Link: http://front.moveon.org/the-truth-about-the-minimum-wage-that-will-make-you-gasp/?rc=daily.share&id=37502-1211398-9pRz80x

This is astounding. And it makes you wonder: what does it take to get ahead in this country?

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/03/16-8

Humans: Large brains, small bodies. Not extinct. Not yet, anyway. Our large brains, however, have created a world bathed in chemicals, engineered foods, plastic environments with poisons that surround us and invade all parts of the natural world -- and our own bodies.

Link: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107098

A group of young lawyers in Brazil’s public prosecutor’s office are seeking to break through the wall created by the amnesty law that blocks the investigation and prosecution of serious human rights violations committed during the country’s 21-year military dictatorship.

Link: http://www.alternet.org/story/154577/5_freedom-killing_tactics_police_will_use_to_crack_down_on_protests_in_2012/

Across America many cities and police forces are eyeing new ways to crack down on protesters. The First Amendment right to assemble and protest is going to get a black eye in 2012—as it has every time there has been an upsurge in America’s social justice movements. Already in city after city, protesters and civil rights lawyers are troubled by proposed and newly enacted anti-protest rules, many of which are likely to be found unconstitutional if they have their day in court.

Link: http://www.aclu.org/blog/religion-belief-lgbt-rights-reproductive-freedom/march-madness-tennessee-legislature-takes

A proposed law currently under consideration by the Tennessee legislature seeks to gut science education by purporting to give public school teachers the freedom to help students think critically about the scientific theory of evolution through a review of its "strengths" and "weaknesses."

Link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Link: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30836.htm

Gas prices continue to rise, which is finally giving Republicans an issue. Mitt Romney is demanding the President open up more domestic drilling; the super PAC behind Rick Santorum just released a new ad in Louisiana blasting the President on gas prices; and the GOP is attacking the White House on the Keystone XL Pipeline. But the rise in gas prices has almost nothing to do with energy policy. It has everything to do with America’s continuing failure to adequately regulate Wall Street. But don’t hold your breath waiting for Republicans to tell the truth.

Link: http://bellaciao.org/en/spip.php?article21805

There is a great controversy that is raging between good and evil at the soda fountain or pop machine but the general public does not seem to be aware of it. The implications or consequences of the dietary changes that have occurred since introduction of artificial sweeteners into our lives has dramatically increased but in many cases, silently. However, there are countless medical doctors, scientists and researchers that are aware of the effects but their voices are largely drowned out by the industry.

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/03/16-7

Shaye was subsequently arrested and likely tortured by Yemeni authorities, who charged and convicted him on terrorism charges. The case has drawn international attention, with media and human rights groups denouncing the trial. Pressure inside Yemen seemed to be working, and a pardon was ready for then-president Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign. Shaye has "risked his life to travel to areas controlled by Al-Qaeda and to interview its leaders." Enter Barack Obama, who "expressed concern" over Shaye's release. The pardon was shelved; as Scahill reports:

Link: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/03/16-12

Get ready for the protests. Get ready for the warm American spring — and maybe a hot summer and fall. Vast economic inequality has not disappeared and, in a presidential election year, the supremacy of money in politics will be extravagantly displayed.