Atheists are not 'determined to force their unbelief on everyone else'. No different than some Christians or Muslims who want to pound their viewpoint down the throats of others, most are not guilty of this attitude. So, just like most, atheists are quite similar. And, no, most are not 'afraid to admit there might be a God that they will one day be accountable to after they die'...that's just your perspective being dumped on someone else as if they think like you. The atheists I've known or read about usually say they simply don't know and firmly believe that most religions are very self-serving and based on older religions and myths, and Christianity is no exception. There are over 120 direct comparisons with the Egyptian religion of over 6000 years ago as well as about 12 other cultures in the Eurasia area since that time before the life of Jesus.

argument can be made regarding 'climate change' which is not a black and white issue; it's incredibly complex and the vast majority of scientists (95+% support including one who was funded by the Koch brothers) support the conclusions to an array of vast issues that major energy corps give lip-service to. I value Lisa Jackson as an engineer and EPA head and don't know what she's currently privy to, however there is a growing body of info that reflects the point I made earlier about the pollutive aspects of 'fracking'. The resources are easy enough to find but I can send them to you. The point is energy technology is a rough, dirty business and is rife with corruption and politics which has nothing to do with you being a 'D' or 'R' or???

Marita...thank you for the feedback and I'll do some more research. I didn't want to just go off on the pipeline but it does have some huge challenges that just can't be ignored. Your figures on the jobs market do reflect the vast discoveries you mentioned, however, the XL is a different matter entirely. Obfuscation is the art employed by big oil and they are experts at info suppression and manipulation; I've several in the industry since my first stint in Vietnam. What I hope for is greater advances in green technology. Right now, the 'energy cartels' want to keep it out and to maintain control...it's an old game Re 'spewing the left's talking points': I've pointed what I've learned with progressive media as well as outside sources. Same

Seriously...do any of you believe that the Koch bros (billionaires) really care about 'free enterprise' and you??!? Get a grip as these 'boys' have a heavy agenda and their 'family' is the wealth elite. Their attempts to manipulate markets is legend and their happy and able to 'pay' their way to make it happen.

Furthermore, Happy Jake, you're making my point, especially when you imply that 'liberal reporting' is biased way beyond any conservative bias. The vast majority of critics (all persuasions) have clearly stated that while MSNBC has a medium level of bias, it pales in comparison to FoxNews and 'right-wing' radio. Fox is just a blatant mouthpiece for conservative views and they deliberately misrepresent news stories doing so for years. They're not dependable for 'facts' and MSNBC still must be scrutinized depending on the pundit...the system is broken, do independent research

USNbubblehead...yes, I'd say you're in a large bubble. A better comparison is the nonsense and corruption of the 'Murdoch empire' and the Koch's have distinguished themselves with regard to using their money to manipulate markets in ways that 'conservatives' would blanche but continue to keep their heads in the sand. Soros has his prejudices not withstanding, but the real problem is that our political system is broken and both sides of the party line are to blame. Those with money and power continue to fuel the 'flames of division', i.e., keeps others busy condemning each other for being a 'liberal' or a 'conservative'...they know how to play the game and comments here show how well they're doing

Neal...laws are made to create an ethical framework upon which a society can function. The issue lies between the lawbreaker and the overall cultural breakdown you're referring to, and the manner in which guns are trafficked. Let's face it...we have an immensely corrupt system with regard to the laws that give large corps license to literally do as they will with minimal accountability which permits abuses too numerous to mention. So it's not true that the only person that can protect you is you; it's all of us working together as a country but right now we're very far away from that reality; money is way too big an incentive to do the 'right thing'...sad place we are in

Great!! Blame the teachers for exactly what's not happening; gun control is about safety and protecting the public. The 'brainwash' is what the NRA is spewing these days. Most of you misinterpret the second amendment's intention re a militia; it's in that context that you can argue self-protection but not so much the push for putting a weapon in every person's hands. The majority of legal gun owners believe there needs to be some controls because deterrents must be established.

OK everybody!! Stop the 'stupidity' about having teachers 'pack' a weapon. Going through training period is fine for basic use but for continuous use of wearing a weapon on the job creates a hyper sensitive environment that most people simply aren't suited for...in other words, you're inviting a major catastrophe. Any real professional police office would tell you that's not a very bright idea and I've spoken to many; they think it's a train-wreck waiting to happen...

OK, though this current Core programs may be a problem, why do you think teens can't answer these questions? Partly because our education system has been dumbed down the other is a huge increase in family dysfunction and insane increase of digital technology in which young minds don't handle well...without direction the 'new technology' promotes a lazy dependency. We art and interactive education back in our schools which are, in actuality, grossly underfunded because of a gross lack of understanding of what is required