This is Piha, most famous surf beach in New Zealand [OC][1920x1080]

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The 10 Reasons The 2014 Federal Budget Debate Was A Calamity, Catastrophe & Tragedy

Let's start with the good news: the federal deficit in fiscal 2014 fell to $483 billion (2.8 percent of GDP) and that was the correct fiscal policy be...  Read more

Chinese idea of the train that doesn't stop to pick up passengers

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Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris in Conversation on Religion, Atheism and Morality

http://youtu.be/550nhrMNImI

Secular Law (Freethought Radio)

FFRF's Winter Solstice and Natural Nativity are back at the Wisconsin Capitol. After talking about a victory stopping a "Keep Christ in Christmas" parade in Piedmont, Alabama, we celebrate the birthdays of secular songwriters Ira Gershwin and Jay Gorney. Then we talk with FFRF intern and activist Jarvis Idowu, a 3rd-year law student at UW-Madison, about the Secular Law Students Society that he started and his work to keep state and church separate. -
Interview:
http://ffrf.libsyn.com/secular-law

What Falling Oil Prices And New U.S. Sanctions Mean For Russia (Diane Rehm Show)

Russia’s economy is in turmoil as authorities there take drastic steps to stabilize the ruble. To help prop it up, the central bank raised a key interest rate and the Russian government has begun selling off its foreign currency reserves. The economy is being battered by a combination of western sanctions and falling oil prices. The country faces fears of a bank run as consumers buy big-ticket items before prices rise. While some say this crisis will erode President Vladimir Putin’s political support, others believe he can weather the crisis. Diane and her guests discuss what’s next for Russia’s economy and its impact on global markets.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-12-17/what_falling_oil_prices_and_new_u_s_sanctions_mean_for_russia

"Living the Secular Life", Phil Zuckerman on Atheists Talk #293, December 14, 2014

When we talk about how nonreligious people negotiate ethics and morality, we often speak theoretically--in terms of the sources of morality--or anecdotally--about people we know who provide examples to counter stereotypes of both believers and nonbelievers. Why do we do this? Much of the reason is that we haven't had good data to work with. Until recently, very few people studied nonbelievers.

Phil Zuckerman helped to change this when he founded the country's first Department of Secular Studies at Pitzer College. He has continued to change the discussion around nonbelievers with his recent book, Living the Secular Live: New Answers to Old Questions. From the publisher's description:

Drawing on innovative sociological research, Living the Secular Life illuminates this demographic shift with the moral convictions that govern secular individuals, offering crucial information for religious and nonreligious alike. Living the Secular Life reveals that, despite opinions to the contrary, nonreligious Americans possess a unique moral code that allows them to effectively navigate the complexities of modern life. Spiritual self-reliance, clear-eyed pragmatism, and an abiding faith in the Golden Rule to adjudicate moral decisions, such common principles—among others—are shared across secular society. Living the Secular Life demonstrates these principles in action and points to their usage throughout daily life.

Interview:
http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast/1021-living-the-secular-life-phil-zuckerman-on-atheists-talk-293-december-14-2014

Rethinking the Benefits of Homeownership (Diane Rehm Show)

Owning a home has long been a linchpin of the American Dream. But the recent housing crisis and changing bank lending practices have led to a drop in the number of people buying houses: The nationwide rate of homeownership is at its lowest rate in 20 years. While some have mourned this loss for the U.S. economy, a new study finds that half of American homeowners would have built more wealth by renting. The new research says many people looking to buy a home overestimate tax deductions, rely on biased, online calculators and underestimate expenses. Diane and a panel of experts discuss rethinking the benefits of homeownership.
Interview:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-12-15/rethinking_the_benefits_of_homeownership

Pope Francis Expected To Instruct One Billion Catholics To Act On Climate Change

"Francis will release his expected formal encyclical document on climate change to the world after a trip to the ...

...On the other hand, a strong majority of white evangelicals in the U.S. believe that worsening natural disasters are a sign of the apocalypse, not climate change, and other conservative evangelical sects will likely oppose Francis’ efforts.

“The pope should back off,” said Calvin Beisner, spokesman for the conservative evangelical Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation. “The Catholic church is correct on the ethical principles but has been misled on the science. It follows that the policies the Vatican is promoting are incorrect. Our position reflects the views of millions of evangelical Christians in the US.” Read more

Always Low Wages? Wal-Mart's Other Choices - Bloomberg View

"...The question before us is not whether or not Wal-Mart should voluntarily increase its wages to capture these benefits. That is a business decision for the owners and management to make.

Rather, the present issue is whether or not we as taxpayers should be funding private companies paying below-poverty wages. My view is we should put the full costs of shopping at Wal-Mart back where they belong: On the customers and the company itself."
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2013-12-18/always-low-wages-wal-mart-s-other-choices

Derren Brown - Evening of Wonders

A true Magician, Exciting,Entertaining a true master of the art.We are all here to play our role,The secret is will you learn your part or just roll with the dice? Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/d9mt83C9rQE

Hemp fibers could rival Graphene as a cheaper alternative for making super-capacitors.

As hemp makes a comeback in the U.S. after a decades-long ban on its cultivation, scientists are reporting that fibers from the plant can pack as much energy and power as graphene, long-touted as the model material for supercapacitors. Read more

Pope Francis Is Set To Get Tough On Climate Change

In a move that will anger religious conservatives who relish in being climate deniers, Pope Francis will take steps to try and influence the world's l...  Read more

It's Car Buying Season: 8 Ways Used Car Dealers Can Swindle You

As the busiest car buying weeks approach, beware the tricks of used-car salespeople.
...  Read more

Think About It: The U.S. is Both the Richest Country and the Most Unequal: 8 Consequences of American Greed

America is the richest country in all of history... with a whole lot of poor people.
...  Read more

Derren Brown Infamous 2014

The Bafta winning illusionist’s sell out stage show recorded at the Grand Theatre in Leeds during his Olivier nominated tour. The evening features an inventive mix of traditional magic, mind-reading, memory games and thought provoking entertainment that leaves his audience enthralled and enlightened in equal measure.

http://youtu.be/eiGfZQU4im4

Fox's Henry And Kurtz Carp About Media Truthfully Reporting Obama's Poll Numbers

Fox's Howard Kurtz and his cohort Ed Henry, who was filling in for Bret Baier this Friday evening were terribly upset that the media has been reportin...  Read more

'Food Chains' Brilliantly Exposes The Plight Of The Migrant Farm Worker

Set in Immokalee, Florida, Eva Longoria with the help of the voice of Forest Whitaker, put together a moving tale of the slave labor exploited in the ...  Read more

Derren Brown Infamous 2014

The Bafta winning illusionist’s sell out stage show recorded at the Grand Theatre in Leeds during his Olivier nominated tour. The evening features an inventive mix of traditional magic, mind-reading, memory games and thought provoking entertainment that leaves his audience enthralled and enlightened in equal measure.
http://youtu.be/eiGfZQU4im4

A Toy's Story - Derren Brown: The Events - How To Control The Nation

http://youtu.be/EchfO2pjOrM