he new year is still fresh upon us, but just like late winter's crocuses, the Academic Freedom bills are beginning to sprout.
I've noted in a previous article the danger I think is presented to the American electorate by the Citizens United ruling, specifically as it relates to corporate spending in elections. A lot of what I've heard and read since then downplays that danger.
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The author of A People's History of the United States, which has sold two million copies, has been revered by generations of students, reviled by more conventional academics, and, mostly, re-read.
Pick your poison in the "rogue cop vs. TSA" squabble. The story within the story linked above is the punishment Andriani received for his exploits in New Orleans: a two year paid suspension.
Last February The Washington Times reported that Obama planned to suspend the DEA's raids once he "nominates someone to take charge of DEA, which is still run by Bush administration holdovers." Leonhart was the most conspicuous and important of those holdovers.
Leaving aside the moral, philosophical, cultural and financial implications of this weekend's Amazon/Macmillan slapfight and What It All Means for book readers and the future of the publishing industry, in one very real sense the whole thing was an exercise in public communicat …
The doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism acted unethically, the official medical regulator has found.
Last week, two middle school students in Valparaiso, Ind., were caught sending nude pictures of themselves to each other on their cell phones.
Ordinarily, when historians of ideas talk about conservative and nationalist thinkers such as Burke and Herder—eighteenth-century figures who opposed the rationalist and universalist ideas of their age—they speak of the "counter-Enlightenment." The term was popularized by …
As the Obama administration and Congress deal with the economic problems facing the country -- including double-digit unemployment, a housing crisis, credit shortage, and stagnating wages -- one issue that has captured the headlines in recent days is that of the national debt.
On MSNBC this afternoon, deficit peacock Sen.
In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama urged the Senate to adopt pay-as-you-go rules (PAYGO), which essentially stipulate that all spending increases will be offset by either cuts elsewhere or tax increases.
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit that alleged the National Park Service violated the rights of a District woman who was arrested in 2008 for dancing with 17 others at the Jefferson Memorial.
Last week I was a juror in the trial of a man accused of selling a $10 bag of heroin to an undercover police officer. At the end of the two days of testimony, I concluded that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I also concluded that he should be acquitted.
What do the authors of the children's book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and a 2008 book called Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation have in common? Both are named Bill Martin and, for now, neither is being added to Texas schoolbooks.
One of President Obama's long-stalled progressive nominees is Dawn Johnsen to head the Office of Legal Counsel. Since the Senate failed to confirm her last year, the White House has said that it plans to renominate her. Sen.
Around 3 in the morning on January 7, 2009, a 22-year-old college student named Anthony Smelley was pulled over on Interstate 70 in Putnam County, Indiana. He and two friends were en route from Detroit to visit Smelley's aunt in St. Louis.
The federal civil rights lawsuit accuses Shelby County District Attorney Lynda K. Russell, Washington, and other Tenaha law enforcement officials of running a "stop and seize" practice.
ONCE TWO SCIENTISTS—it hardly matters what sort—were walking before dinner beside a pleasant pond with their friend, a reporter for the Dispatch, when they happened to notice a bird standing beside the water.
Let me get straight to the point: here is some of what is seriously wrong with American democracy and how to fix it.
Over the years I've joined the boards of two environmental groups, the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation International, serving alongside many business executives.
I've never been more ashamed of the Democratic party than I am right now, watching the idiots in Congress piss away the opportunity to expand insurance coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans, to protect the insurance coverage of people who have preexisting conditions, to save …
Jim McCormick, 53, the managing director of ATSC which is based in a former dairy in Sparkford, Somerset, has been questioned by detectives from Avon and Somerset Police after a complaint that he misrepresented the devices.
In a break with stare decisis SCOTUS just bucked two previous precedents on corporate First Amendment rights, ruling that the government may not ban political spending by corporations in candidate elections.
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To hear a conservative talk about the Massachusetts victory of Scott Brown over Martha Coakley, you'd think that the election was a voter-mandated do-over of 2008's presidential election, or perhaps a direct public referendum on the still developing healthcare bill.
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I might not always agree with him on his politics, but his logic is often impeccable and he's always willing to argue intelligently. Kudos, man!
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Thank you for standing up for science education in this country, and great job posting some interesting articles and keeping the debates on subject.
Keep up the good work!
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iarn, I saw that you clipped the alternative meds article...I'm fairly sure that you're a fan of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe....but I get the feeling you would be if you aren't already. Cheers.
— LonoKemp
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I'm sorry you wasted your time, although I hope you had a pleasant drive. Apparently you did not read the comments appended to that story, or the associated story that was published a day or two later that revealed the fact that said camp was fictitious, nor click through to the pictures on Flickr, where the photo captions revealed the true nature of the photos in the story.
I, too, went to the purported FEMA camp in Columbus, Ohio. It turned out to be a private residence. That visit, along with a different Newsvine author's story on FEMA camps (which contained absolutely no evidence, at all) prompted my story, and an exploration of what it means to rely on online "evidence" of conspiracies.
This story gets passed around a lot on conspiracy theory sites, and hardly anyone ever actually bothers to read the discussion which followed, nor to click through to the links. You can find both articles here. You can find photos of what is actually at the location of the purported Columbus, Ohio FEMA camp here.
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i just wanted everyone that reads your articles to know about your reporting on the Fema Camps. Well i am personally a local and my boyfriend and I went to see these camps just today. we took our camaras and set out for what we thought was a Fema Camp. I live within 10 minutes of this place(westbelt dr, equity dr etc. When we got there I remembered being on that property delivering packages when I was a courier. We drove between Trabue Rd and Roberts Rd and all around this property. We didnt see one building that had razor wire and fencing around it like in your pictures. Also there wasnt one building that looked like the one in your pictures either. I am sorry , but you must have been somewhere else and not in Hillard Ohio.
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A good place to read and witness, both Reason and Wit at work. Your persistence and patience are worth paying attention to, thanks for all the effort it involves.
— Dubbya R
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Liberal thinking in recent times has turned "intolerance" into a four-letter word. But you sir, are a shining example of the kind of intolerance America so desperately needs right now. That being intolerance of nonsense, hubris, and mediocrity. At first I thought you were just some heavyhanded, overeducated prick (sorry), but having read several of your posts I notice something just beneath the dry, relentless logic. Optimism. I honestly believe that you wouldn't pursue issues so doggedly if you didn't think we were capable of upholding a higher standard for ourselves. That, perhaps more than your reasoning ability, earns you my respect. Keep it up man, and thanks.
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I need to know how you got your handle. Hopefully, it is not something obvious that will leave me feeling silly, but every time I read it I see, "I am a raccoon."
Regardless, keep up the good work.
— jedipunk
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I liked your article on the Republican Roots of the Subprime Crisis. I can't seem to find much info on who were the major bundlers of the subprime loans. There are hints that Fannie and Freddie were involved, but it doesn't sound right to me. Can you point me in a direction to find this information? Thanks.
— Atten
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Many thanks for your active participation in the comments regarding the possible removal of religious texts on our currency here in the states. You were able to represent my views perfectly... which, quite honestly is not a very difficult feat as I base my opinions on empirical information rather than tradition :)
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This is the first site I've visited since joining newsvine about 2 hours ago. It was the sunset photograph. It was the Bertrand Russell quotation (someday I'll have to post my BR skit, based on the one done in Beyond the Fringe). It was the variety and intelligence of the posts. And you've got some great friends. I'm looking forward to reading more from you. Thanks for being here!
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Oh, no. I stick with the classics. The 'Zach Morris' look is as timeless as ever. Keep poking fun at it, and I'll have to punish you by returning to the "Irish sheep farmer" icon.
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I love iarnuocon because of the amazing denim jacket (with popped collar) that he's sporting in his avatar. It's so stylish and modern that it inspired me to revamp my look and update my wardrobe. While bombastic and pompous at times, any less-than-stellar quality of iarnuocon is entirely eclipsed by his unparalleled ability to keep his finger on the pulse of ever-changing taste.
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We agree to differ(sometimes on most topics) other than that Iarnuocon puts forward formidable arguments !
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iarnucon does what many have attempted and failed: he targets the ridiculously absurd assertions of religious pseudo-scientists with wit and persistence. I think his secret is that he does not succumb to merely ridiculing his opponents. He truly believes that deep rooted superstition can be overcome by rational arguments, and that proponents of irrational doctrines can and should do better.
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iarnuocon, when he's at his best, he's like a force of nature, and it's wise to let nature take it's course, and as with a thunderstorm it is a wonder to behold, but not a good time to put up a kite.
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Iarnucon's word carries a lot of weight, because it's obvious there is a fine mind searching not for victory in a discussion, but to outline true lay of the land. He always seems to reach the objective truth of matters, and manages not to be distracted from the goal in any argument. A great voice to have around
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I always enjoy our discussions, even if we don't end up agreeing. Thus I've tagged you for this 8-things thing that's going around. Feel free to take part or not, your call. I look forward to many more debates either way.
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