Monday Links for 5.25.2015

Some interesting stories I read in the past week...

The Awful Truth About Climate Change - Good summary from Vox regarding their harsh reality we face with climate change, and how our systems of politics are not well equipped to address those realities.

We Have No Idea What Inequality Looks Like - Or more specifically, we all have different ideas in our heads when asked what income inequality looks like. The point in the article, that it's hard to agree on if and what action should be taken (which will be a hot topic with the pending 2016 elections) if we don't agree what income equality is, is well made.

A Father's Initiative - interesting read from the Washington Post on a fatherhood program in Milwaukee as a result of a policy initiative from President Obama. Just a good read to start to understand the different background and realities people in our country face.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Conversation - A short conversation with one of the most popular scientists in the world today.  I always find Tyson to be thoughtful and insightful, and this conversation is no different.

President Obama on ISIS, Iran, and Israel - Speaking of conversations, this, between The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg and President Obama, on Middle East foreign policy, is definitely worth the time. Insightful into the President's thinking, and highly informative on general.

Entering the Cuban Time Machine - I read a lot this week I found interesting, and this I think was the most fascinating. A recent visitor to Cuba shares the experiences, the discussions with locals, and other tidbits ahead of the official thawing of relationships between the U.S. and Cuba. Informative and interesting.

Military Tributes at Baseball Games - Anyone who watches sports knows that there are frequently tributes to our nation's veterans before our during games. This has increased significantly since 9/11. What this article discusses is whether this is actually a good thing is not. Does it's almost ubiquitous presence at these events lessen its impact and significance, so that it becomes  perfunctory? Or does it help continue to bring awareness to veteran's issues, which can easily be forgotten if/when wars cease? There are no easy answers, but this is a discussion worth having I think. I tend to lean towards that over doing the honoring events truly risks making them ring hollow, but it's a hard discussion either way.