UN's Bachelet slams 'reprehensible' political leadership during pandemic, sees hope in new US administration
news.un.org | 2020-12-09
Some political leadership during the pandemic has been "reprehensible", UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday, while holding out hope of a better 2021 as US President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/12/1079622
Trump Set to Execute Brandon Bernard Even as Jurors & Ex-Prosecutor Call for Clemency
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-09
President Trump has sent eight people to their deaths so far this year, breaking a 17-year hiatus in federal executions, and plans to execute five more in the final weeks of his administration. On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the federal government is scheduled to kill Brandon Bernard, a Black man who was 18 years old when he was convicted as an accomplice to the murder of a young white couple in Texas. Bernard did not kill either person and says he was a "getaway driver" during a robbery gone wrong. Citing moral reasons and new evidence, five of the nine surviving jurors have changed their minds,…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/9/liliana_segura_brandon_bernard_execution
People's Vaccine: Calls Grow for Equal Access to Coronavirus Vaccine as Rich Countries Hoard Supply
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-09
While the United States, Britain and other wealthy countries race to vaccinate their populations against the coronavirus, a new report finds that as much as 90% of the population in dozens of poorer countries could be forced to wait until at least 2022 because wealthy countries are hoarding so much of the vaccine supply. A growing movement is calling for the development of a people's vaccine and the suspension of intellectual property rights to expand access. We speak with Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, a policy adviser to the People's Vaccine Alliance, and Achal Prabhala, a public health advocate and coordinator of the…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/9/coronavirus_vaccine_access
Why America's future depends on rebuilding our factories
Tom Conway | nationofchange.org | 2020-12-09
Biden's Build Back Better campaign will make commonsense investments in U.S. manufacturing that put millions to work and ensure a reliable, high-quality supply of critical goods.
nationofchange.org/2020/12/09/why-americas-future-depends-on-rebuilding-our-factories/
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to Hold Hearing on Haiti
Jake Johnston | cepr.net | 2020-12-09
The follow is a guest post from the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. On Thursday, December 10, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold a hearing on pervasive impunity and a lack of judicial independence in Haiti. The event will be broadcast live here. The Commission, a quasi‚Äêjudicial body of the …
cepr.net/inter-american-commission-on-human-rights-to-hold-hearing-on-haiti/
Biden needs to go big to rebuild America
Neil M. Maher | nationofchange.org | 2020-12-09
While this perfect storm of social, economic, and environmental emergencies may feel unprecedented, Americans during the 1930s faced a similar triple threat.
nationofchange.org/2020/12/09/biden-needs-to-go-big-to-rebuild-america/
France's cabinet greenlights 'anti-separatism' bill amid human rights concerns
MEE and agencies | middleeasteye.net | 2020-12-09
France's cabinet greenlights 'anti-separatism' bill amid human rights concerns | The draft law, renamed the bill 'to strengthen republican values' and seeking to crack down on 'radical Islamism', will head to parliament in 2021 | MEE and agencies | Wed, 12/09/2020 – 14: 14 | French Prime Minister Jean Castex at a news conference after cabinet meeting discussions over a bill to fight what Macron has called 'I…
www.middleeasteye.net/news/france-islam-separatism-bill-human-rights-cabinet
Biden/Harris to Name Hawkish General Lloyd Austin as "War Secretary"
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-12-08
US generals and admirals aren't doves. | They earn stars and medals by waging preemptive wars to advance the nation's imperial aims. | Throughout…
globalresearch.ca/biden-harris-regime-name-hawkish-general-war-secretary/5731587
Bolivarian Social Democracy Triumphs in Venezuelan National Assembly Elections
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-12-08
On Sunday, Venezuelans voted to elect 277 National Assembly members for five-year terms from January 5, 2021 to January 5, 2026. | An unprecedented total of 14,400 candidates from 107 political parties ran for office. | Two Bolivarian blocs were heavy favorites …
globalresearch.ca/bolivarian-social-democracy-triumphs-venezuelan-national-assembly-elections/5731551
Stuck in a Lift with John Pilger: News and How to Use It by Alan Rusbridger
Media Lens | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-12-08
Noticing the way journalists seemed unable to resist commenting on our work, even if it was just to slag us off, Glenn Greenwald tweeted us in 2012: 'You are really deeper in the heads of the British establishment-serving commentariat than anyone else — congrats.' ((Greenwald, Twitter, 12 September 2012.)) If that was true then, our relationship …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/12/stuck-in-a-lift-with-john-pilger-news-and-how-to-use-it-by-alan-rusbridger/
Action for Change Starts in Congress
Ralph Nader | counterpunch.org | 2020-12-08
We know their names! We've given immense power to Five Hundred and Thirty-Five People to do good or bad. One Hundred Senators and Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Representatives. Unfortunately, some 1500 corporations control most Members of Congress. Think about all the dreams for a better world that could come to be realized if our elected officials…
counterpunch.org/2020/12/08/action-for-change-starts-in-congress/
Why Jeh Johnson Would Be a Better Defense Secretary Than Michèle Flournoy
MBNJSD | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-12-08
CODEPINK protests killer drones at DC home of Jeh Johnson (Credit: CODEPINK) President-elect Biden's choice for Secretary of Defense has turned out to be one of the most controversial and difficult of his Cabinet appointments. The early front-runner, Michèle Flournoy, was originally seen as a shoo-in and was touted as a great breakthrough for women, …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/12/why-jeh-johnson-would-be-a-better-defense-secretary-than-michele-flournoy/
Trump Exits Somalia
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2020-12-08
These are things that might have been done earlier. During the last, flickering days of the Trump administration, activity is being witnessed across countries which have a US troop presence. Numbers are being reduced. Security wonks are getting the jitters. Is the imperium shrinking? Will President elect Joe Biden wake up and reverse the trend?
counterpunch.org/2020/12/08/trump-exits-somalia/
Sustainable Farming Advocates Warn Biden That Vilsack 'A Very Bad Pick' for Ag Secretary
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-12-08
"America needs an Agriculture secretary that will finally prioritize sustainable family farming and national food security over corporate profits." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/biden-possible-vilsack-usda.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/sustainable-farming-advocates-warn-biden-vilsack-very-bad-pick-ag-secretary?cd-origin=rss
Top Democrat Condemns Trump Plan to Sell 'Most Highly Sophisticated Killing Machine' to UAE
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-12-08
"Does it make the Middle East safer," asked Sen. Chris Murphy, "or does it just make defense companies richer?" | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/murphy-arms-sale-uae.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/top-democrat-condemns-trump-plan-sell-most-highly-sophisticated-killing-machine-uae?cd-origin=rss
Spanish ex-military discuss shooting millions whilst praising Franco
Jasmine Norden | thecanary.co | 2020-12-08
Former Spanish military officers who previously defended Franco have warned of the "deterioration of democracy" in Spain. | This comes just days after a leaked WhatsApp chat showed retired officers praising Franco and discussing the shooting of millions of supporters of Catalan independence. | As the country marked 42 years of a constitution that freed it from dictatorship, "271 former military personnel" signed a manifesto in opposition to Spain's socialist coalition government.
thecanary.co/global/world-news/2020/12/08/spanish-ex-military-discuss-shooting-millions-whilst-praising-franco/
After Prop 22 Win for Uber & Lyft, Advocates Fear New Wave of Anti-Worker Laws Pushed by Big Tech
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-08
Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft scored a major victory with the passage of Proposition 22 in California, and worker rights advocates fear they will push similar measures in other states. Prop 22 will exempt companies in the so-called gig economy from having to classify their workers in the state as employees rather than as independent contractors. Uber, Lyft and other companies that rely on gig workers spent more than $200 million to promote Prop 22, and a survey of California voters who voted "yes" on the measure showed 40% thought they were supporting gig workers' ability to earn a living wage, even though…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/8/prop_22_uber_lyft_gig_workers
Black Mom Swarmed & Beaten by Philly Riot Police with Toddler in Car Demands Officers Be Fired
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-08
A Black mother who was attacked by a horde of Philadelphia police officers is speaking out about the harrowing experience. Rickia Young was driving an SUV with her 2-year-old son and teenage nephew on October 27 as the city was engulfed in protest over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. earlier that day. Officers descended on the vehicle, broke its windows, assaulted and arrested her and separated her from her child. Young's arrest went viral due to a shocking video of the police swarming her vehicle, and after the National Fraternal Order of Police — the country's largest police union — posted…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/8/rickia_young_philadelphia_police_assault
In Blow to Drug War, House Backs Decriminalizing Pot as Voters OK Legalization Ballot Initiatives
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-12-08
We look at how the House of Representative voted Friday to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and "address the devastating injustices caused by the War on Drugs," as voters in Arizona and New Jersey approved ballot measures in November that legalize the possession and use of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and up. Oregon also became the first state to decriminalize low-level drug possession while legalizing the recreational use of psychedelic mushrooms under Measure 110. Ronald Newman, national political director for the American Civil Liberties Union, says the overall trend toward undoing the…
www.democracynow.org/2020/12/8/congress_cannabis_decriminalization_more_act
Derek Black: We Need Public Schools Now More than Ever
Jeff Bryant | progressive.org | 2020-12-08
The author of Schoolhouse Burning explains why public education is fundamental to American democracy and the nation's founding principles.
progressive.org/public-school-shakedown/derek-black-public-schools-bryant-201208/
The Heat: Biden prepares to replace Trump
Anand Naidoo | america.cgtn.com | 2020-12-08
With COVID-19 raging across the United States, president-elect Joe Biden inches closer to taking over at the White House. And, President Trump continues to insist the election was rigged.
america.cgtn.com/2020/12/08/the-heat-biden-prepares-to-replace-trump
'It's the Right Thing to Do': Schumer, Incoming NY Reps Urge Biden to Cancel Student Loan Debt
Brett Wilkins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-12-08
"You don't need Congress, all you need is the flick of a pen and President-elect Biden—then President Biden—can make this happen," the Senate minority leader said. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/debtrelief.jpg …
commondreams.org/news/2020/12/08/its-right-thing-do-schumer-incoming-ny-reps-urge-biden-cancel-student-loan-debt?cd-origin=rss
Sanders, Gillibrand, Warren, Merkley, Markey and Wyden Urge Colleagues to Defend Working Class in COVID-19 Relief Proposal
commondreams.org | 2020-12-08
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commondreams.org/newswire/2020/12/08/sanders-gillibrand-warren-merkley-markey-and-wyden-urge-colleagues-defend?cd-origin=rss
In America Democracy Destroyed Democracy
Paul Craig Roberts | thealtworld.com | 2020-12-08
In the United States democracy was destroyed by democracy. Read on and you will learn what I mean. | When I refer to the US as a democracy usually a couple of readers will inform me that the US is a republic, not a democracy. They are behind the times. The US was born as a republic, but the Lincoln Republicans valued empire more than the republic and destroyed the republic by overthrowing the secession of the Southern states with military force. | Once states rights were overthrown, the other parts of the structure built by the Founding Fathers of the Republic were discarded. Women and people who were not propert…
thealtworld.com/paul_craig_roberts/in-america-democracy-destroyed-democracy
Pentagon to Biden: Latin America a major battlefield in war with China
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-12-08
The head of SOUTHCOM, Admiral Craig Faller, told Pentagon reporters Wednesday that U.S. imperialism's "competitive edge [in the region]…is eroding, particularly when it comes to the Chinese influence."
mronline.org/2020/12/08/pentagon-to-biden-latin-america-a-major-battlefield-in-war-with-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pentagon-to-biden-latin-america-a-major-battlefield-in-war-with-china