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Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: link Read More »
Actually, I don't. It was apparently before my time. But have a look at these debates between William F Buckley and Noam Chomsky.
part 1
part 2
I especially liked Chomsky's analysis of military intervention for so-called "humanitarian" causes. These discussions centered on America's involvement in Vietnam, but have relevance to today.
part 1
part 2
I especially liked Chomsky's analysis of military intervention for so-called "humanitarian" causes. These discussions centered on America's involvement in Vietnam, but have relevance to today.
Remember when Obama and Clinton were talking about renegotiating NAFTA during their campaigns in Ohio and Texas? Let's push Obama to keep his word! The best thing (IMO) about Obama's candidacy is the popular movement behind him, which largely replaces corporate lobbyists. That means that we have a voice and can influence policy through him, in principle. Have a look at this website to learn more about why NAFTA needs to be renegotiated, and sign the petition to push our candidate to commit to doing so. Briefly, NAFTA lacked enforceable and effective labor and environmental protections. Its shortcomings are evidenced by the migration of manufacturing jobs across the border and the stagnation of wages and occupational safety legislation in Mexico. Read more about it here. If you feel inclined, sign the petition to pressure our future president to work on renegotiating NAFTA.
Five migrant workers from India who are fighting their exploitation under the H2B "Guest Worker" program began a hunger strike last week. Read More »
Be sure to register, if you haven't already. Tonight at 8:30 Eastern time, Democracy for America will be having a Night School training conference call on "Writing a Field Plan" It is free, and should be useful and informative. It could be very vauable for those interested in becoming more active in electoral politics. See extended for the blurb from DFA. Read More »
Somebody put together a short cartoon explaining all the intricacies of health insurance. Great for kids, and entertaining for adults :D
link
link
I came across this blurb (see extended) from the Federation of American Scientists "Secrecy News" letter. Now, we've always known that everyone has their price, but now apparently the market has set to going rate for selling out our country at zero dollars! That's right. Americans are giving away our nation's secrets to foreign interests without asking for monetary compensation. Foreign espionage that is apparently not motivated by greed.
During the Cold War, when we would hear news of such actions we would lambaste the traitors for selling us out. Now, they are giving the secrets away. The question then is: are we loosing an ideological war that, perhaps, we weren't even aware we were fighting? The Cold War was a war of ideologies, but what do we have now? We have imperialism under the guise of a "War on Terror." Is there an ideology in this that is worth embracing? What is the antithesis? The competing ideology to imperialism? Is there something innate to the American spirit that opposes imperialism (think Revolutionary War)? Perhaps this is why it is so easy to coax secrets from our fellow countrymen. Current policies are so divergent from the idealism that we are brought up believing in, that they don't feel their actions are traitorous.
Just a thought. Read More »
During the Cold War, when we would hear news of such actions we would lambaste the traitors for selling us out. Now, they are giving the secrets away. The question then is: are we loosing an ideological war that, perhaps, we weren't even aware we were fighting? The Cold War was a war of ideologies, but what do we have now? We have imperialism under the guise of a "War on Terror." Is there an ideology in this that is worth embracing? What is the antithesis? The competing ideology to imperialism? Is there something innate to the American spirit that opposes imperialism (think Revolutionary War)? Perhaps this is why it is so easy to coax secrets from our fellow countrymen. Current policies are so divergent from the idealism that we are brought up believing in, that they don't feel their actions are traitorous.
Just a thought. Read More »
Check it out. A pair of sockpuppets teach kids about concepts such as "near vs. far" as well as "neoliberalism" Marx's labor theory of value, etc.
link
link
As many of you may know, the last few days have seen popular protests against the Chinese occupation of Tibet coordinated across several cities within Tibet, in China, and even in front of the UN building in New York. The following statement from the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition gives the historical context for the timing of the protests and also a call to action for all those who believe in the cause of democracy to support those who struggle for it today. Read More »
This is an open letter by Wei Jingsheng of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition. I found it very thoughtful and felt like reposting it here.
I am grateful to the two candidates of the Democratic Party of the USA. Finally, you have included the important issues of millions of American workers' jobs in your campaign agenda.
Seven years ago, during the hot debate over whether to give China Permanent Normal Trade Relationship (PNTR) or not, it was the then US representatives David Bonior (D, MI), Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Marcy Kaptur (D, OH), Sherrod Brown (D, OH), Frank Wolf (R, VA) and Chris Smith (R, NJ) who stood on the frontline against offering the dictatorial Communist China PNTR and entrance into the World Trade Organizations (WTO). They were defending human rights, as well as protecting American workers' interests and Chinese workers' rights. Most of democratic politicians were on their side, but the majority of American politicians stood on the side of the dictatorial Chinese government. We failed in this battle. Read More »
I am grateful to the two candidates of the Democratic Party of the USA. Finally, you have included the important issues of millions of American workers' jobs in your campaign agenda.
Seven years ago, during the hot debate over whether to give China Permanent Normal Trade Relationship (PNTR) or not, it was the then US representatives David Bonior (D, MI), Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Marcy Kaptur (D, OH), Sherrod Brown (D, OH), Frank Wolf (R, VA) and Chris Smith (R, NJ) who stood on the frontline against offering the dictatorial Communist China PNTR and entrance into the World Trade Organizations (WTO). They were defending human rights, as well as protecting American workers' interests and Chinese workers' rights. Most of democratic politicians were on their side, but the majority of American politicians stood on the side of the dictatorial Chinese government. We failed in this battle. Read More »
From the Coalition of Immokalee Workers:
The Bush administration's Department of Labor announced plans to gut regulations governing the nation's agricultural guestworker program today. The proposed changes threaten to significantly cut farmworker wages, lower the bar on farmworker housing, and diminish government oversight of what is already a troubled program. Read More »
The Bush administration's Department of Labor announced plans to gut regulations governing the nation's agricultural guestworker program today. The proposed changes threaten to significantly cut farmworker wages, lower the bar on farmworker housing, and diminish government oversight of what is already a troubled program. Read More »
Its such a nice feeling to vote. The last couple of elections, I've voted early (as allowed in Illinois). Its nice. You don't have to stand in line or deal with crowding issues. Also, you don't need to schedule work or school around it, you can go in on a weekend. I was the only person at the poll at the time, and the 63rd person in my precinct to have cast a ballot according to the tabulator. In Champaign County, early voting will continue through the 31st. See here for the location, hours and other info (for all those Champaign County folks reading this):
link
link
For those with Facebook accounts, this could be interesting. MoveOn.org has a facebook profile, and is in the process of building interactive applications that you can participate in.
Their profile is here:
link
Currently, they are hosting a "League of Young Voters Primary" for registered voters 35 years old or younger. You can vote for your favorite candidate as well as which issues you feel are the most important for the election.
link
Have a look. It might be fun!
Their profile is here:
link
Currently, they are hosting a "League of Young Voters Primary" for registered voters 35 years old or younger. You can vote for your favorite candidate as well as which issues you feel are the most important for the election.
link
Have a look. It might be fun!
This is from an Edwards campaign press release:
"Economists pick Edwards because he will fight for sustained growth, full employment and an end to poverty
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that more than 30 leading U.S. economists have endorsed John Edwards for president. "Economists for John Edwards" includes such notable scholars as James K. Galbraith from the University of Texas at Austin; Deirdre McCloskey from the University of Illinois at Chicago; Thomas Palley, founder of the Economics for Democratic & Open Societies Project; Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategies Institute; Harley Shaiken from the University of California, Berkeley; and Edward Wolff from New York University." Read More »
"Economists pick Edwards because he will fight for sustained growth, full employment and an end to poverty
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced that more than 30 leading U.S. economists have endorsed John Edwards for president. "Economists for John Edwards" includes such notable scholars as James K. Galbraith from the University of Texas at Austin; Deirdre McCloskey from the University of Illinois at Chicago; Thomas Palley, founder of the Economics for Democratic & Open Societies Project; Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategies Institute; Harley Shaiken from the University of California, Berkeley; and Edward Wolff from New York University." Read More »
The latest poll from Zogby International shows Clinton loosing in hypothetical match ups with each of the top five Republican candidates. Obama was shown to defeat each of the same candidates. Edwards was shown to defeat four of the top five, and ties with McCain.
Link
Link
Since it is nearly certain that 2009 will see both the legislative and executive branches controlled by the Democrats, it would be prudent to begin considering what policy directions we should be asking our new, progressive government to take. The Oct 22 issue of The Nation has an interesting article ("How to Fix Our Broken Economy" by Jeff Madrick). I would recommend that all Democrats interested in fiscal policy give it a read. Madrick lists several misconceptions advanced by both parties with respect to the government's role and influence in the economy. The "top three" Democratic candidates have addressed these issues to a greater or lesser extent. I think that beginning a dialog about these issues now will help us make informed decisions for the primaries, as well as set clear objectives for our candidate and future president (optimistically assuming they will listen!). I'll mention some of the key issues here, but encourage you to read Madrick's article to learn about each of them, and for more analysis. Read More »
A vote was recently held in the Senate for cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act (S.1041). Sixty votes were needed to advance this bill to a vote for passage. Only 51 senators voted in favor of cloture. The House had already passed its version of EFCA, and all that was needed was the Senate's vote and the President's signature. Read More »
Tomorrow (June 26th) the Senate will vote for cloture on S1041, the Employee Free Choice Act. Your help is needed to ensure passage of this vital piece of legislation. Read More »
Well, he did it. Dubya vetoed the congressional Iraq funding bill. I have to say, I'm not surprised that he did. He has made it painfully clear that he has no regard for the will of the people in this country, nor their elected representatives. Read More »
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