Tag Archives: U.S.

Proper, Intelligent, Informed Debate

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The NPR Intelligence Squared US (IQ2US) audio podcast is a series of recordings of public debates held in New York focusing on hot-button issues (most specific to the U.S.) like immigration, affirmative action, and global warming. The debates are held in the Oxford-style meaning there are one motion (topic), one moderator, three speakers for the motion, and three speakers against the motion.
Prior to the start of the debate, visitors cast their votes for or against the motion. During the debate, the results of the initial vote are shown, and the visitors vote again at the end of the debate to decide which side "won."
If you're tired of cable news "debate" where the only real argument is who can yell louder and longer, then this is a wonderful change.  People properly informed, debating real issues for more than just sound bites. Intelligence Squared

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Fact Check the Campaigns

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If you watch any TV, listen to the radio, or read a newspaper this year in the U.S., you will see, hear, or read about the Presidential campaigns and the ads.  Like many Americans you may also get confused about the many claims, attacks, and other information being put forth by these campaigns. FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
Our Mission We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.
FactCheck.org

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Energy Independence: How Denmark Kicked Its Foreign Oil Habit

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• Strict energy-efficiency standards were placed on all buildings. • Gas and automobiles were heavily taxed (Today new cars are taxed at more than 105% of the cost of the car.) • "District heating systems" were implemented throughout the country, reusing normally wasted heat produced by power plants by piping it directly into homes. Today more than 60% of Danish homes are heated this way. • The government invested heavily in clean and renewable energy systems, especially wind power. Today 21% of Denmark’s energy production comes from wind farms. On top of that, they lead the world in wind-power technology - another product to export. The industry has created more than 20,000 jobs. • Rebate campaigns helped people buy more energy-efficient - and therefore more expensive - home appliances. Today more than 95% of new appliances bought in Denmark have an "A" efficiency rating. ("A" is the best; "G" is the worst.) • They started drilling for - and finding - more oil and natural gas within their own waters in the North Sea. (Showing that no plan is perfect, these efforts have long been opposed by environmentalists.) • In 2005 the government committed $1 billion to develop and integrate better solar, tidal, and fuel-cell technology.
While many of these efforts would work in the U.S. or most of the world, adapting even a few points or ideas would greatly help.  Let's see if the next U.S. President actually does have any ideas to lower our requirement for oil or if it's just empty promises. STORY

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Map Where Congress Budgets Your Taxes on Google Earth

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defensespending thumb Map Where Congress Budgets Your Taxes on Google Earth A new Google Earth layer keeps tabs on political spending by pinpointing where and for what projects U.S. government officials are budgeting funds for across the country:
Members of Congress know where the money is going: now citizens can, too. The Sunlight Foundation today released a Google Earth application that plots the locations for almost 1,500 earmarks in the House Defense Appropriations bill. This graphic illustration of defense earmarks gives anyone with an internet connection a bird's-eye view of exactly where Congress is directing federal spending—and the ability to investigate whether the earmarks address pressing needs, favor political contributors or are simply pure pork.
Navigate House Defense Earmarks on Google Earth [Sunlight Foundation via CNET News.com]

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NationStates

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NationStates is a free nation simulation game. Build a nation and run it according to your own warped political ideals. Create a Utopian paradise for society's less fortunate or a totalitarian corporate police state. Care for your people or deliberately oppress them. Join the United Nations or remain a rogue state. It's really up to you.
It's a very laid back "game". Takes a few minutes a day, and not too much to do unless you get into role-playing. You get to make decisions and see how those decisions play out in a simulated world. NationStates The book the game is based off of - Jennifer Government - is also pretty good. It's not a long book, but gives you a humorous and different look at capitalism and the world.

Welcome to paradise! The world is run by American corporations (except for a few deluded holdouts like the French); taxes are illegal; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; the Police and the NRA are publicly-traded security firms; and the U.S. government only investigates crimes it can bill for.

Hack Nike is a Merchandising Officer who discovers an all-new way to sell sneakers. Buy Mitsui is a stockbroker with a death-wish. Billy NRA is finding out that life in a private army isn't all snappy uniforms and code names. And Jennifer Government, a legendary agent with a barcode tattoo, is the consumer watchdog from hell.

Jennifer Government

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