Friday, February 3, 2017

the guardian: Haneen Zoabi: 'Israel is the only country not shocked by or afraid of Trump'

The Israeli-Palestinian politician campaigns for women's rights and against attacks on minorities. She explains why the US president has so much in common with Benjamin Netanyahu...
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/30/haneen-zoabi-israel-only-country-not-shocked-afraid-trump?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1


USA TODAY: U.S. health care needs a wakeup call from India: Column

Global innovators are doing high-quality $1,800 heart surgery. Why aren't we paying attention?...
 http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/01/29/health-care-surgery-india-america-disruption-column/97056938/



Nonprofit tied to insurance, drug giants behind healthcare overhaul ads

American Action Network has spent millions boosting GOP...
https://www.publicintegrity.org/node/20608


'I'm Intersex,' A Supermodel Says, Hoping To End Stigma

Saying she doesn't want other kids to suffer the way she did, supermodel Hanne Gaby Odiele has announced that she was born intersex — and she wants to "break the stigma" that can lead to intersex children having surgery to align them with the male or female gender....
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/24/511385718/im-intersex-a-supermodel-says-hoping-to-end-stigma?ft=nprml&f=1001


Ohio Duo’s ‘Bible-Based’ Defense Should Fail In Court

Many strange “religious freedom” arguments have been made in court cases over the years, and a recent case adds a more disturbing twist. Two alleged rapists and pedophiles in Ohio are attempting to use the Bible as their defense for serially raping a 13-year-old girl in captivity from 2012 to 2015. 

Timothy Ciboro and his son, Esten Ciboro of Toledo, are accused of raping Timothy’s stepdaughter, who authorities said had been shackled and abused throughout the three-year period; she escaped while the Ciboros were out of the house. They also allegedly sexually assaulted the girl’s younger sibling during that time frame.

These allegations are horrendous, and the Ciboros’ attempt to use the Bible as their only defense is morally and legally wrong. In a Jan. 20 pretrial hearing, the Ciboros, who are defending themselves in court, asked if they could bring the Bible to court to question witnesses because to them, it’s “the only law book that truly matters,” The Toledo Blade reported. (Perhaps they don’t know the U.S. Constitution exists.)...
https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/ohio-duo-s-bible-based-defense-should-fail-in-court



The insidious new line in South Dakota’s bill attacking transgender kids

A single word signals a new way of rejecting transgender people....
https://thinkprogress.org/south-dakota-transgender-original-birth-certificate-57b570fa16c4#.6bhlkua3w


Resisting Arrest Can Now Be Considered a Hate Crime in Louisiana

A local police chief makes a chilling interpretation of the new "Blue Lives Matter" bill....
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/resisting-arrest-could-soon-become-hate-crime-louisiana


She Lied: Emmett Till's Accuser Admits She Made Up Story

A new book says the sensational testimony that allowed Till's killers to walk free was fabricated....
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/she-lied-emmett-tills-accuser-admits-she-made-story


Thursday, February 2, 2017

Orrin Hatch’s raging hypocrisy: The Utah Republican wants Democrats to follow the rules he shattered (Salon)

After spending 2016 obliterating norms to steal a Supreme Court seat, Orrin Hatch now wants Democrats to play nice.
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/31/orrin-hatchs-raging-hypocrisy-the-utah-republican-wants-democrats-to-follow-the-rules-he-shattered/

The Trump administration is considering a broad crackdown on legal foreign workers (Vox)

Making America great again by crippling the economy.
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/31/14457332/trump-guest-worker-visas

'President Bannon's' hugely destructive first week in office (Business Insider)

The puppet master is leading the Trump administration down a road of carnage.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/30/president-stephen-bannons-amazing-first-week-in-office-trump-eo-nsc-immigration/

Slow Pace of Obamacare Repeal Leaves House Conservatives Fuming (Bloomberg)

House Republicans voiced frustrations Tuesday about slow-moving efforts to unwind Obamacare, urging their leaders to pick up the pace on a top campaign promise.
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-01-31/slow-pace-of-obamacare-repeal-leaves-house-conservatives-fuming

Donald Trump just forfeited in his first fight with China

...But what's changing with Trump is that we aren't even trying to lead on trade anymore...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/01/24/donald-trump-just-forfeited-in-his-first-fight-with-china/?utm_term=.15c2b4457830

Secular Coalition condemns Donald Trump's 'Muslim ban'

Like many organizations, The Secular Coalition for America is speaking out loudly against the Trump administration refugee and immigration ban. The ban, which was met by large protests around the country has been somewhat picked apart by the courts, but not fully.

In a statement released today, Secular Coalition’s Executive Director Larry Decker said:...
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2017/01/secular-coalition-condemns-donald-trumps-muslim-ban/


Secular Coalition Condemns Trump’s Unconstitutional Religious Test | Secular Coalition for America

The Secular Coalition for America has released the following statement condemning President Trump's executive order barring citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States....
https://www.secular.org/news/secular-coalition-condemns-trump%E2%80%99s-unconstitutional-religious-test


On Behalf of America, An Apology | The Resistance with Keith Olbermann

We are better than this....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLgAB6NX3lw

Paul Krugman Explains Why Trump's Ideas About Trade Are a Threat to Us All

Price hikes would come on everything from clothes to avocados...
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/paul-krugman-slams-trump


Delaying pot smoking to age 17 is better for teens' brains, a new study suggests

Adolescents who smoke marijuana as early as 14 do worse by 20 on some cognitive tests and drop out of school at a higher rate than non-smokers. But if they hold off until age 17, they're less at risk, and performed equally well as adolescents who did not use cannabis.
http://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/en/article/2017/01/24/-d994f54a11/



Trump’s Ties to China Go Way Deeper Than People Realize | Mother Jones

He even tried to launch a Chinese version of "The Apprentice" in 2005....
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/china-trump-deals-investments-history-graphics-video


Philadelphia mayor torches Trump's claim on rising murder rates

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (D) ripped President Trump Thursday in an official statement following Trump's claim that the murder rate in the city was on the rise....
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/316439-philadelphia-mayor-torches-trumps-false-claim-on-rising-murder-rates


We need an educational revolution. We need more CRITICAL THINKERS.

32 Animated Videos by Wireless Philosophy Teach You the Essentials of Critical Thinking ...
http://www.openculture.com/2016/07/wireless-philosophy-critical-thinking.html




Conservatives Pull Off Yet Another Idiotic Planned Parenthood "Sting"

The conservo-sphere is in a tizzy today over yet another undercover video. This one, from the group Live Action, purports to show that Planned Parenthood is lying about what they do: if you want an abortion, they're happy to help. But prenatal services? They'll turn you down every time. They have dozens of recorded phone calls to prove it.

I'm sure you're wondering what the catch is. The answer is: there isn't one. Planned Parenthood is very clear about their mission.

Here it is: Planned Parenthood health centers focus on prevention: 80 percent of our patients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancy....
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/01/conservatives-pull-yet-another-idiotic-planned-parenthood-sting


Sheriff Says Florida Cop Shoved Pills Down Elderly Woman's Throat, Stole Her Dog (The Huffington Post)

The sheriff called the deputy’s alleged actions “a disgrace... to law enforcement professionals everywhere.”...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/florida-cop-elderly-woman-pills-dog_us_58877771e4b096b4a234a34a?

‘1984’ Sales Spike After Kellyanne Conway’s Orwellian Interview (The Huffington Post)

People are suddenly very interested in the enduring story of a dystopian society....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/1984-sales-spike-alternative-facts_us_5887c8cce4b0441a8f71871d?

Get the book as a free download: https://archive.org/details/Orwell1984preywo

How Sugar Became the Great Public Health Hazard of Our Time

Gary Taubes' new book claims sugar is as addictive as cigarettes, and even more readily available....
http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/how-sugar-became-great-public-health-hazard-our-time


Two Infants Treated with Universal Immune Cells Have Their Cancer Vanish - In a medical first, the children were treated with genetically engineered T-cells from another person.

In a medical first, the children were treated with genetically engineered T-cells from another person.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603502/two-infants-treated-with-universal-immune-cells-have-their-cancer-vanish/


Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 1, 2017

Interview:
https://youtu.be/4sB6kBfSgac

The New York Times: A Jarring New Level of Confrontation and Conflict Hits Washington

The Trump administration has stumbled out of the gate, blindsiding Republicans with its failure to share information and consult on policy like the executive order on immigration. ...
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/us/politics/a-jarring-new-level-of-confrontation-and-conflict-hits-washington.html


CBS News: Tom Price, Steve Mnuchin nominations blocked by Democratic boycott

Democrats say they need more information about both nominees before they can move forward with votes ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-price-steve-mnuchin-nominations-blocked-by-democratic-boycott/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a


Vox: The center right’s simple message for Trump: it didn’t have to be this way

Michael Gerson: "When Donald Trump speaks on foreign policy, tyrants rest easier." ...
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/31/14451502/center-right-message-trump-immigration-ban


Salon: Are President Trump’s executive orders are pushing U.S. toward racial violence?

Forget about the stupid wall for now—because even Republican congressmen in border states say it won't stop migrants or smuggling. The deeper threat in President Trump's executive orders ramping up federal immigration forces is pushing the nation toward unprecedented civil strife and possibly violence.
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/31/president-trumps-executive-orders-are-pushing-u-s-toward-racial-violence/


ACLU racks up $24.1 million in donations over weekend - Jan. 30, 2017

In a normal year, the activist group makes about $4 million in online donations. In one weekend, it raised six times as much money. Officials at the ACLU said they were stunned and gratified by the surge in financial support....
http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/30/news/aclu-online-donations/

Why comparing Trump's and Obama's immigration restrictions is flawed

"My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror," Trump wrote in a Jan. 29 statement. "To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting."...

...So, are the policies similar as Trump claimed?...

POLITICO: I Went Through America’s Extreme Vetting

Kellyanne Conway incorrect that worker remittances to Mexico are 'No. 1' income flow | PolitiFact

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway offered several possibilities for how President Donald Trump will build a wall across the southern border, including a tax on goods crossing from Mexico to the United States.

Conway went on to decry the United States’ trade deficit with Mexico during an interview with CBS’ Charlie Rose, calling "repatriation of funds" a "very big piece of President Trump’s vision for this country."

"Here's the fact," Conway said on Jan. 27, 2017. "The No. 1 source of income into Mexico are Mexicans working here and sending the money back."

This would be more appropriately considered an alternative fact....
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/jan/30/kellyanne-conway/kellyanne-conway-incorrect-worker-remittances-mexi/


Trump's Right-Hand Man Steve Bannon Called for Christian Holy War: Now He's on the National Security Council

"We're at the very beginning stages of a very brutal and bloody conflict," President Trump's chief strategist told a Christian conference in 2014....
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/steve-bannon-christian-holy-war-islam-donald-trump-capitalism-secularism-atheism


No evidence for Trump claim that it was 'impossible' for Syrian Christians to enter U.S.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcast Network, Trump explained: "If you were a Christian in Syria it was impossible, at least very, very tough to get into the United States. If you were a Muslim, you could come in, if you were a Christian, it was impossible." This is a claim we heard from Trump during the 2016 election, and it’s inaccurate. ...
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/jan/29/donald-trump/no-evidence-trump-claim-it-was-impossible-syrian-c/


Vox: Trump’s press secretary makes the case for restricting 5-year-olds coming into the US

Sean Spicer's answer came in response to questions about Trump's executive order on immigration, which has been criticized as a "Muslim ban." ...
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/30/14442528/trump-muslim-ban-sean-spicer-5-year-old


The Independent: 'Malignant narcisissm': Donald Trump displays classic traits of mental illness, claim psychologists

Hillary Clinton claimed Trump was "temperamentally unfit" to be President, and in recent months many people the world over have reached the same conclusion. ...
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/donald-trump-mental-illness-narcisissm-us-president-psychologists-inauguration-crowd-size-paranoia-a7552661.html


CNN: President Trump, we know what you're up to

Michael Nutter says the President needs to realize that Americans aren't going to share his bizarre, egomaniacal view of the world and are not going to condone his attempts to bully people ...
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/opinions/trump-is-playing-a-dangerous-game-nutter/index.html


Quartz: The American Civil Liberties Union raised more money online this weekend than it normally gets in a year

Americans are pouring money into the protection of human rights after US president Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries trying to enter the US....
https://qz.com/897921/the-american-civil-liberties-union-raised-more-money-this-weekend-than-it-normally-gets-in-a-year/


How the global gag rule will hurt women and families, explained by 2 experts on the ground

Trump’s expansion of the gag rule won’t reduce abortion. But it will stop poor women from getting birth control, and kill programs that help war-torn communities....
http://www.vox.com/identities/2017/1/27/14397126/global-gag-rule-trump-increase-abortion-reduce-birth-control


Company Says It Gave Price Exclusive Stock Deal, Contrary To His Testimony

An Australian pharmaceutical company says it gave President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services an exclusive deal to purchase stock, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday. That directly contradicts Price's testimony in his confirmation hearings that discounted shares of Innate Immunotherapeutics Ltd. “were available to every single individual that was an investor at the time."...
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/tom-price-purchased-exclusive-discounted-stock


Salon: “I’m, like, a smart person”: Forget inauguration size and business success — Trump’s biggest lie concerns intelligence

Beneath Trump’s public bravado is a deeply insecure, troubled man who is unfit to be president...
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/30/im-like-a-smart-person-forget-inauguration-size-and-business-success-trumps-biggest-lie-is-about-his-intelligence_partner/


CNBC: Two parts of Trump's political agenda are now on a collision course

The president's immigration order has rattled members of a globally minded business community counting on Trump to cut taxes and regulations....
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/30/two-parts-of-trumps-political-agenda-are-now-on-a-collision-course.html


Donald Trump's Great Wall on Mexican border will damage environment in 'insane act of self-sabotage'

Making the cement needed for a 1,000-mile concrete wall would emit nearly two million tons of carbon dioxide and cut off endangered animals from part of their territory...
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/donald-trump-great-wall-mexican-border-damage-environment-insane-self-sabotage-wildlife-mexico-a7548861.html


Patriot

https://i.reddituploads.com/c7f502558c9b408aa409c70a361060b3?fit=max&h=1536&w=1536&s=201fe080ce68dc5cf1410d73aa1d937f

House Republicans’ Permanent Ban on Federal Abortion Funding Would Affect Private Insurance, Too (Slate)

This far-reaching bill would penalize women and small businesses who want insurance plans that cover abortion. ...
http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/01/25/house_republicans_permanent_ban_on_federal_abortion_funding_would_affect.html

Republicans Push Deeply Unpopular 'Personhood' Bill in Congress

"Personhood" laws would criminalize abortion with no exception and ban many forms of contraception, in vitro fertilization, and health care for pregnant people....
https://rewire.news/article/2017/01/23/republicans-push-deeply-unpopular-personhood-bill-congress/


Human-Pig Hybrid Created in the Lab—Here Are the Facts (National Geographic)

Scientists hope the chimera embryos represent key steps toward life-saving lab-grown organs....
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/01/human-pig-hybrid-embryo-chimera-organs-health-science/

'Can you hear me?' scam has police urging people to hang up immediately (Fox News)

Police nationwide are urging people to avoid answering a simple question from a phone number they do not know. ...
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/27/can-hear-me-scam-has-police-urging-people-to-hang-up-immediately.html

Who can argue with this? - pics

https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/5q9dhi/who_can_argue_with_this/



First paralyzed human treated with stem cells has now regained his upper body movement

Imagine losing control of your car and waking up in the hospital paralyzed from the neck down. This is the story of Kristopher Boesen, who experienced a life-changing moment where his car spiraled out of control on a slippy road surface, slamming into a tree and lamp post. Doctors warned Kris’s parents that he might never be able to function from the neck down again....
http://theheartysoul.com/stem-cells-cure-paralysis/


For A Stark Contrast To U.S. Immigration Policy, Try Canada

As the Trump administration is expected to overhaul America's immigration system, some policymakers suggest looking north to Canada. That's because Canadians see immigration as critical to their economic success. The nation has invited in so many immigrants that today, one-fifth of the population is foreign-born. Yet Canadians don't seem to wrestle with anti-immigrant nativism that has erupted in the U.S. and Europe....
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/01/26/511625609/for-a-stark-contrast-to-u-s-immigration-policy-try-canada?ft=nprml&f=1001


Climate Change Puts The Future Of California's Tree Crops In Jeopardy : The Salt : NPR

If These Trees Don't Get Time To Chill, Farmers Will Be Out On A Limb...
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/01/25/510571835/if-these-trees-dont-get-time-to-chill-farmers-will-be-out-on-a-limb?ft=nprml&f=1001









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