Tuesday, November 30, 2021

GOP gives unemployment checks to unvaxxed that defied Biden mandate - Axios

Republican officials around the country are testing a creative mechanism to build loyalty with unvaccinated Americans while undermining Biden administration mandates: unemployment benefits…


Black Catholics have a right to be frustrated with a church that ignores racism

Black Catholics push back against an archbishop's claim that social justice movements are "pseudo-religions."…


Catholic nuns lift veil on abuse in convents | Reuters

…As the Roman Catholic Church pays more attention to the closed world of convents, where women spend much of their time in prayer and household work, more episodes of psychological, emotional and physical abuse are coming to light…


Omicron variant is product of vaccine inequality between the west and developing nations - The Washington Post

…"Our achievements in our own country are at high risk because of the failures outside of our country, because of vaccine nationalism, not just in the United States and Europe, but also India and China," J. Stephen Morrison, director of the global health policy center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told me over the weekend. "If you have uncontrolled transmission in large populations, that is the optimum environment for generating new variants. In Africa, you have a 6 percent vaccination rate. You're going to get mutations."…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/11/29/omicron-vaccine-inequality-west/


GOP gets pandemic backwards, tries to blame Biden for ongoing crisis

The more Republicans succeed in extending the Covid-19 crisis, the more the party blames the president for the fact that the pandemic isn't over...


PolitiFact | No, Nancy Pelosi didn’t buy a $25 million mansion in Florida

A Facebook post claimed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is moving to Florida after purchasing a $25 million, 11,000-square-foot waterfront mansion…


Rep. Lauren Boebert renews Islamophobic attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar, rebuffs call for public apology - The Washington Post

"I believe in engaging with those we disagree with respectfully, but not when that disagreement is rooted in outright bigotry and hate," Omar said. "To date, the Republican Party leadership has done nothing to condemn and hold their own members accountable for repeated instances of anti-Muslim hate and harassment. This is not about one hateful statement or one politician; it is about a party that has mainstreamed bigotry and hatred."…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-lauren-boebert-renews-islamophobic-attack-on-rep-ilhan-omar-rebuffs-call-for-public-apology/2021/11/29/d9b56d5c-514e-11ec-8769-2f4ecdf7a2ad_story.html


Trump wants a debate over his election nonsense. He’s already lost that debate, repeatedly. - The Washington Post

…In essence, Trump is arguing that he lost only because so many people were allowed to vote, which is not a terribly convincing argument…


Your liver is an important, unique organ. Here’s how to keep it healthy. - The Washington Post

Liver experts across the United States are seeing a troubling trend: More and more people are developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)...


Red America has seen the highest rates of cases and deaths, and the lowest rate of vaccinations - The Washington Post

…It's worth putting a fine point on a subject I raised earlier Monday: It is red America, Donald Trump-voting America, that has seen the worst effects of the pandemic. With divergent vaccination rates, with the unvaccinated population that's most at risk being made up of Republicans at three times the rate of Democrats, that gap is poised to grow...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/11/29/red-america-has-seen-highest-rates-cases-deaths-lowest-rate-vaccinations/


As the Supreme Court considers Roe v. Wade, a look at how abortion became legal : NPR

…Abortion did not become illegal in most states until the mid to late 1800s. But by the 1960s, abortion, like childbirth, had become a safe procedure when performed by a doctor, and women were entering the workforce in ever larger numbers…


Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of

Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous…


New Covid variant leads to new Republican conspiracy theory

The former White House doctor who raved about Donald Trump's "excellent" health to a skeptical public is now claiming that the disturbing new COVID-19 variant omicron is nothing but a midterm election ploy by the Democrats...


Foundation on Apple TV+: David Goyer on Televising the Fall of the Galactic Empire (Sean Carroll's Mindscape podcast #172)

Science and storytelling have a long and tumultuous relationship. Scientists sometimes want stories to be just an advertisement for how awesome science is; storytellers sometimes want to use science for a few cheap thrills before abandoning it in the morning. But science is about ideas, and ideas can make for thrilling stories when done well. David Goyer is an accomplished screenwriter and director who has taken up a daunting task: adapting Isaac Asimov’s famous Foundation series for TV. (Available on Apple TV now.) We talk about the challenge of making a television version of a beloved series whose central character is a mathematician, and how science and storytelling relate to each other more generally.

David Goyer graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. He has written stories or screenplays for a number of well-known films, including Dark City, Blade, the Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel, and Batman v Superman, as well as TV series such as FlashForward and Constantine. He has also directed and produced numerous films and shows. He has written novels, comic books, and video games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops. In addition to Foundation, he is currently working on a TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman graphic novels. Episodes of Foundation are released every Friday; the finale of the first season will be available Nov. 19.
Interview: 


EPA Administrator Michael Regan tours Cancer Alley and other pollution hotspots, vowing to promote environmental justice - The Washington Post

"Cancer has decimated our community," Taylor said. "For years we didn't know what it was. By then, the government and other people had labeled this place Cancer Alley, but we were unaware of it — the poor, uneducated, unknowing people."


Canada Hate Speech. Bible Sexism. - (Ken) Ham & AiG News (Paulogia)

Ken Ham and his team have a bi-weekly "news" show, reacting to the news stories of the day from a Christian young-earth creation perspective from the Answers in Genesis staff at his Creation Museum.

On their June 19 - July 3, 2017 program, Ken Ham, Roger Patterson, Bodie Hodge and Dr. Georgia Purdom discussed Canada passing a radical law forcing gender theory acceptance, bible verses removed from school handbooks, resolution to the Andrew Snelling Grand Canyon lawsuit, Jimmy Carter disavows Christianity and more in this episode of Answers News.
Interview:

Monday, November 29, 2021

Moving the BLM (Allison Gill; Mueller, She Wrote podcast)

This week: We have a bit of an abridged show for you today because of the holiday weekend, but I’m here for you with some stories from the weekend including a judge ordering the release of Apprentice outtakes; some new direction from the Attorney General; a new covid variant; an update on the Georgia DA who obstructed the Ahmaud Arbery murder investigation; plus the Fantasy Indictment League.
Interview: 

US Christian right group wages culture war with books, cartoon and nature doc

…the church, which aims to create a theocracy in the US, has increased its power and influence in its home town, while also campaigning vociferously against efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Those developments come amid a broader rise in the right wing across the US…


Republicans are quietly rigging election maps to ensure permanent rule

…In Michigan, in 2018, voters chose Democrats over Republicans for their statehouse by 52%-47%. Nevertheless, this led to a Republican majority in that statehouse of 58-52…


In the 1950s, rather than integrate some public schools, Virginia closed them

…county officials shuttered the schools to avoid desegregating them, using a tactic to evade the law: they refused to appropriate taxes to pay for the school year. A foundation was created to support private education for white students; later tuition grants were offered. The Black students were on their own…


More Trouble With QAnon: Now Lin Wood Says 'Stop The Steal' Is A 'Deep State' Plot | HuffPost Latest News

…Rittenhouse said in an interview on the cable channel NewsNation on Tuesday that he and his mother fired Wood last December because "he was going on with all this QAnon and election fraud stuff, and just stuff we don't agree with."…


The hypocrisy argument on the filibuster is itself phony - The Washington Post

…What started out as an unusual practice to extend debate has become a routine method for blocking the will of the majority. To put it starkly: Abuse of the filibuster is wrecking the Senate…


Talk Heathen 05.47 with Johnny P. Angel and @Apostate Prophet

00:00:00 Intro
03:54 Max-(IL) | Islam Has Appropriated Ancient Sites
20:59 Rami-MA | Pushback On Islam Looks Like Racism
37:07 Araan-(DE) | Converted From Islam To Christianity
1:08:20 Zion-CA | Return The Land Taken By Islam
1:21:06 The Humble Servant-(CA) | What Are Our Best Objections To Christianity
Interview: 

Rittenhouse Acquitted on All Charges (Opening Arguments podcast OA bonus episode)

Interview: 
https://openargs.com/bonus-rittenhouse-acquitted-on-all-charges/


Sunday, November 28, 2021

While Americans mark Thanksgiving, Republicans panned over Harris attack | Kamala Harris | The Guardian

Don Moynihan, a professor of public policy at Georgetown, wrote: "Just to put this in perspective: What Harris spent her own money on for cookware wouldn't cover what Trump was charging taxpayers per room for Secret Service agents."…


‘Taste this, it’s salty’: how rising seas are ruining the Gambia’s rice farmers | Global development | The Guardian

The farmers, mostly women, once grew enough but must now buy imported rice as the climate crisis edges them into poverty…


Judge Says NYPD Illegally Withheld Footage in Police Shootings — ProPublica

…Trawick had been shot in his own apartment 112 seconds after officers arrived at his door. Trawick, 32, had struggled with his mental health and with drugs. He had called 911 after he locked himself out of his apartment. "Why are you in my home?" he had repeatedly asked the officers. 

A more experienced Black officer had tried to stop his younger white partner from using force against Trawick, who had been standing in his apartment about 7 feet away with a bread knife and stick. But the younger officer fired his Taser at Trawick anyway and then shot him after he ran toward the officers…


The 1/6 Commission Continues To Do Work (Opening Arguments podcast OA545)

Lots of updates on the 1/6 commission! The Bannon indictment, a debunking on the idea that Holder and Bannon are in any way comparable, the Q Anon Shaman sentencing, and the Bar Complaint against John Eastman reveals stunning new details on the insurrection attempt!
Interview: 



Three Racist Murderers Found Guilty of Murdering Ahmaud Arbery (Opening Arguments podcast OA546)

Wait the system… can work? It did in this instance at least, and it was a very important one. Three pieces of racist trash were found guilty of the horrifying murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Andrew explains the verdict. However, the system also… very much doesn’t work. Andrew breaks down the disturbing case of a judge giving a 4 time rapist NO jail time after praying on it. Then finally, we break down an interesting new argument in the Trump records case.
Interview: 


Expose Christian Schools (Seth Andrews; The Thinking Atheist podcast)

The #ExposeChristianSchools hashtag is helping people share their stories about indoctrination and abuse within religious "education." In this show, we expose some of the problematic curriculum and share listener stories about their own experiences.
Interview: 



Hi, I’m an Atheist! -- David G. McAfee (Julia Sweeney; Point of Inquiry podcast)

On today’s episode we introduce the show’s new guest host, Julia Sweeney and her interview with author David G. McAfee on his new book, Hi, I’m an Atheist!: What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others.

McAfee and Sweeney speak about the new book, how it helped Sweeney get back in touch with her atheism roots, his journey being raised in a religious household and becoming a non-believer, his challenges as an atheist in a Religious Studies program, what he sees in the bible from a literary perspective rather than from the perspective of a devout christian, and the role religion has in society.

David G. McAfee is a journalist, religious studies scholar, and author of Disproving Christianity and other Secular Writings, as well as a contributor to American Atheist magazine. McAfee attended University of California, Santa Barbara, and graduated with a dual-degree in English and Religious Studies with an emphasis on Christianity and Mediterranean religions. He lives in California.

Julia Sweeney is known for her work on Saturday Night Live and as a pioneer for atheism. Her inspiring one-person stage show, Letting Go of God, chronicles her personal journey from Catholicism to atheism. In addition to being an actress Sweeney is a new addition to the Center for Inquiry board.
Interview: 


Marriage Isn't Permission for Sexual Assault (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #402)

— A Bronx pastor has resigned after telling men the “best person to rape is your wife.” (3:59)

— Christians can apparently “cast out” their vaccines by asking God. (15:16)

— Reptile alien. Sex. Jesus. Xerxes. Gargoyles. (20:11)

— An anti-gay Christian florist will pay $5,000 to settle a case after discriminating against a gay customer. (27:15)

— Church vandalism would end more quickly if religious leaders took criticism seriously. (35:40)

— A wannabe GOP governor says straight relationships are “superior” to gay ones. (44:11)

— A judge effectively tossed out a lawsuit against a Catholic school accused of being “too woke.” (48:25)

— There’s yet another lawsuit against Liberty University. (54:19)

— A Florida man was charged with 1,200 counts of sexual abuse and incest after raising the topic with his pastor. (59:16)

— A GOP lawmaker said gay people living in fear are just facing the “normal consequences” of their “choices.” (1:04:30)

— Most Americans don’t blame God for all the suffering in the world. (1:09:46)
Interview: 


Episode 45 (Allison Gill and Andrew Torrez; Cleanup on Aisle 45 podcast)

This week: 95% of federal workers and contractors are in compliance with the Biden Admin’s vaccine mandate; Jerome Powell is re-nominated by Biden to Chair the Fed; let’s talk inflation; Biden plans to nominate 2 people to the Postal Service governing board - looks like DeJoy’s days are numbered; Interior Secretary is taking steps to remove “squaw” from federal government use; the January 6 Select Committee has issued subpoenas to Roger Stone, Alex Jones, and more; plus a whole bunch of new nominees.
Interview: 


Atlantic Monthly Writer Frank Foer Tears Facebook a New One (The Al Franken podcast)

"A friggin’ brilliant excoriation of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg"
Interview: 


Mississippi Goddam Chapter 6: Mississippi Justice (Reveal podcast)

There have long been concerns about the quality of investigations into the suspicious deaths of young Black men in the state, especially when police are involved.

Curley Clark, vice president of the Mississippi NAACP, calls Billey Joe Johnson Jr.’s case an example of “Mississippi justice.”

“It means that they still feel like the South should have won the Civil War,” Clark said. “And also the laws for the state of Mississippi are slanted in that direction.”

Before Johnson died during a traffic stop with a White sheriff’s deputy, friends say police had pulled him over dozens of times. And some members of the community raised concerns that police had been racially profiling Black people.

Reveal investigates Johnson’s interactions with law enforcement and one officer in particular.
Interview: 


Jacobs overstates income eligibility for electric vehicle tax credit - PolitiFact

…Jacobs said the Build Back Better bill would provide tax credits to people making as much as $800,000 for their Tesla purchases. That's not right. The bill calls for tax credits for joint filers with incomes up to $500,000...


Laser-focused on 2020, Trump seeks a Michigan Legislature that could help him in 2024

… Barnes, the chair of the state Democratic Party, said Trump's endorsements "reflect his out-of-touch and unfounded wild conspiracy theories."
"Michigan voters," she said, "will not be fooled by his support of fringe candidates that are attempting to keep the 'Big Lie' alive."…


The Atheist Experience 25.47 with Matt Dillahunty and Shannon Q

00:00 Intro
01:35 Mr. Warlight | New Week, Same Lack Of Preparation
06:07 Mohammed-NE | Spirits Exist In The Mind
18:06 Setuf-(ES) | Misunderstanding The Violinist Analogy
24:56 Raul-CA | Thoughts Can Be Bad...Your Point?
33:33 Rob-VA | Emotions Are Irrational
53:55 ACA Clips: Kenneth Presents Exhibit: A
55:54 Simo-(CA) | Why Is Rape Bad Across Time?
1:08:30 Tony-AK | The Road To Recovery Is A Long One...So Is This Call
1:17:59 Your Truly-(CA) | The Bible Doesn't Advocate For Sla-- Here We Go Again
1:23:43 Eric-KS | How To Be Patient With Dishonest Theists?
1:28:47 Sabien-TX | It's Wrong To Judge Theists
1:33:28 Outro
Interview: 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Psychedelics can change humanity for the better. It’s time to unlock their power | Rick Doblin | The Guardian

…Evidence indicates that psychedelic use is associated with pro-social, personal growth benefits including increased nature relatedness, potentiating conflict resolution and sustaining compassion among first responders. Indigenous communities around the globe have used psychedelics in spiritual ceremony and healing for millennia. Conversely, the well-documented devastation of the war on drugs has been responsible for untold trauma. But is the legalization and regulation of all substances – reversing the course on the war on drugs – too dangerous? Simply: No. It's more dangerous not to…


Redo of a Famous Experiment on the Origins of Life Reveals Critical Detail Missed for Decades - Scientific American

…They found that teflon produced very few organic compounds. There were more compounds in the teflon with glass pieces. But the glass container, by far, created the greatest number and largest variety of organic molecules...


Russia and Ukraine: What you need to know - The Washington Post

… Ukraine has repeatedly decried the growing Russian troop presence near its borders, saying the mobilization is an attempt to pressure Ukraine. Russia says the forces have only taken part in military exercises, but has strongly opposed any possible moves for Ukraine to join NATO or forge closer strategic ties to the West...


GOP election audit in Michigan may be ‘imploding’ amid right-wing sniping: report - Raw Story - Celebrating 17 Years of Independent Journalism

… All of the fighting adds up to trouble for the Republicans, the report said. "To get a petition initiative to the Legislature, a group would have to gather 340,047 valid signatures within 180 days, a difficult task that would become more challenging if supporters were feuding among themselves…


Thursday, November 25, 2021

Ahmaud Arbery trial verdict: Three men found guilty of murder - The Washington Post

…Video footage did not show Arbery taking anything from the property, which police told the McMichaels. No stolen items were found on his body. But Travis McMichael testified that he suspected Arbery of theft after hearing that things had gone missing from the property…


Germany Will Legalize Marijuana And Promote Drug Harm Reduction, Governing Party Coalition Officially Announces - Marijuana Moment

"We are introducing the controlled supply of cannabis to adults for consumption in licensed stores," the parties said in a new 118-page agreement, according to a translation. "This controls the quality [of marijuana], prevents the transfer of contaminated substances and guarantees the protection of minors."


Weekly jobless claims plunge to 199,000, the lowest level since 1969 - The Washington Post

The 71,000 slide marks the eighth straight week of declines, a reflection of a tight labor market that has companies scrambling to retain and expand their workforces

Spencer, Kessler, Cantwell and other white supremacists found liable in deadly Unite the Right rally - The Washington Post

More than a dozen of the nation's most prominent white supremacists and hate groups conspired to intimidate, harass or commit acts of violence during 2017′s deadly Unite the Right rally, according to a jury that also decided the men and their racist organizations should pay $26 million in damages…


Rep. Greene introduces bill to award Congress’s highest honor to Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men - The Washington Post

The likelihood that Greene's effort will be successful is low.

The Conspiracy Chart 2021

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Two lawyers who challenged 2020 election ordered to pay Dominion, Facebook - Axios

…Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter said the lawsuit "has been used to manipulate gullible members of the public and foment public unrest." He added that the two lawyers, Gary Fielder and Ernest John Walker, "should have known better" and they "need to take responsibility for their misconduct." …


Why it matters that the RNC is helping pay Trump's legal bills

Over the last year, Donald Trump's political operation has raised more than $100 million. So why is the RNC still helping pay his legal bills?…


Opinion | Trump’s invitation of Kyle Rittenhouse to Mar-a-Lago reveals a dark truth about the right - The Washington Post

… it's highly notable that Trump is now declaring he never should have stood trial …

GOP lawmaker admits latest economic numbers include 'good news' - Raw Story - Celebrating 17 Years of Independent Journalism

"First, I want to start with the economic numbers," said Sciutto. "There is a disconnect here. You see them, these are the lowest unemployment claims since 1969, unemployment overall below 5 percent. Economic growth this quarter is forecast to be very strong. Is the economy as bad as Republicans say it is? Because when you look at a lot of these numbers, beyond inflation — which I know hurts — you look at the economic indicators, very strong economy."









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