WHAT IS HATE SPEECH? Hate speech is the kind of speech used to denigrate an individual or a group of people because of something about them, such as their race, ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ideology, social class, or physical appearance. Speech is considered written or oral communication and some forms of behaviors in a public setting (such as burning a cross). Some people have trouble defining hate speech. Does it matter whether the speech occurs... (more...)

After a Superbowl that symbolically saw the city of New Orleans make a statement of defiance and resilience against social and economic injustice, CBS (Corporate Broadcasting System) debuted a show that was a disturbing piece of pro corporate propaganda disguised in the sheep’s clothing (borrowed from Carly Fiorina’s media consultant). So, in addition to promoting the hateful faux-Christian political group, Focus on the Family during the Superbowl, CBS used the valuable slot that followed... (more...)

The debate between conservatives and progressives is raging right now and lately, it seems to me that this debate has become more like a shouting match…as if just shouting louder will somehow make one’s argument more valid. It generally has the opposite effect. Prove it to me with facts and history… not volume. I stumbled across this opinion/analysis gem yesterday while researching a ridiculous op-ed in the WaPo the other day, entitled Why are Liberals so Condescending? by Gerrard... (more...)

“Ms. Palin represents a new breed of unelected public figures operating in an environment in which politics, news media and celebrity are fused as never before. Whether she ever runs for anything else, Ms. Palin has already achieved a status that has become an end in itself: access to an electronic bully pulpit, a staff to guide her, an enormous income and none of the bother or accountability of having to govern or campaign for office.” That was the New York Times’s assessment... (more...)

Just in case anyone wants to talk about the game. Go Saints!  VN:F [1.8.1_1037]please wait...Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)VN:F [1.8.1_1037]Rating: 0 (from 0 votes) Read More →

Administrative law judge finds Bank of America discriminated against African-American job applicants A protracted case that started with a U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) investigation has resulted in an administrative law judge’s (ALJ) recommended ruling that Bank of America discriminated against African-American job applicants for entry level positions in Charlotte, N.C., in 1993 and from 2002 to 2005. Dept of Labor improves online job search... (more...)

Hello fellow Planeteers, Check out this latest info from USA Today: Medical expenses have ‘very steep rate of growth’ WASHINGTON — Spending on health care consumed an estimated 17 cents of every dollar spent last year in the United States, representing the largest one-year increase since the federal government started tracking the number in 1960. By 2019, health care spending will represent 19.3% of the nation’s total economic output, according to a report released today by the... (more...)

Choice under new attack from Operation Rescue, led by Troy Newman, the president of the organization. Operation Rescue has launched a new anti-choice campaign by offering $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of OB/GYN doctors that perform abortions. Operation Rescue has begun an advertising blitz on the radio, over the Internet and by mailings for the latest campaign against choice. “We have never found an abortion clinic that completely follows the law,” said Operation Rescue... (more...)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Here are a few stories from our hard-working agencies to make the weekend even better. States seek to take CHIP even further Given new flexibility under CHIPRA, states have adopted several new strategies to ease enrollment. Since CHIPRA was enacted on February 4, 2009, states have sought CMS approval for program improvements. World’s most precise clock built by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physicists at the National Institute... (more...)

As everyone probably knows by now, the great Tea Party Convention is in full swing this weekend in Nashville. A whopping 600 teabaggers are gathered to hear their leaders, and are especially excited to hear Sarah Palin. The convention kicked off to a great start with notable speaker Tom Tancredo – Tancredo told the audience that the country had elected “a committed socialist ideologue in the White House” because “we do not have a civics, literary test before people can vote in this country“: ... (more...)

Tonight, Bill Moyers had a marvelous episode which I can’t recommend enough. The first segment was about the SCOTUS decision and the impact on our democracy. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02052010/watch.html With pro and con voices. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02052010/watch2.html The second segment I found the most intriguing, with a doctor who had been working for single payer with Congress…and was ultimately shut down and out by the White House. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02052010/watch3.html And... (more...)

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