Senate Changes Rules for the Filibuster

GOP abuse of the system results in rule change to usage of the filibuster.
Only applies to Presidential appointments.

"Reid said that of 128 filibusters of nominees in the history of the Senate, half had occurred during the Obama administration."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/21/harry-reid-senate-rules-republican-filibusters-nominations?commentpage=1

Open-plan Office

Story/Study on open-plan offices.

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2013/nov/18/open-plan-offices-bad-harvard-business-review

Highly Amusing Comment (from the website, not mine...):
I hate working in an open plan office. Everyone at work seems to fap over it like it's the best thing since sliced bread or discovering the joys of love making. Truth is I hate dealing with other people, and there's always the danger of getting dragged into some dismal corporate activity by some beaming, enthusiastic, annoyingly symetrical 20 something who was just born to be hated. I wish bosses would just wake up and realise that nobody wants to get involved in the corporate environment and just fuck off and leave everyone alone till you decide to lay a load of us off so you can fuck the jobs off to India. Individual space for everyone, fuck the world.

Eliminate Poverty: Government to provide a Basic Income to all Americans

Article in Slate on providing a basic income to all Americans. Could address food and possibly other issues such as housing, healthcare, and utilities. Switzerland has some plans for a broader program, something like 2000 Euros for every citizen per month. Imagine would provide a huge boost to the economy and lower the crime rate significantly.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2013/11/17/american_basic_income_an_end_to_poverty.html

Life in Prison for Shoplifting

A felony for shoplifting items over $100 and life in prison. Sound reasonable?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/13/us-prisoners-sentences-life-non-violent-crimes

John Stewart on the ACA

John Stewart on the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare in some circles).
What is so wrong with logic and the truth? When people do lie it destroys their credibility (at least with me).
I'd consider Obama misinformed/selling a program we need so can't hold these misstatements against him.
The others shown however, have absolutely no morals nor ethics.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2013/11/06/jon-stewart-of-the-daily-show-calls-obama-somewhat-dishonest-accuses-opponents-of-lying/?hpid=z3

Kenya's Marathon Runners

Article on how Kenya produces the best marathon runners.
In the history of the marathon, 17 US citizens have run a marathon in under 2:10.
This year 70 runners from Kenya have broken 2:10.
Article goes on to explore if there is a genetic factor involved.
In the end, they determine it is one's endurance of pain as the differentiating factor. When they are teenagers, the Kalenjin undergo a whole series of tests before they enter adulthood. The majority entail enuring high degrees of pain. Their developed ability to tolerate pain makes them able to endure the hardships associated with long distance running. A Kenyan man and woman each won the New York City marathon this weekend.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/11/01/241895965/how-one-kenyan-tribe-produces-the-worlds-best-runners