DN Speak: 8/16/15

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Ted Cruz's Campaign Dismisses Renewed Birther Attention

Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-TX) presidential campaign responded Wednesday to renewed attention from birthers who believe the Texas Republican isn't eligible to... Read more

Now Officially Off-the-Rails: Ben Carson Open To Using Drone Strikes At The Border

Castellated southern border wall not enough? The oneupsmanship continues. Ben Carson says he'd consider using drone strikes to secure the southern bor... Read more

Armed 'Patriot' Guarding 'Muslim-Free' Gun Store Accidentally Shoots Himself

The unidentified man was part of a self-described "patriot" group guarding the Save Yourself Survival and Tactical Gear store. Its owners said they began receiving death threats after they posted a sign on their door that said it was a "Muslim free" establishment, according to KOTV.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/oktaha-oklahoma-muslim-free-gun-shooting

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Nuclear Weapons (HBO)

America has over 4,800 nuclear weapons, and we don’t take terrific care of them.
It’s terrifying, basically.
http://youtu.be/1Y1ya-yF35g

Insane Conspiracy Theories Ted Cruz Actually Believes

"Cenk Uygur (http://www.twitter.com/cenkuygur) host of The Young Turks discusses the revelation of some pretty whack conspiracy theories Senator Ted Cruz believes.

Believing in wild and wacky things is nothing new to either Republicans or Democrats so it should surprised absolutely no one that Texan Republican Senator Ted Cruz holds dear so rather tall tales. Things Cruz believes range from, but are certainly not limited to; Communist infiltrators of Ivy League schools to a devious plot to destroy the game of golf. And this is only the tamer things that he is sure of."

Should you vote on politicians based on their personal beliefs? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
http://youtu.be/b8bFf7s4gE0

5 Marriage Milestones That Will Forever Change How You Think About Money

From buying your first house to planning for retirement. First comes love, then comes marriage … Then come all kinds of exciting-yet-stressful life events that can completely transform your finances. Babies. Houses. Job changes. The list goes on and on. And like any major shift, these events can ...

http://www.usa-press.com/5-marriage-milestones-that-will-forever-change-how-you-think-about-money/

130 Religious, Secular Groups Demand Obama Stop Using ‘Religious Liberty’ To Justify Discrimination

"RFRA was not intended to create blanket exemptions to laws that protect against discrimination." ... Read more

Reminder: Extremism Comes in Many Forms

https://youtu.be/3OrBrA02Tg8

"Personal Autonomy and the Satanic Temple" (John Wreisner, John Powell & Karissah Peterson on Atheists Talk #326, August 16, 2015)

The Satanic Temple sees the figurehead of Satan as more of a metaphor than a deity, according to John Wreisner who is the head of the Minneapolis chapter of the Temple. The group focuses on social activism as a religion, though members of the group are generally atheists. The national group has been in the news for their move to install a monument to Baphomet at the Oklahoma capitol fairgrounds alongside a display of the Ten Commandments, they have created an activity book to pass out to children in schools where bibles are distributed, and locally they have been working to change the culture of religious bullying of GLBT kids in the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

John Wreisner, John Powell and Karissah Peterson are three of the leaders of the local Temple and will be our guests on this show.
Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/1075-personal-autonomy-and-the-satanic-temple-john-wreisner-and-karissa-christmas-on-atheists-talk-326-august-16-2015

Learning To Drive (Freethought Radio, 8-17-2015)

In the news: FFRF’s Ron Reagan ad on the penultimate Jon Stewart Daily Show, Jesus sign in east Texas town, bible verses removed from Arkansas city webpage, “In God We Trust” challenged on municipal vehicles. After hearing Bo Burnham’s anti-religious rap song “Rant,” we talk with author, poet, and critic Katha Pollitt about her new book Pro (about abortion rights), and her previous book Learning To Drive, which has became a major motion picture released this week starring Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley.
Interview:
http://ffrf.libsyn.com/learning-to-drive

Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime – August 21, 2015 (HBO)

Bill Maher and his guests – Sen. Claire McCaskill, Rep. Donna Edwards, Marc Maron, Charles Cooke and Dan Buettner – answer viewer questions after the show.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/8OxUKCV2kQY

Anti-Planned Parenthood Group Caught Passing Stillbirth Photo Off As Abortion

It's just the latest misleading editing tactic. ... One of the photos (displayed at the video’s nine-minute mark) isn’t an aborted fetus at all. It’s actually a stillborn fetus prematurely delivered at 19 weeks...
Read more

Real Time with Bill Maher: Hashtags vs. Legislation (HBO)

Black lives matter. Some want to make it "All lives matter", but that is wrong because it implies that all lives are equally at risk. Banks foreclosed on black people's home differently from white people's home.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/SSDdPF7mZ60

61-Year-Old Man Violently Attacked by Police and Arrested For Singing Beach Boys Song | Alternet

After wrapping up his song, the man was met with police violence instead of applause.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/61-year-old-man-violently-attacked-police-and-arrested-singing-beach-boys-song
https://youtu.be/3momQBSw5lI

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-police-take-down-singer-20150816-story.html
https://youtu.be/Ez5SsPuZiTg

Real Time with Bill Maher: The "Sharing" Economy – August 21, 2015 (HBO)

In his editorial New Rule, Bill Maher examines the fact that outrageous income inequality is simply accepted, even by the people most affected by it.
https://youtu.be/-ygeC-oeIO4

Due Process of Law: Crash Course Government and Politics #28

This week Craig is going to continue our discussion of due process. Technically, we started last week with the 4th amendment and search and seizure, but this week we’re going to look at the 5th and 6th amendments and how they ensure a fair trial. We’ll talk about some stuff you tend to hear a lot on tv, like your right to an attorney and a jury of your peers and also terms like “double jeopardy” and “pleading the fifth”. Now, this stuff can get pretty complicated, which is where lawyers come in handy, but it’s important to know your liberties to keep the police and other judicial officers in check.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/UyHWRXAAgmQ

Real Time with Bill Maher: The Party of Trump (HBO)

Bill Maher and panelists Marc Maron, Rep. Donna Edwards and Charles Cooke discuss the Trump campaign's effect on the political landscape.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/pQNxwXgT-RA

Here’s What Scott Walker’s Go-To Thinker On Education Says About Him

Scott Walker named Howard Fuller as an education reformer he listens to. ... Read more

New breast cancer study reveals startling news

The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests getting a mastectomy makes little difference in the outcome.
http://youtu.be/2zDASIB_kD8

Friday, August 21, 2015

"FIRST REPUBLICAN DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS: 2015" — A Bad Lip Reading of The Republican Debate

https://youtu.be/ufGlBv8Z3NU

Week In The News: Hillary's Email, Trump's Wall, Carter's Cancer (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

A great wall, mass deportation and no birthright citizenship, all in the news, compliments of Donald Trump this week. Some GOP candidates pushing back. More leaning toward. And America’s immigration conversation taken onto hard new terrain. “Not serious,” says Jeb Bush. In the Clinton camp, more trouble with emails. Bernie Sanders, on a roll. Joe Biden in the wings. In China, economic slowdown. Spillover on Wall Street. We’ve got the first female graduates from Army Ranger school. And Jimmy Carter, eloquent on his own cancer. This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. / Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/08/21/jimmy-carter-hillary-clinton-election-2016-donald-trump

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

A federal judge says Hillary Clinton violated government policy by using a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. The Democratic candidate for president continues to defend herself over the email controversy, saying her actions were legal. Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Jeb Bush hold dueling town hall meetings in New Hampshire. The White House approves a final permit allowing oil drilling in the Arctic. The Federal Reserve sends mixed signals on its expected interest rate hike next month. And former President Jimmy Carter announces he has brain cancer. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-08-21/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show)

Greece’s prime minister announces his resignation and asks the main opposition party to form a new government. Islamic State militants claim responsibility for a bombing in Cairo. The International Atomic Energy Agency rejects a report that claims Iran will inspect one of its own military sites. Thailand authorities continue its investigation to find suspects in a Bangkok bomb attack. And Chinese authorities detain top executives after a warehouse explosion kills more than one hundred people. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-08-21/friday-news-roundup-international

US says Turkey needs to do more in fight against ISIL

US Defence Secretary welcomes decision to let US jets use Turkish bases but urges NATO ally to take part in airstrikes. Read more

Poll: Indian Muslim women want end to verbal divorce

Nearly 92 percent of women surveyed want total ban on practice allowing men to divorce by uttering word "talaq" thrice. Read more

Scott Walker Says He Accidentally Took A Position On Birthright Citizenship Because He Was Tired

"I'm not taking a position on it one way or the other," Walker said. ... Read more

The Dry Weather That’s Hitting The Tar Sands Industry Is ‘A Preview Of The Future,’ Scientist Says

Oil and gas extraction contributes to climate changes, which causes drought, which affects oil and gas production. To ... Read more

Here’s What You Need To Know About The GOP’s Crusade Against ‘Anchor Babies’

Out: rapists and drug dealers. In: anchor babies. ... Read more

Court Ruling Grants Home Care Workers Minimum Wage, Overtime Protections

The decision reverses an earlier ruling against the rights of home care workers to get at least minimum wage and overtime ... Read more

Martin O’Malley Proposes ‘Immediate’ Boosts To Social Security Benefits, Plus Other Expansion

The Democratic presidential candidate is channeling his inner Elizabeth Warren. ... Read more
https://youtu.be/GZWZUGXLbv4

The Science Of Why The Viral Bad Lip Reading Republican Debate Video Is So Hilarious

Why does it look like the candidates are talking about pooping on treadmills -- and why is it so universally funny? ... Read more

A View From the Clinton Scandal Nonsense Mill

There's no question that the Clinton email 'scandal' has become a major issue for Hillary Clinton's campaign. Not that it should necessarily but it ha... Read more

Cruz Chats With Iowa Host Who Proposed Slavery To Punish 'Illegals' (AUDIO)

Days after conservative Iowa radio host Jan Mickelson proposed punishing undocumented immigrants by making them "property of the state" and putting th... Read more

Why Vicarious Redemption Is Stupid

https://youtu.be/wqANaee4HQo

Race and Racist Institutions

In this video, Eduardo Mendieta (Penn State University) asks "What are the consequences of race thinking and the institutional and legal forms of segregation if race is not real? Why do we categorize race as a real thing based on visual perception and how is such a category anti-democratic?"
Interview:
https://youtu.be/BXdXw-7Q82o

Kansas woman claims GOP secretary of state’s office fired her for not going to church

Canfield was invited to a church service by a staffer working for Rucker. That happened multiple times but she never went...
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/08/kansas-woman-claims-gop-secretary-of-states-office-fired-her-for-not-going-to-church/

State inquiries into Planned Parenthood turn up no evidence of wrongdoing

Healthcare organization appears to be weathering investigations launched after the release of a series of ‘sting’ videos by anti-abortion activists
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/19/planned-parenthood-video-investigations-wrongdoing

Film Based on Carl Sagan’s Life Gets Green Light from Hollywood

Carl Sagan‘s life will the subject of a forthcoming film, according to The Tracking Board (and confirmed by Variety).
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/08/19/film-based-on-carl-sagans-life-gets-green-light-from-hollywood/

Progressive Groups Ask Obama To End Bush-Era Religious Protection

Obama asked to reverse legal memo providing exemption to nondiscrimination laws for religious groups seeking federal grants. The letter, provided exclusively to BuzzFeed News, is signed by 130 civil rights and other groups.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/progressive-groups-ask-obama-to-end-bush-era-religious-prote

Study Reveals Americans' Subconscious Racial Biases

A recent study from the Pew Research Center suggests that subconscious preferences for different racial groups persist, even among multiracial adults. Researchers at the Pew Research Center say that "most humans display a bias against out-groups—people who are different from them," and a team of researchers wanted to find out whether biracial adults were less likely to have implicit racial biases because of their multicultural backgrounds. Pew says that the study's findings suggest that biracial adults are "simply more divided in their racial preferences."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/new-study-exposes-racial-preferences-americans-n413371

Jim Holt: Why does the universe exist?

Why is there something instead of nothing? In other words: Why does the universe exist (and why are we in it)? Philosopher and writer Jim Holt follows this question toward three possible answers. Or four. Or none.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/zORUUqJd81M

7 Fundamental Tenets of The Satanic Temple

There are seven fundamental tenets.

One should strive to act with compassion and empathy towards all creatures in accordance with reason.
The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo your own.
Beliefs should conform to our best scientific understanding of the world. We should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit our beliefs.
People are fallible. If we make a mistake, we should do our best to rectify it and resolve any harm that may have been caused.
Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.

http://thesatanictemple.com/about-us/tenets

Epic! Bill Burr on Church, Religion and God

http://youtu.be/O7gU2XHh3SY

A cancer survivor's battle without health insurance

...thanks to Republican states that refuse to expand Medicare under the Affordable Care Act... and attacks on Planned Parenthood, which provides medical care for poor women...
http://youtu.be/qZuZPSNGIw8

Donald Trump’s Immigration Plan Debunked In Under 2 Minutes

Why Donald Trump's immigration plan is unworkable.

IGOR VOLSKY: Donald Trump has an immigration plan that matches his hot rhetoric. The proposal works like this.

Number 1: Build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. To finance construction, Trump would increase fees on Mexican visas and impound remittances. But, cracking down on America’s 3rd largest trading partner would depress Mexico’s economy, undermining American businesses, and possibly sending more people north.

Number 2: Deport undocumented immigrants. Okay! But even if the government could afford the $620 billion price tag of sending back 11.2 million undocumented immigrants, doing so would tear apart communities and significantly cripple the agricultural, construction and hospitality industries, shrinking the nation’s labor force by 6.4%

Number 3: Ending birthright citizenship. This move would require changing the Constitution’s 14th Amendment and the Department of Homeland Security would have to peer into every delivery room to ensure that parents have documentation and that all new births are properly registered. One study estimates that parents would have to pay a birth tax of $600 per child to prove citizenship.

Now, Trump doesn't stand along. Aspects of his immigration plan have been embraced by fellow GOP contenders: Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, Rick Santorum, Chris Christie, Rand Paul, Lindsay Graham -- oh! And late addition, Ted Cruz.

After the 2012 presidential election, Republicans wanted to avoid a big immigration fight. Thanks to Trump, it’s no longer the elephant in the room.
... Read more
https://youtu.be/f94uG7xoaA4

Rachel Maddow Sums Up Donald Trump's Presidential Run

Rachel Maddow walks Jimmy through Donald Trump's campaign and why the most powerful people in the country will owe him after the 2016 election.
https://youtu.be/d5jCqYWo_t8

Bernie Sanders To Introduce Legislation Abolishing Private Prisons When Congress Reconvenes

He has called for-profit prisons "morally repugnant and a national tragedy." ... Read more

The Puzzling Reason Why Carly Fiorina Wants To Shrink The U.S. Department Of Education

Carly Fiorina continues to spread misinformation about what the U.S. Department of Education does. ... Read more

Baltimore Cop Charged With Attempted Murder For Allegedly Shooting Helpless Man In The Groin

The officer allegedly stood over a subdued suspect, called him a "piece of shit," and fired one shot into the man's groin. The ... Read more

Ted Cruz Flip-Flopped On Birthright Citizenship

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Wednesday he welcomed Donald Trump's call to end birthright citizenship, which he described as "a view I have long held." H... Read more

Marquette Poll: Walker's Support Nose Dives In Wisconsin's GOP Primary

An overwhelming majority of Wisconsin voters are unhappy with Gov. Scott Walker's decision to run for President, according to a Marquette Law School p... Read more

Jindal Plans To Play Planned Parenthood 'Sting' Videos To Counter Protesters

To counter a protest on Thursday by Planned Parenthood supporters, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) plans to play the "sting" videos released by an ant... Read more

BREAKING: Iran Nuclear Stuff Really Complicated

This is, quite honestly, a big deal. The opponents of the Iran nuclear deal are doing fairly well in the media-pundit-sphere. But they've had an extremely difficult time making substantive arguments against the deal because according to almost all technical experts it is about as tight and comprehensive and total a surveillance regime as we've ever seen. Ever. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon under any circumstances for 10 to 20 years. Unless they choose to cheat. And if they do, the U.S. and the international community will almost certainly catch them and catch them before they're able to weaponize. But here's the problem — that's only the opinion of people who actually know what they're talking about...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/breaking-nuclear-stuff-really-complicated

First Trump-Inspired Hate Crime

You have seen that two guys in South Boston beat up and urinated on what they believed to be a hispanic homeless man yesterday, citing Donald Trump as... Read more

Bill O’Reilly: We’re All Gonna Die Because Liberals Don’t Punish The Poor Enough!

Bill O'Reilly wants you to think we're on the verge of becoming South Africa – because Oscar Pistorius! Who's probably on his way to New York City or ... Read more

David Cay Johnston Exposes Trump's Kickbacks, Union Busting, The Mob And Corporate Welfare

From this Wednesday's Democracy Now, here's a side of Trump that's being completely ignored by our corporate media that just loves the fanfare, the ho... Read more

Texas counties denying birth certificates to children of undocumented

Heidi Zhou-Catsro has the story of one child who is fighting for a birth certificate to show proof she is a US citizen.
http://youtu.be/O79mFzncxs8

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Study Confirms Climate Change Turned California Drought Into Disaster, With Worst Yet to Come

A study published Thursday in the journal Geophysical Research Letters concludes that in the absence of global warming, the drought that has plagued the Western U.S. for the past several years would be as much as 27 percent less severe...
http://www.newsweek.com/study-confirms-climate-change-turned-california-drought-disaster-worst-yet-364615

AP: Secret UN Deal Will Allow Iran To Inspect Alleged Nuclear Work Site

VIENNA (AP) — Iran, in an unusual arrangement, will be allowed to use its own experts to inspect a site it allegedly used to develop nuclear arms, und...

Key comment:

Of course. This is part of the "face saving" stuff that is necessary anytime you make a deal like this. The Iranian officials have to have something to show they stood firm..and held the Great Satan at bay. So they get to inspect a site the IAEA and everyone else agrees went dead a decade ago.

You have to have these things. The Iranian officials, certainly the Ayatollah, aren't going to roll over and let their citizens see that. They have to be given something they can flout no matter how irrelevant ( their state run media will claim this nothing a huge victory over Western oppression ) or they DO NOT do the deal.

A factor behind Bernie Sanders' appeal: Changing attitudes toward socialism

The independent Democratic candidate has repeatedly upheld his socialist views throughout his presidential campaign. ... Read more

What do conservative Hispanics think of Donald Trump?

Donald Trump's aggressive stance on immigration is winning over Republicans and alienating Hispanics. But what happens at the intersection of those gr... Read more

Before Ferguson, this white cop shot black, former athlete. Jury weighs fate.

When Jonathan Ferrell wrecked his car two years ago and went to a home seeking help, the homeowner, afraid someone was trying to break in, called 911.... Read more

Georgia School Board Meeting Boos 'Racist' NAACP For Trying To Ban Confederate Symbols

Members of the NAACP were booed and called "racist" by white residents on Tuesday as they tried to make their case for removing Confederate symbols at... Read more

Televangelist Troubles: IRS Inaction May Help Celebrity Preachers Profit

People often ask me how these televangelists get away with their clearly outlandish money grabs. ... Read more

Scheduling Snafu: Ky. Lawmakers Want To Extend Summer Vacation So Kids Can Attend A Fundamentalist Christian Theme Park

Although Kentucky officials rightly rejected up to $18 million in tax rebates for an overtly ... Read more

Western Rim, Grand Canyon after the rain. [OC][1600 x 1067]

This brutally honest American commercial

Meet Jim—the character in our Rewind the Future video—he is a man whose life flashes right before his very eyes, unhealthy habits and all. The choices you teach your child today become the habits they take into their adulthood.
https://youtu.be/xUmp67YDlHY

After seeing the mesmerizing gif on the front page, I just had to recreate it in css

An elderly man in Louisiana ...

... had owned a large farm for several years. He had a large pond in the back. It was properly shaped for swimming, so he fixed it up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some apple and peach trees.

One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit. As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer, he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond.

He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end. One of the women shouted to him, 'we're not coming out until you leave!'

The old man frowned, 'I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked.'

Holding the bucket up he said, 'I'm here to feed the alligator...'

Some old men can still think fast...
Read more

Afghan military interpreter who served with British forces in Afghanistan and was denied refuge in Britain has been executed

Translator abandoned by UK is executed as he tries to flee Taliban: Interpreter killed after being captured in Iran amid fears four more have suffered the same fate.
Read more

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Featured: Interviews for the Well-Informed

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Friday, August 21, 2015

Thursday, August 20, 2015

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