Monday, April 29, 2024
Emory University grapples with fallout from police response to protest
A peaceful action at the school near Atlanta, Georgia, was met with violent use of force and 28 arrests of students and faculty…
Netanyahu uses pro-Palestinian student protests to stoke fury that could hurt Biden
Sen. Bernie Sanders aptly noted on X that it's "not antisemitic or pro-Hamas to point out that in a little over six months your extremist government has killed 34,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 77,000 — 70% of whom are women and children."
"You will not distract us from this immoral war," Sanders wrote...
Why do so many Americans support a neofascist? | The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich
Heather and I take a deep dive into why so many Americans are supporting a neofascist for president. Trump is the consequence rather than the cause of several major problems that have worsened over four decades — problems that have undermined the American middle class, and caused a substantial number of people to become angry, anxious, and cynical.
Please pull up a chair and grab a cub of coffee.
Cybersecurity researchers spotlight a new ransomware threat – be careful where you upload files
The threat applies to Google's Chrome and Microsoft's Edge browsers but not Apple's Safari or Mozilla's Firefox…
How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers
The viral fragments were detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing, which is known for its exceptional sensitivity in detecting even trace amounts of viral genetic material. These fragments are only evidence that the virus was present in the milk. They aren't evidence that the virus is biologically active...
🚨 Obama aide drops BAD NEWS on Marjorie Taylor Greene
INTERVIEW: Brian interviews Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor about the passage of foreign aid, how it’s impacted Marjorie Taylor Greene’s standing, and the implications of TikTok’s possible ban in the US.
Junk science is cited in abortion ban cases. Researchers are fighting the ‘fatally flawed’ work | Abortion | The Guardian
Of the 22 studies cited by the meta-analysis, 11 were by the lone author of the paper itself. The meta-analysis "failed to meet any published methodological criteria for systematic reviews" and failed to follow recommendations to avoid statistical dependencies, according to a criticism published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Large scientific bodies have found no evidence to suggest abortion causes increases in mental health problems. The best predictor of a woman's mental health after an abortion is her health before. What's more, there is substantial evidence that women who are denied a wanted abortion suffer both mental and financial harms...
The case was appealed all the way to the supreme court, where it was heard in March in oral arguments in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v FDA. Just weeks before the justices were set to hear the case, and as nearly the entire scientific community screamed about the "junk science" at its heart, the heavily cited studies were retracted by Sage Publications. Even so, the article's claims remained in briefs before the court, and were cited as evidence by one of the most conservative justices, Samuel Alito…
Security Bite: Did Apple just declare war on Adload malware? - 9to5Mac
More than anything, this is a huge win for everyday Mac users who operate without any third-party malware detection and removal software.
By default, XProtect updates itself automatically. Updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma is not needed, but it is still highly recommended!…
Biden's White House Correspondent's Dinner Zingers
President Biden can joke about himself. Trump didn't even attend these because he's so thin-skinned. Says a lot.
Weekly Roundup: The Week 2024 Became 1968 (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
This week was the end of the first act. The point in the story when all the players, themes, issues, histories, and institutions that will determine the rest of the season come into focus. It’s not the end. It’s not even close. But it’s the time when we see who and what will guide the journey.
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the weight of the Trump hush money trial on Trump’s ability to campaign – and project an image of bravado and control. They then go into the abortion case at SCOTUS, focusing on the grotesque nature of the discussion on women’s health and bodies, and how this will weigh on voters in November. Brad hones in on the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan aid package, commenting on how Biden touted it as a bipartisan win, but observing that the student uprisings at Columbia, Yale, USC, and all over the country portend a hard road ahead for Democrats with Gen Z. He finished by analyzing what the TikTok ban means and why it might be a Trojan Horse in the aid package.
Interview:
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the weight of the Trump hush money trial on Trump’s ability to campaign – and project an image of bravado and control. They then go into the abortion case at SCOTUS, focusing on the grotesque nature of the discussion on women’s health and bodies, and how this will weigh on voters in November. Brad hones in on the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan aid package, commenting on how Biden touted it as a bipartisan win, but observing that the student uprisings at Columbia, Yale, USC, and all over the country portend a hard road ahead for Democrats with Gen Z. He finished by analyzing what the TikTok ban means and why it might be a Trojan Horse in the aid package.
Interview:
Ari Berman on His New Book, Minority Rule (Al Franken podcast)
The GOP is undermining democracy all over the country.
The will of the people is being subverted for a loud and active minority.
In his new book, guest Ari Berman explains how and where this is happening in America. And, more importantly, what we can do to fight back.
Interview:
Corporal Punishment and Christianity (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #528)
— What I’ll remember about Daniel Dennett. (0:28)
— Catholic priest resigns after backlash involving his criticism of a gay author. (8:43)
— Christian lawmaker says teachers should be allowed to hit special needs students. (24:38)
— A Christian ministry urged the Supreme Court to criminalize homelessness. (46:03)
— Māori atheists say Christian colonization helped push them away from the faith. (1:01:59)
Interview:
— Catholic priest resigns after backlash involving his criticism of a gay author. (8:43)
— Christian lawmaker says teachers should be allowed to hit special needs students. (24:38)
— A Christian ministry urged the Supreme Court to criminalize homelessness. (46:03)
— Māori atheists say Christian colonization helped push them away from the faith. (1:01:59)
Interview:
This is Not the Vehicle (Andrew McCabe and Allison Gill; Jack: A Special Counsel podcast, Episode #74)
The Supreme Court has heard arguments in Trump’s claim of absolute immunity. We’re going over the highlights and lowlights from the hearing.
Including Justice Alito’s misreading of the DC Circuit’s ruling.
Plus, a listener question, and more!
Interview:
When Religion Hurts You: with Dr. Laura E. Anderson (The Thinking Atheist)
Dr. Anderson is a psychotherapist and religious trauma coach. She's also an exvangelical and author of the book When Religion Hurts You.
The Center for Trauma Resolution: https://www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com/
Dr. Laura E. Anderson's website: https://drlauraeanderson.com/
The Center for Trauma Resolution: https://www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com/
Dr. Laura E. Anderson's website: https://drlauraeanderson.com/
Interview:
Telling Jefferson Lies: Losing Our Religion (Warren Throckmorton)
In this segment, I argue that Christian nationalism is bad for religion in general and bad for Christianity in the specific case. This segment sets up the finale which argues that separation of church and state is a benefit to the United States and should be strengthened.
If you like experts and multiple voices, this is the segment for you. Here is the lineup:
If you like experts and multiple voices, this is the segment for you. Here is the lineup:
- Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion, Dartmouth College
- Paul Kemeny, Dean of Arts and Letters, Grove City College
- Bob Smietana, Journalist, Religion News Service
- Caleb Campbell, Pastor, Desert Springs Bible Church, Phoenix, AZ
- George Marsden, Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
- Mark Noll, Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
- Katherine Stewart, Author, journalist
- John Fea, Professor of history, Messiah University
- Greg Thornbury, Author “Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?"
- Charles Haynes, senior fellow for religious liberty at the Freedom Forum
- Jonathan Larsen, journalist
- Greg Forster, theologian, Trinity International University
Interview:
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Is Religion a Force for Good? (John Donvan; Open to Debate)
Religion has long shaped human civilization, from creating legal systems based on religious laws to inspiring countless works of art and foundational aspects of culture. Yet its influence can stem beyond this into other topics, such as politics, education, and global relations. Many have long wondered what religion’s net impact on society is and whether it’s good for us. Those who say it’s a force for good argue that religion offers a sense of identity and belonging, promotes altruism and charitable acts, and provides a moral compass that encourages personal growth and commitment to justice. Those who argue it is not a force for good say that religious beliefs are a source of historical and military conflict as well as discrimination. They also say that it can be used to justify the erosion of individual freedoms and can hinder social progress by upholding ideas that clash with modern values.
With this context, we debate the question: Is Religion a Force for Good?
Arguing Yes: Shadi Hamid, Columnist and Editorial Board Member of The Washington Post; Assistant Research Professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller Seminary
Arguing No: Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation
Interview:
With this context, we debate the question: Is Religion a Force for Good?
Arguing Yes: Shadi Hamid, Columnist and Editorial Board Member of The Washington Post; Assistant Research Professor of Islamic Studies at Fuller Seminary
Arguing No: Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation
Interview:
How Do We Organize an Interfaith and Secular Coalition in 2024? (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)
Sometimes we have to pivot from analysis to organizing. From study to action. In order to do that, Brad speaks with the Rev. Paul Raushenbush, President of Interfaith Alliance. They discuss ways to organize and mobilize for the 2024 elections in order to build a coalition of non-religious and religious Americans who share a commitment to democracy, inclusiveness, and equality.
Interview:
It’s In the Code Ep. 96: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult – Part II (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast #96)
In Dan’s second conversation with Michelle Dowd, author of Forager: Fieldnotes for Surviving a Family Cult, they discuss the ways patriarchy and authoritarianism often mix in high-demand religions, how trauma from these experiences lives in the body, and the lifelong practices of healing from the mistrust of self that they teach.
Interview:
Telling Jefferson Lies: America is Not a Christian Nation - Bonus Episode with Randall Balmer (Warren Throckmorton)
In this short bonus episode, Dartmouth College professor Randall Balmer provides an introduction to reasons why he doesn't see the U.S. as a Christian nation.
Dr. Balmer is the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. He has spoken at numerous colleges and universities, including where I met him, Grove City College.
Balmer has published more than a dozen books, including Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, God in the White House: How Faith Shaped the Presidency from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, and Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right. His second book, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, now in its fifth edition, was made into an award-winning, three-part documentary for PBS.
Two more regular segments are planned with the series concluding by the end of April. I hope to post some additional bonus episodes after the final regular segment.
Interview:
Dr. Balmer is the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. He has spoken at numerous colleges and universities, including where I met him, Grove City College.
Balmer has published more than a dozen books, including Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, God in the White House: How Faith Shaped the Presidency from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, and Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right. His second book, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, now in its fifth edition, was made into an award-winning, three-part documentary for PBS.
Two more regular segments are planned with the series concluding by the end of April. I hope to post some additional bonus episodes after the final regular segment.
Interview:
How much danger does Christian nationalism pose?
Though Christian nationalists are quick to invoke the founding fathers, whom they claim were directed by a Christian God, the conspiracy has its modern origins in the 1970s, when the Republican political organizer Paul Weyrich began uniting evangelical parishioners and televangelist preachers like Jerry Falwell with Republican party politics opposing desegregation, via a political action group called the Moral Majority.
It's not that evangelical Christians weren't political – as the film, narrated by Peter Coyote, points out, the idea of America as a white Christian nation undergirded the Ku Klux Klan, which at its peak in 1924 claimed 8 million members, the vast majority of whom were white evangelicals, including 40,000 ministers.
Accordingly, the crucial tie between white evangelicals and the Republican party came not from the 1972 ruling in Roe v Wade, as is often misattributed, but from opposition to a different ruling preventing racially segregated institutions – including schools and churches – from claiming charitable, tax-exempt status…
Bernie Sanders Responds To Netanyahu Antisemitism Claims | HuffPost Latest News
"It is not antisemitic to hold you accountable for your actions," the progressive senator told the Israeli prime minister...
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Delta plane's emergency slide falls off during flight - ABC News
The 33-year-old plane was taken out of service and the passengers were placed on another flight to Los Angeles, according to the FAA...
Mike Johnson's threat of the National Guard against Columbia student protests is chilling
These Republicans' calls for troops to be sent in to repress peaceful student protests are incredibly chilling. They also reflect the GOP's generally extreme attitudes on the Israel-Hamas war and intolerance of rhetoric remotely critical of Israel. For Johnson, trying to seize control of a wedge issue for Democrats using aggressive law-and-order rhetoric also provides a convenient opportunity for political stagecraft as he faces internal dissent in the House...
Trump’s potential plan for Fed raises alarms | The Hill
"If it becomes clear that there's going to be a Fed chair that answers to the president, I would expect a dramatic reaction in the markets and the White House would have to deal with that," said Ian Katz, director at research consultancy Capital Alpha Partners...
US states sue over agency rule on protections for workers who get abortions | Reuters
They said that being forced to accommodate state workers' abortions would conflict with state laws barring the use of public funds to provide abortions...
Bans
An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It can be done two different ways: Medication abortion, which uses medicines to end the pregnancy. It is sometimes called a "medical abortion" or "abortion with pills." Procedural abortion, a procedure to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. It is sometimes called a "surgical abortion."
Coal-fired plants will have to capture emissions or shut down, says strict new EPA rule | PBS NewsHour
"One of the biggest environmental challenges facing our nation is man-made pollution that damages our air, our water and our land," Regan said in a speech at Howard University. "Not only is this pollution a major threat to public health — it's pushing our planet to the brink."…
Friday, April 26, 2024
US supreme court to decide on ex-president’s claim of immunity
Regardless of its ruling in the Trump case, Waldman said, the supreme court had now "given Donald Trump what he craved most: time.
"Smith first asked for the justices to get involved last December. Instead, they stayed their hand, and the DC circuit court of appeals unanimously ruled against Trump" in early February.
"Rather than affirming that ruling, or unfreezing the trial, the court [said in late February it would] hear the case on the very last day set for oral arguments this term, 25 April. All the while they purr that they are acting in an 'expedited' manner...
World’s billionaires should pay minimum 2% wealth tax, say G20 ministers
Brazil, Germany, Spain and South Africa sign motion for fairer tax system to deliver £250bn a year extra to fight poverty and climate crisis…
Michigan doctor who revealed Flint water crisis now takes on child poverty
In January Hanna-Attisha launched RX Kids, a program that gives new moms one year of guaranteed, no-questions-asked income. Through a combination of state and philanthropic funding, all pregnant and new moms – regardless of income – in Flint are eligible for a one-time payment of $1,500 during their pregnancy and $500 a month for the first year of their baby's lives.
"It's about not being OK with poisoned water and it's about not being OK with babies growing up in poverty," Hanna-Attisha said...
Cost of developing new drugs may be far lower than industry claims, trial reveals
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is challenging drug companies to be transparent about the cost of trials, which has always been shrouded in secrecy. Its own bill for landmark trials of a four-drug combination treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis came to €34m (£29m).
Current estimates for research and development of new medicines range from €40m to €3.9bn. The extortionate cost of trials is used to justify high prices of new medicines, but companies do not publish either the topline or a breakdown of their spending…
Trump CAUGHT in NEW Possible Hush Money Scheme
Did Trump use a company controlled by his campaign treasurer to funnel money and jobs to his former White House staff in return for them not testifying against him including before the Jan6 Committee? Michael Popok breaks down “Red Curve Solutions” controlled by Trump treasurer, Brad Crate taking in millions of Trump PAC dollars and then offering jobs to people like Mark Meadows’ former assistant Cassidy Hutchinson if she didn’t testify against Trump.
The Supreme Court is likely to place Donald Trump above the law in its immunity case - Vox
It's unclear if the Court will explicitly hold that Trump could commit crimes with impunity, or if they'll just delay his trial so long that it doesn't matter...
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DeSantis: Florida ‘will not comply’ with new Biden Title IX rules | The Hill
"The Department crafted the final Title IX regulations following a rigorous process to give complete effect to the Title IX statutory guarantee that no person experiences sex discrimination in federally funded education," a U.S. Department of Education spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Hill Thursday.
"As a condition of receiving federal funds, all federally funded schools are obligated to comply with these final regulations and we look forward to working with school communities all across the country to ensure the Title IX guarantee of nondiscrimination in school is every student's experience."…
Takeaways from the Supreme Court arguments on Trump’s absolute immunity claims | CNN Politics
Sauer's willingness to commit to the idea that some allegations in the indictment weren't protected by immunity was an extraordinary walk back of what had been the former president's position up to that point.
But the Trump lawyer may be hoping that the move will encourage the justices to order more proceedings on deciding what's private and what's public in the indictment, a move that could seriously delay the case's march to trial...
The serious point at the heart of Biden’s latest anti-Trump joke
"[W]hen the pandemic hit, Trump failed the most basic duty any president owes the American people: a duty to care and a duty to respond. Remember when he told us, 'Don't worry; this will all be over by Easter'? Remember when he told us, literally, inject bleach? ... Think about it. Because he failed to care, not only did people die, but millions of Americans lost their jobs, their homes, their livelihoods."
Biden NABTU Speech
President Biden is leading an economic boom, reducing the federal deficit, and delivering on infrastructure. Trump still thinks windmills cause cancer, advocates injecting yourself with bleach, and threatens to cut Social Security and Medicare. One's a leader, one's a loser.
Opinion | These legislators opposed Ukraine aid and their own states’ interests - The Washington Post
Many Americans don't realize that the great majority of the military aid Congress approves for Ukraine stays right here in America — replenishing U.S. weapons stockpiles, strengthening our defense industrial base and creating good manufacturing jobs for American workers...
Republican framing of Trump's NY trial not convincing 2024 voters
In other words, as Trump insists he did absolutely nothing wrong in this criminal case, only about a fifth of the public believes him...
Iran expands public crackdown on women and girls, sparking public anger - The Washington Post
"When I insisted that I pay my taxes and I have the right to use the metro, they violently took me to a room. They hit me with an electric shocker," she wrote on X. "The whole time, they restrained my arms and one of the officers sexually assaulted me."
Conservative judge scolds SCOTUS for missing the 'only question' on Trump that matters - Raw Story
"Whether undertaken in his or her 'official,' 'candidate,' or 'personal' capacity, a President of the United States has never been and can never be immune from prosecution (after leaving office), for having attempted to remain in power notwithstanding the election of that President's successor by the American People," wrote Luttig. "Consequently, there is no reason whatsoever for the Supreme Court to remand to the lower courts for a determination of which of the alleged criminal acts might have been personal and which might have been official."…
Biden's happy polling surprise, thanks to RFK Jr.
A trio of recent polls shows that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s independent candidacy may be hurting former President Trump more than President Biden…
Supreme Court appears skeptical of blanket immunity for a former president : NPR
Without presidential immunity, Scharf contends, "you end up in a scenario where presidents will be paralyzed by the fear of post-election criminal prosecutions, and the ability of the president to discharge his duties in a vigorous and effective way will be forever crippled."
Not so, counters Peter Keisler, who served as a top Justice Department official in President George W. Bush's administration: "You don't protect the presidency by immunizing somebody who tries to steal it."…
Thursday, April 25, 2024
US Senate passes $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
The Senate, in a bipartisan super-majority, overwhelmingly voted to advance the measure, which Joe Biden is expected to sign…
Trump’s economic agenda would make inflation a whole lot worse - Vox
Voters trust Trump to lower prices, even as his advisers put forward plans for increasing Americans' cost of living...
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‘Eye popping numbers’: Donald Trump’s electoral math problem that will not go away
Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee Chairman and Elizabeth Neuman, author of the new book Kingdom of Rage joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the continued electoral math problem plaguing candidate Donald Trump with the ex-president continuing to struggle to bring over Nikki Haley voters nearly two months after she ended her bid for President.
Message of Unity
Today, President Biden signed historic legislation providing foreign aid to our allies. His message of unity is simple - whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, America stands with our allies, opposes tyrants, and leads during critical global events.
"Let's Focus On Something That My Republicans DON'T LIKE To Talk About..."
Dan Goldman rips Republicans for continuing to fearmonger about immigrants.
Arizona House votes to repeal Civil War-era abortion ban - The Washington Post
Three Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats. If passed by Senate, Arizona governor says she will sign...
Meadows, Giuliani and other Trump allies charged in Arizona 2020 election probe - The Washington Post
Those indicted include former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman and Christina Bobb, top campaign adviser Boris Epshteyn and former campaign aide Mike Roman. They are accused of allegedly aiding an unsuccessful strategy to award the state's electoral votes to Trump instead of Biden after the 2020 election. Also charged are the Republicans who signed paperwork on Dec. 14, 2020, that falsely purported Trump was the rightful winner, including former state party chair Kelli Ward, state Sens. Jake Hoffman and Anthony Kern, and Tyler Bowyer, a GOP national committeeman and chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, the campaign arm of the pro-Trump conservative group Turning Point USA...
Formerly homeless woman in D.C. fights eviction on her own - The Washington Post
The case illustrates the myriad challenges that come after unhoused people are given a place to live, as well as the mental health and other support that is often needed to help them succeed...
What fliers need to know about new refund rules for airlines - The Washington Post
Starting in about six months, U.S. airlines will have to offer customers cash refunds before vouchers…
Lara Trump Alarms Critics With 'Frightening' Comment About RNC's Election Plans | HuffPost Latest News
"Sounds like a perfect authoritarian election plan to me," fascism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat commented...
Rightwing US website that spreads election conspiracies declares bankruptcy | The far right | The Guardian
Gateway Pundit, run by Jim Hoft, is being sued for defamation by Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss and others…
Idaho's abortion argument to Supreme Court is offensive to E.R. docs like me
Idaho wants to redefine what it means to acceptably skirt death, but emergency medicine is not a "let's see what happens" practice. We are a "let's take care of this before it gets out of hand" practice...
Don’t buy Moscow’s shameless campaign tying Biden to its terrorist attack | The Hill
The tragic terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow killed over 140 and left dozens more with serious injuries. Despite ISIS-K claiming responsibility, as well as warnings from both the U.S. and Iran of potential terrorist actions on Russian soil, Moscow continues to point the finger at others. Some Russian officials have stated that the U.S. did not provide specific enough intelligence concerning the anticipated attack; others have said the intelligence was never transmitted in the first place.
Others have suggested that the United States and the broader West are somehow responsible…
Mike Johnson met with boos amid Columbia visit over student protests - The Washington Post
"Get off our campus!," one student yelled. "Go back to Louisiana, Mike!" someone shouted...
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The latest incredible depths of evil of Facebook
This week a court case revealed Facebook and Zuck used Onavo VPN to spy on users and decrypt encrypted traffic from Snapchat, YouTube and Amazon....
Russia jams GPS signals for thousands of flights in Europe
More than 46,000 planes have reported GPS issues over the Baltic Sea since last August…
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