(foxnews) - TOPEKA, Kan. – An anti-evolution group filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to block Kansas from using new, multistate science standards in its public schools, arguing the guidelines promote atheism and violate students' and parents' religious freedom.
The group, Citizens for Objective Public Education, had criticized the standards developed by Kansas, 25 other states and the National Research Council for treating both evolution and climate change as key scientific concepts to be taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Kansas State Board of Education adopted them in June to replace evolution-friendly standards that had been in place since 2007.
The new standards, like the ones they replaced, reflect the mainstream scientific view that evolution is well-established. Most board members believed the guidelines will improve science education by shifting the emphasis in science classes to doing hands-on projects and experiments.
The nonprofit organization based in the small community of Peck, south of Wichita, was joined in its lawsuit by 15 parents from across the state with a total of 18 children -- most of them in public schools -- and two taxpayers from the Kansas City-area community of Lake Quivira. The parents say they're Christians who want to instill a belief in their children that "life is a creation made for a purpose."
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Friday, September 27, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Claifornia to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour by 2016
(Reuters) - California has become the first state in the union to commit to raising the minimum wage to $10 per hour, with the increase to take place gradually through the start of 2016, under a bill Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed into law on Wednesday.
The law raises minimum pay in the most populous U.S. state from its current rate of $8 per hour to $9 by July 2014, and $10 by January 2016, well above the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Read More
Related - Minimum Wage (Pros & Cons, Arguments For & Against, Advantages & Disadvantages)
The law raises minimum pay in the most populous U.S. state from its current rate of $8 per hour to $9 by July 2014, and $10 by January 2016, well above the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Read More
Related - Minimum Wage (Pros & Cons, Arguments For & Against, Advantages & Disadvantages)
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Kenya: Gunman storm Nairobi Mall, at least 25 killed
(Reuters) - Militant gunmen stormed a shopping mall in Nairobi on Saturday killing 25 people, including children, and sending scores fleeing in panic from shops and restaurants onto the streets, according to witnesses and the Red Cross.
Shooting continued hours after the initial assault as troops surrounded the Westgate mall and police and soldiers combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop. A police officer inside the building said the gunmen were barricaded inside the Nakumatt supermarket, one of Kenya's biggest chains.
"We got three bodies from this shop," he said, standing a dozen metres from the supermarket entrance and pointing to a children's shoe shop where blood lay in pools.
Full Story
Shooting continued hours after the initial assault as troops surrounded the Westgate mall and police and soldiers combed the building, hunting down the attackers shop by shop. A police officer inside the building said the gunmen were barricaded inside the Nakumatt supermarket, one of Kenya's biggest chains.
"We got three bodies from this shop," he said, standing a dozen metres from the supermarket entrance and pointing to a children's shoe shop where blood lay in pools.
Full Story
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Obama Meets With Nation’s Schizophrenic Voices To Urge Less Violence
(theonion) - WASHINGTON—With the nation still reeling from Monday’s mass shooting inside the Washington Navy Yard, President Barack Obama held a bilateral meeting with the country’s schizophrenic voices earlier today, urging the disembodied auditory hallucinations to join him in helping to reduce violence.
The special summit, which was open to reporters, began at 9 a.m. in the White House’s East Room, where the president and over 2.5 million schizophrenic voices of various degrees of intensity from all across America engaged in an open dialogue covering issues as varied as violence in America, mental health care, the incessant wriggling of worms, gun control, the tearing of the flesh, and the passage of meaningful legislation.
Read the rest HERE
The special summit, which was open to reporters, began at 9 a.m. in the White House’s East Room, where the president and over 2.5 million schizophrenic voices of various degrees of intensity from all across America engaged in an open dialogue covering issues as varied as violence in America, mental health care, the incessant wriggling of worms, gun control, the tearing of the flesh, and the passage of meaningful legislation.
Read the rest HERE
High gun ownership makes countries less safe, US study finds
(theguardian) Guns do not make a nation safer, say US doctors who have compared the rate of firearms-related deaths in countries where many people own guns with the death rate in countries where gun ownership is rare.
Their findings, published Wednesday in the prestigious American Journal of Medicine, debunk the historic belief among many people in the United States that guns make a country safer, they say. On the contrary, the US, with the most guns per head in the world, has the highest rate of deaths from firearms, while Japan, which has the lowest rate of gun ownership, has the least.
The journal has fast-tracked publication of the study because of the shootings at the Washington navy yard. It was originally scheduled for later this week.
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Their findings, published Wednesday in the prestigious American Journal of Medicine, debunk the historic belief among many people in the United States that guns make a country safer, they say. On the contrary, the US, with the most guns per head in the world, has the highest rate of deaths from firearms, while Japan, which has the lowest rate of gun ownership, has the least.
The journal has fast-tracked publication of the study because of the shootings at the Washington navy yard. It was originally scheduled for later this week.
Full Story
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
4 Constitutional Debates America's Founders Never Saw Coming
Cracked: (In honor of constitution day I assume)
...While most states require that anybody wanting to own a gun must be able to see what the hell they're shooting at, Iowa has said "fuck that" with a side order of fries and extended Second Amendment rights to the visually impaired. Jane Hudson, director of Disability Rights Iowa, remarked, "The fact that you can't drive a car doesn't mean you can't go to a shooting range and see a target. For the uninformed, "legally blind" doesn't necessarily mean that you can't see at all, just that, even with glasses on, you can't see at 20 feet what others see at 200. If you ask us, both sides of the debate should just split the difference and teach seeing-eye Labradors how to use Howitzers.
Read the rest
...While most states require that anybody wanting to own a gun must be able to see what the hell they're shooting at, Iowa has said "fuck that" with a side order of fries and extended Second Amendment rights to the visually impaired. Jane Hudson, director of Disability Rights Iowa, remarked, "The fact that you can't drive a car doesn't mean you can't go to a shooting range and see a target. For the uninformed, "legally blind" doesn't necessarily mean that you can't see at all, just that, even with glasses on, you can't see at 20 feet what others see at 200. If you ask us, both sides of the debate should just split the difference and teach seeing-eye Labradors how to use Howitzers.
Read the rest
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Catalans form human chain to press for independence from Spain
(Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Catalans held hands in a 400-km (250-mile) human chain across their region on Wednesday to press the Spanish government to let them vote on breaking away and forming their own country.
Demonstrators in yellow T-shirts and draped in blue, red and yellow separatist banners raised their joined hands through cities and along rural roads, jumping and shouting in celebration when the chain was completed.
"We want a referendum to see whether there's majority support for independence. The problem is Spain won't listen. Our only hope ... is that Europe and the rest of the world put pressure on the Spanish government," said Ester Sarramona, a 39-year-old civil servant.
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Demonstrators in yellow T-shirts and draped in blue, red and yellow separatist banners raised their joined hands through cities and along rural roads, jumping and shouting in celebration when the chain was completed.
"We want a referendum to see whether there's majority support for independence. The problem is Spain won't listen. Our only hope ... is that Europe and the rest of the world put pressure on the Spanish government," said Ester Sarramona, a 39-year-old civil servant.
Full Story
The Vatican orchestrated 9/11
That & other crazy Catholic conspiracy therories
- In order to bring down the towers, the Jesuits employed members of “CIA/Nazi-trained, Masonic Zionist Mossad” in addition to their “CIA/Nazi-trained, Masonic Islamic Intelligence Agencies.” These Islamic agents enrolled in flight schools so the Catholic-controlled media could claim that the 9/11 planes had been hijacked by Arab terrorists when they had really been remotely guided by the NSA.
- In order to bring down the towers, the Jesuits employed members of “CIA/Nazi-trained, Masonic Zionist Mossad” in addition to their “CIA/Nazi-trained, Masonic Islamic Intelligence Agencies.” These Islamic agents enrolled in flight schools so the Catholic-controlled media could claim that the 9/11 planes had been hijacked by Arab terrorists when they had really been remotely guided by the NSA.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Guatemalan bus plunges off cliff, killing at least 43
(Reuters) - At least 43 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday when a bus went off a cliff on a hairpin bend in rural Guatemala, tumbling some 200 meters (660 feet) into a river at the bottom of a ravine, officials said.
Rescue workers said the bus, which plunged off of a paved highway about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Guatemala City, was destroyed and more than 40 people were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Investigators do not yet know what caused the crash or what was the final destination of the bus, which was traveling south toward Guatemala City. Rescue workers said conditions were dry and mostly sunny and that the bus was likely over capacity.
Full Story
Rescue workers said the bus, which plunged off of a paved highway about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Guatemala City, was destroyed and more than 40 people were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Investigators do not yet know what caused the crash or what was the final destination of the bus, which was traveling south toward Guatemala City. Rescue workers said conditions were dry and mostly sunny and that the bus was likely over capacity.
Full Story
Sunday, September 8, 2013
FYR Macedonia marks 22 years of Independence from Yugoslavia
(macedoniaonline.eu) - Macedonia celebrates its 22nd anniversary since the successful
referendum, in which Macedonian citizens voted for independent and
sovereign state.
A convincing majority exceeding 95 percent of citizens who voted in the referendum on 8 September 1991 responded positively.
The results from the referendum were preceded by an adopted Declaration for Independence in the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament on 25 January 1991.
The will of the people for independent state was confirmed with the declaration for acceptance of the results from the referendum on 18 September 1991 in the Macedonian Parliament.
The next important step in strengthening of the state was the adoption of the Constitution on 17 November 1991, which was supplemented after the 2001 conflict and the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
Full Story.
A convincing majority exceeding 95 percent of citizens who voted in the referendum on 8 September 1991 responded positively.
The results from the referendum were preceded by an adopted Declaration for Independence in the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament on 25 January 1991.
The will of the people for independent state was confirmed with the declaration for acceptance of the results from the referendum on 18 September 1991 in the Macedonian Parliament.
The next important step in strengthening of the state was the adoption of the Constitution on 17 November 1991, which was supplemented after the 2001 conflict and the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
Full Story.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Egypt Bans Al Jazeera
(thetrumpet) - Al Jazeera’s Egyptian affiliate received a court order on Tuesday forcing it to stop broadcasting. Three other stations were also kicked off the air. The stations have covered the Muslim Brotherhood protests since former President Morsi was deposed.
Government officials called Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr’s broadcasts a national threat. They claim the station operated without a permit and accused it of spreading rumors.
The Al Jazeera affiliate has covered the Muslim Brotherhood protests filling Egypt’s streets since the military coup that ousted Morsi on July 3. It also reported on the millions who took to the streets demanding Morsi’s ouster before the coup.
Egyptian officials and media claim the station is biased toward the Brotherhood. Al Jazeera denies the accusation.
But an Egyptian lawyer says Al Jazeera was not objective in its reporting of protests. He says the reports are inciting violence against the regime.
The other three stations that were ordered to stop broadcasting also covered the Morsi protests and are considered pro-Islamist.
Although Egypt now bans Al Jazeera, America welcomed its broadcasts to American cable viewers on August 20. The American affiliate station has access to 48 million American homes, which is roughly half of the country’s cable subscribers.
Has Al Jazeera changed since 2001 when Osama bin Laden used it to broadcast to the world? Or is the change with America? To understand more, read “Al Jazeera America Broadcasts on Cable TV.” ▪
Government officials called Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr’s broadcasts a national threat. They claim the station operated without a permit and accused it of spreading rumors.
The Al Jazeera affiliate has covered the Muslim Brotherhood protests filling Egypt’s streets since the military coup that ousted Morsi on July 3. It also reported on the millions who took to the streets demanding Morsi’s ouster before the coup.
Egyptian officials and media claim the station is biased toward the Brotherhood. Al Jazeera denies the accusation.
But an Egyptian lawyer says Al Jazeera was not objective in its reporting of protests. He says the reports are inciting violence against the regime.
The other three stations that were ordered to stop broadcasting also covered the Morsi protests and are considered pro-Islamist.
Although Egypt now bans Al Jazeera, America welcomed its broadcasts to American cable viewers on August 20. The American affiliate station has access to 48 million American homes, which is roughly half of the country’s cable subscribers.
Has Al Jazeera changed since 2001 when Osama bin Laden used it to broadcast to the world? Or is the change with America? To understand more, read “Al Jazeera America Broadcasts on Cable TV.” ▪
Fail: Girl catches fire making 'sexy twerk' video
A girl attempts to make a video of herself "twerking" for her boyfriend, only for it to end in fiery disaster - much to the delight of online viewers.
(telegraph) - Twerking can be dangerous business, as Caitlin Heller found out when she attempted the move in a room full of lit candles.
Ms Heller admitted that she was trying to record a video of herself twerking - a dance move that has gained notoriety after Miley Cyrus' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last month - to send to her boyfriend. But all did not go as planned.
With the lights turned low, she thrust her hips a few times before attempting the move upside down against a closed door. However, her routine was came to a sudden and painful end when someone tried to enter the room. Ms Heller was sent flying onto a glass table that shatters underneath her.
As if smashing the table wasn't bad enough, Ms Heller's clothing then catches fire from the candles she had laid out.
The young woman was not seriously harmed, and even appeared to be able to see the funny side, sharing the video online under the title 'worst twerk fail EVER'.
Ms Heller admitted that she was trying to record a video of herself twerking - a dance move that has gained notoriety after Miley Cyrus' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last month - to send to her boyfriend. But all did not go as planned.
With the lights turned low, she thrust her hips a few times before attempting the move upside down against a closed door. However, her routine was came to a sudden and painful end when someone tried to enter the room. Ms Heller was sent flying onto a glass table that shatters underneath her.
As if smashing the table wasn't bad enough, Ms Heller's clothing then catches fire from the candles she had laid out.
The young woman was not seriously harmed, and even appeared to be able to see the funny side, sharing the video online under the title 'worst twerk fail EVER'.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Target Of Future Drone Attack Urges American Intervention In Syria
TheOnion
DAMASCUS—The target of a future U.S. drone strike aimed at taking out anti-American extremists strongly urged swift U.S. military intervention in Syria, sources confirmed Thursday. “President Obama and American forces must step in and help us overthrow Assad,” said the radical Islamist who will be the object of what will one day be an intense and lengthy manhunt by the CIA and whose death will reportedly be hailed as a major strategic victory by counterterrorism officials. “There needs to be a new regime in Syria immediately.” At press time, a non-target of a future drone strike, currently indistinguishable from the target of one, was saying the same thing.
DAMASCUS—The target of a future U.S. drone strike aimed at taking out anti-American extremists strongly urged swift U.S. military intervention in Syria, sources confirmed Thursday. “President Obama and American forces must step in and help us overthrow Assad,” said the radical Islamist who will be the object of what will one day be an intense and lengthy manhunt by the CIA and whose death will reportedly be hailed as a major strategic victory by counterterrorism officials. “There needs to be a new regime in Syria immediately.” At press time, a non-target of a future drone strike, currently indistinguishable from the target of one, was saying the same thing.
Toys R Us to stop gender biased marketing
(telegraph) - The toy store has bowed to pressure from campaign group Let Toys Be Toys to
stop promoting toys as gender specific over concerns about the impact this
has on children when they are growing up and developing their personalities.
Toys R Us will now draw up plans for how to make its marketing more inclusive,
and remove explicit references to gender in store. Adverts will eventually
show boys and girls playing with the same toys, such as kitchens, toy guns
and lego.
Let Toys Be Toys, a campaign group run by parents, has called for the removal
of gender bias, saying it restricts children’s choices.
Megan Perryman, Let Toys Be Toys campaigner, said: "Even in 2013, boys and
girls are still growing up being told that certain toys are for them, while
others are not. This is not only confusing but extremely limiting as it
strongly shapes their ideas about who they are."
Toys R Us announced the move after meetings with the campaign group. Roger
McLaughlan, managing director of the toy store, told the Independent: "We
will work to ensure we develop the best plan for our customers."
Full Story
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Michigan Masonic Lodge Hosts Drug-Fueled Sex Party
From iowntheworld.com:
- In Michigan, a local Masonic lodge became a haven for drugs and sex, according to police. Police officers received calls summoning them to the Masonic Lodge in Battle Creek, Michigan, at 2:15 a.m. on Sunday.
What they found shocked them: five naked women prancing about on stage, a couple having sex, and several incipient filmmakers with cameras on the action. According to WWMT-TV, the Masonic Lodge has seen this sort of activity before, although the Battle Creek Freemasons deny that they have any involvement. The group blamed the activities on a party promoter who paid $900 for the night.
MORE at Daily MailUK
- In Michigan, a local Masonic lodge became a haven for drugs and sex, according to police. Police officers received calls summoning them to the Masonic Lodge in Battle Creek, Michigan, at 2:15 a.m. on Sunday.
What they found shocked them: five naked women prancing about on stage, a couple having sex, and several incipient filmmakers with cameras on the action. According to WWMT-TV, the Masonic Lodge has seen this sort of activity before, although the Battle Creek Freemasons deny that they have any involvement. The group blamed the activities on a party promoter who paid $900 for the night.
MORE at Daily MailUK
Monday, September 2, 2013
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