Why People Aren't Buying into Organic Food Products

Although the organic market has grown, it is still a small slice of the pie

PURE MARKETING: Changing perceptions about just how much healthier organic foods are than nonorganic foods are impacting the growth of the sector. Image: iStockPhoto

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Dear EarthTalk: I understand that, despite the popularity of organic foods, clothing and other products, organic agriculture is still only practiced on a tiny percentage of land worldwide. What?s getting in the way??Larry McFarlane, Boston

Organic production may still represent only a small fraction of agricultural sales in the U.S. and worldwide, but it as been growing rapidly over the last two decades. According to the latest global census of farming practices, the area of land certified as organic makes up less than one percent of global agricultural land?but it has grown more than threefold since 1999, with upwards of 37 million hectares of land worldwide now under organic cultivation. The Organic Trade Association forecasts steady growth of nine percent or more annually for organic agriculture in the foreseeable future.

But despite this growth, no one expects organic agriculture to top conventional techniques any time soon. The biggest hurdle for organics is the added cost of sustainable practices. ?The cost of organic food is higher than that of conventional food because the organic price tag more closely reflects the true cost of growing the food,? reports the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF). ?The intensive management and labor used in organic production are frequently (though not always) more expensive than the chemicals routinely used on conventional farms.? However, there is evidence that if the indirect costs of conventional food production?such as the impact on public health of chemicals released into our air and water?were factored in, non-organic foods would cost the same or as much as organic foods.

Other problems for organic foods include changing perceptions about just how much healthier they are than non-organics. ?Many devotees of organic foods purchase them in order to avoid exposure to harmful levels of pesticides,? writes Henry I. Miller in Forbes. ?But that?s a poor rationale: Non-organic fruits and vegetables had more pesticide residue, to be sure, but more than 99 percent of the time the levels were below the permissible, very conservative safety limits set by regulators?limits that are established by the Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration.?

He adds that just because a farm is organic doesn?t mean the food it produces will be free of potentially toxic elements. While organic standards may preclude the use of synthetic inputs, organic farms often utilize so-called ?natural? pesticides and what Miller calls ?pathogen-laden animal excreta as fertilizer? that can also end up making consumers sick and have been linked to cancers and other serious illnesses (like their synthetic counterparts). Miller believes that as more consumers become aware of these problems, the percentage of the agriculture market taken up by organics will begin to shrink.

Another challenge facing the organic sector is a shortage of organic raw materials such as grain, sugar and livestock feed. Without a steady supply of these basics, organic farmers can?t harvest enough products to make their businesses viable. Meanwhile, competition from food marketed as ?locally grown? or ?natural? is also cutting into organic?s slice of the overall agriculture pie.

Organic agriculture is sure to keep growing for years to come. And even if the health benefits of eating organic aren?t significant, the environmental advantages of organic agriculture?which are, of course, also public health advantages?make the practice well worth supporting.

CONTACTS: Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com; OFRF, www.ofrf.org.

EarthTalk? is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/~r/sciam/chemistry/~3/hvBFJuqq1eA/article.cfm

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Salt and Pepper Spoon Shakers Give You Precisely Portioned Seasonings

Finally putting an end to the gag where someone unscrews the lid of a salt shaker, Jaemin Jaeminlee's Sogum HuchuHuchu is a radical re-thinking of how we season our food at the table. They still require a bit of shaking to get the spices out, but instead of dumping it directly onto your food, the salt and pepper spills into a small scoop. Using your fingers you're then able to select an exact amount of seasonings for your meal, while the unused bits can be returned to the shaker.

Read more...

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/X1DU9nnjURU/salt-and-pepper-spoon-shakers-give-you-precisely-portio-600938846

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Senate Passes Immigration Reform (ABC News)

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Samsung lures former BlackBerry UK chief for EU business unit

When Rob Orr left his role as BlackBerry's UK and Ireland chief earlier this month, we knew it wouldn't be long before another company sought out his skills. Turns out, his final destination has been Samsung, where the seven-year RIM veteran will take up a vice presidential role in the Korean giant's business-to-business telecoms operation. There's an official release from Samsung after the break, but we'd have preferred it if Orr had posted something amusing to his Linkedin.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Blackberry

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/27/rob-orr-goes-to-samsung/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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Fifty Shades of Grey Movie Cast: Who's it Going to Be?!

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Scientists discover thriving colonies of microbes in ocean 'plastisphere'

June 27, 2013 ? Scientists have discovered a diverse multitude of microbes colonizing and thriving on flecks of plastic that have polluted the oceans -- a vast new human-made flotilla of microbial communities that they have dubbed the "plastisphere."

In a study recently published online in Environmental Science & Technology, the scientists say the plastisphere represents a novel ecological habitat in the ocean and raises a host of questions: How will it change environmental conditions for marine microbes, favoring some that compete with others? How will it change the overall ocean ecosystem and affect larger organisms? How will it change where microbes, including pathogens, will be transported in the ocean?

The collaborative team of scientists -- Erik Zettler from Sea Education Association (SEA), Tracy Mincer from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and Linda Amaral-Zettler from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), all in Woods Hole, Mass. -- analyzed marine plastic debris that was skimmed with fine-scale nets from the sea surface at several locations in the North Atlantic Ocean during SEA research cruises. Most were millimeter-sized fragments.

"We're not just interested in who's there. We're interested in their function, how they're functioning in this ecosystem, how they're altering this ecosystem, and what's the ultimate fate of these particles in the ocean," says Amaral-Zettler. "Are they sinking to the bottom of the ocean? Are they being ingested? If they're being ingested, what impact does that have?"

Using scanning electron microscopy and gene sequencing techniques, they found at least 1000 different types of bacterial cells on the plastic samples, including many individual species yet to be identified. They included plants, algae, and bacteria that manufacture their own food (autotrophs), animals and bacteria that feed on them (heterotrophs), predators that feed on these, and other organisms that establish synergistic relationships (symbionts). These complex communities exist on plastic bits hardly bigger than the head of a pin, and they have arisen with the explosion of plastics in the oceans in the last 60 years.

"The organisms inhabiting the plastisphere were different from those in surrounding seawater, indicating that plastic debris acts as artificial 'microbial reefs," says Mincer. "They supply a place that selects for and supports distinct microbes to settle and succeed."

These communities are likely different from those that settle on naturally occurring floating material such as feathers, wood, and microalgae, because plastics offer different conditions, including the capacity to last much longer without degrading.

On the other hand, the scientists also found evidence that microbes may play a role in degrading plastics. They saw microscopic cracks and pits in the plastic surfaces that they suspect were made by microbes embedded in them, as well as microbes possibly capable of degrading hydrocarbons.

"When we first saw the 'pit formers' we were very excited, especially when they showed up on multiple pieces of plastic of different types of resins," said Zettler, who added that undergraduate students participating in SEA Semester cruises collected and processed the samples. "Now we have to figure out what they are by [genetically] sequencing them and hopefully getting them into culture so we can do experiments."

The plastic debris also represents a new mode of transportation, acting as rafts that can convey harmful microbes, including disease-causing pathogens and harmful algal species. One plastic sampled they analyzed was dominated by members of the genus Vibrio, which includes bacteria that cause cholera and gastrointestinal maladies.

The project was funded by a National Science Foundation Collaborative grant, a NSF TUES grant, and a Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health Pilot award.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/EvM7_1uPFzw/130627142549.htm

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U.S. suspends trade benefits for Bangladesh over safety

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama cut off long-time U.S. trade benefits for Bangladesh on Thursday in a mostly symbolic response to conditions in the country's garment industry that have cost more than 1,200 lives in the past year.

The U.S. move does not directly affect Bangladesh's multi-billion-dollar clothing exports, since garments are not eligible for U.S. duty cuts. But it could prompt the European Union into similar action, which would have a bigger impact as Bangladesh's clothing and textiles exports to the EU are duty-free.

"I have determined that it is appropriate to suspend Bangladesh ... because it is not taking steps to afford internationally recognized worker rights to workers in the country," Obama said in a statement.

The government in Bangladesh said it did not expect the move to have an immediate impact on business but feared it would hurt U.S. investment in the country over time.

"We are desperately trying to upgrade the situation of our garment factories and we expect assistance, not punitive action," said H.T.Imam, government adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The factories came under scrutiny after the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory building in April that killed 1,132 people and the Tazreen factory fire in November that killed 112.

"This was not a decision taken lightly," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters. "Our goal, of course, is not only to see Bangladesh restore its eligibility for (the trade) benefits, but to see Bangladeshi workers in safe, appropriate work situations."

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said the decision sent an important message to countries that receive duty-free access to the U.S. market under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.

"Countries that tolerate dangerous - and even deadly - working conditions and deny basic workers' rights, especially the right to freedom of association, will risk losing preferential access to the U.S. market," Trumka said.

It also puts American companies on notice they must take meaningful steps to improve conditions for Bangladesh's factory workers, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said in a statement.

"No one will want to wear clothing that is ?Made in Bangladesh' if it is made on the blood of workers. It's time for American industry to show leadership and work with their European counterparts on a global standard for safety."

U.S. HEAVILY TAXES CLOTHING FROM BANGLADESH

Suspending Bangladesh from the GSP program will increase U.S. duties on an array of products the country exports to the United States, such as tobacco, sporting equipment, porcelain china, plastic products and a small amount of textile products.

"I wonder why the U.S. government does not ask U.S. buyers to offer us a better price instead of deciding to squeeze us further," said K.M.Iqbal Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

"This will only make things worse for workers even in other sectors." Hossain said taxes for the plastics industry would rise by 10 percent. Bangladesh exports plastic accessories such as garment clips and hangers among others.

The GSP program was created in 1976 to help economic development in the world's poorest countries and to reduce import costs for U.S. companies.

In 2012, Bangladesh was spared about $2 million in U.S. duties on about $35 million worth of goods under the GSP program, but it paid about $732 million in U.S. duties on $4.9 billion of clothing exports not covered by the program, said Ed Gresser, a trade analyst with the GlobalWorks Foundation.

An EU decision to suspend trade benefits would have far more impact. EU officials raised the possibility of suspension in early May in the hope of prodding Bangladesh into action.

The EU imported roughly 9.2 billion euros ($12.13 billion) of goods from Bangladesh last year, according to data from the EU's executive branch, the European Commission.

Clothing and textile products ranging from towels and bedding accounted for almost 93 percent of those goods.

EU and Bangladeshi officials will meet in Geneva in July for talks aimed at improving safety conditions in Bangladesh and preserving the country's trade benefits.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mohammad Atiqul Islam said it was struggling to improve working conditions in the country and hoped for a better judgment from the European Union.

PETITION FILED IN 2007

The United States' own review dates back to 2007, when the AFL-CIO, the main U.S. labor group, first filed a petition asking that Bangladesh's trade benefits be revoked.

Despite the relatively small volume of trade affected by the U.S. decision, Froman said Bangladeshi officials put great value on remaining in the program.

"We will be staying very much in direct and continuous contact with the government of Bangladesh as they take additional actions on workers rights and workers safety," Froman said. "We'll review their status at the appropriate time."

European retailers have responded to the two tragedies by signing an agreement to promote worker safety in Bangladesh, but many U.S. retailers have balked at accord, saying it gives unions too much control over ensuring workplace safety.

They have been working instead with former Maine U.S. senators George Mitchell, a Democrat, and Olympia Snowe, a Republican, on an alternative plan to improve fire and safety regulations.

The effort is being coordinated by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank.

"At this point only a few final details remain to be worked out and agreed upon," BPC President Jason Grummet said earlier this week in an email. "We remain on track to complete the process by early July."

(Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir and Nandita Bose in Dhaka; Editing by Vicki Allen, Mary Milliken and Nick Macfie; doug.palmer@thomsonreuters.com; 202 898 8341; Reuters Messaging: doug.palmer.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-suspends-trade-benefits-bangladesh-over-safety-071700173.html

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Missouri governor vetoes bill aimed at restricting union dues

By Kevin Murphy

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Missouri Democratic Governor Jay Nixon on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would force unions in the state to get written permission before withholding dues from paychecks of public employees.

Approved by the Republican-dominated state House and Senate, the bill also would require member consent before union dues could be used for political purposes.

The governor could be overruled by a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers when they next meet in September. The bill passed the Missouri Senate 24-10, but the vote was closer in the House, 85-69.

The Missouri law is the latest of a number passed or considered by Republican-led states to restrict unions. The most prominent was in Wisconsin, where Governor Scott Walker two years ago successfully imposed severe restrictions on public sector unions. The measures prompted thousands of people to protest.

In a statement accompanying his veto, Missouri's Nixon said public employees already have numerous voluntary withholdings from their paychecks, such as for 401k and college savings plans, and can opt out of the union dues withholding if they choose.

Nixon said the bill would require employees to annually fill out two separate forms if they want the dues withheld and if they approved their use for political purposes.

"Singling out union dues for these extra processes serves no beneficial purpose," Nixon stated. "Rather, the bill places unnecessary burdens on public employees for the purpose of weakening labor organizations."

(Reporting By Kevin Murphy; Editing by Greg McCune and Carol Bishopric)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/missouri-governor-vetoes-bill-aimed-restricting-union-dues-234515917.html

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Revealers, A New Social-Meets-Gaming App, Launches Today

A new social game called Revealers is launching today, and it’s betting on the feature of letting players add content to the game to make it more than a flash in the pan hit. Israeli founder Muly Litvak has an extensive background in entertainment, so we’ll see how his experience translates into gaming. Here’s how it works: players select to play against their Facebook friends or against a random opponent and are shown a photo fully obscured by a grid of squares. Both players are given four hints to help figure out what the picture is. As the picture uncovers square by square, the challenge is to identify the photo before your opponent. Users can then add their own photos and hints to change the game up. Eventually there will be private categories between friends, but for now games are scanned for relevancy in the world or country. Winners earn “brain cells” and advance to higher “brain levels” accordingly. You can only play against another user if they have challenged you back. It’s a pretty simple game, so we’ll see if that ? and the vanity aspect of getting to upload your own photos ? will be enough to make it as addictive as Litvak is hoping.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/n9MLKV3eC1E/

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Frandsen's pinch-hit homer carries Phils to win

BOX SCORE

Kevin Frandsen hit his first-career walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the Phillies beat the Mets, 8-7, at Citizens Bank Park. It was his third homer of the year.

A combination of bad bullpen pitching and poor fielding nearly conspired to sink the Phillies. The Phillies were up six runs going into the seventh inning, but the lead crumbled as the game funneled toward its conclusion.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jonathan Papelbon gave up a solo home run to Jordany Valdespin. David Wright then reached first on an error by Michael Young. Wright eventually scored to tie the game.

Starting pitching report
Jonathan Pettibone went six innings but left the game with lower back tightness on the right side. He scattered five hits and surrendered just one earned run. Pettibone ?- who had one walk and one strikeout -- dropped his ERA to 4.14.

Mets starter Dillon Gee struggled from the beginning. Gee lasted five innings, allowing eight hits, five earned runs and three homers while striking out four and issuing no walks. Gee threw 67 pitches, 48 for strikes.

Bullpen report
It was another rough outing for the Phillies' bullpen, which entered the game with a 4.55 ERA and a .271 opponents batting average (both stats were next-to-last in the Majors).

Michael Stutes -- who served up a grand slam in an 11-inning loss to the Nationals earlier this week -- came on in the seventh inning. He immediately gave up a run, loaded the bases and didn?t record an out before he was yanked for Justin De Fratus. (Stutes?s line: 0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB.)

De Fratus allowed a two-run double to the first batter he faced, Eric Young. De Fratus faced four batters (0.2 IP, 1 H, O ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) in the seventh before he was pulled for Jake Diekman, who finally recorded the last out of the inning.

Following the Mets? four-run, seventh-inning outburst, Antonio Bastardo pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Papelbon blew his third save of the season and gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning. He picked up the win, his third of the year.

At the plate
Ryan Howard drove in four of the Phillies? eight runs. Howard had an opposite field solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. He hit another homer in the fifth inning. After a slow start, Howard has mashed three home runs this week. He has 10 for the season. It was Howard?s first multi-home run game since August 30, 2011.

Chase Utley -- who returned from a stint on the DL on Friday -- got his first hit since rejoining the club. Utley -- who went 0 for 5 with a strikeout on Friday -- was 1 for 4 and scored a run.

Ben Revere, who had two singles, extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He also had three stolen bases (tying a career high), his 18th, 19th and 20th of the season.

Michael Young went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, including a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In the field
Michael Young booted a ball in the ninth inning that allowed Wright to reach first base. Wright scored when Revere bobbled a single by Daniel Murphy, and the Mets tied the game.

Transaction
Prior to Saturday?s game, the Phillies placed relief pitcher Mike Adams on the 15-day disabled list (bicep tendinitis). Adams was replaced by J.C. Ramirez, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room for Ramirez, utility man Michael Martinez was designated for assignment.

Up next
The Phillies finish their three-game set against the Mets on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. John Lannan (0-1, 5.49) will face Mets right-hander Matt Harvey (6-1, 2.16). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 pm.

Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/instant-replay-phillies-8-mets-7

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Nvidia delays new game device after finding problem

By Noel Randewich

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Nvidia Corp is delaying sales of its new handheld game gadget, a setback in the chipmaker's bid to use its appeal with personal computer gamers to challenge console makers like Sony Corp and Microsoft Corp .

On Wednesday, a day before the scheduled launch, Nvidia said it had discovered a "mechanical issue" in the Shield multimedia device, which lets users play Android and PC games using either the built-in screen or on their TVs.

It will be shipped in July.

Nvidia's graphics chips are well-known to enthusiasts in their 20s who deck out desktop computers with high-end components to get the best out of first-person shooters and other games.

The Santa Clara, California company hopes some of those customers will also be drawn to Shield, which uses Nvidia's Tegra 4 mobile chip, has a pop-up retina display, and runs the same games as those on Android tablets and smartphones.

The portable device also shows movies, plays music, stores e-books, and can be used to surf the Web.

As PC sales suffer from the growing popularity of tablets, Nvidia has staked its future on using its PC graphics expertise to make high-performance processors for mobile devices.

Last week Nvidia cut the price of the Shield to $299 from $349.

(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Richard Chang)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nvidia-delays-game-device-finding-problem-204128078.html

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Where's My Mickey? for iPhone review: Help Mickey work his way through over 100 head scratching levels

Where's My Mickey? for iPhone is Disney's newest Mickey adventure where you'll help him and his friends collect water and evade the elements to complete each story line. Throughout each of 5 separate stories, you'll need to think your way through how to complete each level without losing water along the way or not getting it to Mickey at all. Collecting stars along the way gives you higher points. Collect all three to ace each level.

Throughout each level of Where's My Mickey? you'll be presented with different challenges that stand in the way of Mickey collecting water. Whether it's digging through sand, ridding the level of lava, or using storm clouds to produce more water, different stories will have different obstacles to overcome.

Most levels will involve you digging through sand in order to release water to Mickey. You'll have to be careful where you decide to dig it though as it could run off the sides or into another obstacle. Items such as lava will destroy the water you've released. Instead you'll need to carefully plan out which obstacles need to be moved and which ones can help you get closer to your goal.

There is typically enough extra water in each level to allow you to either make a mistake or obtain a star that may not be on the direct path to Mickey. There are currently five stories to complete in Where's My MIckey? where each will introduce new obstacles along your way. There are also unlockable bonus levels that you can play featuring other Disney favorites such as Pluto.

The good

• Cute animations that will keep kids busy for hours
• Some levels are actually quite challenging which makes this game a little bit longer of a play
• New obstacles to compete against and new objects to help along the way

The bad

• First three story packs come with the game purchase, the additional two will have to be purchased in-app for an additional $0.99, the game isn't very up front about this

The bottom line

Where's My Mickey? is an enjoyable game for kids and adults alike. Even for adults, there are certain levels that can keep you scratching your head for a few minutes. When it comes to children, they may need a little help on those kinds of levels depending upon age.

Overall, it's priced well and even buying the additional levels will give you quite a bit of game play for not a lot of money. If you or your kids love Mickey, this is definitely one you'll want to add to your collection.

• $0.99 - Download Now

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/60AnpAsPRdM/story01.htm

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Flu shot effective regardless of circulating flu strain, research finds

June 25, 2013 ? New research out of St. Michael's Hospital has found that despite popular belief, the flu shot is effective in preventing the flu, even if the virus going around does not match the vaccine.

"It's quite common for people to say they are not going to get the flu shot this year because they've heard it does not match the strain of flu going around," said Dr. Andrea Tricco, the lead author of the paper and a scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital. "However, we've found that individuals will be protected regardless of whether the flu strain is a match or not."

The review of the literature analyzed more than 40 years of data, from 1971 to 2011, and included 47 influenza seasons and almost 95,000 healthy people.

Dr. Tricco and colleagues were particularly interested in flu seasons when the flu vaccines were not matched well to circulating strains. They wanted to understand whether the flu vaccines would still be effective when the strains were not a match.

Vaccines work by giving the body an inactive, or non-infective, form of the flu virus so that the body can produce antibodies. When an individual comes into contact with the virus in the future, the body can use the natural antibodies it has created to fight it off.

The study looked at the two most popular vaccine formulations in Canada -- Trivalent inactive vaccine for adults and live-attenuated influenza vaccine for children. They found that both vaccines provided significant protection against matched (ranging from 65 per cent to 83 per cent effectiveness) and mismatched (ranging from 52 per cent to 54 per cent effectiveness) flu strains.

The paper was published online in the journal BMC Medicine today.

"Looking at matches and mismatches can be a difficult process because it's not a yes or no variable," Dr. Tricco said. "Often we're looking at the degree of match between a flu strain and what's included in a vaccine because strains drift from year to year."

Dr. Tricco said that the study's results are mainly applicable to the seasonal flu in otherwise healthy children and adults.

The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/hgD7CR0J29Q/130625162235.htm

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On Gay Marriage In Churches, Stances Vary Among Religions, Clergy, Members

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Orders On DOMA And Prop 8 Cases

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Married couple Michael Knaapen (L) amd John Becker (2nd L) react after hearing the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional at the Supreme Court, June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled to strike down DOMA and determined the California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage was not properly before them, declining to overturn the lower court's striking down of the law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Married couple Michael Knaapen (L) amd John Becker (2nd L) kiss after hearing the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional at the Supreme Court, June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled to strike down DOMA and determined the California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage was not properly before them, declining to overturn the lower court's striking down of the law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Michael Knaapen, left, and his husband John Becker, right, embrace outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after the court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California by holding that defenders of California's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal lower court rulings striking down the ban. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: American University students Sharon Burk (L) and Mollie Wagoner (R) embrace after hearing that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional at the Supreme Court, June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled to strike down DOMA and determined the California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage was not properly before them, declining to overturn the lower court's striking down of the law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

John Lewis, left, and his partner Stuart Gaffney embrace as they react next to Andrea Shorter after the Supreme Court decision at the office of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee at City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a provision of a U.S. law denying federal benefits to married gay couples and cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in the state of California. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

John Lewis, left, and Stuart Gaffney embrace outside San Francisco's City Hall shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Gay rights activist Bryce Romero, who works for the Human Rights Campaign, offers an enthusiastic high-five to visitors getting in line to enter the Supreme Court on a day when justices are expected to hand down major rulings on two gay marriage cases that could impact same-sex couples across the country, in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Gay rights activist Bryce Romero, who works for the Human Rights Campaign, offers an enthusiastic high-five to visitors getting in line to enter the Supreme Court on a day when justices are expected to hand down major rulings on two gay marriage cases that could impact same-sex couples across the country, in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Attorney David Boise (C) speaks while flanked by plantiff couples Paul Katami, (L), Jeff Zarillo (2nd L), Sandy Steier (2nd R) and Kris Perry (R) after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional at the Supreme Court, June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled to strike down DOMA and determined the California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage was not properly before them, declining to overturn the lower court's striking down of the law. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Plaintiffs in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the California Proposition 8 case, react on steps of the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after justices cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in California. From left are, Jeff Zarrillo, and his partner Paul Katami, attorney David Boies, and Sandy Stier and her partner Kris Perry. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Michael Knaapen (L) and his husband John Becker react outside the US Supreme Court in Washington DC on June 26, 2013. The US Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a controversial federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in a major victory for supporters of same-sex marriage.The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) had denied married gay and lesbian couples in the United States the same rights and benefits that straight couples have long taken for granted. AFP PHOTO / MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Chase Hardin hugs friend Kai Neander on the steps of the Supreme Court after favorable rulings were issued in same sex marriage cases June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled to strike down DOMA and determined the California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage was not properly before them, declining to overturn the lower court's striking down of the law. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Gay rights supporter Jay Norris, of New York City, holds a U.S. flag outside the U.S. Supreme Court building on June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court is expected to rule on the DOMA and Prop 8 gay marriage cases. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 26: Martha Acevedo, 25, celebrates the Supreme Court ruling after a watch party at Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California, on June 26, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Ellen Pontac, left, and her wife Shelly Bailes, celebrate in Sacramento, Calif., after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage in California, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The 5-4 decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples, like Pontac and Bailes, from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) will now have the same (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Attendees at a watch party in Miami celebrate after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage in California Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Julia Tate, left, kisses her wife, Lisa McMillin, as they read results of Supreme Court decisions regarding gay rights on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. McMillin holds the couple's son, Luke. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Juan Talavera, right, kisses his partner Jeff Ronci after the announcement of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling at a watch party in Miami, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Renata Moreira, right, and partner Lori Bilella cheer after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage in California, at San Francisco's City Hall on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. The couple plans to marry. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 26: Erica Ikeda (C), 26, and Jessica Parral (R), 24, react to the Supreme Court ruling at a watch party at Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California, on June 26, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 26: Brandon Benoit (C) hugs Martha Acevedo (L), 25, and Briana Castaneda, 23, as they celebrate the Supreme Court ruling at a watch party at Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California, on June 26, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 26: People celebrate in the street after the Supreme Court ruling at a watch party at Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California, on June 26, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 26: Supporters of same-sex marriage cheer as they learn results of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on gay marriage in City Hall June 26, 2013 in San Francisco, United States. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 26: Same-sex couple Sue Rochman (L) and Robin Romdalvik celebrate upon hearing the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on gay marriage in City Hall June 26, 2013 in San Francisco, United States. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Gay rights activists reacts outside the US Supreme Court building in Washington DC on June 26, 2013, after the court ruling on California's Proposition 8, the controversial ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. AFP PHOTO / MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 26: Erica Ikeda (C), 26, and her friends react to the Supreme Court ruling at a watch party at Equality California, a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California, on June 26, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ruled that supporters of California's ban on gay marriage, Proposition 8, could not defend it before the Supreme Court. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

John Lewis, left, gets a kiss from his partner Stuart Gaffney as they embrace after the Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California at the office of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee at City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits. The other was a technical legal ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court's declaration that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Plaintiff couple Sandy Stier (C) and Kris Perry (L) arrive for their Proposition 8 case before the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court is expected to rule on the DOMA and Prop 8 gay marriage cases. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Gay rights supporters Brian Sprague (L) and Charlie Ferrusi, from Albany, New York, hold a Human Rights flag outside U.S. Supreme Court building on June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court is expected to rule on the DOMA and Prop 8 gay marriage cases. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Gay rights supporter Vin Testa waves a rainbow flag outside the U.S. Supreme Court building on June 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court is expected to rule on the DOMA and Prop 8 gay marriage cases. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Gay rights activists gather outside the US Supreme Court building in Washington, DC on June 26, 2013. The US Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a controversial federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in a major victory for supporters of same-sex marriage.The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) had denied married gay and lesbian couples in the United States the same rights and benefits that straight couples have long taken for granted. AFP PHOTO / MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

American University students Sharon Burk, left, and Molly Wagner, embrace outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after the court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California by holding that defenders of California's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal lower court rulings striking down the ban. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Arriving at the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, on a final day for decisions in two gay marriage cases are plaintiffs in the California Proposition 8 case, from left, Paul Katami, his partner Jeff Zarrillo, and Sandy Stier and her partner Kris Perry. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Michael Knaapen, left, and his husband John Becker, right, embrace outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 after the court struck down a federal provision denying benefits to legally married gay couples. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

American University students Sharon Burk, left, and Molly Wagner participate in a rally for rights for gay couples in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after the court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California by holding that defenders of California's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal lower court rulings striking down the ban. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Supporters of gay marriage embrace outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after the court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California by holding that defenders of California's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal lower court rulings striking down the ban. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) spotted in the crowd during the SCOTUS decisions on June 26

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/gay-marriage-church-religion-prop-8-doma_n_3469191.html

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gdgt's best deals for June 26th: Panasonic 42-inch LED HDTV, Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard

Ready to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our sister site gdgt track price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long.

Today's hottest deals include a 42-inch Panasonic 1080p LED HDTV and a Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated keyboard, both of which have plummeted to low prices. Both products are well-reviewed, with the Panasonic wowing Amazon customers and the keyboard earning a top gdgt score. Want the latest deals delivered to your inbox? Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list. Every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/mDoGbH7sQw4/

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Palestinians protest Israeli closure of theater

JERUSALEM (AP) ? Palestinians are protesting Israel's closing of their national theater in Jerusalem during a planned children's festival.

Administrator Majed Mani of the Hakawati Theater complained that officials from Israel's Ministry of Public Security ordered the theater closed for eight days, canceling the festival, set to feature puppet shows and plays.

Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said Tuesday that organizers took funds from the Palestinian Authority, which has self-rule over Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital, including the eastern section of the city seized in the 1967 Mideast war. It doesn't allow the Palestinian Authority to fund activities there.

Palestinians claim east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/palestinians-protest-israeli-closure-theater-152721354.html

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Video: Madden, Davis dot Raiders' Mount Rushmore

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/52300718#52300718

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This 39-Inch 4K TV Only Costs $700

Earlier this year, Seiki announced a 50-inch 4K TV that went on to sell for less than $1000. Now, the bar has dropped again?and its latest 4K set will retail for just $700.

That is crazy cheap for a 4K TV, however you look at it. Sure, it's only 39 inches, which seems a little small to take full advantage of the incredible resolution. And sure, it's made by Seiki, so it's perhaps never going to be able to compete directly with the likes of Sony.

But we reiterate: it costs $700. And when our very own Mario Aguilar got the chance to spend some time with the larger, 50-inch set, he was suitably impressed. So if you're in the market for a fancy new box but are on a budget, this could be just the thing. Pre-orders start at Sears on June 27th. [Seiki via Engadget]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/this-39-inch-4k-tv-only-costs-700-569125116

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Ashton Kutcher Dons The Turtleneck And Jeans In First 'Jobs' Trailer

After a few months of questioning when we would all see the Steve Jobs biopic starring Ashton Kutcher that debuted at Sundance in January, "Jobs" now has a release date and a first trailer (via Yahoo! Movies) to boot. The trailer certainly evokes memories of the recent tech start-up story, "The Social Network," but the [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/06/24/ashton-kutcher-jobs-trailer/

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New Samsung tablets mimic Galaxy phones

The 10-inch model of Samsung Electronics Company's new Galaxy Tab 3 series tablet computer is seen in an undated photo provided by Samsung. Samsung Electronics Co., the second-largest maker of tablets after Apple, is putting three new tablets in the Galaxy Tab 3 series on sale in the U.S. on July 7, making its tablet computers look more like its hit Galaxy phones in the hope that the success of the smartphones can boost tablet sales. (AP Photo/Samsung Electronics Co.)

The 10-inch model of Samsung Electronics Company's new Galaxy Tab 3 series tablet computer is seen in an undated photo provided by Samsung. Samsung Electronics Co., the second-largest maker of tablets after Apple, is putting three new tablets in the Galaxy Tab 3 series on sale in the U.S. on July 7, making its tablet computers look more like its hit Galaxy phones in the hope that the success of the smartphones can boost tablet sales. (AP Photo/Samsung Electronics Co.)

The 7-inch model of Samsung Electronics Company's new Galaxy Tab 3 series tablet computer is seen in an undated photo provided by Samsung. Samsung Electronics Co., the second-largest maker of tablets after Apple, is putting three new tablets in the Galaxy Tab 3 series on sale in the U.S. on July 7, making its tablet computers look more like its hit Galaxy phones in the hope that the success of the smartphones can boost tablet sales. The cheapest, $199 device will have a screen that measures 7 inches (18 centimeters) diagonally. An 8-inch (20-centimeter) model will go for $299 and a 10-inch one for $399. (AP Photo/Samsung Electronics Co.)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Samsung is expanding its lineup of tablet computers and making them look more like its Galaxy smartphones, as it hopes to translate its success in phones to the tablet market, where Apple is dominant.

Samsung Electronics Co., the second-largest maker of tablets after Apple, on Monday said it is putting three new tablets in the Galaxy Tab 3 series on sale in the U.S. on July 7. The cheapest, a $199 device, will have a screen that measures 7 inches diagonally. An 8-inch model will go for $299 and a 10-inch one for $399.

"Our goal is to attract Galaxy smartphone users, and to make it the ultimate smartphone accessory," said Shoneel Kolhatkar, director of product planning at Samsung Mobile.

The "Tab" line is Samsung's value brand, undercutting the price of similar Apple models. Samsung's premium tablets are in the "Note" line, which include styluses. The 7-inch and 10-inch tablets had "Tab 2" equivalents, but the 8-inch model is new, and coincides closely in size with Apple's iPad Mini, which came out late last year.

The new tablets have the same three buttons on the front as the Galaxy smartphones. Last year's Tab 2 had no physical buttons on the front, as encouraged by Google, which supplies the Android software.

The 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 has 8 gigabytes of storage memory, while the larger models have 16 gigabytes. All of them have card slots for memory expansion.

Samsung and Apple are in a heated tussle when it comes to smartphones and tablets. Each company would like to dominate both markets. Samsung had 18 percent of the global tablet market in the first quarter this year, according to research firm IDC. Apple had 40 percent. In smartphones, the figures are reversed, with Samsung dominating, largely because of its Galaxy line. Apple came in second with a 17 percent market share for the iPhone. In the U.S., however, Samsung is outsold by Amazon.com Inc., with its Kindles.

Forrester Research analyst J.P. Gownder said a hit smartphone traditionally hasn't led buyers to get a tablet from the same manufacturer. He believes Samsung will get a bigger boost from its new mini-stores inside U.S. Best Buy locations. Having a retail environment it can control bridges some of the gap with Apple, which has its own stores.

"Whether you buy it online or in person, people want to touch and feel these products," Gownder said.

Samsung has declined to challenge the iPad on screen resolution. The new tablets have the same resolution as older models, leaving them well behind the iPad and even Samsung's flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone. The 10-inch tablet has a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, compared with 1920 by 1080 for the phone. The smartphone packs in three times more detail in a square inch than the tablet does. (The 8-inch Tab 3 does, however, have a slightly higher screen resolution than the iPad Mini, the closest Apple equivalent.)

Analyst Jeff Orr at ABI Research said that the new Samsung tablets aren't "groundbreaking in any particular direction," it shows the South Korean company is honing a strategy that's been successful in smartphones: producing a wide variety of devices for different customer segments.

"Samsung has certainly shown how that can be accomplished with handsets, and I see more of that occurring now with the Galaxy Tab 3 announcement," Orr said.

With the new models, Samsung will have five tablets on sale in the U.S., compared to two at Apple. In addition, Samsung sells the Galaxy Note II, a phone-tablet crossover device.

The 10-inch model is the first Android-powered Samsung tablet to use an Intel processor. That's a significant win for the Santa Clara, Calif., chipmaker, which has been trying to break into the market for cellphone and tablet chips now that PC sales are slumping. Other smartphones and tablets run chips made by a variety of companies, all based on designs from ARM Holdings PLC, a British company.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2013-06-24-Samsung-Tablets/id-791c3dea4a544211820902cedfb5396a

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Don't bemoan Washington's bogland

With Washington in gridlock on issues from gun regulation to immigration reform, one think tank, the Governing Institute, took note this month that Americans are turning to local and state governments ? as well as each other ? to find common ground in solving problems.

?The sweeping national interventions of the New Deal and the comprehensive federal social legislation of the 1960s have been replaced by a more decentralized approach to governance,? the institute found.

States and cities can more easily pass laws than Congress because of a practical focus and stronger identity as a community. The trend is not confined to governance. As the local-food movement has grown, for example, scholars note that people are 10 times more likely to talk to each other at a farmer?s market than a supermarket. Volunteering has surged. And with car-dependent suburbs growing old, urban life has a new cache, creating new types of bonding that the late scholar Iris Young called the ?being together of strangers.?

RELATED: Alternative currencies reflect users' interests

Over a century ago, the French observer Alexis de Tocqueville was astounded at the ability of Americans to solve problems by forming new associations: ?If it is a question of bringing to light a truth or developing a sentiment with the support of a great example, they associate,? he wrote. Thomas Jefferson referred to volunteer groups as ?little republics.?

Today, trust in state and local government remains high ? above 50 percent ? compared with only 28 percent of Americans who have faith in the federal government, according to the Pew Research Center. As long as states or local laws stay within the US Constitution or federal laws, they can often better reflect the wishes of a larger proportion of voters than many divisive laws passed by Congress.

One good example: States have banded together to create the Common Core State Standards for K-12 education, aiming to replace the much-disliked federal program No Child Left Behind.

Many cities, such as Austin, Texas, and Boston are ?taking on the big issues that Washington won?t, or can?t, solve,? according to a new book, ?The Metropolitan Revolution,? by Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley of the Brookings Institution. A revival of cities has helped them to become sources of innovation, or places where people of diverse backgrounds can more easily share ideas and break down social barriers.

Americans do not lack for a national identity ? just go to a park or parade this Fourth of July. But their problem-solving nature has led them away from seeing Washington as a fixer of all things. Many states and local governments will, of course, fumble the effort or be extremist. If they do, even they may be bypassed.

A search for community bonds and a sense of place will remain stronger than the forms in which those sentiments are expressed. The old affinities of village life find new outlets. Wal-Mart now carries local produce. The Obama White House has a community vegetable garden. And when a Midwest community is devastated by a tornado, people rediscover what binds them and rebuild in fresh and different ways.

RELATED: Hope, resiliency, unity mark tornado anniversary

?As soon as several of the inhabitants of the United States have conceived a sentiment or an idea that they want to produce in the world, they seek each other out; and when they have found each other, they unite,? wrote de Tocqueville.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill would do well to recall these deep traditions. Like any Americans, they too can recapture that wellspring of community.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dont-bemoan-washingtons-bogland-170915871.html

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"Vegan Sellout List" Publicizes, Shames, and Threatens Former Vegans

FIRST PERSON | When I was vegan, I kept my choices mostly to myself, but I was pretty open about one opinion: Militant vegans are the worst enemies of veganism. Notorious groups like PETA and the seemingly ubiquitous "preachy vegan" seem to be everywhere, and they, of course, get a lot more attention than the many vegans who just don't talk that much about their diets. Nothing hammered that opinion in more than seeing myself on a website called "The Vegan Sellout List," which is very rapidly gaining popularity among the militant-vegan crowd.

The Vegan Sellout List features my name, photo, city, and state, and calls me an "Ethical vegan turned unethical carnivore." Linking to an article I wrote five years ago, titled "My Recovery from Veganism" -- in which I express full support of vegan lifestyles but explain that veganism became something of an eating disorder for me and made me very ill -- the Vegan Sellout List offers the following "shameful" information about me: "Craved cow flesh during her pregnancy and went for it. The ones who are insecure about their decision always talk about it the most."

I'm guilty as charged, but I thought the wording was funny, since I don't "talk about it" much at all. In fact, I think that if you polled my friends and family members, only one or two people would recall that I've eaten red meat at all in my adult life (although I'm hiding nothing and am ashamed of nothing). I make no apologies for making the decisions that were best for my body, my mental health, and my then-unborn child. If the purpose of the website was to make me feel ashamed and guilty, it failed miserably at doing so.

In fact, I'd be a saint if the worst thing I ever did in my life was give into a steak craving when I was pregnant with my daughter. I'm actually kind of flattered that the folks behind the Vegan Sellout List think I'm such a good person that the steak I ate more than six years ago is still weighing heavily on my conscience, or that publicly admonishing me for it will make me feel hurt or guilty.

This begs the question: Why is anyone on a mission to collect the names and information of people who tried to be vegan but ultimately didn't maintain the lifestyle? According to the site's authors, the mission is to be "our answer to the epidemic of vegan sellouts -- those who are aware of the suffering caused by meat, dairy, egg, fur, and leather production, yet choose to look away while the animals suffer."

I suppose this is the reason that so many people view veganism as a cult. There are people who view the vegan lifestyle as something you are never allowed to leave. Those of us who do leave this "cult" are sentenced to have our full names, photos, and contact information published publicly in a not-too-subtle implied threat.

I posted a polite response to the Vegan Sellout List, explaining that I'm fully supportive of veganism but believe that the website is counterproductive because it reinforces vegan stereotypes and frightens people into believing that they should never even try veganism because they'll be threatened and publicly admonished should they choose to "go back." My comment was deleted within minutes. I have to admit that I feel genuinely sorry for the people who run this website. It must be a truly miserable existence to spend so much time tracking down, attacking, and censoring anyone whose lifestyle choices aren't identical to your own.

Juniper Russo is a freelance writer, health enthusiast, and dedicated mom living in the southeastern U.S.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/vegan-sellout-list-publicizes-shames-threatens-former-vegans-223000340.html

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