Valerie Tarico – God as the Original Terrorist: How the Bible Condones Atrocious Acts of Terror

Last fall, Dutch pranksters put a cover from a Quran over a Bible and then asked passersby [3] to read aloud homophobic, violent or sexist passages that violate modern moral sensibilities. The texts shocked people who had never immersed themselves in the Iron Age world of the Bible writers, a world in which daughters can be sold as sexual slaves [4] …

China Not Facing ‘Cataclysmic’ Economic Slow Down, Says Stiglitz

China isn’t facing a “cataclysmic” economic slowdown and last week’s market turmoil was more about badly designed stock market circuit breakers, said Nobel-prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz. The circuit breakers, which caused local exchanges to close early on two days last week after stocks plunged to a 7 percent limit, weren’t as well designed as they could be, Stiglitz, a professor …

Charles Pierce – The U.S. Military Is Determined to Dodge Responsibility for the Afghan Airstrike

There goes that pesky passive voice again. It truly is one of the world’s most deadly serial killers.​ “I’ve ordered a thorough investigation into this tragic incident and the investigation is ongoing,” U.S. Army Gen. John Campbell said. “The Afghans ordered the same. If errors were committed we’ll acknowledge them. We’ll hold those responsible accountable and we will take steps to ensure …