How Religious Exemptions for Vaccines Work—and How to Stop People From Lying to Get One
Religion is a powerful thing to wield, but it’s not necessarily a magic bullet.
Today's Liberal News
‘When My Satire Becomes Popular, I Must Ask, What Is the Problem?’
Few observers of global discourse range as widely as Elnathan John, the novelist, satirist, and lawyer who frequently participates online and off in conversations about art, politics, and culture pertaining to at least three continents. His novel, Born on a Tuesday, is a coming-of-age story set in his native Nigeria. In Becoming Nigerian: A Guide, he tried his hand at satire.
Jeopardy, a Place Where Facts Used to Matter
Every once in a while, after a commercial break on Jeopardy, Alex Trebek would make an announcement: The judges, he’d say, had done more research. Having consulted an atlas, an encyclopedia, or Google, they’d realized that their initial assessment of a contestant’s answer had been wrong. They would now make things right. In an instant, the dollar-based score on the affected contestant’s podium would change. And then the show, its error thus corrected, would go on.
The Perverse Reason It’s Easier to Build New Highways Than New Subways
A well-meaning rule is working completely backward.
I Want to Make Sure My Girlfriend’s Daughter Doesn’t Get a Penny When I Die
And I would rather they find out after I’m gone.
The Stock Market Is Still Weird From GameStop
From literally pantsless CEOs to the Reddit mob’s muscle, we’re still living in the meme-stock moment.
Used Car Prices Have Finally Run Out of Gas
A good sign for anyone freaking out about inflation (or shopping for a CRV).
Nation hits 1M vaccinations benchmark for first time in seven weeks
The White House noted a 31 percent week-over-week increase in the daily average of those becoming fully vaccinated.
GOP governors embrace Covid cocktails over masks as cases surge
The push to medicate rankles public health officials and some within the Biden administration, who say the governors’ stance misleadingly implies Covid-19 can be treated easily.
Biden will require vaccines for staff at federally funded nursing homes
It’s the first time the White House has used the threat of holding back federal funding to boost vaccination rates.
The U.S. plans to offer booster shots next month. Some health experts are wary.
Officials said data showing decline in vaccines’ protection against the Delta variant prompted the decision.
I’m a Little Worried About How My Wife Will React When She Realizes What’s Turning Me on These Days
She’s already participating, unbeknownst to her.
Help! My Sister Says I’m a “Selfish Monster” for Not Attending Her Hastily Rescheduled Wedding.
I cannot afford to miss work right now, but she refuses to understand.
Ask a Teacher: Do Schools Ever Honor Class Requests?
My son can’t bear to learn alongside this one very problematic classmate.
U.S. jobless claims near pandemic low as economy strengthens
Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims fell to 375,000 from 387,000 the previous week.
House Dem campaign chief warns the majority at risk without message reboot
“We’re not trying to hide this,” the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s executive director said.
Biden’s economic gains come with newer worries about the future
Some economists have already begun to ease back on forecasts for the rest of this year.
U.S. economy surpasses prepandemic size with 6.5% Q2 growth
The growth is another sign that the nation has achieved a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession.
Virus resurgence menaces economy just as rescue programs unravel
A new wave of cases followed by the looming expiration of enhanced jobless benefits, a ban on evictions and other rescue programs is sparking concern among lawmakers and economists.
“The Afghanistan Papers”: Docs Show How Bush, Obama, Trump Lied About Brutality & Corruption of War
We speak with Washington Post investigative reporter Craig Whitlock, author of the new book “The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War,” which reveals how multiple U.S. presidents deceived the public about progress in the war despite widespread skepticism among defense and diplomatic officials about the mission. “The public narrative was that the U.S. was always making progress.
“Uncertainty, Fear”: How Afghan Women & Ethnic Minorities Feel About Taliban Takeover & U.S. War
We look at how the rights of women and ethnic minorities will be impacted by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan with two Afghan women who fled their country. Mariam Safi, who left Kabul last month and is founding director of the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies, says the Taliban’s rapid advance across the country surprised many people who had been hoping for a negotiated end to the war.
News Roundup: Republicans continue to fight and die in their war against America
Hello Friday, people! It has been a long week filled with the clash between conservative politics and reality. The Republican war on children continues as Texas and Florida (and every place a GOP operative wants to make some money) fight against science and schools and the opinions of the majority of Americans in the name of … something.
Greenville County Republican leader dies after month-long battle with COVID-19
On Thursday morning, Aug. 19, 2021, Greenville County Republican Party leader Pressley Stutts died, losing his fight against COVID-19. The South Carolina official had been a staunch opponent of vaccine and mask requirements. According to the Greenville News, Stutts’ death was confirmed by Anderson County Republican Party official Dan Harvell, who called Stutts “the brother I never had.
Jan. 6 insurrectionist may go back to jail—for watching Pillow Man’s latest Big Lie nonsense
Okay, to be fair, I watched more of Mike Lindell’s goofy cyber symposium than I care to admit. And I may have hidden the full extent of my pathological obsession from my wife. And my therapist. And my dogs, for that matter. But, you know, I wasn’t literally banned from watching it.
Capitol rioter Douglas Jensen was banned, however. In fact, as a condition of his release from jail following his part in Donald Trump’s Jan.
Appeals court refuses to stop order forcing Biden admin to restart inhumane asylum policy
An appeals court late Thursday left in place a ruling that orders the Biden administration to restart the previous administration’s inhumane and unlawful Remain in Mexico policy. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by the previous administration, had last week ruled in favor of a Republican-led lawsuit, though he paused his decision for seven days, and the Biden administration very quickly appealed.
Alex Jones’ InfoWars Partner Reveals His Capitol Riot Arrest Warrant On Air
A federal complaint filed against Infowars host Owen Shroyer on Friday accuses him of “violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Finally, some student loan news to celebrate
I am one of the first to admit frustration and disappointment when it comes to student loan relief. We heard from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren about their sweeping but feasible plans to cancel—or at least reduce—the serious burden of student debt on the campaign trail. Amid the pandemic, Donald Trump did, technically, do a good thing by pausing payments and collections on federally-held student loans.
AP Calls On Florida Gov. DeSantis To End Reporter Harassment
“That was a direct effort to activate an online mob to attack a journalist for doing his job,” The Associated Press’ incoming CEO wrote in a letter.
Biden, Allies Frustrated With Media’s Hawkish Coverage Of Afghanistan Withdrawal
After years of ignoring Afghanistan, many close to the Biden White House — and the president himself — feel some major outlets are adopting a pro-war stance.