DN Speak

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Ongoing Rise In Kids’ Blood Pressure Is Driven By Bad Food And Bad Policy Alike

The Ongoing Rise In Kids' Blood Pressure Is Driven By Bad Food And Bad Policy Alike
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 16, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/oeN0W

American children's risk for having high blood pressure has ballooned by 27 percent over 13 years, according to new ... Read more

Why People Should Be Outraged at Zimmerman's 'Not Guilty' Verdict

Minority Rule -- Senator Bernie Sanders

Rafael Cruz: The Declaration And Constitution Were "Divine Revelation From God"

Got seeds? Now add bleach, acid and sandpaper - Mary Koga

7 Mind Blowing Moments From Zimmerman Juror B37′s First Interview

7 Mind Blowing Moments From Zimmerman Juror B37′s First Interview
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 16, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/oa5rt

On Monday night, one of the jurors in the George Zimmerman trial offered shocking insight into how the group of six women ... Read more

STUDY: Kids Are Impacted By Their Parents’ Relationship, Not Their Sexual Orientation

STUDY: Kids Are Impacted By Their Parents' Relationship, Not Their Sexual Orientation
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 16, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o9vrR

A second study in as many weeks has found that adopted children are not impacted by the sexual orientation of their parents. ... Read more

Survey Finds “Ticking Economic Time Bomb” In Wall Street Ethics

Survey Finds "Ticking Economic Time Bomb" In Wall Street Ethics
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 16, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/oaDLc

A quarter of Wall Street employees have witnessed wrongdoing in their workplaces and about as many say they would commit ... Read more

Rafael Cruz: The Declaration And Constitution Were "Divine Revelation From God"

Ten fabulous Finder commands you should be using | Macworld

Ten fabulous Finder commands you should be using | Macworld
MACWORLD.COM
http://pulse.me/s/oaxuo

Why the G.O.P. Needs to Lose For a Third Time

Why the G.O.P. Needs to Lose For a Third Time
THE NEW YORKER | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o5MW0

Morsi's out, Zimmerman's free, Spitzer's back, Snowden's still in Moscow, and the G.O.P. is still dominated by right-wing true believers. Those were t Read more

Bob Schieffer: "You pass a farm bill in the House. It gives billions of dollars, much of it to large corporations that own farms. It's almost like welfare for the wealthy. But you don't include a dollar for hungry people for Food Stamps. What kind of a message is that you're sending?"

Bob Schieffer: "You pass a farm bill in the House. It gives billions of dollars, much of it to large corporations that own farms. It's almost like welfare for the wealthy. But you don't include a dollar for hungry people for Food Stamps. What kind of a message is that you're sending?"
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o574M

Sweet snacks 'link to bowel cancer'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23308455

See also http://dnspeak.blogspot.com/search/label/sugar

Catholic Celibacy Conference Will Include Trainings By Ex-Gay Therapists

Catholic Celibacy Conference Will Include Trainings By Ex-Gay Therapists
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o53jH

Next week, Catholics will converge in Illinois for the annual conference of the Courage ministry, which shames Catholic gays ... Read more

Monday, July 15, 2013

U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban, Spreads Government-Made News To Americans

U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban, Spreads Government-Made News To Americans
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o3B1m

Jehovah's Witness Children's cartoon about obedience to God -- Top comment: "The moral of the story is, it is better to rob your child of the simple joys of childhood than to disappoint your imaginary friend."

Jehovah's Witness Children's cartoon about obedience to God -- Top comment: "The moral of the story is, it is better to rob your child of the simple joys of childhood than to disappoint your imaginary friend."
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o4QOF

Got Science? Pushing Back Against Corporate 'Counterfeit Science' (Op-Ed)

Got Science? Pushing Back Against Corporate 'Counterfeit Science' (Op-Ed)
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o8kDp
Read more

Note: Koch Industries and others at it again.

The Outspoken Generation: Children Of Same-Sex Couples Defend Their Families

The Outspoken Generation: Children Of Same-Sex Couples Defend Their Families
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 15, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o4xCt

Conservatives have launched a new offensive against same-sex parenting, accusing them of child abuse simply for raising a ... Read more

Propaganda on NSA Spying & Snowden Not Working

Bill Maher on Illegal Immigration and the Coming Surge

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Obama considers ending NSA surveillance programs.

Obama considers ending NSA surveillance programs.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o0nGk

Top Democrat Goes Off On GOP For Slashing Food Stamps

Top Democrat Goes Off On GOP For Slashing Food Stamps
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o2t9w

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) slammed the Republican-controlled House's decision to cut food stamps out of the ... Read more

Swedish professor urges the Nobel peace prize commitee to give Snowden the Nobel peace prize.

Swedish professor urges the Nobel peace prize commitee to give Snowden the Nobel peace prize.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o2WqO
Read more

Shale Shocked: Sharp Rise In U.S. Earthquakes Directly Linked To Fracking Wastewater Reinjection

Shale Shocked: Sharp Rise In U.S. Earthquakes Directly Linked To Fracking Wastewater Reinjection
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o26OQ

Distant Quakes Trigger Tremors at U.S. Waste-Injection Sites This double repost excerpts the releases for two new important ... Read more

Black TV Host: ‘I Live In A Country That Makes Me Wish My Sons Away…Because It’s Not Safe’

Black TV Host: 'I Live In A Country That Makes Me Wish My Sons Away…Because It's Not Safe'
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o3wwe

On Sunday, MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry became emotional while discussing how race may have impacted the George Zimmerman ... Read more

Gamechanger: Next Generation Wind Turbines With Storage Are Cheap, Reliable And Brilliant

Gamechanger: Next Generation Wind Turbines With Storage Are Cheap, Reliable And Brilliant
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 14, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o3MVh

What makes a new wind turbine exciting? Wind companies are always trying to making their next turbine spin more efficiently and ... Read more

Good Reasons for "Believing" in God - Dan Dennett, AAI 2007

Interview:
Dan Dennett's talk at the AAI 2007 Conference in Washington, D.C. He is presented with the 2007 Richard Dawkins award at the introduction.

Note the quote marks in the title around the word "Believing". Dennett discusses a number of reasons people feel obligated to profess faith in religion or God, even when they don't truly believe. Example: One might speculate that a, common faith keeps social order, with people all thinking alike and trusting one another; without faith to bind people, society might come apart at the seams. For them, "Don't talk about your unbelief. Don't even think about it" -- lest you cause a catastrophe for society.

'The Evolution of Confusion' by Dan Dennett, AAI 2009

Interview:
Dan Dennett talks about purposely-confusing theology and how it's used. He also describes his new project interviewing clergyman who secretly don't believe anymore, and introduces a new term: "Deepity."

Dan Dennett is the author of many excellent books, including "Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon" and "Darwin's Dangerous Idea". He is also featured in the video "The Four Horsemen" along with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

What is Humanism?

http://www.americanhumanist.org/Humanism

Humanism and Its Aspirations

Also see the The Humanist Manifesto III and the list of posts in the Atheism category.

FFRF and ACLU win! The public school district in Jackson Ohio has agreed to permanently remove the portrait of Jesus that hung above its middle school's main entrance.

FFRF and ACLU win! The public school district in Jackson Ohio has agreed to permanently remove the portrait of Jesus that hung above its middle school's main entrance.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 13, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nSN0i
Read more

Open Thread Plus Cartoon Of The Week

Open Thread Plus Cartoon Of The Week
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 13, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o1l38

Opine away! H/T I Heart Climate Scientists Read more

Obama Administration Officials: The Enemies Of Obamacare Are Its Best Friends

Obama Administration Officials: The Enemies Of Obamacare Are Its Best Friends
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 13, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/o1hpc

From delaying the employer mandate to postponing the verification requirements for receiving subsidies in the Affordable Care ... Read more

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Wounded Soldier Writes Letter About Being Forced To Commit War Crimes In Iraq . . . Then Commits Suicide

Wounded Soldier Writes Letter About Being Forced To Commit War Crimes In Iraq . . . Then Commits Suicide
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nJQLK

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power--with author and religion reporter Jeff Sharlet

Interview:
http://player.fm/series/truth-driven-thinking/tdt-number-77-the-family-the-secret-fundamentalism-at-the-heart-of-american-power-with-author-and-religion-reporter-jeff-sharlet

Back in the national spotlight, religion reporter Jeff Sharlet joins Stephen Gibson to discuss his book about the secretive influence of a religious "elect" that has wielded power and influence in Washington D.C. since the 1930s. The book, "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power," is not conspiratorial in nature, but the newly discovered connections to Sen. John Ensign and S.C. governor Mark Sanford are nothing compared to the larger, elitist religious views Sharlet says are at the core of this controversial and powerful group.

Beliefs of a Non-Believer--A Sermon by "Russ"

Interview: http://podbay.fm/show/125255718/e/1251814627?autostart=1

Steve is honored to air a recent Sermon delivered to a UU Congregation, by a reader/podcast listener--about the richness and value he finds in a skeptical worldview. A copy of the presentation is available at Steve's BLOG as well (http://truthdriven.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/sermon-beliefs-of-a-non-believer/).

Humanist Approach to Happiness--Jen Hancock (30 min excerpt)

Full Interview: https://truth.bloomfire.com/posts/436265-tdt-89-humanist-approach-to-happiness/public

A humanist's "holy trinity":

Be Responsible.
Be Ethical.
Be Compassionate.

From finances and porn, to drugs, relationships, health, and a humanistic "holy trinity," adults will also learn from this discussion of morality and virtues for young adults and teens, with guest author Jen Hancock. TDT

Meaning and Morality Apart from God--Luke Meuhlhauser

Interview:
https://truth.bloomfire.com/posts/432114-tdt-87-meaning-and-morality-apart-from-god-luke-meuhlhauser/public

After sharing his deconversion story, this philosopher shares his thoughts on meaning and morality without god. Is there such a thing as an "objective moral standard" that we can all agree to live by? Is religion even a source of morality?

Week In The News: Egypt, Airliner Crash, Boston Bombing Suspect In Court (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/07/12/week-in-the-news-238

Big rivers of news this week. From Congress, with its fireworks on immigration, food stamps, farm bill, filibuster. From Egypt, where many have died as the military and Muslim Brotherhood face off. From the courts, where the trial of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin wraps up in drama, and the young Boston bombing suspect made his first appearance. From disaster zones – an airliner down in San Francisco, an oil train and much of a town blown up in Canada. Hot times in the summertime.

This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

- Tom Ashbrook

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-07-12/friday-news-roundup-domestic

House Republicans overwhelmingly resist comprehensive immigration overhaul. President Barack Obama's nominee to head the FBI answers questions about domestic surveillance. And the Boston Marathon bombing suspect pleads not guilty. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top domestic news stories.

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-07-12/friday-news-roundup-international

Egypt's military government calls for the arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leaders. President Barack Obama considers pulling all troops from Afghanistan after 2014. And the U.S. warns China on cyber theft. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Netflix worth watching: Bitter Harvest (1981 version)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082077/

Note: There are at least 2 other films with the same title. They are not about the same thing.

Congressman who used to be a high school English teacher irks GOP by marking their memos with a red pen.

Congressman who used to be a high school English teacher irks GOP by marking their memos with a red pen.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXFya

11-Year-Old Unable to have Abortion in Chile Because of Jesus -- She became pregnant after being continually raped by her stepfather. "Think about it. An 11-year-old girl who is the victim of rape has to now become a mother because she has no other options"

11-Year-Old Unable to have Abortion in Chile Because of Jesus -- She became pregnant after being continually raped by her stepfather. "Think about it. An 11-year-old girl who is the victim of rape has to now become a mother because she has no other options"
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nW6Ja

Meet The People Who Lost Their Housing Thanks To Budget Cuts

Meet The People Who Lost Their Housing Thanks To Budget Cuts
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nZvrD

Ismael Brazza was one of the lucky few to move to the top of the waiting list for Section 8 housing vouchers in Washington ... Read more

Irish Jury Confirms: Better Abortion Care Would Have Prevented Savita Halapannavar's Tragic Death | ThinkProgress

Irish Jury Confirms: Better Abortion Care Would Have Prevented Savita Halapannavar's Tragic Death | ThinkProgress
THINKPROGRESS.ORG
http://pulse.me/s/o0kKt

Spurred By Savita’s Tragic Death, Irish Lawmakers Work To Amend The Country’s Total Abortion Ban

Spurred By Savita's Tragic Death, Irish Lawmakers Work To Amend The Country's Total Abortion Ban
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nZODB

After an all-night debate, Irish lawmakers approved an update to the deeply conservative country's abortion law early on ... Read more

See How Much Sequestration Is Hurting Communities Across The Country

See How Much Sequestration Is Hurting Communities Across The Country
THINKPROGRESS | JULY 12, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nZwQr

The latest victims of sequestration, the automatic, across-the-board budget cuts that went into effect in March, were 650,000 ... Read more

A dream since Leonardo da Vinci, we have finally built a human powered helicopter! Go Humanity!

A dream since Leonardo da Vinci, we have finally built a human powered helicopter! Go Humanity!
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXyeU

Elizabeth Warren Introduces 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act

Elizabeth Warren Introduces 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXNgz

Thursday, July 11, 2013

One liner comedian - this kid's brilliant.

One liner comedian - this kid's brilliant.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nxc1b

New evidence that the fluid injected into empty fracking wells has caused earthquakes in the US, including a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma that destroyed 14 homes.

New evidence that the fluid injected into empty fracking wells has caused earthquakes in the US, including a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma that destroyed 14 homes.
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXXxQ

Elizabeth Warren Introducing A Bill That Would Be Wall Street's Worst Nightmare: "Today, she'll introduce a bill to reenact Glass-Steagall."

Elizabeth Warren Introducing A Bill That Would Be Wall Street's Worst Nightmare: "Today, she'll introduce a bill to reenact Glass-Steagall."
REDDIT TOP NEWS | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXQG1

The Accidental Atheist: How I Got Here and How You Can Help

Interview:

How does a true believer come to atheism? Understand Stephen's path, backed by archived exchanges with two former pastors and one retired Episcopal bishop, as well as an evolutionary biologist--all in order to share with Christian believers exactly how and why some people stop believing. Wouldn't believers want to fully understand that process? Perhaps save others from it? Of course Steve's goal is not that, but rather is mutual understanding--as the first step toward tolerant, peaceful, and respectful interactions. He understands the world of believers; have you tried to genuinely understand his story? As you will find out, it wasn't a willful or conscious choice. (Excerpts with Bishop John Shelby Spong, scholars and former pastors Dr. Robert M. Price and Tom Harpur, and biologist Dr. David Sloan Wilson.)

Part 1: Listen here or the YouTube video below.

Part 2: Listen here or the YouTube video below.

Dinesh D'Souza Debates Daniel Dennett

Interview:

Full YouTube Playlist with all 15 parts:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL93719CE5428E5D49

The Credibility of Biblical Miracles (Sam Harris, Re-Evolution fest)

Pommel Horse/鞍馬

A Terrified GOP

A Terrified GOP
THEDAILYBEAST | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nLaMp

Has anyone else noticed how pathetically frightened the Republican Party is that Obamacare just might succeed? I know, we're all supposed to think th... Read more

U.N. Takes on the Vatican

U.N. Takes on the Vatican
THEDAILYBEAST | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXMwC

After years of noncompliance, the Vatican is finally being taken to task by the United Nation's Commission for the Rights of the Child about its dodgy... Read more

The Real College Crisis

The Real College Crisis
THEDAILYBEAST | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nR590

Senators sparred Wednesday over whether and how to subsidize federal loans for college students, whose total debt load has tripled in the last eight y... Read more

U.S.’s Disappearing Deficit

U.S.'s Disappearing Deficit
THEDAILYBEAST | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nYvcZ

If there was any question as to whether we are living in a Golden Age of Deficit Reduction™, the June Treasury Monthly Statement, released Thursday af... Read more

Americans Pay at the Pump While Speculators Profit and Play

Americans Pay at the Pump While Speculators Profit and Play
BUSINESS NEWS ON HUFFINGTON POST | JULY 11, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/nXLrh
Incredibly, since the later part of June, the price of oil has spiked by $12 a barrel to close at $107/bbl yesterday, a jump of close to 15 percent ov... Read more