Sex Ed? Palins Flunk Again

Posted on Jul 23, 2011

Sarah Palin’s strict views have turned her into a grandma for the second time; al-Qaida takes a page out of Disney’s book to recruit children; meanwhile, Facebook fights Google+ by adding news to its online community. These discoveries and more, below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top.

Sarah Palin’s Views on Abstinence Lead to Second Grandchild
In a not so surprising turn-of-events, the news that Sarah Palin’s son Track is expecting a baby with his wife Britta was just released.

At least 1,400 arrests for antiwar dissent, but who’s counting? Not the press
The national news media almost totally ignore homefront protests of the Afghanistan war, killer drones, torture, and more, regardless of their newsworthiness. By its lack of coverage, isn’t the press thus helping perpetuate an endless war?

Winklevosses Lash Out Over ‘Asshole’ Comment
Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are lashing out at Larry Summers after the former Harvard president poked fun at them during an interview on Tuesday and called them “assholes.”

Al-Qaida plans cartoon recruiting film for kids
An al-Qaida affiliate says it plans to roll out what some have called a Disney-like animated cartoon aimed at recruiting children to the terror network.

Romance Novels Blamed for Sexual Health Problems
Psychologist says that “a huge number of the issues that we see in our clinics and therapy rooms are influenced by romantic fiction.”

Facebook Is Getting Into the News Business
In response to the threat that Google+ poses, Facebook is thinking less and less about how to increase its number of users and more about how to get current users to live more of their lives within its virtual walls.

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