptions.  ... Read more

First Fox Debate Included Repeated Questions On Islamic Terrorism, Zero On White Supremacist Attacks

American Muslims have carried out 20 plots in the last 13 years resulting in 50 deaths. In contrast, right-wing extremists ... Read more

GOP Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of The Voting Rights Act With Coded Call For More Voter Suppression

Republicans have done more to undermine the Voting Rights Act in the last three years then all of the slings and arrows hurled ... Read more

16 States Think The EPA’s Emissions Rule Isn’t Legal And They Shouldn’t Have To Comply

In a letter to the EPA, 16 states asked for the new EPA rule to be put on hold.  ... Read more

Cuts To Domestic Violence Services Are Placing Victims In Danger

More than 10,000 victims of domestic violence were turned away from shelters and programs that are suffering from reduced ... Read more

Cop Justifies Repeated Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man With The ‘Zombie’ Defense

The return of the "supernatural" police victim.  ... Read more

Kentucky Clerk Sues Governor For Making Her Do Her Job And Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

If Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis loses the suits against her for not issuing same-sex marriage licenses, she wants to blame the ... Read more

You Will Not Believe How Reagan Talked About Immigration During The 1980 GOP Presidential Debate

Recent Republican presidential debate rhetoric has come far to the right of where the party once was.  ... Read more
https://youtu.be/Ixi9_cciy8w

7 Genuinely Tough Questions For The First GOP Debate That Fox News Probably Won’t Ask

What they should ask but probably won't.  ... Read more

Efforts To Curb The Nation’s Deadly Heroin Epidemic (Diane Rehm Show)

Heroin addiction has been rising sharply in this country with deadly consequences. In 2013, more than half a million Americans were taking the drug, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The number of deaths from overdoses has nearly quadrupled since 2002. It’s a tragedy unfolding in poor and affluent communities alike. Many say the heroin addiction surge we’re seeing today is related to laws enacted to reduce the abuse of prescription painkillers. We look at why heroin has become a drug of choice for so many, and what families and communities can do to fight back.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-07-28/efforts-to-curb-the-nations-deadly-heroin-epidemic

Obama, America And Africa Today (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

President Obama, wrapping up his Africa visit today with a speech to the African Union in Ethiopia. But the numbers on Africa almost speak for themselves. A population set to double, to two billion in the decades ahead. Country after country where China has become the leading trading partner, investing $100 billion in Ethiopia alone in the next few years. And then there’s that 100 percent of the vote that Ethiopia’s rulers won in their last election. A sham, that’s been called. But Africa is moving. This hour, On Point: President Obama and the United States in Africa.
Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/07/28/obama-kenya-africa-ethiopia-foreign-policy

Scott Walker, Carly Fiorina And The 2016 Election (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

In six months, Republican voters will start deciding one of their most unusual nomination races ever. Sixteen candidates are fighting for attention – fifteen of them, at least for now, in the shadow of Donald Trump. We’ll talk to two of them. Carly Fiorina, the former chief executive of a major technology company, is a longshot in the race. Scott Walker, the current governor of Wisconsin is one of the favorites. And two top Republican strategist will break down the jumbled field. This hour, On Point: is this any way for Republicans to beat Hillary Clinton?
Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/07/27/scott-walker-carly-fiorina-republican-2016-primary

Eric Schwitzgebel on "Moral hypocrisy: why doesn't knowing about ethics make people more ethical?" (Rationally Speaking, RS139)

You might expect that professional ethicists -- people whose job it is to determine which behaviors are ethical and why -- would behave more ethically than other people. You'd be wrong! This episode features philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel , who is well known for his work studying whether experts in ethics live up to their own standards. He and Julia discuss why the answer is "no," and explore questions like, "How do you decide how moral you're going to try to be?" 

Eric Schwitzgebel is a Professor of Philosophy at University of California at Riverside. He is the co-author (with Russell T. Hurlburt) of Describing Inner Experience?: Proponent Meets Skeptic and blogs at The splintered Mind.
Interview:

http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs139-eric-schwitzgebel-on-moral-hypocrisy-why-doesnt-knowin.html

Bart Campolo, Humanist Chaplain and Former Evangelical Christian

Bart Campolo is a former evangelical Christian leader (and son of famed pastor Tony Campolo) who currently serves as the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.

We spoke about progressive Christianity, what it was like coming to terms with his Humanism, and death. Lots about death.

In all seriousness, it’s one of the most interesting and inspiring conversations about death I’ve ever had. That segment begins around the 27:00 mark. Do yourself a favor and listen to it.
Interview:
http://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2015/07/26/bart-campolo-humanist-chaplain-and-former-evangelical-christian/

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe #524

Interview with James Randi and Ray Hyman
Introducing Cara Santa Maria
Forgotten Superheroes of Science: Henrietta Leavitt
News Items: Pluto Close Approach, Village on the Moon, Giant Fighting Robots, Depression App, Teaching Science Wrong, New Winged Dinosaur, Pentaquark
Science or Fiction
Interview:
http://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcast/sgu/524

Robert Reich - Instead of Cutting Medicare... - 07-31-2015

It's Medicare's 50th anniversary today. Here's how it can continue to make health care more affordable for all ... in under three minutes.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/RtLNMHlYMnU

We Must Fight Back Against Voter Suppression

https://youtu.be/sQ9H7B-6vHo

Here’s the One Fox Republican Debate Question Each Candidate Doesn’t Want

http://time.com/3987471/fox-republican-debate-gop-donald-trump/

'No Racial Slurs' Rule Went Right Out The Window At Confederate Flag Rally

One of the rules Saturday was simple: "No racial slurs." But that apparently didn't last long at the Georgia rally to support the Confederate flag at ... Read more

Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad returns to political stage

He remains popular among the rural poor because of his government's decision to provide monthly cash handouts after cutting food and energy subsidies,... Read more

A Hollywood Animal Trainer's Secrets For Getting Dogs To Act On Cue (Terry Gross, Fresh Air)

Animal trainer Teresa Ann Miller is used to working with furry performers, but she says the Hungarian film White God was especially challenging. "This wasn't necessarily a film with an animal in it," Miller tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross. "It was a dog leading the film and telling the story."

Directed by Kornél Mundruczó, White God tells the story of a mixed-breed dog, Hagen, who is abandoned alongside a highway and who then bands together with other discarded dogs to get revenge against the people who have mistreated them.

Miller helped cast and train the two dogs who shared the role of Hagen...
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/29/427210264/a-hollywood-animal-trainers-secrets-for-getting-dogs-to-act-on-cue

New TV Ad Tries To Convince Americans That Smog Isn’t A Problem

The ad features images of pristine national parks that are, in fact, experiencing dangerous levels of air pollution caused by ... Read more

Jeb Bush Threatens To Unilaterally Cut Members Of Congress’ Pay If They Don’t Do What He Wants

In our system of government, elected officials are accountable to the voters for their jobs and the benefits that come with ... Read more

Senate Dems Block GOP Bill To Defund Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate blocked a Republican drive Monday to terminate federal funds for Planned Parenthood, setting the stage for the GOP to try... Read more