(2019-10-10). Upcoming Democratic Debate Must Include Social Security. commondreams.org This narrative holds that neither party is willing to address Social Security's long-term future. Nothing could be farther from the truth. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/cnn_3.jpeg …
(2019-10-10). Child's play: Reporter's breaking news broadcast interrupted by small screen debut of her toddler (VIDEO). rt.com 
A TV news correspondent's breaking news segment about the Turkish offensive against Kurdish-led militias in northeastern Syria was suddenly interrupted live on air by an unexpected studio guest, her own young son. | NBC's Courtney Kube was reporting on Turkey's strikes when her flow was broken by four-year-old Ryan making an uninvited appearance, right by her side. Temporarily distracted, the anchor apologizes, saying "Sorry, my kids are here – live television!" | She quickly gets right back to the story as the screen cuts away to a map of Syria, presumably giving producers enough time to remove the young int…
(2019-10-10). Republican donors involved in Trump impeachment inquiry arrested on campaign finance charges. rt.com 
Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two wealthy Soviet-born Floridians who allegedly passed information between the government in Kiev and President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, have been arrested for campaign finance violations. | Parnas and Fruman were arrested on Wednesday, reportedly while attempting to leave the US from Dulles International Airport outside Washington, DC. | Along with two other men, they were charged with funnelling illegal foreign contributions to Republican PACs in the runup t…
(2019-10-10). 'I'm not perfect': South Carolina sheriff candidate opens campaign with ad admitting to past 'blackface' incident. rt.com 
Determined not to be the next casualty of a blackface scandal, a candidate for sheriff in South Carolina released a campaign video admitting his past indiscretion up front, getting ahead of opposition research. | Craig Stivender, a Republican running for sheriff in Colleton County, shows a photograph of himself wearing blackface "about 10 years ago." | "I'll be the first to tell you I'm not perfect," Stivender says in the four-minute-long video. "I've made mistakes, and I wish I could change a thing or two." | He goes on to explain that the picture is from a law enforcement Halloween party during which he w…
(2019-10-10). As Dems Focus on Impeachment, Trump Heads to "Imperial Governance" therealnews.com 
The Trump administration is undermining our nation from immigration to the environment, while his tweets and impeachment distract us. Add it all up, says our guest, we can see how he threatens what remains of U.S. democracy.
(2019-10-10). A Few Informed Thoughts From a Veteran Cardio Rehab Nurse on Bernie's Heart Attack. commondreams.org Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) arrives at the Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame Dinner marching with Fight For $15 fast food workers on June 9, 2019 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bernie_sanders_can_win_0.jpg …
(2019-10-10). He Went Up, She Went Down. counterpunch.org Pray you now, forget and forgive. — Shakespeare, King Lear One went up and one went down. Each enjoyed similar benefits as a result of their travels. I refer to Brett Kavanaugh and Maryanne Trump Barry. Brett ascended to the United States Supreme Court and Maryanne descended from the United States Court of Appeals for the More
(2019-10-10). The Actual Laws Trump Has Broken, Just With the Ukraine and China Affairs, Could Land Him 10 Years in Prison. theintercept.com Take 18 U.S. Code ß 872: "Extortion by officers or employees of the United States." Or 18 U.S. Code ß 610: "Coercion of political activity."
(2019-10-10). Turkish Invasion Raises Fear of Kurdish Genocide and ISIS Resurgence. truthout.org | | Turkey has launched an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas. The offensive began Wednesday, just days after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 16 Kurds have been killed so far. Turkey is claiming the death toll is far higher. The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for aband…
(2019-10-10). Speaker Pennie Opal Plant on "Let Us Save the World Together" indybay.org Fred Weaver Resident Center, St. Paul's Tower, second floor, 100 Bay Pl, Oakland, CA 94610 (near 27th and Harrison)…
(2019-10-10). Translating Neoliberal-Speak: Your 2020 Democratic Candidates. dissidentvoice.org Presented here is a short list of some of the most ridiculous statements, absolute gems really, from some of the hopefuls for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President. These are all either verbatim quotes from speeches, interviews, or official Twitter posts from the candidates. After I was initially rendered catatonic by examining the collective ignorance, …
(2019-10-10). #ImpeachTrump: Take to the Streets for Democracy Rally in San Francisco. indybay.org Harry Bridges Plaza, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, California 94111…
(2019-10-10). The Global Corruption Rebellion Americans Don't Know They're Part Of. counterpunch.org Abuse of power, corruption, violation of the social contract… If you're an American Democrat, chances are Donald Trump's disdain for all of those has been evident to you for quite a bit. The spectacle of the President using the power of his office to urge the leader of Ukraine, and now China, to investigate a More
(2019-10-10). Turkey Advances in Northeast Syria Despite US, EU Criticism. telesurenglish.net The Turkish Armed Forces continued their operation along the Syrian border Thursday after the U.S. troops withdrew south of the agreed upon "safe zone" in the northern part of the country. | RELATED: | Turkey Begins Operation Against Kurdish Forces in Syria | Turkish troops, alongside their rebel allies, reportedly advanced in several areas, including Tal Abyad, after engaging in heavy clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. | While addressing h…
(2019-10-10). As the World Looks Away, Death Stalks the Democratic Republic of Congo. truthout.org | | GOMA, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo — The boy was sitting next to his father, as he so often did. He mimicked his dad in every way. He wanted to be just like him, but Muhindo Maronga Godfroid, then a 31-year-old primary school teacher and farmer, had bigger plans for his two-and-a-half-year-old son. He would go to university one day. He would become a "big name" — not just in their village of Kibirizi, but in North Kivu Province, maybe the entire Democratic Rep…
(2019-10-10). Rojava Defends Feminist Revolution Against Turkish Invaders. truthout.org | | Up to 60,000 civilians are fleeing the border area between Turkey and the autonomous region of Rojava in northeast Syria, where clashes between Kurdish militias and Turkish forces continued for a second day on Thursday. The Turkish invasion threatens the radically decentralized and democratic social revolution in Rojava, including women-led political movements and projects that have inspired activists across the globe, and stand in sharp contrast to the patriarchy and authoritarianism that defines much…
(2019-10-10). Progressives Condemn Murder of Peasant Leader in Honduras. telesurenglish.net Activists denounced a recent murder of a peasant leader. The dead leader was identified as Marcos Tulio Cruz Cruz, who was a farmer linked to land recovery processes and a victim of violent eviction. | RELATED: | Honduran Environmentalist Killed, UN Demands Investigation | According to the report of the Center for the Study of Democracy (Cespad), the victim's body was found in a dump, with signs of torture and wounds from machete and bullets. | Cruz Cruz was kidnapped Tuesday from…
(2019-10-10). Ebola on the run in DR Congo, 'now we have to kill the virus': UN health agency. un.org Efforts to eradicate the deadly Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are proving successful but "now we have to kill the virus", the UN health agency said on Thursday.
(2019-10-10). Elizabeth Warren Shows Us How to Fight a Smear. thenation.com 
But Democrats shouldn't have to keep refuting garbage stories, especially sexist ones.
(2019-10-10). Bernie Sanders Spoke Today About His Heart Attack—and His Purpose. thenation.com Bernie Sanders Spoke Today About His Heart Attack—and His Purpose…
(2019-10-10). Join 'The Nation' for Live Coverage of the Democratic Debate. thenation.com Join " for Live Coverage of the Democratic Debate…
(2019-10-10). Trump Vows Crackdown on Whistleblowers After Arrest of Intelligence Analyst. truthout.org | | Amid a swirling fight over an impeachment inquiry launched by House Democrats following the revelations provided by a government whistleblower, the Trump administration announced its intention to continue its war on leakers on Wednesday after a counterterrorism analyst was arrested on federal charges for allegedly sharing classified information with two journalists in 2018 and 2019. | Accused is Henry Kyle Frese, a 30-year -old U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency employee, who may have bee…
(2019-10-10). Ahead of CNN Town Hall, Warren and Buttigieg Unveil Their Plans to Protect and Expand LGBTQ Rights. commondreams.org Two Democratic White House hopefuls—Sen. Elizabeth Warren and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay man to run for president—released their respective policy plans to safeguard and enhance the rights of LGBTQ people ahead of a Thursday night town hall on LGBTQ issues. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/warren_buttigieg.jpg …
(2019-10-10). Law Professor's Advice to House Democrats: Arrest Rudy Giuliani. commondreams.org "The House arresting someone would be explosive and clearly should not be undertaken lightly. But the very explosiveness of it would be a way for the House to signal the seriousness of White House obstructionism to the public." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/rudy_jail_maybe.jpg …
(2019-10-10). Trump impeachment inquiry reveals deep ruling class divisions. greenleft.org.au 
US politics Barry SheppardIssue 1240 United States Donald Trump impeachmentOctober 10, 2019The House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into United States President Donald Trump was launched by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on September 24 an…
(2019-10-10). After Trump Abandoned Kurds, Turkish Invasion Raises Fear of Kurdish Genocide & ISIS Resurgence. democracynow.org 
Turkey has launched an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas. The offensive began Wednesday, just days after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports at least 16 Kurds have been killed so far. Turkey is claiming the death toll is far higher. The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for abandoning the stateless Kurds who had helped the U.S. fight ISIS. Turkey is claiming the assault is needed to establish a "
(2019-10-10). Anti-austerity protesters force Ecuador's president to flee the capital. thecanary.co 
Thousands of anti-austerity protesters have converged on Ecuador's capital Quito, forcing the country's controversial president to flee the city.The protests have persisted since last week, when President Lenín Moreno's decision to end subsidies led to a sharp increase in fuel prices. They have spread from transport workers to students and then to indigenous demonstrators. And the governme…
(2019-10-10). Turkey Moves to Crush Rojava, the Kurds' Radical Experiment Based on Democracy, Feminism & Ecology. democracynow.org 
As Turkey launches an aerial and ground assault on northern Syria targeting Kurdish-controlled areas, we look at how the offensive threatens the Kurdish region of Rojava with Debbie Bookchin, co-founder of the Emergency Committee for Rojava. She is a journalist and author who co-edited a book of essays by her father, Murray Bookchin, "The Next Revolution: Popular Assemblies and the Promise of Direct Democracy." We also speak with Elif Sarican, a Kurdish Women's Movement activist and anthropologist at the London School of Economics, and Ertuƒürul Kàºrkàßàº, honorary chair of the pro-Kurdi…
(2019-10-10). Justice for Kaysera: Native Teen's Mysterious Death Highlights Epidemic of Murdered Indigenous Women. democracynow.org 
The family of Native American teenager Kaysera Stops Pretty Places is demanding justice after she was found dead in Hardin, Montana, in late August, just two weeks after her 18th birthday. Kaysera was a member of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal communities in Montana. She lived with her grandmother. According to her family, Kaysera was reported missing after she never came home on the night of August 24. On August 29, the body of a young woman was found in the town of Hardin. It wasn't until two weeks later that local law enforcement confirmed it was Kaysera. The circumstances surrounding her death and disa…
(2019-10-10). Headlines for October 10, 2019. democracynow.org Turkey Launches Ground Offensive in Northern Syria, WH Budget Office Refuses to Comply with Subpoena for Impeachment Probe, Biden Joins Majority of 2020 Field in Calling for Trump's Impeachment, Trump Faces Dozens of New Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Matt Lauer Denies Raping NBC Producer Brooke Nevils in 2014, Germany: 2 Killed in Anti-Semitic Attack Outside Temple on Yom Kippur, U.N.: U.S. Military Killed 30+ Afghan Civilians in Airstrikes in May, Amnesty: Death Toll in Anti-Government Protests in Iraq Surpasses 150, Protests Erupt in Algeria over Corruption & Army's Role in Politics, Egyptian Dissident Alaa…
(2019-10-10). The Hong Kong Standoff Is Dragging in Unexpected Players. truthdig.com 
First it was the NBA. Now it is esports that has found itself in the middle of the standoff between Chinese leaders and the Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters. | The mega-U.S. gaming company Activision Blizzard is under fire after its one-year suspension of a top professional esports player after he spoke out in favor of the Hong Kong protesters during a postgame interview. | Ng Wai Chung, known as Blitzchung, lives in Hong Kong and is one of the top players in the Asia-Pacific region of the online card deck game Heart…
(2019-10-10). Two Giuliani Clients Who Helped Investigate Biden Arrested on Campaign Finance Charges for Six-Figure Trump Donation. commondreams.org Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are both witnesses in House Democrats' impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/giuliani_0.png …
(2019-10-09). Joe Biden's Family Has Been Cashing in on His Career for Decades. Democrats Need to Acknowledge That. theintercept.com 
Democrats have sidestepped the question of Hunter Biden's ethics, and how much responsibility Joe Biden deserves. Republicans, though, have no such qualms.
(2019-10-09). Zelensky's Capitulation and Trump's Open Appeals for Foreign Help on Biden Dirt. counterpunch.org 
"It looks like Zelensky has capitulated" reports MSNBC' Matt Bradley in Kiev, to President Trump's demand that he "play ball" and investigate Joe and Hunter Biden. The investigation of Burisma Holdings has been reopened at U.S. mafiosa-like prodding. In other words, Trump's threat to withhold aid pending an agreement to investigate a political foe worked. More
(2019-10-09). 'Unconstitutional, illegitimate & secretive': White House pens lengthy letter on why it won't cooperate with 'impeachment inquiry'. rt.com 
A showdown between the White House and Democrats is in full swing with the former penning a letter declaring it would not cooperate with an "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional" impeachment inquiry conducted in secret. | The letter, published on Tuesday evening, condemned the impeachment initiative in the harshest terms yet, arguing it deprived President Trump of "constitutionally mandated due process," and that the inquiry lacked legal legitimacy, as it was never a…
(2019-10-09). Ohio Progressive Morgan Harper Raised $323,000 in First Quarter of House Race. theintercept.com 
"What candidates like Morgan Harper and Jessica Cisneros are saying is that any Democrat representing a safe Democratic district should be put on watch."
(2019-10-09). What to expect from Turkey's coming invasion of Syria. mronline.org 
Erdogan's government is preparing to enter Syria for a major military operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is made up largely of Kurdish factions who set up this armed force to defend the mainly Kurdish enclave in northern Syria. | Source
(2019-10-09). Support 'winds of change' in DR Congo to consolidate positive developments, urges UN mission chief. un.org Recent positive trends could help transform the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into a stable country, the head of the UN operation there told the Security Council on Wednesday.
(2019-10-09). The Battle for the Soul of India. counterpunch.org We are witnessing a battle for the rational soul of India. It has long been the conventional wisdom that the country's historic and admirable diversity and tolerance would prevent the creation of a Hindu-first nation. But it seems increasingly likely that the narrative of India as a Hindu democratic state will prevail. There is a More
(2019-10-09). Mark Zuckerberg Buckles and Will Testify to Congress on Facebook's Cryptocurrency. theintercept.com The hearing comes after Chair Maxine Waters and committee Democrats sent a letter to Facebook calling on the company to suspend plans to launch the cryptocurrency, Libra.
(2019-10-09). Unicef: 4,000 Killed by Measles Epidemic in DRC This Year. telesurenglish.net The number of deaths caused by measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached the four thousand mark Oct. 9, according to UNICEF. | RELATED: | DR Congo Suffers World's Largest Measles Outbreak Ever: WHO | Between January and October of this year, more than 200,000 cases of measles have been reported in the country's 26 provinces, with over 4,000…
(2019-10-09). Blue Wave, Meet Brick Wall. thenation.com Blue Wave, Meet Brick Wall…
(2019-10-09). Julián Castro Slams Trump's "Deranged" Immigration Policies After Escorting Asylum Seekers to Border. democracynow.org 
On Monday, 2020 presidential candidate Julián Castro escorted a dozen asylum seekers to the U.S. port of entry at Brownsville, Texas, in a challenge to President Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy. The group included a disabled Salvadoran woman and her relatives, as well as nine LGBTQ people from Cuba, Guatemala and Honduras. Many of them report they've been threatened and assaulted while they've been forced to wait in the Mexican border city of Matamoros. The asylum seekers were refused entry into the United States. Castro speaks with us from San Antonio, where he served as mayor from 2009 to 2014.
(2019-10-09). Divided Supreme Court Hears Landmark LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination Case. democracynow.org 
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in three cases that will determine whether LGBTQ people can be fired from their jobs due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Among the court's conservative justices, only Neil Gorsuch appeared open to prohibiting such workplace discrimination. One of the cases centers on a transgender woman from Michigan named Aimee Stephens, who was fired from her job at a funeral home in 2013. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its decision in the three cases by early next summer. We speak to James Esseks, director of the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, who attended Tu…
(2019-10-09). Headlines for October 9, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Won't Cooperate with Impeachment Probe, Prompting Constitutional Crisis, Turkish Attack on Kurds in Syria Imminent After U.S. Steps Aside, Afghanistan Claims al-Qaeda Leader Died in U.S.-Led Attack That Killed 40 Civilians, Trump Admin Planning Withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty, Wife of U.S. Diplomat Claims Immunity After Crash That Killed Motorcyclist, Supreme Court Hears Arguments in LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination Cases, 800,000 Californians Face Blackouts as PG&E Cuts Power Amid Wildfire Fears, Steven Reed Elected First Black Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, NBC Producer Says Matt Lauer Raped Her in 2014, U…
(2019-10-09). Myanmar Urged To Release Rohingya Held for Traveling. telesurenglish.net Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called for the release of 30 Rohingya Muslims, including nine children, who were arrested for trying to travel from Rakhine state to Yangon. | RELATED: | Rohingya in Myanmar Still Face 'Threat of Genocide': UN Report | On Sep. 26, police intercepted the group in the Ayeyarwady region as they were traveling by boat from Sittwe, capital of Rakhine state, to Yangon and were arrested for lacking approved travel documentation. | "Myanmar authorities seem intent o…
(2019-10-09). Julián Castro Backs Impeachment Effort & Condemns Trump's "Betrayal" of Kurds in Northern Syria. democracynow.org 
Turkey's government says its troops are prepared for an imminent assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, after President Trump ordered U.S. troops to fall back from their positions on the Turkish-Syrian border. Kurdish fighters said they're bracing for a "humanitarian catastrophe." This follows warnings that former Kurdish allies of the U.S. who feel betrayed by President Trump will abandon thousands of prisoners captured during the U.S.-backed war against ISIS over the past two years. We speak to former housing secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro, who says Trump's move is a…
(2019-10-09). Indigenous-Led Anti-Austerity Protests Shut Down Quito Forcing Ecuadorian Government to Move Capital. democracynow.org 
Tens of thousands of people, led by indigenous leaders, are expected to again bring Ecuador to a standstill today in massive ongoing anti-government protests. Demonstrators flooded the streets of Quito Tuesday to decry government-imposed austerity measures and a steep hike in fuel prices, despite a severe police crackdown. Civil unrest has been growing since President Lenín Moreno ended a decades-old fuel subsidy program last week as part of a so-called reform plan imposed by the International Monetary Fund after Ecuador took a $4.2 billion loan from the IMF earlier this year. Hundreds of people have been arreste…
(2019-10-08). When Ukraine's Prosecutor came after his son's sponsor Joe Biden sprang into action. mronline.org 
There are some serious questions around the Biden family involvement in the Ukraine that the media have not picked up on. | Source
(2019-10-08). Impeachment saga: Trump won't send EU envoy to stand before 'totally compromised KANGAROO COURT' but Dems file subpoena. rt.com 
The Trump administration wouldn't allow Gordon Sondland, a key figure in the Democrats' impeachment drive, to testify before the House's "kangaroo court" — but the committee chairmen leading the efforts have issued a subpoena. | Democrat-led committees in the US House, which are in the process of collecting evidence to argue the impeachment case against Donald Trump, wanted to hear the testimony of Gordon Sondland, Washington's ambassador to the EU. His scheduled appearance, however, was blocked by the White House. | I would love to send Ambassador Sondland, a really good man and great American, to testi…
(2019-10-08). 'Gift to Putin!' Meltdown as House Democrat claims Trump plans to ditch Open Skies treaty. rt.com 
The House Foreign Affairs Committee chair has sent a letter to the White House expressing concern over "reports" that President Donald Trump wants to abandon the Open Skies Treaty. Yet the only such report is his own. | Congressman Eliot Engel (D-New York) denounced on Monday "potential plans" to withdraw from the treaty, saying it would be "a blow to United States national security interests, endangering Ukraine and other key European allies."
(2019-10-08). The Corporate Democrats' (and Alicia Garza's) get-Sanders slanders. mronline.org 
Once the Bernie Sanders threat has subsided, Elizabeth Warren will be required to further neuter herself to allay the fears of billionaire Democratic donors. Once upon a time not so long ago the U.S. corporate media was a livelier place, where the rich people that owned the presses argued among themselves about the destiny of […] | Source
(2019-10-08). Laura Flanders Show: How Can Municipal Government Promote Economic Democracy? therealnews.com 
New York, NY…its a city with close to 100 billion dollar budget every year and 1 deputy mayor with some pretty creative plans for how to spend it. What can one city do? And what's it gonna take to create a non-racist democracy? J Phillip Thompson, NYC Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives is my…
(2019-10-08). 'Don't tempt me': Hillary threatens to enter 2020 race after Trump Twitter jab. rt.com 
Hillary Clinton has threatened to enter the 2020 presidential race for president after President Donald Trump suggested on Twitter that she throw her hat in the ring in an effort to "steal it away" from Elizabeth Warren. | Trump tweeted Tuesday that "Crooked Hillary" should run for president again to deprive the "Uber Left" Warren of a shot at the White House, but only on "one condition" to be subpoenaed to "explain all of her high crimes and misdemeanors." | I think that Crooked Hillary Clinton should enter the race to try and steal it away from Uber Left Elizabeth Warren. Only one condition. The Crooked one…
(2019-10-08). Trump's Syria Pullout Will Destroy the Middle East's Only Woman-Led Democracy. thenation.com Trump's Syria Pullout Will Destroy the Middle East's Only Woman-Led Democracy…
(2019-10-08). Striking UAW Member: We'll Strike "As Long as It Takes" to Demand Fair Salaries and Benefits. democracynow.org 
About 48,000 workers at General Motors have entered their fourth week on strike. It is the longest national strike at GM by the United Auto Workers in nearly 50 years. Workers are seeking higher pay, protection of their healthcare benefits, greater job security and a commitment from GM to build more cars and parts in the United States. On Sunday, UAW officials announced they had rejected the company's latest offer, saying negotiations had "taken a turn for the worse." We speak with Steve Frisque, a striking GM worker and former president of UAW Local 722.
(2019-10-08). Will Chicago Teachers Be Next to Strike? Union Head Speaks Out as Walkout Date Approaches. democracynow.org 
In Chicago, union leaders and the nation's third-largest school district are racing to reach an agreement to avert a teachers' strike authorized to begin later this month. In late September, 25,000 educators voted overwhelmingly to authorize a work stoppage, demanding more staffing and lower class sizes. On Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot accused the union of not coming to the bargaining table with a proposal to counter the offers the district has made in recent weeks. This comes as about 7,000 school support staffers with the Service Employees International Union have also made preparations for a strike, as…
(2019-10-08). This Is Not a Drill: 700+ Arrested as Extinction Rebellion Fights Climate Crisis with Direct Action. democracynow.org 
More than 700 people have been arrested in civil disobedience actions as the group Extinction Rebellion kicked off two weeks of protests in 60 cities worldwide, demanding urgent government action on the climate crisis. Its members have superglued themselves to government buildings, occupied public landmarks, shut down roads and taken to the streets to sound the alarm about the impending catastrophe of global warming. Extinction Rebellion, a nonpolitical movement, launched last year in the U.K. and rose to prominence in April, when it disrupted traffic in Central London for 11 days. For more about the significance…
(2019-10-08). Headlines for October 8, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Touts "Great and Unmatched Wisdom" as U.S. Abandons Kurdish Allies, State Dept. Orders Ambassador Gordon Sondland Not to Testify to Impeachment Inquiry, Federal Judge Rejects Trump's "Repugnant" Argument Against Turning Over Tax Records, Ecuador's President Moves Government From Capital as Anti-Austerity Protests Grow, Bolivia Rains Quell Fires After 10 Million Amazon Acres Burn, 700+ Arrested as Extinction Rebellion Protests Demand Climate Action, Swedish Climate Activist Greta Thunberg to Visit Standing Rock Reservation, Supreme Court Opens New Term with Justice Clarence Thomas Absent, Asylum Seekers Esco…
(2019-10-07). Ukrainegate goes to Pentagon: House Democrats subpoena DoD & OMB as part of Trump impeachment probe. rt.com 
Seeking to impeach President Donald Trump over allegedly using military aid to pressure Ukraine, House Democrats are demanding documents from the Pentagon and the Office of Management and Budget. | Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees of the US House of Representatives have sent out subpoenas, giving the Pentagon and the OMB a week to produce documents related to Trump's decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine. The deadline for compliance is October 15. | Trump "jeopardized national security by pressing Ukraine to interfere with our 2020 election and by withholding military assistance prov…
(2019-10-07). "We Have to Mass Mobilize": Laverne Cox & Chase Strangio Sound the Alarm on Major LGBTQ SCOTUS Cases. democracynow.org 
At the start of its new term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in three cases to determine whether LGBTQ people can be fired from their jobs due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employers cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of sex, as well as race, color, national origin and religion, but the Trump administration claims the law does not cover discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The cases mark the first time the Supreme Court will rule on LGBTQ rights since conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh re…
(2019-10-07). "A Backlash Against Our Existence": Laverne Cox Speaks Out on Violence Against Trans Women of Color. democracynow.org 
At least 19 transgender people have been killed in the United States in 2019 — most of them trans women of color. Last year, there were at least 26 killings of transgender people. The American Medical Association has declared the wave of violence an "epidemic." Laverne Cox, the award-winning transgender actress and longtime trans rights activist, says such violence has long been part of the lives of trans people. "For my entire life as a trans woman, for 21 years, I have been hearing about, witnessing, going to memorials [and] going to Trans Days of Remembrance," she says. Cox says the violence reflects a s…
(2019-10-07). "A Shakespearean Act of Betrayal": Trump Agrees to Let Turkey Invade Kurdish-Controlled Syrian Area. democracynow.org 
U.S. troops have begun withdrawing from northeast Syria as Turkey prepares to invade Kurdish-controlled areas of the country. For years, the Kurds have been close allies to the United States in the fight against ISIS. On Sunday, however, the White House released a statement that surprised many in the region, announcing that Turkey would be "moving forward with its long-planned operation in Northern Syria," following a phone call between President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in that operation, and the United States forces, having…
(2019-10-07). Headlines for October 7, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Orders U.S. Troops to Step Aside for Turkish Assault on Kurdish Forces, 109 Killed and 6,000 Wounded as Anti-Government Protests Rage in Iraq, Second Whistleblower Has Firsthand Knowledge of Trump-Ukraine Scandal, Secretary of State Pompeo Calls Impeachment Inquiry "Silly Gotcha Game", Trump Calls GOP Senator Mitt Romney "Pompous" over Ukraine Rebuke, North Korea Calls Off Denuclearization Talks with the U.S., U.S. Meets with Taliban for First Time Since Trump Canceled Afghan Peace Talks, Israeli Forces Fire on Gaza Protesters, Killing One and Injuring Dozens, Protesters Call for Kavanaugh's Removal One Yea…
(2019-10-07). Why Are Americans So Confused About the Meaning of "Democratic Socialism"? dissidentvoice.org 
The meaning of democratic socialism‚Äïa mixture of political and economic democracy‚Äïshould be no mystery to Americans. After all, socialist programs have been adopted in most other democratic nations. And, in fact, Americans appear happy enough with a wide range of democratic socialist institutions in the United States, including public schools, public parks, minimum wage laws, Social Security, …
(2019-10-06). A Poor Perspective on the UBI. dissidentvoice.org 
Of late there has been a lot of ink spilled over the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang has made it the center of his campaign. Before going too far, it should be noted that there are legitimate questions to be answered with such a revolutionary proposal and many …
(2019-10-04). From Trump to Nixon: "Watergate" Film Explains "How We Learned to Stop an Out of Control President" democracynow.org 
President Donald Trump called openly Thursday for the leaders of Ukraine and China to investigate Trump's campaign rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter for corruption. Trump's explicit remarks during a press conference came as leaders of the Democratic-led House pushed ahead rapidly with their impeachment investigation. President Trump is just the fourth U.S. president to face a formal impeachment inquiry, joining Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. We spend the hour looking at back at the Watergate scandal, which led to Nixon's resignation in 1974 and is the focus of a documentary titled "Watergate…
(2019-10-04). Headlines for October 4, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Publicly Calls on Ukraine and China to Investigate the Bidens, Trump Discussed Campaign Rivals in June Call with China's Xi Jinping, FEC Chair: Illegal for Candidates to Solicit Foreign Help in U.S. Elections, Messages Detail How U.S. Officials Pressured Ukraine on Trump's Behalf, IRS Whistleblower: Treasury Official Tried to Interfere with Trump or Pence Tax Audit, Trump Administration to Collect DNA of All Immigrants Jailed in U.S., Iraq Death Toll at 44 as Violent Repression of Protests Continues, Honduran President Denies Narcotrafficking Ties as His Brother Faces U.S. Trial, Protests Rock Ecuador as IM…
(2019-10-03). HELP FAIR: Want a Better World? Fight for Better Media. fair.org 
Dear FAIRites, FAIR holds firm to its belief that documenting and challenging corporate media is critically important to maintaining democratic values. The news industry's use of government officials, unnamed sources and right-wing think tank "experts" to distort the news needs to always be called out—now is not the time to let up on media activism. …
(2019-10-03). "Nothing Ends Homelessness Like a Home": Advocates Slam Trump's Attack on SF & Homeless People. democracynow.org 
President Trump is continuing an all-out attack on San Francisco's homeless population and political leaders. On Wednesday, the Trump administration filed an environmental notice of violation against San Francisco, falsely claiming that the city's homelessness crisis has caused water pollution. City officials have repeatedly rejected Trump's unfounded claims that homelessness is connected to water quality. California is home to 12% of the country's population but half of the country's unsheltered homeless people. President Trump has been pushing for a crackdown on the crisis for weeks and threatened to destroy ho…
(2019-10-03). Trump vs. California: In Blow to Climate, U.S. Revokes State's Stricter Auto Emissions Standards. democracynow.org 
California is in a legal battle with the Trump administration over tailpipe emissions, air quality and climate change. California recently joined nearly two dozen other states to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration after it revoked the state's air pollution standards for cars and light trucks, in its latest regulatory rollback of laws aimed at slowing the climate crisis. Auto emissions are California's single largest source of greenhouse gases. From Los Angeles, we're joined by Mary Nichols, the longtime chair of the California Air Resources Board. She has led the board in crafting California's intern…
(2019-10-03). As Man Dies in ICE Custody, California Moves to Ban For-Profit Prisons, Including Immigrant Jails. democracynow.org 
A Cameroonian immigrant died this week in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California. The man, identified as 37-year-old Nebane Abienwi, died on Tuesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. This comes as California lawmakers passed a bill last month that would ban private prisons statewide, a major blow to the for-profit prison industry in the U.S. that is deeply entangled in immigration detention. The legislation also orders the closure of four ICE prisons that can jail up to 4,500 immigrants. The bill is currently awaiting the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who said in his January…
(2019-10-03). Headlines for October 3, 2019. democracynow.org House Democrats Prepare White House Subpoena in Impeachment Probe, Trump Rages Against Impeachment Probe with Profanity and Insults, Bernie Sanders Has Surgery to Clear Blocked Artery, Deaths and Injuries Mount as Iraqi Police and Soldiers Fire on Protesters, EU Officials Wary as British PM Boris Johnson Unveils Brexit Plan , Hong Kong Teen Shot During Protests Charged with Assaulting Officer, Record-Breaking Hurricane Lorenzo Lashes Azores, Heads for Ireland, London Climate Protesters Spray British Treasury with Fake Blood, Cameroonian Asylum Seeker Dies in For-Profit Immigration Jail, Plácido Domingo Quits L.A.
(2019-10-02). "Impunity & Corruption": Haiti Protesters Demand President MoàØse's Resignation Amid Failing Economy. democracynow.org 
In Haiti, massive anti-government protests calling for the resignation of U.S.-backed President Jovenel MoàØse continue to escalate. The worsening economic crisis, a shortage of fuel and food, and corruption allegations against MoàØse have sent protesters to the streets on and off for over a year. Hundreds demonstrated in the capital Port-au-Prince Monday, and another protest is scheduled for today. Much of Port-au-Prince has been on lockdown for the past two weeks, and at least four people have been killed in recent days after Haitian police opened fire on protesters, using live ammunition and tear…
(2019-10-02). Hong Kong Youth Face Military Crackdown While Fighting "One of the Most Unequal Societies Anywhere" democracynow.org 
China held its largest military parades ever in Beijing this week to mark 70 years of Communist rule. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, police escalated violence Tuesday by firing live ammunition at demonstrators for the first time in the months-long protests. In a widely viewed video posted online, a riot police officer is seen firing his gun into the chest of 18-year-old protester Tsang Chi-kin. The teenager is reportedly in stable condition. Police also fired tear gas and water cannons, while protesters were seen throwing Molotov cocktails. Ninety-six protesters were arrested on Tuesday on rioting charges.‚Ä…
(2019-09-30). Lancaster, PA march demands right to healthcare in the face of hospital closure, corporate profiteering. liberationnews.org 
Community members in Lancaster, Pennsylvania came into the streets on September 21 to march in the heat for the right to quality healthcare.
(2019-09-08). New Season of Amazon's Jack Ryan Focused on Venezuela Denounced as 'Over-the-Top and Ridiculous' US Propaganda. venezuelanalysis.com The upcoming season of Amazon's Jack Ryan could have been scripted by John Bolton.