(2021-10-21). Australian Greens keep their mouths shut on the new anti-democratic electoral laws. wsws.org The Greens' silence on the electoral laws dovetails with their pitch to form another de facto coalition government with the Labor Party, as they did under Julia Gillard from 2010 to 2013.
(2021-10-21). Biden administration backs state of siege in Ecuador. wsws.org Speaking in Quito as troops patrolled the streets, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that "extraordinary moments" require "exceptional measures."
(2021-10-21). Biden administration reinstating Trump's anti-immigrant "Remain in Mexico" policy. wsws.org The Biden administration is using the policies and structures put in place by former President Trump to attack the fundamental rights of migrants seeking asylum in the US through the border with Mexico.
(2021-10-21). Biden accepts shredding of his social welfare/climate bill. wsws.org The social welfare legislation touted by Bernie Sanders and his pseudo-left supporters as proof that major reforms could be enacted through the Democratic Party has turned into an object lesson on precisely the opposite.
(2021-10-21). Biden administration sends agriculture secretary to feign support at Deere picket line, while company secures court injunction against strike. wsws.org The Democrats and the UAW are working to soften workers up and get them to lower their guard while Deere dramatically escalates its strikebreaking efforts.
(2021-10-21). Tomgram: David Vine, Biden Builds Back Worse (When It Comes to China). warisacrime.org This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Let me make my own position on China all too clear. I'm distinctly "soft" on that country. I always have been. After all, it represents a remarkable civilization, one I studied in graduate school. Among my greatest regrets …
(2021-10-21). India Walton's campaign for mayor of Buffalo stands up to harassment & intimidation. zcomm.org With two weeks to go to the Nov. 2 elections, Walton remains strong…
(2021-10-21). Trump and Miller attempted to deploy 250,000 troops to US-Mexico border in Spring 2020. wsws.org Stephen Miller's plan to deploy troops with Trump's support was part of a fascist political strategy that played out over the course of 2020 and 2021 and remains a threat today.
(2021-10-21). Bernie Sanders Is Showing the Democrats How to Take on Joe Manchin. zcomm.org For months, Bernie Sanders has been making a case for the multitrillion-dollar reform bill he's spearheaded in the Senate. Now, he's taken that case to Joe Manchin's home turf in West Virginia…
(2021-10-21). Republicans block vote on Democrats' voting reform bill. wsws.org Senate Republicans used a filibuster to block a vote on federal voting rights reform on Wednesday. The "Freedom to Vote Act" is the third Democratic Party voting rights bill to fail to pass the Senate this year.
(2021-10-21). Assange Assassination Plot: Media Silence. orinocotribune.com By Steve Sweeney — Oct 15, 2021 | The future of journalism, democracy, and the right for people to know the truth is at stake. None of us are free as long as Julian Assange remains behind bars. |
(2021-10-21). Build action committees to fight for better wages and the defence of free education! wsws.org The unions anti-democratic shutdown of the long-running Sri Lankan teachers' strike was imposed without any discussion by rank-and-file teachers.
(2021-10-21). Richie Neal Turned Paid Family Leave Into Insurance Giveaway. zcomm.org "Passing a poorly designed paid leave proposal is a dangerous political game for Democrats"
(2021-10-21). Students say, 'The uprising continues' at 15th Annual SDS Conference in Minnesota. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On the weekend of Oct. 16-17, almost 170 students convened at the University of Minnesota for the 15th National Convention of National Students for a Democratic Society. It was the first time SDS organizers had gathered together physically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. | Last year, SDS hosted a series of national webinars, but this experience was vastly different. Student organizers gathered together to discuss the four crises of the last two years – pandemic, economic crisis, police killings, and environmental disasters. Another theme was "From George Floyd to Winston Smith, The Upr…
(2021-10-21). Students say, 'The uprising continues' at 15th Annual SDS Conference in Minnesota. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On the weekend of Oct. 16-17, almost 170 students convened at the University of Minnesota for the 15th National Convention of National Students for a Democratic Society. It was the first time SDS organizers had gathered together physically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. | Last year, SDS hosted a series of national webinars, but this experience was vastly different. Student organizers gathered together to discuss the four crises of the last two years – pandemic, economic crisis, police killings, and environmental disasters. Another theme was "From George Floyd to Winston Smith, The Upr…
(2021-10-20). After being accused of 'buying' the 2020 election, Facebook announces it's getting even more involved in US state elections. rt.com 
Mired in employee 'whistleblowers' and document leaks, Facebook is rushing to cleanse its image ahead of upcoming elections, highlighting several 'election integrity' features aimed at helping users in 11 states vote next month. | The social media giant plans to remind users in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington how to find their local polling place and other voting-related details the day before Election Day, it revealed in a series of tweets on Tuesday. | pic.twitter.com/6EI9mt3dc4— Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) (2021-10-20). Virginia labor: Turnout key to preventing a right-wing gubernatorial victory. peoplesworld.org 
RICHMOND, Va.—When it comes to the Virginia governor's race between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin, the theme for both parties might well be "all hands on deck." But the question is whether there will be an enthusiasm gap on Election Day between the two sides. McAuliffe's narrowly leading in opinion polls, in a …
(2021-10-20). Striketober: Labor Militancy Grows as U.S. Workers Walk Off the Job & IATSE Members Get Tentative Deal. democracynow.org 
We begin our coverage of what some are calling "Striketober" with a look at how the union of 60,000 television and film production workers averted a strike just hours before a midnight deadline on Saturday, when it reached a tentative agreement with an association of Hollywood producers representing companies like Walt Disney, Netflix and Amazon. The tentative deal brings members of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, higher pay, longer breaks, better healthcare and pension benefits. Some members say the deal doesn't go far enough, and about 40,000 members from 13 Hollywood locals mus…
(2021-10-20). Sanders Rails Against John Deere Threat to Striking Workers' Health Coverage. truthout.org 
Sen. Bernie Sanders was among the labor advocates in Congress on Tuesday who condemned reports that farm equipment manufacturer John Deere plans to force 10,000 striking workers and their families off their health insurance plans next week — a punitive measure to coerce the employees into ending their strike over what they say is an unfair contract. | The Vermont independent senator called the company's plan "beyond outrageous," noting that John Deere's profits have gone up by 67% in the…
(2021-10-20). Striketober: Labor Militancy Grows as U.S. Workers Walk Off the Job & IATSE Members Get Tentative Deal. democracynow.org We begin our coverage of what some are calling "Striketober" with a look at how the union of 60,000 television and film production workers averted a strike just hours before a midnight deadline on Saturday, when it reached a tentative agreement with an association of Hollywood producers representing companies like Walt Disney, Netflix and Amazon. The tentative deal brings members of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, higher pay, longer breaks, better healthcare and pension benefits. Some members say the deal doesn't go far enough, and about 40,000 members from 13 Hollywood locals mus…
(2021-10-20). Sen. Cory Booker Defends Biden's Agenda, Says Democrats Will Get Decimated In Midterms Without Black Vote. moguldom.com During a recent virtual NAACP Board of Directors meeting, U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey said he backed President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" agenda and urged Black voters to head to the polls for the midterm elections. Black voters should not sit out next year's midterm elections despite some growing frustration over stalled …
(2021-10-20). Public Transit, Built Back Better. otherwords.org If you follow the news about President Biden's Build Back Better agenda, you might have heard a lot about its 10-year price tag. But you probably haven't heard much about what it would actually do. | The bill will invest in care for children and seniors, cover more health care under Medicare, make the tax system more fair, and address the climate crisis. Those parts get some coverage, and they're all worth doing. | But there's one key thing that's gotten almost no attention: the bill's historic investment in public transit. This would have a tremendous positive impact on communities across the country. | The ongo…
(2021-10-20). The Hypocrisy of the Federal Spending Debate. otherwords.org Right now, the United States is locked in a contentious debate over the Build Back Better plan, which will make a significant difference in the lives of millions of individuals and families. | Even though the provisions included in the plan — including universal child care, home care for seniors, better Medicare benefits, green jobs, fairer taxes on the wealthy, and more — are supported by majorities across the political spectrum, certain interests are determined to derail this historic legislation. | What I find particularly discouraging and disheartening is the disingenuousness and hypocrisy that su…
(2021-10-20). Democrats' Toothless Drug Pricing Alternative Is A Coup For Big Pharma. popularresistance.org Under the Build Back Better Act, Congress can expand and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, improving the lives of millions of seniors while also throwing a lifeline to folks living in states where GOP politicians are strangling public benefits. | But to win these popular reforms, we have to defeat the efforts of Big Pharma, their greedy lobbyists and the politicians who take their money. | It wasn't enough for Democratic Representatives Kurt Schrader of Oregon, Scott Peters of California, Kathleen Rice of New York and Stephanie Murphy of Florida to vote against a robust bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate…
(2021-10-20). In OtherWords: October 20, 2021. otherwords.org From the look of things, Democrats are caving to a few conservative members of their caucus and considerably scaling back their plans to create jobs and strengthen America's social safety net. A major sticking point has been the 10-year cost of the package. | But as Sr. Karen Donahue writes this week, the annual cost of the full Build Back Better Act is less than half of our annual spending on the Pentagon, which just got another big budget increase with virtually no debate. Why, she wonders, is federal spending only controversial when it's supposed to help people? | Meanwhile, LeeAnn Hall takes a closer look at…
(2021-10-20). Headlines for October 20, 2021. democracynow.org Brazil Senate Report Accuses Bolsonaro of Multiple Crimes for Mishandling COVID-19 Pandemic | , House Jan. 6 Committee Recommends Contempt Charges Against Steve Bannon, Climate and Social Provisions at Risk in Reconciliation Plan in Attempt to Appease Corporate Dems, Senate Panel Ups Pentagon Budget as Social & Climate Plans Get Sacrificed in Build Back Better Act, Climate Activists Start Hunger Strike in Front of White House, Water Protectors Shut Down Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline in Michigan, NYC Communities and Local Officials Condemn National Grid Pipeline and Price Hikes, Africa's Last Mountain Glaciers Could Me…
(2021-10-20). Biden Announces New Reconciliation Deal That Slashes Bill Nearly in Half. truthout.org 
President Joe Biden is trying to rally Democrats around a new reconciliation deal that would cut the topline of the Build Back Better Act by around half, and severely water down some of the bill's key proposals. | After months of negotiating with conservative Democrats, Biden
(2021-10-20). Headlines for October 20, 2021. democracynow.org Brazil Senate Report Accuses Bolsonaro of Multiple Crimes for Mishandling COVID-19 Pandemic | , House Jan. 6 Committee Recommends Contempt Charges Against Steve Bannon, Climate and Social Provisions at Risk in Reconciliation Plan in Attempt to Appease Corporate Dems, Senate Panel Ups Pentagon Budget as Social & Climate Plans Get Sacrificed in Build Back Better Act, Climate Activists Start Hunger Strike in Front of White House, Water Protectors Shut Down Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline in Michigan, NYC Communities and Local Officials Condemn National Grid Pipeline and Price Hikes, Africa's Last Mountain Glaciers Could Me…
(2021-10-20). Indigenous Movements Are Key to the Fight Against Fossil Fuels. zcomm.org The Biden administration and other governments may make climate pledges. But often it's indigenous-led movements who will see that they're kept…
(2021-10-20). Russian daily: advent of Biden administration intensified dual Black Sea (Ukraine, Georgia) confrontation with Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kommersant: Pentagon chief gets Kiev's hopes up US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is currently on a tour of post-Soviet countries and Eastern Europe, has made a stop in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. His talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Defense Minister Andrei Taran gave a new impetus to bilateral defense cooperation…. …
(2021-10-20). Another anti-China provocation: US, Canadian warships transit Taiwan Strait. indybay.org The Biden administration is goading China by continuing Trump's high-level contact with Taiwanese officials, increased arms sales to Taipei and frequent naval transits of the Taiwan Strait.
(2021-10-20). Resume of Biden's ambassador to NATO nominee. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Julianne Smith has a lengthy resume with deep state think tanks and planning bodies as well as working at the Pentagon, where she was Principal Director for European and NATO Policy and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and as National Security Adviser to Joe Biden while he was vice-president. She has been …
(2021-10-20). Resume of Biden's ambassador to NATO nominee. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Julianne Smith has a lengthy resume with deep state think tanks and planning bodies as well as working at the Pentagon, where she was Principal Director for European and NATO Policy and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and as National Security Adviser to Joe Biden while he was vice-president. She has been …
(2021-10-20). Biden Demands Ethiopia's Unconditional Surrender. libya360.wordpress.com Ann Garrison President Joe Biden continues to play the cluelessly racist and paternalistic Ugly American in the Horn of Africa. Under his leadership, the US has been at war with Ethiopia since last November, when its former puppet, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, attacked a federal Ethiopian army base in Mekelle, the capital of the country's Tigray Region. Tigrayans are…
(2021-10-20). Biden Admin. Not Seeking to Make States Choose Between Working With US or China, Blinken Says. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The Biden administration is not seeking to pressure countries to decide whether to do business with the United States or China and it is not looking to contain the latter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
(2021-10-20). Russian daily: advent of Biden administration intensified dual Black Sea (Ukraine, Georgia) confrontation with Russia. antibellum679354512.wordpress.com Kommersant: Pentagon chief gets Kiev's hopes up US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is currently on a tour of post-Soviet countries and Eastern Europe, has made a stop in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. His talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Defense Minister Andrei Taran gave a new impetus to bilateral defense cooperation…. …
(2021-10-20). Can We Avoid a War with China? fpif.org When he was running for office in 2008, Barack Obama wanted to put an end to the war in Iraq in order to focus U.S. troops and resources on the conflict in Afghanistan. This August, the Biden administration finally withdrew the remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan. It's hard not to get the sense that it has done so in order to perform a similar military pivot—this time toward China. | After all, U.S. policy toward China remains as provocative today as it was under Trump. Tariffs and economic sanctions against Beijing remain largely intact. Little has been done to resolve disputes on trade, security, and h…
(2021-10-20). The U.S. Re-Joining the UNHRC Speaks Volumes on Human Rights Violations Impunity. strategic-culture.org If, according to the U.S., Cuba does not deserve a seat at the UNHRC, what has the U.S. done to deserve it? | Much has been said about the Biden Administration's re-joining international institutions, after former U.S. President Donald Trump broke away from the standardised participation in international agreements and consensus. Notably, the international community singled out the U.S. under Trump for the so-called "deal of the century", which veered away from the two-state paradigm that has steered international diplomacy on Palestine and Israel for decades. | Trump's decision to quit the UN Human Rights Counci…
(2021-10-20). Why Doesn't Congress Oppose Biden's "New Cold War"? zcomm.org There has been almost no "meaningful dissent among Democrats" in Congress about "the need to make sure that we don't let this beast run out of control."
(2021-10-20). The First Post-National Country. strategic-culture.org By Ian DOWBIGGIN | American Democrats' love affair with Justin Trudeau's Canada is cause for concern. | If the Democratic party of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden gets its way, America may soon look a lot like Justin Trudeau's Canada. American conservatives, don't say you weren't warned. | On September 16, amidst a closely contested Canadian federal election, former president Barack Obama tweeted his endorsement of Liberal Party of Canada leader Justin Trudeau, calling him "an effective leader and strong voice for democratic values." The next day, former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton follow…
(2021-10-20). Colombian Mercenaries Involved in Attempted Assassination of Luis Arce after 2020 Elections in Bolivia. orinocotribune.com Añez regime's top officials and foreign mercenaries plotted to assassinate Luis Arce before he could assume charge as the President of Bolivia. | On Monday, October 18, the Bolivian Minister for the Interior, Eduardo del Castillo informed that Colombian mercenaries were involved in an assassination attempt against Luis Arce in 2020. | Del Castillo presented audiotapes, emails, and documents showing that former Defense Minister Fernando López of the coup regime led by Jeanine àÅñez had contact with illegal groups that were planning a new coup d'état in Bolivia. | Minister del Castillo named Germán Alejandro…
(2021-10-20). Nicaragua Calls on US Ambassador to Cease Covert Attacks. orinocotribune.com The United States Ambassador to Nicaragua is being told to cease covert attacks and continued interference in Nicaragua with just weeks remaining before the country's general election. | A Sullivan has been accused of expressing himself "directly and indirectly,…
(2021-10-20). CNE Publishes Official Candidate List for 21N Regional Elections. orinocotribune.com On Monday, October 18, the National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela published on its The candidate electoral list was published so that voters can become acquainted with the government positions that will be elected in each constituency. | The list of candidates can be accessed through Upon clicking on the link,…
(2021-10-20). Rahm Emanuel Helped Cover Up Murder 7 Years Ago. Now He Wants to Be Ambassador. truthout.org 
Today marks seven years since the murder of Laquan McDonald by the Chicago Police Department (CPD). On this same day, the former mayor of Chicago — who helped cover up McDonald's murder in order to win reelection — is attending a nomination hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for him to serve as ambassador to Japan. | As BIPOC youth who experienced the consequences of living under eight years of a mayor who demonstrated complete disregard for our lives, thi…
(2021-10-20). America's Cold Civil War. counterpunch.org "Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty." — Plato So many millions of people have been duped into believing Donald Trump's Big Lie that he won the election, it seems as if we're reliving the North-South hatred over slavery. We know
(2021-10-20). March on Minneapolis city attorney home demands dropping charges against 646-plus arrested protesters. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On Saturday evening, October 16, 300 people marched through Uptown Minneapolis to the home of the city attorney, to demand that he drop the charges against the 646-plus protesters arrested on November 4, 2020, and to demand community control over police in Minneapolis. The November arrests targeted some of the more than 1000 students, teachers, union members and activists who took to the streets in Minneapolis to demand police accountability and speak out against Trump's attempts to steal the election. Last year's march was part of a national day of protest initiated by the National Alliance Aga…
(2021-10-20). Left party makes gains in North Macedonian local polls. peoplesdispatch.org Macedonian left-wing party Levica gained more than 50 seats in the first round of elections to the municipal councils. The local body elections also saw far-right opposition party VMRO-DPMNE surpass the incumbent social democrats in many of the cities…
(2021-10-20). CNN And MSNBC TV Ratings Collapse More Than 50 Percent After Trump. moguldom.com CNN and MSNBC have both experienced a drastic drop in ratings since the end of former President Donald Trump's presidency. According to recent data, the two popular cable networks' respective viewership declined by over 50 percent when compared to ratings a year ago. "Primetime ratings for AT&T-owned CNN dropped 52 percent in the third quarter …
(2021-10-20). House Panel Votes To Hold Trump's Adviser In Criminal Contempt. telesurenglish.net On Tuesday, a special committee of the U.S. House investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot voted unanimously to approve a report which holds Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for President Donald Trump, in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with the panel's subpoena and appear for a deposition. | RELATED: | Bannon told the special committee that he won't cooperate with the investigators until the d…
(2021-10-20). In Unanimous Vote, Jan. 6 Commission Holds Steve Bannon in Contempt of Congress. truthout.org 
Through a unanimous vote, members of the House select committee investigating the January 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building opted to recommend criminal charges for former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who has refused to cooperate with a subpoena the committee issued to him late last month. |