Obama calls for cities to build government-run high-speed internet

* President Barack Obama is visiting Cedar Falls, IA, today to make the case for local governments building their own broadband networks. * 19 st...  Read more

Here's what it looks like when a lab-grown muscle flexes

Duke University researchers have grown a contracting human muscle in a lab and captured it on video. The muscle acts like one found inside the body w...  Read more

The basic truth about internet access that Obama knows and cable companies want to hide

"...The American cities that are delivering best-in-the-world speeds at bargain prices are precisely the cities that aren't relying on Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Time-Warner, etc. to run their infrastructure." ...  Read more

11 myths about homelessness in America

Myth #1: Homeless people are lazy and don't want to work. About 44 percent of homeless people around the country did some paid work during the previou...  Read more

a waterfall in Iceland

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White House Weighs In On House GOP's New Social Security Ploy

The White House has weighed in publicly for the first time on a House Republican move that could precipitate a fight over Social Security in the next ... Read more

RNC Censures Dave Agema Over Anti-Gay, Racist Comments

The Republican National Committee's executive committee voted on Wednesday to censure Michigan national committeeman Dave Agema over racist and anti-g... Read more

GOP Rep Bashes GOP 'Overreach' Against Obama On Immigration

Hershey, Pa. — A Republican congressman is criticizing his party for overreaching with its new legislation to thwart President Barack Obama's deportat... Read more

GOP Guv Is Demanding His State Expand Medicaid Under O-Care

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead (R) has become a forceful advocate for Medicaid expansion, using his State of the State address on Wednesday to demand Wyoming'... Read more

Neb. Guv Condemns School Board Member's Blog Calling Obama A 'Half-Breed'

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) on Tuesday condemned the conservative blog of a Republican state Board of Education member over its description of Pre... Read more

JP Morgan ‘Under Assault’ By Unpatriotic Regulators, CEO Says

Despite leading JP Morgan Chase through numerous scandals that exemplify the need for tighter banking regulation, Jamie Dimon ... Read more

Study Reveals Scary New Facts About Sea Level Rise

"It's a larger problem than we initially thought," lead writer Eric Morrow said. The post Study Reveals Scary New Facts About ... Read more

The Key To Closing The Income Gap Is An Idea Almost Nobody Is Talking About

A look at the new recommendations for combating "a toxic combination of too little growth and rising inequality" in ... Read more

The Religious Right: Stronger Than Ever Before - Eddie Tabash

Eddie Tabash, chair of the Board of Directors of all of CFI and a prominent constitutional lawyer, will bring us up to date on the latest and most successful efforts of the religious right to abolish the separation of church and state and to usher in a theocracy.

Tabash also chairs the First Amendment Task Force of the Council for Secular Humanism, serves as chair of the National League Committee for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and is known for his work directed at protecting full legal equality for everyone regardless of perspective on matters of religion.

Tabash is also one of the most well-known atheist spokespersons and debaters in the country.

http://youtu.be/UC2oAFGkgYM

Most Americans feel they are falling behind

Forget getting ahead. Most Americans say their income isn't even keeping up with the cost of living.
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Elon Musk gives $10M to fight killer robots

Musk, the founder of both Telsa Motors (TSLA) and SpaceX, has long expressed concern about the threat he fears smart machines and computers could pose to human civilization. In remarks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last fall he called AI "our biggest existential threat," and said that with advances humans are "summoning the demon."
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Hitchens v D'Souza part 3

http://youtu.be/rYr5VOcAb20

An Inspiring Entrepreneur and His Plan to End Hunger

When Ellen heard about Mason Wartman's pizza shop in Philadelphia, she was amazed. Mason has created a system that has helped feed thousands of hungry mouths. Check out his inspiring story.
http://youtu.be/ymDlygdpddQ

How Republicans Hope to Use State Successes to Push Federal Abortion Restrictions

The House will vote on the 20-week abortion ban next week.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/how-republicans-hope-to-use-state-successes-to-push-federal-abortion-restrictions-20150114

Atheist or Agnostic — and Does it Matter?

"Many people tell me they wouldn’t mind if I were an agnostic, but that I shouldn’t be so arrogant as to be an atheist..."
http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2015/01/14/atheist-or-agnostic-and-does-it-matter/35823

Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Keystone XL Pipeline

Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources markup of Keystone XL pipeline legislation, on January 8, 2015.
http://youtu.be/4k_4vWVzNWM

Six Years Later, A New Push To Shutter Guantanamo

Guantanamo has been the prison that would not close. Cages and orange jump suits thrown into service right after 9.11. Shackles and legal limbo for hundreds – including so-called “forever prisoners” – at the US naval base on the eastern tip of Cuba. Candidate Obama promised to shut Guantanamo down. As president, he’s failed. But now, there’s a big push on again. Prisoners being flown out in the dead of night. Broomed off to Uruguay and Kazakhstan. A push to nearly empty the camp, then bring the hard core to the US mainland. This hour On Point: the push to finally wrap up Guantanamo. / Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/01/07/guantanamo-bay-closing-senate-gop-prisoners

The GOP Plan For Obamacare (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

The new Republican Congress, all sworn in now and ready to roll. First up on the GOP target list: Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act. The first major bill of the 114th Congress would cut the number of Americans employers would be required to cover. House vote scheduled for tomorrow. That’s a tweak. The bigger GOP rallying cry has been repeal. And then there’s a court push to gut the funding side of Obamacare. What changes are really plausible? Politically possible? And what would they mean for you? This hour On Point: Obamacare, and the GOP plan of attack. / Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/01/07/obamacare-gop-new-congress-repeal-and-replace

Sierra Club sues for impact study of Enbridge pipeline in Michigan

"...“This pipeline was built in 1963, which is more than 60 years ago. There has never been any environmental study done by any agency, federal or state, on any portion of the line,” said Marvin Roberson of the Sierra Club. “We ought to know whether the thing is structurally sound. We ought to know what the potential effects of a leak are...”
http://michiganradio.org/post/sierra-club-sues-impact-study-enbridge-pipeline

Cardinal decries 'feminized' Catholic Church in backlash against pope's reforms

Cardinal Burke's interview with the website Emangelization illustrate the wide gulf between Pope Francis and many US bishops at a time when the new po... Read more

Is the budget deficit even a problem?

Do deficits matter? It is an age-old question that's going to get renewed attention in a Congress where Republicans have made no secret of their desir... Read more

Man arrested for plotting attack on Congress

An Ohio man name Christopher Lee Cornell was arrested Wednesday for allegedly planning to attack the Capitol. Cornell spoke of his desire to support t... Read more

FL School Delays Religious Freedom Day Over Satanic Coloring Book

A Florida school district will not celebrate Religious Freedom Day on Friday due to concerns about a satanic group handing out materials to students. ... Read more

Scientists Discover Two New Pollutants In Fracking Waste

The primary waste product created by oil and gas drilling contains two types of potentially hazardous contaminants that have ... Read more

Senator Says Most People On Disability Don’t Deserve It

"Over half the people on disability are either anxious or their back hurts. Join the club," Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said.The post ... Read more

More Than 100 Businesses Call On White House To Protect Bees From Pesticides

"Bee losses have a ripple effect across the entire economy, and in many cases, affect our bottom-line."The post More Than 100 ... Read more

Obama Calls For The Right To Take A Day Off If You Get Sick

Obama will call for the passage of a national paid sick days law.The post Obama Calls For The Right To Take A Day Off If You ... Read more

'Devastating erosion' of taxpayer services at IRS

Budget cuts at the IRS have resulted in "a devastating erosion" of services for Uncle Sam's No. 1 benefactor: the U.S. taxpayer...
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IRS warns of tax refund delays

"Koskinen said the budget cuts would result in several other changes at the agency, including..."
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Children on Medicaid Go On To Make Better Money, Contributing More In Taxes

A new study finds a link between accessible healthcare, earnings and taxes. Read more

Fox Host Launches Genocidal Rant At Muslims, Gets Literally Everything Wrong (VIDEO)

Another little gem for #FoxNewsFacts Read more

http://youtu.be/0w2ZS231BAQ

Christianity Is A Religion Of Peace. Except When They’re Calling For Muslim Genocide

"...When a Christian blows up a building filled with kids, it’s just an “ISOLATED INCIDENT” but when a Muslim kills anyone, anywhere in the world for any reason, it’s proof that all Muslims are crazed fanatics steeped in blood ..." Read more

‘It’s Part Of Our Faith To Help': Muslim Groups Give $100k To Detroit Citizens Without Water

Muslims step in to help deal with extreme Capitalists. "...Michigan Muslim Community Council chairman Dr. Muzammil Ahmed viewed the decision to cut the water supply as “outrageous.” This, and the fact that giving water is seen as the greatest act of charity for Muslims, made it urgent for him that his community reached out..."
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BUSTED: Hateful Anti-Gay Pastors Fight City Equal Rights Ordinance With Fake Petition Signatures

How low can they go? These anti-LGBT "Christian" pastors have no limits when it comes to denying Houston, TX folks their equal ... Read more

Obamacare and illegal immigration left off the agenda at major conservative conference

As Republicans plan their first big moves holding the majority in Congress, a combative group famous for turning up the heat on the party is suddenly ...  Read more

The politician who tried reducing NASA funding...

...(and successfully shut it down for over two weeks) is now in charge of the senate subcommittee that effectively controls NASA.
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Lead Author Of 9/11 Report Calls For Release Of Redacted Pages

Well, it's about time the American people learned who really funded the WTC attack: The lead author of the Senate's report on 9/11 says it's time to ...  Read more

Sanders Wants To Force GOP To Vote On Whether Climate Change Is Real

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) plans to introduce an amendment to the Keystone XL pipeline bill that would force Republican senators to go on the record a... Read more

Opponents Of LGBT Protections Forged Signatures Or Everyone In Houston Has The Same Handwriting

Petition signatures challenging Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance may have been not only technically invalid, but outright ... Read more

Failed Trade And Migration Policies Contributed To Influx Of Unaccompanied Minors, Report Charges

Experts have cited violence as the primary reason that Hondurans have been fleeing the country in droves. But the AFL-CIO has ... Read more

Romney Wants To Fight Poverty. Here’s How His 2012 Agenda Would Have Devastated The Poor.

"For Romney, the new focus is jarring. After all, he ran his 2012 campaign on policies that would have disproportionately benefited the wealthiest Americans and regularly argued that poor people didn’t need his help."
 ... Read more

Ted Cruz Takes Space And Marco Rubio Takes Earth: How The Senate Flip Could Undermine Science

Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are poised to take over major committee chairmanships overseeing NASA and NOAA.The post Ted ... Read more

Report: Forget Stocks, Invest In Solar Panels

Think solar is a poor investment? Guess again.The post Report: Forget Stocks, Invest In Solar Panels appeared first on ... Read more

Create a Likable TV Atheist, Win Even More Likable Cash

"...The Center for Inquiry is partnering with the Freedom from Religion Foundation for a contest that could truly change the culture, or perhaps cause the downfall of civilization.* The No God But Funny contest!"
http://www.centerforinquiry.net/news/create_a_likable_tv_atheist_win_even_more_likable_cash/

Brighton-area religious conservative group moves closer to opening tea party-influenced public school

"... As “Up North Progressive” mentions in the comments, Pasquale Battaglia attended Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat’s Bigotfest 2015 this past weekend and was part of a panel called “Free Market Education”. When our tea party friends start talking about education in terms of a free market, their profit motive is revealed in sharp relief. This is the same event when the Republican racist and homophobic bigot Dave Agema spoke to a receptive audience..."
http://www.eclectablog.com/2015/01/brighton-area-religious-conservative-group-moves-closer-to-opening-tea-party-influenced-public-school.html

My journey to understand Islamic extremism in a maze of ideological battles

“Once you teach people that that’s a legitimate reason for believing something then you as it were give a license to the extremists who say, ‘My belief is that I’m supposed to be a suicide bomber or I’m supposed to blow up buildings — it’s my faith and you can’t question that.’”

"The first problem to tackle isn’t religion per-say, it is faith and our (atheists, secularists, free thinkers, etc.) mission should not be to eradicate religion but to eradicate faith based thinking."
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1206079

The Fate of American Religious Freedom: An Interview with Legal Scholar Steven D. Smith

"Steven D. Smith is the Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of San Diego. His most recent book, The Rise and Decline of American Religious Freedom, advocates a return to what he calls “the American settlement”—an arrangement under which the constitution is read to be neither religious nor secular, but rather open to the best argument of either persuasion. Eric C. Miller spoke with Smith about his project..."
http://religionandpolitics.org/2015/01/13/the-fate-of-american-religious-freedom-an-interview-with-legal-scholar-steven-d-smith/

Two Climate Denying Senators Will Now Supervise the Nation's Climate Science

Ted Cruz will oversee NASA, and Marco Rubio will oversee NOAA.

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/01/climate-change-ted-cruz-marco-rubio-nasa-noaa

Why is Congress overwhelmingly Christian with only one religious 'none'?

The 114th Congress, sworn in one week ago, is much more Christian than the American public. Only one representative identifies as religiously unaffiliated.

But why?

http://www.oregonlive.com/faith/2015/01/why_is_congress_overwhelmingly.html

How to always win at Dots and Boxes - Numberphile

This video features 'games legend' Elwyn Berlekamp.
http://youtu.be/KboGyIilP6k

Joint Pain, Coming From the Gut

Doctors aren't entirely sure what triggers rheumatoid arthritis, a disease in which the body turns on itself to attack the joints, but an emerging bod...  Read more

The Genius of Obama's Two-Year College Proposal

On Friday, President Obama traveled to Tennessee to propose that community college be free for all Americans willing to work hard—just as elementary a...  Read more