DN Speak

Sunday, June 8, 2014

The Humanist Hour #92: Dr. Anthony B. Pinn

In this month’s show, Todd and Kim interview Dr. Anthony B. Pinn, a member of the American Humanist Association Board of Directors, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities and Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University, and Director of Research for the Institute for Humanist Studies. He is a prolific author and public intellectual working at the intersections of African-American religion, constructive theology, and humanist thought.

The issues and topics covered by Dr. Pinn include his newest book, an autobiography titled Writing God’s Obituary: How a Good Methodist Became a Better Atheist; redemptive suffering; the relationship between humanism, hip hop, and jazz; the concept of theodicy; the issues of diversity in the humanist movement—including suggestions to make improvements; how sex and the human body are seen as shameful by many religious adherents; and more.

Interview:
http://thehumanist.com/multimedia/podcast/the-humanist-hour-92-dr-anthony-b-pinn

"Denying Science" John Grant on Atheists Talk #152, January 29th, 2012

John Grant joins Atheists Talk radio to speak with us about his newly published book, Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions and the War Against Reality.
From his website:

What motivates people to deny science? In some cases the answer is ignorance and lack of the ability to think critically: scientific answers can be complicated and nuanced and require some education to understand, while the answers of gurus and quacks seem simpler . . . and thus, to use Stephen Colbert's term, more "truthy." Far more sinister are the active campaigns mounted, through "think tanks" and fake grassroots organizations, by ideological and commercial entities in a deliberate and often far too successful attempt to deceive the public – from fundamentalists promoting Intelligent Design Creationism to the tobacco giants muddling the science on the health effects of smoking to the fossil-fuel corporations claiming climate change is a hoax. Grant surveys these and a gamut of other denials of established science raised by various panics, urban legends and deliberate distortions amid a general climate of misinformation.

Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/704-john-grant

http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/Ale4FoUpH6s/atheists_talk-0152-012912.mp3

"The Matter with Us" John Rawles on Atheists Talk #160, Sunday March 25, 2012

Once we have rejected the spiritual, we are left with the material. That should simplify our lives, right? Not necessarily. As John Rawles book, The Matter with Us: A Materialistic Account of the Human Predicament, notes on its title page:

The bridge of spaceship Earth is deserted; nobody is in charge. Down below, the passengers are fighting amongst themselves, damaging the craft, looting the stores, and squandering the reserves. As a fellow passenger it gives me no pleasure to report what I see. What's the matter with us that we should behave like this? Surely, we would all prefer that many future generations should continue to enjoy the cruise of a lifetime in safety, comfort and good health; but that seems unlikely. And it was such a beautiful ship.

Of course, the situation isn't all doom and gloom either. We got ourselves here, and at least for now, we have some choices about where we go next. Join us on Sunday as we talk to John Rawles about how we got where we are and what we can do to make sure the cruise goes on.

Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/725-john-rawles2

http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/W2z3Wq_NPTs/atheists_talk-0160-20120325.mp3

"Before the Lights Go Out" Maggie Koerth-Baker on Atheists Talk #161, Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Maggie Koerth-Baker is the author of the new book, Before the Lights Go Out: Conquering the Energy Crisis Before It Conquers Us. Maggie is the science editor and a regular writer at Boing Boing, and hails from the Twin Cities. She was once described as “A lighthouse of reason in a churling ocean of stupidity,” which is exactly why we all need to read her book and listen to her interview this Sunday on Minnesota Atheists Talk Radio.
From the publisher’s review of Before the Lights Go Out:

“Hi, I’m the United States and I’m an oil-oholic.”
We have an energy problem. And everybody knows it, even if we can’t all agree on what, specifically, the problem is. Rising costs, changing climate, peaking oil, foreign oil, public safety—if the fears are this complicated, then the solutions are bound to be even more confusing. Maggie Koerth-Baker… makes sense out of the madness. Over the next 20 years, we’ll be forced to cut 20 quadrillion BTU worth of fossil fuels from our energy budget, by wasting less and investing in alternatives.
To make it work, we’ll need to radically change the energy systems that have shaped our lives for 100 years. And the result will be neither business-as-usual, nor a hippie utopia. Koerth-Baker explains what we can do, what we can’t do, and why “The Solution” is really a lot of solutions working together…

Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/722-before-the-lights-go-out-maggie-koerth-baker-on-atheists-talk-161-sunday-april-1st-2012

http://feeds.mnatheists.org/~r/AtheistsTalkRadioShow/~3/-8dUS7q7FEY/atheists_talk-0161-20120401.mp3

Divine Protection (TheThinkingAtheist)

Romans 8:28 declares, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Luke 12 says that the very hairs on our heads are numbered, and that even the sparrows are not forgotten by God. To the believer, God says "Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." But are the faithful truly insulated from calamity, pain and death? In this podcast, we take a rational look at Divine Protection. Your calls and emails: podcast@thethinkingatheist.com

http://podbay.fm/show/412308695/e/1392930000?autostart=1

American Women, American Nuns (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

For those few women who do it — it’s not a job, exactly — and it’s much bigger than a lifestyle choice. But those few who do hear the call can’t help but say yes. They become nuns. But the women joining the sisterhood today are not your grandma’s novices. Some came from jobs in the corporate world. They’re networked and networkers. They had other options. Who are these women in today’s America who choose to take the triple vow: of chastity, obedience and poverty? This hour On Point: the modern American nun — what is she thinking?

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/27/why-are-american-women-nuns

Misogyny And Murder: Unpacking A Killing In California

What’s in a killer’s heart? We know in the case of last Friday’s Santa Barbara massacre. Because the killer wrote about it at length. He despised women. His unrequited desire turned into a furious hatred. And a plan to kill. A plan he carried out. An overwhelming response followed. A Twitter flood – the #yesallwomen hashtag – women sharing their own stories. Concerns that hatred, entitlement, towards women is woven widely into our culture. Not creating killers necessarily, but haters. Is this true? Where’s the line? And what’s to be done? This hour, On Point: Misogyny. Assessing the damage. / John Donvan

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/28/misogyny-isla-vista-murder-shooting

Egypt's Elections: Islamists, Liberals And The Generals (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Democracy fails. That’s the election taking place this week on the other side of the earth in Egypt, the nation where Arab Spring supposedly was going to change everything. Instead, the army’s back in charge, deciding who can run and who’s banned. On the banned list: Egypt’s biggest party, the Muslim Brotherhood. They’re missing from this election. Also missing? Any outrage from the White House that the game was cooked. Which raises the question: In places where Islamist parties are likely to win, just how committed is the US to democracy? This hour On Point: the Democratic election that isn’t. Not really. / John Donvan

Interview:
onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/28/egypt-elections-sisi-islamism-democracy

Teachers Tell Us Why They've Left The Classroom (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

We put our children in their hands. That’s how much we trust school teachers. But do we respect them? Do we give them the support they need, and the leeway to be the best teachers they can be? A surprisingly large numbers of teachers ultimately decide the answer is no, and they quit. Up to half give up within five years. The question is, why: how is it going so wrong for a profession that rests on at least a little idealism and a lot of passion. Because we do need them. This hour On Point: Three teachers, and why they walked away. / John Donvan

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/29/why-teachers-quit

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Are We Really Too Clean? (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

The signs say it all. Please shower before entering the pool. All employees must wash hands before returning to work. Or to go more Biblical: Cleaniness is next to Godliness. Clean is a social value. It’s the American way. But is there such a thing overworrying the clean thing? Or, is clean good, but are we going about it in the wrong way? Science is beginning to suggest possibly yes to both questions. While socially, more folks are skipping the soap, the shampoo, the deodorant, and everything that we tend to define as cleansing. And how popular are they after that? Or. are they onto something? This hour Up On Point: Hygiene hijinks. Rethinking clean. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/05/30/personal-hygiene-soap-triclosan-ban

America’s Imaginary Hostage Crisis

Skepticality was the recipient of the 'Ockham's Razor Award for Best Podcast 2014! Along with a short announcement about that, this week Derek talks with author Andrew Endersby about his newest book, "America's Imaginary Hostage Crisis". In 1979 a group of Iranian students invaded and occupied the US Embassy in Tehran. The United States military decided the best way to try to deal with the event was to use a group of newly 'trained' psychics using remote viewing to determine what was going on within the walls of the embassy. Now that the actual papers are available, which detail what the remote viewers actually reported, how accurate were they, really?

Interview:

http://www.skepticality.com/americas-imaginary-hostage-crisis/

Do The Most Good (Skepticality)

This week Derek has a conversation with William MacAskill. William is a former Fulbright scholar at Princeton University, and PhD at Oxford University. William is the founder of Oxford’s Center for Effective Altruism and of 80,000 Hours, a service which helps determine how best to use your time to do the most good. As a person who is deeply concerned with the effects of charitable giving, he set out to provide ways for people to give in the most effective manner possible. What are the best places to give your money so it has the highest potential to further good in the world? William discusses why it was important for the charities he helped create have a scientific way to determine where donations and/or work should be best directed for the most good.

Interview:

http://www.skepticality.com/mostgood/

Racist Mom Vs. Racist Bieber: RacistMania 2014!

http://youtu.be/HTtzs2qC6xo

Skeptic of the Week - MrRationalThought

About the movie, God's Not Dead...

http://youtu.be/J5-Yr3Lv1Ps

David Smalley: "Learning to Love your Enemy"

This is the short presentation by David Smalley, host of Dogma Debate, before the May 31, 2014 "Refining Reason" debate between Matt Dillahunty and Sye Ten Bruggencate.

http://youtu.be/TsD4vMp94pU

SCIENCE IS A LIE! (ATHEISM DEFEATED) (satire)

I disprove science and math . . . in 3 minutes! Take that atheism!

http://youtu.be/UrfF--cOeK8

3 Reasons to Live Together Before Marriage

http://youtu.be/_l2sx3IIpWg

The Results Are In: America Is Dumb and on the Road to Getting Dumber

Blame religious fundamentalism and the poor quality of science education in America's schools.

Discrimination Nation: Poll Reveals Public Support For Prejudicial Religious-Based Policies

The poll, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), showed that one out of 10 Americans said they support a legal right to religiously motivated racial discrimination.
... Read more

Scientists have discovered and proven how sleep is key to forming new memories and learning in groundbreaking new study

Scientists have discovered how sleep is key to learning and forming new memories. How much sleep do you get and is it enough?

Bill Maher Points Out The Obvious On Why Gitmo Prisoners Can't Be Tried - We Tortured Them

It's been a very long week watching the right-wing freakout over the the prisoner swap for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, with everyone from John Bolton, to Ted ... Read more

Former Reagan Advisor: Tea Partiers Are "Morons, Stupid, Ignoramuses, Bigots, Dying Off."

On "The Ed Show," Ed Schultz interviewed former Reagan advisor- slash- Bush 41 policy advisor Bruce Bartlett about the tea party as well as your favor... Read more

RWW News: Robertson Mocks Efforts To Curb Air Pollution

Pat Robertson mocks the connection between air pollution and asthma, heart attacks.

http://youtu.be/TW-k2_cfKFI

How to get a boy to like you! | Becca Hodgekins (humor)

Here are my sure fire genuine tested ways of getting a boy to like you despite his personal thoughts and opinions.

http://youtu.be/vz9Niq11idI

The Silk Road: Connecting the ancient world through trade - Shannon Harris Castelo

With modern technology, a global exchange of goods and ideas can happen at the click of a button. But what about 2,000 years ago? Shannon Harris Castelo unfolds the history of the 5,000-mile Silk Road, a network of multiple routes that used the common language of commerce to connect the world's major settlements, thread by thread.

http://youtu.be/vn3e37VWc0k

Michael Pollan: The Vestibule of Hell

Michael Pollan explains the whole hog barbecue traditions of The Skylight Inn in Ayden, North Carolina. Pollan is the author of The Omnivore's Dilemma. His latest is Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.

http://youtu.be/UecLKGsSkhE

Конкурс от Tornado Energy. (humor)

http://youtu.be/SfSQEtXoj6g

Q&A 2014 Lawrence Krauss on Science Cuts

http://youtu.be/LuNrE46CXMo

Christian "Disproves" Evolution?

There's a popular video post on Facebook right now by a guy named Joshua Feuerstein. He's apparently quite a successful preacha man. Unfortunately, his success far eclipses the merit of his ideas...

*** Explicit Language ***

http://youtu.be/ieIxQtKogl4

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Disrupting Philosophies!

Neil deGrasse Tyson - American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. He is currently the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space and a research associate in the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

http://youtu.be/COugMyojCTQ

Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system

In the first evidence of a natural intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system, a study in the June 5 issue of the Cell Stem Cell shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protect against immune system damage — a major side effect of chemotherapy — but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal...
Read more

Advice for those considering joining the military

Retired Special Forces Master Sergeant Stan Goff explains what military life really entails. Stan's website is feralscholar.org.
http://youtu.be/_8rbHwMXMT8

DELETE YOUR FACEBOOK

A real issue is people who are oblivious to what they are giving up. Not everyone is informed and educated, this video aims to start a conversation so that users can educate themselves and then make informed decisions. Remember how many kids use these services, many of which don't even know what TOS stands for. Who's fault is it then? Who is responsible for educating these younger users of the information they are giving up to use that service?...
http://youtu.be/EfnKmPQdapw

Cable companies are reportedly funding fake consumer groups to attack net neutrality

The public wants net neutrality so badly that it broke the FCC's website. But can the weighty voice of the people combat well-funded astroturfing? VICE believes that the nation's cable companies are funding groups that pretend to represent consumers...
Read more

For GOP Senate Candidates, Banning Same-Sex Marriage In The Constitution Has Lost Its Appeal

Of the 83 Republicans currently running for the U.S. Senate, just 6 explicitly support a constitutional amendment to ban ... Read more

Chilling Documentary Looks At The Deadly Consequences Of Denying Medicaid Coverage

"They're just our fellow human beings, and we need to stop stigmatizing them just so we can tell ourselves it's okay to let ... Read more

Oil Companies Are Still Using The Faulty Equipment That Caused The BP Oil Spill

"It could happen again," a lead investigator of the Chemical Safety Board report said.The post Oil Companies Are Still Using ... Read more

The Northeast’s Cap-And-Trade System Just Had Its Most Successful Auction Ever

The continued success of northeast's cap-and-trade system could be a clear and easy path for those states to comply with EPA's ... Read more

Friday, June 6, 2014

High School Atheist Gives TEDxYouth Talk About the Obstacles He Faced in Forming a Secular Student Group

Jordan Balderas just graduated from high school, and he spent his senior year trying to start a group for atheists and Agnostics at his school called “Youth for Truth.” (The name, he says, suggests that they’re searching for truth, not that they alone possess it.)

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/06/05/high-school-atheist-gives-tedxyouth-talk-about-the-obstacles-he-faced-in-forming-a-secular-student-group/

http://youtu.be/kwp6QOGWLaM

Week In The News: Bowe Bergdahl, Obama In Europe, EPA Climate Plan (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

They’re above the beach in Normandy today, remembering the 70^th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The president, European leaders, Vladimir Putin, World War II vets. Beyond the beach, it’s been a tough week for Western unity. Putin cut out at the G7 meeting. But France selling Russia a warship. Negative interest rates. At home, uproar over Bowe Bergdahl and the swap for Taliban commanders. A Tea Party surge in a key Republican primary in Mississippi. A big EPA climate push to rein in dirty power plants. This hour On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines. / Tom Ashbrook

Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/06/06/bowe-bergdahl-g7-putin-climate-epa

Friday News Roundup - Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

Senators still have questions after a White House briefing on the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. GOP Senate candidates in Mississippi’s primary head for a runoff. And a look at the unemployment picture for May.

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-06-06/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup - International (Diane Rehm Show)

World leaders meet in Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Afghan's President Karzai condemns the Taliban prisoner swap for Bowe Bergdahl. And tens of thousands in Hong Kong gather to mark the Tiananmen Square massacre. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Interview:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-06-06/friday-news-roundup-international

Sgt. Bergdahl Tried To Escape Afghanistan Twice

Republicans and their talking heads have openly been portraying Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl as a traitor and a Nick Brody in training ever since President Obam... Read more

Jon Stewart Rips Open Carry Groups In Texas, Someone Could Respond With ‘deadly Force’

Stewart said, "We are at the intersection of Open Carry Road and 'Stand Your Ground' Place. Here's where we are. So what the f... Read more

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Soldier Trashing Bergdahl Received ‘Other Than Honorable’ Discharge

Josh Korder, a former Army sergeant from Minnesota who served with Bowe Bergdahl, left the service with an "other than honorable" discharge. ... Read more

Cable Companies Are Astroturfing Fake Consumer Support to End Net Neutrality | VICE United States

Why would a self-professed consumer advocacy group not only oppose moving toward net neutrality but claim that America's broadband market—one of the slowest, most expensive in the industrialized world with fewer than three choices in many parts of the country—is so great?

Perhaps because ACI, like Broadband for America, is financed by an ISP lobby group. Annual tax returns show that a foundation controlled by lobbyists from the cell phone industry, called MyWireless.org, has contributed to ACI since 2010.

http://www.vice.com/read/cables-companies-are-astroturfing-fake-consumer-support-to-end-net-neutrality

How The Theocratic Right Wing Guarantees Its Legacy: Grooming Future Judges | Crooks and Liars

Theocracy is coming to the USA, courtesy of Blackstone Legal Foundation, Alliance Defense Fund and associated non-profits. Meet the new generation of theocrats.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/06/how-blackstone-fellowships-build?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

GOP, We’ll Take Hillary Clinton’s One Concussion And Raise You Paul Ryan’s Three Concussions

Someone tell Matt Drudge: Paul Ryan had THREE concussions. ... Read more

Catholic group exempt from contraceptives rule

A federal judge has granted nearly 200 Catholic employers an injunction to temporarily prevent the U.S. government from forcing them to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/06/05/3097208/us-judge-in-oklahoma-grants-health.html

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/06/05/3097208/us-judge-in-oklahoma-grants-health.html#storylink=cpy

American Family Association advises boycott of Harvey Milk Postage Stamps

This year, the United States Postal Service released a long-awaited and overdue postage stamp in honor of a pioneering legislator and advocate not only for the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans* (LGBT) people, but for all people, especially those who had been traditionally locked out of the legislative power structure that often attempted to control their lives. The stamp bears the likeness of Harvey Bernard Milk, the first openly gay person elected to the San Francisco City Board of Supervisors in 1977, who worked for and garnered support from members of a wide coalition of groups and communities...

http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/2014/06/05/sending-harvey-milk-throughout-the-planet/

First draft of state GOP 2014 platform has revamped planks on immigration, homosexuality

The first blueprint of the Republican Party of Texas’ 2014 platform contains a revamped immigration plank that emphasizes a beefed-up plan for border security and a proposes a visa program to allow undocumented immigrants to serve as guest workers, according to a copy obtained by the San Antonio Express-News/Houston Chronicle....

http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2014/06/first-draft-of-state-gop-2014-platform-has-revamped-planks-on-immigration-homosexuality/

Philly Archdiocese sues over Obamacare HHS mandate

Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput’s political statements surrounding President Obama began well before the Catholic leader ever came to Philadelphia.

Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/No-surprise-Philly-Archdiocese-sues-over-Obamacares-HHS-mandate-262008051.html#ixzz33sQZ7NUg

9/11 Victim's Bill Blocked By Chiquita Bananas

"For years, the conglomerate paid off Colombian militias. So it's no wonder the company is now furiously lobbying to stop a bill that would make it easier to sue terror financiers.

Washington makes for strange alliances—and even stranger enemies. But this could wind up being the oddest confrontation of all. Chiquita, the world's largest banana producer, is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to block a 9/11 victims' bill, The Daily Beast has learned. And outraged supporters of the legislation accuse a senior lawmaker, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, of working with the fruit kings to stand in their way.

According to Congressional lobbying disclosures, Chiquita has spent some $780,000 over the past year and a half lobbying against the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a bill conceived of and supported by a group of 9/11 victims and families to aid their claims against actors who supported the terrorist attacks."

http://youtu.be/LW_m8DVLJx8

The decline of biblical literalism and the rise of secularism in one chart

(RNS) America could be experiencing a decline of literalism and the rise of secularism, according to one interpretation of a recent Gallup Poll... http://www.religionnews.com/2014/06/05/decline-literalism-rise-secularism-one-chart/

People Self-Identify As Conservative, But That's Changing & Here's Why

"More Americans continue to identify themselves as conservatives than as liberals on economic and social matters. However, the conservative advantage on each dimension is shrinking from higher points in recent years, down to 21 points on economic policy and four points on social policy.

The results are based on Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs poll, conducted May 8-11. Currently, 34% of Americans say they are conservative, 35% say moderate, and 30% say liberal on social issues. On economic issues, 42% say they are conservative, 34% say moderate, and 21% say liberal. The four-point conservative lead on social ideology and 21-point lead on economic ideology rank as the smallest Gallup has measured in the 14 years it has asked Americans to describe their views on those issue dimensions separately, although the 21-point conservative lead on economic policy was also found in 2007 and 2008."* Steve Oh, Jimmy Dore (The Jimmy Dore Show) and John Iadarola (TYT University) break it down.

http://youtu.be/QjnLLmVnZHA

Obama Derangement Syndrome Strikes Again

"The undisputed winner of Twitter today is Matt Binder, a producer at Majority FM who has spend untold minutes/hours digging up tweets from conservatives who called for Bowe Bergdahl to be freed ... until he was, and they turned on him."

http://youtu.be/3gl9J6Ih8tg

Treat soda same as tobacco: Study

A Southern California public health study released on Thursday has shown that a wide majority of residents support the idea of implementation of tax on sugary drinks and soda and restricting junk food advertisements aimed at children to help fight obesity.

http://www.delhidailynews.com/news/Treat-soda-same-as-tobacco--Study-1402054153/

The Fight To Take Back Our Health Care System From Junk Science

A new "Safe and Secular" campaign is trying to encourage Americans to demand fact-based policy, not faith-based ... Read more

North Carolina To Lift Fracking Ban And Criminalize The Disclosure Of Fracking Chemicals

"I think this bill was railroaded through both chambers of the legislature."The post North Carolina To Lift Fracking Ban And ... Read more

Lawmaker Compares Labor Unions To Hitler

"The unions are about power and control," he began. The post Lawmaker Compares Labor Unions To Hitler appeared first on ... Read more

No, EPA’s New Regulations Are Not Going To Make The Poor Poorer

The latest talking point from critics is that the rules will hurt low-income Americans. But economist Dean Baker says that just ... Read more

New Texas GOP Platform Calls On Politicians To Ignore Climate Change

The 2014 temporary Texas GOP platform calls "climate change" a political agenda which attempts to control every aspect of our ... Read more

Netflix-Verizon feud flares up again

Netflix has begun displaying messages for users whose videos are slow to load that blame Verizon (VZ, Tech30) and other Internet service providers for the problem. It's the latest development in the streaming service's battle with the country's largest ISPs. Read more

Amid Horror At Mass Graves Of Children, Calls In Ireland For An Inquiry

Amid Horror At Mass Graves Of Children, Calls In Ireland For An Inquiry by Camila Domonoske June 05, 2014 2:37 PM ET i i Leinster House is home to... Read more

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Two Atheist Charities Merge to Have a Greater Impact in Times of Need

Last November, after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, the American Humanist Association’s Humanist Charities raised more than $25,000 in a single day. Foundation Beyond Belief’s Humanist Crisis Response program raised more than $61,000...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/06/04/two-atheist-charities-merge-to-have-a-greater-impact-in-times-of-need/

My Book About Young Atheists Was Handed Out at Kentucky High Schools Yesterday

...This distribution shouldn’t have been necessary — but it was a perfect response to the Gideons’ Bible giveaway...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/06/04/my-book-about-young-atheists-was-handed-out-at-kentucky-high-schools-yesterday/

Republican Pretends He's A Democrat & That's Not The Worst Part

"One failed GOP candidate will do just about anything to win in Arizona's heavily Hispanic 7th congressional district -- including switching parties and legally changing his name to that of Hispanic labor and civil rights icon Cesar Chavez.

The Arizona Capitol Times reported Monday that Scott Fistler, who launched a failed write-in campaign as a Republican against Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ) in 2012, successfully petitioned an Arizona superior court last November to change his legal name to Cesar Chavez.

Chavez also became a Democrat earlier this year before filing to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Pastor, who is retiring.

Reached for comment by the Capitol Times, Chavez said he had been "flooded with calls and emails" and was no longer speaking to the press."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

http://youtu.be/CUcYR2g6b5w

Why Stephen Colbert Should Be Proud & The Media Should Be Ashamed

"A new report warns just how much this country stands to lose when Stephen Colbert shutters his Comedy Central late-night show to take over for David Letterman at CBS. According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, viewers of The Colbert Report who watched Colbert set up a super PAC and 501(c)(4) organization during the last presidential election cycle were better informed about campaign financing and the role of money in politics than viewers of actual news channels and other, actual-news shows.

"It's the first study actually showing that Colbert is doing a better job than ColbertReportother news sources at teaching people about campaign financing," crowed Bruce W. Hardy, lead author of the study and a senior researcher at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. "Consistently, we found that Colbert did better than every other news source we included in our model.""* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

http://youtu.be/-tuBMJ_NJeU

Russia's Online Troll Army Is Huge, Hilarious & Already Everywhere

"Russia's campaign to shape international opinion around its invasion of Ukraine has extended to recruiting and training a new cadre of online trolls that have been deployed to spread the Kremlin's message on the comments section of top American websites.

Plans attached to emails leaked by a mysterious Russian hacker collective show IT managers reporting on a new ideological front against the West in the comments sections of Fox News, Huffington Post, The Blaze, Politico, and WorldNetDaily.

The bizarre hive of social media activity appears to be part of a two-pronged Kremlin campaign to claim control over the internet, launching a million-dollar army of trolls to mold American public opinion as it cracks down on internet freedom at home."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

http://youtu.be/CussBbmJHzI

Dear Corrupt Politicians: That Sound You Hear Is Us Winning

"The Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday began a long-shot bid at pushing a constitutional amendment that would limit deep-pocketed political campaign donors' influence.

With plenty of politics but very limited prospects of actually changing the Constitution, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the free flow of "shady money" into politics the biggest threat to democracy he's seen. His Republican counterpart, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, called efforts to limit campaign spending a tactic to rile up Democrats this election year.

Changing the Constitution is an intentionally difficult process, and leaders from both parties acknowledge that the Democrats' efforts to prohibit super PACs are likely to result in little more than election-year posturing. But Democrats plan to push forward to force Republicans to cast votes on this topic before November's elections."* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

http://youtu.be/CWqovERaCGE'