Students Shut Down School as Gay Vice Principal Fired

Catholic school says he violated contract with same-sex wedding.
http://www.newser.com/story/179535/students-shut-down-school-as-gay-vice-principal-fired.html

The Dark Mastermind Behind The War On Christmas

"Bill O'Reilly decided Wednesday night that not enough of the Christian perspective in the War on Christmas™ has been showcased on his program (I'll give you a minute if that statement made you burst out laughing), and brought on Pastor Robert Jeffress to share his perspective. And for anyone to say there isn't a War on Christmas™, to Jeffress, you would have to be "extremely naïve or intentionally deceptive."

And it's not just a War on Christmas™ that's brewing, it is "part of a larger war on Christianity" all over the world. You know, except for the fact that the real persecution of Christians in Islamic nations is in no way comparable or connected to a few dozen minor skirmishes about some holiday displays. I mean, really.

O'Reilly asked, "Who do you think is behind the movement to diminish Christianity?"

Jeffress answered, "The kingdom of darkness, of Satan.""* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

Sarah Palin, Duck Dynasty & Classic Fox News Hypocrisy

"Sarah Palin believes the backlash over "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson's anti-gay comments is a threat to freedom of speech.

The 67-year-old duck hunter made headlines when GQ published an interview in which he discussed morality and sin, and juxtaposed homosexuality with bestiality.

"It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus," he told the magazine. "That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."

After the quotes were published, GLAAD spoke out against Robertson's comments, calling them vile and misinformed. A&E ultimately suspended him from "Duck Dynasty" with an indefinite hiatus, saying his views do not align with those of the network."* The Young Turks hosts Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down.

Snowden Compared To Mass Murderer By CNN Guest

"According to CNN legal analyst Paul Callan, NSA leaker Edward Snowden's actions constituted the intelligence community's equivalent of a "mass murderer." The analogy came during a panel discussion on the potential for Snowden to receive amnesty from the United States...".* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

Michigan Tea Party Patriot Arrested For Child Pornography

"A 46-year-old Michigan member of the group Tea Party Patriots was named Tuesday in a criminal complaint on charges of distributing and receiving illicit photos and video of children. According to The Smoking Gun, Brian Schwanke is accused of using the email account "h*rnypastor@outlook.com" to send and receive hundreds of provocative images of underage children...".* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

Fox News Busted For War On Christmas Hypocrisy

Bill O'Reilly declared one victory in the so-called war on Christmas arguing that because of his efforts corporations allow people to say 'merry Christmas' rather than 'happy holidays'. There's just one problem with that which The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks down.

How The Senate Is Bad For Peace (And Good For War)

"Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) are threatening to push the United States toward war with Iran, circulating and planning to introduce a sanctions bill despite warnings that it could derail nuclear negotiations at a delicate moment.

International observers and both parties to the negotiations have repeatedly pleaded with Congress to allow the talks to unfold -- warnings that Kirk and Menendez, the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, appear intent on ignoring. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is also part of the effort, though much of the final decision rests with Menendez.

"The White House doesn't want a bill, that's true. Menendez and Kirk are working on it and trying to build the list of cosponsors. Likely to be introduced soon," said a Senate Democratic aide involved in the effort."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

The Push To Raise The Minimum Wage For All Americans

Already this year, five states have raised their minimum wage. In a speech last week, President Obama vowed to make reducing income inequality a primary focus of his final years in office. He called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage. Senate Democrats are promoting a measure that would hike it to just above $10 an hour. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many Republicans are opposed to any increase in the wage floor. They argue it would be bad for business, impede job creation and do little to help the poorest Americans. We talk about the arguments on both sides of the issue.

Interview:  http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-12-09/push-raise-minimum-wage-all-americans

Understanding The Volcker Rule

The so-called "Volcker Rule" is aimed at reining in risky trading by banks. Details on the new rule and whether it’s tough enough to prevent another financial crisis.
 

Interview:  http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-12-11/understanding-volcker-rule

Week In The News: Fed Tapers, NSA Pushback, Billie Jean King To Sochi (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Hardly time for news this week, with all the Christmas shopping and everybody checking that their credit card wasn’t ripped off in the massive data heist at Target. Forty million cards at risk. But there was news aplenty. A budget. Bernanke’s last move. And pushback on the spying of the N.S.A. China on the moon. Genocide fears in Africa. New steps to stop sexual assault in the US military. Billie Jean King, not the President, will go to Russia’s Sochi Olympics. “Duck Dynasty’s” big daddy is in trouble. This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

– Tom Ashbrook

Interview:   http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/12/20/sochi-olympics-fed-taper-nsa

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Presidential advisers recommend the NSA not be allowed to collect and store Americans’ phone data. The Senate approves a two-year budget deal. And outgoing Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says the stimulus program will gradually end next year. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Interview: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-12-20/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Ukraine accepts Russia’s bailout offer. Fighting in Syria escalates ahead of the January peace conference. And the U.S. and Britain evacuate citizens from South Sudan as violence spreads. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.
 

Interview: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-12-20/friday-news-roundup-international

 

 

Ugandan MPs pass life in jail anti-homosexual law

Also banned: miniskirts, sexy music videos... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25463942

Do You Believe? Americans Less Likely to Believe in Historical Accuracy of Christmas Story Than a Decade Ago

"One of the puzzles of a newly released survey about Christmas in the United States was the striking finding that Americans' belief in the historical accuracy of the Christmas story -- the virgin birth, the angelic proclamation to the shepherds, the star of Bethlehem, and the wise men from the East -- has fallen by nearly 20 percentage points during the last decade. In a PSRA/Newsweek poll in December 2004, two-thirds (67 percent) of Americans affirmed their belief that the Christmas story is historically accurate, compared to 24 percent who said they believed it is a theological story written to affirm faith in Jesus Christ. In the December 2013 PRRI/RNS Religion News Survey, the percentage of Americans affirming the historical accuracy of the Christmas story fell to less than half (49 percent), with 4-in-10 (40 percent) saying they believe it is a theological story written to affirm Christian faith..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-p-jones-phd/a-christmas-belief-myster_b_4455526.html

Holiday billboard in Times Square from Center For Inquiry (CFI)

An ad appearing on a Times Square electronic billboard, from all of us at CFI. Part of our Living without Religion campaign, with more at http://livingwithoutreligion.org

In season of giving, atheist groups’ charity rebuffed

‘Tis the season for giving — but not always for receiving.
As the holiday season peaks, atheist and humanist groups around the country have seen their charitable impulses rebuffed by both Christian and secular organizations. Recent incidents of “thanks, but no thanks,” include:

• A group of Kansas City, Mo., nonbelievers was told their help was not needed after they volunteered to help a local Christian group distribute Thanksgiving meals.
• A $3,000 donation to a Morton Grove, Ill., park, collected by a local atheist group, was returned. Park officials said they did not wish to “become embroiled in a First Amendment dispute.”
• A group of Spartanburg, S.C., atheists  was denied the opportunity to help at a Christian-run soup kitchen. The soup kitchen’s executive director told local press she would resign before accepting the atheists’ help and asked, “Why are they targeting us?”...

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/12/19/season-giving-atheist-groups-charity-rebuffed/

Despite Jesus, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and a Festivus Pole in Capitol, Florida Officials Say No to Satanists

"… however, keep this in mind: The Satanic Temple’s display was just a depiction of a Bible verse..."


http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/12/19/despite-jesus-the-flying-spaghetti-monster-and-a-festivus-pole-in-capitol-florida-officials-say-no-to-satanists/

The Catholic Church isn’t anti-gay, but are its bishops?

"On Meet the Press earlier this month, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, claimed that the Catholic Church is not anti-gay. “We’re pro marriage, we’re pro traditional marriage, we’re not anti anybody. We’ve been out-marketed, we’ve been caricatured as being anti-gay,” he explained to the show’s host, David Gregory. Dolan’s right. The Catholic Church isn’t anti-gay, but evidence suggests its bishops certainly are..."

http://michaeloloughlin.religionnews.com/2013/12/12/catholic-church-isnt-anti-gay-bishops/#sthash.vKSirUjW.dpuf

Some very worthwhile reader comments follow the article. Among my favorites:

"... The bishops are destroying their own influence, not just among lay Catholics, but among all Americans, when they shriek the most vitriolic hate speech against LGBT Americans, but what has angered Americans is the crass political machinations committed by the bishops. We know Catholic bishops have committed criminal acts in violation of California campaign finance and disclosure laws because the US Supreme Court has an email the bishops wrote to Mormon bosses agreeing to make secret, illegal contributions to the California 2008 anti-gay H8te Vote:
Here is documentation about that email:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/documents-show-close-links-between-prop-8-campaign-and-mormon-catholic-churches.html#comments

The email was included in the evidence the US Supreme Court reviewed before that Court affirmed the revocation of the 2008 California anti-gay H8te Vote. Clearly, the criminal acts committed by Mormons and other anti-gays failed..."

And another:

"I have just read the story of Michael Griffith. Yet another beloved teacher fired for being gay.
The Catholic Church lives in hypocrisy. If the Church just as rigorously went after those who practice birth control or divorce, or support the death penalty, they would at least have the benefit of consistency. But they would also have empty hallways.
Mr. Griffin’s was a civil marriage, not a religious one. Should the church also expel any Catholic who marries a non-Catholic? What about those who marry outside the church? Are they expelled?
What about the wealthy parents who don’t give a hoot about the poor, who scorn the downtrodden? When will the Church expel them?
A cohort of the Church is obsessed with homosexuality. Even the Pope sees how damaging this obsession has been, at the expense of issues that truly matter.
But gays and lesbians are safer victims, and they also feed the Catholic leadership’s own rage. The acceptance of gays and lesbians has not only depleted their ranks of easy fodder for the rectory and nunnery, but at the same torments their own inner devils. Ruled by a coven of closeted gay men, Church leaders absolutely hum with suppressed envy at the thought of men living out their lives with the love that each of us deserves to know in this lifetime.
The greatest shame is for Mr. Griffin’s students. They have now been taught that he is a lesser human being who, by publicly expressing the most important aspect of who he is, does not deserve to teach them.
Any parent who continues to send their children to such a school must ponder the lessons their children will learn. Twenty years from now, and probably sooner, they will look to you the way children today look back at those who self-righteously sent their kids to segregated schools in the South. They will be ashamed of you and your parenting."

Sen. Dick Durbin Accuses For-Profit College Chain Of Defrauding Taxpayers

A top Senate Democrat on Thursday called for the Obama administration and collegiate accreditors to investigate whether a major for-profit college com... Read more

Officials: People Returning To HealthCare.gov 'In Droves'

Nearly three-fourths of those who have purchased health insurance on HealthCare.gov since early December were people returning to the site after visit... Read more
I

Why Aren’t More People Talking About This?

ThinkProgress’ Judd Legum rounded up 9 big under-the-radar stories we think you should know more about. Check them out and spread the word: ... Read more

Months After Banning Fracking, France Now Has A Carbon Tax

The move is a win for environmentalists and those concerned about climate change, as a carbon tax has been shown to be ... Read more

My glacier cave discoveries - Eddy Cartaya

Snow Dragon. Pure Imagination. Frozen Minotaur. These are the names Eddy Cartaya and his climbing partner Brent McGregor gave three glacier caves that they were the first to explore, caves that are morphing constantly thanks to warm water and warm air. At TEDYouth, Cartaya takes us inside these magical spaces where ice glows in bright blues and greens, and where artifacts rain from the ceiling.

Interview:

Jerry A. Coyne, Why Evolution is True

Joel Guttormson, Outreach and Event Coordinator for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science interviews speakers from TAM 2013 presented by the James Randi Educational Foundation.

Jerry A. Coyne, Ph.D is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago and a member of both the Committee on Genetics and the Committee on Evolutionary Biology. He is the author of the book 'Why Evolution is True' and maintains a fabulous blog by the same name. Jerry is an indispensable asset in our movement.

Book: http://astore.amazon.com/richdawkfounf-20/detail/0143116649

Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science

Interview:

War on Working People

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) discusses unemployment with MSNBC's Rev. Al Sharpton.

Creationism Embraced By All Four Republican Lieutenant Governor Candidates in Texas

Should we fight religious Christmas displays on public property?

Ray Kurzweil: Your Robot Assistant of the Future

If a human and a computer both read a single page of comedy, the human would be at an enormous advantage. The computer wouldn't have a chance.
More:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlzalmlYzmU&index=12&list=PLr7qhb33pmZ1jZAKeWupa1SmABdKZnY-8

How do we smell? - Rose Eveleth

An adult human can distinguish up to 10,000 odors. You use your nose to figure out what to eat, what to buy and even when it's time to take a shower. But how do the molecules in the air get translated into smells in your brain? Rose Eveleth charts the smelly journey through your olfactory epithelium and explains why scent can be so subjective.

Penguins: Popularity, peril and poop - Dyan deNapoli

Penguins are odd birds. For one, they cannot fly (but they are amazing swimmers), and, contrary to popular belief, the majority of penguin populations live in warmer regions. But these beloved birds are in danger, with populations declining up to 90%. Dyan deNapoli explains the reasons behind the decline -- and why penguins are like the proverbial canary in the coal mine of our oceans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGhknFzrnXg&list=WL32F078D9EEEFBB36

Why There Is No Such Thing as a Good Atheist

(The article, written by a pastor, is a quick review of what he mistakenly thinks atheists say about morality, and as such, it is complete rubbish.  But the reader comments that appear below the article -- dozens of them -- are well worth a read.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/why-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-good-atheist_b_4442287.html

Republicans Sneak Abstinence-Only Funding Into Budget Deal

The House of Representatives and the Senate have now both signed off on a bipartisan budget deal that the president is likely to sign. While animated ... Read more

4 Reasons Why There Is No War on Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKRhJWb7K_Q&feature=youtu.be

Missed Opportunity: North Carolina’s Voucher Program Likely To Fund Homeschools

Because of idiosyncrasies in its education laws, North Carolina’s “Opportunity Scholarships” aren’t just available to private schools; they’ll also be available for homeschools.
Read more

Majority Of Americans Oppose Jail Time For Cocaine, Heroine Possession, Poll Finds

 The poll contrasts with federal and state sentencing schemes that send low-level drug offenders to prison. The post Majority Of ... Read more

A Michigan Utility Tried To Hide Its Coal Plant Behind A Wind Farm

The Drudge Report tweeted that EPA rules stopped a clean energy project, but failed to mention the coal plant that went along ... Read more

1 in 200 Women Say They've Had a 'Virgin Pregnancy' - Of course, some are skeptical

"An unbelievable-sounding new study finds that one in 200 young American women claims to have experienced a virgin pregnancy, à la the Virgin Mary. The US researchers looked into a long-term, confidential study about reproductive health, and found that 45 of the 7,870 women involved said they had become pregnant without ever having had vaginal intercourse or going through in-vitro fertilization, AFP reports. Of those, 31% had made a "chastity pledge" of the type popular among Christian groups. The research was published in the British Medical Journal..." 

http://www.newser.com/story/179400/1-in-200-women-say-theyve-had-a-virgin-pregnancy.html

Satanists take to Indiegogo to build giant monument to Satan on government property

Of course, the Oklahoma government does not want to erect a monument to Satan on the capitol grounds, however metal it may be. Brady Henderson, legal director of the ACLU’s Oklahoma chapter, thinks that the government will be in for a surprise. Should the campaign reach its funding goals, the organization feels that the monument should not be blocked from construction just because it represents a different religious viewpoint, as that’s religious persecution, and this will begin a heated legal battle. Satanic Temple spokesman Lucien Greaves is playing fair, however, and notes that the statue would be in accordance with community standards, and will be in good taste...

http://www.geek.com/news/satanists-take-to-indiegogo-to-build-giant-monument-to-satan-on-government-property-1579868/

NY State Senator Says Times Square Atheist Billboard is Religious Persecution Like the Kind That Led to the Holocaust

Senator Lanza said, “Just as millions of Americans are preparing to celebrate Christmas, this intolerant and hateful group deliberately ridicules the solemn beliefs of millions of New Yorkers.”
…
“Not only do the people behind this group not believe in God but they obviously don’t believe in decency, civility and kindness to fellow human kind either. This is part of a continued “War on Christmas” and also upon the belief and value system of millions of Christian, Jewish and Muslim people who have faith in God. Religious persecution of the kind that similarly lead to the Holocaust began with small evil baby steps of ridicule and hatred of the religious beliefs of others.”

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/12/17/ny-state-senator-says-times-square-atheist-billboard-is-religious-persecution-like-the-kind-that-led-to-the-holocaust-2/

That Time The House Of Representatives Actually Had A Vote About The 'War On Christmas'

"From 1659 to 1681, anyone caught celebrating Christmas in the colony would be fined five shillings," Rachel N. Schnepper of Washington and Lee University wrote in The New York Times last year on the seventh anniversary of the Davis resolution.
"So the next time someone maintains that they are defending traditional American values by denouncing the War on Christmas," Schnepper wrote, "remind them of our 17th-century Puritan forefathers who refused to condone any celebration or even observance of the holiday."

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/war-on-christmas_n_4461407.html

Paul Ryan Suggests Tying Keystone Pipeline To Debt Ceiling Vote

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Tuesday suggested that Republicans link the next vote to raise the debt ceiling to approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, the ... Read more

The Religious Right’s Nightmare Before Christmas: Poll Finds Increasing Percentage Of Americans View Dec. 25 As A Secular Holiday

Maybe the “War on Christmas” was never about reminding people that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Maybe it was always about the “War FOR Christmas,” because the Religious Right wants to define all facets of life in America, including the way holidays are observed... Read more

US researchers body votes to boycott Israel:

 "An association of more than 5,000 US teachers and researchers voted to boycott the Israeli regime..."

Read more

Interior Department Has Stopped Trying To Raise Oil And Gas Royalty Rates, Say Government Auditors

A report released Tuesday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Department of the Interior has ... Read more

What A Year: 45 Fossil Fuel Disasters The Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know About

Every year the oil leaks. The gas spills. The coal mines cave in. The post What A Year: 45 Fossil Fuel Disasters The Industry ... Read more

House Democrats Push To Defund Failed Abstinence-Only Education Programs

Nine members of Congress have introduced the "Repealing Ineffective and Incomplete Abstinence-Only Program Funding Act of ... Read more

STUDY: States Refusing To Expand Medicaid Are Disproportionately Hurting Poor People Of Color

 "Given their high uninsured rates and low incomes, people of color will be disproportionately impacted by [the Medicaid ... Read more

Here's Why The Stock Market Bubble Deniers Are Completely Wrong

Here are the most common, but logically unsound arguments being used to deny the fact that U.S. stocks are experiencing a bubble...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessecolombo/2013/12/17/heres-why-the-stock-market-bubble-deniers-are-completely-wrong/?partner=yahootix

Why Taxpayer Money is (Still) Funding Anti-Gay Private Schools

This week, Salon writer Katie McDonough published a piece about voucher systems that allow private schools with anti-LGBT policies to receive taxpayer funding, adding to the ongoing conversation about why we’re letting this stuff happen over and over again....

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/12/15/why-taxpayer-money-is-still-funding-anti-gay-private-schools/

Republican candidates for Lt. Gov agree Creationism should be taught in public schools

http://www.newsradioklbj.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=2096462

UN declares that the right to privacy, including online privacy, is a human right

The United Nations’ human rights committee passed a “right to privacy” resolution that was sponsored by Germany and Brazil. The new document protects the right to privacy against illegal surveillance even in the online world. 
Read more

How The Super-Rich Ducked $100 Billion In Estate Taxes Since 2000

The money rich people kept from the government through this estate tax loophole since 2000 could've paid for every American ... Read more

Chemicals Found In Water At Fracking Sites Linked To Infertility, Cancer

Water samples from hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking,' sites revealed elevated levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals, ... Read more

ACLU argues against Nashville diocese's ACA challenge

"The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee filed a new court brief arguing that requiring contraceptive coverage in insurance plans doesn’t violate the rights of religious employers...."

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20131214/NEWS07/312140036

Pro-Choice Activists Could Still Repeal Michigan’s New ‘Rape Insurance’ Law

"...Since the legislation was “citizen-initiated” — the anti-choice community collected over 300,000 signatures to provoke a vote on the measure — it doesn’t need the governor’s signature, and will become law 90 days after lawmakers adjourn for the year. But reproductive rights activists still have options left. They could circulate a petition of their own to collect enough signatures for a public referendum, which would put the measure up for a statewide vote..."

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/12/16/3067861/pro-choice-activists-michigan-referendum/

Survey | Americans Shift Preference for “Happy Holidays” over “Merry Christmas”

"Nearly half (49%) of Americans agree stores and businesses should greet their customers with “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings” instead of “merry Christmas” out of respect for people of different faiths. However,a substantial minority (43%) disagree.  Support for saying “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings” is up slightly since December 2010, when 44% preferred that businesses use less religious greetings..."

http://publicreligion.org/research/2013/12/prri-rns-dec-2013-survey/

Dems Hits 44 House Republicans For Efforts To Repeal Obamacare

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is launching a new web ad campaign hitting Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare. The new web... Read more

Michigan GOP Senate Candidate Silent On 'Rape Rider' Law

Just after the Michigan state legislature passed a law banning private insurance companies to bundle abortion care coverage along with state- subsidiz... Read more

Heavy marijuana use causes poor memory and abnormal brain structure, study says

Teenagers who smoked marijuana daily for three years performed poorly on memory tasks and showed abnormal changes in brain structure, according to a Northwestern Medicine study.


Read more

French public panel recommends legalizing euthanasia

PARIS - A French public panel recommended on Monday legalizing voluntary euthanasia, supporting a campaign pledge by President Francois Hollande despi... Read more

"Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland allow voluntary euthanasia in some form and Hollande pledged in his election manifesto last year to legalise "medical assistance to end one's life with dignity"

Church Leaders Shame Catholic University For Accepting Koch Dollars

A group of 50 Catholic leaders are criticizing the president of the Catholic University of America (CUA) for accepting a $1 million donation from a foundation controlled by Charles Koch, arguing that his ideological agenda is not in line with Catholic theology.

 http://thinkprogress.org/home/2013/12/16/3071691/catholic-leaders-shame-catholic-university-accepting-koch-dollars-brothers-contradict-catholic-teaching-range-moral-issues/

The U.S. Is A Gas-Guzzling Horror Show, In 1 Chart

No country in the world knows how to fill 'er up quite like the good old U.S.A., not even the countries that keep gas prices well below market rates. ... Read more

Senate Conservatives Fund: Boehner Targeting Conservatives Just Like IRS

In a new fundraising email, the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) said House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is targeting conservatives in the same way that... Read more

24 Republicans Not Practicing What They Preached About Obamacare

Among their many anti-Obamacare gambits during the government shutdown debacle, House Republicans voted to strip federal employer contributions for he... Read more

Forcing A Woman To Get Pregnant Isn’t A Crime, But Domestic Violence Experts Want To Change That

Domestic abusers often sabotage their partners' birth control to force them to get pregnant against their will. But it's hard ... Read more

Repeat Stuff. (full show on YouTube/Netflix Dec. 17th)

Comments:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCVGpvzcHko&list=WL32F078D9EEEFBB36

Global Petition To Halt Mass Surveillance By Famous Writers

"MORE than 500 authors from over 100 countries have signed a global petition against mass surveillance and the collection of metadata by governments, security agencies and corporations.

The authors include five Nobel prize winners and well-known Australian identities Frank Moorhouse, John Coetzee, Helen Garner, Geraldine Brooks and David Malouf.

Mr Moorhouse, who has written extensively about Australia's spy agency ASIO, told The Australian he hoped the petition would spark international debate about the collection of personal data as the rise of whistleblowers and "conscience driven hackers" such as Julian Assange and Edward Snowden shed more light on the actions of governments and clandestine security agencies."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

'The Wire' Creator David Simon: America Is A Horror Show

"David Simon doesn't like to mince words.

The creative genius behind such acclaimed television shows as "The Wire" and "Treme" has never been one to keep his opinions to himself. But the former Baltimore Sun reporter and screenwriter may have outdone himself, however, when he delivered an epic address on American inequality.

Simon originally made his speech on Nov. 2 during the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney, Australia. The address gained attention over the weekend when various outlets published excerpts online."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

Dave Silverman Defends Atheist Billboard Against Sean Hannity’s Whining

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/12/14/dave-silverman-defends-atheist-billboard-against-sean-hannitys-whining/

Fox News misreports school prayer

http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2013/12/13/honest-and-dishonest-bias/30059

Republicans Enroll In Obamacare, Country Still Standing

"Staring down a deadline to sign up for Obamacare, some lawmakers are getting hit by technical glitches or sticker shock. Others are breezing through the website, elated by lower premiums and better health services. And at least one won't sign up at all — opting to pay a penalty instead.

In short, the Obamacare experience is the same mixed bag on Capitol Hill as it is across the nation.

"It's been less than perfect. It's taken a while," said Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Fla.). "It takes a long time, dropped off, get asked to call back."

The Affordable Care Act subjects lawmakers to the same trials and tribulations as their constituents by pushing them off their existing health care plans and onto the Obamacare exchanges. As they race to meet a Monday deadline to sign up for coverage, some lawmakers are coming out as winners and others are clear losers — much like the folks back home."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

Guess Who Won The Budget Deal, Not You.

"A compromise federal budget plan that would remove the threat of a government shutdown for two years won easy approval Thursday from the Republican-controlled U.S. House.

The deal worked out by House Budget Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray passed on a 332-94 vote and now goes to the Democratic-led Senate, which is expected to approve it next week in a very close vote.

It represented rare convergence between the two parties on government spending after two years of bitter debate and political brinksmanship that included the 16-day shutdown in October."

Most U.S. Catholics call addressing clergy sex abuse a top priority

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/06/most-u-s-catholics-call-addressing-clergy-sex-abuse-a-top-priority/

Anti-Vaccination Movement Causes a Deadly Year in the U.S.

From Taliban fighters to California soccer moms, those who choose not to vaccinate their children against preventable diseases are causing a public health crisis.

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/children-anti-vaccination-movement-leads-to-disease-outbreaks-120312

Is God Dying?

"...A 2012 Pew Research Center survey, for example, found that the fastest-growing religious cohort in America are the “nones” (those with no religious affiliation) at 20 percent (32 percent of adults younger than 30), broken down into atheists and agnostics at 6 percent and the unaffiliated at 14 percent. The raw numbers are staggering: with the U.S. adult population (age 18 and older) at 240 million, this figure translates into 48 million nones, or 14.4 million atheists/agnostics and 33.6 million unaffiliated. That’s a powerful voting block."

http://www.michaelshermer.com/2013/12/is-god-dying/

At Sunday mass, Nienstedt apologizes, says he 'overlooked' clergy abuse

"Archbishop John Nienstedt has started addressing the clergy sex abuse scandal head on, telling parishioners and the media Sunday that he's sorry he overlooked issues of abuse among parish priests..."

"This type of Nixonian cover-up can't be replicated in the Catholic Church. We have turned off way too many congregants," Selzer said..."

"...And while many say they appreciate Nienstedt's action, one parish priest says it's not enough. Fr. Michael Tegeder, who has called on Nienstedt to resign, said Nienstedt is minimizing his role in the scandal. He said the archbishop reassigned some of the priests who have been scrutinized..."

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/12/15/news/nienstedt-homily

Full investigative series by Minnesota Public Radio: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/catholic-church/

Paul Ryan: Budget Deal Will Allow House To Focus More On Obamacare Repeal

But while Paul Ryan extolled the virtues of avoiding future government shutdowns from an economic standpoint, he also suggested ... Read more

North Carolina Legislator: Obamacare Worse Than Terrorists, Stalin, Hitler Combined

North Carolina State Senator Bob Rucho (R) tweeted Sunday that he believes the Affordable Care Act ranks as worse than the ... Read more

Expiring on Netflix 12/20: several Eddie Izzard shows

In his award-winning one-man show recorded live in San Francisco, Eddie Izzard covers everything from Western history to Stonehenge to American politicians, paying special comedic attention to Hitler, Hollywood and the Church of England. Delivered with a fluid physicality that's become his trademark, Izzard's jokes aren't simply wisecracks -- they're full-blown insights. It's a classic case of laughing and learning.

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Eddie_Izzard_Dress_to_Kill/60026028?trkid=13641790

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Eddie_Izzard_Circle/60035790?trkid=13641790

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Eddie_Izzard_Glorious/70012819?trkid=13641790

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Eddie_Izzard_Definite_Article/70012821?trkid=13641790

A Catholic Banker on the Pope

Both Pope Francis and I were Jesuit seminarians. He wanted to go to Japan as a missionary, but never got the chance. I did get to go there, but not as... Read more

Rick Santorum: Government-Provided Health Care Is A Plot To Kill People Who Don’t Vote The Right Way

"It's actually a pretty clever system. Take care of the people who can vote and people who can't vote, get rid of them as ... Read more

Federal judge strikes down key parts of Utah's polygamy law in 'Sister Wives' ruling

A federal judge has found key parts of Utah's anti-polygamy law to be unconstitutional, ruling in favor of a polygamous family known for their reality... Read more