Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Think Twice Next Time About Touching a Receipt with Your Bare Hands -- Your Unborn Child May Thank You for It | Alternet
Think Twice Next Time About Touching a Receipt with Your Bare Hands -- Your Unborn Child May Thank You for It | Alternet
"If you're looking to avoid further hormonal freakouts brought on by the hated Bisphenol A ( BPA) -- a frightening endocrine disruptor reportedly found in 96 percent of women but consumed more by their children, then you might want to clean out your wallet. Or perhaps forego shopping receipts altogether until you hear otherwise from conclusive scientific studies -- which could take many years to straggle in."
"If you're looking to avoid further hormonal freakouts brought on by the hated Bisphenol A ( BPA) -- a frightening endocrine disruptor reportedly found in 96 percent of women but consumed more by their children, then you might want to clean out your wallet. Or perhaps forego shopping receipts altogether until you hear otherwise from conclusive scientific studies -- which could take many years to straggle in."
Five Things Everyone Should Know About GOP Senate Candidate Ted Cruz
Five Things Everyone Should Know About GOP Senate Candidate Ted Cruz: Today, Texas Republican primary voters selected Ted Cruz as their candidate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Cruz, a former Solicitor General of Texas and law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist, is among the nation’s most skilled Supreme Court advocates. Yet his considerable intellect is rivaled by his very poor judgment. [...]/p
House GOP Tax Plan Raises Taxes On 10 Times As Many People As Democratic Proposal
House GOP Tax Plan Raises Taxes On 10 Times As Many People As Democratic Proposal: Senate Republicans last week proposed a plan that would raise taxes on more than 20 million Americans, while maintaining the high-end Bush tax cuts. Letting those tax cuts on income in excess of $250,000 expire would affect just two million wealthy taxpayers, by comparison. Now, House Republicans have adopted the same plan, and the effect [...]/p
Mitt Romney’s 20th-Century Worldview | Common Dreams
Mitt Romney’s 20th-Century Worldview | Common Dreams
"Like a caveman frozen in a glacier, Mitt Romney is a man trapped in time — from his archaic stance on women’s rights to his belief in Herbert Hoover economics."
"Like a caveman frozen in a glacier, Mitt Romney is a man trapped in time — from his archaic stance on women’s rights to his belief in Herbert Hoover economics."
GOP Rep. Steve King Defends Dogfighting
GOP Rep. Steve King Defends Dogfighting: If you believe that the United States should legalize dogfighting because we allow humans to fight, fear not. You’ve got an ally in the United States Congress. During a tele-townhall late last week, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) fielded a question about his opposition to animal rights and recently introduced legislation that would undermine local standards [...]/p
Romney on his gaffes: The buck stops with ... the media
Romney on his gaffes: The buck stops with ... the media
"Does the buck ever stop with Mitt Romney? Will he ever take responsibility when something goes wrong? I'm telling you, if Mitt Romney loses this election, it won't be long before he claims he wasn't even the nominee. He'll say he was CEO of Bain or something."
"Does the buck ever stop with Mitt Romney? Will he ever take responsibility when something goes wrong? I'm telling you, if Mitt Romney loses this election, it won't be long before he claims he wasn't even the nominee. He'll say he was CEO of Bain or something."
Eight More Ways Women Will Benefit Under Obamacare Starting Tomorrow
Eight More Ways Women Will Benefit Under Obamacare Starting Tomorrow: When eight Obamacare regulations go into effect tomorrow, 47 million women will benefit from the guaranteed coverage of preventive services — including contraception coverage — without co-pays. The new rules will require most insurance plans to begin including the services at no additional cost at the next renewal date that falls on or after August [...]/p
The Cost of Being Raped
The Cost of Being Raped
"For years, hospitals in northeastern Wisconsin have billed sexual assault victims as much as $1,200 for the cost of their examinations, according to a new investigation."
"For years, hospitals in northeastern Wisconsin have billed sexual assault victims as much as $1,200 for the cost of their examinations, according to a new investigation."
STUDY: Companies With Women On Their Boards Perform Better
STUDY: Companies With Women On Their Boards Perform Better: A new report by the Credit Suisse Research Institute shows that businesses with women on their boards outperformed comparably sized companies with all-male boards by 26 percent, suggesting that a mixed-gender board provides an important boost for a business. According to the study: Our key finding is that, in a like-for-like comparison, companies with at [...]/p
Monday, July 30, 2012
Republicans shake collective fist at sky, cursing reality for interfering with politics
Republicans shake collective fist at sky, cursing reality for interfering with politics
"The House Republicans want to spend their last week before the long recess doing their usual shit: banning imaginary abortion practices; more abortion with the H.R. 3803, the "District of Columbia Pain–Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; dishing out tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires; working on a tax reform bill that will also dish out massive cuts to millionaires and billionaires; and not doing anything whatsoever about jobs and the economy. But then pesky things like the worst drought in decades get in the way."
"The House Republicans want to spend their last week before the long recess doing their usual shit: banning imaginary abortion practices; more abortion with the H.R. 3803, the "District of Columbia Pain–Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"; dishing out tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires; working on a tax reform bill that will also dish out massive cuts to millionaires and billionaires; and not doing anything whatsoever about jobs and the economy. But then pesky things like the worst drought in decades get in the way."
A History Of Paul Ryan’s Attempts To Dismantle Social Security
A History Of Paul Ryan’s Attempts To Dismantle Social Security: That House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) supports the privatization of Social Security is well known. Ryan proposed $1.2 trillion in cuts and the partial privatization of Social Security upon taking control of the Budget Committee in 2011, and he has constantly warned about the supposed doom facing the program if major reforms aren’t [...]/p
Clinton Praises Republicans Who Stood Up Against Bachmann’s Islamophobic Allegations
Clinton Praises Republicans Who Stood Up Against Bachmann’s Islamophobic Allegations: During a speech today at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace marking the release of a report about religious freedom around the world, Secretary of State HIllary Clinton took a moment to deal with religious freedom a little closer to home. Specifically, she touched obliquely on accusations made about a top staffer in her office [...]/p
Let's send Tammy Baldwin to the Senate
Let's send Tammy Baldwin to the Senate
"Wisconsin's working families, at least those in WI-02, have had solid support from Rep. Tammy Baldwin since 1999. Now, she wants to represent all of the state's residents and is running for Senate. Daily Kos is more than happy to help, and to endorse Tammy as an Orange to Blue candidate."
"Wisconsin's working families, at least those in WI-02, have had solid support from Rep. Tammy Baldwin since 1999. Now, she wants to represent all of the state's residents and is running for Senate. Daily Kos is more than happy to help, and to endorse Tammy as an Orange to Blue candidate."
As GOP Guts Food Safety Budgets, New Data Show Illnesses On The Rise
As GOP Guts Food Safety Budgets, New Data Show Illnesses On The Rise: House Republicans have gone to great lengths to block implementation of a new food safety law, while also trying to cut the budgets of agencies that oversee food safety. But new data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows just how foolhardy those moves are, as rates of foodborne illnesses are rising: The [...]/p
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Meth Labs of Democracy
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Meth Labs of Democracy
"As it turns out, Mitt Romney finds his inspiration wherever Republicans are experimenting with their junk social science. Romney, who in his run for governor told Planned Parenthood that he supported Roe v. Wade, funding abortion services through Medicaid for low-income women and the "morning after" pill, now proclaims, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that." Just like Rick Perry in Texas. As draconian new voter identification laws in states like Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin improve his election chances by keeping minority residents (i.e. Democrats) away from the ballot box, Romney unsurprisingly announced, "I like Voter ID laws by the way... more of them." (Just this week, the Romney campaign demanded a probe of voter registration forms distributed in Bob McDonnell's Virginia.) Even though he once declared his "unwavering" support of Roe v. Wade after thedeath of a "dear, close family relative" from an illegal abortion, Governor Romney now suggests he could "absolutely" support state "personhood" amendments like the one that went down to defeat in Mississippi. And while he "can't have illegals" because he's "running for office, for Pete's sake," Mitt has called Jan Brewer's hard line immigration laws in Arizona a "model"."
"As it turns out, Mitt Romney finds his inspiration wherever Republicans are experimenting with their junk social science. Romney, who in his run for governor told Planned Parenthood that he supported Roe v. Wade, funding abortion services through Medicaid for low-income women and the "morning after" pill, now proclaims, "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that." Just like Rick Perry in Texas. As draconian new voter identification laws in states like Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin improve his election chances by keeping minority residents (i.e. Democrats) away from the ballot box, Romney unsurprisingly announced, "I like Voter ID laws by the way... more of them." (Just this week, the Romney campaign demanded a probe of voter registration forms distributed in Bob McDonnell's Virginia.) Even though he once declared his "unwavering" support of Roe v. Wade after thedeath of a "dear, close family relative" from an illegal abortion, Governor Romney now suggests he could "absolutely" support state "personhood" amendments like the one that went down to defeat in Mississippi. And while he "can't have illegals" because he's "running for office, for Pete's sake," Mitt has called Jan Brewer's hard line immigration laws in Arizona a "model"."
The CEO Plan to Steal Your Social Security and Medicare
The CEO Plan to Steal Your Social Security and Medicare
"Many of the same folks who brought the economy to ruin just a few years ago are now going to come up with a plan that is supposed to set the budget and the economy on a forward path. At the center of their proposal are big cuts in Social Security and Medicare.
"Many of the same folks who brought the economy to ruin just a few years ago are now going to come up with a plan that is supposed to set the budget and the economy on a forward path. At the center of their proposal are big cuts in Social Security and Medicare.
The most popular Social Security cut among this gang is a reduction in the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) by 0.3 percentage points. They are betting that are ordinary people are too dumb to notice this cut since it is a relatively small amount each year."
Health Care Workers, Patients Lead Fight for Divestment from Corrupt Private Health Insurance Industry | Common Dreams
Health Care Workers, Patients Lead Fight for Divestment from Corrupt Private Health Insurance Industry | Common Dreams
"In the midst of a fierce debate on the national level around the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, the Divestment Campaign for Health Care made its official debut. Its stated mission: “to expose how the health insurance industry puts the need for profit above the needs of patients and to escalate public support for total removal of the private health insurance companies from our nation’s health care"."
"In the midst of a fierce debate on the national level around the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, the Divestment Campaign for Health Care made its official debut. Its stated mission: “to expose how the health insurance industry puts the need for profit above the needs of patients and to escalate public support for total removal of the private health insurance companies from our nation’s health care"."
ALEC: Hawking "Freedom" in Salt Lake City | Common Dreams
ALEC: Hawking "Freedom" in Salt Lake City | Common Dreams
"The average baby in America now enjoys the “freedom” to be born pre-polluted with over 200 chemicals and heavy metals in their blood causing subtle, and sometimes not so subtle damage to virtually every organ and altering their chromosomes leading to a broad range of chronic, debilitating and even fatal diseases later in life. Those chromosomal changes can be passed on to subsequent generations diminishing their health as well. Attempts to reign in pollution, our exposure to pesticides, plasticizers, endocrine disruptors and the 83,000 industrial chemicals that now contaminate every corner of the earth and every living in it, are fought tooth and nail by many of the corporations meeting with legislators across the street."
"The average baby in America now enjoys the “freedom” to be born pre-polluted with over 200 chemicals and heavy metals in their blood causing subtle, and sometimes not so subtle damage to virtually every organ and altering their chromosomes leading to a broad range of chronic, debilitating and even fatal diseases later in life. Those chromosomal changes can be passed on to subsequent generations diminishing their health as well. Attempts to reign in pollution, our exposure to pesticides, plasticizers, endocrine disruptors and the 83,000 industrial chemicals that now contaminate every corner of the earth and every living in it, are fought tooth and nail by many of the corporations meeting with legislators across the street."
At For-Profit Colleges, It's All About Profits, Not Students | Common Dreams
At For-Profit Colleges, It's All About Profits, Not Students | Common Dreams
"For-profit colleges are following a corporate model that puts profits above students, according to the findings of a U.S. Senate report published Sunday."
"For-profit colleges are following a corporate model that puts profits above students, according to the findings of a U.S. Senate report published Sunday."
Sexual Assault Victims Charged Up To $1,200 In Wisconsin For Cost Of Their Rape Kits
Sexual Assault Victims Charged Up To $1,200 In Wisconsin For Cost Of Their Rape Kits: For years, hospitals in northeastern Wisconsin have billed sexual assault victims as much as $1,200 for the cost of their examinations, according to a new investigation. The Post-Crescent newspaper found that, despite the availability of government funds to cover the cost of sexual assault examinations, many hospitals were sending the bill to victims. The AP [...]/p
Sunday, July 29, 2012
5 Ways Churches Get Preferential Treatment and Benefit from Legal Loopholes | Alternet
5 Ways Churches Get Preferential Treatment and Benefit from Legal Loopholes | Alternet
"Many conservative religious leaders insist that houses of worship in America today struggle under intense persecution. To hear some of the Catholic bishops tell it, religious freedom may soon be a memory because they don’t always get their way in policy debates.
"Many conservative religious leaders insist that houses of worship in America today struggle under intense persecution. To hear some of the Catholic bishops tell it, religious freedom may soon be a memory because they don’t always get their way in policy debates.
It would be highly ironic if the United States, the nation that perfected religious liberty and enshrined it in the Constitution’s First Amendment, had become hostile to the rights of religious groups. But that’s not what’s happening. In reality, U.S. law is honeycombed with examples of preferential treatment and special breaks for religion. Some of these practices may grow out of the First Amendment command that the “free exercise” of religion must not be infringed. Others are traditions or were added to the law after lobbying efforts by religious groups."
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Elizabeth Warren: 'Why aren’t we rebuilding America?'
Elizabeth Warren: 'Why aren’t we rebuilding America?'
"It really is that simple. The nation's roads, bridges, electrical grid, water systems, national parks—the whole infrastructure—is crumbling. At the same time unemployment remains persistently high. Put people to work fixing the stuff that's broken. It's not rocket science."
"It really is that simple. The nation's roads, bridges, electrical grid, water systems, national parks—the whole infrastructure—is crumbling. At the same time unemployment remains persistently high. Put people to work fixing the stuff that's broken. It's not rocket science."
12 Bigoted Taunts Peddled By Romney Camp and Allies | Alternet
12 Bigoted Taunts Peddled By Romney Camp and Allies | Alternet
"Corporate media largely ignored the subtext of Romney's earliest race-coded comments, and have been content to let more recent and blatant examples die after a day in the news cycle."
"Corporate media largely ignored the subtext of Romney's earliest race-coded comments, and have been content to let more recent and blatant examples die after a day in the news cycle."
Friday, July 27, 2012
Detroit Teachers to Emergency Manager: We Will Fight!
Detroit Teachers to Emergency Manager: We Will Fight!
"If Detroit Emergency Manager and Rick Snyder appointee Roy Roberts thought it was a good idea to pink slip all of Detroit's teachers, gut funding for schools and then force a contract on those teachers who were returning, he hasn't come face to face with AFT President Randi Weingarten recently. She and over 500 angry teachers had a message for Roberts: You had better sit down at the table and start negotiating rather than dictating."
"If Detroit Emergency Manager and Rick Snyder appointee Roy Roberts thought it was a good idea to pink slip all of Detroit's teachers, gut funding for schools and then force a contract on those teachers who were returning, he hasn't come face to face with AFT President Randi Weingarten recently. She and over 500 angry teachers had a message for Roberts: You had better sit down at the table and start negotiating rather than dictating."
Former Florida Republican Party Chair Says Republicans Actively Suppressed The Black Vote
Former Florida Republican Party Chair Says Republicans Actively Suppressed The Black Vote: In a 630-page deposition, released to the press yesterday, former Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer described a systemic effort by Republicans to suppress the black vote. Referring to a 2009 meeting with party officials, Greer said “I was upset because the political consultants and staff were talking about voter suppression and keeping blacks from voting.” [...]/p
Repeatedly debunked lies still front and center in Romney campaign ad blasting Obama stimulus
Repeatedly debunked lies still front and center in Romney campaign ad blasting Obama stimulus
"Even revealed, lies help shape a narrative as surely as does the truth. Individual lies may be exposed as frauds from time to time, but the big picture built out of a welter of lies gets absorbed unconsciously. You can be pretty sure that the ad twisting the record of the stimulus money is designed to achieve exactly that purpose. Approved by Mendacious Mitt."
"Even revealed, lies help shape a narrative as surely as does the truth. Individual lies may be exposed as frauds from time to time, but the big picture built out of a welter of lies gets absorbed unconsciously. You can be pretty sure that the ad twisting the record of the stimulus money is designed to achieve exactly that purpose. Approved by Mendacious Mitt."
After Stonewalling Obama’s Jobs Package, Republicans Complain About GDP Growth
After Stonewalling Obama’s Jobs Package, Republicans Complain About GDP Growth: New data released today shows that the U.S. economy grew by 1.5 percent last quarter, following a revised increase of 2 percent in the first quarter. Republicans, of course, leaped on the middling number, with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) calling it “a troubling sign for the future of our economy.” But GOP’ers [...]/p
Alabama Asks Court For Redistricting Approval, Tries To Eliminate Voting Rights Act
Alabama Asks Court For Redistricting Approval, Tries To Eliminate Voting Rights Act: Yesterday Alabama filed suit in federal court asking for approval of the state’s redistricting plan. Alabama is one of nine states with a history of discrimination that the Voting Rights Act requires to get preclearance before making any changes to election procedures. Usually the states ask the Justice Department, but Alabama decided to go straight [...]/p
How Will the 99% Deal with the Psychopaths in the 1%? | Alternet
How Will the 99% Deal with the Psychopaths in the 1%? | Alternet
"Did you know that roughly one person in a hundred is clinically a psychopath? These individuals are either born with an emotional deficiency that keeps them from feeling bad about hurting others, or they are traumatized early in life in a manner that causes them to become this way. With more than 7 billion people on the planet that means there are as many as 70,000,000 psychopaths alive today. These people are more likely to be risk takers, opportunists motivated by self-interest and greed, and inclined to dominate or subjugate those around them through manipulative means."
"Did you know that roughly one person in a hundred is clinically a psychopath? These individuals are either born with an emotional deficiency that keeps them from feeling bad about hurting others, or they are traumatized early in life in a manner that causes them to become this way. With more than 7 billion people on the planet that means there are as many as 70,000,000 psychopaths alive today. These people are more likely to be risk takers, opportunists motivated by self-interest and greed, and inclined to dominate or subjugate those around them through manipulative means."
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Watch How British Television Covered Romney’s Visit
Watch How British Television Covered Romney’s Visit: Mitt Romney’s criticism of the London Olympics in Great Britain led the nightly news show ‘BBC London’ on Thursday. The program reported on Romney’s uncomfortable visit with Prime Minister David Cameron after suggesting that the nation was unprepared to host the games, mocked his efforts to backpaddel those remarks and showed footage of London Mayor [...]/p
Worst. Congress. Ever.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The damage the 112th Congress is doing to America, the media's complicity by letting them off the hook, and voters' disgust with the whole process
Stephen Colbert Makes a Mockery of Romney's Deceptive Campaign Ad
Stephen Colbert Makes a Mockery of Romney's Deceptive Campaign Ad
"Gotta' love it. It's a sad day when our comedians have to be the ones pointing out how utterly ridiculous the Romney campaign attacks are with the whole it takes a village and no one made it on their own nonsense and the right's pathetic response to someone saying something that is actually true."
"Gotta' love it. It's a sad day when our comedians have to be the ones pointing out how utterly ridiculous the Romney campaign attacks are with the whole it takes a village and no one made it on their own nonsense and the right's pathetic response to someone saying something that is actually true."
Michigan Judiciary Committee Rushes Through Abortion Restrictions, Despite Doctors’ Warnings
Michigan Judiciary Committee Rushes Through Abortion Restrictions, Despite Doctors’ Warnings: The Michigan state senate’s judiciary committee heard about an hour of testimony today before promptly passing onto the full Senate a restrictive and unclear anti-abortion measure — just 19 hours after announcing that the hearing would even be taking place. One woman who testified, holding up two coupons with scribbled writing on the back, explained [...]/p
Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods: Whose Side Are You On? | Common Dreams
Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods: Whose Side Are You On? | Common Dreams
"This November, California voters will have an opportunity to vote on a simple, yet important ballot initiative called Prop 37 – the California Right to Know Act. If approved, it would require food sold in California supermarkets be clearly labeled if it has been genetically engineered"
"This November, California voters will have an opportunity to vote on a simple, yet important ballot initiative called Prop 37 – the California Right to Know Act. If approved, it would require food sold in California supermarkets be clearly labeled if it has been genetically engineered"
The World is Closer to a Food Crisis Than Most People Realize | Common Dreams
The World is Closer to a Food Crisis Than Most People Realize | Common Dreams
"The world is in serious trouble on the food front. But there is little evidence that political leaders have yet grasped the magnitude of what is happening. The progress in reducing hunger in recent decades has been reversed. Unless we move quickly to adopt newpopulation, energy, and water policies, the goal of eradicating hunger will remain just that.
"The world is in serious trouble on the food front. But there is little evidence that political leaders have yet grasped the magnitude of what is happening. The progress in reducing hunger in recent decades has been reversed. Unless we move quickly to adopt newpopulation, energy, and water policies, the goal of eradicating hunger will remain just that.
Time is running out. The world may be much closer to an unmanageable food shortage – replete with soaring food prices, spreading food unrest, and ultimately political instability– than most people realise."
Top Three Myths Conservatives Use To Oppose Increasing The Minimum Wage
Top Three Myths Conservatives Use To Oppose Increasing The Minimum Wage: House Democrats have introduced a bill in the House — bound to go nowhere due to the Republican majority — that would increase the minimum wage to $10. This would give the wage the purchasing power that it had in the 1960s. Republicans have publicly met the idea of raising the minimum wage with contempt, [...]/p
James Taranto: A-Hole!
James Taranto: A-Hole!
"I figured after a little time off I wouldn't get so sick reading and writing about the twisted minds of the conservative/TeaCrack Party, but I was wrong. Twitter has really fueled their lunatic scribblings. Check this out."
"I figured after a little time off I wouldn't get so sick reading and writing about the twisted minds of the conservative/TeaCrack Party, but I was wrong. Twitter has really fueled their lunatic scribblings. Check this out."
The US Christian Right is Pushing Anti-Gay, Anti-Women Policies Abroad | Alternet
The US Christian Right is Pushing Anti-Gay, Anti-Women Policies Abroad | Alternet
"Ironically, these U.S. Christian Right groups criticize sound human rights initiatives as forms of neocolonial interference even while they aggressively seek to change reproductive practices themselves."
"Ironically, these U.S. Christian Right groups criticize sound human rights initiatives as forms of neocolonial interference even while they aggressively seek to change reproductive practices themselves."
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Despite Overwhelming Evidence, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Law Requiring Doctors to Lie to Women | Common Dreams
Despite Overwhelming Evidence, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Law Requiring Doctors to Lie to Women | Common Dreams
"Of course, as ideology increasing trumps science in our made-for-Orwell society, you can expect more intrusion into your personal life and more "evidence" trumped up by religious fundamentalists and anti-choice fanatics bent on controlling your life from "conception to natural death"."
"Of course, as ideology increasing trumps science in our made-for-Orwell society, you can expect more intrusion into your personal life and more "evidence" trumped up by religious fundamentalists and anti-choice fanatics bent on controlling your life from "conception to natural death"."
40 Economists Say The GOP Has Abandoned Economic Reality
40 Economists Say The GOP Has Abandoned Economic Reality: A survey of forty economists from across the ideological and partisan spectrum has concluded that on some of its most cherished issues, the Republican Party has simply taken leave of economic reality. For instance, economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers noted that one of the results from the survey — run by the University of [...]/p
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Muppets Break Ties With Anti-Gay Chick-Fil-A, Franchise Lies About Disappearance of Muppet Toys in Kids Meals | AlterNet
Muppets Break Ties With Anti-Gay Chick-Fil-A, Franchise Lies About Disappearance of Muppet Toys in Kids Meals | AlterNet
"It's one thing to see a "Christian" company misleading their customers with lies."
"It's one thing to see a "Christian" company misleading their customers with lies."
Senate GOP Provides $1.1 Million Tax Cut To Wealthy Estates While Raising Taxes On 20 Million Working Families
Senate GOP Provides $1.1 Million Tax Cut To Wealthy Estates While Raising Taxes On 20 Million Working Families: The Senate GOP plan to preserve the Bush tax cuts on incomes above $250,000 already amounts to a budget-busting tax cut for the rich, and in addition to it, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) also added another tax cut that benefits only the super-wealthy. The Hatch-McConnell plan effectively eliminates the [...]/p
Women for Paid Sick Days | Common Dreams
Women for Paid Sick Days | Common Dreams
"Some policy questions are difficult. Here are a few easy ones: Should people who handle food for a living have to work while contagious? Should sick kids be stuck at school because their parents are stuck at work? Should coming down with something cost you your job?
"Some policy questions are difficult. Here are a few easy ones: Should people who handle food for a living have to work while contagious? Should sick kids be stuck at school because their parents are stuck at work? Should coming down with something cost you your job?
Most Americans say: No, no and no. Politicians are catching up with them, but not fast enough."
Senior Economists Feel That GOP Jobs Package Is More Likely To Make People Sick Than Create Jobs
Senior Economists Feel That GOP Jobs Package Is More Likely To Make People Sick Than Create Jobs: House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor have taken every opportunity to tout the work that the GOP has done on jobs. From carrying around cards that lists the “more than 30 jobs bills” to bringing it up in every press conference or campaign ad, Republicans have been keen to publicize their [...]/p
RIP, Sally Ride
RIP, Sally Ride
"Yesterday, the day before Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday, Sally Ride joined the skies for a final time. At 61, she died of pancreatic cancer—a horrible disease. Back in 1983, it was thrilling to watch her smash the American gender barrier as she zoomed into space."
"Yesterday, the day before Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday, Sally Ride joined the skies for a final time. At 61, she died of pancreatic cancer—a horrible disease. Back in 1983, it was thrilling to watch her smash the American gender barrier as she zoomed into space."
Horrifying: Assailants Carve Anti-Gay Slurs on Nebraska Woman's Skin | AlterNet
Horrifying: Assailants Carve Anti-Gay Slurs on Nebraska Woman's Skin | AlterNet
"Gawker has the horrifying story of a particularly brutal hate crime in Nebraska:"
"Gawker has the horrifying story of a particularly brutal hate crime in Nebraska:"
Economists and Workers Both Say: Raise the Minimum Wage | Common Dreams
Economists and Workers Both Say: Raise the Minimum Wage | Common Dreams
"Marches and rallies are planned,according to McClatchy, at congressional district offices and at businesses that pay low wages. In Chicago, protesters will hold a trolley tour of low-wage employers, while activists in Pittsburgh will rally for higher wages outside City Hall. Similar events are planned in dozens of cities, including New York, Washington, Miami, Kansas City, Mo., Sacramento, Calif., and Philadelphia"
"Marches and rallies are planned,according to McClatchy, at congressional district offices and at businesses that pay low wages. In Chicago, protesters will hold a trolley tour of low-wage employers, while activists in Pittsburgh will rally for higher wages outside City Hall. Similar events are planned in dozens of cities, including New York, Washington, Miami, Kansas City, Mo., Sacramento, Calif., and Philadelphia"
How About This for Supporting the Troops: Help Our Female Homeless Veterans | Gender | AlterNet
How About This for Supporting the Troops: Help Our Female Homeless Veterans | Gender | AlterNet
"Homelessness among women veterans is a growing national concern. Tens of thousands of women veterans are fighting a war they did not choose to wage, and many of them have had multiple traumatic experiences, not only during service but also before and after. These traumatic experiences, which can include everything from combat-related stress to childhood abuse to domestic violence, contribute to this growing crisis."
"Homelessness among women veterans is a growing national concern. Tens of thousands of women veterans are fighting a war they did not choose to wage, and many of them have had multiple traumatic experiences, not only during service but also before and after. These traumatic experiences, which can include everything from combat-related stress to childhood abuse to domestic violence, contribute to this growing crisis."
How the Brutal Murders of a Little Girl and Her Father Doomed the Xenophobic Minuteman Movement | Immigration | AlterNet
How the Brutal Murders of a Little Girl and Her Father Doomed the Xenophobic Minuteman Movement | Immigration | AlterNet
"The brutal killings of Junior and Brisenia Flores highlighted growing extremism on the fringes of the anti-immigrant movement."
"The brutal killings of Junior and Brisenia Flores highlighted growing extremism on the fringes of the anti-immigrant movement."
Monday, July 23, 2012
Romney Dog Whistle: Obama’s Philosophy Is ‘Foreign To The American Experience’
Romney Dog Whistle: Obama’s Philosophy Is ‘Foreign To The American Experience’: Mitt Romney doubled down on his characterization of President Obama as a “foreigner” during an interview with CNBC’s Larry Kudlow Monday afternoon, insisting that the president believes that the government is responsible for the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Romney’s comments continue to misrepresent Obama’s remarks at a July 17th event, during which Obama [...]/p
PERRspectives: Democrats Crush Republicans as Capitalists in the White House
PERRspectives: Democrats Crush Republicans as Capitalists in the White House
"As the historical record shows, from economic growth and job creation to stock market performance and just about every other indicator of the health of American capitalism, the modern U.S. economy has almost always done better under Democratic presidents. Despite GOP mythology to the contrary, America generally gained more jobs and grew faster when taxes were higher (even much higher) and income inequality lower. While the U.S. recovery from the crippling Bush recession has been painfully slow, most economists - including the nonpartisan CBO and some of John McCain's own 2008 advisers - believe President Obama saved the American free-enterprise system from the abyss. And many economists are increasingly worried that businessman-turned-President Romney would lead the United States back into recession."
"As the historical record shows, from economic growth and job creation to stock market performance and just about every other indicator of the health of American capitalism, the modern U.S. economy has almost always done better under Democratic presidents. Despite GOP mythology to the contrary, America generally gained more jobs and grew faster when taxes were higher (even much higher) and income inequality lower. While the U.S. recovery from the crippling Bush recession has been painfully slow, most economists - including the nonpartisan CBO and some of John McCain's own 2008 advisers - believe President Obama saved the American free-enterprise system from the abyss. And many economists are increasingly worried that businessman-turned-President Romney would lead the United States back into recession."
Sexual Assault Victim Faces Jail Time For Naming Her Assailants
Sexual Assault Victim Faces Jail Time For Naming Her Assailants: When Savannah Dietrich was sexually assaulted and her attackers distributed photographs of the incident, any law enforcement agent would have encouraged the 17 year-old Kentucky girl to name her assailants. But now, Dietrich is facing jail time for doing just that. Disappointed and angered by what she considered a lenient plea deal for the two [...]/p
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
(You read that right, demonstrators who were protesting police brutality became victims of police brutality themselves and after all that cops shot a second guy that same weekend.)
(You read that right, demonstrators who were protesting police brutality became victims of police brutality themselves and after all that cops shot a second guy that same weekend.)
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Election 2012 | AlterNet
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Election 2012 | AlterNet
"The Romney campaign got the memo: Race-baiting and xenophobia works -- at least among the segment of the electorate former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney hopes to capture in his quest for the presidency."
"The Romney campaign got the memo: Race-baiting and xenophobia works -- at least among the segment of the electorate former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney hopes to capture in his quest for the presidency."
5 Food Companies Run by Radical Right-Wingers | Economy | AlterNet
5 Food Companies Run by Radical Right-Wingers | Economy | AlterNet
"A number of food chains are owned by far right-wingers who've spent significant money opposing gay rights and abortion rights and funding conservative super-PACs."
"A number of food chains are owned by far right-wingers who've spent significant money opposing gay rights and abortion rights and funding conservative super-PACs."
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tea Party Senator: Keeping Guns From ‘Demented Individuals’ Will ‘Restrict Our Freedoms’
Tea Party Senator: Keeping Guns From ‘Demented Individuals’ Will ‘Restrict Our Freedoms’: Responding to the tragic shooting in Colorado during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said he would oppose gun control efforts that could be used to “restrict our freedoms” and instead suggested arming “responsible” people to combat “sick, demented individuals who want to do harm.” Johnson also argued that any additional measures [...]/p
Lawmaker Says Her Colleagues ‘Don’t Have The Spine’ For Gun Control Legislation
Lawmaker Says Her Colleagues ‘Don’t Have The Spine’ For Gun Control Legislation: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) is deeply, personally familiar with the effects of gun violence: Her husband was killed and her son gravely and permanently injured by a gunman who rampaged through their train car seventeen years ago. Since then, McCarthy has been a staunch advocate for stronger regulations on firearms. As her colleagues grapple with [...]/p
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Steve King proud of new bill to prevent states from barring animal cruelty
Steve King proud of new bill to prevent states from barring animal cruelty
"He's referring there to efforts by states to require farmed pigs and cows have the luxury of cages that let them turn around, which several states have already passed laws on but which people like Steve King is the path to communism. So take that, states who give a crap about cruel farming practices!"
"He's referring there to efforts by states to require farmed pigs and cows have the luxury of cages that let them turn around, which several states have already passed laws on but which people like Steve King is the path to communism. So take that, states who give a crap about cruel farming practices!"
It's All About the 'Other': Romney's Dog-Whistle Attack Ad
It's All About the 'Other': Romney's Dog-Whistle Attack Ad
"If there was any lingering doubt about whether Mitt Romney intended to run a campaign that resorted to all the usual right-wing racial dog whistles -- almost fully settled, really, by the way he handled his NAACP speech and afterward, nattering on about howyou black people Obama voters just want "free stuff" -- then his most recent attack should lay any doubts to rest."
"If there was any lingering doubt about whether Mitt Romney intended to run a campaign that resorted to all the usual right-wing racial dog whistles -- almost fully settled, really, by the way he handled his NAACP speech and afterward, nattering on about how
This week in the War on Women: Republicans want to fight about lady parts some more? Okay.
This week in the War on Women: Republicans want to fight about lady parts some more? Okay.
"So. Attacking women's health has consistently been a losing issue for Republicans—especially, it seems, for Mitt Romney when it comes to lady swing voters. Even John "Aw, heck, just get me some broad, any broad, to be on my ticket" McCain said it was time to "respect the right of women to make choices in their lives and make that clear, and get back onto what the American people really care about." And for almost a full minute there, it seemed that Republicans were willing to put down the lady parts and step away slowly.But, it turns out hating women's health care is one heckuva tough habit to kick, and this week, Republicans fell off the wagon. Hard. So, since they still can't come up with any actual job solutions, and their plan to bring down the Obama administration by holding its members in contempt didn't pan out, they've gone back to beating up on ladies and their health care providers. Sure, it's bad for them, but you know how addicts are—they'll do just about anything for that cheap high, no matter who gets hurt."
"So. Attacking women's health has consistently been a losing issue for Republicans—especially, it seems, for Mitt Romney when it comes to lady swing voters. Even John "Aw, heck, just get me some broad, any broad, to be on my ticket" McCain said it was time to "respect the right of women to make choices in their lives and make that clear, and get back onto what the American people really care about." And for almost a full minute there, it seemed that Republicans were willing to put down the lady parts and step away slowly.But, it turns out hating women's health care is one heckuva tough habit to kick, and this week, Republicans fell off the wagon. Hard. So, since they still can't come up with any actual job solutions, and their plan to bring down the Obama administration by holding its members in contempt didn't pan out, they've gone back to beating up on ladies and their health care providers. Sure, it's bad for them, but you know how addicts are—they'll do just about anything for that cheap high, no matter who gets hurt."
Farm Bill Budget Cuts Will Mean Millions of Americans Go Hungry | Common Dreams
Farm Bill Budget Cuts Will Mean Millions of Americans Go Hungry | Common Dreams
"More seniors will be forced to choose between medical care and food, or utilities and food. Many families receiving Snap benefits are also eligible for free and reduced lunch. The proposed cuts could also mean lost lunches for hundreds of thousands of children, exacerbating an already intolerable situation."
"More seniors will be forced to choose between medical care and food, or utilities and food. Many families receiving Snap benefits are also eligible for free and reduced lunch. The proposed cuts could also mean lost lunches for hundreds of thousands of children, exacerbating an already intolerable situation."
Emails Show Racist Motivation Behind Arizona Immigration Law | Common Dreams
Emails Show Racist Motivation Behind Arizona Immigration Law | Common Dreams
"The e-mails were acquired through a public records request to the state legislature. The ACLU included many of the emails in a legal filing on Thursday,asking U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton to prevent the 'show me your papers' section of the law, slated to go into effect.
"The e-mails were acquired through a public records request to the state legislature. The ACLU included many of the emails in a legal filing on Thursday,asking U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton to prevent the 'show me your papers' section of the law, slated to go into effect.
The e-mails uncovered from Pearce included racial bias and offensive language. Some quotes released to theArizona Republic include:"
Piers Morgan: The Day to Debate Gun Control Would Have Been Yesterday
Piers Morgan: The Day to Debate Gun Control Would Have Been Yesterday
"Anyway, as I said, I'm no big fan of Piers Morgan, but it was nice to see for once the hypocrisy of not being allowed to talk about the root causes of this many deaths when we don't treat any other issue that way. People die and we want to know why and how to prevent it from happening."
"Anyway, as I said, I'm no big fan of Piers Morgan, but it was nice to see for once the hypocrisy of not being allowed to talk about the root causes of this many deaths when we don't treat any other issue that way. People die and we want to know why and how to prevent it from happening."
Here's an update on what we know about the Colorado theater shootings
Here's an update on what we know about the Colorado theater shootings
"Police are holding James Eagan Holmes in the killing of 12 and injuring of 59 in a movie multiplex in Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of 325,000 east of Denver. Patrons were in the packed theater for a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. A 6-year-old girl was among the dead and nine of the injured were in critical condition. Holmes is said not to be cooperating with authorities. He was arrestedin behind the theater just a couple of minutes after a 911 call was answered. Authorities say he will be arraigned on Monday."
"Police are holding James Eagan Holmes in the killing of 12 and injuring of 59 in a movie multiplex in Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of 325,000 east of Denver. Patrons were in the packed theater for a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. A 6-year-old girl was among the dead and nine of the injured were in critical condition. Holmes is said not to be cooperating with authorities. He was arrested
The Certainty of More Shootings - The Atlantic
The Certainty of More Shootings - The Atlantic
"Like everyone, and I'd say especially like every parent, I am of course saddened and horrified by the latest mass shooting-murder. My sympathies to all.
And of course the additional sad, horrifying, and appalling point is the shared American knowledge that, beyond any doubt, this will happen again, and that it will happen in America many, many times before it occurs anywhere else."
"Like everyone, and I'd say especially like every parent, I am of course saddened and horrified by the latest mass shooting-murder. My sympathies to all.
And of course the additional sad, horrifying, and appalling point is the shared American knowledge that, beyond any doubt, this will happen again, and that it will happen in America many, many times before it occurs anywhere else."
Friday, July 20, 2012
The “Special Interests” of Rape Victims - In These Times
The “Special Interests” of Rape Victims - In These Times
"Alas, poor Nikki Haley. All South Carolina’s Republican governor wanted to do was protect the health budget against “special interests” that “distract from… protecting South Carolina's public health.” And she chose such nasty, selfish special interests to oppose! Hemophiliacs, for example, or people with sickle cell anemia. Those folks sound pretty “special.” And, then, of course, there was the bit that stuck: The rape victims.
"Alas, poor Nikki Haley. All South Carolina’s Republican governor wanted to do was protect the health budget against “special interests” that “distract from… protecting South Carolina's public health.” And she chose such nasty, selfish special interests to oppose! Hemophiliacs, for example, or people with sickle cell anemia. Those folks sound pretty “special.” And, then, of course, there was the bit that stuck: The rape victims.
Haley’s veto, forbidding $450,000 for the state’s rape crisis centers was overturned on Tuesday, by a vote of 111-0. Which is not surprising, considering the public’s furor. Aside from protests by advocates and survivors within the state, there was a barrage of feminist blog coverage. One crisis center published a letter from a survivor: “I did NOT choose to be raped that night. I was ASLEEP in MY HOME, yet you are cutting a budget for people that did NOTHING WRONG!!!!!” Well. None of that looks oh so very good, for a politician who, last week, was a favorite to be nominated as Mitt Romney’s VP. Nor should it, of course. As lots of people have pointed out, demand for crisis centers, and for domestic violence aid, has risen during the recession."
Shocking: Well-Connected Tea Party Fundraiser Charged With Multiple Counts of Rape, Kidnapping | AlterNet
Shocking: Well-Connected Tea Party Fundraiser Charged With Multiple Counts of Rape, Kidnapping | AlterNet
"He has been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of rape, seven counts of object rape, and one count of forcible sexual abuse, all first-degree felonies; nine second-degree felony counts of forcible sexual abuse; one third-degree felony count of burglary. He also is charged with one count each of assault and sexual battery, both misdemeanors."
"He has been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of rape, seven counts of object rape, and one count of forcible sexual abuse, all first-degree felonies; nine second-degree felony counts of forcible sexual abuse; one third-degree felony count of burglary. He also is charged with one count each of assault and sexual battery, both misdemeanors."
Court Battle: Corporate Power Vs. Human Genes | Common Dreams
Court Battle: Corporate Power Vs. Human Genes | Common Dreams
"he Salt Lake City-based Myriad has patents on two genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer creating a monopoly on genetic tests for them, which prevents women from being able to get tests from other laboratories or even second opinions and provides insured profits for Myriad."
"he Salt Lake City-based Myriad has patents on two genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer creating a monopoly on genetic tests for them, which prevents women from being able to get tests from other laboratories or even second opinions and provides insured profits for Myriad."
Boston Globe: Bain insiders say Romney 'was not merely an absentee owner'
Boston Globe: Bain insiders say Romney 'was not merely an absentee owner'
"Again, none of that is surprising. What's surprising is that the Boston Globe had to do so much digging in order to put the pieces of the story together. And the reason they had to do so much digging is that Mitt Romney has staked his personal narrative on the clearly false claim that after Feb. 11, 1999 he had nothing to do with running Bain Capital. Clearly, however, he did. The question is: Why did he lie?"
"Again, none of that is surprising. What's surprising is that the Boston Globe had to do so much digging in order to put the pieces of the story together. And the reason they had to do so much digging is that Mitt Romney has staked his personal narrative on the clearly false claim that after Feb. 11, 1999 he had nothing to do with running Bain Capital. Clearly, however, he did. The question is: Why did he lie?"
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Bachmann Stands By Widely Condemned Islamophobic Attack, Finds Ally In Glenn Beck
Bachmann Stands By Widely Condemned Islamophobic Attack, Finds Ally In Glenn Beck: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is doubling down on her Islamaphobic attacks against a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, even as a growing number of Republicans are repudiating Bachmann’s charges as “nothing less than an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable citizen.” During an appearance on Glenn Beck’s radio show on Thursday, [...]/p
Republicans block Bring Jobs Home Act, protecting companies that outsource jobs
Republicans block Bring Jobs Home Act, protecting companies that outsource jobs
" As Reid pointed out, "It's no surprise Republicans are on the side of corporations making big bucks sending American jobs to China and India. After all, their presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, made a fortune outsourcing jobs, too"."
" As Reid pointed out, "It's no surprise Republicans are on the side of corporations making big bucks sending American jobs to China and India. After all, their presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, made a fortune outsourcing jobs, too"."
Relentless Republicans seek to revive fight over Planned Parenthood funding, push abstinence again
Relentless Republicans seek to revive fight over Planned Parenthood funding, push abstinence again
"Sigh. They're at it again. Or perhaps I should say still. This time it's Rep. Denny Rehberg, a candidate for the Montana Senate seat of Jon Tester. On Tuesday, Rehberg released his House Appropriations subcommittee's completed work on the labor, health and education budget for the 2013 fiscal year. Amid the sharp spending cuts in the proposed legislation are some things we've heard before: no money for Planned Parenthood, an end to funding for family planning prescribed for Title X, and a provision to allow employers to deny birth control coverage to women workers under the Affordable Care Act. One increase in spending is included: extra money for abstinence-only "sex education"."
"Sigh. They're at it again. Or perhaps I should say still. This time it's Rep. Denny Rehberg, a candidate for the Montana Senate seat of Jon Tester. On Tuesday, Rehberg released his House Appropriations subcommittee's completed work on the labor, health and education budget for the 2013 fiscal year. Amid the sharp spending cuts in the proposed legislation are some things we've heard before: no money for Planned Parenthood, an end to funding for family planning prescribed for Title X, and a provision to allow employers to deny birth control coverage to women workers under the Affordable Care Act. One increase in spending is included: extra money for abstinence-only "sex education"."
Demonizing the Poor | Common Dreams
Demonizing the Poor | Common Dreams
"It is sad and, frankly, frightening when Americans explain away the harshness and lack of compassion in their country by vilifying individuals who manage to survive in difficult circumstances. A lack of class consciousness, racism, puritanism, and pure delusion about America’s purported superiority result in nonsense being passed off as social science and matters which should be political being made personal."
"It is sad and, frankly, frightening when Americans explain away the harshness and lack of compassion in their country by vilifying individuals who manage to survive in difficult circumstances. A lack of class consciousness, racism, puritanism, and pure delusion about America’s purported superiority result in nonsense being passed off as social science and matters which should be political being made personal."
A Guide To Consumer Brands Helping Bankroll Right-Wing Attack Ads
A Guide To Consumer Brands Helping Bankroll Right-Wing Attack Ads: Have you eaten at White Castle recently? Or caught a movie at Regal Cinemas? If so, you may be unwittingly helping finance right-wing attack ads. That’s because many of the country’s most common brands are run by rich conservatives who are using their personal wealth to bankroll outside spending groups that are running attack ads [...]/p
Don't Like Blacks? You'll Love Voter ID
Don't Like Blacks? You'll Love Voter ID
"Despite the rhetoric of GOP officials, it’s more than clear that voter ID laws are designed to depress turnout among traditionally Democratic groups."
"Despite the rhetoric of GOP officials, it’s more than clear that voter ID laws are designed to depress turnout among traditionally Democratic groups."
The Republican Lie about the Self-Made Myth
"From the smallest of small businesses - to the largest of corporations - success is not achieved alone - but with help from society and from the government. Why are Republicans so afraid to admit this - and why can't they give up on the self-made myth? So here's the simple reality. None of us made it on our own. And those of us who have been successful in business have made it because we can use the infrastructure of our court system to enforce our contracts, have workers who had good public educations, and are protected by our fire and police departments, among others. For Takers like Romney to claim that he's a completely self-made man and government had nothing to do with his success is, quite simply, another one of his lies."
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
GOP Congress Won't Act on Horrifying Rape Scandal at US Airforce Base | AlterNet
GOP Congress Won't Act on Horrifying Rape Scandal at US Airforce Base | AlterNet
"Now Jezebel's Erin Gloria Ryan reminds us of a current rape scandal at a US Airforce base in Texas that gets worse and worse as more details are uncovered. If you haven't been paying attention to this story, now's the time to do so"
"Now Jezebel's Erin Gloria Ryan reminds us of a current rape scandal at a US Airforce base in Texas that gets worse and worse as more details are uncovered. If you haven't been paying attention to this story, now's the time to do so"
Study: Medicare Beneficiaries Receive Higher Quality, More Affordable Care
Study: Medicare Beneficiaries Receive Higher Quality, More Affordable Care: A study from the Commonwealth Fund found that adults receiving health care through Medicare receive higher quality care than those who have insurance through their employers or purchase their own coverage. The report concluded that Medicare beneficiaries are both the most satisfied with their insurance, and also the least likely to have problems paying medical [...]/p
Republican Congressman Gloats About Bill To Enable Animal Torture
Republican Congressman Gloats About Bill To Enable Animal Torture: Representative Steve King (R-IA), who is the sponsor of an amendment to the House Farm Bill that is both astonishingly hypocritical and devastating to food safety laws that protect millions of Americans from illness, recently gave an interview to the Daily Caller to brag about what he had accomplished. The King Amendment would essentially prevent [...]/p
House Draft Legislation Kills Funding For Research That Could Help Save 100,000 Lives
House Draft Legislation Kills Funding For Research That Could Help Save 100,000 Lives: Yesterday, House Republicans unveiled their proposed budget for the Departments of Labor, Health, and Human Services. One of its provisions “terminates” the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which was created under President Reagan to research which health care treatments are actually effective and hence which ones can be used to save the most [...]/p
Report: The Stimulus Successfully Saved Teaching Jobs
Report: The Stimulus Successfully Saved Teaching Jobs: To hear conservatives tell it, the 2009 Recovery Act (known as the stimulus) was a failure. However, that is not the view of independent analysts, who credit the stimulus with saving or creating millions of jobs. According to a new report from the Center on Education Policy, the stimulus was successful at saving education jobs [...]/p
D.C. Delegate Norton to be barred again from testifying on anti-abortion bill
D.C. Delegate Norton to be barred again from testifying on anti-abortion bill
"The District of Columbia has a great congressional representative in Eleanor Holmes Norton. But she only gets to represent D.C. part way."
"The District of Columbia has a great congressional representative in Eleanor Holmes Norton. But she only gets to represent D.C. part way."
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
South Carolina House Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Rape Crisis Center Funding
South Carolina House Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Rape Crisis Center Funding: The South Carolina House of Representatives has overridden Gov. Nikki Haley’s (R) veto of rape crisis center funding. Earlier this month, Haley vetoed nearly half a million dollars in money that would have gone to help victims, calling it a distraction from the Health Department’s mission. By a vote of 111 to zero, the House [...]/p
FDA to Ban BPA from Baby Bottles; Plan Falls Short of Needed Protections: Scientists | Common Dreams
FDA to Ban BPA from Baby Bottles; Plan Falls Short of Needed Protections: Scientists | Common Dreams
"The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is now officially banned from the manufacturing of baby bottles and sippy cups -- a move that researchers say still falls short of sufficient regulation. Environmental groups say more should be done to ban BPA from all consumer products including infant formula and food and beverage packaging, which are not included under the new rules."
"The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is now officially banned from the manufacturing of baby bottles and sippy cups -- a move that researchers say still falls short of sufficient regulation. Environmental groups say more should be done to ban BPA from all consumer products including infant formula and food and beverage packaging, which are not included under the new rules."
Planned Parenthood Sues Arizona For Blocking Low-Income Women’s Access To Health Clinics
Planned Parenthood Sues Arizona For Blocking Low-Income Women’s Access To Health Clinics: Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the state of Arizona on Monday in an attempt to overturn HB 2800, which restricts funding for its health clinics. Under the bill, individuals who are eligible for Medicaid may not seek health services at Planned Parenthood because the organization also performs abortions — a tactic to defund Planned [...]/p
Med Student Launches ‘Cooch Watch’ To Combat Virginia Attorney General’s Anti-Abortion Agenda
Med Student Launches ‘Cooch Watch’ To Combat Virginia Attorney General’s Anti-Abortion Agenda: Tea Party-backed Attorney General of Virginia Ken Cuccinelli is doing everything in his power to make abortion restrictions more stringent in his state. Cuccinelli essentially goaded the Virginia legislature into writing highly restrictive and unnecessary guidelines for abortion clinics, based on his own unsolicited legal guidance and legislation he failed to enact when he was [...]/p
Monday, July 16, 2012
How Public Sector Layoffs Killed 750,000 Private Sector Jobs
How Public Sector Layoffs Killed 750,000 Private Sector Jobs: As ThinkProgress has noted time and again, the unemployment rate would be up to a percentage point lower if all levels of government hadn’t engaged in severe austerity, shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs. The last three years have been the worst for public employment on record. As a recent study by the Economic Policy [...]/p
Conservatives Selectively Edit Obama’s Speech To Claim He Hates Small Businesses
Conservatives Selectively Edit Obama’s Speech To Claim He Hates Small Businesses: Attempting to change the subject from the latest scandal over Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital, conservatives have seized on new fodder for the narrative that Obama is secretly out to destroy small businesses. Fox and Friends on Monday morning aired a clip from an Obama campaign speech in Roanoke, Virginia, in which he says, “If [...]/p
Chris Hayes On How The Republicans Intend To Prevent Millions From Voting
Chris Hayes On How The Republicans Intend To Prevent Millions From Voting
"he awkward truth is that when a party gets essentially zero support from a sub-demographic of people, it's strategically sensible, though morally bankrupt, to attempt to reduce their participation in voting. Which means it's entirely possible that Romney's fellow Republicans want to make it harder for poor people of color to vote because they're likely to vote for Demcorats rather than because they aren't white.
"he awkward truth is that when a party gets essentially zero support from a sub-demographic of people, it's strategically sensible, though morally bankrupt, to attempt to reduce their participation in voting. Which means it's entirely possible that Romney's fellow Republicans want to make it harder for poor people of color to vote because they're likely to vote for Demcorats rather than because they aren't white.
But as the Voting Rights Act wisely says: the intent doesn't matter. It's the effect. And either way it's wrong."
The Sacredness of Life and Liberty | Common Dreams
The Sacredness of Life and Liberty | Common Dreams
"In short, morning-after pills do not operate on fertilized eggs at all. Why should this matter? Because many conservative Republicans, as well as the official Catholic Church, believe the metaphor that Fertilized Eggs Are People, and that preventing such egg-people from being implanted in the womb constitutes “abortion,” and hence, in their view, baby-killing. The Times article correctly reports that “it turns out that the politically charged debate over morning-after pills and abortion, a divisive issue in this election year, is probably rooted in outdated or incorrect scientific guesses about how the pills work"."
"In short, morning-after pills do not operate on fertilized eggs at all. Why should this matter? Because many conservative Republicans, as well as the official Catholic Church, believe the metaphor that Fertilized Eggs Are People, and that preventing such egg-people from being implanted in the womb constitutes “abortion,” and hence, in their view, baby-killing. The Times article correctly reports that “it turns out that the politically charged debate over morning-after pills and abortion, a divisive issue in this election year, is probably rooted in outdated or incorrect scientific guesses about how the pills work"."
5 Ways to Fight Back Against Arizona's Racist Ethnic Studies Law | | AlterNet
5 Ways to Fight Back Against Arizona's Racist Ethnic Studies Law | | AlterNet
"Arizona’s ethnic studies ban may have shut down Tucson’s Mexican American Studies classes. But this summer in the southern Arizona city, class is in session. Educators are holding weekend community forums to educate the city about the now-banned ethnic studies courses.
"Arizona’s ethnic studies ban may have shut down Tucson’s Mexican American Studies classes. But this summer in the southern Arizona city, class is in session. Educators are holding weekend community forums to educate the city about the now-banned ethnic studies courses.
It’s just one component of what’s being called the Tucson Freedom Summer, a month of events geared toward engaging Tucson to fight back against the law and revive the program it targeted. The idea for a month of civic engagement and community awareness activities was borne out of the need to keep the fight alive."
How A Koch-Affiliated Group Is Infiltrating State News Coverage in Mainstream Papers | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
How A Koch-Affiliated Group Is Infiltrating State News Coverage in Mainstream Papers | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"When Idaho state legislators proposed a seemingly uncontroversial bill to ban access to commercial tanning beds by minors earlier this year, IdahoReporter.com took up the issue with force.
"When Idaho state legislators proposed a seemingly uncontroversial bill to ban access to commercial tanning beds by minors earlier this year, IdahoReporter.com took up the issue with force.
The state news Web site, an affiliate of the conservative Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity and overseen by the free market Idaho Freedom Foundation, posted six stories on the proposal between Feb. 16 and March 22, when the bill was voted down in a state Senate Committee."
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Republicans' killer lies on health care
The Republicans' killer lies on health care
"If Mitt Romney and his right-wing allies get their way in Washington, D.C. and in the states, today's horrifying health care statistics will only grow worse in the GOP's future nightmare for America. That's just the sad truth."
"If Mitt Romney and his right-wing allies get their way in Washington, D.C. and in the states, today's horrifying health care statistics will only grow worse in the GOP's future nightmare for America. That's just the sad truth."
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