Friday, August 3, 2012
Pennsylvania Abuse Highlights The Need For Stronger Animal Protections
Pennsylvania Abuse Highlights The Need For Stronger Animal Protections: Police in Frackville, Pennsylvania recently rescued fourteen dogs from horrific conditions in a local home, which they said underscored the weaknesses in current animal welfare law. Sgt. Marvin Livergood, the officer who found the dogs, said he had never seen dogs kept in conditions this dire: Livergood could tell that one dog had wounds on [...]/p
Romney’s Economic Plan Would Kill 360,000 Jobs In 2013 Alone
Romney’s Economic Plan Would Kill 360,000 Jobs In 2013 Alone: The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today that 163,000 jobs were created in the U.S. last month, but that the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 8.3 percent. Mitt Romney, of course, seized on the latter data point, calling it “a hammer blow to middle-class families.” “Yesterday, I launched my Plan for a Stronger Middle-Class [...]/p
Conservative Economists Claim Taxing The Rich Hurts Small Businesses; Small Businesses Disagree
Conservative Economists Claim Taxing The Rich Hurts Small Businesses; Small Businesses Disagree: Yesterday, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) gleefully unveiled a list of 88 economists, who warn “that raising taxes on small businesses would have a detrimental impact on the economy.” Their argument is that raising the marginal tax [...]/p
Clean Energy Programs 'Under Siege' by Fossil Fuel Giants: Report | Common Dreams
Clean Energy Programs 'Under Siege' by Fossil Fuel Giants: Report | Common Dreams
"The US renewable energy market is "under siege" at federal and state levels by "powerful, free-spending" leaders of the fossil fuel industry, according to a new study by the Sierra Club."
"The US renewable energy market is "under siege" at federal and state levels by "powerful, free-spending" leaders of the fossil fuel industry, according to a new study by the Sierra Club."
US Farmers Markets Surge: USDA | Common Dreams
US Farmers Markets Surge: USDA | Common Dreams
"Urban farmers markets across the US have become increasingly popular over the past few years and are now surging and expanding at unseen levels, according the the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA will announce Friday that the number of direct-sales markets has increased 9.6 per cent over the past year."
"Urban farmers markets across the US have become increasingly popular over the past few years and are now surging and expanding at unseen levels, according the the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA will announce Friday that the number of direct-sales markets has increased 9.6 per cent over the past year."
Food Disaster Worries Mount as US Drought Worsens | Common Dreams
Food Disaster Worries Mount as US Drought Worsens | Common Dreams
"The worst US drought in 56 years has intensified over the past week as scorching temperatures continued and too little rainfall parched corn and soybean crops across the Midwest and central Plains, a report from climate experts said on Thursday."
"The worst US drought in 56 years has intensified over the past week as scorching temperatures continued and too little rainfall parched corn and soybean crops across the Midwest and central Plains, a report from climate experts said on Thursday."
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Deporting Lauren Gray
Deporting Lauren Gray
"I have a bit in common with Lauren Gray, a young woman from Trenton, Missouri, who immigrated from Great Britain with her parents when she was four who now faces becoming an illegal overstayer because of a glitch in US immigration policy. I’ve been an ex-pat most of my adult life, and negotiating the hazardous maze of just about any country's immigration department is nightmarish, exhausting, expensive and frustrating – although some countries are more reasonable than others, I’ve found. It doesn’t seem the States, though, is one of them."
"I have a bit in common with Lauren Gray, a young woman from Trenton, Missouri, who immigrated from Great Britain with her parents when she was four who now faces becoming an illegal overstayer because of a glitch in US immigration policy. I’ve been an ex-pat most of my adult life, and negotiating the hazardous maze of just about any country's immigration department is nightmarish, exhausting, expensive and frustrating – although some countries are more reasonable than others, I’ve found. It doesn’t seem the States, though, is one of them."
Romney's tax plan? He pays less. You pay more.
"Mitt Romney is fighting for guys like Donald Trump and himself, and he'll screw you over in a heartbeat—and his tax plan is a perfect example of that."
Wisconsin GOP Senate Candidates Benefit from Government Contracts | The Progressive
Wisconsin GOP Senate Candidates Benefit from Government Contracts | The Progressive
"Wisconsin Republican Senate candidates Eric Hovde and Tommy Thompson are denouncing government spending on the campaign trail. But a close look at their personal fortunes reveal the two have greatly benefitted from—wait for it—government contracts."
"Wisconsin Republican Senate candidates Eric Hovde and Tommy Thompson are denouncing government spending on the campaign trail. But a close look at their personal fortunes reveal the two have greatly benefitted from—wait for it—government contracts."
Bill McKibben of 350.org: Even Industry-Funded Climate Change Deniers Can’t Ignore Planet’s Warming | Alternet
Bill McKibben of 350.org: Even Industry-Funded Climate Change Deniers Can’t Ignore Planet’s Warming | Alternet
"Hundreds of new U.S. counties were declared disaster areas on Wednesday amidst the country’s worst drought in decades."
"Hundreds of new U.S. counties were declared disaster areas on Wednesday amidst the country’s worst drought in decades."
The GOP War on Women's Health is Real
"The Republican Party continues to pass harsh laws restricting access to women's healthcare across the country, but the mainstream press has stopped paying attention."
'Dark Money' Groups Exceed Super PAC Spending, Secrecy | Common Dreams
'Dark Money' Groups Exceed Super PAC Spending, Secrecy | Common Dreams
"The top five outside spending groups on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the Federal Election Commission, according to a new report by national research and advocacy organizations Dēmos and US PIRG. Multiple types of outside spending groups are playing an even larger and more secretive role in the 2012 election cycle than previously thought or estimated."
"The top five outside spending groups on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the Federal Election Commission, according to a new report by national research and advocacy organizations Dēmos and US PIRG. Multiple types of outside spending groups are playing an even larger and more secretive role in the 2012 election cycle than previously thought or estimated."
Romney taps former Fannie Mae lobbyist and BP spokeswoman to lead his Bain rehab effort
Romney taps former Fannie Mae lobbyist and BP spokeswoman to lead his Bain rehab effort
"You can file this under yet another thing that only Mitt Romney could dream of doing"
"You can file this under yet another thing that only Mitt Romney could dream of doing"
GOP Governor Schools Romney On Wind: ‘Get Out Here In The Real World To Find Out What’s Really Going On’
GOP Governor Schools Romney On Wind: ‘Get Out Here In The Real World To Find Out What’s Really Going On’: Days after Mitt Romney’s campaign announced his opposition to extending the wind production tax credit, Romney campaigned in Colorado, a swing state that supported 4,000-5,000 wind jobs in 2011. He included one gratuitous mention of renewable energy in his speech that ranked energy as his top priority, saying “I like renewables.” How he plans to [...]/p
60 Faith Leaders Sign Letter Telling GOP Not To Raise Taxes On 24 Million Americans
60 Faith Leaders Sign Letter Telling GOP Not To Raise Taxes On 24 Million Americans: A coalition of faith leaders released a letter ahead of yesterday’s symbolic House tax vote telling Republicans not to allow the expiration of two tax credits that, together, would raise taxes on more than 15 million Americans. In the letter, the faith leaders called for extensions of the 2009 expansions of the Child Tax Credit [...]/p
Romney got his book so wrong that Jared Diamond doubts he even read it
Romney got his book so wrong that Jared Diamond doubts he even read it
"Mitt Romney has been taking a lot of heat for his remarks in Jerusalem asserting that the contrast between the relative economic well-being of Israelis and Palestinians is a matter of culture. He's been getting dinged by pundits, politicians and Palestinians. Now, one of the authors Romney mentioned in his speech, has complained via a New York Times op-ed essay that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee misrepresented his views.Jared Diamond, Pulitzer prize-winning author of the 15-year=old Germs, Guns and Steel, wrotein Thursday's newspaper: "[What the candidate said] is so different from what my book actually says that I have to doubt whether Mr. Romney read it"."
"Mitt Romney has been taking a lot of heat for his remarks in Jerusalem asserting that the contrast between the relative economic well-being of Israelis and Palestinians is a matter of culture. He's been getting dinged by pundits, politicians and Palestinians. Now, one of the authors Romney mentioned in his speech, has complained via a New York Times op-ed essay that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee misrepresented his views.Jared Diamond, Pulitzer prize-winning author of the 15-year=old Germs, Guns and Steel, wrotein Thursday's newspaper: "[What the candidate said] is so different from what my book actually says that I have to doubt whether Mr. Romney read it"."
Rubio Praises Government For Investing In Infrastructure, Schools At ‘We Built It’ Event
Rubio Praises Government For Investing In Infrastructure, Schools At ‘We Built It’ Event: "The remarks echo President Obama’s claims during a July campaign event, which Republicans have misrepresented to portray him as anti-business."
New Analysis: Voter Purges Disproportionately Remove Minorities, Seniors, Young People
New Analysis: Voter Purges Disproportionately Remove Minorities, Seniors, Young People: Catalist, a company that provides voting list data to progressive organizations, is among the closest observers of changes to voting rolls around the country. In analysis shared with ThinkProgress, the company observes that since November 2008, certain groups of living residents have been far more likely to be purged from the voting roles than others. [...]/p
NRA Attacks Republican For Supporting Business Owners’ Right To Ban Guns On Their Premises
NRA Attacks Republican For Supporting Business Owners’ Right To Ban Guns On Their Premises: The National Rifle Association is throwing down nearly $200,000 to defeat a very pro-gun Republican candidate, simply because she does not support one controversial bill that would effectively make it illegal for businesses to ban guns on their premises. State Rep. Debra Maggart (R-TN) will face off against opponent Courtney Rogers in today’s primary in [...]/p
GOP Rep: Protecting Insurers More Important Than Providing Coverage To The Sick
GOP Rep: Protecting Insurers More Important Than Providing Coverage To The Sick: Rep. Jeff Flake (R), a sixth-term GOP congressman and current Arizona senate candidate, has confirmed he is not among the 82 percent of Americans who think insurance companies should be banned from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. In fact, during a recent debate on an Arizona NBC affiliate, Flake explained that doing so [...]/p
Pastors Warren and Huckabee Spread Christian Ugly
Pastors Warren and Huckabee Spread Christian Ugly
"Huckajesus celebrates Chick-Fil-A's commitment to gay hate. Yeah, that's right in line with Jesus' instruction to "Love one another"."
"Huckajesus celebrates Chick-Fil-A's commitment to gay hate. Yeah, that's right in line with Jesus' instruction to "Love one another"."
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sheriff Joe On Trial: 'Tough' Guy is Looking Pretty Pathetic
Sheriff Joe On Trial: 'Tough' Guy is Looking Pretty Pathetic
"Our favorite nativist nutcase in an actual position of authority, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, has been coming down off the high notes of his dramatic investigation of President Obama's birth certificatethe past couple of weeks. Because he's finally on trial for his racial-profiling policies targeting Latinos in his community."
"Our favorite nativist nutcase in an actual position of authority, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, has been coming down off the high notes of his dramatic investigation of President Obama's birth certificatethe past couple of weeks. Because he's finally on trial for his racial-profiling policies targeting Latinos in his community."
Major League Baseball Team Uses Taxpayer Subsidies To Pay Its Own Taxes
Major League Baseball Team Uses Taxpayer Subsidies To Pay Its Own Taxes: several American sports franchises are looking for taxpayer dollars in order to finance new stadiums or renovate existing ones. But the example set by Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals should act as a warning to the cities thinking of acceding to those demands. According to Sports Radio 810 WHB, the [...]/p
It's official: House Republicans just voted to block your tax cut to protect the rich
It's official: House Republicans just voted to block your tax cut to protect the rich
"By a vote of 170-257, Republicans rejected the Democrats' plan to extend tax cuts to the middle class because, of course, the Democrats' bill didn't also extend tax cuts to the top two percent on their income above $250,000."
"By a vote of 170-257, Republicans rejected the Democrats' plan to extend tax cuts to the middle class because, of course, the Democrats' bill didn't also extend tax cuts to the top two percent on their income above $250,000."
Meet Mitt Romney’s Immigration Advisers
Meet Mitt Romney’s Immigration Advisers: The former Arizona Senate president, who was ousted in a recall election, was the architect of Arizona’s infamous SB 1070. He threw his support behind Romney and said that the GOP presidential candidate’s “immigration policy is identical to mine.” And Pearce said Romney “absolutely” called for Arizona’s law to be used as a national “model” because Romney has advocated for self-deportation. “[Self-deportation] is in SB 1070,” Pearce said in April.
Scientists Tell Senate Panel: Climate Change Is Here and Disaster Costs Will Be Huge | Common Dreams
Scientists Tell Senate Panel: Climate Change Is Here and Disaster Costs Will Be Huge | Common Dreams
"Climate scientists who appeared Wednesday morning before a Senate committee hearing on climate change and extreme weather impacts had stark warnings for the lawmakers: climate change is here, climate change is man-made, and climate change is going to cost us big time."
"Climate scientists who appeared Wednesday morning before a Senate committee hearing on climate change and extreme weather impacts had stark warnings for the lawmakers: climate change is here, climate change is man-made, and climate change is going to cost us big time."
Class warfare? Nah. Mitt Romney's plan raises taxes on everybody else so the top 5% can lower theirs
Class warfare? Nah. Mitt Romney's plan raises taxes on everybody else so the top 5% can lower theirs
"Best case result, according to the TPC: Americans making half a million to a million dollars a year would average a $17,000 tax cut. For middle-class families with children making less than $200,000 a year, the average tax would increase by $2041 a year. The rich, natch, would make out like bandits, millionaires getting an $87,000 tax cut, those making more getting even more out of the deal."
"Best case result, according to the TPC: Americans making half a million to a million dollars a year would average a $17,000 tax cut. For middle-class families with children making less than $200,000 a year, the average tax would increase by $2041 a year. The rich, natch, would make out like bandits, millionaires getting an $87,000 tax cut, those making more getting even more out of the deal."
Does Mitt Romney Think the Red States Are Culturally Inferior?
Does Mitt Romney Think the Red States Are Culturally Inferior?
"Of the top 10 states (and including DC) in per capita GDP, only two -- Alaska and Wyoming -- are Republican. And Alaska is heavily subsidized by the federal government."
"Of the top 10 states (and including DC) in per capita GDP, only two -- Alaska and Wyoming -- are Republican. And Alaska is heavily subsidized by the federal government."
Study: Seniors Would Pay More For Medicare Under Republican-Backed Plan
Study: Seniors Would Pay More For Medicare Under Republican-Backed Plan: Lawmakers like Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-WY) support radically restructuring the current the Medicare system into a voucher program that provides seniors with “premium support” credits to purchase coverage from an exchange of private health insurers or remain in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Mitt Romney, the GOP presidential candidate, has embraced the [...]/p
Mushroom Cloud Mitt Should Frighten Us All
Mitt Romney's foreign policy blunders and obedience to Sheldon Adelson are cause for all of us to be very, very concerned.
GOP and the Economy: They Pissed on Our Legs and Told Us It Was Raining | Alternet
GOP and the Economy: They Pissed on Our Legs and Told Us It Was Raining | Alternet
"Remember this, too. Other than six and seven-figure annual tax cuts for rich people, the other thing that killed our fiscal situation was the lack of regulation and oversight of Wall Street. That was another gift to rich people, the smartest of which developed schemes to game the housing market and make a fortune for themselves, while the rest of us were left with properties that were worth less than we borrowed to move into them. They took away our money and then they took away our jobs and then they took away our freedom to move to find a new job."
"Remember this, too. Other than six and seven-figure annual tax cuts for rich people, the other thing that killed our fiscal situation was the lack of regulation and oversight of Wall Street. That was another gift to rich people, the smartest of which developed schemes to game the housing market and make a fortune for themselves, while the rest of us were left with properties that were worth less than we borrowed to move into them. They took away our money and then they took away our jobs and then they took away our freedom to move to find a new job."
New Analysis Shows Romney Tax Plan Would Raise Taxes On Middle Class Families By More Than $2,000
New Analysis Shows Romney Tax Plan Would Raise Taxes On Middle Class Families By More Than $2,000: On the campaign trail, Mitt Romney has been promising that he will cut taxes “across the board,” while also instituting tax reform that will not add to the nation’s deficit. But a new report from the Tax Policy Center at the Brookings Institution shows that this is much easier said than done. In fact, if [...]/p
Good Riddance to the Air Force's Religious Intolerance Enabler in Chief
Good Riddance to the Air Force's Religious Intolerance Enabler in Chief
"we have seen the vast coverup of an unlawful epidemic whereby many thousands of men and women within the ranks of the USAF have been subject to serial religious abuse and molestation. The national security repercussions of this ongoing crisis are all too dire, and as was the case at Penn State, the responsibility for this scandal ultimately lies with the most senior leadership."
"we have seen the vast coverup of an unlawful epidemic whereby many thousands of men and women within the ranks of the USAF have been subject to serial religious abuse and molestation. The national security repercussions of this ongoing crisis are all too dire, and as was the case at Penn State, the responsibility for this scandal ultimately lies with the most senior leadership."
House Republicans will vote against tax cut for the middle class today
House Republicans will vote against tax cut for the middle class today
"House Republicans are set to vote against 98 percent of their constituents today, again. Democrats are going to offer an extension on the middle class tax cuts, letting the cuts for the wealthiest expire."
"House Republicans are set to vote against 98 percent of their constituents today, again. Democrats are going to offer an extension on the middle class tax cuts, letting the cuts for the wealthiest expire."
6 Things You Should Know About the $21 Trillion the World's Richest People Are Hiding In Tax Shelters | Alternet
6 Things You Should Know About the $21 Trillion the World's Richest People Are Hiding In Tax Shelters | Alternet
"$21 trillion. That's how much the world's richest people are hiding in offshore tax havens worldwide. Or it may be more, as much as $32 trillion—the real amount is, of course, almost impossible to track."
"$21 trillion. That's how much the world's richest people are hiding in offshore tax havens worldwide. Or it may be more, as much as $32 trillion—the real amount is, of course, almost impossible to track."
The Libertarian Con: Favorite 'Rebel' Ideology of the Ruling Class | Alternet
The Libertarian Con: Favorite 'Rebel' Ideology of the Ruling Class | Alternet
"Calling yourself a libertarian today is a lot like wearing a mullet back in the 1980s. It sends a clear signal: business up front, party in the back. You know, those guys who call themselves “socially liberal but fiscally conservative.” Yeah. It’s for them.
"Calling yourself a libertarian today is a lot like wearing a mullet back in the 1980s. It sends a clear signal: business up front, party in the back. You know, those guys who call themselves “socially liberal but fiscally conservative.” Yeah. It’s for them.
Today, the ruling class knows that they’ve lost the culture wars. And unlike with our parents, they can’t count on weeping eagles and the stars ‘n bars to get us to fall in line. So libertarianism is a last-ditch effort to ensure a succession to their throne. Their hope is that the kids will nod along as wealthy elites spread austerity regimes across the world."
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