Latest posts by Donald Kendal (see all)
- In The Tank (ep204) – Climate “Contrarians” Blacklisted? Red Flag Laws - August 16, 2019
- In The Tank (ep203) – Bernie Sanders on Joe Rogan Podcast: A Response - August 9, 2019
- In The Tank (ep202) – Craziest Proposals From Democratic Candidates - August 2, 2019
If you don’t visit Somewhat Reasonable and the Heartlander digital magazine every day, you’re missing out on some of the best news and commentary on liberty and free markets you can find. But worry not, freedom lovers! The Heartland Weekly Email is here for you every Friday with a highlight show. Subscribe to the email today, and read this week’s edition below.
The movement to amend the U.S. Constitution is gaining momentum across the country. Kyle Maichle, The Heartland Institute’s project manager for constitutional reform, joins host Donald Kendal to talk about Marco Rubio’s recent endorsement of an Article V convention, which is causing quite a stir in the mainstream media, as well as Compact for America (CfA), an organization seeking an Article V convention to implement a balanced budget amendment. Maichle discusses CfA’s strategies, influences, and successes so far. LISTEN TO MORE

Tim Benson, Heartland Research & Commentary
The agreement that came out of COP-21 was called a “turning point for the world” by President Barack Obama. But critics on both the right and left say the agreement is merely an aspirational document, lacking language that would make any of its provisions on emission reduction and redistribution to developing countries legally binding. After all the hype and rhetoric, the world got a toothless, hollow, and non-binding agreement. That’s a victory, not a setback, for sound science and economics. READ MORE

H. Sterling Burnett, Inside Sources
Heartland’s H. Sterling Burnett writes a devastating reply to sociologist Robert Brulle, who turned to the Washington Post on January 6 to continue his campaign to attribute the American public’s rejection of global warming alarmism to “the coordinated efforts of conservative foundations and fossil fuel corporations to promote this uncertainty.” According to Burnett, “The main reason I don’t accept the so-called ‘consensus view’ on climate change is it violates the scientific method. Virtually every testable prediction made concerning the harmful impacts of climate change has been proven to be incorrect.” READ MORE

Joseph L. Bast, Somewhat Reasonable
Why would Michael Mann and Naomi Oreskes, two prominent (and almost ridiculously alarmist) academics in the global warming debate, devote hours to writing letters to the editor to a small (circ. 10,000) newspaper in northern Wisconsin? Maybe to avoid peer-review and editors who recognize libel when they see it. Mann and Oreskes recently repeated every lie and half-truth about The Heartland Institute spread on the Internet (often with their help) in a letter to theLakewood Times, and Heartland President Joseph Bast set the record straight in his reply, posted online at the newspaper as well as on Heartland’s blog, SomewhatReasonable. READ MORE

The Heartland Institute released at COP-21 in Paris its newest book on global warming: Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming. The authors demolish the most pernicious myth in the global warming debate: that “97% of scientists” believe mankind is the cause of a global warming catastrophe. Scientists Craig Idso, Fred Singer, and Robert Carter critique the sources of this myth and present a summary of the physical science that makes it plain beyond any doubt that there is no global warming crisis. Go to Amazon.com or the Heartland store now and order a copy, or become a Heartland donor and get a free copy! READ MORE

Robert G. Holland, Washington Times
Two days after the text was released, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was rushed through a House vote. Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee praised ESSA for short-circuiting a national school board and returning control to local hands. But why was former secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Education Arne Duncan so happy about this supposed devolution from federal control? “We were intentionally quiet on the bill – they asked us specifically not to praise it – and to let it get through,” said Duncan. Under ESSA, every state must adopt “college- and career-ready standards,” which means Common Core, or whatever rebranded versions the national education ministry deems acceptable. READ MORE

Joy Pullmann, The Federalist
Fortune magazine, which styles itself as being the voice of modern-day capitalism, started the new year with a lengthy cover story heaping praise on corporate sponsors of Common Core and disdain on the stupid, right-wing, and misinformed opposition it encountered. Heartland Research Fellow Joy Pullmann has written a passionate and even angry reply at The Federalist that exposes the real sources of grassroots opposition to Common Core. You gotta read this one! READ MORE

Peter Wood, The Heartlander
Parents all over the country are becoming increasingly upset with the impacts of Common Core. With the mess that has been made of math and reading instruction, there has risen a growing movement to repeal Common Core entirely. Unfortunately, it may not be that easy. The large investment already made in textbooks, computers, tests, and training makes repealing this massive federal and state program a large feat. Undoing some forms of bad policy can take years. READ MORE

Justin Haskins, Consumer Power Report
Few government policies produce worse effects on state health care quality than certificate of need (CON) laws. These laws require medical facilities to get permission in order to purchase new equipment, offer new medical services, or expand or build a new medical facility. Several state delegates in the Virginia General Assembly have had enough of these destructive and frankly dangerous regulations. As of now, eight legislative reforms designed to scale back these CON laws are being considered to return sanity and free-market regulation to Virginia’s health care system. READ MORE

Justin Haskins, Consumer Power Report
Few government policies produce worse effects on state health care quality than certificate of need (CON) laws. These laws require medical facilities to get permission in order to purchase new equipment, offer new medical services, or expand or build a new medical facility. Several state delegates in the Virginia General Assembly have had enough of these destructive and frankly dangerous regulations. As of now, eight legislative reforms designed to scale back these CON laws are being considered to return sanity and free-market regulation to Virginia’s health care system. READ MORE

Jesse Hathaway, The Hill
As Bitcoin continues to climb in value, many are looking at the virtual money as a legitimate alternative to government-backed currencies. As its popularity increases, more established companies, such as Dell, DISH Network, Microsoft, and even Papa John’s Pizza, are beginning to accept payment in Bitcoin. Jesse Hathaway, managing editor of Budget & Tax News, argues Bitcoin could bring an end to the U.S. government’s near-monopoly over the money business, unleashing free-market principles into the worlds of commerce and finance. READ MORE

Berin Szoka, president of TechFreedom – a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the progress of technology that improves the human condition – joins Budget & Tax News Managing Editor Jesse Hathaway to discuss how regulators in the U.S. and abroad are using the power of the state to combat zero-rating, a kind of data plan that allows consumers to use streaming services at no cost. Szoka explains how foreign governments are cracking down on political dissent under the guise of protecting consumers with similar regulations. LISTEN TO MORE

Invest in the Future of Freedom! Are you considering 2015 gifts to your favorite charities? We hope The Heartland Institute is on your list. Preserving and expanding individual freedom is the surest way to advance many good and noble objectives, from feeding and clothing the poor to encouraging excellence and great achievement. Making charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations dedicated to individual freedom is the most highly leveraged investment a philanthropist can make. Click here to make a contribution online, or mail your gift to The Heartland Institute, One South Wacker Drive, Suite 2740, Chicago, IL 60606. To request a FREE wills guide or to get more information to plan your future please visit My Gift Legacy http://legacy.heartland.org/ or contact Gwen Carver at 312/377-4000 or by email at gcarver@heartland.org.