Week In The News: New Hampshire Votes, Shaky Wall Street, Gravitational Waves (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Big victories this week for Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, and the presidential primary race is cranking up fast now. New Hampshire. Nevada. South Carolina. Hillary Clinton asking how Sanders will deliver. Republicans banging on each other and the Donald. We’ve seen a rough, rough week in the markets. A standoff’s end in Oregon. Hope and bombs in Syria. And we’ve proven the existence of gravitational waves! This hour On Point, our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. — Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2016/02/12/new-hampshire-sanders-trump-gravitational-waves

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show, 2016-02-12)

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton square off in their first debate since the Vermont senator’s big victory in New Hampshire. The Republican presidential field shrinks as the remaining candidates head to South Carolina for tomorrow’s primary. The Department of Justice sues the city of Ferguson, Missouri over police reform. President Obama tells supporters not to despair over a Supreme Court ruling that puts his climate regulations on hold. Janet Yellen says the Federal Reserve would not rule out imposing negative interest rates if the U.S. economy takes a turn for the worse. And the last of the Oregon occupiers surrender, ending the wildlife refugee siege. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-02-12/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show, 2016-02-12)

The U.S. and Russia announce a plan for a temporary halt to hostilities in Syria. Secretary Kerry says both parties agreed to deliver desperately needed aid to Syrian cities within days. Turkey’s leaders reject U.N. demands to open its border to thousands more Syrian refugees. NATO sends warships to the Aegean sea to deter migrant smuggling. U.S. oil prices drop below $27 a barrel. And the U.S. senate approves sanctions intended to limit North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-02-12/friday-news-roundup-international

Detainee Interrogation Chief: Waterboarding Doesn't Work

The director of the federal government team that interrogates key terrorism suspects has a message for people who want to see a return to waterboarding and other abusive strategies: They don't work...
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/12/466411509/detainee-interrogation-chief-waterboarding-doesnt-work

5 Takeaways From The Democratic Debate

In Thursday night's Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders — each with one nominating contest victory — looked ahead to the upcoming primaries in Nevada and South Carolina. Here are a few of the big takeaways from the debate...
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/11/466448610/watch-the-pbs-democratic-primary-debate

Penn Jillette Clashes with CNN Guest over Indiana You’re Not Being Forced to Have Gay Sex Mediaite

https://youtu.be/VPWV7ja0OfY

Watch The 1958 Frank Capra Film That Warns Of Global Warming | ThinkProgress

On February 12, 1958, the American public saw the first televised warning about the dangers of carbon dioxide, global warming, and sea level rise. That warning came from The Bell Laboratory Science Series, which aired its fourth TV episode, “Unchained Goddess,” written and produced by three-time Oscar winner Frank Capra...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/12/3749275/frank-capra-1958-global-warming/

Climate Change Is Still Being Taught As Unsettled Science In Schools, Survey Finds

Thirty percent of the teachers surveyed report teaching students that climate change is “likely due to natural causes,” and another 31 percent said they teach the issue as unsettled science...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/12/3748872/climate-change-teachers-survey/

Will Pro-Life Lawmakers Support A New Bill To Prevent Infant Deaths? | ThinkProgress

Of all things, we should certainly be able to agree about saving infant’s lives...
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/02/12/3748704/moore-infant-mortality-bill/

Coal Waste Water Was Dumped Into A Virginia Creek Last Year And Groups Are Furious

Just days after Dominion Virginia Power, a utility company, confirmed it released 33.7 million gallons of coal ash water into a tributary of the Potomac River last spring, county officials say they distrust the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the company alike...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/12/3748646/coal-ash-dumped-into-quantico-creek/

Anti-LGBT Bullying Has Long-Term Mental Health Consequences, Study Finds

In particular, LGBT youth face mental health concerns like major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) long after their exposure to bullying ends...
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/02/12/3748829/bullying-study-consequences-over-time/

Who's Funding Voter Suppression? | Al Jazeera America

Web of conservative funding groups lines up behind key voting rights Supreme Court case...
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/12/whos-funding-voter-suppression.html

Trump Threatens To Sue Cruz 'For Not Being A Natural Born Citizen'

"If @TedCruz doesn’t clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/donald-trump-lawsuit-threat-ted-cruz

Ted Cruz's 2016 App Gives Campaign Access To Users' Contacts, Location

His "Cruz Crew" mobile app is designed to gather detailed information from its users' phones — tracking their physical movements and mining the names and contact information for friends who might want nothing to do with his campaign...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/ted-cruz-app-data-mining

Here's what the Michigan State Congress was doing instead of solving Flint's water crisis.

Michigan Republicans Pass Bill Making Sodomy A Felony

Republicans in the Michigan Senate have passed a bill making oral or anal sex between consenting adults a felony punishable by 15 years in prison.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/02/michigan-republicans-pass-bill-making-sodomy-a-felony/

Sanders Releases Gut Punch Of An Ad Featuring Erica Garner (VIDEO)

“There’s no other person that is speaking about this,” Garner says in the ad. “People are dying. This is real. This is not TV. We need a president that’s going to talk about it.”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/erica-garner-bernie-sanders-ad

Streaming on Netflix: Waking Ned Devine

In a small town in Ireland named Tulaigh More, one of the 52 inhabitants wins the lotto jackpot of nearly seven million pounds. When nobody claims the loot, the town goes on a search to find the winner. However, all they find is old Ned Devine dead, a smile on his face, clutching the winning ticket. In Ireland, the lottery winnings must be claimed by the purchaser, which puts the town in a spot -- if the lottery officials discover Devine dead, he, and the town of Tulaigh More, forfeit the money. Hilarity ensures when the community embarks on an outrageous scheme to claim the winning lotto ticket! But in the process, the townsfolk learn the importance of friendship and the true value of money.
http://www.netflix.com/search/waking?jbv=17237060&jbp=0&jbr=0

Secular Coalition Commends Lawmakers Who Put Science Above Politics

"We're thrilled that so many representatives stood up for science and science education" said Larry Decker, the Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America. "But by not passing the resolutions, Congress has missed an opportunity to send a clear message that science education in the United States is a priority, not a political issue."...
https://www.secular.org/news/secular-coalition-commends-lawmakers-who-put-science-above-politics

Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 12, 2016

https://youtu.be/PhLYWzOBLcs

Interview with Larry Decker | Secular Day at the Capital 2016

We had a chance to interview Larry Decker, the Executive Director at the Secular Coalition For America while in Phoenix, AZ at the Secular Day at the Capital, hosted by the Secular Coalition For America. We talked about the important issues facing secularism in society and government...
https://youtu.be/Fjn1Qw31Hao

No One Wants to Take Orders From Marco Rubio

"...My guess is that it's not because they hate Rubio, or because they think he's a buffoon. But they do think he's a nervous and overly ambitious young man who's a bit of an empty suit. If he's the nominee, they'll suck it up and support him. But the idea of taking orders from this pipsqueak sticks in their craw...."
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/no-one-wants-take-orders-marco-rubio

Elizabeth Warren: Justice System Rigged In Favor Of The Wealthy

A few weeks ago, Senator Elizabeth Warren gave a heated speech on the Senate floor, which blasted the way in which our country’s criminal justice system is rigged for the benefit of the wealthy. America’s Lawyer, Mike Papantonio, and Farron Cousins discuss this on Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV.
https://youtu.be/Igmd_2jqzkg

Ring of Fire On Free Speech TV | Episode 241 - The Roots Of Flint’s Crisis

If you need proof of how poorly Republicans govern, just take a look at Flint, Michigan, where the ongoing water crisis is the perfect example of what Republican leadership is all about…

Major pharmaceutical companies are trying to hold off on price increases ahead of this year’s election, but only because they want to take the teeth out of healthcare reform…

And Elizabeth Warren says there are two distinct justice systems in America – one for the poor, and one for the wealthy – We’ll bring you the details in tonight’s backstory…
https://youtu.be/Pgh3kL2d-Jc

Kenneth Copeland - FORMER Ministry Workers Speak OUT - EXPOSING CHARLATANS

https://youtu.be/tkQTFsjRgCg

U.S. planes bombed Syria's Aleppo hospitals and than accussed Russia for doing it (Russian Insider)

"This is quite an amazing statement of Major General Igor Konashenkov. I don’t think I have ever heard before a senior Russian officer so openly express his disgust and contempt for his US “colleagues”."
https://youtu.be/7Eg6IGPquAM

Get Your Memes Right: The 1994 Crime Bill Didn't Create Mass Incarceration

German Lopez points out today that the 1994 crime bill wasn't responsible for mass incarceration...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/get-your-memes-right-1994-crime-bill-didnt-create-mass-incarceration

Anti-gay W. Virginia clerk screams at lesbian couple on their wedding day and calls them an ‘abomination’

“I just told them my opinion,” she told the paper. “I just felt led to do that. I believe God was standing with me and that’s just my religious belief.”
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/02/anti-gay-georgia-clerk-screams-at-lesbian-couple-on-their-wedding-day-and-calls-them-an-abomination/

Best of Bart Ehrman Arguments And Comebacks Part 1

Interview:
https://youtu.be/S_DDuSAklcY

28. Top 10 (Failed) Proofs the Bible is True: Fourth Proof, "Minister to the Gentiles"

Episode 28 of a massive, multi-part series examining Bob Dutko's, Christian radio talk show host and apologist, "Top 10 Proofs the Bible is True." In this episode, we examine Bob's fourth proof the Bible is true: Fulfilled Prophecy, "Minister to the Gentiles", regarding Isaiah 42:1.
https://youtu.be/JG3s6vE73a0

Ex-priest suspected in 1960 murder of Texas beauty queen arrested

The body of Irene Garza, 25, was found in an irrigation canal in McAllen, Texas in April 1960. The last time anybody saw the beauty queen, she was going to confession at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Feit, 27 at the time, heard that confession. He was a visiting priest...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-feit-priest-suspected-in-1960-murder-of-texas-beauty-queen-arrested/

Scientists have finally found gravitational waves

Scientists say they have proven the existence of gravitational waves — the ripples in space-time that stem from objects moving throughout the Universe. If true, it's the first time these waves have been measured directly and marks one of the biggest scientific discoveries in decades.
https://youtu.be/tlch-DWaQE0

Revolutionary discovery: Scientists find gravitational waves Einstein predicted

In a discovery that promises to revolutionize astronomy, scientists have made the first direct observations of gravitational waves – bizarre ripples in space-time foreseen by Albert Einstein a century ago...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/02/11/ligo-discovers-gravitational-waves/80226644/

Justice Dept. Sues Ferguson, Missouri, to Force Police Reforms

The Department of Justice said Wednesday that it would sue the city of Ferguson, Missouri, to force the city to adopt police reforms negotiated with the federal government. This comes a day after the Ferguson City Council voted to change a proposed consent decree to reform the police and courts. The agreement was negotiated between city officials and the Department of Justice. Ferguson city officials said it would cost too much to implement. A Justice Department probe following the August 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown found police and courts in Ferguson routinely engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination against African Americans. We speak to Jeffrey Mittman, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/K5ifdyCFx4s

A Performance From DRUM TAO

Drum Tao gives a performance from their newest percussion and dance show, Seventeen Samurai.
https://youtu.be/lE6N_QD99C8

Bernie Sanders Explains Why He’s Different From Trump

Fresh off of his win in the New Hampshire primary, Bernie Sanders stops by The Late Show to talk about why his campaign is different.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/135pYusFV_k

Donald Trump and the US policy on torture

The republican party front runner says he supports waterboarding and that is reigniting a contentious and bitter debate.
https://youtu.be/fnrmy59ukWk

A congressional hearing for the Flint water crisis

The mayor of Flint asked for more aid during this crisis and governor Rick Snyder was noticeably absent.
https://youtu.be/Ey0mCmU1V6E

Barbara Lee: Post-9/11 Vote Should Not Be Used as Blank Check to Keep Waging Perpetual War

A year ago today, President Obama sought congressional approval to attack the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The request came six months after the U.S. began bombing Iraq and Syria. The resolution imposed a three-year limit on U.S. operations but did not put any geographic constraints. It also opened the door for ground combat operations in limited circumstances. However, Congress has yet to hold the constitutionally mandated debate and vote on the war against ISIL. Instead, the strikes have been carried out using an outdated authorization passed by Congress in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Now, over 20 members of Congress have sent a bipartisan letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan calling for a debate and vote on the multibillion-dollar war raging in the Middle East. We speak to one of the signatories, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). She’s the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Task Force and the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/T7xpdmMMNHw

Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 11, 2016

https://youtu.be/IScZuVbU2W8

Real Time with Bill Maher: Erin Brockovich – February 5, 2016 (HBO)

Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich joins Bill Maher to discuss how greed and corruption created a toxic water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and across the nation.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/qI7p_cFtZ4w

RWW News: Bryan Fischer Wants Every Member Of Congress To Pass A Test Administered By David Barton

Bryan Fischer says that every member of Congress ought to be required to pass a test administered by David Barton before taking office.
https://youtu.be/1zihXDlkMCo

Congress: Owned By Corporations (Ring of Fire On Free Speech TV | Episode 234)

Believe it or not, there was a time in American politics when the agenda of Congress wasn’t dictated by corporations and the wealthy elite, and we’ll explain how we got to this point, and where we’re headed if we stay on this path…
https://youtu.be/-XcvdK9LNv4

RWW News: Michele Bachmann Says Progressive Taxation Causes People To Violate The Ten Commandments

Michele Bachmann tells David Barton that progressive taxation is unbiblical because it causes people to violate the Ten Commandments.
https://youtu.be/-2VW04BMrxY

RWW News: Santorum: 'Tyrant' Obama Destroying America

https://youtu.be/IQEOreXIjMo

Even The George W. Bush Administration Hated Ted Cruz

No sane person likes Ted Cruz, right? He’s close-minded, as conservative as anyone could get, and has one of the worst histories as a politician than anyone alive today. But now we know just how hated he’s been throughout his political career. America’s Lawyer, Mike Papantonio, and Farron Cousins discuss this on Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV.
https://youtu.be/A13aux3KiGs

Flint Water Crisis Is What Happens With A Republican Government

Every day we’re learning more about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and each piece of the puzzle that falls into place paints an ugly picture of how Republicans run the government.

Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins and attorney Howard Nations discusss everything we know so far about the water crisis in Flint…
https://youtu.be/LYip3mINt48

God's Goofy Justice: TMM vs BTWN part 3

https://youtu.be/YJiY6h7e6rU

Report: TPP Would Ravage The U.S. Economy

A new study into the economic repercussions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership has concluded that, as predicted, the deal will have a huge negative impact on the U.S. economy. America’s Lawyer, Mike Papantonio, and Farron Cousins discuss this on Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/SFREEuqw0Gk

Part 2: Seth Freed Wessler on Uncovering the Deaths of Dozens at Privatized Immigrant-Only Jails

A shocking new investigation about private prisons has revealed dozens of men have died in disturbing circumstances inside these facilities in recent years. We continue our conversation with journalist Seth Freed Wessler, who spent more than two years fighting in and out of court to obtain more than 9,000 pages of medical records that private prison contractors had submitted to the Bureau of Prisons.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/PvMKWy3XMwQ

#192 Debate - Eddie Tabash vs Matt Slick - Does God Exist - 2009

Decemeber 5th 2009 - Simplot Ballroom
https://youtu.be/bAnglpbkaVI

Best of Penn Jillette Arguments And Comebacks Part 2

https://youtu.be/9NHcHa05aXA

Streaming on Netflix: Jack Strong

The most spectacular Polish spy of the Cold War era, colonel Ryszard Kuklinski, informs Americans about the communist block's top secrets in the face of the upcoming martial law.
http://www.netflix.com/search/jack%20strong?jbv=80052640&jbp=0&jbr=0

"An Earthshaking Moment": Sanders Win Reveals Deep Divide Between Voters & Democratic Party Leaders

For response to Tuesday’s primary, we go to Manchester, New Hampshire, to speak with Arnie Arnesen, longtime radio and TV host in New Hampshire. She was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1992. Arnesen has known both Sanders and Clinton for about 25 years...
Interview:
https://youtu.be/tsMF_7XVPSU

Teens can drastically reduce their risk of breast cancer by consuming more of this.

A large U.S. study involving 44,000 women just released recommends that women get more fiber in their diet, according to a Reuters report...
http://www.morningticker.com/2016/02/breakthrough-this-common-substance-could-slash-breast-cancer-risk/

Action Alert: Ask Your Legislators to Co-Sponsor the Darwin Day Resolutions

http://action.secular.org/secular/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=166894

Politician comes out as atheist to reduce stigma against nonbelievers

“There has been a lot of highly visible discrimination against minority faiths and nonbelievers in this state recently. When the Phoenix City Council held an emergency meeting to discuss whether it would allow the nontheistic Satanic Temple to offer an invocation, I heard a lot of inflammatory things said about secular Arizonans. There’s too much animosity against my community for me to be silent any longer.”
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/accordingtomatthew/2016/02/politician-comes-out-as-atheist-to-reduce-stigma-towards-nonbelievers/

President’s Budget Supports Adolescent Sexual Health Promotion Programs and Calls for End to “Abstinence Education”

Choosing instead to focus on investing in programs that support youth access to the information and education they need to lead sexually healthy lives, the president’s FY 2017 budget request proposes increased investment in the Office of Adolescent Health’s (OAH) Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP) and maintains current funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH)...
http://www.siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Feature.showFeature&FeatureID=2438

Ta-Nehisi Coates Is Voting for Bernie Sanders Despite the Senator's Opposition to Reparations

The acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of "Between the World and Me," has written some of the most discussed articles on the presidential race looking at Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his position on reparations. Coates wrote the articles after Sanders appeared at the Black and Brown Forum in Iowa and said he did not support reparations for slavery because it is too "divisive" an issue. While his critique of Sanders generated headlines, today Coates talks on Democracy Now! about why he still plans to vote for the Vermont senator...
Interview:
https://youtu.be/mSJmxN-L300

Concord Nativity scene lawsuit includes 2 more parents, both requesting anonymity

New plaintiffs “John Roe” and “John Noe” both said they fear backlash from the community unless they remain anonymous as new court documents include more threats against original plaintiff in lawsuit...
http://www.elkharttruth.com/news/schools/concord-high-school/2016/02/08/Concord-Nativity-scene-lawsuit-includes-2-new-families-both-requesting-anonymity.html

CNN Has a Unique Take on World History

CNN makes a fascinating juxtaposition between Chechnya and Syria. Truly, truly fascinating.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/xYQ81KguuM0

Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 10, 2016

https://youtu.be/ybUGLvjoRuQ

Five Stupid Things About Islamophobia

Muslims and their religion are subjected to a level of fearmongering, prejudice, and double standards that other religions in the west don't have to put up with.
https://youtu.be/hIJ5WN9K7rY

Paul Ryan to Tea Party: You are the problem

Today, Paul Ryan gave a fascinating speech at Heritage Action, a tea party-allied organization that has fashioned itself as the guardian of conservative purity. The speech called for unity. “To quote William Wallace in Braveheart,” he said, “we have to unite the clans.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/02/03/paul-ryan-to-tea-party-you-are-the-problem

Comedians Are Calling Bullshit On Politicians 'Legislating Abortion Out Of Existence' | ThinkProgress

The comedians and writers at Lady Parts Justice decided to dedicate the month of February to raising awareness around the case. Each Tuesday, the organization is releasing a new video focused on the obstacles women face in seeking abortions. This week’s is “Clinic Hunters,” a House Hunters spoof in which Susan, who needs an abortion, decides which of her three (terrible) options is the best. The closest one is 200 miles away but has a 72 hour waiting period; the Denver clinic 500 miles away but is covered by Colorado laws that keep anti-abortion protesters a decent distance from the entrance; and one in Mexico City, which sounds like a fun field trip and all, but Susan isn’t sure she wants “a destination abortion.”...
http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2016/02/09/3747295/how-comedians-are-calling-bullshit-on-politicians-legislating-abortion-out-of-existence/

Keystone XL May Be Dead, But Oil Companies Are Still Trying To Seize Americans’ Land For Pipelines

As it first announced in 2014, the company wants to build a pipeline that would transport oil from North Dakota’s oil-rich Bakken Formation, to a market hub located near Patoka, Illinois...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/09/3747286/bakken-pipeline-eminent-domain/

Rubio Gets Stuck On Repeat Again, Delivers The Same Line Twice In A Row

These gaffes, if polls are to be believed, appear to have given voters more pause than his actual policy positions, like his opposition to abortion rights even in cases of rape, which are frequently to the right of mainstream Republicans...
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/02/08/3747529/rubio-gets-stuck-on-repeat-again-delivers-the-same-line-twice-in-a-row/

Cruz Event Interrupted By Attempted Exorcism

He is possessed by the power of the demon, and does not seem surprised by the accusations.
https://youtu.be/3u3c_JfVnSk

Seven common money mistakes to avoid when buying a new car

Buying a new car is a tremendous financial investment. Here's how to avoid some common pitfalls associated with this major purchase...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2016/0209/Seven-common-money-mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-a-new-car

Ten food policy questions the presidential candidates should answer - CSMonitor.com

In a recent poll by Union of Concerned Scientists, 94 percent of American voters expressed concern about the state of the food system – and said that it was a very important issue to them. More than ever before, Americans are concerned about what they’re eating, how it was grown, where it was grown, and by whom...
http://m.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Bite/2016/0209/Ten-food-policy-questions-the-presidential-candidates-should-answer

Couple accused of enslaving nanny shines spotlight on national problem

Around two million domestic workers are employed in the United States, often as nannies or maids. Because of workers' isolation and immigration status, abuse is common...
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/0209/Couple-accused-of-enslaving-nanny-shines-spotlight-on-national-problem

Which Countries Are Happiest? Global Survey Suggests Capitalism and Wealth Aren't Delivering the Goods

While Prosperous nations experienced a 42% net happiness, Emerging and Aspiring nations soared past with 59% and 54% respectively...
http://www.alternet.org/world/which-countries-are-happiest-global-survey-suggests-capitalism-and-wealth-arent-delivering

Arizona Is Paying a High Price for Cracking Down on Illegal Immigration

Arizona is a test case of what happens to an economy when such migrants leave, and it illustrates the economic tensions fueling the immigration debate...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/arizona-paying-high-price-cracking-down-illegal-immigration

Marco Rubio Is Running for Panicker-in-Chief

To those who have known him longest, Rubio's flustered performance Saturday night fit perfectly with an all-too-familiar strain of his personality, one that his handlers and image-makers have labored for years to keep out of public view. Though generally seen as cool-headed and quick on his feet, Rubio is known to friends, allies, and advisers for a kind of incurable anxiousness—and an occasional propensity to panic in moments of crisis, both real and imagined...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/marco-rubio-running-panicker-chief

Here's a Huge and Undercovered Obamacare Success Story

Bottom line: Obamacare may have missed CBO's target for exchange enrollment by 7 million or so, but much of this is because it beat CBO's target for private insurance by 24 million...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/02/heres-huge-and-undercovered-obamacare-success-story

Noor Concentrated Solar Power complex switches on | BGR

Solar power obviously isn’t the solution for every place on Earth, but for regions that largely consist of arid deserts it can deliver a lot of juice. Such is the case with the Noor Concentrated Solar Power that just switched on in Morocco and that is projected to produce enough power to meet the needs of 1.1 million people by 2018...
http://bgr.com/2016/02/08/noor-concentrated-solar-power-complex/

Thinking Critically about the “Self-Help” Genre (The Humanist Hour #187)

In this episode, Bo Bennett has a conversation with Dr. Michael Britt about the genre of books and programs known as “self-help,” a roughly $11 billion industry. As Bo says, the self-help movement is not much different from many religious movements, and, like many religions, self-help does have some good things to offer. The key is to be knowledgeable in this area and to think critically.

Bo’s guest, Michael Britt, has a Ph.D. in psychology from The State University of New York at Albany (specialization in social and industrial/organizational psychology). He is an adjunct professor in psychology and runs the most popular psychology podcast, The Psych Files.
Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/self-help

Gay New Hampshire man asks Rubio: ‘Why do you want to put me back in the closet?’

“I think that’s what the law should be. And if you disagree you should have the law changed by a legislature,” Rubio said. The man reminded Rubio that gay marriage is legal...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/08/gay-new-hampshire-man-asks-rubio-why-do-you-want-to-put-me-back-in-the-closet/

What’s God Got to Do With It?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/09/opinion/campaign-stops/whats-god-got-to-do-with-it.html

Atheist Alternative to Air Force Basic Training Church Gatherings Hits Record Attendance

A couple of years ago, Lackland Air Force Base in Texas began allowing Humanists a chance to gather on their own in lieu of attending church services during Air Force Basic Training.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/02/08/atheist-alternative-to-air-force-basic-training-church-gatherings-hits-record-attendance/

American Humanist Association 2016 Conference in Chicago, May 26-29

The American Humanist Association, the oldest and largest humanist organization in the United States, has held an annual conference since its founding in 1941 so that humanists, atheists, and freethinkers can gather together for a weekend of informative lectures, networking, and fun activities. The year 2016 will be the 75th anniversary of the AHA’s founding, and we’re excited to celebrate with you! We’re anticipating this conference to sell out, so be sure to book your conference tickets early...
http://conference.americanhumanist.org/schedule2016/

Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 9, 2016

https://youtu.be/YDEkdglgGpo

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop competition comes to Texas

The Hyperloop is a transportation concept that envisions sending a levitating aluminum pod 760 miles per hour to efficiently transport people between locations. Billionaire Elon Musk has popularized the theory and sponsored a competition in Texas that awarded the winning team an opportunity to build and test their idea on his private track in California.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/T6SZfc86tdE

Refuting the Irrefutable Proof of God - part VI (AronRa)

Such bold claims from this mega cult leader! I took the bait and had to dispute refute and absolutely disprove all of his allegedly indisputable irrefutable absolute proof of God.
https://youtu.be/LCOz8P3xLiI

This Meat Company Dumps More Pollution Into Waterways Each Year Than ExxonMobil

Tyson Foods, one of the largest producers of meat in the world, is responsible for dumping more toxic pollution by volume into U.S. waters than companies like Exxon and Dow Chemical, according to a new analysis from environmental advocacy group Environment America...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/02/08/3747114/agribusiness-tyson-water-pollution/

Federal Court Says North Carolina’s Gerrymandered Maps Are Unconstitutional

No state has done more in the post-Jim Crow era to restrict voting rights than North Carolina. Just weeks after the Supreme Court gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, the state enacted a comprehensive voter suppression law that pulled together many different provisions used to restrict voting in other states...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/02/08/3746987/federal-court-says-north-carolinas-gerrymandered-maps-are-unconstitutional/

What Working Class New Hampshire Voters Think Of The GOP Candidates' Poverty Plans | ThinkProgress

"Whoever agrees with a $15 minimum wage, they will be my candidate."
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/02/08/3746940/republicans-new-hampshire-wages/

Get 2GB of free Google Drive storage when you perform an account security checkup | Macworld

Just as it did last year, Google will throw some more server space your way as part of Safer Internet Day.
http://www.macworld.com/article/3031033/security/psa-get-2gb-of-free-google-drive-storage-when-you-perform-an-account-security-checkup.html

Rubio Is Wrong: We Can Fight Bigotry And Radical Islam At The Same Time

Perhaps it’s time for someone to remind Rubio that if he is elected president, he’ll have to swear to uphold a Constitution that protects the rights of all Americans – and yes, that includes Muslims...
https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/rubio-is-wrong-we-can-fight-bigotry-and-radical-islam-at-the-same-time

How Dark Money Stays Dark: The Koch Brothers, Sheldon Adelson and the Right's Destructive Racket

Internal memos reveal the slimy tactics political donors use to hide their campaign contributions from the public.
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/how-dark-money-stays-dark-koch-brothers-sheldon-adelson-and-rights-destructive-racket

Hobby Lobby Is Backing a Surprising Candidate for President

The company that believes Plan B causes abortion donated to support a candidate who believes it should be available over the counter.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/02/hobby-lobbys-donation-marco-rubio-contraceptives%20

The Origins Of The Dog (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

We love dogs. Dogs seem to love us, and they’ve done very well by that. But where did they come from? Really? Exactly? We imagine maybe that somebody reached into a wolf’s den eons ago, pulled out a cub, brought it home, and so it began. But what if the story was quite different? And what about breeds? How on earth did dogs go from their ancestral origins to a world of Chihuahuas and Great Danes? This hour On Point, where dogs came from, and the evolution of man’s best friend. — Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2016/01/29/dog-evolution-science-history