Here at MRCTV, we wanted to take a different approach to examining the best stories of 2015.
Page views are a common metric, but we wanted to know which MRCTV stories captured your attention the most. We made a list of the top 15 articles that you spent the most time reading, sharing, and discussing.
We found a mixed bag of funny, ridiculous, serious, and sad stories. Enjoy!
#15 - "House Passes Bills to Defund Abortion Provider, Protect Abortion Survivors" By Brittany M. Hughes
As they promised, House Republicans managed to pass two pro-life bills on Friday – one to defund the taxpayer-subsidized abortion giant Planned Parenthood, the other to increase protections for babies born alive during botched abortions. While they aren't expected to be signed into law -- President Obama has already promised to veto them, and congressional Democrats have the votes to sustain the veto.
#14 - "Donald Trump's War of Words with NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar" By Monica Sanchez
NBA all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote an article in The Washington Post entitled “This is the Difference Between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders,” where he discussed how Trump “attacks the First Amendment’s protection of a free press by menacing journalists.”
#13 - "DEBATE: Trump, Fiorina And Rubio All Over the Map on Russia" By Dan Joseph
There were several memorable moments from last night's GOP Presidential Debate. For some, the stand-out moment was when Carly Fiorina took on Planned Parenthood. For others it was Chris Christie excoriating Trump and Fiorina for arguing over who was the better businessperson, but not focusing enough on the middle class.
#12 - "Rep. Gohmert: Planned Parenthood Has 'Never, Ever, Ever Done One Mammogram'" By Brittany M. Hughes
Speaking on the House floor yesterday, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) claimed Planned Parenthood has “never, ever, ever done one mammogram, because they are not certified to do mammograms.”
Gohmert advocated strongly for stripping Planned Parenthood of its millions in annual federal funding after nearly a dozen undercover videos, recently published by the pro-life Center for Medical Progress, appear to show Planned Parenthood officials haggling over the sale of body parts harvested from aborted babies.
#11 - "Sen. Claire McCaskill Tells Men to 'Shut the Hell Up'" By Ashley Rae Goldenberg
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo) told approximately half of her constituents to “shut the hell up” on “The Late Show” on Monday.
“As one of just 20 women currently serving the Senate, it’s important for me to encourage more women to run for office.” McCaskill began. “But equally important, is encouraging more men to, sometimes, just shut the hell up.”
#10 - "SCHULTZ: 'What's Your Favorite' Liberal Policy?" By Dan Joseph
So what do you think people? What's your favorite liberal policy achievement? Obamacare? The recent government takeover of the Internet? Segregation? There are so many to choose from! Vote for your all time favorite and let Debbie know which one of the Democrat's brilliant policies has helped our country the most.
#9 - "Over Two Decades Ago, One Brave Man Stood Up To Communist Tyranny" By Tyler McNally
Over two-and-a-half decades ago, one man unknowingly became the subject of one of the most iconic pictures of all time.
Thursday marked the 26th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, during which hundreds - possibly thousands - of students were killed standing up to the Chinese military for failing their people for years.
They cried for political reform during a time when the Chinese economy was in shambles.
Amid the hardship and struggle, this man served as a catalyst for change.
#8 - "Close Call Lights Up the Sky in Dublin" By Tyler McNally
The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Dublin had a close call when an lightning strike occurred right outside one of its buildings.
Caught on camera, the truly awesome strike lit up the sky, causing a loud explosion as the bolt appears to hit another building.
#7 - "Florida Middle School Sends Student to Detention For Hugging a Fellow Student" By Ben Graham
A young eighth-grade girl in Oviedo, Fla., has been frightened into submission after a strict school policy against hugging landed her in detention.
Ella, a student at Jackson Heights Middle School, was shocked when her school disciplined her for hugging a fellow student before class.
"I just, like, hugged them. It was literally for a second,” said Ella.
#6 - "Gallup: America's Biggest Problem of 2014 was Government, not Economy" By Barbara Boland
Americans say the “most important problem” the United States faces is the government – a first according to Gallup.
Throughout 2014, an average of 18 percent of Americans identified the “government/Congress/politicians” as the country’s biggest problem, 17 percent said the biggest problem was the “economy in general,” 15 percent said it was “unemployment/jobs,” and 10 percent said it was “healthcare.”
#5 - "Houston Teacher Under Fire for Student Handout on Radical Islam" By Monica Sanchez
A Foster High School teacher is under fire and being called “anti-Muslim” for providing her classroom with a handout discussing Islam and Islamic extremism.
The teacher is accused of making "independent changes to a lesson plan" and "unsubstantiated claims" in the controversial material she distributed to students.
The eight-page handout includes claims such as:
- “38% of Muslims believe people that leave the faith should be executed.”
- "There are an estimated 190-300 million 'radical Islamic' followers."
- “Recent research has shown no evidence that poverty leads to joining or supporting militant organizations or movements.”
#4 - "Grandma Pranked: 'I About Had a Heart Attack'" By Tyler McNally
#3 - "Obama: I'll Start Obeying the Law IF You Pass One I Like" By Craig Bannister (NOTE: Published in 2014, but still had enough impact to be included on this list in 2015!)
Pres. Obama said today that he will begin respecting limits on his authority once Congress passes an immigration bill he likes.
In his weekly address, entitled “Immigration Accountability Executive Action,” Obama responded to those who criticize him for exceeding his authority by issuing an executive order changing immigration law:
“As you might have heard, there are Members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better. Well, I have one answer for that: Pass a bill. The day I sign it into law, the actions I’ve taken to help solve this problem will no longer be necessary.”
#2 - "Feminists: 'End the Shame' of Having STDs, No Worse Than Common Cold" By Ashley Rae Goldenberg
Feminists are on a mission to help “end the shame” associated with having a sexually transmitted disease.
In a new episode of Style Like U’s “What’s Underneath,” sex writer Ella Dawson publicly divulged her herpes status.
“For me, the work I’m doing is so shaped by my feminism, and by my personal experience, that I don’t know how you can talk about STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) stigma and herpes stigma without talking about slut-shaming,” Dawson says as she begins to remove articles of clothing.
#1 - "UK University Forced to Cancel 'International Men's day' Observance Because it Isn't About Women" By Ashley Rae Goldenberg
The University of York has issued an apology for having the audacity to observe International Men’s Day. The move comes after feminists complained that the event is not about them.
The original event listing—which has since been removed and replaced with the apology—described International Men’s Day as an holiday dedicated to “highlighting some of the issues that have an adverse impact on equality for men.”
So, now we wait to see what 2016 will bring!