DN Speak: 10/5/14

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Colbert: The White Christian Establishment Is 'Under Attack Again' (VIDEO)

Stephen Colbert lamented on Thursday night's "The Colbert Report" that the "white Christian establishment was under attack again." ... Read more

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,The Colbert Report on Facebook,Video Archive

Week In The News: An Ebola Death, Same Sex Marriage Surge, New Tensions In Ferguson (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Ebola’s shadow, a little longer this week in the United States. A death and screening. And in Africa, a dire warning to help now or pay later. In St. Louis, another police shooting of a young black man and instant protest. Did he hold a gun or a sandwich? Another victory, a big one, for gay marriage as the Supreme Court waves it through in five more states. On the Turkish border, ISIS bears down on little Kobani. Leon Panetta gives a poke to the president. Kim Jong Un is missing. And 17-year-old Malala wins the Nobel Peace Prize. This hour On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. /Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/10/10/same-sex-marriage-ebola-dallas-isis-ferguson

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S., died this week. The U.S. now steps up efforts to keep the virus out of the country, screening passengers arriving from Ebola-stricken countries at five major u-s airports. The Supreme Court decides not to take up gay marriage cases, potentially opening the door for legal same-sex unions in eleven states. But resistance remains, with lawmakers in at least three states vowing to keep their bans in place. And with the midterms just weeks away, republicans may be facing a closer race than previously expected. Latest polls throw into question expected GOP victories in several key states. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-10-10/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Islamic State militants gain ground in the Syrian border city of Kobani as the U.S. steps up airstrike. Turkey says it will not take the lead on a ground operation in the border region, despite pressure from American officials. Thousands of protesters return to the streets in Hong Kong after the government calls off talks. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un misses a key political ceremony, extending the mystery of his whereabouts. Questions arise about a connection between the cyber-attack on J.P. Morgan and Russian president Vladimir Putin. And the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to two children’s rights activists. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-10-10/friday-news-roundup-international

Choco-lypse And The Looming Chocolate Revolution

Enjoy that chocolate this Halloween because in the next five years, we could be facing a major shortage. Cocoa farmers, who grow all of the cocoa bean... Read more

Fearbola: The Irrational Fear of Catching Ebola - Late Night with Seth Meyers

http://youtu.be/Ac6_aBNShEI

Kids and Concussion: Early Recognition Is Key to Recovery

Shannon Babineau, MD Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Director of Pediatric Headache Medicine,... Read more

6 Effective Stretches and Exercises for Back Pain

Whether a couch potato, weekend warrior, or elite athlete, we're all susceptible to back pain at some point during our lives. If you suffer from chron... Read more

Gay American Men Shockingly Ignorant About HIV/AIDS, Kaiser Study Finds

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey of what gay American men know and how we behave when it comes to HIV shows a stunning level of ignorance and denial ... Read more

Perspective!

Republicans Want Voters To Believe We Live In Dark, Scary Times

Whether it's Ebola, the IRS, ISIS, Benghazi! or the recent Secret Service scandal, Republicans are dedicated to convincing voters they live in a dark,... Read more

WATCH: Cop Allegedly Knocks Teen Unconscious For Smoking 'A Cigarette'

The family of a 17-year-old who was allegedly knocked unconscious by a New York police officer released a video of the incident, New York Magazine's D... Read more

http://youtu.be/TL-wqpy56tI

Politifact: 'True' Brown Wanted To Give Employers Right To Deny Birth Control

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has repeatedly claimed that former Sen. Scott Brown, her Republican opponent in the race for U.S. Senate there, pushed legi... Read more

Young Black Men Are 21 Times More Likely To Be Killed By Police

Young black males in recent years were at a far greater risk of being shot dead by police than their white counterparts – 21 times greater i, accordin... Read more

Arkansas Tossed Ballot Of 79-Year-Old Woman Who Has Been Voting Since Jim Crow

The 79-year-old says her recent struggle with voter ID reminds her of when she had to pay a poll tax in 1954.The post Arkansas ... Read more

What People In Pakistan Really Think About Nobel Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai

"And the father of Malala and Malala have done nothing at all. Her father is a good salesman, that's it. And the daughter has ... Read more

Yes, Muslims Win Nobel Peace Prizes Too

"Islam is a religion of peace, humanity and brotherhood," Malala Yousufzai said.The post Yes, Muslims Win Nobel Peace Prizes ... Read more

Republicans Say Obama’s Immigration Action Challenges Constitution, But History Says Otherwise

Two recent reports suggest that President Obama's impending executive action on immigration is neither novel nor ... Read more

Election info for November 4, 2014

Election day is only a few weeks away -- November 4, 2014. Here are some tips to help you.

1. The League of Women Voters has a Web site at vote411.org that provides objective, nonpartisan information on candidates, issues, where to vote, and what you need to do in order to vote. You can find out:

Who and what is on the ballot in your area, so you can vote more quickly and more knowledgeably on election day. See your personalized voting guide created for you based on where you live.
How to vote an absentee ballot if you cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the reasons accepted by law. Note that one of the accepted reasons is that you expect to be out of town on election day, and this would apply to many students who either live on campus or drive to another town to attend classes.
5 things you need to know before you vote, and 3 things to make voting a breeze.
Learn more about the people who represent you and what they are working on
Who is funding your candidates

2. MiVote is sponsoring a televised "town hall" discussion ("debate") on Sunday, October 12, 2014, at 6 PM between Governor Rick Snyder and his challenger, Mark Schauer. You can watch on TV 56.1 or the MiVote Live Stream. More info.

(Many of the above links pertain to Michigan residents. If you are not a resident of Michigan, search for League of Women Voters information in your location across the U.S.)

3. I'm not going to use this blog post to tell anyone who to vote for or how to vote any particular ballot issue, but if you contact me, I will be happy to discuss.

4. Please pass on this information to your friends and encourage everyone to vote. Let's do our part to make sure America is a great nation and Michigan a great state.

Friday, October 10, 2014

10 Shocking Facts About the American Family Association

One of the most well known organizations fighting against LGBT equality has taken some rather extreme – and dangerous – public positions over the years.

http://www.hrc.org/press-releases/entry/10-shocking-facts-about-the-american-family-association

U.S. bishops emphasize traditional marriage after Supreme Court action

“Marriage is not merely a human institution that can simply be redefined at will, but one established by our creator and necessary for human flourishing. Children deserve a mother and a father who are committed to a faithful and permanent union,” he said....

http://www.catholicsun.org/2014/10/09/u-s-bishops-emphasize-traditional-marriage-after-supreme-court-action/

Opponents are Reacting to the 'Atheist Lobby'

Because it's advancing, the secular movement is getting attention.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-humanity-naturally/201410/opponents-are-reacting-the-atheist-lobby

The Real Story Of Playwright Tennessee Williams (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Great American playwright Tennessee Williams’ battle for art and sanity – a big new biography brings his story alive.

Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/09/25/tennessee-williams-biography-john-lahr

Understanding ALEC And Its Influence In U.S. Politics (Diane Rehm Show)

In recent weeks, a number of corporations have decided to end their membership in ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. Many have attributed their departure to ALEC’s position on climate change issues. The organization, which drafts model state-level legislation, maintains it takes no position on climate. But ALEC policies on energy and the environment have drawn criticism. And many remain concerned that the organization represents a troubling trend of big money in politics. But others point to ALEC’s usefulness as a tool for getting legislation through to states, given Washington’s ongoing gridlock. A conversation about ALEC: how it works, who’s behind it, and why some worry about its role in shaping American politics.

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-10-02/understanding-alec-and-its-influence-us-politics

Walter Mischel: "The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control" (Diane Rehm Show)

In the late 1960s, Walter Mischel conducted a series of experiments with preschoolers at a Stanford University nursery school. Popularly known as “The Marshmallow Test,” 4 and 5-year-olds were presented with a difficult choice: they could eat one treat immediately or wait several minutes longer to be rewarded with two. Years later, Mischel followed up with children in his original study and discovered a surprising link: The kids who had waited for two treats had higher SAT scores, greater workplace success and a lower body mass index later in life. A leading expert on self-control discusses his famous “Marshmallow Test,” the nature of willpower and implications for public policy.

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-10-01/walter-mischel-marshmallow-test-mastering-self-control

Auditing America's Police Force (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

What is going on with police and policing in America? A man reaches for his driver’s license at a routine stop in South Carolina, and goes down in a hail of police bullets. A man picks up a BB gun for sale in a WalMart and is shot dead by police. A man sells single cigarettes on a Staten Island corner, dies in a police choke hold. A woman pummeled by the road in California. Michael Brown, dead in Ferguson. All black? Yes. Some complications? Sure. Do police feel vulnerable? Yes. But come on. This hour On Point: what is going on with policing in America? / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/09/30/american-police-force-ferguson-shooting

Aristotle And The Invention Of Science (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Aristotle is, of course, the great and grand philosopher of ancient Greece. Up in the pantheon – Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. His name makes us think of logic, metaphysics, even politics. But when Aristotle was in him mid-30s, he exiled himself from ancient Athens and retreated, says my guest today, to sit by an Aegean lagoon and write about nature. About creatures great and small. Anatomy, reproduction, taxonomy. Biology. “There are gods here, too,” he said. And with that, he may have invented science. This hour On Point: Aristotle, a Grecian lagoon, and the origins of science. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/09/29/aristotle-science-philosophy-greece

Bill Maher’s atheist values: Why progressives must defend enlightenment, critique religious extremism

"Real Time" fall-out illustrates a debate between theocracy and rule of law and reason. Liberals must choose a side...
http://www.salon.com/2014/10/08/bill_mahers_atheist_values_why_progressives_must_defend_enlightenment_critique_religious_extremism/

San Harris responds to accusations of Islamaphobia, racism

http://youtu.be/jo7z2Ml2tI0

Atmospheric oxygen can be created without plant life

Carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres can form oxygen, confusing the search for life. Read more

From my trip to the Italian Dolomites - Lago di Braies, Italy [OC] [4000x3000]

Researchers have developed a new method for harvesting the energy

...carried by particles known as ‘dark’ spin-triplet excitons with close to 100% efficiency, clearing the way for hybrid solar cells which could far surpass current efficiency limits...
Read more

Twin Peaks and Kierkegaard: An Introduction

"David Lynch’s Twin Peaks invites numerous points of comparison with—and analysis in terms of—the work of Søren Kierkegaard. This should hardly surprise us, as Lynch himself has much in common with the Danish philosopher-poet. He is, first of all, a master ironist who knows how to play with vagueness and indeterminacy to great effect. He also gives his audience the space to interpret his work without disruptive guidance—compare this to the authorial distance Kierkegaard effects through the use of pseudonyms and his claim to have “no opinion about them except as a third party.”..."

Read more

Glasgow University has announced that it will withdraw investments worth £18 million ($29 million) from companies that produce fossil fuels

... following a campaign by over 1,300 students. Read more

Buried driftwood is illuminated by the morning sunlight - along the coast of Hunting Island, South Carolina [2000x1333] [OC]

Morning in Gulf Shores, Alabama (OC) 2048 x 1536

9 Benefits of Leaving Your Religion

"When I was younger and I realized that my religious beliefs were probably wrong, I still hesitated for a while before admitting to myself I was an atheist. I remember falling asleep one night without praying, kind of scared, waking up and realizing nothing was wrong with me. No scars.

I am so glad now that I left my faith. I don't believe my parent's religion was oppressive or as dogmatic as other religions are today, but becoming an atheist really made things better for me.

My friend Neil actually wrote a great article about the benefits of leaving faith -- in his case, Christianity -- and you can read it here. He gave me permission to talk about some of his ideas in this video -- as my Facebook followers offered additional ideas, too." (Hement's text continues below the video.)
http://youtu.be/p9y4TcIcvVM

9 Benefits of Leaving Your Religion

Hemant Mehta (http://www.friendlyatheist.com, http://www.patreon.com/Hemant , https://www.facebook.com/friendlyatheist)

Inspired by:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/godlessi...
...
...So what are the benefits of leaving your faith?

1) There's no conflict anymore.

I don't think it's possible to reconcile science and religion. When those two go head-to-head, science always wins. No scientific theory has ever been replaced by a religious belief.

But think about the conflicts religious people have to deal with:

Do you believe what's written in Genesis or all the evidence in support of the Big Bang and evolution?

2) You can embrace science instead of fearing it

So many religions have their own creation myths, and many of those directly contradict what scientists have learned over the past few centuries.

3) You can accept people you used to judge harshly

Various religions teach that homosexuality is a sin. Or that LGBT people are somehow deviant or broken. Or that single people aren't whole. Or that couples who choose not to have children haven't fulfilled their purpose.

4) You can give credit where it's due

When a doctor saves the life of a patient, or an actor wins an award, or a football player scores a touchdown, how often do we hear them give thanks to God? God didn't do that! You did! You worked hard. You put in all the hours. You're the one who made the sacrifices. You deserve a pat on the back.

When you're an atheist, you can give the credit where it's due -- to the experts, to the people who worked hard, and to yourself, when it's appropriate.

5) You get your Sunday mornings back

This isn't a joke. For people who work on weekdays and only have a couple days to unwind, getting some time to sleep in, or go out for breakfast, or enjoy a hobby you really love is incredible! It makes you less stressed out and healthier, too.

For so many people, going to church is a chore. They do it because they feel obligated to, not because they really want to be there.

It turns out there are much better ways to spend your time. Go volunteer. Go spend more time with your family. Go read a book.

Congratulations -- you just found several more hours in your day.

6) Better sex

It's true. You don't have to feel guilty all the time if you're not married. You don't have to be afraid of exploring your fantasies even if you are.

You don't have to feel guilty about using birth control. Or getting tested. Or having multiple partners if that's what you want.

When you're an atheist, you're in control. You get to decide what you do. God doesn't tell you when and how and with whom you have sex.

7) More realistic expectations about life and death

I think it's an important realization that there's no afterlife awaiting you. There's only this life. That means you better make the most of it.

8) It makes you more moral

I'm not saying atheists are always good or religious people are always bad. We know that's not that case.

9) You get richer

No, really, you're not giving a tithe out of obligation. That's a lot of extra money you might have over the course of a year. I hope you put it to good use. Give it to a worthwhile charity, or just buy yourself something nice. You deserve it.
...
What are the other benefits of leaving a religion? Let us know!

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7 Things That Prove God is Real
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ50o...

78 Questions for Christians
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI-_F...

4 Creative Ways to Deal with Preachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3kHc...

Can They Hear Themselves?

Also, cutting funding for the CDC and refusing to confirm the Surgeon General...
... Read more

Crazy Rep. Duncan Hunter: ISIS Fighters Were Apprehended At Southern Border

The Department of Homeland Security has called right wing flamethrower Rep. Duncan Hunter's claim that there have been at least 10 ISIS fighters appre... Read more

Koch Brother Allegedly Sent Deceptive Mailer To North Carolina Voters

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is investigating a controversial mailer the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity Foundation sent to thousands.
... Read more

Germany Eliminates Tuition, While Americans Drown In $1.2T Student Debt

Why isn't this happening here?
... Read more

According To This GOP Rep, America Was 'Founded On' Heterosexual Marriage

During a debate with Clay Aiken, Renee Ellmers explained that she opposes basic human rights for LGBT individuals because the country was "founded on" straight marriage.
... Read more

GOP Rep.: 'Well, I Am A Scientist' And I Don't Believe In Climate Change

Rep. Dan Benishek (R-MI) this week firmly declared that he does not believe man has contributed to climate change. "The climate may be changing, but ... Read more

(Of course, he isn't a climate scientist.)

Los Angeles Just Opened An Apartment Complex For The Homeless Featuring Gym, Library, And Art Studio

The Star Apartments will hold 102 homeless people and the offices of the county agency that works to end homeless in Los ... Read more

Three State Legislators Want To Kill Michigan’s Popular Clean Energy Law

State Reps. Tom McMillin (R), Ken Goike (R) and Ray Franz (R) introduced a bill earlier this month to repeal Michigan's ... Read more

Why Schools In Clark County, Nevada Just Dropped Science-Based Sex Ed Materials

It involves five lines of text about masturbation.The post Why Schools In Clark County, Nevada Just Dropped Science-Based Sex ... Read more

Generic Drug Prices Have Jumped 1,000 Percent And Lawmakers Want Answers

Generic drugs are supposed to make it easier for Americans to afford their medication.The post Generic Drug Prices Have Jumped ... Read more

Efficiency Gains Over The Last Decade Saved More Energy Than China Consumed In 2011

The cumulative energy savings from 2001 to 2011 of the 18 countries examined in the report outpaced the 2011 energy usage of ... Read more

Thursday, October 9, 2014

WAKING UP: a Guide to Spirituality Without Religion: Chapter One (Sam Harris)

"I once participated in a twenty-three-day wilderness program in the mountains of Colorado. If the purpose of this course was to expose students to dangerous lightning and half the world’s mosquitoes, it was fulfilled on the first day. What was in essence a forced march through hundreds of miles of backcountry culminated in a ritual known as “the solo,” where we were finally permitted to rest—alone, on the outskirts of a gorgeous alpine lake—for three days of fasting and contemplation..."

http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/chapter-one

Caught in the Pulpit:Leaving Belief Behind

Linda LaScola discusses the book she co-authored with Daniel Dennett, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind, with Andy Thomson, Trustee, Richard Dawkins Foundation.

http://youtu.be/Cc_UyfW8DEw

http://youtu.be/z7TCW_BGG1o

‘7th Heaven’ Dad Stephen Collins and the Christian Right’s Real Morality Tale

"...Hopefully, it’s a lesson Americans won’t soon forget: Behind the polished surfaces of the pious “family values” image lays, all too often, all sorts of abusive and hateful behavior. Maybe next time the Christian right tries to lure us in with images of perfect family harmony somehow caused by the suppression of normal sexual desires, we will exercise some skepticism..."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/08/7th-heaven-dad-stephen-collins-and-the-christian-right-s-real-morality-tale.html

Religion has a role, just not in government

"I’m going to pull a Republican rhetorical move and state I am not a Constitutional scholar.
Recently, though, I wonder if Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is either."

http://columbiadailyherald.com/opinion/columns/religion-has-role-just-not-government

Mike Huckabee Tells States to Ignore U.S. Supreme Court Rulings (Audio)

Huckabee added that he hoped “somewhere there will be a governor who will simply say, ‘No, I’m not going to enforce [gay marriage].’”

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/christianity/mike-huckabee-tells-states-ignore-us-supreme-court-rulings-audio

Candidates for Michigan Governor to Appear in Town Hall Forum October 12, 2014 — MiVote.org

DETROIT (September 22, 2014) – Detroit Public Television, The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press will co-host a Michigan Gubernatorial Town Hall Forum featuring Republican Governor Rick Snyder and Democrat Congressman Mark Schauer at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2014 on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit...
http://mivote.org/2014/09/for-immediate-release-candidates-for-michigan-governor-to-appear-in-town-hall-forum-october-12-2014/