Muppets Break Ties With Anti-Gay Chick-Fil-A, Franchise Lies About Disappearance of Muppet Toys in Kids Meals | AlterNet
"It's one thing to see a "Christian" company misleading their customers with lies."
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Republican debt ceiling fight cost taxpayers at least $1.3 billion
Republican debt ceiling fight cost taxpayers at least $1.3 billion
"Hey, thanks Republicans! Your fight last year over raising the debt ceiling didn't just result in the first time in history the nation's credit rating was downgraded. It didn't just hurt the economy or disrupt the economic recovery, halt job growth, and wreck consumer confidence. It also cost taxpayers $1.3 billion and counting, according to the Government Accountability Office."
"Hey, thanks Republicans! Your fight last year over raising the debt ceiling didn't just result in the first time in history the nation's credit rating was downgraded. It didn't just hurt the economy or disrupt the economic recovery, halt job growth, and wreck consumer confidence. It also cost taxpayers $1.3 billion and counting, according to the Government Accountability Office."
Bernie Sanders Versus the Billionaires | Common Dreams
Bernie Sanders Versus the Billionaires | Common Dreams
"If two dozen billionaire families were combining their wealth to effectively buy the 2012 election, it would be time for patriots to mount a bold response on behalf of democracy itself.
"If two dozen billionaire families were combining their wealth to effectively buy the 2012 election, it would be time for patriots to mount a bold response on behalf of democracy itself.
Well, that time has come."
Upgrading Connecticut, from Joe Lieberman to Chris Murphy
Upgrading Connecticut, from Joe Lieberman to Chris Murphy
"Sure, Lieberman can now take his Fox News schtick into retirement, but we now need to replace him with a true progressive Democrat, we need need to make sure that Chris Murphy becomes the next U.S. senator from Connecticut."
"Sure, Lieberman can now take his Fox News schtick into retirement, but we now need to replace him with a true progressive Democrat, we need need to make sure that Chris Murphy becomes the next U.S. senator from Connecticut."
Verizon Will Cut Off DSL To Up Prices, Kill Their Unions
Verizon Will Cut Off DSL To Up Prices, Kill Their Unions
"Verizon stopped selling standalone DSL back in April, so they could force you to buy a landline. That change is part of a strategic plan that will ultimately screw consumers - and the FCC seems just fine with that."
"Verizon stopped selling standalone DSL back in April, so they could force you to buy a landline. That change is part of a strategic plan that will ultimately screw consumers - and the FCC seems just fine with that."
Senate GOP Provides $1.1 Million Tax Cut To Wealthy Estates While Raising Taxes On 20 Million Working Families
Senate GOP Provides $1.1 Million Tax Cut To Wealthy Estates While Raising Taxes On 20 Million Working Families: The Senate GOP plan to preserve the Bush tax cuts on incomes above $250,000 already amounts to a budget-busting tax cut for the rich, and in addition to it, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) also added another tax cut that benefits only the super-wealthy. The Hatch-McConnell plan effectively eliminates the [...]/p
NRA Members Agree: More Gun Regulation Makes Sense
NRA Members Agree: More Gun Regulation Makes Sense: It seems obvious to many that advocating for regulating the sale, ownership, and use of guns is a political loser. Indeed, there is a wealth of polling data suggesting Americans oppose “gun control” and favor “gun rights.” However, new research obtained by ThinkProgress indicates that this opposition exists only in the abstract. According to a [...]/p
New Research Finds Marijuana Relieves Muscle Stiffness in Multiple Sclerosis Patients | AlterNet
New Research Finds Marijuana Relieves Muscle Stiffness in Multiple Sclerosis Patients | AlterNet
"The oral administration of cannabis extracts significantly reduces muscle stiffness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to just publishedclinical trial data published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry."
"The oral administration of cannabis extracts significantly reduces muscle stiffness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to just publishedclinical trial data published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry."
Senior Economists Feel That GOP Jobs Package Is More Likely To Make People Sick Than Create Jobs
Senior Economists Feel That GOP Jobs Package Is More Likely To Make People Sick Than Create Jobs: House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor have taken every opportunity to tout the work that the GOP has done on jobs. From carrying around cards that lists the “more than 30 jobs bills” to bringing it up in every press conference or campaign ad, Republicans have been keen to publicize their [...]/p
What Five Oil Companies Did With $375 Million Profits Per Day In 2011
What Five Oil Companies Did With $375 Million Profits Per Day In 2011: The Big Five oil companies – BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell – are slated to announce their 2012 second-quarter profits later this week. We can expect these companies, all of which rank in the top 10 of the “Fortune 500 Global Ranking,” to announce billions of dollars more in profits, after earning $375 million [...]/p
Pennsylvania admits there has been no voter fraud
Pennsylvania admits there has been no voter fraud
"More than a million Pennsylvania citizens—including registered, active voters—disenfranchised not because of the problem of voter fraud, but to win the state for Mitt Romney."
"More than a million Pennsylvania citizens—including registered, active voters—disenfranchised not because of the problem of voter fraud, but to win the state for Mitt Romney."
GOP Senate Candidate Paid 15 Percent Tax Rate On $30.6 Million Income
GOP Senate Candidate Paid 15 Percent Tax Rate On $30.6 Million Income: Pressure mounted in recent days on Linda McMahon, a candidate in the Republican primary for Connecticut’s open U.S. Senate seat, to release her tax returns from the last two years, as former Rep. Chris Shays (R), her opponent in August’s primary, raised the issue as a matter of transparency. McMahon, who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment [...]/p
RIP, Sally Ride
RIP, Sally Ride
"Yesterday, the day before Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday, Sally Ride joined the skies for a final time. At 61, she died of pancreatic cancer—a horrible disease. Back in 1983, it was thrilling to watch her smash the American gender barrier as she zoomed into space."
"Yesterday, the day before Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday, Sally Ride joined the skies for a final time. At 61, she died of pancreatic cancer—a horrible disease. Back in 1983, it was thrilling to watch her smash the American gender barrier as she zoomed into space."
Horrifying: Assailants Carve Anti-Gay Slurs on Nebraska Woman's Skin | AlterNet
Horrifying: Assailants Carve Anti-Gay Slurs on Nebraska Woman's Skin | AlterNet
"Gawker has the horrifying story of a particularly brutal hate crime in Nebraska:"
"Gawker has the horrifying story of a particularly brutal hate crime in Nebraska:"
Global Warming's Terrifying New Math | Common Dreams
Global Warming's Terrifying New Math | Common Dreams
"If the pictures of those towering wildfires in Colorado haven't convinced you, or the size of your AC bill this summer, here are some hard numbers about climate change: June broke or tied 3,215 high-temperature records across the United States. That followed the warmest May on record for the Northern Hemisphere – the 327th consecutive month in which the temperature of the entire globe exceeded the 20th-century average, the odds of which occurring by simple chance were 3.7 x 10-99, a number considerably larger than the number of stars in the universe."
"If the pictures of those towering wildfires in Colorado haven't convinced you, or the size of your AC bill this summer, here are some hard numbers about climate change: June broke or tied 3,215 high-temperature records across the United States. That followed the warmest May on record for the Northern Hemisphere – the 327th consecutive month in which the temperature of the entire globe exceeded the 20th-century average, the odds of which occurring by simple chance were 3.7 x 10-99, a number considerably larger than the number of stars in the universe."
Economists and Workers Both Say: Raise the Minimum Wage | Common Dreams
Economists and Workers Both Say: Raise the Minimum Wage | Common Dreams
"Marches and rallies are planned,according to McClatchy, at congressional district offices and at businesses that pay low wages. In Chicago, protesters will hold a trolley tour of low-wage employers, while activists in Pittsburgh will rally for higher wages outside City Hall. Similar events are planned in dozens of cities, including New York, Washington, Miami, Kansas City, Mo., Sacramento, Calif., and Philadelphia"
"Marches and rallies are planned,according to McClatchy, at congressional district offices and at businesses that pay low wages. In Chicago, protesters will hold a trolley tour of low-wage employers, while activists in Pittsburgh will rally for higher wages outside City Hall. Similar events are planned in dozens of cities, including New York, Washington, Miami, Kansas City, Mo., Sacramento, Calif., and Philadelphia"
Uninsured Aurora Victim Could Face $2 Million In Medical Bills
Uninsured Aurora Victim Could Face $2 Million In Medical Bills: Caleb Medley was shot in the eye in the Aurora movie theater shooting and remains in the intensive care unit in an induced coma. Medley sustained the terrible injuries only days before his wife Katie was due to give birth to a baby boy they plan to name Hugo. She now joins him in the [...]/p
Two Years After Financial Reform, Republicans Rake In Wall Street Fundraising Dollars
Two Years After Financial Reform, Republicans Rake In Wall Street Fundraising Dollars: It’s been two years since the passage of Dodd-Frank, and the finance industry is still doing its best to completely gut the reforms meant to prevent another financial crisis. Republicans have spent the last two years trying to water down Dodd-Frank, and data suggests they have been solidly rewarded for their efforts. The finance, insurance, [...]/p
Wisconsin Republican Senator Believes Voter ID Will Help Romney ‘In A Close Race’
Wisconsin Republican Senator Believes Voter ID Will Help Romney ‘In A Close Race’: SLINGER, Wisconsin — With polls showing a surprisingly tight presidential race in Wisconsin, the state’s new voter ID law could make the difference for Mitt Romney, according to the State Senate Assistant Leader Glenn Grothman (R). Grothman helped pass voter ID in Wisconsin last year, which disenfranchises citizens who don’t bring a certain form of [...]/p
PERRspectives: Foreign Policy Extraordinarily Foreign to Romney
PERRspectives: Foreign Policy Extraordinarily Foreign to Romney
"Regardless, Mitt Romney may well get a bump in the polls after his new overseas journeysare complete. But his bellicose rhetoric towards Tehran, his incendiary words for Moscow and campaign cash from the LIBOR rate-riggers in London may sound very strange--and very disturbing--to Americans' ears. Or as Mitt Romney might describe his extraordinarily foreign policy, "so foreign to us we simply can't understand it"."
"Regardless, Mitt Romney may well get a bump in the polls after his new overseas journeysare complete. But his bellicose rhetoric towards Tehran, his incendiary words for Moscow and campaign cash from the LIBOR rate-riggers in London may sound very strange--and very disturbing--to Americans' ears. Or as Mitt Romney might describe his extraordinarily foreign policy, "so foreign to us we simply can't understand it"."
Israel, the 51st State? How the GOP Is Courting West Bank Settlers to Vote for Mitt Romney | World | AlterNet
Israel, the 51st State? How the GOP Is Courting West Bank Settlers to Vote for Mitt Romney | World | AlterNet
"The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has partnered with an Israeli group to encourage Israelis who are American citizens--including West Bank settlers--to vote in the 2012 elections. The effort is also being promoted by a group called Republicans Abroad Israel. The partnership, and presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s plan to visit Israel in late July, makes clear that the Republicans will use President Barack Obama’s policy towards Israel as a cudgel to score political points and woo Jewish voters and donors -- though most American Jews vote Democratic. The politicking about how Obama is an “anti-Israel” president obscures the reality that Obama has not touched the sacrosanct US-Israeli alliance and has continued to lavish aid and diplomatic support to the Jewish state."
"The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has partnered with an Israeli group to encourage Israelis who are American citizens--including West Bank settlers--to vote in the 2012 elections. The effort is also being promoted by a group called Republicans Abroad Israel. The partnership, and presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s plan to visit Israel in late July, makes clear that the Republicans will use President Barack Obama’s policy towards Israel as a cudgel to score political points and woo Jewish voters and donors -- though most American Jews vote Democratic. The politicking about how Obama is an “anti-Israel” president obscures the reality that Obama has not touched the sacrosanct US-Israeli alliance and has continued to lavish aid and diplomatic support to the Jewish state."
7 Ultra-Rich Companies Rake in Profits While Paying Workers Peanuts | | AlterNet
7 Ultra-Rich Companies Rake in Profits While Paying Workers Peanuts | | AlterNet
"Of the 50 largest employers of low-wage workers, 92 percent of those were profitable last year —and three-fourths of them are doing better than they were before the recession."
"Of the 50 largest employers of low-wage workers, 92 percent of those were profitable last year —and three-fourths of them are doing better than they were before the recession."
How the Brutal Murders of a Little Girl and Her Father Doomed the Xenophobic Minuteman Movement | Immigration | AlterNet
How the Brutal Murders of a Little Girl and Her Father Doomed the Xenophobic Minuteman Movement | Immigration | AlterNet
"The brutal killings of Junior and Brisenia Flores highlighted growing extremism on the fringes of the anti-immigrant movement."
"The brutal killings of Junior and Brisenia Flores highlighted growing extremism on the fringes of the anti-immigrant movement."
Monday, July 23, 2012
Don't Regulate the Banks, Nationalize Them | Common Dreams
Don't Regulate the Banks, Nationalize Them | Common Dreams
"The Barclays interest-rate scandal, HSBC’s openness to money laundering by Mexican drug traffickers, the epic blunders at JPMorgan Chase — at this point, four years after Wall Street wrecked the global economy, does anyone really believe we can regulate the big banks? And if we broke them up, would they really stay broken up?"
"The Barclays interest-rate scandal, HSBC’s openness to money laundering by Mexican drug traffickers, the epic blunders at JPMorgan Chase — at this point, four years after Wall Street wrecked the global economy, does anyone really believe we can regulate the big banks? And if we broke them up, would they really stay broken up?"
REPORT: Debt Limit Fight Cost Government $1.3 Billion In 2011
REPORT: Debt Limit Fight Cost Government $1.3 Billion In 2011: Republican opposition to raising the debt ceiling increased the government’s borrowing costs by $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2011, and costs will continue to rise in the future, a report from the Government Accountability Office found. The U.S. Treasury was forced to take varying actions to avoid hitting the debt limit before Congress raised it [...]/p
Romney Dog Whistle: Obama’s Philosophy Is ‘Foreign To The American Experience’
Romney Dog Whistle: Obama’s Philosophy Is ‘Foreign To The American Experience’: Mitt Romney doubled down on his characterization of President Obama as a “foreigner” during an interview with CNBC’s Larry Kudlow Monday afternoon, insisting that the president believes that the government is responsible for the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Romney’s comments continue to misrepresent Obama’s remarks at a July 17th event, during which Obama [...]/p
In Victory for Corporatized Education, Federal Court Strikes Down Regulation of For-Profit Colleges
In Victory for Corporatized Education, Federal Court Strikes Down Regulation of For-Profit Colleges
"If America, like most industrialized nations, had no-cost universal access to public institutions of higher learning for all students, there would be no need for private colleges that cater to the poor and disenfranchised. But this will involve more than a court battle. It will necessitate that an informed and active citizenry force the Department of Justice, the state attorneys general and the Security and Exchange Commission to begin to do their job of prosecuting those persons and organizations responsible for breaking US law. Until this happens, there will be nothing but more and more lawyer fees, lobbying costs, court cases and student suicides. All items the for-profit schools look at as "the cost of doing business."
"If America, like most industrialized nations, had no-cost universal access to public institutions of higher learning for all students, there would be no need for private colleges that cater to the poor and disenfranchised. But this will involve more than a court battle. It will necessitate that an informed and active citizenry force the Department of Justice, the state attorneys general and the Security and Exchange Commission to begin to do their job of prosecuting those persons and organizations responsible for breaking US law. Until this happens, there will be nothing but more and more lawyer fees, lobbying costs, court cases and student suicides. All items the for-profit schools look at as "the cost of doing business."
PERRspectives: Democrats Crush Republicans as Capitalists in the White House
PERRspectives: Democrats Crush Republicans as Capitalists in the White House
"As the historical record shows, from economic growth and job creation to stock market performance and just about every other indicator of the health of American capitalism, the modern U.S. economy has almost always done better under Democratic presidents. Despite GOP mythology to the contrary, America generally gained more jobs and grew faster when taxes were higher (even much higher) and income inequality lower. While the U.S. recovery from the crippling Bush recession has been painfully slow, most economists - including the nonpartisan CBO and some of John McCain's own 2008 advisers - believe President Obama saved the American free-enterprise system from the abyss. And many economists are increasingly worried that businessman-turned-President Romney would lead the United States back into recession."
"As the historical record shows, from economic growth and job creation to stock market performance and just about every other indicator of the health of American capitalism, the modern U.S. economy has almost always done better under Democratic presidents. Despite GOP mythology to the contrary, America generally gained more jobs and grew faster when taxes were higher (even much higher) and income inequality lower. While the U.S. recovery from the crippling Bush recession has been painfully slow, most economists - including the nonpartisan CBO and some of John McCain's own 2008 advisers - believe President Obama saved the American free-enterprise system from the abyss. And many economists are increasingly worried that businessman-turned-President Romney would lead the United States back into recession."
PERRspectives: Romney Will Put Walmart in the White House
PERRspectives: Romney Will Put Walmart in the White House
"Even at a time of record income inequality, the lowest federal tax burden in 60 years and plummeting effective tax rates for the top one percent of earners, it is often difficult to put a face on the yawning chasm between the super-rich and everyone else. But now we have six. New data from the Federal Reserve reveal that the heirs of Walmart founders Sam and James "Bud" Walton now possess total wealth equivalent to 49 million American families, 42 percent of the total. As it turns out, that shocking number will grow much larger if Mitt Romney wins in November. After all, would-be President Romney not only wants to deliver another massive tax cut windfall for the wealthy, but wants to eliminate the estate tax altogether, a move that on paper would divert over $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury into the vaults of the Walton family."
"Even at a time of record income inequality, the lowest federal tax burden in 60 years and plummeting effective tax rates for the top one percent of earners, it is often difficult to put a face on the yawning chasm between the super-rich and everyone else. But now we have six. New data from the Federal Reserve reveal that the heirs of Walmart founders Sam and James "Bud" Walton now possess total wealth equivalent to 49 million American families, 42 percent of the total. As it turns out, that shocking number will grow much larger if Mitt Romney wins in November. After all, would-be President Romney not only wants to deliver another massive tax cut windfall for the wealthy, but wants to eliminate the estate tax altogether, a move that on paper would divert over $30 billion from the U.S. Treasury into the vaults of the Walton family."
California Faith Group Helps Move $750,000 In Customer Funds From Wall Street Banks
California Faith Group Helps Move $750,000 In Customer Funds From Wall Street Banks: Nearly nine months after the Bank Transfer Day protest that resulted in millions of dollars in lost customer deposits for the nation’s biggest banks, a Fresno, California-based faith group is leading the charge to get even more customers to move their money. Faith In Community, an interdenominational group, joined with Occupy Fresno and other groups [...]/p
Sexual Assault Victim Faces Jail Time For Naming Her Assailants
Sexual Assault Victim Faces Jail Time For Naming Her Assailants: When Savannah Dietrich was sexually assaulted and her attackers distributed photographs of the incident, any law enforcement agent would have encouraged the 17 year-old Kentucky girl to name her assailants. But now, Dietrich is facing jail time for doing just that. Disappointed and angered by what she considered a lenient plea deal for the two [...]/p
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
Anaheim Residents Continue Protests After Cops Open Fire at Women, Kids
(You read that right, demonstrators who were protesting police brutality became victims of police brutality themselves and after all that cops shot a second guy that same weekend.)
(You read that right, demonstrators who were protesting police brutality became victims of police brutality themselves and after all that cops shot a second guy that same weekend.)
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Election 2012 | AlterNet
Romney Campaign's Race-Baiting Strategy Could Have Dire Consequences for America | Election 2012 | AlterNet
"The Romney campaign got the memo: Race-baiting and xenophobia works -- at least among the segment of the electorate former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney hopes to capture in his quest for the presidency."
"The Romney campaign got the memo: Race-baiting and xenophobia works -- at least among the segment of the electorate former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney hopes to capture in his quest for the presidency."
5 Food Companies Run by Radical Right-Wingers | Economy | AlterNet
5 Food Companies Run by Radical Right-Wingers | Economy | AlterNet
"A number of food chains are owned by far right-wingers who've spent significant money opposing gay rights and abortion rights and funding conservative super-PACs."
"A number of food chains are owned by far right-wingers who've spent significant money opposing gay rights and abortion rights and funding conservative super-PACs."
Sunday, July 22, 2012
From an Unlikely Source, a Serious Challenge to Wall Street
From an Unlikely Source, a Serious Challenge to Wall Street
"There’s been so much corruption on Wall Street in recent years, and the federal government has appeared to be so deeply complicit in many of the problems, that many people have experienced something very like despair over the question of what to do about it all."
"There’s been so much corruption on Wall Street in recent years, and the federal government has appeared to be so deeply complicit in many of the problems, that many people have experienced something very like despair over the question of what to do about it all."
Mitt Romney's Olympics Bailed Out by Tax Payers
Mitt Romney's Olympics Bailed Out by Tax Payers
"As they noted, there are more questions which might be answered by Mitt Romney releasing his tax returns, which it seems more obvious day by day that he is never going to release. Romney seems to love that government "free stuff" when it benefits himself and his business buddies, but not so much for the working class and the poor."
"As they noted, there are more questions which might be answered by Mitt Romney releasing his tax returns, which it seems more obvious day by day that he is never going to release. Romney seems to love that government "free stuff" when it benefits himself and his business buddies, but not so much for the working class and the poor."
Evangelical Leaders Blame Liberals, Media For Aurora Shootings, Say Only Christian Victims Will Go To Heaven
Evangelical Leaders Blame Liberals, Media For Aurora Shootings, Say Only Christian Victims Will Go To Heaven: On the conservative Christian radio show AFA Today, evangelical spokesperson Jerry Newcombe blamed the tragedy of the Aurora shooting on the nation’s loss of fear of God and hell. Discussing the victims, Newcombe argued that the non-Christians were going to Hell: If a Christian dies early, if a Christian dies young, it seems tragic, but [...]/p
Global Super Rich Now Hoard $31 Trillion in Tax Havens: Report | Common Dreams
Global Super Rich Now Hoard $31 Trillion in Tax Havens: Report | Common Dreams
"A new report by the Tax Justice Network released Sunday reveals that between $21 trillion and $31 trillion is currently tucked away in global tax havens by the global super-rich--an amount that far exceeds previous estimates. Through exploiting gaps in global tax rules, the global financial elite are managing to hide "as much as the American and Japanese GDPs put together" from taxation, leaving the world's poor to carry the burden of global debt through harsh austerity measures."
"A new report by the Tax Justice Network released Sunday reveals that between $21 trillion and $31 trillion is currently tucked away in global tax havens by the global super-rich--an amount that far exceeds previous estimates. Through exploiting gaps in global tax rules, the global financial elite are managing to hide "as much as the American and Japanese GDPs put together" from taxation, leaving the world's poor to carry the burden of global debt through harsh austerity measures."
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