DN Speak: 3/3/13

Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Under Attack

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/02/18/cfpb

The mortgage meltdown had few happy endings. But to many there seemed to be one silver lining. A new agency created to look out for us. To make sure next time we wouldn’t be thrown under the bus.
But from the start, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had fierce pushback. Especially from banks worried about heavy handed regulations.
Now the attacks, and counterattacks, are heating up. In the Senate. In court. From consumer advocates. From defenders of free markets. And each side is digging in.
This hour, On Point: the heated battle over the future of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.

Indiana Farmer Takes Seed-Giant Monsanto To Supreme Court

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/02/20/bowman-monsanto

Indiana farmer Hugh Bowman had his day in court yesterday. In the US Supreme Court. Battling American ag science giant, Monsanto. Over soybeans. Farmer Bowman uses Monsanto’s genetically-engineered beans to plant his soybean crop. They’re fine with that. He pays plenty for Monsanto’s high tech beans. But farmer Bowman also planted beans he bought at the grain elevator and put in his field. Monsanto did not like that. Those are ours, they said. We own that life. Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard the case. This hour, On Point: Farmer Bowman versus Monsanto, and who owns life.

Week In The News: Sequester, Pope Out, Aid To Syrian Rebels (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/03/01/week-in-the-news-sequester-pope-out-aid-to-syrian-rebels

Cue the Jaws music. It is sequester day. The week the cuts are cast in stone. Friday at midnight, barring a miracle. Ok, the world won’t fall apart tomorrow. But nobody calls this good government. And here we are.

In Rome, the Pope has left the building. Choppered out of the Vatican. There is no Pope. In the Supreme Court, conservative justices express skepticism over the need for the Voting Rights Act.

In Syria, new US funds will flow to rebels, to balance Islamic radical strength. Bradley Manning makes his plea.
This hour, On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

-Tom Ashbrook

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-03-08/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., left, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., second left, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., second right, and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., right, leave after a private dinner with President Barack Obama at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2013.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama courts rank-and-file Republicans. The House votes to avert a government shutdown. The latest jobs numbers are released. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-03-08/friday-news-roundup-international

North Koreans attend a rally to support a statement given on Tuesday by a spokesman for the Supreme Command of the Korean People's Army vowing to cancel the 1953 cease-fire that ended the Korean War as well as boasting of the North's ownership of "lighter and smaller nukes" and its ability to execute "surgical strikes" meant to unify the divided Korean Peninsula, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday, March 7, 2013. North Korea on Thursday vowed to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States, amplifying its threatening rhetoric hours ahead of a vote by U.N. diplomats on whether to level new sanctions against Pyongyang for its recent nuclear test. The billboard in background depicts a large bayonet pointing at U.S. army soldiers with writing reading "If you dare invade, only death will be waiting for you!"

(AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

North Korea raises threats over new U.N. sanctions. International support grows for Syrian rebels. Venezuelans mourn the death of President Hugo Chavez. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Defense Spending Myths: Cutting Through the Noise

Defense Spending Myths: Cutting Through the Noise
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jikHr

Lawrence Korb is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. Lauren Linde, an intern at the Center, co-authored this ... Read more

Why The Strong February Jobs Report Is Evidence That Congress Should Cancel Sequestration

Why The Strong February Jobs Report Is Evidence That Congress Should Cancel Sequestration
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jjICG

The American economy added 236,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate dropped to 7.7 percent, its lowest level since ... Read more

Fox And Friends: Polar Bears Prove Climate Change Is ‘Not Really Real’

Fox And Friends: Polar Bears Prove Climate Change Is 'Not Really Real'
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jic4C

Polar bears can't catch a break anywhere, least of all Fox News. On Fox and Friends this morning, Fox Legal Analyst Peter ... Read more

6 Republican Talking Points That Economists Say Are Totally Bogus

6 Republican Talking Points That Economists Say Are Totally Bogus
BUSINESS NEWS ON HUFFINGTON POST | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jjEOX

The Obama administration and Congressional Republicans have been at odds about the budget for years. That may be because politics and economics don't... Read more

Public High School Students Won’t Learn About Voting In Government Class If Iowa Bill Becomes Law

Public High School Students Won't Learn About Voting In Government Class If Iowa Bill Becomes Law
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 9, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jjZK2

Iowa state Rep. Pat Grassley (R) — the grandson of Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) — introduced a bill earlier this week ... Read more

"Social Security, because it is funded by the payroll tax, not the U.S. Treasury, has not contributed one nickel to our deficit." Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

"Social Security, because it is funded by the payroll tax, not the U.S. Treasury, has not contributed one nickel to our deficit." Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 9, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jho0W

The Koch Brothers Are Spending Millions to Deny Poor Americans Healthcare

The Koch Brothers Are Spending Millions to Deny Poor Americans Healthcare
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jjBVj

We'll do it live. O'Reilly loses it when confronted with facts, calls Colmes a liar and screams bullshit on air.

We'll do it live. O'Reilly loses it when confronted with facts, calls Colmes a liar and screams bullshit on air.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 9, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jkl5g

Seven Godly Sins

Seven Godly Sins
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jkuxW

GOP Leaders: Refashion Obamacare To Address Preexisting Conditions In The Short-Run

GOP Leaders: Refashion Obamacare To Address Preexisting Conditions In The Short-Run
TPMDC | MARCH 8, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jiWAA

House GOP leaders say they want to help people with preexisting conditions, and now. After years of scorched-earth opposition ... Read more

Science vs. the Feelies

Bill O'Reilly Screaming: 'This Is Bull-S&%t!'

State’s ‘Environmentally Sound’ Keystone Assessment Done By Firms Linked To TransCanada, Exxon Mobil, BP And Kochs

State's 'Environmentally Sound' Keystone Assessment Done By Firms Linked To TransCanada, Exxon Mobil, BP And Kochs
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jhYfX

Yesterday, we found out via Inside Climate News and Brad Johnson over at Grist that the environmental impact statement the ... Read more

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Sens. Warren, Merkley Blast Regulators For Making Wall Street A ‘Prosecution-Free Zone’

Sens. Warren, Merkley Blast Regulators For Making Wall Street A 'Prosecution-Free Zone'
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfsMn

A day after Attorney General Eric Holder asserted that prosecutions of Wall Street's largest financial institutions have ... Read more

African-American Lawyers To SCOTUS: We’ve Heard These Anti-Marriage Equality Arguments Before

African-American Lawyers To SCOTUS: We've Heard These Anti-Marriage Equality Arguments Before
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jg02T

The Howard University School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country and the oldest law school at any ... Read more

STUDY: Same-Sex Couples’ Health Would Benefit From Marriage

STUDY: Same-Sex Couples' Health Would Benefit From Marriage
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jhgT2

A new study from researchers at Rice University finds that without marriage, same-sex couples do not have access to the same ... Read more

Today in History: 17 August 1938: Hitler's Decree Has SS Troops Play Role in Both Foreign and Domestic Affairs

http://skepticism.org/timeline/august-history/8082-hitlers-ss-troops-play-role-both-foreign-domestic-affairs.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Before everyone jumps on the Rand Paul 2016 bandwagon, make sure you know where he stands on issues you care about

Before everyone jumps on the Rand Paul 2016 bandwagon, make sure you know where he stands on issues you care about
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jhOO4

This made my day :)

This made my day :)
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jhDQT

My response whenever a theist asks me: "What if you're wrong?"

My response whenever a theist asks me: "What if you're wrong?"
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jh2KB

Children adopted by same-sex couples fare as well as or better than those adopted by heterosexuals - Study

Children adopted by same-sex couples fare as well as or better than those adopted by heterosexuals - Study
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jgywx

Boehner's Backup Plan In Government Shutdown Fight

Boehner's Backup Plan In Government Shutdown Fight
TPMDC | MARCH 7, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jh7qu

There's a new ripple in the still-simmering dispute between the parties over funding the government before appropriations ... Read more

McCain, Graham Slam Paul's 'Ridiculous' Filibuster - Republican senators call it a cheap political stunt

http://www.newser.com/story/164042/mccain-graham-slam-pauls-ridiculous-filibuster.html

"ACORN Killed... Again!" by Old Fart Rants

Horrifying Iraq Torture - Pentagon's Complacency Revealed (Video)

Film Makes Clear: Cheney Pulled the Strings All Along - Dowd sees evidence of the VP's manipulation in new documentary

http://www.newser.com/story/163954/film-makes-clear-cheney-pulled-the-strings-all-along.html

Virginia Republican: It Can Be Better To Be Uninsured Than On Medicaid

Virginia Republican: It Can Be Better To Be Uninsured Than On Medicaid
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jf4AW

Wealthy investor and Republican candidate for Virginia Lt. Governor Pete Snyder released a new campaign ad Wednesday ... Read more

Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers Wants To Keep Taxpayers On The Hook For Banks’ Risky Bets

Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers Wants To Keep Taxpayers On The Hook For Banks' Risky Bets
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfb3a

Yesterday, Sen, Richard Shelby (R-AL) introduced new legislation to gum up implementation of the Dodd-Frank financial reform ... Read more

Number Two Senate Democrat Says Senate Should Reopen Filibuster Reform

Number Two Senate Democrat Says Senate Should Reopen Filibuster Reform
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfZ6f

After the Senate Republican minority blocked allowing an up-or-down vote on a completely qualified judicial nominee Wednesday, ... Read more

Neil deGrasse Tyson on god and abortion

Neil deGrasse Tyson on god and abortion
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jeXFW

Deep Space Capable of Creating Linked Pairs of Amino Acids --Essential Building Blocks of Life

Deep Space Capable of Creating Linked Pairs of Amino Acids --Essential Building Blocks of Life
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfaO2

Artificial manipulation of the stock market by the Fed, and outsourcing generates skyrocketing corporate profits, high unemployment and low wages.

Artificial manipulation of the stock market by the Fed, and outsourcing generates skyrocketing corporate profits, high unemployment and low wages.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jehSo

Michael Oren's Truthiness

Michael Oren's Truthiness
THEDAILYBEAST | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfxBS

Dear Mr. Colbert, As proud member of the Colbert Nation, I salute you, and I offer my kudos and a hearty huzzah for Tuesday night's interview with t... Read more

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

GOP Governor Begs Her Party To Expand Medicaid: ‘The Human Cost Of This Tragedy Can’t Be Calculated’

GOP Governor Begs Her Party To Expand Medicaid: 'The Human Cost Of This Tragedy Can't Be Calculated'
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfCXP

Jan Brewer (R), Arizona's combative GOP governor, stunned political observers and health care reform advocates when she ... Read more

Despite Industry Efforts To Blame Administration, There’s A Geologic Reason Most Drilling Occurs On Nonfederal Lands

Despite Industry Efforts To Blame Administration, There's A Geologic Reason Most Drilling Occurs On Nonfederal Lands
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 6, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jfS3F

By Jessica Goad The United States is in the midst of an energy boom, seen for example in the rise of U.S. oil production to its ... Read more

Will Woodward Admit He LIED About Threat?

Jeb Bush Disagrees With Himself on Immigration...Again

Was Sen. Menendez's Prostitute Scandal A Setup?

The Inspiring Story of an Emotional Basketball Game

Top Republican Blows Off Food Inspection Cuts

Top Republican Blows Off Food Inspection Cuts
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jc9fS

On Tuesday morning, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the House Committee on Agriculture to testify about the ... Read more

No, Obamacare Won’t Cause Younger Americans’ Premium Costs To Skyrocket

No, Obamacare Won't Cause Younger Americans' Premium Costs To Skyrocket
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jdlOZ

With Obamacare on the pathway towards full implementation, critics have attempted to point out every perceived flaw in the ... Read more

Group Launches Grassroots Campaign To Counter Anti-Muslim New York Subway Ads

Group Launches Grassroots Campaign To Counter Anti-Muslim New York Subway Ads
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jdDU2

A grassroots campaign aimed at countering hateful anti-Muslim ads in New York's subway system has gone live, placing ... Read more

WATCH: Bill O’Reilly Harasses Gay Colorado Speaker Over Child Molester Laws

WATCH: Bill O'Reilly Harasses Gay Colorado Speaker Over Child Molester Laws
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jbE0u

As expected, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly is continuing his smear campaign against Colorado House Speaker Mark Ferrandino ... Read more

Two Democrats To Introduce Bill Raising The Minimum Wage Above $10

Two Democrats To Introduce Bill Raising The Minimum Wage Above $10
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jd2hr

Two Democrats plan to introduce legislation today that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, more than a ... Read more

National Security Brief: GOP Senator Says Iran Resolutions Meant To ‘Build A Case’ For War Authorization

National Security Brief: GOP Senator Says Iran Resolutions Meant To 'Build A Case' For War Authorization
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jbDwH

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are planning to introduce a resolution urging the U.S. government to ... Read more

House Republicans Propose Rolling Back Access To Birth Control To Avert Government Shutdown

House Republicans Propose Rolling Back Access To Birth Control To Avert Government Shutdown
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jdWFl

In order to avert a government shutdown later this month, Congress and the Obama administration must negotiate a continuing ... Read more

GOP Senator Suggests New Way For Republicans To Gum Up Wall Street Reform

GOP Senator Suggests New Way For Republicans To Gum Up Wall Street Reform
THINKPROGRESS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jdODC

Republicans have spent the past two years trying to delay and water down regulations included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street ... Read more

TIL if you have no debts and $10 in your pocket, you have more wealth than 25% of Americans

TIL if you have no debts and $10 in your pocket, you have more wealth than 25% of Americans
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/41vsP

This is America, now: The Dow hits a record high, with household income at a decade low

This is America, now: The Dow hits a record high, with household income at a decade low
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jbFMz

Ryan Considers Breaking Major Campaign Promise

Ryan Considers Breaking Major Campaign Promise
THE HUFFINGTON POST - MAGHREB FEATURED NEWS | MARCH 5, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jcY7o

By David Lawder and Kim Dixon WASHINGTON, March 5 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan ... Read more

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Jeb Bush Flip Flops: No Path to Citizenship

I used to be an atheist until...

I used to be an atheist until...
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 4, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jbAtl

What Africans want from the next pope - CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/opinion/what-africans-want-pope-ilo/index.html

Whose Fault Was the Sequester?

"The 'sequester' now goes down in history with blowing the surplus, Tora Bora, Iraq, Katrina, the financial crisis and the near-debt default in the GOP’s streak of amazing successes."

"The 'sequester' now goes down in history with blowing the surplus, Tora Bora, Iraq, Katrina, the financial crisis and the near-debt default in the GOP's streak of amazing successes."
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 4, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/j9EYY

Boehner: "If [President Obama] had a plan, why wouldn't Senate Democrats go ahead and pass it?" Obama has a plan, the Republican minority in the senate filibustered it.

Boehner: "If [President Obama] had a plan, why wouldn't Senate Democrats go ahead and pass it?" Obama has a plan, the Republican minority in the senate filibustered it.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | MARCH 4, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/jakVn