(2020-12-18). Republican Senate should get off its ass and help hurting people. peoplesworld.org 
Almost 14 million jobless people will lose their aid checks on Dec. 26. Twelve million renters could get eviction hearing notices, or evictions, that day. College students will have their loans called in, too. Underwater mortgage-holders would see their banks foreclose on them. Coronavirus cases keep rising. So do deaths. Hospitals are getting full of …
(2020-12-18). What Shall We Call It? counterpunch.org 
There was no coup. American democracy worked as designed: it took the progressive energies unleashed in opposition to the Trump administration and entirely neutered them with the orderly election of the avuncular Joseph Biden, protector of the Empire, the military industrial complex, banking and finance, insurance, biotech, Silicon Valley, the revolving door bureaucracies of the Washington swamplands and the wheedling parasites of K Street.
(2020-12-18). The High Price of the New High Ground. counterpunch.org 
When President-elect Joe Biden takes office Jan 21 he will be faced with some very expensive problems, from bailing out the Covid-19 economy to getting a handle on climate change. Vaccinating over 300 million people will not be cheap, and wrestling the US hydrocarbon-based economy in the direction of renewable energies will come with a
(2020-12-18). The Sophist and The Magician. currentaffairs.org 
Understanding how we can be manipulated helps us pull back the curtain on charlatans and can even protect democracy.
(2020-12-18). WHO sending Covid-hunting team to Wuhan, China in January to probe origins of pandemic. rt.com 
Investigators from the World Health Organization (WHO) will head to China in January in a bid to unearth the origins of the coronavirus, officials said on Friday, more than a year after the first infections were reported there. | The United Nations health agency will send an international team of up to 15 scientists to Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus is first thought to have spread from a wet market. | The WHO's health emergencies chief, Dr Michael Ryan, said the researchers would travel to China in the first week of January, visiting Wuhan, which he said was the "purpose of the mission," as well…
(2020-12-18). The Pandemic Pipeline: Land & Water Defenders Continue Resistance to Enbridge Line 3 in Minnesota. democracynow.org 
Indigenous and environmental activists have been holding daily protests against the construction of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to a terminal in Superior, Wisconsin, cutting through Indigenous territory and running under more than 200 streams. Winona LaDuke, director of the group Honor the Earth, says the project's approval amid a historic slump in oil prices and accelerating climate crisis make it unsound on economic and environmental grounds. "This is the end of the fossil fuel era," LaDuke says. "The industry is ending, and there's certainly no reason to…
(2020-12-18). The Case for Forcing a Floor Vote on Medicare for All. currentaffairs.org 
Briahna Joy Gray on why forcing Pelosi into a floor vote is one important part of a broader strategy for building progressive power.
(2020-12-18). Good riddance to the "PAT-riot" Act? indybay.org Moments ago, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced a bill to retire the odious and repressive "PAT-riot" Act–a serious repression tool for the U.S. government to massively spy on ordinary citizens who aren't suspected of any illegal act. Rushed by Congress in the days after Sept. 11, 2001(it was said to contain more than 800 pages, and most Congressional members hadn't even read thru all the provisions, before passing it unanimously), it represented the greatest threat to civil liberties, and had long been overdue for retirement, except for the cowardice of a bi-partisan Congress, fearful of alienating the nation…
(2020-12-18). A Return to Normalcy? Joe Biden's Vision of Normal Raises Concerns. globalresearch.ca It has already been observed that Joe Biden's incoming cabinet looks a bit like old wine in new bottles, drawing as it does on veterans from the Barack Obama and even the Bill Clinton administrations. That's the bad news as …
(2020-12-18). UK Parliamentarians, the British Press and Julian Assange. globalresearch.ca The number of figures extolling the merits of Britain's Westminster system and how it supposedly embodies a glorious model of democracy are too numerous to mention. This is despite exploits by the government of Boris Johnson, marked by the appointment …
(2020-12-18). UK Parliamentarians, the British Press and Julian Assange. dissidentvoice.org The number of figures extolling the merits of Britain's Westminster system and how it supposedly embodies a glorious model of democracy are too numerous to mention. This is despite exploits by the government of Boris Johnson, marked by the appointment of unelected advisers with enviable, unaccountable powers and a record of assault on Parliament's scrutineering …
(2020-12-18). Video: Israel Will Take Care of Gulf Monarchies. US Alliance against Iran. globalresearch.ca Finally, democracy is coming to the Persian Gulf. | Israel announced plans to deploy a joint missile defense system in the Persian Gulf as a part of a joint effort with US- and Israeli-allied monarchies to deter Iran. | The idea was …
(2020-12-18). The Killing Just Keeps Going On. counterpunch.org It is a Monday in late November, 2020, and I catch Amy Goodman ("Democracy Now") looking back on the weekend. A couple of months have passed since the massive demonstrations against police brutality, people shaking governments by the collar demanding that the pointless wanton arbitrary killing of black people stop. Organizations had formed and the
(2020-12-18). Education Secretary Betsy DeVos urges career staffers to block Biden's agenda when he steps into office. nationofchange.org One of Biden's promises, when he becomes president, is to forgive some of the student loan debt by providing $10,000 of student debt relief.
(2020-12-18). Thai Protesters Face Charges of Royal Insult. telesurenglish.net The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday expressed its concern about the use in the "Lèse Majesté Provision" of Thailand's criminal code against pro-democracy protesters. | RELATED: | "We are deeply troubled by the move by Thai authorities to charge at least 35 protesters," the OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said, explaining that the offense carries sentences of between three and 15 years i…
(2020-12-18). Matt Tyrnauer: How Reagan Paved the Way for Trump. scheerpost.com Click to subscribe on: Apple / Spotify / Google Play Those who compare Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan, two Republican presidents with some of the most fiercely loyal followings in recent U.S. history, often bring up the most obvious parallel: they both showed up on our screens as a reality TV star and an actor long before they got into politics. Many, however, are quick to argue that the… |
(2020-12-18). The minute Trump leaves office, investigators must pounce. nationofchange.org This highly dangerous, very emotionally unstable man, who has committed various crimes, must not be allowed to walk away from them and continue to be a threat to this country and its democracy.
(2020-12-18). America's Ongoing Imperial Scam. globalresearch.ca President-elect Joe Biden …
(2020-12-18). Saturday 12/19: Let Dairy Die – Protest at Costco. indybay.org Franklin Square Park | 16th St & Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110…
(2020-12-18). AOC: Nancy Pelosi Needs to Go, but There's Nobody to Replace Her Yet. zcomm.org "We are currently negotiating to get and work towards real material concessions for the left that can move things into place, to help build power for the next two years"
(2020-12-17). China's Economy of Peace. dissidentvoice.org 
In the context of China's webinar on 14 December 2020, on the topic of "China's New Development Paradigm and High-Quality Belt and Road Cooperation", organized by the China Center for Contemporary World Studies, International Department of CPC Central Committee and the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, my presentation was on China's …
(2020-12-17). Push Blue No Matter Who. realprogressives.org This sole focus on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is ridiculous. She's not the only "progressive" in Congress. She can't do anything on her own even if one operates under the woefully absurd assumption that all change must come from within the capital. "The squad" is up to, what, seven members now? I think we can start including other names in our critique. Having said that… | Everyone who defends AOC is guilty of a variety of sins. We don't have any time left for a cult of personality. These people are not heroes. They're not rock stars. We are not supposed to be fans. | We are suffering. | We are dying.
(2020-12-17). "The Planet's Problem from Hell": Will Joe Biden Appoint Samantha Power to Head USAID? globalresearch.ca Just when it seemed that Joe Biden's coming administration couldn't be more of ahorror show,
(2020-12-17). Ecuador: Popular Progressive Alliance Wins Election Certification. indybay.org "#ThePresidentialTicketOfHope will be on the ballot on #7thFebruary. Thanks to everyone who was vigilant and mobilized! Thanks for international solidarity! The Ecuadorian people have enforced their right to choose in democracy," tweeted Andrés Arauz, candidate for President for UNES in response to his ticket being given firm certification by the election authorities. | Photo credit: Wikipedia…
(2020-12-17). How to make a perfect Hot Toddy, the whiskey cocktail to keep you warm this winter. salon.com "It's like whiskey chicken soup"
(2020-12-17). People's Action Calls On Biden to Transform Labor Dept Into Agency That Protects Workers—Not Corporations. commondreams.org "While we at People's Action believe that Senator Bernie Sanders is an example of the type of person ready to transform the landscape for working people in solidarity with the movement, we're ready to welcome any labor secretary ready to do the same." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1280323794_1.jpg …
(2020-12-17). 'A Perfect Choice': Progressives Applaud Biden Pick of Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary. commondreams.org "We can make real progress on stopping climate change and ensure sovereignty and dignity for all native people and justice for all." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/haaland.jpg …
(2020-12-17). Guant√°namo Defense Attorney Implores Biden to Stop Cycle of Impunity by Holding Trump Accountable for His Crimes. commondreams.org "The only way to demonstrate that America believes in the rule of law, and to achieve eventual unity, is to hold people accountable," argues Alka Pradhan. "Otherwise, a 'more perfect union' will forever be out of reach." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gitmo_5.jpg …
(2020-12-17). 'No Doubt': Iran's Rouhani Says US Will Rejoin 2015 Nuclear Deal, Lift Sanctions Under Biden. sputniknews.com Under the Trump administration, the US withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that Iran had violated its terms and that the deal was not beneficial. The move reimposed sanctions lifted under the deal and was one of many decisions by the administration that heightened tensions with the Middle Eastern country.
(2020-12-17). 350.org on Biden's Selection of Rep. Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-12-17). The Votes of Black Americans Should Count Twice. thenation.com The Votes of Black Americans Should Count Twice…
(2020-12-16). Iran's Rouhani to Biden: We Will Fulfill Our Nuclear Obligations on Day One if You Return to 2015 Deal. globalresearch.ca
(2020-12-16). Resistance in the face of repression: India's striking farmers share their stories. peoplesworld.org 
DELHI—Across the rows of concrete barricades at the Tikri border blocking the entrance into New Delhi from the neighboring state of Haryana, a stretch of more than ten kilometers of Rohtak Road remains occupied by caravans of tens of thousands of farmers. They have journeyed hundreds of kilometers from different parts of Punjab and Haryana. …
(2020-12-16). Week of solidarity with Haiti confronts U.S. imperialism. liberationnews.org 
December 16 is the 30th anniversary of the first free and democratic election in Haitian history.
(2020-12-16). Jimmy Trending because AOC against Fighting for Medicare for All. dissidentvoice.org  …
(2020-12-16). Groups Provide Biden With Draft Climate Emergency Order to Help Put Out 'Fire Fanned by Trump'. commondreams.org The president-elect "must take bold action the moment he steps into the Oval Office, without punting to a dysfunctional Congress." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/biden-draft-order-climate-emergency.jpeg …
(2020-12-16). Trump Is Prolonging the Civil War in Syria. progressive.org Under the Obama and Trump administrations, the unending war has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. But will Biden be any different?
(2020-12-16). What the US Constitution Specifies about Choosing the New President. dissidentvoice.org Regardless of the traditional bluster about the Founding Fathers and the world historic nature of the US Constitution, the electoral system it set up to choose a new president is far from democratic. We now find Trump attempting to use the Constitution as written to be "re-elected." Those who laud "our great democracy," claiming Trump …
(2020-12-16). 500+ Groups Call on President-Elect Biden To Order Fossil Fuel Lease Ban. counterpunch.org WASHINGTON Hundreds of conservation, Native American, religious, and business groups today sent President-elect Joe Biden text for a proposed executive order to ban new fossil fuel leasing and permitting on federal public lands and waters. "For our health and prosperity, President-elect Biden needs to make transitioning from fossil fuels a number one priority," said Jeremy Nichols, Climate
(2020-12-16). Democrats Make Wreck Of Covid-19 Relief Negotiations. popularresistance.org A senior Democratic congressional aide is irate tonight. | "The Democrats," the aide seethed, "have just done the worst negotiating in modern history." | At issue: a pair of new Covid-19 relief bills, just submitted by a bipartisan group of Senators. Republican Senator Susan Collins gushed that a"Christmas Miracle" allowed the two parties came together on the twin bills, which the press describes as totaling $748 billion and $160 billion, respectively. "Bipartisanship and compromise is [sic] alive and well in Washington," clucked West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin. | It sure is. With the election over, the Democr…
(2020-12-16). A Notable Death in 2020: American Democracy. commondreams.org America has two political parties. When one no longer believes in counting the votes, it's not a democracy. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/steal.jpg …
