Week In The News: Putin On Ukraine And A ‘New Russia,’ A Ferry Down, Economic Questions (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

There’s a deal over Ukraine, or maybe there’s not this week.  Vladimir Putin’s talking about a bigger “new Russia.”  There’s a deal in Geneva.  Resistance to it on the ground.  Stand by.  In South Korea, heart-wrenching tragedy at a big ferry sinking.  Outside Kansas City, a shocking anti-Semitic shooting.  Mike Bloomberg says he’s ready to spend $50 million pushing gun control.  In the US and abroad, some economic jitters this week.  The White House celebrates eight million Obamacare sign-ups.  And the Boston Marathon bombing at one year.  This hour On Point:  Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/18/putin-ukraine-south-korea-china-economy

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

The government for the first time releases data on Medicare payments. President Obama vows to do more for war veterans at a memorial for Fort Hood shooting victims. And Senate Republicans block debate on an equal pay bill. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
 

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-04-11/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

A deal is reached to defuse the crisis in eastern Ukraine. The agreement calls for armed pro-Russian separatists to leave government buildings, but they are refusing to surrender. China’s economic growth slows to an eighteen-month low. U.S. officials analyze a new video that appears to show a large al Qaida meeting in Yemen. Negotiations resume in Venezuela between the government and opposition leaders. And more than one hundred people were killed in a series of attacks in Nigeria by suspected Islamic extremists. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.
 

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-04-18/friday-news-roundup-international

 

 

Black Like Me

TIL in the 1950's, a Texas white man named John Howard Griffin went through extensive physical changes to become a black man and traveled for six weeks on buses through the segregated south. After publishing his experiences, hostility and threats forced him to move to Mexico.

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Discussion on Reddit

The U.S. Isn’t Very Good At Preventing Our Food From Making Us Sick

Federal health officials aren't making significant progress at lowering the rate of foodborne illnesses.The post The U.S. ... Read more

"I grew up in a religious cult and recently found out the world is more than 8,000 years old and I have fallen in love with Science and Math."

Reddit reader explains a good way to go about picking up my math education at 27 years old from Calculus to Quantum Field Theory.
Read more

Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand [1920x1280] [OC]

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Here's What Putin Didn't Tell Snowden About Russia's Spying

The bipartisan Center for Strategic & International Studies has now provided "an actual answer" to Snowden's query.
.. Read more

Thom Hartmann: How America Killed Its Middle Class

We're heading into a world that looks like a Charles Dickens novel.

... Read more

Fox News 'Hero' Cliven Bundy Is a Pampered Millionaire, Not a Rugged Rancher

Watching Fox rally to the defense of moneyed interests like mining and ranching is unbearable.

 ... Read more

Proof The US Is An Oligarchy, Not A Democracy

*A study, to appear in the Fall 2014 issue of the academic journal Perspectives on Politics, finds that the U.S. is no democracy, but instead an oligarchy...The authors of this historically important study are Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, and their article is titled "Testing Theories of American Politics." The authors clarify that the data available are probably under-representing the actual extent of control of the U.S. by the super-rich...* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

http://youtu.be/JvJ1ZuJDNbQ

Guest: Indre Viskontas (Freethought Radio)

After hearing (and analyzing) the oral arguments in the Supreme Court "Hobby Lobby" case, challenging the reproductive mandate of the Affordable Health Care Act on religious grounds, we celebrate Tom Lehrer's birthday by listening to some of his songs, as well as Eric Idle's "The Galaxy." Then we speak with a modern Renaissance Woman, Indre Viskontas, an opera singer, scientist (Ph.D. in neuroscience), science podcast host, co-star of "The Miracle Detective" TV series (which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network), science/music educator, and atheist. -

See more at: http://ffrf.org/news/radio/shows#sthash.aKPrszv4.dpuf

Interview:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffrf/FTradio_414_040514.mp3
(Click to play.  Right-click and Save As to download.)

All-Around Fitness (Freethought Radio)

In The News: "Baby Messiah" judge censured; bibles finally removed from ISU hotels; Arizona atheist legislator offers another nonreligious "prayer" in the House; religious violence in Africa. We promote the premier of the new "Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey," and the Saudi movie Wadjda. Then we talk with Madison's own Bobby Hinds, 84, an FFRF Life Member who was just inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame.

Interview:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffrf/FTradio_410_030814.mp3  (Right click and choose "Save As" to save the file or just click to play it.)

Cancer Quack Stanislaw Burzynski: Exposed (Point of Inquiry)

Gorski and Beyerstein discuss a pair of exposés of cancer quack Stanislaw Burzynski in the March/April issue of the Skeptical Inquirer, one by Gorski and one by skeptical activist Robert Blaskiewicz. Gorski explains why Burzynski's urine-derived antineoplaston therapy is worthless; how the doctor strong-armed the FDA into letting him peddle these expensive and potentially dangerous drugs for over 30 years; and how the treatment may have killed a little girl. Gorski also discusses Blaskiewicz's report on skeptical activists who banded together online to warn the public about Burzynski's quackery and push back against his attempts to silence his critics.

Listen/ Download Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/cancer_quack_stanislaw_burzynski_exposed/

The Philosophy of Belief with Rebecca Goldstein (Point of Inquiry)

Rebecca Goldstein, a professor of philosophy and the author of five novels and a collection of short stories, joins us on Point of Inquiry to discuss atheism, philosophy and her new book, Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away.

Download / listen to Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/the_philosophy_of_belief_with_rebecca_goldstein/

10 BIG Misconceptions About Atheism!

"In this video I talk about some unfortunate misconceptions that atheists have to deal with on a regular basis..."

http://youtu.be/dowu9dL7DWM

EXPOSED: Right-Wing Radio In Big Trouble

Glenn Beck worked the crowd like a preacher at a rally this month in Louisville, Ky., declaring that God had responded to conservatives' prayers by sending a slate of tea party candidates to wrest control of the Republican Party from Mitch McConnell...

http://youtu.be/NiEAP4OdItM

Koch Brothers Wealth Surges Past $100 Billion as They Try to Buy the Senate With Expensive Lies

The multibillionaires are currently using their vast wealth to influence the 2014 mid-term elections.

 ... Read more

The 'marijuana will rot your brain' debate: neurological differences don't necessarily mean impairment

There's a new study out that's being touted as proof that marijuana makes you dumb. But, while the results do show differences ... Read more

Freedom Denied: Palestinians decry detention

Israel has detained an estimated 800,000 Palestinians in the occupied territories since 1967. Read more

Is There a Fox Effect?

"...Once Fox News became a daily fixture then the flood gates were open. She would still be friendly and respectful to individuals of race but any reference to the group included the usual racial epithets. I don't think the malignant impact of Fox News on the older population can be overstated..." Read more

House GOP Leaders Take Up The Banner Of Obamacare Trutherism

With the final enrollment figures expected Thursday, House GOP leadership decided to fully take up the mantle of Obamacare trutherism. House Majority ... Read more

Harry Reid Calls Bundy Supporters 'Domestic Terrorists'

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Thursday called Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and his supporters "domestic terrorists" at an event sponsored... Read more

Obama Blasts GOP Govs Turning Down Medicaid Expansion: 'That's Wrong'

President Barack Obama was uncharacteristically blunt Thursday while addressing the Republican governors and state legislators who have turned down Ob... Read more

The Majestic Lofoten Islands in Norway. Photo by Daniel Korzhonov. [1000x1000].

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Communities Find That Oil Trains Are A Disaster Waiting To Happen

Less than a year after Lac-Mégantic, it's largely luck that has prevented another deadly disaster.The post Communities Find ... Read more

Obama would cut deficits by another $1 trillion

"... It would do so by raising about $1.4 trillion more in revenue, while also raising noninterest spending by $446 billion, the CBO noted in its analysis..."
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California Regulators Decide Utilities Can’t Charge Solar-Killing Fees

The decision does away with a smorgasbord of fees and review processes state utilities had required of any customer who set up ... Read more

Florida Voter Confronts GOP Representative On His Repeated Efforts To Repeal Obamacare

"I think one of the most unfortunate things my party did the last three years was not offer an alternative to health care," ... Read more

http://youtu.be/BYyvAw5MOgw

Obamacare In Red States Vs Blue States

*The rate of uninsured is dropping significantly more in states that have set up their own insurance exchanges and have expanded the federal Medicaid program, according to a new survey from Gallup released Wednesday morning. States that had chosen to set up their own exchanges and expand Medicaid already had lower uninsured rates to begin with, but the new data shows the disparity widening...* Cenk Uygur and Ben Mankiewicz (co-host, What The Flick?!, and TYT Sports) break it down on The Young Turks.

http://youtu.be/whNU9iFlIe4

Bundy Ranch Supporters Furious With Glenn Beck

*Conservative on social media have blasted Glenn Beck for declaring he did not support protesters at Bundy Ranch in Nevada who seemed to want an armed confrontation with law enforcement. Monday on his radio show, Beck said that as a fellow rancher he had sympathy for Cliven Bundy, who refuses to pay over $1 million in back fees for illegally grazing his cattle on public land. But he denounced militia members and others who threatened an armed confrontation with federal authorities over the ranch. Many of his fans didn't appreciate him siding with the federal "tyrants."* Cenk Uygur and Ben Mankiewicz (co-host, What The Flick?!, and TYT Sports) break it down on The Young Turks.

http://youtu.be/zU3TzhjlxOg

Western Europe most critical region about religion (Gallup)

Highlights

• Over half (59%) of global respondents said that religion plays a  positive role.
• 22% of respondents globally believe that religion plays a negative role in their country.
• Western Europe was significantly less net positive regionally (4%) than the rest of the world where overall net positivity is 37%.
• Education proved a significant factor globally with those educated to Masters or PhD level being significantly less net positive about the role religion is playing (20%) increasing to 57% net positive for those with no education.
• Globally Protestants and Muslims were the most net positive (60%) about the role of religion in their respective countries; Hindus were the least net positive (24%).

http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2014/04/16/western-europe-critical-region-religion/

Bill Nye says he underestimated debate's impact

"Bill Nye wants his anti-God religion of naturalism imposed on generations of students — now that's what's bad for humankind!" Ham responded. "Sadly, Bill Nye wants generations of kids to be told they are just animals that arose by natural processes —thus ultimately, life is without meaning or purpose."

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/bill-nye-says-he-underestimated-debates-impact

Nevada Ranch Stand-Off Was One Big Promo for Rustic Right-Wing Millionaires

The right-wing media machine jumped at the chance to support Cliven Bundy's fight to graze his cattle on public land for free.

 ... Read more

8 Most Absurd Things We're Teaching America's Kids About Sex

According to America's moral scolds, sex is like used chocolate, backwash and duct tape.

 ... Read more

Why Do Christian Right-Wingers Pretend America's Laws Don't Apply to Them?

Conservatives are demanding special rights to disobey universally applicable federal laws.

 ... Read more

The 10 Most Obese States in America (And the Right-Wing Policies That Promote Poor Health)

Republicans promote policies that entrench poverty, and obesity and poverty often go together.

... Read more

Frank Schaeffer on Escaping Fundamentalism, and the Death of Fred Phelps (Point of Inquiry)

Having recovered from beingraised in a fundamentalist Christian family, and having written multiple novels about growing up in that world, Schaeffer has a fascinating perspective on what he sees as the psychological damage inflicted by angry fundamentalism, and helps us examine how we, as atheists, might respond to the death of those we despise.

Listen / Download Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/frank_schaeffer_on_escaping_fundamentalism_and_the_death_of_fred_phelps/

"The Amazing World of Quantum Mechanics!" James Kakalios on Atheists Talk #97, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010

Quantum mechanics make no sense. It is a set of propositions that prove that something can be in more than one place at one time. It is a set of propositions that show that light is both wave and particle. Yet, with all the contradictions shown in by quantum mechanics, our modern life would not be modern without an understanding of how the tiniest particles of matter behave. Think of life without computers, lasers, cell phones, CDs and DVDs, MRIs and now e-readers. Life would be positively primitive! Fortunate we are that James Kakalios of the University of Minnesota has found a way to communicate physics and quantum mechanics to the general public using science fiction. He answers the questions about how things work in the tiny world to make them work in our world. Dr. Kakalios has a new book on the shelves now: The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics. A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made our World.

Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/536-qthe-amazing-world-of-quantum-mechanicsq-james-kakalios-on-atheists-talk-97-sunday-dec-19-2010

Download:
http://www.podbean.com/site/Download/index/pid/36207/eid/3421497

Celebrate 75 Years of Oz (Freethought Radio)

For the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, we celebrate the life and legacy of the freethinking lyricist Yip Harburg, who wrote “Over the Rainbow,” and many other songs. Listen to Yip himself singing “If I Only Had a Brain,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and “Last Night When We Were Young.” Then we interview Yip’s son, Ernie Harburg, also an atheist, a scientist who is director of the Yip Harburg Foundation, about his father’s artistic life and social activism. -

See more at: http://ffrf.org/news/radio/shows#sthash.aKPrszv4.dpuf

Interview:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffrf/FTradio_413_032914.mp3
(Click to play, or right-click and Save As to download.)

5 Simple Steps to End Any Fight

Fighting with a partner is one of those unpleasant parts of a relationship that we wish wouldn't happen. But what if it was also life-threatening? A B... Read more

The Good Book Taught Badly?: Okla. School District Approves Hobby Lobby Owner’s Bible Course

As reported by Religion News Service, Green’s curriculum is designed to correspond with his planned Museum of the Bible, which is currently under construction in Washington, D.C. Jerry Pattengale, who heads the Green Scholars Initiative and is overseeing the curriculum’s development, said the ultimate goal is put the curriculum in “thousands” of schools. ... Read more

Eric Cantor Torches Immigration Reform After Call With Obama

Updated 6:00 P.M. EST On Wednesday, Eric Cantor strongly suggested immigration reform won't come up in the House of Representatives after he received... Read more

Toyota confirms fuel cell launch for 2015; zero local emissions and 500-mile range

Toyota has confirmed it will launch a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car in 2015, but said sales volumes would be limited.
Read more

Republican Outrage At IRS Is All About Protecting Karl Rove, Dark Money, Dems Say

WASHINGTON -- Republican efforts to punish the Internal Revenue Service for its alleged partisan targeting of political social welfare groups may have... Read more

These Creative Condoms Could Help Save Lives

Public health advocates in Kenya are trying to eliminate the stigma associated with buying condoms.The post These Creative ... Read more

Petraeus: Prospect Of Final Nuclear Deal With Iran Is ‘Now Maybe Better Than 50/50′

"I'm actually starting to believe that an agreement is possible," former CIA Director David Petraeus said at an event at ... Read more

Twitter Wants To Sell Information On Your Daily Routine To Advertisers

Twitter is buying its longtime data partner, Gnip, for an undisclosed amount of cash so it can profit off users' data by ... Read more

Oklahoma Will Charge Customers Who Install Their Own Solar Panels

Oklahoma residents who produce their own energy through solar panels or small wind turbines on their property will now be ... Read more

Paul Ryan and the GOP's Anti-Robin Hood Spending Plan—Less Money for Poor Kids, More for the Rich

Could it be more obvious that Washington is owned by the wealthy?

 ... Read more

Why Blasphemy Laws Are Actually Anti-Islamic

"...In other words, classical Islamic law interpretations stipulated death as a punishment when apostasy was combined with treason and rebellion against the state, not for blasphemy..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/faisal-kutty-/blasphemy-laws_b_5149380.html

A Texas OB/GYN Details the Horrific Consequences of Abortion Restrictions

"My first hysterectomy as a resident was on a 16-year-old who had an illegal abortion. Her pelvis was nothing but pus. That's the sort of thing we saw all the time. I admitted about two or three women like this every night. That's what we're headed towards now. We're heading back to those days. Because of the restrictions lawmakers impose, women will seek abortions illegally, and we're going to see a rise in septic abortions..."

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/health/texas-doctor-denied-admitting-privileges

The Medical Community’s Hidden Abortion-Training War

How the medical community is cutting out abortion training and isolating the very doctors that women need most.

 

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/27/the-medical-community-s-hidden-abortion-training-war.html

 

 

Oklahoma Biology Teachers Don't Understand Evolution

"...Researchers surveyed Oklahoma high school biology teachers, and found that 23 percent of them misunderstand several key concepts..."

http://io9.com/oklahoma-biology-teachers-dont-understand-evolution-1562314648

 

Hobby Lobby’s Steve Green launches a new project: a public school Bible curriculum

(RNS) The Mustang, Okla., school board voted Monday (April 14) to adopt a Bible course developed by Steve Green, clearing the way for the Hobby Lobby president, whose suit against the Affordable Care Act is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, to enter another charged arena at the borderline of church and state...

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/04/15/hobby-lobbys-steve-green-another-project-public-school-bible-curriculum/

Americans Intuitively Judge Atheists as Immoral

New research finds a link between disbelief and unethical behavior is strongly lodged in Americans’ minds.

http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/americans-intuitively-judge-atheists-immoral-79095/

You'll Never Flirt The Same After Watching This

"Does Flirting Actually Work?

Very much so. In fact, research says it's more effective than looking good.

Signaling availability and interest trumps attractiveness. Via How to Make Someone Fall in Love With You in 90 Minutes or Less:

Dr. Monica Moore, a psychologist at Webster University in St. Louis, has conducted research on the flirting techniques used in singles bars, shopping malls, and places young people go to meet each other. She concluded that it's not the most physically appealing people who get approached, but the ones who signal their availability and confidence through basic flirting techniques like eye contact and smiles. Just signaling your interest in someone gets you halfway there, whether you're a man or a woman."* The Young Turks hosts Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down.

http://youtu.be/gTFljCRnGN4

Matt Taibbi: The SuperRich in America Have Become 'Untouchables' Who Don't Go to Prison

Taibbi discusses his new book, "The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap."

 ... Read more