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Hello

This site’s been created in the hope that knowledge is power, and the
certainty that ignorance is its antithesis.   It’s mainly a compilation
of information and insight from various sources that I thought worth
passing along.

I’ll be tossing in my overvalued two cents, as well (denoted
by asterisks).   That said, I’d like to think I’m smart enough to know
what I don’t know, and that I’ll make that clear when necessary.

I’m happy to hear from folks.   Disagreement is welcome, but only if
it’s civil.  You can be as vociferous as you wish, but personal attacks
will simply be flushed as soon as they’re apparent.

Let’s do the mensch thing.

Make sense?   If so, you can leave a comment here, or reach me via email at unlikelysource@gmail.com, on Twitter at @aspiringmensch, or at my Facebook page at https://facebook.com/unlikelysource.

And a note on DEMOCRACY NOW! posts:

I may be stating the obvious, but it’s a good idea to check the DN!
Headlines every weekday.

There’s a link to them at the top right of each segment I post, or of
course you can go directly to the program site at https://www.democracynow.org on those days when nothing is posted.

And in addition to what’s here, I occasionally receive responses to my comments at sites such as Common Dreams, The Real News Network and the FAIR Blog, which I reply to.

If you’re interested in those, just click on the page link and search on “Doug Latimer” in the comments section to read them.

Thanks for visiting.   I hope you’ll find it worth your while.

—————–

ADDED 10/27/11 —  THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES page, where I park aphorisms et alia that I think are worth their own separate space.

See if you agree.

—————–

5/10/15 — Lately, I’ve been including a good bit of health and nutrition intel here, and I do see it intimately related to the other issues extant.

The posts on the duplicity and venality of food and medical corps provide obvious parallels, but I also want to focus on what we can do to improve our health, as we can’t follow our principles as assiduously as we’re obligated to if we’re not in the best condition we can be.

That said, I want to be clear that I’m no expert in these fields.  I’m trying to learn, and unlearn, what I need to do to be healthy.  In doing so, I may wander down some dead ends.  I present this information with the entreaty that you accord it both serious consideration and scrutiny.

What makes seeming sense today may be disproved tomorrow.  What appears outlandish in the present could well be validated in the future.

I hope what I pass along will be of benefit to you.

—————–

* Do what your conscience demands

And your courage allows

And never be satisfied with the limits of either *

 

 

 

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May 2019

5.23

‘What Could Be More Important?’: World Leaders, Media Ignore Biodiversity Report Detailing Mass Extinction Event Now Underway
“The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Are we royally rogered?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/what-could-be-more-important-world-leaders-media-ignore-biodiversity-report

‘Vague, Overly Broad, and Sweeping in Scope’: Lawsuits Take Aim at Efforts to Criminalize Anti-Pipeline Protests
“It’s hard to convince or even ask people with children to organize against pipelines if a mother will risk a felony”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The protest to prison pipeline, or the pipeline protest to prison

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/23/vague-overly-broad-and-sweeping-scope-lawsuits-take-aim-efforts-criminalize-anti
—

The Real News Network
How the U.S. Crackdown on Abortion Laws Influences Other Countries
As Americans struggle to decide the fate of reproductive rights state by state, the U.S. government has imposed a “Gag Rule” that would remove U.S. federal funding from any country or international organization that provides abortions or even advises women that abortion is their choice

*”Certainly I think the United States has been looked to as a leader when it comes to human rights and civil rights.”

Then why would there have been any need for your organization?

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-the-u-s-crackdown-on-abortion-laws-influences-other-countries

Guaidó Out of Gas (1/2)
After several US backed failed coup attempts, Juan Guaidó sends an envoy to Oslo to join opposition for talks with the government. Former Chief of Staff to Nicolás Maduro, Temir Porras joins Sharmini Peries for analysis

https://therealnews.com/stories/guaido-out-of-gas-1-2

Guaidó Out of Gas (2/2 )
The US has failed in its regime change venture in Venezuela. Former Chief of Staff to Nicolás Maduro, Temir Porras joins Sharmini Peries for analysis

*Or perhaps they’re simply buying time to revise their strategy, before declaring negotiations “useless” and implementing Plan B?

https://therealnews.com/stories/guaido-out-of-gas-2-2

There Are no Nation-States, Only Corporate Global Governors (1/2)
While in the past transnational corporations were powerful actors, there were at least formal governors of national states; not anymore in the current ‘multi-stakeholder’ organization of globalization, as described by Harris Gleckman

*Voluntary manslaughter

https://therealnews.com/stories/there-are-no-nation-states-only-corporate-global-governors-pt-1-2

Chicago’s New Mayor to End Water Shutoffs
The move will help tens of thousands who are struggling with rapidly increasing bills, but there is still work to be done to make Chicago’s water affordable, says organizer Jenya Polozova

https://therealnews.com/stories/chicagos-new-mayor-to-end-water-shutoffs
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Arguments for Taxing Wall Street Trading

http://accuracy.org/release/arguments-for-taxing-wall-street-trading
—

Democracy Now!
Allan Nairn: Deadly Protests Erupt in Indonesia as U.S.-Trained Generals Wage a War on Democracy

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/23/allan_nairn_deadly_protests_erupt_in

Allan Nairn: Impeachment Inquiry Should Focus on Trump’s Actual Atrocities, Not a Russia Plot

*Nairn’s spot on, but not due to Mueller’s “integrity”. He’d find (or not find) whatever serves his political allegiance, as he has throughout his “career”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/23/allan_nairn_impeachment_inquiry_should_focus

“India Loses Again, and the World Loses with It”: Siddhartha Deb on Modi’s Landslide Re-election

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/23/india_loses_again_and_the_world

5.22

Blaming Dead Pilots Brought to You by Boeing
Why would they do this? To shift the blame. After all, there is an active criminal investigation focused directly on Boeing and the responsible executives.
by Russell Mokhiber

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/blaming-dead-pilots-brought-you-boeing
–

Foreign Aid That Costs an Arm and a Leg — Literally
The U.S.-funded Israeli military is shooting so many unarmed Palestinians that the UN is warning of an amputation crisis in Gaza
by Phyllis Bennis

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/foreign-aid-costs-arm-and-leg-literally
–

America Needs a Long-Term Care Program for Seniors
By 2035, seniors will outnumber children. A new plan in Washington state shows how we can care for them — and for their caretakers
by Sarah Anderson

*The bitter fruit of elders buried

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/22/america-needs-long-term-care-program-seniors
—

ACLU
HUD Moves to Allow Anti-Trans Discrimination in Federally Funded Homeless Shelters

*A stitch away from a scarlet “T”

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/22/hud-moves-allow-anti-trans-discrimination-federally-funded-homeless-shelters

Fight for the Future
Telecom-Friendly House Democrats Are Pushing a Letter to Undermine Net Neutrality

*So now, what’s worse

That these reps are so stupid as to be taken in by this transparent scam

Or that they’re so corrupt that they’re in on it?

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/22/telecom-friendly-house-democrats-are-pushing-letter-undermine-net-neutrality
—

The Real News Network
Without Medicare for All, the Healthcare System Will Collapse – Wendell Potter RAI (7/7)
The healthcare system is unsustainable; without a Medicare for All system, only the wealthiest will be able to afford decent care – Wendell Potter on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Will the full frontal assault of the corpress on universal healthcare cloud enough minds to keep it in the closet?

The futhermuckers are bound and determined to find out.

https://therealnews.com/stories/without-medicare-for-all-the-healthcare-system-will-collapse-wendell-potter-rai-7-7

44 States File Suit Against Drug Companies for Inflating Prices
Ending patent monopolies and prosecuting big pharma will drive prescription drug prices down, says Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works

*A patent on pleonexia (look it up)

https://therealnews.com/stories/44-states-file-suit-against-drug-companies-for-inflating-prices

Waiting for Guaido (2/7)
Why did Edgardo Lander and the Citizens Platform for the Defense of the Constitution meet with Juan Guaidó? The potential for violence, military intervention, and even civil war, made it important to find ways to de-escalate, says Lander

https://therealnews.com/stories/waiting-for-guaido-pt-2-7

Canada’s Anti-Venezuela Policy: A Result of Material Interests and US Subordination
Canada has followed the Trump administration’s lead on Venezuela, but it’s charting a very different path with regard to Cuba. Yves Engler explains that while there are material reasons for the difference, Canada has followed the U.S. lead for a long time

*”Good cops” still carry Tasers

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadas-anti-venezuela-policy-a-result-of-material-interests-and-us-subordination
—

Petition
Fight for $15
McDonald’s is FAILING to protect workers from violence in their stores

https://fightfor15.org/s-petition/mcdonalds-violence-petition
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
New Assessments from Leading Scientist Accuse OPCW Leadership of Rigging on Alleged Syrian Chemical Weapons Attacks Used to Justify U.S. Bombings

*Gulf of Toxin

http://accuracy.org/release/new-assessments-from-leading-scientist-accuse-opcw-leadership-of-rigging-on-alleged-syrian-chemical-weapons-attacks-used-to-justify-u-s-bombings
—

FAIR
WaPo Hypes ‘Space Capitalists’—One of Whom Owns the Paper
by Julianne Tveten

*Paving a (sociopath)way to the stars

https://fair.org/home/wapo-hypes-space-capitalists-one-of-whom-owns-the-paper
—

Democracy Now!
How ICE Is Using Solitary Confinement to Punish Asylum Seekers, Including LGBT & Disabled Immigrants

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/22/solitary_voices_ice_is_using_solitary

“Modern-Day Indentured Servitude”: How Predatory Lenders Devastated New York City’s Taxi Drivers

*Taxi to the dark side

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/22/modern_day_indentured_servitude_how_predatory

5.21

The Real News Network
Wendell Potter RAI (6/7)
Wall Street demands medical insurance companies maintain their profits under the Affordable Care Act, which means they get even more aggressive in denying coverage and creating insurance models that under-insure patients – Wendell Potter on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*This trope about Congressional ignorance of this sinister scam is horsesh t, unless you deem it wilful ignorance. Any pol with an ounce of concern for their constituents would educate themselves ASAP on such grave matters.

Of course, many are perfectly aware, and hold their greedy mitts out for these larcenous vultures’ largesse.

https://therealnews.com/stories/more-die-from-medical-insurance-aggressive-prior-authorization-than-before-aca-wendell-potter-rai-6-7

How Johns Hopkins’ Influence Haunts Baltimore (2/2)
In Part Two, Antero Pietila, author of “The Ghosts Of Johns Hopkins,” discusses recent protests by students, community members and Hopkins employees over the institution’s relationship with Baltimore

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-johns-hopkins-influence-haunts-baltimore-2-2
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Postol: Newly Revealed Documents Show Syrian Chemical “Attacks Were Staged”

http://accuracy.org/release/postol-newly-revealed-documents-show-syrian-chemical-attacks-were-staged

Venezuela Embassy Protectors: Out of Jail, Focusing on Building Peace Movement

http://accuracy.org/release/venezuela-embassy-protectors-out-of-jail-focusing-on-building-peace-movement

Warnings of Venezuela Becoming U.S. Puppet from Honduras Expert

http://accuracy.org/release/warnings-of-venezuela-becoming-us-puppet-from-honduras-expert
—

FAIR
‘We’re Still Going to Be Making Sure People Have Access to Abortions They Want and Need’
CounterSpin interview with Jill Heaviside and Oriaku Njoku on reproductive rights assaults
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/were-still-going-to-be-making-sure-people-have-access-to-abortions-they-want-and-need
—

Democracy Now!
Detained, Abused & Denied Medical Care: How Trump Immigration Policies Led to Child Deaths at Border

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/21/detained_abused_denied_medical_care_how

Jennifer Harbury: Deaths of Guatemalan Children at Border Have Roots in Decades of U.S.-Backed Genocide

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/21/jennifer_harbury_deaths_of_guatemalan_children

Family of Jailed Saudi Feminist Loujain Al-Hathloul: She Was Waterboarded, Flogged & Electrocuted

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/21/family_of_jailed_saudi_feminist_loujain

5.20

Despite Anti-American ‘Baiting’ by NYT, Sanders Makes ‘No Apologies’ for Opposing Reagan-Backed Death Squads
“I plead guilty to, throughout my adult life, doing everything that I can to prevent war and destruction”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”Are you now, or have you ever been, possessed of a conscience?”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/20/despite-anti-american-baiting-nyt-sanders-makes-no-apologies-opposing-reagan-backed
—

Can It Happen Here?
It’s not the hate that’s new. It’s the apparent sense of entitlement.
by Laura Flanders

*”He sees no problem.”

He hasn’t looked in the mirror.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/20/can-it-happen-here
–

From Greta Thunberg to Parkland: Young Activists and the Right-Wing Smear Industry
These attacks have become an industry supposedly rooted in a worldview that worships rights and individual freedoms, but, in actual fact, is rooted in a hatred of activism, principle, and dedication
by Christian Christensen

*The man’s spot on, save for that last sentence.

They *can* imagine the damage

That’s why they try so viciously to do it.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/20/greta-thunberg-parkland-young-activists-and-right-wing-smear-industry
–

The War on Women Is Still On
In Trumpistan, legislative attempts to ban abortion are a blatant sign that women are under attack. In Canada, the war on women is escalating, but slowly and stealthily.
by Antonia Zerbisias

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/20/war-women-still
—

The Real News Network
How Johns Hopkins’ Influence Haunts Baltimore (1/2)
Antero Pietila, author of “The Ghosts Of Johns Hopkins” charts the rise of the influential Baltimore-based university while the city embraced segregation

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-johns-hopkins-influence-haunts-baltimore-pt-1-2

Trump-Bolton Aggression Against Iran Contained by Russia, Japan, China, and EU
Vijay Prashad says the very dangerous statements, economic sanctions and military aggression unleashed by Washington this week against Iran was countered by cool headed diplomacy by Japan, Russia, EU and China

*When it comes to identifying the interests of those caught between the imperial desires of the US and China

The diagnosis must be one of bipolar disorder.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-bolton-aggression-against-iran-contained-by-russia-japan-china-and-eu

Trump’s 2020 Military Budget Is $500 Billion More Than He Claims
If all the hidden parts are added together, the true military budget would be close to $1.25 trillion, says William Hartung of the Center for International Policy

*Patriotism is the preferred refuge of a profiteer

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-2020-military-budget-is-500-billion-more-than-he-claims

New Abortion Laws ‘Go Against Common Sense’
Conservatives have launched a new attack on abortion rights, which go against both medical science and common sense, says Anoa Changa, but the point is to bring the issue to the new conservative Supreme Court majority

https://therealnews.com/stories/new-abortion-laws-go-against-common-sense

Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Is Being Pushed By ‘Islamophobia Industry’
Civil rights lawyer and activist Arjun Singh Sethi says, “Even the CIA actually came out and said it would be a mistake, because in many ways the Muslim Brotherhood more recently has been a force of moderation and democratization in the Middle East”

*I don’t disagree with Sethi’s premise, but I’d have like to have seen a more critical take on the Brotherhood. Positing it as simply “a force of moderation and democratization”, especially in the subheading, is misleading.

As is so often the case, one doesn’t have to accept every accusation against those the West deems “terrorists” or “dictators” to acknowledge their contradictions.

https://therealnews.com/stories/muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-designation-is-being-pushed-by-islamophobia-industry

Trump’s Huawei Ban Confirms ‘Telecommunications Are Geopolitical Weapons’
As Trump warns of the surveillance danger of Huawei, the real concern of consumers should be the fact they are being surveilled by the U.S. government and all tech companies, says Yasha Levine

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-huawei-ban-confirms-telecommunications-are-geopolitical-weapons
—

FAIR
There’s Far More Diversity in Venezuela’s ‘Muzzled’ Media Than in US Corporate Press
by Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz

*Of Orwell and oil wells

https://fair.org/home/theres-far-more-diversity-in-venezuelas-muzzled-media-than-in-us-corporate-press
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Sanders Joins Calls to Break Up Facebook

*Now just how much you reckon that T shirt Zuckie’s wearing cost?

Mine was three bucks at St. Vinnie’s.

http://accuracy.org/release/sanders-joins-calls-to-break-up-facebook
—

Democracy Now!
Bottle of Lies: How Poor FDA Oversight & Fraud in Generic Drug Industry Threaten Patients’ Health

*Has anyone been prosecuted for murder, much less mass murder, for these crimes?

Has the corpress treated these horrors as just that?

Do you think there’s a connection between the latter and the former?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/20/bottle_of_lies_how_poor_fda

Why Did the FDA Go Easy on Generic Drug Makers After Inspections Exposed Quality & Safety Concerns?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/20/why_did_the_fda_go_easy

5.17

‘Speak Up and Be Allies’: Men Asked to Join Women in Sharing Stories of Abortion
“Women should not have to face this fight alone. Men, it’s on us to listen, to speak out, and to take action”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Booker’s posturing, as per usual

But he’s spot on, and men need to be on that spot, side by side with women.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/17/speak-and-be-allies-men-asked-join-women-sharing-stories-abortion

Texas State Bill Would Make Protesting Pipelines a Felony on Par With Attempted Murder
“This needs to be a nation-wide story”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*What I fear is those who do interfere with or “damage” equipment being thrown under the bus by “peaceful protest” groups as a “pragmatic” compromise.

It’d be yet another example of “déjà vu all over again”

And again … and again … and again …

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/17/texas-state-bill-would-make-protesting-pipelines-felony-par-attempted-murder
—

Bill de Blasio Can’t Run for President as a Progressive If He Doesn’t Fire Daniel Pantaleo
This level of moral cowardice is disqualifying for a would-be president
by Carmen Perez

*Perez makes a damning case against this liberal darling, then professes faith in his ability, which would necessitate a desire, to change.

Highly illogical, Captain … but then so is quoting Lewis, given his record in Congress and alignment with the DNCistas.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/bill-de-blasio-cant-run-president-progressive-if-he-doesnt-fire-daniel-pantaleo
–

As Climate Crisis Threatens, Does Ford Have Something to Hide About Its Stance on Emissions Regulations?
It’s time for this top automaker to come clean with its investors
by Madeline Page and Rachel Curley

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/climate-crisis-threatens-does-ford-have-something-hide-about-its-stance-emissions
–

Where Is the Democratic Alternative to Forever War?
by Danny Sjursen

*Man, I wish I’d had Prof. Sjursen grading my papers in college

‘Cause I’d “F” ’em all.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/where-democratic-alternative-forever-war
—

The Real News Network
German Parliament Criminalizes Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement
Germany becomes the first country in the world to criminalize the BDS movement. Shir Hever, TRNN Correspondent in Germany and expert on Palestine-Israel, responds

*Taking a left turn into a democratic dead end

https://therealnews.com/stories/german-parliament-criminalizes-boycott-divestment-and-sanctions-movement

Health Insurance Abuses Continue in Spite of ACA – RAI with Wendell Potter (5/7)
We revisit Wendell Potter’s whistleblowing testimony that exposed how the insurance industry is more interested in pleasing Wall Street than in people’s care, and asked him if these abuses continued after the passing of the ACA–Wendell Potter on Reality Asserts Itself, hosted by Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/health-insurance-abuses-continue-in-spite-of-aca-rai-with-wendell-potter-5-7

What Would It Mean to Win? (2/2)
Bhaskar Sunkara, founder of Jacobin and author of The Socialist Manifesto, explains what socialism could actually look like in the United States in Part 2 of his interview

*There are other critiques I could make, but I’ll restrict myself to the absence of a call for a revolution of values, to an appeal to our better angels, our sense of common and communal humanity, our ability to empathize, and not simply ask, “What’s in it for me?”

Any true transformation of the human condition has to start with that, doesn’t it? Yes, we may be motivated by a desperate need to change our own dire circumstances, but in order to realize that, a spirit of camaraderie is essential. We have to have each other’s backs to move forward, and to do that we have to see ourselves in others, or we won’t hang together as our antagonists seek to hang us separately.

Is that too idealistic? I dearly hope not, for all our sakes.

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-would-it-mean-to-win-pt-2-2

Chelsea Manning Back in Prison After Refusing to Testify
Freed eight days ago, Manning was subpoenaed before a new grand jury investigating Assange. Despite grave danger to her health, she refused to testify, saying she would rather die in prison than change her principles

*Imagine if our “elected representatives” had a fraction of the integrity and courage on display here

And imagine, with exceedingly rare exception, is all we’ve ever been able to do.

https://therealnews.com/stories/chelsea-manning-back-in-prison-after-refusing-to-testify
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Venezuelan Embassy Protectors Arrested in Unprecedented Raid

*Not seeing any “bold” condemnation of this police state of mind from who passes for “progressive” pols in DC, have you?

http://accuracy.org/release/venezuelan-embassy-protectors-arrested-unprecedented-raid
—

FAIR
For Corporate Media, Space Belongs to Washington
by Joshua Cho

*So just how do you become “chief national security correspondent”

Win the Sycophantic Stenographer to the Four Stars contest five years running?

https://fair.org/home/for-corporate-media-space-belongs-to-washington
—

Democracy Now!
What Does a Post-Roe America Look Like? As Anti-Choice Laws Multiply, Many Already Are Living In It

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/17/what_does_a_post_roe_america

Immigrant Activists Maru Mora-Villalpando & Ravi Ragbir Keep Speaking Out Despite Deportation Threat

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/17/immigrant_activists_maru_mora_villalpando_ravi

5.16

Amid GOP Assault on Abortion Rights, DCCC-Backed Fundraiser for Anti-Choice Democrat Blasted as ‘Demeaning to Women’
“At a time when we need every pro-choice voice we can get, this is reprehensible for a leader in the Democratic Party”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It might be enlightening to ask the 337 declared Democratic presidential candidates about this, wouldn’t it?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/16/amid-gop-assault-abortion-rights-dccc-backed-fundraiser-anti-choice-democrat-blasted

Sorry, Critics Tell Warren, Greening US Empire’s “Powerful War Machine” No Answer to Climate Crisis
“Fighting the climate crisis is not about enabling the largest and most powerful military in human history to be more efficient in its destructive missions”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Anyone “shocked” by this hasn’t been paying attention, and despite all the cheerleading for Saint Bernard extant, when push comes to shove, acts such as pimping for obscenely expensive, pollution producing and fault-ridden fighter planes to be manufactured amongst the lovely sugar maples of Vermont isn’t my idea of taking on “imperialism” or the MIC.

But I’m funny that way.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/16/sorry-critics-tell-warren-greening-us-empires-powerful-war-machine-no-answer-climate
—

Trump: Importing Dangerous Medicines and Food and Keeping Consumers in the Dark
Messrs. Trump, Azar, and Perdue better wake up before innocent Americans lose their lives due to corporate indentured government officials failing to properly do their jobs
by Ralph Nader

*In response to Nader’s final question, how many disasters have already done so, to no effect?

A complicit corpress – which may take note of them, only to “false balance” them to death, then move on – bears signal responsibility for that state of affairs.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/16/trump-importing-dangerous-medicines-and-food-and-keeping-consumers-dark
—

The Real News Network
Toronto Residents Face Off Against Google over Waterfront ‘Smart City’
A subsidiary of Google wants to build a ‘Smart City’ on Toronto’s waterfront, but with billions of dollars in real estate and infrastructure at play, residents are pushing back against a proposal that they say could have terrible consequences for public services as well as privacy

*So why are cities starved of funds?

Because they don’t tax corps at necessary and justified levels.

Then they agree to deals like this “to enhance revenue”.

Those collusive carts leave the horses in the dust.

https://therealnews.com/stories/toronto-residents-face-off-against-google-over-waterfront-smart-city

Why Socialism? With Bhaskar Sunkara
Most people know capitalism is unjust. Jacobin founder Bhaskar Sunkara says he wrote “The Socialist Manifesto” to lay out an alternative

*It’s true that many people understand the inherent injustice of capitalism, but there are also many who really don’t know who our antagonists are, and are susceptible to “divide and conquer”. Pounding away on that point is imperative.

But many of those who do suss that reality are still leery of “the state”, and not without reason. We have to make clear what it should be within a socialist paradigm. It is not hierarchical; it is … us. It is the expression and the instrument of our collective will, which is realized through our efforts through the state.

It also isn’t simply a centralized institution. It is comprised of gummint at all levels, but able to coordinate nationally to effect policy across the country.

Couple more points

I’ll give Sunkara the benefit of the doubt, and assume he meant to say, “It isn’t [just] personal corruption or a lack of fortitude, or whatnot”, ’cause empiricism demands that those factors be prominently pronounced when addressing the betrayal of “liberalism”.

Lastly, while it may be true that we are not all responsible for imperialism, we are complicit in it to the degree of our lack of commitment to confronting it, which is massive in these here United States, innit?

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-socialism-with-bhaskar-sunkara

Fight Against Voter Suppression Continues in Georgia
Plaintiffs argue before the GA Supreme Court that malfunctioning voting machines caused tens of thousands of missing votes in the Georgia Lt. Gov. race. What could it mean if this case goes forward?

*What if they gave an election

And nobody gamed?

https://therealnews.com/stories/fight-against-voter-suppression-continues-in-georgia

History Repeats Itself as Corporations Join Big Green to Craft Market-Based Climate Plan
A decade ago, corporations teamed up with environmental groups to create the US Climate Action Partnership. Now they’ve formed the CEO Climate Dialogue, which again will push market-based solutions to the climate crisis.

*The wool may have been dyed green

But the wolves’ hearts are still black

https://therealnews.com/columns/history-repeats-itself-as-corporations-join-big-green-to-craft-market-based-climate-plan
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Venezuelan Embassy: “Outrageous” U.S. Behavior vs “People Power”

http://accuracy.org/release/venezuelan-embassy-outrageous-u-s-behavior-vs-people-power
—

FAIR
‘People With a Lot of Money Are Really Determining What Culture Is’
CounterSpin interview with Amin Husain on decolonizing museums
by Janine Jackson

*Art should be for our sake

https://fair.org/home/people-with-a-lot-of-money-are-really-determining-what-culture-is
—

Democracy Now!
The World Just Took a Major Step To Curb Plastic Pollution, But the U.S. Refused to Join Effort

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/16/the_world_just_took_a_major

5.15

‘This Is Awesome!’: Maine on Track to Ensure More Equitable Access to Abortion With New Insurance Rules
The effort by Maine’s Democrat-controlled Legislature to expand access to the procedure comes as Republican lawmakers in other states work to roll back reproductive rights nationwide
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Great, but how will folks working for “religious employers” be covered?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/15/awesome-maine-track-ensure-more-equitable-access-abortion-new-insurance-rules
—

The Green New Deal Needs an Anti-war Message
Advocates of a Green New Deal must reckon with the fact that our very ability to implement these ambitious climate-saving programs requires the basis of peace
by Arturo Desimone

*Silos never let the sunshine in

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/green-new-deal-needs-anti-war-message
–

Trump’s Potential War With Iran Is All John Bolton’s Doing. But It Might Also Be His Undoing.
The Iranian government knows the national security adviser wants a war, and is banking on the fact that the president doesn’t
by Trita Parsi

*I think the key question is whether anyone with an inkling of what would happen if war comes has an ear in which to whisper in Killer Clown’s tiny little mind.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/trumps-potential-war-iran-all-john-boltons-doing-it-might-also-be-his-undoing
–

Why Everyone in the U.S. Who Counts Wants Julian Assange Dead
It’s not for being a jerk that the Establishment state wants the Wikileaks publisher dead. They want him dead for publishing videos like these.
by Thomas Neuburger

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/15/why-everyone-us-who-counts-wants-julian-assange-dead
—

The Real News Network

Teachers Say Union Election Is Undemocratic
Baltimore educators complained of a ballot that heavily favors incumbent candidates, inconvenient voting hours, and long voting lines
by Jaisal Noor

*Designed by Elections USA

Inspired by Elections DNC

https://therealnews.com/columns/teachers-say-union-election-is-undemocratic

Why Many Venezuelans Are Still Chavistas
Despite the dramatic economic crisis and the constant political conflict in Venezuela, there still is a significant proportion of the population that consider themselves to be “Chavistas.” Ed Augustin examined some of the reasons for this in Caracas

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-many-venezuelans-are-still-chavistas

Guaidó Calls for US Military Cooperation, but few Venezuelans Support the Move
Parallel president and opposition leader Juan Guaidó says he would like to coordinate with the U.S. military, but following his failed April 30 coup attempt, few Venezuelans show interest. Mike Fox reports from Caracas

https://therealnews.com/stories/guaido-calls-for-us-military-cooperation-but-few-venezuelans-support-the-move

Eurovision Artist Boycott Curbed by Qatari Aid
As’ad Abukhalil discusses the role which Qatar plays in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Qatar has saved the Palestinian Authority from financial collapse. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abbas has allied himself with Qatar’s staunch enemy Saudi Arabia

*Pots and kettles

And the fetid stew served up to the starving

https://therealnews.com/stories/eurovision-artist-boycott-curbed-by-qatari-aid

Medical Insurance Companies Can Decide Who Lives and Dies – RAI with Wendell Potter (4/7)
Whistleblower Wendell Potter says the death of a young woman denied care by the insurance company he worked for was a turning point in his life; he says these practices are still taking place under the Affordable Care Act – on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*First do no harm

To our “fiduciary obligation”

https://therealnews.com/stories/medical-insurance-companies-can-decide-who-lives-and-dies-rai-with-wendell-potter-4-7
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Israeli NSO Group Behind WhatsApp Hack Targeting Human Rights Workers

http://accuracy.org/release/israeli-nso-group-behind-whatsapp-hack-targeting-human-rights-workers
—

FAIR
ACTIVISM UPDATE: WaPo Editor Responds on Polio, Pakistan and the CIA
by Jim Naureckas

https://fair.org/home/activism-update-wapo-editor-responds-on-polio-pakistan-and-the-cia

Media Stenography Turns Beheaded Saudi Protesters Into ‘Terrorism’
by Esha Krishnaswamy

*The first law of international reportage

Allies tell no lies

https://fair.org/home/media-stenography-turns-beheaded-saudi-protesters-into-terrorism
—

Democracy Now!
Alabama Passes Near Total Ban on Abortion as Part of “Stealth Campaign” to Overturn Roe v. Wade

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/15/alabama_passes_near_total_ban_on

5.14

‘Disgraceful’: While Reaping $21 Billion Windfall From Trump Tax Cuts, Report Shows, AT&T Slashed 23,000 Jobs
“Taxpayers aren’t going to let AT&T get away with receiving over $21 billion in tax cuts and then destroying the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*With apologies to Led Zep

“Communication shakedown

It’s always the same”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/14/disgraceful-while-reaping-21-billion-windfall-trump-tax-cuts-report-shows-att
—

Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective Defies Unlawful “No Trespass” Order
As this saga of the future of the Venezuela Embassy in Georgetown continues to unfold, history will record this as a key turning point in U.S.-Venezuela relations
by Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright

*Have any members of the congressional “#Resistance” been spotted in the vicinity?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/14/venezuela-embassy-protection-collective-defies-unlawful-no-trespass-order
—

Free Press
Free Press Report and FOIA Documents Expose Trump FCC’s Neglect Toward Puerto Rico

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/14/free-press-report-and-foia-documents-expose-trump-fccs-neglect-toward-puerto

National Nurses United
New Report – Johns Hopkins Hounding Thousands of Patients With Medical Debt Lawsuits, Seizing Wages
Disproportionate impact on African American Baltimore residents

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/14/new-report-johns-hopkins-hounding-thousands-patients-medical-debt-lawsuits
—

The Real News Network
Brazil’s Bolsonaro: ‘Exterminator of the Future’
Alexander Zaitchik discusses the environmental policies of the Brazilian president’s first four months in office as former Brazilian Ministers of Environment warn that he is undoing decades of environmental protection

*Silence, aside from the periodic pimping of “investment opportunities”, from the “free press” in the States

https://therealnews.com/stories/brazils-bolsonaro-exterminator-of-the-future
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
On Iran: U.S. in Danger Being “Sleepwalked into Military Confrontation” by Bolton

http://accuracy.org/release/on-iran-u-s-in-danger-being-sleepwalked-into-military-confrontation-by-bolton

Grounding Bezos

*A (socio)pathway to the stars

http://accuracy.org/release/grounding-bezos
—

FAIR
ACTION ALERT: WaPo Must Acknowledge CIA Role in Pakistan Polio Crisis
by Adam Johnson

*Truly sickening corpress complicity, in more ways than one

https://fair.org/home/action-alert-wapo-must-acknowledge-cia-role-in-pakistan-polio-crisis
—

Democracy Now!
Will John Bolton’s Dream to Bomb Iran Come True? Ex-Iranian Ambassador Warns About U.S. Escalation

*As with Venezuela, the corpress has enabled the worst impulses of Killer Clown’s circus of death toward Iran, and will continue to do so there and across the globe, until they are seen as the empire pimping mouthpiece that they have always been.

They are truly the enemies of many peoples.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/14/will_john_bolton_s_dream_to

The Apology: Eve Ensler’s New Book Is the Letter She Wishes Her Abusive Father Had Written

*The inhuman is all too human

It can’t be exorcised until its vessel is made human again

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/14/the_apology_eve_enslers_new_book

5.13

Center for Biological Diversity
Lawsuit Targets Trump Administration Renewal of Oregon Ranchers’ Grazing Permit

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/13/lawsuit-targets-trump-administration-renewal-oregon-ranchers-grazing-permit
—

The Real News Network
Can We Reach 100% Renewable Energy?
Movements pushing for 100% renewables are gaining momentum. Stanford’s Mark Z. Jacobson says we have the technology to get there

*Jacobson didn’t answer Noor’s question about lithium mining, which relates to the larger question of who profits from a transition to renewables, both in providing the materials needed and generating the energy required.

Changing the “product” without transforming the production structure from exploitative to egalitarian can’t be considered a “just transition”, can it?

https://therealnews.com/stories/can-we-reach-100-renewable-energy

Can Biden ‘Make America Moral Again?’
Biden is countering Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan with “Make America Moral Again.” But bipartisan deals with Strom Thurmond, the crime bill, Anita Hill, and more, shows he lacks the moral high ground. Jacqueline Luqman and Adolph Reed discuss Biden’s record

*Serving up a cuppa cankered Joe

Oh, MAMA …

https://therealnews.com/stories/can-biden-make-america-moral-again

The MMT Debate With Dean Baker & Randall Wray
We continue our series of discussions about Modern Money Theory and funding the Green New Deal with host Paul Jay

*We can’t fiddle with the finances while our home burns.

Whatever the cost, we do it, or we die.

Any debate over paying for it has to be placed in that context, and presented to the public with the utmost urgency it demands.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-mmt-debate-with-dean-baker-randall-wray

Venezuela’s Maduro Government Not Near Collapse
Andrej Hunko, a member of Germany’s parliament, recently visited with President Maduro and parallel president Juan Guaidó. Hunko discussed the importance of a negotiated solution, humanitarian aid to Venezuela, and more

*Words matter

You don’t call a coup leader (or servant, in truth) a “parallel president”, do you?

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuelas-maduro-government-not-near-collapse
—

Fight For $15
Sign your name to say thanks to working moms everywhere!

https://fightfor15.org/s-petition/20190510-mothers-day/?utm_campaign=LowPay
—

Petition update
Tell the House Subcommittee on Health to make PrEP a part of preventative care
Victory with WARNING
by Will Scheffer

https://www.change.org/p/we-have-a-drug-that-prevents-hiv-infection-why-aren-t-we-making-it-affordable/u/24542308
—

Democracy Now!
Arundhati Roy on the Indian Election and Narendra Modi’s “Far-Right, Hindu Nationalist” Agenda

*I have a great deal of respect for Roy, but I think it’s foolish to pimp Gandhi for simply making a dishonest political calculation, realizing that Congress can’t campaign as “BJP light”, and so adopting liberal language, much as the Dems do here, while remaining firmly in the service of those who exploit the very people they claim to stand for.

Have I missed something here?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_on_the_indian_election

Arundhati Roy on Why She Admires WikiLeaks & Opposes Assange’s Extradition to the U.S.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_on_why_she_admires

Arundhati Roy: Capitalism Is “a Form of Religion” Stopping Solutions to Climate Change & Inequality

*Regarding another “form of religion”, and its proclaimed commitment, as alluded to here, to service to humankind

Ask yourself in just what the Vatican has its money invested?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_capitalism_is_a_form

Arundhati Roy: A U.S. Attack on Iran Would Be “Biggest Mistake It Has Ever Made”

*And this is why I have that respect for Roy

But I have to take issue with her assertion that “toppling the Taliban” was the US’ “sole aim” in Afghanistan. Geopolitical and economic considerations have driven that ceaseless horror show, not “revenge”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_a_us_attack_on

Arundhati Roy on the Power of Fiction: Literature is “The Simplest Way of Saying a Complicated Thing”

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_on_the_power_of

Arundhati Roy on Kashmir, the Danger of U.S. Attacking Iran & Her New Book “My Seditious Heart”

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/13/arundhati_roy_on_kashmir_the_danger

The Trace’s Mike Spies on “Secrecy, Self-Dealing, and Greed at the NRA”

*Is it a metaphor or an analogy to say that the NRA has shot itself in the foot?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/10/the_trace_s_mike_spies_on

5.10

‘Victory’: Saudi Ship Leaves Port Without French Weapons
France is among the Western countries fueling the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing of Yemen
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/10/victory-saudi-ship-leaves-port-without-french-weapons

187 Countries Just Took ‘Crucial’ Step to Stop Rich Nations From Treating Global South as Dumping Ground for Plastic Waste
“Today’s decision demonstrates that countries are finally catching up with the urgency and magnitude of the plastic pollution issue”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/10/187-countries-just-took-crucial-step-stop-rich-nations-treating-global-south-dumping
—

When Will the Contented Classes Rise Up in Rebellion?
When will the people who recognize just how bad things have become for the most vulnerable—and the nation at large—unfurl the flag of rebellion against the plutocrats and the autocrats?
by Ralph Nader

*The nightmare won’t end until we wake up

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/10/when-will-contented-classes-rise-rebellion

What I Lost (and Can Never Get Back) When My Father Was in Guantanamo North
There should not be a place on this planet where individuals are separated based on who they are, monitored like rats in a cage, and cut off so inhumanely from the outside world
by Sara Jayyousi

*Only the soulless can conceive its destruction in others

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/10/what-i-lost-and-can-never-get-back-when-my-father-was-guantanamo-north
—

Trump’s Most Nakedly Corrupt Tweet Yet
As the president props up lobbyists and cronies, Democrats must respond with aggressive oversight
by David Dayen

*Another slice of rancid Tweetie pie

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/10/trumps-most-nakedly-corrupt-tweet-yet
—

The Real News Network
The Making of a Medical Insurance Spin Doctor – RAI with Wendell Potter (3/7)
Wendell Potter, author of ‘Deadly Spin: How Corporate PR is Killing Healthcare and Deceiving Americans’, traces his life from growing up poor and Republican in Tennessee, to radicalization during the Vietnam War, to cynical journalist who just wanted to make money – on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-making-of-a-medical-insurance-spin-doctor-rai-with-wendell-potter-3-7

Trump Up in Polls; Who Benefits From Economic Growth?
GDP growth up, stock market up, will the economic expansion continue and who are the winners? Dean Baker and Randall Wray join host Paul Jay

*Whatever the “economic indicators” say, there are a lot of folks f cked by this economy, and reason would dictate that the Dems would want to appeal to them.

Of course, reason don’t rate in a duopoly, and so you have a Bermuda Triangulation bent on competing for those voters doing relatively well, ’cause they really don’t want the wretched electorally active.

And the Republicans relish that shriveled playing field.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-up-in-polls-who-benefits-from-economic-growth

Sudan Protests Intensify Demands for Civilian Government
Khalid Medani speaks to Eddie Conway about Sudanese opposition to al-Bashir and the sit-in that continues through Ramadan

https://therealnews.com/stories/sudan-protests-intensify-demands-for-civilian-government
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
New Trump Nominee and the Pentagon Accounting Scandal

*There’s just no accounting for waste

http://accuracy.org/release/new-trump-nominee-and-the-pentagon-accounting-scandal

Racism of the Venezuelan Opposition

*Keep in mind that these bastards are who corpress punditocrats of all colors hail as “liberators”

http://accuracy.org/release/racism-of-the-venezuelan-opposition
—

FAIR
‘A Nice Guy, Everybody Loved Him’
With San Diego synagogue shooter, media once again normalize white male violence
by Alan MacLeod

*White privilege is never red penciled

https://fair.org/home/a-nice-guy-everybody-loved-him
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Steps up War on Whistleblowers: Air Force Vet Daniel Hale Arrested For Leaking Drone War Info

*It’s always instructive to play the “flipside” game.

How would the US gummint react if another state decided to target those it determined to be “terrorists” here?

I don’t think it would matter just how “precise” the strikes were, would it?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/10/trump_steps_up_war_on_whistleblowers

“Black Mama’s Bail Out Day”: Movement Grows to Free Black Women From Jail for Mother’s Day

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/10/black_mamas_bail_out_day_movement

“We Have No Reason to Trust the Police”: Sandra Bland Arrest Video Reignites Anger Over Her Death

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/10/we_have_no_reason_to_trust

Explosive Investigation Uncovers Greed & Infighting at NRA, Shattering “Myth” of the Group’s Power

*The right to bear alms

To the bank

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/10/explosive_investigation_uncovers_greed_infighting_at

5.9

Silence From Press Industry Group As Trump Administration Purges White House Reporters
“Now, the White House has a structure in place that could allow it to remove whoever it wishes to remove”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*This is anathema to the very notion of independent journalism

But then, so is the vast majority of corpress coverage.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/09/silence-press-industry-group-trump-administration-purges-white-house-reporters

‘Alexa, Stop Spying on My Kids’: FTC Complaint Charges Amazon’s Echo Dot Violates Child Privacy Law
“Amazon markets Echo Dot Kids as a device to educate and entertain kids, but the real purpose is to amass a treasure trove of sensitive data that it refuses to relinquish even when directed to by parents”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Sleazy kid stuff

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/09/alexa-stop-spying-my-kids-ftc-complaint-charges-amazons-echo-dot-violates-child
—

US PIRG
You’re Not Alone: CFPB Complaints on the Rise

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/09/youre-not-alone-cfpb-complaints-rise
—

The Real News Network
Trump and Kushner Middle East Peace Deal Is a Trojan Horse for Further Occupation
Phyllis Bennis discusses the recent Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip and the real nature of Kushner’s supposed “deal of the century”

*Nothing but a peace of sh t

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-and-kushner-middle-east-peace-deal-is-a-trojan-horse-for-further-occupation

Institute for Public Accuracy
Trump State Department in “Wholesale Violation” of Law at Venezuelan Embassy

*Resistance without the f cking faux hashtag of a feckless and fetid Democratic “leadership”

http://accuracy.org/release/trump-state-department-in-wholesale-violation-of-law-at-venezuelan-embassy
—

FAIR
‘Bernie Speaks’—and Politico Hears Deviations From Cold War Orthodoxy
by Teddy Ostrow

*Backing the building of a boondoggle of a murder machine in his home state doesn’t qualify as “damaging” (and it doesn’t, tragically, even to most every visible voice on “the left”), but this sh t does?

Careful you don’t cut yourself as we pass through the cracked looking glass.

https://fair.org/home/bernie-speaks-and-politico-hears-deviations-from-cold-war-orthodoxy

‘How Does the US Compensate the World for the Damage It Has Done?’
CounterSpin interview with Basav Sen on beyond the Paris Accord
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/how-does-the-us-compensate-the-world-for-the-damage-it-has-done
—

Democracy Now!
The Gig Is Up: Rep. Deb Haaland Introduces Bill to Make Uber & Lyft Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes

*They may not get your comment placed in the pending pile

But Uber and Lyft are four letter words of the most profane ilk.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/9/the_gig_is_up_rep_deb

Striking Driver Speaks Out: Uber & Lyft Are “Slave Systems” That Exploit Workers

*Driving on a road to nowhere

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/9/striking_driver_speaks_out_uber_lyft

Gig Economy Drivers Strike: Uber Has Built Its $90 Billion Empire on an Anti-Worker Model

*A rigged gig

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/9/gig_economy_drivers_strike_uber_has

5.8

Africa Must Raise Taxes to Better Fight Climate Change
Africa is now the most vulnerable region to climate change, although it has only marginally contributed to it
by Léonce Ndikumana

*Untaxed to death

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/08/africa-must-raise-taxes-better-fight-climate-change
—

Western Environmental Law Center
Analysis: Public Overwhelmingly Wants EPA Ban on Wildlife-Killing ‘Cyanide Bombs’

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/08/analysis-public-overwhelmingly-wants-epa-ban-wildlife-killing-cyanide-bombs
—

The Real News Network
Russia-China Alignment Challenge U.S. Hegemony
Trump’s China tariffs and aggressive military build up is pushing Russia and China to seek a closer relationship which serves China’s growing global influence – Prof. Richard Sakwa joins Sharmini Peries

*No white hats in this coat room

https://therealnews.com/recent-content

Trump and Mnuchin Break the Law By Refusing to Release President’s Tax Records
White collar criminologist Bill Black explains how the administration’s stance on Trump’s taxes is illegal and what the possible consequences could be—or should be

*”… once it’s put back under honest leadership.”

Doesn’t something have to have been in place before it’s “put back” … ?

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-and-mnuchin-break-the-law-by-refusing-to-release-presidents-tax-records

Fear Mongering and Capitalism: A Recipe for Fascism? (1/2)
The effort to sell security to the people of the US is based on stoking irrational fears, something Trump has taken to new extremes, but which Democrats are guilty of as well, explains Charles Derber, who discusses his new book

*Fear defines humanity

And defiles it

https://therealnews.com/stories/fear-mongering-and-capitalism-a-recipe-for-fascism-1-2

Fear Mongering and Capitalism: A Recipe for Fascism? (2/2)
Progressives have been notoriously bad at countering the right-wing fear/security narrative, says Charles Derber. The trick is to address the real dangers, of climate change, economic insecurity, and war

*Can we pledge our allegiance to the colors of our confreres

Instead of the colors of our flags?

https://therealnews.com/stories/fear-mongering-and-capitalism-a-recipe-for-fascism-2-2
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Scrutinizing the Bolton/Pompeo/Trump Threats to Iran

*Parsi seems to be everyone’s “go to expert” on Iran.

I view him as an Obamaphile who constantly places “the deal” in the context of preventing Iran’s attainment of a nuclear weapon, when the evidence gainsays that theory.

The benefit was that it blunted the neocon drive to war, and provided some relief from the devastating sanctions regime, but it’s analogous to convicting an innocent person, then placing them on parole.

Iran agreed because it had little choice, given the alternative, don’t you think?

http://accuracy.org/release/scrutinizing-the-bolton-pompeo-trump-threats-to-iran
—

FAIR
‘Climate Change Is the Real Job Killer’
CounterSpin interview with Joe Uehlein on Green New Deal
by Janine Jackson

*But it ain’t just the jobs, however “livable” the wage

It’s who owns the work.

“Going green” without going greedless will only reproduce the exploitative hierarchy that’s always defined labor relations. We need the “green”, but we also need a “new deal” that gives workers control over their conditions.

The time is so very now.

https://fair.org/home/climate-change-is-the-real-job-killer

Corporate Media Target Gabbard for Her Anti-Interventionism—a Word They Can Barely Pronounce
by Owen Walsh

*The corpress, as much as the state, is an unalloyed pimper of imperialism, but something tells me that word has never crossed Congressmember Gabbard’s lips with any conviction, and that makes their task that much easier.

https://fair.org/home/corporate-media-target-gabbard-for-her-anti-interventionism-a-word-they-can-barely-pronounce
—

Democracy Now!
Billion Dollar Loser: NYT Report on Trump’s Taxes & Massive Losses May Prompt Fraud Investigation

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/8/billion_dollar_loser_nyt_report_on

5.7

Will the U.S. Start a War Against Iran?
Trump—with Bolton and Pence—seek to provoke a war. These are dangerous men with a dangerous agenda.
by Vijay Prashad

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/07/will-us-start-war-against-iran
—

FAIR
Failed ‘Coup’ a Fake Corporate News Story Designed to Trick Venezuelan Soldiers—and US Public
by Dave Lindorff

*Fake news only a mother f cking POTUS could love

https://fair.org/home/failed-coup-a-fake-corporate-news-story-designed-to-trick-venezuelan-soldiers-and-us-public
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Environmental Disasters and Their Beneficiaries

*”Disaster capitalism”

Oxymoronic in excelsis

http://accuracy.org/release/environmental-disasters-and-their-beneficiaries
—

Democracy Now!
As Countries Seek Trade With China, Imprisoned Uyghur Muslim Community Has Become “Collateral Damage”

*This is naked, unpardonable repression, but terms like “world domination” are meant to provoke Western fears of “The Red and Yellow Menace”, and we have to be clear on the reality.

China seeks vast economic and political power, and its neo “Silk Road” will tighten a belt around the necks of developing countries. But unlike the US, it doesn’t seek global hegemony, not out of any distaste for the prospect, but out of practical considerations.

It doesn’t seek confrontation with the West, other than within what it considers its sphere of influence, but a corrupt concord with Western capital that benefits both exploiters.

That is the global threat it poses.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/7/as_countries_seek_trade_with_china

Joe Biden’s Son Hunter Is Invested in China’s Mass Surveillance Program Used to Monitor Uyghur Muslim

*”[A] corrupt concord with Western capital … “

Case in point

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/7/joe_bidens_son_hunter_is_invested

5.6

The Reality Behind the ‘Surging’ U.S. Economy
A tiny uptick in wages won’t do much to help Americans squeezed by debt and facing rising prices for medicine, child care, housing, and other essentials
by Sarah Anderson

*There are lies

Damn lies

And “economic indicators”

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/06/reality-behind-surging-us-economy
–

Creeping Toward Tyranny
Capitalists, throughout history, have backed fascism to thwart even the most tepid forms of socialism
by Chris Hedges

*He is not the alpha, but the omega of a soulless social order

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/06/creeping-toward-tyranny
—

Center for Food Safety
Defenders of Organic Integrity Win Victory for Transparency and Open Government
Organic producers and stakeholders gain access to documentation of Trump decision to withdraw animal welfare standards for organic livestock

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/06/defenders-organic-integrity-win-victory-transparency-and-open-government

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Mapping the PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 610 Sites in 43 States
EWG: PFAS Chemicals Must Be Regulated as a Class, Not One by One

*Humanity is the only species clever enough to poison itself

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/06/mapping-pfas-contamination-crisis-new-data-show-610-sites-43-states

Food & Water Watch
Alarming New Report: Factory Farming and Fossil Fuels Are A Double Whammy for Ecosystems

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/06/alarming-new-report-factory-farming-and-fossil-fuels-are-double-whammy
—

The Real News Network
Why I’m Pro-Detente with Russia – RAI with Stephen Cohen (5/5)
I realized it wasn’t the Soviet Union that was the great danger, it was the potential of nuclear war, and it’s still the case today, says Stephen Cohen on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*I think Cohen’s nostalgia for an era of intellectual honesty and rigor is unwarranted. It may be true that the space for countering the conventional narrative was a bit roomier at one point, but I’d posit it was more a matter of a conceit among those with the final say to present themselves as “open minded” to align with their academic and journalistic facades of “objectivity”.

When it came to actually acting upon that proclaimed dedication, don’t we see the proof in the putrid pudding produced? That veneer, or skin, if you will, has worn off with time, revealing an acutely unjust dessert.

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-im-pro-detente-with-russia-rai-with-stephen-cohen-5-5

The Calm After the Storm in Venezuela: Opposition and Government Measure Support in Streets
It would seem that the April 30th coup effort by Juan Guaidó backfired and energized the Chavista base while it demoralized the opposition. Mike Fox reports from Caracas

*And WaPo said the gummint rally “drew about 500 people”.

Funny how all the corpress cameras went on the blink at the same time, innit?

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-calm-after-the-storm-in-venezuela-opposition-and-government-measure-support-in-streets

Assange Extradition Will Have Chilling Effect on Investigative Journalism, Free Speech
We speak to Julian Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, about the first extradition hearing Assange had in London, where he refused to voluntarily turn himself over to US authorities

*What danger to “press freedom” is there for a supine stenographer class?

The corpress will be first in line for torches to light the way for the lynch mob.

https://therealnews.com/stories/assange-extradition-will-have-chilling-effect-on-investigative-journalism-free-speech

Guilt by Association? Arrest of Assange Friend Has No Basis
Cyber-security and privacy expert Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador the same day that Ecuador revoked Julian Assange’s asylum. A court now affirmed his pre-trial detention, while his parents and his lawyers say it has no basis

https://therealnews.com/stories/guilt-by-association-arrest-of-assange-friend-has-no-basis
—

Petition
Special Books by Special Kids
YouTube: Reinstate SBSK comment sections on YouTube

*Money talks

While compassionate mouths are muted

https://www.change.org/p/youtube-reinstate-sbsk-comment-sections-immediately
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation

http://accuracy.org/release/palestine-inside-out-an-everyday-occupation
—

Democracy Now!
The Occupation is a Crime of Aggression: Gazans React After 25 Palestinians, 4 Israelis Die

*Provocation falls to the corpress cutting floor, as their timeline for these spasms of bloodletting always commence at the launching of the first rocket.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/the_occupation_is_a_crime_of

Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World

*With The Deep State ™ an ambivalent ally, perhaps Killer Clown is looking to outsource the dirty tricks concession.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/ex_blackwater_ceo_erik_prince_makes

The Complete Mercenary: Matthew Cole on Erik Prince’s Improbable Comeback Under Trump

*The man’s a self dealing psychopath, but just imagine the horrors this delusional degenerate could conjure if he were “militarily competent”.

And there’ll be no indictment, but if Killer Clown somehow saw that to his advantage, he’d throw Prince under the bus in a nanosecond.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/6/the_complete_mercenary_matthew_cole_o

5.3

Farm Country: Don’t Get Fooled Again
Big ag companies killed family farms and polluted our water, while politicians blamed our immigrant neighbors. Let’s not turn on each other again
by Cherie Mortice

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/03/farm-country-dont-get-fooled-again
—

Physicians for Human Rights
Federal Funds Should Not Be Used to Detain Children at the U.S. Southern Border
Physicians for Human Rights calls on congressional leaders to reject administration’s Emergency Supplemental Budget Request toward harmful detention practices

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/03/federal-funds-should-not-be-used-detain-children-us-southern-border
—

The Real News Network
South Africa is Bracing for an Electoral Storm Over the Climate Crisis (1/2)
Prof. Vishwas Satgar provides a climate justice critique of South African political parties: What are the commitments of the ANC, DA, and EFF to a deep, just, life-sustaining transition?

https://therealnews.com/stories/south-africa-is-bracing-for-an-electoral-storm-over-the-climate-crisis-1-2

South Africa is Bracing for an Electoral Storm Over the Climate Crisis (2/2)

https://therealnews.com/stories/south-africa-is-bracing-for-an-electoral-storm-over-the-climate-crisis-2-2

Left Media Coverage of Venezuela Questioned
Prominent Venezuelan sociologist and intellectual Edgardo Lander says while it’s correct to oppose U.S. intervention and interference, Left media should not minimize the responsibility of the Maduro government for the economic crisis

*One of the central tenets of Marxism, as I understand it, is the imperative of self criticism. Allied with that is the necessity for supporters of ostensibly socialist experiments to constructively critique them.

To abstain from doing so does no favors for the people, but grants their enemies a wide playing field to exploit the faults extant, while we irresponsibly cheer from the sidelines as the game is lost.

https://therealnews.com/stories/left-media-coverage-of-venezuela-questioned

Barr Hearings on Mueller Report Display the Threat to Democracy
Attorney and activist Kamau Franklin dissects the questioning of Attorney General Barr on his handling of the Mueller report

*The Democratic “leadership” has little credibility outside that portion of the public that identify with the party. Most other folks will see whatever they do to be political gaming, and it is just that, as Pelosi et alia don’t give a rodent’s rear about morality or legality.

I view it as akin to an accusation by the US against an “official enemy”. Maybe they’re guilty, maybe not, but it’s a matter of pots and kettles. The US has no cogency to call out any other country; likewise the Dems are seen as trying to win political points.

Perhaps letting folks like Ocasio-Cortez or Omar (not that I see either as Jesus on a stick) take point would change that dynamic, but I think we all know that ain’t gonna happen.

So, as Franklin submits, this all becomes campaign fodder for ’20, and Killer Clown can twisty tweet sweatless till next November.

https://therealnews.com/stories/barr-hearings-on-mueller-report-display-the-threat-to-democracy
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
At Venezuelan Embassy: U.S. Government Ignoring Vienna Convention, “Facilitating Right-Wing Mob’s Illegal Acts”

*Recall all the punditrious outrage at disrupting Trumplers’ off clock activities?

Come true thuggery, can you hear that pin drop?

http://accuracy.org/release/at-venezuelan-embassy-u-s-government-ignoring-vienna-convention-facilitating-right-wing-mobs-illegal-acts
—

Democracy Now!
Mass. Judge Refuses to Halt Pro-Palestinian Event at UMass Featuring Roger Waters & Linda Sarsour

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/3/mass_judge_refuses_to_halt_pro

We Can’t Back People Who Hate Our Kids: Kentucky & Minnesota Teachers of Year Boycott Trump Meeting

*Teach your children well

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/3/we_can_t_back_people_who

“We Shall Overcome”: Remembering Folk Icon Pete Seeger on What Would Have Been His 100th Birthday

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/3/we_shall_overcome_remembering_folk_icon

5.2

Peace Activists Arrested While Trying to Deliver Food and Medicine to Blockaded DC Venezuelan Embassy
Members of the Embassy Protection Collective have lived on the property with permission from the Maduro government for weeks
by Common Dreams staff

*Any calls from the corpress for “civility” from the partidarios del golpe?

Silly question, mis amigos.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/02/peace-activists-arrested-while-trying-deliver-food-and-medicine-blockaded-dc
—

Jewish Voice for Peace
Victory—Judge Rules in Support of Panel Discussion on Palestinian Human Rights at UMass
“To shut down the event would be to violate the First Amendment”

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/05/02/victory-judge-rules-support-panel-discussion-palestinian-human-rights-umass
—

FAIR
‘There Are Ways to Uplift the Resilience of Communities’
CounterSpin interview with Tina Vasquez on covering immigration
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/there-are-ways-to-uplift-the-resilience-of-communities
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Issues with Mueller: Was There a Russian “Attack”? Why Didn’t He Question Assange?

http://accuracy.org/release/issues-with-mueller-was-there-a-russian-attack-why-didnt-he-question-assange
—

Democracy Now!
A Debate on Maduro: Two Venezuelans Oppose U.S. Intervention But Differ on Steps Ahead

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/2/a_debate_on_maduro_two_venezuelans

George Monbiot on U.K. Climate Emergency & the Need for Rebellion to Prevent Ecological Apocalypse

*Will we move from symbolism to symbiosis?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/2/george_monbiot_on_uk_climate_emergency

5.1

Biden Sides With Trump, Bolton, and Pompeo in Backing Coup Effort in Venezuela
Democratic frontrunner characterizes effort to overthrow elected goverment of President Nicolas Maduro at gunpoint just another benign effort to “restore democracy” in Latin America
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*You can’t say the bastard isn’t acting “presidential”, can you?

But of course it “works”. Look at the receding of “the pink tide” in Latin America, and the rise of protofascism in the Philippines and elsewhere.

Even when things don’t go according to plan, gains are made. Look at Vietnam, and tell me global capital isn’t pleased with the prospects. The devastation wrought laid the foundation for their “investment in an emerging market”.

These are indeed catastrophes, but only for the peoples of these countries, and in a different context and degree, for us here in “the land of liberty”.

Such power can afford bumbles

Humanity suffers regardless of their bungles.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/01/biden-sides-trump-bolton-and-pompeo-backing-coup-effort-venezuela
—

The Real News Network
Riveting Testimony at Historic Hearing on Medicare for All – RAI with Wendell Potter (2/7)
The House Rules Committee heard powerful testimony about the urgency of passing Medicare for All from Ady Barkin, who is in late stages of ALS. Wendell Potter on Reality Asserts Itself hosted by Paul Jay

*My sense is many of those co-sponsors are merely posturing, and once the DNCistas put the hammer down on their campaign funding, you’ll see a lot of Demorats deserting the single payer ship.

As with so many subjects, I’d love to be proven mistaken.

https://therealnews.com/stories/riveting-testimony-at-historic-hearing-on-medicare-for-all-rai-with-wendell-potter-2-7

Thousands Die, Millions Injured on the Job, and No Businesses Prosecuted
Bill Black describes how OSHA’s few underfunded inspectors can’t do their jobs, and prosecutors don’t prosecute businesses for non-compliance

*Don’t bet your life on any candidate pushing this

If you’re working in these areas, you already are.

https://therealnews.com/stories/thousands-die-millions-injured-on-the-job-and-no-businesses-prosecuted
—

FAIR
Venezuela: It’s Only a Coup if the US Government Says So
Media side with Trump cronies rather than common sense in labeling coup a ‘protest’
by Alan MacLeod

*Coup d’étached from reality

https://fair.org/home/venezuela-its-only-a-coup-if-the-us-government-says-so
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Time to Pursue an International Cyber Treaty?

*” … financial resources needed to address them”

Perhaps dominance (a profitable one) trumps detente?

http://accuracy.org/release/time-to-pursue-an-international-cyber-treaty

Venezuela: U.S Sanctions Killing Tens of Thousands

http://accuracy.org/release/venezuela-u-s-sanctions-killing-tens-of-thousands
—

Democracy Now!
As Venezuela Coup Attempt Fails to Overthrow Maduro, Guaidó Calls for More Street Protests

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/5/1/as_venezuela_coup_attempt_fails_to

April 2019

4.30

How the Pentagon Took Ownership of Con Man Donald Trump
When it comes to raising money based on false claims, this president has nothing on the Pentagon. And worse yet, like America’s wars, the Pentagon’s long con shows no sign of ending
by William Astore

*Conned … or complicit?

Every prez has known the reality of the MIC

They get co-creative credit for it.

(Yes, even every liberal’s favorite Republican commander in chief, Ike, who I imagine warned of it out of worry that greedy corps might screw up the imperial status quo by grasping for a bridge to riches too far.)

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/30/how-pentagon-took-ownership-con-man-donald-trump
—

Social Movements Under Intense Attack Despite Colombia ‘Peace Plan’
The U.S. government has interfered with the internal affairs of Colombia since the nation’s founding as a nation in 1810
by Medea Benjamin

*An “ally”, thus no antipathy (or coverage) from the corpress

And needless to say, no coup plotting from Killer Clown’s circus of death.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/30/social-movements-under-intense-attack-despite-colombia-peace-plan
—

ACLU
New Documents Reveal DHS Claiming Broad, Unconstitutional Authority to Search Travelers’ Phones and Laptops
ACLU, EFF Move for Summary Judgement to Block Warrantless Searches of Electronic Devices at Airports, U.S. Ports of Entry

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/30/new-documents-reveal-dhs-claiming-broad-unconstitutional-authority-search
—

The Real News Network
Venezuela’s Guaidó Falsely Claims Military Uprising in Progress: Mainstream Media Falls in Line
Tuesday morning self-declared president and opposition leader Juan Guaidó called on the military and the population to oppose the Maduro government. Only a few thousand civilians and very few soldiers heeded the call. Mike Fox reports from Caracas

*Let’s please don’t hear anything about the corpress being “fooled” or “misled” here. They can see the same circumstances as Fox.

Their “reporting” is blatant propaganda in support of this charade. For all their bristling at Killer Clown’s cries of “FAKE NEWS!”, they are past masters at it when empire’s involved, regardless of whose amoral ass sh ts in the Master Bathroom loo at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

https://therealnews.com/stories/dly043019_fox_venezuela

Spain’s Center-Left Wins Without Majority, Rules out Coalition With Podemos for Now
Spain’s centre-left Socialist Party won significantly in Sunday’s election, but forming a government on its own is out of reach. Far-right Vox party enters parliament for first time. Prof. Sebastiaan Faber analyzes the result

https://therealnews.com/stories/spains-center-left-wins-without-majority-rules-out-coalition-with-podemos-for-now

Study: As Climate Crisis Has Worsened, So Has Global Economic Inequality
In a new study out by Stanford researchers reviewing half a century of data has found that as rich countries get richer, they also have more temperate climates and face less of the brunt of climate impacts

https://therealnews.com/stories/study-as-climate-crisis-has-worsened-so-has-global-economic-inequality
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
* Secretary of Navy “Lied to Congress” * U.S. Withdrawal from Arms Trade Treaty

http://accuracy.org/release/secretary-of-navy-lied-to-congress-u-s-withdrawal-from-arms-trade-treaty
—

Democracy Now!
With U.S. Support, Venezuelan Opposition Launch a Coup in Latest Attempt to Oust Maduro

*There may be no expectation that this coup will succeed, but rather will provoke a reaction from the government that can be used to justify intervention, whether from mercenaries, the Colombian military or US forces – or some combination of these.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/30/with_us_support_venezuelan_opposition_launch

Former DHS Analyst: Trump Administration Not Taking White Nationalist Threat Seriously Enough

*What would you expect, since these murderers are allies of the administration?

But, of course, Dear Misleader likewise shied away from targeting them, out of political calculation. Meanwhile, the definition of “domestic terrorism” has been expanded to encompass nonviolent resistance to everything from pipelines to pig factories.

As for “the Muslim variety”, the “vigor and strategy” extant in that realm has often resulted in rights abuses and fearmongering that have nothing to be with an earnest attempt to thwart “terrorism”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/30/former_dhs_analyst_trump_administration_not

4.29

‘Superbugs’ Could Kill 10 Million Annually Without Urgent Action, Warns New Report
“Unless the world acts urgently, antimicrobial resistance will have disastrous impact within a generation,” says new publication
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/29/superbugs-could-kill-10-million-annually-without-urgent-action-warns-new-report

Following Trump Rally, Nurse Smashes ‘Perhaps One of the Sickest Accusations Levied by This Deranged Dictator Yet’
The president reasserted the anti-choice lie at a Wisconsin rally
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*And maybe some corpress hack will ask a half assed question about it, which Killer Clown will SOP lie past, and the matter will be quickly forgotten, as the herd resumes grazing on the fetid fields of Russiagate.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/29/following-trump-rally-nurse-smashes-perhaps-one-sickest-accusations-levied-deranged
—

The End of War Is Just a Beginning
Will technology stamp a “Forever” on America’s wars?
by Allegra Harpootlian and Emily Manna

*There’s this fraught concern with “mistakes”

Shouldn’t we be afraid that this is gotten “right”?

Does “precision” in immoral and illegal wars make them somehow less abhorrent?

If the premise is inhuman, it doesn’t matter that its prosecutors are, as well.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/29/end-war-just-beginning
—

The Real News Network
From Jim Crow Kentucky to Red Square – RAI with Stephen Cohen (4/5)
Prof. Stephen Cohen, professor emeritus of politics at Princeton University and of Russian studies and history at New York University, and author of “War with Russia? From Putin and Ukraine to Trump and Russiagate”, discusses the forces that shaped his political thinking on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*As a son of the South, having grown up in apartheid Miss’ssippi in the ’60s, I have to say that while sports (football more so than basketball there) did play some role in mitigating aspects of expressed racism, what changed the nature of systemic racism, to the degree that it could be said to have done so, was the blood, sweat and tears of black folks fighting for their rights as human beings.

The struggle is far from finished, needless to say.

https://therealnews.com/stories/from-jim-crow-kentucky-to-red-square-rai-with-stephen-cohen-4-5

Bernie Sanders Supports Voting Rights for the Imprisoned
Corporate media’s twisted narrative frames voting rights as “letting terrorists and rapists vote.”; Anoa Changa and Norman Solomon join host Jacqueline Luqman to discuss the battle over voting rights for people in jail

https://therealnews.com/stories/bernie-sanders-supports-voting-rights-for-the-imprisoned
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Legal Escalation Against Catholic Activists Facing 25 Years for Anti-Nuclear Weapons Action

http://accuracy.org/release/legal-escalation-against-catholic-activists-facing-25-years-for-anti-nuclear-weapons-action
—

FAIR
Comcast-Owned MSNBC in the Tank for Joe Biden’s Presidential Run
by Justin Anderson

*Comcast offers up a cup of jaundiced Joe, with a Kool-Aid chaser

https://fair.org/home/comcast-owned-msnbc-in-the-tank-for-joe-bidens-presidential-run

4.26

Dying Healthcare Activist Ady Barkan to Testify at Congress’s First-Ever Medicare for All Hearing
“It will take immense effort and teamwork for me to attend this hearing, but that is what is required—from me and thousands of other healthcare heroes—to deliver us the change that the American people deserve”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/26/dying-healthcare-activist-ady-barkan-testify-congresss-first-ever-medicare-all

Amid Fears of Federal Attack on Roe, Kansas Supreme Court Guarantees Right to Abortion in the Conservative State
The court explicitly wrote that “like men,” pregnant women have the “right to personal autonomy” in Kansas
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/26/amid-fears-federal-attack-roe-kansas-supreme-court-guarantees-right-abortion
—

FAIR
Dozens Condemned by Media as ‘Gang Members’ Not Actually Gang Members, Study Confirms
by Adam Johnson

*Banging the gang gong for fun and profit

https://fair.org/home/dozens-condemned-by-media-as-gang-members-not-actually-gang-members-study-confirms

‘The War on Drugs Is Just One of Several Being Waged in the Philippines’
CounterSpin interview with Amee Chew on the Philippines under Duterte
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/the-war-on-drugs-is-just-one-of-several-being-waged-in-the-philippines

For NYT, Israel Is Always Nearing ‘Apartheid,’ but Never Quite Gets There
by Gregory Shupak

*An apartheid from reality

https://fair.org/home/for-nyt-israel-is-always-nearing-apartheid-but-never-quite-gets-there
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
The Antitrust Case Against Facebook

*No amount of emojis can put a happy face on this greed fueled gigantism

http://accuracy.org/release/the-antitrust-case-against-facebook
—

Democracy Now!
Roe v. Wade Under Threat: Planned Parenthood Pres. Speaks Out as State Laws Threaten to Ban Abortion

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/26/roe_v_wade_under_threat_planned

4.25

Warren Wins Applause for Addressing High Black Maternal Mortality Rates, But Experts Say Plan to Fix Crisis Needs Work
“When it actually comes time to make policy, you have to bring all the stakeholders to the table”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”[A]n incredibly detailed answer”

That, like her plan for bankster crime (see today’s segments on the subject at The Real News Network), doesn’t seem to have sought input from anyone with actual experience in the area.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/25/warren-wins-applause-addressing-high-black-maternal-mortality-rates-experts-say-plan
—

American Healthcare Horror Stories: An Incomplete Inventory
What should be unthinkable in a healthcare system are everyday occurences in the United States
by Fran Quigley

*In every other “developed” country, healthcare is a right

In the “sweet land of liberty”, it’s a racket.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/25/american-healthcare-horror-stories-incomplete-inventory
—

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
National Civil Rights Organization Calls for Facebook to Immediately Remove Militia Group Postings Holding Migrants Hostage

*Letting them get away with murder?

Not just yet

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/25/national-civil-rights-organization-calls-facebook-immediately-remove-militia
—

The Real News Network
Baltimore City Hall and Mayor’s Homes Raided By FBI
A scandal engulfing Mayor Catherine Pugh and many associates expands with federal involvement, as calls for systemic change grows

*Municipal sewage

https://therealnews.com/stories/baltimore-city-hall-and-mayors-homes-raided-by-fbi

The Untold Story of the Nation’s Biggest School Cheating Scandal (3/3)
In Part Three, authors Shani Robinson and Anna Simonton argue a lack of efforts to confront poverty and excessive standardized testing continue to set up students to fail

*Railroading teachers

Throwing children under the train

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-untold-story-of-the-nations-biggest-school-cheating-scandal-3-3

Sen. Warren Wants to Jail Those Who Caused 2008’s Meltdown
Bill Black examines the historical context of Warren’s bills for easier prosecution of banks and corporate leaders

*For the corpress, “experts” come in extremely limited editions

https://therealnews.com/stories/sen-warren-wants-to-jail-those-who-caused-2008s-meltdown

If Current Laws Prosecuting Bankers Aren’t Used, What Can Warren Change?
Bill Black demolishes the notion that we can’t prosecute banksters with the laws we now have in place

*Black stated in the first segment that the corpress ignored him and others who had successfully prosecuted such crimes.

Warren did likewise.

We should ask why.

https://therealnews.com/stories/if-current-laws-prosecuting-bankers-arent-used-what-can-warren-change
—

Petition
Washington state legislators: Female Genital Mutilation is an American issue. States need to protect girls and ban FGM!
by Abid Saifee

https://www.change.org/p/washington-state-legislators-female-genital-mutilation-is-an-american-issue-states-need-to-protect-girls-and-ban-fgm
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Report: U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela Are Responsible for Tens of Thousands of Deaths

*Liberated from the tyranny of existence

http://accuracy.org/release/report-us-sanctions-on-venezuela-are-responsible-for-tens-of-thousands-of-deaths
—

Democracy Now!
A “Death Trap” in Raqqa: Amnesty Finds U.S.-Led Coalition Killed More Than 1,600 Syrian Civilians

*These are war crimes, so why is Amnesty talking about “mistakes”?

Perhaps because it is Amnesty, which will condemn Western “enemies”, like Venezuela, for sins actual and imagined, but has a penchant for foregoing a full step toward holding the US and allies unconditionally culpable for theirs.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/25/a_death_trap_in_raqqa_amnesty

Navy SEALs Tried for Months to Report Superior for War Crimes and Were Told to “Let It Go”

*And neither the Times nor any other corpress outlet will look beyond this. They’ll treat it as an aberration, rather than the logical consequence of a malignant military mindset that has existed for centuries, from indigenous genocide to atomic horror to the War of Terror.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/25/navy_seals_tried_for_months_to

4.24

‘This Is Their Land’: Indigenous Activists Protest Bolsonaro’s Environmental Policies in Brazil
“It was very difficult for us, our ancestors, to win these rights and little by little they are decreasing”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/24/their-land-indigenous-activists-protest-bolsonaros-environmental-policies-brazil

Facebook’s Hire of Patriot Act Co-Author Raises Questions on Company’s Commitment to Privacy
“What could go wrong?”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*This doesn’t “raise questions” about Facebook’s ethics

It answers them.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/24/facebooks-hire-patriot-act-co-author-raises-questions-companys-commitment-privacy
—

The Most Dangerous Time for Women’s Rights in Decades
Merely banning abortion isn’t enough for some on the rabid right — a few are even threatening women with the death penalty
by Martha Burk

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/24/most-dangerous-time-womens-rights-decades
—

Fight for $15
McDonald’s Added to the “Dirty Dozen”

*Sleaze amongst the grease

https://www.facebook.com/Fightfor15/photos/a.591503887546999/2440888785941824
—

The Real News Network
Is the Turkish-Russian S-400 Missile Deal Sabre Rattling Among Superpowers?
Turkey could take possession of the Russian S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system by 2020 in a $2.5 billion deal. What is this doing to the NATO alliance where Turkey is a member? It is an ‘unfreezing’ of Cold War geopolitics, says Professor Richard Sakwa

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-the-turkish-russian-s-400-missile-deal-sabre-rattling-among-superpowers
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Biden’s “Disastrous” Legislative Record

*A cup of jaundiced Joe

http://accuracy.org/release/bidens-disastrous-legislative-record
—

Democracy Now!
Supreme Court Appears Set to OK Census Citizenship Question Despite Risk of Undercounting Millions

*Whiting out a more colorful country

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/24/a_threat_to_democracy_justices_appear

Bernie Sanders Spurs Debate on Prisoner Voting Rights, But the Idea Is “Not as Radical as It Seems”

*My original view was that once released, fully or on parole, you should be able to vote, regardless of your conviction. That didn’t happen in Florida, where those convicted of murder or sexual offenses didn’t have their right to vote restored.

I felt, though, that while incarcerated, the loss of that right was part and parcel of punishment. Given the arguments presented here, I’m now inclined to support voting for prisoners. The loss of freedom should be the only consequence of conviction for the incarcerated.

If a person doesn’t lose their right to be treated humanely, then that same sensibility should be extended to the right to vote. The experience of Maine, Vermont and many other countries provides no evidence of any deleterious effect.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/24/bernie_sanders_spurs_debate_on_prisoner

4.23

Digital Rights Defenders Sound Alarm Over Big Tech’s Efforts to ‘Erode’ California’s Landmark Privacy Law
“We will not let them kill strong privacy bills in the dark”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/23/digital-rights-defenders-sound-alarm-over-big-techs-efforts-erode-californias

‘Coming Mass Extinction’ Caused by Human Destruction Could Wipe Out 1 Million Species, Warns UN Draft Report
Far-reaching global assessment details how humanity is undermining the very foundations of the natural world
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The dominion effect

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/23/coming-mass-extinction-caused-human-destruction-could-wipe-out-1-million-species
—

Daniel Ellsberg Speaks Out on the Arrest of Julian Assange
“Without whistleblowers we would not have a democracy. And there have to be people to distribute work and publish it.”
by Dennis Bernstein

*No “closing” of “ranks”

Only the cell door

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/23/daniel-ellsberg-speaks-out-arrest-julian-assange
—

The Real News Network
U.S. Hoped Putin Would be a ‘Sober Yeltsin’ – RAI with Stephen Cohen (3/5)
After the fall of the Soviet Union, a dysfunctional and pro-American Russian President Yeltsin presided over the chaos of the 1990’s; when Putin came to power, the West was very disappointed at the independent and nationalist character of the Putin led state and the demonization began – Stephen Cohen joins Paul Jay on Reality Asserts Itself

*Cohen exhibits a sort of Russophilia that, while not as dangerous as the Russophobia that could get us all killed, still is intellectually dishonest, if perhaps not wilfully.

Putin isn’t The Devil Incarnate. Russia isn’t intent on expansion, other than as a reaction, as in Crimea, to Western provocation. But to posit Putin as a kind of wise man who always acts reasonably is to ignore the blood spilled in Syria, the domestic repression, and the external assistance to fascist forces is to deny a dangerous reality in its own right.

That said, I do appreciate a perspective that contradicts the conventional narrative on Russia, although I wish I was more knowledgeable on the subject in order to better distinguish what rings true, and what is blowing smoke rings.

https://therealnews.com/stories/u-s-hoped-putin-would-be-a-sober-yeltsin-rai-with-stephen-cohen-3-5

‘Mafioso Capitalism’ and the Suicide of Peru’s President
Prof. Gerardo Renique discusses the three other ex-presidents already in jail over the Odebrecht scandal, and Alan Garcia’s death, just as he was about to be arrested for corruption

https://therealnews.com/stories/mafioso-capitalism-and-the-suicide-of-perus-president

Comedian Zelenskiy Wins Ukrainian Presidency in Landslide
In a contest against incumbent Petro Poroshenko, the TV comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy won an overwhelming majority of 73%, signaling a hunger for real change in Ukraine

*Comic relief, or a comic farce?

https://therealnews.com/stories/comedian-zelenskiy-wins-ukrainian-presidency-in-landslide

The Untold Story of the Nation’s Biggest School Cheating Scandal (2/3)
In Part Two, authors Shani Robinson and Anna Simonton discuss the role real estate developers and corporate interests played in the destruction of Atlanta’s black neighborhoods

*A legal lynching aided and abetted by a fact free press

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-untold-story-of-the-nations-biggest-school-cheating-scandal-2-3

Earth Day: How Can Climate Activists Fight Misinformation?
Award-winning filmmaker Josh Fox talks about his new book, The Truth Has Changed, and how climate movements can—and must—fight misinformation campaigns

*Fox has gone through a lot of sh t, so I don’t want to rag on him, but I have to wonder if his allusion to “the Russians” implies a not so healthy gulp of the Russiagate Kool Aid, and his seemingly naïve faith that he and others had made “enormous headway” with Madame Mayhem on fracking could be interpreted as succumbing to the same sort of misinformation he seeks to expose.

Perhaps the picture will become clearer with the second part of the interview.

https://therealnews.com/stories/earth-day-how-can-climate-activists-fight-misinformation
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Russiagate” Used to Demonize WikiLeaks

http://accuracy.org/release/russiagate-used-to-demonize-wikileaks
—

Democracy Now!
Right-Wing Vigilantes Hold Migrants Hostage on U.S. Border. Did Border Patrol Give Tacit Approval?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/23/right_wing_vigilantes_hold_migrants_hostage

Charges Dropped for U. of Arizona Students Who Called Border Patrol “Murder Patrol” at Campus Event

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/23/charges_dropped_for_u_of_arizona

4.22

Academia, Grassroots Organizations, and Debt
Forming a genuine collaboration
by Ann Larson

*Analysis absent action is essentially academic autoeroticism

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/22/academia-grassroots-organizations-and-debt
–

Things Didn’t Go Well When Betsy DeVos Was Confronted With Her Department’s Charter School Fraud
One billion awarded by the federal government’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) went to charter schools that never opened or opened for only brief periods
by Jeff Bryant

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/22/things-didnt-go-well-when-betsy-devos-was-confronted-her-departments-charter-school
—

The Real News Network
Modern Monetary Theory – A Debate: Randall Wray (1/4)
Randall Wray, one of the founders of the economic theory known as Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) lays out some of its main arguments. Paul Jay hosts

*So here’s a question

Why do we need money? Why is it necessary to buy and sell?

(Okay … that’s two questions. So sue me.)

Amorphous, I realize, but no one ever talks about this

So give it a go.

https://therealnews.com/stories/modern-monetary-theory-a-debate-randall-wray-pt-1-4

Modern Monetary Theory – A Debate: Gerald Epstein (2/4)
Gerald Epstein outlines his criticisms of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). Paul Jay hosts

https://therealnews.com/stories/modern-monetary-theory-a-debate-gerald-epstein-pt-2-4

Canada is Warming at Twice the Rate of the Globe, Says New Report
Greenpeace Canada analyst Keith Stewart hopes the study serves as a wake-up call for Trudeau government, but says “You can’t wake up a man who’s only pretending to be asleep” on climate change

*The pols aren’t asleep

But they strive to keep us comatose

https://therealnews.com/stories/canada-is-warming-at-twice-the-rate-of-the-globe-says-new-report

Cut Military Aid, Not Humanitarian Aid, to Reduce Refugee Numbers
Trump’s announcement cutting humanitarian aid to Central America will not have much effect. It’s the military aid that reinforces brutality in Guatemala and Honduras, says Prof. Adrienne Pine

https://therealnews.com/stories/cut-military-aid-not-humanitarian-aid-to-reduce-refugee-numbers
—

Petition update
Unconscionable, Even For Boeing
by Melissa Bumstead

*Boeing

Death in the skies

Death on the ground

We got you covered

https://www.change.org/p/no-more-kids-with-cancer-clean-up-the-santa-susana-field-lab/u/24419453
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Biden’s Deceitful Record on Iraq Invasion

*”So are they all … all honorable men”

http://accuracy.org/release/bidens-deceitful-record-on-iraq-invasion
—

Democracy Now!
Sri Lankan Gov’t Responds to Unprecedented Attacks with Surveillance, Social Media Blackout, Curfew

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/22/sri_lankan_govt_responds_to_unprecedented

4.19

Decrying ‘Toxic Alliance’ of Macron and Polluters, Climate Campaigners Stage One of France’s Largest Ever Acts of Civil Disobedience
“Instead of regulating the activities of these polluting multinationals, Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet!”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/19/decrying-toxic-alliance-macron-and-polluters-climate-campaigners-stage-one-frances

‘Oppressed Labor’ Not Backing Down as Stop & Shop Strike Enters Second Week
“We want our pension to be left the way it is, our healthcare not to be taken away from us, to keep our time and a half”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”America’s version of socialism”

That claptrap hardly qualifies as kosher, either.

Oy gevalt …

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/19/oppressed-labor-not-backing-down-stop-shop-strike-enters-second-week

‘Shocking Attack’ in Northern Ireland That Killed Journalist the Latest Incident of Escalating Violence
A number of stressors, chief among them the political instability that comes from the U.K.’s ongoing Brexit struggles, may be to blame for the recent uptick in unrest
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/19/shocking-attack-northern-ireland-killed-journalist-latest-incident-escalating
—

Armed Bounty Hunters Raided Our Clients’ Home to Prevent Private Companies from Losing $1,670
Predatory and exploitative behavior on the part of bail bonds agents is not only widespread throughout the country, but is directly incentivized because of how the for-profit bail industry operates
by Andrea Woods and Alex Rate

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/19/armed-bounty-hunters-raided-our-clients-home-prevent-private-companies-losing-1670
—

Amnesty International USA
Turkey: Love Wins as ‘Outrageous Ban’ on All LGBTI Events in Ankara Is Lifted

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/19/turkey-love-wins-outrageous-ban-all-lgbti-events-ankara-lifted
—

The Real News Network
The Untold Story of the Nation’s Biggest School Cheating Scandal (1/3)
Authors Shani Robinson and Anna Simonton say the Atlanta school cheating scandal resulted in black educators being scapegoated for the failures of policymakers

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-untold-story-of-the-nations-biggest-school-cheating-scandal-1-3

The Baltimore Uprising: Four Years Later
by Brandon Soderberg

https://therealnews.com/columns/baltimore-uprising-four-years-later

Trump Administration Working to Divide Caribbean Against Venezuela
The island nations of the Caribbean Community, or Caricom, have become increasingly divided as the Trump administration is working to win them back and oppose the Maduro government in Venezuela. Jeb Sprague discusses the development and what it means for the region

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-administration-working-to-divide-caribbean-against-venezuela

Arsonists Leave Fascist Symbols at the Highlander Center
The Highlander Center has been at the heart of civil rights, labor, and poor people’s struggles in this country for the last 87 years. Some people see this arson as an act of war

*This sh t is real

And we better be as real as it is

https://therealnews.com/stories/arsonists-leave-fascist-symbols-at-the-highlander-center
—

FAIR
‘The FBI Appears to Be Engaged in a Modern-Day Version of COINTELPRO’
CounterSpin interview with Nusrat Choudhury on FBI targeting of black activists
by Janine Jackson

*Instigation for the Information Age

https://fair.org/home/the-fbi-appears-to-be-engaged-in-a-modern-day-version-of-cointelpro

4.18

Private Health Insurance Stocks ‘In Free Fall’ as Medicare for All Gains Momentum
“Insurance industry stocks dropping as the Medicare for All movement heats up—we’ve got some serious people power on our hands!” said National Nurses United
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/18/private-health-insurance-stocks-free-fall-medicare-all-gains-momentum

Turning to ‘Liars’: Outrage From Critics as Facebook Solicits Far Right Site for Fact-Check Help
“The Daily Caller allowed a white [supremacist] to write and publish an article promoting his own white supremacist rally, where a woman was murdered”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”Don’t Be Evil”

Outsource it

(Yeah, I know that’s from Google’s PR hacks. Cut me some artistic slack … )

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/18/turning-liars-outrage-critics-facebook-solicits-far-right-site-fact-check-help
—

Nearly 100,000 Pentagon Whistleblower Complaints Have Been Silenced
There is a giant sucking sound in the center of the Pentagon, and whatever’s down there feeds on trillions of secretive dollars, then shits out incalculable death and destruction
by Lee Camp

*Which flows faster

The money, or the blood?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/18/nearly-100000-pentagon-whistleblower-complaints-have-been-silenced
—

Koch Network and Christian Right Celebrate Apparent Hagedorn Victory in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
by David Armiak

*The reason these statewide races are often so close is due to the fact that “liberal” (by comparison) candidates aim to sway many of the same voters as their reactionary competition, and in doing so, convey a “pragmatic” message that fails to motivate the unengaged or disillusioned to come to the polls.

Call it “Bermuda Triangulation”.

https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/04/04/koch-network-christian-right-celebrate-apparent-hagedorn-victory-wisconsin-supreme-court-race
—

Center for Biological Diversity
Legal Petition: North Carolina Energy Monopolies Violating Customers’ First Amendment Rights

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/18/legal-petition-north-carolina-energy-monopolies-violating-customers-first
—

The Real News Network
Is Trump for Detente or Militarism? – RAI with Stephen Cohen (2/5)
Trump’s stated aim is to reduce tensions with Russia, but is it motivated by peaceful objectives or is it preparations for aggression towards Iran and China – Stephen Cohen joins host Paul Jay for a spirited discussion on Reality Asserts Itself

*There are so many contradictions under the tent of Killer Clown’s circus that it really isn’t possible to make clear sense of them, is there?

I’ll just say that he absolutely pimps “Amerika über alles”, as it’s the putrid patriotic red white and blue meat he throws his base.

Does he buy his own sales pitch? He does whatever his tiny but tricky little mind tells him is to his benefit. He’d be perfectly happy as a Russian oligarch or Saudi prince (as long as Putin or MBS let him bloviate to his heart’s content).

His only allegiance is to the state of his ego and bank account.

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-trump-for-detente-or-militarism-rai-with-stephen-cohen-2-5

US ‘Tightens Noose’ on Cuba
Sec. of State Pompeo announced that Cuban Americans and US citizens who lost property after Cuba’s 1959 revolution can now sue companies that have benefited from this property. This represents an important intensification of sanctions on Cuba, says Jeb Sprague

https://therealnews.com/stories/us-tightens-noose-on-cuba

Black Alliance For Peace Revives Black Anti-War Tradition (1/2)
The US has been at war in the Middle East for 28 years, starting with Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, then into Afghanistan, Syria, and now we are learning of military bases, operations, and troops in African nations

https://therealnews.com/stories/black-alliance-for-peace-revives-black-anti-war-tradition-pt-1-2

Why Should Americans Care About NATO/US In Africa? (2/2)
The anti-war movement rightfully focuses on the expansion of US military action around the world, but what connection does that have to everyday struggles in poor and Black communities in the U.S. like Baltimore? Why should Baltimoreans care about endless expanding war?

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-should-americans-care-about-nato-us-in-africa-pt-2-2

Faked Emissions May Send Volkswagen CEO to Prison
Bill Black examines the corrupt corporate worlds of Germany and the U.S. and how Trump ignores corporate malfeasance

*And all this time we were getting fahrvergnügened

https://therealnews.com/stories/faked-emissions-may-send-volkswagen-ceo-to-prison
—

FAIR
Media Cheer Assange’s Arrest
by Alan MacLeod

*Think on this

Would the “#Resistance” corpress ever malign Killer Clown in this manner, or any of his Mafiosi?

Makes clear who’s seen as a true threat to the media status quo, don’t it just?

https://fair.org/home/media-cheer-assanges-arrest
—

Outlets Denounced as ‘Enemies of People’ Still Promote Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Narratives
by Joshua Cho

*Strained, at times

But hardly strange bedfellows

https://fair.org/home/outlets-denounced-as-enemies-of-people-still-promote-trumps-anti-immigrant-narratives
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Mueller and Barr’s Real History of Cover-ups

*Russian dressing on a slimy salad of home grown graft

http://accuracy.org/release/mueller-and-barrs-real-history-of-cover-ups
—

Democracy Now!
Chomsky: By Focusing on Russia, Democrats Handed Trump a “Huge Gift” & Possibly the 2020 Election

*Concise analysis of major party strategy and tactics

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/18/chomsky_by_focusing_on_russia_democrats

4.17

‘Prohibition Only Ends Once’: 421 For All Group Takes Aim at Cannabis Criminal Justice Reform
“On 4/20, we celebrate the cannabis plant. On 4/21 we celebrate the people who are focused on these crucial matters of cannabis justice, amplify their message, and have a call to action to continue the work”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/17/prohibition-only-ends-once-421-all-group-takes-aim-cannabis-criminal-justice-reform
—

Walruses Are Jumping Off Cliffs to Their Deaths—Yes, Because of Climate Change
Animal lovers of the world must bear witness to the walrus’s peril
by Shaye Wolf

*If we don’t haul out of our death spiral

The edge of the cliff awaits us all

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/17/walruses-are-jumping-cliffs-their-deaths-yes-because-climate-change
–

Don’t Fall for the Hype of Free Trade Agreements
NAFTA 2.0 is not about feeding people or doing right by American farmers or Canadian farmers or Mexican farmers—it is about furthering corporate profit.
by Jim Goodman

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/17/dont-fall-hype-free-trade-agreements
—

MADRE
Global Indigenous Women’s Delegation Visits North Dakota to Share Strategies to Oppose Mega Oil and Gas Projects, Impact on Women and Girls

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/17/global-indigenous-womens-delegation-visits-north-dakota-share-strategies-oppose
—

The Real News Network
Unprecedented US Efforts to Expel Venezuela’s Representative to the UN
In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration, under VP Pence, is making an all-out effort to have the UN expel Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN

https://therealnews.com/stories/unprecedented-us-efforts-to-expel-venezuelas-representative-to-the-un
—

FAIR
‘Purity Tests’: How Corporate Media Describe Progressives Standing Up for Principles
by Alan MacLeod

*As pure as the driven snow job

https://fair.org/home/purity-tests-how-corporate-media-describe-progressives-standing-up-for-principles
—

Democracy Now!
Extinction Rebellion: Meet the Famed Climate Attorney Who Superglued Herself Outside Shell’s U.K. HQ

*I’m so happy the bobbies are exhibiting “utter professionalism and courtesy”

We’ll see how long that lasts.

In other countries, climate activism can get you killed

And Killer Clown would like nothing better than for the US to be the poster boy for that viciousness.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/17/extinction_rebellion_climate_activists_glue_themselves

Libyan Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as Over 170 Killed, 18K Displaced in Warlord Assault on Tripoli

*Painting your opponents as Islamic extremists isn’t just “a dog whistle to the far right” in the West, is it?

Old school imperialists’ ears perk up at the sound, as well.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/17/libyan_humanitarian_crisis_worsens_as_over

ICC Makes “Dangerous Decision” to Drop Probe into U.S. War Crimes in Afghanistan After U.S. Pressure

*Above the law

Beneath contempt

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/17/icc_makes_dangerous_decision_to_drop

4.16

Thawing Permafrost Emitting Higher Levels of Potent Greenhouse Gas Than Previously Thought: Study
Nitrous oxide is nearly 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/16/thawing-permafrost-emitting-higher-levels-potent-greenhouse-gas-previously-thought

Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Traumatized American Women, Study Shows—And May Have Made Them Less Safe
The Supreme Court Justice’s confirmation hearings left Americans fearful for women’s rights and safety and left many men less likely to believe a woman’s allegations of assault
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/16/kavanaughs-confirmation-traumatized-american-women-study-shows-and-may-have-made
—

A Path to Democratic Socialism Means a Path To Climate Justice
Through ecosocialism, we can fight climate change and extreme inequality at the same time
by Thea N. Riofrancos

*Can we be as radical as the future we face?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/16/path-democratic-socialism-means-path-climate-justice
—

The Real News Network
Did The House’s New Climate Committee Snub the Sunrise Movement?
The first House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hearing featured youth climate activists—but not the ones with the Sunrise Movement who demand a Green New Deal

*Insipid sound without fulsome fury

An insignificant nothing

https://therealnews.com/columns/did-the-houses-new-climate-committee-snub-the-sunrise-movement

Special Report: Haitian Resistance is Rising; US Complicity in Atrocities (2/2)
An unknown number of Haitians were killed, raped, and burned alive in La Saline, Haiti, the home of African Diaspora liberation. Margaret Prescod talks about what she found

*Taking wagers on whether the Black Caucus will do anything of consequence on this horror. A search on “black caucus haiti” serves up a nothingburger.

https://therealnews.com/stories/special-report-haitian-resistance-is-rising-us-complicity-in-atrocities-2-2
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Examining the Center for American Progress

*As with anything DNCista, a truly “constructive” criticism of this neoliberal nest of vipers would result in its destruction.

http://accuracy.org/release/examining-the-center-for-american-progress
—

FAIR
US Media Lament Internet Censorship—in China, Not US
by Julianne Tveten

*Isn’t it necessary to make a distinction between Western hypocrisy and market mongering, and legitimate concern over Chinese gummint censorship?

I don’t want Google colluding with any state’s desire to control its citizenry.

https://fair.org/home/us-media-lament-internet-censorship-in-china-not-us
—

Democracy Now!
Denied Entry to U.S., BDS Co-Founder Omar Barghouti Condemns McCarthyite Repression in U.S. & Israel

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/16/denied_entry_to_us_bds_co

Rep. Ilhan Omar Faces Death Threats & “Dangerous Hate Campaign” as Right-Wing Attacks Continue

*The Democratic “leadership” has Omar’s back

In its sights

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/16/rep_ilhan_omar_faces_death_threats

4.15

Greenlighting ‘Censorship Machine,’ EU Adopts Controversial Copyright Rules
“This is a deeply disappointing result which will have a far-reaching and negative impact on freedom of speech and expression online”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/15/greenlighting-censorship-machine-eu-adopts-controversial-copyright-rules

Attendees of Secret Meeting for ‘US Military Assault’ on Venezuela Revealed
“Few of these figures are well known by the public, yet many have played an influential role in US plans to destabilize Venezuela”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/15/attendees-secret-meeting-us-military-assault-venezuela-revealed
—

The Toxic Lure of “Guns and Butter”
Top Democrats keep aiding and abetting what Dr. King called “the madness of militarism”
by Norman Solomon

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/15/toxic-lure-guns-and-butter
–

How Progressives Can Fix the Progressive Income Tax
Taxes on the wealthy should be linked not just to the top of the income ladder, but also to the bottom
by Sam Pizzigati

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/15/how-progressives-can-fix-progressive-income-tax
—

The Real News Network
Medicare for All Divides Democrats but Might Unite the Nation
Michael Lighty speaks on Sanders’ Medicare for All bill, the corporate-fueled war inside the Democratic Party, and the battle for American minds

https://therealnews.com/stories/medicare-for-all-divides-democrats-but-might-unite-the-nation

“Stunning and Revealing” – DCCC Demands Loyalty Oath From Political Consultants
As Jeff Cohen points out, political fear of progressives and corporate power have pushed the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) towards strategies for stopping primary challenges

*Following the money

On all fours

https://therealnews.com/stories/stunning-and-revealing-dccc-demands-loyalty-oath-from-political-consultants

California Dreamin’ of Climate Action by Newsom, But Will He Deliver?
After Jerry Brown’s mixed record, climate advocates hope Governor Gavin Newsom will up the ante on climate policy. Early on, details remain murky.

*Less smoke, perhaps

But the mirrors remain

https://therealnews.com/columns/california-dreamin-of-climate-action-by-newsom-but-will-he-deliver

Arab Spring Arrives Late in Algeria: New Elections Called
Baba Aye discusses the protests in Algeria, the colonial legacy that still shapes the country’s politics today, and the decision of independence hero Bouteflika to step down

*”And a parting on the left
Is now a parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight”

— “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, the Who

https://therealnews.com/stories/arab-spring-arrives-late-in-algeria-new-elections-called

UK Labour Party’s “Witch Hunt” Victimizes Jewish Black Party Activist
Jackie Walker’s surreptitiously taped words taken out of context led to a 2016 suspension; now she has been expelled. We discuss the case with Jackie Walker herself

*Sh-i-t like this just illuminates the imperative to place our faith in principles, not parties or personalities, if we truly wish to see those principles put into practice.

https://therealnews.com/stories/uk-labour-partys-witch-hunt-victimizes-jewish-black-party-activist

Special Report: Massacres in Haiti – Pacifica’s Margaret Prescod
An unknown number of Haitians were killed, raped, and burned alive in La Saline, Haiti, the home of African Diaspora liberation. Margaret Prescod talks about what she found

https://therealnews.com/stories/special-report-massacres-in-haiti-pacificas-margaret-prescod

Ecuadorian President’s Motives for Surrendering Assange: Vengeance & IMF Loan?
$4.2 billion IMF loan, submission to the US, and vengeance appear to have been President Moreno’s true motives for revoking Assange’s asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy, says Ecuador’s former foreign minister Guillaume Long

https://therealnews.com/stories/ecuadorian-presidents-motives-for-surrendering-assange-vengeance-imf-loan

EU Plastics Ban: “Doesn’t Go Far Enough”
Jerri-Lin Scofield and Jonathan Latham argue that EU plastics ban is far too limited and that recycling plastics does not deal with the main problem these materials cause

*A shame we can’t recycle our garbage as effectively as pols and the powers they serve do theirs

https://therealnews.com/stories/eu-plastics-ban-doesnt-go-far-enough
—

Petition
Patagonia
Wild Orcas Need Wild Salmon!

https://www.change.org/p/wild-salmon-and-southern-resident-killer-whales-are-on-the-brink-of-extinction
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
International Court Caving to Trump Pressure

*Court of least retort

http://accuracy.org/release/international-court-caving-to-trump-pressure
—

Democracy Now!
Allan Nairn: Indonesian General Tied to Mass Killings Plots to Arrest Critics If He Wins Presidency

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/15/allan_nairn_indonesian_general_tied_to

Trump vs. Mother Earth: Indigenous Activist Dallas Goldtooth Slams Trump’s Pipeline Executive Orders

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/15/trump_vs_mother_earth_indigenous_activist

4.12

Citing Assange’s Work Exposing US ‘Atrocities,’ UK Labour Leaders Speak Out Against Extradition Effort
The WikiLeaks publisher, says shadow home secretary, “is being pursued because he has exposed wrongdoing by U.S. administrations and their military forces”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/citing-assanges-work-exposing-us-atrocities-uk-labour-leaders-speak-out-against
–

Author of ‘Crude’ Op-ed Yanked from Boston Globe Defends Sarcastic Take on Unaccountable Trump Officials
“I don’t understand what is so crazy about suggesting that the people responsible for ruining lives and tearing families apart and losing fucking track of children should be held somewhat accountable”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Piss on food

Horrors!

Piss on people

Horrors bloodlessly chronicled

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/12/author-crude-op-ed-yanked-boston-globe-defends-sarcastic-take-unaccountable-trump
—

The Martyrdom of Julian Assange
We must, in every way possible, put pressure on the British government to halt the judicial lynching of Assange
by Chris Hedges

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/12/martyrdom-julian-assange
—

The Real News Network
Sudan’s President Carries Out Coup to Defuse Movement Against Him
Prof. Khalid Ahmad says that what looks like a military coup against Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir is actually of the president’s own making, to defuse the growing movement and ICC indictment against him

https://therealnews.com/stories/sudans-president-carries-out-coup-to-defuse-movement-against-him

Assange Arrested for Exposing U.S. War Crimes – Paul Jay
Wikileaks released Manning’s leaked documents and exposed multiple crimes committed by the U.S. government and armed forces – Jay says this is getting lost in the corporate media coverage of Assange’s arrest

*”Democracy Dies in Darkness”

And the corpress draw the curtains

https://therealnews.com/stories/assange-arrested-for-exposing-u-s-war-crimes-paul-jay

Rising Rents Threaten Berlin’s Diversity, Activists Demand Expropriation
A grassroots movement in Berlin wants a referendum on expropriating more than 200,000 privately-owned apartment buildings from landlords and handing them over to public ownership, and tens of thousands took to the streets last week in support

https://therealnews.com/stories/rising-rents-threaten-berlins-diversity-activists-demand-expropriation

Students, Residents Protest Johns Hopkins ICE Contracts and Private Police
As student occupation continues, professors join in calls for the university to abandon plan for armed police

https://therealnews.com/stories/students-residents-protest-johns-hopkins-ice-contracts-and-private-police
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Contrary to Reports, the U.S. Gov. Can Add Charges After Assange Extradition

http://accuracy.org/release/contrary-to-reports-the-u-s-gov-can-add-charges-after-assange-extradition

Rep. Barbara Lee’s Startling Vote to Boost Military Spending

*She supported Madame Mayhem’s candidacy

Did that “startle” these folks?

Oy …

http://accuracy.org/release/rep-barbara-lees-startling-vote-to-boost-military-spending
—

FAIR
Assange’s ‘Conspiracy’ to Expose War Crimes Has Already Been Punished
by Joe Emersberger

*Assange assuredly isn’t “one of us”, or “in the club”

Which is why he’s being beaten with it.

https://fair.org/home/assanges-conspiracy-to-expose-war-crimes-has-already-been-punished
—

Democracy Now!
Noam Chomsky: We Must Confront the “Ultranationalist, Reactionary” Movements Growing Across Globe

*I don’t see any movement led by such compromised personalities as Saint Bernard as capable of successfully confronting the darkness growing daily around us.

Chomsky is unquestionably intelligent enough to grasp that reality.

Why he doesn’t appear to is a profound mystery to me.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/12/noam_chomsky_we_must_confront_the

Chomsky: Nuclear Weapons, Climate Change & the Undermining of Democracy Threaten Future of Planet

*Yes, they are institutional problems, but that doesn’t absolve individuals within those institutions of the responsibility to act to change those dynamics.

Many persons have done so, and paid a heavy price, but their sacrifice has often led to at least the tempering of the harm caused by greed and the lust for power.

Those with power perpetuate that “lack of choice”, wilfully. Let’s not view them as somehow blameless for their “predicament”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/12/chomsky_nuclear_weapons_climate_change_the

Chomsky: Trump Radically Interfered with Israel’s Election to Help Re-elect Netanyahu

*The “guardians of democracy” make sure “Americagate” stays locked

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/12/chomsky_trump_radically_interfered_with_israels

4.11

Watch: Rep. Katie Porter Uses Basic Budget Math to Expose Jamie Dimon on Starvation Wages at JPMorgan Chase
“Mr. Dimon, you know how to spend $31 million a year in salary, and you can’t figure out how to make up a $567 a month shortfall”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*$567 is likely what Dimon pays for a high end blow job.

I’m surprised he didn’t suggest that as an “income supplement” for his employee.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/11/watch-rep-katie-porter-uses-basic-budget-math-expose-jamie-dimon-starvation-wages
—

The Man Who Saw Trump Coming A Century Ago
A reader’s guide for the distraught
by Ann Jones

*The distended shape of things to come

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/11/man-who-saw-trump-coming-century-ago
—

The Real News Network
Assange and Manning Under Arrest: Trump Admin Goes All Out Against Whistleblowers (1/2)
Shortly before Assange’s arrest in London Thursday morning, we spoke to former National Lawyers Guild president Marjorie Cohn about Manning’s refusal to testify against Assange and the precarious situation Assange is in

*Only the brain damaged would believe that the global corpress will approach this in a “but for the grace of (somebody’s) God go I” manner.

Craven and complicit, they will dutifully yield to the security state, stenographing their risible rationale, perhaps raising the meekest of objections over “press freedom” to appear something other than the courtiers the clear eyed espy them to be.

https://therealnews.com/stories/assange-manning-under-arrest-trump-whistleblowers-1-2

Assange and Manning Under Arrest: Trump Admin Goes All Out Against Whistleblowers (2/2)

https://therealnews.com/stories/assange-manning-under-arrest-trump-whistleblowers-2-2

Netanyahu’s Election Crusade Succeeds In Spite of Corruption Indictments (1/2)
Shir Hever and Lia Tarachansky discuss the continuing rise of the far-right in Israel and the future of the Israeli state following Netanyahu’s probable reelection

https://therealnews.com/series/netanyahus-brilliant-election-strategy-overcomes-corruption-indictments

Netanyahu’s Election Crusade Succeeds In Spite of Corruption Indictments (2/2)

*Re Omer-Man’s perspective

If you understand the reality, and yet ignore it

How do you hope to change it?

https://therealnews.com/stories/netanyahus-election-crusade-succeeds-in-spite-of-corruption-indictments-2-2
—

Petition
Color Of Change
Tell corporate charities: Stop the flow of funds to hate groups

*Giving till it kills

https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/stop-funds-to-hate-groups
—

FAIR
Dictator: Media Code for ‘Government We Don’t Like’
by Alan MacLeod

*A name game to fit a nefarious narrative

https://fair.org/home/dictator-media-code-for-government-we-dont-like
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Assange Arrest: “Nuclear Option” Against the First Amendment?

http://accuracy.org/release/assange-arrest-nuclear-option-against-the-first-amendment
—

Democracy Now!
Julian Assange of WikiLeaks Arrested in London; Faces U.S. Charge Related to Chelsea Manning Leaks

*The corpress could care less about revealing US crimes, but they may not be too keen on the prospect of being prosecuted by foreign gummints.

Will that translate into opposition to a pending show trial?

I certainly wouldn’t put scared money on it.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/11/julian_assange_of_wikileaks_arrested_in

Sudanese Military Topples Omar al-Bashir as Anti-Government Protesters Vow to Stay in Streets

*”[A] force for counterterrorism in the region”

It bears constant repeating that the US views “terrorism” through varying lenses, seeking to manage such situations to maximize its advantage. That may entail fierce confrontation, or covert collaboration.

The battle isn’t against “terrorism”, but against obstacles to its (not our) interests. In the broader view, the presence of a bogeyman is a benefit to those interests.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/11/sudanese_military_topples_omar_al_bashir

4.10

My Father Was Killed on 9/11 When I Was Five, But What I Experienced at Guantánamo Bay Did Not Feel Like Justice
On life and the pursuit of death at America’s offshore prison where my outrage coexists with a yearning to understand
by Jessica Bram Murphy

*Holding onto humanity in the midst of its institutionalized absence

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/10/my-father-was-killed-911-when-i-was-five-what-i-experienced-guantanamo-bay-did-not
—

Food & Water Watch
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sweeps Iowa’s Water Crisis Under the Rug
Despite over 10,000 factory farms and almost no Clean Water Act regulation, EPA denies petition to withdraw Iowa’s pollution program

*Smells like shit in every respect

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/10/us-environmental-protection-agency-sweeps-iowas-water-crisis-under-rug
—

The Real News Network
More Sanctions on Venezuela: Operation Florida 2020 (1/2)
Senators Menendez and Rubio introduced a bipartisan bill to the Senate to intensify US and international pressure on the government of Venezuela. Mark Weisbrot says this is largely possible because members of Congress are unaware of the suffering the sanctions are causing in Venezuela

*Ignorance is no excuse, but if – a hefty “if” – ignorance does play a part, it’s of a wilful sort, isn’t it?

Isn’t it your charge as a congressmember to understand the impact of your actions?

There I go all Vulcan again.

https://therealnews.com/stories/more-sanctions-on-venezuela-operation-florida-2020-pt-1-2

Pompeo: Sanctions Increase “Pain and Suffering” in Venezuela (2/2)
Sec. of State Mike Pompeo recently openly admitted that the sanctions are causing pain and suffering and that this would accelerate the process of toppling the Maduro government. Mark Weisbrot discusses the approach and what Democrats and progressives could do to stop this

*Is it that Democratic reps don’t know “what they’re actually doing”

Or know precisely what they’re doing, ’cause they’ve done it time and again, as Wilpert points out?

“Hands across the aisle” here have always strangled innocents abroad.

https://therealnews.com/stories/pompeo-sanctions-increase-pain-and-suffering-in-venezuela-pt-2-2

Don’t Celebrate: Mueller Report Continues Russiagate Narrative
The Mueller report, while finding no collusion by Trump, did reinforce the narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 elections to sow discord and disinformation, reinforcing the idea that Russia is an existential threat to the United States

*What does MSNBC stand for?

M y check is
S igned by
N
B
C

(Okay, it’s a stretch … sue me)

A corpress outlet is a corpress outlet. “Liberal” or no, it’s there to further the power structure’s narrative. MSNBC exists to coopt liberalism, to ensure it remains safely within the bounds of accepted “disagreement”

And, of course, on imperialism, as we see not only with this rabid Russia to judgment, but also with the silence on the high tech hell wrought in Yemen with our tax dollars, there is next to nary a sliver of light between elite views.

https://therealnews.com/stories/dont-celebrate-mueller-report-continues-russiagate-narrative

Netanyahu’s Proposal to Annex West Bank Kills Delusion About Two-State Solution
Rabbi Mivasair discusses the implications of Netanyahu’s probable reelection and his last-ditch effort to appease the far-right in Israel, by declaring his willingness to annex the West Bank

*Isn’t it telling that Palestinians in the prospectively annexed areas – if they are granted citizenship; by no means a certainty, I wouldn’t think – would have more rights under the ninth class citizenship Palestinians in Israel proper are subjected to, than in their current situation?

https://therealnews.com/stories/netanyahus-proposal-to-annex-west-bank-kills-delusion-about-two-state-solution
—

Democracy Now!
A Vote to Maintain Apartheid? Israel’s Netanyahu Set to Win 5th Term After Vow to Annex West Bank

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/10/a_vote_to_maintain_apartheid_israels

Academic Freedom at Risk After Decades of Right-Wing Attacks and Cuts to Education

*How do you have a segment on academic freedom, and the guest talks seemingly approvingly about administrations protecting the speech of “conservative speakers”, yet says nothing – and nothing is asked – about how those administrations have censored the speech of professors and others who challenge the conventional narrative on Israel or other areas?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/10/academic_freedom_at_risk_after_decades

4.9

For Military Contractors, Tax Day Is Pay Day
Lockheed Martin’s CEO took home $20 million while enlisted soldiers got just $20,000. Why? Because corporations have hijacked the military.
by Lindsay Koshgarian

*The F-35 is a bipartisan boondoggle

Just ask Saint Bernard about Vermont’s fork in the pork pie.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/09/military-contractors-tax-day-pay-day
–

America’s Self-Inflicted Wound: 100 Years of the War on Drugs
On the dead end of prohibition
by Alfred W. McCoy

*McCoy frames the strategy of prohibition as a “failure”, but for whom?

Certainly for humanity … but for those prosecuting the war on drugs?

Like “terrorism”, the aim is not to “win”, but to perpetuate a fear of the demon to justify policies meant to maintain power.

If the dragon is slain, what need of the knight?

(And the Florida measure did not restore voting rights to all felons. Those convicted of murder or sexual violence were excluded.

All that glitters is rarely unalloyed gold)

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/09/americas-self-inflicted-wound-100-years-war-drugs
—

The Real News Network
Does Obama Speak for Progressives?
On Saturday in Berlin, President Obama said progressives shouldn’t attack other progressives, saying it’s a “circular firing squad.” But are corporate Democrats within the progressive camp?

*The Republicans are the greater danger

The Democrats are the reason they are

And while I’ll likely let out a primal scream, then vote for a Biden or someone else as vile, should that be the reality, wouldn’t it be a revelation for Sanders, instead of shilling for them as he did for Madame Mayhem, to abstain from sugar coating their sins, making the case for voting for them with no illusions?

Might being straight up with folks possibly lead to more votes for the Democratic candidate, now seen as nothing more than the least worst choice, rather than being fed a load of horse hockey that turns off so many from going to the polls?

Needless to say, I won’t be ponying up ten bucks on the prospect.

https://therealnews.com/stories/does-obama-speak-for-progressives

Emboldened by Mueller Report, Trump Stages Border Drama
Trump hands even more aggressive border policy to Stephen Miller, and uses border controversy to bury more aggressive action against Iran

*Jay points out that Killer Clown’s border bombast is not “self-defeating”; that he wants “more drama at the border.”

As with “terrorism”, the goal isn’t to end the caravans, but to exploit them.

Slime thrives in the dung of demagoguery

https://therealnews.com/stories/emboldened-by-mueller-report-trump-stages-border-drama

Indian Elections: Raul Gandhi’s Minimum Income Program Highlights Modi Government Failures
“It’s bringing policy attention and public attention back to the issue of poverty, to the issues of deprivation and the fact that this government has not delivered at all for the bottom 50 percent, much less the bottom 20 percent”, says economist Jayati Ghosh

https://therealnews.com/stories/indian-elections-raul-gandhis-minimum-income-program-highlights-modi-government-failures
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Purges DHS Leadership, Threatening to Make Immigration Policies Even More Draconian

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/9/trump_purges_dhs_leadership_threatening_to

Kirstjen Nielsen’s Cruel Legacy: Outgoing DHS Secretary Proudly Separated Families & Caged Children

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/9/kirstjen_nielsens_cruel_legacy_outgoing_dhs

4.7

Researchers Warn Arctic Has Entered ‘Unprecedented State’ That Threatens Global Climate Stability
“Never have so many Arctic indicators been brought together in a single paper.” And the findings spell trouble for the entire planet.
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/08/researchers-warn-arctic-has-entered-unprecedented-state-threatens-global-climate
—

It’s Time to End U.S. Military Aid to the Philippines
U.S. taxpayer funds are bankrolling the worsening human rights crisis in the Philippines. Movements are rising to shut that aid off.
by Amee Chew

*As usual, no outrage for Master Mayhem’s mass murdering best bud

When his bromance is simply bipartisan business as usual.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/its-time-end-us-military-aid-philippines
–

Tech Companies Need to Get Serious About Confronting Hate
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other large tech companies already have policies that ban hateful, violent, and harassing content. It is clear they need to do much more.
by Carmen Scurato

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/08/tech-companies-need-get-serious-about-confronting-hate
—

The Real News Network
Sec. of State Pompeo Protecting Bush Jr. from War Crimes Prosecution (1/2)
With the revocation of the ICC Chief Prosecutor’s US visa, Pompeo and Bolton are trying to make sure that high-level US government officials are never prosecuted for war crimes committed in Afghanistan or elsewhere, says law professor Francis Boyle

https://therealnews.com/stories/sec-of-state-pompeo-protecting-bush-jr-from-war-crimes-prosecution-pt-1-2

Sec. of State Pompeo Protects Bush Jr. from War Crimes Prosecution (2/2)

https://therealnews.com/stories/sec-of-state-pompeo-protects-bush-jr-from-war-crimes-prosecution-pt-2-2

Unemployment is Down – Why Aren’t Wages Up?
In the recent jobs report, employment increased rapidly, but wage growth slowed down. Why? Gerald Epstein joins Paul Jay

*”[I]f the labor unions can figure out ways to support and accommodate these kinds of movements … “

Well, gee … if unions haven’t figured that out by now …

Of course, this *is* the US of A, innit?

https://therealnews.com/stories/unemployment-is-down-why-arent-wages-up

Will Trump’s Trade Wars Raise Wages?
Are the trade negotiations with China and the rewriting of NAFTA aimed at raising wages or profits? Gerald Epstein joins Paul Jay

*”[P]erhaps public-private partnerships … “

Perhaps Epstein has something else in mind, but PPPs as most often constituted have this disconcerting tendency to do just that on us, don’t they?

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-trumps-trade-wars-raise-wages

What is a “Guaidó”? A Cowboy in Caracas (1/2)
Former Catholic priest and Wyoming native Charlie Hardy talks about his recent experiences in Venezuela and looks back on 25 years living among the poorest of Venezuela’s poor

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-is-a-guaido-a-cowboy-in-caracas-pt-1-2

What is a “Guaidó”? A Cowboy in Caracas (2/2)

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-is-a-guaido-a-cowboy-in-caracas-pt-2-2

Does Socialism Make People Lazy?
In our series responding to viewer mail, Paul Jay joins Taya Graham to give his views on questions raised by viewers

*Okay, maybe I’m ascribing too much humanity to humanity, so to speak, and I should only speak for myself, but if a society (which is, or should be, our “family”) provides for not only our material but also our social, emotional needs, wouldn’t we feel motivated to do our best for that “family” due to that, and thus there would be no necessity for incentives based on wealth?

For me, knowing I’m valued as a human being, that my voice is listened to, and that my effort is recognized and appreciated, along with having what I need to live a dignified life, is sufficient to motivate me to contribute to society to the extent to which I’m able.

Are we evolved enough as a species to be satisfied with such a world?

https://therealnews.com/stories/does-socialism-make-people-lazy

External Powers Fuel Bloodshed in Libya
General Khalifa Haftar of Libya has been a very disruptive force in the formation of the UN’s unity government, says Vijay Prashad, the author of the book, “Arab Spring, Libyan Winter”

https://therealnews.com/stories/external-powers-fuel-bloodshed-in-libya

Oil Politics Drive Turmoil in Libya
With two of the largest oil producers, Iran and Russia, under U.S. sanctions, all profiteering eyes of the west turn to oil rich Libya, says Vijay Prashad, the author of the book, “Arab Spring, Libyan Winter”

*The blood flows

So the oil will

https://therealnews.com/stories/oil-politics-drive-turmoil-in-libya
—

FAIR
Ignoring Lessons of #metoo, Media Scrutinize Biden’s Accusers
by Naomi LaChance

*For the corpress, nothing short of rape on streaming video qualifies as unalloyed depravity

Even “pussy grabbing”, judging by Killer Clown’s pass.

And, of course, none of Biden’s defenders’ political motives are questioned, are they just?

https://fair.org/home/ignoring-lessons-of-metoo-media-scrutinize-bidens-accusers

4.5

‘I Don’t Know, Man’: Joe Biden Cracks #MeToo Joke to Room Full of Union Workers
Former vice president, said head of women’s advocacy group, “needs to own and learn from his mistakes—and that includes listening to the people who say that he harmed them and apologizing to them directly—not making jokes about it a day later”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*He gets it

He just doesn’t want it

And we sure as shit shouldn’t give it to him

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/05/i-dont-know-man-joe-biden-cracks-metoo-joke-room-full-union-workers
—

How VAWA Takes on the Systems That Perpetuate Domestic and Sexual Violence
#MeToo not only shed light on the pervasiveness of sexual violence—it also showed how people, systems, and institutions have been complicit in silencing survivors and fostering ongoing and escalating violence
by Sandra Park

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/05/how-vawa-takes-systems-perpetuate-domestic-and-sexual-violence
—

National Nurses United
Nurses Volunteering Medical Services See Sharp Increase in Numbers of Migrants Recently Released from Federal Detention

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/05/nurses-volunteering-medical-services-see-sharp-increase-numbers-migrants

Corporate Accountability
In Response to Mounting Pressure, Providence Mayor Ends Water Privatization Plan

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/05/response-mounting-pressure-providence-mayor-ends-water-privatization-plan

IfNotNow
Hundreds of Jewish College Students and Other Young Jews Blocking the Doors to Birthright Headquarters as well as 3rd Avenue; Over 20 Willing to Risk Arrest
Young American Jews, blocking doors to Birthright Headquarters, demand that Birthright confront the crisis of Israel’s occupation and choose freedom and dignity over their donors’ propaganda

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/05/hundreds-jewish-college-students-and-other-young-jews-blocking-doors-birthright
—

The Real News Network
What Baltimore’s Children’s Book Scam Says About Corporate Power
Baltimore Beat Editor-in-Chief Lisa Snowden-McCray discusses the fallout from the unfolding Healthy Holly corruption scandal

*For the exploitocracy

Corruption is child’s play

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-baltimores-childrens-book-scam-says-about-corporate-power

New York Sues Big Pharma for Opioid Crisis
Sackler and PurduePharma profited from “suffering and death,” NYC AG Letitia James says. White collar criminologist Bill Black discusses the case

*I dunno …

If something is so vile, such as rape, should we seek to “kind of [contain] and [regulate]” it, or should we work to end it?

The nature of the beast that is capitalism is such that it can never be tamed.

https://therealnews.com/stories/new-york-sues-big-pharma-for-opioid-crisis

EU Clamps Down on Freedom of Speech in name of Copyright Protection
Julia Reda of the Pirate Party warns that the law does not protect creators, but large interest groups. Internet platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter will install filters and ban access to material individuals upload who do not buy the rights for everything they use

*Greed has a perpetual copyright in a capitalist world

https://therealnews.com/stories/eu-clamps-down-on-freedom-of-speech-in-name-of-copyright-protection
—

FAIR
Tips for a Post-Mueller Media from Nine Russiagate Skeptics
Evidence-based journalists on the mistakes media made and how to get it right moving forward
by Katie Halper

*Yasha Levine nails it, don’t he?

This really isn’t primarily about Killer Clown. It’s meant to absolve the Clintonistas of any responsibility for his circus of death and dystopia (not that Madame Mayhem’s ascension wouldn’t have been largely a matter of degree, not kind), and to fill the putrid pockets of the arms industry by playing Russian roulette with nuclear armageddon.

And the corpress did indeed do their job; one they’ve toiled assiduously at from long before the Gulf of Tonkin.

https://fair.org/home/tips-for-a-post-mueller-media-from-nine-russiagate-skeptics

Calling Racism by Its Real Name
by Janine Jackson

*Will Killer Clown ever be subject to “truth in labeling”?

The betting window’s open

https://fair.org/home/calling-racism-by-its-real-name

Democracy Now!
“Corporate Homicide”: Ralph Nader Demands Boeing Recall Jets After Ethiopia Crash Kills His Niece

*Flying blind(ed by greed)

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/5/corporate_homicide_ralph_nader_demands_justice

How Trump’s Call for More Military Spending by NATO Countries Benefits U.S. Weapons Manufacturers

*So why is a program that used to bill itself as “the exception to the rulers” hosting a guest who’s pimping the primacy of NATO, one of those rulers’ primary assets, rather than calling for its extinction?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/5/how_trumps_call_for_more_military

4.4

Ayatollah Trump: The Global Rise of the Christian Right
Islamic extremism gets all the press, but Trump is just one of a growing number of Christian extremists in positions of political power
by John Feffer

*From Killer Clown to Killer Crowned

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/04/ayatollah-trump-global-rise-christian-right
–

India, Pakistan, and a Planet in Peril
South Asia’s nuclear-armed neighbors pull back from the abyss…barely
by Dilip Hiro

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/04/india-pakistan-and-planet-peril
–

‘The Essence of Being Palestinian’: What the Great March of Return is Really About
Their protests are a collective statement, a cry for justice, an ultimate reclamation of their narrative as a people—still standing, still powerful and still hopeful after 70 years of Nakba, 50 years of military occupation and 12 years of unrelenting siege
by Ramzy Baroud

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/03/essence-being-palestinian-what-great-march-return-really-about
—

The Real News Network
What California’s Death Penalty Moratorium Means For The Marginalized
Davey D discusses Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order and California’s prison industrial complex—from Tookie Williams to Prop 66

*The iniquitous irony of the death penalty is that it could serve only as a deterrent to the capital crimes of the powerful persons who support it, whose position has ensured that they have never been subject to it.

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-californias-death-penalty-moratorium-means-for-the-marginalized

Trump and Pelosi Both Cater to Private Health Insurance – Wendell Potter
Trump’s “great healthcare plan” and opposition to Medicare for All’s “socialism” and Pelosi’s defense of the ACA and opposition to single-payer are both aimed at garnering support from the private insurance industry

*They call themselves the “healthcare” industry

And the Strategic Air Command’s motto is “Peace is Our Profession”

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-and-pelosi-both-cater-to-private-health-insurance-wendell-potter

Fossil Fuel Trade Associations Spent $1.4 Billion on Ads in Past Decade
The American Petroleum Institute spent over half of that total on contracts with the PR giant Edelman, says Kert Davies of the Climate Investigations Center

*”Propaganda” is misspelled as “advertising”

https://therealnews.com/stories/fossil-fuel-trade-associations-spent-1-4-billion-on-ads-in-past-decade

New Chicago Mayor Promises to Reduce Crime by Fighting Poverty
Chicago overwhelmingly elected its first Black and openly gay woman to lead a major city. Micah Uetricht of In These Times analyzes the result

*De Blasio déjà vu all over again … ?

https://therealnews.com/stories/new-chicago-mayor-promises-to-reduce-crime-by-fighting-poverty

‘Obscene’ Bipartisan Applause for NATO in Congress
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress fanning the fire of a ‘Russian threat.’ Peter Kuznick says it is an ‘obscene bipartisan spectacle applauding war’; Pietro Shakarian discusses the self-serving NATO expansion and the hyperbolic Russia threat narrative

*If you’re jonesing to do the imperial dance of death

You can’t boogie without a boogeyman

https://therealnews.com/stories/obscene-bipartisan-applause-for-nato-in-congress
—

Petition
Justice for Port Drivers
Rio Tinto, Stop Doing Business with NFI Industries

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/rio-tinto-stop-doing-business-with-nfi-industries
—

FAIR
Highlighting Israel’s Claims of Conquest, NYT Creates Confusion on Status of Occupied Territory
by Joshua Cho

*The paper of (a broken) record

https://fair.org/home/highlighting-israels-claims-of-conquest-nyt-creates-confusion-on-status-of-occupied-territory

To Ramp Up Fear of Russia in Africa, NYT Downplays Massive US Military Presence on Continent
by Adam Johnson

*Can’t say the Times has “a light footprint” when it comes to a heavy handed imperial narrative, can you?

https://fair.org/home/to-ramp-up-fear-of-russia-in-africa-nyt-downplays-massive-us-military-presence-on-continent
—

Democracy Now!
After Algerian President Resigns, Demonstrators Demand Government Overhaul & Vow to Keep Protesting

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/4/after_algerian_president_resigns_demonstrators_demand

The Invisible People: France’s Yellow Vest Revolt Against Macron & Elites Reaches 20 Weeks

*Liberté, égalité, fraternité

(Some restrictions apply)

I’d be curious to know how Le Pen’s Rassemblement National has tried to capitalize on this discontent.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/4/the_invisible_people_frances_yellow_vest

4.3

Bold New Campaign Highlights How ‘Nature Can Save Us’ From Climate and Ecological Breakdown
“The protection and restoration of these ecosystems can help to minimize a sixth great extinction, while enhancing local people’s resilience against climate disaster”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*As trees fall in the rainforests, the corpress only hears its master’s voice

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/03/bold-new-campaign-highlights-how-nature-can-save-us-climate-and-ecological-breakdown
—

Why Congress Must Lift the Spending Caps to Help Low-Income Families
What are the human impacts of reduced spending for human needs programs?
by Deborah Weinstein

*The deaths from a thousand cuts

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/03/why-congress-must-lift-spending-caps-help-low-income-families
–

Let’s get ‘creaturely’: A new worldview can help us face ecological crises
by Wes Jackson and Robert Jensen

*A truly new deal necessitates a truly new depth of insight

https://www.resilience.org/stories/2019-04-03/lets-get-creaturely-a-new-worldview-can-help-us-face-ecological-crises
—

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Trump Wants to Let Hog Farmers Decide if Pork is Safe

*Letting the swine guard the hog house

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/03/trump-wants-let-hog-farmers-decide-if-pork-safe

Fight for $15
In Nationwide Protests, Workers Declare McDonald’s Move to End Lobbying Against Minimum Wage Isn’t Enough
Cooks, Cashiers Call Fast-Food Giant’s Announcement ‘A Day Late, $15 and a Union Short’

*No more “special sauce” (maybe)

But the sleazy grease remains

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/04/03/nationwide-protests-workers-declare-mcdonalds-move-end-lobbying-against-minimum
—

The Real News Network
Defence of European Empires was Original NATO Goal
Another major factor driving the creation of NATO was a desire to bolster colonial authority and bring the world under a US geopolitical umbrella. Part 2 in Yves Engler’s series on NATO on the occasion of its 70th anniversary

*Whatever the color of the kettle, is it the purview of a perfidious pot to paint it for us?

https://therealnews.com/columns/defence-of-european-empires-was-original-nato-goal

Is Global Recession Looming?
According to Heiner Flassbeck, former head of UNCTAD, there are many factors pointing to a convergence in a normal cyclical downturn, deepening recession in Europe, complicated by a potential hard Brexit–with host Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-global-recession-looming

Trump Dumps Nearly 1M People From Food Stamps
Trump administration toughens work requirements for people struggling the most—and 48% are white men. Chuck Collins from IPS discusses the implications

*Hammocks for rentiers

Hammers for renters

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-dumps-nearly-1m-people-from-food-stamps

The Anti-Democratic Roots of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) must be understood from its roots, which are anti-democratic, says Yves Engler, while discussing his four part print series on The Real News

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-anti-democratic-roots-of-nato
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
NATO’s Record of Destabilization

http://accuracy.org/release/natos-record-of-destabilization
—

FAIR
‘A Lot of That Science They Point to Is Science They Paid For’
CounterSpin interview with Carey Gillam on Monsanto lawsuit

https://fair.org/home/a-lot-of-that-science-they-point-to-is-science-they-paid-for
—

Democracy Now!
Chicago Makes Herstory: First African-American Woman and Gay Chicago Mayor Wins in Landslide

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/3/electoral_history_in_chicago_first_african

AMLO: How Mexico’s New Leftist President Has Navigated Corruption, Inequality and Trump

*Given the steps he’s taken – and hasn’t taken – how the label “leftist” belongs in the segment headline, other than in a highly relative sense, is a mystery to me.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/3/amlo_a_look_at_mexican_president

4.2

US Government’s Refusal to Confirm or Deny It Put American Journalist on Drone Kill List Called ‘Chilling’
“The government seeks to shield itself from all inquiry into the process by which it acts as prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Should a distinction be made between US citizens and foreign individuals who are targeted?

If so, what legal constraints are there on another nation’s targeting for execution someone in the US alleged to be involved in terrorist acts?

American exceptionalism shuns the light of reciprocity.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/02/us-governments-refusal-confirm-or-deny-it-put-american-journalist-drone-kill-list
—

The Case for Using Ranked Choice Voting in the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primaries
To make the 2020 primary campaign more democratic, we should demand a system that takes all voter preferences into account. That system is ranked choice voting.
by Adam Eichen

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/02/case-using-ranked-choice-voting-2020-democratic-presidential-primaries
–

Supreme Court Draws, Quarters The Eighth Amendment
The most disturbing and grotesque of originalist fantasies is now law
by Elie Mystal

*Keep in mind that the Democratic “leadership” is willy nilly signing off on such sadists nominated for lower court seats.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/02/supreme-court-draws-quarters-eighth-amendment
–

The South Dakota Legislature Has Invented a New Legal Term to Target Pipeline Protesters
The new law gives the state the authority to sue individuals and organizations for “riot boosting,” but it does not clearly describe what speech or conduct it considers to be “riot boosting”
by Andrew Malone and Vera Eidelman

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/02/south-dakota-legislature-has-invented-new-legal-term-target-pipeline-protesters
—

The Real News Network
The Origins of Venezuela’s Economic Crisis
Venezuela has become a popular argument against socialism amongst conservatives because of the deep economic crisis it is currently traversing. Defenders of the Bolivarian project, though, say that US sanctions and economic war are to blame for the crisis. Greg Wilpert presents an analysis that tries to take all the factors into account

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-origins-of-venezuelas-economic-crisis

Showdown in Chicago: Lightfoot vs. Preckwinkle
No matter who wins – Lori Lightfoot or Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago will have elected an African American woman mayor for the first time in history, says Camille Erickson of In These Times

*You have to wonder if Erickson’s hope is born more of desperation than empirical consideration.

How well movements on the ground keep the new mayor’s feet, regardless of their color and gender, to the fire, will determine if that hope is realized.

https://therealnews.com/stories/showdown-in-chicago-lightfoot-vs-preckwinkle
—

FAIR Extra!
Single-Payer & Interlocking Directorates
by Kate Murphy

*Conflict of disinterest

https://fair.org/extra/single-payer-and-interlocking-directorates
—

Democracy Now!
As Trump Threatens Another Obamacare Repeal, Mother Warns That Losing ACA Would “Wipe Me Out”

*If healthcare is a right, “affordability” doesn’t enter into it, does it, any more than our right to have a healthy environment.

To be considered worthy of the name, a society commits to providing the resources necessary to ensure those rights.

It’s just commons sense.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/2/as_trump_threatens_another_obamacare_repeal

“The Status Quo Is Not Sustainable”: How Medicare for All Would Fill Gaps in Obamacare Coverage

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/2/the_status_quo_is_not_sustainable

4.1

Google Urged to Boot ‘Anti-LGBTQ and Anti-Immigrant’ Right-Winger From AI Ethics Council
“Not only are [Kay Coles] James’ views counter to Google’s stated values, but they are directly counter to the project of ensuring that the development and application of AI prioritizes justice over profit”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Waiting for the heartwarming tribute icon of Phyllis Schlafly on the Google home page

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/04/01/google-urged-boot-anti-lgbtq-and-anti-immigrant-right-winger-ai-ethics-council
—

Why Trump’s Goon in Charge of Medicare and Medicaid Should Resign Immediately
Verma’s attacks on Medicare are more subtle but no less dangerous
by Alex Lawson

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/01/why-trumps-goon-charge-medicare-and-medicaid-should-resign-immediately
–

Equal Pay Day Is a Reminder That you Can’t Mansplain Away the Gender Pay Gap
To close the gender pay gap, women need to see real wage growth faster than their male counterparts
by Elise Gould

*A woman’s work is never done

Being devalued

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/04/01/equal-pay-day-reminder-you-cant-mansplain-away-gender-pay-gap
—

The Real News Network
How Big Tech Has Helped Big Oil Automate the Climate Crisis
Companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have triumphantly announced themselves as petroleum production partners, Gizmodo reporter Brian Merchant has documented in a recent report

*Considering how the Post has been a ad rag for Amazon, and how the corpress en masse has been “false balancing” climate issues in the main for donkey’s years, I’d advise against the advice to “don’t worry … be happy” about its climate coverage.

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-big-tech-has-helped-big-oil-automate-the-climate-crisis

Toxic Coal Ash Afflicts Puerto Rico And The Dominican Republic
Environmental attorney Ruth Santiago talks to TRNN about litigation against American energy giant AES

https://therealnews.com/stories/toxic-coal-ash-afflicts-puerto-rico-and-the-dominican-republic

Trump’s Fed Nominee Has “Far Out Ideas,” But Progressive Criticism of the Fed is Important
Stephen Moore, Trump’s new nominee for the Federal Reserve Board, has some wacky ideas, but is correct about the need to keep interest rates low, says CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-fed-nominee-has-far-out-ideas-but-is-right-about-keeping-rates-low

Witch Hunt: Controversy Over Anti-Semitism and the British Labour Party
Filmmaker Jon Pullman discusses his film “Witch Hunt”, about the suppression of critical voices in the Labour Party and the influence of the Israeli lobby

*Is Zionism itself anti-Semitic?

Do its adherents seek to compel Jews to side with its racism and oppression, which go beyond Arabs?

If so, how is that a positive act in the context of a people who have been the victims of such evil for so many centuries?

https://therealnews.com/stories/witchhunt-controversy-over-anti-semitism-and-the-british-labour-party
—

Deep Faith in the Deep State Gives Dems a Set Back
Our weekly panel discusses the Mueller Report, as the Democrats and their media allies put their eggs in the Russiagate basket and handed Trump a PR victory – Jacqueline Luqman, Jeff Cohen and host Paul Jay

*The Democraps are a “basket” case, but not because of “horrible strategy”, but rather due to this being the only strategy a neoliberal imperialist entity can implement.

As we see with their sabotaging of any policy that vaguely smells of “progressivism”, winning elections is always a secondary consideration to a steadfast defense of the status quo and the narrative it wants advanced

And if triangulation leads to strangulation of their electoral opportunities, they’re down with that.

https://therealnews.com/stories/deep-faith-in-the-deep-state-gives-dems-a-set-back

On NATO’s 70th Anniversary Important to Remember its Anti-Democratic Roots
Formally, NATO was the West’s response to an aggressive Soviet Union, but the notion that the US, or even Western Europe, was threatened by the Soviet Union after World War II is laughable
by Yves Engler

https://therealnews.com/columns/on-natos-70th-anniversary-important-to-remember-its-anti-democratic-roots

Brexit: Will Tories Risk an Election Corbyn Might Win?
A third defeat for Theresa May’s Brexit plan sets up April 12 as the drop-dead date for an unlikely agreement in Parliament, a second referendum, a hard Brexit, or a general election where Jeremy Corbyn will present a progressive vision for Brexit and the future – Leo Panitch joins Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/brexit-will-tories-risk-an-election-corbyn-might-win
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
NATO Expansion: The Skeptics Were “Proven Correct”

*I’m not clear on just what Kennan meant by “wisely and moderately”, but I do know that the US would have reacted precisely in the obverse if the situation were reversed.

http://accuracy.org/release/nato-expansion-the-skeptics-were-proven-correct
—

Democracy Now!
U.K. in Crisis: Facing No Deal, Parliament Votes on Brexit After Rejecting May’s Plan for Third Time

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/1/uk_in_crisis_facing_no_deal

Why the Real Migration Crisis Is in Central America, Not at the Southern U.S. Border

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/1/why_the_real_migration_crisis_is

“Our Will of Life Is Stronger Than Despair”: Palestinian Ahmed Abu Artema on Israeli Attacks on Gaza

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/1/our_will_of_life_is_stronger

March 2019

3.29

Climate Crisis Could Expose Half a Billion More People to Tropical Mosquito-Borne Diseases by 2050
“Climate change is going to kill a lot of people. Mosquito-borne diseases are going to be a big way that happens.”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/29/climate-crisis-could-expose-half-billion-more-people-tropical-mosquito-borne

‘Shame!’: DHS Asks for Power to Deport Unaccompanied Children
“Don’t it make you feel proud to be an American?”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*A more efficient gummint

Child abuse streamlined

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/29/shame-dhs-asks-power-deport-unaccompanied-children
—

The Real News Network
Maryland Becomes Sixth State to Adopt $15 Minimum Wage
Maryland’s legislature overrode Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of what critics describe as a watered-down minimum wage proposal
by Jaisal Noor

*The curse of compromise is that often “progress” becomes its own impediment

https://therealnews.com/columns/maryland-becomes-sixth-state-to-adopt-15-minimum-wage

Push to Reverse Obscure Shipping Law Could Flood Puerto Rico with Fracked Gas
After Hurricane Maria, the oil and gas industry and allied legislators have begun push to create Puerto Rico exemption to century-old shipping law, the Jones Act
by Steve Horn

https://therealnews.com/columns/push-to-reverse-obscure-shipping-law-could-flood-puerto-rico-with-fracked-gas

Kamala Harris Calls for Teacher Raises—An Anomaly in Presidential Politics
Democratic frontrunner calls for $315 billion investment—education activists, such as Lois Weiner, say it’s still not enough

*A more accurate headline would be “Harris Postures for Votes”

And that’s assuredly no “Anomaly in Presidential Politics”, is it?

https://therealnews.com/stories/kamala-harris-calls-for-teacher-raises-an-anomaly-in-presidential-politics

A Dangerous Precedent: US Recognition of Israel’s Annexation of the Syrian Golan
Phyllis Bennis explains that Trump’s decision is a setback for peace all over the world. The US has isolated itself diplomatically in support of Netanyahu’s campaign to win the elections, but recovery will be long

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-dangerous-precedent-us-recognition-of-israels-annexation-of-the-syrian-golan

Russia Defies US Threats Over Venezuela
Trump insists Russia ‘get out’ of Venezuela; Vijay Prashad says Russia is protecting its own economic interests, billions in outstanding loans

*When it comes to imperialism, the only “#Resistance” from the Democraps is to change

https://therealnews.com/stories/russia-defies-us-threats-over-venezuela
—

Democracy Now!
The World Is Watching: Woman Suing Harvard for Photos of Enslaved Ancestors Says History Is At Stake

*A higher education in utter hypocrisy

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/29/the_world_is_watching_woman_suing

43 Years: Meet the Man Held in Solitary Confinement Longer Than Any Prisoner in U.S. History

*The human spirit can be stronger than the staunchest flesh

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/29/43_years_meet_the_man_held

Freed Prisoner Albert Woodfox on Transformation & Hope After Four Decades in Solitary Confinement

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/29/freed_prisoner_albert_woodfox_on_transformation

3.28

‘Most Destructive Pathogen Ever’ Has Created Zombie-Like Apocalypse for World’s Amphibians
“If it were a human pathogen, it’d be in a zombie film”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/28/most-destructive-pathogen-ever-has-created-zombie-apocalypse-worlds-amphibians

Not Piracy But ‘A Matter of Survival’: Refugees Take Control of Ship Headed Back to ‘Hell’ in Libya
“‘Pirates’—a new label for refugees who refused to return to slave camps in Libya”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/28/not-piracy-matter-survival-refugees-take-control-ship-headed-back-hell-libya
—

Trump-Linked Christian Fundamentalists Are Pouring Dark Money Into Europe, Boosting the Far Right
The rise of far-right movements in Europe aligns with a significant increase over the last five years in spending by Christian groups here in the United States
by Claire Provost and Mary Fitzgerald

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/28/trump-linked-christian-fundamentalists-are-pouring-dark-money-europe-boosting-far
–

Scott Walker to Head ‘Slow Moving Coup’ to Repeal-and-Replace U.S. Constitution
Hiding behind the goal of a “balanced budget,” is a movement about using constitutional change to destroy the power of the federal government
by Jud Lounsbury

*Odd that a “balanced budget”, which is a false flag for slashing funding for programs that foster a somewhat more equitable society, should be juxtaposed with an attempt by those who actively work toward an even more exploitative and unequal one.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/28/scott-walker-head-slow-moving-coup-repeal-and-replace-us-constitution
—

Drug Policy Alliance
DPA Creates Satirical “Country Club Cannabis” Brand, Urging New York State To Legalize It Right
The non-profit partnered with creative agency Virtue to get New York’s leaders to prioritize DPA’s model for equitable marijuana legalization rooted in racial and economic justice

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/28/dpa-creates-satirical-country-club-cannabis-brand-urging-new-york-state-legalize

Free Press: HUD Action Against Facebook Just a First Step in Protecting Users’ Civil Rights

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/28/free-press-hud-action-against-facebook-just-first-step-protecting-users-civil
—

The Real News Network
Puerto Rico Faces a Flood of Fracked Gas in Wake of Hurricane Maria
The gas industry and its allies in Congress hope to push LNG exports to the island’s electricity grid, ravaged from climate change-fueled natural disaster

*LNG = NBG

https://therealnews.com/stories/puerto-rico-faces-a-flood-of-fracked-gas-in-wake-of-hurricane-maria

Re-Decentralizing the Internet: The Fight to Unlock a Future of Digital Freedom (2/2)
It is within the means of the international community to redesign the worldwide digital ecosystem to ensure critical functions performed in the digital world uphold the public interest and deliver a safe and inclusive digital future, explains Michael Kwet

*Lifting the cloud of societal control

https://therealnews.com/stories/re-decentralizing-the-internet-the-fight-to-unlock-a-future-of-digital-freedom-pt-2-2

Concert Helps Raise $9K for Hopkins Nurse Allegedly Fired For Union Organizing
Nurse Vivian Obijekwu says she was fired from Johns Hopkins Hospital—while 8 months pregnant—for organizing fellow workers to fight discrimination. Local organizers held a concert to show solidarity and raise funds for her

https://therealnews.com/stories/concert-helps-raise-9k-for-hopkins-nurse-allegedly-fired-for-union-organizing

City Settles, Agrees to Reforms with Fired Black Police Chief who Claimed Discrimination

https://therealnews.com/columns/city-settles-agrees-to-reforms-with-fired-black-police-chief-who-claimed-discrimination

Venezuela Is in Economic Crisis, Not Humanitarian Crisis
Max Blumenthal describes his experience on the ground in Venezuela to host Paul Jay, and talks about how the depiction of the country in broad humanitarian crisis is being used as a rationale for intervention in its domestic politics

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-is-in-economic-crisis-not-humanitarian-crisis
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Russia and NATO Expansion

*”Not an inch”

But a mile

http://accuracy.org/release/russia-and-nato-expansion
—

FAIR Extra!
Free Speech Includes the Right to Say ‘No Thanks’
by Gregory Shupak

*Makes you wonder what he woulda said about Goebbels, don’t it just?

https://fair.org/home/free-speech-includes-the-right-to-say-no-thanks
—

Democracy Now!
Fighting Racial Bias in an Age of Mass Murder: Prejudice from the Coffee Shop to Charlottesville

*Given the visceral prejudices embedded in this society, the best we can hope for is to be “recovering” racists and bigots, ever mindful of our susceptibility to bias.

This isn’t about guilt. We only need be ashamed if we don’t acknowledge and act on that realization.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/28/fighting_racial_bias_in_an_age

3.27

‘We Can’t Trust the Permafrost Anymore’: Doomsday Vault at Risk in Norway
“Not good”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/27/we-cant-trust-permafrost-anymore-doomsday-vault-risk-norway
—

The Real News Network
Humane Capitalism or Fascism and War – Q&A with Paul Jay
A viewer asks why did Paul say that capitalism led to World War II, and another viewer asks if humane capitalism is the answer to today’s problems – Paul Jay joins Taya Graham

*I think Jay’s comments are cogent, in the main, but sociopathic greed (Is that redundant?) is a visceral component of capitalism. It obviously predates capitalism, as some humans have sought to exploit others from time immemorial, but that desire to exploit is what gave rise to capitalism, as it did its antecedents, such as feudalism.

So, yes, there is a dynamic beyond greed, a survival of the fittest (or the fiercest), that mitigates against “humane capitalism”, but compulsive greed is what drives that dynamic, and why capitalism contains the seeds of its own ultimate destruction.

https://therealnews.com/stories/humane-capitalism-or-fascism-and-war-qa-with-paul-jay

Could Banning Menthol Cigarettes Have Deadly, Unintended Consequences?
Retired Police Commander Neill Franklin and harm reduction specialist Ricky Morris say city bans on menthol cigarettes could lead to further criminalization of communities of color

https://therealnews.com/stories/could-banning-menthol-cigarettes-have-deadly-unintended-consequences

The Internet into the Present: A Worldwide Web of Digital Colonialism (Pt 1/2)
Big Tech is reinventing colonialism in the digital era, says Michael Kwet, in discussing centralized control of the internet at the root of current problems like privacy and monopoly power and the associated rise of Big Data and the surveillance society

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-internet-into-the-present-a-worldwide-web-of-digital-colonialism-pt-1-2

“We Are Swimming in an Ocean of Lies” on Venezuela
Former UN Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas says Michelle Bachelet needs to change her team and visit Venezuela herself, or she is going to continue to get an “unprofessional, one-sided, politicized report” on the state of the country

https://therealnews.com/stories/we-are-swimming-in-an-ocean-of-lies-on-venezuela
—

FAIR
Residents an Afterthought in Public Housing Privatization Coverage
by Teddy Ostrow

*When “progressives” got all wet over de Blasio’s election

They should have taken a good smell of just what was soaking them.

https://fair.org/home/residents-an-afterthought-in-public-housing-privatization-coverage
—

Democracy Now!
OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma to Pay $270 Million Legal Settlement That Will Fund Addiction Center

*The question is why did these lies go unchallenged by state and federal regulators?

That’s a bipartisan malfeasance, isn’t it?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/27/oxycontin_maker_purdue_pharma_to_pay

“The Opioid Crisis Isn’t White”: How the Lethal Epidemic Affects Communities of Color

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/27/the_opioid_crisis_isnt_white_how

An Invisible Crisis: Native American Tribes Ravaged by Opioids Take On Purdue Pharma & the Sacklers

*I’d have liked to have heard more on the “cultural ways of knowing and cultural ways of treating addiction” that Bohlen spoke of.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/27/an_invisible_crisis_native_american_tribes

Are Federal Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids Hurting Patients with Chronic Pain?

*The big picture often doesn’t fit the frame

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/27/are_federal_guidelines_for_prescribing_opioids

3.26

Obama Pilloried for Playing the ‘How You Gonna Pay for It?’ Card on Progressive Agenda
“No president since FDR has been handed as many opportunities to transform the U.S. into something that doesn’t threaten the stability of life on this planet. He has refused every one”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*He may no longer be “up on the presidential podium”, as the song goes

But he will always be “Dear Misleader” to me

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/26/obama-pilloried-playing-how-you-gonna-pay-it-card-progressive-agenda

‘Dark Day for Internet Freedom’: EU Approves Rules to Create Online Censorship Machine
“Never forget what they did here,” tweeted NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”[W]ell-intentioned” … for whom?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/26/dark-day-internet-freedom-eu-approves-rules-create-online-censorship-machine
—

Venezuela, US Solidarity, and the Future of Socialism
Despite committed work by relatively isolated intellectuals and activists, too many social democrats in the US—willing to attack Trump on almost anything else—have either remained relatively quiet or (worse) largely accepted the premises of his imperialist foreign policy
by Steve Striffler

*The contradictions of Chavismo, and there were and are many, pale in comparison to those of its opponents at home and abroad. That said, they can and should be critiqued, and that can be done while remaining foursquare defiant against neoliberalism and imperialism.

Solidarity should not be afforded any government, but the people of a nation. To the degree that Chavismo is an expression of their will to create a just society, it should be defended against assaults from Yanquis and regional rightists.

The Democratic Party, regardless of “wing”, will never provide safe harbor for such sentiments.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/26/venezuela-us-solidarity-and-future-socialism
—

The Real News Network
Democrats’ Russophobia Hid Trump’s Real Crimes
Gerald Horne and Jeff Cohen join host Paul Jay to unpack the Democratic and corporate media obsession with Russiagate, the foreign policy implications, and how it let Trump off the hook on major policy issues

https://therealnews.com/stories/democrats-russophobia-hid-trumps-real-crimes

Homicide and Baltimore’s Black Butterfly – RAI with Eddie Conway (12/12)
Murders take place in Baltimore at a rate that compares with New York, thirteen times the size; Eddie Conway says deep poverty, unemployment, and brutal policing are contributing factors to the murder epidemic – on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/homicide-and-baltimores-black-butterfly-rai-with-eddie-conway-12-12

Ecuador’s Lenin: Talks Progressive, Acts Conservative
Local elections in Ecuador over the weekend show that President Lenin Moreno has condemned his own party to irrelevance, while former President Rafael Correa’s new party makes a strong showing

https://therealnews.com/stories/ecuadors-lenin-talks-progressive-acts-conservative

Mexico Update: 100 Days In, Progressive President Riding High in Polls
Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador’s approval rating is through the roof—Laura Carlsen reports from Mexico City on what has been achieved and what has not

*The Prime Directive is always to place your faith in principles, not parties or personas

https://therealnews.com/stories/mexico-update-100-days-in-progressive-president-riding-high-in-polls
—

FAIR
Pathological Deceit: The NYT Inverts Reality on Venezuela’s Cuban Doctors
by Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz

https://fair.org/home/pathological-deceit-the-nyt-inverts-reality-on-venezuelas-cuban-doctors
—

Democracy Now!
“Hold Israel Accountable”: Palestinians Call on Int’l Community to Oppose Golan Heights Annexation

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/26/hold_israel_accountable_palestinians_call_on

Fears of New Gaza Invasion Rise as Israel Launches Airstrikes and Mobilizes Along Border

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/26/fears_of_new_gaza_invasion_rise

“Suicide Is Preventable”: Public Health Advocates Push to End Stigma After Parkland & Newtown Suicides

*No mention of the suicide toll from the inequities of society, from crushing poverty and oppression, or from the pressure to be “successful” in a profit driven system.

This segment may as well have been on NPR or CNN.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/26/suicide_is_preventable_public_health_advocates

Psychiatry Prof. Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber on the Questions to Ask to Help Screen for Suicide Risk

*Again, a failure to go beyond the surface of society’s sins.

You want to prevent veteran suicides?

End the wars that spawn the horrors they endure, witness and commit.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/26/psychiatrist_kelly_posner_gerstenhaber_on_the

3.25

‘State of Emergency’: Pine Ridge Reservation Flooding Exposes Racial Divide in Climate Crisis
“We’re seeing the differential impact of climate change unfold before our eyes in real time”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/25/state-emergency-pine-ridge-reservation-flooding-exposes-racial-divide-climate-crisis
—

Medicare for America
Yes, your premiums are gone, your co-pay to see the doctor is eliminated, and you don’t have to worry about your deductible or wait for insurance company approval to get that test
by Michael Lighty

*Snake Oil, the Sequel

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/25/medicare-america
–

Rural America Needs Medicare for All, and Fast
I’m a registered nurse from rural Iowa. In communities like mine, privatized care is an extractive industry—and it’s drying up
by Barb Kalbach

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/25/rural-america-needs-medicare-all-and-fast
–

‘We’re Only Getting Started on our Climate Campaign’
Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a environmental direct action network that has been actively engaging in civil disobedience since October 2018
by Mark Matthews

*Talk isn’t cheap

It’s unconscionably costly

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/25/were-only-getting-started-our-climate-campaign
–

Why School Psychologists Are Worried About the Mental Health of America’s Students
Fourteen million students attend a school with a police officer but no school counselor, nurse, psychologist or social worker
by Angela Mann

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/25/why-school-psychologists-are-worried-about-mental-health-americas-students
—

U.S. PIRG
California Avocados Recalled in Six States Over Listeria Fears
Second major recall in less than a week underscores food safety system concerns

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/25/california-avocados-recalled-six-states-over-listeria-fears
—

The Real News Network
Will Corruption Scandal Sink Netanyahu Weeks Before Election?
The upcoming election in Israel is increasingly focused on the corrupt arms deals between Israel and Germany, from which Prime Minister Netanyahu personally profited from in the millions of dollars. TRNN’s Shir Hever discusses the implications

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-corruption-scandal-sink-netanyahu-weeks-before-election

Democratic Hopefuls Reject AIPAC
So far no Democratic presidential candidates have committed to speaking at this year’s American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference. Is this a shift in Democratic foreign policy towards Israel? What does this mean for AIPAC, one of the country’s most influential lobby groups?

*The question to ask is

Would any of these candidates have made this choice of their own volition?

As for Hever’s contention that it’s “[o]nly Republican politicians who are willing to consider these things”

See Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Honduras, et alia.

https://therealnews.com/stories/democratic-hopefuls-reject-aipac

Neoliberal Policies Are Tanking the Argentine Economy
Even with the IMF’s largest loan ever, Argentina cannot seem to avoid rising unemployment, high inflation, and recession. CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot explains that this is because they are following the usual failed neoliberal recipe

*In this instance, doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result, is not the definition of insanity

It’s the epitome of inhumanity.

https://therealnews.com/stories/neoliberal-policies-are-tanking-the-argentine-economy
—

FAIR
The Homeless 8-Year-Old Chess Champion and Other Horrific ‘Uplifting’ Stories
by Alan MacLeod

*Grit and predetermination

https://fair.org/home/the-homeless-8-year-old-chess-champion-and-other-horrific-uplifting-stories

Everyone Washington Supports, by Definition, Is a Moderate Centrist
by Alan MacLeod

*Was there mention of Der Fuhrer’s “adorable ‘Little Tramp’ moustache”?

https://fair.org/home/everyone-washington-supports-by-definition-is-a-moderate-centrist
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
AIPAC and Israel’s Influence

*Some “Gates” are closed to the public

http://accuracy.org/release/aipac-and-israels-influence

Russiagate: “Massive Gift for Trump”

*Pimpers of a “Putin puppet” are the ones left dangling

http://accuracy.org/release/russiagate-massive-gift-for-trump
—

Democracy Now!
As Mueller Finds No Collusion, Did Press Overhype Russiagate? Glenn Greenwald vs. David Cay Johnston

*I believe both narratives can be critiqued, but the context is clear, to my mind

The Democrats have used this Russia to judgment to obscure their servility to neoliberalism and imperialism, and have, as Greenwald stated, contributed to more than a few seconds ticking off the Doomsday Clock.

As for Killer Clown, he has no “divided loyalties”

Only a singular one … to himself.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/25/as_mueller_finds_no_collusion_did

3.22

Progressives Refuse to Back Down as DCCC Moves to Kneecap Primary Challengers
“Don’t think for one second that it’ll stop us—or the grassroots army we stand with—from backing bold, inclusive populists who will better represent their districts in Congress over neoliberal corporate Dems”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*One for the oldsters

Are the DCCCistas Blue Cheer or Deep Purple fans?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/22/progressives-refuse-back-down-dccc-moves-kneecap-primary-challengers

‘Outrageous. Unacceptable.’: Indiana Teachers Shot ‘Execution-Style’ With Pellets in School Shooting Drill
“In New Zealand, they respond to a mass shooting by banning semi-automatics five days later. In America, we respond to near-daily mass shootings by…literally shooting teachers.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Almost makes you wish these teachers had been armed, don’t it just?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/22/outrageous-unacceptable-indiana-teachers-shot-execution-style-pellets-school
—

How Billionaires Are Using Hate to Divide Us
The only way to deal with them is with solidarity
by Leo Gerard

*We stand, together

Or we fall, apart

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/how-billionaires-are-using-hate-divide-us
–

Unfair State Tax Codes Also Exacerbate Racial Inequity
Regressive state and local tax codes are worsening both income inequalities and widening racial income and wealth gaps by requiring communities of color to contribute a larger share of their income in taxes
by Misha Hill

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/unfair-state-tax-codes-also-exacerbate-racial-inequity
–

Let’s Not Restore or Mythologize Obama
Obama’s tenure paved the way for the rise of Trump
by Jeff Cohen

*A slick style masking a slimy substance

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/22/lets-not-restore-or-mythologize-obama
—

The Real News Network
Eddie Conway: 5-Year Anniversary of His Release From Prison ​- RAI (11/12)
We continue our Reality Asserts Itself series with TRNN Executive Producer Eddie Conway, who spent 44 years as a political prisoner and is now in the leadership of TRNN

https://therealnews.com/stories/%E2%80%8Beddie-conway-5-year-anniversary-of-his-release-from-prison-%E2%80%8B-rai-11-12

Monsanto’s Weed Killer is “Substantial Factor” in Cancer, Says Jury
Monsanto is about to face 11,200 more trials over the potential carcinogen in Roundup, which has prompted legislation to limit the chemical’s use

https://therealnews.com/stories/monsantos-weed-killer-is-substantial-factor-in-cancer-says-jury

Might Makes Right: Trump Endorses Israeli Annexation of Golan Heights
Trump tweeted that the US should recognize Israel’s annexation of Syria’s Golan Heights, which Israel has been occupying for 52 years. TRNN’s Shir Hever explores what this means for the region

*The Heights of hubris

https://therealnews.com/stories/might-makes-right-trump-endorses-israeli-annexation-of-golan-heights

Maryland Advances Bill For a $15 Minimum Wage in Six Years
The General Assembly advanced a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, but critics say it’s been severely watered down

*The “sausage” smells

https://therealnews.com/columns/maryland-advances-bill-for-a-15-minimum-wage-in-six-years
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Trump’s Recognition of Golan Violates International Law

http://accuracy.org/release/trumps-recognition-of-golan-violates-international-law
—

Democracy Now!
“Remember the South”: Devastating Cyclone Idai Another Example of Global South Paying for Polluters

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/22/remember_the_south_devastating_cyclone_idai

“Water Is Life”: Midwestern Floods Threaten Indigenous Communities at Forefront of Climate Crisis

*The New Deal as the same old sorry deal

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/22/water_is_life_midwestern_floods_threaten

Our History Is the Future: Lakota Historian Nick Estes on Indigenous Resistance to Climate Change

*Estes is speaking of the true soul of socialism.

It’s a lesson “democratic socialists” need to take to heart.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/22/our_history_is_the_future_lakota

3.21

Major EU Websites Go Dark With #Blackout21 Protest Ahead of Vote to Create Internet ‘Censorship Machine’
“This is the last chance for Europeans who care about access to knowledge and the sharing of diverse information on the internet to make their voice heard”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/21/major-eu-websites-go-dark-blackout21-protest-ahead-vote-create-internet-censorship
—

Greedy Boeing’s Avoidable Design and Software Time Bombs
Boeing’s sales-driven avoidance of producing effective manuals with upgraded pilot training was courting disaster as was outrageously leaving many of the pilots in the dark
by Ralph Nader

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/21/greedy-boeings-avoidable-design-and-software-time-bombs
–

Jim Crow in our Climate Crisis
Our extreme weather is blowback from energy systems that were designed and operated in ways that entrenched inequalities
by Alycee Lane

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/21/jim-crow-our-climate-crisis
—

Petition
Demand Mayor Karen Weaver fix the corroded pipes in Flint!
by Dawn Lawler

https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/thefinalpiece
—

Democracy Now!
The Hidden U.S. Air War in Somalia: Amnesty Accuses U.S. of Possible War Crimes for Civilian Deaths

*We need to ask why Amnesty questions the US narrative here, yet promotes it in Venezuela, don’t you think?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/21/the_hidden_us_air_war_in

Anti-Government Protests Continue in Haiti; New Details Emerge About Role of U.S. Mercenaries

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/21/anti_government_protests_continue_in_haiti

Kushner, Inc.: Vicky Ward on How Jared and Ivanka’s Greed & Ambition Compromise U.S. Foreign Policy

*Tillerson didn’t find all this “abhorrent” because they were immoral and illegal acts

He was pissed that they were interfering with his immoral and illegal acts.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/21/kushner_inc_vicky_ward_on_how

3.20

‘Military Keynesianism is Back!’: Democrats and Trump Agree on Pentagon Increase, Quibble on Details
“Killing people in the Global South is ‘Good for the Economy’™”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The Democraps’ true colors have always been blue, white and blood red

And green

Lots and lots of green

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/20/military-keynesianism-back-democrats-and-trump-agree-pentagon-increase-quibble
—

Organic Farms Are Under Attack From Agribusiness, Weakened Standards
For the health of our planet and agrarian justice—consumers need to become co-producers, learning about why it is such a struggle for smaller farms to thrive, and acting in solidarity by paying fair prices, buying direct or seeking out meaningful labels
by Elizabeth Henderson

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/20/organic-farms-are-under-attack-agribusiness-weakened-standards
—

National Iranian-American Council
NIAC Applauds Senators Harris, Sanders for Joining Warren in Backing JCPOA Return

*I read this, from a “progressive” organization, and I think, “What if Iran sought to ‘extract concessions’ from the US, ‘to shape [its] calculations, including on human rights and [global] issues'”?

Iran has much to answer for, though not every accusation has merit, but should a far worse perpetrator on a global scale be its judge and jury?

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/20/niac-applauds-senators-harris-sanders-joining-warren-backing-jcpoa-return
—

The Real News Network
China the Target of Pentagon’s Massive Military Budget – Horne and Jay
Acting Secretary of Defense justifies the increase in military spending with three words: “China, China, China” – Historian Gerald Horne joins Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/china-the-target-of-pentagons-massive-military-budget-horne-and-jay

Billions From Deutsche Bank Despite Trump’s Bankruptcies, Defaults, and Financial Malfeasance
The latest developments about Trump’s relationship to Deutsche Bank could be the unraveling with Deutsche Bank and Trump facing a serious legal probe on bank fraud by the House Financial Services Committee chaired by Rep. Maxine Waters

*Typical Times and wider corpress coverage of such scandals, to cast doubt on the überexecs’ culpability.

As to whether the Democraps will do much more than posture …

https://therealnews.com/stories/billions-from-deutsche-bank-despite-trumps-bankruptcies-defaults-and-financial-malfeasance
–

Petition
TripAdvisor
Stop covering up sexual assaults
by K. K.

https://www.change.org/p/tripadvisor-stop-covering-up-sexual-assaults/sign
—

FAIR
When They Don’t Ignore, US Media Often Disparage Palestinians’ Right of Return
by Gregory Shupak

https://fair.org/home/when-they-dont-ignore-us-media-often-disparage-palestinians-right-of-return
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
NoToNATO.org: Trump a NATO Booster

http://accuracy.org/release/notonato-org-trump-a-nato-booster
—

Democracy Now!
Trump & Bolsonaro Join Forces to Back Regime Change in Venezuela & to Attack Media as “Fake News”

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/20/trump_bolsonaro_join_forces_to_back

The Torture Machine: Flint Taylor on Chicago Police Brutality from Fred Hampton to Today

*Do you “build trust” between a rapist and his victim?

You can’t “reform” something fundamentally rotten

You toss it in the trashcan of history.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/20/the_torture_machine_flint_taylor_on

The Roots of Police Violence in Chicago: How Cops Have Targeted Communities of Color for Decades

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/20/the_roots_of_police_violence_in

Court Upholds Chicago Officer’s 7-Year Sentence for Killing Unarmed Black Teenager Laquan McDonald

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/20/court_upholds_chicago_officers_7_year

3.19

UNESCO Report Shows World’s Most Vulnerable and Poor Paying More Than Rich for Clean Water
Ensuring broader access to drinking water and sanitation services requires “more holistic, integrated, and people-centered approaches to water resource management and environmental policy-making”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/19/unesco-report-shows-worlds-most-vulnerable-and-poor-paying-more-rich-clean-water
—

Meet the Press Chuck Todd and the Boeing Blackout
If the political journalist and anchor does decide to cover the story, he might want to focus on his colleagues’ reporting on the emerging criminal investigation into Boeing
by Russell Mokhiber

*2015

That would be *before* Killer Clown’s Circus of Death and Deceit came to town, wouldn’t it?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/19/meet-press-chuck-todd-and-boeing-blackout
—

Public Citizen
Court Upholds DOL Wage Rates for Migrant Farmworkers
Ruling Will Protect Foreign and U.S. Workers’ Earnings

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/19/court-upholds-dol-wage-rates-migrant-farmworkers
—

The Real News Network
Kamala Harris’ Record as Tough-On-Crime Prosecutor Far From Progressive – Documentary Report
Democrat and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris says she supports a Sanders-style progressive agenda, but given her record as AG of California, can she be trusted to enact it if elected?

*Dear Misleader in drag

https://therealnews.com/stories/kamala-harris-record-as-tough-on-crime-prosecutor-far-from-progressive-documentary-report

Admissions Scandal Exposes the Fraud of Meritocracy
Bribery and corruption is the real problem in college admissions, not affirmative action, says historian Gerald Horne–with host Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/admissions-scandal-exposes-the-fraud-of-meritocracy

Capitalism and Militarized Policing: A Perfect Match
A recent string of police scandals reveals how heavy-handed policing and monetized misery work in tandem to exacerbate the county’s entrenched social ills

https://therealnews.com/stories/capitalism-and-militarized-policing-a-perfect-match

Venezuela Tops CIA’s Agenda for Brazil’s President
On his first visit to the U.S., President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro eagerly receives his instructions from the CIA and Trump’s foreign policy team. Alex Main of CEPR analyses the visit

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-tops-cias-agenda-for-brazils-president
—

Democracy Now!
ACLU: The U.S. Is Acting Like an Authoritarian Regime by Barring ICC Officials Probing War Crimes

*The legitimate criticism of the ICC is rooted in how long it dragged its feet, isn’t it?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/19/aclu_the_us_is_acting_like

The Military-Industrial Complex: Trump’s Ties to Boeing in Spotlight Amid Probes of 737 MAX 8 Jets

*The Eisenhower trope once more

Might it not have been the case that Ike, as an old soldier, wasn’t keen on corps telling the military what to do to advance their interests?

Perhaps he felt that the Pentagon was fully capable of figuring out how to accomplish that objective on their own.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/19/the_military_industrial_complex_trumps_ties

3.18

‘Illuminating Exchange on Health Care’ Reveals Beto Doesn’t Think Insurance Industry Motivated by Greed
“Beto is anti Medicare for All, which last time I checked, had the support of the vast majority of Democrats and even a slim majority of Republicans”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Don’t you just know this pap will be reverberating through the echo chambers of the “papers of record”‘s editorial pages, whose authors will have to strive mightily to avoid creaming themselves at the thought of such übercentrism ascendant.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/18/illuminating-exchange-health-care-reveals-beto-doesnt-think-insurance-industry
—

Chelsea Manning and the New Inquisition
The celebrated U.S. Army whistleblower has always insisted her leak of the classified documents was prompted solely by her own conscience and she has refused to implicate WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange
by Chris Hedges

*I don’t believe the corpress has anything to worry about. Killer Clown at some point will return to pimping his baleful brand on his own dime, and he won’t have the tools to prosecute his intraclass spat, if indeed he really would have wished to.

With that, the fourth estate will gladly make common cause with the other three to implement the age of digitized dystopia, high sounding slogans notwithstanding.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/18/chelsea-manning-and-new-inquisition
—

The Real News Network
Is Corbyn’s Socialism Possible Within the EU? – Lapavitsas and Jay
With the Conservative Party in disarray, can the Labour Party take advantage of the “Brexit moment”– Costas Lapavitsas joins host Paul Jay

*I don’t think we got an actual explanation for why Corbyn and company didn’t immediately renounce the actual anti-Semitism within the party, do you? And of course when they didn’t, they allowed their opponents to false flag the issue.

As for their “radicalism”, which isn’t socialism any way you cut it, as with the “New Democrats” on this side of the pond, what’s talked about is often walked around, innit?

Pols know which way the strongest wind blows

Blowhards are moved by blowing hard.

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-corbyns-socialism-possible-within-the-eu-lapavitsas-and-jay

Trump and GOP Steeped in Corruption, as Corp. Dems Push Cold War Fever
Our weekly roundup panel looks at the fracture lines in the Republican Party and the corporate Democrats continue their frenzy about Russia – with Jacqueline Luqman, Jeff Cohen and host Paul Jay

*Killer Clown has no loyalty to anyone but himself. If he feels bin Salman or anyone else is a liability, he’ll throw them under the bus, but there’s also his arrogance, which might prevent him from doing so, as it may seem to him a blow to his self esteem to feel he’s being forced to do so.

In the end, the schmenge will do what he perceives to be in his own best interest, and it’s often not a straightforward task to determine how he arrives at that conclusion.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-and-gop-steeped-in-corruption-as-corp-dems-push-cold-war-fever

40,000 UC Workers Are About to Strike Over Race, Class, and Gender
UPTE-CWA and AFSCME workers are holding a one-day strike March 20 not just over wages and benefits, but over a larger social struggle for dignity in their work

https://therealnews.com/stories/40000-uc-workers-are-about-to-strike-over-race-class-and-gender
—

FAIR
NPR’s Source on Mosque Murders Can’t Recall People Ever Being Murdered in a Mosque Before
by Jim Naureckas

*Selective memory

Defective morality

https://fair.org/home/nprs-source-on-mosque-murders-cant-recall-people-ever-being-murdered-in-a-mosque-before
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Trump and Bolsonaro Meeting

*The stench of sulfur will be overwhelming

http://accuracy.org/release/trump-and-bolsonaro-meeting

Will New Zealand (and the U.S.) Finally Follow Australia on Gun Laws?

http://accuracy.org/release/will-new-zealand-and-the-u-s-finally-follow-australia-on-gun-laws

Blum, Documenter of U.S. Interventions, Memorialized

*The Sherwin-Williams of coups

The blood runs red, as well

http://accuracy.org/release/blum-documenter-of-u-s-interventions-memorialized
—

Democracy Now!
After Deadly 1996 Massacre, Australia Overhauled Its Gun Laws. New Zealand Now Plans to Do the Same

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/18/after_deadly_1996_massacre_australia_overhauled

State-Sponsored Islamophobia & Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Embolden Right-Wing Terrorists

*Words don’t kill

They create killers

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/18/state_sponsored_islamophobia_trumps_anti_immigrant

Former Neo-Nazi: President Trump May Be Complicit in Growing Threat of White Supremacy

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/18/former_neo_nazi_president_trump_may

3.15

‘Don’t Do It. Don’t Share the #Christchurch Footage’: Demand Goes Out for Blackout of Gunman’s Horrific Video
“Don’t watch it. It is a nightmare. Hearts are with New Zealand & muslim friends. What a horrible day. Numb.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”It’s not a video game or a movie”, but those play a salient role in enuring us to these horrors, don’t they?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/15/dont-do-it-dont-share-christchurch-footage-demand-goes-out-blackout-gunmans-horrific

Lots of F’s for These D’s: Report Card Shows Majority of Senate Democrats Aiding Trump’s Right-Wing Court Takeover
“A disappointing number of Democrats have buried their heads in the sand and helped Trump and Mitch McConnell to pack the courts with judges representing the far-right fringe of the country”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*These Democraps aren’t “bur[ying] their heads in the sand”

Their burying ours

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/15/lots-fs-these-ds-report-card-shows-majority-senate-democrats-aiding-trumps-right

In Era of Aging Reactors, Nuclear Industry’s Push for Deregulation Sparks Warning of ‘Collision Course’ With Disaster
Critics raise alarm about ongoing efforts to shift to “self-assessments” for safety and limit information shared with the public
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Playing with fire

And flood

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/15/era-aging-reactors-nuclear-industrys-push-deregulation-sparks-warning-collision
—

Earthjustice
Trump’s Methylene Chloride Rule Leaves Workers Exposed to Deadly Chemical
EPA abandons proposed ban on commercial uses of paint-stripping chemical linked to dozens of workers’ deaths

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/15/trumps-methylene-chloride-rule-leaves-workers-exposed-deadly-chemical
—

The Real News Network
Historic Yemen Vote: Despite Possible Veto, ‘Great Leverage for Peace Talks’
The Senate’s vote, invoking the War Powers Act and withdrawing U.S. support for the war in Yemen, could still be vetoed by Trump, but it can provide a way forward for ending this horrific war, say Shireen Al-Adeimi and Hassan El-Tayyab

*I’d have liked these objections to have been acknowledged and discussed

http://tinyurl.com/https-www-aclu-org-blog-nati

https://therealnews.com/stories/historic-yemen-vote-despite-possible-veto-great-leverage-for-peace-talks

Class Struggle Over Brexit – Lapavitsas and Jay
The Brexit process is in chaos after a series of votes concludes with the government asking the EU for a three-month extension; Jeremy Corbyn calls for an election to let people decide on their future — Paul Jay and Costas Lapavitsas

https://therealnews.com/stories/class-struggle-over-brexit-lapavitsas-and-jay
—

FAIR
Colleagues Defend Tucker Carlson’s ‘Ideas’—That Iraqis Are ‘Monkeys,’ Child Rape Is ‘Commitment to Love’
by Janine Jackson

*What would we do without “the liberal media”?

Be more liberal … ya think?

https://fair.org/home/colleagues-defend-tucker-carlsons-ideas-that-iraqis-are-monkeys-child-rape-is-commitment-to-love
—

Democracy Now!
White Supremacist Kills 49 Muslim Worshipers in New Zealand as Islamophobic Hate Crimes Rise Globally

*I don’t believe Killer Clown will be banning white Australians from entering the US.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/15/white_supremacist_kills_49_muslim_worshipers

Anand Giridharadas: College Bribery Scandal Highlights How America Is Rigged for Wealthy & Powerful

*”Merit” badge of dishonor

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/15/anand_giridharadas_college_bribery_scandal_highlights

Journalist’s Struggle to Find Bone Marrow Match Exposes Racial Disparity in National Registry

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/15/journalists_struggle_to_find_bone_marrow

Danielle Sered: To End Mass Incarceration, We Must Radically Change How We Approach Violence

*I think different psychosocial dynamics are at play when it comes to crimes of the powerful, and as such, I feel there is a place for punishment to fit the crime.

That doesn’t have to mean imprisonment. It could entail the permanent loss of that power, wealth and privilege, which I think could result in the perpetrator being more amenable to the strategies and tactics Sered advocates, once shorn of their sense of invulnerability.

It might also serve as an effective deterrent to others of that class. Their crimes are motivated by their position, or their desire to attain it, and the certainty of their losing same could be a mighty disincentive to abuse it.

Of course, that position perforce is an exploitative one, whether through legal or illegal means, and the ultimate solution to their trangressions is a society devoid of the pathways to such power.

I can dream, can’t I?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/15/danielle_sered_to_end_mass_incarceration

3.14

ACLU Offers Legal Guidance for US Students Joining Friday’s Global Climate Strike
“If you’re a public school student, you don’t check your constitutional rights at the schoolhouse doors”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/14/aclu-offers-legal-guidance-us-students-joining-fridays-global-climate-strike

‘Don’t Sell Out to Big Cable’: Internet Defenders Warn Democrats Against Watering Down Net Neutrality Bill
“We don’t care which party you’re from: if you’re helping Big Cable slowly poison net neutrality and the free and open internet, we’re going to make sure everyone knows”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Standing on principle

With all their weight

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/14/dont-sell-out-big-cable-internet-defenders-warn-democrats-against-watering-down-net
—

The Fatal Flaws in a Congressional Resolution to End US Support for the Saudi-Led Yemen War
by Hina Shamsi

*Honest “mistakes” … or not

The devils always appreciate the details

https://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/targeted-killing/fatal-flaws-congressional-resolution-end-us-support-saudi
—

The Real News Network
Baltimore Is Slaughtering Black Children
In the aftermath of a shooting at Frederick Douglass High School, teacher Daniel Parsons argues Baltimore is systematically failing its young people

*If there’s to be any hope, persons like Parsons have to be heard and heeded.

https://therealnews.com/stories/baltimore-is-slaughtering-black-children

Trump’s Militarized Budget Slashes Medicare, Medicaid, and Clean Energy
Preparing for war with the largest peacetime military budget paid for with devastating cuts to the poor, ending environmental regulation, destroying retirement and healthcare. Do divided Democrats have an answer? Lindsay Koshgarian of IPS analyzes the proposal

*The trough the military porkers gorge from extends across the aisle

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-militarized-budget-slashes-medicare-medicaid-and-clean-energy

Guaidó Claims He Can Authorize Foreign Military Intervention in Venezuela
Temir Porras, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under Hugo Chavez, says Guaidó’s assertion on Fox News is a violation of the Venezuelan constitution; Porras says the only way to avoid a blood bath is a negotiated political solution

*A voice exiled from the corpress wilderness

https://therealnews.com/stories/guaido-claims-he-can-authorize-foreign-military-intervention-in-venezuela
—

Petition
RootsAction
Stop the Retaliatory Prosecution of Whistleblower Brigitte Fuzellier

*”That a Catholic organization could orchestrate a ceaseless campaign of revenge against a single individual is beyond anyone’s imagination.”

Far from beyond mine …

https://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=13621
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
What Does Beto O’Rourke Actually Stand For?

*A man of principles?

Don’t Beto on it

http://accuracy.org/release/what-does-beto-orourke-actually-stand-for
—

FAIR
Worry About the Old, Not the Rich, HuffPost Tells Readers
by Dean Baker

*Don’t trust anyone over 30 ($millon)

(Actually, a lot less than that, but then I’d lose my artistic license)

https://fair.org/home/worry-about-the-old-not-the-rich-huffpost-tells-readers
—

Democracy Now!
Until We Reckon: Mass Incarceration, Violence & the Radical Possibilities of Restorative Justice

*A first step often is made to foreclose the second

A half step to hobble a full stride

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/14/until_we_reckon_mass_incarceration_violence

3.13

After Last Version Blocked, Iowa’s New Ag-Gag Bill ‘Gives Middle Finger to Free Speech, Consumer Protection, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare’
“Consumers have a right to know how their food is produced and how animals at factory farms are mistreated”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/13/after-last-version-blocked-iowas-new-ag-gag-bill-gives-middle-finger-free-speech
—

An Apology for a Different Plane Crash, 30 Years Later
While most Americans have no memory of this incident, in Iran the date of the deaths of 290 innocent people at the hands of the U.S. military is marked every year just as the 9/11 attack is remembered every year in the United States
by Medea Benjamin

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/13/apology-different-plane-crash-30-years-later

The Rightful Owners of a Key Island Military Base for the U.S. Would Like It Back, and the UN Agrees
The Chagos Archipelago belongs to the country of Mauritius; it’s not a bargaining chip for the American empire
by Vijay Prashad

*Some people we “liberate”

Some lands we liberate from the people

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/13/rightful-owners-key-island-military-base-us-would-it-back-and-un-agrees
—

The Real News Network
Venezuela Update: Massive Blackout, US Unconventional Warfare?
While Venezuela struggled with the most massive blackout in its history, president Maduro said there is evidence that a US cyber-attack caused the blackout. Meanwhile, Trump administration officials continue the offensive against Venezuela, and the NYT uncovers false reporting

*Yeah, I guess you could say the Times “uncover[ed] false reporting”

If you mean that their initial coverage constituted same.

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-update-massive-blackout-us-unconventional-warfare

German Jewish Peace Group Wins Peace Prize; Then Attacked as being Anti-Semitic
Shir Hever talks about the Göttingen Peace Prize and how it transformed the debate around Palestinian rights in Germany, despite efforts by right-wing politicians to prevent the prize from being given to Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East

*”Some of my best friends are Jews

As long as they’re not anti-Semitic.”

https://therealnews.com/stories/german-jewish-peace-group-wins-peace-prize-then-attacked-as-being-anti-semitic

As Ukraine’s Presidential Race Heats Up, Politics Shift to the Right
A brand new face entered the Ukrainian presidential race, promising to clean up the country’s corrupt politics, but the three main candidates are all pro-West and political discourse has moved to the right as the far-right continues to gain influence. Prof. Tarik Cyril Amar analyzes the situation

https://therealnews.com/stories/as-ukraines-presidential-race-heats-up-politics-shift-to-the-right

Israeli Policies Force Family Separations
Al Haq’s director Shawan Jabarin discusses a new report exposing the complex system of restrictions Israeli authorities impose to control access to Palestinian territory and to stop family reunification. The consequence is to slowly force Palestinians out to preserve a Jewish majority in areas controlled by Israel

https://therealnews.com/stories/israeli-policies-force-family-separations
—

FAIR
‘What Is Terrorism?’ NYT Asks—but Offers No Answers
by Joshua Cho

*What’s in a name?

Control of the narrative

https://fair.org/home/what-is-terrorism-nyt-asks-but-offers-no-answers
—

Democracy Now!
Ralph Nader’s Grandniece Died in Ethiopian Plane Crash; Now He Is Urging Boycott of Boeing Jet

*Fuck waiting for the next horror

Prosecute all culpable NOW

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/13/ralph_naders_grandniece_died_in_ethiopian

Cheating, Bribes & Lies: DOJ Charges Dozens of Rich Parents & Coaches in College Admission Scandal

*Merit crock cracy

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/13/cheating_bribes_lies_doj_charges_dozens

3.12

The School Shooters of the Planet
Linking gun violence at home to America’s wars abroad
by Allegra Harpootlian

*Even if every “dangerous terrorist” were “taken out” “surgically”, with no “collateral damage”, what would be the reaction to another nation doing the same to the dangerous terrorists headquartered in D.C.?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/12/school-shooters-planet
—

The Real News Network
UK Parliament Rejects Latest Brexit Deal, Corbyn Calls for New Elections
Parliament rejected Theresa May’s latest Brexit deal by a vote of 391-242 just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union

https://therealnews.com/stories/uk-parliament-rejects-latest-brexit-deal-corbyn-calls-for-new-elections

Is ICE Trying to Intimidate Anti-Trump and Anti-ICE Protest?
An investigation published in The Nation discovered that ICE has been tracking anti-Trump and anti-ICE protests in New York City. Activists find this especially disturbing in light of ICE’s effort to deport immigration rights activist Ravi Ragbir

*There can’t be a “chilling effect” if your being spooked isn’t known, which is perhaps why the spreadsheet was released?

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-ice-trying-to-intimidate-anti-trump-and-anti-ice-protest
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Biden’s Disastrous Legislative Legacy”

*Likely nary a nub of this vile history will pass the lips of the other candidates, including our sainted Bernard

http://accuracy.org/release/bidens-disastrous-legislative-legacy

FlyersRights.org Calls on FAA to Ground Boeing 737 MAX 8

*Greed poses a flight risk

http://accuracy.org/release/flyersrights-org-calls-on-faa-to-ground-boeing-737-max-8
—

Democracy Now!
Justice for Stephon Clark: Protests Erupt as DA Fails to Charge Cops Who Killed Unarmed Black Father

*”The thin blue line”

And the wide red river

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/12/justice_for_stephon_clark_protests_erupt

Extended Conversation on the Fight for Hampshire College as Student Sit-In Enters 41st Day

*”Think for yourself, then act for others” isn’t the lesson the exploitocracy wants learned, is it?

And notice how Null avoids talking about Subject Matter, which I’d suspect is just what Subject Matter coached him to do.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/12/extended_conversation_on_the_fight_for

3.11

‘They Treat Us Like Robots’: Frequent 911 Calls From Amazon Warehouses Reveal Employees Driven to Despair
“It’s this isolating colony of hell where people having breakdowns is a regular occurrence”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/they-treat-us-robots-frequent-911-calls-amazon-warehouses-reveal-employees-driven

Climate Crisis Be Damned, ‘Shale Revolution’ Poised to Make US Net Exporter of Oil in Three Years
“The second wave of the U.S. shale revolution is coming,” says International Energy Agency
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*This junkie extracts rather than injects.

Without intervention, the result will be the same, for all concerned.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/11/climate-crisis-be-damned-shale-revolution-poised-make-us-net-exporter-oil-three
—

Israel’s Stranglehold on American Politics
Israel’s dominance of the Democratic Party is eroding and increasingly losing legitimacy in the eyes of the public
by Chris Hedges

*I have a great deal of respect for Hedges, but he seems oblivious to the fact that, whether under Rabin, Netanyahu or any other PM, for the US, Israel is a bulwark against any challenge to imperialism in the Middle East. Its strategic value allows it, through its stateside lobby, to “wag the dog”, in some measure, which I imagine Rabin saw as ultimately antithetical to the Zionist project.

So I’m curious as to how Hedges would define “a true friend of Israel”, given its role and its aims, regardless of Labour or Likud ascendancy.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/11/israels-stranglehold-american-politics
—

Center for Food Safety
FDA Lifts Import Ban on Genetically Engineered Salmon
Consumer, Native, and Environmental Groups Decry FDA Decision

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/11/fda-lifts-import-ban-genetically-engineered-salmon
—

The Real News Network
Billionaire Owners of Purdue Pharma Pushed Opioid Drug OxyContin Knowing it Could Kill
Released depositions revealed that Richard Sackler, owner of Purdue Pharma, lied to physicians about the danger of OxyContin. Now Purdue Pharma is considering declaring bankruptcy to avoid lawsuits. Tarbell.org founder Wendell Potter discusses the case

*First do no harm

For which we can be held criminally liable

https://therealnews.com/stories/billionaire-owners-of-purdue-pharma-pushed-opioid-drug-oxycontin-knowing-it-could-kill

Trump’s “Coalition of the Willing” Against Venezuela Has Legitimacy Issues of Their Own
Many right-wing South American governments that are supporting Trump’s effort to oust Venezuela’s President Maduro have their own legitimacy issues, such as Brazil and Honduras. Others are deeply dependent on the US, such as Argentina and Colombia. CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot analyzes the coalition

*The US doesn’t “meddle”

It metastasizes

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-coalition-of-the-willing-against-venezuela-has-legitimacy-issues-of-their-own
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Breaking: U.S. Contractors Recently Arrested in Haiti Have Ties to Prominent Elites and Politicians

http://accuracy.org/release/breaking-u-s-contractors-recently-arrested-in-haiti-have-ties-to-prominent-elites-and-politicians

Lies About Venezuela

*”The enemy of the (Venezuelan) people”

http://accuracy.org/release/lies-about-venezuela
—

Democracy Now!
Journalists, Lawyers & Activists Targeted in Sweeping U.S. Intelligence Gathering Effort on Border

*Don’t look like much of “a new era” in Mexico with the sainted AMLO, do it now?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/11/journalists_lawyers_activists_targeted_in_sweeping

Glenn Greenwald: Chelsea Manning’s Refusal to Testify Against WikiLeaks Will Help Save Press Freedom

*Democraps have no problem making up “the difference” with the Repugnicans when their imperial duty calls, do they?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/11/glenn_greenwald_chelsea_mannings_refusal_to

Greenwald: White House Spread False Story About Venezuela Burning Aid Trucks to Win Support for War

*”‘Democracy Dies in Darkness’

And we keep the curtains drawn

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/11/greenwald_white_house_spread_false_story

3.8

Nearly 1.4 Million Puerto Ricans Facing ‘Dangerous’ Food Stamp Cuts as Trump and Congress Fail to Act
“The fact that we’ve had to reduce benefits to those that need it the most is alarming. Puerto Ricans are being treated unequally and that is unfair”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/08/nearly-14-million-puerto-ricans-facing-dangerous-food-stamp-cuts-trump-and-congress

Trump to Divert Up to $385 Million From Crucial Health Programs To Pay for ‘Government-Sanctioned Child Abuse’
Added to what was taken last year, say critics, that’s “almost $1 billion in HHS funds diverted from real public health emergencies to sink into manufactured ones”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/08/trump-divert-385-million-crucial-health-programs-pay-government-sanctioned-child

‘Turning Its Back on Millions of Workers,’ Trump Admin Moves Backward With New Overtime Pay Rule
Labor advocates say president is once again “siding with corporate interests over those of working people”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/08/turning-its-back-millions-workers-trump-admin-moves-backward-new-overtime-pay-rule
—

A Privacy-Focused Facebook? We’ll Believe It When We See It.
Above all, Facebook needs to be transparent about its business model
by Gennie Gebhart

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/08/privacy-focused-facebook-well-believe-it-when-we-see-it
—

MADRE
Feminist Foreign Policy Jumpstart:New Spark for Global Grassroots Women’s Voices in US Policymaking

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/08/feminist-foreign-policy-jumpstartnew-spark-global-grassroots-womens-voices-us

National Nurses United
RN Volunteers Provide the Critical Gift of Medical Aid to Migrant Detainees
Fifth group of Registered Nurse Response Network nurses to staff emergency shelter

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/08/rn-volunteers-provide-critical-gift-medical-aid-migrant-detainees
—

The Real News Network
Chelsea Manning Jailed for Refusing to Cooperate with Wikileaks Grand Jury
Chelsea Manning said her testimony before her court martial is all she has to say, standing by her resistance to secret grand juries as her activist ancestors did before her. Kevin Gosztola, Managing Editor of Shadowproof, discusses the case

*Whatever her current anatomical state

This lady has some big balls

https://therealnews.com/stories/chelsea-manning-jailed-for-refusing-to-cooperate-with-wikileaks-grand-jury

Thousands Mark International Women’s Day Worldwide
In Leeds, UK, dozens demanded an end to austerity and equal pay for equal work

*A woman’s work is never done

Being devalued

https://therealnews.com/stories/thousands-mark-international-womens-day-worldwide

Can the Jewish National Fund Dedicated to Ethnic Cleansing be Considered a Charity in Canada?
Rabbi David Mivasair, Corey Balsam and Ismail Zayid discuss their joint efforts to revoke the JNF’s charity status in Canada, but the Canadian authorities have a long history of supporting Israeli colonization in Palestine

https://therealnews.com/stories/can-the-jewish-national-fund-dedicated-to-ethnic-cleansing-be-considered-a-charity-in-canada

Is Sanders’ Democratic Socialism … Socialism?
Sanders says that medicare for all, a living wage, and other reforms is the socialism that’s possible, but is he too reserved on strengthening public ownership? – with Jacqueline Luqman, Eugene Puryear, Norman Solomon and host Paul Jay

*”It doesn’t mean we shut up in our criticism of things we think need to be criticized … “

But that’s always what happens, isn’t it?

And that’s why “the possible” doesn’t expand, because that’s always sacrificed to “pragmatism”.

Half steps have to lead to full strides.

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-sanders-democratic-socialism-socialism
—

FAIR
Debate Over Labeling Omar Obscures Vital Debate on Israel/Palestine
by Katie Halper

https://fair.org/home/debate-over-labeling-omar-obscures-vital-debate-on-israel-palestine

3.7

Chelsea Manning Faces Contempt Hearing After Refusal to Answer Grand Jury Questions
“In solidarity with many activists facing the odds, I will stand by my principles”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/07/chelsea-manning-faces-contempt-hearing-after-refusal-answer-grand-jury-questions

Plan for Wheelchair-Accessible Cells at Gitmo Paint ‘Chilling Picture’ of Detainees Held Without Trial For Rest of Their Lives
“President Trump appears to be planning to detain men—the vast majority of whom have never been charged with a crime or faced a trial—until they die”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/07/plan-wheelchair-accessible-cells-gitmo-paint-chilling-picture-detainees-held-without
—

From Mowing the Grass to Cutting the Flesh
How young women learn to hate their genitals
by Rebecca Gordon

*A metaphorically malevolent “grabbing by the pussy”

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/07/mowing-grass-cutting-flesh
—

Re-Inhabiting Planet Earth
What may be history’s ultimate moment of human arrogance: the belief in a sense of separateness from and superiority to nature so thorough that we have, with our monstrous intelligence, the ability and therefore the right to play Bad God and make the whole planet go poof
by Robert C. Koehler

*One way or another, life as we know it will end.

The question is whether we have it within us to be reborn.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/07/re-inhabiting-planet-earth
—

The Real News Network
Clinton-Era Official Says Left Should Lead Following Center-Right Failures
March 7, 2019
Bill Black analyzes former Assistant Secretary of Treasury Brad DeLong’s statement that neo-liberals should get out of the way and let the left lead since coalition with Republicans did not work

*So I have to ask

If DeLong’s so goddamn “brilliant”, how could he not suss what this good ol’ boy from Miss’ssippi figured out decades ago?

The DNCistas weren’t “played”; they willingly played the game – as did Blair in the UK, among others – in service to their class interests.

To intimate anything else is to posit them as absolute fools who shouldn’t play with matches, much less possess the power to set aflame society.

And while I despise them, I don’t for a nanosecond doubt their sinister smarts.

https://therealnews.com/stories/clinton-era-official-says-left-should-lead-following-center-right-failures

City Passes Law That Could Shutter Massive Trash Incinerator
Baltimore Mayor Pugh signed the Clean Air Act into law. It will force the city’s trash incinerator to drastically lower emissions—or shut down

https://therealnews.com/columns/city-passes-law-that-could-shutter-massive-trash-incinerator
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Breaking: Documents Show Gov Tracking Journalists and Lawyers at Border

*Okay, so will “alternative media” outlets scrutinize the López Obrador administration’s involvement in this?

The use of present tense indicates a continuity of collusion, doesn’t it?

http://accuracy.org/release/breaking-documents-show-gov-tracking-journalists-and-lawyers-at-border
—

Democracy Now!
Historian Greg Grandin on the Racist and Violent History of U.S. Border Agents

*Is it the dark underbelly of “the American experiment”

Or simply its undergirding?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/6/greg_grandin_on_the_racist_and

U.S. Has Supplied UAE $27B in Arms Despite Nation’s Links to Torture, Mercenaries & Child Soldiers

*Be aware that “stopping the war” may well not be synonymous with ending the dynamics that have fueled it.

The devils have always appreciated the details.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/7/us_has_supplied_uae_27b_in

3.6

Let’s Change Europe From the Ground Up
The DiEM25 manifesto proposes immediate financial changes within the existing structures of the EU, to end austerity and fund a green, and hopefully post-capitalist, future. It operates across the continent.
by Yanis Varoufakis

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/06/lets-change-europe-ground
–

Nuclear Brinkmanship Is Back: Why We Need a New Peace Movement
Nuclear modernization is one of the most wasteful aspects of a bloated military budget and drains the economy of persons and resources needed to mitigate the damage climate change is already inflicting
by John Buell

*How mortal these fools will find themselves to be

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/06/nuclear-brinkmanship-back-why-we-need-new-peace-movement
—

The Real News Network
Cuba’s New Constitution Indicates Gradual Changes Underway
Cubans voted 87 percent in favor of a new Constitution, which ratifies economic changes already underway, but also indicates some important social changes. Evangelical churches, though, managed to prevent the ratification of same-sex marriage, says Prof. Elizabeth Dore

*”Venezuela, the Sequel”?

The growth of these evangelical entities, allied with the Catholic Church, lays the groundwork for “popular discontent” to be exploited by Killer Clown and the Bloody Brothers – Bolton, Abrams and Rubio – not to mention the entire bipartisan empire enterprise.

Dear Misleader sought a pliant Cuba via the siren song of “economic development”, opening the way for US capital to gradually erase the social state and redux the corruption of the ANC in South Africa.

The current imperial impulse is to go for the jugular.

https://therealnews.com/stories/cubas-new-constitution-indicates-gradual-changes-underway

Study: Loss of Stratocumulus Clouds Could Precipitate Extreme Global Warming
Professor Tapio Schneider discusses a new study examining the relationship between stratocumulus cloud formation and high levels of atmospheric CO2

*Salient example of scientific understatement

“Life is possible. It just looks very different from what we’re used to.”

https://therealnews.com/stories/study-loss-of-stratocumulus-clouds-could-precipitate-extreme-global-warming
—

FAIR
‘It’s as if Korea as a Country Just Doesn’t Exist to Them’
CounterSpin interview with Tim Shorrock on Korea Summit
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/its-as-if-korea-as-a-country-just-doesnt-exist-to-them
—

Democracy Now!
Greg Grandin on “The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America”

*”[U]s[ing] foreign policy to establish domestic legitimacy” may have lost some degree of currency with the public, but it’s a sure fire staple of eliciting support from the politicia and media, don’t you think?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/6/greg_grandin_on_the_end_of

3.5

What’s Worse Than Ticket Scalpers? Stock Scalpers.
A new Wall Street Tax proposal would crack down on the high frequency traders that are cheating the rest of us
by Sarah Anderson

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/05/whats-worse-ticket-scalpers-stock-scalpers
—

An Open Letter to the Washington Office on Latin America About Its Stance on US Effort to Overthrow Venezuelan Government
We believe that the Trump administration’s regime change effort in Venezuela is wrong in every way: morally, legally, and politically
by Greg Grandin, Noam Chomsky, Sujatha Fernandes and Daniel Hellinger

*CC this to Senator Sanders (who *does* back the “humanitarian aid” farce)

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/05/open-letter-washington-office-latin-america-about-its-stance-us-effort-overthrow
—

The Real News Network
Venezuela Update: Guaidó Returns, US Continues Threats
Self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó returned to Venezuela without incident, despite having violated a travel ban. NSC chair John Bolton continued his threats against Maduro, warning him not to arrest Guaidó and reaffirming the US’s right to intervene in Latin America

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-update-guaido-returns-us-continues-threats

Why Did Jeremy Corbyn Support a Second Brexit Referendum?
Prof. Leo Panitch says Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn held out as long as he could and made a tactical decision to support a second referendum on Brexit

*It’s not that a “long run strategic perspective” is perforce a sellout, but what almost always accompanies it is a “kiss and make up” concord with centristas, rather than a concerted effort to change the circumstances which make such a “pragmatic” decision seemingly necessary.

Thus we experience “déjà vu all over again”

And again … and again …

I fully expect this to be the case as the US hurtles toward the ’20 elections.

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-did-jeremy-corbyn-support-a-second-brexit-referendum

France’s Macron Moves to Equate Anti-Semitism with Anti-Zionism
Sonia Fayman of the Union of French Jews for Peace discusses President Macron’s efforts to blur the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism

https://therealnews.com/stories/frances-macron-moves-to-equate-anti-semitism-with-anti-zionism

Protests Hit Brazil During Carnival
It is generally assumed that Carnival in Brazil is mostly just a big party. However, as Mike Fox reports from Brazil, it actually has its origins in politically motivated concerns, and this is true now more than ever

*Dancing to democracy’s beat

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-politics-of-brazils-carnival
—

FAIR
Venezuela-Baiting: How Media Keep Anti-Imperialist Dissent in Check
by Alan MacLeod

*Ironic how red baiting is almost always directed at those determined to flee from anything remotely related to “socialism”.

(And let’s not count “democratic socialism” in that category. At least in the US and A, that’s simply another term for reheated New Deal liberalism.)

https://fair.org/home/venezuela-baiting-how-media-keep-anti-imperialist-dissent-in-check
—

Petition update
Tell the House Subcommittee on Health to make PrEP a part of preventative care
Discrimination
by Will Scheffer

https://www.change.org/p/we-have-a-drug-that-prevents-hiv-infection-why-aren-t-we-making-it-affordable/u/24249762
—

Democracy Now!
Inside the Secretive U.S. Air War in Somalia: How Many Civilians Have Died as Strikes Escalate?

*Wreaking wicked shit in “shithole countries”

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/5/inside_the_secretive_us_air_war

“How to Hide an Empire”: Daniel Immerwahr on the History of the Greater United States

*Would it be fair to say that “the medical community” didn’t de-deify Rhoads due to his exposure as a monster, but rather out of fear of its exposure as an enabler of such horrors if they didn’t?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/5/how_to_hide_an_empire_daniel

3.4

“When We Say ‘Pharma Greed Kills,’ This Is What We Mean”: Critics Respond to Possible Purdue Bankruptcy
“Well, this is certainly the Trumpian way out”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Nothing short of a credible threat of prison will break this malignant addiction to profit.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/04/when-we-say-pharma-greed-kills-what-we-mean-critics-respond-possible-purdue
—

It’s Carnaval in Brazil—What ‘Marielle Presente’ Means for Women of Color Across the Globe
The name and image of Marielle Franco—an intersectional representation of the many wars being fought—serves as more than just a reminder
by Tanya Rawal-Jindia

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/its-carnaval-brazil-what-marielle-presente-means-women-color-across-globe
—

Israel Lobbies Slam Ilhan Omar Even as They Try to Bankrupt Small Leftist Arkansas Paper Over Israel Boycott
The Israel lobbies that direct campaign money to representatives and senators insist that Israeli policy of imposing Jim Crow discrimination on Palestinians in the Occupied Territories never be criticized on the floor of Congress
by Juan Cole

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/04/israel-lobbies-slam-ilhan-omar-even-they-try-bankrupt-small-leftist-arkansas-paper
—

Council on American-Islamic Relations
CAIR Calls on FBI to Take Seriously Threat to ‘Assassinate’ Minn. Rep. Ilhan Omar

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/04/cair-calls-fbi-take-seriously-threat-assassinate-minn-rep-ilhan-omar

Public Citizen
Public Citizen Urges FEC to Close Its Donor Disclosure Loophole
Court Orders Agency to Rewrite Its Faulty Disclosure Rules for Independent Expenditure

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/03/04/public-citizen-urges-fec-close-its-donor-disclosure-loophole
—

The Real News Network
Could a National Legal Pot Law Finally Happen?
With Cory Booker’s proposal to legalize marijuana on a federal level, TRNN looks at the current politics surrounding legalization in the nation’s capital and statehouses across the country to see if the time has finally come for a federal law to decriminalize pot

https://therealnews.com/stories/could-a-national-legal-pot-law-finally-happen

Sanders on Venezuela – Does His Critique of US Policy Go Far Enough?
At the CNN town hall, Sanders opposed U.S. intervention in Venezuela, refused to call Maduro a dictator, or recognize Guaido, but he didn’t call for an end to sanctions – with Jacqueline Luqman, Eugene Puryear, Norman Solomon and host Paul Jay

*If you’re expecting any US pol to truly confront imperialism, you’re smoking something more potent than anything I’m familiar with.

It’s up to us to call their kabuki, and construct a movement that doesn’t seek to “build a better Bernie”, but forces him and all others to respond to an overwhelming public demand that the US cease to be “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today”, as the man said.

I have a dream, too …

https://therealnews.com/stories/sanders-on-venezuela-does-his-critique-of-us-policy-go-far-enough

Canada’s Corrupt Foreign Policy Come Home to Roost
Justin Trudeau’s government is engulfed in a major political scandal that lays bare corporate power in Ottawa. But, the important role of the engineering and construction giant SNC Lavalin in Canadian foreign policy has largely been ignored in discussion of the controversy.
by Yves Engler

https://therealnews.com/columns/canadas-corrupt-foreign-policy-come-home-to-roost

3rd Anniversary of Berta Cáceres Murder in Honduras: Downward Spiral and Hope
The murder trial of environmental and indigenous activist Berta Cáceres leaves many issues unresolved. Meanwhile, the human rights situation in Honduras has been getting worse, even as Berta continues to inspire activists with her example

https://therealnews.com/stories/3rd-anniversary-of-berta-caceres-murder-in-honduras-downward-spiral-and-hope

Netanyahu Indictments May Amount To Nothing, His Real Crimes Go Unpunished
Shir Hever discusses Netanyahu’s indictment for bribery, malfeasance in office and breach of public trust as only a fraction of his crimes, his refusal to resign & his attack against the left & the media

https://therealnews.com/stories/netanyahu-indictments-may-amount-to-nothing-his-real-crimes-go-unpunished

Canada’s Hypocritical Double-Standard on Haiti and Venezuela
Canada is supporting Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, who has lost all legitimacy, if he ever had any, and at the same time it is in the forefront in opposing Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, who had a more legitimate election and has more supporters, says Yves Engler

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadas-hypocritical-double-standard-on-haiti-and-venezuela
—

Petition
Wisconsin College Board: DO NOT change exam costs and deadlines
by Jennifer Wander

*A test of ills

https://www.change.org/p/tell-the-college-board-not-to-add-more-expense-and-stress-for-students-taking-exams
—

Petition update
Tell the House Subcommittee on Health to make PrEP a part of preventative care
This Petition Has Died Like My Friends
by Will Scheffer

https://www.change.org/p/we-have-a-drug-that-prevents-hiv-infection-why-aren-t-we-making-it-affordable/u/24240647
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
What Happened to Syria? What’s Next?

http://accuracy.org/release/what-happened-to-syria-whats-next
—

FAIR
‘This Policy Has Led to Reduced Access to Critical Health Services’
CounterSpin interview with Nina Besser Doorley on Trump’s global gag rule
by Janine Jackson

*”Grabbing ’em by the pussy” on a global scale

https://fair.org/home/this-policy-has-led-to-reduced-access-to-critical-health-services
—

Democracy Now!
It Is Time to Indict Israel: Norman Finkelstein on Growing Push for ICC to File War Crimes Charges

*Does “violence” on the part of the oppressed against a murderous tormentor “justify” its use of lethal, or any other kind of force?

Were Nazis justified in returning fire from members of the Jewish resistance?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/4/it_is_time_to_indict_israel

Big Tech Stole Our Data While Democracy Slept: Shoshana Zuboff on the Age of Surveillance Capitalism

*It’s frustrating, and not a little depressing, that someone so intelligent still believes that capitalism, of any sort, can be “tamed”.

It’s not a matter of the “dominant” form of capitalism. Capitalism will always seek to dominate, and its historical “defeats”, while meaningful in some sense, in the main simply necessitated a shift in strategy to regain lost ground, as we have seen done time and again up till the present day.

Zuboff’s faith in the corrective potential of democracy is misplaced, I fear. We’ll have to evolve, and goddamn quickly, to truly realize that potential.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/1/big_tech_stole_our_data_while

3.1

Saudis Join With US to Kill EU Effort to Create Dirty Money Blacklist
“Governments must ask themselves whether they are on the side of autocrats or their citizens!”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/01/saudis-join-us-kill-eu-effort-create-dirty-money-blacklist

In ‘Historically Dubious’ CPAC Speech, Pence Claims ‘Freedom’ Ended Slavery
“Think he’s arguing that capitalism ended slavery which is… an interesting perspective!” — Christopher Mathias, HuffPost
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Arbeit macht frei

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/01/historically-dubious-cpac-speech-pence-claims-freedom-ended-slavery

‘To Punish an Outspoken Whistleblower,’ Chelsea Manning Subpoeaned to Testify Before Grand Jury
Subpoeana likely related to WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/03/01/punish-outspoken-whistleblower-chelsea-manning-subpoeaned-testify-grand-jury
—

The Real News Network
How Profit Makes Policing Immune to Reform
TRNN takes a closer look at recent efforts to reform one of the most corrupt police departments in the country, and how even the dysfunction fuels profit for law enforcement in general

*If minor pot possession is no longer incarcerable, why is Mosby only seeking to go back a few years to vacate convictions?

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-profit-makes-policing-immune-to-reform

Role Reversal in India-Pakistan Conflict
Whenever there is a clash between India and Pakistan, media and pundits present India as the good guys. In this case, at least, India is the aggressor and Pakistan is seeking dialogue, says Lahore Professor Junaid Ahmad

https://therealnews.com/stories/role-reversal-in-india-pakistan-conflict

Trump Missed his Opportunity for a Deal on North Korean Sanctions
The two sides may have been close to making an important agreement on denuclearization and lifting sanctions. It’s not clear what went wrong, but it seems that hardliners prevented an agreement, says Tom Collina of Ploughshares

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-missed-his-opportunity-for-a-deal-on-north-korean-sanctions

A Climate Sociologist Explains the Green New Deal (1/2)
Daniel Aldana Cohen, a sociologist and writer for Jacobin Magazine, explains why the Green New Deal must harness and expand the power of the public sector, and why its proponents cannot cut deals with the fossil fuel industry

*If the GND truly contains the elements that Cohen describes, then it’s a better package than I’ve assumed it to be, but the devils are still out to screw with the details.

Stating the bleeding obvious, there can be a deep chasm between what’s on paper, and what becomes policy. The pressure will be enormous to ensure same, and must be exceeded by popular demands to adhere to the stated principles, and push beyond them.

That will necessitate a broad swath of the public engaged in that endeavor, beyond simply polling preferences for it. How that is encouraged, organized and implemented will determine its fate, and our own.

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-climate-sociologist-explains-the-green-new-deal-pt-1-2

A Climate Sociologist Explains the Green New Deal (2/2)

*A meaty discussion of climate change and housing, minus the methane

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-climate-sociologist-explains-the-green-new-deal-pt-2-2

Venezuelans Who Oppose Nicolas Maduro Say Trump Wants To Control Venezuela’s Resources
In an affluent part of Caracas, TRNN Correspondent Dimitri Lascaris discusses Venezuela’s crisis with ordinary Venezuelans

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuelans-who-oppose-nicolas-maduro-say-trump-wants-to-control-venezuelas-resources

Venezuela and American Manifest Destiny – Gerald Horne
A core concept of “Americanism” is the belief that the United States has a God given right to control all of the Americas in the name of democracy and freedom–but in reality, for plunder and commercial interest – historian Gerald Horne joins Paul Jay

*It’d be revealing to see how many “anti-military interventionists” have voted for sanctions, don’t you think?

Perhaps, for at least some, their opposition has less to do with any fealty to national sovereignty than calculating the best and least (American) bloodless way to achieve regime change?

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-and-american-manifest-destiny-gerald-horne
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
U.N. Report of Israeli Crimes and the Efforts to Silence Critics

*The screech of “Foreign interference!” falls silent

http://accuracy.org/release/u-n-report-of-israeli-crimes-and-the-efforts-to-silence-critics
—

FAIR
Facebook Wants You to Know if You’re Getting Your News From the Wrong Government
by Jim Naureckas

*And is following In the Now a data bit Facebook might feel patriotically obliged to share with our “freedom defending” gummint?

https://fair.org/home/facebook-wants-you-to-know-if-youre-getting-your-news-from-the-wrong-government
—

Democracy Now!
Age of Surveillance Capitalism: “We Thought We Were Searching Google, But Google Was Searching Us”

*Information overlord

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/3/1/age_of_surveillance_capitalism_we_thought

February 2019

2.28

WATCH: Democrat Ilhan Omar Questions Madeline Albright on Use of Sanctions and Failures of US Military Intervention
“As someone who understands the horrors of war firsthand,” noted Minnesota Democrat, “I worry when we fail to consider the human toll of war and our moral responsibility to the people of these countries”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”[T]argeted”

At the health and well being of the peoples of North Korea, Iran and Venezuela.

Why would you be “honored” to speak with someone who first earned the appellation “Madame Mayhem”, before Her Royal Clintoness reprised the role?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/28/watch-democrat-ilhan-omar-questions-madeline-albright-use-sanctions-and-failures-us
—

Why the “Anthropocene” Is Not “Climate Change”
Slowing climate change is crucial but navigating its challenges is only possible if it is understood as one facet of planetary overshoot
by Julia Adeney Thomas

*Nearsighting the big picture

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/why-anthropocene-not-climate-change
–

Glyphosate Found in 19 of 20 Beers and Wines Tested
“While these levels of glyphosate are below EPA risk tolerances for beverages, it is possible that even low levels of glyphosate can be problematic”
by Olivia Rosane

*Drunk on profit

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/glyphosate-found-19-20-beers-and-wines-tested
–

The Rapid Victory of the West Virginia Teacher Strike Shows What Happens When Progressives Join the Fight Against School Privatization
The hope is that the solidarity shown by progressive opposition to school privatization in West Virginia can rub off on states where charters are more abundant
by Jeff Bryant

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/28/rapid-victory-west-virginia-teacher-strike-shows-what-happens-when-progressives
—

The Real News Network
Canadian Company Profits from Apartheid Israeli Railway
Jonathan Kuttab discusses the lawsuit against the Canadian company Bombardier, which is building an illegal railway through occupied and confiscated Palestinian land in the West Bank, violating international law

*Steamrolling justice

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadian-company-profits-from-apartheid-israeli-railway
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Why Did Hanoi Summit Really Fail?

*And maybe Killer Clown was tipped that the Nobel committee was leaning toward someone else for yet another farcical “Peace” Prize?

http://accuracy.org/release
—

Democracy Now!
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Grills Michael Cohen, Laying Out Plan to Probe More Trump Crimes

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/28/rep_alexandria_ocasio_cortez_grills_michael

2.27

Popularity of #SayNoToWar Hashtag in India and Pakistan Indicates Appetite For Peace
“Those cheering the loudest for war are sitting the farthest from the battlefield”
by Eoin Higgins, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Declining to dance to the drums of war

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/27/popularity-saynotowar-hashtag-india-and-pakistan-indicates-appetite-peace
—

Food & Water Watch
USDA Quietly Approves New Line Speed Waivers for Chicken Plants
Salmonella performance standard violator still has its waiver; JBS benefits most under new program established by its food safety chief

*The fox in charge of the slaughterhouse

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/27/usda-quietly-approves-new-line-speed-waivers-chicken-plants

Earthrights International
Historic Supreme Court Win: World Bank Group Is Not Above The Law

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/27/historic-supreme-court-win-world-bank-group-not-above-law
—

The Real News Network
Specter of Fascism: Cohen Says Trump Won’t Leave Peacefully in 2020
Hearings reveal deepening systemic corruption, further degeneration of GOP, progressive members standout in questioning – Jacqueline Luqman, Henry Giroux and Carmen Russell-Sluchansky join Paul Jay

*The “crisis in civic education” isn’t new, or confined to “rural America”. The ghost of Howard Zinn could speak to that.

American exceptionalism in its myriad manifestations is a catechism that we are all taught, and that relatively few ever recover from. And “MAGA” plays into that, with people from all socioeconomic strata buying into it.

“Imagine there’s no countries” …

https://therealnews.com/stories/specter-of-fascism-cohen-says-trump-wont-leave-peacefully-in-2020

Police Investigating Themselves Leads to Predictable Results
A deeper look at how police influence investigations into in-custody deaths, and what activists are trying to do to reform it. A discussion among Jacqueline Luqman, Stephen Janis, and Taya Graham

https://therealnews.com/stories/police-investigating-themselves-leads-to-predictable-results

Sanders and Systemic Racism: Did he Answer the Critics?
In the CNN Town Hall, Bernie Sanders acknowledged he could have been stronger in his approach to racial inequities; he was asked if he supported reparations for descendents of African slaves – a discussion with Jacqueline Lukman, Eugene Puryear, Norman Soloman, hosted by Paul Jay

*Is it the place of an “independent” media outlet to build a better Bernie? Isn’t its charge to critique politicians honestly, rather than provide “constructive criticism” (and often cheerlead – see Nina Turner’s turn as a show host)?

It’s Sanders’ responsibility to address his myriad faults, which I have little faith he is committed to doing.

It’s TRNN’s, and all other “progressive” media’s, responsibility to present facts and analysis to shine light on how pols and parties adhere to the principles they proclaim.

https://therealnews.com/stories/sanders-and-systemic-racism-did-he-answer-the-critics

What Does Venezuela Tell Us About Socialism in the USA? – with Paul Jay
According to Trump, the crisis in a small country with an oil based economy, facing onerous sanctions, discredits the progressive socialist movement in the United States – Paul Jay joins host Jacqueline Luqman

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-does-venezuela-tell-us-about-socialism-in-the-usa-with-paul-jay

Middle Class Loses, Plutocrats Win With Trump’s Tax Cuts
Trump’s “middle class tax cut” is a tax hike. Economist Bill Black says Trump could have been a popular President, if he hadn’t lied about middle class tax cuts and building infrastructure

*Pelosi et alia don’t “believe” their dogma. It allows them to push for austerity, which is what their Wall Street masters desire.

As for her legislative acumen, she may be quite “skilled” at maintaining her title, but betraying those suffering at the border in order to push Killer Clown into a corner, among other double dealings, ain’t the kind of “leadership” I want from a “public servant”.

(I may have burned out my quotes key)

https://therealnews.com/stories/middle-class-loses-plutocrats-win-with-trumps-tax-cuts
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
From Cohen to Venezuela: Hollowness of “Russiagate”

http://accuracy.org/release/from-cohen-to-venezuela-hollowness-of-russiagate
—

Democracy Now!
As India and Pakistan Issue Veiled Nuclear Threats, New Ceasefire Urged to Defuse Kashmir Conflict

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/27/as_india_and_pakistan_issue_veiled

dream hampton on Making “Surviving R. Kelly” & the Grassroots Activists That Helped Bring Him Down

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/27/dream_hampton_on_making_surviving_r

Disarmament Expert on N. Korea Summit: An International Process Is Needed to Reduce Nuclear Threat

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/27/disarmament_expert_on_n_korea_summit

2.26

Survival of the Richest
Building a great wall of wealth
by Nomi Prins

*If we finally get our heads out our asses, and act on our best impulses

Maybe … just maybe … this won’t “end well” for the exploitocracy.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/26/survival-richest
—

The Real News Network
ICE Entraps Foreign Students: Not New, but Immigration Criminalization is Intensifying
While the Trump administration is continuing many of the anti-immigrant policies of the Clinton and Obama administrations, his efforts to criminalize all immigrants represents a new twist, says Prof. Aviva Chomsky

https://therealnews.com/stories/ice-entraps-foreign-students-not-new-but-immigration-criminalization-is-intensifying

Will Militarizing Schools Make Them Safer?
by Jaisal Noor

https://therealnews.com/columns/will-militarizing-schools-make-them-safer

Massive Protest in Support of the Bolivarian Revolution Largely Ignored
While the world’s attention was focused on the Venezuelan opposition, as it tried to transport US aid into Venezuela against the government’s will, a major protest took place in Caracas that was opposed to US intervention in Venezuela

*The camera doesn’t lie

So it’s turned off

https://therealnews.com/stories/massive-protest-in-support-of-the-bolivarian-revolution-largely-ignored
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
India-Pakistan Nuclear Threat

http://accuracy.org/release/india-pakistan-nuclear-threat
—

FAIR
The Return of the Inexplicable Republican Best Friend
Media present GOP left-bashing as good-faith advice
by James Graham and Adam Johnson

*If only “progressives” and “democratic socialists” gave the duopolistic status quo something to truly be scared shitless about.

Well, I can dream, can’t I?

The nightmare will come soon enough.

https://fair.org/home/the-return-of-the-inexplicable-republican-best-friend
—

Democracy Now!
Incarceration Is a Deadly Health Risk: Former Chief Medical Officer of NYC Jails Speaks Out

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/26/incarceration_is_a_deadly_health_risk

2.25

‘Everyone. Needs. To. Watch…’ Democrat Dianne Feinstein Explain to Children Why She Won’t Back Green New Deal
“This is a fight for our generation’s survival. Her reaction is why young people desperately want new leadership in Congress.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone”

Oscar Wilde

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/22/everyone-needs-watch-democrat-dianne-feinstein-explain-children-why-she-wont-back
—

Extinction Rebellion
“It is our sacred duty to rebel in order to protect our homes, our future, and the future of all life on Earth”
by Chris Hedges

*Violence, force, armed struggle – whatever you care to call it – has had its victories, often admittedly to ultimately devolve. It is a tactic, as is nonviolent civil disobedience, and both must be carried out with intense discipline. The totality of circumstances dictate the strategy, with no guarantee the choice will be “the right one”.

While I can take issue with Hallam’s wholesale dismissal of force, his overarching point is indisputable

A Green Deal – or a Green New Deal – won’t save us from the abyss. This is existential shit, and the existence so many of us in the developed world have known must face extinction, if we as a species are to avoid that fate.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/25/extinction-rebellion
—

The Real News Network
Israeli Interference in British Politics: Targeted against Corbyn
Asa Winstanley discusses the coordinated incitement campaign against critical voices in the UK. On the same day that the Israeli lobby attacked Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in the U.S, British right-wing activists launched an attack on Human Rights Watch, and later on Jeremy Corbyn

https://therealnews.com/stories/israeli-interference-in-british-politics-targeted-against-corbyn

Is Participatory Democracy the Solution to Venezuela’s Crisis?
Atenea Jimenez, speaker of a network of communes in Venezuela, says that grassroots, collective decision-making is the key to solving Venezuela’s crisis

*Is “socialism” to blame

Or its absence?

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-participatory-democracy-the-solution-to-venezuelas-crisis

Palestine and Rule of Power
Alaa Tartir discusses his new edited anthology: “Palestine and Rule of Power: Local Dissent vs. International Governance”, a new look into how international aid and also the Palestinian security reform are mechanisms which are used to crush Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation

*I don’t see any difference between the aims of US and European aid; only perhaps the means to achieve them. Both seek to ensure Israeli dominance over the area.

At one point both may have wished for an enervated Palestinian state which could be declared the “solution” to the situation, but internal Israeli politics and external pressure from its emissaries abroad made that infeasible, and so today the US has abandoned that strategy, and Europe, while it may still favor that outcome, essentially only pays lip service to the creation of a Palestinian state.

https://therealnews.com/stories/palestine-and-rule-of-power

Canada’s “Humanitarian Aid” for Venezuela: Provocation or Genuine Concern?
Canadian analyst Yves Engler discusses the history of Canadian humanitarian aid, which all too often works to support US foreign policy interests and has nothing to do with genuine concern for people’s suffering

*No one is being “sort of seduced by the idea of aid”, unless they’re utter fucking idiots

Which, you know, maybe they are … but I sincerely doubt that.

CUPE and the rest see this as a way to split the difference – to appear critical of Killer Clown’s circus of death, while ensuring the myth of Western “humanitarian concern” is never questioned, and thus the entire edifice of foreign policy, rather than picking and choosing when to object to it at a convenient time.

See “Good War, Afghanistan – Bad War, Iraq”.

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadas-humanitarian-aid-for-venezuela-provocation-or-genuine-concern

Trump’s Border Wall: Who Profits?
Infrastructure, military, and security companies line up to take a piece from the budget for the border wall, funded by Trump’s national emergency declaration

*Wall of venal voodoo

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-border-wall-who-profits

What is at Stake in Venezuela: National Sovereignty
NYU history professor Greg Grandin discusses the history of the concept of national sovereignty as it originated in Latin America, but was repeatedly challenged by the US. The latest US threats against Venezuela once again threaten to make the concept irrelevant and would serve as justification for more unilateral interventions

*”What do you do with a sovereign leader who is unjust to his own people?”

You don’t send a mass murderer to deal with a serial killer

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-is-at-stake-in-venezuela-national-sovereignty

Racially Discriminatory Lending Leads to Black Community Wealth Decline
Baltimore study shows predatory lending by major banks across the nation led to massive home foreclosures and wealth theft in Black communities

https://therealnews.com/stories/racially-discriminatory-lending-leads-to-black-community-wealth-decline

Spain Struggles for its Identity as Catalan Independence Leaders Face Trial
The trial against 12 Catalan independence leaders exposes the extent to which Spain’s status as a coherent nation-state is being questioned. The governing socialist party is now feeling the consequences of the loss of a no-confidence vote, says Sebastiaan Faber

https://therealnews.com/stories/spain-struggles-for-its-identity-as-catalan-independence-leaders-face-trial

US Sanctions on Venezuela Possibly Worse than Iraq Sanctions Before War
News about humanitarian aid shipments to Venezuela almost never compare how tiny a fraction this aid is relative to the devastating damage that US sanctions against Venezuela have caused, which is now as draconian as the pre-Iraq war sanctions were, says CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

https://therealnews.com/stories/us-sanctions-on-venezuela-possibly-worse-than-iraq-sanctions-before-war
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Former UN Expert on Venezuela: U.S. Government “Weaponizing Aid”

http://accuracy.org/release/former-un-expert-on-venezuela-u-s-government-weaponizing-aid
—

Democracy Now!
Vandana Shiva: We Must Fight Back Against the 1 Percent to Stop the Sixth Mass Extinction

*A deep dive into corporate criminality, which is far too pale a pejorative to describe the horrors evinced.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/22/vandana_shiva_we_must_fight_back

The Coup Has Failed & Now the U.S. Is Looking to Wage War: Venezuelan Foreign Minister Speaks Out

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/25/the_coup_has_failed_now_the

2.22

‘Terrifying’: Rapid Loss of Biodiversity Placing Global Food Supplies at Risk of ‘Irreversible Collapse’
“This should be at the top of every news bulletin and every government’s agenda around the world”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/22/terrifying-rapid-loss-biodiversity-placing-global-food-supplies-risk-irreversible
—

The U.S.-Venezuela Aid Convoy Story Is Clearly Bogus, but No One Wants to Say It
At best, you are helping provide cover for a campaign designed to starve the Venezuelan people; at worst, you are enabling a military conflict that will drag on for years
by Adam Johnson

*”Doing something” has almost always been precipitated by the reality of already having done something that has created the supposed need to “do something”.

As for entreaties to the corpress, I fear Johnson isn’t merely pissing in the wind

He’s whizzing in the whirlwind.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/22/us-venezuela-aid-convoy-story-clearly-bogus-no-one-wants-say-it
–

How Scott Walker Made Wisconsin the National Poster Child for Dark Money Corruption
by Mary Bottari
Exposed by CMD

*Just as Keating “was not called out on his dark money roots” by Democraps on the committee, I have to wonder what if any holy hell was raised by them in Wisconsin over the legislative lead paint protection subterfuge.

https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2019/02/15/how-scott-walker-made-wisconsin-the-national-poster-child-for-dark-money-corruption
–

As Cleanup Dispute Looms, Peabody-Linked Group Pushes Navajo Nation to Buy West’s Largest Coal Plant
by Sharon Kelly
DeSmogBlog

https://www.desmogblog.com/2019/02/21/cleanup-peabody-coal-texas-public-policy-foundation-navajo-generating-station
—

The Real News Network
Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Former Lawyer on the DA’s Challenge to his Appeal
Rachel Wolkenstein, Mumia’s former lawyer, talks about DA Larry Krasner, known as a progressive DA, challenging Mumia’s right to appeal, which she deems as a further attempt for a cover-up and more evidence that Mumia’s case needs to be dismissed

https://therealnews.com/stories/mumia-abu-jamals-former-lawyer-on-the-das-challenge-to-his-appeal

Trump’s Border Wall: Powerful Symbol for the Republican Party’s Far Right
NYU History Professor Greg Grandin puts Trump’s call for a border wall in the context of US history, politics, and the right-wing imagination

*It’s frustrating when someone with a good grasp on reality like Grandin posits Sanders as an avatar of “socialism”.

He’s a social democrat, as are his cohorts, with all the contradictions that come with that.

Our choice is among barbarism, a “socialism” that seeks co-existence with a “responsible” capitalism (a non sequitur if ever there was), and a true socialism, or whatever term you care to employ, that squarely confronts exploitation and the profit system that perforce will perpetuate it.

Faced with the abyss, we have no choice save the last, do we?

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-border-wall-powerful-symbol-for-the-republican-partys-far-right

Artists Call for Eurovision Boycott, if Event Held in Israel (Pt 1/2)
Danielle Alma Ravitzki explains how the Israeli government uses the Eurovision song contest to whitewash and pinkwash its crimes against Palestinians. This year the contest will take place in Tel-Aviv, and artists from around the world are calling for a boycott

https://therealnews.com/stories/artists-call-for-eurovision-boycott-if-event-held-in-israel-pt-1-2
—

FAIR
Venezuela Coverage Takes Us Back to Golden Age of Lying About Latin America
by Mark Cook

*”[B]ut the corporate media have straight-facedly pretended to believe it.”

Thank you, Mr. Cook.

The corpress doesn’t naïvely “swallow” the lies of power

They wilfully regurgitate them.

https://fair.org/home/venezuela-coverage-takes-us-back-to-golden-age-of-lying-about-latin-america

‘The Afghan Government Is as Corrupt as Governments Come’
CounterSpin interview with Phyllis Bennis on Ending the Afghan War
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/the-afghan-government-is-as-corrupt-as-governments-come
—

Democracy Now!
This Is Not Humanitarian Aid: A Maduro Critic in Venezuela Slams U.S. Plan to Push Regime Change

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/22/this_is_not_humanitarian_aid_a

2.21

Progressives Should Support Open Borders—With No Apology
Supporting freedom of movement isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s a political winner for the left
by Khury Petersen-Smith

*Of course, open borders would bring the “undocumented” out of the shadows, and into the struggle for worker dignity

And that’s a primary reason for its being anathema to the political duopoly, don’t you reckon?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/progressives-should-support-open-borders-no-apology

IHCHR: 11,800 Civilians Killed In US-Led Air Strikes in Syria, Iraq
“We have massively destroyed the infrastructure and given the population a disgusting image of what may be a Western-style liberation, leaving behind the seeds of an imminent resurgence of a new adversary,” admitted a French military officer in a recent and rare rebuke to the U.S.-led coalition
by Brett Wilkins

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/ihchr-11800-civilians-killed-us-led-air-strikes-syria-iraq
–

Arts Organizing Lifts Oakland Teachers Strike
An interview with Joe Brusky on arts organizing in the teachers union movement
by David Solnit

*Art for our sake

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/arts-organizing-lifts-oakland-teachers-strike
–

The Government Cannot Force E-mail Companies to Copy and Save Your Account ‘Just in Case’
Making sure that email gets proper Fourth Amendment protection is one of the ACLU’s priorities
by Melodi Dincer and Kristin M. Mulvey

*Loopholes for snoopholes

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/21/government-cannot-force-e-mail-companies-copy-and-save-your-account-just-case
–

“A Modern-Day Draft, if Marketed Carefully and Cleverly”
FOIA request uncovers Selective Service messaging for the commission tasked with recommending fate of mandatory draft registration
by Edward Hasbrouck

*Fodder figuring

https://couragetoresist.org/modern-day-draft
—

Democracy Now!
Ending the Punishment of Poverty: Supreme Court Rules Against High Fines & Civil Asset Forfeiture

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/21/ending_the_punishment_of_poverty_supreme

Climate Denier to Head New Trump Panel Despite Once Comparing Climate Scientists to Nazis

*The Pentagon doesn’t want “war and conflict” to occur outside of their own agency

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/21/climate_denier_to_head_new_trump

2.20

‘Illegal Boondoggle’: US Government Rebuked for Giving 1,400 Private Companies Access to Dubious Terrorism Watchlist
“We call on congressional leadership to investigate the private sector dissemination of watchlisting information that stigmatizes the innocent and makes none of us safer”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/20/illegal-boondoggle-us-government-rebuked-giving-1400-private-companies-access

Warren Proposal Would Use Tax on Ultra-Rich to Help Fund Universal Childcare Plan
“We’re the richest country on the planet. We shouldn’t be denying our kids the high-quality early education they need.”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Maybe we wouldn’t have to worry about nickel and diming plutocrats if we stopped them from stealing fistfuls of Benjamins from us?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/19/warren-proposal-would-use-tax-ultra-rich-help-fund-universal-childcare-plan
—

Immigrants Aren’t the Emergency—Unchecked Capitalism Is
Communities like mine, in small-town Michigan, are told to blame immigrants when greedy corporations hurt us. We don’t buy it.
by Sarah Schulz

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/20/immigrants-arent-emergency-unchecked-capitalism
–

Earthjustice
Groups Sue Trump’s EPA Over Failure to Ban Deadly Paint Strippers
EPA unlawfully permitting chemical linked to dozens of deaths to remain on the market

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/19/groups-sue-trumps-epa-over-failure-ban-deadly-paint-strippers
—

The Real News Network
Venezuela: The Epicenter of the “Pink Tide” and Now of the Right-Wing Rollback
The effort to rollback Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution must be seen as part of a determined effort to pry open all economies to transnational capital – it’s about access, says sociologist of globalization William I. Robinson

*The Pink Tide shot itself in the foot

And now global capital is aiming for the head

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-the-epicenter-of-the-pink-tide-and-now-of-the-right-wing-rollback
—

FAIR
When India Tries to Regulate Amazon, US Media Qualms About Monopoly Disappear
by John O’Day

https://fair.org/home/when-india-tries-to-regulate-amazon-us-media-qualms-about-monopoly-disappear
—

Democracy Now!
Saudis Facing Criminal Charges in the U.S. Keep Disappearing. Is the Kingdom Helping Them Escape?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/20/saudis_facing_criminal_charges_in_the

2.19

They Took My House, They Took My Life, They Took Everything.
Israeli police forcibly expelled a Palestinian family from their home in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday and promptly turned it over to right-wing Jewish settlers
by Abby Zimet, Further columnist

https://www.commondreams.org/further/2019/02/18/they-took-my-house-they-took-my-life-they-took-everything
–

Accusing Richard Branson of Playing Into Regime Change Plot, Roger Waters Warns Against ‘Live Aid-ish’ Concert Near Venezuela Border
“Do we really want Venezuela to turn into another Iraq or Syria or Libya? I don’t, and neither do the Venezuelan people.”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Maybe his best bud Obama will favor us with a tune.

I have a suggestion – the old Temptations’ hit, “Smiling Faces”

“They lie

And I got proof”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/19/accusing-richard-branson-playing-regime-change-plot-roger-waters-warns-against-live
—

Organizers Oust Amazon HQ2 From New York
Invest in communities, New Yorkers say, not a labor-busting, tax-avoiding corporation that profits off hate
by Negin Owliaei

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/19/organizers-oust-amazon-hq2-new-york

How the U.S. Is Strangling Haiti as It Attempts Regime Change in Venezuela
Their message is simple: if you won’t let us breathe, we won’t let you breathe, and if you suffocate Venezuela, you suffocate us
by Vijay Prashad

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/19/how-us-strangling-haiti-it-attempts-regime-change-venezuela
—

The Real News Network
White Supremacy and the Progressive Movement
Host Jacqueline Luqman is joined by Paul Jay to discuss the importance of combating white supremacy within the context of a broad people’s movement

*It’s not an “either/or”, and it’s not a “both”.

White supremacy is one expression of exploitation and oppression, but you don’t treat a disease by ignoring its symptoms. You deal with the symptoms while acutely aware of the disease that creates them.

Your goal is to cure the disease, but to do so, you have to ameliorate the symptoms within the context of a holistic approach.

There’s no pill for that … only a commitment to an empathic connection to all who suffer under a system fueled by greed and a lust for power.

https://therealnews.com/stories/white-supremacy-and-the-progressive-movement
—

Democracy Now!
Venezuela in Crisis: As U.S. Pushes Regime Change, Fear Grows of Civil War & Famine

*So, Rodríguez believes that the installation of a ally to Killer Clown, Bolsonaro and the other protofascisti in the hemisphere “can be very good”, and no one challenges that view?

Prashad, whom I have some respect for, is mute on this, as are the hosts of a program entitled “Democracy Now!”

And you wonder why watching it is often utterly frustrating and infuriating … ?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/19/venezuela_in_crisis_as_us_pushes

Amazon’s Defeat in NYC Galvanizes Movement to End Billion-Dollar Corporate Welfare

*Kim’s mealy mouthing on de Blasio and the sellout unions doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence as to how this bill will ultimately shake out.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/19/amazons_defeat_in_nyc_galvanizes_movement

2.18

Swedish Activist Fined for Viral Live-Streamed Protest Against Deportation of Afghan Asylum Seeker
“It is right to save lives and wrong to be punished for trying”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*When principles take flight

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/18/swedish-activist-fined-viral-live-streamed-protest-against-deportation-afghan-asylum
—

Worshipping the Electronic Image
Trump is a creature—maybe the poster child—of the modern, post-literate culture
by Chris Hedges

*Image unconscious

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/worshipping-electronic-image
–

How a Failing Capitalist System Is Allowing Amazon to Cripple America
There may be no better argument for democratic socialism in America than the way individual state leaders have been falling over each other trying to lure corporations to their states with tax subsidies
by Paul Buchheit

*Any system based on profit rather than communal principles will fail us, and any “democratic socialism” that attempts to tame that venal beast, rather than replace it, will do likewise.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/how-failing-capitalist-system-allowing-amazon-cripple-america
–

China Is Flooding the Middle East With Cheap Drones
Throughout the war on terror, the U.S. shattered norms on unmanned execution. Now the technology is spreading throughout the region
by Jakob Reimann

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/china-flooding-middle-east-cheap-drones

A Long War of Attrition With China
The only way to save civilization is for the U.S. and China to declare peace and focus together on human salvation
by Michael Klare

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/18/long-war-attrition-china

Border Patrol Detained Me for Speaking Spanish in Montana. Then My Town Turned Against Me.
“My friend and I were illegally targeted and detained by a Customs and Border Protection agent, just for speaking Spanish to each other in a convenience store”
by Ana Suda

*Brave souls in a town lacking one

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/17/border-patrol-detained-me-speaking-spanish-montana-then-my-town-turned-against-me
—

The Real News Network
Are Palestinians Living under a Double Occupation? (1/2)
Legislator Mustafa Barghouti discusses President Abbas’s dissolution of the Legislative Council, the attempt to alter the Paris Accords, and explores Palestinians’ life under double occupation. With Israeli elections approaching, the Palestinian leadership does not challenge Israeli political parties to take a position on the occupation

https://therealnews.com/stories/are-palestinians-living-under-a-double-occupation-1-2

First Step in New York State Towards Universal Rent Control
State Senator Julia Salazar introduced a bill that would cap annual rent increases by no more than 150% of the consumer price index. We speak to Sen. Salazar about the proposal

https://therealnews.com/stories/first-step-in-new-york-state-towards-universal-rent-control

Warsaw Conference’s War with Iran Agenda, Met with Low Level Delegations from European Allies
Pompeo, Netanyahu urged Arab leaders to consolidate and prepare for war with Iran at Warsaw Conference. Europe sent low level delegations. A leaked video from the conference reveals that Arab leaders are ready to abandon solidarity with Palestinians. We speak with Vijay Prashad for analysis.

https://therealnews.com/stories/warsaw-conferences-war-with-iran-agenda-met-with-low-level-delegations-from-european-allies

New Poll Shows Increased Bipartisan Desire to Act on Climate Change
The results, released in December, also show widespread bipartisan support for a Green New Deal and renewable energy

*A long journey from awareness and concern to action commensurate with the crisis at hand, which will remain the case as long as advocates for “a Green New Deal” soft pedal just how radical change must be to give us any chance of survival.

https://therealnews.com/stories/new-poll-shows-increased-bipartisan-desire-to-act-on-climate-change

Does Recognition of Parallel Gov’t in Venezuela Violate International Law?
A recent study conducted by the German parliament’s independent scientific research service found that international recognition of the self-proclaimed “interim president” Juan Guaidó probably constitutes a violation of international law. We discuss the study’s implications with Andrej Hunko, who commissioned the study

https://therealnews.com/stories/does-recognition-of-parallel-govt-in-venezuela-violate-international-law

Trump Declares an Imperial Presidency – Paul Jay
Trump’s emergency order threatens to create an all powerful presidency and weaken a constitutional order that allows the elites to settle their differences within an electoral process – Paul Jay joins guest-host Jacqueline Luqman of ‘Luqman Nation’

*Democrats use a scalpel to carve up the world to capital’s liking.

Republicans go for the meat cleaver

And the more blood, the better.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-declares-an-imperial-presidency-paul-jay

2.15

Blow to ‘Powerful Corporate Interests’ as Federal Court Throws Out Pipeline Company Lawsuit Against DAPL Water Protectors
Greenpeace lawyer confident that decision will deter other companies “from abusing the legal system in their quest to bully those who speak truth to power”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/15/blow-powerful-corporate-interests-federal-court-throws-out-pipeline-company-lawsuit
—

National Emergencies: Constitutional and Statutory Restrictions on Presidential Powers
When the President threatens to use those same emergency authorities to try paying for a border wall after Congress has refused, we watch closely. And so should you.
by Cindy Cohn and Shahid Buttar

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/15/national-emergencies-constitutional-and-statutory-restrictions-presidential-powers
–

On Valentine’s Day, An End to Amazon’s Two-Bit Romance With New York
A fond farewell to this ‘No low-rent rendezvous’
by Laura Flanders

*Do we want better “terms of engagement” from slimy suitors

Or do we tell them to go fuck *themselves*, and build a communal relationship meant to last?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/15/valentines-day-end-amazons-two-bit-romance-new-york
–

The Realized Temptations of NPR and PBS
Over the years, without regular critiques by liberal and progressive groups, both NPR and PBS have bent to the continual right-wing antagonism in Congress that decreased public budgets
by Ralph Nader

*The Corporation

Faux Public Broadcasting

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/15/realized-temptations-npr-and-pbs
—

Center for Biological Diversity
Court Rejects Oil Industry’s Retaliatory Lawsuit Against L.A. Youth Groups

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/15/court-rejects-oil-industrys-retaliatory-lawsuit-against-la-youth-groups
—

The Real News Network
How Haiti’s Spontaneous Uprising is Connected to Venezuelan Solidarity (1/2)
Kim Ives of Haiti Liberté unravels how the new Haitian revolt entangles Duvalier style corruption of money stolen from Venezuela’s PetroCaribe program and subtle US intervention

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-haitis-spontaneous-uprising-is-connected-to-venezuelan-solidarity-1-2

How Haiti’s Spontaneous Uprising is Connected to Venezuelan Solidarity (2/2)

*Killer Clown and Madame Mayhem

Nothing strange about such bedfellows when it comes to imperious imperialism.

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-haitis-spontaneous-uprising-is-connected-to-venezuelan-solidarity-2-2

‘Victory’ Deal Reached to End First Denver Teachers Strike in 25 Years
Journalist Eric Blanc discusses the tentative agreement to end the Denver teachers strike

*Okay, so let’s start talking about how to “create a new political instrument”

Instead of “fighting for the soul” of a soulless Democrapic Party.

https://therealnews.com/stories/victory-deal-reached-to-end-first-denver-teachers-strike-in-25-years
—

FAIR
Court Strikes Down FCC’s Mean-Spirited Effort to Reinforce Digital Divide
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/court-strikes-down-fccs-mean-spirited-effort-to-reinforce-digital-divide
—

Democracy Now!
Immigrant Activists: Democrats Are Capitulating to Trump by Approving Border, DHS Funding

*The yawning chasm between resistance and “#Resistance”

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/15/immigrant_activists_democrats_are_capitulating_to

Asylum Seekers Are Being Imprisoned in an Abandoned Factory in Mexico Under Trump Admin Policy

*Doesn’t really matter who the president of México is to these folks, does it?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/15/asylum_seekers_are_being_imprisoned_in

2.14

More Border Surveillance Tech Could Be Worse for Human Rights Than a Wall
By pushing for expanded surveillance as an “alternative” to a literal barrier, Democrats have caved to the president’s worst impulses
by Evan Greer

*Follow the money, honey

Who does the tech sector give a shitpot full of campaign cash to … ?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/14/more-border-surveillance-tech-could-be-worse-human-rights-wall

35 Days Without Pay Show How Precarious Federal Jobs Have Become
Private companies profited off the shutdown as federal workers living paycheck to paycheck—long vilified by the right—struggled to get by
by Hana Sarfan

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/14/35-days-without-pay-show-how-precarious-federal-jobs-have-become
—

The Real News Network
In Caracas, Ordinary Venezuelans Speak to The Real News About Venezuela’s Crisis
Citizens of Venezuela wait in line to sign a petition denouncing U.S. imperialism. Dimitri Lascaris reports from Caracas

https://therealnews.com/stories/in-caracas-ordinary-venezuelans-speak-to-the-real-news-about-venezuelas-crisis
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Emergency Powers “Impeachable”: “All You Need is One Brave Member”

*Add it to the list of impeachable offenses, and the Democraps’ politically calculated passes on doing shit all about them

http://accuracy.org/release/emergency-powers-impeachable-all-you-need-is-one-brave-member

Sanders-Khanna Bill on Saudi Assault on Yemen and War Powers Clears House

*Click and read at the ACLU link. Do you accept that these loopholes are mere “errors”?

Every congressmember has taken Posturing 101 – including the “progressive” ones.

http://accuracy.org/release/sanders-khanna-bill-on-saudi-assault-on-yemen-and-war-powers-clears-house
—

Democracy Now!
Roberto Lovato: Elliott Abrams Is Bringing Violence of 1980s U.S. Latin America Policy to Venezuela

*I don’t know who induces the bile to rise higher in my throat

Abrams and his murderers’ row, or Pelosi and her hyperhypocritical “#Resistance” shills.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/14/roberto_lovato_elliott_abrams_is_bringing

One Year After Parkland, 1,200 More Kids Are Dead by Gunfire—But Students Still Fight for Gun Safety

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/14/one_year_after_parkland_1_200

2.13

What it Really Takes to Secure Peace in Afghanistan
Constant military surveillance of Afghans yields almost no real intelligence about the problems they face each day. An unusual group of volunteers uses a far different approach
by Kathy Kelly

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/13/what-it-really-takes-secure-peace-afghanistan
–

Growing a Green New Deal: Agriculture’s Role in Economic Justice and Ecological Sustainability
by Fred Iutzi and Robert Jensen

https://www.resilience.org/stories/2019-02-13/growing-a-green-new-deal-agricultures-role-in-economic-justice-and-ecological-sustainability
—

Petition
No more lives lost to an outdated organ procurement system
by Jennifer Flick

https://www.change.org/p/stopwaitingforanorgan-no-more-lives-lost-to-an-outdated-system
—

FAIR
ACTION ALERT: MSNBC’s ‘Resistance’ to Trump’s Venezuela Coup Ranges from Silence to Support
by Adam Johnson

*Mock the “Clown”

Rock the “Killer”

https://fair.org/home/action-alert-msnbcs-resistance-to-trumps-venezuela-coup-ranges-from-silence-to-support
—

Democracy Now!
Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Secretly Shipping Arms After Weapons Found on Plane with Possible CIA Ties

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/13/venezuela_accuses_us_of_secretly_shipping

Atlanta School Cheating Scandal: The Untold Story of Corporate Greed & Criminalization of Teachers

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/13/atlanta_school_cheating_scandal_the_untold

2.12

Giving Trump Far Too Much in Shutdown Deal, Progressives Warn Democrats ‘Throwing Immigrants Under the Bus’
“This isn’t just about stopping Trump’s wall—this is about standing on the right side of history, and standing with the most vulnerable”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Spineless Democraps put *our* backs against The Wall

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/12/giving-trump-far-too-much-shutdown-deal-progressives-warn-democrats-throwing

Because Society ‘Leaps Forward’ When People Take Action, UK Headteachers Union Backs Student #ClimateStrike
“When you get older pupils making an informed decision, that kind of thing needs to be applauded”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It’s not the students who need to learn the lesson

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/12/because-society-leaps-forward-when-people-take-action-uk-headteachers-union-backs

Study Shows Toxic Pesticide Levels in Families Dropped by 60% After One-Week Organic Diet
“This important study shows how quickly we can rid our bodies of toxic pesticides by choosing organic,” says researcher
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/12/study-shows-toxic-pesticide-levels-families-dropped-60-after-one-week-organic-diet
—

Why Does the United States of America Want to Overthrow the Government of Venezuela?
A look at what drives the US to persist in its interventions—diplomatic, economic and military—against the Venezuelan government
by Vijay Prashad

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/12/why-does-united-states-america-want-overthrow-government-venezuela
—

A Green New Deal for India?
A new report from the Political Economy Research Institute puts forth a proposal to boost equity while lowering carbon emissions. Shouvik Chakraborty, an author of the report, explains

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-green-new-deal-for-india

City Council Approves Bill That Could Shut Down Massive Trash Incinerator
Baltimore City Council unanimously approved a bill that would impose stricter pollution requirements on the city’s trash incinerator and could force it to shut down

https://therealnews.com/columns/city-council-approves-bill-that-could-shut-down-massive-trash-incinerator
—

FAIR
‘MBS Has Ushered in an Era of Unprecedented Crackdowns and Repression of Political Speech’
CounterSpin interview with Sarah Aziza on Saudi repression of women
by Janine Jackson

*If any action is taken by gummints to counter MBS’ murderous megalomania, it won’t be due to any concern for Saudis and their rights, but for the damage his vile vainglory could do to their own interests.

https://fair.org/home/mbs-has-ushered-in-an-era-of-unprecedented-crackdowns-and-repression-of-political-speech

Facts Don’t Interfere With Propaganda Blitz Against Venezuela’s Elected President
by Joe Emersberger

https://fair.org/home/facts-dont-interfere-with-propaganda-blitz-against-venezuelas-elected-president
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Rep. Omar and the Truth About AIPAC

http://accuracy.org/release/rep-omar-and-the-truth-about-aipac
—

Democracy Now!
Denver Teachers Strike over Bonus-Based Pay System, Demanding Reliable Salary Plan & Better Wages

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/12/denver_teachers_strike_over_bonus_based

Wright State Faculty Ends One of the Longest Strikes at a Public University in U.S. History

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/12/wright_state_faculty_ends_one_of

The End of Ice: Dahr Jamail on Climate Disruption from the Melting Himalayas to Insect Extinction

*Jamail speaks of “doing the right thing”, and I am in complete agreement with that sentiment

Which is why when I see the flaws in the “Green New Deal”, the compromises that will be made in the name of “pragmatism”, without getting into motivations, I know that these efforts won’t be enough.

Perhaps it’s moot … that regardless of how well we struggle, we’re doomed to lose

But can’t we go out with the bang of just “doing the right thing”, instead of the whimper of political calculus that played so large a part in our demise?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/12/the_end_of_ice_dahr_jamail

2.11

As Omar ‘Unequivocally’ Apologizes, Critics Rip Democratic Leaders for Trying to ‘Silence Criticism’ of AIPAC
“What the congresswoman said is very uncontroversial,” noted journalist Glenn Greenwald. “Everyone knows AIPAC is an extremely intimidating lobby, just like the NRA is. There’s nothing wrong with pointing that out.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Wholly predictable how Pelosi and cabal would react, and perhaps also the case regarding Omar’s backpedaling.

Will she keep her head down on this and related issues now?

History isn’t encouraging, but I’d love to have my pessimism proved misplaced.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/11/omar-unequivocally-apologizes-critics-rip-democratic-leaders-trying-silence

Scientists Warn Crashing Insect Population Puts ‘Planet’s Ecosystems and Survival of Mankind’ at Risk
“This is the stuff that worries me most. We don’t know what we’re doing, not trying to stop it, [and] with big consequences we don’t really understand”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/11/scientists-warn-crashing-insect-population-puts-planets-ecosystems-and-survival
—

Real Net Neutrality Is More Than a Ban on Blocking, Throttling, and Paid Prioritization
Net neutrality is a principle. It is not just a set of rules against specific discriminatory practices.
by Katharine Trendacosta

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/10/real-net-neutrality-more-ban-blocking-throttling-and-paid-prioritization
–

Australian Judge Strikes Down Coal Mine in Part Because of Its Carbon Emissions
The next phase will be suing companies like ExxonMobil, who knew they were destroying the earth but actively suppressed the evidence for it and funded vast campaigns of climate change denialism
by Juan Cole

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/10/australian-judge-strikes-down-coal-mine-part-because-its-carbon-emissions
–

Meet the Militant Flight Attendant Leader Who Threatened a Strike—And Helped Stop Trump’s Shutdown
It’s entirely possible that workers could again get furloughed and cut off from pay. And Sara Nelson wants everyone to understand how her members are willing to sacrifice in response.
by David Dayen

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/10/meet-militant-flight-attendant-leader-who-threatened-strike-and-helped-stop-trumps
—

The Real News Network
Mexico’s Lopez Obrador’s Position on Venezuela Marks Return to Foreign Policy Tradition
Mexico is making a large contribution towards the prevention of civil war in Venezuela, by returning to long-established foreign policy tradition of neutrality, which the previous president had completely abandoned, says John Ackerman

https://therealnews.com/stories/mexicos-lopez-obradors-position-on-venezuela-marks-return-to-foreign-policy-tradition

How Aggressive Policing Fuels America’s Inequality Machine
The recent in-custody police death of Anton Black and inadequate civilian oversight in Baltimore reveal how the underlying imperative of policing in the U.S. is not public safety, but instead heightening the rampant inequality that continues to plague urban America

*You can’t reform rot

You can only remove it

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-aggressive-policing-fuels-americas-inequality-machine

Senate Democrats, Republicans Have Ex-Fracking Lobbyists Running Senate Energy Committee
The Senate Energy Committee leadership on both sides of the aisle is staffed up by former fracking industry lobbyists who worked as colleagues at same group

https://therealnews.com/stories/senate-democrats-republicans-have-ex-fracking-lobbyists-running-senate-energy-committee

Blood for Oil in Venezuela?
Vijay Prashad discusses the extent to which US interest in Venezuelan oil and other natural resources is driving Trump’s policy of seeking regime change. The link is not that straight-forward, but it is there, says Prashad

https://therealnews.com/stories/blood-for-oil-in-venezuela

Did Justin Trudeau’s Office Obstruct Justice in Canada’s Worst Corporate Corruption Scandal?
TRNN’s Dimitri Lascaris, former class action lawyer who pursued SNC-Lavalin in court, discusses the PMO’s legal exposure

https://therealnews.com/stories/did-justin-trudeaus-office-obstruct-justice-in-canadas-worst-corporate-corruption-scandal
—

FAIR
Western Media Fall in Lockstep for Cheap Trump/Rubio Venezuela Aid PR Stunt
by Adam Johnson

*Are these “mysterious assumptions”

Or malevolent assistance?

How many times does history have to repeat itself before a spade is indelibly stamped a spade?

https://fair.org/home/western-media-fall-in-lockstep-for-cheap-trump-rubio-venezuela-aid-pr-stunt
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
AIPAC: Power and Origins

*Padlocking the Israelgate

http://accuracy.org/release/aipac-power-and-origins

You Paid More to Netflix Last Month Than It Paid in Taxes Last Year: $0

http://accuracy.org/release/you-paid-more-to-netflix-last-month-than-it-paid-in-taxes-last-year-0
—

Democracy Now!
Glenn Greenwald: As Bezos Protests Invasion of His Privacy, Amazon Builds Global Surveillance State

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/11/glenn_greenwald_as_bezos_protests_invasion

Glenn Greenwald Defends Rep. Ilhan Omar: Criticizing Israeli Lobby & AIPAC Is Not Anti-Semitic

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/11/glenn_greenwald_defends_rep_ilhan_omar

“This Is Just the Beginning”: Greenwald on Rising State Violence & Homophobia in Bolsonaro’s Brazil

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/11/this_is_just_the_beginning_greenwald

2.8

We All Have “Skin in the Game.” That’s Why We Need Medicare for All.
On the ongoing push to skin patients needing care
by Chuck Idelson

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/08/we-all-have-skin-game-thats-why-we-need-medicare-all
–

Ricardo Hausmann Is Taking Milton Friedman’s Lessons to Venezuela
Will the legacy of putting neoliberal academic theories over the people win again?
by Tanya Rawal-Jindia

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/08/ricardo-hausmann-taking-milton-friedmans-lessons-venezuela
–

The Venezuela Myth Keeping Us From Transforming Our Economy
“Capitalism is quite simply incapable of regulating itself, and that is precisely where progressive governments and progressive government legislation needs to step in”
by Ellen Brown

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/08/venezuela-myth-keeping-us-transforming-our-economy
–

The Right-Wing Press and Violence Against Women: Terrible When Abroad, Ignored When at Home
To these outlets, progressive politics on gender equality is not evidence of a more enlightened view of society, but of a capitulation to the tyranny of egalitarianism
by Christian Christensen

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/08/right-wing-press-and-violence-against-women-terrible-when-abroad-ignored-when-home
—

National Organization for Women (NOW)
Pope Francis Must Act Now – Reform on Sexual Abuse is Long Overdue

*We’ll see how PF tries to PR his way out of this

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/08/pope-francis-must-act-now-reform-sexual-abuse-long-overdue
—

The Real News Network
Geo-Political Realignments Over Venezuela
On the heels of the hard-line anti-Maduro Lima Group meeting in Ottawa, countries favoring a negotiated solution, including Uruguay, Mexico, and Bolivia, met in Montevideo on Thursday. The final declaration, however, compromises Venezuela’s sovereignty, according to Bolivia. We discuss the outcome with Miguel Tinker Salas and Greg Wilpert

https://therealnews.com/stories/geo-political-realignments-over-venezuela

Trump Admin Determined to Overthrow Venezuela’s Maduro
Trump’s efforts to overthrow the Maduro government in Venezuela reached new heights when it halted a Senate resolution supporting self-proclaimed president Guaidó because it also included a line against the use of US military force in Venezuela. We discuss the ramifications with CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-admin-determined-to-overthrow-venezuelas-maduro

Cryptocurrency Firm Loses Codes and Gets Hacked, Millions Lost
Recent developments in the cryptocurrency world highlight the dangers of trading in this type of “coin.” But how important is cryptocurrency to the financial world and why should we care? We discuss the issue with white collar criminologist Bill Black

*Oy gevalt …

But why is Steiner laughing about this joker’s death

Even if he is a schmuck?

https://therealnews.com/stories/cryptocurrency-firm-loses-codes-and-gets-hacked-millions-lost

The Green New Deal Must Take on the Fossil Fuel Industry
Greenpeace’s Janet Redman says the Green New Deal proposal from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Markey is a step towards unprecedented climate action, but that it must mandate a phase-out of oil, gas, and coal

*If this were a football game, I’d have to make our survival a 30 point dog.

Taking the points is most likely a lock, but do keep in mind

If you win, we all lose.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-green-new-deal-must-take-on-the-fossil-fuel-industry
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Shouldn’t Green New Deal Proposals Address Fossil Fuels?

*A half step most always takes us in the wrong direction

http://accuracy.org/release/shouldnt-green-new-deal-proposals-address-fossil-fuels
—

FAIR
‘Venezuela’: Media’s One-Word Rebuttal to the Threat of Socialism
by Alan MacLeod

*The irony in all this is that no one mentioned in this piece could accurately be called a socialist – including Maduro – if by “socialism” one means an socioeconomic system organized around cooperation for the common good, with no place for corporate profit, no matter how well “regulated” and “equitably” taxed they may be.

Which is why the smart money is on our inevitable extinction, as we piddle around with “Green New Deals” and cling to cults of “progressive” personality, while our handbasket to hell awaits our barmy bums.

https://fair.org/home/venezuela-medias-one-word-rebuttal-to-the-threat-of-socialism
—

Democracy Now!
Dems Accuse Trump Admin of “State-Sponsored Child Abuse” as Separated Migrant Children Scandal Grows

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/8/dems_accuse_trump_admin_of_state

2.7

Despite Promises of ACA, Study Shows Two-Thirds of Personal Bankruptcies Still Caused by Illness and Medical Bills
“We need to move ahead from the ACA to a single-payer, Medicare for All system that assures first-dollar coverage for everyone”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”Affordable Care”?

Just an “Act”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/07/despite-promises-aca-study-shows-two-thirds-personal-bankruptcies-still-caused

‘This Needs to Happen Nationally’: Ohio City Ditches Columbus Day to Make Election Day Paid Holiday
The city of Sandusky, Ohio is swapping Columbus Day for Election Day starting in 2020, ending the yearly celebration of Christopher Columbus and instead ensuring all city workers can get to the polls
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/07/needs-happen-nationally-ohio-city-ditches-columbus-day-make-election-day-paid

Border Town in Arizona to Trump: Tear Down This Wall… of ‘Inhuman’ Razor Wire
The unanimously approved resolution characterized the installation of the razor wire, recently installed by U.S. Army personnel, as “not only irresponsible but inhuman”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/07/border-town-arizona-trump-tear-down-wall-inhuman-razor-wire
—

The Real News Network
Global Tech Companies Renew Push for Control Over All Data
Google, Amazon and Facebook, among others, have developed e-commerce rules that would benefit them and, with the help of the US government, hope to have them adopted by the World Trade Organization. CEPR’s Deborah James discusses the implications

*All your database are belong to us

https://therealnews.com/stories/global-tech-companies-renew-push-for-control-over-all-data
—

RootsAction Education Fund
Stacy Bannerman has spent sixteen years speaking out against the Iraq War, even as she was living with — and nearly died from — the consequences

https://act.rootsaction.org/o/6503/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=218121
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Former UN Official on Venezuela: “Nothing More Undemocratic Than a Coup”

*A coup de grasp

http://accuracy.org/release/former-un-official-on-venezuela-nothing-more-undemocratic-than-a-coup
—

Democracy Now!
Political Scientist: Blackface Is a National Problem & Virginia’s Top Officials Must Step Down

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/7/political_scientist_blackface_is_a_national

Meet Victorina Morales, an Undocumented Immigrant Who Spent Five Years as Trump’s Housekeeper

*Scaling the wall of silence

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/7/meet_victorina_morales_an_undocumented_immigrant

2.6

Fresh off ‘MAGA Field Trip,’ Steve Bannon, Erik Prince Among Right-Wing Crew Plotting Out Privatized Border Wall
New reporting by Politico sheds light on big players behind anti-immigrant effort
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/06/fresh-maga-field-trip-steve-bannon-erik-prince-among-right-wing-crew-plotting-out

‘Breathtaking and Terrifying’: UN Food Relief Agency Partners With CIA-Funded Software Firm Palantir
Data privacy advocates decried the $45 million deal as “horribly irresponsible and potentially incredibly harmful”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Should we be afraid that “WFP is jumping headlong into something they don’t understand”

Or into something they do?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/06/breathtaking-and-terrifying-un-food-relief-agency-partners-cia-funded-software-firm
—

An Open Letter to Rep. Pramila Jayapal Regarding Medicare for All
We applaud your efforts to improve the legislation from previous versions by including guaranteed access to vital services such as reproductive health and long-term care, but have two serious questions about the future of private insurers and exactly who might be left out of an otherwise universal system
by Isabel Ostrer, Chris Cai and Ana Malinow

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/06/open-letter-rep-pramila-jayapal-regarding-medicare-all
—

The Real News Network
VA Governor Northam Won’t Address Racist Reality, Runs From Blackface Past
The reemergence of blackface as an issue, around Gov. Northam’s inaction, exposes the depth of American racism. Our panel with Jacqueline Luqman and Eddie Conway explores the topic

*Anyone who believes Northam was capable of acting in any way other than how he did is a stone fool, and no doubt. He only regrets the exposure, not the act itself.

And so to say that he “should *probably* resign” is a non sequitur in excelsis.

https://therealnews.com/stories/va-governor-northam-wont-address-racist-reality-runs-from-blackface-past
—

FAIR
NYT Reports on ‘Perception’ of Subway Danger—but Can’t Perceive Racism
by Neil deMause

https://fair.org/home/nyt-reports-on-perception-of-subway-danger-but-cant-perceive-racism

US Media Ignore—and Applaud—Economic War on Venezuela
by Gregory Shupak

https://fair.org/home/us-media-ignore-and-applaud-economic-war-on-venezuela
—

Democracy Now!
Puerto Rico: Vulture Funds to Make a Killing as Judge Approves Deal to Restructure Island’s Debt

*The position of employee pension funds in this makes plain that capitalism is never a “win/win”.

Profit is always made at the expense of someone else.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/6/puerto_rico_vulture_funds_to_make

2.5

Living Like It Matters: Silver Linings in the Very Dark Cloud of Climate Catastrophe
Death offers wise and consoling advice if you have the courage to listen
by Elizabeth West

*We’ve gone on as who we’ve been led to be

Can we go out as who we would want to be?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/05/living-it-matters-silver-linings-very-dark-cloud-climate-catastrophe
—

Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
Lawsuit Dismissed Against American Studies Association, Steven Salaita, others for Israel Boycott

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/02/05/lawsuit-dismissed-against-american-studies-association-steven-salaita-others
—

The Real News Network
Regime Change Canadian Style for Venezuela
The Lima Group met in Ottawa and signed the Ottawa Declaration to oust President Maduro from power in Venezuela. 13 conservative Latin American governments, plus Canada, officially recognized Juan Guaido as the transitional President of Venezuela and accepted Venezuela’s membership to the Lima Group. Yves Engler, Dimitri Lascaris, and Greg Wilpert discuss the outcome

https://therealnews.com/stories/conservative-governments-of-latin-america-plus-canada-endorse-regime-change-efforts-in-venezuela

Media Savvy Newcomer Wins El Salvador’s Election: Another Rightward Shift?
Nayib Bukele won El Salvador’s presidential election, capitalizing on his newcomer status and the FMLN’s crisis as it was being stymied by the country’s conservative forces. We analyze the result with CISPES coordinator Alexis Stoumbelis

*Lesson for the FMLN et alia

If you don’t stand by your stated principles

Don’t expect to find too many folks willing to stand by you

https://therealnews.com/stories/media-savvy-newcomer-wins-el-salvadors-election-another-rightward-shift
—

Democracy Now!
Trial of El Chapo Highlights Failure of U.S. War on Drugs, But Will U.S. Ever Be Held to Account?

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/5/trial_of_el_chapo_highlights_failure

2.4

In Response to Lies and Hate, Let Me Make Some Things Clear About My Climate Strike
If everyone listened to the scientists and the facts that I constantly refer to—then no one would have to listen to me or any of the other hundreds of thousands of school children on strike for the climate across the world. Then we could all go back to school.
by Greta Thunberg

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/03/response-lies-and-hate-let-me-make-some-things-clear-about-my-climate-strike
–

There Is a Real National Emergency in America, It’s Just Not the Wall
Walling in the Opioid Crisis?
by Rajan Menon

*”[M]ake you look better to everybody” … ?

Effective action in this area would not absolve Killer Clown of his soulless sins in so many others, would it?

A foolish way to end a salient screed.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/03/there-real-national-emergency-america-its-just-not-wall
—

Courage to Resist
Registry Launches as Draft Registration of Women Nears

https://couragetoresist.org/protective-registry-launches-as-draft-registration-of-women-nears
—

The Real News Network
Evenly Matched Pro- and Anti-Government Marches in Venezuela
TRNN Correspondent Dimitri Lascaris reports from the ground in Caracas about Saturday’s pro- and anti-government marches, highlighting their peacefulness and equal size

https://therealnews.com/stories/evenly-matched-pro-and-anti-government-marches-in-venezuela

Venezuela Primer Part 1: Why Did Venezuelans Elect Hugo Chávez?
Over and over again US media outlets make the claim that Venezuela was the “jewel of Latin America” before Hugo Chavez was elected in 1998, and that his election marked the country’s downfall. In Part 1 of this Venezuela primer, on the 20th anniversary of Chavez first taking office on February 2, 1999, we look at what led up to his election

https://therealnews.com/stories/venezuela-primer-pt-1-why-did-venezuelans-elect-hugo-chavez

Judge: Providing Water to Dying Immigrants in Desert is a Crime
In Tucson, Arizona, a US Magistrate handed down guilty verdicts against four No More Deaths activists, who were leaving water for border crossers, along the US-Mexico border. The activist group calls the decision a retaliation for releasing an incriminating report about the Border Patrol. A fifth activist faces an upcoming trial and potentially decades in prison

*Guilty of a conscience

https://therealnews.com/stories/judge-providing-water-to-dying-immigrants-in-desert-is-a-crime

Over 40% of US Households Are One Paycheck Away From Poverty
Far more households in the US are at risk of joining the ranks of the poor, should they lose their job or face a financial emergency, showing that millions are vulnerable and this number is increasing, says Kasey Wiedrich of Prosperity Now

*As long as we’re dependent on selling our labor to survive, we will always be at the mercy of the buyers

https://therealnews.com/stories/over-40-of-us-households-are-one-paycheck-away-from-poverty

Prosecutor Refuses to Try Pot Cases, But Police Pledge to Continue to Arrest
Baltimore’s State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s recent decision to stop prosecuting marijuana possession cases prompted pushback from the police commissioner, despite overwhelming evidence arrests for pot disproportionately impact African-Americans

https://therealnews.com/stories/prosecutor-refuses-to-try-pot-cases-but-police-pledge-to-continue-to-arrest

French Yellow Vest Protests Continue for 12th Week, Despite Government Resistance
Despite a brief lull over the holidays, the anti-neoliberal and anti-tax yellow vest protests continued in France for a 12th consecutive Saturday. We speak to Cole Stangler in Paris, shortly after the 10th week of protests

https://therealnews.com/stories/french-yellow-vest-protests-continue-for-12th-week-despite-government-resistance

Pugh’s Office Trying to Weaken Bill to Stop Baltimoreans from Losing Homes Over Water Bills
by Dharna Noor

*I’m conflicted on just whom I have more disdain for

Republican govs of red states

Or Democratic mayors of blue cities.

https://therealnews.com/columns/pughs-office-trying-to-weaken-bill-to-stop-baltimoreans-from-losing-homes-over-water-bills
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
After U.S. INF Withdrawal, Plowshares Activists, Facing Years in Prison, Warn of Nuclear Peril

http://accuracy.org/release/after-u-s-inf-withdrawal-plowshares-activists-facing-years-in-prison-warn-of-nuclear-peril
—

Democracy Now!
Historian: Americans Must Face Violent History of Blackface Amid Virginia Gov. Racist Photo Scandal

*There’s a difference between not knowing, and not caring.

Northam, Kelly et alia knew, know, and didn’t and don’t care.

I say this as a Southern boy who didn’t have any trouble knowing as soon as the reality smacked me upside the head.

Those who ducked have no excuse.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/4/historian_americans_must_face_violent_history

Lights Back On at NYC Jail After Hundreds Protest, But Prisoners Still Without Heat in Winter

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/4/lights_back_on_at_nyc_jail

2.1

‘Yiiiiikes’: John Bolton Threatens to Send Venezuela’s Maduro to Offshore US Prison at Guantánamo
“Also seems like the Trump administration is expecting tomorrow to be showdown day in Venezuela as protests expected nationwide”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*How many Dems posturing against “military intervention” voted for the sanctions that have set the stage for same?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/01/yiiiiikes-john-bolton-threatens-send-venezuelas-maduro-offshore-us-prison-guantanamo

Anthropologist Debunks Bill Gates’ BS Narrative That Free-Market Capitalism Has Solved Crisis of Global Poverty
Calling billionaire Microsoft co-founder ‘completely wrong,’ Jason Hickels says “those defending poverty line you should be willing to live on it. Lookin’ at you, Bill.”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*A Bono fide hypocrite of the first order

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/01/anthropologist-debunks-bill-gates-bs-narrative-free-market-capitalism-has-solved

European Colonizers’ Genocide of 56 Million Native Americans So Devastating “It Literally Cooled the Planet”
“Beyond horrifying”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/01/european-colonizers-genocide-56-million-native-americans-so-devastating-it-literally
—

The U.S. 12-Step Method to Conduct Regime Change
What is happening to Venezuela is nothing unique in American history
by Vijay Prashad

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/01/us-12-step-method-conduct-regime-change
–

Will Iran Sanctions Herald the Fall of the Imperial Dollar?
Europe’s new mechanism for circumventing U.S. sanctions may or may not work, but the effort is certainly evidence of a world increasingly frustrated with living under the financial hegemony of Washington
by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J S Davies

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/02/01/will-iran-sanctions-herald-fall-imperial-dollar
—

The Real News Network
Russia, China on Defense and No Iranian Nuclear Bomb – US Intelligence Report
Russia and China are responding to “perceived US unilateralism and interventionism” – Paul Jay joins Taya Graham to analyze the Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community

*It’s not what the corpress is “buying”

It’s what it’s selling

https://therealnews.com/stories/russia-china-on-defense-and-no-iranian-nuclear-bomb-us-intelligence-report

Bayer-Monsanto Merger: Endangering Our Health, Food, Farms & Planet
The US Department of Justice finalized its approval of the Bayer/Monsanto merger. A new monopoly will be created over agricultural pesticides and industrial seed production, with farmers locked into industrial farming and our health endangered

https://therealnews.com/stories/bayer-monsanto-merger-endangering-our-health-food-farms-planet

Surveillance Video, Independent Forensic Expert Raise Fresh Questions about Anton Black’s Death in Police Custody
The video, along with a independent analysis of the autopsy report by an outside forensic pathologist, reveal a different depiction of events that lead to the death of 19-year-old Anton Black in police custody

https://therealnews.com/stories/surveillance-video-independent-forensic-expert-raise-fresh-questions-about-anton-blacks-death-in-police-custody
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Venezuela Analysis

http://accuracy.org/release/venezuela-analysis
—

FAIR
The Same Media That Opposed Democracy in South Africa Now Warn Against It in Israel/Palestine
by Gregory Shupak

*Justice demands one state, but that would be only the first step in a just solution, as evidenced by the corrupt and colluding ANC’s “rapprochement” with the white elite.

No doubt there are Palestinian “leaders” who’d relish a replay of that sad outcome.

https://fair.org/home/the-same-media-that-opposed-democracy-in-south-africa-now-warns-against-it-in-israel-palestine

Media Rally Around ‘Forever War’ in Afghanistan
by Gunar Olsen

https://fair.org/home/media-rally-around-forever-war-in-afghanistan
—

Democracy Now!
A Modern-Day Lynching?: “Always in Season” Looks at 2014 Hanging in NC & Legacy of Racial Terrorism

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/2/1/a_modern_day_lynching_always_in

January 2019

1.31

In ‘Victory for Land and Water,’ Canada’s Supreme Court Rules Bankrupt Fossil Fuel Companies Must Clean Up Pollution Left Behind
“Bankruptcy is not a license to ignore rules,” said the nation’s highest court
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/31/victory-land-and-water-canadas-supreme-court-rules-bankrupt-fossil-fuel-companies

Democrats Shouldn’t Abandon Medicare for All Over a Misleading Survey
Given its internal culture, it may not have been possible for Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) to present the arguments for and against Medicare for All in an unbiased manner
by Richard Eskow

*When questions don’t seek answers, but seek to shape them

Isn’t that best defined as propaganda?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/31/democrats-shouldnt-abandon-medicare-all-over-misleading-survey
–

Demand Critical Congressional Hearings—Long Overdue, Avoided or Blocked
We need these Congressional hearings to make up for the years of deliberate inaction and avoidance
by Ralph Nader

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/31/demand-critical-congressional-hearings-long-overdue-avoided-or-blocked
—

Food & Water Watch
Notice of Intent Filed to Sue Over Chronic Water Pollution From Colorado Slaughterhouses

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/31/notice-intent-filed-sue-over-chronic-water-pollution-colorado-slaughterhouses
—

The Real News Network
Israel’s New Commander in Chief: “We’ll Create a Deadlier Army!”
Eyal Weizman studied the philosophy that guides Aviv Kochavi, the officer who was just appointed commander of the Israeli military. It is a philosophy that objectifies Palestinians and ignores the human suffering caused by new Israeli technologies and tactics of repression

https://therealnews.com/stories/israels-new-commander-in-chief-well-create-a-deadlier-army

Brazil Dam Collapse: Consequences Will Be More Devastating Under Bolsonaro
Existing mining and environmental regulations, if they had been implemented, could have prevented this disaster, which caused at least 84 dead and 256 missing. We discuss the Vale dam collapse in Brazil with Greenpeace organizer Fabiana Alves

*”Left” gummints, in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America, have been largely AWOL on the environment, as well as in conflict with Indigenous communities over that and other issues.

That said, Bolsonaro is a quantum leap in callousness.

https://therealnews.com/stories/brazil-dam-collapse-consequences-will-be-more-devastating-under-bolsonaro
—

FAIR
The ‘Venezuelan People’ Are Whoever Agrees With Donald Trump
by Alan MacLeod

https://fair.org/home/the-venezuelan-people-are-whoever-agrees-with-donald-trump

1.30

‘Foxconn Was a Major Con’: Backed by Trump Promises and $4 Billion in Subsidies, Company Admits Factory Jobs Not Coming
“Foxconn took Wisconsin for a ride. Other states, beware the allure of the mega deal.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*And the empty roll of toilet tissue (aka Dem Gov Tony Evers) who barely beat Walker will do next to diddley about it without intense pressure from a whole lot of pissed off Badgers.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/30/foxconn-was-major-con-backed-trump-promises-and-4-billion-subsidies-company-admits
—

Your Complete Guide to the N.Y. Times’ Support of U.S.-Backed Coups in Latin America
A survey of The New York Times archives shows the Times editorial board has supported 10 out of 12 American-backed coups in Latin America
by Adam Johnson

*Note the lack of venomous vitriol from Killer Clown when “the enemy of the people” lives up to that label

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/30/your-complete-guide-ny-times-support-us-backed-coups-latin-america
—

The Real News Network
US-Taliban Talks: Another Likely Tragedy for the Afghan People
Vijay Prashad of the Tricontinental Institute says we need a regional peace agreement for Afghanistan that includes Pakistan, India, and Iran at the negotiating table, lead by the United Nations

https://therealnews.com/stories/us-taliban-talks-another-likely-tragedy-for-the-afghan-people

New Oil Sanctions on Venezuela: “Would Destroy What’s Left of its Economy”
National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that the US will freeze Venezuelan assets and block oil payments for Venezuelan oil imports to the US. This would not only be illegal, but would also be yet another crippling blow to the country, says CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

https://therealnews.com/stories/new-oil-sanctions-on-venezuela-would-destroy-whats-left-of-its-economy

Another County Just Banned New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
Climate justice advocate Anthony Rogers-Wright explains why a growing number of jurisdictions are saying “No more fossil fuel extractions”

https://therealnews.com/stories/another-county-just-banned-new-fossil-fuel-infrastructure
—

Petition update
Ban Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Massachusetts
Contact Massachusetts Representatives by Feb 1st!
by Mariya Taher

https://www.change.org/p/ban-female-genital-mutilation-cutting-in-massachusetts/u/24097475
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Bolsonaro Wants to Plunder the Amazon. Don’t Let Him”

http://accuracy.org/release/bolsonaro-wants-to-plunder-the-amazon-dont-let-him
—

FAIR
‘The Indigenous Narrative Holds the Power to Really Shift People’s Societal Views’
CounterSpin interview with Jenni Monet on indigenous journalism
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/the-indigenous-narrative-holds-the-power-to-really-shift-peoples-societal-views
—

Democracy Now!
As U.S. Moves to Oust Maduro, Is Invading Venezuela Next? Allan Nairn on Trump’s Attempted Coup

*Killer Clown’s wet dream of a circus of death

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/30/as_us_moves_to_oust_maduro

Allan Nairn: Trump’s Venezuela Envoy Elliott Abrams Is a War Criminal Who Has Abetted Genocide

*As long as the political duopoly and the corpress collude in consigning these heinous crimes to the trash file of history, while praising and promoting their soulless perpetrators

We will never “get there”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/30/allan_nairn_trump_s_venezuela_envoy

A War for Oil? Bolton Pushes Privatization of Venezuela’s Oil as U.S. Ratchets Up Pressure on Maduro

*Honest to godless socialism, like Christianity, is a pretty damn good notion, that relatively few have ever actually tried to follow

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/30/a_war_for_oil_bolton_pushes

1.29

Historian’s Advice to Davos Elite Worried About Pitchforks: ‘Stop Talking About Philanthropy’ and Start Paying Higher Taxes
“I mean we can talk for a very long time about all these stupid philanthropy schemes… But we’ve got to be talking about taxes. That’s it. Taxes, taxes, taxes. All the rest is bullshit in my opinion.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*I’d like to ask Berman if he believes “a so-called popular ‘backlash'” is likewise “bullshit”, as it seems he’s advising a way to avoid it, rather than enable it.

It ain’t about paying your taxes

It’s about how you got the fucking money in the first place.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/29/historians-advice-davos-elite-worried-about-pitchforks-stop-talking-about

25 Democrats Join GOP to Advance Anti-Boycott Bill Bernie Sanders Warns Violates “Americans’ First Amendment Rights”
“It’s vile that a law aimed at suppressing our democratic rights and silencing those fighting for solidarity with Palestinians would even make it to the Senate floor,” declared one American Jewish advocacy group
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*I’d be curious to know how many of those voting against this anti-democratic abomination actually support the actions it targets, unlike the sanctified Saint Bernard.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/29/25-democrats-join-gop-advance-anti-boycott-bill-bernie-sanders-warns-violates
—

Defying War and Defining Peace in Afghanistan
Since 2001, and at a cost of $800 billion, the U.S. military has caused irreparable and horrific losses in Afghanistan
by Kathy Kelly

*The grim “gifts” bestowed by “the good war”

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/29/defying-war-and-defining-peace-afghanistan
—

350.org
King County, Washington Votes To Ban New Fossil Fuel Projects

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/29/king-county-washington-votes-ban-new-fossil-fuel-projects
—

The Real News Network
Trudeau Pushes Trump’s Regime Change in Venezuela
Why is Canada violating the UN Charter and leading the way for regime change in Venezuela? Paul Jay and Yves Engler join Sharmini Peries

https://therealnews.com/stories/trudeau-pushes-trumps-regime-change-in-venezuela

Brazil’s Iron Ore Company Vale Responsible for 65 Deaths and 279 Missing
Vale mine workers at dam among the missing washed into the valley, says journalist Mike Fox

https://therealnews.com/stories/brazils-iron-ore-company-vale-responsible-for-65-deaths-and-279-missing
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Kamala Harris: “More AIPAC Than J Street”

*It ain’t “a blind spot”

It’s an empty spot in their souls

http://accuracy.org/release/kamala-harris-more-aipac-than-j-street
—

Democracy Now!
Exclusive: Ex-Harvey Weinstein Employee Breaks Silence on Her Memo That Helped Take Down Movie Mogul

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/29/exclusive_ex_harvey_weinstein_employee_breaks

1.28

This County in Washington State Could Be About to Ban All Future Fossil Fuel Infrastructure to Ignite ‘Transformative Change’
“It’s the right time for King County to act”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/28/county-washington-state-could-be-about-ban-all-future-fossil-fuel-infrastructure
—

The World to Come
The ruling elite’s goal is to keep us entertained, frightened and passive while they build draconian structures of oppression
by Chris Hedges

*Think it can’t happen?

Then it will.

And paeans to the promises of “progressive” Democrats such as those pixeled across our screens on Common Dreams and elsewhere only erode our ability to perceive, and thus struggle for, what is truly necessary to avoid the abyss.

This shit is real.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/28/world-come
–

In Defense of “Taxpayer-Funded Abortion”
It’s time to fight like hell for Roe v. Wade, for accessible contraception options, and for comprehensive maternal healthcare, but it’s also time to fight for the public assistance for abortion that low-income people deserve
by Hayley Farless

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/28/defense-taxpayer-funded-abortion
—

The Real News Network
Netanyahu Forms Alliances with Far-Right Authoritarian Leaders
Shir Hever says Netanyahu is abusing his image as a protector of the Jewish people, and cuts deals with far-right and anti-Semitic heads of state, absolving them of their racism towards Jews in exchange for their superficial support for the State of Israel. All this, to win the upcoming Israeli elections

*I’d imagine how effective he’s seen to be in these PR efforts will be the determinant in whether he’s indicted.

The law just don’t enter into it, do it?

https://therealnews.com/stories/netanyahu-forms-alliances-with-far-right-authoritarian-leaders

Attempted Coup in Venezuela with Abby Martin, Greg Wilpert, Paul Jay
Sharmini Peries hosts a wide ranging conversation about the US backed attempted coup in Venezuela

*And all the “#Resistance” can muster, when not silent on or overtly backing this naked imperialism, are pallid statements against “interference” that largely accept the corpress narrative. And we can’t forget the role of “human rights organizations” in furthering same.

But a dogmatic defense of the Maduro gummint is counterproductive. In the end, we have to put our faith in principles, and criticize parties and personalities that deviate from them, while steadfastly opposing any attempt by The Empire ™ to use those failures, and the lies that attend them, for their own iniquitous ends.

https://therealnews.com/stories/attempted-coup-in-venezuela-with-abby-martin-greg-wilpert-paul-jay

Defusing the Crisis: A Way Forward for Venezuela
Venezuelan sociologist Edgardo Lander and TRNN’s Greg Wilpert discuss how Venezuela got into its current international, economic, and political crisis and what it might take to get out of it

https://therealnews.com/stories/defusing-the-crisis-a-way-forward-for-venezuela
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Will Elliott Abrams, “Abettor of Genocide,” do to Venezuela What he did to Guatemala?

*While the vast bulk of “#TheResistance” cheers him on

http://accuracy.org/release/will-elliott-abrams-abettor-of-genocide-do-to-venezuela-what-he-did-to-guatemala
—

FAIR
‘When You Take Healthcare Away From People, People Die’
CounterSpin interview with Rebecca Vallas on Medicaid under attack
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/when-you-take-healthcare-away-from-people-people-die
—

Democracy Now!
“Where’s My Roy Cohn?”: Film Explores How Joseph McCarthy’s Ex-Aide Mentored Trump & Roger Stone

*Tyrnauer’s a filmmaker, which means he’s a storyteller, and it’s a grand story to make Cohn this quintessence of soullessness, but Cohn operated within a power structure that shared that dark heart, and was aided and abetted by a corpress that could have consigned him to the dustbin of history eons ago, but due to their own fealty to power, allowed him to survive and prosper.

Obviously, the same can be said for Killer Clown.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/28/wheres_my_roy_cohn_film_explores

1.25

While Criticizing Maduro, Sanders Says US Should ‘Not Be in the Business of Regime Change’ in Venezuela
“The United States has a long history of inappropriately intervening in Latin American countries,” said the senator. “We must not go down that road again.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”Everything the imperialistas say is true (just ask the New York Times)

But we shouldn’t do anything ‘inappropriate’.”

Jesus, Mary and Joseph …

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/25/while-criticizing-maduro-sanders-says-us-should-not-be-business-regime-change
—

It’s Time to Update Aging Voting Equipment Before the 2020 Election
Federal, state, and local governments must update our election systems before we repeat the mistakes of the past
by Bobby Hoffman

*Given the myriad tactics of voter suppression (any mention of which is absent from this article), why would anyone concerned with honest elections have a “favorable opinion of the voting process”?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/25/its-time-update-aging-voting-equipment-2020-election
—

Center for Biological Diversity
Carbon Dividend Bill in House Would Gut Clean Air Act Authority to Stop Climate Change

*Language is a virus

It’s not “folly”

It’s fraud

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/25/carbon-dividend-bill-house-would-gut-clean-air-act-authority-stop-climate-change
—

The Real News Network
Kerala Leads the Struggle Against Modi’s Extreme Right Agenda in India
Kerala is the only state in India governed by the Communist Party: LDF Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is one of the most outspoken leaders against the far-right agenda of PM Modi, says Vijay Prashad of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research

https://therealnews.com/stories/kerala-leads-the-struggle-against-modis-extreme-right-agenda-in-india
—

FAIR
‘Resistance’ Media Side With Trump to Promote Coup in Venezuela
by Alan MacLeod

*Imperialism always trumps empiricism

https://fair.org/home/resistance-media-side-with-trump-to-promote-coup-in-venezuela
—

Democracy Now!
How Washington’s Devastating “Economic Blockade” of Venezuela Helped Pave the Way for Coup Attempt

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/25/how_washingtons_devastating_economic_blockade_of

Historian: Venezuela Is “Staging Ground” for U.S. to Reassert Control Over Latin America

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/25/historian_venezuela_is_staging_ground_for

1.24

So-Called ‘Trump Resistance’ Mostly Silent as US President Openly Foments Coup d’Etat in Venezuela
“No one in a democratic country, especially not the media, should be supporting Trump’s unilateral action to declare Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*I don’t hear Saint Bernard barking about this, or the sanctified AOC.

By the same token, I have to ask just which of the Maduro administration’s policies Khanna considers “bad”. There are those that assuredly are, but I wonder if our lists might diverge.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/24/so-called-trump-resistance-mostly-silent-us-president-openly-foments-coup-detat
—

Davos Attendees Must Accept That They Have Too Much Money
If the many are to have more, the wealthy must make do with less. A lot less.
by Sonali Kolhatkar

*It’s not just about what the rich have

It’s about how they got it.

End exploitation, and you end wealth at the expense of others.

Taxing greed still leaves its incentives extant.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/24/davos-attendees-must-accept-they-have-too-much-money
—

The Real News Network
Decades of Financial Deregulation & Racist Housing Policy Brought Us 2007 Meltdown, with More to Come (1/3)
Carter, Reagan, Clinton, the Bushes, Obama, and now Trump deregulated Wall Street and did nothing to help Black and Brown homeowners in America. White collar criminologist Bill Black discusses the social structure of mortgage discrimination. Part 1: The History

https://therealnews.com/stories/decades-of-financial-deregulation-racist-housing-policy-brought-us-2007-meltdown-with-more-to-come-pt-1-3

Decades of Financial Deregulation & Racist Housing Policy Brought Us 2007 Meltdown, with More to Come (2/3)
Part 2: The Effects

*Is there any more ironic title in our society than “Bank and Trust”?

https://therealnews.com/stories/decades-of-financial-deregulation-racist-housing-policy-brought-us-2007-meltdown-with-more-to-come-pt-2-3

Decades of Financial Deregulation & Racist Housing Policy Brought Us 2007 Meltdown, with More to Come (3/3)
Part 3: The Impact on Black & Brown Communities

*This was a really solid series of segments, and then Steiner has to make an idiotic statement about the essential goodness of a poseur like James Earl Carter, Jr.

Oy gevalt, Marc …

https://therealnews.com/stories/decades-of-financial-deregulation-racist-housing-policy-brought-us-2007-meltdown-with-more-to-come-pt-3-3

The US Strategy for Regime Change in Venezuela
From economic sanctions to international pressure, how has the US strategy for regime change in Venezuela worked until now? An analysis with CEPR’s Alex Main and TRNN’s Greg Wilpert

*”Normalization” is not a “rational, reasonable policy”. It simply substitutes a carrot for a stick in accomplishing its goal of “regime change” in Cuba.

For Venezuela, the stick is being replaced with a spiked club.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-us-strategy-for-regime-change-in-venezuela-trnn-live

Coup in Progress in Venezuela? TRNN Live
Lucas Koerner in Venezuela analyzes the current developments withTRNN’s Sharmini Peries and Greg Wilpert

*So how will the “New Wave” Dems, and of course Saint Bernard, deal with this?

https://therealnews.com/stories/coup-in-progress-in-venezuela-trnn-live

Baltimore Rejects Plan to Arm School Police During School Day
The Baltimore school board rejected the proposal amid heated debate. Meanwhile, we get a response to an ACLU and NAACP-LDF letter demanding Maryland adequately fund Baltimore schools

https://therealnews.com/stories/baltimore-rejects-plan-to-arm-school-police-during-school-day
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Attempted Coup” in Venezuela

*”Democracy dies in [our] darkness”

http://accuracy.org/release/attempted-coup-in-venezuela

On Venezuela, Trump “Clear Violation” of International Law

*The supreme irony of recognizing a “legitimate president”

http://accuracy.org/release/on-venezuela-trump-clear-violation-of-international-law
—

Democracy Now!
Former U.N. Expert: The U.S. Is Violating International Law by Attempting a Coup in Venezuela

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/24/former_un_expert_the_us_is

Lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck: Bush, Rumsfeld & Cheney Are a Troika of Tyranny & Should Be in Prison

*Is Kaleck making a distinction between Dear Misleader and his predecessor by saying his decision not to prosecute him and his gang was merely “stupid”?

It wasn’t stupid. It was quite astute, as it would set a precedent for his own arraignment, as he is no less a “war criminal” than Dubya and company.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/24/lawyer_wolfgang_kaleck_bush_rumsfeld_cheney

Edward Snowden’s Lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck on the Global Fight for Human Rights

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/24/edward_snowdens_lawyer_wolfgang_kaleck_on_the

1.23

‘Why Are They So Terrible at This?’: Democrats Reportedly Plan to Offer Trump Billions for So-Called ‘Smart Wall’
The “counteroffer” by House Democratic leaders comes as immigrant rights groups are calling on the party to reject any funding for the president’s anti-immigrant agenda
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*What so many “progressives” and “liberals” don’t get – wilfully or not – is that the Demorats are not “so terrible at this”.

They’re goddamn great at it.

That’s their purpose in the power structure.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/23/why-are-they-so-terrible-democrats-reportedly-plan-offer-trump-billions-so-called

Two Years In, Trump’s Global Gag Rule Responsible for ‘Immeasurable Suffering and Death’ Around World
“This policy, driven by ideology instead of evidence, is aligned with broader anti-human rights agendas currently unfolding around the world”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/23/two-years-trumps-global-gag-rule-responsible-immeasurable-suffering-and-death-around
—

The Problem Isn’t Robots Taking Our Jobs. It’s Oligarchs Taking Our Power
Training for the jobs of the future keeps workers trapped as long as workers can’t shape how technology is used and who profits from it
by Adam Simpson

*”Any desirable future” must also confront what work is worth doing. Fast food is just one example of an industry that is unnecessary and harmful.

A job with dignity not only is defined by justice for the worker, but pride in knowing that it is contributing to a better society.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/23/problem-isnt-robots-taking-our-jobs-its-oligarchs-taking-our-power
–

ALEC’s New Union-Busting Toolkit Illustrates the Goal Is to Bankrupt Unions Not Protect Workers
The ultimate goal of the ALEC-SPN groups is the end of worker power
by Mary Bottari

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/23/alecs-new-union-busting-toolkit-illustrates-goal-bankrupt-unions-not-protect
—

Food & Water Watch
“Inspected and Passed”? No, Despite What Labels Say
Documents Show Hundreds of Meat Plants – Including Two Involved in Recent Recalls – Had Inadequate USDA Staffing to Complete Inspections

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/23/inspected-and-passed-no-despite-what-labels-say
—

The Real News Network
Most Americans Want Medicare for All, Without Private Insurers
Bob Pollin and Michael Lighty hold that Medicare for All does not have into include private insurers like Medicare does today

https://therealnews.com/stories/most-americans-want-medicare-for-all-without-private-insurers
—

FAIR
The Media’s Profitable, Indefensible Addiction to Mugshots
by Adam Johnson

https://fair.org/home/the-medias-profitable-indefensible-addiction-to-mugshots

The $5.7 Billion Hole in Shutdown Coverage
The arbitrary, fanciful and contradictory nature of Trump’s border wall demand goes unexamined
by Reed Richardson

https://fair.org/home/the-5-7-billion-hole-in-shutdown-coverage

Ocasio-Cortez Rattles Pundits Across the Corporate Media Spectrum
by Alan MacLeod

*Let us dearly hope that she’s as “dangerous” as the conservatoids and the corpress make her out to be.

History would advise caution.

https://fair.org/home/ocasio-cortez-rattles-pundits-across-the-corporate-media-spectrum
—

Democracy Now!
“This Was About the Survival of Public Education”: LA Teachers Claim Victory After Week-Long Strike

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/23/this_was_about_the_survival_of

A Blue State Teacher Rebellion: Denver Teachers Vote to Strike as L.A. Educators Win Big Victory

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/23/a_blue_state_teacher_rebellion_denver

ACLU: Trump’s Anti-Trans Ban Has No Military Justification, Is Driven by Animus & Discrimination

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/23/aclu_trumps_anti_trans_ban_has

1.22

Single Payer Gold Standard HR 676 Rest in Peace
“Unless the movement acts quickly to assure HR 676’s ban on for-profit institutions is maintained, Jayapal’s new bill will remove this vital section of HR 676″
by Russell Mokhiber

*Being stabbed in the back doesn’t qualify as “essential surgery”

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/22/single-payer-gold-standard-hr-676-rest-peace
–

Capitalist-Style Wealth Gap: 1 Tech Guy = 1,000,000 Teachers
As Charles Koch said, “I want my fair share and that’s all of it”
by Paul Buchheit

*If theft – from the commons, from the working class – is the grease on the grinding wheels of capitalism

Then what is capitalism but organized crime?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/21/capitalist-style-wealth-gap-1-tech-guy-1000000-teachers
–

Trump’s Shutdown Is a Historic Opportunity for Real Change
Now, as support for Trump is waning, leftists need to stop ‘playing-it-safe’ and present a new vision for this country
by Rachel Gilmer

*We need to speak truth to power

And to the powerless

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/21/trumps-shutdown-historic-opportunity-real-change
—

The Real News Network
Israeli Companies Sell Spy Tech They Perfected for Occupying Palestine
We speak to Antony Loewenstein, author of an article on “Exporting the Technology of Occupation.” He shows the growing connection between Israeli offensive cyber companies and mass surveillance in the service of authoritarian governments around the world

https://therealnews.com/stories/israeli-companies-sell-spy-tech-they-perfected-for-occupying-palestine

Since Decriminalization, 96% of People Arrested for Weed in Baltimore Are Black
Journalist Brandon Soderberg and 34-year police veteran Neill Franklin discuss “Structural Racism and Cannabis: Black Baltimoreans still disproportionately arrested for weed after decriminalization.”

https://therealnews.com/stories/since-decriminalization-96-of-people-arrested-for-weed-in-baltimore-are-black

Trump Sanctions Against Venezuela Have Decimated Oil Production,
The Trump administration is evaluating oil sanctions on Venezuela now. The sanctions that are already in place lead to many deaths and make an economic recovery practically impossible, says CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

https://therealnews.com/stories/oil-sanctions-on-venezuela-would-make-economic-recovery-impossible
—

Petition
University of Michigan: Don’t Further Traumatize Survivors of Sexual Assault
by Jane Roe

https://www.change.org/p/university-of-michigan-don-t-further-traumatize-survivors-of-sexual-assault

Petition update
Feb 6th – International Zero Tolerance Day on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
by Mariya Taher

https://www.change.org/p/ban-female-genital-mutilation-cutting-in-massachusetts/u/23916144
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
MLK and the Silence on Palestine

*Justice is indivisible

Silence on one cause eventually mutes our cries for others

http://accuracy.org/release/mlk-and-the-silence-on-palestine
—

Democracy Now!
“I Was Absolutely Afraid”: Indigenous Elder on “Mob Mentality” of MAGA Hat-Wearing Students in D.C.

*And the corpress goes all “Rashomon” in their perpetual mission to obscure reality.

(And what high school student has a PR firm?)

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/22/i_was_absolutely_afraid_indigenous_elder

Chase Iron Eyes: Trump’s Mocking of Native Americans Gives License to Others to Denigrate My People

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/22/chase_iron_eyes_trumps_mocking_of

“The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee”: David Treuer on Retelling Native American History

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/22/the_heartbeat_of_wounded_knee_david

1.18

Leaked Memo Reveals Trump Administration’s “Immoral” Plan to “Traumatize” Migrant Children
“It appears that they wanted to have it both ways—to separate children from their parents but deny them the full protections generally awarded to unaccompanied children”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/18/leaked-memo-reveals-trump-administrations-immoral-plan-traumatize-migrant-children

GOP Lawmaker Really Doesn’t Want Rep. Rashida Tlaib to Let Lawmakers Know What Life Is Like in Occupied West Bank
Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) thinks the “mere prospect” of Tlaib’s proposed congressional delegation is dangerous to the status quo
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Being part of such a delegation wouldn’t enlighten congressmembers

But declining to do so would make clear their intent to prevent their constituents from becoming so.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/18/gop-lawmaker-really-doesnt-want-rep-rashida-tlaib-let-lawmakers-know-what-life
—

A Swelling Tide of Major Teacher Strikes Is Shifting Our Politics Against the Charter Agenda
When charter schools pull funding from a public school, it damages the school’s ability to educate the students who remain
by Jeff Bryant

*Where “The Blue Wave” ™ becomes a stagnant puddle

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/18/swelling-tide-major-teacher-strikes-shifting-our-politics-against-charter-agenda
—

The Real News Network
Trump’s Space Force: A Dangerous Lunacy
Donald Trump announced a large expansion of space-based nuclear missile defense technology; Daniel Ellsberg says it won’t work and makes a nuclear armageddon more likely

*Bad science fiction

Horrific political reality

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-space-force-a-dangerous-lunacy

Justin Trudeau’s Description of BDS: ‘A Pack of Lies’
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeated his belief that the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment (BDS) movement is anti-Semitic. We speak to Ali Abunimah, who says Trudeau has adopted Netanyahu’s talking points

*Not just another pretty face

Just another ugly soul

https://therealnews.com/stories/justin-trudeaus-description-of-bds-a-pack-of-lies

The Left Case Against the EU (1/2)
Costas Lapavitsas, former MP of the Greek Parliament and author of “The Left Case Against the EU”, says the left needs to have honest debates about the EU. That became evident in the political struggles associated with Brexit and Grexit.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-left-case-against-the-eu-1-2

The Left Case Against the EU (2/2)

*If we believe that every single person on this planet has a right to a dignified life

Then we need to act like it.

If we only take what’s given us … if we’re pathologically “pragmatic” … that maxim is mere platitude.

Risk is the currency of progress. There is no guarantee of success

Only the certainty that timidity will leave us in our chains.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-left-case-against-the-eu-2-2
—

Petition
We Have a Drug That Prevents HIV Infection. Why Aren’t We Making it Affordable?
Tell the House Subcommittee on Health to make PrEP a part of preventative care
by Will Scheffer

https://www.change.org/p/we-have-a-drug-that-prevents-hiv-infection-why-aren-t-we-making-it-affordable
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Teachers’ Strike and PR Campaign Against Them

http://accuracy.org/release/teachers-strike-and-pr-campaign-against-them

1.17

“I’m Sure Dinosaurs Thought They Had Time, Too’: Over 12,000 Students Strike in Brussels Demanding Bold Climate Action
“It’s great to see the number of people present here today,” said one march organizer. “It’s an incredible signal. This cannot be ignored.”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/17/im-sure-dinosaurs-thought-they-had-time-too-over-12000-students-strike-brussels

Studies Show Ice Melting and Ocean Warming Both Happening Much Faster Than Previously Thought
“Just a reminder that behind each day’s controversies, the biggest story is constantly playing out”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Lemmings have an excuse

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/16/studies-show-ice-melting-and-ocean-warming-both-happening-much-faster-previously
—

Bar Barr or Regret this Dictatorial Attorney General
There is much more in Barr’s secretive, corporatist, anti-consumer, labor, and environmental record to get the Senate Democrats’ dander up and throw down the gauntlet. But, no, they prefer to be polite and in so doing let the American people down
by Ralph Nader

*Whoever this “one” is who “would think” the Demorats give a rodent’s rear about Barr’s criminogeny

As the bard wrote

“It ain’t me, babe”

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/17/bar-barr-or-regret-dictatorial-attorney-general
–

Tax the Rich, Fight the Climate Crisis
Why we need much more of what solidarity and organizing just accomplished in Oregon
by Bill Bigelow

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/17/tax-rich-fight-climate-crisis
–

Against Forgetting: Ground Zero Nagasaki
Living the nuclear past—and future
by Susan Southard

*When science outpaces the soul

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/17/against-forgetting-ground-zero-nagasaki
—

The Lakota People’s Law Project
Update: Rally for Tomorrow’s Indigenous Peoples March Moved to Lincoln Memorial
Thousands expected at March highlighting worldwide indigenous justice concerns

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/17/update-rally-tomorrows-indigenous-peoples-march-moved-lincoln-memorial
—

The Real News Network
Temporary Arrest of Venezuelan Opposition Leader was “Unauthorized”
Does the brief unauthorized arrest of National Assembly president Juan Guaido, who suggested that he take over from Nicolas Maduro, signal growing divisions within the government? We discuss the current situation in Venezuela after President Maduro’s recent inauguration with Lucas Koerner

https://therealnews.com/stories/temporary-arrest-of-venezuelan-opposition-leader-was-unauthorized

Is Canada’s ‘Left’ Marching To The Beat of America’s Imperial Drum? (1/2)
Canadian author Yves Engler discusses the New Democratic leadership’s support for war, militarism and Israel

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-canadas-left-marching-to-the-beat-of-americas-imperial-drum-1-2

Is Canada’s ‘Left’ Marching To The Beat of America’s Imperial Drum? (2/2)
Canadian author Yves Engler challenges the mythology surrounding former Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson

*Feet of clay

Soaked in blood

https://therealnews.com/stories/is-canadas-left-marching-to-the-beat-of-americas-imperial-drum-2-2

UK Brexit Vote Reflects a Deep Crisis in Capitalism (1/2)
Had the British been presented with the option, people might choose a socialist Britain over a capitalist EU, but they are not given that choice, say Prof. Leo Panitch of York University and Jon Lansman of the British Labour Party’s National Executive Committee

https://therealnews.com/stories/uk-brexit-vote-reflects-a-deep-crisis-in-capitalism-pt-1-2

Brexit Vote: Will the EU Throw UK PM Theresa May a Lifeline?
In spite of the deep splits among the Tories, Prof. John Weeks says that a Brexit agreement will be made when the EU bails out Theresa May in the lead-up to the EU parliamentary elections

https://therealnews.com/stories/brexit-vote-will-the-eu-throw-uk-pm-theresa-may-a-lifeline

Will Coming Israeli Elections Change Anything? (1/2)
David Sheen divided Israel political parties into their positions on segregation, integration, domination and elimination. He joins us to debate Real News Correspondent Shir Hever on what it really means.

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-coming-israeli-elections-change-anything-pt-1-2

Will Coming Israeli Elections Change Anything? (2/2)

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-coming-israeli-elections-change-anything-pt-2-2
—

FAIR
‘US Administrations Have Been Intervening in Venezuela Since at Least the Early 2000s’
CounterSpin interview with Alexander Main on Maduro’s reelection
by Janine Jackson

*”Trust us … we know what’s good for us

… I mean you.”

https://fair.org/home/us-administrations-have-been-intervening-in-venezuela-since-at-least-the-early-2000s
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Russiagate Frenzy “Threatens to End Superpower Diplomacy”

*”Bombshells” that could blow us all up

http://accuracy.org/release/russiagate-frenzy-threatens-to-end-superpower-diplomacy

How Education and Healthcare Create More Jobs Than Military Spending

*More bang … and less benefit … for the buck

http://accuracy.org/release/how-education-and-healthcare-create-more-jobs-than-military-spending
—

Democracy Now!
Strike! Barbara Ehrenreich Calls on TSA Workers to Walk Off Job in Protest of Government Shutdown

*Whatever “spine” Pelosi has is due to pressure from people she’d prefer to ignore. Killer Clown’s miscalculations have afforded her a relatively risk free political opportunity.

She’ll revert to her sellout self soon enough.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/17/strike_barbara_ehrenreich_calls_on_tsa

Native American Communities Bear Brunt of Shutdown with Medicine Shortages & Suspended Food Programs

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/17/native_american_communities_bear_brunt_of

1.15

‘Catastrophe for Free Expression’: Critics Warn EU Reforms a ‘Dire Threat’ to Internet as We Know It
“The EU is about to cripple freedom of expression on the internet in the name of protecting copyright, but you may be able to help stop it”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/15/catastrophe-free-expression-critics-warn-eu-reforms-dire-threat-internet-we-know-it

‘Gillette Must Be Doing Something Right’: Toxic Men Freak Out Over Ad Urging Men to Combat Toxic Masculinity
So-called “men’s rights activists” are mad that the shaving razor company has started a campaign calling on men to not be misogynists, jerks, and bullies
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Don’t confuse conscience with calculation

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/15/gillette-must-be-doing-something-right-toxic-men-freak-out-over-ad-urging-men-combat
—

This Is How American Democracy Ends
Trump’s threat to deploy extraordinary powers to counter a fake crisis on our southern boundary should spark a clarion call to reexamine, repeal and replace the NEA
by Bill Blum

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/15/how-american-democracy-ends
—

The Real News Network
Media Whitewashing the Blood-Soaked US Military-Industrial Complex
Arms manufacturers are trying to rebrand as progressive and feminist, while the corporate media does PR for the military-industrial complex. CODEPINK’s Medea Benjamin warns this pro-arms manufacturer campaign is infiltrating our schools.

*Speaking of female “leaders”, you know Pelosi, Feinstein et alia are down with this, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on AOC (I hate these acronyms, but they are quicker to type) or any of the other “new wave” woman congressmembers confronting it, either.

https://therealnews.com/stories/media-whitewashing-the-blood-soaked-us-military-industrial-complex

Congo’s First Election in 49 Years: Has Democracy Won, Or Was It A Quiet Coup?
Congolese Catholic Church and 70,000 observers said reformer Fayulu won, but the DRC government declared Tshisekedi the winner

https://therealnews.com/stories/congos-first-election-in-49-years-has-democracy-won-or-was-it-a-quiet-coup

Cracks in the Wall: Beyond Apartheid in Palestine/Israel
Ben White discusses his new book “Cracks in the Wall”. It examines narratives that challenge the Israeli colonization of Palestine and their recent successes

https://therealnews.com/stories/cracks-in-the-wall-beyond-apartheid-in-palestine-israel

Outrage In Canada After Militarized RCMP Arrest 14 Wet’Suwet’en Land Defenders on Sovereign Indigenous Land
Solidarity protests erupt across Canada while Justin Trudeau faces hostile questions about indigenous rights in British Columbia

*One would hope Trudeau’s dick doesn’t taste as sweet to “liberals” these days

But ‘Bomba’s did for eight years and counting, so who’s to say … ?

https://therealnews.com/stories/outrage-in-canada-after-militarized-rcmp-arrest-14-wetsuweten-land-defenders-on-sovereign-indigenous-land
—

Petition update
Save LGBT in Chechnya from a new crackdown
by Игорь Я.

https://www.change.org/p/russia-prosecutor-general-investigate-mass-murder-and-torture-of-lgbt-people-in-chechnya/u/23879347
—

FAIR
‘DC Has Been Consistently Out of Touch With the Reality of the Borderlands’
CounterSpin interview with Debbie Weingarten on the already existing border wall
by Janine Jackson

*Borderline sociopathy

https://fair.org/home/dc-has-been-consistently-out-of-touch-with-the-reality-of-the-borderlands

Triumph of Conventional Wisdom: AP Expunges Iran/Contra Pardons from Barr’s Record
by Sam Husseini

https://fair.org/home/triumph-of-conventional-wisdom-ap-expunges-iran-contra-pardons-from-barrs-record

The Return of Reefer Madness
by Ari Paul

*Pot shots that miss the mark

https://fair.org/home/the-return-of-reefer-madness
—

Democracy Now!
“Public Education Is Not Your Plaything”: L.A. Teachers Strike Against Privatization & Underfunding

*Killer Clown wants a wall

And these billionaire bastards and the pols they pay for want kids to be bricks in their wall of corporate control.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/15/public_education_is_not_your_plaything

As Gov’t Shutdown Drags On, IRS Continues to Aid the Rich & Corporations While Targeting the Poor

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/14/as_govt_shutdown_drags_on_irs

Will Trump’s AG Pick William Barr Face Questions over Gitmo, Mass Incarceration & NSA Surveillance?

*It ain’t just “the bad folks” that Barr and his iniquitous ilk are targeting, is it?

It’s anyone that they can make political hay – or a profit – from, as well as anyone who tries to stop them.

The Democrats don’t fall into that last category.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/15/will_trumps_ag_pick_william_barr

Arizona Activists Face Jail Time for Providing Life-Saving Aid to Migrants Crossing Sonoran Desert

*Guilty of a conscience

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/15/arizona_activists_face_jail_time_for

1.11

The Real News Network
$15 Minimum Wage: Job Killer or Path Out of Poverty?
Gov. Larry Hogan says a $15 minimum wage in Maryland could cost the state 100,000 jobs, but economists say raising low wages could benefit half a million workers

https://therealnews.com/stories/15-minimum-wage-job-killer-or-path-out-of-poverty

Over 600 Groups Call for a Green New Deal
Tom Goldtooth of Indigenous Environmental Network says that a Green New Deal must reject corporate takeover and center indigenous and frontline communities

*You don’t do radical surgery with a butter knife

And you don’t contract with a fox to weatherize a henhouse.

https://therealnews.com/stories/over-600-groups-call-for-a-green-new-deal

Water Rate Hike Sparks Questions About Accountability
Baltimore approves another 30% increase to water bills over the next three years despite demands for city—and corporate—accountability

*The rich get the hot tub

And the poor just get soaked

https://therealnews.com/stories/water-rate-hike-sparks-questions-about-accountability
—

FAIR
Media Worried US Won’t Occupy Syria Forever
by Gregory Shupak

https://fair.org/home/media-worried-us-wont-occupy-syria-forever
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Is Threat of Emergency Powers to Override Power of the Purse Impeachable?

http://accuracy.org/release/is-threat-of-emergency-powers-to-override-power-of-the-purse-impeachable

1.10

The Real News Network
Egyptian President’s Regrettable “60 Minutes”
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi was hoping to demonstrate that he was a reliable ally of United States and Israel in the Middle East and worthy of international recognition, but the 60 minutes interview took another turn, says Professor Seif Da’na

*The Trump trashing angle doesn’t work for me. The corpress do the empire’s bidding, and the treatment of foreign “leaders” is based on their usefulness to the imperial project.

Bin Salman has fallen out of favor due to his imperiousness, which has proven problematic for US interests. Al-Sisi may now have been deemed a liability, and thus the kid gloves stayed in the drawer.

Stay tuned …

https://therealnews.com/stories/egyptian-presidents-regrettable-60-minutes

Trump’s State of Emergency? – with Paul Jay & Gerald Horne
If Donald Trump follows through on his threat to declare a state of emergency, it puts the American state further into deep crisis – with historian Dr. Gerald Horn and host Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-state-of-emergency-with-paul-jay-gerald-horne
—

FAIR
Corporate Media Miss Distinction Between Pro- and Anti-Genocide
by Minister Faust

*”Classic liberals” don’t dig their own graves

They bring the shovels for the fascists to do it

https://fair.org/home/corporate-media-miss-distinction-between-pro-and-anti-genocide
—

Democracy Now!
From EPA to TSA, Agencies Devoted to Nation’s Health and Safety Are Going Unfunded During Shutdown

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/10/from_epa_to_fda_agencies_devoted

National Parks Overflow with Trash, Human Waste as Gov’t Shutdown Approaches 3 Weeks

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/10/national_parks_overflow_with_trash_human

There Are Thousands of Cyntoia Browns: Mariame Kaba on Criminalization of Sexual Violence Survivors

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/10/there_are_thousands_of_cyntoia_browns

Facing Mass Deportation, Haitians Sue Trump to Preserve Temporary Protected Status

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/10/facing_mass_deportation_haitians_sue_trump

1.9

The Real News Network
End Trump’s Deportation Terror to Raise Wages
Dr. Susan Pozo, the former president of The American Society of Hispanic Economists, responds to Trump’s accusation that illegal immigration lowers wages – with Paul Jay

*Forgive me for stating the bleeding obvious, but there will always be exploitation – regardless of citizenship – as long as we don’t collectively control the means of production.

There will never be economic justice as long as our economic fate is determined by our “superiors”.

https://therealnews.com/stories/end-trumps-deportation-terror-to-raise-wages

What Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, and Tony Soprano Have in Common
Gerald Horne and Paul Jay discuss Donald Trump’s address to the nation on the wall and border security

*Chinese investment may differ in style, but not in substance, from Western involvement in the region’s economies. They both seek to exploit labor and resources to the detriment of the peoples of these nations, and will do so by any means necessary.

Until the internal oligarchies are dismantled, injustice will remain. “Leaders” such as López Obrador won’t take up that banner.

Only popular movements led by principles, not personalities, can do so.

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-donald-trump-chuck-schumer-and-tony-soprano-have-in-common

The 9/11 Conspiracy: Did Bush/Cheney Create a Culture of Not Wanting to Know? – Sen. Bob Graham on Reality Asserts Itself pt4
On RAI with Paul Jay, Senator Bob Graham says there was a pervasive pattern in police and intelligence agencies: “You don’t have everybody moving in the same direction without there being a head coach somewhere who was giving them instructions as to where he wants them to move” – a replay of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay

*I wrote this when the segment first aired.

Sadly, and fearfully, it still applies.

Incompetency has nothing to do with this. Any reasonable analysis of the known facts should make that unquestionably clear, don’t you think?

So why has there been so little attention paid to administration complicity in the “alternative media”?

The Gulf of Tonkin deception is considered settled history, and is so because the fear of being labeled a “conspiracy theorist” didn’t deter those who exposed it.

So where’s that same fortitude in this instance? Is it that somehow Tonkin can fit into the accepted parameters of imperial villainy, but 9/11 is outside those boundaries?

Why is it so difficult to believe that the neocon cabal would aid and abet this horror, when they had wet dreams of a “new Pearl Harbor” that would give them carte blanche to extend “the American Century” into perpetuity?

Would a few thousand American and others’ lives matter more to them than the attainment of their nirvana?

They were willing to risk Armageddon for it for decades, weren’t they?

There will always be “9/11ers” who are convenient foils for the conventional wisdom.

That shouldn’t deter a dogged pursuit of the truth here

Else just how much of an “alternative” are we talking about?

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-9-11-conspiracy-did-bush-cheney-create-a-culture-of-not-wanting-toknow-sen-bob-graham-on-reality-asserts-itself-pt4
—

FAIR
‘People Are Mobilizing Against This Crackdown’
CounterSpin interview with Chip Gibbons on defending dissent
by Janine Jackson

*I’ll never understand how those who should have the clearest understanding of just whom the corpress serves continually express this naïve faith that somehow their complicity is due to ignorance, and that they’ll someday see the light.

The job of the MSM is to keep us ignorant, and to ensure “Democracy dies in darkness”.

How many years of empirical evidence need to accumulate to make that penny drop?

It doesn’t matter that some corpress reporters, or even editors, might have a sincere, if addled, sense of responsibility to honesty in journalism. They don’t make policy, and they risk their livelihoods if they challenge it.

It’s always been a matter of manufacturing consent, and pretending otherwise only prolongs the immense harm done throughout the history of this country.

https://fair.org/home/people-are-mobilizing-against-this-crackdown
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Scrutinizing Trump, and Pelosi and Schumer on Border

http://accuracy.org/release/scrutinizing-trump-and-pelosi-and-schumer-on-border
—

Democracy Now!
“A Racist, Xenophobic Attack”: Immigrant Rights Activist Decries Trump Remarks About Southern Border

*I think we’ll find that Democratic “backbone” to be only as stiff as their political calculations allow it to be.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/9/a_racist_xenophobic_attack_immigrant_rights

1.8

‘Scary’: Warming of Oceans Is Equivalent to 1.5 Atomic Bombs Every Second Over Past 150 Years
“And that’s just the average. It’s now equivalent to roughly three to six atomic bombs per second.”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Do folks watching the ocean swallow their homes find it “worrisome” … ?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/08/scary-warming-oceans-equivalent-15-atomic-bombs-every-second-over-past-150-years
—

Here’s What a Real Strike Looks Like: 150 Million Say No to Despotism in India
If a new trade union law goes into effect, India will essentially abandon any commitment to workplace democracy
by Vijay Prashad

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/08/heres-what-real-strike-looks-150-million-say-no-despotism-india
–

Two Native Women in Congress Isn’t Enough to End the Systemic Violence Native Girls Face
Every level of government has failed to protect communities from violence or support their deteriorating social infrastructure
by Michelle Chen

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/08/two-native-women-congress-isnt-enough-end-systemic-violence-native-girls-face
—

The Real News Network
Trump Admin. Backtracks on Promise to Withdraw Troops from Syria
While Trump claimed US troops will leave Syria in 30 days, his neoconservative national security adviser John Bolton suggested otherwise, imposing conditions for withdrawal. Journalist Patrick Cockburn says mainstream corporate media reporting has been misleading and “childish.”

*We may not know who will be the “winners” of this horror show

But it’s clear who will be the losers.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-admin-backtracks-on-promise-to-withdraw-troops-from-syria

Why Would Saudi Arabia Support the 9/11 Conspirators, Why Would the US Gov. Cover it Up? – Sen. Graham on Reality Asserts Itself pt3
Former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the 2002 Joint Congressional Inquiry into 9/11, believes that the Saudi government “had a high and what has thus far turned out to be credible expectation that their role” in 9/11 “would not be exposed” by the U.S. government. – a REPLAY of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay

*Doesn’t this make plain the utter complicity of the corpress in protecting power?

Whether 9/11 was facilitated by the neocon cabal, either directly or indirectly, or simply taken advantage of, it’s clear that there’s been a concerted effort to make certain the facts remain buried, and the mainstream media, as well as the leadership of both parties, have aided and abetted that mission.

Call it a silence of conspiracy.

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-would-saudi-arabia-support-the-9-11-conspirators-why-would-the-us-gov-cover-it-up-sen-graham-on-reality-asserts-itself-pt3
—

Democracy Now!
#MuteRKelly: Survivors, Family Members Seek Justice for Black Girls Preyed on by R&B Star

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/7/muterkelly_survivors_family_members_seek_justice

“Crime + Punishment” Exposes Racial Quotas in the NYPD & Retaliation Against Officers Who Speak Out

*I appreciate the courage of these cops speaking out, but “law enforcement”, like the system it’s intended to serve, is by its very nature oppressive. Policing is about control, as capitalism is about profit and power.

Until that is acknowledged and confronted, there will be no fundamental change.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/8/crime_punishment_exposes_racial_quotas_in

1.7

By the Best Definition, the Poverty Rate Should Be Tripled
Depressing news doesn’t sell on our news shows. So the struggles of the bottom half of America are downplayed, while the “booming” economy for the upper-middle class is highlighted
by Paul Buchheit

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/07/best-definition-poverty-rate-should-be-tripled
—

The Real News Network
A NYT Investigation Examining the Killing of Medic Rouzan al-Najjar Concludes: “Possibly a War Crime” by IDF
The Investigation by the NYT into the killing of 21-year-old paramedic Rouzan al-Najjar reveals: “. . . the shooting by (IDF-Sniper) appears to have been reckless at best, and possibly a war crime,.. for which no one has yet been punished.” We speak with James North of Mondoweiss

*The corpress will occasionally do its purported job (not its actual charge, which is to obfuscate and prevaricate in the service of power), at least to some extent, to maintain the illusion of “an independent press”.

E.g., the AP is a dab hand at producing intermittent attempts at “award winning” investigative reporting (which is rarely followed up), then returning to churning out some of the most slanted national and international coverage around, which is in turn regurgitated by local rags across the country.

Democracy dies in darkness

And these courtiers keep the curtains drawn

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-nyt-investigation-examining-the-killing-of-medic-rouzan-al-najjar-concludes-possibly-a-war-crime-by-idf

Greek Court Acquits 21 Environmental Defenders in Eldorado Gold Trial
Maria Kadoglou of Mining Watch Greece says Greek prosecutors continue to pursue those who have resisted an open-pit gold mine in northern Greece

https://therealnews.com/stories/greek-court-acquits-21-environmental-defenders-in-eldorado-gold-trial

Durham NC Becomes First City to Ban Training By Israeli Police and Then be Forced to Reconsider It
Jazmynne Williams of Demilitarize Durham2Palestine discusses the organizing efforts underway to ensure the ban remains

https://therealnews.com/stories/durham-nc-becomes-first-city-to-ban-training-by-israeli-police-and-then-be-forced-to-reconsider-it
—

Petition
Change to Win
TELL VERIZON: END PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION IN YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN NOW!

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-verizon-end-pregnancy-discrimination-in-your-supply-chain-now

Naila Amin Foundation
Help us end child marriage in New York State

https://www.change.org/p/help-us-end-child-marriage-in-new-york-state
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Senate Job One: Attack First Amendment Rights of Israel Critics

http://accuracy.org/release/senate-job-one-attack-first-amendment-rights-of-israel-critics
—

FAIR
WaPo, USA Today, NBC Go Full Breitbart on ‘Prisoners Eating Steak’ Non-Story
by Adam Johnson

*Red meat for racists served up by a callous corpress

https://fair.org/home/wapo-usa-today-nbc-go-full-breitbart-on-prisoners-eating-steak-non-story

A Tough Time to Be a Spy, NPR Reports
Current and former CIA officials are only sources for story on espionage getting harder
by Belén Fernández

*Given its long history of cravenness and complicity, it’s pretty goddamn plain just which side CPB has taken, and its aversion to the risk of appearing otherwise.

https://fair.org/home/a-tough-time-to-be-a-spy-npr-reports

1.4

Raising ‘All Manner of Conflict of Interest Questions,’ the Only National Park Site Reopening Amid Shutdown Is in Trump Hotel
“The corruption and disgrace of this government are without bottom”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The towering infernal

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/03/raising-all-manner-conflict-interest-questions-only-national-park-site-reopening
—

What I Learned Being Part of the Sanctuary Caravan: Delivering Support to Asylum Seekers on the U.S. Border
We saw an outpouring of generosity for the people most hurt by our oppressive immigration policy
by Jodie Evans

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/04/what-i-learned-being-part-sanctuary-caravan-delivering-support-asylum-seekers-us
–

Doctors Strike in Zimbabwe as Government Imposes Austerity to Attract More Chinese Investment
In the post-Mugabe era, the new regime aims to show it is worthy of a bigger piece of the Chinese pie
by Craig Dube

*New hand

Same whip

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/04/doctors-strike-zimbabwe-government-imposes-austerity-attract-more-chinese
–

Now That Everybody Is for Medicare for All, Opponents Say Let’s Dilute It
Tweaks and fixes that leave the for-profit insurers intact won’t work. Only a mass social movement can overcome the huge resource and political advantages of the medical-industrial complex
by Michael Lighty

*In this here country, “medical malpractice” is the polar opposite of an oxymoron

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/03/now-everybody-medicare-all-opponents-say-lets-dilute-it
–

The Hidden Structure of U.S. Empire
This irresponsible empire has squandered the resources of our own and other nations and spawned existential dangers that threaten the whole world, from nuclear war to environmental crisis
by Nicolas J S Davies

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/03/hidden-structure-us-empire
—

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Trump EPA Moves to Shield Info on Asbestos Imports and Use From Public

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2019/01/03/trump-epa-moves-shield-info-asbestos-imports-and-use-public
—

The Real News Network
AI Should Improve Quality of Life, Not Make Capitalists Rich – Lester Earnest on RAI (5/5)
Artificial Intelligence can make the world better or be a tool for war – says Lester Earnest, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Stanford, on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Humanity has been cursed by artificial intelligence since the conception of propaganda eons ago

https://therealnews.com/stories/ai-should-improve-quality-of-life-not-make-capitalists-rich-lester-earnest-on-rai-5-5
—

FAIR
If You Pave It, They Will Come
As climate teeters, Washington Post pushes for more highway
by Pete Tucker

https://fair.org/home/if-you-pave-it-they-will-come
—

Democracy Now!
How Trump’s Labor Secretary Cut a Deal for Multimillionaire & Serial Sexual Abuser Jeffrey Epstein

*”[H]ow did you get into that position of power in the first place if you’re this disgusting, evil, decrepit person on the inside?”

Non sequitur in excelsis

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/4/how_trumps_labor_secretary_cut_a

Perversion of Justice: The Shocking Story of a Serial Sex Abuser & Trump’s Sec. of Labor, Who Helped Him

*There’s nothing “shocking” about this, if you’re not brain dead, including the silence of Democratic “leadership” on it … partly due to this slimeball being best buds with Slippery William and others party big wigs, and partly because cases like this raise questions about the nature of our “justice” system and its servility to wealth and power

Questions neither major party want to entertain.

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/4/perversion_of_justice_the_shocking_story

1.2

‘Ajit Pai Won’t Be Laughing Long,’ Say Internet Defenders, After FCC Chair Applauds Death of Net Neutrality
“The internet freedom movement is stronger than it’s ever been as we head into 2019. We’ll keep fighting in the states, in the courts, and in Congress.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/02/ajit-pai-wont-be-laughing-long-say-internet-defenders-after-fcc-chair-applauds-death

Historic Moment for Equality in India as Millions Link Arms to Form 400-Mile “Women’s Wall”
Massive event preceded history-making day when two women defied protesters to enter Hindu temple
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/02/historic-moment-equality-india-millions-link-arms-form-400-mile-womens-wall

‘What Kind of Maniacs Are Running This Country?’: Pentagon Rings in New Year With Joke About Dropping Massive Bombs on People
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you [Stratcom], the stoic guardians of several thousand nuclear missiles who definitely don’t think raining death and destruction from above is some kind of joke”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”[D]oes not reflect our values”

What does not exist cannot be reflected

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/01/what-kind-maniacs-are-running-country-pentagon-rings-new-year-joke-about-dropping

Under Cover of Shutdown, Trump Admin Quietly Moves to Deprive ‘American People of Their Right to Know What Government Is Doing’
Critics warn proposed changes to how the Interior Department handles FOIA requests “are designed to facilitate more official stonewalling and delays in producing public records”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/31/under-cover-shutdown-trump-admin-quietly-moves-deprive-american-people-their-right

Food Aid to Yemen ‘Snatched From the Starving’ by US-Backed Saudi Allies
With armed forces on both sides of civil war accused of seizing aid destined for starving civilians, one U.N. official said, “If there is no corruption, there is no famine”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/31/food-aid-yemen-snatched-starving-us-backed-saudi-allies
—

The GOP’s Most Successful Scam Is About to Reboot Itself
Republicans pour on the tax cuts and spending increases, year after year, whenever they have the power to do so, to intentionally inflate the national debt
by Thom Hartmann

*As with so many other iniquities, the fact that Democratic “leadership” remain silent about this (while often actively colluding) tells you all you need to know about the true meaning of “bipartisanship”, don’t it just?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/02/gops-most-successful-scam-about-reboot-itself
–

Trump’s Wasteful Military Venture
What have the soldiers done at the border? According to one report, “very little.”
by Anthony Pahnke

*Let’s hope that at least a few of these soldiers learn from this sham whom they truly serve.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/02/trumps-wasteful-military-venture
–

Resistance Is the Supreme Act of Faith
We resist not because we will succeed, but because it is right
by Chris Hedges

*The resolve to act transcends the result of the action

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/31/resistance-supreme-act-faith
–

Trump: The Sudden Anti-War Champion?
Sorting out the president’s impetuous moves in Syria and Afghanistan
by Reese Erlich

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/31/trump-sudden-anti-war-champion
—

The Real News Network
Billionaires Shouldn’t Control Artificial Intelligence – Lester Earnest on RAI (4/5)
“Patents block progress” – says Lester Earnest, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Stanford, on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Money talks

And the media hold the megaphone

https://therealnews.com/stories/billionaires-shouldnt-control-artificial-intelligence-lester-earnest-on-rai-4-5
—

FAIR
‘The US Has Been at the Root of the Undemocratic History of the Congo’
CounterSpin interview with Maurice Carney on Congo elections
by Janine Jackson

*The corpress, when it toggles to “Trump trash”, is fond of expressing disdain for his “affection for autocrats”.

Pot and kettle much … ?

https://fair.org/home/the-us-has-been-at-the-root-of-the-undemocratic-history-of-the-congo
—

Democracy Now!
Federal Employees’ Union Sues Trump Administration as 420,000 Work Without Pay During Shutdown

https://www.democracynow.org/2019/1/2/federal_employees_union_sues_trump_administration

December 2018

12.28

Facebook’s Secret Censorship Manual Exposed as Platform Takes Down Video About Israel Terrorizing Palestinians
Journalist Rania Khalek, whose video was restored after public outcry, says the ability of social media giants “to disappear content as they please” is “creepy and alarming and should be loudly opposed”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”[M]istakes” … ?

As the corpress knows all too well, as it has “disappeared” critical voices for generations

This was no boating accident.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/28/facebooks-secret-censorship-manual-exposed-platform-takes-down-video-about-israel

‘Shameful’: As Shutdown Continues, Trump Administration Suggests Unpaid Federal Workers Do Odd Jobs for Landlords to Cover Rent
The Office of Personnel Management said furloughed government employees could do “painting,” “carpentry,” or other odd jobs “in exchange for partial rent payments”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Let them eat spackle

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/28/shameful-shutdown-continues-trump-administration-suggests-unpaid-federal-workers-do
—

Bergen County Ended Chronic Homelessness, So Can Every Other Community
“If your goal is not to eliminate homelessness in your community then your efforts will seem aimless”
by James Abro

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/28/bergen-county-ended-chronic-homelessness-so-can-every-other-community
—

The Real News Network
DOD Criterion for Success: Spend all Your Money by Year End – Lester Earnest on RAI (3/4)
After working on the MIT SAGE radar system and at the Joint Chiefs, Earnest concluded “it’s basically a money making system, that’s what it’s about and has nothing to do with real defense” – Lester Earnest on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/dod-criterion-for-success-spend-all-your-money-by-year-end-lester-earnest-on-rai-3-4

What Can Humanity Learn From The Great Law Of Peace (2/2)
Stuart Myiow, Wolf Clan Representative of the Mohawk Traditional Council, says Western ‘democracies’ wrongly prioritize individual rights over the rights of the collective

*Commons sense

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-can-humanity-learn-from-the-great-law-of-peace-2-2

12.27

Japanese Prosecutors Demand 5 Years in Prison for Executives Facing Trial for Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
“It was easy to safeguard the plant against tsunami, but they kept operating the plant heedlessly”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/27/japanese-prosecutors-demand-5-years-prison-executives-facing-trial-fukushima-nuclear
—

The 8 Most Important Labor Stories of 2018
There are hopeful signs as the year closes out
by Rebecca Burns

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/27/8-most-important-labor-stories-2018
—

The Real News Network
The Global Power Elite: A Transnational Class
Peter Phillips, the author of the book, “Giants: The Global Power Elite,” examines the roles and networks of the world’s richest and most powerful. This class is no longer bound to national concerns, only to the expansion of its own power, says Phillips

*Should we be “appealing” to these soulless bastards

Or striving to overthrow them?

Is that possible?

I wouldn’t bet on it.

I also wouldn’t bet on humankind surviving if we can’t, because they’re addicted to greed and power, and no appeal to reason will persuade them to kick the habit, will it?

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-global-power-elite-a-transnational-class
—

Democracy Now!
Without Notifying Anyone, ICE Dumps Hundreds of Migrants at El Paso Bus Station Around Christmas

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/27/without_notifying_anyone_ice_dumps_hundreds

12.26

‘Reckless Disregard for Very Vulnerable People’: Just Before Christmas, ICE Quietly Drops Hundreds of Migrants at Bus Stop With Nowhere to Go
“ICE, without a scintilla of human empathy, just dropped more than 200 migrants at an El Paso, Texas bus station a day before Christmas, leaving families with no money or food, most of whom do not speak English and have no means of communication”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*A Statue of Liberty with a heart of stone

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/25/reckless-disregard-very-vulnerable-people-just-christmas-ice-quietly-drops-hundreds

‘Plunge Protection Team’ Holds Emergency Meeting as Trump Chaos Sparks Fears of Another Financial Crash
“The stock market goes up and down and the market is not the economy. But it is, for many people, their retirement or their college savings plan. And a lot of wealth has been wiped out because of the trade war, the tax cuts, and volatility not in the market but in the Oval Office.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The art of the schlemiel

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/24/plunge-protection-team-holds-emergency-meeting-trump-chaos-sparks-fears-another
—

25 Ways the Canadian Health Care System Is Better Than Obamacare
In the United States, tens of thousands of Americans will continue to die every year due to lack of health insurance and much higher prices for drugs, medical devices, and health care itself
by Ralph Nader

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/26/25-ways-canadian-health-care-system-better-obamacare
–

The Green New Deal: Fulcrum for the Farm and Food Justice Movement?
It’s time for the U.S. farm and food justice movement to step up
by Eric Holt-Giménez

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/25/green-new-deal-fulcrum-farm-and-food-justice-movement
—

The Real News Network
Military-Industrial-Congressional Frauds – Lester Earnest on RAI (2/4)
Corporations bribed politicians—it’s legal, it’s called campaign contributions—and they funded projects the Defense Department contracted out, giving the crooks a lot of money; that’s still going strong today – says Lester Earnest, founder of the AI Lab at Stanford

*Cooking the history books

https://therealnews.com/stories/military-industrial-congressional-frauds-lester-earnest-on-rai-2-4
—

Democracy Now!
8-Year-Old Guatemalan Boy Dies in Border Patrol Custody Days After High Court Rejects Asylum Ban

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/26/8_year_old_guatemalan_boy_dies

Richard Wolff: We Need a More Humane Economic System—Not One That Only Benefits the Rich

*Why is it that “socialists” like Wolff never actually advocate for socialism, but only for “a more humane economic system”?

“There Is No Alternative” ™ as long as we never work for one.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/26/richard_wolff_we_need_a_more

12.24

How Activists Are Moving the Dial on Student Loan Debt
As student debt grows, grassroots organizations keep pushing for sweeping change on a national level
by Siona Peterous

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/24/how-activists-are-moving-dial-student-loan-debt
–

No, Donald Trump Is Not Leaving Us Poorly Prepared for the Next Recession
The basic story is that high deficits and debt will leave us less room to have a large stimulus when the next recession hits. This is wrong
by Dean Baker

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/24/no-donald-trump-not-leaving-us-poorly-prepared-next-recession
—

The Real News Network
Cold War Radar System a Trillion Dollar Fraud – Lester Ernest on RAI (1/4)
Profit and deception drove cold-war militarization, says Lester Ernest, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at Stanford; Ernest says the anti-nuclear bomber SAGE radar system never worked, yet carried on for 25 years – Lester Ernest on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*DEFCON men

https://therealnews.com/stories/cold-war-radar-system-a-trillion-dollar-fraud-lester-ernest-on-rai-1-4

Dem. Rep. of Congo Postpones Election While US Props up President Kabila
After 58 years of repression, the battle for democracy picks up in the DRC, while President Joseph Kabila continues to enjoy unquestioned support from the US and has an Israeli security company working for him. We speak to Maurice Carney

*Regardless of the party, bloody bastards like Kabila are always on the guest list.

https://therealnews.com/stories/dem-rep-of-congo-postpones-election-while-us-props-up-president-kabila

Hungarians Rise up Against Anti-Worker ‘Slave Law’ and Growing Authoritarianism
Protests have rocked Hungary after the passage of what labor activists call a “slave law,” which lets employers demand 400 hours of overtime and no pay for 3 years. Journalist Benjamin Novak says the opposition is in a rare moment of unity

https://therealnews.com/stories/hungarians-rise-up-against-anti-worker-slave-law-and-growing-authoritarianism

Gideon Levy has No Sympathy for Colonists as a Group
Gideon Levy: all colonists and all Israelis share responsibility for the occupation and apartheid system in Palestine. There is sympathy for individuals, but there is no symmetry: the power is on the Israeli side

https://therealnews.com/stories/gideon-levy-has-no-sympathy-for-colonists-as-a-group

German Amazon Workers Demand a Collective Contract
Every Christmas the German workers of Amazon attempt to strike and disrupt the company’s profits during the busiest time of the year. The management uses bonuses to tempt workers to break the strike

*Getting Scrooged

https://therealnews.com/stories/german-amazon-workers-demand-a-collective-contract

Skin Color and Gender Determine Privilege and Income, Regardless of Educational Level
A new PERI study finds that women of color benefit less from college education, while white men benefit the most. Since the 1970s, people of color’s social mobility has stagnated. Noé Wiener discusses the results of his research

https://therealnews.com/stories/skin-color-and-gender-determine-privilege-and-income-regardless-of-educational-level

Obama Admits Bipartisan Capitalist ‘Washington Consensus’ Fueled Far-Right & Multiplied Inequality
Former US President Barack Obama admitted that the neoliberal capitalist policies he and his predecessors supported fostered the rise of the far-right and grossly exacerbated inequality

*Forget the Ipecac. Listen to this to induce vomiting.

The Xploitocracy isn’t concerned with division among peoples. It’s what they thrive on.

Their fear is that shared misery will produce shared purpose, and the blame will find its rightful mark in their insatiable avarice.

https://therealnews.com/stories/obama-admits-bipartisan-capitalist-washington-consensus-fueled-far-right-multiplied-inequality

12.21

Jeremy Scahill’s Top 10 Takeaways on Mattis Exit and Possible US Withdrawal From Syria and Afghanistan
“This is an opportunity for progressive forces to assert an alternative vision for U.S. foreign policy”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/21/jeremy-scahills-top-10-takeaways-mattis-exit-and-possible-us-withdrawal-syria-and
—

“Fort Trump” in Poland Is Another Dangerous, Delusional Idea
Even talking about a new military base in Poland shows how far US foreign policy toward Russia has descended into stupidity and recklessness
by Mark Weisbrot

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/21/fort-trump-poland-another-dangerous-delusional-idea
—

Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
Donorbox Suspends BDS National Committee’s Account After Threats from Israeli Legal Group

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/21/donorbox-suspends-bds-national-committees-account-after-threats-israeli-legal
—

The Real News Network
Media’s Russia Obsession Obscures How Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Benefits Turkey Most
While corporate media portrayed Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from Syria as a Christmas gift to Russia’s Putin, veteran Middle East reporter Patrick Cockburn says this is infantile and conspiratorial. NATO member Turkey stands to gain most, and could launch an attack on Kurdish forces in the northeast

*Another risible round of “Putin ate my homework!”

But if Killer Clown attacks Iran, he’ll be all “presidential” like again, now won’t he just?

https://therealnews.com/stories/medias-russia-obsession-obscures-how-trumps-syria-withdrawal-benefits-turkey-most

The IMF is at it Again in Argentina’s Economic Crisis
Now that Argentina received the International Monetary Fund’s largest loan ever, of $56 billion, it is recommending more austerity, which, as the data so far shows, will only prolong the country’s economic crisis, says CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot

*After gorging on everything and everyone else, capitalism always has itself for afters

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-imf-is-at-it-again-in-argentinas-economic-crisis
—

FAIR
Der Spiegel Shows Danger of Liking Good Stories More Than True Stories
by Neil DeMause

*Never let the truth get in the way of a good story

Or one that serves the status quo

https://fair.org/home/der-spiegel-shows-danger-of-liking-good-stories-more-than-true-stories
—

Democracy Now!
Congress Touts First Step Act as Criminal Justice Victory—But Critics Fear Bill Makes False Promises

*And they want me to donate?

After this shameless piece of puffery for an Obastard like Jones, tossing in a bit of “other side” to appear “balanced”, and allowing Sloan and him to piss all over it with no one there to contest?

DN!’s done some excellent work around prison issues, but a segment like this does grievous harm to their proclaimed cause.

I wish I could say I’m surprised …

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/21/congress_touts_first_step_act_as

12.20

Do You Have a Heart? On Organ Donation, Poverty, and For-Profit Healthcare
Despite the efforts encouraging Americans to be organ donors and to “Give the Gift of Life,” we rarely hear about those who don’t meet the financial criteria
by Mary O’Connor Mack

*Hearts and soullessness

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/20/do-you-have-heart-organ-donation-poverty-and-profit-healthcare

America’s Mixed Messages: On Board the USS Detention
Prisoners at sea
by Karen Greenberg

*Forgive me for not heeding Greenberg’s plaintive plea for concern over the US’ image. It is one formed by its multitudinous faults and its immutable nature as a poster person for imperialism.

Its “black eyes” match its black heartlessness. Its “caring” is calculated to obscure its callousness.

Its image will change when its essence is eviscerated.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/20/americas-mixed-messages-board-uss-detention
—

Food & Water Watch
USDA’s GMO Labeling Rule Keeps Consumers in the Dark for the Sake of Big Ag Profits

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/20/usdas-gmo-labeling-rule-keeps-consumers-dark-sake-big-ag-profits
—

The Real News Network
Project Censored: All the News the Establishment Media Saw Fit not to Print (Pt 1/2)
Since 1976 Project Censored has been bringing us all the news the corporate media don’t want us to hear

*All the news that’s printed (or pixeled) to fit

https://therealnews.com/stories/project-censored-all-the-news-the-establishment-media-saw-fit-not-to-print-pt-1-2

Project Censored: All the News the Establishment Media Saw Fit Not to Print (Pt 2/2)

*Of course faith in the corpress is a fool’s creed, but I’d also caution against blind trust in “alternative media”, as well.

No one has a patent on “the truth”.

Think for yourself, then act for others.

https://therealnews.com/stories/project-censored-all-the-news-the-establishment-media-saw-fit-not-to-print-pt-2-2
—

FAIR
‘Domestic Workers Don’t Have Protections Against Discrimination and Harassment’
CounterSpin interview with Mariana Viturro on Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
by Janine Jackson

*When you have Democratic congresspersons as “allies”, be prepared to have your thrill killed.

https://fair.org/home/domestic-workers-dont-have-protections-against-discrimination-and-harassment
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Pledges to Withdraw U.S. Ground Troops from Syria—But Global Powers & Deadly Air Forces Remain

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/20/trump_pledges_to_withdraw_us_ground

The Bombings Will Continue: Phyllis Bennis Warns U.S. Military Role in Syria Is Not Actually Ending

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/20/the_bombings_will_continue_phyllis_bennis

12.19

Depressed and Then Diagnosed With Autism, Greta Thunberg Explains Why Hope Cannot Save Planet But Bold Climate Action Still Can
“We do need hope—of course, we do. But the one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Those who view politics as “the art of the possible”

Are wilfully blind to the inevitable

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/19/depressed-and-then-diagnosed-autism-greta-thunberg-explains-why-hope-cannot-save
—

Advocates Call on Jayapal to Release Draft Text of House Single Payer Bill
“We are being asked to mobilize support for the new HR 676, but we cannot support a bill we have not seen”
by Russell Mokhiber

*Never get behind a Democrat unless you’d let that Democrat get behind you

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/19/advocates-call-jayapal-release-draft-text-house-single-payer-bill
—

The Real News Network
NY Times Columnist Ross Douthat Defended Murderous Dictator Pinochet in His Harvard Days
by Ben Norton

https://therealnews.com/columns/ny-times-columnist-ross-douthat-defended-murderous-dictator-pinochet-in-his-harvard-days

West Bank Uprising: Israel’s Divide and Conquer Strategy Falls Apart
Shir Hever explains that the Israeli government’s deal with the Hamas party undermined the incentive for Palestinian security coordination, as the Israeli military is dragged in to implement colonial policing. As a result, Hamas has never been stronger

https://therealnews.com/stories/west-bank-uprising-israels-divide-and-conquer-strategy-falls-apart

Trump’s Criminal Justice Reform Act Is a Meaningless Smoke Screen (Pt 1/3)
Congress’s Criminal Justice Reform Act boosts privatization, fails to dismantle mass incarceration, nor does it implement sentencing reform. We speak to Eddie Conway and Natasha Pratt Harris about the proposed reform

*Always look askance at anything that has “overwhelming bipartisan support”.

“Working across the aisle” is often just working over someone in the alley.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-criminal-justice-reform-act-is-a-meaningless-smoke-screen-pt-1-3

Trump’s Criminal Justice Reform Act Is a Meaningless Smoke Screen (Pt 2/3)

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-criminal-justice-reform-act-is-a-meaningless-smoke-screen-pt-2-3

Justice Reform Act Is a Meaningless Smoke Screen (Pt 3/3)

*So why are members of the “black misleadership class” critical of something that usually is right up their alley?

Could it be that the Kochs stole their thunder, as well as wanting to deny Killer Clown any props prior to 2020?

Inquiring minds want to know.

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-criminal-justice-reform-act-is-a-meaningless-smoke-screen-pt-3-3

Advocates Say Sex Worker Rights Are Human Rights
At the annual remembrance of sex workers who were murdered, supporters say violence against them is violence against everyone

*There are all sorts of problems with sex work in the context of a misogynist and patriarchal society, and I don’t pretend to be an expert on how to deal with them, but that’s a separate issue from supporting the safety and affirming the humanity of those engaged in it.

https://therealnews.com/stories/advocates-say-sex-worker-rights-are-human-rights
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Congress Must Investigate Kavanaugh’s Lies Because the Courts Will Not”

*Justice isn’t blind

She is blinded

http://accuracy.org/release/congress-must-investigate-kavanaughs-lies-because-the-courts-will-not

Senate Passes Left-Right Criminal Justice Reform

http://accuracy.org/release/senate-passes-left-right-criminal-justice-reform
—

FAIR
‘Trump Says…’: The Journalistic Scourge of Echo-Chamber Headlines
Deferential social media framing spreads White House propaganda and betrays public trust
by Reed Richardson

*”Extra! Extra! Read nothing about it!”

And I’d like to know when the corpress ever deserved “a healthy reputation”, and why there’s any hope that it would do what’s necessary to deserve one in future.

https://fair.org/home/trump-says-the-journalistic-scourge-of-echo-chamber-headlines
—

Democracy Now!
Greg Grandin: How U.S. Policies Punished Central Americans, Long Before Jakelin Caal Maquín’s Death

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/19/greg_grandin_how_us_policies_punished

Cambodians Who Fled War, U.S. Bombs and Genocide Now Face ICE Raids and Deportations Under Trump

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/19/cambodians_who_fled_war_us_bombs

12.18

‘Draft Beto’ Campaign Launches Just as O’Rourke Booted From ‘No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge’ List
“It’s clear that real climate leaders need to stand up to the fossil fuel industry in many ways, and that includes standing up to the full extent of the fossil fuel industry’s influence on our politics”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Demoratic déjà vu all over again

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/18/draft-beto-campaign-launches-just-orourke-booted-no-fossil-fuel-money-pledge-list
—

In Praise of a Military Budget That Ensures Our Destruction
If we are this committed to destroying life and the planet that sustains it, perhaps the Pentagon does need more money
by Tom Engelhardt

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/18/praise-military-budget-ensures-our-destruction
–

The Coming of Hyperwar: “Alexa, Launch Our Nukes!”
Artificial intelligence and the future of war
by Michael T. Klare

*From the heartless to the soulless

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/18/coming-hyperwar-alexa-launch-our-nukes
–

Global Peasant Declaration Represents Huge Advance for Human Rights
Seventy percent of the world’s population is fed by small-scale producers. These producers, however, face an onslaught of threats related to economic globalization
by Jackie Smith and Caitlin Schroering

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/18/global-peasant-declaration-represents-huge-advance-human-rights
–

Why Are These Labor Unions Opposing Medicare for All?
As long as credible action toward Medicare for All remains scarce among elected Democrats, advancing the policy demands a confrontation with the party establishment—something most labor leaders so far seem unwilling to do
by Natalie Shure

*Solidarity can’t expand in a silo

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/18/why-are-these-labor-unions-opposing-medicare-all
—

The Real News Network
Take the Money Out of Prison Slavery
Activists and students continue a national divestment movement to stop the corporate funding of private prisons. Sylvester Owino, a Kenyan immigrant, spent 10 years in an immigrant detention center while his case bounced between the lower and higher courts. Owino and other activists talk about the private prison divestment movement and abuses in the transporting of prisoners, the origins of the private prison system and their roots in slavery, forced labor for immigrant detainees and looking beyond divestment in order to close private prisons

https://therealnews.com/stories/take-the-money-out-of-prison-slavery
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Examining Yellow Vest Demands

http://accuracy.org/release/examining-yellow-vest-demands
—

Democracy Now!
Meet the Texas Speech Pathologist Who Lost School Job for Refusing to Sign Pro-Israel, Anti-BDS Oath

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/18/meet_the_texas_speech_pathologist_who

Glenn Greenwald: Congress Is Trying to Make It a Federal Crime to Participate in Boycott of Israel

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/18/glenn_greenwald_congress_is_trying_to

12.17

The End of Rolling Thunder? We Can Only Hope So!
How a Nixon campaign dirty trick turned into a full-blown psychosis among America’s paranoid fringe
by Mike Lofgren

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/17/end-rolling-thunder-we-can-only-hope-so
–

Trump, the Quintessential American
We live in an age when the fake, the fraudulent, the fabricated and the theatrical supplant reality
by Chris Hedges

*Sweet land of libertines

Of thee I sting

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/17/trump-quintessential-american
–

American Public’s Backing for One-State Solution Falls on Deaf Ears
A growing number understand that it is time for a new, single state model, one that ends Israel’s treatment of Jews as separate from and superior to Palestinians, and instead offers freedom and equality for all
by Jonathan Cook

*It was always the only just solution

And now it’s just the only solution

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/17/american-publics-backing-one-state-solution-falls-deaf-ears
–

Why Hondurans See Migration as an Act of Civil Disobedience
In walking out of their country en masse, Hondurans are making a loud, bold statement about the extreme injustices they face at home
by Crystal Vance Guerra

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/16/why-hondurans-see-migration-act-civil-disobedience
–

The Truth Buried Alive
by Greg Palast

*The truth shall set free the hounds of legally sanctioned hell

https://www.gregpalast.com/the-truth-buried-alive
—

The Real News Network
When Activists Take Over City Hall: The Case of Barcelona, Spain
Ada Colau, who had been a long-time housing activist, won the mayoral election in Barcelona in 2015 in a tough battle against long-entrenched forces, but is managing to gradually transform the city. Paul Jay talks to her about her experience

https://therealnews.com/stories/when-activists-take-over-city-hall-the-case-of-barcelona-spain

Canada’s Government Rejects Postal Union’s Green Vision While Catering To Big Oil
Speaking from COP24, Dave Bleakney of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the Trudeau government has shown little interest in greening Canada’s postal service

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadas-government-rejects-postal-unions-green-vision-while-catering-to-big-oil

Donald Trump Vs. Donald Trump’s Lawyer: Will Trump Plead Ignorance?
Trump lawyer Michael Cohen says Trump ordered him to make the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal weeks before the 2016 election. An unusual statute covering campaign finance could help Trump, says former financial regulator Bill Black

*Actually, as Black explained, there’s nothing “unusual” about the “Get Out of Jail Free” cards issued to the iniquitous elites, is there?

https://therealnews.com/stories/donald-trump-vs-donald-trumps-lawyer-will-trump-plead-ignorance

Russian Bombers Landing in Venezuela: A Reaction to US Threats
While the US tried to portray the landing of Russian nuclear weapons capable bombers in Venezuela as a threat, Venezuela clearly sees the US as the threat, which is why the Russian military was invited, say Steve Ellner and Greg Wilpert

*The “opening” to Cuba was an opening to US and Western capital.

The stick having failed, the poison carrot is proferred.

https://therealnews.com/stories/russian-bombers-landing-in-venezuela-a-reaction-to-us-threats
—

FAIR
WaPo: Trump Needs to Destroy Venezuela to Save It
by Joe Emersberger

https://fair.org/home/wapo-trump-needs-to-destroy-venezuela-to-save-it

12.14

The Impossibility of Bipartisan Healthcare Compromise
Democrats should write a health-care reform bill so aggressive that it drastically weakens the profitability of Big Medical, and drives many of them out of business entirely. If you cannot join them, beat them
by Ryan Cooper

*Let’s dearly hope that “compromise” is impossible, for there’s nary a Democrat in Congress – “progressive” or otherwise – who won’t choose that “pragmatic” cop out, afforded the opportunity.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/14/impossibility-bipartisan-healthcare-compromise
–

Are the New Congressional Progressives Real? Use These Yardsticks to Find Out
Adopting these suggestions will liberate new members to challenge the taboos entrenched in Congress regarding the corporate crime wave, military budgets, foreign policy, massive corporate welfare giveaways or crony capitalism
by Ralph Nader

*Pretty words

Or the dirty work of democracy?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/14/are-new-congressional-progressives-real-use-these-yardsticks-find-out
—

COP24 Organizers Accused of Censoring Climate Campaigners While Letting Pro-Fossil Fuel Message Flourish
New reporting by Agence France-Presse shows U.N. organizers asked for “dirty energy” reference to be removed from video that would be projected within summit venue
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*A diseased dog and palsied pony show

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/14/cop24-organizers-accused-censoring-climate-campaigners-while-letting-pro-fossil-fuel

Borrowing From Big Tobacco’s Playbook, Johnson & Johnson Knew About Asbestos in Baby Powder for Decades: Reuters
One attorney said 1970s memos that have surfaced due to recent lawsuits are “on par with key docs uncovered in the tobacco litigation”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*No amount of talcum can stem the stench of “Profit Űber Alles”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/14/borrowing-big-tobaccos-playbook-johnson-johnson-knew-about-asbestos-baby-powder

‘Good First Step’ as DeVos Forced to Cancel $150M in Student Loan Debt for Thousands Scammed by For-Profit Schools
“It’s disappointing that it took a court order to get Secretary DeVos to begin providing debt relief to students left in the lurch by predatory for-profit colleges”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Wiping that incessant, insipid and invidious smile from her visage

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/14/good-first-step-devos-forced-cancel-150m-student-loan-debt-thousands-scammed-profit

Quoting Dr. Seuss, Court Throws Out Pipeline Permit and Implores Forest Service to ‘Speak for the Trees’ Instead of Corporate Polluters
Developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project planned for the pipeline to cut across two national forests and the Appalachian Trail
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Seeing the forest for the trees

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/14/quoting-dr-seuss-court-throws-out-pipeline-permit-and-implores-forest-service-speak
—

FAIR
Police Drones Expand as Media Shrink
by Josmar Trujillo

*Flying the spy friendly skies

https://fair.org/home/police-drones-expand-as-media-shrink

12.13

Yellow Vest Uprising Exposes Urgent Need for Rapid Energy Transition That Stiffs Elites, Lifts the Working Class
“There will be no justice unless those who are responsible for emissions—namely multinationals and the better off in society who consume the most, are those who bear the brunt of the cost of transition”
byJulia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/13/yellow-vest-uprising-exposes-urgent-need-rapid-energy-transition-stiffs-elites-lifts
—

I’m a Postal Worker. If You Get Mail in a Small Town or Suburb, Listen Up!
A Trump administration plan could mean reduced service and higher postage for at least half of all ZIP codes
by Kathy Toler

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/13/im-postal-worker-if-you-get-mail-small-town-or-suburb-listen
–

Amazon’s Disturbing Plan to Add Face Surveillance to Your Front Door
It is doing so without regard for how the technology will be exploited by law enforcement, ICE, and other government agencies prone to violence and racial discrimination
by Jacob Snow

*Jeff (“Democracy Dies in Darkness”) Bezos isn’t doing this “without regard” for the calamitous consequences

It’s the sinister selling point to those with a police state of mind.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/13/amazons-disturbing-plan-add-face-surveillance-your-front-door
—

The Real News Network
US Consumer Board Conceals how Wells Fargo Fleeces Students
The Consumer Financial Protection Board kept a detailed report about how Wells Fargo has long been involved in charging students up to three times more for financial services than other banks do. Why did the CFPB not reveal this? Bill Black explains

*The best way to rob a bank[‘s customers]

Is to own one

https://therealnews.com/stories/us-consumer-board-conceals-how-wells-fargo-fleeces-students

Canadian Court Hands Important Victory to BDS Movement
A Canadian court ruled that Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions activists were denied free speech and campaigning rights when the city of Montreal tore down their posters highlighting an Israeli atrocity during an election campaign in Canada. We discuss the case with Bruce Katz, one of the main plaintiffs

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadian-court-hands-important-victory-to-bds-movement

Theresa May’s Brexit Blood in Water as UK Tories Circle
UK Prime Minister Theresa May wins a no-confidence vote, but the Conservatives remain split on the Brexit deal, says Jeremy Smith, Co-director of Prime Economics

https://therealnews.com/stories/theresa-mays-brexit-blood-in-water-as-uk-tories-circle

Pro-Israel Lobby Groups Secretly Admits Boycott Is Effective, Leaked Report Shows
Ali Abunimah discusses a leaked report from Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), a front for Israel government-backed lobby group StandWithUs, which admits the cultural boycott is “constantly growing” and “innovative”

https://therealnews.com/stories/pro-israel-lobby-groups-secretly-admits-boycott-is-effective-leaked-report-shows
—

FAIR
William Blum, US Policy Critic Derided by NYT, Dies at 85
by Jim Naureckas

*Speaking ill of the dead

Who were never allowed to answer in life

https://fair.org/home/william-blum-us-policy-critic-derided-by-nyt-dies-at-85
–

Refugee Caravan: Lots of Coverage, Little Context
Alan MacLeod

*A border wall between inconvenient facts and disingenuous fancy

https://fair.org/home/refugee-caravan-lots-of-coverage-little-context

12.12

‘Stand Up, Fight Back!’ Protestors Storm Capitol as Michigan GOP Moves Ahead With Lame-Duck Coup
“We spoke loud and clear in November, and the sore loser Republicans are now shamelessly passing bill after bill to trample on the people and protect their ‘power'”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/12/stand-fight-back-protestors-storm-capitol-michigan-gop-moves-ahead-lame-duck-coup
—

Why Green New Deal Advocates Must Address Militarism
Where is the call for the New Peace Deal that would free up hundreds of billions from the overblown military budget to invest in green infrastructure?
by Medea Benjamin and Alice Slater

*Can we open up our issue silos, and work to close down their missile silos?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/12/why-green-new-deal-advocates-must-address-militarism
–

How To Elect Democrats Who Actually Answer To Workers
To hold policy makers accountable, workers must be able to build fighting organizations in which workers, not full-time staffs in sealed-off political departments, call the endorsement shots
by Jane McAlevey

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/12/how-elect-democrats-who-actually-answer-workers
–

I Walked Right Up to Militarized Police at the Border
Behind the agents, we could see our brothers and sisters watching from the Mexico side of the wall. We could hear them singing
by Lucy Duncan

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/12/i-walked-right-militarized-police-border
—

Chicago Teachers Union
CTU Statement on Rahm’s Proposed Pension Scheme

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/12/ctu-statement-rahms-proposed-pension-scheme

Food & Water Watch
Farm Bill Fails to Address Critical Problems with Food System

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/12/farm-bill-fails-address-critical-problems-food-system
—

The Real News Network
Russophobia and the Mueller Investigation
Marc Steiner and Paul Jay discuss corporate news’ coverage of the Mueller investigation and what motivates the rhetoric about Russia’s threat to American democracy

https://therealnews.com/stories/russophobia-and-the-mueller-investigation

Ukraine Requests NATO Military Buildup, Imposes Martial Law as Russia Sends Troops to Border
Tensions flare as Ukraine imposes martial law and President Poroshenko requests a major NATO military presence in the Black Sea, while Russia sends troops to Crimea and its border. Historian Tarik Cyril Amar speaks about the increasing militarization of the conflict

https://therealnews.com/stories/ukraine-requests-nato-military-buildup-imposes-martial-law-as-russia-sends-troops-to-border
—

Democracy Now!
U.S. & Other Big Polluters Obstruct U.N. Climate Talks, Stalling Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/12/us_other_big_polluters_obstruct_un

12.11

As Schumer and Pelosi Offer Up $1.3 Billion, Progressives Say ‘Not One Dime’ Should Go to Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda
“Saying it louder for the people in the back: Start and end with $0 for Donald Trump’s border wall”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Central Casting couldn’t come up with better than Pelosi and Schumer as soulless “public servants”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/11/schumer-and-pelosi-offer-13-billion-progressives-say-not-one-dime-should-go-trumps
—

Imagine a World Without War, Where Migrants Are Welcomed, Where Women Are Not Targets
Fighting indifference with justice on International Human Rights Day
by Vijay Prashad

*Averting our eyes doesn’t absolve our souls

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/11/imagine-world-without-war-where-migrants-are-welcomed-where-women-are-not-targets
–

Biological Annihilation: A Planet in Loss Mode
On the great vanishing happening before our eyes

*Where are the cards for these creatures in a Green New Deal?

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/11/biological-annihilation-planet-loss-mode
—

The Real News Network
Black Women are the Most Rapidly Growing Prison Population, Criminalized and Stereotyped as Aggressive
Caryn York, executive director of the Job Opportunities Task Force and Nicole Hanson, director of Out for Justice, talk about why black girls are punished more harshly than any other demographic and are the largest growing population in the prison system. Black women are given stereotypical handles like aggressive and hostile. Instead of dealing with the trauma that comes from a lack of investment in and support for black women, we criminalize them

https://therealnews.com/stories/black-women-are-the-most-rapidly-growing-prison-population-criminalized-and-stereotyped-as-aggressive

Hungary’s Far-Right Government Hurtling Toward Dictatorship with Crackdown on Free Press
The far-right government of EU/NATO member Hungary is cracking down on independent media. Prime Minister Viktor Orban is also exploiting anti-Semitism, while closely allied with Israel. Journalist Benjamin Novak says even elections are now just a formality

https://therealnews.com/stories/hungarys-far-right-government-hurtling-toward-dictatorship-with-crackdown-on-free-press

France’s Macron Makes Concessions while ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests Continue
Militant “yellow vest” protests continue in France, despite President Macron’s efforts to offer concessions

https://therealnews.com/stories/frances-macron-makes-concessions-while-yellow-vest-protests-continue

12.10

The Inequality to Be Suffered by Our Children
Greater equality of wealth and opportunity can only be achieved through progressive policies, now and in 2020
by Paul Buchheit

*I’m trying to suss how you can call Dems complicit in this crimogenic culture, then proceed to point to “progressive policies” from someone like Booker, a card carrying member of what Glen Ford terms “the black misleadership class”, as the way forward.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/10/inequality-be-suffered-our-children
–

Inequality at the Center of Chicago Charter School Strikes
Teachers won the first charter school strike in the U.S. by demanding everything from pay raises to sanctuary for students
by Negin Owliaei

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/10/inequality-center-chicago-charter-school-strikes
—

The Real News Network
George H.W. Bush: War Criminal, CIA Spy, Oil Tycoon, Embodiment of US Elite
President George H. W. Bush was an elite custodian of capitalism and empire, with countless victims, from Iraq to Panama. The former oil tycoon and CIA director paved the way for Trumpism

*”A thousand points of light”

Setting the world aflame

https://therealnews.com/stories/george-h-w-bush-war-criminal-cia-spy-oil-tycoon-embodiment-of-us-elite

Trudeau Government Deprives Postal Workers of the Right to Strike
Mike Palecek, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), says Justin Trudeau is abandoning the values he claims to care about

https://therealnews.com/stories/trudeau-government-deprives-postal-workers-of-the-right-to-strike

Trump’s Trade Policy Towards China: A Distraction to Benefit the Rich
As stock markets around the world are reeling from contradictory Trump administration signals regarding US policy towards China, we look at who benefits, and what would a better trade policy towards China look like. CEPR’s Mark Weisbrot and PERI’s Gerald Epstein discuss the issue

*If you accept that “There Is No Alternative” ™, then I suppose this discussion makes some sense from a perspective of a more just world.

But what if you don’t?

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-trade-policy-towards-china-a-distraction-to-benefit-of-the-rich

Lopez Obrador’s Plans to Lead Mexico out of Neoliberalism Will Mean Crossing Swords with the US
We now have a politically experienced president in Mexico – gone are the days when Mexico kowtows to the US. This will mean a more sovereign economic and foreign policy, says Vijay Prashad of Tricontinental Institute for Social Research

*Ever notice how hosannas are sung by the “alternative media” prior to the ascension of someone like Lopez Obrador, enumerating all the wonderful things that will come to pass, and then once they take office, how quickly excusive analyses are made as to why those wonderful things may not actually occur due to the constraints of “the real world”?

We’re left to wonder just how that “real world” will change, then, aren’t we?

https://therealnews.com/stories/lopez-obradors-plans-to-lead-mexico-out-of-neoliberalism-will-mean-crossing-swords-with-the-us

12.7

HUD Official to Move Into Public Housing?
Patton moving in for a month on her $161,000 salary won’t shed a spotlight on inhumanity as much as on herself and on the Trump agenda, which, like that of most Republicans, is about promoting the private at the expense of the public
by Laura Flanders

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/07/hud-official-move-public-housing
—

‘Complete Wiping Away of Clean Water Act’: Trump EPA Rule Would Free Corporations to Pollute Nation’s Water as Much as They Please
“As a result of the change, an estimated 60-90 percent of U.S. waterways could lose federal protections that currently shield them from pollution and development”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/07/complete-wiping-away-clean-water-act-trump-epa-rule-would-free-corporations-pollute

‘Europe Condemns People to Drown’ by Forcing MSF Ship to Cease Migrant Rescue Missions
“Not only has Europe failed to provide search and rescue capacity, it has also actively sabotaged others’ attempts to save lives”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”European values” has a hauntingly hollow ring to it

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/07/europe-condemns-people-drown-forcing-msf-ship-cease-migrant-rescue-missions
—

The Real News Network
Ecuadorian Ex-Diplomat: Report Claiming Assange Met Manafort Is False
The Guardian report claiming WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange met with Paul Manafort is fake news, says the former consul in Ecuador’s London embassy, Fidel Narváez. But it is true that Trump’s ex-campaign chairman met with new Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno to discuss handing Assange over to the US.

https://therealnews.com/stories/ecuadorian-ex-diplomat-report-claiming-assange-met-manafort-is-false
—

FAIR
Factcheck False Equivalence
WaPo rates Ocasio-Cortez’s misconstrued Pentagon study as bad as Trump’s biggest lies
by Reed Richardson

*Given the faux fest on the life and times of Bush the elder across the corpress, the irony doesn’t drip

It gushes.

https://fair.org/home/factcheck-false-equivalence
—

Democracy Now!
Winona LaDuke Calls for Indigenous-Led “Green New Deal” as She Fights Minnesota Pipeline Expansion

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/7/winona_laduke_calls_for_indigenous_led

The Deadly Cost of Pipelines in Native Land: Winona LaDuke on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/7/winona_laduke_crisis_of_missing_murdered

12.6

After Years of Fearmongering Mythical Threat of Voter Fraud, GOP ‘Silence Now Deafening’ as Real Election Fraud Exposed in North Carolina
“There’s finally a case that looks like real, election-changing election fraud. It just so happens that it’s alleged to have benefited a Republican. Suddenly, the North Carolina GOP is less concerned about the effects of fraud.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It might be true that “⁦In a different time, [A Democratic] attorney general” wouldn’t be silent on this crime.

Whether she or he would do a goddamn thing of actual substance about it is an entirely other matter.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/06/after-years-fearmongering-mythical-threat-voter-fraud-gop-silence-now-deafening-real

New Lancet Study Shows Right-Wing Attacks on Refugees and Migrants Based on ‘White Nationalist Propaganda’—Not Facts
“Migrants commonly contribute more to the economy than they cost, and how we shape their health and well-being today will impact our societies for generations to come”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/06/new-lancet-study-shows-right-wing-attacks-refugees-and-migrants-based-white
—

Clarifying terminology crucial in transgender debate
by Robert Jensen

https://www.tribtalk.org/2018/12/06/clarifying-terminology-crucial-in-transgender-debate
—

Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
Trial Concludes: Judge Rules Pipeline Company Trespassed But Allows Taking of Private Property

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/06/trial-concludes-judge-rules-pipeline-company-trespassed-allows-taking-private
—

The Real News Network
Pentagon Engaged in Unfathomable Financial Mismanagement
Around the same time that auditors declared that the Department of Defense’s finances are unauditable, The Nation published an extensive exposé of just how deliberately falsified and mismanaged the Pentagon’s accounts are. We speak to the report’s author, investigative journalist David Lindorff

*Wrapping the swag in the flag

https://therealnews.com/stories/pentagon-engaged-in-unfathomable-financial-mismanagement

Black communities denied $156 billion in property value says new Brookings report
“The pipes in Flint, Michigan could have been replaced 3,000 times with that money” says lead study author Dr. Andre Perry

https://therealnews.com/stories/black-communities-denied-156-billion-in-property-value-says-new-brookings-report

Rattling the Bars: Stopping Corporate Exploitation in Prisons (2/2)
Eddie Conway talks with Bianca Tylek, founder of the Corrections Accountability Corporation, about thousands of corporations funding private prisons and immigration detention centers and what citizens can do about it

https://therealnews.com/stories/rattling-the-bars-stopping-corporate-exploitation-in-prisons-pt-2-2
—

Democracy Now!
“The Silence of Others”: New Film Warns Against Spain’s Fascist History Repeating Itself

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/6/the_silence_of_others_new_film

12.5

With Deadline to Save Net Neutrality Days Away, Here Are the 18 Democrats Still Siding With Telecom Donors Over Open Internet
“It’s clear that these congressmembers are deep in the pockets of lobbyists at Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T. These telecoms have given them hundreds of thousands of dollars in ‘campaign donations'”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/05/deadline-save-net-neutrality-days-away-here-are-18-democrats-still-siding-telecom
—

G20: You Can Smell Tear Gas in the Streets as the Oil Industry Squabbles
What the G20 and OPEC meetings mean for the political relations, economies, and people of the world
by Vijay Prashad

*Spats over how much oil to pour on the fire

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/05/g20-you-can-smell-tear-gas-streets-oil-industry-squabbles
—

Friends of the Earth Scotland
Fury at SNP Climate Hypocrisy

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/05/fury-snp-climate-hypocrisy
—

The Real News Network
Sen. Graham Wants a More Reliable Fascist in Saudi Arabia – Paul Jay
Senators such as Lindsey Graham want to overthrow the Saudi crown prince MBS in order to have a more reliable ally against Iran and to suppress the Saudi masses

*MBS is apparently no fan of Mafia movies.

If we were, he’d know the fate of those who cross the boss of all bosses.

https://therealnews.com/stories/sen-graham-wants-a-more-reliable-fascist-in-saudi-arabia-paul-jay

An Off-Duty Cop Pulled a Gun on Teen Waiting for a Bus, How Will the City Respond?
The nearly deadly encounter between an unarmed teen and an off-duty Baltimore police officer still haunts the family, but the recent controversy involving the city’s civilian review board may leave them with nowhere to turn

https://therealnews.com/stories/an-off-duty-cop-pulled-a-gun-on-teen-waiting-for-a-bus-how-will-the-city-respond
—

Democracy Now!
A Lame-Duck “Legislative Coup”: Wisconsin GOP Stages Last-Minute Power Grab Before Dems Take Office

*And where’s Evers in all this?

Prattling about “working across the aisle” with these bastards.

I said I’d vote for an empty roll of toilet tissue against Walker

And that’s just what we got.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/5/a_lame_duck_legislative_coup_wisconsin

How False Testimony and a Massive U.S. Propaganda Machine Bolstered George H.W. Bush’s War on Iraq

*Nobody “fell” for anything.

The corpress, the Congress, the “human rights” groups … only fools would have believed any of this on its face.

They weren’t fools … but they helped to play the public for one.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/5/how_false_testimony_and_a_massive

12.4

‘We Are All Here Together’: Demanding Charter Network Use Vast Resources for Better Pay, First of Its Kind Teacher Strike in Chicago
Despite increased revenue and cash on hand this year for the 15-school charter network, management has refused to give raises to overworked staffers
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/04/we-are-all-here-together-demanding-charter-network-use-vast-resources-better-pay
—

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
As World Gathers for COP24, Chase Bank Found Undermining Paris Agreement by Financing Coal Power Expansion in Poland

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/04/world-gathers-cop24-chase-bank-found-undermining-paris-agreement-financing-coal

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
City Misleads Flint Residents: Thousands of Lead Pipes Likely Remain in Flint

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/12/04/city-misleads-flint-residents-thousands-lead-pipes-likely-remain-flint
—

The Real News Network
Rattling the Bars: Stopping Corporate Exploitation in Prisons (Pt. 1/2)
Eddie Conway talks with Bianca Tylek, founder of the Corrections Accountability Corporation, about thousands of corporations funding private prisons and immigration detention centers and what citizens can do about it

https://therealnews.com/stories/rattling-the-bars-stopping-corporate-exploitation-in-prisons-pt-1-2

Expectations Sky High for Mexico’s Newly Inaugurated President Lopez Obrador
Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s new center-left president, was inaugurated and outlined policies that were more ambitious than what he campaigned on, says Laura Carlsen, of the Americas Program of the Center for International Policy in Mexico City

*History notes a vast difference between talking loud and walking proud

https://therealnews.com/stories/expectations-skyhigh-for-mexicos-newly-inaugurated-president-lopez-obrador
—

Democracy Now!
Greg Grandin: George H.W. Bush’s 1989 Invasion of Panama Set the Stage for U.S. Wars to Come

*The “gentle soul” and his gruesome sins

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/4/greg_grandin_george_hw_bushs_1989

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: U.S. Owes Reparations to Panama over Bush’s Invasion

*And all the other mass murderers pay homage to one after their own dark hearts

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/4/inter_american_commission_on_human_rights

How George H.W. Bush’s Pardons for Iran-Contra Conspirators Set the Stage for Trump’s Impunity

*A saw an editorial cartoon of Bush represented as one of “a thousand points of light” in the heavens.

Luckily, I hadn’t yet eaten breakfast.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/4/how_george_hw_bushs_pardons_for

Ariel Dorfman: George H.W. Bush Is Alive in His Many Victims Across the Globe, Including Me

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/4/ariel_dorfman_george_hw_bush_is

12.3

To Protect Asylum-Seeking Family From Deportation, Dutch Church Holds Round-the-Clock Services for 900 Hours and Counting
Taking advantage of a law barring authorities from entering a church during worship, a Protestant church has held services continuously since the family was given sanctuary there on October 26
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*WWJD?

Stock up on throat spray

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/03/protect-asylum-seeking-family-deportation-dutch-church-holds-round-clock-services

Challenge to Trump’s Environmentally Disastrous Plan to ‘Wreak Havoc Along the Border’ Blocked by Supreme Court
‘A human-made barrier on the scale of the proposed border wall would have a serious impact on animals,’ conservation group had argued
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/12/03/challenge-trumps-environmentally-disastrous-plan-wreak-havoc-along-border-blocked
—

The Opposite of Evil Is No Longer Goodness
My point is simple. It’s now time to focus on courage.
by Frances Moore Lappé

*Courage can bring consequences – even dire ones

But whatever may come, we will know that in that moment we were at our best, our most transcendentally human

And that can never be taken from us.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/03/opposite-evil-no-longer-goodness
–

Emptying the Cages
A new book envisions the end of animal factory farming and all the suffering it causes
by Jacy Reese

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/03/emptying-cages
—

The Real News Network
World Leaders Fight Over Turbulent Oil Market at G20 Summit
As world leaders gather for the G20 summit, oil is at the top of the list of issues. Scholar Vijay Prashad discusses the fight between the US, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia over price and production, and notes India is in talks with Crown Prince MBS

https://therealnews.com/stories/world-leaders-fight-over-turbulent-oil-market-at-g20-summit

Globalization, Inequality & the Predictable Corporate Takeover of the WTO (1/2)
The corporate takeover of platforms like the World Trade Organization has been denounced by developing countries and activists for decades, and today the denunciations are reflected in rebuttals to pro-corporate machinations like those unpacked in this series of presentations at the 2018 World Trade Organization Public Forum

*A club for the clubbers

https://therealnews.com/stories/globalization-inequality-the-predictable-corporate-takeover-of-the-wto-1-2

US Bombing Kills 30 Civilians in Afghanistan as US-Led War Enters its 18th Year
Casualties in the 17-year US war effort in Afghanistan is higher now than any time since 2009. Former marine and state department official Matthew Hoh says that there still is no end in sight.

*I deeply appreciate Hoh’s visceral aversion to the rationalization for this horror show. So often this “war effort” (Jesus) is presented in the “alternative media” as a “mistake”, not a war crime of empire … that the cause was “just” in some sense, but it’s been perverted for political ends. Notice how W’s imperialist sins almost always begin with Iraq, not Afghanistan.

As the man said, “Bullshit”.

This was always about resources and geopolitical aims. That anyone can justify it as “revenge” utterly ignores that that reasoning would legitimate bombing the fuck out of the US for all its crimes abroad.

That next to no one stood against it speaks volumes about the state of the “antiwar movement” in these here United States, then and now.

https://therealnews.com/stories/3-us-soldiers-killed-50-civilians-die-in-retaliatory-bombing-afghanistans-endless-war

The Never-Ending Brexit
The Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU is a temporary arrangement that maintains much of the status quo and does not really provide a clear path forward. As it stands, it could lead to Prime Minister Theresa May’s fall, says Prof. Leo Panitch

*As long as Labour plays pretend socialism, it will always find itself in these fixes, and deservedly so.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-never-ending-brexit
—

Petition
Ban Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Massachusetts
by Mariya Taher

https://www.change.org/p/ban-female-genital-mutilation-cutting-in-massachusettsv
—

FAIR
Misreporting Manafort: A Case Study in Journalistic Malpractice
by Alan MacLeod

*Democracy dies in the darkness

With the corpress wielding the garotte

https://fair.org/home/misreporting-manafort-a-case-study-in-journalistic-malpractice
—

Democracy Now!
Remembering George H.W. Bush’s Inaction on AIDS at Home While Detaining HIV+ Haitians at Guantánamo

*The corpress always covers the caskets of the “esteemed” in whitewash

(And St. Bernard adds his own bipartisan brush strokes in the next segment.

Oy gevalt … )

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/12/3/remembering_george_hw_bushs_inaction_on

November 2018

11.30

Trump Greenlights Another ‘Violent, Destructive’ Assault on Marine Life With Seismic Testing Approval
Trump, warn conservationists, is essentially giving the fossil fuel industry the permission “to harass, harm and possibly even kill marine life… all in the pursuit of dirty and dangerous offshore oil”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/30/trump-greenlights-another-violent-destructive-assault-marine-life-seismic-testing

NAFTA 2.0 Signed: A Deal for ‘The Corporate One Percent’
The new deal, says Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), does “not do nearly enough to raise wages for workers, lower costs for healthcare consumers, or protect the environment”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*SHAFTA

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/30/nafta-20-signed-deal-corporate-one-percent
—

The Long, Brutal U.S. War on Children in the Middle East
Why the movements that pressured the U.S. Senate to reject current U.S. foreign policy regarding Saudi Arabia and its war on Yemen must continue to raise their voices
by Kathy Kelly

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/30/long-brutal-us-war-children-middle-east
—

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Coal Boss Who Pushed for Industry Bailout Doubts Trump Will Deliver
Even the Coal Industry Can See Through White House’s Empty Promises

*Hauling away Mr. Peabody’s coal train

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/30/coal-boss-who-pushed-industry-bailout-doubts-trump-will-deliver
—

The Real News Network
NATO & EU Member Poland Collaborates with Fascists & Mandates Holocaust Revisionism
Poland’s far-right government, a close US ally, co-sponsored a fascist march after passing a law that makes Holocaust revisionism mandatory. Dovid Katz of Defending History warns Eastern European NATO/EU member states are becoming authoritarian nationalist regimes

https://therealnews.com/stories/nato-eu-member-poland-collaborates-with-fascists-mandates-holocaust-revisionism

Convert Military to Green Production, or Perish – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (13/13)
A massive reduction in ICBM’s and transforming the economy away from the military-industrial complex are prerequisites for our survival – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Even one nuke is too many. Whether by error or insanity, its use would engender a reaction that would be cataclysmic for humanity.

It’s not a matter of unilateral disarmament. Governments have to be forced to negotiate in good faith an end to this abomination, which will require the sort of global solidarity that likely isn’t possible, given the fact that humans are the least evolved species.

But we have to try, or let cynicism write our epitaph.

https://therealnews.com/stories/convert-military-to-green-production-or-perish-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-13-13

Obama tells Wall Street to thank him for making so much money, at elite gala with top Bush/Reagan official
by Ben Norton

*Now tell me … will a single Democrat officeholder (including those in the oh so principled “New Wave” [tm]) condemn this, or even mention it?

I’m taking bets. I could use some easy money.

https://therealnews.com/columns/obama-tells-wall-street-to-thank-him-for-making-so-much-money-at-elite-gala-with-top-bush-reagan-official

Bolton Meets Far-Right President-Elect Bolsonaro to Nail Down Closer Cooperation with Brazil
National Security Advisor John Bolton visited Brazil on Thursday, to find areas of agreement with Brazil’s recently elected far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro. Key targets include Venezuela and Cuba

https://therealnews.com/stories/bolton-meets-far-right-president-elect-bolsonaro-to-nail-down-closer-cooperation-with-brazil
—

FAIR
Not So Black & White: NYT Touts Rural Voters, Buries Racism in Mississippi Election Analysis
by Reed Richardson

*This good ol’ boy from Miss’ssippi knows the toxicity of racism that exists among its hills and molehills, and also that the Times wilfully enables that virus through its diluted and diversionary language, as it strives mightily to ensure its readership and the larger public remain in their moral torpor.

https://fair.org/home/not-so-black-white-nyt-touts-rural-voters-buries-racism-in-mississippi-election-analysis
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
CNN Fires Hill for Arguing for Equal Rights in Israel-Palestine

http://accuracy.org/release/cnn-fires-hill-for-arguing-for-equal-rights-in-israel-palestine
—

Democracy Now!
Medicare for All: As Healthcare Costs Soar, Momentum Grows to Guarantee Healthcare for All Americans

*Besides the corps, the Republicans and the DNCistas, the tripwire here is the “progressive” tendency to accept half steps “on the way to” what they claim to champion.

Pressure on them is as essential as it is on the usual villains in this piece.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/30/medicare_for_all_as_healthcare_costs

11.29

Hackers Stole Nearly Quarter Million Dollars Our Revolution Raised for Standing Rock Protests
“We’d done fundraising specifically on behalf of the tribe, and to have that money just be gone and never reach its intended purpose was unacceptable,” said former board member Lucy Flores. “So we decided to give them the money that was raised and take the loss as an organization.”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/29/hackers-stole-nearly-quarter-million-dollars-our-revolution-raised-standing-rock
—

Making Native Americans Strangers in Their Own Land
The DNA industry and the disappearing Indian
by Aviva Chomsky

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/29/making-native-americans-strangers-their-own-land
–

Who Benefits When Women Human Rights Defenders Are Targeted?
What do all of these stories have in common? These women all have tried to remake the world, in ways big and small.
by Yifat Susskind

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/29/who-benefits-when-women-human-rights-defenders-are-targeted
–

A Message of Indigenous Resistance and Inspiration From the Amazon
Our fight is not just a fight about oil — it’s a fight about a different way of living
by Nemonte Nenquimo

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/29/message-indigenous-resistance-and-inspiration-amazon
–

Guardian Escalates Its Vilification of Julian Assange
The Guardian did not make a mistake in vilifying Assange without a shred of evidence. It did what it is designed to do.
by Jonathan Cook

*When proclaimed critics of the ruling class and their courtiers conflate malevolence with “mistakes”, they undermine a narrative necessary to truly challenge their power.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/29/guardian-escalates-its-vilification-julian-assange
—

The Real News Network
GM’s Layoffs Made Possible by Weak Unions, Automatization, and Bad Priorities
Prof. Leo Panitch and former auto worker Frank Hammer discuss how the GM’s 14,000 layoffs in Canada and the US are made possible by the weakening of unions, outsourcing, and misdirected production priorities

*The crime is always committed by capital, but most all union “leadership” are accomplices, waving the totem of “jobs” when societal necessity dictates a change from the status quo, rather than standing in solidarity with the cause of true human progress, and working for a just transition for their memberships to facilitate it.

“Now the labor leader’s screamin’ when they close the missile plants”
— Phil Ochs, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore”

https://therealnews.com/stories/gms-layoffs-made-possible-by-weak-unions-automatization-and-bad-priorities

Counting the Drops: Climate Change and The Colorado River
In the midst of a prolonged drought, Arizona’s cities have found ways to adapt to low water reserves and put tight water management programs in place, in order to ensure future reserves

*I’d like to know how pricing policy plays out; whether it takes into account ability to pay. If not, it seems a regressive method of water management.

https://therealnews.com/stories/counting-the-drops-climate-change-and-the-colorado-river

Chinese Scientist’s Human Genetic Engineering Experiment is ‘Crazy’
Stuart Newman, cell biology professor and founding member of the Council for Responsible Genetics, says that the experiment where human twins had genes engineered to make them immune from the HIV virus is a ‘crazy’ project because it misunderstands the dangers and complexity of how genes work

https://therealnews.com/stories/chinese-scientists-human-genetic-engineering-experiment-is-crazy
—

FAIR
‘This Is About Systematically Impoverishing People’
CounterSpin interview with Felicia Kornbluh on ‘welfare reform’
by Janine Jackson

*It’s frustrating to hear such an intelligent and aware person as Kornbluh wistfully hope for some sort of contrite confession from corporate toadies like the Clintons and the rest of the DNCistas, and then we can all come together to do the right thing.

The naiveté is striking, and debilitating in its effect on making the change she wants.

That’s not to say that the bluer version of party officeholders is by any means the full meal deal. That will become depressingly apparent in due time, and when it does, I dearly hope that we can finally begin to put principles before personalities

But I won’t put scared money on the proposition.

https://fair.org/home/this-is-about-systematically-impoverishing-people

Pundits Policing Protest at Tucker Carlson’s House
Shrinking the space for dissent to white supremacy
by Gregory Shupak

*A corpress kettling of the “uncivil”

https://fair.org/home/pundits-policing-protest-at-tucker-carlsons-house
—

Democracy Now!
George Monbiot: Ending Meat & Dairy Consumption Is Needed to Prevent Worst Impacts of Climate Change

*A steady diet of devastation

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/29/george_monbiot_ending_meat_dairy_consumption

11.28

‘This Is Abominable’: Trump’s DHS Using Info Coaxed From ‘Scared, Jailed’ Children to Locate, Arrest, and Deport Families
“We witnessed unimaginable atrocities at the border this weekend—yet terrible treatment does not end when people cross the border”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/28/abominable-trumps-dhs-using-info-coaxed-scared-jailed-children-locate-arrest-and
—

CNN’s Anderson Cooper Cancels Segment With Climate Report Author to Give Rick Santorum More Air Time
After being interviewed for Anderson Cooper 360°, Katharine Hayhoe’s interview about the latest national report on climate change never aired
by Michael Molitch-Hou

*When Killer Clown rails against “the Enemy of THE PEOPLE”, his sin is in his intent

Not his characterization.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/28/cnns-anderson-cooper-cancels-segment-climate-report-author-give-rick-santorum-more
–

Amazon Gives to End Homelessness? That’s Rich.
This is the same trillion dollar corporation that just extracted billions of taxpayer dollars in what amount to bribes from two cash-strapped states: Virginia and New York
by Laura Flanders

*Noblesse obliging themselves

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/28/amazon-gives-end-homelessness-thats-rich
–

General Motors, Sears and Toys R Us: Layoffs Across America Highlight Our Shredding Financial Safety Net
Millions of Americans are in danger of entering their final decades unable to afford ballooning medical bills and cost-of-living expenses
by Ross Barkan

*If health care is a right to be realized through universal access, then shouldn’t retirement security likewise be?

The quality of your elder life shouldn’t depend on the circumstances that preceded it, but on society’s commitment to ensuring its dignity.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/28/general-motors-sears-and-toys-r-us-layoffs-across-america-highlight-our-shredding
—

The Real News Network
Airbnb Pressured to Remove Listings in Illegal Israeli Settlements on Occupied Palestinian Land
House-sharing company Airbnb was pressured to remove listings in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank after a campaign by human rights organizations. CODEPINK’s Ariel Gold says this is a big victory for peace activists

https://therealnews.com/stories/airbnb-pressured-to-remove-listings-in-illegal-israeli-settlements-on-occupied-palestinian-land

How Inequality Increases Environmental Damage for Everyone (But Not Equally)
James Boyce of PERI discusses how inequalities in power encourage the creation of environmental damage. Inequality disempowers some communities while allowing the powerful to profit at the environment’s and everyone else’s expense

*Sadly, those historical challenges weren’t “overcome” … only mitigated to some extent. The diseases still exist, as any sober assessment of society will attest, and if we’re serious about survival, we have to acknowledge that to be the case with enviromental degradation and climate change, and not be lulled by the siren song of the “politically possible”, which, as with every other ill emanating from injustice, will only reduce the amount of death and destruction, not end it, except that in the end, climate change creates no “winners”

We all lose.

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-inequality-increases-environmental-damage-for-everyone-but-not-equally

What Can Britain Teach the US About Curbing Gun Violence?
After a 1996 school shooting, Britain implemented tough gun control laws. Today they have 100 times fewer gun deaths than the United States

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-can-britain-teach-the-us-about-curbing-gun-violence
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Will Sen. Sanders Press for Peace?

*Putting your mouth where the money is

http://accuracy.org/release/will-sen.-sanders-press-for-peace
—

Democracy Now!
Brother of Honduran President Is Arrested for Cocaine Trafficking as Migrants Flee Violent Drug War

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/28/brother_of_honduran_president_is_arrested

“It Is Not a Natural Disaster”: Dana Frank on How U.S.-Backed Coup in Honduras Fueled Migrant Crisis

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/28/it_is_not_a_natural_disaster

Honduras: As Berta Cáceres Murder Trial Nears End, Will True Perpetrators Be Brought to Justice?

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/28/honduras_as_berta_caceres_murder_trial

How Tear Gas Became a Favorite Weapon of U.S. Border Patrol, Despite Being Banned In Warfare

*There are plenty of parallels between Killer Clown and LBJ, and every other mass murderer who’s occupied the Oval Office, stating the literally bleeding obvious.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/28/how_tear_gas_became_a_favorite
—

Mesothelioma Awareness: Do You Know the Risks?
by Lauren Adam

https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/mesothelioma-awareness

11.27

Rebuffing Prime Minister’s Order to Stay in Class, Australian Students Forge Ahead With #ClimateStrike Walkouts
“We’re at the stage where we can’t vote and by the time we’re in power, it’s going to be too late to start making change”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Applied learning

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/27/rebuffing-prime-ministers-order-stay-class-australian-students-forge-ahead

‘This Is Sketchy’: Critics Warn Against Blind Acceptance of Explosive Guardian Report About Secret Manafort-Assange Meetings
“Which is true? The Guardian’s anonymous claims or WikiLeaks’ vehement denials? You can pick which to believe based on which one most advances your political narrative, or refrain from forming judgments until evidence is available. I’m going to opt for the latter course.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”Smoking guns” often are only blowing smoke

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/27/sketchy-critics-warn-against-blind-acceptance-explosive-guardian-report-about-secret
—

Food & Water Watch
Another Friday News Dump: USDA Posts Alarming Data About Privatized Inspection at Poultry Plants

*USDA says you can make chicken salad out of chicken shit

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/27/another-friday-news-dump-usda-posts-alarming-data-about-privatized-inspection
—

The Real News Network
Dismantle the American Doomsday Machine – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (12/13)
Congress should hold hearings into nuclear winter and eliminating the hair-trigger and obsolete ICBMs, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Hey God

Maybe free will wasn’t such a smart idea …

https://therealnews.com/stories/dismantle-the-american-doomsday-machine-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-12-13

Right-Wing Media: Britain’s Free Healthcare System on the Verge of “Imploding”
Two British doctors fire back at recent criticism of Britain’s government run National Health Service by Donald Trump and conservative commentators

*Bleed the patient, then declare her anemic

https://therealnews.com/stories/right-wing-media-britains-free-healthcare-system-on-the-verge-of-imploding
—

Democracy Now!
Witness: “No Warning” Before U.S. Border Patrol Started Tear Gassing Central American Asylum Seekers

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/27/witness_no_warning_before_us_border

Border Patrol Officer Who Shot Unarmed Teenager on Mexican Soil Is Acquitted of Manslaughter Charges

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/27/border_patrol_officer_who_shot_unarmed

How a Climate Change-Fueled Drought & U.S.-Fed Violence Are Driving Thousands from Central America

*It’s a moldy myth that the US has ever “welcomed” immigrants, other than to exploit their labor

And I really don’t give a flying fuck about moral WaPosturing from a paper that covers for this same mentality in Gaza.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/27/how_a_climate_change_fueled_drought

U.S. Prisons Have a Mental Health Crisis. This Story of a New York Prisoner’s Death Helps Reveal Why

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/27/us_prisons_have_a_mental_health

11.26

‘Mark of Shame on All Our Societies’: UN Finds More Women Killed by Domestic Violence Than Any Other Crime
50,000 women around the world were killed by family members or intimate partners in 2017
by Julia Conley, staff writer

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/26/mark-shame-all-our-societies-un-finds-more-women-killed-domestic-violence-any-other

Shooting Pepper Spray at Children Okay, Former CBP Deputy Chief Tells Fox News, Because ‘You Could Actually Put It on Your Nachos and Eat It’
“The layers of racism encapsulated in this short clip is extraordinary”
by Common Dreams staff

*And waterboarding is just “extreme gargling”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/26/shooting-pepper-spray-children-okay-former-cbp-deputy-chief-tells-fox-news-because

Here’s the Dire Climate Report the Trump White House Didn’t Want You to See
“The decision to release this damning report when families are beginning to celebrate the holidays and newsrooms are short-staffed is a brazen attempt to bury the truth”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/23/heres-dire-climate-report-trump-white-house-didnt-want-you-see

‘We Are Not Robots’: Amazon Workers Across Europe Walk Out on Black Friday Over Low Wages and ‘Inhuman Conditions’
Amazon CEO “Jeff Bezos is the richest bloke on the planet; he can afford to sort this out,” says a U.K. union leader
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/23/we-are-not-robots-amazon-workers-across-europe-walk-out-black-friday-over-low-wages

Corporate PACs Cling to Relevance Amid Rise of Progressives Refusing Big Business Donations
A pro-corporate PAC lobbying group “clearly didn’t get the resounding message that the midterm election sent”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Pathetic PR from PAC rats

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/23/corporate-pacs-cling-relevance-amid-rise-progressives-refusing-big-business

Reflecting Democratic Party’s Past, Clinton’s ‘Deluded and Dangerous’ Remarks on Migration in Europe Spark Outrage
“The approach Clinton is advocating will be a death sentence for millions and millions of people, and we should be clear about that”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Will Killer Clown tweet an “Attagirl!”?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/23/reflecting-democratic-partys-past-clintons-deluded-and-dangerous-remarks-migration
—

Neoliberalism’s Dark Path to Fascism
Neoliberalism transforms freedom for the many into freedom for the few. Its logical result is neofascism.
by Chris Hedges

*Greed will always lead to bleed

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/26/neoliberalisms-dark-path-fascism
–

Facts That Privileged Americans Don’t Want Us to Know
It’s strange that most media outlets rarely if ever report on these realities… until you remember who owns most media outlets
by Paul Buchheit

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/26/facts-privileged-americans-dont-want-us-know
—

Food & Water Watch
Anticipated House Carbon Tax Bill Is Climate Denial, Not Climate Action

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/26/anticipated-house-carbon-tax-bill-climate-denial-not-climate-action
—

The Real News Network
The Doomsday Machine and Nuclear Winter – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (11/12)
An H Bomb first strike will create firestorms and smoke that ends most human life; this is a fact ignored by military planners and by the Trump administration, which doesn’t believe in climate science – says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Think of all the warm and fuzzy ads from corps run by these sociopaths … how they pine to make the world a better place

Then consider what they’re preparing to do when it’s the end of the world as we know it.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-doomsday-machine-and-nuclear-winter-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-11-12

Oil Industry Cleanup Costs Vastly Exceed Alberta Government’s Estimates
Regan Boychuk of Reclaim Alberta explains that Canadian taxpayers could ultimately be on the hook for hundreds of billions of oil industry cleanup costs

https://therealnews.com/stories/oil-industry-cleanup-costs-vastly-exceed-alberta-governments-estimates

Trump Considering to Put Venezuela on ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’ List and Intensify Sanctions
According to reports in the Washington Post and by Reuters, the Trump administration is actively exploring the option of placing Venezuela on the state sponsor of terrorism list, to further intensify sanctions that have already caused significant damage to Venezuela’s economy. We speak to Steve Ellner about the sanctions’ effects

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-considering-to-put-venezuela-on-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list-and-intensify-sanctions
—

Petition
Mijente in Action
To: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos
Tell Amazon: Stop Powering ICE!

https://action.mijente.net/petitions/tell-amazon-stop-powering-ice

Petition
Safe Air in the Air, Quest for Airlines to Ban NUTS.
by Tricia Powell

https://www.change.org/p/u-s-house-of-representatives-safe-air-in-the-air-quest-for-airlines-to-ban-nuts
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Incentives for Ukraine Crisis

http://accuracy.org/release/incentives-for-ukraine-crisis
—

FAIR
NPR Infomercial for Its Sponsor Amazon Omits Labor and Environmental Criticisms
by Adam Johnson

*No “N”

Just “PR”

https://fair.org/home/npr-infomercial-for-its-sponsor-amazon-omits-labor-and-environmental-criticisms
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Admin Tries to Bury 1,656-Page Climate Report Warning of Devastating Health Impacts of Warming

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/26/trump_admin_tries_to_bury_1

Bill McKibben: New Report Reconfirms Climate Change is Shrinking Inhabitable Parts of the Planet

*There is serious

And there is SERIOUS.

McKibben and most all green groups have to start typing in all caps if they’re SERIOUS about the threat we face. A “Green New Deal” doesn’t depress the “caps lock” key.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/26/bill_mckibben_new_report_reconfirms_climate

11.22

Warnings of ‘Destructive and Irreversible Impacts’ as Greenhouse Gases Hit Highest Levels in 3-5 Million Years
“The science is clear,” says the head of the World Meteorological Organization. “The window of opportunity for action is almost closed.”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The alarm’s ringing

And we keep hitting the snooze button

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/22/warnings-destructive-and-irreversible-impacts-greenhouse-gases-hit-highest-levels-3

In Thanksgiving Eve News Dump, Facebook Admits Hiring GOP Operatives to Dig Up Dirt on Critics—Including George Soros
“The general public may miss these holiday news dumps, but the reporters and media covering the company will remember. And it gives us less reason to take anything Facebook says the first time around at face value.”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*”*[L]ess reason”?

When zero should be the standard, how do you go lower?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/22/thanksgiving-eve-news-dump-facebook-admits-hiring-gop-operatives-dig-dirt-critics

“It’s a Mean & Nasty World Out There,” Declares Trump in Defense of Khashoggi Murder. “Happy Thanksgiving to All!”
In a Thanksgiving Day rise-and-shine pair of tweets, U.S. president takes first moment to once again defend murderous Saudi royal family before wishing the nation a joyous holiday
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Sorta like Caligula bemoaning degeneracy, innit?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/22/its-mean-nasty-world-out-there-declares-trump-defense-khashoggi-murder-happy
—

Black Friday Isn’t the Only Time Workers Face Unfair Schedules
Long holiday hours are just one of the myriad abuses employees face when it comes to their work schedules
by Pat Garofalo

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/22/black-friday-isnt-only-time-workers-face-unfair-schedules
—

The Real News Network
Amazon Gets $3 Billion in NY Tax Breaks While Underfunded Public Transport Enters ‘Death Spiral’
Prof. Richard Wolff explains why the $3 billion subsidy for one of the world’s largest corporations is a terrible waste of public money

*Mayors of whatever party who won’t play this ghoulish game are as rare as a grammatically correct tweet from the White House.

https://therealnews.com/stories/amazon-gets-3-billion-in-ny-tax-breaks-while-underfunded-public-transport-enters-death-spiral

China Intensifies Crackdown on Marxist Student Activists
Chinese university students, inspired by their studies of Marx, are facing an increasing state crackdown on their movement in support of workers who have been trying to organize Shenzhen’s Jasic Technology. Prof. Zhun Xu analyzes the situation

https://therealnews.com/stories/china-intensifies-crackdown-on-marxist-student-activists

Judge Overturns Trump’s ‘Catastrophic’ Asylum Ban
A federal judge ruled that Trump’s ban on asylum applications from those who do not enter the US at a legal port of entry is in complete contravention to US and international law. Angelo Guisado of the Center for Constitutional Rights outlines the practical and legal background of the decision

*I suppose “#TheResistance” will slobber all over Roberts now as the newest “hero” to stand up to Killer Clown

Or maybe this is merely a pantomime of protest to lend cover for serving as his legal lackey?

https://therealnews.com/stories/judge-overturns-trumps-catastrophic-asylum-ban

11.21

Calling for ‘Corridor of Life and Culture,’ Indigenous Groups From Amazon Propose Creation of Largest Protected Area on Earth
“We have come from the forest and we worry about what is happening”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It’s not only rightist gummints that wear the black hats here

It’s imperative to oppose iniquity from any and all corners.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/21/calling-corridor-life-and-culture-indigenous-groups-amazon-propose-creation-largest

Koch Machine Suffers Major Losses on Its Health Care Agenda
by Don Wiener and David Armiak
Exposed by CMD

https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2018/11/16/koch-machine-suffers-major-losses-its-health-care-agenda
—

Government Accountability Project
European Parliament Panel Approves Whistleblower Protections for all EU Countries
Journalists to Receive Whistleblower Protections under Updated Directive

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/21/european-parliament-panel-approves-whistleblower-protections-all-eu-countries
—

The Real News Network
A Strategy of War Crimes, Killing Civilians to Win a War – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (10/12)
General Curtis LaMay, who directed the firebombing and nuclear attacks on Japan said, “War is killing people, when you kill enough of them, the other guy quits” – quotes Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*I feel like those bomber pilots reading this.

There’s a smell – a stench – to this level of inhumanity that I can’t ignore.

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-strategy-of-war-crimes-killing-civilians-to-win-a-war-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-10-12

Transgender Day of Remembrance: To Fight For Trans Lives, Think Local
On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Sylvia Rivera Law Project founder Dean Spade talks about the lack of federal protections for trans people and how communities are fighting back at the local level

https://therealnews.com/stories/transgender-day-of-remembrance-to-fight-for-trans-lives-think-local

Sears Bankruptcy Engineered to Benefit Executives and Stiff Workers
Executives of Sears stand to gain up to $1 million in bonuses, should Sears be liquidated, and $500,000 if it’s restructured. Meanwhile, ordinary workers at Sears are being laid off without severance payments. Bill Black talks about how US bankruptcy law is rigged to favor executives

*The biggest g(r)ift in the Wish Book

https://therealnews.com/stories/sears-bankruptcy-engineered-to-benefit-executives-and-stiff-workers
—

FAIR
Minimal Media Attention Helped Sink Crucial Climate Initiatives
by Justin Anderson

*Rosining Nero’s fiddle

https://fair.org/home/minimal-media-attention-helped-sink-crucial-climate-initiatives

Shielding Hogan From the Democratic Wave
How the Washington Post, Big Money and a bit of racism re-elected a GOP governor in Deep Blue Maryland
by Pete Tucker

*The power of a fact free press

https://fair.org/home/shielding-hogan-from-the-democratic-wave
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Chooses “Relationship with Saudi Arabia” over Accountability for Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/21/trump_chooses_relationship_with_saudi_arabia

Did Israel Kill Yasser Arafat? Stunning Investigation Exposes Israel’s Secretive Assassination Program

*Bergman doesn’t question Israeli stated aims; only the methods employed to accomplish them.

Just as most Yank liberals accept the proclaimed premise of The Global War on Terror ™, decrying only aspects of its prosecution, Bergman gives credence to the “fight for survival” myth, arguing only against some of its tactics, and lamenting the impact on Israel’s “soul”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/21/did_israel_kill_yasser_arafat_stunning

11.20

Are We About to Face Our Gravest Constitutional Crisis?
Trump could be steering us towards a full-blown authoritarian state where the rule of law no longer exists and the president is a despot
by Chris Hedges

*”L’état, c’est moi”

Not that he would say it; he barely speaks English.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/20/are-we-about-face-our-gravest-constitutional-crisis
–

Migrant Caravan: Branding Migrants ‘Human Shields’ Has a Deadly Motive
By attempting to make a better life for themselves, migrants are transformed into military targets, people who can be legitimately injured or killed
by Neve Gordon and Nicola Perugini

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/20/migrant-caravan-branding-migrants-human-shields-has-deadly-motive
–

Compassion as cover: How transgender allies dodge debate
Trans activists need to stop labeling good-faith disagreements as “mean” or as an attack
by Robert Jensen

*”I am eager to hear from people who disagree with my position with substantive arguments.”

I have to believe Jensen has, and I’d like to know what transpired

So I’ll ask him.

https://www.feministcurrent.com/2018/11/19/compassion-cover-transgender-allies-dodge-debate
—

The Real News Network
Why Did CIA Turn Against Saudi Crown Prince MBS? It’s More than Khashoggi
CIA officials are signaling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman must be replaced. Is this all about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi? Professor Asad AbuKhalil says there are other political reasons

*If Killer Clown pirouettes, as he is wont to do, will he send a private tweet to MBS

“You’re Fired!” … ?

https://therealnews.com/stories/why-did-cia-turn-against-saudi-crown-prince-mbs-its-more-than-khashoggi

Sessions’ Move to Block Reform: Just one Example of Policing’s Immense Political Power
A last second order signed by the former Attorney General to roll back the DOJ’s police oversight efforts is just one of a myriad of roadblocks to reform in a country where police unions and special laws make holding cops accountable nearly impossible

https://therealnews.com/stories/sessions-move-to-block-reform-just-one-example-of-policings-immense-political-power

ICE Holds Record Number of Immigrants, Including 14,000 Children
Over 44,000 immigrants are being held by a system that is increasingly privatized, while a humanitarian crisis is looming at the border

https://therealnews.com/stories/ice-holds-record-number-of-immigrants-including-14000-children

Opioid Crisis: Purdue Pharma Billionaire Owners to be Sued
Suffolk County in New York is suing the Sackler family, which owns the maker of OxyContin, one of the main drugs behind the opioid drug overdose crisis. Just how responsible is the family and what might the lawsuit achieve? We speak to Sam Pizzigati of IPS

*Snake oil, and the reptiles that pimp it

https://therealnews.com/stories/opioid-crisis-purdue-pharma-billionaire-owners-to-be-sued
—

Democracy Now!
New American Nazis: Inside the White Supremacist Movement That Fueled Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

*”It can’t happen here”

Except it always has

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/20/new_american_nazis_inside_the_white

11.19

Cost to Protect Betsy DeVos: $20 Million
Of course, she is very special. She is a billionaire
by Diane Ravitch

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/19/cost-protect-betsy-devos-20-million
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PG&E: Don’t Break it Up. Take it Over
The potential bankruptcy of the California utility whose negligence likely plays a role in California’s wildfires is an opportunity for the public to gain control of the state’s energy destiny
by Johanna Bozuwa

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/19/pge-dont-break-it-take-it-over
–

A Sharing Economy for Plants: Seed Libraries Are Sprouting Up
Food activists, garden enthusiasts and community leaders are trying to make it easier to share seeds through libraries. Surely there’s nothing controversial about that, right? Actually, there is.
by Michael Carolan

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/19/sharing-economy-plants-seed-libraries-are-sprouting
—

Institute for Policy Studies
New Report Exposes How Top-Heavy Philanthropy, like Bloomberg Gift, Imperils Independent Nonprofit Sector and Democracy
Billionaire philanthropy is not a substitute for a fair tax system and adequately funded public services at the local, state and national level

*Giving and receding

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/19/new-report-exposes-how-top-heavy-philanthropy-bloomberg-gift-imperils
—

The Real News Network
Mueller Panic Overshadows Jeff Sessions’ Final Attack on Police Oversight, People of Color
Amid concern over what Jeff Sessions’ ouster could mean for the Mueller probe, there is very little outcry over Sessions’ last-minute move to gut federal oversight of police forces accused of abuses. We speak to ProPublica’s Ian MacDougall and veteran Baltimore attorney Billy Murphy. “This emboldens police brutality,” Murphy warns

*Classic liberal mind fuck, innit?

“We have to do everything we can to harm Trump, so we’ll let him do what we say we abhor about him in order to do so, no matter how much it hurts those we say we care about.”

Jesus, Mary and Joseph …

https://therealnews.com/stories/mueller-panic-overshadows-jeff-sessions-final-attack-on-police-oversight-people-of-color

IMF is Back in Business in Latin America – Just as Neoliberal as Always
Following a prolonged loss of influence in Latin America in the first decade of the 2000’s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is back again, flexing its muscle in Argentina and Mexico, pushing the neoliberal Washington Consensus, says Vijay Prashad

*Dropping an atomized bomb

https://therealnews.com/stories/imf-is-back-in-business-in-latin-america-just-as-neoliberal-as-always

A Blueprint for Linking Trade to Full Employment and Domestic Industrialization (Pt 2/2)
Think hard about the relevance of the 1948 Havana Charter for addressing the imbalances and inequities of the 21st century global economy, says Richard Kozul-Wright, noting that with the rise of neoliberalism the aim of trade rules has moved in the opposite direction

*Let’s not get all misty eyed about the demise of the Havana Charter spirit. Yes, it would have been an improvement over the unbridled greed evinced by global capital over the last half century or so, it would still have left corporatismo ascendant (akin to the New Deal), merely acknowledging that a velvet glove can control the world more sustainably than an iron fist.

Of course, the nature of capitalism would have ensured that the gloves would come off sooner or later.

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-blueprint-for-linking-trade-to-full-employment-and-domestic-industrialization-pt-2-2
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Dems Eye Hawkish Eliot Engel to Chair House Foreign Affairs Committee

*The Democratic “leadership” never met a war they didn’t help to light

http://accuracy.org/release/dems-eye-hawkish-eliot-engel-to-chair-house-foreign-affairs-committee
—

Democracy Now!
Filipino Reporter Maria Ressa on Duterte’s Targeting of the Press & How Facebook Aids Authoritarians

*It’s frustrating to hear someone with a sense of integrity side with those who have none. That’s the danger of a binary view of the world, where to stand against the lies of the Dutertes and Trumps perforce makes one a defender of “mainstream journalism”, which in large measure is responsible for the emergence of these deadly demagogues.

Courage does not always bring clarity, sad to say.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/19/filipino_reporter_maria_ressa_on_duterte

11.16

‘A Staggeringly Bad Idea’: Outrage as Pelosi Pushes Tax Rule That Would ‘Kneecap the Progressive Agenda’
“This is a very bad idea, House Democrats. It makes no sense whatsoever to give Republicans veto power over progressive legislation”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It’s not “a very bad idea”, and it’s not “wrong-headed”. Those terms imply incompetence, not connivance.

The DNCistas aren’t obtuse

They’re abhorrent.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/16/staggeringly-bad-idea-outrage-pelosi-pushes-tax-rule-would-kneecap-progressive

As Energy for Medicare for All Explodes, Steny Hoyer’s Plan Includes Waiting for Trump to Help Make Obamacare Better
A week after voters sent more than two dozen Medicare-for-All advocates to the House, second-ranking Democrat in the House has a less than inspiring plan
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Democratic “leadership” is a sick joke in any number of senses

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/16/energy-medicare-all-explodes-steny-hoyers-plan-includes-waiting-trump-help-make

‘It Keeps Getting Uglier’: As True Costs of HQ2 Scam Emerge, Public Housing and School Offices Getting the Boot to Make Room for Amazon
“The fact that massive public subsidies are helping eliminate affordable housing units is just the latest reason this bad deal needs to be torn up and thrown away”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/16/it-keeps-getting-uglier-true-costs-hq2-scam-emerge-public-housing-and-school-offices
—

Green New Deal? Bring It! But Don’t Forget Your Union Card.
To be truly transformational, any bold green jobs proposal must be rooted in the right to organize
by Lauren Burke

*Point taken – silos are for grain, not gain – but anyone who believes that even an union-friendly GND is enough to ensure our survival is whistling past humanity’s looming graveyard.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/16/green-new-deal-bring-it-dont-forget-your-union-card
—

The Real News Network
Month-Long Student Strike Paralyzes Colombia’s Public Universities
Colombia’s university students face on-going repression of their protests, while they continue their month-long university strike, demanding adequate funding for the public university system. Recently elected conservative president Ivan Duque faces his first crisis. We speak to Prof. Forrest Hylton

https://therealnews.com/stories/month-long-student-strike-paralyzes-colombias-public-universities

The Corporate Top 1% Control Over 50% of International Trade (1/2)
Taking an ever rising share of global income, the real benefits of global trade go to the profits of the top 2,000 TNCs. The flip-side is falling wages and government revenues, says Richard Kozul-Wright discussing UNCTAD’s 2018 Trade and Development Report

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-corporate-top-1-control-over-50-of-international-trade-pt-1-2

Brexit Agreement: A Deal Between German Manufacturing and UK Finance Sectors
As Britain’s Theresa May inches closer towards a final Brexit agreement for leaving the European Union, behind the scenes it is not quite the compromise politicians and the media make it out to be, says economist John Weeks

https://therealnews.com/stories/brexit-agreement-a-deal-between-german-manufacturing-and-uk-finance-sectors
—

Democracy Now!
Exclusive: WikiLeaks Lawyer Warns U.S. Charges Against Assange Endanger Press Freedom Worldwide

*Shouldn’t the corpress’ complicity in this travesty been discussed here? The demonization of WikiLeaks has been aided and abetted by the mainstream media, who don’t give a good goddamn about “freedom of the press” if it in any substantive way challenges power.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/16/exclusive_wikileaks_lawyer_warns_us_charges

11.15

Earthjustice
California Recommends Few Restrictions on Pesticide Linked to Brain Damage
Restrictions fall far short of what is necessary to protect children and communities

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/15/california-recommends-few-restrictions-pesticide-linked-brain-damage
—

The Real News Network
Once Fired, There’s No Calling a Nuke Back – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (8/12)
There are many fingers on the nuclear missiles trigger, and once an attack begins, even the president can’t order it reversed, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*The power of gods

The reason of fools

https://therealnews.com/stories/once-fired-theres-no-calling-a-nuke-back-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-8-12

Counselors, Not Cops: Creating Safe and Supportive Environments in America’s Schools
Khalilah Harris reports on a new book, “Lift Us Up, Don’t Push Us Out”, examining the sources of and solutions for dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, told through the voices of advocates

https://therealnews.com/stories/counselors-not-cops-creating-safe-and-supportive-environments-in-americas-schools

Lieberman Quits Netanyahu For Not Being Violent Enough to Gaza
The resignation of far-right Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in protest of the Gaza truce could trigger early elections, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already grapples with the biggest corruption scandal in Israel’s history. We speak to author and Real News correspondent Shir Hever

https://therealnews.com/stories/lieberman-quits-netanyahu-for-not-being-violent-enough-to-gaza

Brazil’s ‘Slow Motion Coup’ – General Admits Intimidating Court into Imprisoning Lula da Silva
The latest revelation about Brazil’s slow motion coup, designed to ensure that the center-left remains out of power and the far-right takes control, involves a general who admitted that he threatened the Supreme Court so it would imprison presidential front-runner Lula da Silva. We discuss the development with Brian Mier

*Keep in mind that this is also on Obama’s watch.

Imperialism biparties hearty.

https://therealnews.com/stories/brazils-slow-motion-coup-general-admits-intimidating-court-into-imprisoning-lula-da-silva
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Amazon Deal Taxpayer Costs “Far Understated, Exceed $4.6 Billion”

*Rotten apples and rancid oranges are the fruits of this folly

http://accuracy.org/release/amazon-deal-taxpayer-costs-far-understated-exceed-4-6-billion
—

FAIR
Who, Us? Corporate Media Ignore Their Role in Trump’s Refugee ‘Invasion’ Panic

*With “enemies” like these

Who needs friends?

https://fair.org/home/who-us-corporate-media-ignore-their-role-in-trumps-refugee-invasion-panic

11.14

How to Process Climate Grief Over the California Wildfires
It’s also worth remembering — every damn day — that a burned and broken world is not our destiny
by Eric Holthaus

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/14/how-process-climate-grief-over-california-wildfires
—

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Hormone-Disrupting Weed Killer Taints Tap Water for Millions in Corn Belt
Atrazine Spikes Up to 7x EPA Limit, but Utilities Dodge Testing to Stay Legal

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/14/hormone-disrupting-weed-killer-taints-tap-water-millions-corn-belt

Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
Lawsuit Alleges ICE, DHS, and Vermont DMV Targeting Immigrant Leaders in Retaliation for Activism
Migrant Justice Leaders at Risk of Deportation for Engaging in Protected First Amendment Activity

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/14/lawsuit-alleges-ice-dhs-and-vermont-dmv-targeting-immigrant-leaders-retaliation
—

The Real News Network
Finally Released: Censored Al Jazeera Documentary Exposes Israel-Backed Attacks on US Activists
Al Jazeera’s undercover film “The Lobby – USA”, censored by Qatar, has finally been published by The Electronic Intifada. Editor Ali Abunimah discusses the documentary’s explosive revelations, exposing Israel-backed attacks on US activists

https://therealnews.com/stories/finally-released-censored-al-jazeera-documentary-exposes-israel-backed-attacks-on-us-activists

Even for Local Taxes, the Rich Pay Far less Than the Poor
While much attention has been paid to Republican-backed tax cuts for the wealthiest, a new report reveals that even local levies take a greater share of income from the poor than the rich

https://therealnews.com/stories/even-for-local-taxes-the-rich-pay-far-less-than-the-poor
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Paul Ryan Tries to Keep Saudi Attack on Yemen Going

http://accuracy.org/release/paul-ryan-tries-to-keep-saudi-attack-on-yemen-going
—

Democracy Now!
NY Politician: We Need to Block $3 Billion Handout for Amazon & Use Money to Forgive Student Debt

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/ny_politician_we_need_to_block

As Jeff Bezos Earns $191K Per Minute, Why Are NY & VA Giving Amazon $3 Billion in Corporate Welfare?

*No matter the party in power, it’s always a party for bastards like Bezos

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/as_jeff_bezos_earns_191k_per

Advocates: Trump Creating Border Crisis by Pitting Troops Against Women & Children Fleeing Violence

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/advocates_trump_creating_border_crisis_by

Fernando Garcia: The Militarization of the U.S. Border Will Spread If We Don’t Fight Back

*We know the DNCistas are stone back stabbers, and I wouldn’t turn mine to the “progressive wavers” until they prove there’s a walk to go with their talk.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/fernando_garcia_the_militarization_of_the

Kathy Kelly: Trump Sides with Saudis & U.S. Defense Contractors While Yemeni Children Face Famine

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/kathy_kelly_trump_sides_with_saudis

11.13

Telling NRA #ThisIsOurLane, Doctors’ Photos Show Blood-Soaked Reality of America’s Gun Madness
“Since the first drop of blood, the first chest tube placed, and since the first mother on the floor crying, for us, it has ALWAYS been our lane”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*I’d dearly love to believe Moore and Goldberg are right, but I can’t escape the skepticism borne of having lived in this sickening shooting gallery for sixty plus years.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/13/telling-nra-thisisourlane-doctors-photos-show-blood-soaked-reality-americas-gun

As George W. Bush Gets “Liberty Medal,” Afghan People Suffer 17th Year in Nation “Made a Hell” by US Invasion
“After the Taliban we were expecting something good, but instead, day by day, it is getting worse”
by Jon Queally, staff writer
Common Dreams

*The underlying premise here is that the war has “gone wrong”

Not that the war was wrong.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/13/george-w-bush-gets-liberty-medal-afghan-people-suffer-17th-year-nation-made-hell-us
—

Secret CIA Document Shows Plan to Test Drugs on Prisoners
Documents long hidden by the agency reveal that CIA doctors were hunting for a “truth serum” to use on prisoners as part of a previously secret effort called Project Medication
by Dror Ladin

*And beatings were no more than “deep tissue massage” …

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/13/secret-cia-document-shows-plan-test-drugs-prisoners
–

7 Economic Terms That Are Often Used to Trick People Out of Their Money
If it sounds too good to be true, take a closer look beyond the buzzwords
by Valerie Vande Panne

*The crime of commons assault

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/13/7-economic-terms-are-often-used-trick-people-out-their-money
–

Crucifying Julian Assange
What is happening to Assange should terrify the press. And yet his plight is met with indifference and sneering contempt
by Chris Hedges

*The corpress won’t be next, because it serves power, and any posturing about a “free press” will be sacrificed on the altar of “national security”.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/13/crucifying-julian-assange
—

Center for Biological Diversity
Analysis: San Diego Projects to Put 40,000 People in High Fire-hazard Areas

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/13/analysis-san-diego-projects-put-40000-people-high-fire-hazard-areas
—

The Real News Network
Canada’s Trudeau Attacks BDS, Joins Trump & Israel Blaming ‘Both Sides’ for Anti-Semitism
While apologizing for Canada’s shameful betrayal of Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi Holocaust, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attacked the Palestinian rights movement BDS. Ali Abunimah discusses how his “both sides” rhetoric echoes the false equivalence made by Donald Trump and Israel’s far-right government

https://therealnews.com/stories/canadas-trudeau-attacks-bds-joins-trump-israel-blaming-both-sides-for-anti-semitism
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Amazon HQ2: “Massive Transfer of Wealth from Taxpayers to Shareholders”

*Let’s make a steal

http://accuracy.org/release/amazon-hq2-massive-transfer-of-wealth-from-taxpayers-to-shareholders
—

FAIR
When Media Say ‘Working Class,’ They Don’t Necessarily Mean Workers—but They Do Mean White
by John McCullough

*Can we call it the Archie Bunker mentality?

https://fair.org/home/when-media-say-working-class-they-dont-necessarily-mean-workers-but-they-do-mean-white
—

All the news that’s printed to fit with the MIC’s business plan

https://twitter.com/TimothyS/status/1062009745144512512
—

Democracy Now!
Gaza Is Already Unlivable: A Response to Israel’s Deadly Airstrikes Targeting TV Station & Homes

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/13/gaza_is_already_unlivable_a_response

11.12

Killing the Messenger: Truth in a Time of Universal Deceit
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the case of Julian Assange, and freedom of the press
by Heather Wokusch

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/12/killing-messenger-truth-time-universal-deceit
–

Armistice Day First
“You can no more win a war than win an earthquake”
by John LaForge

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/12/armistice-day-first
—

Amnesty International USA
Cruel European Migration Policies Leave Refugees Trapped in Libya With No Way Out

*No “European values” placed on the lives of refugees

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/12/cruel-european-migration-policies-leave-refugees-trapped-libya-no-way-out

Physicians for Social Responsibility
Woolsey Fire Burns Nuclear Meltdown Site that State Toxics Agency Failed to Clean Up
The Santa Susana Field Laboratory (Rocketdyne) Burned in the Woolsey Fire, Threatening Toxic Exposures From Contaminated Dust, Smoke, Ash and Soil. The Department of Toxic Substances Control Denies Risk That it Created by Delaying the Long Promised Cleanup

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/12/woolsey-fire-burns-nuclear-meltdown-site-state-toxics-agency-failed-clean
—

The Real News Network
U.S. Refuses to Adopt a Nuclear Weapon No First Use Pledge – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (7/8)
Every president since Truman has used a nuclear first strike threat as leverage in U.S. foreign policy; it’s institutional insanity, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/u-s-refuses-to-adopt-a-nuclear-weapon-no-first-use-pledge-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-7-8

Will Harvard’s Affirmative Action Case be a Referendum on Race Conscious College Admissions?
A discussion with Brenda Shum of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Nicole Ochi of Advancing Justice L.A., hosted by Khalilah Harris

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-harvards-affirmative-action-case-be-a-referendum-on-race-conscious-college-admissions

The Taliban in Moscow: A Turning Point for the Afghan War?
As the Afghan government suffers more losses on the ground, a landmark peace conference hosted by Russia could mark a shift in the 17-year war. The Taliban is there in its highest level diplomatic engagement in years. We speak to author and historian Vijay Prashad

*I’d have liked to have heard something about the US’ motivation, which has shit to do with “revenge”, and certainly not “liberation”, but rather geopolitical and economic goals that receive scant mention in the “alternative media”.

I’d also have liked to seen discussion of whether the US believes it benefits from a continuation of this horror show, or, as in Vietnam, it finally has concluded that its interests are best served by cutting its losses and negotiating the best deal it can get.

Meanwhile, the blood soaks the Afghan soil.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-taliban-in-moscow-a-turning-point-for-the-afghan-war

French President Macron Praises Nazi-Collaborating Leader, Whitewashing World War I Bloodbath
France’s centrist President Macron ignited a firestorm for praising Nazi collaborator leader Philippe Pétain for his role in World War I. Historian Adam Hochschild argues war resisters are the real heroes who should be honored, as Trump visits Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI

*Whitewashing the blood stains from an horrific history

https://therealnews.com/stories/french-president-macron-praises-nazi-collaborating-leader-whitewashing-world-war-i-bloodbath

The War on Terror’s Toll, From Atrocities Abroad to Mass Shootings at Home
A new Brown University study says the US-led so-called “War on Terror” has killed around 500,000 people in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan — an “undercount,” it stresses. And as Ian David Long — an-ex U.S. Marine who served in the Afghan war — kills 12 people in Thousand Oaks, California, might we also count victims of mass shootings carried out by U.S. veterans? We speak to Vijay Prashad of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research.

*It’s not that there is “no mission”

It’s that the mission is evil, if I may use that term. Both the ends and the means are baleful.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-war-on-terrors-toll-from-atrocities-abroad-to-mass-shootings-at-home
—

Democracy Now!
A Century After End of WWI, Trump Snubs Peace Summit While Macron Warns of Growing Nationalism

*Give the guy a break.

Rainy weather is bad for his bone spurs.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/12/a_century_after_end_of_wwi

Emma Goldman, Eugene Debs, Jane Addams: Honoring Antiwar Resisters on the 100th Anniv. of WWI’s End

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/12/emma_goldman_eugene_debs_jane_addams

A Century After WWI’s End, Adam Hochschild Cautions: “Think Long and Hard Before Starting a New War”

*Wars of aggression are always disasters, no matter how “well” they go.

The motivation is the original sin; not the “unforeseen consequences”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/12/a_century_after_wwis_end_adam

On Veterans Day, Advocates Warn Against Pence & Trump-Led Attacks on VA Healthcare

*Ever notice that it’s the flag wavers who do the damage to those they claim to honor?

That’s the actual spitting on returning vets, and no parade will make up for that.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/12/on_veterans_day_advocates_warn_against

After Former Marine Kills 12 in Thousand Oaks, CA, a Discussion on Mental Health for Veterans

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/12/after_former_marine_kills_12_in

11.9

Half Million Killed by America’s Global War on Terror ‘Just Scratches the Surface’ of Human Destruction
“This new body count signals that, far from diminishing, the war is only intensifying”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Would “perfect execution and progress” justify the “mission”?

No matter how “surgical” the act, the intent is still abhorrent.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/09/half-million-killed-americas-global-war-terror-just-scratches-surface-human

Evidence Shows US Navy Ignored Sinking Ship as Migrants Drowned and Screamed for Help
The naval ship did come, but survivors say it was about 30 minutes after spotting them after scores of passengers had already died
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/09/evidence-shows-us-navy-ignored-sinking-ship-migrants-drowned-and-screamed-help
—

The Real News Network
Voting Rights Restored to Felons in Florida: Could It Have Changed the Governor’s Race?
Ballot measure restoring rights to Felons was approved by 64% of the electorate in Florida. Desmond Meade of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Eddie Conway, Executive Producer at The Real News Network discuss battles won and the fight ahead

*I’ve wondered why reactionaries backed this, why there was no concerted opposition to it, and the racial breakdown of those who will benefit may explain that. As demographics change in Florida, this is a way to increase the white electorate, isn’t it?

And there’s a glaring omission here. Those convicted of murder or sexual offenses will still be barred from voting. Aside from the injustice of that, given that Conway was convicted of murder, and wouldn’t be covered under Amendment 4, I find the silence on that contradiction strange.

https://therealnews.com/stories/voting-rights-restored-to-felons-in-florida-could-it-have-changed-the-governors-race

Will Kemp Get Away With Suppressing Georgia’s Black Votes?
Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, has declared victory in a heated gubernatorial race, but Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams is not conceding. Kemp purged tens of thousands of votes as part of a crackdown that adversely impacted black voters. We speak to attorney and activist Anoa Changa and investigative journalist Greg Palast.

https://therealnews.com/stories/will-kemp-get-away-with-suppressing-georgias-black-votes

U.S. Planned Nuclear First Strike to Destroy Soviets and China – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (6/8)
The U. S. cold-war nuclear plan called for an all out attack on China, even if it was not involved in the war, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Itself with Paul Jay

https://therealnews.com/stories/u-s-planned-nuclear-first-strike-to-destroy-soviets-and-china-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-6-8

What Can Humanity Learn From The Great Law of Peace? (1/2)
Stuart Myiow of the Mohawk Traditional Council explains that the enduring peace depends on our respect for the laws of creation

https://therealnews.com/stories/what-can-humanity-learn-from-the-great-law-of-peace-1-2
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
* WWI * Shootings and Militarism * Armistice Day

http://accuracy.org/release/wwi-shootings-and-militarism-armistice-day
—

FAIR
‘Moderation’ and the Midterms
by Jim Naureckas

*Swing voting in the breeze

https://fair.org/home/moderation-and-the-midterms
—

Democracy Now!
After Massacre in California Bar, Will a Democrat-Controlled House Take Action on Gun Control?

*The US is the most violent “developed” nation in the world, and until the sociopolitical and profit seeking causes for that are acknowledged and addressed, the killing will continue to occur.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/9/after_massacre_in_california_bar_will

“We Will Never Concede to Bigotry”: Florida Organizers Sound the Alarm over Voting Discrepancies

*Goodman again passes on a chance to look at just why reactionaries backed Amendment 4, and its exclusion of those convicted of murder and sex offenses.

Inconvenient facts for the narrative of an “historic” victory?

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/9/we_will_never_concede_to_bigotry

11.8

In ‘Loud and Clear’ Rebuke of Factory Farming, California Passes World’s ‘Strongest Animal Welfare Law’
While some animal rights advocates argue Proposition 12 won’t prevent routine cruelty, its passage “clearly shows pro-animal-rights voter sentiment”
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

*It’s said that the best is often the enemy of the good

But doesn’t the good often become an impediment, rather than a path, to the truly just?

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/08/loud-and-clear-rebuke-factory-farming-california-passes-worlds-strongest-animal
—

American Federation of Government Employees
Largest VA Union Slams Trump Administration Move to Silence Workers’ Voices
Agency moves to deny representation rights to health care workers

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/08/largest-va-union-slams-trump-administration-move-silence-workers-voices
—

FAIR
The Needle and the Damage Done
When Election Night insta-handicapping goes awry
by Reed Richardson

*Crystal balderdash

https://fair.org/home/the-needle-and-the-damage-done
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Trump’s “Nuclear Option” Against a Free Press

*Can you imagine what he’d do if the courtiers actually had some cojones?

http://accuracy.org/release/trumps-nuclear-option-against-a-free-press
—

Democracy Now!
Trump Fires AG Sessions, Installs New Loyalist Whitaker to Oversee Mueller Probe

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/8/trump_fires_ag_sessions_installs_new

11.7

History in the Making as Maine’s New Ranked Choice Voting Likely to Decide Key Congressional Race
“If this reform were implemented throughout the country, it should result in a House of Representatives that actually looks and thinks like America”
by Julia Conley, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Our “democracy” has a deep aversion to anything that makes too much sense

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/07/history-making-maines-new-ranked-choice-voting-likely-decide-key-congressional-race
—

Most of the World Does Not Like U.S. Foreign Policy
But disregard for world opinion—as well as the opinion of the U.S. citizenry—defines the U.S. government
by Vijay Prashad

*”[I]ndispensible” … ?

Indefensible

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/07/most-world-does-not-us-foreign-policy
–

The case against Amendment 4 on felon voting rights
by Paul Wright

*I’m assuming a determination was made that the amendment wouldn’t pass without these exceptions, and that may well have been the case, but Wright’s point is taken.

If we exclude justice for one group in order to realize it for another, can we honestly claim to be its champions?

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2018/09/19/case-against-amendment-4-felon-voting-rights-opinion/1351689002
—

The Real News Network
Green Ballot Initiatives Meet Massive Resistance From Big Oil
Greenpeace’s Janet Redman tells Marc Steiner that a carbon tax in Washington, drilling limitations in Colorado, and other initiatives were struck down by fossil fuel industries—but environmentalists did see some wins

*As politically unpalatable as it is, what must be done is to tell the truth about that future – that our way of life must fundamentally change if we’re to survive.

There will be no easy transition. Our task is to reduce the difficulties as much as possible.

People won’t want to hear that, and won’t accept it if we’re not utterly honest as to the unthinkable alternative.

Reality bites

https://therealnews.com/stories/green-ballot-initiatives-meet-massive-resistance-from-big-oil
—

Petition update
Great News! The Governor’s Office & State Board of Pharmacy Update
by Loretta Boesing

https://www.change.org/p/attn-all-legistlatures-state-board-of-pharmacies-ban-mail-order-drug-mandates-from-all-health-insurance-plans-monitor/u/23556499
—

Democracy Now!
In Rebuke of Trump, Democratic Women Help Seize House & 7 Governorships in Historic Midterm

*A “progressive” (read “No Radicals Allowed”) analysis, but one I thought contained some intel worth passing along, and so …

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/7/as_democrats_win_house_progressives_poised

“Love Prevails”: Floridians Celebrate Massive Restoration of Voting Rights to People with Felonies

*This is an important victory, but with the support of reactionaries (which Goodman irresponsibly didn’t delve into), and Meade’s mealy mouthing on its impact on their control of the state, I have to wonder if they see this as a sort of an “anti race card”, whereby they use their promotion of the amendment as cover for their agenda.

I hope we get some honest analysis elsewhere.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/7/love_prevails_floridians_celebrate_massive_restoration

11.6

‘Absolute Fraud’: After Billions in Taxpayer Subsidies Championed by Trump, Ryan, and Walker, Foxconn to Import Chinese Workers for Wisconsin Jobs
“Apparently, Scott Walker gave billions in subsidies to a Tawainese company, so that it would despoil land in Wisconsin while paying Chinese workers to make iPhones”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*And if the empty roll of toilet tissue also known as Tony Evers does win, don’t expect him to push for much beyond some cosmetic changes to this Fox Conn job.

And yes, I did vote for the schmenge a few hours ago, somebody’s god help me …

And us all.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/06/absolute-fraud-after-billions-taxpayer-subsidies-championed-trump-ryan-and-walker

After Backlash Over ‘Cynical Effort to Suppress Latino Vote’ in Beto’s Hometown, Border Patrol Cancels Election Day Crowd Control Exercise
“It shouldn’t have taken outrage from us, congressmen, and the community for them to recognize that this would cause serious problems on #ElectionDay,” says the ACLU of Texas
by Jessica Corbett, staff writer
Common Dreams

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/06/after-backlash-over-cynical-effort-suppress-latino-vote-betos-hometown-border-patrol
—

Medicare for All Will Destroy the GOP—Because of Voting!
If the national ID system were the key to getting your health care and medications, there’d be no need for “voter registration” and no ability for the GOP to purge voters
by Thom Hartmann

*Election rigging has never been challenged by the Democratic “leadership”, which really doesn’t want those most severely screwed by the system to become an active part of the electorate, as then demands would be made that would not be in the interest of their corporate donors.

They’d rather compete for “swing” votes than engage the darker and the poorer (and the younger), for whom triangulation has a distinctly dissonant timbre.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/06/medicare-all-will-destroy-gop-because-voting
—

Good Jobs First Statement on Amazon HQ2 Site Location Reports

*Jobbed creator

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2018/11/06/good-jobs-first-statement-amazon-hq2-site-location-reports
—

The Real News Network
A Response to Trump’s Demonization of Single Payer Health Care
Former health insurance executive Wendell Potter addresses some of the main criticisms of single payer health care, which Republicans and President Trump have been demonizing during the midterm election campaign

https://therealnews.com/stories/a-response-to-trumps-demonization-of-single-payer-health-care

Survey of Medical Treatment Wait Times in Canada – Designed to Mislead
Republicans, such as Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania, bring up research on the wait times in Canada’s single-payer health care system in order to dismiss progressives’ call for a public health insurance system in the US. But just how reliable are the studies?

https://therealnews.com/stories/survey-of-medical-treatment-wait-times-in-canada-designed-to-mislead
—

FAIR
‘Charleston and Tree of Life Are Connected Struggles’
CounterSpin interview with Audrey Sasson on antisemitism, racism and resistance
by Janine Jackson

https://fair.org/home/charleston-and-tree-of-life-are-connected-struggles
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Trump Going to France; 100 Years After World War I: Who to Celebrate?

*Approved history often exalts the infernal

http://accuracy.org/release/trump-going-to-france-100-years-after-world-war-i-who-to-celebrate
—

Democracy Now!
36 Million in U.S. Cast Early Votes, Shattering Records for Young People & People of Color

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/6/36_million_in_us_cast_early

“Smoking Gun” Evidence Shows Trump Admin’s Top Anti-Immigrant Officials Trying to Rig the Census

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/6/smoking_gun_evidence_shows_trump_admins

Oil & Gas Industry Giants Spend Millions in Attempt to Defeat Anti-Fracking Proposition in Colorado

*”Greenwashing” of another color, when money scrubs democracy

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/6/oil_gas_industry_giants_spend_millions

11.5

‘Crisis for American Democracy’: It’s 2018, in the Richest Nation on Earth, and Voting Machines Still Distorting Elections
“Voting machines that flip votes don’t need to be hacked by a malicious foreign actor to undermine public confidence in the integrity of our democracy. That’s being done for Americans, by Americans.”
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*If they can’t rail against the Russkies, the DNCistas just really don’t give a good goddamn.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/05/crisis-american-democracy-its-2018-richest-nation-earth-and-voting-machines-still
—

The Evidence Pours In: Poverty Getting Much Worse in America
Poverty—and the stress of being poor—is killing people every single day
by Paul Buchheit

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/05/evidence-pours-poverty-getting-much-worse-america
–

Nuclear Power Will Not Save Us from Climate Change
How the IPCC’s solutions for reversing the Earth’s warming encourage business as usual
by M.V. Ramana and Robert Jensen

https://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/nuclear-power-will-not-save-us-from-climate-change-20181102
—

The Real News Network
Russian “Doomsday Machine” an Answer to U.S. Decapitation Strategy – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (5/8)
The U.S. military still thinks that a nuclear war can be won by targeting Russian leadership in a bizarre Dr. Strangelove logic; it’s a recipe for unmitigated catastrophe, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Mutually Assured Dementia

https://therealnews.com/stories/russian-doomsday-machine-an-answer-to-u-s-decapitation-strategy-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-5-8

Push Public Ownership to Challenge Power of Billionaires – Q&A with Paul Jay (4/5)
Paul Jay joins host Ben Norton to discuss the viewer question “how to overthrow the corporate state” – From a live recording on October 29th, 2018

*How do we get there?

By talking about how, instead of pimping New Deal liberalism as a stepping stone to … what?

And how long? The “long view” retracts with each passing day, and “pragmatism” simply accelerates the process.

I don’t have the answer, but the question has to be asked – honestly – because that fan the shit’s hitting is only blowing faster.

https://therealnews.com/stories/push-public-ownership-to-challenge-power-of-billionaires-qa-with-paul-jay-4-5

Trump’s US-Saudi Arms Deals Will Create Only a Few Hundred Jobs
An exclusive report from Reuters surveyed arms manufacturers about the jobs that the Saudi arms deals would create and found that the actual numbers are a tiny fraction of what Trump had promised. Arms industry researcher Andrew Feinstein explains

https://therealnews.com/stories/trumps-us-saudi-arms-deals-will-create-only-a-few-hundred-jobs

The Largest Act of Terrorism in Human History – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (4/8)
The British bombing of Hamburg in 1942, and the American firebombing of Japan in March 1945 that killed as many as 120,000 people in one night, created the conditions for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were considered mere extensions of the firebombing tactics, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*Regardless of the rationalization of the “necessity” for such acts, I can’t fathom how anyone with a functional conscience could even conceive of them, much less carry through on their use.

Cognitive dissonance shuts down our moral faculties, allowing the most heinous plans to be realized, in the name of whatever cause we deem paramount.

That’s for those who might be inclined to struggle with these fearsome questions.

Those with ultimate authority rarely possess that quality.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-largest-act-of-terrorism-in-human-history-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-4-8

Trump Threatens to Shoot Migrants Fleeing US-Fueled Violence and Instability
While Donald Trump deploys troops to the Mexico border and orders them to shoot immigrants who throw rocks, many people in this migrant caravan in fact already fled US government-fueled violence in Central America. Eduardo García discusses impunity for Border Patrol killings and US-backed instability in Honduras and Guatemala

*Gaza on the Rio Grande?

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-threatens-to-shoot-migrants-fleeing-us-fueled-violence-and-instability

China’s GDP Growth Slows Down: Is it Trump’s Trade War?
Prof. David Kotz argues that the trade war is counter-productive for everyone, including the US, because it does not include a plan for an industrial policy. The conflict foreshadows increasing unresolvable tensions between the two powers

*Can we talk about what may occur “in a few decades” without considering how climate change will impact that future?

It’s a goddamn big elephant in a very small room.

https://therealnews.com/stories/chinas-gdp-growth-slows-down-is-it-trumps-trade-war
—

FAIR
Assange Case Shows Support for Free Speech Depends on Who’s Talking
by Joe Emersberger

*Do fundraising appeals for these groups plead that “We can’t suck up to power without your generous donations?”

https://fair.org/home/assange-case-shows-support-for-free-speech-depends-on-whos-talking
—

Petition update
PLEASE LOOK! Could This Be Why Many Patients Can Only Use Mail Order Pharmacy For Coverage?
by Loretta Boesing

https://www.change.org/p/attn-all-legistlatures-state-board-of-pharmacies-ban-mail-order-drug-mandates-from-all-health-insurance-plans-monitor/u/23531765
—

Democracy Now!
“He Set Out to Kill Women”: Self-Proclaimed Misogynist Murders 2 Women at Florida Yoga Studio

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/5/he_set_out_to_kill_women

A March to Disaster: Noam Chomsky Condemns Trump for Pulling Out of Landmark Nuclear Arms Treaty

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/5/a_march_to_disaster_noam_chomsky

Noam Chomsky: The Future of Organized Human Life Is At Risk Thanks to GOP’s Climate Change Denial

*And we’re hearing next to nothing about these existential threats from the so called “Justice Democrats”, aren’t we?

Without massive pressure from the people, don’t expect a sea change from any “blue wave”.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/5/noam_chomsky_the_future_of_organized

11.2

Why Bolsonaro won: beyond the cliches
If mind-stopping cliches of violence and corruption do not correspond with voting patterns or Bolsonaro’s governmental plan why did he win the election? It was not a free or fair process.
by Brian Mier

http://www.brasilwire.com/why-bolsonaro-won-beyond-the-cliches
–

With Just Days to the Midterms, Russiagate Is MIA
And that’s a good thing
by Aaron Maté

https://www.thenation.com/article/russiagate-2018-midterms-interference
—

The Real News Network
The Two Faces of Fascisization Inequality and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism – Q&A with Paul Jay (3/5)
Paul Jay says a significant section of the population supporting far right “populism” is part of the process of the development of fascism, but the acceptance of gross inequality is also a necessary condition for this process – From a live recording on October 29th, 2018

*Fear will always animate those without hope

And the loss of hope is a bipartisan project.

https://therealnews.com/stories/the-two-faces-of-fascisization-inequality-and-the-fight-against-anti-semitism-qa-with-paul-jay-3-5

How Trump’s Racist Campaigning Serves ‘Rule by the Rich’
Unveiling a racist, anti-immigrant ad just days ahead of the midterms, Donald Trump is making unprecedented use of a decades-old “dog whistle” political strategy that demonizes people of color in the service of policies that benefit “rule by the rich,” says UC Berkeley law professor and author Ian Haney López

https://therealnews.com/stories/how-trumps-racist-campaigning-serves-rule-by-the-rich

Trump Threatens 15,000 Troops Amid Unprecedented Militarization of U.S.-Mexico Border
Just days before the midterms, President Trump is threatening to send up to 15,000 troops to the US-Mexico border in response to a caravan of Central American migrants

https://therealnews.com/stories/trump-threatens-15000-troops-amid-unprecedented-militarization-of-u-s-mexico-border

Arms Races Increase Atomic Arsenals, Raising the Risk of Nuclear Winter
Climate scientist Alan Robock outlines the most recent research in the area of nuclear winter and how Trump’s withdrawal from the INF treaty dramatically increases the risk of a devastating nuclear winter that could wipe out practically all life on earth

https://therealnews.com/stories/arms-races-increase-atomic-arsenals-raising-the-risk-of-nuclear-winter

Inequality and the Fight Against Anti-Semitism – Q&A with Paul Jay (2/5)
Paul Jay says anti-Semitism is deeply ingrained in Western culture​, and can easily become more widespread during economic crisis – From a live recording on October 29th, 2018

https://therealnews.com/stories/inequality-and-the-fight-against-anti-semitism-qa-with-paul-jay-2-5

Truman Delayed End of WWII to Demonstrate Nuclear Weapons – Daniel Ellsberg on RAI (3/8)
To intimidate the Soviet Union and prove to Congress the nuclear program should be funded, Truman dropped nuclear weapons on Japan to end the war; no scientist came forward to warn of the dangers to life on earth, says Daniel Ellsberg on Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay

*It’s hard for me to follow much of this, but the gist is clear

Small souls always obscure the big picture.

https://therealnews.com/stories/truman-delayed-end-of-wwii-to-demonstrate-nuclear-weapons-daniel-ellsberg-on-rai-3-8
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
“Rocks Are Not Guns”

*Goliath with an M16

http://accuracy.org/release/rocks-are-not-guns

Israeli Influence on Full Display; Russiagate MIA

http://accuracy.org/release/israeli-influence-on-full-display-russiagate-mia
—

FAIR
Restricting Election Reporting to Issues That Don’t Matter
A guest perspective
by Don Fitz

*Democracy DOA in their darkness

https://fair.org/home/restricting-election-reporting-to-issues-that-dont-matter
—

Democracy Now!
Noam Chomsky: Members of Migrant Caravan Are Fleeing from Misery & Horrors Created by the U.S.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/2/noam_chomsky_members_of_migrant_caravan

Noam Chomsky on Pittsburgh Attack: Revival of Hate Is Encouraged by Trump’s Rhetoric

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/2/noam_chomsky_on_pittsburgh_attack_revival

11.1

‘We Have Less Time Than We Thought’: Alarming New Study Shows Oceans Have Retained Far More Heat Than Previously Believed
“The planet warmed more than we thought. It was hidden from us just because we didn’t sample it right. But it was there. It was in the ocean already.”
by Common Dreams staff

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/31/we-have-less-time-we-thought-alarming-new-study-shows-oceans-have-retained-far-more

‘This Is Our Darkest Hour’: With Declaration of Rebellion, New Group Vows Mass Civil Disobedience to Save Planet
“We have a right and duty to rebel in the face of this tyranny of idiocy—in the face of this planned collective suicide”
by Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Common Dreams

*We arouse from our stupor

Or we drown in our oblivion

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/31/our-darkest-hour-declaration-rebellion-new-group-vows-mass-civil-disobedience-save

Dire Warnings for Other States (and the Planet) as Big Oil Pushes Sneaky “Nuclear Option” to Protect Profits via Colorado Ballot
“Colorado Amendment 74, pushed by the fossil fuel industry, seems to be one of the most dangerous propositions in the country,” declared Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
by Jake Johnson, staff writer
Common Dreams

*Nobody ever went broke overestimating the induced ignorance of the American voter

Quite to the contrary

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/31/dire-warnings-other-states-and-planet-big-oil-pushes-sneaky-nuclear-option-protect
—

Come to Nevada – Walk for Peace, Resist Nuclear Weapons, Stand for Indigenous People’s Rights and Fill the Jails!
An invitation from the Nevada Desert Experience, April 13-19, 2019
by Brian Terrell

http://warisacrime.org/2018/10/31/come-to-nevada-walk-for-peace-resist-nuclear-weapons-stand-for-indigenous-peoples-rights-and-fill-the-jails

Your Commander-in-Chief Is Lying to You: Veterans Issue Open Letter to Active Duty US Soldiers
By every moral or ethical standard it is your duty to refuse orders to “defend” the U.S. from these migrants
by Rory Fanning and Spenser Rapone

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/01/your-commander-chief-lying-you-veterans-issue-open-letter-active-duty-us-soldiers
—

The Real News Network
Catastrophic Death Toll in US-Saudi War on Yemen Has Been Grossly Downplayed
The UN and corporate media have for years claimed only 10,000 Yemenis were killed in the US/UK-backed Saudi/UAE war. But Yemen’s actual death toll is 70,000 to 80,000. Patrick Cockburn on the whitewashing of the catastrophic war

*When lives literally don’t count

https://therealnews.com/stories/catastrophic-death-toll-in-us-saudi-war-on-yemen-has-been-grossly-downplayed

Kentucky Shooting of Two Blacks: ‘No Surprise,’ Given the Rise of Ultra-Right
Lost in the news of hate crimes over the past week was a random shooting of two Blacks in Kentucky by a white man. President Trump’s fanning of racial resentment is leading to an atmosphere where such attacks are becoming more and more common, says Prof. Gerald Horne

*I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Horne, but such a favorable account of President Erdogan’s insincere actions doesn’t comport with an allegiance to justice and freedom, in Turkey and the wider world.

https://therealnews.com/stories/kentucky-shooting-of-two-blacks-no-surprise-given-the-rise-of-ultra-right
—

Institute for Public Accuracy
Antisemitism: Does Israel Really Care?

*Which is the greater threat to Jews?

Antisemitism

Or Zionism?

http://accuracy.org/release/antisemitism-does-israel-really-care