Daily Archives: May 29, 2020

2020-05-29: News Headlines

Max Blumenthal (2020-05-29). Exclusive images from inside British court expose Assange's un-democratic treatment, physical deterioration. thegrayzone.com Photographs surreptitiously taken inside a British courtroom and provided to The Grayzone show a visibly disoriented Julian Assange confined to…

WSWS (2020-05-29). Howie Hawkins and the Green Party: Capitalist politics in the guise of "ecosocialism" wsws.org Following Bernie Sanders's endorsement of Biden, the Green Party and its presumptive presidential nominee Hawkins are presenting themselves as the continuation of Sanders's "political revolution."

Alan Macleod (2020-05-29). As Establishment Condemns China for Hong Kong Repression, Trump Tweets About "Shooting Looters" mintpressnews.com Democrats and Republicans are united in condemning Beijing for its overreach, but perhaps its time to look closer to home to find examples of state repression.

Andrew Levine (2020-05-29). Trump Is Unbeatable in the Race to the Bottom and So Is the GOP. counterpunch.org In the race to the bottom, Donald Trump is unbeatable. Therefore, so now too is the Republican Party; being under his thumb, it is with him, every step of the way. This is why Joe Biden will have a hard time losing in November, no matter how good he and other corporate Democrats are at

John Feffer (2020-05-29). Is It Time to Boycott the United States? zcomm.org The G7 kicked Russia out over its invasion of Crimea. Does the U.S. assault on international laws, treaties, and democracy itself warrant the same treatment?>

David Sirota (2020-05-29). Democrats fueling corporate counter-revolution against progressives. zcomm.org Democrats in Washington are not just passively failing to mount an opposition to Trump. They are actively helping Republicans…

WSWS (2020-05-29). California Governor Gavin Newsom ramps up reopening despite serious public health threats. wsws.org The Democratic governor is accelerating the re-opening of the state, allowing resumption of business for shopping malls, dine-in restaurants, and large gatherings, despite the enormous dangers of COVID-19.

Hamilton Nolan (2020-05-29). 'Here's a bedsheet, make a parachute!' Republicans say, pushing us out of a plane | Hamilton Nolan. theguardian.com The heart of the Republican governing philosophy causes ludicrously insufficient responses to an existential crisisThe Republican fetish for "work" has always been a sham. The prime beneficiaries of Republican policies are, after all, the investor class, who by definition make their money while not working. As our current economic crisis worsens, Republicans cling to ideas that become increasingly separated from reality, like fundamentalists rejecting modern medicine even as their family member is dying. All of you, go back to work, or die trying! Most of the world has asked people to stop going to work — t…

Roger Harris (2020-05-29). Blaming the COVID-19 Pandemic on Too Many Humans: a Critique of Overpopulation Ideology. counterpunch.org A world gripped by a deadly virus has precipitated a deluge of punditry claiming to have found the primal cause of the pandemic. In a recent article Anthony Judge, for example, claims to have tapped into "the collective subconscious" to blame what he calls overpopulation. How well does this claim hold up? Mr. Judge is concerned

Stephen Lendman (2020-05-28). Trump Regime Escalates War by Other Means on Iran and China. globalresearch.ca The US under both right wings of its war party represents an unparalleled threat to world peace, stability, democratic values, and the rule of law. | As long as the world community fails to uphold UN Charter principles and other core …

Dale Ho (2020-05-28). We're Working to Safeguard Our Democracy and Our Health. aclu.org No one should have to choose between their health and their vote, but during the Wisconsin primary, an estimated

Bruce Bostick (2020-05-28). Trump using record unemployment to push an anti-labor agenda. peoplesworld.org Trump, followed immediately by Republican governors across the nation, stated that our nation "must reopen." Those governors all then told workers in their states that they must return to work when recalled, or they will have their unemployment benefits cut off. This past week, with millions more filing jobless claims, the total new claims related …

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-05-29). Dimming VP Hopes, Klobuchar's Failure to Prosecute Police Misconduct Highlighted as Outrage Over Killing of George Floyd Intensifies. commondreams.org "You can't refuse to prosecute killer cops and act like you don't have blood on your hands." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/amy_and_joe.jpg

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2020-05-28). Pelosi Accused of 'Trying to Do an End-Run Around Her Own Party' by Sending Spy Powers Bill to Conference. commondreams.org After the U.S. House voted Thursday to request a conference with the Senate for legislation to reauthorize controversial government surveillance powers, civil liberties advocates called out Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic Party leaders, warning that the move could further weaken a measure that already lacks crucial privacy protections. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1206754522_1_2.jpg

Staff (2020-05-28). "Fight Back!": ACT UP Members & Tony Kushner Remember Trailblazing AIDS Activist Larry Kramer. democracynow.org We discuss the life and legacy of Larry Kramer, the legendary writer and trailblazing activist in the fight against AIDS, who has died at the age of 84. Kramer helped start Gay Men's Health Crisis and ACT UP to demand life-saving drugs, and faced off with Dr. Anthony Fauci before the two became friends. Many credit Kramer for saving thousands of lives. We hear from Kramer in his own words at the 2019 anti-corporate Queer Liberation March and host a roundtable with two former ACT UP members: "Gay USA" host Ann Northrop and Yale epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves. We also speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright To…

Staff (2020-05-29). "It Was Murder": Minneapolis Demands Charges in Police Killing of George Floyd, Calls to Defund Cops. democracynow.org As thousands take to the streets of Minneapolis to protest against the police killing of George Floyd for the third night in a row, we go to Minneapolis to speak with City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison. Police pointed an automatic rifle at his head in 2015 when he was peacefully protesting the police killing of another African American man, Jamar Clark. We also speak with Kandace Montgomery with the Black Visions Collective, which is calling for the abolition of police.

Staff (2020-05-29). Headlines for May 29, 2020. democracynow.org Protests Rage After Minneapolis Prosecutor Does Not Bring Charges Against Officers Who Killed George Floyd, Scores Tear-Gassed, Arrested as Protests Against George Floyd's Killing Spread to Other Cities, Twitter Flags Trump Tweet for Glorifying Violence After President Attacks Minnesota Protesters as "THUGS", Trump Executive Order Threatens to Punish Social Media Companies over Fact-Checking, U.S. Economy Sheds Another 2.1 Million Jobs, Leaving 40.7 Million Unemployed Since Start of Pandemic, Pennsylvania Democratic Lawmakers Accuse Republicans of Knowingly Exposing Them to Coronavirus, Protesters Demand ICE Empt…

Staff (2020-05-29). Twitter Warns Trump Tweet Glorifies Violence as He Signs Executive Order to Weaken Social Media. democracynow.org As President Trump calls Minneapolis protesters "THUGS" and tweets, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," Twitter flags the tweet with a warning it glorifies violence, just as Trump signs an executive order to punish social media companies for how they monitor content. "Trump has prospered through his use of social media and its attention-hoarding algorithms to basically disinform and misinform people," says Ramesh Srinivasan, professor in the Department of Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Staff (2020-05-29). As Pandemic Epicenter Shifts to Latin America, Gov'ts Use COVID-19 as Pretext for Police Repression. democracynow.org As the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic shifts to Latin America, so too has the use of COVID-19 as a pretext for police repression. "We're seeing that COVID-19, like other pandemics before it, magnifies structural discrimination. And sadly, it's often the most marginalized that are the first targets," says Louise Tillotson, co-author of a new Amnesty International report on the abuse. We also go to San Salvador to speak with journalist Jorge Cuéllar.

Staff (2020-05-28). Headlines for May 28, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Tops 100,000, Minneapolis Erupts in Flames as Protesters Rage Against Police Killing of George Floyd, China Tightens Grip on Hong Kong with New National Security Law, House of Representatives Holds First-Ever Remote Vote Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Protesters Surround Sing Sing Prison Demanding Release of Prisoners at Risk of COVID-19, Researchers: 6 Feet of Social Distancing Might Not Be Enough to Stop Coronavirus Spread, Doctors Without Borders Warns of Spike in Coronavirus Cases Among Florida Farmworkers, Brazilian Police Raid Fake News Network Linked to Son of Far-Right President, A…

Staff (2020-05-28). "No Justification": Minneapolis Demands Murder Charges for Police Officer Who Killed George Floyd. democracynow.org Parts of Minneapolis erupted into flames Wednesday night as residents again took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin on Monday. A viral video shows Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck for a number of minutes as Floyd repeatedly says "I cannot breathe." Three other officers stood by as George Floyd suffocated. They have been identified as Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng. All four officers were fired on Tuesday. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called on prosecutors to file criminal charges against Derek Chauvin. We speak wit…

Norman Solomon (2020-05-29). Amy Klobuchar, Minneapolis Police and Her VP Quest. indybay.org Opportunism Running Amuck…

Albrecht Mueller (2020-05-29). Extremely Growing Inequality Destroys Democracy. indybay.org When one percent have half of the wealth, mistrust and cynicism drown out public spirit and trust between the generations. A fair tax system includes closing tax havens, micro-second trading, stock buybacks and insider trading…

Fed Up Facebook User (2020-05-29). Fed-up Facebook Users Urge Shareholders To "Wake The Zuck Up" : Protesters Projected Messa. indybay.org Don't Let Facebook ZUCK Up our Democracy, a coalition of media advocacy organizations, human rights groups, pro-democracy activists, and fed-up Facebook users projected messages to Facebook shareholders on the evening before the annual Facebook shareholders meeting. The messages were projected onto Facebook's San Francisco offices at 181 Fremont Street.

WSWS Repost (2020-05-29). Warren holds fundraiser for Biden, drops "MedicareFor All" indybay.org Elizabeth Warren's populist pretensions were nothing more than a marketing tool, to be discarded as soon as they become inconvenient.

_____ (2020-05-29). Twitter blocks WHITE HOUSE tweet for 'glorifying violence' after it reposts Trump warning from official government account. rt.com Twitter has hidden a warning from US President Donald Trump to the Minnesota governor behind a censorship notice, as well as the tweet from the official White House account reposting the president's message. | The social media platform warned that the president's message to Democratic governor Tim Walz about sending in the National Guard "violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence." | | © Twitter | The tweet, posted from the @WhiteHouse account, repeated the content of an earlier tweet Trump had posted from his personal account (which was also covered by the censorship message about "glorifyin…

RT (2020-05-29). 'Don't throw money at black Americans to riot': Candace Owens spars with Soros-funded NGO over alleged hand in Minneapolis unrest. rt.com Conservative firebrand Candace Owens has started a feud with Open Society Foundations, after accusing the George Soros-funded NGO of fueling the ongoing riots in Minneapolis. | Owens speculated that the fires and looting in Minneapolis was being carried out by activists linked to the billionaire, after noting that Police Chief Medaria Arradondo claimed the criminal activity was being instigated by people not native to the city. | "My guess: As he did with Antifa, Democrat George Soros has these thugs on payroll. He is funding the chaos via his Open Society Foundation," the conservative commentator tweeted. | T…

RT (2020-05-28). Disgrace! AOC & Pelosi lash out at Facebook's Zuckerberg over hesitance to police social media speech like Twitter. rt.com Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez targeted Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg for disagreeing with Twitter fact-checking Donald Trump, saying social media platforms are not "the arbiter of truth." | House Speaker Pelosi slammed Zuckerberg's disagreement with Twitter over fact-checking a tweet from the president linking mail-in voting to fraud as a "disgrace" in a Thursday press conference and accused the Facebook founder of "catering" to the current administration out of fear. | "As far as the platforms are concerned, they want two things from the federal government, no regulation and no taxes," she said. "So…

RT (2020-05-28). Trump's retweets declare 'only good Democrat is a dead Democrat' and Covid-19 masks 'slavery'… critics take the bait. rt.com Two retweets from President Donald Trump have outraged critics. One declares "the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat" and the other calls Covid-19 protective masks "social control." | Trump has been using Twitter in recent weeks to do everything from slamming mail-in voting to accusing MSNBC host Joe Scarborough of possible murder. And some of his latest tweets have proven just as incendiary. | One "thank you" tweet from Wednesday evening was in response to a video from the pro-Trump group Cowboys for Trump. The footage includes a speaker saying, "I've come to a place where I've come to the conclusion that…

RT (2020-05-28). Dozens arrested in NEW YORK as protests over George Floyd's death spread nationwide (VIDEOS). rt.com At least 30 protesters in New York City were arrested after clashing with police over the death of an African-American man in Minneapolis earlier this week, as NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed the killing on racism. | Dozens of people were taken into custody at Union Square in Manhattan on Thursday evening, local media reported. After breaking up that demonstration, the NYPD moved to check reports of other protests near the police headquarters and City Hall. | Protesters reportedly threw bottles and trash cans at police, and one officer was injured. | Union Square, NY right now. I'm relieved to see some white f…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-28). U.S. Empire: Biden and Kerry Gave Orders to Ukraine's President. strategic-culture.org On May 19th, an implicit international political warning was issued, but it wasn't issued between countries; it was issued between allied versus opposed factions within each of two countries: U.S. and Ukraine. In the United States, it's a Republican Party warning to the Democratic Party: a warning by Trump, against Biden and against Obama. It's saying: "We've got the goods on you, and we're not releasing it yet. But here's a sample. So, let's deal." | It's a warning that comes from the current President of Ukraine, Volodmyr Zelenskiy, and that places into an exceptionally bad light his immediate predecessor, Petr…

Staff (2020-05-28). GOP Lawmaker Hid Positive COVID Results From Democrat Colleagues for Over a Week. truthout.org Democratic lawmakers in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives are upset with their Republican colleagues after a member of the GOP caucus revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus but had Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Pennsylvania) released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging his diagnosis. For a period of two week…

Staff (2020-05-28). Trump Retweets Speech That Says "the Only Good Democrat Is a Dead Democrat" truthout.org President Donald Trump early Thursday boosted a comment from the founder of the group Cowboys for Trump that "the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat." | In his midnight tweet, the president responded to a video clip of Otero County, New Mexico Commissioner and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin making the remark, tweeting from his phone: "Thank you Cowboys. See you in New Mexico!" | t.co/aCRJeskUA8 | — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Staff (2020-05-28). Trump's Reelection Strategies Are Killing a Massive Number of People. truthout.org Let us assume, for the sake of discussion, that there will be a presidential election in 159 days as scheduled. This assumption, given the extent of the COVID pandemic combined with comprehensive Republican resistance to the very notion of voting, requires a leap of faith that would challenge even the Bear with me, though, because there is at least one person in the U.S. who believes there will be an election in November, and…

Tim Shorrock, Injeong Kim (2020-05-28). 2 Days in May That Shattered Korean Democracy. thenation.com 2 Days in May That Shattered Korean Democracy…

Staff (2020-05-27). Headlines for May 27, 2020. democracynow.org Four Minneapolis Cops Fired After Shocking Video Shows Killing of George Floyd, Federal Food Program Fails to Reach Millions Even as Child Hunger Surges in U.S., NY Governor Cuomo Shielded Nursing Homes from Liability After Big Campaign Donation, GOP Governors Vie for Republican National Convention as NC Won't Commit to Packed Arena, Yemen's Health System Has "Collapsed" Amid Explosion of Coronavirus Cases, India Resumes Domestic Air Travel Even as COVID-19 Cases Surge, China Completing Plans to Test 11 Million Wuhan Residents for Coronavirus, South Korea Reports 40 New Coronavirus Infections, Highest Level in 7…

Staff (2020-05-27). COVID Racial Data Tracker: Ibram X. Kendi on How Better Data Reveals the True Toll of the Pandemic. democracynow.org Ibram X. Kendi says early media coverage of COVID-19 as "the great equalizer" missed the racial impact of the disease. But it soon became clear "that it was Latino Americans and African Americans and Native Americans in particular who were disproportionately being infected and dying." The award-winning author and founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University joins us to discuss why he started the COVID Racial Data Tracker.

Staff (2020-05-27). "Horrifying Neglect": COVID-19 Deaths in ICE Custody Spark New Calls for Mass Release of Prisoners. democracynow.org Calls are growing for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release people from detention during the pandemic, as two people have died from COVID-19 while in custody. We speak with The Intercept's Ryan Devereaux, who reported on how Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, suffered horrifying neglect before he passed away. We are also joined by Erika Andiola with RAICES Action. "None of those folks — especially people who migrated seeking asylum — they did not do anything to deserve a life sentence in a detention center," Andiola notes.

Staff (2020-05-27). From George Floyd to Chris Cooper: Ibram X. Kendi on "Racist Terror" Facing Black People in America. democracynow.org "I can't breathe" — that's what George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, repeatedly told a white Minneapolis police officer who pinned him to the ground Monday with a knee to his neck. Video of the police attack went viral. Now four officers have been fired. This comes as another video went viral of a white woman calling the cops on a Black man in New York City's Central Park and falsely accusing him of "threatening her life" after he asked her to leash her dog. We discuss these developments and more with Ibram X. Kendi, founding director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American Univer…

Anzy Adams (2020-05-27). San Diego protest demands: 'Stop the evictions and cancel the rents!'. liberationnews.org On May 26, dozens of organizers and activists from the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, San Diego Tenants Union, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Democratic Socialists of America, and other organizations protested in front of a condo in the gentrified neighborhood of Hillcrest in San Diego.

Alan Macleod (2020-05-27). As Chief Prosecutor, Klobuchar Declined to Bring Charges Against Cop that Killed George Floyd. mintpressnews.com While serving as Minnesota's chief prosecutor between 1999 and 2007, Klobuchar declined to bring charges against more than two dozen officers who had killed citizens while on duty — including against the cop that killed George Floyd.

Miko Peled (2020-05-27). Extortion, Entitlement and Mafia-Style Tactics Mark Israel's Current State of Affairs. mintpressnews.com Anyone who is not yet alarmed may not be aware of the underhanded mafia-style tactics, political extortion, and patronizing sense of entitlement currently on display in Israel. The following developments demonstrate how the county operates both internally and in the international arena. | Czech Foreign Minister slammed!: | As Israel prepares to formally annex large tracts of the West Bank, Tomas Petricek, the Czech Republic's Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying that "annexation is forbidden by international law and also raises serious questions about Israel's future as a democracy." By any normal diplo…

teleSUR (2020-05-27). Trump Silent on George Floyd's Killing, Biden Demands a Probe. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump has not said a single word about the killing on Monday of Black citizen George Floyd, who died after pleading that he couldn't breathe while a white police officer held him down with a knee on his neck. | RELATED: | Though almost two days have passed since video footage emerged Tuesday showing Floyd imploring for his life as a policeman knelt on his neck, Trump has yet to make any comment. | Yet, whil…

Andrey Areshev (2020-05-27). Mail-Order Presidency: Democrats Will Do Anything to Beat Trump in November. strategic-culture.org Just like in 2016 when WikiLeaks revealed that the DNC was feeding Hillary Clinton debate questions, 2020 will be no different with the Democrats employing every dirty trick in the book to oust Donald Trump from office. | Following on the backs of Russiagate, Impeachment, and now mass-media hysteria over Coronavirus, which of course has dealt Trump a major blow with regards to his hopes for reelection in November, is there anyone still not convinced that the Democrat machine is prepared to do absolutely anything to win in November? | Liberals are painfully aware that if Trump wins another four years in office all…

Jeff Jurgens (2020-05-07). Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help. peaceaction.org Once Again Trump Scoffs Congressional War Powers with Republican Help Washington, D.C. — May 7, 2020 — In response to the veto by President Trump yesterday of a bill (S.J.Res.68) to reclaim congressional war powers in regards to Iran and the anticipated failure today of the Senate override vote, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for …

Jon Rainwater (2020-04-23). A Myriad of Ways to Wage Peace During These Times. peaceaction.org As we shelter in our homes to protect ourselves from this global pandemic, we wanted to share some of the many ways you can remain active and impactful in the work for a more peaceful world. Peace Action has long been a leader in organizing international conferences, marches, and rallies around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty …

Lilly Dragnev (2020-03-20). Peace Action Supports Wyden-Klobuchar Bill to Protect Democracy and Ensure Safe Elections. peaceaction.org Statement of Jon Rainwater, Executive Director, Peace Action, on the introduction of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA) by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). This bill would help ensure that elections can take place in a safe and secure way throughout the pandemic and beyond. March 19, 2020 Peace Action …

Lilly Dragnev (2020-03-13). Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2020 — In response to reports that the U.S. has carried out five airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia sites in Iraq, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: "At a time of one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, it is shocking that the Trump …

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-03-11). Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — March 11, 2020 — In response to the House 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: "Both chambers and …

Tyler Durden (2020-02-04). Biden Threatens Lawsuit to Halt Release of Real Iowa Caucus Results. theantimedia.com American democracy—ain't it grand?>