2019-10-22: News Headlines

RT (2019-10-22). 'Outrageous': Bernie rejects Hillary Clinton's 'foreign asset' smear on Tulsi Gabbard. rt.com Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has come to the defense of fellow Democratic contender Tulsi Gabbard, batting away claims — spread by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — that the dovish candidate is a "foreign asset." | The progressive stalwart from Vermont took to Twitter on Monday to reject any suggestion Gabbard worked for a foreign power, as Clinton implied in a recent interview, insisting her patriotic bonafides as a combat veteran were beyond question. | "Tulsi Gabbard has put her life on the line to defend…

Roger D. Harris (2019-10-22). Greater Middle East Project of Chaos: The Management of Savagery. mintpressnews.com The refugee crises coming out of the Middle East, generated by the forever wars and accompanying economic sanctions (more accurately, illegal unilateral coercive measures), have consequently fueled xenophobia both in the US and abroad. This, in turn, has fostered an ascendant wave of rightists. "Trump's election," author Max Blumenthal contends, "would not have been possible without 9/11 and the subsequent military interventionism conceived by the national security state."

Staff (2019-10-22). 'The View' Only Has Eyes for Joe Biden. truthdig.com "I think Joe has gotten a pass at this table because at least a couple of us actually know, know, know him," Whoopi Goldberg says.

RT (2019-10-22). Students ARRESTED after racial slur dare game is recorded & posted on Twitter. rt.com Two University of Connecticut students have been arrested after they were filmed trading racial slurs back and forth in what appeared to be a vulgar word game. The video was posted online and sparked protests on campus. | Jarred Karal and Ryan Mucaj, both 21, were arrested and charged with "ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality, or race," UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz announced on Monday as students and staff alike demanded "accountability." | The two white students had played a game where they uttered vulgar words at increasing volume as they walked through the campus pa…

RT (2019-10-22). Democrats cry racism over campaign poster showing black SF mayor smoking with stack of money. rt.com A Republican election poster intended as a caricature of incumbent San Francisco mayor London Breed, showing her with her feet on the table, counting dollar bills and puffing a joint, has sparked accusations of racism.

Marshall Auerback (2019-10-22). Will the GOP Become the Party of Blue-Collar Conservatism? counterpunch.org From the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt onward through to the 1990s, the Democrats had long been considered the party of the working class. That perception lingered long after the fact that by the 1990s, they had more accurately become the party of Wall Street and Silicon Valley, often embracing policies at variance with their More

Staff (2019-10-22). Why Is a Los Angeles City Attorney Trying to Criminalize Dissent? truthdig.com In 2018, four protesters interrupted a speech by Steve Mnuchin at UCLA. Now a putatively liberal Democrat wants to send them to prison.

Philip Giraldi (2019-10-22). A Call for a Coup Plus a Week Like No Other for Tulsi Gabbard. globalresearch.ca There was what might be described as an extraordinary amount of nonsense being promoted by last week's media. Unfortunately, some of it was quite dangerous. Admiral William McRaven, who commanded the Navy Seals when Osama bin Laden was captured …

Ryan Grim (2019-10-22). Full Interview: Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Talk Politics and 2020 With The Intercept's Ryan Grim. theintercept.com Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez sat down with Grim to discuss the power of grassroots movements, health care, and more before Sanders's Queens rally on Saturday.

Ryan Grim (2019-10-22). Bernie Sanders Pledges to End Practice of Prosecuting Whistleblowers Under the Espionage Act. theintercept.com As president, Bernie Sanders would end the practice of using the controversial Espionage Act to prosecute government whistleblowers, the Vermont senator told The Intercept in an interview on Saturday ahead of a major rally in New York. | The century-old law had largely gone out of fashion until it was deployed heavily by the Obama administration, which prosecuted eight people accused of leaking to the media under the Espionage Act, more than all previous presidents combined. Pr…

Julia Conley (2019-10-22). Warren's 'transformational' education plan takes aim at charter schools and vouchers, vowing to make schools safe and equitable for all students. nationofchange.org "It's a plan focused on supporting students from birth to college and career, and on supporting teachers throughout their careers."

Lukas Hernsmeier (2019-10-22). Uncle Joe and the Violence of the Liberal Middle. indybay.org To many, Joe Biden represents the feelings of normality and reconciliation. Many Americans seem to like this mix of nostalgia and belief in progress, a kind of tranquilizer-patriotism. Whoever listens to Biden will hear vague promises, conjurations and Obama anecdotes.

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-22). US Stays In Syria, Kurds Call On Israel To Attack Turkey & US Says Israel Has 'Right' To Attack Iran. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/21/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Staff (2019-10-22). Outrage Erupts After Trump Calls Impeachment Inquiry "a Lynching" truthout.org President Donald Trump took his outrageous response to House Democrats' impeachment inquiry to a new level Tuesday morning by calling the congressional proceedings "a lynching," a term that evokes the long history of racist violence against black people in the United States. | "So some day, if a Democrat becomes president and the Republicans win the House, even by a t…

Paul Antonopoulos (2019-10-22). Islamic State in Asia: 'Unintentional' Consequences of Turkey's Syria Operation. globalresearch.ca Turkey began on October 9 its illegal offensive in northern Syria to expel terrorist organizations, primarily the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Islamic State according to Ankara, away from the Turkish border and to establish a safe zone in …

South Front (2019-10-22). Video: Syrian Army Takes Control of Abandoned US Bases. globalresearch.ca The northeastern Syria ceasefire, agreed by Washington and Ankara, immediately collapsed. Under the terms of the reached agreement, Turkey had to halt its Operation Peace Spring for 120 hours to allow units of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to …

Fight Back (2019-10-22). Minnesota: Patriotic Chinese students oppose turmoil in Hong Kong. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On October 18, the five-starred flag of the People's Republic of China fluttered in the wind, as a group of patriotic Chinese international students marched in opposition to a reactionary demonstration billed as the "Liberty for Hong Kong March." | The reactionaries made their way through the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus "in solidarity with Hong Kong people against oppression on democracy and human rights." Many of the 'liberators' wore black, and the leaders of the demonstration donned yellow armbands and face masks. Their demonstration coincided with the House of Representatives…

WSWS (2019-10-22). Madrid steps up repression of protests against Catalan crackdown. wsws.org The ruling class is terrified that protests will erupt across Spain and beyond, linking the defence of democratic rights to the growing upsurge of working class struggles.

WSWS (2019-10-22). Workers and students speak at Sanders rally in New York. wsws.org The WSWS discussed issues of war, healthcare and the role of the Democratic Party in capturing and destroying social movements against capitalism.

WSWS (2019-10-22). Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez use "left" demagogy to channel opposition to Trump behind Democrats. wsws.org At Sanders' first rally since his heart attack, he did not mention ongoing strikes by autoworkers and teachers, or the impeachment inquiry against Trump.

John Philpot (2019-10-22). The Historic Role of Rwanda's Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza. Designing a Common Front against Paul Kagame. globalresearch.ca Victoire Ingabire was born in Rwanda in 1968, is an economist and mother of 3 children. She leads the opposition party to the dictatorship of her home country, the Unified Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi) since 2006. Violence in the African Great …

Frances Madeson (2019-10-22). Pro-Democracy Movement in Haiti Swells Despite Police Violence. counterpunch.org It's getting hard not to notice that U.S. corporate media is covering pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong far more than pro-democracy forces in the Caribbean. It can be challenging to catch up on significant events in a place that's a mere two-hour flight from Miami; with a few exceptions, the media is largely failing Haiti More

Sasha Abramsky (2019-10-22). Want Serious Progressive Change? Fight for Structural Election Reforms. thenation.com Want Serious Progressive Change? Fight for Structural Election Reforms.

Katrina vanden Heuvel (2019-10-22). Democrats Shouldn't Let Trump's Problems Turn Them Into the Party of War. thenation.com Democrats Shouldn't Let Trump's Problems Turn Them Into the Party of War…

Staff (2019-10-22). Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: Bernie Sanders Would "Transform the Lives of Poor and Working-Class People" democracynow.org Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, an assistant professor at Princeton University, has just published a book about the racial wealth gap and falling rate of homeownership by African Americans. Her book is titled "Race For Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Home Ownership." Taylor speaks with us about the 2020 presidential candidates' platforms, including Senator Bernie Sanders's proposed wealth tax. She says Sanders's policies bring "to light the connection between the systemic forces that drive inequality and the impact that they have in people's lives."

Staff (2019-10-22). Race for Profit: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor on How Banks & Real Estate Biz Undermined Black Homeowners. democracynow.org Recent U.S. census data reveals the homeownership rate for African Americans has fallen to its lowest level since before the civil rights movement. In the second quarter of this year, the rate fell to just 40% — the lowest level since 1950. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor's new book, "Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Home Ownership," examines the roots of this crisis. The book has just come out and has been longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award. From Philadelphia, we speak with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, an assistant professor at Princeton University.

Staff (2019-10-22). "Unprecedented" Protests Rage Across Lebanon as People Demand PM's Resignation and End to Austerity. democracynow.org Mass protests in Lebanon have entered their sixth day as hundreds of thousands around the country are taking to the streets to demonstrate against dire economic conditions, austerity and corruption, demanding the country's leaders step down. The protests were sparked last week when the government announced a tax on WhatsApp calls, but the massive demonstrations have since grown into a call for revolution. More than a million demonstrators flooded the streets of Beirut, Tripoli and other cities over the weekend. Prime Minister Saad Hariri revoked the WhatsApp tax on Monday and announced a package of economic refor…

Staff (2019-10-22). Headlines for October 22, 2019. democracynow.org Erdogan Meets with Putin as Turkish Ceasefire in Syria Expires, William Taylor Testifies in Impeachment Hearings, NYT: U.S. Has Quietly Pulled Thousands of Troops Out of Afghanistan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Held onto Power in Tight Elections, Israel: Netanyahu Fails to Form Coalition Government, Massive Protests Continue in Chile, Northern Ireland Decriminalizes Abortion & Legalizes Marriage Equality, Indonesia: Former General Prabowo Subianto to Join the Cabinet, ExxonMobil Goes on Trial in New York over Climate Change, Four Drug Companies Reach Settlement with Two Ohio Counties, Macy's to Stop Se…

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2019-10-22). 'Everyone in America Should Support You,' Says Elizabeth Warren at Rally With Striking Chicago Teachers. commondreams.org "I'm here to stand with every one of the people who stand for our children every day." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/elizabeth_warren_9.jpg

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2019-10-22). 'This Is How We Change the World': To Address Climate Crisis, Video Explains, Democracy Movements Must Rise. commondreams.org To get "sweeping policies enacted," says The Leap, "our movements have started taking the next step: winning elections and entering government." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/this_is_how_we_win.jpg

Julia Conley, staff writer (2019-10-22). Testimony by Top Diplomat Bill Taylor on Trump and Ukraine Elicits 'Holy Sh*t' Responses From Members of Congress. commondreams.org A "explosive" closed-door testimony by William Taylor, a career diplomat who sharply questioned the Trump administration's attempts over the summer to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, could begin a "sea change" in House Democrats' impeachment inquiry against the president, according to lawmakers who were in the room. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1177544556.png

Bryan Ellis (2019-10-21). Right-wing enemy of Venezuela opens Sarasota lecture season. liberationnews.org On Wednesday, regime change advocate and former diplomat Diego Arria will be speaking in Sarasota. The talk, titled "Venezuela: A Real Threat in Our Backyard", is being held at Mildred Sainer Pavilion at New College of Florida. It will be the first lecture in this year's high-profile foreign affairs lecture series, which Sarasota World Affairs Council (SWAC) has hosted annually since 2014.

RT (2019-10-21). Bot race! Mitt Romney admits he's 'Pierre Delecto,' anon Twitter handle who 'liked' impeachment, never-Trumpers & Romney posts. rt.com Utah Senator Mitt Romney has come clean about running a secret anonymous Twitter handle — "Pierre Delecto" — which passive-aggressively dumped on Trump and other Republican rivals while puffing up Romney and his allies. | Mitt Romney is Pierre Delecto. Pierre Delecto is Mitt Romney. The ultra-wealthy Mormon senator, recently rumored to be testing the waters for yet another presidential run, admitted he was behind the nom de tweet on Sunday after telling an Atlantic reporter he had a secret account — "What do they call me, a lurker?" — created to monitor political conversation. | Mitt Romn…

RT (2019-10-21). 'Not putting up with your Republican bulls**t!': Angry liberals accost Rand Paul. rt.com Are last year's 'restaurant wars' kicking off again? Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) seems to think so, after he was confronted in a diner by two elderly, outraged liberals. | The Kentucky Republican was confronted by an elderly couple while dining in California on Friday. Paul's spokesperson described the pair as "aggressive lib[eral]s." | "You just ran into two people from New York, kiddo, and we're not putting up with your Republican bullshit," the woman says, after flipping off the camera. | In the background, her male partner can be heard saying "all right, we are Americans!" | The left blames incivility o…

Victor Grossman (2019-10-21). Thoughts on impeachment. mronline.org The main impeachment thrust aims at minor events in the Ukraine. The whole approach ignores, indeed covers over the fact, that the whole U.S. policy of violently turning the Ukraine into a U.S.-dominated satrapy and advanced base was achieved by a Democratic administration. | Source

Ryan Grim (2019-10-21). Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Why She Backed Bernie Sanders Over Elizabeth Warren. theintercept.com On stage at a rally in Queens on Saturday, and in interviews beforehand with The Intercept, NBC News, and CBS News, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expounded on her decision to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary. Perhaps as important as her endorsement was the motivation behind it: If Ocasio-Cortez portrayed Sanders as the only trustworthy candidate in a field of sellouts and shills, it could make uniting the party after the nomination — either behind Sanders or one of his opponents — that much more difficult. But Ocasio-Cor…

Rachel M. Cohen (2019-10-21). Warren Wants to End Vouchers and Tax Credits for Private Schools and Rein in Charters. theintercept.com Sen. Elizabeth Warren released a wide-ranging education plan Monday, pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into public schools if she wins the presidency, paid in part through her proposed two-cent tax on wealth over $50 million. Warren's plan is infused with her broader campaign themes of reducing corruption and fraud; she backs measures like new taxes on education lobbying, limiting the profiteering of tech companies that sell digital products to schools, and curbing self-dealing within chart…

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-21). Turkey Breaks Ceasefire, US "Secures Syria's Oil" & Assange's Torture & Violation Of Rights Exposed. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/19/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

WSWS (2019-10-21). Chilean military deployed against protests for the first time since Pinochet. wsws.org The imposition of dictatorial measures by the Chilean ruling class exposes the sham "transition to democracy" political and military set-up under the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

C. J. Hopkins (2019-10-21). The Putin-Nazis Are Coming (Again)! dissidentvoice.org So, it looks like that's it for America, folks. Putin has gone and done it again. He and his conspiracy of Putin-Nazis have "hacked," or "influenced," or "meddled in" our democracy. Unless Admiral Bill McRaven and his special ops cronies can ginny up a last-minute military coup, it's four more years of the Trumpian Reich, …

WSWS (2019-10-21). At Tennessee "informational meeting" UAW calls cops on workers campaigning against GM contract. wsws.org The union is determined to run roughshod over the democratic rights of workers to force through their sellout deal with General Motors.

Jeet Heer (2019-10-21). The Real Trouble With Tulsi. thenation.com The Real Trouble With Tulsi…

Eric Blanc (2019-10-21). The Chicago Teachers Strike Proves We Can't Rely on Democrats. thenation.com The Chicago Teachers Strike Proves We Can't Rely on Democrats…

Staff (2019-10-21). Bernie's Back: AOC Backs Sanders as 26,000 Rally in NYC at Largest Presidential Rally of 2019. democracynow.org Vermont independent senator and 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders held the largest campaign rally of the primary season so far on Saturday. An estimated 26,000 supporters packed into Queensbridge Park in New York City. The event was held in the shadow of the nation's largest public housing development. It was Sanders's first campaign rally since he suffered a heart attack earlier this month. Sanders was joined on stage by three prominent supporters: Carmen Yulín Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico; filmmaker Michael Moore; and Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who volunteered on Sanders's 201…

Staff (2019-10-21). Kings Bay Plowshares 7: Trial Begins for Liz McAlister & Others for Breaking Into Nuke Sub Base. democracynow.org Seven Catholic peace activists are going on trial in Georgia today for breaking into the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base on April 4, 2018. The activists, who are known as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The activists entered the base armed with just hammers, crime scene tape, baby bottles containing their own blood and an indictment charging the U.S. government with crimes against peace. Over the past four decades activists in the Plowshares movement have taken part in about 100 similar actions at nuclear arms facilities, beginning in 1980 at the General Electric nuclear mis…

Staff (2019-10-21). "We Want Democracy to Be Restored": Protesters in Chile Decry Inequality Amid Military Crackdown. democracynow.org In Chile, as many as eight people have died in widespread civil unrest that has brought Santiago to a standstill and sparked a violent police crackdown across the country. The protests began in response to a subway fare hike two weeks ago and have grown into a mass uprising against rising inequality, high cost of living and privatization. President Sebastián Piñera canceled the fee increase on Saturday, but protests are continuing, with a national strike called for today. Over the weekend, Piñera declared a state of emergency in Santiago and five other cities, imposing a curfew and sending the military into the s…

Staff (2019-10-21). Headlines for October 21, 2019. democracynow.org U.S. Troops Leaving Syria Headed for Iraq, Anti-Government Protests Sweep the Globe, Bolivia Presidential Election Appears to Head for a Runoff, Brother of Honduran President Found Guilty of Cocaine Trafficking, Trump Says G7 Will Not Be Held at His Private Golf Course, Hillary Clinton Accuses Jill Stein, Tulsi Gabbard of Being Linked to Russia, Landmark Trial over Opioid Epidemic in Cleveland, Ohio, Tornado Rages Through Dallas, Leaving 100,000 Without Power, Judge Temporarily Blocks Florida Law Limiting Voting by Ex-Felons…

Doug Johnson Hatlem (2019-10-21). Poll Projection: Left-Leaning Jagmeet Singh to Share Power with Trudeau in Canada. counterpunch.org Late breaking momentum for the New Democratic Party (NDP) and its leader Jagmeet Singh according to Nanos, one of Canada's most respected polling firms, spells further trouble for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In almost all events, Trudeau appears headed toward a second term as Prime Minister of Canada when polls close across Canada this evening. More

Thomas Knapp (2019-10-21). Excuses, Excuses: Now Hillary Clinton's Attacking Her Own Party's Candidates. counterpunch.org "I'm not making any predictions, but I think [the Russians] have got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate," said Hillary Clinton on her former campaign manager's podcast. "They know they can't win without a third party candidate." Was Clinton referring to More

RT (2019-10-20). Hillary Clinton's attacks on Tulsi Gabbard sow more Democratic division than Moscow could ever dream of. rt.com In her zeal to beat off challengers to her party's hardline anti-Russia orthodoxy, Hillary Clinton has only succeeded in sowing discord between the crop of Democratic presidential contenders. How very 'Putin-esque' of her. | Unfounded blaming of Russia for her own woes is nothing new from Hillary Clinton, who still blames the Kremlin for denying her the presidency three years ago. If it wasn't 'Russian hackers' leaking her emails, it was 'Russian bots' backing Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, or Vladimir Putin convincing the Green Party's Jill Stein to mount a third-party challenge. Though none of the…

Roger D. Harris (2019-10-20). Greater Middle East Project of Chaos. dissidentvoice.org Destination Afghanistan was known as the big easy back in the halcyon days of the late 1960s. Hippies from throughout the affluent West hitchhiked to the capital, Kabul, where crash pads and hashish were cheap, and the locals were tolerant. Life appeared to be mellow in the scenic shadow of the Hindu Kush Himalayans. That …

Aaron Maté (2019-10-20). Max Blumenthal on why Hillary Clinton smeared Tulsi Gabbard and Jill Stein. thegrayzone.com Hillary Clinton has smeared Tulsi Gabbard and Jill Stein as Russian assets, and almost no Democratic politicians are pushing back….

Ryan Grim (2019-10-20). Sanders: I Wouldn't Make Obama's Mistake of Shutting Down Grassroots Pressure on Washington. theintercept.com Bernie Sanders said Congress needs to be as progressive as possible to pass bold legislation, but waved off talk of endorsing specific primary challenges.

Myles Hoenig (2019-10-20). Reflections on Elijah Cummings. dissidentvoice.org There aren't many politicians in America who deserve the praise that Elijah Cummings had earned over the years. He was respected by all in Congress, and by many of his Republican rivals. He was a fighter for civil right all his life, and represented the most economically exploited citizens of Baltimore, first as a member …

Nellie Bailey (2019-10-20). Phony progressives follow Trump lead on Venezuela. mronline.org So-called progressives sound just like Donald Trump when they describe Venezuela's elected government as a "dictatorship," said Nicholas Evan Ayala, co-editor of Anti-Conquista. "A lot of Democrats pretend to be anti-war, yet fail to see that every intervention they advocate follows a long history of US evil…leading to the deaths of millions of people," said […] | Source

RT (2019-10-19). #IamTulsi trending after Gabbard hands Hillary Clinton brutal smackdown. rt.com 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard is trending on Twitter, after the Hawaiian lawmaker scorched Hillary Clinton with a devastating put-down. Nevertheless, Hillary fans still maintain Tulsi's popularity is the work of 'Russian bots'. | Gabbard unloaded on Clinton on Friday, after the failed 2016 presidential contender suggested that "the Russians" were "grooming" her to run as a third-party candidate next year to split the Democratic vote. | "Great! Thank you Hillary Clinton," Gabbard tweeted in response. "You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Dem…

Douglas Grant (2019-10-19). Only One View at The View: Biden Not So Bad. fair.org by Douglas Grant When the then—Democratic frontrunner stopped by the table of The View on April 26 for his first interview since announcing his presidential run, he was afforded an honorific rarely applied to US vice presidents: "The legendary Joe Biden!" | It was a warm homecoming. They called him Joe; he called them friends. Meghan McCain asked him, "What took so long to get into the race? We're so happy you finally announced." | When the subject turned to Biden's handling of the 1991 Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings, Joy Behar joked, "Wel…

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-19). Donald Best Interview — The Systematic Eradication Of Independent Media & Independent Thought. thelastamericanvagabond.com Joining me today is investigator and former police officer Donald Best, who I recently mentioned in my interview with Aaron Maté, as they are working on a special that will expose corruption at the highest levels of the judicial system. Today, we are going to be discussing freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and …

Sam Adler-Bell (2019-10-19). Democrats Want to be Economic Populists. Why Are They Clinging to a Flawed Reagan-Era Tax Credit? theintercept.com Most Democratic candidates want to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit. But the EITC excludes the neediest Americans and may not live up to its promises.

RT (2019-10-18). 'Queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption': Tulsi Gabbard DRAGS Hillary Clinton after 'Russian asset' claim. rt.com Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) has accused Hillary Clinton of being behind a 'concerted campaign' to destroy her reputation and challenged her to stop hiding and enter the 2020 presidential race. | "Great! Thank you Hillary Clinton," Gabbard tweeted on Friday afternoon. "You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain." | "From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation. We wondered who was behind it and why. Now we…

Staff (2019-10-18). How Would Sanders Give Workers Power? therealnews.com Bernie Sanders has a new plan to transfer corporate shares and board seats to workers. Bill Black describes what's included—and what's not.

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-18). Kurds Say Turkey Used Chem Weapons & US Announces Syria Ceasefire That Turkey Says Isn't A Ceasefire. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/17/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Akela Lacy (2019-10-18). Senate Republicans to Hold "Save the Senate" Retreat at Trump Hotel. theintercept.com The Senate Republicans' campaign arm is hosting a multi-day retreat at the Trump International Hotel next month, the latest in a series of GOP events that have the added purpose of enriching the president's company. | The National Republican Senatorial Committee is hosting a "Save the Senate" retreat from November 7 to 8 at the Washington, D.C., hotel. Listed on the invitation as attending are Donald Tr…

United Nations (2019-10-18). UN Committee says Ebola in DR Congo still an international public health emergency. un.org The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, experts meeting in Geneva said on Friday.

United Nations (2019-10-18). Anti-Semitism 'toxic to democracy', UN expert warns, calling for better education. un.org To counter anti-Semitism, which is "toxic to democracy" and poses "a threat to all societies if left unaddressed", countries must invest more in education, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has warned, speaking at UN headquarters in New York.

Aaron Maté (2019-10-18). Ukrainegate Risks Handing Trump Another Gift. thenation.com Ukrainegate Risks Handing Trump Another Gift…

Jeet Heer (2019-10-18). We're Gonna Need a Bigger Impeachment. thenation.com We're Gonna Need a Bigger Impeachment…

Staff (2019-10-18). Headlines for October 18, 2019. democracynow.org Under U.S. Deal, Turkish Occupation of Northern Syria Continues; Ethnic Cleansing Feared, "We Do That All the Time": Mulvaney Admits to Quid Pro Quo over Ukraine, Ambassador Sondland Confirms Giuliani Pushed Ukraine Policy, Energy Secretary Rick Perry to Resign, U.S. to Host G7 at Trump Resort in Possible Violation of Constitution, Civilian Casualties Reach New High in Afghanistan, Corbyn Urges Labour Party Members to Reject New Brexit Deal, Chicago Teacher Strike Enters Second Day, NYC City Council Backs Plan to Close Rikers as Activists Call for No New Jails, Cuban Asylum Seeker Dies in Solitary Confinement in…

susan_p (2019-10-18). Danish Red-Green Alliance congress: Organising for climate and social justice. greenleft.org.au Dick NicholsIssue 1241 DenmarkOctober 18, 2019Denmark's Red-Green Alliance (RGA) held its 30th congress in Copenhagen on October 5-6, in a political context that contrasted strongly with that of its previous congress. | Eighteen months ago the party's 300-plus congress delegates were preparing for a general election they hoped would lift the RGA into the role of main challenger to the Social Democrats for he…

Staff (2019-10-18). Sentenced to Life in Prison as a Teen, How Cyntoia Brown Survived Sex Trafficking & Won Her Freedom. democracynow.org At the age of 16, she was arrested for killing a man who had picked her up for sex, after she had been forced into sexual slavery as a child. She was tried as an adult and sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder for shooting the man who bought her for sex when she feared for her life. Today Cyntoia Brown-Long joins us to share her experience, what has happened in the 15 years she was incarcerated, and how she won her release. In an incredible development, after a years-long campaign to win her freedom, Cyntoia was granted clemency in January after former Tennessee Governor Bill Ha…

John Klyczek (2019-10-18). To Think or to Work? That Is the Question. dissidentvoice.org On both sides of the political aisle, workforce-training reforms are being touted as the be-all, end-all of America's public education system. Right-wing "school choice" proponents, such as President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, push corporate charter school programs with workforce-training curriculums. Left-wing "community schooling" advocates, such as Democratic Presidential candidates Joe Biden and …

Jonathan Cook (2019-10-18). US Democrats Cultivated the Barbarism of Isis. dissidentvoice.org There is something profoundly deceitful in the Democratic Party and corporate media's framing of Donald Trump's decision to pull troops out of Syria. One does not need to like Trump or ignore the dangers posed to the Kurds, at least in the short term, by the sudden departure of US forces from northern Syria to …

Julie Hollar (2019-10-17). In Ohio Debate, Media Stuck to an Increasingly Rigid Script. fair.org by Julie Hollar | This week's Democratic presidential debate, hosted in Westerville, Ohio, by CNN and the New York Times, confirmed that media are stuck in a fairly rigid debate script that elevates questions about healthcare and the economy above all else, and leaves many pressing topics deeply underexplored. | The October 15 debate focused heavily on the economy, which made up 30% of all the questions. The next most frequent topic? Non-policy issues (17%), w…

Staff (2019-10-17). Can the US Protect the Kurds Without Using Military Force? therealnews.com The House overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning Trump's troop withdrawal from Syria, making it look like Democrats are wedded to military intervention. Is there an alternative that protects the Kurds without the use of the U.S. military?

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-17). Iran 'Has Evidence' US, Israel, Saudis Attacked Tanker & Why The Kurds In Syria Are Just Terrorists. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/16/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Staff (2019-10-17). Headlines for October 17, 2019. democracynow.org Trump Has "Meltdown" After Lawmakers Rebuke His Actions on Syria, Gordon Sondland to Testify in Impeachment Inquiry Today, Britain and European Union Reach Brexit Deal, Protests Continue in Catalonia After Sentencing of Separatist Leaders, Trump Admin Proposes Opening Up Tongass National Forest to Logging, 500,000 Kids Could Lose Free School Lunches Under Changes to Food Stamp Program, Chicago Public School Teachers on Strike Today, General Motors and UAW Reach Tentative Deal Aimed at Ending Strike, NYC Council Slated to Vote on $8 Billion Plan to Close Rikers & Build New Jails, Maryland Congressmember Elijah Cum…

Staff (2019-10-17). Rep. Ro Khanna: We Need a Responsible Withdrawal from Syria, Not One Oblivious to Human Life. democracynow.org As hundreds of thousands of civilians face displacement and violence amid Turkey's assault on Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria, the House of Representatives voted to condemn Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. support for the Kurds on Wednesday. The measure passed 354 to 60. We speak with Representative Ro Khanna, who says, "We can't just get involved in a place and then walk away and not have some moral responsibility. We have a moral responsibility not just to the Kurds who fought with us against ISIS. We have a moral responsibility to accept Syrian refugees. We have a moral responsibility to help rebui…

Staff (2019-10-17). "Meltdown": Trump Defends Syria Withdrawal as House Votes 354 to 60 to Condemn His Actions. democracynow.org As the displacement of 300,000 civilians over Turkey's assault on Kurdish-controlled areas continues in northern Syria, the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to condemn President Trump's actions. Turkey invaded the region on October 9, shortly after Trump virtually greenlit the Turkey assault by abruptly withdrawing a small number of U.S. troops who were protecting Kurdish areas in northern Syria. Since then, the Kurds have aligned themselves with the Syrian government, and a number of former ISIS fighters who were being held by the Kurds have escaped. We speak with Ozlem Goner, assistant professor of soci…

Staff (2019-10-17). 30,000+ Chicago Teachers & Support Staff Go on Strike Calling on City to Invest More in Schools. democracynow.org More than 30,000 workers are walking out of Chicago Public Schools today to demand better pay and benefits, smaller class sizes and more nurses, counselors, social workers and librarians. The historic strike has brought the country's third-largest school system to a standstill, with classes canceled for more than 350,000 students. The strike was confirmed Wednesday when the Chicago Teachers Union rejected a final offer by the city's new mayor, Lori Lightfoot, following months of labor negotiations. The city offered pay raises of 16% over a five-year period, while union representatives have been calling for a 15%…

Robert Mackey (2019-10-17). Is a Ukrainian Oligarch Helping Trump Smear Biden to Evade U.S. Corruption Charges? theintercept.com Why did Ukrainian billionaire Dmytro Firtash, who is facing U.S. extradition on corruption charges, get involved in Trump's effort to smear Joe Biden?

Staff (2019-10-16). As Democrats Look for Unity, Debate Displays Party's Division. therealnews.com The fourth Democratic Party presidential candidate debate featured a whopping 12 candidates, leaving even less time for substance. Despite the limitations, the debate showed substantive differences on a few issues.

Ramzy Baroud (2019-10-16). The Last Lifeline: The Real Reason Mahmoud Abbas Called for Palestinian Elections. mintpressnews.com The call by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for elections in the Occupied Territories is a political ploy. There will be no true, democratic elections under Abbas' leadership. The real question is: why did he make the call in the first place?

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-16). Peter Santenello Interview — The Truth About Iran & Its Sharp Contrast With The MSM Narrative. thelastamericanvagabond.com Joining me today is a guest that I have been greatly looking forward to speaking with, an individual that continually takes on some of the most contentious topics in one of the most politically chaotic times in living memory, braves the unavoidable criticism that will always follow, and as I see it, seeks out the …

Esteban Guevara (2019-10-16). Newark protesters: Democratic Party machine an accomplice in Trump's war on immigrants. liberationnews.org Protesters gathered in Newark, New Jersey for a rally and 3-mile march up to the detention center organized by the Resist the Deportation Machine Network on Oct. 12 to demand the closure of the ICE concentration camp in Essex county.

Staff (2019-10-16). Mehdi Hasan: "There Should Only Be Two Front-Runners Right Now: Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren" democracynow.org Twelve candidates took to the stage for the fourth round of the Democratic presidential debate in Westerville, Ohio, Tuesday to spar over healthcare, foreign policy, impeachment, gun violence, economic inequality and more. Senator Elizabeth Warren — who is now leading some national polls — repeatedly came under attack from her rivals. In the first debate since Senator Bernie Sanders suffered a heart attack two weeks ago, the Vermont senator advocated for a Green New Deal, Medicare for All and a wealth tax. Former Vice President Joe Biden attacked the proposals of both Sanders and Warren and faced scru…

Staff (2019-10-16). Warren and Sanders: A Wealth Tax Is Needed to Address Staggering Inequality. democracynow.org 2020 progressive front-runners Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren pushed for a wealth tax at the fourth Democratic debate Tuesday night. We speak with senior contributor at The Intercept, Mehdi Hasan, who hosts their "Deconstructed" podcast, and David Cay Johnston, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. He is the founder and editor of DCReport.org.

Staff (2019-10-16). Dem Debate: "Disingenuous" Attacks on Medicare for All Distract from Cost of Today's Broken System. democracynow.org Democratic candidates sparred at Tuesday's debate over their healthcare platforms and Medicare for All. We speak with Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a professor at CUNY-Hunter College and the co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program. Moderators in the CNN and New York Times debate repeatedly pressed Elizabeth Warren on whether taxes would increase under Medicare for All. "The framing of that question is crazy," says Dr. Woolhandler. "What really matters is how much a household is paying."

Staff (2019-10-16). It Was the Longest Debate So Far, But CNN & NYT Asked No Questions on Climate Crisis & Immigration. democracynow.org Despite ongoing climate chaos and a sustained humanitarian disaster at the southern border, The New York Times and CNN failed to ask candidates directly about immigration or the climate crisis at Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate. We speak with Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, who says the lack of attention to immigraton "was a major gap in the three-hour debate." We also speak with journalist Kate Aronoff about the debate's failure to address the climate crisis.

Staff (2019-10-16). Democrats Decry Trump's Syria Policy But Fail to Address Palestine, Yemen, China & Other Issues. democracynow.org At Tuesday's debate, Democratic candidates took aim at President Trump's recent move to withdraw support from the Kurds in northern Syria, paving the way for Turkey to invade the region. We speak with Intercept contributor Mehdi Hasan, host of the "Deconstructed" podcast, about the candidates' foreign policy proposals.

Staff (2019-10-16). Headlines for October 16, 2019. democracynow.org 12 Democratic Candidates Take to the Stage in Ohio, Pence Heads to Turkey as Erdogan Vows No Ceasefire in Northern Syria, State Dept. Official: White House Put "Three Amigos" in Charge of Ukraine Policy, Activists Arrested in D.C. over Trump Plan to Gut Refugee Resettlement, British Family Detained for a Week After Mistakenly Driving Across U.S.-Canada Border, Egypt Tortured Journalist & Activist Esraa Abdel Fattah in Custody, Worst Fires in Decades Rage Across Lebanon, Mexican Senate Slated to Vote on Bill to Legalize Marijuana, Man Launches Hunger Strike Amid Mohawk Land Dispute with Real Estate Developers, Cal…

Fight Back (2019-10-15). Coalition to March on the DNC 2020 gets off to a good start with its first action. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – The first meeting for the Coalition to March on the DNC took place on the evening of October 11, concluding with a demonstration and rally. The coalition is comprised of many progressive activist groups united around nine demands – or points of unity – that serve as a basis and also a guide to action. Some of these points are "Legalization for all; no more deportations" and "Fight to expand union and worker rights." | The coalition plans to march during the Democratic National Convention next July. Though a request for a permit to march has been submitted, the coalition is still awaiting a respons…

Staff (2019-10-15). Botham Jean, Then Atatiana Jefferson: Outrage in Texas as Police Kill Another Black Resident at Home. democracynow.org A white police officer in Fort Worth, Texas, has been arrested and charged with murder, after he shot and killed an African-American woman who was inside her own home. Officer Aaron Dean was responding to a non-emergency call for a wellness check after a neighbor had called the Fort Worth police to report that 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson's front door was open at around 2: 30 in the morning on Saturday. Soon after the officers arrived, Dean, who never identified himself to be a police officer, shouted through Jefferson's bedroom window to put her hands up, and then immediately opened fire, killing her. Minutes b…

Staff (2019-10-15). Homewreckers: How Wall Street, Banks & Trump's Inner Circle Used the 2008 Housing Crash to Get Rich. democracynow.org We speak with investigative reporter Aaron Glantz about his new book "Homewreckers," which looks at the devastating legacy of the foreclosure crisis and how much of the so-called recovery is a result of large private equity firms buying up hundreds of thousands of foreclosed homes. "Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks, and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out of Their Homes and Demolished the American Dream" reveals how the 2008 housing crash decimated millions of Americans' family wealth but enriched President Donald Trump's inner circle, including Trump Cabi…

Staff (2019-10-15). Headlines for October 15, 2019. democracynow.org Syrian Troops Advance Across Northern Syria After Deal with Kurds, Ex-Top Russia Adviser Testified Bolton Called Giuliani a "Hand Grenade", 12 Democrats Will Take the Stage for Presidential Debate in Ohio Tonight, Fort Worth Cop Charged for Murder After Killing Atatiana Jefferson, Judge: Trump Broke Law by Declaring Emergency to Secure Border Funding, Arizona: Bulldozers Destroyed Protected Cacti to Clear Way for Trump Wall, 8-Year-Old Girl Easily Scales Replica of Trump's "Impenetrable" Border Wall, Protests Erupt at Barcelona Airport over Sentencing of Catalan Leaders, Mexico: 14 Police Officers Killed in Ambus…

Max Blumenthal (2019-10-14). DC's Atlantic Council raked in funding from Hunter Biden's corruption-stained employer while courting his VP father. thegrayzone.com The shady arrangement between the Atlantic Council and Burisma — the gas company at the center of the 'Ukrainegate' scandal…

Staff (2019-10-14). Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed, Awarded Nobel Prize, Celebrated for "Remarkable Change" in Horn of Africa. democracynow.org Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 100th Nobel Peace Prize in an announcement Friday morning. The prime minister last year helped broker a historic peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea, where leaders of the neighboring countries signed a "Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship" and declared an end to nearly two decades of a "state of war" that lasted from 1998 to 2000 and killed 70,000 people. Soon after the peace declaration was signed, the first direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 20 years took off from Addis Ababa, headed to Eritrea's capital Asmara. Ahmed has also lifted the…

Staff (2019-10-14). "We're Still Here": Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration Reflects Ongoing Resistance to Colonization. democracynow.org Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas 527 years ago this week, unleashing a brutal genocide that killed tens of millions of Native people across the hemisphere. Cities and states across the country are acknowledging this devastating history by rejecting the federal holiday of Columbus Day and celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day instead to honor centuries of indigenous resistance. Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin have all officially recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day. So have more than 130 cities and counties, from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas…

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-12). Turkey Attacks US Troops, Iran Tanker Bombed No One Cares, CIA "Whistleblower" & Terrorism Vaccine. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/11/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-09). US 'Walks Back' Syria "Withdrawal," Kurd's '10,000 ISIS' Warning & The FBI 'Violated Privacy Rights'. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/8/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Ryan Cristián (2019-10-08). US Openly Destabilizes Iraq, Trump Threatens To "Obliterate" Turkish Economy & Erdogan Attacks Syria. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (10/7/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …