California
It just occurred to me that, even though there was news about it, I never mentioned what's happened recently with respect to California bill AB2109. As you might recall, I wrote about this bill about four weeks ago. In brief, this bill, if passed into law, would require that California parents seeking a "personal belief" exemption for vaccines to meet with a physician and have a physician sign off on what is more or less an informed consent form stating that the parents had been informed of the risks and benefits of vaccines and, more importantly for purposes of the personal belief exemption, the risks (many) and benefits (virtually none) of not vaccinating. Read more
The NYTimes reporting suggests a 5-4 split against ACA is likely:
Justice Kennedy, along with Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. all asked questions suggesting that they had a problem with the constitutionality of the mandate requiring most Americans to buy insurance. Justice Clarence Thomas, as usual, did not ask any questions, but he is widely expected to vote to overturn the mandate.
As does CNN's Toobin's analysis: Read more
I've discussed the concept of "misinformed consent" multiple times before. Quacks in general, particularly the "health freedom" movement proclaim their dedication to "informed consent." "All we're asking for," they will say, "is informed consent." The antivaccine movement in particular demands "informed consent" about vaccines. Be it Barbara Loe Fisher, the bloggers at the antivaccine crank blog Age of Autism, or any of a number of antivaccine warriors, demanding "informed consent" seems to be every bit as much of the antivaccine arsenal as the "toxins gambit" or ranting about "fetal cells" in vaccines. None of this is to try to say or even imply that informed consent isn't incredibly important. Read more
The New Earth Archive is a resource network of powerful, inspiring books on climate change, sustainability, social justice, and human nature.The students ask you to vote for up to 15 of your favorite books.
So pleased, Tomorrow's Table made the list!
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/808430/neweartharchive-ballot
Whoie Earth Discipline, by Stewart Brand is also on the list and so are many other great books.
Please spread the word. Thanks for your support.
The New Earth Archive was developed by students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and supported by Paul Hawken and other leading public environmental figures. Read more
Won't you be our liberal Valentine? We sent this love letter to our members across the country and around the world today. Enjoy!
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On this Valentine's Day, Living Liberally wants to make sure your bleeding-hearts feel a little left-leaning love.
You usually hear from your local hosts, but we at Liberally Headquarters wanted to share five stories we love about liberals from the Drinking Liberally happy hours and across Living Liberally universe: Read more
Who says liberals are lonely?
Recently two members of the Los Angeles chapter of Drinking Liberally tied the knot. Holly and Ravi met at DL -- proving that we do build lasting relationships when we share politics and share an evening together.
You might not think to call LA the "City of Love," but hey must be putting something in the beer at the chapter in Santa Monica. This is the second marriage to come from the group. Chapter hosts Mary and David became co-hosts in Living Liberally and in living together after meeting at the group. Read more
1/1/12 Mitt Romney seems determined to prove that he can be the kind of right-wing extremist that Iowa’s GOP caucus voters are looking for.
Romney said Saturday that as President, he would veto the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants if they attend college or serve in the military. Juan Sepulveda, Senior Advisor for Hispanic Affairs to the Democratic National Committee, called Romney’s position “appalling” and suggested that his view would make him “the most extreme presidential nominee in recent memory.”
Romney may be helping himself in the Republican nominating process, but his position will it much harder for him to win states like Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado in the General Election.
On the day U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued his landmark ruling regarding same-sex marriage in California, I found myself at a McDonald's restaurant listening to a seven year-old boy engaged in spirited debate with the guy behind the counter about which toy he'd be getting with his happy meal. Read more
(Stay tuned immediately after today’s article for a special announcement) Read more
