Week In The News: State Of The Union, ISIS Strikes, US Sailors In Iran (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

A summing up for the President in his last State of the Union address this week, and slashing attacks by the Republicans who would succeed him – on each other, on Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama’s view the world. Cruz and Trump duke it out. Nikki Haley says simmer down. Bernie Sanders, surges. We’ve got El Chapo in cuffs. New ISIS attacks. US sailors taken and released by Iran. No more Snape. No more Ziggy Stardust. This hour On Point, our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. — Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2016/01/15/obama-sotu-alan-rickman-david-bowie-isis

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show, 2016-01-14)

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz grab most of the attention at the first Republican debate of 2016. The two frontrunners ended their political détente, sparring over issues ranging from Cruz’s citizenship to Trump’s “New York values.” On the Democratic front, Hillary Clinton sharpens her attacks against Bernie Sanders as she loses ground in Iowa and New Hampshire. Congressional Republicans consider their agenda in a presidential election year. Anxiety over China’s economy and oil prices bring volatility to the U.S. stock market. The National Guard distributes water in Flint, Michigan. And President Obama delivers his final State of the Union address. A panel of journalists joins guest host Derek McGinty for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-01-15/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Fact check: The sixth Republican debate (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/01/15/fact-check-sixth-republican-debate/78821048/

Marco Rubio Pushes Conspiracy Theory On Obama And Guns

“I am convinced if this president could confiscate every gun, he would,” Rubio told the cheering audience. “I am convinced if he could get rid of the 2nd Amendment, he would.”
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3739914/rubio-obama-guns-conspiracy/

Jeb Bush Makes The Perfect Case For Obama’s Executive Action On Guns

“In this particular case, the FBI made a mistake,” Bush responded. “The law itself requires a background check, but they didn’t fulfill their part of the bargain within the time that they were supposed to do. We don’t need to add new rules, we need to make sure the FBI does its job. That person should not have gotten a gun, would not have passed a background check.”...
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3739921/jeb-guns-debate/

iOS in Education. The best classroom experience is about to get better.

Technology can reshape education. And iPad, with its powerful features and apps, opens up new, more engaging ways of learning. With the iOS 9.3 beta, you’ll find a preview of new features that will make it even easier for schools to put devices where they’ll have the greatest impact — in the hands of students...
http://www.apple.com/education/preview/

Shocking Video Shows Cop Gun Down Unarmed Teen in the Back as He Ran Away

This video epitomizes why Chicago cops are frantically trying to destroy all incriminating data against them...
http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/shocking-video-shows-cop-gun-down-unarmed-teen-back-he-ran-away

7 of the Worst Distortions and Outright Lies of the GOP Debate

Fox Business manages to out-Fox Fox News...
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/7-worst-distortions-and-outright-lies-gop-debate

Debunking The Myth That Pot Fries Your Brain

Misleading and scientifically illiterate claims notwithstanding, there's little definitive evidence marijuana makes you dumb, dense, or crazy...
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/debunking-myth-pot-fries-brain

Myth of the Middle Class: Most Americans Don’t Even Have $1,000 in Savings

0.1% of Americans have as much wealth as the bottom 90%. It's time to stop saying "middle class"; it does not exist...
http://www.alternet.org/economy/myth-middle-class-most-americans-dont-even-have-1000-savings

There Will Be Chaos: Big Oil's Collapse and the Birth of a New World Order

The longer such price levels persist, the more devastating the consequences are likely to be...
http://www.alternet.org/economy/there-will-be-chaos-big-oils-collapse-and-birth-new-world-order

Here's what's wrong with Jeb Bush saying Hillary Clinton is under FBI investigation

Says Hillary Clinton "is under investigation with the FBI right now."
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/14/jeb-bush/heres-whats-wrong-jeb-bush-saying-hillary-clinton-/

Ted Cruz says U.S. has 'lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977' | PolitiFact

"We have the lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977." -- But we’ll offer two asterisks for Cruz’s statement...
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/14/ted-cruz/ted-cruz-says-us-has-lowest-percentage-americans-w/

Donald Trump's false claim that refugees, migrants are mostly 'strong, powerful men'

Among Syrian refugees and migrants coming into Europe, "there look like very few women. Very few children."
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/14/donald-trump/donald-trumps-false-claim-refugees-migrants-are-mo/

Barack Obama says U.S. has 'strongest, most durable economy in the world' during State of the Union

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/14/barack-obama/barack-obama-says-us-has-strongest-most-durable-ec/

Chelsea Clinton mischaracterizes Bernie Sanders' health care plan | PolitiFact

Says Bernie Sanders’ health care plan would "empower Republican governors to take away Medicaid, to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans."...
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/jan/14/chelsea-clinton/chelsea-clinton-mischaracterizes-bernie-sanders-he/

America Is a Dystopian Hellhole and Don't You Forget It

...it's remarkable just how apocalyptic Republicans are this year. Listening to the GOP debate last night, you might have barely avoided slitting your own throat in despair over the destruction of a once-great country that we've all witnessed over the past seven years...
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/01/america-dystopian-hellhole-and-dont-you-forget-it

Ring of Fire On Free Speech TV | Episode 227 - Fighting For Democracy

Republicans have never shied away from a fight, but all too often progressives are too timid to call out the actions of Republicans – but the Occupy Democrats are fighting back, and they’ve found that this is the only way to be successful…

The Keystone XL pipeline could still become a reality, and it’s all because of bad trade deals – we’ll explain why the pipeline fight is far from over...

And Hillary Clinton has received more in speaking fees from Wall Street banks than most Americans will make in their lifetimes – we’ll bring you the details in tonight’s backstory…
https://youtu.be/LddMYVljRUc

Disproving Gods with Science and History

In this lecture, Dr. Richard Carrier quickly surveys the history of major religions, and lays out a collection of logical arguments for why science and history support naturalism, and disprove the god hypothesis. See below for additional resources.
https://youtu.be/ZzukSrFBSxw

Paul Ryan’s State Of The Union Guests Undermine His Claim That Government Doesn’t Help Poverty

In a statement released Monday, Ryan announced that six “front line poverty fighters” would be among his guests for President Obama’s Tuesday address. “The answer to poverty isn’t the money in Washington,” he said. “The answer to poverty is entrepreneurs and innovators like these who are actually making a difference, community by community.”
But the people Ryan invited would seem to undermine his suggestion that government does not play an important role in reducing poverty...
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/01/12/3738364/paul-ryan-sotu-guests/

America Has Grown Cowardly: ISIS is No Threat to Our Existence Whatsoever

ISIL is no joke, but its potential for destruction pales in comparison to the danger once posed by the Soviet Union...
http://www.alternet.org/world/america-has-grown-cowardly-isis-no-threat-our-existence-whatsoever

Indiana 'Gun Hobbyist' Accidentally Discharges Firearm Inside Public Library

A person attending a meeting of "gun hobbyists" accidentally discharged his or her firearm Tuesday inside an Indiana public library's conference room, local TV station WTHI reported...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/indiana-public-library-accidental-gun-discharge

The Collapse of Intelligent Design - Kenneth Miller Lecture

This is Dr. Kenneth R. Miller's hour long exposé of the claims of intelligent design and the tactics that creationists employ to get it shoehorned into the American school system.
https://youtu.be/oQvmqRv_jN4

Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 15, 2016

https://youtu.be/aZUoDzrE00w

What Did DuPont Know Before They Poisoned An Entire City?

Tim O'Brien, Levin Papantonio, joins Thom. According to recent scientific research - the chemical known as C-8 is now in the blood of 99.7 percent of Americans as well as in newborn human babies, breast milk, and umbilical cord blood. And that's really bad news - because C-8 has been connected with - among other things - rectal cancer - testicular cancer - swelling of the liver - and birth defects. So where did all this C-8 come from? Why is it so potent? And who is apparently responsible for poisoning the American people? ...
https://youtu.be/u3EcO0IGsco

On Religious Freedom Day, Tell Congress to Honor Jefferson's Principles

This weekend, the United States will celebrate Religious Freedom Day 2016, which marks the 230th anniversary of the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of the landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This Statute, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted in part thanks to James Madison's advocacy, provided the basis for the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects several foundational rights including freedom of religion...

https://secure3.convio.net/cfi/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=DD3FDE003797C9C1944F852DF34E2722.app353b?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=432

Texas Needs EPA Help To Enforce Its Environmental Laws, Groups Say

Claiming Texas has made it unlawfully burdensome for people to challenge industry polluters, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Caddo Lake Institute formally asked the federal government to take over permitting responsibilities involving air emissions and water discharges in the state. The groups say that recent Texas laws make the state non-compliant with federal standards...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/01/13/3739209/epa-called-to-act-in-texas/

Spike In Fatal Bacteria Near Flint Could Be Linked To Ongoing Water Crisis

There have been 87 cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in Genesee County, where Flint is located, over the past year and a half. Ten deaths have been linked to those cases...
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/01/13/3739223/flint-water-legionella/

Rubio: Let's Be Number One In Renewables | ThinkProgress

“The United States can — and should — lead the world in renewable energy, but Rubio’s plan isn’t going to get us there,” NextGen Climate Action spokeswoman spokesperson Suzanne Henkels told ThinkProgress. “Rubio’s record, and his plans, would double down on subsidies that help one industry: fossil fuels.”...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/01/13/3739109/rubio-renewable-energy-number-one/

Obama Wants To Change The Way America Sells Its Coal And Oil | ThinkProgress

I’m going to push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/01/13/3738934/obamas-last-climate-gasp/

Huckabee Is Wrong About Gun-Free Zones | ThinkProgress

This is a popular claim with the gun lobby, as they reason that people looking to commit a mass shooting want to find unarmed victims. But there’s no evidence gun-free zones are targeted more than other places. Furthermore, a “good guy with a gun” has never stopped a mass shooting. Very few people use guns in self-defense. In fact, the presence of a gun in a home makes it much more likely someone will be shot...
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/14/3739904/huckabee-gun-free-zones/

How The Paris Climate Agreement Super-Charges The Clean Air Act | ThinkProgress

Specifically, the unused “International Air Pollution” provisions of the Clean Air Act, which are contained in Section 115 of the act, have been unlocked by the Paris Agreement, providing the EPA the authority to effectively and efficiently call for needed pollution reductions...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/01/14/3739649/paris-climate-agreement-clean-air-act/

Chicago Releases Another Video Of A Police Officer Killing An Unarmed Teenager | ThinkProgress

The grainy video shows the 17-year-old Chatman fleeing the police before he is shot by Officer Kevin Fry. It’s hard to tell what happened next, but according to Chatman’s family’s attorney, Cedrick falls to the ground, is flipped onto his stomach, and is handcuffed. Fry presses his boot into Chatman’s back. The teenager died a few hours later...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/14/3739772/chicago-police-cedrick-chatman-video/

ExxonMobil and CIA carry out global "Walmart scheme" to manipulate oil prices and destabalize Russia

Journalist and political analyst Caleb Maupin says that Saudi Arabia is deliberately manipulating oil prices to create a political crisis in Russia, Venezuela, and Iran.
https://youtu.be/7BBVOiAQUs8

The U.S. Government Is Finally Taking A Look At Coal Ash’s Outsized Impact On Poor Communities

Coal ash — a toxic byproduct of burning coal — is a major environmental problem. But disposal sites for coal ash are more likely to be located in and around low-income and minority communities, a fact that’s prompting a U.S. commission to look into whether coal ash is a civil rights problem, too...
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/01/14/3739499/coal-ash-civil-rights-hearing/

William Craig Vs. Lawrence Krauss

https://youtu.be/xL-RlkY0GbA

Women Distrust Church on Abortion

...In the survey of 1,038 women who have had abortions, 70 percent claim a Christian religious preference, and 43 percent report attending church monthly or more at the time of an abortion...
http://www.lifewayresearch.com/2015/11/23/women-distrust-church-on-abortion/

The Four Big Lies Of Benghazi

Conservative media, led by Fox News, have spent over three years trying to find evidence of a Benghazi "bombshell" - something scandalous about the way the Obama administration and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded to the attack...
https://youtu.be/ZplrJKkxjBs

Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 14, 2016

https://youtu.be/8rbQnxbFjuA

Religious Freedom Advocates Warn Of “Theocratic Zones Of Control”

In a new report on the religious freedom strategy of the religious right, Frederick Clarkson of Political Research Associates warns that the Christian Right, the U.S. Catholic bishops, and a rapidly strengthening network of allied organizations are “intensifying their campaign to carve out arenas of public life where religious institutions, individuals, and even businesses may evade civil rights and labor laws in the name of religious liberty.”
http://religiondispatches.org/religious-freedom-advocates-warn-of-theocratic-zones-of-control/

The Consensus on Anthropogenic Global Warming

...The “97% consensus” is false. The percentage of publishing climate scientists who accept AGW is at least 99.9 percent and may verge on unanimity...
http://www.csicop.org/si/show/the_consensus_on_anthropogenic_global_warming/

100 Women Will Be Live-Streaming Their Abortion Stories Next Week. Here’s Why.

“This isn’t about evaluating if abortion is right or wrong,” said Suslovic. “It’s rather fleshing out the issue as an independent experience that comes with complicated emotions.”
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/01/13/3738919/speakout-2016/

Huckabee Spars With Woman Over His Defense Of Duggar Family In Iowa (VIDEO)

“You supported them,” the woman said to Huckabee in video captured by Democratic-aligned super PAC American Bridge. “You supported them on your websites. When the Duggars came out and their son had molested the child [sic], you more or less said that you felt sorry for their parents. Their parents let it continue.”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/clinton-iowa-huckabee-duggars
https://youtu.be/DLOzUcvVfPQ

Bundy & Co. ‘Didn’t Have My Permission’ To Destroy Fence

Tim Puckett, a rancher whose land runs adjacent to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, told The Oregonian Wednesday he’s never spoken to Bundy, and his ranch hands have already fixed the fence...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/tim-puckett-bundy-militia-oregon

What happens if Hillary Clinton loses the vote in Iowa? (+video) - CSMonitor.com

That’s increasingly possible, according to polls. As recently as late November, Mrs. Clinton led Senator Sanders by 25 points in the Hawkeye State, according to the RealClearPolitics average of major surveys. Now that same measure is essentially tied...
http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2016/0113/What-happens-if-Hillary-Clinton-loses-the-vote-in-Iowa-video

Hookah vs. cigarettes: New research challenges old beliefs.

A University of Pittsburgh meta-analysis shows higher levels of smoke, nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide result from waterpipe tobacco smoking sessions than from a smoking cigarettes...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0113/Hookah-vs.-cigarettes-New-research-challenges-old-beliefs

Why Denmark might seize migrants' valuables - CSMonitor.com

Denmark’s strict stance toward migrants is about to get stricter...
http://m.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2016/0113/Why-Denmark-might-seize-migrants-valuables

Tennessee cops buy groceries for disabled elderly man

Responding to an emergency call that a 79-year-old man had not eaten in days, a group of five officers showed up at his apartment with bags of food, purchased with their own money...
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2016/0113/Tennessee-cops-buy-groceries-for-disabled-elderly-man

Ukrainian cyberattack on power supply a 'wake-up call' for US

With consensus growing that hackers caused a widespread power outage in Ukraine last month, many security experts worry whether the US grid could withstand such an attack...
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/2016/0113/Experts-Ukrainian-cyberattack-on-power-supply-a-wake-up-call-for-US

State Of Disunion: FRC Head Uses Fear To Motivate His Base

Perkins uses fear and anger in the hope of creating an America in his own image...
https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/state-of-disunion-frc-head-uses-fear-to-motivate-his-base

Why Apple might want to buy HBO from Time Warner

Time Warner isn't for sale, but Apple is reportedly eyeing its assets...
http://www.macworld.com/article/3022062/streaming-services/why-apple-might-want-to-buy-hbo-from-time-warner.html#tk.rss_all

The Number Of College Students Seeking Mental Health Treatment Is Growing Rapidly

The increase of students seeking mental health treatment is vastly outpacing enrollment growth. And no one knows why...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/college-students-mental-health-treatment_5696a1dde4b0ce496422e8f1

Clearing Snow Safely and Efficiently

When done incorrectly, snow-clearing can injure your body and damage your vehicle and even the hardscaping around your home. Find out the best way to clear snow quickly and efficiently...
https://www.fix.com/blog/clear-snow-safely-from-your-home/

9 Yummy Foods You Can Snack On Guilt-Free

Before you reach for the potato chips or ice cream, consider these foods, which are a whole lot better for you and won't pack on the pounds...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/9-yummy-foods-you-can-snack-on-guilt-free_568d44c9e4b0c8beacf528ce

The Power of Okay - full version- *Explicit Language* - YouTube

"Check out See Me's latest video, for our campaign, the Power of Okay. It is all about getting people talking about mental health and being there for each other. If someone you know is struggling with their mental health, ask them if they are okay, and really listen. It could make all the difference..."
https://youtu.be/CC4QzwlmhxQ

The Refining Reason Debate: Dogma Debate Livecast

After the May 31, 2014 debate between Matt Dillahunty and Sye Ten Bruggencate in Memphis, David Smalley did a "Dogma Debate" livecast from the venue. Guests included Sarah Morehead, David Silverman, Sye Ten Bruggencate and Eric Hovind.
https://youtu.be/XANwGPaAxcc

5 maps that show how sex education in the US is failing

This has consequences: While teenagers are having a lot less sex than they were in the 1980s, teenage sexual behavior is getting riskier. Students in 2013 were less likely to say they used a condom the last time they had sex than students were in 2003...
http://www.vox.com/2016/1/10/10738766/sex-ed-states-maps

Hookah Packs 25 Times the Tar of a Single Cigarette

When compared with a single cigarette, one hookah session delivers approximately 125 times the smoke, 25 times the tar, 2.5 times the nicotine and 10 times the carbon monoxide, the researchers discovered. But they note that comparing a hookah smoking session to smoking a single cigarette is tricky because the patterns are so different. For example, a frequent cigarette smoker may smoke 20 cigarettes per day, while a hookah smoker may only participate in a few hookah sessions each week...
http://www.mensfitness.com/life/entertainment/hookah-packs-25-times-tar-single-cigarette

VA GOP Rep. Wants To Examine Students' Genitalia For Proof Of Gender

The legislation as filed requires that students attending schools designating restrooms for a specific gender be fined if they use the restroom of the opposite gender...
http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/va-gop-rep-wants-examine-students

AronRa vs Sye Ten Bruggencate on Dogma Debate Radio

AronRa debates Sye Ten Bruggencate on presuppositional apologetics on the Dogma Debate radio show. This was way more direct and one on one than their debate on the Magic Sandwich. All audio belongs to Dogma Debate.
https://youtu.be/YoBUdwfQFX4

Energizing Young Voters: They Will Sway This Election If They Simply Show Up

Young voters are going to make up the largest voting demographic in this year’s elections, but getting this group to vote is no easy task. And when it comes to college aged students, the task becomes even more difficult. But there are several groups out there that are making a very big difference and they’ve been hugely successful in getting young voters energized and engaged...
https://youtu.be/6hMue08HrAA

Presuppositional Apologetics Destroyed

A very short overview of a fraction of the dumbest argument for the existence of a god:

Epistemology, the branch of philosophy that deals with the question of how we obtain and justify knowledge, has a well known infinite regress of justification. That is, any justified belief must be justified by a further justified belief which must be justifed by another justifed belief and so-forth.

Most toddlers discover and grow tired of demonstrating this infinite regress of justification by the time they enter elementary school asking an infinite number of Why questions to which the only finite answer is as Lawrence Krauss puts it: "Go to bed."

One slightly more satisfying attempt to escape infinite regression is foundationalism, which asserts that there are certain beliefs or axioms which can be used to justify other beliefs but don't themselves require justification with the caveat that these axioms are self-evident, incorrigible, or pragmatically indespensible. These axioms are sometimes called 'properly basic beliefs'. Christian apologist Dr.William Lane Craig explains:

Now, William Lane Craig follows a slightly different version of Foundational Epistemology called Reformed Foundational Epistemology in which belief in God is included (unnecessarily I would argue) among other properly basic beliefs but only in addition to the other properly basic beliefs, not as a way to justify other properly basic beliefs.

-But for now let's leave the question of whether or not belief in God can be included as an axiom and talk about knowledge. Knowledge is defined as a justified true belief. This I think is a source of confusion.

In order for any justifiable belief to even have the possibility of being true, it must by definition be falsifiable. It is literally impossible to hold a justified true belief that isn't falsifiable. Knowledge and certainty are mutually incompatible because certainty excludes falsifiability rendering that belief unfalsifiable which is as Wolfgang Pauli put it: Not even wrong.

Now, once any claim has been investigated and verified, it becomes perfectly rational to hold that belief tentatively
and with the understanding that further investigation could alter or modify the veracity of that belief.
https://youtu.be/WyeiJrzSZZY

Creationism vs Evolution: Eric Hovind vs Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer debates Eric Hovind on St. Louis Radio. 97.1. (Glover Show, May 27, 2009)...
Interview:
https://youtu.be/G1kib0qb7FI

President Obama Delivers his Final State of the Union Address (full official video)

https://youtu.be/cCXSO-3mt5I

Obama's 2016 State of the Union, in four minutes

Interview:
https://youtu.be/DygBfjNTHk4

presuppositionalism; Fallacy and Failure

A summary of Presuppositional failings all in one video.
https://youtu.be/w_n1cGgF3dw

Welfare Hypocrisy: Red States Are The Real Freeloaders

For years the Republican Party has been telling us that the welfare system in America is helping to make people lazy and making them too dependent on the federal government. If this is true, then a new report has some horrible news to deliver to Republicans...
https://youtu.be/s8OoKAezlA8

Republicans Are Still The Party of No New Ideas

Republicans in Washington kicked off the New Year by announcing that they wouldn’t be working to make the country better, but instead they’ll just be working to stop President Obama from being able to do anything during his final year in office. This is actually how the Republicans have operated since the first day Obama came into office.
https://youtu.be/FP650-E7PXU

And Now the Good News #171: 1/12/2016

https://youtu.be/X-mlhGgWmA0

Tim DeChristopher on Bundy Takeover: Gov't is More Afraid of Civil Disobedience Than Armed Militias

The armed occupation of a federally owned wildlife outpost in remote Oregon has entered its second week. A self-styled right-wing antigovernment militia calling itself the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in support of two ranchers sentenced to prison for setting fires that burned federal land. Leaders of the occupation include Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who refused to pay decades’ worth of cattle grazing fees, prompting a standoff with federal rangers in 2014 in Nevada, during which an armed militia rallied to his support. A recent piece by the website Waging Nonviolence compares the federal government’s handling of the Bundy case and that of Tim DeChristopher, a climate activist who spent 21 months in federal custody for posing as a bidder in 2008 to prevent oil and gas drilling on thousands of acres of land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management in his home state of Utah. DeChristopher joins us to discuss.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/kO2SN5WddYk

Birthers: Cruz the Canadian Must Step Down

If Obama's not eligible for POTUS status (even while allegedly born in Hawaii), then Cruz must step down. It's as simple as that. The ABA Journal provides the following as a basis of discussion. http://www.abajournal.com/news/articl...

Ted Cruz was born in Canada to an American mother. Does the Constitution bar him from the presidency?

Donald Trump has raised the issue in their campaign for the GOP presidential nomination. According to Trump, questions about Cruz’s eligibility for office could become a “big problem” for Cruz. But many legal scholars disagree, report ABC News and the Associated Press.

The Constitution requires the president to be a “natural born citizen.” Because Cruz was born to a U.S. citizen mother in Canada, he was both a U.S. citizen and a Canadian citizen. Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2014.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on the meaning of the phrase. But Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe is among many scholars who say the better view is that a “natural born citizen” is anyone who was a U.S. citizen at birth and doesn’t need to be naturalized.

Former solicitors general Neal Katyal and Paul Clement agreed with Tribe’s view in a March 2015 article for Harvard Law Review Forum.

Katyal and Clement argue that British common law and enactments of the First Congress support the view that a natural born citizen is anyone who was a citizen at birth, no matter where the person was born.

British common law viewed children born outside the British Empire to its subjects as “natural born” subjects of the empire. And the First Congress passed a law providing that children born to U.S. citizens outside the United States should be considered “natural born citizens,” unless their fathers “have never been resident in the United States.”

Katyal and Clement say Cruz would have qualified as a natural born citizen under Congress’ early definition because his father, a Cuban, had been a resident of the United States. Cruz’s father became a U.S. citizen in 2005.

Catholic University law professor Sarah Helene Duggin told ABC she believes there is a scholarly consensus that Cruz would qualify as a natural born citizen, “but it’s not a done deal.”

Experts aren’t unanimous on the issue, Duggin said. “I don’t think it’s open and shut at all.”
https://youtu.be/NjJagQ1U0rc

Ted Cruz Falls Victim To GOP Birther Hysteria: They Deserve This

Donald Trump is running scared right now. Even though he still holds the title of being the GOP frontrunner, his campaign’s tactics are telling us that he’s clearly growing concerned about the rise of Ted Cruz.
https://youtu.be/_cjxaGEHIJE

Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 12, 2016

https://youtu.be/hKgY8F2W1tc

Doctors must send ultrasound pics to North Carolina officials under ‘creepy’ new anti-abortion law

The law requires health care providers who perform abortions after the 16-week mark to send ultrasound images to North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services so officials can verify the “probable gestational age” of the fetus...
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/doctors-must-send-ultrasound-pics-to-north-carolina-officials-under-creepy-new-anti-abortion-law/

The Brutalism of Ted Cruz

...Cruz’s speeches are marked by what you might call pagan brutalism. There is not a hint of compassion, gentleness and mercy. Instead, his speeches are marked by a long list of enemies, and vows to crush, shred, destroy, bomb them. When he is speaking in a church the contrast between the setting and the emotional tone he sets is jarring...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/opinion/the-brutalism-of-ted-cruz.html

New App Encourages People To Turn Smartphones On Criminal Activity Instead Of Police Miscounduct

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is reportedly developing a crime-reporting app, Fight Crime SF, that will allow citizens to submit photos and video of suspected criminal activity...
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/07/3736833/sfpd-crime-fighting-app/

Though GOP Blames Obama, North Korea Developed Its Nuclear Program Under Republicans | ThinkProgress

Despite claims to the contrary, strong stances have not always worked in the past against North Korea. Ronald Reagan was in office in 1986 when plutonium was first produced in a North Korean reactor. They continued their program under President George H.W. Bush, producing enough plutonium to make 1-2 bombs...
http://thinkprogress.org/world/2016/01/07/3736570/north-korea-obama/