Friday, July 27, 2012
Capital One Forced To Pay $12 Million To Military Members Over Abusive Financial Practices
Capital One Forced To Pay $12 Million To Military Members Over Abusive Financial Practices: Just a week after it was ordered to pay $165 million in refunds and penalties for wrongful credit card practices, Capital One reached a settlement with the Department of Justice over charges that it financially abused active military members. Under the terms of the settlement, the bank will pay $12 million to American military members [...]/p
Survey: "Climate Skeptics" More Likely to Embrace "Free Market" Ideology, Conspiracy Theories | Common Dreams
Survey: "Climate Skeptics" More Likely to Embrace "Free Market" Ideology, Conspiracy Theories | Common Dreams
"A new survey of so-called "climate skeptics" -- who reject the global scientific community's broad consensus that global warming and climate change are being driven by modern society's emission of greenhouse gasses -- concludes that individuals who hold such views are also much more likely to believe in outlandish conspiracy theories and hold favorable views of the "free market" theory of the economy."
"A new survey of so-called "climate skeptics" -- who reject the global scientific community's broad consensus that global warming and climate change are being driven by modern society's emission of greenhouse gasses -- concludes that individuals who hold such views are also much more likely to believe in outlandish conspiracy theories and hold favorable views of the "free market" theory of the economy."
Are We Headed Back to the Dust Bowl? Blame the Banks | Alternet
Are We Headed Back to the Dust Bowl? Blame the Banks | Alternet
"Uncertainty is profitable. The Food and Agriculture Organisation is worried about price swings, even though prices are far from their 2011 peaks . Volatile prices create markets for hedge funds to trade and gamble on future trends. Traders, enabled by lax futures regulations, are perhaps the only people to see the bright side of the beating sun.
"Uncertainty is profitable. The Food and Agriculture Organisation is worried about price swings, even though prices are far from their 2011 peaks . Volatile prices create markets for hedge funds to trade and gamble on future trends. Traders, enabled by lax futures regulations, are perhaps the only people to see the bright side of the beating sun.
Which is why it's worth looking to history. Record-breaking weather, farmers losing crops, banks repossessing land from the poor, a president scorned by his opponents for socialism. We've seen this before. Such were the conditions of the dust bowl in the 1930s. Then, the drought stretched across most of the decade.By 1938, 80% of the Great Plains had been damaged by wind erosion . In large part, it was because farmers on small farms weren't taking care of the soil. What would bring farmers to the point of destroying the soil on which they depended? Most of them were deeply indebted to banks, and hanging on by their fingernails. Environmental destruction staved off financial oblivion."
How Will the 99% Deal with the Psychopaths in the 1%? | Alternet
How Will the 99% Deal with the Psychopaths in the 1%? | Alternet
"Did you know that roughly one person in a hundred is clinically a psychopath? These individuals are either born with an emotional deficiency that keeps them from feeling bad about hurting others, or they are traumatized early in life in a manner that causes them to become this way. With more than 7 billion people on the planet that means there are as many as 70,000,000 psychopaths alive today. These people are more likely to be risk takers, opportunists motivated by self-interest and greed, and inclined to dominate or subjugate those around them through manipulative means."
"Did you know that roughly one person in a hundred is clinically a psychopath? These individuals are either born with an emotional deficiency that keeps them from feeling bad about hurting others, or they are traumatized early in life in a manner that causes them to become this way. With more than 7 billion people on the planet that means there are as many as 70,000,000 psychopaths alive today. These people are more likely to be risk takers, opportunists motivated by self-interest and greed, and inclined to dominate or subjugate those around them through manipulative means."
A Bible-Based Approach to Health Care: Orthopedic Problems? You're Probably Just Possessed by a Devil | Alternet
A Bible-Based Approach to Health Care: Orthopedic Problems? You're Probably Just Possessed by a Devil | Alternet
"Despite a defeat in District Court last week, the Catholic Bishops and their conservative Protestant allies are forging ahead with lawsuits against Obama's health care reforms. Their goal? To ensure that American health options are dictated by religion rather than medical science."
"Despite a defeat in District Court last week, the Catholic Bishops and their conservative Protestant allies are forging ahead with lawsuits against Obama's health care reforms. Their goal? To ensure that American health options are dictated by religion rather than medical science."
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Rupert Murdoch's Reputation Is Shattered in UK -- Meanwhile He's Still Embraced as GOP Kingmaker in the U.S. | Alternet
Rupert Murdoch's Reputation Is Shattered in UK -- Meanwhile He's Still Embraced as GOP Kingmaker in the U.S. | Alternet
"Yet at the same time Murdoch is forced to withdrawal from Britain's political life, his profile is rapidly rising in the United States thanks to the unprecedented role News Corp's Fox News is playing this election cycle as it openly, and forcefully, campaigns against President Obama. The dichotomy between Murdoch's standing in Britain and America is striking, for rarely has a media mogul had his fortunes sink so low on one continent, while simultaneously rise so high on another."
"Yet at the same time Murdoch is forced to withdrawal from Britain's political life, his profile is rapidly rising in the United States thanks to the unprecedented role News Corp's Fox News is playing this election cycle as it openly, and forcefully, campaigns against President Obama. The dichotomy between Murdoch's standing in Britain and America is striking, for rarely has a media mogul had his fortunes sink so low on one continent, while simultaneously rise so high on another."
Watch How British Television Covered Romney’s Visit
Watch How British Television Covered Romney’s Visit: Mitt Romney’s criticism of the London Olympics in Great Britain led the nightly news show ‘BBC London’ on Thursday. The program reported on Romney’s uncomfortable visit with Prime Minister David Cameron after suggesting that the nation was unprepared to host the games, mocked his efforts to backpaddel those remarks and showed footage of London Mayor [...]/p
Don't talk about Ann Romney's fancy Olympic horse. Don't even THINK about it.
Don't talk about Ann Romney's fancy Olympic horse. Don't even THINK about it.
"Just add Ann "Woman of the People" Romney's fancy shmancy dancing horse to the list of things the Romneys believe should not be discussed at all: Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, his tenure as CEO of Bain, his tenure as CEO of the 2002 Olympics, his tenure as a bishop of his Mormon church."
"Just add Ann "Woman of the People" Romney's fancy shmancy dancing horse to the list of things the Romneys believe should not be discussed at all: Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, his tenure as CEO of Bain, his tenure as CEO of the 2002 Olympics, his tenure as a bishop of his Mormon church."
Increase in Extreme Storms Causing 'Rapid Ozone Destruction' | Common Dreams
Increase in Extreme Storms Causing 'Rapid Ozone Destruction' | Common Dreams
'Extreme summer thunderstorms are likely causing accelerated damage to the ozone layer over the United States, as the frequency and strength of storms continue to increase, according to a study released Thursday by the journal Science at Harvard University."
'Extreme summer thunderstorms are likely causing accelerated damage to the ozone layer over the United States, as the frequency and strength of storms continue to increase, according to a study released Thursday by the journal Science at Harvard University."
Drought in US Intensifying to 'Historic Proportions' | Common Dreams
Drought in US Intensifying to 'Historic Proportions' | Common Dreams
"The drought in the U.S. is intensifying and shows little signs of abating, according the most recent Drought Monitor issued Thursday."
"The drought in the U.S. is intensifying and shows little signs of abating, according the most recent Drought Monitor issued Thursday."
Hide the Ball: Romney's Long History of Hiding His Exorbitant, but Questionable, Business Practices
Hide the Ball: Romney's Long History of Hiding His Exorbitant, but Questionable, Business Practices
"How is it possible that, for two decades now, Mitt Romney has successfully avoided revealing any details about his vast wealth, has been able to manipulate and stash wealth overseas with no public accountability, has not been held to account for his complete lack of transparency, has painted himself as a creator of thousands of jobs even though the public record shows business decisions he presided over resulted in the loss of jobs because of mass wealth being scooped out of the assets of these same companies?"
"How is it possible that, for two decades now, Mitt Romney has successfully avoided revealing any details about his vast wealth, has been able to manipulate and stash wealth overseas with no public accountability, has not been held to account for his complete lack of transparency, has painted himself as a creator of thousands of jobs even though the public record shows business decisions he presided over resulted in the loss of jobs because of mass wealth being scooped out of the assets of these same companies?"
Worst. Congress. Ever
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The damage the 112th Congress is doing to America, the media's complicity by letting them off the hook, and voters' disgust with the whole process
Stephen Colbert Makes a Mockery of Romney's Deceptive Campaign Ad
Stephen Colbert Makes a Mockery of Romney's Deceptive Campaign Ad
"Gotta' love it. It's a sad day when our comedians have to be the ones pointing out how utterly ridiculous the Romney campaign attacks are with the whole it takes a village and no one made it on their own nonsense and the right's pathetic response to someone saying something that is actually true."
"Gotta' love it. It's a sad day when our comedians have to be the ones pointing out how utterly ridiculous the Romney campaign attacks are with the whole it takes a village and no one made it on their own nonsense and the right's pathetic response to someone saying something that is actually true."
Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods: Whose Side Are You On? | Common Dreams
Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods: Whose Side Are You On? | Common Dreams
"This November, California voters will have an opportunity to vote on a simple, yet important ballot initiative called Prop 37 – the California Right to Know Act. If approved, it would require food sold in California supermarkets be clearly labeled if it has been genetically engineered"
"This November, California voters will have an opportunity to vote on a simple, yet important ballot initiative called Prop 37 – the California Right to Know Act. If approved, it would require food sold in California supermarkets be clearly labeled if it has been genetically engineered"
The World is Closer to a Food Crisis Than Most People Realize | Common Dreams
The World is Closer to a Food Crisis Than Most People Realize | Common Dreams
"The world is in serious trouble on the food front. But there is little evidence that political leaders have yet grasped the magnitude of what is happening. The progress in reducing hunger in recent decades has been reversed. Unless we move quickly to adopt newpopulation, energy, and water policies, the goal of eradicating hunger will remain just that.
"The world is in serious trouble on the food front. But there is little evidence that political leaders have yet grasped the magnitude of what is happening. The progress in reducing hunger in recent decades has been reversed. Unless we move quickly to adopt newpopulation, energy, and water policies, the goal of eradicating hunger will remain just that.
Time is running out. The world may be much closer to an unmanageable food shortage – replete with soaring food prices, spreading food unrest, and ultimately political instability– than most people realise."
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Alternet
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Alternet
"Romney's strategy has incorporated racial and cultural cues, both subtle and blatant, as a means of deflection from the Obama campaign's questions about Bain Capital."
"Romney's strategy has incorporated racial and cultural cues, both subtle and blatant, as a means of deflection from the Obama campaign's questions about Bain Capital."
Mitt's mouth touches off international incident somewhere between London and the middle of nowhere
Mitt's mouth touches off international incident somewhere between London and the middle of nowhere
"At the same time, Romney faced scrutiny for a London fundraiser Thursday night that's expected to attract employees of Barclays, which has been in the spotlight after becoming the first bank to admit its employees were involved in manipulating a key market index."
"At the same time, Romney faced scrutiny for a London fundraiser Thursday night that's expected to attract employees of Barclays, which has been in the spotlight after becoming the first bank to admit its employees were involved in manipulating a key market index."
Yes, Blame the NRA for the Movie Theater Shooting in Colorado
Yes, Blame the NRA for the Movie Theater Shooting in Colorado
"For 21 years, LaPierre has been the executive vice president - and chief political strategist - of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The blood of the victims of the Aurora, Colorado, shooting is on his hands."
"For 21 years, LaPierre has been the executive vice president - and chief political strategist - of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The blood of the victims of the Aurora, Colorado, shooting is on his hands."
Top Three Myths Conservatives Use To Oppose Increasing The Minimum Wage
Top Three Myths Conservatives Use To Oppose Increasing The Minimum Wage: House Democrats have introduced a bill in the House — bound to go nowhere due to the Republican majority — that would increase the minimum wage to $10. This would give the wage the purchasing power that it had in the 1960s. Republicans have publicly met the idea of raising the minimum wage with contempt, [...]/p
Top Two Oil Companies Earn $160,000 Per Minute, Paid Low Tax Rate
Top Two Oil Companies Earn $160,000 Per Minute, Paid Low Tax Rate: The top two corporations on the Fortune 500 Global ranking, Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil, announced their 2012 second-quarter earnings today, bringing the total profits for three Big Oil companies to $44 billion for 2012 or $250,000 every day this year. Exxon profited by $16 billion this quarter, bringing its earnings for 2012 to $25 [...]/p
James Taranto: A-Hole!
James Taranto: A-Hole!
"I figured after a little time off I wouldn't get so sick reading and writing about the twisted minds of the conservative/TeaCrack Party, but I was wrong. Twitter has really fueled their lunatic scribblings. Check this out."
"I figured after a little time off I wouldn't get so sick reading and writing about the twisted minds of the conservative/TeaCrack Party, but I was wrong. Twitter has really fueled their lunatic scribblings. Check this out."
Heavily Edited Romney Video Targets Black Voters, Shows NAACP Audience Applauding
Heavily Edited Romney Video Targets Black Voters, Shows NAACP Audience Applauding: Mitt Romney’s speech at the NAACP was defined in the media by the resounding chorus of boos he elicited from the crowd. Campaign staffers had a different interpretation, insisting that he received “thunderous applause over and over again.” Reflecting this idea, the campaign’s new video targeting African American voters, “We Need Mitt Romney,” rewrites history [...]/p
The US Christian Right is Pushing Anti-Gay, Anti-Women Policies Abroad | Alternet
The US Christian Right is Pushing Anti-Gay, Anti-Women Policies Abroad | Alternet
"Ironically, these U.S. Christian Right groups criticize sound human rights initiatives as forms of neocolonial interference even while they aggressively seek to change reproductive practices themselves."
"Ironically, these U.S. Christian Right groups criticize sound human rights initiatives as forms of neocolonial interference even while they aggressively seek to change reproductive practices themselves."
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Romney Struggles To Distinguish His Economic Policies From Bush’s
Romney Struggles To Distinguish His Economic Policies From Bush’s: Mitt Romney couldn’t substantially distinguish his economic policies from former President George W. Bush’s during an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams on Wednesday, saying only that he would “take action to get America on track to have a balanced budget.” Bush increased the national debt by trillions of dollars. Rather than detailing specific differences with [...]/p
NSA Whistleblowers: They're Spying on 'the Entire Country' | Common Dreams
NSA Whistleblowers: They're Spying on 'the Entire Country' | Common Dreams
"The National Security Agency (NSA) has created a "pernicious, persistent and permanent" database since 9/11 and is spying on "the entire country" according to NSA whistleblowers Thomas Drake, Kirk Wiebe and William Binney."
"The National Security Agency (NSA) has created a "pernicious, persistent and permanent" database since 9/11 and is spying on "the entire country" according to NSA whistleblowers Thomas Drake, Kirk Wiebe and William Binney."
Despite Overwhelming Evidence, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Law Requiring Doctors to Lie to Women | Common Dreams
Despite Overwhelming Evidence, Federal Appeals Court Upholds Law Requiring Doctors to Lie to Women | Common Dreams
"Of course, as ideology increasing trumps science in our made-for-Orwell society, you can expect more intrusion into your personal life and more "evidence" trumped up by religious fundamentalists and anti-choice fanatics bent on controlling your life from "conception to natural death"."
"Of course, as ideology increasing trumps science in our made-for-Orwell society, you can expect more intrusion into your personal life and more "evidence" trumped up by religious fundamentalists and anti-choice fanatics bent on controlling your life from "conception to natural death"."
40 Economists Say The GOP Has Abandoned Economic Reality
40 Economists Say The GOP Has Abandoned Economic Reality: A survey of forty economists from across the ideological and partisan spectrum has concluded that on some of its most cherished issues, the Republican Party has simply taken leave of economic reality. For instance, economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers noted that one of the results from the survey — run by the University of [...]/p
Obamacare Has Saved Seniors $4 Billion On Prescription Drugs
Obamacare Has Saved Seniors $4 Billion On Prescription Drugs: The Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Services (CMS) released data showing that over 5.2 million seniors and people with disabilities have already saved nearly $4 billion on prescription drugs as a direct result of the Affordable Care Act. The CMS data also showed that over 1 million people with Medicare saved an average of $629 [...]/p
Voter Suppression: Up to 43% of Philly Voters May Not Have Newly-Required ID | AlterNet
Voter Suppression: Up to 43% of Philly Voters May Not Have Newly-Required ID | AlterNet
"And two weeks ago, I broke the news that the Corbett administration had awarded a $250,000 voter ID PR contract to the Bravo Group, a firm run by Mitt Romney fundraiser and longtime state GOP leader Chris Bravacos. On Friday, Talking Points Memo described how six people working on that contract all have GOP ties."
"And two weeks ago, I broke the news that the Corbett administration had awarded a $250,000 voter ID PR contract to the Bravo Group, a firm run by Mitt Romney fundraiser and longtime state GOP leader Chris Bravacos. On Friday, Talking Points Memo described how six people working on that contract all have GOP ties."
'Not a Mistake': NASA in Disbelief over Rate of Melting Ice | Common Dreams
'Not a Mistake': NASA in Disbelief over Rate of Melting Ice | Common Dreams
"Scientists say there has been a freak event in Greenland this month: Nearly every part of the massive ice sheet that blankets the island suddenly started melting."
"Scientists say there has been a freak event in Greenland this month: Nearly every part of the massive ice sheet that blankets the island suddenly started melting."
5 Reasons the Super-Rich Need Government More Than the Rest of Us | | AlterNet
5 Reasons the Super-Rich Need Government More Than the Rest of Us | | AlterNet
"Wealthy individuals and corporations want us to believe they've made it on their own, without the help of government or the American people. Billionaire financier Sanford Weill blustered, "We didn't rely on somebody else to build what we built." He was echoing the words of his famous predecessor, the formidable financier J. P. Morgan, who spouted, "I owe the public nothing."
"Wealthy individuals and corporations want us to believe they've made it on their own, without the help of government or the American people. Billionaire financier Sanford Weill blustered, "We didn't rely on somebody else to build what we built." He was echoing the words of his famous predecessor, the formidable financier J. P. Morgan, who spouted, "I owe the public nothing."
That's the bull of Wall Street. There are at least five good reasons why the wealthiest Americans need government as much as the rest of us, and probably more."
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
PERRspectives: Romney Doubly Embarrassed by Carr Talk
PERRspectives: Romney Doubly Embarrassed by Carr Talk
"When it comes to touting bogus presidential endorsements by foreign leaders, candidate George W. Bush is in a class by himself. But while Governor Bush was (easily) duped by a Canadian comedy show into proudly accepting the backing ofmythical Prime Minister Jean Poutine, Mitt Romney's misrepresentation of his private conversation with actual Australian foreign minister Bob Carr was willful. Willful, that is, doubly embarrassing. After all, Australian officials didn't merely reject Romney's boasting that Carr endorsed his critique of President Obama. As it turns out, Mitt Romney has consistently opposed that "one budget deal" which would supposedly end "all talk of America being in decline"."
"When it comes to touting bogus presidential endorsements by foreign leaders, candidate George W. Bush is in a class by himself. But while Governor Bush was (easily) duped by a Canadian comedy show into proudly accepting the backing ofmythical Prime Minister Jean Poutine, Mitt Romney's misrepresentation of his private conversation with actual Australian foreign minister Bob Carr was willful. Willful, that is, doubly embarrassing. After all, Australian officials didn't merely reject Romney's boasting that Carr endorsed his critique of President Obama. As it turns out, Mitt Romney has consistently opposed that "one budget deal" which would supposedly end "all talk of America being in decline"."
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