Paying Taxes Is More Popular Than You Think (Episode 41)

Paying Taxes Is More Popular Than You Think (Episode 41):

Taxes, like death, are inevitable. However, that conception of taxes doesn't reflect how the majority of Americans view their relationship to their local, state, and federal government taxes. via Pocket

The Tortilla Cartel

The Tortilla Cartel:

Several years ago, while researching a story about gourmet tacos, I called Diana Kennedy at her home in Michoacán in Mexico. via Pocket

A Simple Way to Improve a Billion Lives: Eyeglasses

A Simple Way to Improve a Billion Lives: Eyeglasses:

PANIPAT, India — Shivam Kumar's failing eyesight was manageable at first. To better see the chalkboard, the 12-year-old moved to the front of the classroom, but in time, the indignities piled up. via Pocket

Poisoned, ignored and evicted: The perils of living with lead

Poisoned, ignored and evicted: The perils of living with lead:

The toxic water of Flint, Michigan, reminded us that lead is a very persistent poison. This week, Reveal investigates the lurking threat of lead from the dust of urban demolitions to the wilds of Wyoming. via Pocket

The Real Villain Behind Our New Gilded Age

The Real Villain Behind Our New Gilded Age:

The comedian Chris Rock once said, "If poor people knew how rich rich people are, there would be riots in the streets." Populist revolts throughout the world may not count as street riots, but they do reflect disenchantment with not just our government but also liberal democracy itself. via Pocket

The red line: Racial disparities in lending

The red line: Racial disparities in lending:

It's been 10 years since the great housing bust and lending is back. Not everyone is getting a fair shot at getting a loan. via Pocket

Right-to-Work Laws Have Devastated Unions — and Democrats

Right-to-Work Laws Have Devastated Unions — and Democrats:

Next week's special congressional election in southwestern Pennsylvania will test whether, deep in Trump country, union support can help elect a Democrat running on a middle-class economic agenda. A victory would remind Democrats of the electoral power of organized labor. via Pocket

The Case Against Google

The Case Against Google:

Shivaun Moeran and Adam Raff met, married and started a company — thereby sparking a chain of events that might, ultimately, take down this age of internet giants as we know it — because they were both huge nerds. via Pocket

Phone Security

Phone Security:

via Pocket

Amazon Doesn’t Just Want to Dominate the Market—It Wants to Become the Market

Amazon Doesn't Just Want to Dominate the Market—It Wants to Become the Market:

Chris Lampen-Crowell started to feel the undertow four years ago. Gazelle Sports, the running-shoe and apparel business he founded in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1985, had grown steadily for decades, adding locations in Grand Rapids and Detroit and swelling to some 170 employees. via Pocket

The Uneven Playing Field

The Uneven Playing Field:

Under unilateral disarmament, Trump stays, Conyers goes, Moore stays, Franken goes. Remember "when they go low, we go high?" Yep. So do I. via Pocket

How Do Politicians Get Away With Cutting Taxes for the Rich?

How Do Politicians Get Away With Cutting Taxes for the Rich?:

A substantial majority of Americans believe that rich people ought to pay more taxes. For example, consider public opinion about the "Buffett rule," named after its most prominent backer, the billionaire investor Warren Buffett. via Pocket

To Save the Internet We Must Own the Networks

To Save the Internet We Must Own the Networks:

In late October, Ajit Pai, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, proudly announced, "We've been energetic in advancing the public interest…over the past nine months, the Commission has voted on 63 items at our monthly meetings, compared to 103 in the preceding three years. via Pocket

The Movement for Free College Tuition Is Growing

The Movement for Free College Tuition Is Growing:

In 2015, President Obama proposed making community college free nationwide. He pointed to a pilot free tuition program just being launched by Tennessee for recent high school graduates and might not have been aware of a free tuition program operating in Louisiana for almost two decades. via Pocket

We’re witnessing the wholesale looting of America

We're witnessing the wholesale looting of America:

Over the course of 2017, both in Congress and in the executive branch, we have watched the task of government devolve into the full-scale looting of America. via Pocket

Newsweek on Twitter

Newsweek on Twitter:

U.N. "shocked" at the level of poverty in rural Alabama. "It's very uncommon in the First World" http://bit.ly/2ycnWFl via Pocket

Our National Narratives Are Still Being Shaped by Lecherous, Powerful Men

Our National Narratives Are Still Being Shaped by Lecherous, Powerful Men:

And the stories keep on coming: about how political pundit Mark Halperin rubbed his erect penis against younger female colleagues (a claim he denies); how Artforum co-publisher Knight Landesman touched young female employees against their will and told one of them that she needed to be "more ope via Pocket

How Our Broken Justice System Led to a Sexual Harassment Crisis

How Our Broken Justice System Led to a Sexual Harassment Crisis:

Amid the latest wave of sexual harassment allegations, you might conclude, with some relief, that predators are finally being held accountable for long-repressed abuse. But while several men have lost their jobs, there's been little accountability in a legal sense. via Pocket

The Trump Presidency: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

The Trump Presidency: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO):

One year after the presidential election, John Oliver discusses what we've learned so far and enlists our catheter cowboy to teach Donald Trump what he hasn't.Connect with Last Week Tonight online…Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens: www.you via Pocket

Rigged: How Voter Suppression Threw Wisconsin to Trump

Rigged: How Voter Suppression Threw Wisconsin to Trump:

You can't say Andrea Anthony didn't try. A 37-year-old African American woman with an infectious smile, Anthony had voted in every major election since she was 18. via Pocket

America is facing an epistemic crisis

America is facing an epistemic crisis:

Over at the Gothamist, Jake Offenhartz has an astounding and richly symbolic story about the latest bit of "fake news" burped up by the alt-right. [Ugh, that link now goes to the "Gothamist is dead" page. Here's a Jesse Singal story about the incident.] via Pocket

The research is clear: Waiting periods can curb gun deaths

The research is clear: Waiting periods can curb gun deaths:

It's no secret this country is extraordinarily divided on the issue of gun rights, and common ground has been hard to come by. via Pocket

How test scores can block black students from the University of Minnesota

How test scores can block black students from the University of Minnesota:

The University of Minnesota is currently sponsoring an exhibit that examines the actions of university administrators from several decades ago. via Pocket

Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort

Trump Administration Puts on Hold an Obama-Era Desegregation Effort:

The rule would have helped poor Americans move to more expensive neighborhoods with better schools. The zip code where a child grows up can have a huge effect on that kid's entire life. via Pocket

The Resegregation of Jefferson County

The Resegregation of Jefferson County:

In 2013, a flier began making the rounds in Gardendale, Ala., a suburb of Birmingham. via Pocket

Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge Over Blacks (but Don’t Know It)

Whites Have Huge Wealth Edge Over Blacks (but Don't Know It):

For every $100 earned by an average white family, how much do you think is earned by an average black family? Wrong. You're actually too pessimistic. Black families in America earn $57.30 for every $100 in white family income. via Pocket

The Only Problem in American Politics Is the Republican Party

The Only Problem in American Politics Is the Republican Party:

Political scientist Lee Drutman argues in a Vox essay that American politics is descending into what he calls "doom-loop partisanship. via Pocket

Our Broken Economy, in One Simple Chart

Our Broken Economy, in One Simple Chart:

The poor and middle class used to see the largest income growth. Note: Inflation-adjusted annual average growth using income after taxes, transfers and non-cash benefits. via Pocket

This miracle weed killer was supposed to save farms. Instead, it’s devastating them.

This miracle weed killer was supposed to save farms. Instead, it's devastating them.:

BLYTHEVILLE, ARK. — Clay Mayes slams on the brakes of his Chevy Silverado and jumps out with the engine running, yelling at a dogwood by the side of the dirt road as if it had said something insulting. Its leaves curl downward and in on themselves like tiny, broken umbrellas. via Pocket

City governments are raising standards for working people—and state legislators are lowering them back down

City governments are raising standards for working people—and state legislators are lowering them back down:

On August 28, 2017, low-wage workers in St. Louis, Missouri, became the latest victims of state preemption laws. "Preemption" in this context refers to a situation in which a state law is enacted to block a local ordinance from taking effect—or dismantle an existing ordinance. via Pocket

Comments | What if Steve Bannon Is Right? - NYTimes.com

Comments | What if Steve Bannon Is Right? - NYTimes.com:

via Pocket

Scott Pruitt Is Carrying Out His E.P.A. Agenda in Secret, Critics Say

Scott Pruitt Is Carrying Out His E.P.A. Agenda in Secret, Critics Say:

WASHINGTON — When career employees of the Environmental Protection Agency are summoned to a meeting with the agency's administrator, Scott Pruitt, at agency headquarters, they no longer can count on easy access to the floor via Pocket

Wall Street Profits by Putting Investors in the Slow Lane

Wall Street Profits by Putting Investors in the Slow Lane:

Wall Street has developed a new way, clouded in obscurity, to fleece the hundreds of millions of Americans who have money invested in company pension plans, mutual funds and insurance policies. via Pocket

The GOP’s Attack on Voting Rights Was the Most Under-Covered Story of 2016

The GOP's Attack on Voting Rights Was the Most Under-Covered Story of 2016:

There were 25 debates during the presidential primaries and general election and not a single question about the attack on voting rights, even though this was the first presidential election in 50 years without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. via Pocket

How to Make Fun of Nazis

How to Make Fun of Nazis:

For decades, Wunsiedel, a German town near the Czech border, has struggled with a parade of unwanted visitors. It is the birthplace of one of Adolf Hitler's deputies, a man named Rudolf Hess. And every year, to residents' chagrin, neo-Nazis marched to his grave site there. via Pocket

A New Kind of Classroom: No Grades, No Failing, No Hurry

A New Kind of Classroom: No Grades, No Failing, No Hurry:

Few middle schoolers are as clued in to their mathematical strengths and weakness as Moheeb Kaied. Now a seventh grader at Brooklyn's Middle School 442, he can easily rattle off his computational profile. via Pocket

How to Take Down Kim Jong Un

How to Take Down Kim Jong Un:

At my Senate confirmation hearing a few years ago, I made a promise to the panel deciding my fate: never to use the phrase "there are no good options. via Pocket

The Return of Monopoly

The Return of Monopoly:

On July 15, 2015, Amazon marked the twentieth anniversary of its founding with a "global shopping event" called Prime Day. via Pocket

The Short, Unhappy Life of a Libertarian Paradise

The Short, Unhappy Life of a Libertarian Paradise:

Colorado Springs has always leaned hard on its reputation for natural beauty. via Pocket

Is It Time to Break Up Google?

Is It Time to Break Up Google?:

In just 10 years, the world's five largest companies by market capitalization have all changed, save for one: Microsoft. Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Citigroup and Shell Oil are out and Apple, Alphabet (the parent company of Google), Amazon and Facebook have taken their place. via Pocket

Gerrymandering means Democrats are playing a rigged game — in Georgia and everywhere else

Gerrymandering means Democrats are playing a rigged game — in Georgia and everywhere else:

The Democratic Party is going all-in on Georgia. More than $8 million in outside donations and 7,000 volunteers have come to the aid of Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is hoping to clear the 50 percent mark during Tuesday's special election in the Atlanta suburbs. Liberals see a lot riding on the race. via Pocket

‘Pivotal Moment’ for Democrats? Gerrymandering Heads to Supreme Court

'Pivotal Moment' for Democrats? Gerrymandering Heads to Supreme Court:

The hand-to-hand political combat in House elections on Tuesday in Georgia and last week in Kansas had the feel of the first rounds of an epic battle next year for control of the House of Representatives and the direction of national politics as the Trump presidency unfolds. via Pocket

Want to rescue rural America? Bust monopolies.

Want to rescue rural America? Bust monopolies.:

Since President Trump's election, much has been made of his rural, heartland voters, and how politicians can better serve them, with most discussion centering on international trade and globalization. via Pocket

How the Airlines Became Abusive Cartels

How the Airlines Became Abusive Cartels:

The recent United Airlines bumping debacle has prompted calls for reforms in the system of auctions that reward fliers for voluntarily giving up seats. Delta Airlines has now authorized payments as high as $9,950 to induce passengers to give up seats on overbooked flights. via Pocket

What Gorsuch Means

What Gorsuch Means:

A few minutes after Neil Gorsuch was nominated to the Supreme Court, former Obama Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal had an opinion piece in the New York Times. In it, Katyal argues that Democrats should confirm Gorsuch, who is "an extraordinary judge and man. via Pocket

I'm a Silicon Valley liberal, and I traveled across the country to interview 100 Trump supporters — here's what I learned

I'm a Silicon Valley liberal, and I traveled across the country to interview 100 Trump supporters — here's what I learned:

Sam Altman runs a prestigious Silicon Valley startup incubator, Y Combinator. He did not vote for Donald Trump. But he wanted to learn about how the rest of America thinks and feels. So he spent months traveling the country, interviewing Trump supporters. via Pocket

How the Anti-Vaxxers Are Winning

How the Anti-Vaxxers Are Winning:

HOUSTON — It's looking as if 2017 could become the year when the anti-vaccination movement gains ascendancy in the United States and we begin to see a reversal of several decades in steady public health gains. The first blow will be measles outbreaks in America. via Pocket

More women seek birth control to last as long as Trump's term

More women seek birth control to last as long as Trump's term:

ST. LOUIS – Angelica Thompson was working part time and earning her college degree in genetics when she got a serious boyfriend. Thompson sought care at the campus health clinic, where she chose a hormone implant under her skin that prevents pregnancy for up to three years. via Pocket

Reuters finds lead levels higher than Flint’s in thousands of locales

Reuters finds lead levels higher than Flint's in thousands of locales:

A Reuters examination of lead testing results across the country found almost 3,000 areas with poisoning rates far higher than in the tainted Michigan city. Yet many of these lead hotspots are receiving little attention or funding. ST. via Pocket

North Carolina is no longer classified as a democracy

North Carolina is no longer classified as a democracy:

In 2005, in the midst of a career of traveling around the world to help set up elections in some of the most challenging places on earth – Afghanistan, Burma, Egypt, Lebanon, South Africa, Sudan and Yemen, among others – my Danish colleague, Jorgen Elklit, and I designed the first comprehensive via Pocket

Is Donald Trump a Threat to Democracy?

Is Donald Trump a Threat to Democracy?:

Donald J. Trump's election has raised a question that few Americans ever imagined asking: Is our democracy in danger? With the possible exception of the Civil War, American democracy has never collapsed; indeed, no democracy as rich or as established as America's ever has. via Pocket

Rising inequality has crushed the dream of upward mobility

Rising inequality has crushed the dream of upward mobility:

A child born in 1940 had an extremely good chance of growing up to earn more money than his parents did. via Pocket

The Perfect Weapon: How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the U.S.

The Perfect Weapon: How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the U.S.:

WASHINGTON — When Special Agent Adrian Hawkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation called the Democratic National Committee in September 2015 to pass along some troubling news about its computer network, he was transferred, naturally, to the help desk. His message was brief, if alarming. via Pocket

Why Obamacare enrollees voted for Trump

Why Obamacare enrollees voted for Trump:

CORBIN, Kentucky — Kathy Oller is so committed to her job signing up fellow Kentuckians for Obamacare that last Halloween, she dressed up as a cat, set up a booth at a trick-or-treat event, and urged people to get on the rolls. via Pocket

Inequality Is Killing The American Dream

Inequality Is Killing The American Dream:

Decades of rising income inequality and slowing economic growth have eroded a pillar of the American dream: the hope that each generation will do better than the one that came before, according to new research released Thursday. via Pocket

Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans

Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans:

Federal courts have struck down gerrymanders on racial grounds, but not on grounds that they unfairly give advantage to a political party — the more common form of gerrymandering. The case could now go directly to the Supreme Court, where its fate may rest with a single justice, Anthony M. via Pocket

How Democrats Killed Their Populist Soul

How Democrats Killed Their Populist Soul:

In the 1970s, a new wave of post-Watergate liberals stopped fighting monopoly power. The result is an increasingly dangerous political system. It was January 1975, and the Watergate Babies had arrived in Washington looking for blood. via Pocket

How extralegal actions with a veneer of normalcy can lead to a nightmare

How extralegal actions with a veneer of normalcy can lead to a nightmare:

Community Voices features opinion pieces from a wide variety of authors and perspectives. (Submission Guidelines) Seventy-eight years ago next week there was a meeting in Berlin that was extraordinary in the way that it was ordinary. via Pocket

Executive Pay Clawbacks Are Gratifying, but Not Particularly Effective

Executive Pay Clawbacks Are Gratifying, but Not Particularly Effective:

If the goal is to keep corporate executives honest, compensation clawbacks aren't doing the job. That's what the recent action by Wells Fargo's board shows. via Pocket

My Four Months as a Private Prison Guard: A Mother Jones Investigation

My Four Months as a Private Prison Guard: A Mother Jones Investigation:

Have you ever had a riot?" I ask a recruiter from a prison run by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). "The last riot we had was two years ago," he says over the phone. "Yeah, but that was with the Puerto Ricans!" says a woman's voice, cutting in. "We got rid of them. via Pocket

The U.S. Constitution: Time to update, to ensure a functioning government

The U.S. Constitution: Time to update, to ensure a functioning government:

It has become increasingly clear that the U.S. Constitution is in dire need of amendment. via Pocket

After Three Decades of Neglect, Antitrust Is Back on the Democratic Platform

After Three Decades of Neglect, Antitrust Is Back on the Democratic Platform:

An activist displays a stylized US flag at an Occupy Wall Street rally in New York City on September 18, 2011. (Photo: David Shankbone) For the first time in 28 years, the Democratic Party platform calls for vigorous, stepped-up enforcement of our anti-monopoly laws. via Pocket

http://ift.tt/2dwDnCu

http://ift.tt/2dwDnCu:

The article, entitled "Under Pence, state gave incentives to companies that offshored jobs," ran August 28 and is here. Cook's exposé is a textbook roadmap for reporters in every state. via Pocket

http://ift.tt/2dpogq2

http://ift.tt/2dpogq2:

via Pocket

Who Benefits From Strong Unions? Everyone.

Who Benefits From Strong Unions? Everyone.:

via Pocket

Daughters and Trumps

Daughters and Trumps:

As the father of no daughters, I'm appalled by Donald Trump's comments about groping women. As the husband of no wife, I'm offended. via Pocket

This Republican mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless. And it seems to be working.

This Republican mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless. And it seems to be working.:

Republican Mayor Richard Berry was driving around Albuquerque last year when he saw a man on a street corner holding a sign that read: "Want a Job. Anything Helps." via Pocket

Debugging

Debugging:

via Pocket

Death in Black and White

Death in Black and White:

This essay has been updated to reflect news developments. We, black America, are a nation of nearly 40 million souls inside a nation of more than 320 million people. And I fear now that it is clearer than ever that you, white America, will always struggle to understand us. via Pocket

If Not Trump, What?

If Not Trump, What?:

Donald Trump now looks set to be the Republican presidential nominee. So for those of us appalled by this prospect — what are we supposed to do? Well, not what the leaders of the Republican Party are doing. They're going down meekly and hoping for a quiet convention. via Pocket

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Rolex

There's No Such Thing as a Free Rolex:

THIS week, the Supreme Court heard McDonnell v. United States, the case of Bob McDonnell, the former governor of Virginia who is appealing his 2014 conviction for public corruption. via Pocket

The Real Reason Middle America Should Be Angry

The Real Reason Middle America Should Be Angry:

Like many "flyover" cities, St. Louis's decline is not mainly a story of deindustrialization, but of decisions in Washington that opened the door to predatory monopoly. The people of St. via Pocket

What Research Says about Defeating Terrorism

What Research Says about Defeating Terrorism:

So what have psychologists had to say about the problem? Quite a lot. But their cool-headed observations seem to have been drowned out by the all-too-familiar chorus of senators, celebrities and others waging their own rhetorical jihad against Islam. via Pocket

New study sheds light on what happens to women who are denied abortions

New study sheds light on what happens to women who are denied abortions:

In the US, there are many laws limiting when and how women can receive abortions. But there is almost no research on what happens to women who seek out abortions and are denied them. via Pocket

The Case for Reparations

The Case for Reparations:

Two hundred fifty years of slavery. Ninety years of Jim Crow. Sixty years of separate but equal. Thirty-five years of racist housing policy. Until we reckon with our compounding moral debts, America will never be whole. via Pocket

Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice

Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice:

On Page 5 of a credit card contract used by American Express, beneath an explainer on interest rates and late fees, past the details about annual membership, is a clause that most customers probably miss. via Pocket

The five extra words that can fix the Second Amendment

The five extra words that can fix the Second Amendment:

John Paul Stevens served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court from 1975 to 2010. This essay is excerpted from his new book, "Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution." Following the massacre of grammar-school children in Newtown, Conn. via Pocket

America's gun problem, explained

America's gun problem, explained:

It has become an unfortunate American tradition: Following a mass shooting, President Barack Obama yet again takes to the lectern to address the nation on yet another horrific act of gun violence in the US, typically making no effort to hide his anger and frustration at this routine. via Pocket

Sidekick chemicals reverse antibiotic resistance in microbes

Sidekick chemicals reverse antibiotic resistance in microbes:

As microbes continue to build immunity to antibiotics, researchers are scrambling to design new therapies and figure out ways to restore the killing power of the once-potent medicines. via Pocket

The Most Important 2016 Issue You Don’t Know About

The Most Important 2016 Issue You Don't Know About:

We've seen plenty of economic issues discussed in this presidential election: the proper level of financial regulation, the high cost of prescription drugs, the clustering of wealth at the very top. via Pocket

White working-class nostalgia, explained by John Wayne

White working-class nostalgia, explained by John Wayne:

1973 was a pretty grim year in the US. The Watergate scandal reached its peak. The Vietnam War entered its final throes. The turbulent cultural revolutions of the 1960s had everyone raw-nerved and exhausted. via Pocket

Disturbing data: The rich and powerful get their policies adopted, even if opposed by most voters

Disturbing data: The rich and powerful get their policies adopted, even if opposed by most voters:

You won't be shocked to learn that wealthy people get the policies they want from government more often than those of low or moderate means. via Pocket

No Cost for Extremism

No Cost for Extremism:

This article appears in the Spring 2015 issue of The American Prospect magazine. And click here for a free PDF of this 25th Anniversary Issue of the Prospect. via Pocket

11 ways race isn’t real

11 ways race isn't real:

Every time someone struggles to explain or select a racial identity, every time we have a public debate about should check get to check box, and every time a person's looks don't seem to match up with what they call themselves, it's a reminder that race is a social and political construct. via Pocket

Watch Out for These Products That Charge More for "Women's Versions"

Watch Out for These Products That Charge More for "Women's Versions":

Women are being charged $1,351 more than men, per year, for almost identical products, just labeled "for women." This pricing phenomena, often called the "Pink Tax", can typically be avoided by shopping in the men's section for identical products and paying close attention to pricing. via Pocket

Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poor

Rich Kids Stay Rich, Poor Kids Stay Poor:

On Friday, a team of researchers led by Stanford economist Raj Chetty released a paper on how growing up in poverty affects boys and girls differently. via Pocket

Poverty stunts IQ in the US but not in other developed countries

Poverty stunts IQ in the US but not in other developed countries:

As a child develops, a tug of war between genes and environment settles the issue of the child's intelligence. One theory on how that struggle plays out proposes that among advantaged kids—with the pull of educational resources—DNA largely wins, allowing genetic variation to settle smarts. via Pocket

Donald Trump’s bankruptcies reveal how fat cats win

Donald Trump's bankruptcies reveal how fat cats win:

Donald Trump has declared bankruptcy at least four times. No, that sentence isn't exactly true. Four times during his business career, Trump has availed himself of the protection of the bankruptcy laws so that businesses he owned could continue operating without paying all their debts. via Pocket

The Revenge of Scott Walker

The Revenge of Scott Walker:

Only weeks after giving up on his lackluster presidential campaign in the face of national indifference, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is back to making mischief in his home state. Last Friday, Mr. via Pocket

Why Self-Driving Cars Must Be Programmed to Kill

Why Self-Driving Cars Must Be Programmed to Kill:

When it comes to automotive technology, self-driving cars are all the rage. via Pocket

Why It's Time To Reassess Walter Mondale's Place In History

Why It's Time To Reassess Walter Mondale's Place In History:

Even for those with more than a passing interest in American political history, the name Walter Mondale usually symbolizes one and only one thing: one of the worst electoral defeats in the history of the presidency. via Pocket

The Future Of The Democratic Party Will Be Decided By The Supreme Court

The Future Of The Democratic Party Will Be Decided By The Supreme Court:

Matt Yglesias published a widely shared piece arguing that the Democratic Party is in "deep trouble" Monday morning. The piece is excellent and you should read it. Yglesias's piece, however, ignores what may be the greatest looming threat facing Democrats in the years following 2016. via Pocket

Guess Who Else Is a Socialist?

Guess Who Else Is a Socialist?:

One of the side benefits of a well-watched national political debate is the exposure it brings to something obscure and forgotten — like Denmark. Who doesn't love a country that gave us a dish of frikadeller and rugbrod to go with paid parental leave and universal health care? via Pocket

Yes, Soda Taxes Seem to Cut Soda Drinking

Yes, Soda Taxes Seem to Cut Soda Drinking:

For about a decade now, policy makers and the soda industry have been fighting about the idea of a big soda tax. Proponents say it would fight obesity by reducing consumption of sugary drinks. A leading objection by the industry is that the tax simply would not work. via Pocket

Prison phone companies charging “endless” fees to families of inmates

Prison phone companies charging "endless" fees to families of inmates:

The Federal Communications Commission is poised to cap the rates charged for phone calls made to and from prisons, saying inmate calling services are overcharging prisoners, their families, and attorneys. via Pocket

The War on Women Is Over—and Women Lost

The War on Women Is Over—and Women Lost:

When she was 20 years old, Renee Chelian began every Friday with a predawn drive to an airplane hangar outside Detroit. There she met an abortion doctor, and a pilot who flew them to Buffalo, New York. This was 1971. Roe v. via Pocket

Slavery’s Long Shadow

Slavery’s Long Shadow:

America is a much less racist nation than it used to be, and I’m not just talking about the still remarkable fact that an African-American occupies the White House. via Pocket

Kristof: Lessons From the Virginia Shooting

Kristof: Lessons From the Virginia Shooting:

The slaying of two journalists Wednesday as they broadcast live to a television audience in Virginia is still seared on our screens and our minds, but it’s a moment not only to mourn but also to learn lessons. via Pocket

Why do we have allergies?

Why do we have allergies?:

Allergies such as peanut allergy and hay fever make millions of us miserable, but scientists aren’t even sure why they exist. Carl Zimmer talks to a master immunologist with a controversial answer for Mosaic. For me, it was hornets. via Pocket

Taking down the Confederate flag isn’t enough

Taking down the Confederate flag isn’t enough:

In the wake of the June 17 mass shooting by Dylann Storm Roof in Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church, the nation has debated the pervasive influence of racism throughout American society. via Pocket