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.
Joseph L. Bast, Somewhat Reasonable
Are you surprised to read on Wikipedia that The Heartland Institute is an unreliable front group for major corporations and that it is “best known” for its work on tobacco control? That surprised us, too. Left-wing activists have taken over Heartland’s Wikipedia page, removing objective descriptions of our programs and publications and replacing them with lies, errors, and outright libelous claims. Heartland’s Wikipedia page should reflect the fact that the organization has consistently supported sound science and free-markets. Can you help? READ MORE

H. Sterling Burnett, Forbes
Do you remember when candidate Barack Obama repeatedly pledged he would run the most transparent administration in the history of the United States? Fast-forward to today and find President Obama’s administration has actively worked to conceal important information from the public. The administration has been far more opaque than transparent, with a record number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) denials and ongoing refusals to make public scientific information used to justify environmental regulations. READ MORE

The late Andrew Breitbart was a pioneer who created his own media empire to fight back against the liberal mainstream media and give voice to conservatives, libertarians, and free-market capitalists. To honor his legacy, Heartland’s state-of-the-art meeting space – which has the ability to live-stream events – will be available for free to any group dedicated to advancing liberty and free markets. Heartland is proud that its event space now carries Andrew Breitbart’s name. READ MORE

Featured Podcast: Introducing Michael Hamilton, Heartland’s New Managing Editor for Health Care News
In this edition of the Heartland Daily Podcast, host Donald Kendal introduces Heartland’s new managing editor of Health Care News, Michael Hamilton. Hamilton talks about his background and several topics that will be featured in the upcoming issue of Health Care News, bringing listeners up-to-date on Medicaid expansion, right to try legislation, certificate of need laws, and the advancement of direct primary care. LISTEN TO MORE

The Heartland Institute’s newest book, Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming, demolishes the myth that “97% of scientists” believe mankind is the cause of a global warming catastrophe. Heartland President Joseph Bast, who edited the book, will discuss his findings and bid a fond farewell to one of the coauthors, Robert Carter who passed away on January 19, at a free event in the Andrew Breitbart Freedom Center on Wednesday, March 9. Go to Amazon.com or the Heartland store [store.heartland.org] now and order a copy. To get a free copy, become a Heartland donor or attend the March 9 event!

Justin Haskins, Consumer Power Report
A disturbing trend is growing where hackers invade computer systems of medical centers, shut down important hospital functions, and hold records for ransom. The worst part of these electronic sieges is the fact they are exacerbated by legislation related to the Affordable Care Act. The Obama-backed Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act required all medical providers to digitize medical records. Since the passage of this law, tens of millions of patient records have been stolen. READ MORE

H. Sterling Burnett, Climate Change Weekly
As the general public becomes less convinced of the cataclysmic predictions from global warming alarmists, support is beginning to wane even in traditional strongholds: the nation’s public schools. A recent survey of middle- and high-school science teachers in all 50 states shows nearly half refuse to brainwash students into believing humans are causing catastrophic climate change. Since it appears the global warming debate is alive and well in our public schools, perhaps now is the time for further outreach of sound science to our nation’s teachers. READ MORE

Matthew Glans, Heartland Research & Commentary
Florida has terrible laws on civil forfeiture – a controversial legal process through which law enforcement agencies take personal assets from individuals or groups merely suspected of a crime or illegal activity. The law essentially considers citizens guilty until proven innocent, forcing people to prove they were not aware their property was being used illegally. Florida lawmakers are considering two proposals that would require law enforcement agencies to obtain a criminal conviction before they can confiscate cash or property. READ MORE

A great debate has been occurring in the aftermath of a court order demanding that Apple give the Federal Bureau of Investigation access to an iPhone owned by one of the San Bernardino terrorists. Electronic Frontier Foundation staff attorney Sophia Cope joins host Jesse Hathaway to discuss the situation, as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook’s decision to fight the court order. Cope says the government is seeking to set a dangerous precedent that could lead to mass surveillance by requiring Apple to hack into its own products. LISTEN TO MORE

Timothy Benson and Lennie Jarratt,Washington Times
Advocating a specific viewpoint is fine; advocating a specific viewpoint under the guise of objectivity is another story. A recent study by the Network for Public Education, which aims to grade states based on their school systems, is being looked at by the media as an honest-to-goodness objective study. In reality, the report is a rating system that attempts to show how well each state is protecting its public schools from school choice. READ MORE

Joy Pullmann, School Choice Weekly
A recently released study on Louisiana’s voucher program shows mixed results. The report found negative effects for the participating children, a rare finding for school voucher programs. On the positive side, the program was shown to increase racial integration and may have increased academic achievement in public schools. The Louisiana Federation for Children released its own report showing the lowest-performing voucher students have closed half the gap between them and the state average. READ MORE

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