Last month, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases, hit the historic level of 400 parts per million — deep in the danger zone.
Tuesday, President Barack Obama rolled out a big, new plan for the United States to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, to do America’s part in attacking global climate change.
The plan skirts Congress, where gridlock has ruled on climate issues. It riles conservatives who just say no to the whole idea. It will be challenged on legal grounds, economic grounds. But it’s out there now. And it’s bold.
This hour, On Point: The president’s push on climate.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/06/26/obama-climate-action-plan
Saturday, August 30, 2014
South Texas, The Border And Immigration Reform (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)
Washington is up to its neck with immigration talk.
The Senate debate rages on over a big bill that could promise citizenship or demand a solid border — possibly both. House Republicans are staking out their own tough legislation. And President Obama is praising border security and pushing progress.
But the story’s only half finished. Big changes along the border.
Illegal migrant crossings have spiked in South Texas for the first time in a decade, putting it at the center of a heated debate.
This hour, On Point: As Washington talks immigration reform, we go south to the border.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/06/19/texas-border-immigration
The Senate debate rages on over a big bill that could promise citizenship or demand a solid border — possibly both. House Republicans are staking out their own tough legislation. And President Obama is praising border security and pushing progress.
But the story’s only half finished. Big changes along the border.
Illegal migrant crossings have spiked in South Texas for the first time in a decade, putting it at the center of a heated debate.
This hour, On Point: As Washington talks immigration reform, we go south to the border.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/06/19/texas-border-immigration
‘Cool War’: The Future Of U.S.-China Competition (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)
The presidents of China and the United States meet in California next week. That should be an interesting get-together.
Reports this week accuse Chinese hackers of stealing the blueprints of more than two dozen critical American weapons systems. That’s a lot of military capacity and many years and billions of dollars, effectively stolen.
At the same time, these are giant economic partners. It’s not like the Cold War. My guest calls this relationship a “cool war.” A lot to gain. A lot to lose.
Up next On Point: China, the U.S., conflict, co-dependence and “ cool war.”/ Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/05/29/cool-war-global-competition
Reports this week accuse Chinese hackers of stealing the blueprints of more than two dozen critical American weapons systems. That’s a lot of military capacity and many years and billions of dollars, effectively stolen.
At the same time, these are giant economic partners. It’s not like the Cold War. My guest calls this relationship a “cool war.” A lot to gain. A lot to lose.
Up next On Point: China, the U.S., conflict, co-dependence and “ cool war.”/ Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/05/29/cool-war-global-competition
W. Bernard Carlson: "Tesla: Inventor Of The Electric Age" (Diane Rehm Show)
Nikola Tesla played a
powerful role in the electrical revolution that transformed life at the
turn of the 20th century. Born to a Serbian family in Croatia, he
studied engineering in Austria before immigrating to America in 1884. He
arrived penniless in New York, and within a decade, rivaled Thomas
Edison as a celebrity scientist. His inventions, patents and theoretical
work formed the basis of modern AC electricity, and contributed to the
development of radio and wireless communication. A new biography draws
on original papers from Tesla’s private and public life to examine what,
why and how he invented.
Interview:
Environmental Outlook: Stink Bugs (Diane Rehm Show)
Scientists are warning
farmers and homeowners to gear up for battle with the invasive insect
known as the brown marmorated stink bug. The number of adult bugs
overwintering increased 60 percent in late 2012, and now they’re
emerging to lay eggs. The shield-shaped, brown speckled insect probably
arrived as a stowaway on a ship from Asia. First seen in Pennsylvania in
the 1990s, it’s since been spotted in 40 states. Stink bugs get their
name from the pungent smell emitted when they are frightened or crushed.
For this month’s Environmental Outlook, entomologists reveal the
secrets of stink bugs and talk about the search for sustainable methods
of control.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-05-07/environmental-outlook-stink-bugs
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (Diane Rehm Show)
The World Bank says 20 of
the most troubled countries are making progress. Poverty has been
reduced, more girls are being educated and fewer women are dying in
childbirth. The good news came in a new report on the so-called
Millennium Development Goal. But when looking at the world's poorest
nations, much of the news remains discouraging. And with the U.S. and
Europe still trying to recover from their own economic troubles,
resources for the world's poor are even more strained. But Jim Yong Kim,
the World Bank's president, believes it's possible to end extreme
poverty.
Interview:
Ongoing Debate Over Fracking Regulation (Diane Rehm Show)
In his 2012 State of the
Union address, President Barack Obama claimed America is sitting on a
supply of natural gas that could last nearly a century. Those who
support hydraulic fracturing –- or fracking -– to extract that natural
gas from shale say it could make the U.S energy independent. Others
worry about what the prospect of excessive development from drilling
could mean for their local communities. Most everyone agrees that
fracking needs some level of regulation, but questions remain about how
much regulation is too much and what controls are realistic. The ongoing
debate over fracking and its impact on U.S. energy prices.
Interview:
Paul Farmer: "To Repair the World: Paul Farmer Speaks to the Next Generation" (Diane Rehm Show)
Diane speaks with renowned
physician and social activist Paul Farmer. In his latest book, he
encourages young people to tackle the greatest challenges of our times,
from global health and poverty to climate change.
Interview:
David McCullough, Jr.: "You Are Not Special" (Diane Rehm Show)
Two years ago, high school
teacher David McCullough, Jr. gave a commencement speech at a school
outside of Boston. He thought his audience was the graduating class, but
the electronic world was eavesdropping. The 12-minute speech went
viral. Suddenly he received emails from around the world and CNN and NBC
wanted interviews. McCullough’s speech startled many because he told
students they were not special. He criticized well-meaning but
micro-managing parents for the intense pressure put on teenagers to
excel. He argued that students are so afraid of failure that they miss
the opportunity to make and learn from mistakes, and ultimately could
miss out on having a fulfilling, happy life.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-04-24/david-mccullough-jr-you-are-not-special
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-04-24/david-mccullough-jr-you-are-not-special
Does Hell Exist in the Bible?--Steve Scianni (Truth Driven Thinking TDT#86)
Does the Bible really teach of hell as a place of eternal conscious
torment? Or just the end of life and forfeiture of the fun of heaven?
How strong is the case for hell? From Rob Bell to Carlton Pearson,
pastors who think they're trying to set the record straight have raised
all manner of questions about hell. Steve Scianni joins Stephen to
discuss the book he is writing on the topic: "Everlasting Torment
Examined: A Critical Analysis of Hell and the Biblical Doctrine of Final
Punishment."
Interview:
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/tdt86-does-hell-exist-in-the-bible-steve-scianni
Interview:
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/tdt86-does-hell-exist-in-the-bible-steve-scianni
Week In The News: Ukrainian Invasion, Burger King Tax Trouble, A Gaza Ceasefire (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)
A hot news week for the end of summer. And a president saying let’s
calm down. In Ukraine, US officials say maybe a thousand Russian troops
now across the border. Ukrainians say “full-scale invasion.” In
Syria, US air power now scoping potential ISIS targets for bombing. But
there’s no strategy yet, says President Obama. And no US military path
in Ukraine. At home, a funeral for Michael Brown. Burger King bolts
for Canada. A nine-year-old kills with an Uzi in Arizona. An
earthquake in Napa. This hour On Point: Our weekly news roundtable
goes behind the headlines. / Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/08/29/ukraine-russia-gaza-burger-king
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/08/29/ukraine-russia-gaza-burger-king
Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)
The Friday News Roundup:
House Republicans warn President Barack Obama about executive action on
immigration. Primaries are held in four states. And Burger King
announces plans to move its headquarters to Canada.
Interview:
Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)
Ukraine accuses Russia of
sending troops across its border. The U.S. investigates the death of a
second American fighting in Syria. And Israel and Hamas agree to a
cease-fire. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the
week's top international news stories.
Interview:
Colbert On Differences Between Ferguson And Cliven Bundy
What could possibly be the difference between the police response in Ferguson and the response to Cliven Bundy's lawlessness? Colbert ponders the ques... Read more
Scott Walker Urges Voters To Get Their News From Fox News
Governor Scott Walker has some serious problems these days. Recently
released emails show that he's thick as thieves with the Koch network
and may eve... Read more
Wingnut Rep. Louie Gohmert: 'We Have Barney Fife Running Our Foreign Policy Now'
Rep. "Terror Babies" Gohmert apparently has not heard that saying
about people in glass houses, or he would not be comparing anyone else
to Barney Fif... Read more
Pennsylvania Finally Reveals Fracking Has Contaminated Drinking Water Hundreds Of Times
For the first time, the state has made details of contamination cases
public.The post Pennsylvania Finally Reveals Fracking Has ... Read more
This Guy Was Disowned By His Family For Being Gay So The Internet Raised $50,000 For Him
After a chilling video of family rejection went viral, a young man
has found support from across the web.The post This Guy Was ... Read more
A Federal Judge Just Called Out The Big Lie Behind Texas’s Latest Abortion Restriction
Judge Yeakel produced a penetrating opinion that tears away the
justification abortion opponents have offered to justify laws ... Read more
Texas school district has school’s plaques covered in duct tape to hide ‘God’ reference - The Global Dispatch
“It should go without saying that a public elementary school may not proclaim ‘glory to God alone’ nor dedicate itself to a particular church,” FFRF said in a statement to local television station KFOR.
“FFRF believes that the district is in violation of the U.S. Constitution in its display of this plaque,” district Superintendent Jerome Stewart further outlined to FOX reporter Todd Starnes. “Although MISD has not been threatened with a lawsuit, the school district’s attorney advised that it would not prevail in court if it refused FFRF’s request and a lawsuit followed.”
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/texas-school-district-has-schools-plaques-covered-in-duct-tape-to-hide-god-reference-69617/
“FFRF believes that the district is in violation of the U.S. Constitution in its display of this plaque,” district Superintendent Jerome Stewart further outlined to FOX reporter Todd Starnes. “Although MISD has not been threatened with a lawsuit, the school district’s attorney advised that it would not prevail in court if it refused FFRF’s request and a lawsuit followed.”
http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/texas-school-district-has-schools-plaques-covered-in-duct-tape-to-hide-god-reference-69617/
Groups sue Florida's private school voucher program - Tallahassee News | ABC 27 WTXL: News
It alleges the tax credit diverts funds that would otherwise support those children's education in the public school system. The program offers tax credits to companies that contribute money that ultimately is used to pay for children to attend private schools. Also, the lawsuit takes issue with the program sending money to religious schools.
http://www.wtxl.com/news/groups-sue-florida-s-private-school-voucher-program/article_c7fd8fae-2f73-11e4-ba1d-0017a43b2370.html
http://www.wtxl.com/news/groups-sue-florida-s-private-school-voucher-program/article_c7fd8fae-2f73-11e4-ba1d-0017a43b2370.html
The town of Greece’s new prayer policy: Atheists need not apply.
The new prayer policy limits the invocation before public meetings to individuals who represent “assemblies with an established presence in the town of Greece that regularly meet for the primary purpose of sharing a religious perspective.” http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/08/the_town_of_greece_s_new_prayer_policy_atheists_need_not_apply.1.html
LGBTQ Kids More Likely to Be Mistreated in Foster Care, Wind Up Homeless - Yahoo News
"...Fernandez was in a group home before landing in two foster houses, the second of which he remained in through high school. As a teenager, Fernandez came out to his Catholic foster mother, who responded by telling him all gay people would “burn in hell.” At Thanksgiving dinner, he was sent to sit in his room alone so he wouldn’t influence her grandchildren or give them the AIDS she assumed he had...."
http://news.yahoo.com/lgbtq-kids-more-likely-mistreated-foster-care-wind-204154935.html
http://news.yahoo.com/lgbtq-kids-more-likely-mistreated-foster-care-wind-204154935.html
Friday, August 29, 2014
The Pagan Christ - book by Tom Harpur (Truth Driven Thinking)
Jesus was never physically on earth; but, "To take the Gospels literally
as history or biography is to utterly miss their inner spiritual
meaning," says Tom Harpur in his
book "The Pagan Christ". This Rhodes Scholar, former Anglican Priest,
Professor of New Testament Theology, author of 8 best-selling books, and
long-time religion editor for the Toronto Star has poked a hornets nest
with his conclusions about the mythical origins of the Christ figure.
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/the-pagan-christ-book-by-tom-harpur
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/the-pagan-christ-book-by-tom-harpur
Mythological Elements of Christianity - Bishop John Shelby Spong (Truth Driven Thinking)
Retired Bishop John Shelby Spong, best-selling author of over 15 books on progressive Christianity, is our guest.
Even to those of us who consider ourselves non-believers, Rev. Spong invites us to learn about a Christ story that is very different from the literalist dogma and mythology with which we are most familiar.
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/mythological-elements-of-christianity-bishop-john-shelby-spong
Even to those of us who consider ourselves non-believers, Rev. Spong invites us to learn about a Christ story that is very different from the literalist dogma and mythology with which we are most familiar.
https://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/mythological-elements-of-christianity-bishop-john-shelby-spong
The Koch Brothers And Republican Party Have Just Joined Forces To Track Voters
This will allow the Republican Party full access to voter data collected by the Koch's Freedom Partners entities and ... Read more
Rome’s Nightmare: ISIS Plot to Kill Pope
VATICAN CITY — As Pope Francis continues to straddle the fine line
between calling for the end of persecution of Christians in Iraq and
blessing Ameri... Read more
Inner-City Kids Struggle With A Host Of Health Issues
A new report finding that inner city children are more likely to have food allergies is just the latest evidence of health ... Read more
Britain Announces Plans For The Next Generation Of Emissions-Free Public Transit
The city of London is testing out hybrid buses that can wirelessly
recharge their batteries at bus stops, while British rail ... Read more
After Oklahoma Rejects Common Core, Replacement Standards Rejected For Failing To Prepare Students
State universities won't sign off on standards Oklahoma is dusting off to replace the Common Core. The post After Oklahoma ... Read more
Meet Jesús, A 17-Year-Old Living In Crushing Poverty After Being Deported
In El Salvador, poverty is an obstacle to survival for Jesús and his family.The post Meet Jesús, A 17-Year-Old Living In ... Read more
The Feynman Lectures on Physics, The Most Popular Physics Book Ever Written, Now Completely Online
First presented in the early 1960s at Caltech by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman,
the lectures were eventually turned into a book by Feynman, Robert B.
Leighton, and Matthew Sands. The text went on to become arguably the
most popular physics book ever written, selling more than 1.5 million
copies in English, and getting translated into a dozen languages.
Read more
Read more
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Obamacare’s 'Secret Trick' Could Cure CEO Pay Excesses
Our economy is broken. There's one economy for the wealthy, and
another for the rest of us. This division has been worsened by the
behavior of corpora... Read more
Politicians And Billionaires: Pledging Allegiance To Each Other In Secret
What happens when billionaire businessmen bent on reducing the taxes,
regulations, and wages they pay gather with the politicians most
closely aligned... Read more
The GOP Completes Its Slow-Motion Face-Plant In The War On Obamacare
The implosion of the GOP's all-or-nothing assault on Obamacare might have started on Election Night 2010. Republicans thought they had been validated ... Read more
Jon Stewart's Powerful 'Ferguson' Segment Skewers 'Race Hustlers' At Fox News
We've been writing about the outrageous behavior Fox News has been showing ever since the tragic Michael Brown shooting and the subsequent outrage of ... Read more
David Niose: 'Under God' in Pledge Divides Americans
Inserting the words "under God" into the pledge of allegiance in the 1950s made the pledge "divisible" by defining patriotism in terms of religious beliefs, David Niose of the American Humanist Association said Tuesday on Newsmax TV's "America's Forum."
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsmax-Tv/Pledge-divisive-God-Americans/2014/08/26/id/590989/
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsmax-Tv/Pledge-divisive-God-Americans/2014/08/26/id/590989/
AUDIO: McConnell Whines About 'Gosh Darn' Minimum Wage Bill
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) unloaded on Democratic bills like ones to raise the minimum wage and lower student loan interest rates, ... Read more
At a secret strategy meeting for millionaire and billionaire donors hosted by the Koch brothers, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlines his agenda should Republicans take control of the Senate in November.
http://youtu.be/v87Lr-wmU0I
At a secret strategy meeting for millionaire and billionaire donors hosted by the Koch brothers, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlines his agenda should Republicans take control of the Senate in November.
http://youtu.be/v87Lr-wmU0I
Judges Call for Complete Overhaul of ‘Looking Glass World’ of Immigration Court
Take everything you think you know about how courts work, throw it out the window, and you'll get an approximation of the ... Read more
Hawaii’s Largest Utility Announces Plan To Triple Rooftop Solar By 2030
Increasing rooftop solar is just one part of a plan that HECO says
will make Hawaii the highest renewable energy-using state in ... Read more
Republicans Threaten To Shut Down The Government If Obama Extends Relief To Immigrants
A growing number of Republicans are floating another government shutdown. The post Republicans Threaten To Shut Down The ... Read more
Iowa Senate Nominee Says The Koch Network ‘Started My Trajectory’
Ernst was one of several rising GOP politicians who attended a June 16 gathering in Dana Point, California, along with a ... Read more
Climate Scientists Spell Out Stark Danger And Immorality Of Inaction In New Leaked Report
The message from climate scientists about our ongoing failure to cut
carbon pollution: The catastrophic changes in climate that ... Read more
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s Bizarre Scheme To Stop His Own Education Plan By Suing The Obama Administration
When everything else fails, why not just sue Obama?The post Gov. Bobby Jindal's Bizarre Scheme To Stop His Own Education Plan ... Read more
2008: Worse than the Great Depression?
Ben Bernanke, the former head of the Federal Reserve, said the 2008 financial crisis was the worst in global history, surpassing even the Great Depression.
Read more
Read more
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
New Study Reveals What Happens When You Teach Contraception in Schools
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that teen birth rates in America have fallen by 57% since 1991. The primary culprit? Contraception...
http://mic.com/articles/97016/new-study-reveals-what-happens-when-you-teach-contraception-in-schools
http://mic.com/articles/97016/new-study-reveals-what-happens-when-you-teach-contraception-in-schools
Why Conservative Christian Homeschoolers Are Fighting Standards That Don’t Apply To Them
"...Opposition to the educational standards known as Common Core has come from an array of Tea Party groups, conservative think-tanks, Glenn Beck, and the Koch Brothers’ Americans for Prosperity — and a few voices on the left
as well. But one of the most active sources of opposition has been an
unlikely group: a Christian conservative organization that works to
defend the rights of homeschooling parents..."
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2014/08/26/3473175/home-schoolers-common-core/
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2014/08/26/3473175/home-schoolers-common-core/
Voucher scheme is not about helping low-income children
"... They are simply using low-income children to sell their privatization
agenda. Their ultimate goal is the dismantling of the current public
school system which they often refer to pejoratively as “government
monopoly schools,” explicitly making the issue part of the hard-right
rabidly anti-government agenda..."
http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2014/08/26/voucher-scheme-is-not-about-helping-low-income-children/
http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2014/08/26/voucher-scheme-is-not-about-helping-low-income-children/
GOP Senate candidates mum on birth control mandate change
Republican Senate candidates are staying silent on President Obama's
latest changes to the birth control coverage mandate, even as the policy
catches flak from the religious right...
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/216035-gop-senate-candidates-mum-on-birth-control-mandate-change
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/216035-gop-senate-candidates-mum-on-birth-control-mandate-change
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