Democratic senators ask Pompeo to provide coronavirus aid to Palestinian territories | TheHill

A group of Democratic senators led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Monday asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to ensure the Gaza Strip and the West Bank receive any necessary aid to combat the coronavirus pandemic in a letter. ....
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/490185-democratic-senators-ask-pompeo-to-provide-coronavirus-aid-to-palestinian

Trump says election proposals in coronavirus stimulus bill would hurt Republican chances | TheHill

President Trump said Monday that the vote-by-mail proposal in the original Democrat-backed House version of the coronavirus stimulus bill would have ensured that no Republicans were ever elected again.
https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/490249-trump-says-proposed-coronavirus-election-changes-would-hurt-republican

Interview with Katherine Stewart, author of "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism" (The Phil Ferguson Show podcast #335)

Interview with Katherine Stewart. Her new book is "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism". We talk about this book, her previous book " The Good News Club", Coronavirus, The Religious Right, Religious Hospitals and the fact that she almost died in one.

Investing Skeptically: Gold and Gold Funds.
Bonus Audio - Carl Sagan
Interview:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/8084919/335-2W9Nkr

Democrats eye major infrastructure component in next coronavirus package | TheHill

With the ink barely dry on a massive, $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, House Democrats are already laying out their targets for the next round of emergency aid, including major investments in the nation's infrastructure systems.
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/490243-democrats-eye-major-infrastructure-component-in-next-coronavirus

Florida sheriff charges megapastor who kept church open, said closings are for ‘pansies’ - The Washington Post

Rev. Rodney Howard-Browne, who has prayed with Trump at the White House, faces charges of unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/03/30/tampa-megapastor-howard-browne-charged-coronavirus/

U.S. Base Workers Set for Furlough in Blow to Korea Alliance - Bloomberg

The U.S. military is set to put almost half of its 8,500 South Korean civilian workers on furlough, as the two sides bicker over the Trump administration’s demands for a massive increase in troop funding.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-30/u-s-base-workers-set-for-furlough-in-blow-to-korea-alliance

Trump moves the coronavirus goal posts, pre-spinning 100,000 deaths as ‘a very good job’ - The Washington Post

"So we have between 100 and 200,000 [deaths], and we altogether have done a very good job," Trump said.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/30/trump-moves-coronavirus-goal-posts-pre-spinning-100000-deaths-very-good-job/

Trump says Republicans would ‘never’ be elected again if it was easier to vote

President dismissed Democratic-led push for voter reforms amid coronavirus pandemic during Fox & Friends appearance
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/30/trump-republican-party-voting-reform-coronavirus

Jobs Aren’t Being Destroyed This Fast Elsewhere. Why Is That? - NYTimes

It’s not too late to start protecting employment or to make medical care for Covid-19 free. ....
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/opinion/coronavirus-economy-saez-zucman.html

Republicans won't let a little thing like a global pandemic stop them from destroying health care

With more than 150,000 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, more than 2,800 deaths (as of the moment I am writing this sentence), and at least triple-digit numbers in nearly every state, you'd think even Republicans would realize now is the time to preserve the nation's health care system, such as it is. You'd be wrong. None of the 18 Republican state attorneys general suing to overturn the Affordable Care Act is relenting. Neither is Donald Trump nor Attorney General William Barr....
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2020/3/30/1932727/-Republicans-won-t-let-a-little-thing-like-a-global-pandemic-stop-them-from-destroying-health-care

Trump Notes That His Hair Is His Own During Coronavirus Briefing

In a bizarre sudden departure from detailing additional hospital beds intended for New York coronavirus patients during his daily coronavirus press briefing on Monday, President Trump asserted that his hair is indeed his own. ....
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-notes-that-his-hair-is-his-own-during-coronavirus-briefing

WATCH: Trump admits if Democrats make voting easier ‘you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again’ – Raw Story

President Donald Trump is warning if Democrats’ efforts to make it easier for Americans to vote are successful Republicans will not win elections.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/watch-trump-admits-if-democrats-make-voting-easier-youd-never-have-a-republican-elected-in-this-country-again/

Italy Home Quarantine Repeats Mistake Made in China, Doctors Say - Bloomberg

Italy needs to shift to mass quarantining of coronavirus patients with mild symptoms instead of letting them isolate at home, according to a group of Chinese experts who traveled to the European nation to advise officials there.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-30/italy-home-quarantine-repeats-mistake-made-in-china-doctors-say

Trump’s quarantine con should be the breaking point - The Washington Post

We are learning about the importance of competent, energetic and empathetic government.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-quarantine-con-should-be-the-breaking-point/2020/03/29/2bd94ed6-71f0-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html

Panicked Republicans now want to blame impeachment for bungling the coronavirus response: report - Raw Story

Congress was slow to understand the threat from coronavirus, and now Republicans want to blame impeachment.....
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/panicked-republicans-now-want-to-blame-impeachment-for-bungling-the-coronavirus-response-report/

Five Ways to Start a Nuclear War (Union of Concerned Scientists, Got Science? podcast episode 78)

Physicist David Wright discusses the nuclear weapons policies and scenarios that threaten our safety, and how to mitigate those risks.
Interview:
https://soundcloud.com/gotscience/ep-78-five-ways-to-start-a-nuclear-war

A Criminally Negligent Coronavirus Response (Pod Save the World podcast)

Tommy and Ben go through the latest news on the international response to the coronavirus, including nationwide lockdowns in the UK and India and signs of hope in Italy. Then they look at how the virus is impacting US relations with North Korea, how US sanctions are impeding health care workers in Iran and Venezuela, and how authoritarian leaders are using the pandemic to grab more power. They also cover Mike Pompeo’s trip to Afghanistan and how China is trying to turn the coronavirus into a propaganda win. Then Ambassador Susan Rice joins and does not mince words about her assessment of Trump’s performance.
Interview:
https://crooked.com/podcast/a-criminally-negligent-coronavirus-response/

Capitalism's failures exposed by the Coronavirus - Richard Wolff

"This is a collection [of uninsured, underinsured, undocumented immigrants] that amounts to at least half of the population, so managed in our medical profit system that they are colluding with this epidemic. They don't want to, but the system forces it on them."
https://youtu.be/W9NKe2OiNgA

PragerU Lies About Evolution

https://youtu.be/fcZOzHMOXoQ

Irvin Baxter Says Coronavirus Is a Warning From God About the Sin of Fornication - RWW News

End Times pastor Irvin Baxter thinks that the coronavirus outbreak is a warning from God about the sin of fornication. ....
https://youtu.be/QbE6wrMZOvc

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 30, 2020

https://youtu.be/073Nnh9PIPk

Trump falsely claims he never told Mike Pence ‘don’t call the woman in Michigan’ – Raw Story

President Donald Trump attacked a CNN reporter for asking about his statement at a press conference last week. Trump said that he doesn’t call people who don’t appreciate the work he’s doing for them. He then confessed that he told former Vice President Mike Pence that he also shouldn’t call, but that Pence calls them back anyway. “Don’t call the woman in Michigan,” Trump said while discussing Pence’s work as head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.....
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/trump-falsely-claims-he-never-told-mike-pence-dont-call-the-
woman-in-michigan/

Republican Kevin McCarthy calls for holding off on further coronavirus aid packages - Vox

Rep. Kevin McCarthy implied further packages might serve to advance Democratic priorities like a Green New Deal and sanctuary city designations.
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/29/21198870/kevin-mccarthy-coronavirus-aid-package-cares-act

Florida residents pack into megachurch after pastor promises he can cure coronavirus – Raw Story

While scientists and doctors are urging people to social-distance to stop the spread of the coronavirus, one Florida megachurch bucked the trend to host their own service on Sunday that packed people in with a dangerous crowd. The River Church in Tampa was packed with people looking for hope, TMZ reported Sunday. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne has denounced the social distancing claiming that he can cure the coronavirus just like he did with the Zika virus (which still exists). ....
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/florida-residents-pack-into-megachurch-after-pastor-promises-he-can-cure-coronavirus/

Militia attacks on Americans in Iraq are becoming more audacious. The U.S. is wrestling with how to respond - The Washington Post

U.S. officials say they get reports almost every day about 'imminent' attacks on military and diplomatic targets.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/militia-attacks-on-americans-in-iraq-becoming-more-audacious-us-wrestling-with-how-to-respond/2020/03/27/7b31d76c-6d38-11ea-a156-0048b62cdb51_story.html

Robert Stanley, 2019 Performance, Risk of Large Cap (The Phil FergusonShow podcast 327)

Interview with Robert Stanley. We talk about his podcast " The Right To Reason" and many other secular topics.

Investing Skeptically"
- 2019 Performance Numbers
- Risk of Holding only Large Cap Growth Stocks

Interview:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/8084919/327-fKMbdv

This is What Climate Change Looks Like: Wildfires in Australia (Union of Concerned Scientists, Got Science? podcast episode 77)

Climate scientist and educator Dr. Mel Fitzpatrick dissects Australia's wildfires and explores how climate change has made them more catastrophic. Got ScienceUnion of Concerned Scientists
Interview:
https://soundcloud.com/gotscience/ep-77-this-is-what-climate-change-looks-like-wildfires-in-australia

“Slush Fund Baby.” (Pod Save America podcast)

Trump refuses to force the production of life-saving medical equipment, Democrats fight to eliminate a corporate slush fund from Mitch McConnell’s stimulus bill, and the coronavirus pandemic upends the 2020 campaign. Then, health care workers share stories about how they’re grappling with this crisis.

Crooked has started a Coronavirus Relief Fund for organizations supporting food banks, health care workers, restaurant workers, seniors, kids who depend on school lunches, and others in need. Donate: crooked.com/coronavirus

We played clips from listeners around the country in today’s episode about how they’ve been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. if you’d like to share your story, send a voice note or video to 323 405-9944.
Interview:
https://crooked.com/podcast/slush-fund-baby/

“Give Me GDP, or Give Me Death.” (Pod Save America podcast)

The Senate passes the largest economic relief bill in history, Trump spreads the deadly lie that letting the virus run wild will boost the economy, and the daily White House briefings get record cable ratings. Then Governor Gretchen Whitmer talks to Dan about Michigan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Crooked has started a Coronavirus Relief Fund for organizations supporting food banks, health care workers, restaurant workers, seniors, kids who depend on school lunches, and others in need.
Interview:
https://crooked.com/podcast/give-me-gdp-or-give-me-death/

What The Coronavirus Crisis Means For Those Already Struggling (On Point)

There was plenty of economic hardship before coronavirus hit. We'll discuss what the crisis means for people who were already struggling.
Interview:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/03/27/what-the-coronavirus-crisis-means-for-those-already-struggling

The coronavirus is the worst intelligence failure in US history

The Trump administration’s unprecedented indifference, even willful neglect, forced a catastrophic strategic surprise on to the American people ....
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/29/the-coronavirus-is-the-worst-intelligence-failure-in-us-history

As Trump invokes presidential powers to fight the coronavirus, he sows confusion along the way - The Washington Post

As virus spreads across the country, there are growing questions about how far the president's authorities extend, and how much he plans to use them.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-quarantine-defense-production-act-confusion/2020/03/28/2c7d9214-7125-11ea-b148-e4ce3fbd85b5_story.html

Bill Gates makes a prediction about when coronavirus cases will peak

Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, weighs in on the coronavirus pandemic, saying the number of US cases has not yet peaked and the country won't likely be able to return to normal life by April.
https://youtu.be/A71lfXrQlxU

Tribe That Drew Trump's Fire Over Casino Plan Loses Its Reservation Status | HuffPost

The U.S. Interior Department is rescinding the reservation status of a Native American tribe whose plan to build a casino on its Massachusetts land was attacked by President Donald Trump last year. The planned gaming operation would have competed for business with nearby Rhode Island casinos with strong ties to Trump, who once owned, then bankrupted, casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ....
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mashpee-wampanoag-cape-cod-trump-casino-caronavirus_n_5e7febfdc5b6256a7a2bea44

Giuliani SINKS Trump with accidental admission about his feud with governors

Rudy Giuliani just sank Trump on air with an accidentally admission about his feud with Democratic governors.....
https://youtu.be/XuQ5fbPMbAI

Teen Who May Have Died of Coronavirus Denied Medical Care Because He Lacked Insurance - Slate

The death of 17-year-old in Lancaster, California had been linked to COVID-19 but authorities later said further study by the CDC was necessary.....
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/teen-coronavirus-denied-medical-care-lacked-insurance.html

Coronavirus: Enjoy free ebooks and audiobooks while self-isolating

Coronavirus has changed the landscape for book lovers, particularly book lovers on a budget. Sure, many bookstores are offering curbside service and online stores have plenty of titles on sale, but the costs can add up for families, many of whom are feeling a financial pinch during this crisis. ....
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/03/28/coronavirus-free-ebooks-audiobooks-while-self-isolating/2928056001/

COVID-19 And Bad Decision-Making (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Athiest podast #315)

— Hemant will be on Jeopardy on Wednesday! (0:20)
— Yes, the government can force churches to close down in the pandemic. (3:48)
— Liberty University is open for business… for some reason. (7:45)
— A Pennsylvania lawmaker proposed a resolution blaming COVID-19 on our sins. (13:30)
— A boy drowned at a low-budget Creation Museum and Kent Hovind doesn’t seem to care. (18:16)
— Is abortion an essential health service during a pandemic? (25:13)
— A Texas lawmaker praised COVID-19 for saving lives by shutting down abortion clinics. (26:45)
— A pastor who said our COVID-19 response was “mass hysteria” died of you know what. (34:49)
— A Louisiana pastor brought in 26 busloads of people for Sunday services. He’s not planning to stop. (38:01)
— An IL church held services on March 15, Now most of the people who attended are sick. (39:45)
— Oklahoma’s governor led a televised Christian prayer rally while Mississippi’s read from the Bible during a livestream. (42:57)
— The White House’s Bible study leader is blaming COVID-19 on gay people and atheists. (54:30)
— A Romanian priest gave communion to people with the same spoon. (57:00)
— A GOP leader in Nebraska said the virus wouldn’t affect them because there aren’t a lot of Chinese people there. (57:38)
Interview:
https://soundcloud.com/friendly-atheist-podcast/ep-315-covid-19-and-bad-decision-making

The Virus of Faith (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio)

This week on Freethought Radio: President Trump wants to "pack the pews" of churches by Easter. Vice President Pence encourages believers to continue tithing. Governors, mayors and lawmakers promote prayer as a response to the pandemic. After hearing the Philip Appleman song "In A Dark Time," we talk by phone with journalist and author Susan Jacoby, from her New York City apartment where she is sheltering in place in the coronavirus epicenter, about battling the virus of faith.
Interview:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/freethought-radio

Stocks, Panic-Buying, and the Costs of Crisis (with Phil Ferguson) (Seth Andrews, The Thinking Atheist podcast)

Seth Andrews speaks with "financial guy" Phil Ferguson about the weird, wild happenings in the U.S. and global economy in the wake of COVID-19.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/cYf_Uu3uW_c

Black Hebrew Israelite (David C. Smalley, Dogma Debate podcast #383)

Aphiah Cey-Jude joins David Smalley to discuss his special lineage as one of God's Chosen People, as a descendent of Hebrew Israelites. David explores his views on biblical slavery, and why he thinks we should still follow the Old Testament while worshipping Jesus Christ.
Interview:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/smalleyandhyso/383-black-hebrew-israelite

The Coronavirus Economic Stimulus and Trump's Easter Timeline

The Senate passes a $2 trillion economic stimulus package as unemployment claims skyrocket in response to the coronavirus, and Donald Trump says that he would like to end measures meant to slow the spread of Covid-19 by Easter in order to spur economic growth. Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer discuss the stimulus bill, the danger that Trump's messaging and timeline presents, and how Democrats should respond to Trump's failure in responding to the pandemic. Want to help people most impacted by the coronavirus? We set up a fund for that. Go to Crooked.com/coronavirus to learn more.
Interview:
https://youtu.be/zF0cAQYY4cg

Talk Heathen 04.12 with Eric Murphy & Vi La Bianca

00:03:36 Marlon - Philippines - Has proof of David slaying the giant thus proving the bible.
00:18:35 Carlos - TX - Intelligence is a gift from god
00:23:09 Ethan - IL - Looking for tips on a challenging discussion he will be having.
00:35:30 Carlos - TX - (Returning call, not in a wind tunnel) Intelligence is a gift from god
00:47:30 Sam - UK - Slavery in the bible is justified.
01:00:37 Tyler - MI - The End Is Nigh! It’s the Coronavirus! Watch out!
01:19:20 Michael - FL - Time for a nice break, it’s an atheist!
01:32:10 Kevin - NY - Evidence for god is based on systems upon systems upon systems...
Interview:
https://youtu.be/D_1oX-HNYH0

Atheist Experience 24.11 with Matt Dillahunty & Don Baker

The Atheist Experience 24.11 for March 15, 2020 with Matt Dillahunty & Don Baker.

00:01:33 Announcements Regarding Coronavirus & the ACA
00:08:58 The Coronavirus & the People Taking Advantage of It for Money
00:12:11 Failures of Christianity: Why Won't God Just TALK?
00:29:08 Tom - MO - Struggling Out of My Lutheran Faith (Doubting God)
00:53:01 CJ - NC - How Are You Feeling About Debating David Wood?
01:06:15 Hassan - CA - God is to the Universe as Zero is to Math
01:16:12 Luke - AZ - Why Aren't You Nihilists?

Interview:
https://youtu.be/4qxmVIfQukQ

Richard Carrier 1st-century Christian Mystery Cults Historical Jesus

Interview:
https://youtu.be/QKidkJYShBU
https://www.richardcarrier.info/archives/15301

Christianity 1st-century Jewish Mystery Cult

Early Christianity has often been categorized a mystery religion, involving secret knowledge and ceremonies known only to initiates of the religion. With other mystery religions, Christianity shares the concept of a savior god that experiences sufferings often including death and resurrection, salvation through rituals, baptism to wash away sins to be reborn, and ritual meals.

Richard Carrier agrees that Christianity is a mystery religion but points out it is not exactly like the other mystery religions.

"Often when scholars deny that Christianity was a mystery religion, they really mean it wasn't just one of the already-existing mystery religions superficially overhauled with Jewish concepts. Christianity wasn't 'Osiris Cult 2.0'. Which is certainly true. But that's all that anyone's evidence can prove.

Even the earliest discernible form of Christianity emulates numerous cultist features and concepts that were so unique to the Hellenistic mystery cults

And any theory of historicity that fails to account for it cannot be credible."

Doctrines of Christianity were originally kept private to senior initiates. They were taught to junior followers only using parables and metaphor.

" We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began."

— 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

"The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them."

— Matthew 13:10-11

Other writers argue that Christianity originated as an amalgamation of earlier pagan religions, often including the mystery cults. In contrast, other historians argue that while Christianity was influenced by the mystery cults, its origin was either a historical or mythical person.

'The Plot Against America': HBO Series Imagines A Charles Lindbergh Presidency

Emmy-award winning writer and producer, David Simon, on his new HBO miniseries, “The Plot Against America," and why making the real-life iconic aviator and anti-Semite, Charles Lindbergh, president in 1940 is instructive for our times today.
Interview:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/03/13/plot-against-america-hbo-series

Your COVID-19 Questions, Continued! (Opening Arguments podcast OA371)

Today’s episode is the second half of our double-length episode in which we tackle your questions about the coronavirus and the law. If you haven’t listened to Episode 370 (Part 1) first, go check that out!

We tackle:

• The extent of federal and state powers during emergencies, including the National Emergency Act, 50 U.S.C. Ch. 34, the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5121, and 42 U.S. § 264; 
• And we contrasted that with state powers, such as 2018 Maryland Code, Public Safety Art., Title 14, Article 3. 
• Whether the House of Representatives has to vote in chamber, or whether they can use technology; 
• Whether restrictions on gatherings violate the First Amendment; 
• Whether you can be charged with a crime for spreading coronavirus; 

And much, much more!

No #T3BE this week as we jam-pack 2.5 hours of content for your self-quarantining listening pleasure!
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa371-your-covid-19-questions-continued/

Doctor who criticized hospital's measures against coronavirus is fired | TheHill

A Washington state emergency room doctor who spoke out about what he called a lack of protective measures being implemented against the coronavirus at his hospital has been fired. Dr. Ming Lin wrote in a Facebook post on Friday that he was terminated from his job at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Wash. ....
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/489969-doctor-who-criticized-hospitals-measures-against-coronavirus-is

Michigan governor’s former opponent slams ‘inept’ Trump for petty attacks: ‘I’ve got her back’ – Raw Story

On Saturday, former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed clapped back at President Donald Trump for his attacks on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: ....
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/michigan-governors-former-opponent-slams-inept-trump-for-petty-attacks-ive-got-her-back/

The stimulus bill includes a tax break for the 1% (opinion) - CNN

We face a frightening pandemic. More than 100,000 American have been infected with Covid-19, while tens of millions more continue to shelter at home. Meanwhile, the markets are crashing. And yet the more things change, the more they stay the same.....
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/28/opinions/stimulus-bill-tax-break-for-1-mccaffery/index.html

Trump takes immediate step to try to curb new inspector general’s autonomy, as battle over stimulus oversight begins - The Washington Post

In a White House signing statement, Trump called "unreasonable" the broad investigative authority given to a new inspector general office.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/27/trump-coronavirus-inspector-general/

‘There is no surge plan’: Despite warnings, Congress failed to fully fund pandemics bill - POLITICO

Public-health experts complained that budget cuts were undermining preparedness. Congress did not take heed. ....
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/28/congress-pandemic-bill-coronavirus-152580

The missing six weeks: how Trump failed the biggest test of his life

The president was aware of the danger from the coronavirus – but a lack of leadership has created an emergency of epic proportions ...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/28/trump-coronavirus-politics-us-health-disaster

Breaking With China Is Exactly the Wrong Answer - The Atlantic

After scuttling its partnership with Beijing on public health, the U.S. was unprepared for the pandemic. ....
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/breaking-china-exactly-wrong-answer/608911/

Washington Post Hits Donald Trump With Chilling Reality Check About Reopening For Easter | HuffPost

The newspaper’s board imagined “a social, political, moral — and economic — cataclysm” in terrifying detail....
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/washington-post-editorial-board-barbaric-coronavirus-choice_n_5e7f0a03c5b6256a7a2b41ea

800,000 doctors to Trump: Heed expert warnings and end dangerous campaign against social distancing – Raw Story

A council representing more than 800,000 doctors across the U.S. signed a letter Friday imploring President Donald Trump to reverse his call for businesses to reopen by April 12, warning that the president’s flouting of the guidance of public health experts could jeopardize the health of millions of Americans and throw hospitals into even more chaos as they fight the coronavirus pandemic.....
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/800000-doctors-to-trump-heed-expert-warnings-and-end-dangerous-campaign-against-social-distancing/

A runaway greenhouse effect turned Venus into ‘hell.’ Could it happen here? - The Washington Post

The story of Venus's transformation from potentially Earth-like planet to the "closest thing to hell in our solar system" holds important lessons for Earthlings navigating a warming world....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/03/20/runaway-greenhouse-effect-turned-venus-into-hell-could-same-thing-happen-here/

Judge orders release of 10 immigrants, says ICE has shown 'deliberate indifference' to medical needs

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a federal judge on Thursday ordered the immediate release of nearly a dozen detained immigrants who are at heightened risk amid the coronavirus pandemic due to ongoing health issues. Brooklyn Defender Services, which sued on behalf of the 10 people, said in a statement that the judge found Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “has been and continues to be deliberately indifferent to serious medical needs and ignores the threat caused by COVID-19 ‘that will likely cause imminent, life-threatening illness.’” ...
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2020/3/27/1931799/-Judge-orders-release-of-10-immigrants-says-ICE-has-shown-deliberate-indifference-to-medical-needs

States Quietly Pass Laws Criminalizing Fossil Fuel Protests Amid Coronavirus Chaos | HuffPost

Over the past two weeks, Kentucky, South Dakota and West Virginia approved new laws meant to discourage Dakota Access-style protests. More are on the way. ...
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pipeline-protest-laws-coronavirus_n_5e7e7570c5b6256a7a2aab41

J-L Cauvin on Twitter: "God only brought one guy back from the dead on Easter. Trump is here to bring back the whole economy on Easter 2020.

God only brought one guy back from the dead on Easter. Trump is here to bring back the whole economy on Easter 2020. Enjoy this clip (possibly, like, the best ever), share and be sure to subscribe to Making Podcasts Great Again ( @TrumpPod ) - new every week!
https://twitter.com/JLCauvin/status/1242515702688485376

A Wild Story From a Gospel Excluded from the Bible | Gospel of Judas

The Gnostic Gospel of Judas shows fascinating contrast from the theology of Nicean Christianity. Early Christianity was diverse, unlike how many Christian institutions proclaim today. When National Geographic published the Gospel of Judas in 2006, we were finally able to pull away from polemical works and answer the question, "What did it really say?" Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus? Who is Saklas? What is Christian Gnosticism? This book gives us a unique perspective on those subjects. ....
https://youtu.be/BhQmLFHxsBw

Christianity is Fundamentally a False Religion, Rabbi Tovia Singer Expla...

https://youtu.be/gIlHaOsWaB0

Week In The News: The Political, Cultural And Economic Impact Of Coronavirus (On Point)

Cases of coronavirus are skyrocketing across the U.S. We’ll talk about the public health crisis, and the politics and economics of the pandemic, in our week in review roundtable.
Interview:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/03/27/week-in-the-news-political-cultural-economic-coronavirus

The News Roundup — Domestic (The 1A) 2020-03-27

Late Wednesday night, the Senate approved a $2 trillion aid package for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

If the House moves it forward and the president signs it, the bill will add billions into unemployment insurance programs, mail checks to Americans in need and create loan programs for struggling businesses across the country.

Amid the crisis, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s political star is rising as he works to keep New Yorkers informed on his government’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a 31-year old in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody is the first to test positive for COVID-19.

And if you’re bored at home, maybe you’re getting into video games.

The popularity of online gaming has risen as more Americans are being instructed to remain inside. This week, gaming platform Steam broke its record for concurrent users. However, the increased strain on gaming infrastructure has led to slow loading times and lag for many users.

We cover the biggest headlines from around the nation on the News Roundup.
Interview:
https://the1a.org/segments/the-news-roundup-domestic-2020-27-03/

The News Roundup — International (The 1A) 2020-03-27

India, the second most populous country in the world is on lockdown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision comes after the country reported 606 cases of coronavirus. While the order aims to prevent a massive public health disaster, experts say it could leave the economy reeling and its citizens starving.

And Europe is now the epicenter of COVID-19. In Spain, the number of deaths from coronavirus has surpassed those in China. In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a stay-at-home order to all citizens.

But in Germany, testing widely for coronavirus seems to be paying off. The country has the lowest death rate from the disease in the world.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has ordered all citizens to take a week off from work in order to stop the spread of the virus. The order comes alongside the postponement of a referendum that would have extended his term in office.

We’ll cover this week’s biggest stories from around the world on the News Roundup.
Interview:
https://the1a.org/segments/the-news-roundup-international-2020-27-03/

The CARES Act, COVID-19, and Your $1,200 Check (Opening Arguments podcast OA372)

Today’s episode breaks down the three main provisions of the just-passed CARES Act in terms of (1) additional unemployment benefits, (2) tax relief in the form of advance $1,200 “rebate” checks to taxpayers, and (3) the $500 billion “slush fund” for corporate giveaways. While there’s more in this 880-page monstrosity, we break down the key parts for you!

We begin, however, with some good news about the impending retirement of Ohio Rep., Trump-supporting lunatic, and soon-to-be-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Does this violate the Ineligibility Clause of the Constitution? YOU BETCHA. Is it #ClearAsKushner? YEP! And this time, does it matter? YES IT DOES!

After that it’s time for a full breakdown of the main components of the CARES Act, including how much money you’ll be getting and when, what the costs are, and what the provisions are that can come into play to prevent all of this from winding up in Jared Kushner’s pocket. You won’t want to miss it!

After all that, it’s time for a quick segment on IRS Form W-7, which allows you to pay your taxes if you’re a nonresident alien.
Interview:
https://openargs.com/oa372-the-cares-act-covid-19-and-your-1200-check/

As Trump signals readiness to break with experts, his online base assails Fauci - The Washington Post

A cadre of right-wing outlets is laying the groundwork for Trump to disregard experts on his own coronavirus task force.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-trump-signals-readiness-to-break-with-experts-his-online-base-assails-fauci/2020/03/26/3802de14-6df6-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html

A far-right rallying cry: Older Americans should volunteer to work - POLITICO

Older Americans are key drivers of the country's faltering economy — and more at risk of dying from the coronavirus.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/27/older-americans-work-coronavirus-151240

Charles Koch Network Attacks Shelter-in-Place Policies

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY, the pro-corporate pressure group founded and funded by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, wants employees to return to work despite desperate pleas from public health officials that people should stay home as much as possible to help contain the spread of the coronavirus....
https://theintercept.com/2020/03/26/americans-for-prosperity-cdc-coronavirus/