Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Where I Agree With the Teachers
On the fourth day of the teachers’ strike, protesters targeted school board member Penny Pritzker, whose family owns the Hyatt hotel chain. At 3:30 p.m., thousands of demonstrators dressed in red gathered outside the Hyatt Regency Chicago, at 151 E. Wacker Dr., protesting the $5.2 million in TIF money the city provided for a new…
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Ever Hear About the “Green” Old Lady?
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days.” The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation…
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Obama Admin Warned of Embassy Attack, Did Nothing
The killings of the US ambassador to Libya and three of his staff were likely to have been the result of a serious and continuing security breach, The Independent can reveal. American officials believe the attack was planned, but Chris Stevens had been back in the country only a short while and the details of…
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Jobless Claims Jump
In a separate report, a sharp rise in gasoline costs drove up wholesale prices last month by the most in more than three years. But outside energy and food, price gains were mild. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 15,000 to a seasonally adjusted 382,000, the highest in two months, the Labor Department said…
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Obesity the Greatest Threat to National Security
?! Really? At the link is a quick video of a promo for an upcoming Dr. Oz. We should get something out of the way early; Dr. Oz (IMHO) is a complete quack and why the FLOTUS would go on such a show is beyond me. It’s beneath her and the position she holds. But…
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More Americans Can’t Afford Banks
In the aftermath of one of the worst recessions in history, more Americans have limited or no interaction with banks, instead relying on check cashers and payday lenders to manage their finances, according to a new federal report. Not only are these Americans more vulnerable to high fees and interest rates, but they are also…
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Obama’s Auntie
I really don’t know what to say about this. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHoAuk76fT8?rel=0]
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The Rich Are Getting Poorer
Trouble for those “Tax the Rich!” folks: For the first time in history, rich people are actually getting poorer, and luxury retailers are freaking out about it. … “Because these same consumers are significantly invested in their high-end lifestyle with income committed to a wide-range of fixed expenses to maintain that lifestyle, it’s in discretionary…
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DNC Proudly Displays Russian Ships
On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message. But there was a big mistake in the stirring backdrop: those are Russian warships. … These were the…
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Inner City Kids and a Catholic School
God Bless John Kass: When Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis led her members out on strike this week, she said real school would be closed. “Negotiations have been intense but productive,” she said. “However, we have failed to reach an agreement that will prevent a labor strike. Real school will not be open (Monday).”…
Got any book recommendations?