Daily Archives: February 16, 2020

2020-02-16: News Headlines

RT (2020-02-16). Desperate much? Biden takes a dig at Sanders for not distancing himself ENOUGH from 'supporters' attacking a Latino union. rt.com Hoping to bounce back from dismal early election results, former VP Joe Biden chastised Senator Bernie Sanders for not disowning supporters that harassed members of a Nevada Latino-majority union — except he did. | In an interview on NBC's Meet the Press to be aired in full on Monday, Biden unleashed a scathing attack on Sanders, who is currently riding high in the polls in Nevada, which holds the next Democratic Party contest. | Referring to instances in which supposed Sanders supporters hurled online abuse at members of the Nevada Culinary Workers Union (NCWU) after it distributed leaflets voicing conc…

William Kaufman (2020-02-16). Tulsi Gabbard: A Political Postmortem. dissidentvoice.org The all-or-nothing New Hampshire gamble of Tulsi Gabbard has come up snake eyes. As I write, with 98 percent of the vote tallied, she is in seventh place, with a meager 3.3 percent of the vote, behind Tom Steyer. It is hard to imagine any path forward for her. And, frankly, one must acknowledge that …

Staff (2020-02-16). Democrats Need to Cut the Realism and Start Dreaming — and Fighting — Big. truthout.org Even as Bernie Sanders, the most radically progressive candidate for the Democratic primary, secured early wins in Iowa and New Hampshire and the face of the moderate Democratic establishment faded toward the back, an ugly spirit of defeatism has crept into the political zeitgeist around the progressive platform. | This past week Ezra Klein wrote of what he termed "

Staff (2020-02-16). Medicare for All Would Save $450 Billion and Prevent 68,000 Deaths Every Year. truthout.org Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday applauded "This study confirms that Medicare for All will save the American people $450 billion on health ca…

Spartacist League (2020-02-16). In the Revolutionary Vanguard of the Civil War: Harriet Tubman, Fighter for Black Freedom. indybay.org First Congregational Church | 2501 Harrison St., Oakland…

Khubaka, Michael Harris (2020-02-16). Grand Opening – Negro Bar State Park Trail Loop. indybay.org Negro Bar State Park | Folsom Lake Recreational Area…

The Canary (2020-02-16). White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg says he is proud of his husband. thecanary.co Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has said he is proud of his marriage and his husband. | He was addressing comments from conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh about whether voters would elect him because he's been "kissing his husband" on stage after debates. | Mr Buttigieg, the first openly gay politician to make a serious pitch for the presidency, says America should have politics that welcomes everybody. | He added: "I'm not going to be lectured on family values from the like of Rush Limbaugh, or anybody who supports Donald J. Trump as the moral as well as the political leader of the United St…

Staff (2020-02-16). US-Linked South African "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Spread Harmful Misinformation. truthout.org A senior South African health official has today vowed action as openDemocracy Supported by US Christian campaigners who claim close links to the Trump White House, around the world these centres appear to offer pregnant women unbiased "advice…

yenisafak (2020-02-16). Family reunites with 'PKK-kidnapped' daughter in Turkey. yenisafak.com With the efforts of Turkish security forces, another family has reunited with their daughter, who they claim was kidnapped by PKK terrorists, after five years of longing.According to security sources on Sunday, Pelda Ayhan surrendered to Turkish authorities in the Suruc district of Turkey's eastern Sanliurfa province.The mother, Gevriye Ayhan, had attended a sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in the southeastern Diyarbakir province.The protest started on Sept. 3 outside the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party

yenisafak (2020-02-16). With biryani and rice balls, Malaysia aims for halal Olympic gold. yenisafak.com A small factory in Malaysia's capital is preparing thousands of ready-to-eat halal meals, from fried rice to chicken biryani, to be shipped off to Japan for 2020's biggest sporting event.Food firms from Muslim-majority Malaysia, are expected to be big winners from a rush of Muslim travellers to Japan for the Olympics and Paralympic Games, from late July to September."It's a huge platform and opportunity for us," said Ahmad Husaini Hassan, boss of the MyChef company making the meals in Kuala Lumpur."Our intention is not to go in and out. We've to go in and stay for the long term."Malaysia wants to use the Games as…

RT (2020-02-15). Klobuchar flip-flops on immigration ahead of Nevada primary, says English SHOULDN'T be official language of US. rt.com Senator Amy Klobuchar said that English shouldn't be the official language of the US, ahead of next week's primary in heavily Latino-populated Nevada. However, Klobuchar sang a different tune a decade ago. | Speaking at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Friday, the three-term Minnesota senator said that she has "taken a strong position against" any legislation that would enshrine English as the US' official language. | "I think that when you look at a state like this state, and a country like ours that is so diverse, you don't want to have that provision in law," Klobuchar told the crowd. | Klobuchar's statemen…

RT (2020-02-15). Hillary for VP is 'speculation'? Bloomberg campaign brushes aside, but stops short of denying, Clinton 'running mate' claim. rt.com A spokesman for Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has brushed off a report he's considering taking on Hillary Clinton as a running mate without denying the rumor, and reaction on Twitter was unstoppable. | Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report claimed on Saturday that Bloomberg's campaign considers the idea of a Mike/Hillary ticket a "formidable force." Citing sources "close to" the campaign, Drudge said that Bloomberg would go as far as changing his official residence from New York to one of his properties in Colorado or Florida, "since the electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS from…

RT (2020-02-15). With Sanders surging in the polls, Israel lobby spends big bucks to sink his chances in Nevada. rt.com After emerging as the Democratic frontrunner in wake of Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, Bernie Sanders heads to Nevada leading in polls but facing new opposition: the Israel lobby and its vast cash reserves. | Despite being pipped at…

William Hawes (2020-02-15). What "That's Not Realistic" Really Means: Bernie Sanders, Social Democracy, and Capitalist Apologetics. dissidentvoice.org When discussing politics, or listening to pundits in the mainstream media in the run up to the 2020 presidential election, you've probably heard a common refrain: certain policies are "not realistic." It's similar to the close-minded remark that certain politicians, such as Bernie Sanders, have issues regarding their "electability". What are these elites and people …

Anis Shivani (2020-02-15). So Many More People Understand the Meaning of Neoliberalism Today, and That's a Huge Thing. commondreams.org Democratic presidential candidates former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former Vice President Joe Biden greet each other prior to the start of the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 07, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/buttigieg-sanders-biden-nhdebate.jpg

Jamie Peck (2020-02-15). Bernie Sanders Can Beat Trump with His Liberal Vision for America. Primary Voters Know It. commondreams.org Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) takes the stage during a primary night event on February 11, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bernie-wins-nh-2020-955px.jpg

Staff (2020-02-15). Bloomberg Is Emerging as Corporate Media's Preferred Opposition to Sanders. truthout.org Coming out of the first two Democratic primary states, with Bernie Sanders leading in votes and Pete Buttigieg leading in delegates, who is "starting to dominate the national political debate like no one in the past five years other than President Donald Trump"? | According to NBC's Jonathan Allen (

WSWS (2020-02-15). Sanders surge in poll sparks backlash in Democratic establishment. wsws.org The growing support for a self-styled "democratic socialist" has been met by anti-communist diatribes and media smears.

Ralph Nader (2020-02-15). "Democratic Socialism" — Bring it on Corporate Socialists! commondreams.org Vice President Henry Wallace (left) with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Our government today is of, by, and for the dominant corporations. Such private power dominating our government in so many reported ways was called "fascism" in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a formal message to Congress. (Photo: Library of Congress) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/wallace_roosevelt_0.jpg

Laura Flanders (2020-02-15). Democracy vs. Dictatorship: Don't Let Bloomberg Muddy That Choice. commondreams.org Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks during the kickoff of his "Get it Done Express" bus tour as a protester holds up a sign reading "Billionaires Should Not Buy Elections" at the Dollarhide Community Center in Compton, California on February 3, 2020. (Photo: Frederic J. Bown / AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bloomberg_social_security_2020_0.jpg

Zach D. Roberts (2020-02-15). New Hampshire 2020: This is just the beginning. nationofchange.org "This is a democracy problem. Yes, Donald Trump is a great threat to our way of life… but the reality is that he is a symptom of a larger disease."

John Nichols (2020-02-15). Trump Wants You to Ignore His Republican Challenger. thenation.com Trump Wants You to Ignore His Republican Challenger…

Mark Gruenberg (2020-02-14). Warren calls for impeachment of the Attorney General. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has become the first prominent lawmaker to demand House impeachment of GOP President Donald Trump's attorney general, William Barr, for Barr's kowtowing to Trump's demand to cut the court sentence of convicted top Trump campaign fixer and lackey Roger Stone. Together, the Trump-Barr sequence represents "a descent into …

Michael Brennan (2020-02-14). Timeline: How the DNC Manipulated 2016 Presidential Race. counterpunch.org December 16, 2014: President Obama signs into law omnibus spending bill that increases maximum possible individual political contributions from $129,600 annually to $777,600, substantially increasing the amount of money flowing through party committees. (Congressional Research Services) April 7, 2015: A Clinton campaign memo to the DNC articulates "Pied Piper" strategy to elevate the most extreme Republican candidates: "Our hope

Mike Miller (2020-02-14). Race and Class: Overcoming the Divides. counterpunch.org Preface The forthcoming 2020 election is again highlighting the country's apparently deep divides on race and class. A common formulation is that a hopelessly racist White working class is locked into the new Trump Republican Party which consciously has adopted a divide-and-conquer strategy based on race. The mainstream Democratic Party hope is that an electoral

RT (2020-02-14). Information wars: GOP lawmaker on quest to officially declare CNN and the Washington Post 'fake news'. rt.com In these times of political division, Americans on the far ends of the political spectrum often accuse each other of misinformation — but one GOP lawmaker wants CNN and the Washington Post to be officially declared "fake news." | Micah Van Huss, a Republican state lawmaker from Tennessee, has introduced a

Mark Gruenberg (2020-02-14). Senate follows House in banning money for Trump war on Iran. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON—By a bipartisan 55-45 vote on Feb. 13, the GOP-run Senate followed the Democratic-run House and barred saber-rattling Donald Trump from spending any military money to make war on Iran. Eight Republicans joined all 45 Democrats and both independents in voting against Trump and against war on Iran. One of the eight, Maine's Susan Collins, …

Andrew Levine (2020-02-14). Mayor Mike, Worse Than Mayor Pete. counterpunch.org Michael Bloomberg is essentially an old school Republican. He hates Trump, the worst American president ever, but he loved George W. Bush, the second worst president in modern times. He may honestly think that black and brown lives matter, but, as mayor of New York City, he showed, time and again, that, for him gentrification — and its concomitants, mass incarceration of young black and Latino men, and brutal "law and order" policing

Staff (2020-02-14). One Billion Rising: Eve Ensler & Taína Asili Mark V-Day and Campaign to End Sexual Violence. democracynow.org This Valentine's Day, people around the world are taking to the streets to protest violence against women and girls. From the Philippines to India to Italy to Bolivia, thousands of women in more than 100 countries will reclaim public space through dance and performance as part of a global movement called One Billion Rising. The movement takes its name from the shocking statistic that one in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. One Billion Rising started on Valentine's Day 2012 and has continued to grow every year since. Participants say they won't stop dancing until violence…

Staff (2020-02-14). Post-Impeachment, House Democrats Set Sights on Barr. truthdig.com WASHINGTON — House Democrats frustrated over Democrats have demanded more information about Barr's intervention in the case of Roger Stone, a longtime Trump confidant who was

Robert Reich (2020-02-14). Robert Reich: Bloomberg Wants to Buy Our Democracy. truthdig.com If the former mayor of New York prevails in November, he could usher in a new American oligarchy. Let's hope it never comes to that.

David Rosen (2020-02-14). Sanders vs. the Establishment Democrats: McGovern All Over Again? counterpunch.org It's a perfect time to recall a famous quote from one of the nation's foremost philosophers, Yogi Berra: Its "déjà vu all over again." Is the Democratic Party replaying the lost saga of 2016 but with a very 2020 twist? Bernie Sander (D-VT) appears to have been robbed of the 2016 nomination, beaten out by Hillary Clinton (Sec. of

Staff (2020-02-14). Rep. Rashida Tlaib: Trump's "Racist" Plan Would Legalize the Theft of Palestinian Land. democracynow.org We continue our conversation with Congressmember Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress. She responds to President Trump's Middle East plan, under which Israel would gain sovereignty over large areas of the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem would be under total Israeli control, and all Jewish settlers in the occupied territory would be allowed to remain in their homes. Tlaib says the plan was formulated with a "racist lens" that ignores Palestinian lives and aspirations. Tlaib says she wants people "to know what the human impact is of taking people's land, taking people's…

Special to People's World (2020-02-14). Sanders says his health plan would protect culinary workers in Nevada. peoplesworld.org WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday issued a statement saying his Medicare for All plan would protect the benefits workers with good union-negotiated health plans currently have. He issued the statement after Culinary Workers Union Local 226 announced it would not endorse in the 2020 Nevada Democratic caucus: "I very much appreciate the struggle …

Julie Hollar (2020-02-14). Pundits Look to Bloomberg as Their Anti-Sanders Savior. fair.org Coming out of the first two Democratic primary states, with Bernie Sanders leading in votes and Pete Buttigieg leading in delegates, who is "starting to dominate the national political debate like no one in the past five years other than President Donald Trump"? | According to NBC's Jonathan Allen (

Staff (2020-02-14). Detroit Overtaxed Residents by $600M, Causing Foreclosure Crisis. Residents Are Now Fighting Back. democracynow.org In Detroit, a showdown between progressive lawmakers and the city is taking on racist housing policies that robbed African Americans in Detroit of their homes and widened the racial wealth gap. On Thursday, the Coalition for Property Tax Justice announced a class-action lawsuit against the city of Detroit, Wayne County and the state of Michigan in response to unfair property tax foreclosures. One in four Detroit properties have been subject to property tax foreclosure, a level comparable only to tax foreclosure rates during the Great Depression. According to legal experts, many of the foreclosures were caused by…

Joseph Natoli (2020-02-14). Vichy Democrats vs. the Master Voice. counterpunch.org One reading of the present shows us a hyped economic reality but also political and cultural realities hyped so far that simulacra is quite easily digested and regurgitated as reality. In a world of simulacra, reality is not only a vacated former presence, like a former tenant, but unrecognizable in any reappearance. It's a war

Russell Mokhiber (2020-02-14). NPR and the Escalating Attack on Single-Payer Health Care. counterpunch.org National Public Radio's Mara Liasson this weekend entered a new term into the corporate liberal establishment's attack on single payer healthcare. Mandatory Medicare for All. As in — do you want Bernie Sanders' Mandatory Medicare for All — or Mayor Pete Buttigieg's Voluntary Medicare for Those Who Want It? It was the first time that

David Swanson (2020-02-14). Why This Election Is Different. counterpunch.org Elections, I think most of us can agree, usually bring out the idiocy, superficiality, and illogic in everyone who can muster any. Imagine supporting, as many did, Sanders and then Trump because they were both "outsiders." On Tuesday, I heard somebody on CNN announce that Sanders and Klobuchar were both "change candidates" (because you'd have

Staff (2020-02-14). Headlines for February 14, 2020. democracynow.org Senate Passes Resolution Limiting Trump's War Powers Authority, Attorney General William Barr Criticizes Trump's Tweets, Bloomberg Criticized for Falsely Blaming 2008 Crisis on End of Redlining, Top Wall Street Executives on Biden Guest List for Manhattan Fundraiser, Ex-Ohio State Wrestler Says Rep. Jim Jordan Begged Him to Cover Up Sexual Abuse, Last Month Was Hottest January on Record, Indigenous Anti-Pipeline Blockades Cripple Canada's Rail Transportation, Intercept: Canadian Fossil Fuel Company "Bought" Oregon Sheriff Department Unit, Judge Temporarily Blocks Microsoft-Pentagon Contract After Amazon Lawsuit,…

Niles Niemuth (2020-02-14). Black Democrats Endorse Bloomberg after Release of Racist Boasts on "Stop-and-frisk" globalresearch.ca An audio recording was released Tuesday in which the billionaire Democratic Party presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg boasts that the "stop-and-frisk" policy he championed as mayor of New York deliberately targeted minority youth. | In the openly racist comments, made before an …

Andre Damon (2020-02-14). Trump Pledges to Veto Senate "War Powers Resolution", Uses Pentagon Funds to Build Border Wall. globalresearch.ca Strengthened by the failure of the Democrats' impeachment drive, President Donald Trump has accelerated his efforts to expand the powers of the presidency in every sphere. | On Thursday, the Senate approved a symbolic bill instructing the White House to "terminate …

news.un (2020-02-14). Guinea-Bissau: Swearing-in of new President unlikely to bring stability, says UN representative. news.un.org Political discord in Guinea-Bissau could hamper the first-ever peaceful transfer of power to a democratically elected leader, the top UN official in the West African country told the Security Council on Friday.

WSWS (2020-02-14). Trump pledges to veto war powers resolution, uses Pentagon funds to build border wall. wsws.org Strengthened by the failure of the Democrats' impeachment drive, President Trump has accelerated his efforts to expand the powers of the presidency in every sphere.

Fight Back (2020-02-14). Major anti-war groups join the Coalition to March on the DNC. fightbacknews.org Milwaukee, WI – As the July 13 start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) draws closer, the Coalition to March on the DNC has risen to the occasion. Since the start of the new year, the coalition has seen tremendous gains. | Between leading a 2000-person demonstration against Donald Trump when he visited Milwaukee on January 14 and butting heads with the city while trying to host a press conference to announce a lawsuit for our right to protest, traffic to the Facebook page has increased dramatically, including numerous inquiries about how people can get more involved. | Perhaps the most significant indica…

WSWS (2020-02-14). Growth of fascistic attacks on refugees in Greece. wsws.org A thousand threads tie the fascistic thugs on the streets hunting down refugees to the ruling Greek capitalist party, New Democracy.

WSWS (2020-02-14). Workers at GM's Silao, Mexico plant charge union with stuffing ballots during recognition vote. wsws.org The effort by General Motors and the Confederation of Mexican Workers to certify their contract at the Silao complex is a warning to workers across Mexico about the anti-democratic content of the government's supposed labor reforms.

Robert L. Borosage (2020-02-14). What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders. thenation.com What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders…

Jeet Heer (2020-02-14). How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg. thenation.com How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg.

Sasha Abramsky (2020-02-14). Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We? thenation.com Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We?

Eric Alterman (2020-02-14). The Modern GOP Is Built on Lies. thenation.com The Modern GOP Is Built on Lies…

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-02-14). Polling Shows Sanders Extending Lead Among Hispanics Ahead of Nevada Caucuses. commondreams.org "Bernie Sanders is building the most diverse movement in America." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bernie_sanders_38_0.jpg

Julia Conley, staff writer (2020-02-14). Warren Slams Bloomberg for Blaming 2008 Financial Meltdown On End of Redlining Policy. commondreams.org Sen. Elizabeth Warren drew cheers from a crowd of 4,000 supporters in Arlington, Virginia Thursday as she slammed former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his recently-resurfaced comments about discriminatory housing practices. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/picmonkey_image7_0.jpg

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-02-14). DCCC-Backed Incumbent Henry Cuellar Gets Support From Koch Network As Progressive Primary Challenger Jessica Cisneros Picks Up Union Endorsements. commondreams.org Cuellar is hosting a fundraiser in Laredo with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 22. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/cisneros_0_0_0.jpeg

CounterSpin (2020-02-14). Jim Naureckas on Democratic Primaries, Nina Luo on Decriminalizing Sex Work. fair.org Media…

Nick Pemberton (2020-02-14). The Overwhelming Sex Appeal Of Bernie Sanders. counterpunch.org "the obligation to confess is now relayed through so many different points…that we no longer perceive it as the effect of a power that constrains us" —Michel Foucault Happy Valentines Day to all Bernie Bros, Bernie Gals, and non-binary Berners. The first time I heard the Daddy component of Bernie Sanders explained was when Jeffrey

Staff (2020-02-14). The Corporate Media Is Directly Profiting from Mike Bloomberg's Rise as He Spends Fortune on TV Ads. democracynow.org Billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is rising in the polls in the wake of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Democracy Now! co-host Juan González speaks with us about Bloomberg's approach to campaign spending, the administration's policies during his three terms as mayor of New York City and the scores of lawsuits filed against Bloomberg and his company. "It's amazing to me that Michael Bloomberg is getting as much attention as he is," González says.

RT (2020-02-13). US Senate strikes symbolic blow against Trump by limiting war powers toward Iran with new resolution. rt.com The US Senate has passed a resolution limiting President Donald Trump's war powers in the case of Iran. The measure would only allow the president authority to strike in the case of self-defense or an imminent attack. | Eight Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure, which was passed 55-45. The resolution fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, meaning this resolution is more symbolic than anything. | The president made his feelings on the War Powers Resolution clear on Wednesday when he tweeted that Iran would "have a field day" if his hands "were tied" due…

Staff (2020-02-13). Did Amy Klobuchar Send an Innocent Teenager to Life in Prison? Questions Mount over Her Record as DA. democracynow.org After a surprising third-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is attempting to gain ground in the national polls. But Klobuchar is also facing mounting scrutiny over her record as a district attorney in Minnesota. The Minneapolis NAACP, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities and other racial justice groups recently called on Klobuchar to suspend her presidential campaign following a shocking investigation by the Associated Press. The AP report centered on the case of Myon Burrell, an African-American teenager who was sentenced to life in prison over the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Tye…

Staff (2020-02-13). The Wet'suwet'en Fight Against New Pipeline Spreads Across Canada with Blockades & Occupations. democracynow.org A major anti-pipeline struggle continues in Canada, where protests have broken out across the country in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en land defenders whose sovereign land in northern British Columbia was raided last week and over the weekend by Canadian police. Dozens were arrested in the days-long raid of unceded indigenous territories, where hereditary chiefs have been in a protracted battle to protect their land from the construction of TransCanada's 400-mile, $4.7 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline. The raids took place about 700 miles north of Vancouver and sparked outrage across the country. In Ontario, a Moha…

Staff (2020-02-13). "Traumatizing from the Get-Go": Weinstein Trial Exposes Flawed Approach to Sexual Assault Cases. democracynow.org We continue our conversation about the trial of alleged sexual predator Harvey Weinstein, ahead of the scheduled start of opening arguments today. Weinstein is facing five felony charges, based on accusations brought forth by two women in the case, and, if convicted, could face up to life in prison. Last week, one of his accusers, Jessica Mann, broke down and went into an apparent panic attack during questioning from Weinstein's lawyers, forcing the judge to adjourn proceedings for the day. Mann was made to read past emails to a boyfriend, in which she disclosed she had been sexually assaulted before meeting Wein…

Leonard C. Goodman (2020-02-13). The Iowa fiasco and the Democrats' shadowy plot to stop Bernie. mronline.org Yogi Berra, the great Yankees catcher, had the memorable line, "It's like deja vu all over again." Bernie Sanders supporters might have been thinking the same thing after the fiasco of the Iowa caucuses. |

Peter Bolton (2020-02-13). Sanders is currently the 2020 frontrunner — but could it be 2016 all over again? thecanary.co Bernie Sanders has won the most votes in the Outright victory in New Hampshire. But not in Iowa…: | On 11 February, pr…

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-02-13). Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — February 13, 2020 — In response to the Senate passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "It's about time …

Staff (2020-02-13). Headlines for February 13, 2020. democracynow.org Attorney General William Barr to Testify Before House Judiciary Committee, Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus Skyrocket in Hubei, China, Bloomberg Would Pay Billions Less Under His Tax Plan Than Sanders', U.N. Releases List of 100 Companies Linked to Israeli-Occupied West Bank Settlements, Mexico: Outrage over Murder of 25-Year-Old Ingrid Escamilla, Former Guatemalan Presidential Candidate Sentenced to 15 Years by U.S. Court, 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill May Have Been 30% Bigger Than Thought, New York Has Highest Number of Premature Deaths from Out-of-State Air Pollution, El Paso Walmart Shooter Pleads Not Guilty…

Alexander Rubinstein (2020-02-13). State-backed Alliance for Securing Democracy disinfo shop falsely smears The Grayzone as 'state-backed'. thegrayzone.com In painting critical reporting on the Iowa caucuses debacle as a Russian plot, a Western government-backed information warfare shop smeared…

Fight Back (2020-02-13). Duterte continues US military control of the Philippines despite VFA termination notice. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following February 11 statement By Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Chief Political Consultant. | The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) notice of termination takes effect after 180 days. The people cannot be sure that Duterte will not change his mind within that lengthy period. Previously, Duterte postured about terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement but after a few months allowed Balikatan exercises under VFA. | In the meantime, there are other military treaties with the US: Mutual Defense Treaty, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement…

Joan Walsh (2020-02-13). Democrats Should Welcome Michael Bloomberg to Their Debates—ASAP. thenation.com Democrats Should Welcome Michael Bloomberg to Their Debates—ASAP…

Susan Price (2020-02-13). United States: Sanders versus the Democratic establishment. greenleft.org.au In the presidential contest between Republican George W Bush and the Democratic Party's Al Gore in 2000, confusing layouts on ballots in Florida — where Bush's younger brother Jeb was governor — resulte…

Democracy Now! (2020-02-13). First Nations Pipeline Protest: 14 Land Protectors Arrested as Canadian Police Raid Indigenous Camp. dissidentvoice.org In Canada, armed forces raided native Wet'suwet'en territory in British Columbia Monday, with at least 14 arrests being reported. Land defenders faced off with Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the police breached two checkpoints set up to keep pipeline workers out of protected territory. Indigenous leaders are reportedly being blocked from their territory. TransCanada Corporation …

Staff (2020-02-12). Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary with Key Support from Youth Voters. democracynow.org Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has won the New Hampshire primary a week after he won the popular vote in Iowa. As of Wednesday morning, with 89% of precincts reporting, Sanders has 25.8% of the vote, narrowly beating former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is at 24.4%. Senator Amy Klobuchar placed third with nearly 20% of the vote. Both Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden received under 10% of the vote, after seeing their support plummet in recent weeks and months. At a celebration in Manchester, Bernie Sanders said his victory in New Hampshire is the beginning of the end for Donal…

RT (2020-02-12). What about stopping endless wars? Trump urges GOP to vote down Iran war resolution because it's a partisan ploy by Democrats. rt.com US President Donald Trump says the resolution that would block him from using force against Iran is a partisan trick by Democrats, even though he campaigned on a peace platform and some of his closest allies support the proposal. | "We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness," Trump tweeted on Wednesday, adding that Tehran would "have a field day" if his hands were tied. | "The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don't let it happen!" he urged the GOP majority. ….If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad s…

Staff (2020-02-12). South Bend Politician: I Worked with Pete Buttigieg. He Did Not Respect Black Residents' Struggles. democracynow.org 2020 presidential candidate and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg has surprised many with his strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, two of the country's whitest states. But as the race moves on to South Carolina and Nevada, Buttigieg continues to poll extremely low with African-American voters. His own former constituents are condemning his treatment of the black community in South Bend during his time as mayor, calling out systemic racism in the police force. During Buttigieg's tenure, black residents were 4.3 times more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana than white people. We…

Staff (2020-02-12). Feminist Scholar Barbara Smith on Identity Politics & Why She Supports Bernie Sanders for President. democracynow.org We speak with the legendary African-American feminist scholar Barbara Smith. She is a founder of the Combahee River Collective and of Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Barbara Smith recently wrote a column in The Guardian newspaper titled "I helped coin the term 'identity politics'. I'm endorsing Bernie Sanders." Her latest book is "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around: Forty Years of Movement Building with Barbara Smith."

RT (2020-02-12). Iowa Democratic Party chair RESIGNS over caucus disaster. rt.com The Iowa caucuses fiasco has cost the state's Democratic Party chair Troy Price his job, as the final results are still unavailable due to recanvass and recount bids by frustrated candidates. | "While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult," Price wrote on Wednesday to the state party's Central Committee. | Troy Price will resign as the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. This is his letter of resignation sent to the state central…

RT (2020-02-12). Sanders edges out Buttigieg to win New Hampshire primary after neck-and-neck race — projections. rt.com Senator Bernie Sanders came out on top in the hotly contested Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday, with South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg finishing second, projections show. | The Vermont independent claimed victory in the New Hampshire primary after multiple outlets called the vote in his favor. | Addressing his supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sanders described US President Donald Trump "as the most dangerous president in the history of this country," vowing to stop him from keeping the Oval Office for four more years. | "This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sande…

Staff (2020-02-12). Meet the Journalist Who Exposed Bloomberg's Racist Defense of Targeting Black & Brown Youth. democracynow.org "#BloombergIsRacist." That's the hashtag that's trending on Twitter since audio of remarks made by 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg surfaced earlier this week. In the clip from the 2015 Aspen Institute, Bloomberg is heard defending the New York City Police Department's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policies, saying, "Ninety-five percent of your murders and murderers and murdered victims fit one MO. You can just take the description, xerox it and pass it out to all the cops." He continues, "They are male minorities, 15 to 25. That's true in New York. It's true…

RT (2020-02-12). Former Goldman Sachs CEO says Sanders presidency would 'ruin our economy,' gets blasted on Twitter. rt.com An ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs who helped cause the 2008 financial crisis has claimed Bernie Sanders would ruin the economy and "screw up the US" if elected president, prompting Twitter to remind him of the Great Recession. | Billionaire Lloyd Blankfein tweeted on Wednesday that Sanders is "just as polarizing as Trump AND he'll ruin [the American] economy and doesn't care about [the American] military," before adding: "If I'm Russian, I go with Sanders this time around." | If Dems go on to nominate Sanders, the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the US. Sanders is just as polarizing…

Staff (2020-02-12). Headlines for February 12, 2020. democracynow.org Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary, Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet Drop Out of Presidential Race, Federal Prosecutors Quit Roger Stone Case Amid Fight with DOJ Officials, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Rejects Trump's Middle East Plan in U.N. Speech, Trump Conditionally Approves Peace Deal with the Taliban, WHO Warns Coronavirus Poses "Grave Threat" to World, Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó Heckled and Protested Upon Return to Venezuela, Report: 40% of Guatemalan, Honduran & Salvadoran Migrants Fled After Relatives Killed, WSJ: ICE & CPB Use Cellphone Location Data from Games, Apps to Arrest Immigrants,…

Alan Macleod (2020-02-12). New Hampshire Primaries Paint a Picture of Modern Day Class War in America. mintpressnews.com While the primary totals for Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg were relatively close, their support came from radically different segments of the population.

Neema Singh Guliani (2020-02-12). Deadline Looming, Strongest Surveillance Reform Bill Yet Emerges. aclu.org Congress has just five weeks to decide the fate of key foreign | intelligence surveillance powers — forcing a showdown between surveillance | reformers and defenders. And now, a group of Republicans and Democrats have | unveiled the strongest comprehensive reform proposal that we have seen | yet. | The Safeguarding Americans' Private Records Act of 2020, introduced by a

news.un (2020-02-12). DR Congo Ebola outbreak still an international public health concern. news.un.org The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains an international public health concern, experts meeting in Geneva concluded on Wednesday.

Elie Mystal (2020-02-12). They Rocked New Hampshire—but Pete and Amy Still Can't Win Over Black Voters. thenation.com They Rocked New Hampshire—but Pete and Amy Still Can't Win Over Black Voters…

Jeet Heer (2020-02-12). The Primaries Are Protecting Trump. thenation.com The Primaries Are Protecting Trump…

Jeffrey Cox (2020-02-12). The Disastrous Iowa Caucuses Were Just the Beginning. thenation.com The Disastrous Iowa Caucuses Were Just the Beginning…

RT (2020-02-12). 'Too polite'? Bette Midler says Dems must 'toughen up' in wake of car attack on GOP volunteers. rt.com One of President Donald Trump's most vocal critics, actress and musician Bette Midler, thinks Democrats need to "toughen up" in their fight against the GOP, even after a Florida man was jailed for physically attacking Republicans. | During one of her anti-Trump tirades on Tuesday night — calling him a "fascist" and "dictator" this time — Midler lashed out at her own party as well. | "Democrats haven't learned a goddamned thing," she tweeted, shaming the party for being "too polite" and urging them to "toughen up" when taking on conservatives. "They play dirty," she said of Republicans, before addin…

Staff (2020-02-11). Molly Crabapple: Bloomberg Is a Billionaire Republican Who Terrorized Black & Brown Youth. democracynow.org Polls open Tuesday in New Hampshire for the first primary of the 2020 presidential cycle. The Democratic candidates have been criss-crossing the state in the days leading up to the vote, which has even more significance this year following the muddled results of the Iowa caucuses. We continue our conversation with Arnie Arnesen, a longtime radio and TV host in New Hampshire and a former New Hampshire legislator; Norman Solomon, co-founder and national coordinator of RootsAction.org, which is supporting Bernie Sanders; and we are joined in New York by Molly Crabapple, an artist, writer and activist who recently pu…

Julie Hollar (2020-02-11). ABC Asking for Attacks Was a Lazy Way to Run a Debate. fair.org You knew it was going to be a long night when ABC's After asking Joe Biden about the "risks" of nominating Bernie Sanders (or Pete Buttigieg)—setting Biden up to…

Staff (2020-02-11). Trump's New Budget Funds Endless War & Nuclear Weapons While Slashing Aid to Poor & Hungry Americans. democracynow.org President Trump unveiled his 2021 budget request Monday, proposing massive cuts to Medicaid and food stamps while increasing spending on the military and his border wall. The $4.8 trillion budget would slash Environmental Protection Agency spending by more than a quarter while allocating $18 billion for Trump's newly established Space Force. Trump is also requesting billions more for nuclear weapons, including a new submarine-launched nuclear warhead. Experts and Democratic lawmakers warn that increasing the nuclear stockpile will increase the likelihood of nuclear war and defy international agreements. Democrats…

Staff (2020-02-11). Despite Corporate Media's "War on Bernie," Sanders Rides Wave of Support into New Hampshire Primary. democracynow.org Polls have opened in New Hampshire for the first primary of the election season. The vote comes eight days after the still-disputed Iowa caucuses, where both Senator Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg claimed victory. Both candidates have asked for a partial recanvass of the results. We speak with Arnie Arnesen, a longtime radio and TV host in New Hampshire and a former New Hampshire legislator, and Norman Solomon, co-founder and national coordinator of RootsAction.org, which is supporting Bernie Sanders.

Staff (2020-02-11). Who Can Beat Trump? After Iowa Caucus Debacle, Stakes Increase for New Hampshire Primary. democracynow.org As voters head to the polls in New Hampshire for the nation's first presidential primary, we speak with Arnie Arnesen, a longtime radio and TV host in New Hampshire and former Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Staff (2020-02-11). A Victory for Vulture Funds: Puerto Rico's Unelected Financial Control Board Strikes Debt Deal. democracynow.org Puerto Rico's financial control board has struck a deal with bondholders to shed about $24 billion from its general obligation debt. The deal announced Sunday will cut the island's outstanding general obligation debt from $35 billion to about $11 billion; however, the island would have to pay about $3.8 billion upfront. The agreement will still need to be approved by Puerto Rico's Legislature. Puerto Rico's financial control board filed for bankruptcy in 2017 to attempt to restructure $129 billion in debt. The board, which is often referred to as "La Junta," is an unelected board that runs much of Puerto Rico's e…

Staff (2020-02-11). Headlines for February 11, 2020. democracynow.org New Hampshire Voters Head to Polls for First Primary of 2020, Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 1,000, with Over 42,000 Confirmed Cases, Chuck Schumer Calls for Investigation into Trump's Retaliation-Motivated Firings, DOJ Reviewing Ukraine Info from Giuliani, DOJ Charges 4 Chinese Military Hackers in 2017 Equifax Breach, El Salvador President Bukele and Armed Officers Confront Lawmakers over Military Funding, Fears Mount for 5 Activists Detained in Philippines, Sinn Féin Scores Major Victory in Ireland, Syrian and Turkish Forces Step Up Attacks as 100,000s Face Humanitarian Disaster, Massive Locust Swarms Threaten Cro…

Staff (2020-02-10). Headlines for February 10, 2020. democracynow.org Coronavirus Deaths Soar as First U.S. Citizen Succumbs to Disease, Iowa Dem. Party Officially Gives Buttigieg the Lead as Candidates Prepare for New Hampshire Vote, Trump Budget Seeks Boost to Military and Nuclear Spending, Cuts to Social Programs and EPA, Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan, Trump Fires Key Impeachment Figures Following Acquittal, Thai Soldier Kills 29 People in Shooting Rampage, Brazilian Police Kill Hitman Suspected of Involvement in Marielle Franco's Assassination, Temperature Reaches Record-Breaking 65 Degrees in Antarctica, Extinction Rebellion Activists Demand New York Divest from Foss…

Staff (2020-02-10). "Our Very Existence Is the Resistance": An Hour w/ AOC, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib & Ilhan Omar. democracynow.org On Friday, Democracy Now! co-host Nermeen Shaikh sat down for a rare joint interview with the Squad, the group of four freshmen Democratic congresswomen who have taken Capitol Hill by storm: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Omar and Tlaib are the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Omar is a former refugee from Somalia, and Tlaib is the first female Palestinian-American member of Congress. Ayanna Pressley is the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts. Ocasio-Cortez was just 29 years old w…

Bernie Sanders (2020-02-08). Hasan Sits Down With Bernie Sanders. zcomm.org Interview on aging and retirement in America…

Alexander Rubinstein (2020-02-08). Media darling Pete Buttigieg was in unit that worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. thegrayzone.com While Buttigieg's campaign denies allegations he was a CIA asset, military records reveal Mayor Pete was in a unit that…

Staff (2020-02-07). Laurie Garrett: World Can't Let Racist Attitudes Impact Handling of Coronavirus Outbreak. democracynow.org The Chinese doctor who warned the government about a possible coronavirus outbreak has died after contracting the virus while working at Wuhan Central Hospital. Thirty-four-year-old ophthalmologist Li Wenliang warned his fellow medical workers about coronavirus on December 30. He was then investigated by police and accused of "making false comments." His death has sparked a wave of anger and outrage in China, where the hashtag "We want freedom of speech" went viral on Chinese social media site Weibo this week. The death toll from the coronavirus has now topped 630 people in China, with more than 31,000 confirmed…

Julie Hollar (2020-02-07). Manufacturing Success: CNN's Premature Parade for Buttigieg in Iowa. fair.org Four days after the Iowa caucuses took place, no victor has been declared and the vote remains mired in controversy and irregularities. But if you've been watching CNN for the last few days, you could be excused for imagining Pete Buttigieg had won. | Some at CNN simply took it as fact that Buttigieg had won Iowa—like David Axelrod, who declared (

Aaron Maté (2020-02-07). Iowa debacle fueled by anti-Bernie billionaires, Russiagate hucksters, failed DNC elites. thegrayzone.com Max Blumenthal breaks down the shadowy network of billionaires, Democratic elites, and Russiagate profiteers behind the Shadow app that ruined…

2020-02-16: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Tulsi Gabbard: A Political Postmortem
William Kaufman | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-16
The all-or-nothing New Hampshire gamble of Tulsi Gabbard has come up snake eyes. As I write, with 98 percent of the vote tallied, she is in seventh place, with a meager 3.3 percent of the vote, behind Tom Steyer. It is hard to imagine any path forward for her. And, frankly, one must acknowledge that …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/tulsi-gabbard-a-political-postmortem/

Desperate much? Biden takes a dig at Sanders for not distancing himself ENOUGH from 'supporters' attacking a Latino union
rt.com | 2020-02-16
Hoping to bounce back from dismal early election results, former VP Joe Biden chastised Senator Bernie Sanders for not disowning supporters that harassed members of a Nevada Latino-majority union

Desperate much? Biden takes a dig at Sanders for not distancing himself ENOUGH from 'supporters' attacking a Latino union
rt.com | 2020-02-16
Hoping to bounce back from dismal early election results, former VP Joe Biden chastised Senator Bernie Sanders for not disowning supporters that harassed members of a Nevada Latino-majority union

Medicare for All Would Save $450 Billion and Prevent 68,000 Deaths Every Year
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-16
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday applauded a new study published today by a team of epidemiologists in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet, which found that Medicare for All will save Americans $450 billion and prevent 68,000 unnecessary deaths each and every year. | "This study confirms that Medicare for All will save the American people $450 billion on health ca…
truthout.org/articles/medicare-for-all-would-save-450-billion-and-prevent-68000-deaths-every-year/

Grand Opening – Negro Bar State Park Trail Loop
Khubaka, Michael Harris | indybay.org | 2020-02-16
Negro Bar State Park | Folsom Lake Recreational Area…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/14/18830687.php

In the Revolutionary Vanguard of the Civil War: Harriet Tubman, Fighter for Black Freedom
Spartacist League | indybay.org | 2020-02-16
First Congregational Church | 2501 Harrison St., Oakland…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/15/18830709.php

In the Revolutionary Vanguard of the Civil War: Harriet Tubman, Fighter for Black Freedom
Spartacist League | indybay.org | 2020-02-16
First Congregational Church | 2501 Harrison St., Oakland…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/15/18830709.php

US-Linked South African "Crisis Pregnancy Centers" Spread Harmful Misinformation
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-16
A senior South African health official has today vowed action as openDemocracy reveals how vulnerable women and girls are being fed misinformation in US-backed "crisis pregnancy centres" across the world. | Supported by US Christian campaigners who claim close links to the Trump White House, around the world these centres appear to offer pregnant women unbiased "advice…
truthout.org/articles/us-linked-south-african-crisis-pregnancy-centers-spread-harmful-misinformation/

White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg says he is proud of his husband
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-02-16
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has said he is proud of his marriage and his husband. | He was addressing comments from conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh about whether voters would elect him because he's been "kissing his husband" on stage after debates. | Mr Buttigieg, the first openly gay politician to make a serious pitch for the presidency, says America should have politics that welcomes everybody. | He added: "I'm not going to be lectured on family values from the like of Rush Limbaugh, or anybody who supports Donald J. Trump as the moral as well as the political leader of the United St…
thecanary.co/breaking-news/2020/02/16/white-house-hopeful-pete-buttigieg-says-he-is-proud-of-his-husband/

Family reunites with 'PKK-kidnapped' daughter in Turkey
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-16
With the efforts of Turkish security forces, another family has reunited with their daughter, who they claim was kidnapped by PKK terrorists, after five years of longing.According to security sources on Sunday, Pelda Ayhan surrendered to Turkish authorities in the Suruc district of Turkey's eastern Sanliurfa province.The mother, Gevriye Ayhan, had attended a sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in the southeastern Diyarbakir province.The protest started on Sept. 3 outside the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party

With biryani and rice balls, Malaysia aims for halal Olympic gold
yenisafak.com | 2020-02-16
A small factory in Malaysia's capital is preparing thousands of ready-to-eat halal meals, from fried rice to chicken biryani, to be shipped off to Japan for 2020's biggest sporting event.Food firms from Muslim-majority Malaysia, are expected to be big winners from a rush of Muslim travellers to Japan for the Olympics and Paralympic Games, from late July to September."It's a huge platform and opportunity for us," said Ahmad Husaini Hassan, boss of the MyChef company making the meals in Kuala Lumpur."Our intention is not to go in and out. We've to go in and stay for the long term."Malaysia wants to use the Games as…
yenisafak.com/en/world/with-biryani-and-rice-balls-malaysia-aims-for-halal-olympic-gold-3512127

Bloomberg Is Emerging as Corporate Media's Preferred Opposition to Sanders
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-15
Coming out of the first two Democratic primary states, with Bernie Sanders leading in votes and Pete Buttigieg leading in delegates, who is "starting to dominate the national political debate like no one in the past five years other than President Donald Trump"? | According to NBC's Jonathan Allen ( 2/12/20), that's former New York City mayor, erstwhile Republican, and billionaire Mi…
truthout.org/articles/corporate-media-pundits-look-to-bloomberg-as-their-anti-sanders-savior/

So Many More People Understand the Meaning of Neoliberalism Today, and That's a Huge Thing
Anis Shivani | commondreams.org | 2020-02-15
Democratic presidential candidates former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former Vice President Joe Biden greet each other prior to the start of the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 07, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/buttigieg-sanders-biden-nhdebate.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2020/02/15/so-many-more-people-understand-meaning-neoliberalism-today-and-thats-huge-thing?cd-origin=rss

Bernie Sanders Can Beat Trump with His Liberal Vision for America. Primary Voters Know It
Jamie Peck | commondreams.org | 2020-02-15
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) takes the stage during a primary night event on February 11, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bernie-wins-nh-2020-955px.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2020/02/15/bernie-sanders-can-beat-trump-his-liberal-vision-america-primary-voters-know-it?cd-origin=rss

With Sanders surging in the polls, Israel lobby spends big bucks to sink his chances in Nevada
rt.com | 2020-02-15
After emerging as the Democratic frontrunner in wake of Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, Bernie Sanders heads to Nevada leading in polls but facing new opposition: the Israel lobby and its vast cash reserves. | Despite being pipped at…
rt.com/usa/480942-bernie-sanders-nevada-dmfi-aipac/

What "That's Not Realistic" Really Means: Bernie Sanders, Social Democracy, and Capitalist Apologetics
William Hawes | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-15
When discussing politics, or listening to pundits in the mainstream media in the run up to the 2020 presidential election, you've probably heard a common refrain: certain policies are "not realistic." It's similar to the close-minded remark that certain politicians, such as Bernie Sanders, have issues regarding their "electability". What are these elites and people …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/what-thats-not-realistic-really-means-bernie-sanders-social-democracy-and-capitalist-apologetics/

Sanders surge in poll sparks backlash in Democratic establishment
wsws.org | 2020-02-15
The growing support for a self-styled "democratic socialist" has been met by anti-communist diatribes and media smears.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/15/elec-f15.html

Sanders surge in poll sparks backlash in Democratic establishment
wsws.org | 2020-02-15
The growing support for a self-styled "democratic socialist" has been met by anti-communist diatribes and media smears.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/15/elec-f15.html

Klobuchar flip-flops on immigration ahead of Nevada primary, says English SHOULDN'T be official language of US
rt.com | 2020-02-15
Senator Amy Klobuchar said that English shouldn't be the official language of the US, ahead of next week's primary in heavily Latino-populated Nevada. However, Klobuchar sang a different tune a decade ago. | Speaking at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Friday, the three-term Minnesota senator said that she has "taken a strong position against" any legislation that would enshrine English as the US' official language. | "I think that when you look at a state like this state, and a country like ours that is so diverse, you don't want to have that provision in law," Klobuchar told the crowd. | Klobuchar's statemen…
rt.com/usa/480945-klobuchar-english-official-language/

Germany Sees Political Fallout From Chancellor Merkel's Alliance With Far Right
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-02-15
Party politics is high on the agenda in Germany. A one-day alliance between Germany's anti-Semitic, far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) saw the sudden resignation of CDU party boss Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. While the CDU had, very temporarily, violated its very own non-alliance policy with the semi-fascistic AfD, internal party confli…
truthout.org/articles/germany-sees-political-fallout-from-chancellor-merkels-alliance-with-far-right/

Hillary for VP is 'speculation'? Bloomberg campaign brushes aside, but stops short of denying, Clinton 'running mate' claim
rt.com | 2020-02-15
A spokesman for Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has brushed off a report he's considering taking on Hillary Clinton as a running mate without denying the rumor, and reaction on Twitter was unstoppable. | Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report claimed on Saturday that Bloomberg's campaign considers the idea of a Mike/Hillary ticket a "formidable force." Citing sources "close to" the campaign, Drudge said that Bloomberg would go as far as changing his official residence from New York to one of his properties in Colorado or Florida, "since the electoral college makes it hard for a POTUS and VPOTUS from…
rt.com/usa/480941-bloomberg-hillary-running-mate-report/

Democracy vs. Dictatorship: Don't Let Bloomberg Muddy That Choice
Laura Flanders | commondreams.org | 2020-02-15
Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks during the kickoff of his "Get it Done Express" bus tour as a protester holds up a sign reading "Billionaires Should Not Buy Elections" at the Dollarhide Community Center in Compton, California on February 3, 2020. (Photo: Frederic J. Bown / AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/bloomberg_social_security_2020_0.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2020/02/15/democracy-vs-dictatorship-dont-let-bloomberg-muddy-choice?cd-origin=rss

New Hampshire 2020: This is just the beginning
Zach D. Roberts | nationofchange.org | 2020-02-15
"This is a democracy problem. Yes, Donald Trump is a great threat to our way of life… but the reality is that he is a symptom of a larger disease."
nationofchange.org/2020/02/15/new-hampshire-2020-this-is-just-the-beginning/

Trump Wants You to Ignore His Republican Challenger
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2020-02-15
Trump Wants You to Ignore His Republican Challenger…
thenation.com/article/politics/bill-weld-new-hampshire/

Tulsi Gabbard: A Political Postmortem
William Kaufman | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
The all-or-nothing New Hampshire gamble of Tulsi Gabbard has come up snake eyes. As I write, with 97 percent of the vote tallied, she is in seventh place, with a meager 3.3 percent of the vote, behind Tom Steyer. It is hard to imagine any path forward for her. And, frankly, one must acknowledge that…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/tulsi-gabbard-a-political-postmortem/

Pundits Look to Bloomberg as Their Anti-Sanders Savior
Julie Hollar | fair.org | 2020-02-14
Coming out of the first two Democratic primary states, with Bernie Sanders leading in votes and Pete Buttigieg leading in delegates, who is "starting to dominate the national political debate like no one in the past five years other than President Donald Trump"? | According to NBC's Jonathan Allen ( 2/12/20), that's former New York City mayor, erstwhile Republican, and billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who has won no national delegates and is cur…
fair.org/home/pundits-look-to-bloomberg-as-their-anti-sanders-savior/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pundits-look-to-bloomberg-as-their-anti-sanders-savior

For Media in New Hampshire, Losing Is Winning and Winning Is Losing
Alan MacLeod | fair.org | 2020-02-14
The results from the New Hampshire primary are in– mercifully quickly–showing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders victorious with 26% of the vote, ahead of former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg with 24%. However, it was third place Amy Klobuchar, with 20%, who seemed to draw the greatest media buzz. The Minnesota senator has received a lot of press attention of late–almost all of it positive. | Why losing is actually winning: Vox's Matthe…
fair.org/home/for-media-in-new-hampshire-losing-is-winning-and-winning-is-losing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=for-media-in-new-hampshire-losing-is-winning-and-winning-is-losing

Sanders says his health plan would protect culinary workers in Nevada
Special to People's World | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON

Sanders says his health plan would protect culinary workers in Nevada
Special to People's World | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON

NPR and the Escalating Attack on Single-Payer Health Care
Russell Mokhiber | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
National Public Radio's Mara Liasson this weekend entered a new term into the corporate liberal establishment's attack on single payer healthcare. Mandatory Medicare for All. As in

NPR and the Escalating Attack on Single-Payer Health Care
Russell Mokhiber | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
National Public Radio's Mara Liasson this weekend entered a new term into the corporate liberal establishment's attack on single payer healthcare. Mandatory Medicare for All. As in

Why This Election Is Different
David Swanson | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
Elections, I think most of us can agree, usually bring out the idiocy, superficiality, and illogic in everyone who can muster any. Imagine supporting, as many did, Sanders and then Trump because they were both "outsiders." On Tuesday, I heard somebody on CNN announce that Sanders and Klobuchar were both "change candidates" (because you'd have…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/why-this-election-is-different/

Why This Election Is Different
David Swanson | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
Elections, I think most of us can agree, usually bring out the idiocy, superficiality, and illogic in everyone who can muster any. Imagine supporting, as many did, Sanders and then Trump because they were both "outsiders." On Tuesday, I heard somebody on CNN announce that Sanders and Klobuchar were both "change candidates" (because you'd have…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/why-this-election-is-different/

Warren calls for impeachment of the Attorney General
Mark Gruenberg | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON–Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has become the first prominent lawmaker to demand House impeachment of GOP President Donald Trump's attorney general, William Barr, for Barr's kowtowing to Trump's demand to cut the court sentence of convicted top Trump campaign fixer and lackey Roger Stone. Together, the Trump-Barr sequence represents "a descent into …
peoplesworld.org/article/elizabeth-warren-calls-for-impeachment-of-attorney-general-william-barr/

Warren calls for impeachment of the Attorney General
Mark Gruenberg | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON–Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has become the first prominent lawmaker to demand House impeachment of GOP President Donald Trump's attorney general, William Barr, for Barr's kowtowing to Trump's demand to cut the court sentence of convicted top Trump campaign fixer and lackey Roger Stone. Together, the Trump-Barr sequence represents "a descent into …
peoplesworld.org/article/elizabeth-warren-calls-for-impeachment-of-attorney-general-william-barr/

Timeline: How the DNC Manipulated 2016 Presidential Race
Michael Brennan | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
December 16, 2014: President Obama signs into law omnibus spending bill that increases maximum possible individual political contributions from $129,600 annually to $777,600, substantially increasing the amount of money flowing through party committees. (Congressional Research Services) April 7, 2015: A Clinton campaign memo to the DNC articulates "Pied Piper" strategy to elevate the most extreme Republican candidates:…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/timeline-how-the-dnc-manipulated-2016-presidential-race/

Race and Class: Overcoming the Divides
Mike Miller | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
Preface The forthcoming 2020 election is again highlighting the country's apparently deep divides on race and class. A common formulation is that a hopelessly racist White working class is locked into the new Trump Republican Party which consciously has adopted a divide-and-conquer strategy based on race. The mainstream Democratic Party hope is that an electoral…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/race-and-class-overcoming-the-divides/

Information wars: GOP lawmaker on quest to officially declare CNN and the Washington Post 'fake news'
rt.com | 2020-02-14
In these times of political division, Americans on the far ends of the political spectrum often accuse each other of misinformation

Mayor Mike, Worse Than Mayor Pete
Andrew Levine | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
Michael Bloomberg is essentially an old school Republican. He hates Trump, the worst American president ever, but he loved George W. Bush, the second worst president in modern times. He may honestly think that black and brown lives matter, but, as mayor of New York City, he showed, time and again, that, for him gentrification

Senate follows House in banning money for Trump war on Iran
Mark Gruenberg | peoplesworld.org | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON–By a bipartisan 55-45 vote on Feb. 13, the GOP-run Senate followed the Democratic-run House and barred saber-rattling Donald Trump from spending any military money to make war on Iran. Eight Republicans joined all 45 Democrats and both independents in voting against Trump and against war on Iran. One of the eight, Maine's Susan Collins, …
peoplesworld.org/article/senate-follows-house-in-banning-money-for-trump-war-on-iran/

Mayor Mike, Worse Than Mayor Pete
Andrew Levine | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
Michael Bloomberg is essentially an old school Republican. He hates Trump, the worst American president ever, but he loved George W. Bush, the second worst president in modern times. He may honestly think that black and brown lives matter, but, as mayor of New York City, he showed, time and again, that, for him gentrification

Vichy Democrats vs. the Master Voice
Joseph Natoli | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
One reading of the present shows us a hyped economic reality but also political and cultural realities hyped so far that simulacra is quite easily digested and regurgitated as reality. In a world of simulacra, reality is not only a vacated former presence, like a former tenant, but unrecognizable in any reappearance. It's a war…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/vichy-democrats-vs-the-master-voice/

Trump Pledges to Veto Senate "War Powers Resolution", Uses Pentagon Funds to Build Border Wall
Andre Damon | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-14
Strengthened by the failure of the Democrats' impeachment drive, President Donald Trump has accelerated his efforts to expand the powers of the presidency in every sphere. | On Thursday, the Senate approved a symbolic bill instructing the White House to "terminate …
globalresearch.ca/trump-pledges-veto-war-powers-resolution-uses-pentagon-funds-build-border-wall/5703734

Sanders vs. the Establishment Democrats: McGovern All Over Again?
David Rosen | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
It's a perfect time to recall a famous quote from one of the nation's foremost philosophers, Yogi Berra: Its "déjà vu all over again." Is the Democratic Party replaying the lost saga of 2016 but with a very 2020 twist? Bernie Sander (D-VT) appears to have been robbed of the 2016 nomination, beaten out by Hillary Clinton (Sec. of…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/sanders-vs-the-establishment-democrats-mcgovern-all-over-again/

Major anti-war groups join the Coalition to March on the DNC
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-02-14
Milwaukee, WI – As the July 13 start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) draws closer, the Coalition to March on the DNC has risen to the occasion. Since the start of the new year, the coalition has seen tremendous gains. | Between leading a 2000-person demonstration against Donald Trump when he visited Milwaukee on January 14 and butting heads with the city while trying to host a press conference to announce a lawsuit for our right to protest, traffic to the Facebook page has increased dramatically, including numerous inquiries about how people can get more involved. | Perhaps the most significant indica…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/2/13/major-anti-war-groups-join-coalition-march-dnc

Black Democrats Endorse Bloomberg after Release of Racist Boasts on "Stop-and-frisk"
Niles Niemuth | globalresearch.ca | 2020-02-14
An audio recording was released Tuesday in which the billionaire Democratic Party presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg boasts that the "stop-and-frisk" policy he championed as mayor of New York deliberately targeted minority youth. | In the openly racist comments, made before an …
globalresearch.ca/black-democrats-endorse-bloomberg-release-racist-boasts-stop-frisk/5703730

Trump pledges to veto war powers resolution, uses Pentagon funds to build border wall
wsws.org | 2020-02-14
Strengthened by the failure of the Democrats' impeachment drive, President Trump has accelerated his efforts to expand the powers of the presidency in every sphere.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/14/trum-f14.html

Detroit Overtaxed Residents by $600M, Causing Foreclosure Crisis. Residents Are Now Fighting Back
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-14
In Detroit, a showdown between progressive lawmakers and the city is taking on racist housing policies that robbed African Americans in Detroit of their homes and widened the racial wealth gap. On Thursday, the Coalition for Property Tax Justice announced a class-action lawsuit against the city of Detroit, Wayne County and the state of Michigan in response to unfair property tax foreclosures. One in four Detroit properties have been subject to property tax foreclosure, a level comparable only to tax foreclosure rates during the Great Depression. According to legal experts, many of the foreclosures were caused by…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/14/detroit_class_action_lawsuit_foreclosures

Post-Impeachment, House Democrats Set Sights on Barr
Staff | truthdig.com | 2020-02-14
WASHINGTON

Black Democrats endorse Bloomberg after release of racist boasts on "stop-and-frisk"
wsws.org | 2020-02-14
The immediate response of elected African-American Democrats to the exposure of the billionaire Bloomberg's racist remarks was to boost him as the only candidate who can defeat President Donald Trump in November.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/14/bloo-f14.html

Rep. Rashida Tlaib: Trump's "Racist" Plan Would Legalize the Theft of Palestinian Land
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-14
We continue our conversation with Congressmember Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress. She responds to President Trump's Middle East plan, under which Israel would gain sovereignty over large areas of the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem would be under total Israeli control, and all Jewish settlers in the occupied territory would be allowed to remain in their homes. Tlaib says the plan was formulated with a "racist lens" that ignores Palestinian lives and aspirations. Tlaib says she wants people "to know what the human impact is of taking people's land, taking people's…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/14/rashida_tlaib_trump_middle_east_plan

Guinea-Bissau: Swearing-in of new President unlikely to bring stability, says UN representative
news.un.org | 2020-02-14
Political discord in Guinea-Bissau could hamper the first-ever peaceful transfer of power to a democratically elected leader, the top UN official in the West African country told the Security Council on Friday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1057441

One Billion Rising: Eve Ensler & Taína Asili Mark V-Day and Campaign to End Sexual Violence
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-14
This Valentine's Day, people around the world are taking to the streets to protest violence against women and girls. From the Philippines to India to Italy to Bolivia, thousands of women in more than 100 countries will reclaim public space through dance and performance as part of a global movement called One Billion Rising. The movement takes its name from the shocking statistic that one in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. One Billion Rising started on Valentine's Day 2012 and has continued to grow every year since. Participants say they won't stop dancing until violence…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/14/v_day_one_billion_rising

Robert Reich: Bloomberg Wants to Buy Our Democracy
Robert Reich | truthdig.com | 2020-02-14
If the former mayor of New York prevails in November, he could usher in a new American oligarchy. Let's hope it never comes to that.
truthdig.com/articles/robert-reich-bloomberg-wants-to-buy-our-democracy/

Workers at GM's Silao, Mexico plant charge union with stuffing ballots during recognition vote
wsws.org | 2020-02-14
The effort by General Motors and the Confederation of Mexican Workers to certify their contract at the Silao complex is a warning to workers across Mexico about the anti-democratic content of the government's supposed labor reforms.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/14/sila-f14.html

Growth of fascistic attacks on refugees in Greece
wsws.org | 2020-02-14
A thousand threads tie the fascistic thugs on the streets hunting down refugees to the ruling Greek capitalist party, New Democracy.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/02/14/gree-f14.html

What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders
Robert L. Borosage | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders…
thenation.com/article/politics/sanders-movement-ideas-primary/

What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders
Robert L. Borosage | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
What We Already Owe to Bernie Sanders…
thenation.com/article/politics/sanders-movement-ideas-primary/

How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg
Jeet Heer | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg.
thenation.com/article/politics/warren-bloomberg-attack-democratic/

How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg
Jeet Heer | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
How Can Warren Win? By Attacking Bloomberg.
thenation.com/article/politics/warren-bloomberg-attack-democratic/

Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We?
Sasha Abramsky | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We?
thenation.com/article/politics/republicans-trump-dictator-fascism/

The Modern GOP Is Built on Lies
Eric Alterman | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
The Modern GOP Is Built on Lies…
thenation.com/article/politics/trump-lies-republican-party/

Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We?
Sasha Abramsky | thenation.com | 2020-02-14
Republicans Have Made It Clear They Will Let Trump Become a Dictator. Will We?
thenation.com/article/politics/republicans-trump-dictator-fascism/

Polling Shows Sanders Extending Lead Among Hispanics Ahead of Nevada Caucuses
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-02-14
"Bernie Sanders is building the most diverse movement in America." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/bernie_sanders_38_0.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/polling-shows-sanders-extending-lead-among-hispanics-ahead-nevada-caucuses?cd-origin=rss

Warren Slams Bloomberg for Blaming 2008 Financial Meltdown On End of Redlining Policy
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-02-14
Sen. Elizabeth Warren drew cheers from a crowd of 4,000 supporters in Arlington, Virginia Thursday as she slammed former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his recently-resurfaced comments about discriminatory housing practices. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/picmonkey_image7_0.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/warren-slams-bloomberg-blaming-2008-financial-meltdown-end-redlining-policy?cd-origin=rss

DCCC-Backed Incumbent Henry Cuellar Gets Support From Koch Network As Progressive Primary Challenger Jessica Cisneros Picks Up Union Endorsements
Eoin Higgins, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2020-02-14
Cuellar is hosting a fundraiser in Laredo with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 22. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/cisneros_0_0_0.jpeg
commondreams.org/news/2020/02/14/dccc-backed-incumbent-henry-cuellar-gets-support-koch-network-progressive-primary?cd-origin=rss

The Overwhelming Sex Appeal Of Bernie Sanders
Nick Pemberton | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
"the obligation to confess is now relayed through so many different points…that we no longer perceive it as the effect of a power that constrains us" –Michel Foucault Happy Valentines Day to all Bernie Bros, Bernie Gals, and non-binary Berners. The first time I heard the Daddy component of Bernie Sanders explained was when Jeffrey…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/the-overwhelming-sex-appeal-of-bernie-sanders/

The Overwhelming Sex Appeal Of Bernie Sanders
Nick Pemberton | counterpunch.org | 2020-02-14
"the obligation to confess is now relayed through so many different points…that we no longer perceive it as the effect of a power that constrains us" –Michel Foucault Happy Valentines Day to all Bernie Bros, Bernie Gals, and non-binary Berners. The first time I heard the Daddy component of Bernie Sanders explained was when Jeffrey…
counterpunch.org/2020/02/14/the-overwhelming-sex-appeal-of-bernie-sanders/

Jim Naureckas on Democratic Primaries, Nina Luo on Decriminalizing Sex Work
CounterSpin | fair.org | 2020-02-14
Media…
fair.org/home/jim-naureckas-on-democratic-primaries-nina-luo-on-decriminalizing-sex-work/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jim-naureckas-on-democratic-primaries-nina-luo-on-decriminalizing-sex-work

The Corporate Media Is Directly Profiting from Mike Bloomberg's Rise as He Spends Fortune on TV Ads
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-14
Billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is rising in the polls in the wake of the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Democracy Now! co-host Juan González speaks with us about Bloomberg's approach to campaign spending, the administration's policies during his three terms as mayor of New York City and the scores of lawsuits filed against Bloomberg and his company. "It's amazing to me that Michael Bloomberg is getting as much attention as he is," González says.
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/14/michael_bloomberg_tv_ads_corporate_media

The Iowa fiasco and the Democrats' shadowy plot to stop Bernie
Leonard C. Goodman | mronline.org | 2020-02-13
Yogi Berra, the great Yankees catcher, had the memorable line, "It's like deja vu all over again." Bernie Sanders supporters might have been thinking the same thing after the fiasco of the Iowa caucuses. | Source…
mronline.org/2020/02/13/the-iowa-fiasco-and-the-democrats-shadowy-plot-to-stop-bernie/

Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-02-13
Washington, D.C.

US Senate strikes symbolic blow against Trump by limiting war powers toward Iran with new resolution
rt.com | 2020-02-13
The US Senate has passed a resolution limiting President Donald Trump's war powers in the case of Iran. The measure would only allow the president authority to strike in the case of self-defense or an imminent attack. | Eight Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure, which was passed 55-45. The resolution fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, meaning this resolution is more symbolic than anything. | The president made his feelings on the War Powers Resolution clear on Wednesday when he tweeted that Iran would "have a field day" if his hands "were tied" due…
rt.com/usa/480793-war-powers-trump-senate/

Democrats Team Up With Trump to Maintain Disastrous Healthcare System
Michael Pappas | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-13
On Tuesday, February 4, Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union (SOTU) address. As expected, it was filled with contradictions, falsehoods, and distortions. Among other things, Trump spoke for close to ten minutes about health care in the U.S., claiming that he "will always protect Medicare." However, neither Trump and the Republicans, nor …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/democrats-team-up-with-trump-to-maintain-disastrous-healthcare-system/

Did Amy Klobuchar Send an Innocent Teenager to Life in Prison? Questions Mount over Her Record as DA
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-13
After a surprising third-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is attempting to gain ground in the national polls. But Klobuchar is also facing mounting scrutiny over her record as a district attorney in Minnesota. The Minneapolis NAACP, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities and other racial justice groups recently called on Klobuchar to suspend her presidential campaign following a shocking investigation by the Associated Press. The AP report centered on the case of Myon Burrell, an African-American teenager who was sentenced to life in prison over the 2002 murder of 11-year-old Tye…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/13/amy_klobuchar_myon_burrell

Duterte continues US military control of the Philippines despite VFA termination notice
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-02-13
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following February 11 statement By Jose Maria Sison, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Chief Political Consultant. | The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) notice of termination takes effect after 180 days. The people cannot be sure that Duterte will not change his mind within that lengthy period. Previously, Duterte postured about terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement but after a few months allowed Balikatan exercises under VFA. | In the meantime, there are other military treaties with the US: Mutual Defense Treaty, Mutual Logistics Support Agreement…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/2/13/duterte-continues-us-military-control-philippines-despite-vfa-termination-notice

The Wet'suwet'en Fight Against New Pipeline Spreads Across Canada with Blockades & Occupations
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-13
A major anti-pipeline struggle continues in Canada, where protests have broken out across the country in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en land defenders whose sovereign land in northern British Columbia was raided last week and over the weekend by Canadian police. Dozens were arrested in the days-long raid of unceded indigenous territories, where hereditary chiefs have been in a protracted battle to protect their land from the construction of TransCanada's 400-mile, $4.7 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline. The raids took place about 700 miles north of Vancouver and sparked outrage across the country. In Ontario, a Moha…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/13/wet_suwet_en_territory_pipeline_opposition

"Traumatizing from the Get-Go": Weinstein Trial Exposes Flawed Approach to Sexual Assault Cases
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-13
We continue our conversation about the trial of alleged sexual predator Harvey Weinstein, ahead of the scheduled start of opening arguments today. Weinstein is facing five felony charges, based on accusations brought forth by two women in the case, and, if convicted, could face up to life in prison. Last week, one of his accusers, Jessica Mann, broke down and went into an apparent panic attack during questioning from Weinstein's lawyers, forcing the judge to adjourn proceedings for the day. Mann was made to read past emails to a boyfriend, in which she disclosed she had been sexually assaulted before meeting Wein…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/13/harvey_weinstein_trial_trauma_louise_godbold

Time's Up for Harvey Weinstein? Closing Arguments Begin in Rape Trial in NYC
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-13
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday in the trial of disgraced Hollywood mogul and accused sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. The jury is expected to begin deliberating on Tuesday. Weinstein faces five felonies based on accusations by two women and, if convicted, could face up to life in prison. The trial comes more than two years after initial accusations against the film producer were published in The New Yorker and The New York Times, fueling the #MeToo movement that swept Hollywood and beyond. Since then, over 100 women have accused Weinstein of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. During t…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/13/harvey_weinstein_trial_nyc

State-backed Alliance for Securing Democracy disinfo shop falsely smears The Grayzone as 'state-backed'
Alexander Rubinstein | thegrayzone.com | 2020-02-13
In painting critical reporting on the Iowa caucuses debacle as a Russian plot, a Western government-backed information warfare shop smeared…
thegrayzone.com/2020/02/13/state-backed-alliance-securing-democracy-smears-grayzone/

Time's Up for Harvey Weinstein? Closing Arguments Begin in Rape Trial in NYC
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-13
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday in the trial of disgraced Hollywood mogul and accused sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. The jury is expected to begin deliberating on Tuesday. Weinstein faces five felonies based on accusations by two women and, if convicted, could face up to life in prison. The trial comes more than two years after initial accusations against the film producer were published in The New Yorker and The New York Times, fueling the #MeToo movement that swept Hollywood and beyond. Since then, over 100 women have accused Weinstein of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. During t…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/13/harvey_weinstein_trial_nyc

Democrats Should Welcome Michael Bloomberg to Their Debates–ASAP
Joan Walsh | thenation.com | 2020-02-13
Democrats Should Welcome Michael Bloomberg to Their Debates–ASAP…
thenation.com/article/politics/michael-bloomberg-democratic-primary/

United States: Sanders versus the Democratic establishment
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-13
Daniel SafiIssue 1253 United StatesFebruary 13, 2020Suspicions of election "tampering" have darkened a number of primaries and presidential elections in recent history in the United States. | In the presidential contest between Republican George W Bush and the Democratic Party's Al Gore in 2000, confusing layouts on ballots in Florida

European left and green MPs support Kurdish struggle
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-02-13
Kurdish struggle Peter BoyleIssue 1253 Belgium Rojava revolution BrusselsFebruary 13, 2020Left and green parliamentarians from across Europe condemned Turkey's invasion of Rojava, the democrat…
greenleft.org.au/content/european-left-and-green-mps-support-kurdish-struggle

First Nations Pipeline Protest: 14 Land Protectors Arrested as Canadian Police Raid Indigenous Camp
Democracy Now! | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-02-13
In Canada, armed forces raided native Wet'suwet'en territory in British Columbia Monday, with at least 14 arrests being reported. Land defenders faced off with Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the police breached two checkpoints set up to keep pipeline workers out of protected territory. Indigenous leaders are reportedly being blocked from their territory. TransCanada Corporation …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/02/first-nations-pipeline-protest-14-land-protectors-arrested-as-canadian-police-raid-indigenous-camp/

Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary with Key Support from Youth Voters
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has won the New Hampshire primary a week after he won the popular vote in Iowa. As of Wednesday morning, with 89% of precincts reporting, Sanders has 25.8% of the vote, narrowly beating former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is at 24.4%. Senator Amy Klobuchar placed third with nearly 20% of the vote. Both Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden received under 10% of the vote, after seeing their support plummet in recent weeks and months. At a celebration in Manchester, Bernie Sanders said his victory in New Hampshire is the beginning of the end for Donal…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/new_hampshire_primary_2020_bernie_sanders

Bernie Sanders Wins New Hampshire Primary with Key Support from Youth Voters
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has won the New Hampshire primary a week after he won the popular vote in Iowa. As of Wednesday morning, with 89% of precincts reporting, Sanders has 25.8% of the vote, narrowly beating former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is at 24.4%. Senator Amy Klobuchar placed third with nearly 20% of the vote. Both Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden received under 10% of the vote, after seeing their support plummet in recent weeks and months. At a celebration in Manchester, Bernie Sanders said his victory in New Hampshire is the beginning of the end for Donal…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/new_hampshire_primary_2020_bernie_sanders

Feminist Scholar Barbara Smith on Identity Politics & Why She Supports Bernie Sanders for President
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
We speak with the legendary African-American feminist scholar Barbara Smith. She is a founder of the Combahee River Collective and of Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Barbara Smith recently wrote a column in The Guardian newspaper titled "I helped coin the term 'identity politics'. I'm endorsing Bernie Sanders." Her latest book is "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around: Forty Years of Movement Building with Barbara Smith."
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/barbara_smith_identity_politics_bernie_sanders

New Hampshire Primaries Paint a Picture of Modern Day Class War in America
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-02-12
While the primary totals for Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg were relatively close, their support came from radically different segments of the population.
mintpressnews.com/new-hampshire-primaries-modern-day-class-war-america/264866/

Former Goldman Sachs CEO says Sanders presidency would 'ruin our economy,' gets blasted on Twitter
rt.com | 2020-02-12
An ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs who helped cause the 2008 financial crisis has claimed Bernie Sanders would ruin the economy and "screw up the US" if elected president, prompting Twitter to remind him of the Great Recession. | Billionaire Lloyd Blankfein tweeted on Wednesday that Sanders is "just as polarizing as Trump AND he'll ruin [the American] economy and doesn't care about [the American] military," before adding: "If I'm Russian, I go with Sanders this time around." | If Dems go on to nominate Sanders, the Russians will have to reconsider who to work for to best screw up the US. Sanders is just as polarizing…
rt.com/usa/480665-goldman-sachs-ceo-sanders-economy/

What about stopping endless wars? Trump urges GOP to vote down Iran war resolution because it's a partisan ploy by Democrats
rt.com | 2020-02-12
US President Donald Trump says the resolution that would block him from using force against Iran is a partisan trick by Democrats, even though he campaigned on a peace platform and some of his closest allies support the proposal. | "We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness," Trump tweeted on Wednesday, adding that Tehran would "have a field day" if his hands were tied. | "The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don't let it happen!" he urged the GOP majority. | ….If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad s…
rt.com/usa/480702-trump-iran-war-senate/

Deadline Looming, Strongest Surveillance Reform Bill Yet Emerges
Neema Singh Guliani | aclu.org | 2020-02-12
Congress has just five weeks to decide the fate of key foreign | intelligence surveillance powers

Meet the Journalist Who Exposed Bloomberg's Racist Defense of Targeting Black & Brown Youth
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
"#BloombergIsRacist." That's the hashtag that's trending on Twitter since audio of remarks made by 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg surfaced earlier this week. In the clip from the 2015 Aspen Institute, Bloomberg is heard defending the New York City Police Department's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policies, saying, "Ninety-five percent of your murders and murderers and murdered victims fit one MO. You can just take the description, xerox it and pass it out to all the cops." He continues, "They are male minorities, 15 to 25. That's true in New York. It's true…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/michael_bloomberg_aspen_2015_unearthed_audio

Meet the Journalist Who Exposed Bloomberg's Racist Defense of Targeting Black & Brown Youth
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
"#BloombergIsRacist." That's the hashtag that's trending on Twitter since audio of remarks made by 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg surfaced earlier this week. In the clip from the 2015 Aspen Institute, Bloomberg is heard defending the New York City Police Department's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policies, saying, "Ninety-five percent of your murders and murderers and murdered victims fit one MO. You can just take the description, xerox it and pass it out to all the cops." He continues, "They are male minorities, 15 to 25. That's true in New York. It's true…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/michael_bloomberg_aspen_2015_unearthed_audio

South Bend Politician: I Worked with Pete Buttigieg. He Did Not Respect Black Residents' Struggles
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-02-12
2020 presidential candidate and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg has surprised many with his strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, two of the country's whitest states. But as the race moves on to South Carolina and Nevada, Buttigieg continues to poll extremely low with African-American voters. His own former constituents are condemning his treatment of the black community in South Bend during his time as mayor, calling out systemic racism in the police force. During Buttigieg's tenure, black residents were 4.3 times more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana than white people. We…
www.democracynow.org/2020/2/12/pete_buttigieg_south_bend_black_community

Iowa Democratic Party chair RESIGNS over caucus disaster
rt.com | 2020-02-12
The Iowa caucuses fiasco has cost the state's Democratic Party chair Troy Price his job, as the final results are still unavailable due to recanvass and recount bids by frustrated candidates. | "While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward, and my presence in my current role makes that more difficult," Price wrote on Wednesday to the state party's Central Committee. | Troy Price will resign as the chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. This is his letter of resignation sent to the state central…
rt.com/usa/480711-iowa-democratic-chair-resignation/

DR Congo Ebola outbreak still an international public health concern
news.un.org | 2020-02-12
The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains an international public health concern, experts meeting in Geneva concluded on Wednesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/02/1057291

They Rocked New Hampshire–but Pete and Amy Still Can't Win Over Black Voters
Elie Mystal | thenation.com | 2020-02-12
They Rocked New Hampshire–but Pete and Amy Still Can't Win Over Black Voters…
thenation.com/article/politics/buttigieg-klobuchar-privilege/

The Primaries Are Protecting Trump
Jeet Heer | thenation.com | 2020-02-12
The Primaries Are Protecting Trump…
thenation.com/article/politics/primaries-democratic-protecting-trump/

The Disastrous Iowa Caucuses Were Just the Beginning
Jeffrey Cox | thenation.com | 2020-02-12
The Disastrous Iowa Caucuses Were Just the Beginning…
thenation.com/article/politics/iowa-caucuses-democrats/