RSN: Giant Viruses Are Hiding in Permafrost, But Not for Long, Paul Krugman | Boehner and the Belt

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Paul Krugman | Boehner and the Belt 
 
Paul Krugman, The New York Times 
Krugman writes: "Lots of talk about the Boehner resignation. It was especially excruciating to hear pundits going on about the soon-to-be-ex Speaker’s motivations for not just stepping down, but actually leaving his seat." 
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Trevor Timm | Jeb Bush Is the Ultimate Anti-Internet Candidate 
Trevor Timm, Guardian UK 
Timm writes: "Do you want to live in a country where Internet Service Providers can slow down and censor your internet traffic at will, where the NSA has vastly more power than it does today and where end-to-end encryption may be illegal? Then Jeb Bush is the Republican presidential contender for you." 
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Clinton Bemoans 'Drip, Drip, Drip' of Email News 
Jonathan Easley, The Hill 
Easley writes: "Hillary Clinton acknowledged in a Sunday interview that she's been politically damaged by the 'drip, drip, drip' of controversy surrounding her use of a personal email account and server as secretary of State." 
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France Carries Out Its First Airstrikes in Syria Against Islamic State 
Elaine Ganley, Associated Press 
Ganley writes: "Six French jet fighters targeted and destroyed an Islamic State training camp in eastern Syria in a five-hour operation on Sunday, President Francois Hollande announced, making good on a promise to go after the group that he has said is planning attacks against several countries, including France." 
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Fiorina's Falsehoods 
The Washington Post 
Excerpt: "Caught making a false claim, she couldn't just admit she made a mistake but instead doubled down and worsened the falsehood." 
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For a Teen Aspiring to Be President, Being Muslim Is a Hurdle in Post-9/11 America 
Oliver Laughland and Spencer Ackerman, Guardian UK 
Excerpt: "Carson's comments did not emerge from a vacuum. They marked just the latest example of an increasing tolerance for Islamophobia in the Republican presidential race, as views historically associated with the Tea Party fringe have been thrust to the mainstream." 
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Giant Viruses Are Hiding in Permafrost, But Not for Long 
G. Clay Whittaker, The Daily Beast 
Whittaker writes: "If you're a germophobe, you won't find comfort even in bleak Siberian expanses. Scientists have made another massive discovery of ancient (and giant) viruses hidden dormant in the permafrost. As the planet warms, finding these things-and waking them-is going to become more commonplace." 
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RSN: Inside Exxon's Great Climate Cover-Up: From Early Climate Change Researcher to Epic Climate Denier,

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Bernie Sanders | Why We Must Listen to Pope Francis 
 
Bernie Sanders, Reader Supported News 
Sanders writes: "Pope Francis forces us to address some of the major issues facing humanity: war, income and wealth inequality, poverty, unemployment, greed, the death penalty and other issues that too many prefer to ignore." 
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Delaware Officials Investigating Fatal Police Shooting of Man in Wheelchair 
Ciara McCarthy, Guardian UK 
McCarthy writes: "State investigators in Delaware are looking into the fatal shooting by police of a man in a wheelchair, which was captured in cellphone video footage." 
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Pope Decries "Shameful and Culpable Silence" on US Arms Sales "Drenched in Innocent Blood" 
Dan Froomkin, The Intercept 
Froomkin writes: "Pope Francis on Thursday gently scolded Congress on a variety of issues, from immigration to foreign policy, but on one unexpected topic - the weapons sales that fuel armed conflicts around the world - he couldn't have been much more blunt." 
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Boehner, GOP to Fast-Track Defunding of Planned Parenthood as Deadline Nears 
Rebecca Shabad, Peter Sullivan and Bernie Becker, The Hill 
Excerpt: "Top House Republicans hope to convince their members to keep the government open by using a fast-track process known as reconciliation to try to defund Planned Parenthood." 
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Police Investigator Beaten by Chicago Police After Turning off Dash Cam 
Justin Glawe, The Daily Beast 
Glawe writes: "A man who investigates the Chicago Police Department for a living was beaten by officers once they discovered what he did, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court." 
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China to Adopt Cap and Trade System to Limit Carbon Emissions 
Steven Mufson, The Washington Post 
Mufson writes: "Expanding on a pilot project in seven Chinese cities, the cap-and-trade program will impose a nationwide ceiling on emissions from the most carbon-intensive sectors of the Chinese economy and require companies exceeding their quotas to buy permits from those that have sharply reduced emissions." 
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R
Nermeen Shaikh and Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! 
Excerpt: "Since the 1990s, Exxon has spent millions of dollars funding efforts to reject the science its own experts knew of decades ago." 
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GOP inability to lead - can't get a budget passed? threatening shutdown? 4 Biggest RIght-Wing Lies About Inequality

The Hill

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Speaker John Boehner acknowledged for the first time Thursday that Congress will likely have to take up a stopgap funding bill in September to avoid a government shutdown.

Boehner: Stopgap bill likely needed to avoid government shutdown

The Speaker said "it’s pretty clear" that a stopgap bill will be needed in September.

HILL.CM

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  Mary Ann Jaskiewicz via The Hill

  31 mins ·
  

  Gop trying, in vain to save themselves

Robert Reich

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As more than 17 Republican hopefuls vie for the limelight, these 4 lies about inequality are being repeated incessantly. Because the Republican race has so many contenders it's getting lots of media coverage -- which means the public is hearing these lies far more frequently. So it's more important than ever that you know the truth.

The Four Biggest Right-Wing Lies About Inequality

Even though French economist Thomas Piketty has made an air-tight case that we’re heading toward levels of inequality not seen since the days of the nineteenth-century robber barons, right-wing...

ROBERTREICH.ORG|BY PETER VIDANI

Occupy Democrats

This is the Republican Tea Party in a nutshell.

Image by Occupy Democrats.

RSN: 3 Absurd Conservative Reactions to the Planned Parenthood 'Sting', North Carolina Police Officer to Face Trial for 2013 Shooting, Trump Swiftboats McCain the Way Bush Swiftboated John Kerry

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Juan Cole | Trump Swiftboats McCain the Way Bush Swiftboated John Kerry 
 
Juan Cole, Informed Comment 
Cole writes: "The chickens of 2004 have come home to roost in the Republican Party. The Republican strategists around George W. Bush in that year decided to rip John Kerry's face off by attacking him, in accordance with Karl Rove's dirty tactics, at his strength." 
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US, Cuba Restore Full Diplomatic Ties After 5 Decades 
Matthew Lee and Peter Orsi, AP 
Excerpt: "More than a half century of Cold War and lingering enmity came to an abrupt but quiet end on Monday as the United States and Cuba restored full diplomatic relations." 
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Greek Banks Reopen After Three-Week Shutdown 
Al Jazeera America 
Excerpt: "Capital restrictions for bank customers remain as austerity measures prompt rise in prices of basic foods and services." 
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North Carolina Police Officer to Face Trial for 2013 Shooting 
Greg Lacour, Reuters 
Lacour writes: "Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the manslaughter trial of a North Carolina police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man in one of a series of killings that have sparked a fresh debate on race and justice in the United States." 
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3 Absurd Conservative Reactions to the Planned Parenthood 'Sting' 
Amanda Marcotte, Rolling Stone 
Marcotte writes: "A deceptively edited video of a Planned Parenthood rep discussing the donation of fetal remains has the right in a tizzy." 

Bobby Jindal and John Boehner were both quick to denounce Planned Parenthood after the video's release. (photo: Sean Gardner/Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty)

3 Absurd Conservative Reactions to the Planned Parenthood 'Sting'

By Amanda Marcotte, Rolling Stone

20 July 15

arlier this week, right-wing media outlets exploded over the biggest "exposé" since Obama's supposed military takeover of Texas. "BREAKING: Planned Parenthood director caught on tape selling aborted 'baby parts,'" read the headline at Live Action, an anti-choice group known for falsely accusing Planned Parenthood of helping traffic child sex slaves and killing babies after birth. (In fact, Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of reproductive health services and cancer screenings to millions of Americans.)

The new video is from a group that calls itself the Center for Medical Progress; it is linked to radical players in the anti-abortion movement like Troy Newman, the head of a group that regularly harasses and intimidates abortion doctors. Like previous Planned Parenthood "stings," this undercover video was deceptively edited to make it seem as though a Planned Parenthood doctor was discussing the sale of fetal organs and tissue to a biotech representative. In fact, the doctor was discussing fetal tissue donations, which is perfectly legal, and which is always done with the express consent of patients, to someone posing as a biotech representative. To some ears, the doctor's tone and choice of words in discussing the sensitive issue seemed crass, and indeed Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards acknowledged in a video statement Thursday that the way the doctor spoke did not "reflect [the] compassion" patients have come to expect from Planned Parenthood. But the bigger allegation in the video – that Planned Parenthood was caught selling fetal body parts – was utter nonsense, plain and simple.

Still, that didn't stop the right from acting like this was the greatest scandal since Monica Lewinsky's blue dress. They were practically frothing at the mouth, spreading lies and half-truths about Planned Parenthood – long a favorite Republican target. Here are some of the more hyperbolic reactions.

"Ew, gross."

In the video, the Planned Parenthood doctor speaks frankly about the details of her work to people she believes are members of her field – sometimes in gruesome detail. It seemed like for many conservatives, the fact that abortion, like all surgery, is kind of gross was an earth-shattering revelation. For instance, House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement, "I think I'd vomit trying to talk about [the video]. It's disgusting."

"GROSS" read a Gateway Pundit headline.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, a 2016 presidential candidate, decried fetal tissue donation as "shocking and gruesome."

Rich Lowry of Politico declared that the video should "turn your stomach."

Now that "gross" is apparently reason enough to oppose a medical procedure, will these folks apply that standard to all surgeries – or just the ones involving lady parts?

"Censorship!"

Within moments of the Planned Parenthood video coming out, conservatives had determined that the mainstream media was refusing to cover the story. "BLACKOUT: Media Go Dark On Planned Parenthood Organ Trafficking," read a Federalist headline the day the video was released.

"Censored: ABC and CBS Refused to Cover Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Body Parts,"read a headline at LifeNews the day after.

"If puppies and kittens were being dismembered, their organs sold by a tax-funded org, there would be an outcry on @ABC @NBCNews @CBSNews," Live Action's Lila Rose tweeted, also on day two.

Networks and other major outlets did end up covering the story, but the "censorship" accusation remained. "Shock: ABC and CBS End Their Censorship of Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Body Parts," declared LifeNews' headline.

It's not a given that mainstream media outlets should give airtime to something that has all the hallmarks of right-wing propaganda, but if they do, it behooves reporters to take their time and research the accusations to see if there is any truth to them. The fact that conservatives wanted the media to run with the story before having time to watch the full, three-hour, unedited video – much less do some actual research and reporting about the issue – says a lot about conservative confidence that these claims can withstand even the slightest scrutiny.

"Let's waste taxpayer dollars on an investigation."

Almost immediately after the video surfaced, opportunistic politicians started tripping over themselves to declare their eagerness to investigate Planned Parenthood. "This video is abhorrent and rips at the heart,"read a congressional Republican statement about a House committee investigation that was opened this week.

Justifying his own intent to subject Planned Parenthood to needless harassment, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the video "discussing the details of internal abortion procedures – including harvesting of baby body parts – is unnerving and appalling."

Bobby Jindal and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence engaged in the same posturing.

And it wasn't just politicians calling for action: Bill O'Reilly blew a bunch of hot air about how the FBI needs to investigate the matter.

All of this, even though there is nothing illegal about donating fetal tissue.

The timing of this opportunity to hate on Planned Parenthood was quite fortuitous, it turns out. The very morning the video was released, Congress was set to vote on a bill to increase funding for breast cancer research. Since breast cancer groups like the Komen Foundation work with Planned Parenthood to screen women for cancer, this was a useful pretext for Republicans to kill plans to fund Komen's cancer research.

This is far from the first time that abortion has been wielded as cover to pull money for women's cancer screenings and treatment. In Texas, Gov. Abbott has already used abortion as a pretext to end cervical cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics in his state, even though that is the only accessmany thousands of women have to such screenings.

But hey, it's kind of gross to hear a doctor talk frankly about the details of abortion surgery over lunch. So good luck finding those cancer screenings, ladies!

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Forget El Chapo, It's Time to Stop Empowering Cartels and End the Drug War 
Laura Krasovitzky, Drug Policy 
Krasovitzy writes: "Whether it's through a laundry cart or a mile-long ventilated tunnel, escaping from a maximum security prison in Mexico is clearly not as hard as it seems after one of the world's most wanted fugitives, Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, made his way out of prison for the second time through a hole in his shower." 
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Swamp Power: How the World's Wetlands Can Help Stop Climate Change 
Arthur Nelson, Guardian UK 
Nelson writes: "The swampy reed plantations of Wolin Island may look like a tableaux from Europe's distant past but if scientists, farmers and biotech companies are to be believed, this idyllic pastoral setting could be the face of a hi-tech and low carbon agricultural future." 
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This, that, ALEC, Perpetuating ignorance, another Trump bankruptcy, Republican hate & anger continues

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Should Math be taught in schools? Lets ask the Miss USA pageant contestants. ~ Chappel

Spineless Coward John Boehner Refuses To Condemn Donald Trump’s Racism

When he was asked about Donald Trump, Speaker of the House John Boehner refused to speak out against the Republican presidential candidate's racist...

POLITICUSUSA.COM

Robert Reich

 

With Republicans now in control of 68 our of 98 state legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council -- a right-wing political front for large corporations -- is having a field day. Herewith, the names of some ALEC members you may be indirectly supporting through your purchases of their products, in case you want to rethink your unwitting collaboration: AT&T, Altria (Phillip Morris), American Express, Amway, Bayer, Chevron, Comcast, Dow, DuPont, Expedia, Exxon-Mobile, Fed Ex, Ford, Frito-Lay, Geico, Gerber, Humana, JC Penny, Koch Industries, Marathon Oil, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Monsanto, Pepsico (Pepsi Cola), Pfizer, State Farm Insurance, Shell, Sony, Time-Warner cable, US Airways, United Airlines, UPS, Verizon, Wall Street Journal.

Four Ways ALEC Tried to Ruin Your State This Year

PRWATCH.ORG

Watch: Bernie Sanders Obliterates John Boehner's Absurd Smear

In this clip, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) absolutely destroys House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on the Face of the Nation, countering Boehner's...

WWW.OCCUPYDEMOCRATS.COM

350.org

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Listen up! We're excited to announce that Thom Yorke, Patti Smith, and Flea will join us for an incredible event in Paris during the UN climate talks.

This isn't your typical concert. Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein and Vandana Shiva will also be on stage delivering strong messages about the urgency of climate action.

Thom Yorke, Patti Smith, Flea Unite for Climate Change Concert

Dhani Harrison, guest speakers Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein will also appear at December's Pathway to Paris, coinciding with UN Climate Change Conference

ROLLINGSTONE.COM

Scott Walker’s Campaign Launch Disaster: Video Shows Tiny Crowd Lining Up For Event

A video from the scene of Scott Walker's campaign launch reveals a very small crowd gathering to support the Republican presidential hopeful as he launches...

POLITICUSUSA.COM

Bold Nebraska

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They're creating the incentives for more folks to ‪#‎GoSolar‬ over in Iowa.‪#‎BuildOurEnergy‬

Incentives spur solar energy growth in Iowa

Pilot Grove fabrication company invests $1 million to build a solar array that's expected to cover all its energy needs

DESMOINESREGISTER.COM

Sierra Club

 

"On July 9, Denmark’s wind farms generated more than enough power to meet nationwide electricity demands—with a 16% surplus of energy during the day and a whopping 40% surplus overnight. The extra energy didn’t go to waste; it was exported to Germany, Norway, and Sweden via interconnectors between the countries’ electricity grids."

Learn more --> qz.com/450737

Denmark’s wind farms generated 140% of the country’s electricity needs yesterday

The extra energy was exported to Germany, Norway, and Sweden.

QZ.COM|BY SVATI KIRSTEN NARULA

Trump Wishes America Had Invaded Mexico Instead of Iraq

As Donald Trump continues to both suffer economically and benefit politically following his controversial remarks about Mexican "rapists," the candidate has

MEDIAITE.COM

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/13/1401799/-Donald-Trump-s-golf-course-in-Puerto-Rico-files-for-bankruptcy?detail=facebook

Daily Kos

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Can't wait to hear how Trump spins this as a brilliant financial success for himself.

Trump-branded golf course in Puerto Rico files for bankruptcy

Trouble in paradise? This ...

DAILYKOS.COM

The Tom Leykis Show

I'm wondering how many rapists it takes to make one Donald J. Trump shirt.