RationalWiki:What is going on in the world?/January 2014

January 2014
Ukrainian riot police allegedly beat up a busload of government supporters, mistaking them for opposition activists. "So, Reince, who are our top candidates for 2016?" "We've got a Randroid, two theocrats, a Canadian citizen, a Jim Crow apologist, Santorum, an up-and-comer who ruined his only relevant speech, an execution addict, the brother of one of the worst Presidents in history, and a crook." "And who's our best bet?" "The crook." Update: If you can't take the heat, poison the well. Countdown to hackers creating massive traffic jams in 3.... 2.... 1.... Daily Heil: Woman totally dies from "cannabis toxicity" after smoking half a joint!" New York Daily News: Let me tell you why that's bullshit. Kansas thinks that homes shouldn't have access to broadband internet. BBC Four, reviewing pitches: Hey, how about we commission a documentary that no one will watch? It's claimed children levitated, walked backwards up walls, spoke in strange voices, a whole lot of people including a police captain became convinced the children were possessed by demons. Given a good debunking here with a sub-debunking of the photos here The Danish centre-left coalition is falling apart because the government is partially selling off a state-owned energy company... to Goldman Sachs. After a lengthy call-out feud on social media, actress Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam in order to shill for SodaStream, a company whose product is manufactured on illegal Israeli settlements. Rich CEO Tells 'Daily Show' The 'Mentally Retarded' Are Maybe Worth $2 An Hour "Toronto: A city at a 50-year crime low, with among the lowest crime rate of any city, in a country with super-low crime rates, has all the best crime stories." Apparently letting kids play like kids improves their behavior. Who'dathunkit?? Stem cell breakthrough claimed I don't know if the media are overplaying this, but for those with a subscription to Nature, the published paper is here (paywall alert) [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/29/us-congressman-michael-grimm-threatens-reporter Good, Congressman, I can feel your anger. Throw me off the balcony with all your hatred and your journey towards the laughingstock will be complete!] Tony Abbott: Why isn't the public broadcaster my own propaganda outlet? I'm very mad! School field trip to the pool in Kent interrupted and the pool evacuated due to teachers spotting a paedophil--wait a minute, that's a prosthetic leg. (December 17 2013) <vote poll=world8085 closed=“yes”>Pete Seeger dies. <vote poll=world8084 closed=“yes”>...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." <vote poll=world8083 closed=“yes”>Northern Cyprus gets ready to enter the 20th 21st century. <vote poll=world8082 closed=“yes”>Guess what the first Europeans looked like. Heritage, not hate! <vote poll=world8081 closed=“yes”>Wisconsin state senator wants to remove law requiring that employees get one day off per week, in the name of Freedom. <vote poll=world8080 closed=“yes”>Climate scientist Michael Mann sues good ol' Mark Steyn for defamation over being compared to Jerry Sandusky for his global warming research (which the NR says is, of course, all evil librul lies). You know what's going to happen. <vote poll=world8079 closed=“yes”>[http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/01/08/3136631/lepage-welfare/ GOP Governor goes hunting for welfare fraud; Finds basically none. Demands crackdown anyway.] <vote poll=world8078 closed=“yes”>Surprise! SNAP recipents aren't all lazy drug addicts. New Face of Food Stamps <vote poll=world8077 closed=“yes”>It's hard not to feel sympathy for John McCain. 2008: GOP presidential candidate. 2014: RINO. Preceding source is Fox News, so here is coverage from Salon and Politico. <vote poll=world8076 closed=“yes”>In its story on a drug patent squabble, Bloomberg Businessweek buried the lede with this quote at the bottom by Marijn Dekkers, Bayer CEO and professional asshole: "We did not develop this medicine for Indians, we developed it for western patients who can afford it." <vote poll=world8075 closed=“yes”>On the subject of guns and Americans... so far there's been 7 school shootings during the first 14 days of the school year, and some gunman just killed 3 people at a Maryland mall. <vote poll=world8074 closed=“yes”>In Virginia, you can't take something that may be used as a weapon (such as little flags on wooden sticks) in to the State Capitol. However, actual weapons, like guns, are fine. <vote poll=world8073 closed=“yes”>It seems Nigel Farage actually read the UKIP's policy manifesto, finally. He came to the conclusion that it's "drivel". <vote poll=world8072 closed=“yes”>If the Internet had a standing military, it would be invading Nigeria as we speak: Nigerian woman disowns her cat for being gay. <vote poll=world8071 closed=“yes”>North Korea confirms that it has landed a man on the sun. UPDATE: Poe's Law is in effect. Ah well.

<vote poll=world8069 closed=“yes”>Oh boy. Countdown to portrayal of Black holes as conspiracy in 3... 2... 1... <vote poll=world8068 closed=“yes”>"Guys, Big Ben's clock hands have stopped." <vote poll=world8067 closed=“yes”>Edward Snowden won't be pressured to end asylum, Russia says. <vote poll=world8066 closed=“yes”>Canada bans Marmite and Irn Bru. Never has there been a clearer case for military intervention. Update: Stand down, emergency over! <vote poll=world8065 closed=“yes”>Dinesh D'Souza has been indicted for violating federal election laws. Reuters didn't know the identity of the candidate at first, but now they do. <vote poll=world8064 closed=“yes”>Coca-Cola has got off their coke. <vote poll=world8063 closed=“yes”>Bryan Fischer is calling Glenn Beck out on his flip-floppery regarding anti-gay bigotry (albeit in his own usual bigoted fashion). Let's see where this goes. <vote poll=world8062 closed=“yes”>Glenn Beck: "I played a role in helping tear the country apart." No shit, Sherlock. <vote poll=world8061 closed=“yes”>So much for this discussion: A Texas hospital thinks that keeping a brain-dead woman on life support to sustain a deformed fetus is something that Gawd would want. <vote poll=world8060 closed=“yes”>Well, Orange Overlord, are you ready to get off your ass for once? <vote poll=world8059 closed=“yes”>The Tories: "Our Olympics, NHS and multiculturalism-hating MP isn't racist for wearing a SS uniform, he's just an arsehole." <vote poll=world8058 closed=“yes”>Hawaii bans GMO Biotech. <vote poll=world8057 closed=“yes”>[http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/01/bob-mcdonnell-scandal-indictment-explained Fmr. VA Governor indicted for taking gifts] to shill for a drug company that has been caught lying about its health claims. <vote poll=world8056 closed=“yes”>Donald Trump eyes a seat in the 2016 clown car of candidates. <vote poll=world8055 closed=“yes”>[http://www.nationofchange.org/utah-ending-homelessness-giving-people-homes-1390056183 Utah is ending homelessness by giving away homes. Woot!] <vote poll=world8054 closed=“yes”>Study shows surges in preventable diseases due to anti-vaccination movements <vote poll=world8053 closed=“yes”>Mr. Christie, you make good scandals. <vote poll=world8052 closed=“yes”>Dana Ullman goes [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/homeopathic-medicine-_b_806192.html? too bloody far]. The man's really overdone it using MLK to promote his bullshit. <vote poll=world8051 closed=“yes”>Texas charter schools are teaching Creationism. I'm sure we're all just shocked to find gambling in this establishment. <vote poll=world8050 closed=“yes”>Vladimir Putin says he doesn't care about a person's sexual orientation, that he's on friendly terms with "some people who are gay", and that millions of Russians enjoy the music of Elton John, "despite his orientation". <vote poll=world8049 closed=“yes”>Mark 16:18 claims another victim. (May 30, 2012) <vote poll=world8048 closed=“yes”>The International Olympic Committee embarrasses itself even further. (Avery Brundage would be proud.) <vote poll=world8047 closed=“yes”>9th circuit court of appeals rules that bloggers are entitled to the same protections against libel suits as the traditional press. <vote poll=world8046 closed=“yes”>Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests for child abuse. <vote poll=world8045 closed=“yes”>UKIP councillor blames UK floods on gay marriage: “The scriptures make it abundantly clear that a Christian nation that abandons its faith and acts contrary to the Gospel (and in naked breach of a coronation oath) will be beset by natural disasters such as storms, disease, pestilence and war." <vote poll=world8044 closed=“yes”>A little bit of advice: If there is a word that you won't be able to ban, it's "Nazi." <vote poll=world8043 closed=“yes”>Judge strikes down Pennsylvania voter ID law, calls it burdensome. <vote poll=world8042 closed=“yes”>Vladimir Putin Warns Gay Olympic Visitors To "Leave Children Alone." <vote poll=world8040 closed=“yes”>"If the authorities had missed that pipe bomb and you had gone, in Mexico, through a screening device, you would not even get a trial." If you had tanner skin, your name resembled "Mohammed," and were at a US airport, you would be in Gitmo right now. But no, meet the Alberta judicial system. (And some commentary from a Mohammed.) <vote poll=world8039 closed=“yes”>Eat your heart out Springfield: UK tyre fire plume reaches 6,000 feet and is visible to satellites <vote poll=world8038 closed=“yes”>GOP Congressional Candidate Dick Black Doesn't Have A Problem With Spousal Rape. <vote poll=world8037 closed=“yes”>Three days into a vehicular manslaughter trial in Maryland, a Jehovah's Witness on the jury causes a mistrial because she suddenly realized that judging others is against her religion. <vote poll=world8036 closed=“yes”>Roger Lloyd Pack, one of the great British comedy actors, has died <vote poll=world8035 closed=“yes”>World Economic Forum: If we continue to ignore income inequality we're essentially fucking ourselves. Everyone else: Duh? <vote poll=world8034 closed=“yes”>The NSA has declined to comment on Senator Bernie Sanders's request to know if he is being spied on, arguing that responding would violate his privacy. Seriously. <vote poll=world8033 closed=“yes”>In school voucher news, Milwaukee school closes 'in the dead of the night'. And yes, it was a religious school. UPDATE: And now the grifters behind it are trying to open a 'special needs' school in Florida. <vote poll=world8032 closed=“yes”>STRATCOM's got some 'splainin' to do. <vote poll=world8031 closed=“yes”>Net neutrality is dead in the US. <vote poll=world8030 closed=“yes”>Neo-Nazis arrested for trying to take over a small North Dakota town. <vote poll=world8029 closed=“yes”>Tiktaalik - another transitional fossil added to the list. <vote poll=world8028 closed=“yes”>U.S. District Judge Rules Oklahoma Ban on Marriage Equality Unconstitutional. The Bible Belt is slowly unbuckling. <vote poll=world8027 closed=“yes”>In a legally binding decision, the German Supreme Administrative Court stated that post-Fukushima shutdowns of nuclear power plants, ordered without considering the opinion of the nuclear safety agency, were unlawful <vote poll=world8026 closed=“yes”>At the end of the day, Pope Francis is still Catholic. <vote poll=world8025 closed=“yes”>Atheist Afghan granted religious asylum in UK <vote poll=world8024 closed=“yes”>Pope Francis is selling his Harley <vote poll=world8023 closed=“yes”>Nigeria passes ban on same sex relationships. <vote poll=world8022 closed=“yes”>Well, that came out of nowhere. BBC Worldwide is in negotiations to broadcast Doctor Who, EastEnders, Mr. Bean, Top Gear, Teletubbies, and others in North Korea. <vote poll=world8021 closed=“yes”>Rival militia members hugged after a partial truce in the Central African Republic, brokered by France. Still not out of the woods, however.

<vote poll=world8020 closed=“yes”>After three years with zero cases, India is on track to be declared Polio-free by the WHO next month!

<vote poll=world8018 closed=“yes”>Mark Connelly, pastor of the Gilbert, Az, Mission Community megachurch, steps down, after admitting to numerous affairs. <vote poll=world8017 closed=“yes”>Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85 <vote poll=world8016 closed=“yes”>In Britain, a Labour MP is introducing a bill to ban gay conversion therapy. And the usual nuts are getting pissy, which is a good sign.

<vote poll=world8014 closed=“yes”>Ken Ham's Ark Park Project is sinking fast, thanks to atheists, secular bloggers, and possibly Satan. <vote poll=world8013 closed=“yes”>York University student refuses to work with women citing religious reasons. Sparks human rights debate involving the teacher who intended to deny the student's request and the campus administration who forced the teacher to comply. <vote poll=world8012 closed=“yes”>[http://progressivepopulist.org/2014/01/08/fox-news-guest-refers-minimum-wage-black-teenage-unemployment-act-lower-4-hour-video/ Former Reagan economist describes Minimum Wage as "Black Teenage Unemployment Act". Claims that it should be lowered to "$4 an Hour".] <vote poll=world8011 closed=“yes”>China temporarily suspends their nationwide ban on video game consoles. <vote poll=world8010 closed=“yes”>After 43 years, 5 of the 8 members of the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI (the group that exposed COINTELPRO) reveal their identities to the public. <vote poll=world8009 closed=“yes”>The governor of Utah has now said that the state will not recognize the 1,300+ same-sex marriages performed in the state until the stay is lifted. <vote poll=world8008 closed=“yes”>List of dumb ways to end political careers: "Break into a political party's national headquarters while on your way to winning a landslide election." "Have sex with an aide in your official residence and lie about it under oath." "Shut down the world's busiest bridge because a nearby mayor didn't endorse you." (Full timeline) Update: "One of the things that most concerned Mitt Romney's staff about Christie in 2012 was that they were 'stunned by the garish controversies lurking in the shadows of his record.'" And now we know just the tip of the iceberg. <vote poll=world8007 closed=“yes”>In what undoubtedly will cause the Religious Right to go into a persecution complex circle-jerk marathon, the Satanic Temple reveals their design for their proposed monument on the Oklahoma state Capitol.

<vote poll=world8005 closed=“yes”>How to get free stuff from aliens. <vote poll=world8004 closed=“yes”>Sonia Sotomayor presses pause on Utah gay marriages pending appeal. Update: Hunger strike guy wastes no time begging for free pizza. <vote poll=world8003 closed=“yes”>Years of scientific research being burned and lost in Canada. Claims that it's all backed up digitally are proving to be untrue. It's almost as if the Harper government is afraid of the data. <vote poll=world8002 closed=“yes”>Former Arizona Sheriff rallies citizens to oppose same-sex marriage in Utah. Claims that homosexuals are shoving their agenda down our throats. <vote poll=world8001 closed=“yes”>Brain dead women kept on life support to save fetus Texas law refused DNR <vote poll=world8000 closed=“yes”>Not news: Man driving around in an authentic NYPD cruiser gets stopped and arrested by cops for impersonating a police officer. News: The cruiser wasn't stolen. What: This happened in the British town of Guildford.

<vote poll=world7999 closed=“yes”>Mission Uhhcomplished: Al-Qaeda forces capture Fallujah and declare an Islamic state. <vote poll=world7998 closed=“yes”>BNP leader Nick Griffin declares bankruptcy. (Financial, that is; the moral bankruptcy was long ago) <vote poll=world7997 closed=“yes”>Following the same-sex marriage court decisions in Utah, a Mormon man is now going on hunger strike. <vote poll=world7996 closed=“yes”>Hubble Space Telescope spots clouds on alien worlds <vote poll=world7995 closed=“yes”>In Turkey, a herbal pill called Homofin is now being marketed that claims to cure homosexuality. <vote poll=world7994 closed=“yes”>Maybe you shouldn't have been a Heritage Foundation fellow.