DN Speak: 8/19/12

Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality

Interview:

More at http://matthewvines.com.

More on the Issues, the Candidates, and Your Vote

The Michigan Catholic Conference of Bishops published this Focus document for distribution. Not satisfied with either the depth nor breadth of their coverage, I authored my own "addendum", which you can read below. I encourage you to share it.

More on the Issues, the Candidates, and Your Vote

We continue our focus on issues to think about when voting in upcoming elections.

The right to health care

As part of our pro-life stance, we value the health and quality of life of all people who are already born just as much as we do the unborn. Special attention should be paid to the safe and healthy delivery of babies by means of prenatal and post-natal well baby care. Some in today’s society wish to repeal a health care law that guarantees coverage to nearly everyone and replace it with... nothing -- which will likely result in tens of thousands of needless deaths annually.

Where does the candidate stand on guaranteeing affordable health care to all people?

War and Peace

The gospel message teaches us to seek peace. Our church’s “Just War Theory” instructs that war should be a limited, last resort only after all peaceful means have been tried and failed. A recent president set a precedent by starting a war in Iraq on a preemptive basis, falsely claiming that weapons of mass destruction were imminently being targeted at the U.S.. One candidate has already stated that a war with Iran is desirable, and war with Russia likely as well, while another candidate has proposed a diplomatic solution should be maintained to the greatest extent possible.

There is a tendency among evangelicals and certain other protestants to view that, rather than peace, any war in the Middle East is desirable and necessary in order to sooner fulfill what they view as “end-time prophesies”, and bring about the second coming of Christ. At least one recent president, and many candidates and current legislators hold to this belief, whereas the Catholic Church considers it dangerous heresy.

Where does the candidate stand on war, particularly in light of the Church’s teaching about the Just War Theory?
What is the candidate’s position on so-called “preemptive” war?
What is the candidate’s belief about so-called end-time prophecies, and how do they influence his or her outlook on peace in the Middle East.

Defense Spending

The U.S. spends more on defense than the next 13 countries combined. Much of this money is spent on weapons systems that military leaders do not want and say we do not need. Many experts believe that we can easily and safely make major cuts to defense spending to avoid cuts to programs for the benefit of citizens and to bring the nation’s budget under control, while others would retain current spending levels or even increase them, while further cutting spending for programs that benefit U.S. citizens, especially children, the elderly, the poor, and the disabled.

Where does the candidate stand on defense spending and its relationship to the national budget and programs for U.S. citizens?

Environment

Pro-life means a healthy and safe environment. Some would like to eliminate all regulations protecting our air and water with the aim of maximizing corporate profits, without regard to the risks to health, such as cancers and respiratory disease. New hazards have been introduced in recent years by the unregulated practice of “fracking” to extract natural gas from underground rocks by breaking them up with chemicals that can leach into groundwater and contaminate the wells of millions of homeowners. Some have introduced legislation to require corporations to at least tell the public what chemicals they are using, so that risks can be appropriately assessed and mitigated, while others believe that corporations should continue to operate without oversight or regulation. Recent oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and in Michigan rivers have demonstrated the risks of unregulated corporate activity, and have shown that real damage occurs to the environment and to people on a not infrequent basis.

Where does the candidate stand on regulating pollutants?
Where does the candidate stand on enforcing corporate accountability and providing rigorous oversight to prevent damage and to make full reparations for damage that does occur?

Global Climate Change

As conscientious stewards of the world that has been gifted to us, we recognize the importance of sustaining livable conditions for future generations. Some, though, wish to deny human responsibility for the consequences of our activities that are demonstrably warming the global climate and causing devastation and hardship. This issue is a matter both as a pro-life concern and a matter of justice, as the ones most likely to be impacted by the consequences of climate change will be the poorest among us.

Where does the candidate stand on acknowledging responsibility for global climate change and taking steps to effectively address it?

Oil Subsidies and Renewable Energy

Oil companies made record profits of $137 billion in 2011, while they receive $24 billion in taxpayer funded subsidies. Some believe this money should be put to better use investing in renewable energy and deficit reduction, particularly so that programs for the needy can be sustained.

Where does the candidate stand on using taxpayer dollars to add to corporate profits?
Where does the candidate stand on investing in clean, renewable energy sources that can lower environmental and climate impact?

Bank Reform and Regulation

Millions of people around the world have been financially devastated due to the abusive activities of large U.S. banks. Some leaders have tried since the recession to put reforms in place that would prevent future recurrences, but many resist the reforms and weaken their likely impact, or even work to remove the regulations entirely. To prevent banks from using depositors’ money for risky investments, financial experts propose that we restore the Glass Steagall act, and thoroughly and strictly regulate banks. This is a matter of justice because risky bank activity deprives individuals and families of their hard-earned income and savings.

Where does the candidate stand on tough bank regulation to protect all depositors and the economy as a whole?

Mortgage Justice and Protection

Millions of people have seen their investments in their homes diminished unfairly by the consequences of risky bank activities, and many have lost their homes entirely. In fact, sloppy bank record-keeping practices have even led to foreclosures on homes that are fully paid up, are paid on schedule, or were never mortgaged in the first place. In the absence of tight regulation and enforcement, financial institutions resist correcting their errors or extending reasonable assistance to homeowners. To ensure justice, swift due process and regulation are needed, and people unfairly harmed through mortgage fraud of financial institutions need to be helped by adjustments to make their mortgages affordable again.

Where does the candidate stand on regulating mortgage banks and requiring corrective actions to make homeowners whole?

Voting Rights

Many states are implementing laws, ostensibly aimed at preventing voter fraud, that will require government issued picture ID, despite the fact that this will pose significant hardships to the poor, seniors, the disabled, and students, and will result in their being deprived for the right to vote -- a fundamental right in the United States. It is important to note that there is no evidence showing that voter fraud is a significant problem or threat, so the need for such laws is non-existent, and the laws do more harm than good. If a problem with voter fraud were to actually exist, one simple solution often ignored would be for all voters to be allowed to cast ballots provisionally, subject to challenge after the fact. Other changes in some state laws make voter registration more difficult and eliminate early voting.

Where does the candidate stand on ensuring that all persons have the right to vote without impediment or undue hardship?

Worker Rights and Just Wages

While corporate profits reach record highs, even during the worst recession in generations, worker wages are losing purchasing power, workers who have jobs are increasingly reporting being cheated in their pay checks, and many are subjected to unsafe working conditions. In addition, many workers are denied the right to organize to protect their rights and work with management to address concerns; in other instances, corporations engage in union-busting activity. Pope Benedict reaffirmed the dignity of workers and the valuable role of unions.

Where does the candidate stand on ensuring just wages?
Where does the candidate stand on ensuring union representation to those who desire it?

Jobs and Unemployment Benefits

No society can survive without jobs for its workers. Particularly in recent years, many people who wish to work are forced to remain unemployed for months or years. While some in public office have tried to introduce legislation to promote higher rates of employment, they are often resisted by others. For many people, unemployment benefits have run out because of the length of their unemployment during the recession.

Where does the candidate stand on taking action to directly increase hiring in the short and long term?
Where does the candidate stand on providing unemployment benefits to those who need them due to lengthy unemployment through no fault of their own?

Campaign Finance Reform

The power of citizens in a democracy to determine their government assumes all individual voices of citizens are equal. In recent years, the voice of the individual has been diluted by a Supreme Court decision that treats corporations as people and allows virtually unlimited amounts of money to flow to support candidates, without reasonable accountability. In fact, under current rules foreign governments, corporations, and individuals with large sums of money to donate can actually have a greater say in the outcome of elections than our own citizens.

Where does the candidate stand on reforming election financing to ensure that government reflects the will of individual citizens?

Palestinian State

The root cause of much tension in the Middle East is that Israel occupies land that once belonged to Palestine, from which its people have been forcibly evicted, leaving Palestinians to look at their former homes, now occupied by Israeli families, from a distance. To ensure justice and peace, a solution that provides security for both Palestine and Israel is required, and this may mean the U.S. must use its influence to ensure both parties cooperate in a two-state solution.

Where does the candidate stand on ensuring equitable treatment of Palestinians and a Palestinian state?

Senior Hunger

Hunger among our nation’s elderly has reached epidemic proportions and programs to assist have been cut. Our pro-life position mandates we provide for proper nutrition.

Where does the candidate stand on addressing senior hunger issues?

College Tuition and Job Training

The prosperity of our nation as a whole, and of its individual citizens, depends upon our having large numbers of well-educated. In order to compete with other nations in the modern world, tuition must be affordable, but in recent years, college tuition and job training have become increasingly unaffordable. Some work to promote low cost or free tuition assistance, while others promote higher profits for private banks at the expense of students.

Where does the candidate stand on addressing the costs and availability of secondary education?

Catholic Attitudes Toward Homosexual Men, Women, and Youth

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2358:

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. (Emphasis added.)

According to a 2002 Gallup Poll, every fifth person or so in this country is gay. This, of course, includes our children and our family and friends. And, 90% of gay teens are harassed and assaulted, and 34,000 gay teens die from suicide each year.

Where does the candidate stand with promoting policies that ensure homosexual men, women, and youth are accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity, as our Church teaches?
To what extent does the candidate support Catholic teaching that every sign of unjust discrimination in regard to homosexual men, women, and youth should be avoided?
What are the candidate’s views about policies and programs that prevent harassment, assault, and bullying of youth?
To what extent do the candidate’s policies and programs help prevent teen suicide, including gay youth?

Other Resources

For more perspectives and discussion of issues that matter when voting, you may wish to consult the Web site of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good -- http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/2012cacgvoterguide.html. For questions about this document, contact me.

Gay Rights Groups To Make Bold Statement During GOP Convention

Gay Rights Groups To Make Bold Statement During GOP Convention
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBJ0g

Guests at the Republican National Convention next week will see TV spots featuring a prominent member of their party, San Diego ... Read more

Influential Doctor Perpetuates Shocking False Rape Pregnancy Ideas

Influential Doctor Perpetuates Shocking False Rape Pregnancy Ideas
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cANTH

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The discredited notion that a woman's body can resist conception in a sexual assault has ... Read more

GOP's 'We Did Build This' Speaker Didn't Build That

GOP's 'We Did Build This' Speaker Didn't Build That
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBoOe

Sher Valenzuela, who is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention next week, embodies the American Dream. The ... Read more

House Republicans Make Puzzling Obama Accusation

House Republicans Make Puzzling Obama Accusation
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBpyZ

WASHINGTON -- The House Judiciary Committee unleashed its latest attack Friday on the Obama administration for its immigration ... Read more

Ryan Makes Bogus Remark

Ryan Makes Bogus Remark
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBGok

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan says President Barack Obama wants to ease work ... Read more

Tea Party Rep Stands By Shocking Bachmann Jab

Tea Party Rep Stands By Shocking Bachmann Jab
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBi6N

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) suggested Monday that the family of Huma Abedin -- a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- ... Read more

PAY UP OR SHUT UP

PAY UP OR SHUT UP
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBmH1

WASHINGTON -- Tax experts who have begun to examine the Bain Capital documents released Thursday by Gawker are raising ... Read more

Obama Campaign: 'America Doesn't Need A Birther-In-Chief'

Obama Campaign: 'America Doesn't Need A Birther-In-Chief'
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBOrd

President Barack Obama's re-election campaign intensified its rebukes of Mitt Romney Friday evening for a remark made by ... Read more

We can quote the Bible too

We can quote the Bible too
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cC6YO

Read more... 1850 score | 226 comments > submitted by WelshGhandi subreddit: atheism ... Read more

Navy advisor stripped of her career for alerting Washington of Admirals plan to provoke Iran

Navy advisor stripped of her career for alerting Washington of Admirals plan to provoke Iran
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cBJrP
Read more... 2519 score | 351 comments > submitted by MAAATLLLOOOCK subreddit: worldnews ... Read more

GOP Federal Election Commissioners: Corporations Can Compel Employees To Campaign For Political Candidates

GOP Federal Election Commissioners: Corporations Can Compel Employees To Campaign For Political Candidates
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 25, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAGFh

Three Republican Federal Election Commissioners have found that unions or corporations can compel employees to campaign for ... Read more

Sean Hannity vs Christopher Hitchens Debate Does God Exist

Interview:

Thank you Jesus

Thank you Jesus
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAu6t

Read more... 1683 score | 209 comments > submitted by StoicGunner subreddit: atheism ... Read more

"Criminals are not primarily wrongdoers to be punished, but broken people to be fixed." Why the Norwegian Justice aims to benefit even the offender. "University of Oslo professor Thomas Mathiesen, say it's better for society overall because it isn't about "revenge, but sober, dignified treatment.""

"Criminals are not primarily wrongdoers to be punished, but broken people to be fixed." Why the Norwegian Justice aims to benefit even the offender. "University of Oslo professor Thomas Mathiesen, say it's better for society overall because it isn't about "revenge, but sober, dignified treatment.""
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAROz

Read more... 1921 score | 1210 comments > submitted by Read more

Hitchens at his best

Interview:

Ayn Rand And The 2012 Presidential Campaign

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-20/ayn-rand-and-2012-presidential-campaign

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate has brought new attention to the philosopher Ayn Rand. Paul Ryan says as a young man he was inspired by Ayn Rand's writing. In her novels “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead,” she described the virtues of private enterprise and the evils of government. Those ideas resonated with Ryan, and in a campaign video from 2009 he said, "Ayn Rand more than anyone else did a fantastic job of explaining the morality of capitalism, the morality of individualism, and this to me is what matters most." Ayn Rand was also an atheist, and Paul Ryan has distanced himself from Rand's religious views. But Ayn Rand remains an intriguing figure in American political thought. Senior fellow Onkar Ghate of the Ayn Rand Institute, Slate political reporter David Weigel and Stanford history professor Jennifer burns join guest host Tom Gjelten to discuss her influence.

Family Conversations About End-Of-Life Care

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-08/family-conversations-about-end-life-care

Talking about death and dying is never easy. Many of us cling to the childhood belief that parents are invincible. But avoiding an end-of life conversation with a loved one could have tragic consequences. It might mean a surrogate who has different values from your mother could end up making decisions for her. Or that your uncle won't qualify for Medicaid because he didn’t understand the process. Armed with basic facts and good listening skills, it's possible to create a strategy that gives a loved one comfort and provides caregivers with peace of mind. Diane and her guests explore how to begin discussions about end-of life care.

Fighting Medicaid Expansion

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/01/fighting-medicaid-expansion

The U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to President Obama’s health care plan with one caveat: you can’t coerce the states into expanding Medicaid coverage for the poor.

And even though the federal government is picking up the tab for the first 3 years, some Republican governors are saying no. That would mean millions of poor Americans won’t get insurance.

This hour, On Point: the politics of expanding, or not expanding Medicaid insurance for the poor.

It’s Romney-Ryan

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/13/romney-ryan

It’s Romney-Ryan as the Republican ticket. Mitt Romney, businessman former governor who won the primaries but did not set the Republican faithful on fire.

Paul Ryan, the 42-year-old Wisconsin congressman who’s government-slashing “Ryan budget” is the battle hymn of the Republican right.

He’s a live wire, even as his veins – as he told a Wisconsin crowd yesterday – run with cheese and bratwurst. Democrats call him a radical extremist. And the race, we’re told, is now clarified as a big, deep choice. This hour, On Point: Romney-Ryan, Obama-Biden, and the choice.

David Wessel On The National Debt

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/02/david-wessel

The debate over the national debt seems to rear its ugly head periodically and then go back into its cave. Just how much of a threat to the American economy is the debt?

Are we truly headed off a financial cliff or should we concentrate on fixing the economy first? Should we cut taxes and cut spending, how about raise taxes and cut spending?

This hour, On Point: the debate over debt. Can we get anything done in our partisan riven Congress?

David Bowie And The 1970s

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/10/david-bowie

David Jones, born 1947, became David Bowie. David Bowie became Ziggy Stardust, messenger from Mars. Starman. And a whole lot more.

In the 1970s, one-of-a-kind rocker David Bowie was the one who walked away from the 1960s utopianism. Went surreal. Went space. Went glam. Went omni-sexual. Fantasy. Strange. Painted his face. Put on the spandex. And ran all over the cosmos.
This hour, On Point: a new biography looks at David Bowie, the master of persona, and the 1970s.

October Surprise?

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/20/israel-iran

It’s not the first time we’ve heard Israel threatening, loudly, to go to war with Iran. To strike at Iran’s nuclear program. But it’s a special time.

The U.S. presidential election is just eleven weeks away. Israel is opening new gas mask distribution centers, fortifying schools and hospitals, testing a missile alert system. Talking military strike, with one line of thought being American leaders, the White House, could not deny support on the eve a national election. That an October surprise would guarantee US backing.
This hour, On Point: Israel, Iran, the US – and the October surprise scenario.

Week In The News: Akin Stays In, Romney On Energy, Isaac Coming -- Tom Ashbrook

Interview:

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/08/24/week-in-the-news-210

U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin tripped up big time as the abortion debate tumbles back into the campaign for the White House. A new culture war kicks off before the Grand Old Party’s convention. Isaac may crash the party. The White House draws red lines for the conflict in Syria.

Prince Harry parties a little too hard in Vegas Lance Armstrong falls. West Nile Virus, wildfires, drought — all spreading in the Lower 48.

This hour, On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

Friday News Roundup - Domestic -- Diane Rehm

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-24/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Tampa, Fla., Mayor Bob Buckhorn said he was prepared to call off the Republican National Convention next week if Hurricane Isaac threatens public safety. The housing market showed more signs of recovery as home sales rose in July. And U.S. health officials said the West Nile virus outbreak in five states was one of the worst in American history. Naftali Bendavid of The Wall Street Journal, Jeanne Cummings of Bloomberg News and David Chalian of Yahoo! News join Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Friday News Roundup - International -- Diane Rehm

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-24/friday-news-roundup-international

President Barack Obama warned Syria on Monday that it could face American military intervention if there were signs it was moving chemical weapons for use. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon announced plans to attend the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran next week. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with French President Francois Hollande in Berlin about how to solve the euro zone financial crisis. David Sanger of The New York Times, Michele Kelemen of NPR and Abderrahim Foukara of Al Jazeera join Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Report: Do-Nothing Congress Will Force U.S. Into Recession

Report: Do-Nothing Congress Will Force U.S. Into Recession
THE HUFFINGTON POST - FEATURED NEWS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cxb3l
The U.S. economy will sink into a deep recession and unemployment will jump back above 9 percent if Congress does not avoid a "fiscal cliff" waiting a... Read more

If Ryan Thinks Privatizing Health Care Cuts Costs, I've a Nice Bridge To Sell Him

If Ryan Thinks Privatizing Health Care Cuts Costs, I've a Nice Bridge To Sell Him
PULSE | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cApI1
Peter Orszag mocks Paul Ryan for believing a "competition tooth fairy" will magically lower health care costs for American patients: The vast bulk of... Read more

Romney’s Most Accurate Gaffe Yet

Romney's Most Accurate Gaffe Yet
PULSE | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAdyu

Gaffes seem to be the main currency of this nigglingly small-scale campaign–and they come in many flavors. There's the "Akin gaffe," when a politicia... Read more

Dershowitz Misrepresents J Street, U.S. Military Views On Iran

Dershowitz Misrepresents J Street, U.S. Military Views On Iran
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAqJk

In a new Jerusalem Post column, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz declares that the progressive pro-Israel group J Street, ... Read more

Another Republican Congressman Pushes Back Against Mitt Romney’s Call To End Wind Energy Tax Credits

Another Republican Congressman Pushes Back Against Mitt Romney's Call To End Wind Energy Tax Credits
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cA4DX

FORT GARLAND, Colorado — Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) is the latest Republican to come out against Mitt Romney's plan ... Read more

Republicans Working To Repeal Obamacare Are Opposing Pro-Life Policies

Republicans Working To Repeal Obamacare Are Opposing Pro-Life Policies
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cA5d8

Mitt Romney's home state of Massachusetts — where Romney enacted a health care reform initiative that President ... Read more

Romney Invested In Company That Is Outsourcing Jobs, Forcing Workers To Train Their Chinese Replacements

Romney Invested In Company That Is Outsourcing Jobs, Forcing Workers To Train Their Chinese Replacements
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAKax

Workers at Sensata Technologies, a business based in Freeport, Illinois, have been protesting Mitt Romney's campaign ... Read more

Maryland Catholic Conference Condemns Marriage Ballot Language As ‘Misguided’

Maryland Catholic Conference Condemns Marriage Ballot Language As 'Misguided'
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAUOt

The Maryland Catholic Conference has objected to the official language released this week for Question 6, the marriage equality ... Read more

Court rules controversial stem cell research is legal

Court rules controversial stem cell research is legal
TOP NBCNEWS HEADLINES | AUGUST 24, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cAII8
The federal government may continue to pay for controversial human embryonic stem cell research, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. The three-judg... Read more

Thursday, August 23, 2012

America the Undertaxed | Foreign Affairs

America the Undertaxed | Foreign Affairs
FOREIGNAFFAIRS.COM
http://pulse.me/s/cw7Lc

I'd Be Happy to Vote Republican, But ... - Henry Blodget: We need fiscal conservatives, not 'religious aggressives'

http://www.newser.com/story/152709/id-be-happy-to-vote-republican-but.html

Paul Ryan Holds Event Criticizing The Military Spending Sequester He Voted For

Paul Ryan Holds Event Criticizing The Military Spending Sequester He Voted For
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cyaN6
At a round table discussion in North Carolina Thursday, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan tried to pin the blame for the ... Read more

GOP Governor To Partner With Federal Government To Set Up Insurance Exchange

GOP Governor To Partner With Federal Government To Set Up Insurance Exchange
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cy5O7
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has given up hopes of setting up a state-run health insurance exchange in his state after members ... Read more

The problem with (some) Christians is...

The problem with (some) Christians is...
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cxJ8i

Read more... 579 score | 52 comments > submitted by mastervisaamex subreddit: atheism ... Read more

T. Boone Pickens Blasts Romney’s Energy Plan: ‘All They Talk About Is Oil’

T. Boone Pickens Blasts Romney's Energy Plan: 'All They Talk About Is Oil'
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cy0mC

Mitt Romney's new energy plan amounts to "drill, baby drill" on America's public lands and shores. His ... Read more

STUDY: Middle Class Suffered ‘Worst Decade In Modern History’ As Wages Stagnated, Share Of Income Fell

STUDY: Middle Class Suffered 'Worst Decade In Modern History' As Wages Stagnated, Share Of Income Fell
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cylzt

The middle class is shrinking, and so is its share of America's income and wage growth, according to a new study released ... Read more

Understanding The ‘Extremes’ In The Culture War Debates

Understanding The 'Extremes' In The Culture War Debates
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cxkyv

The Religious Right regularly complains that they are the victims because their hegemonic control over society is being ... Read more

New Hampshire Sheriff Candidate Says He Would Use Deadly Force To Stop Abortions

New Hampshire Sheriff Candidate Says He Would Use Deadly Force To Stop Abortions
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 23, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cycZK

A Republican running for county sheriff in New Hampshire is facing calls to leave the race after he suggested it is acceptable ... Read more

We should ban lifejackets and other flotation devices

We should ban lifejackets and other flotation devices
REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cx5EY

Read more... 1812 score | 276 comments > submitted by v_soma subreddit: atheism ... Read more

A Tea Partier Decided To Pick A Fight With A Foreign President. It Didn't Go So Well.

A Tea Partier Decided To Pick A Fight With A Foreign President. It Didn't Go So Well.

Interview: Michael D Higgins v Michael Graham

REDDIT TOP NEWS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cx7WW
Read more... 1461 score | 569 comments > submitted by Bwelchka subreddit: politics ... Read more

Nuns On The Bus Tour Stops In New York To Protest ‘Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget’

Nuns On The Bus Tour Stops In New York To Protest 'Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget'
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cwEtA

The Nuns On A Bus tour that made stops at 10 congressional offices in nine states in July is back on the road protesting the ... Read more

CNN Host Schools Romney Campaign Chair Over False Welfare Reform Attacks

CNN Host Schools Romney Campaign Chair Over False Welfare Reform Attacks
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cw4Xu

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has flooded the airwaves with advertisements criticizing the Obama ... Read more

Texas Judge: An Obama-Led United Nations Invasion Of Lubbock, Texas Is Only The ‘Worst Case Scenario’

Texas Judge: An Obama-Led United Nations Invasion Of Lubbock, Texas Is Only The 'Worst Case Scenario'
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cwf55

Earlier today, ThinkProgress reported that Texas Judge Tom Head told a local television station that President Obama would turn ... Read more

RNC To Showcase ‘We Built This!’ Theme From a Stadium Mostly Financed By Public Taxpayer Dollars

RNC To Showcase 'We Built This!' Theme From a Stadium Mostly Financed By Public Taxpayer Dollars
THINKPROGRESS | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cwBB9

For weeks, the Romney campaign have used an out-of-context quote from President Obama as the backdrop to their "We Did Build ... Read more

Ryan, Akin, and a Religious War

Ryan, Akin, and a Religious War
THE NEW YORKER | AUGUST 22, 2012
http://pulse.me/s/cwqTt
"So that forcible-rape language meant nothing to you at the time?" Jon Delano, of KDKA in Pittsburgh, asked Congressman Paul Ryan. "Rape is rape. And Read more