Christopher Doyle claims to help people suffering from unwanted same-sex attraction

Be Reasonable: Episode #020 – Christopher Doyle

Joining Marsh this month is Christopher Doyle, director of the International Healing Foundation - a group which controversially aims to offer their help to people suffering from unwanted same-sex attraction.

Interview:
http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/2014/09/be-reasonable-episode-020-christopher-doyle/

Talkin’ Humanist Politics with Senator Jamie Raskin (The Humanist Hour #114)

In this episode, Bo Bennett interviews Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin about being a Humanist in politics. Raskin serves on the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and is a professor of constitutional law and the first amendment at American University’s Washington College of Law. He is the bestselling author of Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court versus the American People, and We the Students: Supreme Court Cases For and About Students.

As a freshman senator, Raskin has seen more than a dozen of his bills pass into law, including a statewide civil rights law, the National Popular Vote plan for presidential elections, a law protecting tenants in condo conversions, a law establishing September 17th as Constitution and Bill of Rights Day, and a farm-to-schools initiative to get locally grown farm food into public schools.

Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/the-humanist-hour-114-talkin-humanist-politics-with-senator-jamie-raskin

George Eighmey on Death with Dignity (The Humanist Hour #121)

In this episode, Bo Bennett interviews George Eighmey, officer and spokesperson for the Death with Dignity National Center. The mission of the Center is to promote Death with Dignity laws based on their model legislation, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, both to provide an option for dying individuals and to stimulate nationwide improvements in end-of-life care.

George was an Oregon state legislator in 1997 when opponents to the Death with Dignity Act were working to dismantle the citizen’s initiative passed in 1994, and he was instrumental in blocking this opposition. After the law was implemented, he took up a leadership role as the executive director of Compassion in Dying of Oregon which later became Compassion & Choices of Oregon. After twelve years helping terminally ill patients navigate Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, George retired in 2010.

Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/the-humanist-hour-121-george-eighmey-on-death-with-dignity

Aaron James on Assholes (and Bitches) (Rationally Speaking, RS119)

You probably feel like you can recognize someone who's an asshole when you're unlucky enough to encounter him. But can you really? Philosophy professor Aaron James, the author of "Assholes: A Theory," joins the podcast to lay out just what makes an asshole an asshole, and why they're so uniquely maddening. Massimo, Julia and Aaron debate the assholery of certain people in politics and atheism, explore the difference between an asshole and a bitch, and swap coping mechanisms...

Interview:
http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs119-aaron-james-on-assholes-and-bitches.html

An Interview with Kurt Vonnegut (The Humanist Hour #119, From the Archives)

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1922 – 2007) was an American writer of noted works such as Cat’s Cradle (1963), Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), and Breakfast of Champions (1973). Known for his humanist beliefs, he was awarded the AHA’s Humanist of the Year award in 1992 and served as the AHA’s honorary president...

Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/the-humanist-hour-119-from-the-archives-an-interview-with-kurt-vonnegut

The Humanist Hour #118: Openly Secular with the Humanist Hour’s Own Todd Stiefel

Todd lives in Raleigh, NC. He is a secular humanist, an atheist and full-time freethought activist. He serves as an advisor to many of the top nontheistic organizations. He has given over $4.5 million dollars to charities in the Freethought Movement. This is highlighted by $3.5 million to found the Stiefel Freethought Foundation...

Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/the-humanist-hour-118-openly-secular-with-the-humanist-hours-own-todd-stiefel

Week In The News: Obama In Asia, Net Neutrality, Lame Duck Congress In Action (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Last week President Obama took a political beating. This week he came roaring back. An Asia trip and a major climate change pact with China. Planning executive action on immigration. Shaping the net neutrality debate. All steps that outraged Congressional Republicans, who returned to Washington and prepared to confront the president when the take over both sides of the Capitol in January. And an Obama adviser’s comments on health care stoke continuing partisan warfare now headed for the Supreme Court. This hour, On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines./John Harwood

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/11/14/burma-asean-net-neutrality-lame-duck-congress

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

The word is that President Barack Obama plans to move ahead on his own with immigration reform as early as next week. But Republicans promise a fight. Some are even warning of a government shutdown if the president goes through with unilateral action. Just days into the lame-duck session, the House pushes forward on a bill to approve the keystone XL pipeline. The Senate could be close behind. The Supreme Court takes up the question of gerrymandering, weighing the role of race in Alabama redistricting. And the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announces plans to restructure and improve service for veterans. A panel of journalists joins guest host Tom Gjelten for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-11-14/friday_news_roundup_domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show)

The world reacts to the deal between China and the U.S. to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Obama meets with leaders in Myanmar and urges support for democracy. Tensions rise in Ukraine as NATO says Russian troops have crossed the border. Iraq’s new prime minister orders a shake up of his military command. Iraqi Kurds appeal for U.S. arms to combat Islamic State militants. Russia reaches a deal with Iran to construct nuclear power plants. And recent deaths of women in India shine a spotlight on controversial sterilization practices. A panel of journalists joins guest host Tom Gjelten for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-11-14/friday_news_roundup_international

How to confuse a creationist -- Homosexuality, Evolution and the Bible (repost)

http://youtu.be/YuK9pxjBwX8

Mormon Church Publishes Essay On Founder Joseph Smith's Polygamy

The Mormon church's founder was married to as many as 40 women in the years before his murder in 1844, the church acknowledged in an article posted on... Read more

Sunrise over Lake Baikal, Siberia [1806×1132] Photo by Yury Pustovoy

Read more

U.S. Companies Now Stashing $2 Trillion Overseas. That total is now greater than the amount held on U.S. shores.

"...Corporate cash has hit $2.1 trillion, a sixfold increase over the past 12 years, Capital Economics said, citing its own database as well as that of Audit Analytics and other sources. There is no official total, but the firm also used regulatory filings that included "indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings" to glean the total sitting outside U.S. borders..."
Read more

Board Decision Revives Discussion About Religion In Public Schools

One of the largest public school systems in the U.S. dropped religious affiliations for holidays on its school calendar. The decision represents a cla... Read more

Court Rejects Challenge To Obamacare Rules On Contraceptives

"A substantial burden exists when government action puts substantial pressure on an adherent to modify his behavior and to violate his beliefs. A burden does not rise to the level of being substantial when it places an inconsequential or de minimis burden on an adherent's religious exercise."Read more

WATCH: Stephen Colbert Skewers New Pitchfork-Wielding Colorado Rep Who Did Exorcism on Obama

The election of insane Gordon Klingenschmitt is a boon to comedians.
...Read more

The Colbert Report
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Colbert Report on Facebook

Why It's Harder Than Ever for Religions to Con Their Followers

It's more difficult for religions to control their believers’ access to information.
...  Read more

Paul Krugman on Why the U.S.-China Agreement on Carbon Emissions Is a Really Big Deal

"It's been a good week for the planet."
Read more

Meet the Warmongering Billionaires Who Are About to Spend a Fortune to Influence the Next President

The candidates will be flooded with money from these pro-Israel extremists.
...  Read more

Shutdown Fevah. Get It! Heritage Greases Shutdown Wheels: 'No Blank Check For Amnesty'

Oh it is comin'. Top GOP pressure group puts party on notice that shutdown is the only acceptable response to an immigration executive order from Pres... Read more

Rule of Law!

Team Rand Paul hunts for away to get around the Kentucky law that prevents him from running for President AND senate in 2016. ... Read more

GOP Senator: Progressives Are 'Just Straight Old Dumb-Ass Liberals'

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) devoted a speech Friday to discuss just how little he thinks of Democrats and liberals.  ... Read more

Obamacare Premiums To Increase By Less Than 4 Percent On Average

Increased competition in the exchanges helped to keep premiums low.The post Obamacare Premiums To Increase By Less Than 4 ...  Read more

New ‘Solar Cloth’ Allows Solar Cells To Be Stretched Across Parking Lots, Stadiums

The cloth is flexible and weighs far less than traditional solar panels, making it ideal for roofs that can't hold much ...  Read more

Scott Walker: Denying Health Care To Low-Income People Helps Them ‘Live The American Dream’

The Wisconsin governor defended his fellow GOP leaders' decision to block Medicaid expansion, saying poor people need to enter ...  Read more

More Than 70 Percent Of Americans Like Their Obamacare Plans

With the second Obamacare enrollment period set to begin this weekend, there's at least one piece of good news for proponents ...  Read more

Arkansas Church Gets Threatening Note in Response to Marriage Equality Support

"...The angry response came in the form of a typed, typo-ridden note that ranted against Communists, Muslims, and Socialists, and suggested that the recipient “move to Ferguson, Mo. … since you like [n word]s and queers so well.” It concluded with “We true Southerners know where you live asshole!!!!!”..."

http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2014/11/13/ark-church-gets-threatening-note-response-marriage-equality-support

New study finds that when people are primed to feel that their values are being threatened,

... they show greater discriminatory intentions toward atheists, but not toward students or other groups commonly discriminated against (gay men or people with HIV).
Read more

Colbert Takes Apart Latest Efforts To Dismantle Obamacare

Republicans and the Supreme Court gave Stephen Colbert another reason to celebrate the death of Obamacare with the Grim Reaper this Thursday. Now that...  Read more

Loose Liberties: Texas Bill Would Guarantee Right To Discriminate

Texas State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) may have beaten them all to the punch: She has proposed a bill that would grant business owners the right to discriminate against LGBT customers.
... Read more

Senate Dems Invented A Leadership Spot For Elizabeth Warren

Senate Democrats are elevating Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to a new leadership position on Thursday. She will help shape policy and messaging for the... Read more

NYT: 5 Million Could Be Covered By Executive Action On Immigration

As many as five million undocumented immigrants could be able to avoid deportation under President Barack Obama's upcoming executive actions on immigr... Read more

How Obama Could Skirt SCOTUS And The Lawsuit To Kill O-Care

The specter of the Supreme Court gutting Obamacare and putting health coverage for millions of people at risk is back in a very real way, with the jus... Read more

Pope Francis Plans To Build Showers For The Homeless In St. Peter's Square

The Vatican announced on Thursday that Pope Francis planned to build showers for the homeless in St. Peter's Square, Religion News Service reported. ... Read more

Michigan’s Proposed LGBT Protections Could Instead Become A ‘License To Discriminate’

Michigan is considering updating its nondiscrimination protections, but only for people who identify as gay, lesbian, and ...  Read more

‘Scandalous’ Solyndra Program Actually Earned Taxpayers A $5 Billion Profit

According to a soon-to-be-released Energy Department report, the program is expected to make $5 to $6 billion in returns over ...  Read more

Heat Wave Roils Australia As Pressure Builds To Elevate Climate On G20 Agenda

As world leaders gather this weekend in an overheated Brisbane for the G20 meeting, there is hope that the U.S.-China climate ...  Read more

4 Major Lies About Abortion That Have Made Their Way Into Our Laws

The anti-choice community has relied on a tight network of biased sources who peddle false information about the medical ...  Read more

Michigan Lawmaker Poised To Resurrect Plan That Could Rig The Electoral College For Republicans

Michigan is one of six states that some Republicans want to reform as part of a plan to skew the presidential election. The ...  Read more

Pope Francis To World Leaders: Consumerism Represents ‘Constant Assault’ On The Environment

The Pope's warning has been backed up by numerous reports on consumerism's impact on climate change and the environment.The ...  Read more

Jonathan Gruber’s Comments About Obamacare Are Offensive, But They Are Also Untrue

Jonathan Gruber doesn't know what he's talking about. The post Jonathan Gruber's Comments About Obamacare Are Offensive, ...  Read more

These People Serve Meals In The Halls Of Power And They Still Can’t Make Ends Meet

Meet the parents who serve food at the United States Capitol building but don't earn enough to make ends meet.The post These ...  Read more

Shell Ignored Faulty Pipeline Warnings Before Massive Nigeria Oil Spills, Documents Show

"The oil giant has long been accused of trying to downplay and cover up its oil spills in the Niger Delta region.The post Shell ..."  Read more

El Salvador’s Total Abortion Ban Is Driving Pregnant Teens To Commit Suicide

Girls are becoming pregnant from rape and finding themselves with few options in a country with some of the most restrictive ...  Read more

CHRIS MATTHEWS BITCHSLAPS THE gop RELIGIOUS CULT AGAIN

Our entire planet wants to act quickly to help curb Our enormous pollution, which 97% of Climatologists agree is man-made, but the gop religious cult is still lying to themselves, and to their sad , uneducated, uninformed, anti-Science and anti-Life constituents. President Barack Obama has made a significant breakthrough on Global Warming with China, and it will advance, regardless of moronic gop religious dogmatists who ignore reality and stay in the dark, moldy recesses of their moss-covered cave.

http://youtu.be/fDFhMNNW5_o

CHRIS MATTHEWS GUTS RELIGIOIUS KOOKS ON GLOBAL WARMING

http://youtu.be/fHlDJsyvtHY

Tea Party legislator pushes to add a “license to discriminate” to Texas constitution

"Texas state Sen. Donna Campbell wasn’t successful the last time she introduced a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s existing protections for religious freedom, so she’s trying a second time — with a proposal that would effectively give Texas business owners a “license to discriminate” against LGBT people (or anyone, really)..."

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/12/tea_party_legislator_pushes_to_add_a_license_to_discriminate_to_texas_constitution/

The Tithe Has Turned: Young, Non-Religious Women Give More

"Single women 44 years of age or younger that do not identify with a religious affiliation (Nones) give 40 percent more than single women under 45 who frequently attend religious services (Frequents), and 136 percent more than younger women who infrequently attend religious services (Infrequents)..."

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/iu-study-younger-non-religious-women-give/

The Religious Freedom Farce

"An increasing number of fundamentalist Christian business owners are now refusing to serve those they regard as sinners. They claim that doing business with such individuals violates their sincere religious beliefs. Although these business owners have opened their doors to the general public, they feel that it violates their conscience if they can’t run their operation like a private country club, picking and choosing who they work with..."

http://fcnp.com/2014/11/12/the-religious-freedom-farce/

Godless billboards hail launch of new groups

"The stated and sole purpose is to make any atheist, agnostic or non-religious people in the area aware that there are groups of like-minded people who have been around for a long time," said Peter Nothnagle of Iowa City, a representative for the Eastern Iowa Coalition of Reason.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/godless-billboards-hail-launch-of-new-groups/article_41c03d48-d8e4-5f63-929a-0022a9a510e1.html

U.S. Catholic Bishops Back President Obama On Immigration

"This week’s public lobbying by the bishops on immigration reform followed criticism by some commentators that the U.S. hierarchy was not following the new course set by Pope Francis, who has put such social justice concerns at the forefront of the church’s agenda..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/12/catholic-bishops-obama-immigration_n_6147624.html

Fox News Supports Federal Funding To Help With Immigrant Influx

Schools in New York State, among other higher population states, are experiencing budget shortfalls due to increased numbers of (often undocumented) i...  Read more

It's Pretty Much Just Fox Viewers Who Think Voter Fraud Is A Problem

There's what some might call a bit of a divide about what is really plaguing voting in the United States: voter fraud or voter disenfranchisement. Re... Read more

False Robocalls That Wreaked Havoc On Chicago Elections Linked To GOP Activists

Nearly 2,000 election judges didn't show up on Election Day because of the misleading robocalls.The post False Robocalls That ...  Read more

How Republicans Are Freaking Out About The Historic U.S.- China Climate Agreement

Top Republicans have blasted the deal for being too ambitious -- and for not being ambitious enough.The post How Republicans ...  Read more

U.S.-China Climate Deal Another Blow To Big Coal

China is the 800-pound gorilla in the international market for thermal coal, and its pledge to get 20 percent of its electrical ...  Read more

AT&T Halts Plans To Expand High-Speed Internet Until Net Neutrality Is Decided

AT&T planned on expanding fiber optic internet access in dozens of cities nationwide, which would give customers a ...  Read more

Federal Judge Overturns Michigan’s Ban On Same-Sex Benefits For Public Employees

The state of Michigan sought to discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them domestic partner benefits.The post ...  Read more