DN Speak: 4/12/15

Saturday, April 18, 2015

If an article doesn't explain how to start aggressive climate action ASAP and stay far away from catastrophic impacts, it's ... Read more

Rick Scott Is Revealing The GOP’s Ultimate Obamacare Hypocrisy

The dramatic showdown in Florida shows just how far Republicans are willing to go in their quest to avoid implementing health ... Read more

The Laws That Could Protect Workers From Chaotic Schedules That No One Knows About

Eight states have laws that protect workers from abrupt schedule changes, but they're rarely enforced. New York's attorney ... Read more

IBM warns Louisiana over 'religious freedom' bill

IBM has sent a letter to the governor of Louisiana warning that a pending religious freedom bill would create a hostile environment for the tech company's employees.
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Rooma lawnmower angers astronomers

...The National Radio Astronomy Observatory filed a complaint with the FCC, urging the commission not to grant iRobot a waiver that would allow the lawnmowers to operate in that spectrum band. The NRAO operates 13 radio telescopes (basically giant antenna systems) across the country...
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A Closer Look At How Corporations Influence Congress (Terry Gross, Fresh Air)

Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, has been writing about how corporations work in opaque ways to shape debates. He also explains the revolving door between Congress and lobby groups, and how non-profit think tanks aren't always what they seem.
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/13/276448190/a-closer-look-at-how-corporations-influence-congress

Comforting Thoughts (Freethought Radio)

We start the show talking about three recent movies with freethought connections. Then we ask, "How do atheists deal with death?” Greta Christina tells us about her new book, Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing To Do About God. Then we talk with Barbara Mancini, who was arrested and prosecuted for handing her terminally ill 93-yr-old father prescribed medicine that he requested, a charge of "assisted suicide" that was religiously and politically motivated, and ultimately dismissed.
Interview:
http://ffrf.libsyn.com/comforting-thoughts

The Secret History Of Thoughts (Invisibilia)

Co-hosts Alix Spiegel and Lulu Miller ask the question, "Are my thoughts related to my inner wishes, do they reveal who I really am?" The answer can have profound consequences for your life.
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/programs/invisibilia/375927143/the-secret-history-of-thoughts?showDate=2015-01-09

Phil Zuckerman: Those Normal, Upstanding Nonbelievers (Point of Inquiry)

Phil Zuckerman is a professor of sociology at Pitzer College, and among the world's leading experts in the growing field of secular studies, with a deep understanding of how people's lives are lived without religion. He’s the author of the books Living the Secular Life: New Answers to Old Questions, Society without God, and Faith No More: Why People Reject Religion.

There is a wide range of secular people, from hardcore atheists and secular humanists to those for whom religion is simply unimportant, and Zuckerman distinguishes between the vast majority of nonbelievers who live normal, upstanding lives, and the small minority for whom secularism is an organizing force. He discusses with Point of Inquiry host Lindsay Beyerstein how empathy, rather than belief in the watchful eye of a deity, is the guiding force of secular morality, and how religion can actually hinder society’s larger moral understanding.

It’s a fascinating inward look at our own community of skeptics and humanists, and you can learn even more from Zuckerman about his ideas and research at the Reason for Change conference, where he’ll be among the many brilliant and provocative speakers. Reason for Change takes place July 11-15 in Buffalo, New York. Visit reasonforchange.org for more!

Interview:
http://www.pointofinquiry.org/phil_zuckerman_those_normal_upstanding_nonbelievers/

Jason Heap, Executive Director of the United Coalition of Reason (Friendly Atheist, Podcast Episode 49)

Jason Heap, Executive Director of the United Coalition of Reason, an organization that has placed billboards promoting local atheist groups all over the country...
Interview:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/04/06/friendly-atheist-podcast-episode-49-jason-heap-executive-director-of-the-united-coalition-of-reason/

James Randi on Being An Honest Liar (Rationally Speaking)

The Amazing Randi, famous magician and a pioneer of Skepticism, joins this episode of Rationally Speaking for a conversation about the past and future of the Skeptic movement. Massimo and Julia's questions for Randi include: Do you think Skepticism has shaped public opinion in any significant ways? What do you want the JREF to look like several years from now? And what have you changed your mind about, and why?
Interview:
http://rationallyspeakingpodcast.org/show/rs131-james-randi-on-being-an-honest-liar.html

Historian Says '12 Years' Is A Story The Nation Must Remember (Terry Gross, Fresh Air)

"We love being the country that freed the slaves," says historian David Blight. But "we're not so fond of being the country that had the biggest slave system on the planet." That's why Blight was glad to see the new film 12 Years a Slave, an adaptation of an 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup. Northup was a free black man who was kidnapped into slavery in 1841 and won his freedom 12 years later. "We need to keep telling this story because it, in part, made us who we were," Blight tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross.
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/2013/10/24/240491318/historian-says-12-years-is-a-story-the-nation-must-remember

Fresh Air Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of The Beatles' Arrival

For the anniversary of the Beatles' first weekend in the U.S., Fresh Air listens back to a 1995 interview with Ringo Starr and a 2001 interview with Paul McCartney.
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/07/273036967/fresh-air-celebrates-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-beatles-arrival

Friday, April 17, 2015

Week In The News: Hillary Is In, Iran Deal Details, Blackwater Sentencing (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Maybe nothing tops the Gyrocopter on the Capitol lawn this week. Under the radar but all over the news. The flying mailman with a message for Congress: clean up the money politics. Inside the Capitol, a big vote to put Congress in the middle of the Iran nuclear deal. We’ll see where that takes us. On the hustings, 2016 officially on. Hillary Clinton announcing, driving to Iowa. Marco Rubio announcing, saying yesterday is over. We’ve got low-wage protests, the Pope on genocide, lots of teen vaping going on. This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/04/17/hillary-campaign-iran-senate-deal-marco-rubio

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

The Senate introduces a bipartisan bill that could give President Barack Obama fast-track authority to negotiate one of the world’s largest trade accords. The 2016 presidential campaign expands as Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio enter the race. Obama signs an overhaul of the way Medicare pays doctors. Clashes intensify over the stalled nomination of Loretta Lynch. A Florida postal worker is arrested after landing a single-person aircraft on the U.S. Capitol grounds. And Bostonians mark the second anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-04-17/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show)

The U.S. Army says it sent paratroopers to western Ukraine to train with the Ukrainian National Guard. U.S.-led coalition forces launch airstrikes in Ramadi, Iraq against ISIS. Iraq’s prime minister criticizes the Saudi Arabian air campaign in Yemen. Iran’s president accuses the U.S. Congress of meddling in the nuclear deal. The White House says it wants to remove Cuba from the terrorism-sponsor list. And Turkey rejects the European Parliament’s recognition of Armenian Genocide. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top international news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-04-17/friday-news-roundup-international

Hobby Lobby Part II Is Barreling Towards The Supreme Court

A case winding its way through the courts provides the Supreme Court with a new vehicle for expanding the power of religious ... Read more

Australia Pledges Millions To Help Climate Contrarian Set Up Center To Argue Against Climate Action

Bjørn Lomborg, who will head the center, argues that climate change is real but not a problem. ... Read more

As Huckabee Plans Presidential Run, He’s Already Alienated Half The Country

Huckabee's most dated and outlandish ideas about women may stand in the way of his presidential ambitions. ... Read more

Why 1 of the Jena 6 Is Now Speaking Out Against Juvenile Justice Spending

"A lot of kids are in detention for non-violent offenses and don't need to be there. They aren't a threat to public safety." ... Read more

22 Answers to 22 Questions from Creationists

http://youtu.be/k0wAYY0Y1kg

Creationism by Lewis Black

Lewis Black talks about Creationism and Evolution.
https://youtu.be/3PDZTveY4uQ

Fearing United plane was hacked, FBI pulls security expert off flight

One World Labs said it repeatedly warned AirBus and Boeing in recent years about the danger in connected computer networks. Roberts said their response to him has been the same: "We'll deal with it later. We don't have time. We have other projects."
Read more

Jon Stewart goes on epic quest with a red balloon to prove Dick Cheney wrong on Iran

"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart was apparently quite amused by former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent comments on Iran.
Cheney went on a conservative talk radio show last week and accused President Barack Obama of being "about to give [Iran] nuclear weapons. I can't think of a more terrible burden to leave the next president than what Obama is creating here."
http://www.businessinsider.in/Jon-Stewart-goes-on-epic-quest-with-a-red-balloon-to-prove-Dick-Cheney-wrong-on-Iran/articleshow/46959996.cms

The Daily Show
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TEACHER SHARES HEARTBREAKING NOTES FROM YOUNG STUDENTS

DENVER -- A Colorado teacher wanted to know more about her students, but she wasn't prepared for what she learned.
http://abc7chicago.com/education/teacher-shares-heartbreaking-notes-from-young-students/664359/

The Truth About PhD Creationists

So this creationist dickweed named Oucher Owl kept polluting my comments section with ravings about how we’re near the center of the universe, how Dr. Russell Humphreys disproves my contentions of that, and how scientists are covering this up because… reasons. Anyway I thought I was a good opportunity to examine a creationist with a PhD and do some amusing things with him, like compare his career to other physicists (hilarity ensues.) It also allows me to address the common creationist canard concerning conspiracies, and finally allows me to put to rest the insufferable bullshit that is “quantized redshift.” If you guys enjoyed this video, leave a like. If you didn’t, please comment and tell me why. If you haven’t already, then click that Subscribe button and follow me to hell! (VIP section of course) Like, share, favorite, click all the buttons! Just to see what happens
https://youtu.be/IPyKaH09lpc

Gov. Bobby Jindal is suddenly against corporate welfare?: Robert Mann

...Two years later, our governor has had an epiphany. He once said we were crushing businesses with oppressive taxes. This past week, however, Jindal told lawmakers, "The truth is, today, we have a system of corporate welfare in this state."...
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2015/04/bobby_jindal_and_louisianas_co.html

Atheist billboard moved amidst complaints

...The billboard, which read “Don’t Believe in God? You’re Not Alone,” was allegedly removed by Lamar Advertising after the property’s owner objected to the billboard’s message content, according to an employee of Arnwine’s Home Furnishings, which sits beneath the billboard’s location...
http://utdailybeacon.com/news/2015/apr/17/atheist-billboard-moved-amidst-complaints/

Center for Inquiry Invited to Testify Against Homeopathy at FDA Public Hearings

After three-and-a-half years of pressure from the Center for Inquiry for the Food and Drug Administration to address the inadequate regulation of homeopathic products, the medicinal claims of which have no scientific basis whatsoever, the FDA has finally announced public hearings on its handling of homeopathy — and CFI has been invited to provide testimony at the hearing...
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/newsroom/center_for_inquiry_invited_to_testify_against_homeopathy_at_fda_public_hear/

Ten Novel, Absurd, And Irrelevant Arguments Made In Supreme Court Briefs Against Marriage Equality

... here are ten novel, absurd, and irrelevant — not to mention offensive — arguments from the dozens of amicus briefs filed in favor of upholding state bans on same-sex marriage...

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/04/17/3647431/ten-absurd-arguments-against-marriage-equality-scotus-briefs/

Ducey Has Ceremonial Signing of Bill Granting New Tax Break to Religious Groups

"This bill would shift the tax burden to property owners not affected by this legislation and/or result in property tax losses for local governments," that analysis says.
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2015/04/arizona_religious_tax_break_doug_ducey_signing.php

Sanders on Budget Priorities

https://youtu.be/VU_wOiNS-Ik

When It Comes To High-Speed Internet, U.S. 'Falling Way Behind' (Fresh Air)

Note: This interview initially aired 2/6/2014. Recently, the FCC has ruled that Internet providers are to be regulated as utilities to eliminate the problems described in this interview. However, this week, major Internet provider corporations have sued the government to have this rule overturned so that they can resume the practices described in this interview.

Susan Crawford says that in cities like Seoul and Stockholm, high-speed, high-capacity networks are taken for granted. "It really is astonishing what's going on in America," she says. "We're falling way behind in the pack of developed nations when it comes to high-speed Internet access, capacity and prices."

Interview:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/02/06/272480919/when-it-comes-to-high-speed-internet-u-s-falling-way-behind

If You Think You're Anonymous Online, Think Again

Investigative reporter Julia Angwin was curious what Google knew about her, so she asked the company for her search data. "It turns out I had been doing about 26,000 Google searches a month ... and I was amazed at how revealing they were," she tells Fresh Air's Dave Davies...
Interview:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/02/24/282061990/if-you-think-youre-anonymous-online-think-again

This Is White Privilege: Cops Let White Girl ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Her Way Out Of Underage Drinking Ticket (VIDEO)

If you're white, games get you innocence. If you're black, games get you arrested - and here's proof. Read more
https://youtu.be/gD2uF33Oovw

Commuter Launches Racist Rant At Muslim Woman On Train, Gets A Big Surprise (VIDEO)

This is how you deal with a racist. Glorious. Read more
https://youtu.be/7ECmBII_gDM

Ted Cruz’s Crazy Cuban Father Preaches That Diversity Is Un-American (VIDEO)

Just what America has always needed : A Cuban immigrant to explain the evils of diversity. Read more

7 charts that show what Obamacare critics are getting wrong

On Monday, I wrote a post titled "A chart that Obamacare's fiercest critics will have trouble explaining." It showed the dramatic decrease in the numb... Read more

Medicare just saved more than 10 times the combined cost of Amtrak and the National Parks

Between 2009 and 2013, Medicare spent $316 billion less than expected due to slower-than-expected health care cost growth. That is clearly a large nu... Read more

Krauthammer Attacks Obama For Cutting Bush's Record Deficits

Like most right wingers and Republicans out there, Fox regular Charles Krauthammer really hopes that most Americans have collective amnesia and can't ... Read more

Tulsa, We Have a Problem ...

Remember that 73 year old volunteer hobby sheriff who accidentally shot and killed an arrestee in Oklahoma when he thought he was pulling out his tase... Read more

Fla. GOP Sen. Calls Out Koch Group's Lobbyist For 'Misleading' Mailers

A Republican Florida state senator on Tuesday grilled a lobbyist for Americans for Prosperity about the group's mailers criticizing senators' support ... Read more

Cruz: Gun Rights are For Shootin' Some Gubmint Officials

Ted Cruz is really explicit that voters need guns in case they need to use them against police, federal law enforcement or other government officials.... Read more

Neo-Nazi: I Hate Gay People 'With A Passion' And I've Killed Others

Neo-Nazi admits he shot and killed his boss, who is gay, and says he hates gays "with a passion." Also says he's killed others. ... Read more

This Mechanic Will Legally Refuse Service To Gay People Until Michigan Updates Its Laws

Brian Klawiter will not fix a gay person's car, and weddings have nothing to do with it. ... Read more

Obama’s Free Trade Deal Lets Corporations Impose Their Will And Extract Profits From The Public

Congress is preparing to strike a deal that would send the TPP hurtling toward passage.... Read more

Did The Senate Just Say Yes To Action On Climate Change?

If the Senate has overall been so against climate action, then how did this motion pass? ... Read more

Elizabeth Warren: Tax the banks

"The bottom line is that the culture of cheating on Wall Street didn't stop with the 2008 crash," she said. "When cops don't do their job, cheaters prosper and honest businesses lose out."
Read more