Congressman Claims Immigrants Are Netting $24,000 Each From Obama’s Executive Action

This isn't the first time Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) conflated facts about undocumented immigrants. The post Congressman Claims ... Read more

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz calls out Giuliani for 'offensive' Obama comments

"As an American, I find Rudy Giuliani's vicious comments about President Obama 'not loving America' to be profoundly offensive to both the President and the Office," Schultz said in a statement.
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Week In The News: ISIS And Radical Islam, Immigration Reform Hits Snag (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

Shock and awe savagery out of ISIS this week. Twenty-one heads lopped off on a beach in Libya and a warning to the West. In Washington, President Obama laboring mightily not to be drawn into the language of religious war – and catching flak for that. We’ve got an ignored ceasefire in Ukraine. Jeb Bush on foreign policy. A federal judge in Texas blocking White House executive action on immigration for millions. Icy cold in the East. Weird warmth in the West. And a superbug in California. This hour On Point: Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
Interview:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/02/20/islamic-extremism-ukraine-ceasefire-immigration-reform

Friday News Roundup – Domestic (Diane Rehm Show)

President Barack Obama defends his refusal to identify terrorists as Muslim extremists. At a White House summit on counterterrorism he said doing so would empower violent fanatics. The White House considers its options after a federal judge halts the president’s executive actions on immigration. Some Republicans say Congress should pass a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security without conditions. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush asserts his political independence ahead of a possible 2016 presidential bid. And the White House sets a deadline for a West Coast port settlement. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week’s top national news stories.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-02-20/friday-news-roundup-domestic

Friday News Roundup – International (Diane Rehm Show)

Ukraine accuses pro-Russian separatists of continued attacks despite a cease-fire. European officials meet to negotiate a Greek loan extension as the country faces insolvency as early as next week. President Obama calls for a global effort to combat terrorism. U.S. Central Command says it will support an Iraqi spring offensive to take back Mosul from ISIS fighters. And the U.N. says 2014 was the deadliest year for civilians in Afghanistan since it began keeping track.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-02-20/friday-news-roundup-international

What The Atlantic Left Out About ISIS According To Their Own Expert

There's more to the story of ISIS. The post What The Atlantic Left Out About ISIS According To Their Own Expert appeared first ... Read more

Black Primary School Students In Rhode Island Are 6x More Likely To Be Suspended Than White Peers

Another school-to-prison pipeline report highlights gross racial disparities in Rhode Island's education system. The post ... Read more

What ISIS Really Wants

The Islamic State is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. Here’s what that means for its strategy—and for how to stop it.
http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants/384980/

Florist Who Refused to Work Gay Wedding to Appeal Court Ruling

Alliance Defending Freedom says the ruling threatens the financial ruin of 70-year-old Richland florist Barronelle Stutzman, along with her business, Arlene's Flowers. The organization says it will file the appeal on her behalf.
http://www.newsmax.com/US/appeal-gay-wedding-florist/2015/02/19/id/625841/

21 Things Atheists Are Tired Of Hearing

http://www.buzzfeed.com/natashaumer/atheists-are-evil

Delivering a package to a private residence

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Careless Proposal: Kan. Legislator’s Bill Would Grant Special Privileges To Religious Foster Families

As written, Senate Bill 158 requires couples seeking this designation to be married and heterosexual, to abstain from alcohol and tobacco and to agree to attend a “social group larger than the family that meets regularly, preferably at least weekly” in order to qualify. Only one parent would be permitted to work outside the home.
... Read more

Woah!!!

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Bill Donohue Demands Obama Attack Islam While Playing The Poor Picked On Christian Card

The Catholic League's Bill Donohue was back at it again, having another meltdown on air just before President Obama's speech this Wednesday on violent...  Read more

Republicans Really, Really Fear Russ Feingold

While there is rumor running rampant that Russ Feingold is going to return to Wisconsin to run for his old seat, it is not clear at this time how much...  Read more

Edward Snowden: US, British spies hacked cell phone SIM card encryption keys (+video)

In the latest revelation to come from NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden, The Intercept reports that US and British intelligence services hacked into t... Read more

Canadian Company Behind Keystone XL To Seek US Approval For Second Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Canadian company behind the long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline will seek U.S. government approval for another pipeline — ... Read more

Bill O'Reilly Has His Own Brian Williams Problem | Mother Jones

"...for years, O'Reilly has recounted dramatic stories about his own war reporting that don't withstand scrutiny—even claiming he acted heroically in a war zone that he apparently never set foot in..."
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/bill-oreilly-brian-williams-falklands-war
http://youtu.be/W7UGC3quedc

Why States Keep Trying To Ban Abortion Procedures That Don’t Exist

"We see all of these restrictions coming down the pike year after year that just do not make sense." The post Why States Keep ... Read more

Crunched By His Big Tax Cuts, Scott Walker Will Skip $108 Million In Debt Payments

Gov. Scott Walker (R) wants to delay a debt payment to cover a budget shortfall, which will end up costing the state more in ... Read more

Judge To Anti-Gay Florist: Religion Is Not An Excuse To Defy Anti-Discrimination Laws

"No Court has ever held that religiously motivated conduct, expressive or otherwise, trumps state discrimination law in public ... Read more

Record Numbers Of College Students Are Struggling With Depression And Anxiety

And their schools aren't always equipped to help them with their mental health issues. The post Record Numbers Of College ... Read more

Four Oil-Related Spills Reported In North Dakota, The Latest In A Week Of Oil Mishaps

Is it a coincidence that there have been so many oil spills and explosions of trains lately?

Safe to say this has not been a great week for the U.S. oil industry. The post Four Oil-Related Spills Reported In North ... Read more

You Know You're a Bigot When . . .

"At last, a surefire test for Islamophobia."
...  Read more

Common Estate-Planning Mistakes – At A Glance - WSJ

We all know that having an estate plan is good for our finances and for our heirs. But many of us fail to put a plan in place—for fear of facing our own mortality, among other reasons. And those who do have a plan often make mistakes that can lead to familial and financial problems down the road. The Experts, a group of finance professionals and academics, weigh in on what they see as the biggest mistakes people make with estate planning.
http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2015/01/13/common-estate-planning-mistakes-at-a-glance/

Debunking exercise myths: Tips to enjoy a lifestyle that can prevent premature aging

"...With an increasing number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes and living longer in worse health, the loss of fitness increases the risk of early death, heart attack, and stroke. Dr. Huebschmann says, "The key message is to find fun ways to be active for 2 ½ hours per week –such as 30 minutes per day on 5 days of the week. Your heart will thank you for it..."
http://www.healthcanal.com/geriatrics-aging/59356-debunking-exercise-myths-tips-to-enjoy-a-lifestyle-that-can-prevent-premature-aging.html

Right-Wing Christians' Hostility to Science Destroys Lives

"...Good family planning transforms life for men, women and children. Opposition to advances in contraception ruins lives...
...All of this adds up to a counter-intuitive fact: women who are using contraceptives to prevent pregnancy kill fewer embryos than women who are trying to get pregnant, and the more effective the contraception is, the fewer embryos die..."
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Wal-Mart to raise U.S. hourly workers' pay after criticism

CHICAGO — Wal-Mart Stores will begin paying all of its U.S. hourly workers at least $9 an hour by April and $10 an hour by next February, striking back at critics who say it underpays employees...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-news-bc-walmart19-20150219-story.html

Salt Lake NAACP denounces religious rights bill

..."What this bill does is advance religion and makes it a trump card, if you will, a greater right than other rights," he said...
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/865622242/Salt-Lake-NAACP-denounces-religious-rights-bill.html

Atlanta fire chief fired after calling gays 'vile' claims religious bias

"...Reed said he terminated Cochran because of his lack of judgment and management skills, not his religious beliefs. Not only did Cochran violate the city’s code of conduct, which requires approval from city officials to publish a book, but he also distributed his book to employees who did not ask for it. Such behavior, the mayor said, opened the city to potential discrimination lawsuits..."
http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/nation_world/la-na-atlanta-police-chief-fired-gay-discrimination-20150123,0,6191992.story

Obama Counters Violent Extremists With Extremists

America’s growing alliance with violent extremists in the fight against ISIS is an inconvenient truth at the White House summit on curbing violent extremism.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/19/obama-counters-violent-extremists-with-extremists.html

Faulted for Avoiding ‘Islamic’ Labels to Describe Terrorism, White House Cites a Strategic Logic

"...Obama aides say there is a strategic logic to his vocabulary: Labeling noxious beliefs and mass murder as “Islamic” would play right into the hands of terrorists who claim that the United States is at war with Islam itself. The last thing the president should do, they say, is imply that the United States lumps the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims with vicious terrorist groups..."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/us/politics/faulted-for-avoiding-islamic-labels-white-house-cites-a-strategic-logic.html

Pediatrician won't treat baby with 2 moms

"...After "much prayer," she decided that she couldn't treat their baby because they are lesbians..."
http://www.cbs19.tv/story/28144178/pediatrician-wont-treat-baby-with-2-moms
http://youtu.be/rWlcVsazHbI

That's Just Religion (Way of the Mister)

"My thoughts on the hypocrisy over the Chapel Hill murders."
http://youtu.be/CpckDF6UP60

9 Ridiculous Jeb Bush Quotes Turned into Hilarious Motivational Posters

"Jeb Bush is a silly person."
...  Read more

Watch: Racist Mob Takes Over Subway Train, Won’t Let Black People Get On (VIDEO)

What year are we living in? This is absolutely disgraceful. Read more

Obamacare Victory: Enrollment Exceeds Expectations, Now #11MillionAndCounting (VIDEO)

Thanks, Obama! Seriously though… thank you! Read more

9 reasons Finland's schools are so much better than America's

If there's any consensus on education in the US, it could be this: other countries are doing it better. And in the doing-education-better sweepstakes,...  Read more

All 6000 of Jordan’s mosques to run on solar energy

As global oil and gas prices continue to fluctuate, the Kingdom of Jordan has announced their intentions to use renewable energy alternatives to power the country. “Already a leader in the Arab world for utility-scale solar power production, Kingdom of Jordan announced that all of Jordan’s mosques will soon be run by solar power”
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Aerial Photos Show Just How Devastating An Oil Train Derailment Can Be

When an oil train carrying more than 3 million gallons of crude derailed in West Virginia earlier this week, it left behind a stretch of blackened riv...  Read more

San Francisco Archbishop Tells Teachers To Abide By Anti-Gay Morality Clause

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California lawmakers on Tuesday urged the archbishop of San Francisco to remove from a teachers' handbook morality clauses they s... Read more

D'Souza On Obama: 'You Can Take The Boy Out Of The Ghetto...'

Conservative activist and convicted felon Dinesh D'Souza on Wednesday raised the bar for his incomprehensible Twitter feed, tweeting a photo of President Obama with the message, "YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF THE GHETTO."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/dsouza-obama-boy-ghetto-tweet

Why Conservatives Suddenly Care About Rightwing Mail-Order Scams

Anyone who follows the conservative movement carefully could tell you that it's about 25 percent politics and 75 percent mail-order scam. For more tha... Read more

Anti-AP History GOPer Wanted To Teach Widely Disputed Document

When Oklahoma state Rep. Dan Fisher (R) first introduced his bill to eliminate funding for AP U.S. History in Oklahoma, he included the Mecklenburg De... Read more

How A Junior Official's ISIL Comments Sparked The Right's Latest Outragefest

Conservative politicians, pundits and bloggers have spent much of the last 48 hours railing against a junior State Department official they say made the U.S. look ridiculous when she argued that terrorism can’t be eliminated without increasing economic opportunities for young men in the Middle East.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/conservative-outrage-marie-harf-jobs-terrorists

Pinterest Deletes Fake Hillary Clinton Account Sent Out By Rand Paul

Pinterest has taken down a fake page on its site parodying former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which was sent out by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on V... Read more

Catholics Around The World Will Fast For Climate Action During Lent

During their day-long fast, Catholics will be praying for climate action. The post Catholics Around The World Will Fast For ... Read more

Data: Oil Trains Spill More Often, But Pipelines Spill Bigger

In the aftermath of a huge rail disaster in West Virginia, people are asking which is safer: pipeline or rail? The post Data: ... Read more

Police Chief Warns That Cops In Schools Mean More Dropouts

One police chief agrees with skeptics, who feel that positioning police in schools does more harm than good. The post Police ... Read more

Jeb Bush’s Attack On Obama Over Iran Goes Horribly Wrong

"Managing" Iran's nuclear capabilities, as Bush puts it, isn't a position that originated in the Obama administration. The ... Read more

Catholic School Pamphlet Warns Elementary Students About Masturbation And Abortion

Parents were surprised when a Catholic school distributed pamphlets to elementary students that asked, "Did I perform impure ... Read more

The Same People Who Lied To You About Iraq Are Now In Charge Of Jeb Bush’s Foreign Policy

George W. Bush promised to restore America's military might, a campaign platform his brother Jeb -- and his foreign policy ... http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/02/18/3624114/people-lied-iraq-now-charge-jeb-bushs-foreign-policy/

As Voter ID Advances, Colorado Secretary of State Admits Voting Restrictions Block Eligible Voters

One of the thousands of ballots rejected in the past election belonged to the Secretary of State's 19-year-old daughter. The ... Read more

Interior Department Will Provide Millions To Help Native Americans Adapt To Climate Change

Native Americans are particularly vulnerable to climate change's impacts. The post Interior Department Will Provide Millions ... Read more

What Aborted Fetuses Have to Do With Vaccines

A small but growing number of parents who object to vaccinating their children on religious grounds say they do so because many common vaccines are the product of cells that once belonged to aborted fetuses.

There is a grain of truth to this statement. But even religious leaders, including a future pope, have said that shouldn't deter parents from vaccinating their children.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/aborted-fetuses-vaccines/story?id=29005539&google_editors_picks=true