The politics of McMansions and urban enclaves and other news and views for Saturday 14 June

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  • Political Polarization and Personal Life – Liberals and conservatives are divided over more than just politics. Those on the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum disagree about everything from the type of community in which they prefer to live to the type of people they would welcome into their families. It is an enduring stereotype – conservatives prefer suburban McMansions while liberals like urban enclaves – but one that is grounded in reality. Given the choice, three-quarters (75%) of consistent conservatives say they would opt to live in a community where “the houses are larger and farther apart, but schools, stores and restaurants are several miles away,” and just 22% say they’d choose to live where “the houses are smaller and closer to each other, but schools, stores and restaurants are within walking distance.” The preferences of consistent liberals are almost the exact inverse, with 77% preferring the smaller house closer to amenities, and just 21% opting for more square footage farther away.
  • Tract Issued By Theologians Takes On Money In Politics
  • The World (fizzy drink) Cup 2014 - From The Lancet – “To the dismay of public health experts, it has become common to see fast-food and sugary drinks companies sponsoring major sporting events. The 2014 FIFA World Cup, which started this week in Brazil, is no exception … Supporting physical activity and healthy eating efforts should be a natural link for a sporting federation. Kicking the unhealthy sponsorship habit, FIFA, would be an excellent start.”
  • Can A Female Politician Be Insulted Without It Being Sexist? –  The talk on the streets of Brazil is the host country’s resounding victory over Croatia on the World Cup pitch. But online, debate is raging over whether or not chants directed against Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff at the stadium where she was attending yesterday’s match were sexist. After the opening ceremony, fans briefly started jeering “Hey, Dilma, go f*** yourself in the a**! Hey, FIFA, go f*** yourself in the a**!”
14-06-2014 bukharajuice

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