By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET
Atheists can be just as irrational as believers…and believers can be just as rational as atheists. [Huffington Post]
Traditional Christian notions of heaven promote a “theology of evacuation”—at least that’s what megachurch pastor Rob Bell argues. His book Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, leads critics to call the progressive-minded Christian a heretic. [CNN Belief Blog]
Terry Jones, the Quaran-burning preacher who has sparked violence in Afghanistan, compares himself to Martin Luther King Jr. [Miami Herald]
While Western religious traditions may focus on questions like why the earthquake in Japan happened, Eastern religious traditions focus on behavior in reaction to tragedy. [CNN Belief Blog]
In this Lenten season, Christian pastor posits that churches should stop making such a big deal out of Easter worship. [Huffington Post]
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM ET
The browser wars continue: latest ranking puts Google Chrome on top. [USA Today]
A new way to browse the internet coming soon? A look at alternative web-browsing. [Forbes]
U.S. House of Reps to the FCC: “Drop net neutrality!” [The Boston Globe]
As certain as death and taxes: Illinois Gov. imposes internet tax, and Amazon strikes back. [The Wall Street Journal]
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Fri Apr 8, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
Could Trump really tell President Obama, “You’re Fired?” [Politico]
Time to fill up! Some analysts predict oil going over $130 a barrel! [CNBC]
Some super-rich see Mumbai, India, as a future global hub. [Times of India]
Tax tips for your mortgage. [The Street]
800,000 Federal employees at risk if government shut-down happens. [CNN Money]
By Robert Kahne, RP Staff, on Fri Apr 8, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET The Politics of the Planet People have been searching for a technical fix for global climate change for a long time. One of the leading plans has been “cloud whitening” which would decrease the amount of solar energy reaching the Earth, thereby decreasing the greenhouse effect. However, new evidence from Europe shows that this technique might actually warm the planet even more. [BBC]
Are you more optimistic about the use of technology to solve the planet’s climate ills? Scientists at the University of Minnesota have unlocked a way to use carbon dioxide as a fuel for vehicles. That could be useful. [Futurity]
Building are often the leading culprit in municipal government’s carbon footprint. This is certainly the case for New York City. Mayor Bloomberg has decided to implement a new kind of leasing arrangement which would incentivize energy efficiency. [NYC.gov][Explanation from Tapped]
One of the reasons I volunteered for the RP before he was recovering was because of his stance on mountaintop removal coal mining. If you don’t much about the issue of MTR, I would encourage you to educate yourself about it. The Rainforest Action Network releases yearly report cards to banks about their exposure to this form of mining. Their most recent report just came out. See how your bank scored. [RAN]
One of the other WWGs which I do is The Politics of Hoops. I love basketball. I also love it when my WWGs overlap. Here is a picture from the 70s of Phil Jackson with his bicycle. This makes me want to cheer for the Lakers. [tumblr]
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Fri Apr 8, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Sometimes laughter really can be the best medicine. Zach Anner, a 26-year-old filmmaker from Austin, Tex. who has cerebral palsy, won his own comedy show on Oprah’s new OWN network: [New York Times]
Take a deep breath. A new study reveals that people with anxiety might actually be causing some of those nervous feelings themselves. [Newsweek]
Look for a new doc, sneak in a quick workout, and keep first-aid tips on hand, all from your iPhone. Self Magazine lists the top health-related apps to keep you informed wherever you are. [Self]
A new website allows you to look at the each county’s health ranking based on stats like mortality, obesity and availability of healthy foods. How does your county stack up? [Time Magazine]
Humans aren’t the only creatures with inter-species buddies. Get ready to say “Aww!” [National Geographic]
By RP Staff, on Fri Apr 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Ever thought about how love actually works? And, yes, if politics is the “art of compromise,” then it’s definitely involved. Or is that marriage. Take a look at the basic, underlying foundations for human love. Interesting, huh? [HowStuffWorks]
Did you know? For the first time in American history, rural Americans are just as likely to be divorced as city dwellers. What’s next, broadband? [New York Times]
And speaking of marriage and divorce, in case you were planning on attending, here’s the schedule for this month’s Royal British Wedding. And in case you bemoan the miserable state of the American media and the “news stories” they spend time on, here’s one more example for you to use in your arguments: [Royal Wedding Schedule Explained]
The greatest political love story ever produced on film? Nothing comes close, hands down. Disagree? Prove it to the RP and our loyal readers! [Love, Politics and War]
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu Apr 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
If you are the 5-time defending Sprint Cup Champion in NASCAR do you get to openly criticize your bosses? Apparently not. Jimmie Johnson had to apologize today for a few choice words he had for NASCAR. [ESPN]
More from ESPN as Ryan McGee gave us the NASCAR power rankings for Week 7. This week has Kevin Harvick in the top spot. [ESPN]
Dustin Long writes about Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s quest to win his first race since 2008 and his frustration with continually falling short. Plus more from the NASCAR world. [Sports Illustrated]
Due to the recent natural disasters that hit Japan, new car sales from the country have hit the lowest point since 1968. [AutoBlog]
The big wigs over at Tesla have recently filed a lawsuit against one of my personal favorite T.V. shows, Top Gear, regarding a three-year-old review of their Roadster. [CNET]
By RP Staff, on Thu Apr 7, 2011 at 12:30 PM ET The Politics of Immigration What happens if you meet a beautiful Madagascan or a suave Uruguayan, on a student visa or H1B in the United States, fall in love and can’t live without them? You want to stay together—you get married, right? What happens if you and your immigrant partner happen to be gay? Life could become easier for you with the end of DOMA. [The Guardian]
Regardless of her guilt or innocence, Azra Basic’s story reminds us of the brutal insanity of war and the sometimes complicated task of resettlement and redemption in a country that has welcomed the tired, the poor, the huddled masses for generations. [The New York Times]
Are you smart enough to pass the United States Citizenship test? According to numerous surveys, probably not. Maybe we should just make it easier. Watch! [Bill Maher]
Oh, so you think you could take (and pass) a real US Citizenship test, Sparky? Go ahead, give it a try—and no cheating!! And by the way, once you’ve successfully completed the test, make sure you have your $700.00 per family member fee ready. [Take the Test!]
Want to emigrate to the U.S.? Probably best not to be a famous Liverpudlian anti-war activist in the Nixon / Hoover era. A fascinating interview with author Jon Wiener on INS efforts to deport John Lennon in the ‘70s. [Fresh Air]
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Thu Apr 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty compares Obama’s Presidency to a Lady Gaga song: [TalkingPointsMemo]
Winning!! Charlie Sheen offered higher speaking fees than former President Bill Clinton. Editor’s note: it must be the tiger-blood. [HuffingtonPost]
Even senior citizens should enjoy the right to get “Punk’d”: Betty White to host new prank show. [SouthBendTribune]
Like father like son? Prince William will not wear a wedding ring. [AsiaOneNews]
Katie Couric leaving CBS News Anchor chair. [NBC]
She’s back!!! Duke Lacrosse accuser arrested for stabbing her boyfriend! [ABC]
Lindsey Lohan goes for a new look by channeling…Courtney Love? [TMZ]
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Wed Apr 6, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
Good news, everyone! Laughing is good for your heart! Enjoy the rest of these web gems! [Bloomberg]
Natalie Portman has recently done some serious dramatic roles (Black Swan). However she still enjoys being in a comedy from time to time. [Hindustan Times]
Arnold Schwarzenegger is said to be planning a new movie called The Governator. Revolving around a character based on his role as governor of the state of California. The character is also planned to be used in a comic series, a T.V. show, and games. [The Holywood Reporter]
Okay, so if you didn’t get to pull an April Fool’s Day prank, you have missed your chance (until next year). However, this would still be a fantastic prank for anyone who works in an office. [picture]
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