From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Wed May  1 15:42:00 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Wed, 1 May 2019 10:42:00 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: [H-PAD] H-PAD Notes 5/1/19: Links to recent
 articles of interest
References: <CADdmmnrNyBqGpiRwSm7sJGLt78MAgzY4dSf3a8ic8yeX_YD+wQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <041AE25E-FAED-4DFD-9E2C-860122FB761D@gmail.com>



> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Jim O'Brien via H-PAD <h-pad at lists.historiansforpeace.org>
> Subject: [H-PAD] H-PAD Notes 5/1/19: Links to recent articles of interest
> Date: May 1, 2019 at 10:37:21 AM CDT
> To: h-pad at historiansforpeace.org
> Reply-To: Jim O'Brien <jimobrien48 at gmail.com>
> 
> Links to Recent Articles of Interest
> 
> "A World Safe for Capital: How Neoliberalism Shaped the International System" <https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2019-04-16/world-safe-capital>
> By Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, May-June issue 
> The author is a visiting assistant professor of history at Columbia University.
> 
> "Beware Anew the Military-Industrial Complex: Remembering Eisenhower's Warning" <https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/171840>
> By Gregory D. Foster, History News Network, posted April 28
> The author is a Vietnam War veteran who teaches at the National Defense University's Eisenhower School. This is a trenchant critique of US policies from a surprising source.
> 
> "Breaking the Grip of U.S. Militarism: The Story of Vieques" <https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/171839>
> By Lawrence S. Wittner, History News Network, posted April 28
> On Puerto Ricans' long but ultimately successful struggle to stop the Navy's use of the island of Vieques for bombing practice. The author is a professor emeritus of history at SUNY Albany.
> 
> "America Isn't as Powerful as It Thinks It Is" <https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/26/america-isnt-as-powerful-as-it-thinks-it-is/>
> By Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Policy, posted April 26
> The author teaches international relations at Harvard University.
> 
> "Preventing 'Another Rwanda' Is No Reason to Deploy US Forces All Over the World" <https://www2.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2019/04/26/preventing-another-rwanda-reason-deploy-forces-all-over-world/zScy0G4AqK7jvFeJHwWsDJ/story.html>
> By Stephen Kinzer, Boston Globe, posted April 26
> The author is a longtime reporter and analyst of U.S. foreign policy. 
>   
> "The Path to War with Iran Is Paved with Sanctions" <https://lobelog.com/the-path-to-war-with-iran-is-paved-with-sanctions/>
> By Joseph Cirincione and Mary Kaszynski, LobeLog, posted April 23
> This article traces moves by the Trump administration against Iran and draws parallels with the preparations for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. 
> 
> "Why Did We Fight the Iraq War?" <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/books/review/michael-j-mazarr-leap-of-faith.html>
> By Andrew J. Bacevich, New York Times, posted April 19
> The author is a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University. This is a review essay on Leap of Faith by Michael J. Mazarr.  
> 
> "Decriminalizing the Drug War? Calculating the Damage from a Century of Prohibition" <http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/176549>
> By Alfred W. McCoy, TomDispatch.com, posted April 9
> The author teaches history at the University of Wisconsin. His most recent book is In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power.
> 
> "The Death of an Adjunct" <https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/adjunct-professors-higher-education-thea-hunter/586168/>
> By Adam Harris, The Atlantic, posted April 8
> And eloquent and heartbreaking account of the life and death of historian Thea Hunter, who died in December 2018 at age 62.
> 
> "Is This the End of the American Century?" <https://www.lrb.co.uk/v41/n07/adam-tooze/is-this-the-end-of-the-american-century>
> By Adam Tooze, London Review of Books, posted April 4
> The author teaches history at Columbia University.
> 
> Thanks for Rusti Eisenberg, Van Gosse, and an anonymous reader for suggesting articles that are included in the above list. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48 at gmail.com <mailto:jimobrien48 at gmail.com>.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Note: You are receiving this email as a member or friend of Historians for Peace and Democracy (see https://www.historiansforpeace.org/). If you no longer wish to receive these occasional messages, send an email to h-pad-request at historiansforpeace.org?subject=unsubscribe.
> _______________________________________________
> H-PAD mailing list
> H-PAD at lists.historiansforpeace.org
> http://lists.historiansforpeace.org/listinfo.cgi/h-pad-historiansforpeace.org

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From brussel at illinois.edu  Thu May  2 05:23:06 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Thu, 2 May 2019 05:23:06 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Tulsi Gabbard on foreign olicy
Message-ID: <2122440F-2013-4AEC-ADDD-F2A73B53B7CE@illinois.edu>

A rare presentation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKDuLdPFyto

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From brussel at illinois.edu  Thu May  2 16:46:10 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Thu, 2 May 2019 16:46:10 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Venezuela
Message-ID: <D9259229-317A-4F63-9C8B-BC4ACF1079E0@illinois.edu>

Yesterday’s update: The trial has not concluded.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/51531.htm

—mkb
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May  3 22:54:40 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Fri, 3 May 2019 17:54:40 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] News from Neptune #419 notes
Message-ID: <3477cd6e-4f32-61f8-8b9a-7ddf76d2a3f7@forestfield.org>

News from Neptune #419
A "Another Coup Coup" edition
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBElODqEZFk

A list of links to references made on the show.

Dexter Filkins on "John Bolton on the Warpath"
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/06/john-bolton-on-the-warpath

Pepe Escobar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepe_Escobar -- includes links to his many 
articles for multiple publications (RT, Counterpunch, The Real News, 
TomDispatch, etc.)

"Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?" book
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Anybody_Here_Play_This_Game%3F

Max Fischer on "What Makes a Coup Succeed? Confidence, Consensus and a 
Sense of Inevitability"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/world/americas/venezuela-coup.html

Jon Queally on "Biden Sides With Trump, Bolton, and Pompeo in Backing Coup 
Effort in Venezuela"
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/01/biden-sides-trump-bolton-and-pompeo-backing-coup-effort-venezuela

Paul Krugman on "The Trouble With Joe and Bernie"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/opinion/sanders-biden-2020.html

David Brooks on "The Revolt of the Democratic Elites"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/opinion/biden-bernie-democrats.html

Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVeXom6HzIQ -- Jimmy Dore on 
Bernie Sanders' recent Fox News "Town Hall meeting" where the host asked 
the audience about supporting a Sanders-style Medicare for All instead of 
their private work-supplied healthcare. The audience was in widespread 
agreement; Medicare for All is worth switching to.

Matt Bruenig on "Universal Health Care Might Cost You Less Than You Think"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/opinion/medicare-for-all-cost.html

Dr. Dean Baker on "Medicare for All Act: Testimony Before House Rules 
Committee" (Testimony by Dr. Dean Baker, Senior Economist, Center for 
Economic and Policy Research to the House of Representatives, Rules 
Committee, April 30, 2019.)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/03/medicare-for-all-act-testimony-before-house-rules-committee/

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on "legitimacy" of "Maduro regime"
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-punts-on-venezuela-says-shell-defer-to-caucus-leadership
https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/democrats-split-in-responses-to-venezuela-crisis/

Jeffrey St. Clair in "Roaming Charges: Biden in Plain Sight"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/03/roaming-charges-biden-in-plain-sight/

Impeachable offenses
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment#Impeachable_offenses

Glenn Greenwald vs. James Risen on what treason means
Transcript: 
https://theintercept.com/2018/02/21/intercepted-podcast-russiamania-glenn-greenwald-vs-james-risen/
Video: 
https://theintercept.com/2018/02/21/video-glenn-greenwald-and-james-risen-debate-the-trumprussia-investigation/

War of Aggression
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_aggression

New York Times Editorial Board on "A Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/opinion/cartoon-nytimes.html

Philip Weiss on "I was wrong about anti-Semitism going away"
https://mondoweiss.net/2019/04/wrong-about-semitism/

Aaron Maté on Russiagate
https://twitter.com/aaronjmate/status/1124136736563638272

C. G. Estabrook
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-23/letter-the-editor-us-waging-war-all-over-the-globe.html

[Sadly, the News-Gazette doesn't make it easy to find particular letters to 
the editor. Please do add a link to David Green's recent letter to the 
editor if you know the URL for that letter.]

-J

From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sat May  4 15:55:47 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sat, 4 May 2019 10:55:47 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] News from Neptune #419 notes
In-Reply-To: <3477cd6e-4f32-61f8-8b9a-7ddf76d2a3f7@forestfield.org>
References: <3477cd6e-4f32-61f8-8b9a-7ddf76d2a3f7@forestfield.org>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyHO4hO2=yY8cAhO6BzBiaBTNzjyCEW-9K6UrWosPHXCdw@mail.gmail.com>

http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-20/letter-the-editor-life-good-those-1-percent-households.html


My letter published last Saturday:

Discussion of Illinois’ budget/taxation issues excludes the context
necessary to understand four decades of increased wealth and income
inequality, and the concurrent lowering of overall (federal, state, local)
tax rates for the wealthy. Historical income and wealth data reflect
federal policies, promoted by the 1%, which have dramatically increased
their national wealth and income shares while garnering virtually all gains
resulting from increased worker productivity.

Through political manipulation by both parties and their funders, the
richest 1% of households has increased its share of national wealth by 20%
since 1980, to over 40%. For Illinois one percenters, this means an
additional $440 billion, or $7 million per 1% household: those with average
assets of $14 million.

Similarly, the yearly national income share of the wealthiest 1% has
increased by 7%, to 18%. In Illinois, this means that households with
incomes over $400,000, averaging over $1 million, have in recent years
collectively appropriated at least $50 billion annually from the working
class.

Meanwhile, overall (federal, state, local) tax rates for the rich have
decreased from 45% to 35% of income, saving $14 billion annually for the
Illinois 1%.

The money needed to fully fund the state budget and pensions is a pittance
in these contexts. But propagandists from the Illinois Policy Institute and
Chamber of Commerce, lobbying for the greed of the 1%, will continue to
offer excuses that don’t rise to the level of “the dog ate my homework.”
And Jim Dey will continue to parrot those excuses, *ad nauseum*.

On Fri, May 3, 2019 at 5:55 PM J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> News from Neptune #419
> A "Another Coup Coup" edition
> Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBElODqEZFk
>
> A list of links to references made on the show.
>
> Dexter Filkins on "John Bolton on the Warpath"
> https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/06/john-bolton-on-the-warpath
>
> Pepe Escobar
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepe_Escobar -- includes links to his many
> articles for multiple publications (RT, Counterpunch, The Real News,
> TomDispatch, etc.)
>
> "Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?" book
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Anybody_Here_Play_This_Game%3F
>
> Max Fischer on "What Makes a Coup Succeed? Confidence, Consensus and a
> Sense of Inevitability"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/world/americas/venezuela-coup.html
>
> Jon Queally on "Biden Sides With Trump, Bolton, and Pompeo in Backing Coup
> Effort in Venezuela"
>
> https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/01/biden-sides-trump-bolton-and-pompeo-backing-coup-effort-venezuela
>
> Paul Krugman on "The Trouble With Joe and Bernie"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/opinion/sanders-biden-2020.html
>
> David Brooks on "The Revolt of the Democratic Elites"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/opinion/biden-bernie-democrats.html
>
> Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVeXom6HzIQ -- Jimmy Dore on
> Bernie Sanders' recent Fox News "Town Hall meeting" where the host asked
> the audience about supporting a Sanders-style Medicare for All instead of
> their private work-supplied healthcare. The audience was in widespread
> agreement; Medicare for All is worth switching to.
>
> Matt Bruenig on "Universal Health Care Might Cost You Less Than You Think"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/opinion/medicare-for-all-cost.html
>
> Dr. Dean Baker on "Medicare for All Act: Testimony Before House Rules
> Committee" (Testimony by Dr. Dean Baker, Senior Economist, Center for
> Economic and Policy Research to the House of Representatives, Rules
> Committee, April 30, 2019.)
>
> https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/03/medicare-for-all-act-testimony-before-house-rules-committee/
>
> Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on "legitimacy" of "Maduro regime"
>
> https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-punts-on-venezuela-says-shell-defer-to-caucus-leadership
>
> https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/05/democrats-split-in-responses-to-venezuela-crisis/
>
> Jeffrey St. Clair in "Roaming Charges: Biden in Plain Sight"
>
> https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/03/roaming-charges-biden-in-plain-sight/
>
> Impeachable offenses
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment#Impeachable_offenses
>
> Glenn Greenwald vs. James Risen on what treason means
> Transcript:
>
> https://theintercept.com/2018/02/21/intercepted-podcast-russiamania-glenn-greenwald-vs-james-risen/
> Video:
>
> https://theintercept.com/2018/02/21/video-glenn-greenwald-and-james-risen-debate-the-trumprussia-investigation/
>
> War of Aggression
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_aggression
>
> New York Times Editorial Board on "A Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/opinion/cartoon-nytimes.html
>
> Philip Weiss on "I was wrong about anti-Semitism going away"
> https://mondoweiss.net/2019/04/wrong-about-semitism/
>
> Aaron Maté on Russiagate
> https://twitter.com/aaronjmate/status/1124136736563638272
>
> C. G. Estabrook
>
> http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-23/letter-the-editor-us-waging-war-all-over-the-globe.html
>
> [Sadly, the News-Gazette doesn't make it easy to find particular letters
> to
> the editor. Please do add a link to David Green's recent letter to the
> editor if you know the URL for that letter.]
>
> -J
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Sat May  4 16:16:16 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Sat, 4 May 2019 11:16:16 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] An LTE from 3 months ago on a similar subject
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyHO4hO2=yY8cAhO6BzBiaBTNzjyCEW-9K6UrWosPHXCdw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <3477cd6e-4f32-61f8-8b9a-7ddf76d2a3f7@forestfield.org>
 <CAOiGAyHO4hO2=yY8cAhO6BzBiaBTNzjyCEW-9K6UrWosPHXCdw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <DD26BC46-652B-4DF1-BE03-2E069A28FD3E@gmail.com>

To the editor,

Jim Dey wrote a recent column about the advice on the state's fiscal
woes that the Civic Committee of Chicago and the Illinois Policy Institute
are giving Gov. Pritzker.

Their recommendations omitted what seems to me the best suggestion for
mending Illinois' woes -- a financial transactions tax (aka Tobin tax,
locally a LaSalle Street tax).

Obviously major financial interests in the state oppose even the most
modest sales tax on their activities, but that's surely preferable to
raising other taxes - and, regardless of all the proposed "reforms," more
revenue must be found.

Carl Estabrook
Champaign

> On May 4, 2019, at 10:55 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-20/letter-the-editor-life-good-those-1-percent-households.html  
> 
> My letter published last Saturday:
> 
> Discussion of Illinois’ budget/taxation issues excludes the context necessary to understand four decades of increased wealth and income inequality, and the concurrent lowering of overall (federal, state, local) tax rates for the wealthy. Historical income and wealth data reflect federal policies, promoted by the 1%, which have dramatically increased their national wealth and income shares while garnering virtually all gains resulting from increased worker productivity.
> 
> Through political manipulation by both parties and their funders, the richest 1% of households has increased its share of national wealth by 20% since 1980, to over 40%. For Illinois one percenters, this means an additional $440 billion, or $7 million per 1% household: those with average assets of $14 million.
> 
> Similarly, the yearly national income share of the wealthiest 1% has increased by 7%, to 18%. In Illinois, this means that households with incomes over $400,000, averaging over $1 million, have in recent years collectively appropriated at least $50 billion annually from the working class.
> 
> Meanwhile, overall (federal, state, local) tax rates for the rich have decreased from 45% to 35% of income, saving $14 billion annually for the Illinois 1%.
> 
> The money needed to fully fund the state budget and pensions is a pittance in these contexts. But propagandists from the Illinois Policy Institute and Chamber of Commerce, lobbying for the greed of the 1%, will continue to offer excuses that don’t rise to the level of “the dog ate my homework.” And Jim Dey will continue to parrot those excuses, ad nauseum.
> 


From r-szoke at illinois.edu  Sun May  5 01:22:08 2019
From: r-szoke at illinois.edu (Szoke, Ron)
Date: Sun, 5 May 2019 01:22:08 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Backlash against capitalism?
Message-ID: <MN2PR11MB37424EA72A4CA4A13EB4DCA08C370@MN2PR11MB3742.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

 
NYT  May 2, 2019

“What’s really coming is class warfare”
As billionaires and business leaders congregated in Los Angeles for the Milken Institute’s annual global conference this week, many shared a concern: a coming backlash against capitalism.
With democratic socialism ascendant and presidential candidates talking about raising taxes on the rich, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates and Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase have both recently said they believed capitalism needs to be reformed if it is to survive.
That message came through loud and clear at the conference:
• “The disparity in wealth is so extreme, it’s feeding populism,” Scott Minerd, the chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners, said in an interview with Bloomberg at the event.
• “If you have a population where there’s a large wealth gap and you have an economic downturn, it’s almost reliably there is conflict,” Mr. Dalio noted, according to Bloomberg.


From moboct1 at aim.com  Mon May  6 12:26:21 2019
From: moboct1 at aim.com (Mildred O'brien)
Date: Mon, 6 May 2019 12:26:21 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Backlash against capitalism?
References: <343784218.745169.1557145581188.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <343784218.745169.1557145581188@mail.yahoo.com>

Do they mean that the Institute founded and named for ex-felon Mr. "Greed is Good" Michael Milken billionaires and bidnessmen members of the Institute congregated in LA are concerned about the wealth gap, or about class warfare and the possibility of violence--against them and their wealth gap?  Beware the "democratic socialists," not to mention Marxist socialism!

Midge

-----Original Message-----
From: Szoke, Ron via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: Peace Discuss <peace-discuss at anti-war.net>
Cc: Bill Strutz <bill.strutz at gmail.com>
Sent: Sat, May 4, 2019 8:22 pm
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Backlash against capitalism?

 
NYT  May 2, 2019

“What’s really coming is class warfare”
As billionaires and business leaders congregated in Los Angeles for the Milken Institute’s annual global conference this week, many shared a concern: a coming backlash against capitalism.
With democratic socialism ascendant and presidential candidates talking about raising taxes on the rich, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates and Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase have both recently said they believed capitalism needs to be reformed if it is to survive.
That message came through loud and clear at the conference:
• “The disparity in wealth is so extreme, it’s feeding populism,” Scott Minerd, the chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners, said in an interview with Bloomberg at the event.
• “If you have a population where there’s a large wealth gap and you have an economic downturn, it’s almost reliably there is conflict,” Mr. Dalio noted, according to Bloomberg.

_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
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From brussel at illinois.edu  Wed May  8 03:53:43 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Wed, 8 May 2019 03:53:43 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] What's involved in the huge war budgets
Message-ID: <2A4C00AC-0B3E-4E7E-B7AE-B7856E007FDD@illinois.edu>

Worthy to hear Larry Wilkerson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whov7hJmR8M

Re. China/US…


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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Wed May  8 17:40:01 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Wed, 8 May 2019 12:40:01 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Joe Bauers letter
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyEQvj+_Vh7SqdqaTjwgcv3cPKo0EA0f1h4pBAbKHe5T5Q@mail.gmail.com>

A great letter yesterday from Joe Bauers, a retired high school English
teacher:

Letter to the Editor | Tax dollars going to wrong places
Tue, 05/07/2019 - 3:35am | The News-Gazette
<http://www.news-gazette.com/users/digitalmedia>

As another tax season has passed, it might be good to see where our tax
dollars have gone.

We can start with the things they did not buy us. Our crumbling
infrastructure has been cited by a host of politicians, most of whom do
nothing about it. A drive down our streets and roads pockmarked by gaping
holes proves the point.

Then there's the matter of health care. Ours is the most expensive on the
planet, yet with outcomes that are less than exemplary. Private, for-profit
insurance and unchecked pharmaceutical greed lead the rocket ride of
soaring costs.

If we manage to live to 65, we might partake of America's most popular
health insurance, Medicare. Until then, millions of our citizens will be
uninsured or under-insured.

What about education? School districts have to scrounge to stay afloat, and
our college students are faced with a lifetime of debt, which delights the
bankers.

Speaking of them — remember the 2008 financial cataclysm? Our tax dollars
went to bail them out, not to reform them. The Obama Justice Department did
not think it prudent to prosecute the criminal bankers.

So, if not for these things, then for what? The answer is simple: War. We
subsidize a monstrous "defense" industry with our tax dollars. We annually
spend around $700 billion-plus, far and away more than the next several
nations combined, in endless wars here, there and everywhere.

Where our money goes — or doesn't go — tells a lot about our national
character.

JOSEPH BAUERS

Champaign
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From karenaram at hotmail.com  Wed May  8 18:35:24 2019
From: karenaram at hotmail.com (Karen Aram)
Date: Wed, 8 May 2019 18:35:24 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Joe Bauers letter
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyEQvj+_Vh7SqdqaTjwgcv3cPKo0EA0f1h4pBAbKHe5T5Q@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyEQvj+_Vh7SqdqaTjwgcv3cPKo0EA0f1h4pBAbKHe5T5Q@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <MWHPR08MB23823D1AD5D042C85A030168A3320@MWHPR08MB2382.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>

Agree, its perfect. I will post it on B.


On May 8, 2019, at 10:40, David Green <davidgreen50 at gmail.com<mailto:davidgreen50 at gmail.com>> wrote:

A great letter yesterday from Joe Bauers, a retired high school English teacher:

Letter to the Editor | Tax dollars going to wrong places
Tue, 05/07/2019 - 3:35am | The News-Gazette<http://www.news-gazette.com/users/digitalmedia>

As another tax season has passed, it might be good to see where our tax dollars have gone.

We can start with the things they did not buy us. Our crumbling infrastructure has been cited by a host of politicians, most of whom do nothing about it. A drive down our streets and roads pockmarked by gaping holes proves the point.

Then there's the matter of health care. Ours is the most expensive on the planet, yet with outcomes that are less than exemplary. Private, for-profit insurance and unchecked pharmaceutical greed lead the rocket ride of soaring costs.

If we manage to live to 65, we might partake of America's most popular health insurance, Medicare. Until then, millions of our citizens will be uninsured or under-insured.

What about education? School districts have to scrounge to stay afloat, and our college students are faced with a lifetime of debt, which delights the bankers.

Speaking of them — remember the 2008 financial cataclysm? Our tax dollars went to bail them out, not to reform them. The Obama Justice Department did not think it prudent to prosecute the criminal bankers.

So, if not for these things, then for what? The answer is simple: War. We subsidize a monstrous "defense" industry with our tax dollars. We annually spend around $700 billion-plus, far and away more than the next several nations combined, in endless wars here, there and everywhere.

Where our money goes — or doesn't go — tells a lot about our national character.

JOSEPH BAUERS

Champaign

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From jbn at forestfield.org  Thu May  9 00:16:22 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Wed, 8 May 2019 19:16:22 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] AOTA #479 notes
Message-ID: <bd4b2c0d-e50d-f5bc-8e2a-e50c791f5c73@forestfield.org>

AWARE on the Air #479 notes
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_5Icx5zvo

Links to references mentioned on the show.



Meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo at Arctic Council which did not include 
Russiagate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsnNm0hJ6AQ

90-minute phone call between Trump and Putin regarding peace with DPRK 
(North Korea)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNGXiFXBY-c

Patrick Buchanan on "Is Bolton Steering Trump Into War with Iran?"
https://buchanan.org/blog/is-bolton-steering-trump-into-war-with-iran-2-136946

Other articles from Buchanan: https://buchanan.org/blog/feed

Pompeo slams UK/US politicians who support Maduro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiKny4HZjJI

Related: "Boys go to Baghdad" show
RSS feed: https://rss.simplecast.com/podcasts/8754/rss
Show's description given by the show:

> “Boys go to Baghdad, but real men go to Tehran” was a joke in neocon
> circles during the Bush administration. We think it's a glimpse of how
> duplicitous U.S. foreign policy is. Here we counter the type of
> propaganda that justified the invasion of Iraq, and continues to justify
> bitch-ass policy against Iran and countless other nations today.

Hosted by Naomi Karavanni from "Redacted Tonight" & Michele Greenstein, RT 
correspondent from "News with Rick Sanchez"



Democracy Now on "Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Makes a Comeback Under 
Trump Selling Mercenary Armies Around the World"
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/06/ex-blackwater-ceo-erik-prince-makes-comeback-under-trump-selling-mercenary-armies



Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.: The GrayZone's Anya Parampil 
reports from inside embassy under siege on Jimmy Dore show and debunks 
Venezuelan coup in-person on Fox News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUq7ZWTzNxM -- Jimmy Dore show interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apCKhc3NON8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrLgOYvR6No -- Parampil on Fox News

Members of the Council on Foreign Relations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Members_of_the_Council_on_Foreign_Relations

Venezuelan coup continues despite setbacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8rnWIRrpW0 -- CNN analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVLFlLtiPak -- RT analysis

US-led 2009 Honduran coup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3_iWmQjrBw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6mi2WaImVI -- Hillary Clinton's hawkishness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JptGVwDFvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2YsSNI1U80 -- Obama's coup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWyS4BY-TfA -- Grayzone report & interview



Ben Norton on "Fake news: CNN falsely claims US-appointed Venezuelan coup 
leader Guaidó was ‘elected’"
https://thegrayzone.com/2019/05/06/cnn-venezuela-fake-news-guaido-elected/
http://web.archive.org/web/20190505220126/https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/05/americas/venezuela-military-helicopter-crash/index.html 
-- archived copy of CNN's article



Lee Camp on how pro-Maduro (anti-coup) protestors are being treated by 
pro-Guaidó (pro-coup) protestors at Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5xyr1_DhpA

US House of Representatives website -- find your representative by zipcode
https://house.gov/



Anya Parampil on "US State Department publishes, then deletes sadistic 
Venezuela hit list boasting of economic ruin"
https://thegrayzone.com/2019/05/06/us-state-department-publishes-then-deletes-sadistic-venezuela-hit-list-boasting-of-economic-ruin/

https://thegrayzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/US-Department-of-State-Venezuela-actions.pdf 
-- the posted and later withdrawn fact sheet

Mao Zedong quote from 
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/575623-everything-under-heaven-is-in-utter-chaos-the-situation-is 
:
> Everything under heaven is in utter chaos; the situation is excellent.



Code Pink actions regarding Venezuela
https://www.codepink.org/venezuela



Greg Palast on correcting US media coverage of Venezuelan coup including 
claims that the support for the coup is correlated with racism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeNCbXVHrR8 -- According to Palast, skin 
color (race) is a significant factor in the US-led Venezuelan coup:

At 6m33s in Jimmy Dore's interview of Greg Palast, Palast said:

> Greg Palast [...] And who is this guy, Juan Guaidó, by the way, that
> Trump has said is recognized as president, that declared himself
> President -- just so you know, he's not someone who said 'The election
> was stolen from me'. He literally never ran for president. He's this
> 35-year-old white guy and that's really at the heart -- that's the other
> thing that Trump likes: he speaks good English, he hung out with the
> right-wing think tanks in Washington, went to George Washington
> University, he's a rich guy, he's a white guy, and that's really, really
> important in a black nation. In a mestizo -- a nation which is made up
> of about 70% mestizos, that is people, as Chavez told me, a combination
> of "negro y indio" as he said "black and indigenous". That's the
> majority of people in Venezuela. But they're finding a white guy to run
> it.
> 
> Jimmy Dore: And just a second, before we get to that because that's a 
> very interesting twist that no one else is reporting except you, and
> now we will also be reporting that. And so that's, again, very easy for
> us to be better than every other journalist in the country. And outside
> the country.
There's more about this elsewhere in this multi-part interview which also 
includes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-FiLFFDnk .

Greg Palast on "In Venezuela, White Supremacy is a Key to Trump’s Coup"
https://www.gregpalast.com/in-venezuela-white-supremacy-is-a-key-to-trump-coup

-J

From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May 10 05:33:23 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Fri, 10 May 2019 00:33:23 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Notes
Message-ID: <7a4d6fc8-dc7a-115e-be11-80f182a7e968@forestfield.org>

Here are some notes to consider for an upcoming News from Neptune or AWARE 
on the Air.

Have a good show, guys.



WikiLeaks/Assange: US government is eager to get people to be silent about 
WikiLeaks and Assange.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW3jKKHJL_8 -- Swedish programmer and 
Internet activist Ola Bini was arrested in Ecuador, where he worked for the 
"Digital Autonomy Center", on privacy and cryptographic software. Now he's 
being held on charges of espionage. All that's known now is that Bini was a 
friend of Assange, and Bini was arrested at the Quito airport on April 11 
when boarding a plane to Japan where he was going to practice martial arts 
(which he had done since 2007). Bini was not a part of WikiLeaks. It's said 
that Bini carried with him at least 30 data storage devices, but we don't 
know what was on them. Ecuadorian Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo 
alleges that Bini was involved in a plot with two Russians (who are alleged 
to be "hackers") and the former Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño who granted 
Assange asylum in 2012.

Patiño is quoted as saying (likely through a translator):
> The interior minister said the Swedish man that was arrested yesterday
> worked with me. I have never met him. Worse travelled with him. Nor do I
> know Russian hackers. The only Russians I know are: President Putin, the
> foreign minister Lavrov and the Russian ambassador.

Wikipedia's article on Bini adds:
> Ecuador requested an Interpol Red Notice for Patiño, who fled the
> country after prosecutors attempted to charge him for encouraging
> protestors to block roads and enter public institutions the previous
> year.

Merely being connected to WikiLeaks is dangerous. Both Chelsea Manning and 
now Ola Bini are being held (separately) for WikiLeaks-related reasons.

It's not clear that Bini was arrested for any substantive reason. As Vijay 
Prashad put it in Counterpunch on April 17 writing about Assange:

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/04/17/to-ola-bini-a-political-prisoner-caught-up-in-the-assange-debacle/
> [T]here was no reason for your detention and your interrogation. The
> officials in Ecuador did not charge you, nor did they offer a coherent
> public statement about your detention. Everything sunk into the well of
> rumors, which came rushing out of the shadows of the Ecuadorian state.
> Nothing was confirmed, little was credible, but the flood continued.

It's possible that the US is undertaking a wider pressure campaign that 
goes beyond Manning (because as the US indictment makes clear the US has no 
additional evidence against Assange than what they had when the Obama 
administration refused to prosecute Assange citing the "New York Times 
problem" as a rationale for non-prosecution -- how to prosecute Assange 
without giving cause to hold the editors of the New York Times liable for 
the same reason?).




Spying: The NSA says they're doing less spying. Do you believe them? You 
shouldn't. They've been lying to us whenever they can.

https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/30/nsa-surveillance-spike/ -- The NSA says 
that they're collecting fewer records on Americans:

> The data, published Tuesday by the Office of the Director of National
> Intelligence (ODNI), revealed a 28% rise in the number of targeted
> search terms used to query massive databases of collected Americans’
> communications.
> 
> Some 9,637 warrantless search queries of the contents of Americans’
> calls, text messages, emails and other communications were conducted by
> the NSA during 2018, up from 7,512 searches on the year prior, the
> report said.
> 
> The figures also don’t take into account queries made by the FBI or the
> Drug Enforcement Administration, which also has access to the database,
> nor do they say exactly how many Americans had their information
> collected.
> 
> [...]
> 
> The report also noted a 27% increase in the number of foreigners whose
> communications were targeted by the NSA during the year. In total, an
> estimated 164,770 foreign individuals or groups were targeted with
> search terms used by the NSA to monitor their communications, up from
> 129,080 on the year prior.
> 
> It’s the largest year-over-year leap in foreign surveillance to date.
> 
> The report also said the NSA collected at most 434.2 million phone
> records on Americans, down from 534.3 million records on the year
> earlier. The government said the figures likely had duplicates.





Labor/Exploitation: In Japan, more so than other countries, overwork is lethal.

An Australian program called "The Feed" has an episode titled "Sex in 
Japan: Dying for Company" about Japan's low birth rate and the relationship 
to overwork -- working more hours than any human can tolerate. This show 
says Japan's below replacement-level birth rate is down to an overworked 
working class (which now includes women as well as so-called "salarymen") 
who have no time to do anything but work and get what little sleep they can 
afford to get before returning to work. The pressure to keep long working 
hours is behind the highest suicide rate among modernized countries -- 
higher than the US, UK, or Australia's suicide rate. Hence, the episode 
title is a reference to 'a company' for whom one works, not the company of 
one's friends.

As the reporters explain it:
> Japan is on the brink of a population crisis - it's in decline and its
> young people are to blame. They're not having sex. They're not getting
> into romantic relationships. And they're not getting married. 60 percent
> of women and 70 percent of men aged 18-34 identify as single. While this
> could be dismissed as a possible trend of young people in Japan
> rejecting traditional relationships, they're not hooking up either.
> Around 44 per cent of unmarried women and 42 per cent of unmarried men
> have reported in a government census that they are virgins. In just 2017
> alone, Japan saw a 403,000 population decline. For a country of 127
> million people, declines like this could be catastrophic if the trend
> isn't reversed.

It's an interesting show because it doesn't explain Japan's low birth-rate 
phenomenon exclusively on the lack of Japanese young people's sex lives, 
nor does the show entirely make it seem as though Japanese men have no 
experience with women who aren't prostitutes.

We're also told about the Japanese economy post-2010 when Lehman Brothers 
fell apart:

Yuki Chizui [you-KEY CHEE-zoo-ee], sushi chef at Japan's only women-run 
sushi bar, Nadeschico [na-des-CHEE-ko] Sushi:

> Interviewer: Take me back to 2010 when you started this place, as I
> understand it, it was a reaction to the recession?
> 
> Chizui: In 2010, following the Lehman Brothers collapse, Japan was in
> sort of an economic downturn. At that time, women were the first to be
> laid off. That was where it all started.

There are very long hours for what is called a "salaryman" -- 
traditionally, a man with a steady office job -- Ai Aiyama [aye i-YA-ma], 
dating instructor, tells us that:

> Working past midnight is normal in a lot of industries. Really, if this
> continues problems like declining birth-rates will get worse.

26-year-old Taiyo [tie-YOH] Hashimoto is a so-called "salaryman" and puts 
work before dating:

> Hashimoto: I'm supposed to finish work at 7 p.m. But I work overtime
> basically every day. I catch the last train home. [...] The hardest
> thing about going out with the bosses is that you must drink all they
> offer. When I go out with a boss who drinks a lot I have to keep pace
> with him which is hard on me. He has a drink. So do I. He asks for
> another. So do I. That's the proper behavior. That's what you're
> expected to do. [...] Men go to brothels or massage parlors, fueled by
> after-work drinks with their colleagues. That sort of thing is common
> among Japanese men.

In regards to what the Japanese government calls "womenomics" (encouraging 
women to join the workforce):

> Hashimoto: Since the Lehman Brothers collapse, in Japan many people
> don't have stable incomes. That trend is continuing. So women who are
> willing to work provide income stability.

Overworking employees has had a considerable toll on the Japanese. Labor 
activist, Makoto Iwahashi [ma-KO-toe ee-wa-HA-shee], handles calls from 
workers talking about their jobs. He explains:

> Makoto Iwahashi: The thing is, this culture of overwork has been here
> for decades. But at that time, permanent workers who in working very,
> very long hours, they were offered promotions and they were offered high
> salaries. But right now there's no prospect of them having kids or
> having a family because their salaries are [not] going to go up. And
> among the young, more than 50% of them are becoming temporary workers.
> So they don't know what they're gonna be doing a month from now. So, the
> environment of working conditions is completely changing right now.
> [...] We get a lot of calls complaining about overwork. And we have
> another issue -- so-called "black companies": what they're doing is
> treating workers as disposable. So they're hiring 200 people in one
> year, and 200 people quit in one year. And they're hiring another 200
> people.

The show says 190 people last year "officially died or attempted suicide 
from overwork. In fact Japan has one of the highest rates of suicide in the 
developed world. Higher than the US, [UK, or Australia].". What drives this 
behavior? Psychiatrist Jiro Ito [HERO EE-toe] explains:

> Jiro Ito: If they're forced to work overtime and feel like quitting
> their job, they worry that they may be treated as some sort of loser, or
> that they won't find another job. They can't see their future. So they
> put up with it. Before they know it, they're suicidal. [...] People
> can't confide to someone in the real world that they have a hard time
> and need help. Instead, they can only resort to their smartphones in
> their hands to pour out their feelings of desperation.

Ito's non-profit organization "OVA" tries to catch people who express 
interest in suicide by looking at search queries. Ito claims that the 
phrase "I want to die" was being searched 130,000/month. Now, it's almost 
double that.

24-year-old Matsuri Takahasi [mat-SOO-ree ta-ka-HA-shee], former employee 
of Japan's largest ad agency Dentsu, committed suicide due to overwork and 
mistreatment (harassment) 3 years ago. Months before her death she put in 
100 hours of overtime per month; she was suffering with only 10 hours sleep 
per week as she struggled to keep up with a workload twice what it normally 
was due to her staff being halved. Japanese courts ruled her death was due 
to overwork (called "kuroshi" [ku-ROH-shee]) and fined Dentsu 500,000 yen 
(about $4,500). No managers were found liable. 8 months passed between the 
time she graduated from university to killing herself in the company 
dormitory. She left notes on social media indicating she was planning to 
kill herself. She tweeted:

> It's 4 o'clock. My body is trembling...I just can't do this. I'm gonna
> die. I'm so tired. [...] My boss told me I have no femininity... "Don't
> come to work with that messy hair and those bloodshot eyes!" [...] Every
> night I can't sleep because I'm terrified of tomorrow arriving. Perhaps
> death is a much happier option.

Takahasi sent her mother, Yukimi [you-KEY-me], a message at her work:

> Thank you, Mum, for everything you've done for me. Please don't blame
> yourself. Everything about my life and work is hard. Goodbye.

Takahashi's death was the third time this happened at the same 
organization, Dentsu. The head of Dentsu stepped down and there was a token 
fine but this is a systemic problem not one that can be solved by just 
Dentsu. In June, the government set a legal limit on overtime work of 100 
extra hours per month, but that's 20 hours more than what the government 
says will put one at risk of kuroshi.

> Iwahashi: It's just ridiculous -- the government is saying that you have
> a chance to die but you can work 'til this limit. And there is no law
> that the company has to follow on keeping [track of] the number of
> actual hours that a worker works. So they can just forge timesheets.
> They can just not record anything. [...] A lot of companies and
> businesses are donating huge amounts of money to the government and the
> ruling party.


Labor/Exploitation: Nestle is still abusing workers, and so is Starbucks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzkKQ_xBF8 -- Starbucks and Nestle both 
approved a coffee farm uses slave-like employment practices. Brazilian 
labor inspectors found that several employees at Cedro II coffee farm's 
labor practices were unacceptable and 8 months after the slave labor was 
discovered, both Nestle and Starbucks continued to buy coffee from the 
farm. After the Brazilian government added the farm to their "dirty list" 
of employers, Nestle and Starbucks said they'd stop getting coffee from the 
farm.




Trusting the Democrats: Have they earned that trust? Do Democrats want to 
win in 2020 or are they implicitly campaigning for Trump?

Joe Biden -- darling 2020 presidential candidate and former Vice President

https://twitter.com/jacobinmag/status/1121974279602569217 -- Jacobin 
magazine quoting Biden on defending the billionaires and the 1%:

> “I’m not Bernie Sanders,” Joe Biden said at the Brookings Institution.
> “I don’t think 500 billionaires are the reason why we’re in trouble. The
> folks at the top are not bad guys... wealthy Americans are just as
> patriotic as poor folks.” Well, glad we got that cleared up.
Jimmy Dore's reaction:

https://twitter.com/jimmy_dore/status/1122994747314823168

> Obviously the people responsible for the trouble we’re in are the people
> with no money & zero power. Is he running for president or for new host
> on @FoxNews ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qv94KpI9Y4 -- Jimmy Dore's reaction video.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1ukGmVFr4k -- Joe Biden on what America 
needs to return to:

> ABC News interviewer: The President has a motto: "Make America Great
> Again". Do you have one?
> 
> Joe Biden: Make America Moral Again. Make America return to the essence
> of who we are, the dignity of the country, the dignity in people
> changing our people with dignity.

Even if we overlook the gaff and consider that Biden wants to make the US 
more moral, is he the person to do this job?

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-UfJtaKXUw you can hear him say:

> Joe Biden: First of all, I actually like Dick Cheney, for real. I get on
> with him. I think he's a decent man.

Jimmy Dore played this clip to his audience and commented:
> Jimmy Dore: Dick Cheney who lied us into an illegal war, killed a
> million people, ordered a torture program to cover it up, and then
> shamed anybody who asked fuckin' questions about it.

Comic Dave Anthony also added:
> He shot his friend in the face and made his friend apologize.

What empathy does Biden offer to young people who are poor (perhaps because 
they're deep in college loan debt)?

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdmeV0GJ-oE you can hear Biden say:

> The younger generation now tells me how tough things are. Give me a 
> break. [audience laughs] No, no, I have no empathy for it. Give me a
> break. Because here’s the deal guys, we decided we were gonna change the
> world. And we did. We did. We finished the civil rights movement in the
> first stage. The women’s movement came to be. So my message is, get
> involved. There’s no place to hide. You can go and you can make all the
> money in the world, but you can't build a wall high enough to keep the
> pollution out. You can't live where—you can't not be diminished when
> your sister can't marry the man or woman, or the woman she loves. You
> can't—when you have a good friend being profiled, you can't escape this
> stuff. And so, there's an old expression my philosophy professor would
> always use from Plato, 'The penalty people face for not being involved
> in politics is being governed by people worse than themselves.' It's
> wide open. Go out and change it.

Corporate media vice.com apparently couldn't ignore this one, posting an 
article about it 
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbpxx8/biden-trashes-millennials-in-his-quest-to-become-even-less-likable 
with headline "Biden Trashes Millennials in His Quest to Become Even Less 
Likable". One of their comments in their line-by-line rebuttal of Biden's 
elitism:

> A January 2017 analysis[1] of Federal Reserve data found that
> millennials, who are better educated than baby boomers, have a median
> household income of $40,581, meaning they earn 20 percent less than
> boomers did when they were our age. We're crippled with student debt to
> the point where home ownership[2] is a pipe dream.

[1] 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/01/13/millennials-falling-behind-boomer-parents/96530338/
[2] 
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-17/student-debt-is-hurting-millennial-homeownership






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZqVB2Xsvc0 -- Sema Hernandez is running 
for Texas state senate. Jimmy Dore interviews her and it's clear from his 
previous shows and this one that the two have a fundamental disagreement: 
Dore doesn't trust the Democrats and Hernandez believes the Democrats can & 
should be improved from within.

Dore's case is compelling -- Bernie Sanders was cheated out of a fair shot 
at winning the Democratic Party primary in 2016, and he followed that up by 
endorsing the candidate that coordinated the cheating (Hillary Clinton). 
According to Dore, Sanders has already agreed to endorse Joe Biden if Biden 
wins the party primary for the 2020 presidential race. Tulsi Gabbard 
continues to get very little press, and where she gets mentioned at all in 
corporate media it's usually to misframe her campaign (calling her an 
apologist for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad because she went on a 
fact-finding trip), or if they interview her we see that she counters their 
pro-war perspective and doesn't get further coverage. Corporate media 
ignores her 2018 Intercept interview in which she backed drone war and 
echoed some pro-war propaganda (such as Quick strike forces”, “surgical 
strikes”, “in and out, very quickly”, and “no long-term deployment, no 
long-term occupation”) usually said to make war seem more precise than it 
is (see my article 
https://digitalcitizen.info/2019/02/13/is-tulsi-gabbard-really-anti-war-no-shes-pro-drone-and-for-surgical-strikes/ 
for details). I suspect that corporate media ignores this interview because 
challenging her in this way might come off as though corporate media is 
anti-war (progressive, majoritarian, and populist) when they're actually 
fervently pro-war (elitist or 1%). Rep. Gabbard recently reiterated 
comparable language in a recent interview with Primo Nutmeg 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBE9J-Tw5xE in which she didn't clearly and 
forthrightly denounce drone war.

Domestically things look bad for the Democrats as well because the party is 
so corrupt: In California (the largest "blue" state), the Democrats have 
had to hold a new election in one district after cheating was discovered 
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWi6HS9Wfgw) and progressives are cheated 
in another district (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQkOzl0aQv0).

Black Agenda Report has many articles on how the Democratic Party elites 
offer no candidate worth voting for if you're interested in: ending wars, 
passing a reasonable Medicare for All bill into law, reallocating at least 
half of the euphemistically named "defense" budget to help poor Americans, 
guaranteeing things all Americans need including potable water, voting 
rights, a living-wage job, and a home (not a Cabrini Green-style 
warehouse). BAR 
(https://www.blackagendareport.com/black-voters-are-bidens-polling-balloon-we-need-bust-it) 
posts their take on Joe Biden entering the race and virtually instantly 
getting half of his support from black voters which BAR calls "a clear 
hangover from the Obama era". BAR pointed out that "Corporate Democrats 
Would Rather Lose to Trump Than Violate [A] Pact With [the] Rich" 
(https://www.blackagendareport.com/corporate-democrats-would-rather-lose-trump-violate-pact-rich), 
a point Jimmy Dore has made repeatedly on his show as well. Sadly, BAR 
hasn't examined either of Gabbard's aforementioned interviews in which she 
echoes pro-war language.




Venezuela: VP Pence said the Navy will carry out a 5-month humanitarian 
mission to Venezuelan refugees. Pence also threatened increased sanction 
pressure if the US doesn't see more support for Guaidó. Can the Navy be 
trusted?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s06BifZtoP8 -- US will offer sanctions 
relief for those who break rank with Maduro, keep and increase pressure for 
other Venezuelans.

With the Venezuelan coup attempts (and ongoing failures), continued 
sanctions (which are war on the poor), and continued threat of "all options 
are on the table" which is code for military invasion, how can anyone take 
American government pledges of help seriously?






Healthcare: There are two current Medicare for All bills. One of them is 
better than the other.

https://thedeductible.com/2019/04/23/rep-jayapal-and-sen-sanders-have-introduced-medicare-for-all-bills-one-is-a-lot-better-than-the-other/ 
-- Rep. Pramila Jayapal's HR 1384 and Sen. Bernie Sanders S 1129 are both 
Medicare for All bills but according to author Kip Sullivan (member of the 
Health Care for All Minnesota Advisory Board and of the Minnesota chapter 
of Physicians for a National Health Program), S1129 (Sanders' bill) is worse.

A few quotes from the article:
> The cost-containment section in Representative Jayapal’s bill will cut
> health care costs substantially without slashing the incomes of doctors
> and hospitals. Senator Sanders’ bill cannot do that.

and:
> S 1129 authorizes a new form of insurance company called the 
> “accountable care organization” (ACO). S 1129 fails to authorize budgets
> for hospitals. Representative Jayapal’s bill, on the other hand,
> explicitly repeals the federal law authorizing ACOs, and it authorizes
> budgets for individual hospitals.

Why is keeping the ACOs around bad?

> Replacing 1,000 insurance companies with with 1,000, or more likely
> several thousand, ACOs cannot reduce administrative costs substantially
> or at all. [4] Under such a system, ACOs would generate almost the same
> overhead costs insurance companies generate now (15 to 20 percent of
> premium payments), and hospitals and clinics would incur roughly the
> same administrative costs billing multiple payers (i.e, the 1,000-plus
> ACOs).

and:
> The only significant differences between ACOs and HMOs are (1) ACO
> “enrollees” are assigned to ACOs (usually without their knowledge)
> whereas HMO enrollees choose to enroll, and (2) HMOs bear all insurance
> risk while ACOs split the risk of loss or savings with another insurer
> (in Medicare’s case, risk is shared with the Medicare program). [5] Both
> of these differences are being eroded. Many ACOs are saying they should
> be allowed to enroll people so they can restrict enrollee use of
> out-of-ACO providers, and some influential ACO proponents are proposing
> that ACOs be paid premiums so they can absorb total losses and keep
> total profits.
> 
> One other important similarity between ACOs and HMOs: ACOs have failed
> to cut Medicare’s costs, just as the CBO predicted. [6]

and:
> I mentioned above that an American single-payer system could reduce
> total spending by 10 to 15 percent just by eliminating excess
> administrative costs. A large portion of that savings would come in the
> form of reduced administrative costs for hospitals (the rest comes from
> reduced administrative costs in the insurer and physician sectors).
> Hospitals enjoy lower overhead costs in single-payer systems for two
> reasons. First, they are paid with annual budgets, not on a per-patient
> or per-procedure basis, which means they don’t have to keep track of
> very pill and x-ray for every patient. Second, for the covered services,
> they deal with only one payer, not hundreds, each with their own hoops
> to jump through.
> 
> Unlike Representative Jayapal’s bill, Senator Sanders’ bill does not
> authorize hospital budgets. There is a reason for that: It is not
> possible to set premiums for 1,000 or 2,000 ACOs, which consist of
> hospital-clinic chains with an insurance company or department plopped
> on top of it, and at the same time set budgets for each of the nation’s
> 5,500 hospitals. One has to choose one or the other: Premium payments
> for ACOs, or budgets for hospitals. Sanders chose ACOs. Jayapal chose
> hospital budgets.
> 
> But by sacrificing hospital budgets in order to make room for ACOs,
> Sanders guaranteed his bill cannot reduce hospital administrative costs
> much or at all. Research indicates US hospitals spend 25 percent of
> their revenues on administration, thanks to the complexity of our
> multiple-payer system, while hospitals in single-payer systems that use
> hospital budgets devote half as much to administrative costs.

So Sanders' plan ends up keeping a significant amount of the cost of the 
current system intact. This, I think, is consistent with the politics he 
showed after it was well-known his campaign was being cheated in 2016: he 
endorsed the cheater's campaign -- he endorsed Hillary Clinton. His fealty 
to the system that is will undermine the interests of those who want to 
replace the extant system with something better.



Bad press: US government trying to combat bad press with "being more social"

https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/441480-inside-the-secret-world-of-the-cias-social-media-team 
-- The CIA invited reporters in to cover their effort to make their job 
seem less harmful and more playful and lightly irreverent instead of 
discussing how the CIA upends democratically-elected governments, kills, 
tortures, and covertly jails people who don't toe the line.

This article is interesting because if this were a Russian organization 
seeking to achieve the same ends, the phrase "troll farm" would undoubtedly 
be littered throughout. And because it is another example of how not all 
press is good press: consider that if the CIA were content to be talked 
about as they are, they'd feel no pressure to talk about themselves at all. 
Instead we're told lightly delightful distractions such as:

> “Any tweet if you look at them, they always relate back to
> intelligence,” Amanda says when asked what she’d tell critics of the
> lighthearted, often tongue-in-cheek posts.
> 
> “For instance, we always wanted to do something for ‘Talk Like a Pirate
> Day,’ ” the 37-year-old Colorado native laments. “But we just don’t have
> anything that we could find that would relate to it. As much as we try
> to be part of the public conversation when the conversation is
> happening, it always has to relate back to our mission and something
> we’re doing.”

and advertising for the CIA:

> “A perk of working for CIA is world travel,” the tweet told its
> approximately 2.6 million followers. “Apparently that sometimes extends
> to other realms… ‘Little birds,’ be on the lookout for a former deputy
> director of ours wandering through #Westeros in tonight’s episode of
> #GameofThrones.”

The article tells us Gina Haspel now runs the CIA:

> The headline-making social media accounts — since debuting last week,
> the Instagram one has gained 124,000 followers — can also be an
> effective recruitment tool for the CIA, which is run by Director Gina
> Haspel. Whether it’s reaching people, who might not otherwise think of
> the CIA, when they see well wishes to “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek
> following his announcement of a cancer diagnosis, or setting movie fans
> straight that Americans who work at the CIA are called “officers” not
> “agents,” the agency is getting its name and mission out there.

But the article doesn't share Haspel's well-known nickname "Bloody Gina" or 
how she came to be called this -- she is also widely-known to be associated 
with running torture centers in secret prisons around the world known as 
'black sites'. There's good reason to believe she authorized torture, yet 
she recently became CIA Director in part on an identity politics campaign 
(vote for Haspel because she's a woman).

So while:

> Nearly every tweet, the team says, begins with a story that goes up on
> the CIA website, which goes through a series of approvals and
> classification reviews before it ever sees the light of day.

we are also told:

> [...] the voice of the CIA is “conversational,” according to Candice,
> who’s been at the agency for 14 years and works in the public
> communications branch. “There’s personality there. We try to be
> intelligent,” she says.
> 
> “I would almost say there’s a little bit of whimsy to it,” Barrett
> adds. “It’s not like overly scripted.”

Some of the CIA's employees' last names were not published in the article 
for "security reasons" which were also unnamed.

For all of the hamfisted attempts at being delightfully jaunty, I wouldn't 
consider it a good thing for the CIA to have wished me well were I 
suffering from cancer like Alex Trebek is now. I don't know of any CIA 
plans against Trebek per se, but generally speaking it's the CIA's job to 
deal in murder and misfortune in people the CIA aims to covertly kill. This 
includes leaders of governments the CIA is charged with upending. For 
example, in March 1960, President Eisenhower authorized the CIA to upend 
the Castro government. To accomplish this Eisenhower gave the CIA $13 
million and permission to ally with the Mafia because the Mafia didn't like 
that Castro had closed down their Cuban brothel and casino businesses.



People in power mishandling public relations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA1KSE4OrOY -- Facebook chief Mark 
Zuckerberg failing to land a joke about how Facebook doesn't care about its 
users privacy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sVYQo_UktY -- Hillary Clinton was asked to 
give advice to 2020 US presidential candidates based on her experience in 
2016. Her response: "Don't get on the wrong side of Vladimir Putin, that 
would be the first [point of advice]."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUq7ZWTzNxM -- Joe Biden can't handle tough 
questions about Venezuela (he's pro-coup), Iraq (he was pro-invasion and 
later admitted he was wrong when his admission posed no threat to continued 
Iraq occupation).





Economics: How can we afford UBI? Perhaps we draw money from "defense" 
budget to pay for it?

http://www.world-psi.org/sites/default/files/documents/research/en_ubi_full_report_2019.pdf 
-- a study claiming there is no evidence showing that UBI could be sustained.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/06/universal-basic-income-public-realm-poverty-inequality 
-- New Economics Foundation's Anna Coote reiterating how UBI just can't work:

> Money spent on cash payments cannot be invested elsewhere. The more
> generous the payments, the wider the range of recipients, the longer the
> scheme continues, the less money will be left to build the structures
> and systems that are needed to realise UBI’s progressive goals.

It's not clear that Coote's take on this isn't just a "think tank" ad 
posing as an article, or that (if we take Coote's insistence more 
seriously) that people wouldn't spend money on all sorts of local 
businesses. Isn't that investment? Right now the US is spending trillions 
on killing people. Who benefits from those investments?






Censorship: Google removes Iran's Press TV from Google, YouTube, and Google 
platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgwWkwOac-Y -- Press TV was reporting 
what's really going on with Venezuela. Now Google is making that reporting 
harder to find by pulling Press TV from Google's platforms.



Censorship: Is RT inadvertently playing into the hand of their critics by 
publishing fake news?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZZscnGodwk -- RT's "In Question" posted a 
segment with title "Journalist exposes YouTube child porn crisis".

A bit of background: on YouTube one can find Matt Watson's video where he 
claims that YouTube commenters are pointing one another to images of 
children either naked or engaged in sexual acts ("child porn"). But 
Watson's claim doesn't contain evidence to back up his claim -- the videos 
he indirectly points to show children in bathing suits goofing around near 
pools (just as one expects children to do). Posts on these videos sometimes 
include comments with time indexes (either explicitly or in code to avoid 
YouTube censorship) but the comment clearly takes the image out of context. 
There's no nudity or sexual activity shown in the video. Watson's video got 
some attention some weeks ago which apparently reached YouTube.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced that YouTube would:

> no longer [allow] comments on videos that are featuring young minors and
> older minors that are engaged in risky behavior

It's not clear what exactly constitutes "risky behavior.". Later YouTube added:

> A small number of creators will be able to keep comments enabled on
> these types of videos. These channels will be required to actively
> moderate their comments, beyond just using our moderation tools, and
> demonstrate a low risk of predatory behavior.
RT's recent story (linked above) is an interview with Caitlin McFall from 
The Daily Caller who wrote 
https://dailycaller.com/2019/05/05/youtube-pedophile-community/. McFall 
claimed "something far more sinister is skating by YouTube’s algorithms: 
advertisements for child pornography".

But then "In Question" host, Manila Chan, and McFall both agree: this isn't 
child pornography.

2m05s:
> Manila Chan: So, it's obviously falling through loopholes here--
> 
> Caitlin McFall: [affirmatively] Um-hmm.
> 
> Manila Chan: --where it's not technically child pornography but it's
> still obviously very creepy stuff that's being posted.
> 
> Caitlin McFall: [affirmatively] Um-hmm.
> 
> Manila Chan: So based on your research, the FBI has now actively gotten
> involved, they're looking into it. But if the children in these videos
> aren't technically nude, like what you said, how much can law
> enforcement really do? I mean, is it really illegal what they're doing?
> 
> Caitlin McFall: In this case, with the videos that are being posted on
> YouTube, no those videos are not technically illegal. That is up to the
> platform to say 'Hey, we don't want stuff like this posted on our
> website or on our platform.'. But, as far as the FBI goes, it was the
> watermark that led us to the other websites.
Which gets to how this apparently baseless claim has gained a new life: now 
the claim is that YouTube accepts advertising from those who link to child 
pornography websites. It's not clear if this claim is true either -- 
neither McFall's Daily Caller report nor her RT interview links to any 
evidence backing up her claim.

Which brings me to RT's shame here: why is RT dealing in fake news?

The interviewer and interviewee both claimed what we were dealing with were 
advertisements for child pornography. Yet none were shown.

Chan & McFall both admit in the RT piece that nothing shown on YouTube is 
child pornography; they use the word "technically" -- "technically child 
pornography" -- to try and retain the salacious accusatory stigma without 
having to provide evidence of their claim before falling back on something 
that amounts to nothing -- "very creepy stuff".

So now we have evidenceless claims that fall apart on announcement. Why did 
RT do this interview at all? Why not run this as what it appears to be: 
someone leveraging the fact that YouTube is not hosting anything illegal, 
and one person's speech can strike others as "very creepy stuff" but that's 
the price we pay for free speech (to the limited degree we find free speech 
on YouTube, which has no obligation to ensure posters' freedom of speech is 
respected).

Later in the RT segment, McFall said "NN Pay" is "the illegitimate version 
[of PayPal] which is affiliated with over 2,400 child pornography websites 
that we could find so far". But if NN Pay takes internationally recognized 
credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) like PayPal does, how 
illegitimate could NN Pay be? And if NN Pay is so widely connected to "over 
2,400 child pornography websites" wouldn't that transaction become a 
single-point-of-failure and thus easily exploited by the FBI: couldn't the 
FBI put pressure on Visa and Mastercard to stop allowing NN Pay to accept 
their cards? Could the FBI stop major card issuers in the US from accepting 
charges from NN Pay? These questions are not asked.

RT is victim to the US government's claims of being propaganda or fake 
news. We saw the US government's shameful report the Obama administration 
published shortly before Obama left office. The claims continued throughout 
the Russiagate debacle and continue today. RT should not feed the fire by 
providing the evidence its political opponents seek by publishing 
non-stories without exposing how they are non-stories.





Privacy/surveillance: The FBI is earning an ugly reputation for themselves 
in these investigations and related charges -- in 2015 the FBI seized a tor 
hidden website known as "Playpen" which distributed sexually explicit 
images of children. Apparently when the government took over the site, they 
added code which they knew would exploit tor by revealing the real IP 
address of a website visitor. The ACLU obtained documents that revealed the 
FBI kept running Playpen and had permission to run 23 other such websites. 
The FBI used what they called a "network investigative technique" to 
trigger a tor exploit that would reveal the tor user's real IP address. In 
March (2019), the DOJ dropped charges against Jay Michaud, one of nearly 
200 cases where the DOJ alleges a defendant was involved in accessing one 
such website. Why drop the charges? Because the DOJ currently doesn't want 
to reveal the details of their "network investigative technique" (tor 
exploit which reveals a tor user's real IP address). As federal prosecutor 
Annette Hayes put it in a court filing:

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3482329-Michaud-motion-to-dismiss.html#document/p2/a341591
> The government must now choose between disclosure of classified
> information and dismissal of its indictment. Disclosure is not currently
> an option. Dismissal without prejudice leaves open the possibility that
> the government could bring new charges should there come a time within
> the statute of limitations when and the government be in a position to
> provide the requested discovery.

It appears that the government wants to retain the stigma against the 
accused, not provide information that would allow the accused to mount a 
defense, and bring charges again later (dismissal without prejudice) before 
the statute of limitations runs out should the government choose to reveal 
their tor exploit. And this is all being done based on material the 
government distributed.

Ars Technica reports:

> Last year, US District Judge Robert Bryan ordered[1] the government to
> hand over the NIT's source code in Michaud. Since that May 2016
> order[2], the government has classified the source code itself[3],
> thwarting efforts for criminal discovery in more than 100
> Playpen-related cases that remain pending.

[1] 
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/05/judge-says-suspect-has-right-to-review-code-that-fbi-has-right-to-keep-secret/
[2] https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259005-19716914580.html
[3] 
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2901457-Response-in-Opposition-in-Darby.html#document/p22/a304432

> Last year, Christopher Soghoian[1], a security and privacy expert
> formerly with the American Civil Liberties Union, spoke before the
> annual Chaos Communication Congress about Michaud and related cases.
> Soghoian wasn’t just acting as a pundit: he served as an expert witness
> during earlier hearings in Michaud[2]. Soghoian, who is currently
> serving as a technology fellow in Congress, has often raised many
> concerns about such surveillance.
> 
> "My concern with the economics of hacking is that if the government
> hacks enough people, hacking not only becomes an attractive way of
> surveilling but it becomes the cheapest way to spy on people," he said
> in December 2016.
> 
> "My concern is that when they hack enough people, surveillance becomes
> so cheap—hacking becomes cheaper than even a single hour of law
> enforcement overtime that this will become the tool of first resort," he
> continued. "Hacking will be the first tool in the toolkit that they
> reach for, before they go undercover. Before they try and convince
> someone the old-fashioned way. My concern is that hacking is making
> spying far too cheap."

[1] http://www.dubfire.net/
[2] 
https://media.ccc.de/v/33c3-8136-stopping_law_enforcement_hacking#video&t=1563

-J


From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May 10 22:00:03 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Fri, 10 May 2019 17:00:03 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] News from Neptune #420 notes
Message-ID: <2e83215d-368f-2c55-570e-b6d99adb2c5e@forestfield.org>

News from Neptune #420 notes
An "Oil and Poisoned Water" edition.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsJR0bKCyHw

Links to items referenced on the show.



Jimmy Dore interviews Greg Palast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeNCbXVHrR8 -- quote comes from this segment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-FiLFFDnk

Previous letter to the editor by David Green
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-20/letter-the-editor-life-good-those-1-percent-households.html

This is Hell! interview of Eileen Appelbaum and Rosemary Batt
https://thisishell.com/interviews/1053-rosemary-batt-eileen-appelbaum
Show file: https://thisishell-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/mp3/20190427D.mp3
Show RSS feed: https://thisishell.com/rss.xml

Taxing wealth instead of taxing income
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_tax
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/opinion/to-reduce-inequality-tax-wealth-not-income.html 
-- Daniel Altman op-ed for the New York Times
https://equitablegrowth.org/wealth-taxation-an-introduction-to-net-worth-taxes-and-how-one-might-work-in-the-u-s/
https://americansfortaxfairness.org/tax-fairness-briefing-booklet/fact-sheet-taxing-wealthy-americans/



Al Kagan on "Vietnam Today: Did Anyone “Win” the Vietnam War?"
http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/vietnam-today-did-anyone-win-the-vietnam-war/

Richard Esbenshade on "What Can We Learn from the Yellow Vests?"
http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/what-can-we-learn-from-the-yellow-vests/

Patricia Simpson on "No Time to Wait: Let’s Make a Green New Deal!"
http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/no-time-to-wait-lets-make-a-green-new-deal/

News-Gazette Editorial Board on "Barr's battle"
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019-05-10/editorial-barrs-battle.html



Craig Murray on "The Real Muellergate Scandal"
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2019/05/the-real-muellergate-scandal/

More on Craig Murray: Alex Salmond interviews Craig Murray published 
2019-05-10 in an episode called "Ambassador of Controversy" starts at 5m04s 
talking mainly about torture and being smeared for exposing torture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3dx3x05gYg -- Part of the Alex Salmond 
show on RT.



Doug Henwood's Left Business Observer news
https://lbo-news.com/

"Behind the News" show
RSS feed: http://shout.lbo-talk.org/lbo/radio-feed.php

Doug Henwood's critique
https://lbo-news.com/2019/05/06/misreading-the-latest-jobs-numbers/

Jack Rasmus's response to Doug Henwood
https://jackrasmus.com/2019/05/06/why-government-job-stats-are-inaccurate-a-reply-to-doug-henwoods-apology-defense-of-government-reports/

Doug Henwood on "Responding to Rasmus’s response"
https://lbo-news.com/2019/05/07/responding-to-rasmuss-response/

Doug Henwood "Uber Is a Scam"
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/05/uber-ipo-profitability-value-labor-costs

F. Scott Fitzgerald quote
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10367-let-me-tell-you-about-the-very-rich-they-are

Ernest Hemingway on the difference of the wealthy
https://www.inspirationalstories.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway-the-rich-were-dull-and-they-drank/

Related:
http://www.quotecounterquote.com/2009/11/rich-are-different-famous-quote.html 
-- on the source of the quotes



Venezuelan embassy in Washington D.C. under siege
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc2bmR6ACT0 -- RT report on current situation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apCKhc3NON8 -- earlier GrayZone report

Noam Chomsky on "History of US Rule in Latin America: Resistance to the 
Coup in Honduras"
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKwJI9axblQ
Edited partial transcript: 
https://mronline.org/2009/12/26/history-of-us-rule-in-latin-america-resistance-to-the-coup-in-honduras/

This is Hell! with Chuck Mertz interviews Andrew Cockburn
https://thisishell.com/interviews/1054-andrew-cockburn
Show file: https://thisishell-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/mp3/20190504D.mp3

Andrew Cockburn on "No Joe! Joe Biden’s disastrous legislative legacy"
https://harpers.org/archive/2019/03/joe-biden-record/


"What's My Name?" HBO program
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/whats-my-name-muhammad-ali

Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston fight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali-liston#The_fight -- which contains no 
reference to the quote but describes the reaction to the name 'Muhammad Ali'.

"What's my name?" quote
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Ernie_Terrell
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/05/cassius-clay-became-muhammad-ali_n_4903050.html



Paul Krugman on "Trump Is Terrible for Rural America"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/trump-rural-america.html

-J

From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sat May 11 16:29:47 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sat, 11 May 2019 11:29:47 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] News from Neptune #420 notes
In-Reply-To: <2e83215d-368f-2c55-570e-b6d99adb2c5e@forestfield.org>
References: <2e83215d-368f-2c55-570e-b6d99adb2c5e@forestfield.org>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyHcKK1=QtvmFQC5M=EYu=3GjN5sVbSHGEHARSXrys=mCA@mail.gmail.com>

Thank you Jeff.

My apologies for confusing Ernie Terrell with Sonny Liston regarding "Say
my name."

Here is a link to Saez Zucman article on wealth:
https://www.nber.org/papers/w20625

Here is the letter that I read yesterday, which will be published in a few
days:

In 2014, Berkeley economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman published,
through the National Bureau of Economic Research, “Wealth Inequality in the
United States since 1913: Evidence from Capitalized Income Tax Data,”
available online with easily readable charts. With sound data and
transparent methodology, they argue that since 1979 “the rise of wealth
inequality is almost entirely due to the rise of the top 0.1% (1/1,000)
wealth share, from 7% to 22% in 2012—a level almost as high as 1929.”

In 2012 dollars, between 1986 and 2012 the wealth growth rate of the bottom
90% of families averaged .1% per year, resulting in average wealth of
$84,000, 22% of total wealth, down from 36%. Meanwhile, the growth rate of
the top 1% (1.6 million families) averaged 3.9% per year, resulting in
average family wealth of $14 million and a 42% share.

Of this 1%, the top 0.1% (160,000 families) accounted for over half, a 22%
share (equal to the bottom 90%, 144 million families), with an average of
$73 million. Moreover, the top 0.01% (16,000) of families (1/10,000)
possessed 11% ($6 trillion) of private wealth, having increased its share
from 2% in 1979.

Globalization, financialization, tax “reform,” out-sourcing, union-busting
and austerity have enforced this trend. Private equity, as in Larry Gies
and Madison Industries, is one piece of this neoliberal puzzle. When the
university celebrates his donation of appropriated wealth, it celebrates
the relentless financial warfare he and the capitalist class wage against
the vast majority of workers and families.

On Fri, May 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> News from Neptune #420 notes
> An "Oil and Poisoned Water" edition.
> Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsJR0bKCyHw
>
> Links to items referenced on the show.
>
>
>
> Jimmy Dore interviews Greg Palast
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeNCbXVHrR8 -- quote comes from this
> segment
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs-FiLFFDnk
>
> Previous letter to the editor by David Green
>
> http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/letters-the-editor/2019-04-20/letter-the-editor-life-good-those-1-percent-households.html
>
> This is Hell! interview of Eileen Appelbaum and Rosemary Batt
> https://thisishell.com/interviews/1053-rosemary-batt-eileen-appelbaum
> Show file: https://thisishell-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/mp3/20190427D.mp3
> Show RSS feed: https://thisishell.com/rss.xml
>
> Taxing wealth instead of taxing income
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_tax
>
> https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/opinion/to-reduce-inequality-tax-wealth-not-income.html
> -- Daniel Altman op-ed for the New York Times
>
> https://equitablegrowth.org/wealth-taxation-an-introduction-to-net-worth-taxes-and-how-one-might-work-in-the-u-s/
>
> https://americansfortaxfairness.org/tax-fairness-briefing-booklet/fact-sheet-taxing-wealthy-americans/
>
>
>
> Al Kagan on "Vietnam Today: Did Anyone “Win” the Vietnam War?"
>
> http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/vietnam-today-did-anyone-win-the-vietnam-war/
>
> Richard Esbenshade on "What Can We Learn from the Yellow Vests?"
> http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/what-can-we-learn-from-the-yellow-vests/
>
> Patricia Simpson on "No Time to Wait: Let’s Make a Green New Deal!"
>
> http://publici.ucimc.org/2019/04/no-time-to-wait-lets-make-a-green-new-deal/
>
> News-Gazette Editorial Board on "Barr's battle"
>
> http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019-05-10/editorial-barrs-battle.html
>
>
>
> Craig Murray on "The Real Muellergate Scandal"
>
> https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2019/05/the-real-muellergate-scandal/
>
> More on Craig Murray: Alex Salmond interviews Craig Murray published
> 2019-05-10 in an episode called "Ambassador of Controversy" starts at
> 5m04s
> talking mainly about torture and being smeared for exposing torture.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3dx3x05gYg -- Part of the Alex Salmond
> show on RT.
>
>
>
> Doug Henwood's Left Business Observer news
> https://lbo-news.com/
>
> "Behind the News" show
> RSS feed: http://shout.lbo-talk.org/lbo/radio-feed.php
>
> Doug Henwood's critique
> https://lbo-news.com/2019/05/06/misreading-the-latest-jobs-numbers/
>
> Jack Rasmus's response to Doug Henwood
>
> https://jackrasmus.com/2019/05/06/why-government-job-stats-are-inaccurate-a-reply-to-doug-henwoods-apology-defense-of-government-reports/
>
> Doug Henwood on "Responding to Rasmus’s response"
> https://lbo-news.com/2019/05/07/responding-to-rasmuss-response/
>
> Doug Henwood "Uber Is a Scam"
> https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/05/uber-ipo-profitability-value-labor-costs
>
> F. Scott Fitzgerald quote
>
> https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10367-let-me-tell-you-about-the-very-rich-they-are
>
> Ernest Hemingway on the difference of the wealthy
>
> https://www.inspirationalstories.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway-the-rich-were-dull-and-they-drank/
>
> Related:
>
> http://www.quotecounterquote.com/2009/11/rich-are-different-famous-quote.html
> -- on the source of the quotes
>
>
>
> Venezuelan embassy in Washington D.C. under siege
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc2bmR6ACT0 -- RT report on current
> situation
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apCKhc3NON8 -- earlier GrayZone report
>
> Noam Chomsky on "History of US Rule in Latin America: Resistance to the
> Coup in Honduras"
> Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKwJI9axblQ
> Edited partial transcript:
>
> https://mronline.org/2009/12/26/history-of-us-rule-in-latin-america-resistance-to-the-coup-in-honduras/
>
> This is Hell! with Chuck Mertz interviews Andrew Cockburn
> https://thisishell.com/interviews/1054-andrew-cockburn
> Show file: https://thisishell-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/mp3/20190504D.mp3
>
> Andrew Cockburn on "No Joe! Joe Biden’s disastrous legislative legacy"
> https://harpers.org/archive/2019/03/joe-biden-record/
>
>
> "What's My Name?" HBO program
> https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/whats-my-name-muhammad-ali
>
> Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston fight
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali-liston#The_fight -- which contains no
> reference to the quote but describes the reaction to the name 'Muhammad
> Ali'.
>
> "What's my name?" quote
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Ernie_Terrell
>
> https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/05/cassius-clay-became-muhammad-ali_n_4903050.html
>
>
>
> Paul Krugman on "Trump Is Terrible for Rural America"
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/trump-rural-america.html
>
> -J
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sun May 12 15:18:11 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sun, 12 May 2019 10:18:11 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Ricky Baldwin letter in today's paper
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyEMNqjOhc-mXnCiA0E84Ak42TK0wrZir0jv6w2SyOCVzg@mail.gmail.com>

Scott Reeder’s version of the reparations debate is a cartoon. True, our
present reality, which benefits a few more than most, is largely an
outgrowth of the seeds planted with the brutal ownership of human beings.
But there’s more.

Wealth accumulates over generations. A few can make light of small loans of
a million dollars from dad, while most are lucky if we can afford health
insurance for our kids or help with a car or tuition.

Much less African-Americans, who now own about 7 cents on the dollar
compared to white families overall, not just by accident or individual
choices, but by policy.

After slavery, sharecropping and Jim Crow barred black families from
gaining what white families did.

Well into the 1950s, African-Americans were shut out of good jobs, shunted
into segregated housing and denied postwar FHA loans available to whites,
detailed in “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein.

Brief progress in the 1960s and 1970s ended with disproportionately black
mass incarceration, reversals of affirmative action, dramatic tax cuts for
the rich, social program cuts and union-busting, hitting black families
hard.

Then leading up to the 2007-2008 collapse, banks targeted black
communities, long denied access to credit that similarly situated whites
enjoyed, for toxic loans that then imploded, wiping out decades of hard-won
accumulation.

Those who profited from this nightmare must now repair the damage.

A wealth tax could fairly subsidize the accumulation previously denied,
support community development and fund a Green New Deal we all deserve.

RICKY BALDWIN Urbana
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From brussel at illinois.edu  Mon May 13 04:11:51 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Mon, 13 May 2019 04:11:51 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Analysis re. Iran/US
Message-ID: <FE1082D9-34FF-4E0B-9E6A-8F31BBA87118@illinois.edu>

Listen to:

https://therealnews.com/stories/manufactured-iranian-threat-in-the-persian-gulf

Larry Wilkerson lays out the situation and the dangers.

—mkb

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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Tue May 14 18:35:44 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C. G. Estabrook )
Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 13:35:44 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
Message-ID: <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>


The only Democratic candidate worth considering



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Caitlin Johnstone <donotreply at wordpress.com>
> Date: May 14, 2019 at 10:55:07 AM CDT
> To: cgestabrook at gmail.com
> Subject: [New post] Gabbard Says She’d Drop All Charges Against Assange And Snowden
> 
> 
> New post on Caitlin Johnstone
> 
> 
> Gabbard Says She’d Drop All Charges Against Assange And Snowden
> by Caitlin Johnstone
> In midst of an interesting and wide-ranging discussion on the Joe Rogan Experience, Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard said that if elected president she would drop all charges against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
> 
> "What would you do about Julian Assange? What would you do about Edward Snowden?" Rogan asked in the latter part of the episode.
> 
> "As far as dropping the charges?" Gabbard asked.
> 
> "If you're president of the world right now, what do you do?"
> 
> "Yeah, dropping the charges," Gabbard replied.
> 
> Rogan noted that Sweden's preliminary investigation of rape allegations has just been re-opened, saying the US government can't stop that, and Gabbard said as president she'd drop the US charges leveled against Assange by the Trump administration.
> 
> 
> "Yeah," Gabbard said when asked to clarify if she was also saying that she'd give Edward Snowden a presidential pardon, adding, "And I think we've got to address why he did things the way that he did them. And you hear the same thing from Chelsea Manning, how there is not an actual channel for whistleblowers like them to bring forward information that exposes egregious abuses of our constitutional rights and liberties. Period. There was not a channel for that to happen in a real way, and that's why they ended up taking the path that they did, and suffering the consequences."
> 
> This came at the end of a lengthy discussion about WikiLeaks and the dangerous legal precedent that the Trump administration is setting for press freedoms by prosecuting Assange, as well as the revelations about NSA surveillance and what can be done to roll back those unchecked surveillance powers.
> 
> "What happened with [Assange's] arrest and all the stuff that just went down I think poses a great threat to our freedom of the press and to our freedom of speech," Gabbard said. "We look at what happened under the previous administration, under Obama. You know, they were trying to find ways to go after Assange and WikiLeaks, but ultimately they chose not to seek to extradite him or charge him, because they recognized what a slippery slope that begins when you have a government in a position to levy criminal charges and consequences against someone who's publishing information or saying things that the government doesn't want you to say, and sharing information the government doesn't want you to share. And so the fact that the Trump administration has chosen to ignore that fact, to ignore how important it is that we uphold our freedoms, freedom of the press and freedom of speech, and go after him, it has a very chilling effect on both journalists and publishers. And you can look to those in traditional media and also those in new media, and also every one of us as Americans. It was a kind of a warning call, saying Look what happened to this guy. It could happen to you. It could happen to any one of us."
> 
> Gabbard discussed Mike Pompeo's arbitrary designation of WikiLeaks as a hostile non-state intelligence service, the fact that James Clapper lied to Congress about NSA surveillance as Director of National Intelligence yet suffered no consequences and remains a respected TV pundit, and the opaque and unaccountable nature of FISA warrants.
> 
> 
> Some other noteworthy parts of Gabbard's JRE appearance for people who don't have time to watch the whole thing, with hyperlinks to the times in the video:
> 
> Rogan gets Gabbard talking in depth about what Bashar al-Assad was actually like when she met him and what he said to her, which I don't think I've ever seen anyone bother to do before.
> The two discuss Eisenhower's famous speech warning of the dangers of the military-industrial complex, and actually pause their dialogue to watch a good portion of it. Gabbard points out that in the original draft of the speech, Eisenhower had intended to call it the "congressional-military-industrial complex".
> Good discussion on internet censorship and the dangers of allowing monopolistic Silicon Valley corporations to control public speech, then later discussing the possibility of breaking up these corporations or treating them as public utilities.
> Rogan asks Gabbard what she thinks happens to US presidents that causes them to fail to enact their campaign promises and capitulate to the will of the warmongering establishment, and what as president she'll do to avoid the same fate. All presidential candidates should have to answer this question.
> Rogan asks Gabbard how she'll stand against the billionaires for the American people without getting assassinated. All presidential candidates should have to answer this question as well.
> I honestly think the entire American political system would be better off if the phoney debate stage format were completely abandoned and presidential candidates just talked one-on-one with Joe Rogan for two and a half hours instead. Cut through all the vapid posturing and the fake questions about nonsense nobody cares about and get them to go deep with a normal human being who smokes pot and curses and does sports commentary for cage fighting. Rogan asked Gabbard a bunch of questions that real people are interested in, in a format where she was encouraged to relax out of her standard politician's posture and discuss significant ideas sincerely and spontaneously. It was a good discussion with an interesting political figure and I'm glad it's already racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
> 
> ________________________
> 
> Everyone has my unconditional permission to republish or use any part of this work (or anything else I've written) in any way they like free of charge. My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking me on Facebook, following my antics on Twitter, throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal, purchasing some of my sweet merchandise, buying my new book Rogue Nation: Psychonautical Adventures With Caitlin Johnstone, or my previous book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. The best way to get around the internet censors and make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list for my website, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. For more info on who I am, where I stand, and what I'm trying to do with this platform, click here.
> 
> 
> 
> Bitcoin donations:1Ac7PCQXoQoLA9Sh8fhAgiU3PHA2EX5Zm2
> 
> Caitlin Johnstone | May 14, 2019 at 3:54 pm | Tags: Edward Snowden, Joe Rogan, julian assange, Tulsi Gabbard | Categories: Article | URL: https://wp.me/p9tj6M-1GZ
> Comment	   See all comments
> Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Caitlin Johnstone.
> Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions.
> 
> Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: 
> https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2019/05/14/gabbard-says-shed-drop-all-charges-against-assange-and-snowden/
> 
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Tue May 14 23:54:33 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 18:54:33 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
 =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>

C. G. Estabrook wrote:
> The only Democratic candidate worth considering

Consider what Sen. Mike Gravel is talking about as well; he says some 
agreeable things that likely won't get past a one-time DNC-run debate. Then 
consider what the DNC Corporation's lawyer Bruce Spiva told the court in 
the (largely not covered by news outlets) lawsuit which Bernie Sanders 
supporters brought against the DNC. Spiva pointed out that that party will 
require that their representative represent the values of the party elites 
and need not include your input:

 From http://jampac.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/042517cw2.pdf which is a 
transcript of a court hearing

> [I]f you had a charity where somebody said, Hey, I'm gonna take this
> money and use it for a specific purpose, X, and they pocketed it and
> stole the money, of course that's different. But here, where you have a
> party that's saying, We're gonna, you know, choose our standard bearer,
> and we're gonna follow these general rules of the road, which we are
> voluntarily deciding, we could have — and we could have voluntarily
> decided that, Look, we're gonna go into back rooms like they used to and
> smoke cigars and pick the candidate that way. That's not the way it was
> done. But they could have. And that would have also been their right,
> and it would drag the Court well into party politics, internal party
> politics to answer those questions.

Getting back to Johnstone...

Caitlin Johnstone wrote:
> Gabbard Says She’d Drop All Charges Against Assange And Snowden
> by Caitlin Johnstone
>
> In midst of an interesting and wide-ranging discussion on the Joe Rogan 
> Experience, Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi 
> Gabbard said that if elected president she would drop all charges 
> against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian 
> Assange.
The interview Johnstone refers to is 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR8UcnwLH24 .

Around 28m in they had problems finding a copy of Eisenhower's farewell 
address that wasn't edited or interrupted. A copy of Eisenhower's farewell 
address without music or announcers can be found on 
https://archive.org/details/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech 
:

https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress1.mp4 
-- address, likely the one you want to see (and likely what the Joe Rogan 
show was looking for)

https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress2.mp4 
-- address with "Mox News" overlay

https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress3.mp4 
-- address with timecode and leader recorded at the time

and a transcript on 
https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowerFarewell.txt

And according to Wikipedia cites multiple different wording of the 
now-famous "military-industrial complex" not just 
"military-industrial-congressional complex":

> The phrase was thought to have been "war-based" industrial complex
> before becoming "military" in later drafts of Eisenhower's speech, a
> claim passed on only by oral history.[14] Geoffrey Perret, in his
> biography of Eisenhower, claims that, in one draft of the speech, the
> phrase was "military–industrial–congressional complex", indicating the
> essential role that the United States Congress plays in the propagation
> of the military industry, but the word "congressional" was dropped from
> the final version to appease the then-currently elected officials.[15]
> James Ledbetter calls this a "stubborn misconception" not supported by
> any evidence; likewise a claim by Douglas Brinkley that it was
> originally "military–industrial–scientific complex".[15][16]
> Additionally, Henry Giroux claims that it was originally
> "military–industrial–academic complex".[17] The actual authors of the
> speech were Eisenhower's speechwriters Ralph E. Williams and Malcolm
> Moos.[18]

[14] https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-12-10-eisenhower-address_N.htm
[15] 
http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/guest-post-james-ledbetter-on-50-years-of-the-military-industrial-complex/
[16] 
https://web.archive.org/web/20060323001947/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2001/6/2001_6_58.shtml
[17] 
https://web.archive.org/web/20070820234731/http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=168000
[18] Griffin, Charles "New Light on Eisenhower's Farewell Address," in 
Presidential Studies Quarterly 22 (Summer 1992): 469–79

From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Wed May 15 00:12:47 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 19:12:47 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
 =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
 <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
Message-ID: <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>

Gravel, a hero of the Pentagon Papers, was 89 yesterday… 

The Democrats are useless, of course, and are willing to do anything to return to power - except adopt Gravel/Gabbard anti-war sentiments.

Or abandon neolib policies. 
 

> On May 14, 2019, at 6:54 PM, J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> C. G. Estabrook wrote:
>> The only Democratic candidate worth considering
> 
> Consider what Sen. Mike Gravel is talking about as well; he says some agreeable things that likely won't get past a one-time DNC-run debate. Then consider what the DNC Corporation's lawyer Bruce Spiva told the court in the (largely not covered by news outlets) lawsuit which Bernie Sanders supporters brought against the DNC. Spiva pointed out that that party will require that their representative represent the values of the party elites and need not include your input:
> 
> From http://jampac.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/042517cw2.pdf which is a transcript of a court hearing
> 
>> [I]f you had a charity where somebody said, Hey, I'm gonna take this
>> money and use it for a specific purpose, X, and they pocketed it and
>> stole the money, of course that's different. But here, where you have a
>> party that's saying, We're gonna, you know, choose our standard bearer,
>> and we're gonna follow these general rules of the road, which we are
>> voluntarily deciding, we could have — and we could have voluntarily
>> decided that, Look, we're gonna go into back rooms like they used to and
>> smoke cigars and pick the candidate that way. That's not the way it was
>> done. But they could have. And that would have also been their right,
>> and it would drag the Court well into party politics, internal party
>> politics to answer those questions.
> 
> Getting back to Johnstone...
> 
> Caitlin Johnstone wrote:
>> Gabbard Says She’d Drop All Charges Against Assange And Snowden
>> by Caitlin Johnstone
>> 
>> In midst of an interesting and wide-ranging discussion on the Joe Rogan Experience, Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard said that if elected president she would drop all charges against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
> The interview Johnstone refers to is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR8UcnwLH24 .
> 
> Around 28m in they had problems finding a copy of Eisenhower's farewell address that wasn't edited or interrupted. A copy of Eisenhower's farewell address without music or announcers can be found on https://archive.org/details/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech :
> 
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress1.mp4 -- address, likely the one you want to see (and likely what the Joe Rogan show was looking for)
> 
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress2.mp4 -- address with "Mox News" overlay
> 
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress3.mp4 -- address with timecode and leader recorded at the time
> 
> and a transcript on https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowerFarewell.txt
> 
> And according to Wikipedia cites multiple different wording of the now-famous "military-industrial complex" not just "military-industrial-congressional complex":
> 
>> The phrase was thought to have been "war-based" industrial complex
>> before becoming "military" in later drafts of Eisenhower's speech, a
>> claim passed on only by oral history.[14] Geoffrey Perret, in his
>> biography of Eisenhower, claims that, in one draft of the speech, the
>> phrase was "military–industrial–congressional complex", indicating the
>> essential role that the United States Congress plays in the propagation
>> of the military industry, but the word "congressional" was dropped from
>> the final version to appease the then-currently elected officials.[15]
>> James Ledbetter calls this a "stubborn misconception" not supported by
>> any evidence; likewise a claim by Douglas Brinkley that it was
>> originally "military–industrial–scientific complex".[15][16]
>> Additionally, Henry Giroux claims that it was originally
>> "military–industrial–academic complex".[17] The actual authors of the
>> speech were Eisenhower's speechwriters Ralph E. Williams and Malcolm
>> Moos.[18]
> 
> [14] https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-12-10-eisenhower-address_N.htm
> [15] http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/guest-post-james-ledbetter-on-50-years-of-the-military-industrial-complex/
> [16] https://web.archive.org/web/20060323001947/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2001/6/2001_6_58.shtml
> [17] https://web.archive.org/web/20070820234731/http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=168000
> [18] Griffin, Charles "New Light on Eisenhower's Farewell Address," in Presidential Studies Quarterly 22 (Summer 1992): 469–79
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss


From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Wed May 15 02:54:15 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 21:54:15 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
	=?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
 <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
 <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CALMNhNR52+qzXuSt4VRaWztEvhoJOE=Lu5mgzMFZPxC9LF=rzg@mail.gmail.com>

Whatever else we may disagree on, let's agree on trying to make sure that
Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Gravel get on the Dem debate stage. Let's try to
make sure that gazillions of Americans get to hear what they have to say
about the Empire.

===

Robert Reuel Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
(202) 448-2898 x1





On Tue, May 14, 2019 at 7:13 PM C G Estabrook via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> Gravel, a hero of the Pentagon Papers, was 89 yesterday…
>
> The Democrats are useless, of course, and are willing to do anything to
> return to power - except adopt Gravel/Gabbard anti-war sentiments.
>
> Or abandon neolib policies.
>
>
> > On May 14, 2019, at 6:54 PM, J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <
> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >
> > C. G. Estabrook wrote:
> >> The only Democratic candidate worth considering
> >
> > Consider what Sen. Mike Gravel is talking about as well; he says some
> agreeable things that likely won't get past a one-time DNC-run debate. Then
> consider what the DNC Corporation's lawyer Bruce Spiva told the court in
> the (largely not covered by news outlets) lawsuit which Bernie Sanders
> supporters brought against the DNC. Spiva pointed out that that party will
> require that their representative represent the values of the party elites
> and need not include your input:
> >
> > From http://jampac.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/042517cw2.pdf which is
> a transcript of a court hearing
> >
> >> [I]f you had a charity where somebody said, Hey, I'm gonna take this
> >> money and use it for a specific purpose, X, and they pocketed it and
> >> stole the money, of course that's different. But here, where you have a
> >> party that's saying, We're gonna, you know, choose our standard bearer,
> >> and we're gonna follow these general rules of the road, which we are
> >> voluntarily deciding, we could have — and we could have voluntarily
> >> decided that, Look, we're gonna go into back rooms like they used to and
> >> smoke cigars and pick the candidate that way. That's not the way it was
> >> done. But they could have. And that would have also been their right,
> >> and it would drag the Court well into party politics, internal party
> >> politics to answer those questions.
> >
> > Getting back to Johnstone...
> >
> > Caitlin Johnstone wrote:
> >> Gabbard Says She’d Drop All Charges Against Assange And Snowden
> >> by Caitlin Johnstone
> >>
> >> In midst of an interesting and wide-ranging discussion on the Joe Rogan
> Experience, Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi
> Gabbard said that if elected president she would drop all charges against
> NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
> > The interview Johnstone refers to is
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR8UcnwLH24 .
> >
> > Around 28m in they had problems finding a copy of Eisenhower's farewell
> address that wasn't edited or interrupted. A copy of Eisenhower's farewell
> address without music or announcers can be found on
> https://archive.org/details/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech
> :
> >
> >
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress1.mp4
> -- address, likely the one you want to see (and likely what the Joe Rogan
> show was looking for)
> >
> >
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress2.mp4
> -- address with "Mox News" overlay
> >
> >
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowersFarewellAddress3.mp4
> -- address with timecode and leader recorded at the time
> >
> > and a transcript on
> https://archive.org/download/DwightD.Eisenhower-FarewellAddressmilitary-industrialComplexSpeech/EisenhowerFarewell.txt
> >
> > And according to Wikipedia cites multiple different wording of the
> now-famous "military-industrial complex" not just
> "military-industrial-congressional complex":
> >
> >> The phrase was thought to have been "war-based" industrial complex
> >> before becoming "military" in later drafts of Eisenhower's speech, a
> >> claim passed on only by oral history.[14] Geoffrey Perret, in his
> >> biography of Eisenhower, claims that, in one draft of the speech, the
> >> phrase was "military–industrial–congressional complex", indicating the
> >> essential role that the United States Congress plays in the propagation
> >> of the military industry, but the word "congressional" was dropped from
> >> the final version to appease the then-currently elected officials.[15]
> >> James Ledbetter calls this a "stubborn misconception" not supported by
> >> any evidence; likewise a claim by Douglas Brinkley that it was
> >> originally "military–industrial–scientific complex".[15][16]
> >> Additionally, Henry Giroux claims that it was originally
> >> "military–industrial–academic complex".[17] The actual authors of the
> >> speech were Eisenhower's speechwriters Ralph E. Williams and Malcolm
> >> Moos.[18]
> >
> > [14]
> https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-12-10-eisenhower-address_N.htm
> > [15]
> http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/guest-post-james-ledbetter-on-50-years-of-the-military-industrial-complex/
> > [16]
> https://web.archive.org/web/20060323001947/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2001/6/2001_6_58.shtml
> > [17]
> https://web.archive.org/web/20070820234731/http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/Books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=168000
> > [18] Griffin, Charles "New Light on Eisenhower's Farewell Address," in
> Presidential Studies Quarterly 22 (Summer 1992): 469–79
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Wed May 15 04:47:48 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 23:47:48 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
 =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNR52+qzXuSt4VRaWztEvhoJOE=Lu5mgzMFZPxC9LF=rzg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
 <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
 <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNR52+qzXuSt4VRaWztEvhoJOE=Lu5mgzMFZPxC9LF=rzg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6e677acd-0606-8553-6a98-6e64a593df20@forestfield.org>

Robert Naiman wrote:
> Whatever else we may disagree on, let's agree on trying to make sure that
> Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Gravel get on the Dem debate stage. Let's try to
> make sure that gazillions of Americans get to hear what they have to say
> about the Empire.

Again, whether anyone hears from Gabbard & Gravel on the DNC-run so-called 
debates is really up to the DNC not us. According to 
https://democrats.org/press/dnc-announces-details-for-the-first-two-presidential-primary-debates/ 
the DNC have capped the events at 20 candidates and the DNC says there's 
possibly polling involved to determine who will get one of the 20 spots. 
I'm skeptical of these polls given the DNC/RNC collusion in the 'Commission 
on Public Debates'-run so-called debates over many years, the high number 
of corporate media outlets running these polls, and one recent CNN poll 
which put Biden at #1 (39%) and Sanders at #2 (15%) among Democrats didn't 
ask enough people from age 18-49 to register a figure in their poll[1] (the 
columns for roughly half of the country showed up as "N/A"). That CNN poll 
claimed Gabbard came in with 2%. But the establishment doesn't have to 
worry because the New York Times reports[2] that Biden and Harris are among 
the candidates who are very likely to be invited to the DNC-run 'debates'. 
After what the DNC did in 2016, I think you'll have no problem finding 
people who will tell you that they don't trust the DNC (particularly if you 
ask people aged 18-49).

The DNC Corporation decides who speaks for that company regardless of 
whether they follow their own rules. If you want people to qualify for that 
job and be heard talking about American empire, talk to the DNC. That's a 
lot more actionable than anything you would have me try to accomplish. I 
refuse to take responsibility for the DNC's choices. Also, it's not my 
responsibility to help the DNC. Arguments along the line of 'viability' 
need not apply: those self-serving claims likely come from the same media 
that told us Hillary Clinton was a sure bet to be US President-elect in 
2016. Apparently Mrs. Clinton had just as much chance to win that job as 
the Green Party's Dr. Jill Stein despite their polar opposite politics.



[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36QXSnSRgM and 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boG9BLs4V1g are among the shows talking 
about this.
[2] 
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/29/us/politics/democratic-primary-debates-2020.html

From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Wed May 15 12:53:32 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Wed, 15 May 2019 07:53:32 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
	=?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <6e677acd-0606-8553-6a98-6e64a593df20@forestfield.org>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
 <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
 <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNR52+qzXuSt4VRaWztEvhoJOE=Lu5mgzMFZPxC9LF=rzg@mail.gmail.com>
 <6e677acd-0606-8553-6a98-6e64a593df20@forestfield.org>
Message-ID: <CALMNhNTYiNrx1Ja3LwN7=ivz-FFHHREBDEV=3P0YG-r5KYLVYw@mail.gmail.com>

The world has changed since that 4/30 NYT report.

Author Marianne Williamson qualifies for Democratic primary debates
BY TAL AXELROD - 05/09/19 03:21 PM EDT
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/442980-author-marianne-williamson-qualifies-for-primary-debates

===

Robert Reuel Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
(202) 448-2898 x1





On Tue, May 14, 2019 at 11:48 PM J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> Robert Naiman wrote:
> > Whatever else we may disagree on, let's agree on trying to make sure that
> > Tulsi Gabbard and Mike Gravel get on the Dem debate stage. Let's try to
> > make sure that gazillions of Americans get to hear what they have to say
> > about the Empire.
>
> Again, whether anyone hears from Gabbard & Gravel on the DNC-run so-called
> debates is really up to the DNC not us. According to
>
> https://democrats.org/press/dnc-announces-details-for-the-first-two-presidential-primary-debates/
> the DNC have capped the events at 20 candidates and the DNC says there's
> possibly polling involved to determine who will get one of the 20 spots.
> I'm skeptical of these polls given the DNC/RNC collusion in the
> 'Commission
> on Public Debates'-run so-called debates over many years, the high number
> of corporate media outlets running these polls, and one recent CNN poll
> which put Biden at #1 (39%) and Sanders at #2 (15%) among Democrats didn't
> ask enough people from age 18-49 to register a figure in their poll[1]
> (the
> columns for roughly half of the country showed up as "N/A"). That CNN poll
> claimed Gabbard came in with 2%. But the establishment doesn't have to
> worry because the New York Times reports[2] that Biden and Harris are
> among
> the candidates who are very likely to be invited to the DNC-run 'debates'.
> After what the DNC did in 2016, I think you'll have no problem finding
> people who will tell you that they don't trust the DNC (particularly if
> you
> ask people aged 18-49).
>
> The DNC Corporation decides who speaks for that company regardless of
> whether they follow their own rules. If you want people to qualify for
> that
> job and be heard talking about American empire, talk to the DNC. That's a
> lot more actionable than anything you would have me try to accomplish. I
> refuse to take responsibility for the DNC's choices. Also, it's not my
> responsibility to help the DNC. Arguments along the line of 'viability'
> need not apply: those self-serving claims likely come from the same media
> that told us Hillary Clinton was a sure bet to be US President-elect in
> 2016. Apparently Mrs. Clinton had just as much chance to win that job as
> the Green Party's Dr. Jill Stein despite their polar opposite politics.
>
>
>
> [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36QXSnSRgM and
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boG9BLs4V1g are among the shows talking
> about this.
> [2]
>
> https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/29/us/politics/democratic-primary-debates-2020.html
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From mkb3 at icloud.com  Thu May 16 01:01:48 2019
From: mkb3 at icloud.com (Morton K. Brussel)
Date: Wed, 15 May 2019 20:01:48 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] =?utf-8?q?Many_comments_about_the_article_have_gr?=
 =?utf-8?q?eater_insight_than_the_article=3B_=22Russia-gate=E2=80=99s_Mons?=
 =?utf-8?q?trous_Offspring=22=E2=80=A6?=
Message-ID: <9A49DFBF-0529-495C-BF70-EE685F3806D9@icloud.com>

https://consortiumnews.com/2019/05/14/russiagates-monstrous-offspring/ <https://consortiumnews.com/2019/05/14/russiagates-monstrous-offspring/>


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From jbn at forestfield.org  Thu May 16 01:17:24 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Wed, 15 May 2019 20:17:24 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
 =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=5BNew_post=5D_Gabbard_Says_She?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99d_Drop_All_Charges_Against_Assange_And_Snowden?=
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNTYiNrx1Ja3LwN7=ivz-FFHHREBDEV=3P0YG-r5KYLVYw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <139971992.6509.0@wordpress.com>
 <D39B9944-CDE3-4E3A-980C-010BA152BFBB@gmail.com>
 <eb39171d-f14a-6c26-3234-c1f076f97591@forestfield.org>
 <43CA26CD-5FC0-428D-B783-1E47A76A626D@gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNR52+qzXuSt4VRaWztEvhoJOE=Lu5mgzMFZPxC9LF=rzg@mail.gmail.com>
 <6e677acd-0606-8553-6a98-6e64a593df20@forestfield.org>
 <CALMNhNTYiNrx1Ja3LwN7=ivz-FFHHREBDEV=3P0YG-r5KYLVYw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <549a003b-2f34-8a67-463e-ab2b306dc996@forestfield.org>

Robert Naiman wrote:
> The world has changed since that 4/30 NYT report.
> 
> Author Marianne Williamson qualifies for Democratic primary debates
> BY TAL AXELROD - 05/09/19 03:21 PM EDT
> https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/442980-author-marianne-williamson-qualifies-for-primary-debates

The DNC has not changed and it's the Democratic Party's rules and 
trustworthiness that are at issue. The DNC's collusion with the Clinton 
campaign in 2016 has not seriously been dealt with such that most voters 
have cause to trust the DNC now.

From stephenf1113 at yahoo.com  Thu May 16 10:43:49 2019
From: stephenf1113 at yahoo.com (Stephen Francis)
Date: Thu, 16 May 2019 10:43:49 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Israel politics...joke
References: <1919284540.3116240.1558003429884.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <1919284540.3116240.1558003429884@mail.yahoo.com>

Jewish supremacism is alive an well.They gloat about headlines such as below trying to convince people that democracy exists in Israel, but the truth of the matter is that no Jewish party will attempt to form a coalition with an Arab party. It's a back-door, disingenuous way to be able to brandish headlines like this and get away with their discrimination...the world sees this for what it is.American Jews seem to be upset about Netanyahu's coalition with a far right wing Kahanist...but are powerless to do anything about it...he and his supporters march on.
Israel’s High Court Won’t Stand for Jewish Supremacism


| 
| 
| 
|  |  |

 |

 |
| 
|  | 
Israel’s High Court Won’t Stand for Jewish Supremacism

Noah Feldman

The ruling banning a far-right candidate from April’s election comes at a crucial moment for this democracy.
 |

 |

 |



"Netanyahu is still free to run on a platform of denying Arab Israelis equal political power. The norm of Jewish parties refusing to enter coalition with Arab parties will is difficult to change or to challenge in court. On Tuesday night, Gantz, who leads a centrist coalition, said in a TV interview that he won’t rock the boat. Although Israeli Arabs “are equal citizens,” he said, he would rule out forming a government with Israeli Arab politicians who “speak against the State of Israel.”

below is the real Israel....they just can't say it publicly.... Kahanism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKJBeYsBU0o



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From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May 17 03:53:04 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Thu, 16 May 2019 22:53:04 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Marianne Williamson on her 2020 campaign & Simon
 Tam on free speech
Message-ID: <58dee433-140a-926d-930a-dba427960f00@forestfield.org>

I was discussing Marianne Williamson with Carl Estabrook and I wrote:
> Judging by Jimmy Dore's interview with Marianne Williamson[1], she's 
> running a rather vague campaign built around "spirituality" and "a 
> return to core values" (both quotes from her in that interview). She
> can talk at length about problems where she offers either no specific 
> solutions (like war) or a self-contradictory solution (see Medicare for 
> All discussion where she advocates for also allowing private insurance
> that covers the same things as Medicare for All).

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SB8RxXxSCY

Good news/bad news update:

Good news (for her): Marianne Williamson got another interview, this time 
on RT on "Politicking" (Larry King's show) -- 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5binZR6IGrc

It's the closest RT comes to corporate news and thus a real low-point for 
RT. But in terms of production value, this show is indistinguishable from 
any corporate interview show. The show is replete with Trump Derangement 
Syndrome guests like comic Margaret Cho who famously said on one episode:

 > I'm glad he [Trump] wasn't president during 9/11. You know, like? George
 > W. Bush, actually you know, we...I miss him. Which I thought I'd never
 > say. I was a really big critic of his but now you know I'm like he's
 > kind of cute.

See this for yourself in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMooJf0FaJo.

Bad news: Just about everything else in that episode:

- Marianne Williamson repeats much of the same vague and time-consuming 
talk about her feelings that she did with Jimmy Dore. Her Politicking 
interview contains very little discussion of what she plans to do as US 
President. She's given time to list policies she likes but there's no 
discussion of how to make them real -- so no discussion of cutting 
"defense" spending. There's no discussion of war and militarism, which 
keeps her campaign safe for the corporate-run Democratic Party. This also 
means that there's little reason to believe her campaign platform because 
it's not clear how we would afford continued militarism as well as 
taxpayer-funded schools, a national jobs program, and the (highly 
overrated) reparations she wants to pay to African Americans and Native 
Americans. Her Politicking segment isn't as long as Jimmy Dore's interview 
(and therefore not as revealing as Dore's interview).



- The show's other guest is Simon Tam, a bass player from the group "The 
Slants". The Slants is made up of people of Asian descent (this detail will 
pay off later) and Tam fought the US Government in a 2017 US Supreme Court 
case (Matal v. Tam) to get a trademark on his band's name. US Patent and 
Trademark Office refused the trademark on the grounds that they, in 
particular because they're all of Asian descent, would cause offense with 
such a trademark. Tam said that the band is reclaiming the slur and they 
weren't offending themselves. Tam also pointed out that other groups of 
people (presumably including people not of Asian descent) had comparable 
slurs in their trademarked names, so why shouldn't they be able to get a 
trademark on "The Slants" in the context of a music group? After all, with 
who is really free to use these slurs and get trademarks based on them? 
This argument won in court because it is making a 1st Amendment argument; 
the Disparagement Clause in the Lanham Act is unconstitutional because it 
violates viewpoint discrimination:

A description of viewpoint discrimination from 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matal_v._Tam#Viewpoint_Discrimination
 > The test for viewpoint discrimination is “[o]ther things being equal,
 > viewpoint discrimination occurs when government allows one message while
 > prohibiting the messages of those who can reasonably be expected to
 > respond.”

This was an interesting case to talk about and really should have led the 
show. Unfortunately Tam contradicted the otherwise principled stand for 
free speech he elucidated elsewhere in the interview when he said:

 > I think it's just this really powerful process, number one, because we
 > should be able to define for ourselves what's best for ourselves. You
 > know, the ability to choose your own identity it is one of power -- it's
 > claiming this fundamental, what I believe, human right of choosing who
 > we would like to be presented to the world, like how we would like to be
 > identified. But what makes it really interesting to me and especially to
 > those who study linguistics is who gets to use these words, who gets to
 > use these labels. When it comes to terms that certain community groups
 > have reclaimed, what makes it really interesting is that those dominant
 > groups have to check in with us. It's so powerful that most people today
 > would just refer to [a] certain notorious racial slur as "the N-word".
 > That's the power of it: that people aren't even willing to say it
 > without checking in with the community -- "Hey, is it okay if I use this
 > term?", "Is it okay if I sing along to this song?" and that is really,
 > really cool to me.

This is a stridently anti-free speech argument which is multiply wrong: 
nobody has the power to grant someone else permission to use slurs, one 
chooses to use slurs regardless of what anyone else says about the use of 
slurs. The same is true of non-slurs. Those that look around for, say, a 
black person they know in order to get permission to say "nigger" versus 
that childish euphemism "the N-word", are demonstrating false humility or 
deference. This attitude also gives rise to framing our free speech rights 
by our skin color, our ethnic heritage, or whatever determines our race. If 
blacks have more permission to utter "nigger" than non-blacks, we're in 
trouble. If freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and 
all, as Billy Bragg reminds us in his version of The Internationale, we 
can't have different free speech rights. One would think that Tam's own 
experience in Matal v. Tam would have taught him that Americans need 
uniform access to free speech unfettered by government restriction, and 
it's not much of a jump to see why outsourcing that restriction power to 
private citizens (ala asking "Hey, is it okay if I use this term?") is no 
wiser.

From moboct1 at aim.com  Fri May 17 13:06:08 2019
From: moboct1 at aim.com (Mildred O'brien)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 13:06:08 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Marianne Williamson on her 2020 campaign &
 Simon Tam on free speech
References: <1662207757.2154387.1558098368676.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <1662207757.2154387.1558098368676@mail.yahoo.com>

But Williamson qualifies for the DNC presidential debates on the basis of monetary backing (even if provided by deep-pocketed friends), so she might even get on the ballot (or become a household name and sell more books).  How's that for unprecedented self-promoted PR!

MO'B
-
----Original Message-----
From: J.B. Nicholson via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: Peace Discuss <peace-discuss at anti-war.net>
Cc: J.B. Nicholson <jbn at forestfield.org>
Sent: Thu, May 16, 2019 10:53 pm
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Marianne Williamson on her 2020 campaign & Simon Tam on free speech

I was discussing Marianne Williamson with Carl Estabrook and I wrote:
> Judging by Jimmy Dore's interview with Marianne Williamson[1], she's 
> running a rather vague campaign built around "spirituality" and "a 
> return to core values" (both quotes from her in that interview). She
> can talk at length about problems where she offers either no specific 
> solutions (like war) or a self-contradictory solution (see Medicare for 
> All discussion where she advocates for also allowing private insurance
> that covers the same things as Medicare for All).

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SB8RxXxSCY

Good news/bad news update:

Good news (for her): Marianne Williamson got another interview, this time 
on RT on "Politicking" (Larry King's show) -- 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5binZR6IGrc

It's the closest RT comes to corporate news and thus a real low-point for 
RT. But in terms of production value, this show is indistinguishable from 
any corporate interview show. The show is replete with Trump Derangement 
Syndrome guests like comic Margaret Cho who famously said on one episode:

 > I'm glad he [Trump] wasn't president during 9/11. You know, like? George
 > W. Bush, actually you know, we...I miss him. Which I thought I'd never
 > say. I was a really big critic of his but now you know I'm like he's
 > kind of cute.

See this for yourself in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMooJf0FaJo.

Bad news: Just about everything else in that episode:

- Marianne Williamson repeats much of the same vague and time-consuming 
talk about her feelings that she did with Jimmy Dore. Her Politicking 
interview contains very little discussion of what she plans to do as US 
President. She's given time to list policies she likes but there's no 
discussion of how to make them real -- so no discussion of cutting 
"defense" spending. There's no discussion of war and militarism, which 
keeps her campaign safe for the corporate-run Democratic Party. This also 
means that there's little reason to believe her campaign platform because 
it's not clear how we would afford continued militarism as well as 
taxpayer-funded schools, a national jobs program, and the (highly 
overrated) reparations she wants to pay to African Americans and Native 
Americans. Her Politicking segment isn't as long as Jimmy Dore's interview 
(and therefore not as revealing as Dore's interview).



- The show's other guest is Simon Tam, a bass player from the group "The 
Slants". The Slants is made up of people of Asian descent (this detail will 
pay off later) and Tam fought the US Government in a 2017 US Supreme Court 
case (Matal v. Tam) to get a trademark on his band's name. US Patent and 
Trademark Office refused the trademark on the grounds that they, in 
particular because they're all of Asian descent, would cause offense with 
such a trademark. Tam said that the band is reclaiming the slur and they 
weren't offending themselves. Tam also pointed out that other groups of 
people (presumably including people not of Asian descent) had comparable 
slurs in their trademarked names, so why shouldn't they be able to get a 
trademark on "The Slants" in the context of a music group? After all, with 
who is really free to use these slurs and get trademarks based on them? 
This argument won in court because it is making a 1st Amendment argument; 
the Disparagement Clause in the Lanham Act is unconstitutional because it 
violates viewpoint discrimination:

A description of viewpoint discrimination from 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matal_v._Tam#Viewpoint_Discrimination
 > The test for viewpoint discrimination is “[o]ther things being equal,
 > viewpoint discrimination occurs when government allows one message while
 > prohibiting the messages of those who can reasonably be expected to
 > respond.”

This was an interesting case to talk about and really should have led the 
show. Unfortunately Tam contradicted the otherwise principled stand for 
free speech he elucidated elsewhere in the interview when he said:

 > I think it's just this really powerful process, number one, because we
 > should be able to define for ourselves what's best for ourselves. You
 > know, the ability to choose your own identity it is one of power -- it's
 > claiming this fundamental, what I believe, human right of choosing who
 > we would like to be presented to the world, like how we would like to be
 > identified. But what makes it really interesting to me and especially to
 > those who study linguistics is who gets to use these words, who gets to
 > use these labels. When it comes to terms that certain community groups
 > have reclaimed, what makes it really interesting is that those dominant
 > groups have to check in with us. It's so powerful that most people today
 > would just refer to [a] certain notorious racial slur as "the N-word".
 > That's the power of it: that people aren't even willing to say it
 > without checking in with the community -- "Hey, is it okay if I use this
 > term?", "Is it okay if I sing along to this song?" and that is really,
 > really cool to me.

This is a stridently anti-free speech argument which is multiply wrong: 
nobody has the power to grant someone else permission to use slurs, one 
chooses to use slurs regardless of what anyone else says about the use of 
slurs. The same is true of non-slurs. Those that look around for, say, a 
black person they know in order to get permission to say "nigger" versus 
that childish euphemism "the N-word", are demonstrating false humility or 
deference. This attitude also gives rise to framing our free speech rights 
by our skin color, our ethnic heritage, or whatever determines our race. If 
blacks have more permission to utter "nigger" than non-blacks, we're in 
trouble. If freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and 
all, as Billy Bragg reminds us in his version of The Internationale, we 
can't have different free speech rights. One would think that Tam's own 
experience in Matal v. Tam would have taught him that Americans need 
uniform access to free speech unfettered by government restriction, and 
it's not much of a jump to see why outsourcing that restriction power to 
private citizens (ala asking "Hey, is it okay if I use this term?") is no 
wiser.
_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Fri May 17 16:27:00 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 11:27:00 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] E. H. Carr
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyHBtuCQbF6nJ5xdm5uQabcz4iVwrzzmOBkJZ7PYJRAFSQ@mail.gmail.com>

https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2019/05/eh-carr-what-is-history-truth-subjectivity-facts


*History according to EH Carr*

The historian was prescient in warning that the value of facts depends on
who wields them.

BY HELEN CARR <https://www.newstatesman.com/writers/317386>

Between January and March 1961, the historian and diplomat Edward Hallett
Carr delivered a series of lectures, later published as one of the most
famous historical theories of our time: *What is History?* In his lectures
he advises the reader to “study the historian before you begin to study the
facts”, arguing that any account of the past is largely written to the
agenda and social context of the one writing it. “The facts… are like fish
on the fishmonger’s slab. The historian collects them, takes them home and
cooks and serves them.”

My childhood memories of history and the learning of history were enhanced
by the omnipresent familial legacy of my great-grandfather, EH Carr,
nicknamed “the Prof”. He was the sort of man that always had holes in his
sleeves, ate milk pudding every night and loathed fuss. Despite this, he
was highly revered, so much so that my grandmother would dust the house
plants prior to his arrival. He died six years before I was born, but his
energy lived on within our family and encouraged my insatiable interest in
history. As I rolled out my family tree on my grandparents’ living-room
floor and closed in on the name Edward Hallett Carr I began a lifelong
interest – and an imagined dialogue – with my great-grandfather.

Last year, *What is History?* was released as a Penguin Classic, and since
its original publication has sold over a quarter of a million copies. It
remains a key text in the study of history, and its provoking questions
endure, still holding weight over some of the most prevalent issues our
society faces when dealing with the problem of “facts”.

EH Carr, known by family and friends as “Ted”, led his daily life with
stringent routine. He was up early, every day, and after tea and toast he
would lock himself away for the day in his study. He wrote everything by
hand in pencil; only his secretary was able to transcribe his scrawls. His
endless handwritten pages finally resulted in a contorted joint in his
right hand, a physical impression of his pencil. His work was extremely
successful, but his personal life was not. He had two unsuccessful
marriages, the second of which was to the esteemed historian Betty Behrens,
and one of my grandfather’s memories of “the Prof” was that towards the end
he was frequently at loggerheads with his wife. Ultimately, his work was
his first love.

Carr was not a historian by traditional standards. He did not study history
at university, nor did he go on to take a PhD and follow a conventional
academic career. After graduating from Cambridge in 1916 with a classics
degree he joined the Foreign Office, which proved hugely influential in the
way he later approached the study of history. During his political career,
in 1919 alone he was present at the Paris Peace Conference, involved in the
drafting of the Treaty of Versailles and in determining the new border
between Germany and Poland. He later had a post in the Foreign Division of
the Ministry of Information, where he worked with the notorious Russian spy
Guy Burgess. The memory of this period of his life lies on the bookshelves
of my father’s study. A leather-bound copy of *Don Quixote* “to Ted”, a
leaving gift from his colleagues at the Ministry of Information; Guy
Burgess was a signatory.

In 1936, he took up a post at Aberystwyth University as professor of
international politics. Here, he began his writings on foreign policy,
including *The Twenty Years Crisis* (1939) released just before the
outbreak of the Second World War, in which he interrogated the structural
political-economic problems that were to give rise to conflict.

In 1941, he became assistant editor at the *Times*, before committing
himself to academia, first at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1953, and two
years later at Trinity College, Cambridge. He continued to write up until
the day he died, in 1982, aged 90, when his body was achingly tired, but
his mind was still running at a relentless pace.

Carr was one of our greatest and most influential thinkers. However, it was
his interest in the Russian Revolution, which he witnessed from a distance
as a Foreign Office clerk, that inspired his fascination with history. The
seed of thought that grew into *What is History?* may have been planted
even earlier, while still a Cambridge undergraduate. He recalled an
influential professor who argued that Herodotus’s account of the Persian
Wars in the 5th century BC was shaped by his attitude to the Peloponnesian
War. Carr called this a “fascinating revelation”, and “gave me my first
understanding of what history was about”. For Carr, Herodotus demonstrated
that the historian frequently does not draw from objective fact, but his
experiences of them. “Our picture of Greece in the 5th century BC is
defective not primarily because so many of the bits have been accidentally
lost, but because it is, by and large, the picture formed by a tiny group
of people in the city of Athens.”

Originally a liberal, Carr began to look at the world with “different
eyes”, and as early as 1931, after the Great Depression, he began to lose
faith in the concept of capitalism and the political structure in which his
early character was forged. In his developing interest in Russian history –
and reading the Russian literature that was available to him – he was
inspired to write the 14-volume *A History of Soviet Russia*, the first
part of which was published in 1950. During its composition he became more
convinced by Soviet ideology and before his death in 1982, he was urged to
formalise his political beliefs, which he did in a personal three-page
letter to my grandfather. This now survives, hidden deep within family
archives; it stipulates he was a Marxist.

*A History of Soviet Russia* was a bold attempt carefully and meticulously
to collect all the facts available, and in doing so, he articulated an
impressively objective approach to Russian history. However, it was in this
pursuit of objectivity that Carr came up against the same issue raised all
those years ago at Cambridge with Herodotus. He found the objective
approach to historical theory difficult to achieve. In the lengthy process
of writing *A History of Soviet Russia* he appears to have become torn in
his approach. He was initially optimistic; “it is possible to maintain that
objective truth exists”, yet by 1950 he concluded: “objectivity does not
exist”.

Nineteenth-century historians believed in objective history. They adopted a
timeline of events and evidence, a method made famous by the scholar
Leopold von Ranke in the 1830s, who wanted “simply to show how it really
was”. Carr rejected this outdated approach, describing it as a
“preposterous fallacy”.

TS Eliot once stated: “If one can really penetrate the life of another age,
one is penetrating the life of one’s own.” Eliot also acknowledged that the
study of history is key to understanding the contemporary world. However,
as he compiled *A History of Soviet Russia*, Carr found achieving such
penetration into the age an impossible task: while we can formulate a
subjective understanding of the past, we cannot of course know it exactly
as it was.

Facts can be changed or manipulated to benefit those relaying them,
something we are acutely aware of today. During Carr’s lifetime, Stalin’s
regime destroyed documents, altered evidence and distorted history. With
this is in mind, it is the continued misrepresentation and misuse of fact,
deliberate or accidental, that Carr interrogates in *What is History?* He
encourages any student of history to be discerning: “What is a historical
fact? This is a crucial question into which we must look a little more
closely”.

Carr begins his interrogation by analysing how the “fact” is prepared and
presented by the historian who studies it. He does so by dividing facts
into two categories: facts of the past and facts of the present. A fact of
the past – for example, “the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066” – is
indisputable but basic. A fact of the present is something a historian has
chosen to be a fact: “By and large, the historian will get the kind of
facts he wants. History means interpretation.”

Carr was not the pioneer of subjective historical theory. RG Collingwood
thought that the objective past, and the historian’s opinion of it, were
held in mutual relation; suggesting that no historian’s view of the past
was incorrect and also that history only manifests with the historian’s
interpretation. Carr contested this approach, arguing that it is the
historian’s job to engage with the fact as a dialogue; “it is a continuous
process of interaction between the historian and his facts, an unending
dialogue between the present and the past”.

*What is History?* not only addresses the issue of interpreting fact, but
also how the historian is shaped by it. History, he states, is “social
process” and no individual is free of social constraint, so we cannot
impose our modern understanding of the world on our ancestors. “Progress in
human affairs,”  he wrote, “whether in science or in history or in society,
has come mainly through the bold readiness of human beings not to confine
themselves to seeking piecemeal improvements in the way things are done,
but to present fundamental challenges in the name of reason to the current
way of doing things and to the avowed or hidden assumptions on which it
rests.”

In 1962, Isaiah Berlin, a contemporary and opponent of Carr, reviewed *What
is History?* in the *New Statesman* and criticised the central issues
raised. Berlin took issue with the theory that personal motivation did not
account for action and disagreed with Carr on the key matter of
objectivity, which Berlin argued was obtainable through the methods used by
the historian.

Despite criticism, *What is History?* promotes the necessity of
subjectivity in the study of history, arguing that we are all shaped by the
society and the time that we live in. Ultimately, by understanding this, we
are able to think critically about the evidence laid before us, before we
begin to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of the past.

Shortly before his death, Carr had prepared material for a second edition
of *What is History?* Only his preface was written, but in it he looks for
“an optimistic, at any rate for a saner and more balanced outlook on the
future”.

My grandfather, John Carr, describes how his father “would choose to sit in
the main sitting-room, with us around, following our own pursuits, while he
wrote his profound thoughts on pieces of paper accumulated around his
chair”. It is this memory of the chaos of deep thought, the scraps of paper
fluttering about his feet, that I would like to cherish, and in my mind,
perhaps sit and watch as he conjures his next book. In reality, I am
fortunate enough to observe the work he created take its place on the grand
stage of history, and share with my grandfather the hope that it will
“stimulate further study and understanding of the future way forward in the
world”.

*Helen Carr is a writer, medieval historian and EH Carr’s
great-granddaughter*
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Fri May 17 16:58:03 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 11:58:03 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Jacobin: Euro-Washing the Nakba
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyGXVnBKjTF1LeWd83ALT_WegM8JSahDXBtb_ZhB=seBrA@mail.gmail.com>

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/05/israel-eurovision-palestine-occupation

Euro-Washing the Nakba
BY
BELÉN FERNÁNDEZ

Today, Palestinians are observing Nakba Day, which mourns their mass
expulsion in 1948. Israel is celebrating with a music festival.
Earlier this month, Israel treated the Gaza Strip to a quick military
assault that killed nearly thirty Palestinians, among them two infants and
two pregnant women. Four Israelis were also killed by rocket fire from Gaza
— an unusually high casualty count, proportionally speaking, for Israel,
whose recent track record also includes wiping out 2,251 people in Gaza in
fifty days.

As usual, Western media outlets were quick to blame the Palestinians, while
valiantly upholding the Israeli monopoly over the right to retaliation and
self-defense — which, it bears mentioning, is kind of like saying the car
wheel was defending itself against the crushed armadillo.

According to the Daily Beast, the upshot of the bloody showdown was as
follows: “Hamas Started a War Over Eurovision, the Song Contest That Gave
Us ABBA.” We are left to understand that the occasional Palestinian
decision to fire generally ineffective rockets has nothing to do with being
under continuous Israeli attack but rather with strategic objectives like
wrecking Eurovision, the annual gaudy affair that launched the Swedish pop
group in 1974 and that is currently underway in this year’s host city: Tel
Aviv.

Conveniently for Israel, Eurovision 2019 overlaps with Nakba Day on May 15,
which commemorates the Nakba — or “catastrophe” — of 1948, when Israel set
up shop on Palestinian land, destroying more than four hundred villages,
murdering some ten thousand Palestinians, and expelling three-quarters of a
million more. Needless to say, the ethnic cleansing, killing, and
dispossession that have for the past seventy-one years characterized the
Israeli enterprise show no signs of abating. On top of straightforward
methods like bombing and sniping, there’s also plenty of contemporary
Israeli news of a can’t-make-this-shit-up variety, such as the orders to
demolish homes belonging to hundreds of Palestinians because they are
located in what Israel considers its national “peace forest” — and because
Jewish settlers need to build homes there. Hence, perhaps, some additional
PR perks of hosting the Eurovision spectacle and thereby Euro-washing
Israel’s criminal orientation.

On May 10, Israel’s official Eurovision Twitter page unleashed a
promotional video that qualifies as a catastrophe in its own right:
four-and-a-half excruciating minutes of cheery song and dance about how
Israel is “so much more” than a “land of war and occupation” — it’s a
“startup nation,” a “land of honey, honey” where Israelis are “smooth as
silk,” “gays are hugging in the streets,” and there are “some” Arabs, lots
of shawarma, and “lovely bitches.” (Haaretz notes: “The issue of whether
the mistranslation [of ‘beaches’] was an error or a deliberate attempt to
poke fun at bad pronunciation has been discussed extensively on Twitter.”)

One of the video protagonists sports an “I 🖤 IRON DOME” t-shirt, a
reference to Israel’s air defense system. And, of course, no Israeli
production would be complete without a deliberate fuck-you to Palestine —
in this case, a musical tribute to “our beloved capital, golden Jerusalem.”

Israel earned the right to host Eurovision 2019 — albeit in Tel Aviv, not
golden Jerusalem — on account of Israeli singer Netta Barzilai’s victory
last year at the contest in Lisbon with her semi-plagiarized song “Toy.”

It is also to thank for the existence of video footage of Israeli prime
minister Benjamin Netanyahu performing the “chicken dance” with Barzilai.
This is the same Netanyahu who has presided over the slaughter of countless
Palestinians and the ongoing Nakba — but, hey, like ABBA said:

With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen …

Israel is not the only non-European entity to grace the Eurovision stage;
the contest also boasts the participation of Australia. Turkey, too, is an
intermittent contestant, but is currently boycotting the event for a
variety of reasons. Last year, Turkey’s English-language newspaper,
Hürriyet Daily News, quoted the general manager of the state-run Turkish
Radio and Television Corporation (TRT): “As a public broadcaster, we …
cannot broadcast live at 9 PM — when children are still awake — someone
like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and
says that he is both a man and a woman.”

This was no doubt a reference to Conchita Wurst, 2014 Eurovision victor.
But bearded Austrians in skirts are certainly less vulgar a sight than,
say, dead Palestinian babies — or any of the other greatest hits for which
our present Eurovision hosts are known.

This month, in honor of Israel’s seventy-first year of “independence” from
the people whose land it violently usurped, the Times of Israel offered “71
things to love about Israel,” compiled by an American immigrant whose bio
defines her as an attorney, handgun instructor, artist, “ardent Zionist,”
and fan of “reading about highly contagious diseases and WWII.”

Number twelve on the list is “EUROVISION!”, while number forty-four is:
“Even during rocket season, Israelis keep their sense of humor. ‘Ehhh, they
just wanted to give us fireworks for Eurovision.’”
Meanwhile, forty-five years after Eurovision brought us ABBA and
seventy-one years after Israel brought us the Nakba, there are plenty of
fireworks in Palestine — but nothing to joke about.
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From brussel at illinois.edu  Fri May 17 17:14:58 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 17:14:58 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Jacobin: Euro-Washing the Nakba
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyGXVnBKjTF1LeWd83ALT_WegM8JSahDXBtb_ZhB=seBrA@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyGXVnBKjTF1LeWd83ALT_WegM8JSahDXBtb_ZhB=seBrA@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <8E725B45-AAAF-46CC-92A9-FB5AD7B2FBCE@illinois.edu>

One needs to be reminded of this perversion, unpleasant as it is.

On May 17, 2019, at 11:58 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net<mailto:peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/05/israel-eurovision-palestine-occupation

Euro-Washing the Nakba
BY
BELÉN FERNÁNDEZ

Today, Palestinians are observing Nakba Day, which mourns their mass expulsion in 1948. Israel is celebrating with a music festival.
Earlier this month, Israel treated the Gaza Strip to a quick military assault that killed nearly thirty Palestinians, among them two infants and two pregnant women. Four Israelis were also killed by rocket fire from Gaza — an unusually high casualty count, proportionally speaking, for Israel, whose recent track record also includes wiping out 2,251 people in Gaza in fifty days.

As usual, Western media outlets were quick to blame the Palestinians, while valiantly upholding the Israeli monopoly over the right to retaliation and self-defense — which, it bears mentioning, is kind of like saying the car wheel was defending itself against the crushed armadillo.

According to the Daily Beast, the upshot of the bloody showdown was as follows: “Hamas Started a War Over Eurovision, the Song Contest That Gave Us ABBA.” We are left to understand that the occasional Palestinian decision to fire generally ineffective rockets has nothing to do with being under continuous Israeli attack but rather with strategic objectives like wrecking Eurovision, the annual gaudy affair that launched the Swedish pop group in 1974 and that is currently underway in this year’s host city: Tel Aviv.

Conveniently for Israel, Eurovision 2019 overlaps with Nakba Day on May 15, which commemorates the Nakba — or “catastrophe” — of 1948, when Israel set up shop on Palestinian land, destroying more than four hundred villages, murdering some ten thousand Palestinians, and expelling three-quarters of a million more. Needless to say, the ethnic cleansing, killing, and dispossession that have for the past seventy-one years characterized the Israeli enterprise show no signs of abating. On top of straightforward methods like bombing and sniping, there’s also plenty of contemporary Israeli news of a can’t-make-this-shit-up variety, such as the orders to demolish homes belonging to hundreds of Palestinians because they are located in what Israel considers its national “peace forest” — and because Jewish settlers need to build homes there. Hence, perhaps, some additional PR perks of hosting the Eurovision spectacle and thereby Euro-washing Israel’s criminal orientation.

On May 10, Israel’s official Eurovision Twitter page unleashed a promotional video that qualifies as a catastrophe in its own right: four-and-a-half excruciating minutes of cheery song and dance about how Israel is “so much more” than a “land of war and occupation” — it’s a “startup nation,” a “land of honey, honey” where Israelis are “smooth as silk,” “gays are hugging in the streets,” and there are “some” Arabs, lots of shawarma, and “lovely bitches.” (Haaretz notes: “The issue of whether the mistranslation [of ‘beaches’] was an error or a deliberate attempt to poke fun at bad pronunciation has been discussed extensively on Twitter.”)

One of the video protagonists sports an “I 🖤 IRON DOME” t-shirt, a reference to Israel’s air defense system. And, of course, no Israeli production would be complete without a deliberate fuck-you to Palestine — in this case, a musical tribute to “our beloved capital, golden Jerusalem.”

Israel earned the right to host Eurovision 2019 — albeit in Tel Aviv, not golden Jerusalem — on account of Israeli singer Netta Barzilai’s victory last year at the contest in Lisbon with her semi-plagiarized song “Toy.”

It is also to thank for the existence of video footage of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu performing the “chicken dance” with Barzilai. This is the same Netanyahu who has presided over the slaughter of countless Palestinians and the ongoing Nakba — but, hey, like ABBA said:

With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You’re in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance
You are the dancing queen …

Israel is not the only non-European entity to grace the Eurovision stage; the contest also boasts the participation of Australia. Turkey, too, is an intermittent contestant, but is currently boycotting the event for a variety of reasons. Last year, Turkey’s English-language newspaper, Hürriyet Daily News, quoted the general manager of the state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT): “As a public broadcaster, we … cannot broadcast live at 9 PM — when children are still awake — someone like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and says that he is both a man and a woman.”

This was no doubt a reference to Conchita Wurst, 2014 Eurovision victor. But bearded Austrians in skirts are certainly less vulgar a sight than, say, dead Palestinian babies — or any of the other greatest hits for which our present Eurovision hosts are known.

This month, in honor of Israel’s seventy-first year of “independence” from the people whose land it violently usurped, the Times of Israel offered “71 things to love about Israel,” compiled by an American immigrant whose bio defines her as an attorney, handgun instructor, artist, “ardent Zionist,” and fan of “reading about highly contagious diseases and WWII.”

Number twelve on the list is “EUROVISION!”, while number forty-four is: “Even during rocket season, Israelis keep their sense of humor. ‘Ehhh, they just wanted to give us fireworks for Eurovision.’”
Meanwhile, forty-five years after Eurovision brought us ABBA and seventy-one years after Israel brought us the Nakba, there are plenty of fireworks in Palestine — but nothing to joke about.

_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net<mailto:Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
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From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Fri May 17 19:55:26 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 14:55:26 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] NYT on Bernie's "fervently anti-imperialist
 worldview"
Message-ID: <CALMNhNRWFn6Rr9tcbKyerGDv08qYXx5z886yP6QTAgP1tWozuw@mail.gmail.com>

Apparently the NYT is trying to lower the standards for being guided by
a "fervently anti-imperialist worldview." I hope some people who see
themselves as guided by a fervently anti-imperialist worldview will write
the NYT to ask for a correction.

"Sanders’s activities during his mayoralty bring into relief the fervently
anti-imperialist worldview that continues to guide him."

- Mayor and ‘Foreign Minister’: How Bernie Sanders Brought the Cold War to
Burlington
Referendums, rallies, a trip to Nicaragua — all were part of his effort to
infuse left-wing activism into local politics.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/us/bernie-sanders-burlington-mayor.html

===

Robert Reuel Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
(202) 448-2898 x1
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Fri May 17 21:00:22 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 16:00:22 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] NYT on Bernie's "fervently anti-imperialist
 worldview"
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNRWFn6Rr9tcbKyerGDv08qYXx5z886yP6QTAgP1tWozuw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CALMNhNRWFn6Rr9tcbKyerGDv08qYXx5z886yP6QTAgP1tWozuw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyH9V1z8zVVO5xe+3RJbfHGdkHpYKKiUwuUcW6xA=VQCvQ@mail.gmail.com>

The NYT had a particularly obnoxious "story" today on Venezuela, although
perhaps not by their standards.

On Fri, May 17, 2019, 2:56 PM Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

>
> Apparently the NYT is trying to lower the standards for being guided by
> a "fervently anti-imperialist worldview." I hope some people who see
> themselves as guided by a fervently anti-imperialist worldview will write
> the NYT to ask for a correction.
>
> "Sanders’s activities during his mayoralty bring into relief the fervently
> anti-imperialist worldview that continues to guide him."
>
> - Mayor and ‘Foreign Minister’: How Bernie Sanders Brought the Cold War to
> Burlington
> Referendums, rallies, a trip to Nicaragua — all were part of his effort to
> infuse left-wing activism into local politics.
> https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/us/bernie-sanders-burlington-mayor.html
>
> ===
>
> Robert Reuel Naiman
> Policy Director
> Just Foreign Policy
> www.justforeignpolicy.org
> naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
> (202) 448-2898 x1
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From bjornsona at ameritech.net  Fri May 17 22:55:03 2019
From: bjornsona at ameritech.net (Anne Parkinson)
Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 22:55:03 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 5g quick info Sat.May 18 at Common Ground classroom
 1:00
References: <668003051.2441571.1558133703027.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <668003051.2441571.1558133703027@mail.yahoo.com>

   
Dear All:
Twelve 5G transmitter antennas are in process to be installed on light and electric poles this summer in C-U.
One is outside Urbana Middle School at Vine & Michigan. Another is outside Central High School at 635 W. University.

Come to a quick meeting tomorrow, Sat. May 18, at 1:00 pm at Common Ground co-op classrooom to pick up info on how to make up your own mind on whether or not 5G is a good idea.

Bring your own information or insights to share. 

Anne Bjornson Parkinsonbjornsona at ameritech.net
   
   -    

   
   -    


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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sun May 19 16:33:29 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sun, 19 May 2019 11:33:29 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>

This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly misdirected
on multiple levels.



SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE

The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false

Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential
candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a
white region.

Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects their
misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to
Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.

She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and
“narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who
helped build cities like Detroit.”

The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the
failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white
working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African-
Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.

Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases
African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in
the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.

Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in
Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.

Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping
African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism.
The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and
political deception.

In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is
contrasted with the South.

In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the
Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came
to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied
enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American
history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.

In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City
attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the
Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It
was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director
James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America.
Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”

New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider
demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement
activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people,
the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.

Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of
Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the
late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social
movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the
Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.

The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging
blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.

After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music
production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and
Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black
business capital.

The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities
encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.

Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came from
Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were elected
from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S. House, 16.
Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American mayors of
major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And Barack
Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came from the
Windy City.

>From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890
to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’
founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse
Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to
significant black social activists and movements.

>From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the creation
of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given rise to
major African-American labor organizations.

Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no
difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the
Northeast and Midwest.

In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent of
each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the
Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.

However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly
larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2
million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the
Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.

Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s
population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40
percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in
Minneapolis.

These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is not
a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can win
in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by
increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter
suppression.

Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped
for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist
odor.

Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at
the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club.
His email is schajua at gmail.com.
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From kmedina67 at gmail.com  Mon May 20 03:33:49 2019
From: kmedina67 at gmail.com (kmedina67)
Date: Sun, 19 May 2019 22:33:49 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>

 Hi David, Thanks for posting the article. I am assuming you posted it to share it and to start a conversation.
I think his points are spot on. 1) ignoring the black and brown voters is numerically wrong. 2) There is no logistical reason to ignore them.3) Yet they are ignored. Hmmm.
- Karen Medina"The really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" - Mark Twain

-------- Original message --------From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> Date: 5/19/19  11:33  (GMT-06:00) To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua 
This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly misdirected on multiple levels. 

SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVEThe white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are falseAddressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a white region.Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit.”The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African- Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism. The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and political deception.In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is contrasted with the South.In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America. Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people, the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black business capital.The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S. House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came from the Windy City.From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890 to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’ founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to significant black social activists and movements.From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given rise to major African-American labor organizations.Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the Northeast and Midwest.In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2 million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40 percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in Minneapolis.These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter suppression.Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist odor.Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club. His email is schajua at gmail.com.
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From galliher at illinois.edu  Mon May 20 13:10:39 2019
From: galliher at illinois.edu (C. G. Estabrook)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 08:10:39 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <FF777C00-149F-4008-A911-A6A61221AB1A@illinois.edu>

July 1980
Tariq Ali and C.L.R. James
A Conversation

* * *

Source: Tariq Ali, ‘A Conversation with C.L.R. James’, Socialist Challenge, 3 July 1980, pp 8-9.
Transcribed: by Christian Høgsbjerg, with thanks to Tariq Ali.

C.L.R. James is now, by any standards, an old man. He appears somewhat frail, but this impression evaporates when he begins to talk. It is almost as if one is being transported back to the polemical debates and arguments of the Thirties.

James was born in the West Indies some 80 years ago. He came to Britain in the Thirties and soon developed a reputation as a sports writer and historian.

I had last heard him speak at the ‘Dialectics of Liberation’ conference in the Roundhouse in 1967. On that occasion he had clashed fiercely with the black American leader Stokely Carmichael. ‘Race is decisive’, Carmichael had thundered. ‘No’, James had replied with quiet dignity, ‘it is class.’

###

> On May 19, 2019, at 11:33 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly misdirected on multiple levels. 
> 
> 
> SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE
> The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false
> Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a white region.
> Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.
> She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit.”
> The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African- Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.
> Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.
> Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.
> Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism. The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and political deception.
> In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is contrasted with the South.
> In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.
> In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America. Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”
> New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people, the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.
> Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.
> The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.
> After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black business capital.
> The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.
> Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S. House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came from the Windy City.
> From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890 to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’ founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to significant black social activists and movements.
> From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given rise to major African-American labor organizations.
> Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the Northeast and Midwest.
> In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.
> However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2 million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.
> Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40 percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in Minneapolis.
> These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter suppression.
> Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist odor.
> Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club. His email is schajua at gmail.com.
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss


From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Mon May 20 13:33:45 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 08:33:45 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Venezuela: Amnesty International in Service of
 Empire
Message-ID: <003401d50f10$a6fadf10$f4f09d30$@comcast.net>

Venezuela: Amnesty International in Service of Empire

By Roger D Harris 

May 19, 2019 

|  <https://popularresistance.org/educate/> Educate!

Uncle Sam has a problem in his South American “
<https://www.economist.com/leaders/2019/05/11/john-bolton-and-the-monroe-doc
trine> backyard” with those uppity Venezuelans who insisted on
<https://consortiumnews.com/2018/06/04/venezuela-reelects-maduro-defying-the
-u-s/> democratically electing Nicolás Maduro as their president instead of
<https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/02/08/juan-guaido-the-man-who-would-be-pr
esident-of-venezuela-doesnt-have-a-constitutional-leg-to-stand-on/>
by-passing the electoral process and installing the unelected US
<https://thegrayzone.com/2019/01/29/the-making-of-juan-guaido-how-the-us-reg
ime-change-laboratory-created-venezuelas-coup-leader/> asset Juan Guaidó. No
matter, Amnesty International has come to the rescue with a full-throated
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/venezuela-crimes-against-hum
anity-require-response-from-international-justice-system/> defense of US
imperialism:

“Faced with grave human rights violations, shortages of medicines and food
and generalized violence in Venezuela, there is an urgent hunger for
justice. The crimes against humanity probably committed by the authorities
must not go unpunished.” – Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty
International

Amnesty International fails in its broadside to put its claims against the
Maduro government in the context of a concerted regime-change campaign,
which amounts to war, by the bully from the north. The US is waging an
<https://countercurrents.org/2019/05/the-u-s-is-waging-a-war-on-the-bolivari
an-republic-venezuela-roundup> illegal war against Venezuela and Amnesty
International’s broadside leaves out this inconvenient fact, egregiously
even omitting any mention of sanctions.

As human rights activist Chuck Kaufman of the  <https://afgj.org/> Alliance
for Global Justice noted about Amnesty International (AI): “They don’t seem
to even care about their credibility anymore.” A more credible and honest
account of what is unfolding in Venezuela, than the hatchet job presented in
AI’s May 14th
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/venezuela-crimes-against-hum
anity-require-response-from-international-justice-system/> Venezuela: Crimes
against humanity require a vigorous response from the international justice
system, would have also noted along with the alleged transgressions of the
Maduro government:

• Grave human rights violations. Economists Mark Weisbrot of the Center for
Economic and Policy Research and Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University
recently
<http://cepr.net/press-center/press-releases/report-finds-us-sanctions-on-ve
nezuela-are-responsible-for-tens-of-thousands-of-deaths> reported that US
sanctions on Venezuela are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. This
is the price being exacted on Venezuela, with a prediction for worse to
come, for the
<https://www.salon.com/2019/05/17/the-plot-to-kill-venezuela_partner/>
regime change that AI is implicitly promoting.

• Shortages of medicines and food. Since 2015, when US President Obama first
instituted them, the US has been imposing ever more crippling
<https://www.globalresearch.ca/us-imposes-illegal-deadly-sanctions-venezuela
/5676365> illegal sanctions on Venezuela expressly to create misery for the
population in the hope that it would then turn against their own
<https://fair.org/home/distorting-democracy-in-venezuela-coverage/>
democratically elected government. The sanctions are specifically
<https://www.thenation.com/article/trumps-sanctions-make-economic-recovery-i
n-venezuela-nearly-impossible/> designed to suffocate the economy so that
Venezuela cannot address its problems. The US government
<https://thegrayzone.com/2019/05/06/us-state-department-publishes-then-delet
es-sadistic-venezuela-hit-list-boasting-of-economic-ruin/?eType=EmailBlastCo
ntent&amp;eId=d90d5a24-9b7a-4367-a01d-2989c50d19dc> boasts about the impacts
of sanctions. Playing the good cop to the US role as bad cop, AI
<https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/12/29/lamenting-venezuelas-humanitarian-c
risis-while-blocking-its-resolution/> laments the very conditions they are
tacitly promoting in asking for ever increasing “
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/venezuela-crimes-against-hum
anity-require-response-from-international-justice-system/> punishments.” New
US sanctions on Venezuela were imposed on May 10th.

• Generalized violence. The US government has repeatedly and
unapologetically threatened
<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-donald-trump-venezuela-military-opt
ion-colombia-juan-manuel-santos/> military intervention in Venezuela if the
elected government doesn’t abdicate. Short of attacking militarily, the US
has
<https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/15/a-criminal-affair-united-states-imp
oses-war-on-the-venezuelan-people/> waged war against Venezuela by economic
and diplomatic means, not to mention low-intensity
<https://www.globalresearch.ca/war-venezuela-war-us/5671702> warfare such as
<https://www.globalresearch.ca/war-venezuela-war-us/5671702> cyber attacks.
The extreme  <http://www.coha.org/right-wing-terrorism-in-venezuela/>
rightwing opposition has called for the extra-legal overthrow of the
government and has eschewed electoral means for effecting political change.
AI is correct in noting that since 2017 new violence has been inflicted on
the Venezuelan people but fails to note the role of the opposition in
provoking that
<https://www.telesurenglish.net/analysis/Venezuelan-Guarimbas-11-Things-the-
Media-Didnt-Tell-You-20150211-0025.html> violence with their guarimbas and
other actions. Meanwhile Guaidó, whose popular support in Venezuela is
<https://countercurrents.org/2019/05/venezuela-roundup-guaido-now-seeks-dire
ct-relationship-with-the-u-s-southern-command> bottoming out, is reported
sending his envoy to meet with the US
<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/juan-guaidos-envoy-to-u-s-to-meet-with-u-s-sou
thern-command/> Southern Command to “coordinate.”

How is it possible that an organization purporting to stand for human rights
and global justice can so blithely ignore facts that do not fit into their
narrative and so obsequiously parrot the Trump-Pompeo-Bolton-Abrams talking
points? Why would AI go so far as to
<https://twitter.com/DuncanTucker/status/1097908420408213512> meet with the
<https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2019/01/30/what-the-mainstre
am-media-wont-tell-you-about-the-man-at-the-centre-of-the-us-backed-coup-in-
venezuela/> self-appointed Guaidó and then within days issue a
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/venezuela-hunger-punishment-
and-fear-the-formula-for-repression-used-by-authorities-under-nicolas-maduro
/> report condemning the Maduro government, without also investigating the
other side in the conflict?

Unfortunately, this is not the first time AI has shown an
<https://twitter.com/DuncanTucker/status/1097908420408213512> imperial bias
as it has regarding US-backed regime-change projects in
<https://www.lrb.co.uk/v13/n03/alexander-cockburn/right-stuff> Iraq,
<https://humanrightsinvestigations.org/2012/11/14/amnesty-international-and-
the-human-rights-industry/> Libya,
<https://dissidentvoice.org/2015/05/eight-problems-with-amnestys-report-on-a
leppo-syria/> Syria, and
<https://afgj.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Dismissing-the-Truth-Executive-
Summary.pdf> Nicaragua.

Objectively deconstructing the many allegations (e.g., “more than 8,000
extrajudicial executions by the security forces”) made against Venezuela in
the AI broadside and its accompanying report remains to be done.
Unfortunately, the Empire has a surfeit of resources to churn out propaganda
compared to the ability to counter it by genuine humanitarian groups. AI
alone has an annual budget of over
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/2017-global-financial-report/> $300 million.
According to sources cited by Wikipedia, AI receives grants from the US
State Department, the European Commission, and other governments along with
the Rockefeller Foundation.

To conclude, AI’s broadside calls for justice about as often as it calls for
punishment with the subtext that punishment of the Empire’s victims is
justice. Were AI truly concerned about justice, rather than justifying
another US
<https://williamblum.org/essays/read/overthrowing-other-peoples-governments-
the-master-list> regime-change operation, they would champion the following:

• Ending the unilateral sanctions by the US on Venezuela, which are illegal
under the charters of the United Nations and the Organization of American
States.
• Supporting dialogue between the elected government and the opposition as
has been promoted by Mexico, Uruguay, Pope Francis, and most recently by
<https://apnews.com/46613ff2cbaa4712b3dfb09d76ce1bc7> Norway.
• Condemning regime-change activities and interference in Venezuela’s
internal affairs and actively rejecting the US government’s aggressive
stance as articulated by US VP
<https://sputniknews.com/latam/201902011072045106-pence-maduro-government-us
a-venezuela/> Pence: “This is no time for dialogue. This is time for
action.”
• Respecting the sovereignty of Venezuela and restoring normal diplomatic
relations between the US and Venezuela.

Roger Harris is with the Task Force on the Americas (
<https://taskforceamericas.org/> http://taskforceamericas.org/), a
33-year-old human rights organization, and is active with the Campaign to
End US-Canadian Sanctions Against Venezuela (
<https://afgj.org/focus-areas/venezuela-solidarity-campaign/campaign-to-end-
us-and-canada-sanctions-against-venezuela> https://tinyurl.com/yd4ptxkx).

 

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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Mon May 20 16:38:30 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 11:38:30 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
In-Reply-To: <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>
References: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
 <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>

Trump got elected because a number of white voters who had voted for Obama
in several Midwestern states instead voted for Trump. Also, because of
HRC's message (and perhaps other reasons like voter suppression), the black
turnout was down from 2008 and 2012. It's not either/or (white/black); it's
both. The question that the article strangely elides has to do with the
message of a DP campaign, rather than the target. That message should be an
appropriately populist one; but party elites don't like that prospect, so
are doing everything they can to undermine Bernie Sanders.

On Sun, May 19, 2019 at 10:34 PM kmedina67 via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

>  Hi David,
> Thanks for posting the article.
> I am assuming you posted it to share it and to start a conversation.
>
> I think his points are spot on.
> 1) ignoring the black and brown voters is numerically wrong.
> 2) There is no logistical reason to ignore them.
> 3) Yet they are ignored.
> Hmmm.
>
> - Karen Medina
> "The really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" - Mark
> Twain
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> Date: 5/19/19 11:33 (GMT-06:00)
> To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
>
> This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly
> misdirected on multiple levels.
>
>
>
> SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE
>
> The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false
>
> Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential
> candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as
> a white region.
>
> Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects
> their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to
> Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.
>
> She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and
> “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who
> helped build cities like Detroit.”
>
> The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the
> failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white
> working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African-
> Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.
>
> Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases
> African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in
> the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.
>
> Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in
> Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.
>
> Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping
> African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism.
> The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and
> political deception.
>
> In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is
> contrasted with the South.
>
> In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the
> Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came
> to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied
> enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American
> history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.
>
> In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City
> attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the
> Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It
> was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director
> James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America.
> Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”
>
> New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider
> demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement
> activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people,
> the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.
>
> Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of
> Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the
> late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social
> movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the
> Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.
>
> The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging
> blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.
>
> After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music
> production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and
> Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black
> business capital.
>
> The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities
> encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.
>
> Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came
> from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were
> elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S.
> House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American
> mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And
> Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came
> from the Windy City.
>
> From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890
> to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’
> founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse
> Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to
> significant black social activists and movements.
>
> From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the
> creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given
> rise to major African-American labor organizations.
>
> Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no
> difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the
> Northeast and Midwest.
>
> In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent
> of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the
> Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.
>
> However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly
> larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2
> million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the
> Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.
>
> Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s
> population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40
> percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in
> Minneapolis.
>
> These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is
> not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can
> win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by
> increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter
> suppression.
>
> Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped
> for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist
> odor.
>
> Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at
> the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club.
> His email is schajua at gmail.com.
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From galliher at illinois.edu  Mon May 20 17:22:28 2019
From: galliher at illinois.edu (C. G. Estabrook)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 12:22:28 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
 <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>
 <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <006A3D96-A2B5-46F3-BBF8-00BF5204602C@illinois.edu>

I think David is quite right.

There is another factor, which the Obama-Clinton forces worked hard to suppress:

<https://portside.org/2017-08-04/clinton-lost-because-pa-wi-and-mi-have-high-casualty-rates-and-saw-her-pro-war-study>.


> On May 20, 2019, at 11:38 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> Trump got elected because a number of white voters who had voted for Obama in several Midwestern states instead voted for Trump. Also, because of HRC's message (and perhaps other reasons like voter suppression), the black turnout was down from 2008 and 2012. It's not either/or (white/black); it's both. The question that the article strangely elides has to do with the message of a DP campaign, rather than the target. That message should be an appropriately populist one; but party elites don't like that prospect, so are doing everything they can to undermine Bernie Sanders.
> 
> On Sun, May 19, 2019 at 10:34 PM kmedina67 via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> Hi David, 
> Thanks for posting the article. 
> I am assuming you posted it to share it and to start a conversation.
> 
> I think his points are spot on. 
> 1) ignoring the black and brown voters is numerically wrong. 
> 2) There is no logistical reason to ignore them.
> 3) Yet they are ignored. 
> Hmmm.
> 
> - Karen Medina
> "The really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" - Mark Twain
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> Date: 5/19/19 11:33 (GMT-06:00)
> To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
> 
> This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly misdirected on multiple levels. 
> 
> 
> SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE
> The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false
> Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a white region.
> Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.
> She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit.”
> The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African- Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.
> Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.
> Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.
> Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism. The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and political deception.
> In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is contrasted with the South.
> In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.
> In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America. Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”
> New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people, the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.
> Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.
> The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.
> After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black business capital.
> The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.
> Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S. House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came from the Windy City.
> From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890 to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’ founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to significant black social activists and movements.
> From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given rise to major African-American labor organizations.
> Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the Northeast and Midwest.
> In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.
> However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2 million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.
> Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40 percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in Minneapolis.
> These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter suppression.
> Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist odor.
> Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club. His email is schajua at gmail.com.
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss


From moboct1 at aim.com  Mon May 20 20:55:57 2019
From: moboct1 at aim.com (Mildred O'brien)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 20:55:57 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
References: <932997645.3436072.1558385757841.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <932997645.3436072.1558385757841@mail.yahoo.com>

I can't believe that Sundiata overlooked former Congressman and Chicago Mayor, Harold Washington, the most eloquent black politician and socialist, in mentioning prominent black leaders that Obama couldn't hold a candle to!
Midge O'Brien


-----Original Message-----
From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: kmedina67 <kmedina67 at gmail.com>
Cc: Peace-discuss List <Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Mon, May 20, 2019 11:39 am
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua

Trump got elected because a number of white voters who had voted for Obama in several Midwestern states instead voted for Trump. Also, because of HRC's message (and perhaps other reasons like voter suppression), the black turnout was down from 2008 and 2012. It's not either/or (white/black); it's both. The question that the article strangely elides has to do with the message of a DP campaign, rather than the target. That message should be an appropriately populist one; but party elites don't like that prospect, so are doing everything they can to undermine Bernie Sanders.
On Sun, May 19, 2019 at 10:34 PM kmedina67 via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

 Hi David, Thanks for posting the article. I am assuming you posted it to share it and to start a conversation.
I think his points are spot on. 1) ignoring the black and brown voters is numerically wrong. 2) There is no logistical reason to ignore them.3) Yet they are ignored. Hmmm.
- Karen Medina"The really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" - Mark Twain

-------- Original message --------From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> Date: 5/19/19 11:33 (GMT-06:00) To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua 

This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly misdirected on multiple levels. 







SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE

The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false

Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a white region.

Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.

She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who helped build cities like Detroit.”

The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to the failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes white working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African- Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.

Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.

Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.

Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism. The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and political deception.

In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is contrasted with the South.

In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.

In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America. Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”

New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people, the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.

Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.

The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by encouraging blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized the South.

After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black business capital.

The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.

Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S. House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came from the Windy City.

>From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in 1890 to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’ founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to significant black social activists and movements.

>From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given rise to major African-American labor organizations.

Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the Northeast and Midwest.

In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.

However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2 million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.

Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40 percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in Minneapolis.

These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter suppression.

Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who flipped for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly racist odor.

Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history at the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast Club. His email is schajua at gmail.com.
_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Tue May 21 02:31:55 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 21:31:55 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Democratic Party elites look like they're running
 2016 tactics again
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
 <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>
 <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <5a2fa4cd-f21f-96cc-7d17-39ea96e04510@forestfield.org>


David Green via Peace-discuss wrote:
> That message should be an appropriately populist one; but party elites
> don't like that prospect, so are doing everything they can to undermine
> Bernie Sanders.

For example, a recent New York Times piece which is the basis of an MSNBC 
segment with DNC chairman Ed Rendell (you remember him, he colluded with 
the RNC to put on so-called 'debates' managed by the privately-owned 
"Commission on Presidential Debates") and a reply from Jimmy Dore's group:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/03/us/politics/2020-democrats-pennsylvania-.html 
-- The NY Times piece includes (and MSNBC quotes):

> [...] there are widespread worries that the momentum in Pennsylvania,
> and in other key Rust Belt states, could screech to a halt if the issues
> in the 2020 presidential primaries and the party’s eventual nominee
> stray too far left for the region’s many centrist voters.

and later the NYT quotes Ed Rendell:

> “The more we have presidential candidates or newly elected
> congresspeople talking about the Green New Deal, talking about ‘Medicare
> for all,’ talking about socialism, the more that plays into the Trump
> campaign’s hands,” said Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor and
> national Democratic chairman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHVjEjvM3c -- Jimmy Dore's group responded 
including:

> 'Don't fight for shit you believe in, don't fight for shit you believe 
> in. We're [the DNC] not gonna fight for shit you believe in.' That's
> not a winning strategy, fuckface [Ed Rendell]. Medicare for All --
> something every other Western country has figured out fucking decades
> ago! But to Ed Rendell it's a goddamn Rubik's cube. 'Wha? How does this
> medi-- You give people medicine and it's cheaper? I don't understand.
> And if you get sick you just go see-- I don't understand.' 'Zero
> bankruptcies? What are you talking about?' Ron Placone adds.

From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Tue May 21 04:27:37 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 23:27:37 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
In-Reply-To: <006A3D96-A2B5-46F3-BBF8-00BF5204602C@illinois.edu>
References: <CAOiGAyF6QL0PcGmPv-rN1Hv9TMjXU+BeaAvLRci-Nc=Pger5jg@mail.gmail.com>
 <5ce2201d.1c69fb81.a618d.981c@mx.google.com>
 <CAOiGAyGoHaxFjoCnPn_Ptj2j5M2A52PdPVKzttt9acMo61rhEQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <006A3D96-A2B5-46F3-BBF8-00BF5204602C@illinois.edu>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyG0ob70F6AKOE9aOAR7tR-VTaeDusjLzNdj5yJL2OqWiw@mail.gmail.com>

Cha-Jua has set up a straw man that the Midwest is seen as a "white region"
in terms of a possible Biden campaign strategy. What's assumed in this
strategy is that blacks and other minorities have "no place to go." Cha-Jua
might have made it clear that he rightly opposes the Democratic Leadership
Council logic from 1992 and 96 employed by Bill Clinton, that of course
included the denigration of black culture. But by now, with 16 years of
Clinton/Obama neoliberalism behind us, Midwestern and other whites have
been included in this denigration of working class culture, and as long as
they're being denigrated they might as vote for MAGA. Cha-Jua's analysis,
because it is absent a class perspective, doesn't forthrightly address how
a "black" strategy is to work. Yet, I understand that Sundiata calls
himself a Marxist.

DG

On Mon, May 20, 2019 at 12:22 PM C. G. Estabrook <galliher at illinois.edu>
wrote:

> I think David is quite right.
>
> There is another factor, which the Obama-Clinton forces worked hard to
> suppress:
>
> <
> https://portside.org/2017-08-04/clinton-lost-because-pa-wi-and-mi-have-high-casualty-rates-and-saw-her-pro-war-study
> >.
>
>
> > On May 20, 2019, at 11:38 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <
> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >
> > Trump got elected because a number of white voters who had voted for
> Obama in several Midwestern states instead voted for Trump. Also, because
> of HRC's message (and perhaps other reasons like voter suppression), the
> black turnout was down from 2008 and 2012. It's not either/or
> (white/black); it's both. The question that the article strangely elides
> has to do with the message of a DP campaign, rather than the target. That
> message should be an appropriately populist one; but party elites don't
> like that prospect, so are doing everything they can to undermine Bernie
> Sanders.
> >
> > On Sun, May 19, 2019 at 10:34 PM kmedina67 via Peace-discuss <
> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> > Hi David,
> > Thanks for posting the article.
> > I am assuming you posted it to share it and to start a conversation.
> >
> > I think his points are spot on.
> > 1) ignoring the black and brown voters is numerically wrong.
> > 2) There is no logistical reason to ignore them.
> > 3) Yet they are ignored.
> > Hmmm.
> >
> > - Karen Medina
> > "The really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" - Mark
> Twain
> >
> >
> > -------- Original message --------
> > From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> > Date: 5/19/19 11:33 (GMT-06:00)
> > To: Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> > Subject: [Peace-discuss] Sundiata Cha-Jua
> >
> > This column, certainly not for the first time, seems profoundly
> misdirected on multiple levels.
> >
> >
> > SUNDIATA CHA-JUA: REAL TALK: A BLACK PERSPECTIVE
> > The white Midwest and ‘electability’ arguments are false
> > Addressing the NAACP convention in Detroit, Democratic presidential
> candidate Kalama Harris challenged the false narrative of the Midwest as a
> white region.
> > Harris rightly claimed the pundits’ notion of “electability” reflects
> their misconception of the region, the type of candidate who can appeal to
> Midwestern voters and it privileges white male candidates.
> > She contends the pundits’ notion of the Midwest is “simplistic” and
> “narrow” and “leaves people out . . . it leaves out people in this room who
> helped build cities like Detroit.”
> > The “electability” argument is wrongheaded. It represents a return to
> the failed presidential campaigns of 2000, 2004 and 2016. It prioritizes
> white working- and middle-class voters and diminishes and neglects African-
> Americans, the Democratic Party’s base.
> > Moreover, because it privileges whites and minimizes and erases
> African-Americans and Latinx, Arabs and Native Americans from residence in
> the region, the “electability” argument reeks of racism.
> > Since the second decade of the 20th century, African-Americans in
> Midwestern cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, St.
> > Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis have played a major role in shaping
> African-American culture, business, politics and social movement activism.
> The erasure of blacks from the Midwest is a phenomenal historical and
> political deception.
> > In African-American history, the Northeast, especially New York, is
> contrasted with the South.
> > In the dominant narrative, blacks fled Southern slavery, largely for the
> Northeast, which had abolished slavery in 1820s-1830s. Thus, the North came
> to represent freedom, if not equality, while the South embodied
> enslavement. Since the first Great Migration, 19191935, African-American
> history has been shaped by a narrow New York-centric bias.
> > In the wake of the first wave of the Great Migration, New York City
> attained the largest black population. Ever since, New York City (and the
> Northeast region) has held a privileged place in the black imagination. It
> was the site of the Harlem Renaissance. Author and NAACP Executive Director
> James Weldon Johnson termed Harlem the “cultural capital” of Afro-America.
> Alain Locke, the father of the Renaissance, considered it a “race capital.”
> > New York and the Northeast’s pride of place is curious when we consider
> demographics, cultural trends, business, politics and social movement
> activism. Despite having similar numbers and percentages of black people,
> the Midwest is imagined very differently than is the Northeast.
> > Interestingly, while elites designated Harlem the “capital” of
> Afro-America, common black people called Chicago “the Mecca.” Since the
> late 19th century, many of the most significant African-American social
> movement organizations and leaders were founded or headquartered in the
> Midwest, chiefly in Chicago.
> > The Chicago Defender (1905) accelerated the Great Migration by
> encouraging blacks to flee the oppression and repression that characterized
> the South.
> > After New Orleans and Memphis, the most important centers of black music
> production, were Midwestern cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and
> Detroit. By the 1940s, Chicago had surpassed Durham, N.C., as the black
> business capital.
> > The large numbers and percentage of black Midwesterners in key cities
> encouraged and facilitated high levels of organization and militance.
> > Oscar De Priest, the first black congressman since Reconstruction came
> from Chicago. Three of the eight 20thcentury black U.S. senators were
> elected from Illinois. The state has sent the most blacks to the U.S.
> House, 16. Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher, the first two African-American
> mayors of major cities were elected in Cleveland, Ohio, and Gary, Ind. And
> Barack Obama, the only black person to occupy the U.S. presidency, came
> from the Windy City.
> > From the founding of the National Afro-American League in Chicago in
> 1890 to Ida B. Wells’ move there in 1905 to the National Negro Congress’
> founding in 1936 to Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party to Jesse
> Jackson and Operation PUSH to Louis Farrakhan, Chicago has been home to
> significant black social activists and movements.
> > From the Trade Union Leadership Council’s formation in 1957 to the
> creation of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers, Detroit has given
> rise to major African-American labor organizations.
> > Demographically, since the Great Migration, there has been virtually no
> difference in the numbers and percentage of blacks residing in the
> Northeast and Midwest.
> > In 1940, 11 million blacks lived in both regions and comprised 4 percent
> of each’s population. In fact, as late as 1975, more blacks lived in the
> Midwest than in the Northeast, 20 million to 18 million.
> > However, at 9 percent to 8 percent, the Northeast contained a slightly
> larger percentage. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2016, about 8.2
> million black people lived in the Northeast and nearly 8.1 million in the
> Midwest, comprising 18 percent and 17 percent of their respective regions.
> > Also, in 2016, African-Americans represented 79 percent of Detroit’s
> population, over 50 percent in Cleveland, 43 percent in Cincinnati, 40
> percent in Milwaukee, 27 percent in Columbus, Ohio, and 19 percent in
> Minneapolis.
> > These numbers and percentages confirm Harris’ argument. The Midwest is
> not a white region. It has a significant black population. A candidate can
> win in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by
> increasing the number and percent of black voters and by preventing voter
> suppression.
> > Therefore, a strategy that targets white working-class voters who
> flipped for Trump in 2016 is not only shortsighted but carries a distinctly
> racist odor.
> > Sundiata Cha-Jua is a professor of African-American studies and history
> at the University of Illinois and is a member of the North End Breakfast
> Club. His email is schajua at gmail.com.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
>
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From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Tue May 21 14:56:04 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 09:56:04 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] People's Action: Jail time for environmental
 protest in Illinois?
In-Reply-To: <5ce4112c75b6b_78e94d3e7f466076172f@ip-10-0-0-225.mail>
References: <5ce4112c75b6b_78e94d3e7f466076172f@ip-10-0-0-225.mail>
Message-ID: <CALMNhNSZWhLpi4XEf68VgQFfCFK++=ecD+zYfDgKWYiFz670AA@mail.gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Will Tanzman, The People's Lobby <info at peoplesaction.org>
Date: Tue, May 21, 2019 at 9:54 AM
Subject: Jail time for environmental protest in Illinois?
To: <naiman.uiuc at gmail.com>


Don't criminalize environmental protests in Illinois.

<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/FwE/ni0YAA/t.2rs/RQRRQiJcQUyiXDY9YES7ug/h0/aHO21LnX1DH2iKGsTPn3bYhi39zkK-2F5KLSrcx61KPVHyPO37nWlqDFANtaTb7-2FBgWKspq-2FnLzGXGeSDTZdykl-2BqN-2BHQt5s07Wm5FK-2FgTPCmiN447xfJbXJkblAFmf-2BTEHpe5Mt4AFy0Ukf1lOsFm5POza39-2F9KGsBDZ92ZdS3QY2BuOYkBNNyJ9x65cxvxkpRXkr6cWqf8k0Z0x2YobALoePXm5CK-2BJT1xOr-2BXbr2xJU35w-2BOEarE2shQxtcQgwKpF-2F0PA7XdO5PqwkmvYTn1BiJ964OjpmdEqvK6GJLF338PlwCCF6KMmwcJNe6BlYG7cFzlsy-2FgROy-2Fc7SPdJPchw4559u2-2FuQrwgXSfAevgw-3D>

Dear Robert,

A fossil fuel industry bill designed to silence activists fighting against
deadly pollution and climate change passed the Illinois House of
Representatives last month.
HB 1633 would impose steep fines, felony charges and long jail sentences on
activists that protest oil pipelines, coal mines, power plants and other
dirty energy sources.

*Help us kill this Koch Brothers bill in the Illinois Senate: take 3
minutes to fill out a witness slip opposing HB 1633.
<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/FwE/ni0YAA/t.2rs/RQRRQiJcQUyiXDY9YES7ug/h1/z7qluL5gtyert74c5weoNxVHYhESgVJfMsF-2BJ4WUMfFvtRhW3lkOFmtQorcdoIwWJ7id9CDC5P30ljZin9oCwi26sFgaBzLgfm58zBc0MBiVuv4ozj4By-2Fq2j7VduGkVVtWhLtNE5vdPE2jwqHb9AdymP-2BEDncVNHCYgkox-2B5vZOc-2BTxjO5KlHJakURCFA8YuwAJNcxC0qHllBb2JRHTNkw1o8QkKSNTFIXXicBuvbzxutVtJyaikmpLcWkO6WnIkk5bPUTHU94IJ6Ewz8ryyazQOjsHVQZuiwv8azWwQM0MIKdMZj1oaTZZNHG9a-2B1b2KtxQq-2BDl7SRCjKzo4y1e7oBka5qeeyfN4VkqMXt8MIP7V8ClWrpFXGxOMdHS9T6eOddtTADqboY99w0qjlxwABHeBSqe-2Fm9qVlaV6UWw1TI9CJZSGjfalRBXv8e4ltSXmuh-2BpfrbT84ETZSM80LggoRlbG-2BLNv2TWYrcvL3FkBt5Onffg6w8FRmjO05b0s6HGG1wvdJPEdrQMnwKAsueyC2JWlppgnvh8PpQyq1LYQ-3D>*
*(A
witness slip is the best way to tell Illinois State Senators you oppose
this bill.)*

*Here are some simple instructions:
<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/FwE/ni0YAA/t.2rs/RQRRQiJcQUyiXDY9YES7ug/h2/z7qluL5gtyert74c5weoNxVHYhESgVJfMsF-2BJ4WUMfFvtRhW3lkOFmtQorcdoIwWJ7id9CDC5P30ljZin9oCwi26sFgaBzLgfm58zBc0MBiVuv4ozj4By-2Fq2j7VduGkVVtWhLtNE5vdPE2jwqHb9AdymP-2BEDncVNHCYgkox-2B5vZOc-2BTxjO5KlHJakURCFA8YuwAJNcxC0qHllBb2JRHTNkw1o8QkKSNTFIXXicBuvbzxutVtJyaikmpLcWkO6WnIvVv8DIeTAMp5lA9zH6du00RkVp4IWajy6OK1imgNbQVqj-2FtOPoyoUJvzxFCWUykMQpV2K8PJUySe-2ByyheUphjxQ5m7sltGVtVayHHQjqmmF8EY8NipEadB5tGiJT6YAANDZmMNNwxbhGvU3ohjlXEprYl9JYh3qK3Nb-2F5JuFR-2Bib6lpmG3k-2BlOgqlAtATjiVWnfZTFZ7VbtienaPjdBgGQxfZCpYjPwVj0qV1Yw2bTWyGQYl5-2F6IbSa-2F8S6PvadYHCtpERkuC1MncjYoyrmP5htoMHCYdbHuBJQvE-2Fdz-2B35Jti9LxeUeHjxFfJhzHjhSRCeywjLYuMZ1iN9e3R46GRg-2Fy-2BpR5LeRzpzxClHfrWHXH0mpvbU0obUgFRw6XpmK7cHWmrEnvMANfgfdcePtdg-3D-3D>*

   1. *Fill out every field, including your street address, email and phone
   number.*
   2. *If you're not officially representing an organization, don't worry.
   Just write "self' or "Illinois resident" in the box.*
   3. *Under section "III. POSITION", select "OPPONENT".*
   4. *Under section "IV. TESTIMONY", select "Record of Appearance Only".*
   5. *Accept the terms.*
   6. *Click "create slip" and do the CAPTCHA.*

If this bill is enacted, protesters in Illinois would risk felony charges
with sentences of between 2-5 years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Click
here to learn more about HB 1633, legislation designed to stop the next
Standing Rock / #NoDAPL movement-style protest.
<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/FwE/ni0YAA/t.2rs/RQRRQiJcQUyiXDY9YES7ug/h3/GggjzfWkMtXNVx-2Fw6w4k-2BSuR7bKPENPOiTl4R-2FJ-2FQ6VRKQfrZCssPGBSfMToogEoLuilRvoVR3aXqYWjVmWzsLuN4TemdGmz6VTBNXaGn04VCyIDneTLjuaQbhq3-2Fb8elN27AbKU3qIWUu6S2AVeI9boSvOUMoGKZwB7q7iUSmF8ihiV2Elys7P3EF46wlN22PKAFCJaJ5PUVGb9CGbX08PHKVYIcPBnKtRlfwnkQYOaaHpLGYjoYsX-2FRHNQNkKFSWzfzYtwVgprCoSuBAq-2FLoH-2BAbm-2Bw7EiOL3BPRqRpkocWsaVlf-2Fdi8Iyj4ZStunoxicEA6hhbd6M7c0kgQHx7sJKxCdx7J7ccaHYAs0S9rjoYafVz8in7ubZfYIoOBMVeioQkaHemOnUt5-2FlerqTQg-3D-3D>
Every expansion of rights in our country has been won through organized
protest. We can't let the fossil fuel industry criminalize one of our most
important tools in the fight to save the planet.

*Help us kill this Koch Brothers bill in the Illinois Senate: take 3
minutes to fill out a witness slip opposing HB 1633.*
<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/mpss/c/FwE/ni0YAA/t.2rs/RQRRQiJcQUyiXDY9YES7ug/h4/z7qluL5gtyert74c5weoNxVHYhESgVJfMsF-2BJ4WUMfFvtRhW3lkOFmtQorcdoIwWJ7id9CDC5P30ljZin9oCwi26sFgaBzLgfm58zBc0MBiVuv4ozj4By-2Fq2j7VduGkVVtWhLtNE5vdPE2jwqHb9AdymP-2BEDncVNHCYgkox-2B5vZOc-2BTxjO5KlHJakURCFA8YuwAJNcxC0qHllBb2JRHTNkw1o8QkKSNTFIXXicBuvbzxutVtJyaikmpLcWkO6WnIRegei7VIiF8vifftkjqckdSuqng36rS-2ByOH4tlsTPFKLHUPXGmXKatFfPgmqIH2GlEtA8B-2BrWs6ACDymxtA0jXBoKTzcrDCR5o1dTQ6guy454aKlSzHdp9bSIqYU-2F9pD-2BJB-2BhIZfUuI2RMuigU9Pd1jtQ84yXo7RDA-2BfgFwXpk-2BeshH8WXRRpbQGjv5SjvHiYYF-2BA7LoQ20az7TmdQip0ImHTTUUWb62zBrFcOmWtNB1-2FnFqn0LvaGgnTG5jnopL-2BnslWt-2FeMM4IE1OfQyfYIA1nyRmvwF-2F9pN9Bf52ptbc-3D>

Thank you,
Will Tanzman, The People's Lobby
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Tue May 21 15:09:42 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 10:09:42 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>

I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.

I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She
has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be
proved wrong.

Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand
about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His
appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he
will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.

DG

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <
peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

>
> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
> Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this
> why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote
> to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's
> destroying our planet?
>
> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to
> block this assault on our right to protest.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest
> bill
> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>
> Robert,
>
> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill
> winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.
>
> HB1633
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
> would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries,
> and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a
> "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on
> organizations that support these grassroots protests. *Please see below
> for more details about the bill.*
>
> *Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill?* It's
> not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to
> file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee.
> But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> Then come back to this email and...
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear...
> but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. *The key is to
> remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, *and check "record
> of appearance only"
>
> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate
> interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in
> the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>
> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't
> give up our right to dissent without a fight.
> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>
> *Click here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>...
> and then return to this email and click here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to
> submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and
> committee*. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your
> info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
> appearance only"
>
> *The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out
> your witness slips today!*
>
> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>
> Sue
> More about HB1633:
>
> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also
> available here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).
>
>
> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>
> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil
> society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633.
> The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally
> designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens
> to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal
> that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by
> existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences,
> including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called
> “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative
> Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice
> activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>
> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most
> underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These
> bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the
> most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in
> particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests
> against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by
> unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by
> unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have
> a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies,
> and unchecked corporate abuse.
>
> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but
> the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover
> large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
> unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened
> criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or
> on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a
> class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
> imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is
> punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature
> of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>
> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of
> one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same
> penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many
> people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that
> mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws
> that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties,
> HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of
> nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is
> antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>
> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten
> physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put
> profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical
> infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate
> interests to establish special protections for some private industries
> engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest.
> These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental
> justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.
> Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular
> political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>
> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective,
> this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that
> is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties
> and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in
> animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to
> seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First
> Amendment-protected points of view.
>
> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at
> 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> 350 Chicago
>
> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>
> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>
> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4
> Youth)
>
> Chicago Area Peace Action
>
> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>
> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)
>
> Clean Power Lake County
>
> Climate Defense Project
>
> Color Of Change
>
> Crossroads Fund
>
> Defending Rights & Dissent
>
> Earth Defense Coalition
>
> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>
> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>
> Faith In Place Action Fund
>
> Food & Water Watch
>
> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>
> Frack Free Illinois
>
> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>
> Grassroots Collaborative
>
> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>
> Greenpeace USA
>
> Indivisible Chicago
>
> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>
> Illinois Green Party
>
> Illinois People's Action
>
> Lifted Voices
>
> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>
> Moms Demand Action
>
> National Lawyers Guild
>
> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>
> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>
> Native Organizers Alliance
>
> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>
> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>
> Occupy Rockford
>
> Palestine Legal
>
> Reform for Illinois
>
> Save Our Illinois Land
>
> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>
> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>
> Southern Illinois DSA
>
> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>
> The People's Lobby
>
> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>
> Water Protector Legal Collective
>
> Will County Progressives
>
> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>
> X-Lab
>
> *Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for
> activists here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.*
>
>
> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>
> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>
> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out
> your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of
> appearance only".
>
>
>
> *The  vote will be Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm  So Please Take Action Now!*
>
>
>
> Photo Credits:
>
> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
> Donate
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> *Get in Touch:* hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>
> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>
> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
> <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/>
> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
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From karenaram at hotmail.com  Tue May 21 15:19:28 2019
From: karenaram at hotmail.com (Karen Aram)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 15:19:28 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <MWHPR08MB238211EFD8E7798634E552C0A3070@MWHPR08MB2382.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>

I too submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep. offices. As did AWARE, and others. I have confidence that if enough people do this form, that Carol Ammons will stand up and make a fuss about this bill. Hope I’m proven right.


On May 21, 2019, at 08:09, David Green via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net<mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:

I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.

I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong.

Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.

DG

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net<mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:

The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet?

Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org<mailto:info at rightsanddissent.org>>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org<mailto:naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>>

[https://default.salsalabs.org/4ce1780e-3b0d-483e-9c4c-395a5f1f1fcb/7f3f8589-8447-4571-b3b1-58213f7c69f1.png]

Robert,

I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.

HB1633<https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill.

Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition.

Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.<https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

Then come back to this email and...

Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee<https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only"

HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.

Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight.

Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:

Click here<https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>... and then return to this email and click here<https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only"

The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today!

Stay Loud, Stay Strong,

Sue

More about HB1633:

Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also available here<https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).

To Members of the Illinois Senate:

The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.

Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse.

HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).

Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform.

Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.

We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.

Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org<mailto:sue at rightsanddissent.org>.



Sincerely,

350 Chicago

350 Kishwaukee (IL)

American Friends Service Committee - Chicago

Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth)

Chicago Area Peace Action

Chicago Food Policy Action Council

Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)

Clean Power Lake County

Climate Defense Project

Color Of Change

Crossroads Fund

Defending Rights & Dissent

Earth Defense Coalition

Eco-Justice Collaborative

Extinction Rebellion Chicago

Faith In Place Action Fund

Food & Water Watch

Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice

Frack Free Illinois

Friends of Bell Smith Springs

Grassroots Collaborative

Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens

Greenpeace USA

Indivisible Chicago

Indivisible South Suburban Chicago

Illinois Green Party

Illinois People's Action

Lifted Voices

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization

Moms Demand Action

National Lawyers Guild

National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter

National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter

Native Organizers Alliance

Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-

Occupy Rockford

Palestine Legal

Reform for Illinois

Save Our Illinois Land

Shawnee Forest Defense!

Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter

Southern Illinois DSA

Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment

The People's Lobby

Vinyard Indian Settlement

Water Protector Legal Collective

Will County Progressives

WindSolarUSA, Inc.

X-Lab

Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for activists here<https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.

[https://default.salsalabs.org/4ce1780e-3b0d-483e-9c4c-395a5f1f1fcb/d7cfe193-f753-4b40-bb0b-e6a88f737963.jpg]

To take action against this anti-protest bill:

Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:

Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.<https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee<https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.

The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only".

The  vote will be
Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm
So Please Take Action Now!


[https://default.salsalabs.org/4ce1780e-3b0d-483e-9c4c-395a5f1f1fcb/97c62462-c42e-48fe-b4ba-b795d8978535.jpg]

[https://default.salsalabs.org/4ce1780e-3b0d-483e-9c4c-395a5f1f1fcb/88deb983-cf71-4fcd-a19b-9495eb822e83.jpg]

Photo Credits:

People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue<https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe<https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff

Donate<https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>

Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org<mailto:hello at rightsanddissent.org> | 202.552.7408

Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821

We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.

[https://rightsanddissent.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/small-white_facebook2.png]<https://www.facebook.com/bordc/> [https://rightsanddissent.salsalabs.org/public/images/icons/small-white_twitter2.png] <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>

[https://default.salsalabs.org/X4ce1780e-3b0d-483e-9c4c-395a5f1f1fcb/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427]
_______________________________________________
Peace mailing list
Peace at lists.chambana.net<mailto:Peace at lists.chambana.net>
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
_______________________________________________
Peace mailing list
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https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace

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From deb.pdamerica at gmail.com  Tue May 21 15:25:56 2019
From: deb.pdamerica at gmail.com (Debra Schrishuhn)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 10:25:56 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>

St Rep Ammons urged attendees at the Democratic Luncheon Sunday to file witness slips on both HB 1633 and SB 9. 
Deb

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 21, 2019, at 10:09 AM, David Green via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
> 
> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong.
> 
> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
> 
> DG
> 
>> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>> 
>> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 
>> 
>> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 
>> 
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
>> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
>> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
>> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>> 
>>  
>> Robert,
>> 
>> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again. 
>> 
>> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill.
>> 
>> Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
>> 
>> Then come back to this email and...
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
>> 
>> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
>> 
>> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>> 
>> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight.
>> 
>> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>> Click here... and then return to this email and click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only"
>> 
>> The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today!
>> 
>> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>> 
>> Sue
>> 
>> More about HB1633:
>> 
>> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also available here).
>> 
>> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>> 
>> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>> 
>> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse.
>> 
>> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>> 
>> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>> 
>> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>> 
>> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
>> 
>> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> 350 Chicago
>> 
>> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>> 
>> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>> 
>> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth)
>> 
>> Chicago Area Peace Action
>> 
>> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>> 
>> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP) 
>> 
>> Clean Power Lake County
>> 
>> Climate Defense Project
>> 
>> Color Of Change
>> 
>> Crossroads Fund
>> 
>> Defending Rights & Dissent
>> 
>> Earth Defense Coalition
>> 
>> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>> 
>> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>> 
>> Faith In Place Action Fund
>> 
>> Food & Water Watch
>> 
>> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>> 
>> Frack Free Illinois
>> 
>> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>> 
>> Grassroots Collaborative
>> 
>> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>> 
>> Greenpeace USA
>> 
>> Indivisible Chicago
>> 
>> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>> 
>> Illinois Green Party
>> 
>> Illinois People's Action
>> 
>> Lifted Voices
>> 
>> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>> 
>> Moms Demand Action
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>> 
>> Native Organizers Alliance
>> 
>> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>> 
>> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>> 
>> Occupy Rockford
>> 
>> Palestine Legal
>> 
>> Reform for Illinois
>> 
>> Save Our Illinois Land
>> 
>> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>> 
>> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>> 
>> Southern Illinois DSA
>> 
>> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>> 
>> The People's Lobby 
>> 
>> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>> 
>> Water Protector Legal Collective
>> 
>> Will County Progressives
>> 
>> WindSolarUSA, Inc. 
>> 
>> X-Lab
>> 
>> Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for activists here.
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
>> 
>> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>> 
>> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only".
>> 
>> The  vote will be
>> Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
>> So Please Take Action Now!
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Photo Credits:
>> 
>> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue  
>> 
>> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
>> 
>> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
>> 
>> Donate
>> Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>> 
>> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>> 
>> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
>> 
>> 	
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
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From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Tue May 21 16:19:31 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 11:19:31 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CALMNhNQvKB_K=LFyhLubK6JABpjaHMAPmc1Fn26k5eBcS0Lekw@mail.gmail.com>

Here's a link to slip for SB 9.

https://ecojusticecollaborative.org/support-sb9-illinois-house/

*Illinois Has A Major Coal Ash Problem*
*Slip to Support SB9, Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act*

*SLIP HERE*
<http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/113581?committeeHearingId=17211&LegislationId=113581&LegislationDocumentId=145299>*
before
2pm, Thursday, May 16*
SB9 Factsheet
<https://ecojusticecollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Updated-SB9-Factsheet.pdf>

Does it seem like we just asked you to do this?  Yes.  In fact, we did!
And, with your support, under the leadership of Senator Scott Bennett
<http://www.senatorbennett.com/>, SB9 The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act
passed
<https://ecojusticecollaborative.org/major-coal-ash-bill-passes-il-senate/> the
Senate Energy & Environment Committee and then the floor of the Senate. The
Senate Committee Hearing began by acknowledging the number of proponents
and opponents for the bill, setting the stage for testimony and discussion.

[image: State Representative Carol Ammons] <https://www.carolammons.com/>

State Representative  <https://www.carolammons.com/>Carol Ammons
<https://www.carolammons.com/>, 103rd District, Illinois

State Representative Carol Ammons <https://www.carolammons.com/> is taking
the SB9 through the Illinois House.  It will be heard by the House Energy &
Environment Committee on Thursday, May 16, at 2pm.

*We Need Your Help to Pass this Bill!*
Take two minutes to fill out a witness slip
<http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/113581?committeeHearingId=17211&LegislationId=113581&LegislationDocumentId=145299>
in
support of SB9, The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act (see directions,
below). This bill provides direction for a rule-making process that
will ensure safe closure of Illinois' coal ash impoundments; a meaningful
public involvement process; and financial guarantees that require the
polluter to pay for closure and cleanup.

Industry and supporters have indicated that this bill will cost them a lot
of money.  And while that is true, it really is a USEPA rule that is
requiring closure of unlined, leaking coal ash impoundments in Illinois.
Over 50 impoundments will need to close in Illinois because of this rule.
SB 9 simply gives the tools the Illinois EPA needs to run a
state-administered coal ash program, while providing protections for
Illinois communities impacted by this deadly waste.
SLIP HERE
<http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/113581?committeeHearingId=17211&LegislationId=113581&LegislationDocumentId=145299>
as
a *PROPONENT* of this bill. Anyone can submit a slip to show their support.

   - Section I: *Enter your name, address, phone, zip, etc.*  Enter "Self"
   unless you represent an organization in a official capacity.
   - Section II:  *Enter "Self"* unless you represent an organization in a
   official capacity.
   - Section III:  *Click the button for “Proponent”*.  The description
   will say "Original Bill" as the only option.
   - Section IV:  *Click “Record of Appearance Only”*.

At the bottom:  Click that you *agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement.*

*Click “Create (Slip)”.*  You will be sent a confirmation notice by email.
[...]

===

Robert Reuel Naiman
Policy Director
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org
naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
(202) 448-2898 x1

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 10:26 AM Debra Schrishuhn via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> St Rep Ammons urged attendees at the Democratic Luncheon Sunday to file
> witness slips on both HB 1633 and SB 9.
> Deb
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 21, 2019, at 10:09 AM, David Green via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>
> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
>
> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill.
> She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be
> proved wrong.
>
> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand
> about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His
> appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he
> will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
>
> DG
>
> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
>> Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this
>> why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote
>> to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's
>> destroying our planet?
>>
>> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to
>> block this assault on our right to protest.
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
>> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
>> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest
>> bill
>> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>>
>> Robert,
>>
>> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill
>> winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.
>>
>> HB1633
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>> would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries,
>> and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a
>> "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on
>> organizations that support these grassroots protests. *Please see below
>> for more details about the bill.*
>>
>> *Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill?*
>> It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask
>> you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the
>> committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> Then come back to this email and...
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear...
>> but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. *The key is to
>> remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, *and check
>> "record of appearance only"
>>
>> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate
>> interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in
>> the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>>
>> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't
>> give up our right to dissent without a fight.
>> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>>
>> *Click here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>...
>> and then return to this email and click here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to
>> submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and
>> committee*. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you
>> to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
>> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
>> be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your
>> info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
>> appearance only"
>>
>> *The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out
>> your witness slips today!*
>>
>> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>>
>> Sue
>> More about HB1633:
>>
>> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also
>> available here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).
>>
>>
>> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>>
>> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil
>> society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633.
>> The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally
>> designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens
>> to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal
>> that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by
>> existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences,
>> including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called
>> “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative
>> Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice
>> activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>>
>> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most
>> underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These
>> bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the
>> most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in
>> particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests
>> against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by
>> unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by
>> unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have
>> a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies,
>> and unchecked corporate abuse.
>>
>> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but
>> the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover
>> large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
>> unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened
>> criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or
>> on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a
>> class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
>> imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is
>> punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature
>> of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>>
>> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of
>> one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same
>> penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many
>> people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that
>> mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws
>> that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties,
>> HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of
>> nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is
>> antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>>
>> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten
>> physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put
>> profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical
>> infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate
>> interests to establish special protections for some private industries
>> engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest.
>> These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental
>> justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.
>> Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular
>> political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>>
>> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform
>> perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for
>> conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new
>> steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical
>> infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is
>> inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize
>> individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
>>
>> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at
>> 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> 350 Chicago
>>
>> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>>
>> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>>
>> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4
>> Youth)
>>
>> Chicago Area Peace Action
>>
>> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>>
>> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)
>>
>> Clean Power Lake County
>>
>> Climate Defense Project
>>
>> Color Of Change
>>
>> Crossroads Fund
>>
>> Defending Rights & Dissent
>>
>> Earth Defense Coalition
>>
>> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>>
>> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>>
>> Faith In Place Action Fund
>>
>> Food & Water Watch
>>
>> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>>
>> Frack Free Illinois
>>
>> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>>
>> Grassroots Collaborative
>>
>> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>>
>> Greenpeace USA
>>
>> Indivisible Chicago
>>
>> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>>
>> Illinois Green Party
>>
>> Illinois People's Action
>>
>> Lifted Voices
>>
>> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>>
>> Moms Demand Action
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>>
>> Native Organizers Alliance
>>
>> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>>
>> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>>
>> Occupy Rockford
>>
>> Palestine Legal
>>
>> Reform for Illinois
>>
>> Save Our Illinois Land
>>
>> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>>
>> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>>
>> Southern Illinois DSA
>>
>> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>>
>> The People's Lobby
>>
>> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>>
>> Water Protector Legal Collective
>>
>> Will County Progressives
>>
>> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>>
>> X-Lab
>>
>> *Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for
>> activists here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.*
>>
>>
>> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>>
>> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to
>> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
>> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
>> be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>>
>> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out
>> your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of
>> appearance only".
>>
>>
>>
>> *The  vote will be Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm  So Please Take Action Now!*
>>
>>
>>
>> Photo Credits:
>>
>> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>>
>> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
>> Donate
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> *Get in Touch:* hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>>
>> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>>
>> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
>> <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/>
>> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Tue May 21 17:01:22 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 12:01:22 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Press release
Message-ID: <00ad01d50ff6$d27322b0$77596810$@comcast.net>

 Enclosed is the attachment of the press release that will be sent out the first week of June for the Sunday June 23rd Medicare for All event at the Champaign Public Library.

 

Any organization that wants to become one of the listed  endorsers for the event , there is still time to e-mail me and we will add your name.

 

David Johnson

Champaign Urbana DSA

 

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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Tue May 21 17:08:11 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 12:08:11 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <BE3D58BE-AF5A-422A-8E28-9986A90B3B09@gmail.com>

You may approve what Carol’s done, but “St.” is a bit much….


> On May 21, 2019, at 10:25 AM, Debra Schrishuhn via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> St Rep Ammons urged attendees at the Democratic Luncheon Sunday to file witness slips on both HB 1633 and SB 9. 
> Deb
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On May 21, 2019, at 10:09 AM, David Green via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
>> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
>> 
>> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong.
>> 
>> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
>> 
>> DG
>> 
>> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>> 
>> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 
>> 
>> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 
>> 
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
>> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
>> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
>> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>> 
>> 
>> Robert,
>> 
>> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again. 
>> 
>> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill.
>> 
>> Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition. 
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
>> 
>> Then come back to this email and...
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
>> 
>> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
>> 
>> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>> 
>> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight.
>> 
>> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>> Click here... and then return to this email and click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
>> 
>> The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today!
>> 
>> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>> 
>> Sue
>> 
>> More about HB1633:
>> 
>> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also available here). 
>> 
>> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>> 
>> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>> 
>> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse.
>> 
>> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>> 
>> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>> 
>> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>> 
>> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
>> 
>> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org. 
>> 
>>  
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> 350 Chicago
>> 
>> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>> 
>> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>> 
>> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth)
>> 
>> Chicago Area Peace Action
>> 
>> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>> 
>> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP) 
>> 
>> Clean Power Lake County
>> 
>> Climate Defense Project
>> 
>> Color Of Change
>> 
>> Crossroads Fund
>> 
>> Defending Rights & Dissent
>> 
>> Earth Defense Coalition
>> 
>> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>> 
>> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>> 
>> Faith In Place Action Fund
>> 
>> Food & Water Watch
>> 
>> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>> 
>> Frack Free Illinois
>> 
>> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>> 
>> Grassroots Collaborative
>> 
>> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>> 
>> Greenpeace USA
>> 
>> Indivisible Chicago
>> 
>> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>> 
>> Illinois Green Party
>> 
>> Illinois People's Action
>> 
>> Lifted Voices
>> 
>> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>> 
>> Moms Demand Action
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>> 
>> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>> 
>> Native Organizers Alliance
>> 
>> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>> 
>> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>> 
>> Occupy Rockford
>> 
>> Palestine Legal
>> 
>> Reform for Illinois
>> 
>> Save Our Illinois Land
>> 
>> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>> 
>> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>> 
>> Southern Illinois DSA
>> 
>> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>> 
>> The People's Lobby
>> 
>> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>> 
>> Water Protector Legal Collective
>> 
>> Will County Progressives
>> 
>> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>> 
>> X-Lab
>> 
>> Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for activists here.
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
>> 
>> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
>> 
>> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>> 
>> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only".
>> 
>> The  vote will be
>> Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
>> So Please Take Action Now!
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Photo Credits:
>> 
>> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue  
>> 
>> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
>> 
>> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
>> 
>> Donate
>> Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>> 
>> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>> 
>> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
>> 
>> 	
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss


From deb.pdamerica at gmail.com  Tue May 21 17:17:56 2019
From: deb.pdamerica at gmail.com (Debra Schrishuhn)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 12:17:56 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <BE3D58BE-AF5A-422A-8E28-9986A90B3B09@gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
 <BE3D58BE-AF5A-422A-8E28-9986A90B3B09@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CANDTtd=9xGJr7=RO_JCGALTikcqgUQoRA9sBKyoNm4-szEHicQ@mail.gmail.com>

Um, St. Rep. is the proper abbreviation for State Representative. I assume
you were attempting to make a funny.

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 12:08 PM C G Estabrook <cgestabrook at gmail.com>
wrote:

> You may approve what Carol’s done, but “St.” is a bit much….
>
>
> > On May 21, 2019, at 10:25 AM, Debra Schrishuhn via Peace-discuss <
> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >
> > St Rep Ammons urged attendees at the Democratic Luncheon Sunday to file
> witness slips on both HB 1633 and SB 9.
> > Deb
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > On May 21, 2019, at 10:09 AM, David Green via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >
> >> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
> >>
> >> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill.
> She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be
> proved wrong.
> >>
> >> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand
> about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His
> appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he
> will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
> >>
> >> DG
> >>
> >> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
> Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this
> why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote
> to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's
> destroying our planet?
> >>
> >> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to
> block this assault on our right to protest.
> >>
> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> >> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
> >> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
> >> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois
> anti-protest bill
> >> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
> >>
> >>
> >> Robert,
> >>
> >> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill
> winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.
> >>
> >> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines,
> refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also
> includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic
> fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see
> below for more details about the bill.
> >>
> >> Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's
> not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to
> file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee.
> But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
> >>
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
> >>
> >> Then come back to this email and...
> >>
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
> >>
> >> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very
> clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is
> to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record
> of appearance only"
> >>
> >> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate
> interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in
> the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
> >>
> >> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't
> give up our right to dissent without a fight.
> >>
> >> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
> >> Click here... and then return to this email and click here..... to
> submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and
> committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your
> info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
> appearance only"
> >>
> >> The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill
> out your witness slips today!
> >>
> >> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
> >>
> >> Sue
> >>
> >> More about HB1633:
> >>
> >> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter
> (also available here).
> >>
> >> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
> >>
> >> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other
> civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill
> 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and
> nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it
> threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary
> proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered
> by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences,
> including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called
> “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative
> Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice
> activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
> >>
> >> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the
> most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest.
> These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of
> the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women,
> in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in
> protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most
> affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most
> to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These
> communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and
> unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse.
> >>
> >> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but
> the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover
> large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
> unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened
> criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or
> on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a
> class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
> imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is
> punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature
> of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
> >>
> >> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of
> one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same
> penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many
> people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that
> mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws
> that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties,
> HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of
> nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is
> antithetical to criminal justice reform.
> >>
> >> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten
> physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put
> profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical
> infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate
> interests to establish special protections for some private industries
> engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest.
> These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental
> justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.
> Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular
> political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
> >>
> >> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform
> perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for
> conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new
> steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical
> infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is
> inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize
> individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
> >>
> >> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at
> 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
> >>
> >>
> >> Sincerely,
> >>
> >> 350 Chicago
> >>
> >> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
> >>
> >> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
> >>
> >> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4
> Youth)
> >>
> >> Chicago Area Peace Action
> >>
> >> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
> >>
> >> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)
> >>
> >> Clean Power Lake County
> >>
> >> Climate Defense Project
> >>
> >> Color Of Change
> >>
> >> Crossroads Fund
> >>
> >> Defending Rights & Dissent
> >>
> >> Earth Defense Coalition
> >>
> >> Eco-Justice Collaborative
> >>
> >> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
> >>
> >> Faith In Place Action Fund
> >>
> >> Food & Water Watch
> >>
> >> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
> >>
> >> Frack Free Illinois
> >>
> >> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
> >>
> >> Grassroots Collaborative
> >>
> >> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
> >>
> >> Greenpeace USA
> >>
> >> Indivisible Chicago
> >>
> >> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
> >>
> >> Illinois Green Party
> >>
> >> Illinois People's Action
> >>
> >> Lifted Voices
> >>
> >> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
> >>
> >> Moms Demand Action
> >>
> >> National Lawyers Guild
> >>
> >> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
> >>
> >> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
> >>
> >> Native Organizers Alliance
> >>
> >> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
> >>
> >> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
> >>
> >> Occupy Rockford
> >>
> >> Palestine Legal
> >>
> >> Reform for Illinois
> >>
> >> Save Our Illinois Land
> >>
> >> Shawnee Forest Defense!
> >>
> >> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
> >>
> >> Southern Illinois DSA
> >>
> >> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
> >>
> >> The People's Lobby
> >>
> >> Vinyard Indian Settlement
> >>
> >> Water Protector Legal Collective
> >>
> >> Will County Progressives
> >>
> >> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
> >>
> >> X-Lab
> >>
> >> Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for
> activists here.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
> >> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
> >>
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
> >>
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
> >>
> >> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
> >>
> >> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out
> your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of
> appearance only".
> >>
> >> The  vote will be
> >> Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm
> >> So Please Take Action Now!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Photo Credits:
> >>
> >> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
> >>
> >> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
> >>
> >> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
> >>
> >> Donate
> >> Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
> >>
> >> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
> >>
> >> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Peace mailing list
> >> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> >> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Peace mailing list
> >> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> >> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
>
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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Tue May 21 17:45:49 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Tue, 21 May 2019 12:45:49 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CANDTtd=9xGJr7=RO_JCGALTikcqgUQoRA9sBKyoNm4-szEHicQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <ed53cd07-70f1-49fe-ab49-180753dfbee1@salsalabs.org>
 <CALMNhNT8+_unWEJmjO-Feo+wmxWwG10SK4cFBzGyi-9qF4G4Hw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNTNzywzrjnjcEQ1uTeg26uB1c_C3CSnExsPa2sh0fbkMw@mail.gmail.com>
 <CAOiGAyFYoy0aoSuWyLrR2kR-Zk_bF4E=Q6pQpL_XRbWj_UyHcQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <9A02F48D-E379-4741-8FC7-231652F13412@gmail.com>
 <BE3D58BE-AF5A-422A-8E28-9986A90B3B09@gmail.com>
 <CANDTtd=9xGJr7=RO_JCGALTikcqgUQoRA9sBKyoNm4-szEHicQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <35991ED3-69C3-4A69-A2A4-9D7522872A43@gmail.com>

Yes.

> On May 21, 2019, at 12:17 PM, Debra Schrishuhn via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> Um, St. Rep. is the proper abbreviation for State Representative. I assume you were attempting to make a funny.
> 
> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 12:08 PM C G Estabrook <cgestabrook at gmail.com> wrote:
> You may approve what Carol’s done, but “St.” is a bit much….
> 
> 
> > On May 21, 2019, at 10:25 AM, Debra Schrishuhn via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> > 
> > St Rep Ammons urged attendees at the Democratic Luncheon Sunday to file witness slips on both HB 1633 and SB 9. 
> > Deb
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > 
> > On May 21, 2019, at 10:09 AM, David Green via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> > 
> >> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
> >> 
> >> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong.
> >> 
> >> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
> >> 
> >> DG
> >> 
> >> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >> 
> >> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 
> >> 
> >> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 
> >> 
> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> >> From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
> >> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
> >> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
> >> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Robert,
> >> 
> >> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again. 
> >> 
> >> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill.
> >> 
> >> Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition. 
> >> 
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
> >> 
> >> Then come back to this email and...
> >> 
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
> >> 
> >> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
> >> 
> >> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
> >> 
> >> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight.
> >> 
> >> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
> >> Click here... and then return to this email and click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
> >> 
> >> The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today!
> >> 
> >> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
> >> 
> >> Sue
> >> 
> >> More about HB1633:
> >> 
> >> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also available here). 
> >> 
> >> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
> >> 
> >> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
> >> 
> >> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse.
> >> 
> >> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
> >> 
> >> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform.
> >> 
> >> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
> >> 
> >> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
> >> 
> >> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org. 
> >> 
> >>  
> >> Sincerely,
> >> 
> >> 350 Chicago
> >> 
> >> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
> >> 
> >> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
> >> 
> >> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth)
> >> 
> >> Chicago Area Peace Action
> >> 
> >> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
> >> 
> >> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP) 
> >> 
> >> Clean Power Lake County
> >> 
> >> Climate Defense Project
> >> 
> >> Color Of Change
> >> 
> >> Crossroads Fund
> >> 
> >> Defending Rights & Dissent
> >> 
> >> Earth Defense Coalition
> >> 
> >> Eco-Justice Collaborative
> >> 
> >> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
> >> 
> >> Faith In Place Action Fund
> >> 
> >> Food & Water Watch
> >> 
> >> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
> >> 
> >> Frack Free Illinois
> >> 
> >> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
> >> 
> >> Grassroots Collaborative
> >> 
> >> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
> >> 
> >> Greenpeace USA
> >> 
> >> Indivisible Chicago
> >> 
> >> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
> >> 
> >> Illinois Green Party
> >> 
> >> Illinois People's Action
> >> 
> >> Lifted Voices
> >> 
> >> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
> >> 
> >> Moms Demand Action
> >> 
> >> National Lawyers Guild
> >> 
> >> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
> >> 
> >> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
> >> 
> >> Native Organizers Alliance
> >> 
> >> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
> >> 
> >> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
> >> 
> >> Occupy Rockford
> >> 
> >> Palestine Legal
> >> 
> >> Reform for Illinois
> >> 
> >> Save Our Illinois Land
> >> 
> >> Shawnee Forest Defense!
> >> 
> >> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
> >> 
> >> Southern Illinois DSA
> >> 
> >> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
> >> 
> >> The People's Lobby
> >> 
> >> Vinyard Indian Settlement
> >> 
> >> Water Protector Legal Collective
> >> 
> >> Will County Progressives
> >> 
> >> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
> >> 
> >> X-Lab
> >> 
> >> Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for activists here.
> >> 
> >> 
> >>  
> >> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
> >> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
> >> 
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.
> >> 
> >> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee
> >> 
> >> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
> >> 
> >> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only".
> >> 
> >> The  vote will be
> >> Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
> >> So Please Take Action Now!
> >> 
> >>  
> >> 
> >>  
> >> 
> >> Photo Credits:
> >> 
> >> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue  
> >> 
> >> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
> >> 
> >> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
> >> 
> >> Donate
> >> Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
> >> 
> >> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
> >> 
> >> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
> >> 
> >>      
> >> 
> >> 
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Peace mailing list
> >> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> >> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Peace mailing list
> >> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> >> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace


From moboct1 at aim.com  Wed May 22 11:24:01 2019
From: moboct1 at aim.com (Mildred O'brien)
Date: Wed, 22 May 2019 11:24:01 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>

Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness slip).  Too bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber stamped the AIPAC bill 2 years ago (as if dissent would have made a difference).

Midge


-----Original Message-----
From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>; Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill

I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong.
Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
DG
On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:


The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 
Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>

   
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 Robert, 
 
 I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.  
 
 HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill. 
 
 Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition. 
 
 Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 
 
 Then come back to this email and... 
 
 Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 
 
 I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
 
 HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m. 
 
 Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight. 
 
 Please take action against this anti-protest bill now: 
 
 Click here... and then return to this email and click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 
 
 The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today! 
 
 Stay Loud, Stay Strong, 
 
 Sue 
 
 More about HB1633: 
 
 Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also available here). 
 
 To Members of the Illinois Senate: 
 
 The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633. 
 
 Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse. 
 
 HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3). 
 
 Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform. 
 
 Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely. 
 
 We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view. 
 
 Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org. 
 
   
 
 Sincerely, 
 
 350 Chicago 
 
 350 Kishwaukee (IL) 
 
 American Friends Service Committee - Chicago 
 
 Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth) 
 
 Chicago Area Peace Action 
 
 Chicago Food Policy Action Council 
 
 Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)  
 
 Clean Power Lake County 
 
 Climate Defense Project 
 
 Color Of Change 
 
 Crossroads Fund 
 
 Defending Rights & Dissent 
 
 Earth Defense Coalition 
 
 Eco-Justice Collaborative 
 
 Extinction Rebellion Chicago 
 
 Faith In Place Action Fund 
 
 Food & Water Watch 
 
 Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice 
 
 Frack Free Illinois 
 
 Friends of Bell Smith Springs 
 
 Grassroots Collaborative 
 
 Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens 
 
 Greenpeace USA 
 
 Indivisible Chicago 
 
 Indivisible South Suburban Chicago 
 
 Illinois Green Party 
 
 Illinois People's Action 
 
 Lifted Voices 
 
 Little Village Environmental Justice Organization 
 
 Moms Demand Action 
 
 National Lawyers Guild 
 
 National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter 
 
 National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter 
 
 Native Organizers Alliance 
 
 Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice 
 
 Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS- 
 
 Occupy Rockford 
 
 Palestine Legal 
 
 Reform for Illinois 
 
 Save Our Illinois Land 
 
 Shawnee Forest Defense! 
 
 Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter 
 
 Southern Illinois DSA 
 
 Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment 
 
 The People's Lobby 
 
 Vinyard Indian Settlement 
 
 Water Protector Legal Collective 
 
 Will County Progressives 
 
 WindSolarUSA, Inc. 
 
 X-Lab 
 
 Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for activists here. 
 |

 |

 |

  |

 |

 
|  
|  |
|  
|   |

 |
|  
|  
 
 To take action against this anti-protest bill: 
 
 
 Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips: 
 
 Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 
 
 Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 
 
 The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633. 
 
 The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only". 
 
 The  vote will be
 Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
 So Please Take Action Now! 
 |

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 Photo Credits: 
 
 People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue  
 
 Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe 
 
 Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff 
 |

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|  
|  
|  
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| Donate |

 |

 |
|    
 Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408 
 
 Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821 
 
 We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER. 
  
|  |  |

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  _______________________________________________
Peace mailing list
Peace at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace

_______________________________________________
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Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Thu May 23 00:32:00 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Wed, 22 May 2019 19:32:00 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: How to respond to "when does life begin?"
References: <1558566207408.2903c9fc-5a2c-43d8-acf1-14c1886b9d9f@bf10a.hubspotemail.net>
Message-ID: <CFF14171-495E-43D0-BC3E-FF77D1F7BA5E@gmail.com>



> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Lila Rose <lila.rose at liveaction.org>
> Subject: How to respond to "when does life begin?"
> Date: May 22, 2019 at 6:11:06 PM CDT
> To: cgestabrook at gmail.com
> Reply-To: lila.rose at liveaction.org
> 
> 
> Hi C. G.,
> 
> Do you struggle to answer the question, “Do we really know when life begins?
> 
> We know abortion advocates repeatedly use this question as a defense of abortion, claiming that the preborn child is only a “potential life” and a “clump of cells” until later in the pregnancy, or even until birth. 
> 
> So we wanted to set the record straight that human life begins at the moment of conception.
> 
> Dr. Tara Sander Lee, a molecular geneticist and Director of Life Sciences for the Charlotte Lozier Institute, partnered with Live Action to give a scientific response as to why life begins at the moment of fertilization and show the humanity of preborn children during all stages of the pregnancy. 
> 
> Watch our latest “Pro-Life Replies to Pro-Choice Arguments” video by clicking here or below. <https://ht.t.hubspotemail.net/e2t/c/*MdwSnY7fpTyW5_RR_861hsQj0/*W3MR-rR254_0NW8hN65X2mMQ0K0/5/f18dQhb0Sq5K8YHttqW8JcdyC51wyFDW5sr2yB1FpnwZW7w4lF-56xnNhW5r8vwP3mm423VNdD3T64QpT_MS946PSdbMxW5wdJ9x5xKvMBW8yvG3r8DsX6ZW8rC3_C3N2f7NVVbDkf61mKdbVNgP_V64kYGmW8DmPz28mp2bwW8p-Vr065kbg2N93mrC6Ym0hKW6bsdYV8W2c9WW32CQ2l8jxMNSW1Vx3Vl6DqtKQW328h7y3_lZX3W5mZjbq31H380W4ry9Sz1QjKnVW1txG9N6GsfdKW8XNh8_7JM4qkW1XtzB12PxGjLN48yvR1nCwRGW8Rq-FM7Rlp_sW1L8Thq8V5b4FW2HDxHT2KC-8bW8_tWSH2M5jjsW47mKMP1-6xPhVlF1DG54RMCbW2KBzyW1Kjp8QW7r6Dt61GJgbwN7kvJzhqh7vhW3HVJMy7vFCVHW8bQXVh8csGDVVD2JBL7zKMlCW5PrYnP5zzfrDW5SyM9C4bgrPPW4DZg3k5qdN3FN7jB-gByd2HDW8Y-9C24KM5zZW1K-xp16b49SCW78K_xX8CzKczN1WPqF4pV_Z6f4HDptp11>
>  <https://ht.t.hubspotemail.net/e2t/c/*MdwSnY7fpTyW5_RR_861hsQj0/*W3C7cMY3QDyX0W710G-l8S-qr40/5/f18dQhb0Sq5K8YHttqW8JcdyC51wyFDW5sr2yB1FpnwZW7w4lF-56xnNhW5r8vwP3mm423VNdD3T64QpT_MS946PSdbMxW5wdJ9x5xKvMBW8yvG3r8DsX6ZW8rC3_C3N2f7NVVbDkf61mKdbVNgP_V64kYGmW8DmPz28mp2bwW8p-Vr065kbg2N93mrC6Ym0hKW6bsdYV8W2c9WW32CQ2l8jxMNSW1Vx3Vl6DqtKQW328h7y3_lZX3W5mZjbq31H380W4ry9Sz1QjKnVW1txG9N6GsfdKW8XNh8_7JM4qkW1XtzB12PxGjLN48yvR1nCwRGW8Rq-FM7Rlp_sW1L8Thq8V5b4FW2HDxHT2KC-8bW8_tWSH2M5jjsW47mKMP1-6xPhVlF1DG54RMCbW2KBzyW1Kjp8QW7r6Dt61GJgbwN7kvJzhqh7vhW3HVJMy7vFCVHW8bQXVh8csGDVVD2JBL7zKMlCW5PrYnP5zzfrDW5SyM9C4bgrPPW4DZg3k5qdN3FN7jB-gByd2HDW8Y-9C24KM5zZW1K-xp16b49SCW78K_xX8CzKczN1WPqKRpV_-Cf6bfQcX11>
> Every abortion at any stage in pregnancy kills an innocent human being. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the scientific facts and miss the miracle of life.
> 
> C. G., with all of the deceptions and lies that abortion advocates tell our culture about prenatal development, it’s critical more Americans learn the truth of when life begins. 
> 
> That’s why I hope you will watch and share this video with your friends on social media <https://ht.t.hubspotemail.net/e2t/c/*MdwSnY7fpTyW5_RR_861hsQj0/*W8vhyQc4blpwlV-fPhh5npKVz0/5/f18dQhb0Sq5K8YHttqW8JcdyC51wyFDW5sr2yB1FpnwZW7w4lF-56xnNhW5r8vwP3mm423VNdD3T64QpT_MS946PSdbMxW5wdJ9x5xKvMBW8yvG3r8DsX6ZW8rC3_C3N2f7NVVbDkf61mKdbVNgP_V64kYGmW8DmPz28mp2bwW8p-Vr065kbg2N93mrC6Ym0hKW6bsdYV8W2c9WW32CQ2l8jxMNSW1Vx3Vl6DqtKQW328h7y3_lZX3W5mZjbq31H380W4ry9Sz1QjKnVW1txG9N6GsfdKW8XNh8_7JM4qkW1XtzB12PxGjLN48yvR1nCwRGW8Rq-FM7Rlp_sW1L8Thq8V5b4FW2HDxHT2KC-8bW8_tWSH2M5jjsW47mKMP1-6xPhVlF1DG54RMCbW2KBzyW1Kjp8QW7r6Dt61GJgbwN7kvJzhqh7vhW3HVJMy7vFCVHW8bQXVh8csGDVVD2JBL7zKMlCW5PrYnP5zzfrDW5SyM9C4bgrPPW4DZg3k5qdN3FN7jB-gByd2HDW8Y-9C24KM5zZW1K-xp16b49SCW78K_xX8CzKczN1XNJnHpV_ZKf7LTBJy11> - especially with all the lies abortion advocates are spreading after Alabama and Georgia passed pro-life legislation. 
> 
> Together, we can show more Americans why every innocent preborn child must be protected by our laws - from the very moment science tells us their life begins. 
> 
> 
> For life,
> 
> Lila Rose
> President & Founder 
> Live Action
> 
> Live Action  2200 Wilson Blvd.  Suite 102 PMB 111,  Arlington,  VA  22201 
> 
> You received this message because you are subscribed to General Email Updates from Live Action. 
> If you would rather not receive this type of email, you can update your email preferences here <https://hs-3419654.s.hubspotemail.net/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe?d=VndxFb83HNzPVPbSFp4cQgw0W49PGTc2m40KfW3T0pbm43T2Q9W8fxHdv15gBJzW5S8_7J5B4F2nW6hnqyl4ZLNnXN70Lhm3WKP39N5cx41xXk_7QVbwf-z7k37M0W562Mg_15QM6Bw204H5X1Pj2&v=3&utm_campaign=PLR%20WLB&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=72961974&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8UI4EfQban4CmTrTEW4KEAC-Sr_w08jH-JdadSjcarsMW2VgR0DA7ju0onTTB5nZew08bgkSpiWfigp-qAO8lDONRfoQ&_hsmi=72961975> or unsubscribe from all future emails. <https://hs-3419654.s.hubspotemail.net/hs/manage-preferences/unsubscribe-all?d=VndxFb83HNzPVPbSFp4cQgw0W49PGTc2m40KfW3T0pbm43T2Q9W8fxHdv15gBJzW5S8_7J5B4F2nW6hnqyl4ZLNnXN70Lhm3WKP39N5cx41xXk_7QVbwf-z7k37M0W562Mg_15QM6Bw204H5X1Pj2&v=3&utm_campaign=PLR%20WLB&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=72961974&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8UI4EfQban4CmTrTEW4KEAC-Sr_w08jH-JdadSjcarsMW2VgR0DA7ju0onTTB5nZew08bgkSpiWfigp-qAO8lDONRfoQ&_hsmi=72961975>
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Thu May 23 02:33:11 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Wed, 22 May 2019 21:33:11 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Notes
Message-ID: <37460a86-e91a-5cec-af56-2274e10edabd@forestfield.org>

Notes for News from Neptune

Some pointers to things to spark discussion on News from Neptune. Have a 
good show guys.



MMT debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3TdbaMf38Y -- MMT debate on The Real News.



Venezuela:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLOG7IhSDSs -- RT's report of the work of 
the Embassy Protectors and trying to get them necessary supplies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md2bhG2hw1g -- Few pro-Maduro activists 
remain at US Venezuelan embassy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCkJO8JJIuY -- Embassy Defenders are evicted.



Labor/exploitation: Amazon.com is trying to incentivize some of its 
employees to shift from their current job to become a delivery driver for 
the company, shifting some of the costs of delivery to the driver (somewhat 
akin to Uber & Lyft).

https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/employees-turned-entrepreneurs-new-amazon-initiative-helps
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/05/amazon-to-employees-quit-your-job-well-help-you-start-a-delivery-business/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-amazon-needs-delivery-drivers-20190513-story.html 
-- The Chicago Tribune writes:

> Amazon, which is racing to deliver packages faster, is turning to its
> employees with a proposition: Quit your job and we'll help you start a
> business delivering Amazon packages.
> 
> The offer, announced Monday, comes as Amazon seeks to speed up its
> shipping time from two days to one for its Prime members. The company
> sees the new incentive as a way to get more packages delivered to
> shoppers' doorsteps faster.
> 
> Amazon says it will cover up to $10,000 in startup costs for employees
> who are accepted into the program and leave their jobs. Those who
> participate will be able to lease blue vans with the Amazon smile logo
> stamped on the side. The company says it will also pay them three
> months' worth of their salary.
> 
> The offer is open to most part-time and full-time Amazon employees,
> including warehouse workers who pack and ship orders. Whole Foods
> employees are not eligible to receive the new incentives.

People online are beginning to do the math on this and discovering that 
this is a cost-shifting scam ala ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft: 
Amazon will make the driver take on the costs of leasing the truck, paying 
for insurance and licensing, and other fees while Amazon uses the new 
low-cost transport to handle last-mile delivery. FedEx and UPS are much 
larger fleets (and the Chicago Tribune assures us FedEx and UPS "will be 
just fine" even with this new last-mile competition from a shipping-heavy 
organization such as Amazon). Amazon might even try to get away with 
calling their drivers "contractors" and not employees like Uber and Lyft do.

Related: The National Labor Relations Board agrees with Uber that drivers 
are contractors and not employees (per 
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/business/economy/nlrb-uber-drivers-contractors.html).

> The National Labor Relations Board, handing an important victory to
> Uber, has concluded that the company’s drivers are contractors, not
> employees.
> 
> The move, outlined by the board’s general counsel in a memorandum
> released Tuesday, deals a blow to drivers’ efforts to band together to
> demand higher pay and better working conditions from Uber and its main
> rival in the ride-hailing business, Lyft. It is the first major policy
> move the board has made concerning the so-called gig economy under
> President Trump.
> 
> Contractors lack the protection given to employees under federal law —
> and enforced by the labor board — for unionizing and other collective
> activity, such as protesting the policies of employers. As a practical
> matter, the conclusion makes it extremely difficult for Uber drivers to
> form a union.
> 
> The board’s general counsel, Peter B. Robb, who was appointed by Mr.
> Trump, does not have purview over other laws applying to employees, such
> as minimum wage and overtime protections.
> 
> Still, had Mr. Robb’s office found that drivers were employees rather
> than contractors, the decision could have put pressure on the regulators
> who enforce such laws to reach the same conclusion.
> 
> The labor costs of companies like Uber and Lyft would probably rise 20
> to 30 percent, according industry estimates, if regulators or courts
> forced them to treat drivers as employees. Both businesses have seen
> their stock prices fall after recent public offerings amid questions
> about their financial prospects.
> 
> The companies appear to be walking a delicate line: Investors and
> analysts have suggested that the businesses might have to slash their
> labor costs to become profitable. Drivers frequently complain that pay
> is already unacceptably low.

Related: Meanwhile, Amazon is also replacing workers in packing warehouses 
with robots (per 
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-automation-exclusive-idUSKCN1SJ0X1 
):

> Amazon.com Inc is rolling out machines to automate a job held by
> thousands of its workers: boxing up customer orders.
> 
> The company started adding technology to a handful of warehouses in
> recent years, which scans goods coming down a conveyor belt and envelops
> them seconds later in boxes custom-built for each item, two people who
> worked on the project told Reuters.
> 
> Amazon has considered installing two machines at dozens more warehouses,
> removing at least 24 roles at each one, these people said. These
> facilities typically employ more than 2,000 people.
> 
> That would amount to more than 1,300 cuts across 55 U.S. fulfillment
> centers for standard-sized inventory. Amazon would expect to recover the
> costs in under two years, at $1 million per machine plus operational
> expenses, they said.

The job is typically referred to as "picking and packing". It turns out 
that the latter part of that job is more easily automated than the former. 
But work on replacing human workers for the picking is ongoing.





Economy: Young people are more pessimistic about their future

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-20/many-millennials-gen-z-pessimistic-on-life-deloitte-survey 
-- "Millennials and Gen Z Are Increasingly Pessimistic About Their Lives, 
Survey Finds"

> Deloitte has released its Global Millennial Survey of 13,416 Millennials (born between 1983 and 1994) spread across 42 countries and 3,009 Gen Z respondents (born between 1995 and 2002) from 10 countries. The firm has conducted the survey for the past eight years.
> 
> The percentage of respondents who think that businesses are making a positive impact dropped six points from 61% in 2018 to 55%.

[...]

> Generally, only about half of both groups aspire to purchase a home, and
> even fewer desire to start a family. ``Instead, travel and seeing the
> world was at the top of the list (57%) of aspirations,'' the report
> said.

[...]

> Climate change, protecting the environment and natural disasters topped
> the list of most respondents on a personal level, but less than three in
> ten of both the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts cited it as a worry. The
> next-highest concern for Millennials is income inequality or
> distribution of wealth. Terrorism, crime and concerns about personal
> safety were also high on the list.
> 
> The 2020 U.S. election will be the first in which nearly all members of
> Generation Z will be able to cast their vote for president.
> 
> The difference between Gen Zs and Millennials is, according to the
> survey, much more visible when making a comparison across countries. In
> China and India, Gen Zs were more optimistic about the future.
> Meanwhile, youth in major economic powers were pessimistic about the
> world and whether their place in it will improve.

[...]

> Only about one in four respondents said they expect the economic
> situations in their countries to improve in the year ahead. This low
> level of positive economic sentiment among Millennials is at its lowest
> in the six years Deloitte has been asking this question. The decline has
> been sharp -- this reading has never been lower than 40% in previous
> surveys.
> 
> In another survey record, 49% of Millennials would, if they had a
> choice, quit their current jobs within the next two years.
> Dissatisfaction with pay and the lack of advancement opportunities are
> the top reasons for potential near-term exits. Less than three in ten
> Millennials expect to stay at their current job for the next five
> years.






Economy: Americans work harder, produce more, earn less, take fewer 
vacations, and about a third have "side hustles" (a second job)

https://www.nationofchange.org/2019/05/03/the-real-reason-american-workers-have-it-so-hard/

> Americans work really, really hard. A third of Americans work a side
> hustle, driving an Uber or selling crafts on Etsy. American workers take
> fewer vacation days. They get 14, but typically take only 10. The
> highest number of workers in five years report they don’t expect to take
> a vacation at all this year. And Americans work longer hours than their
> counterparts in other countries.
> 
> Americans labor 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more
> than Brits, and 499 more than the French, according to the International
> Labor Organization.
> 
> And the longer hours aren’t because American workers are laggards on the
> job. They’re very productive. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
> calculates that the average American worker’s productivity has increased
> 400 percent since 1950.
> 
> If pay had kept pace with productivity, as it did in the three decades
> after the end of World War II, American workers would be making 400
> percent more. But they’re not. Their wages have flatlined for four
> decades, adjusting for inflation.
> 
> That means stress. Forty percent of workers say they don’t have $400 for
> an unexpected expense. Twenty percent can’t pay all of their monthly
> bills. More than a quarter of adults skipped needed medical care last
> year because they couldn’t afford it. A quarter of adults have no
> retirement savings.





Nuclear power: former NRC chairman thinks nuclear power should be banned in 
favor of renewables and conservation.

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/05/17/i-oversaw-us-nuclear-power-industry-now-i-think-it-should-be-banned 
-- Gregory Jaczko served on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2005 to 
2009, and as its chairman from 2009 to 2012.

> History shows that the expense involved in nuclear power will never
> change. Past construction in the United States exhibited similar cost
> increases throughout the design, engineering and construction process.
> The technology and the safety needs are just too complex and demanding
> to translate into a facility that is simple to design and build. No
> matter your views on nuclear power in principle, no one can afford to
> pay this much for two electricity plants. New nuclear is simply off the
> table in the United States.
> 
> After I left the NRC in 2012, I argued that we needed new ways to make
> accidents impossible. When a reactor incident occurs, the plant should
> not release any harmful radiation outside the plant itself. I was not
> yet antinuclear, just pro-public-safety. But nuclear proponents still
> see this as “antinuclear.” They knew, as I did, that most plants
> operating today do not meet the “no off-site release” test. I think a
> reasonable standard for any source of electricity should be that it
> doesn’t contaminate your community for decades.
> 
> Coal and natural gas do not create this kind of acute accident hazard,
> though they do present a different kind of danger. Large dams for
> hydroelectric power could require evacuation of nearby communities if
> they failed — but without the lasting contamination effect of radiation.
> And solar, wind and geothermal energy pose no safety threat at all.
> 
> For years, my concerns about nuclear energy’s cost and safety were
> always tempered by a growing fear of climate catastrophe. But Fukushima
> provided a good test of just how important nuclear power was to slowing
> climate change: In the months after the accident, all nuclear reactors
> in Japan were shuttered indefinitely, eliminating production of almost
> all of the country’s carbon-free electricity and about 30 percent of its
> total electricity production. Naturally, carbon emissions rose, and
> future emissions-reduction targets were slashed.
> 
> Would shutting down plants all over the world lead to similar results?
> Eight years after Fukushima, that question has been answered. Fewer than
> 10 of Japan’s 50 reactors have resumed operations, yet the country’s
> carbon emissions have dropped below their levels before the accident.
> How? Japan has made significant gains in energy efficiency and solar
> power. It turns out that relying on nuclear energy is actually a bad
> strategy for combating climate change: One accident wiped out Japan’s
> carbon gains. Only a turn to renewables and conservation brought the
> country back on target.






Drone war: More countries get drones, more people get assassinated.

https://theintercept.com/2019/05/14/turkey-second-drone-age/ -- Turkey is 
now droning people to death including its own citizens -- just like the US 
-- except they're also doing it within Turkey's borders.

> [Turkey] had entered the second drone age — in which the use of drones
> to kill people has proliferated far beyond the United States, the first
> country to kill people with missiles launched from drones after 9/11.
> Turkey now rivals the U.S. and the U.K. as the world’s most prolific
> user of killer drones, according to a review by The Intercept of
> reported lethal drone strikes worldwide. (Other countries that have
> reportedly killed people with drone-launched weapons include Israel,
> Iraq, and Iran.) The technology has been used by Turkey against ISIS in
> Syria and along Turkey’s border with Iraq and Iran, where ever-present
> Turkish drones have turned the tide in a decades-old counter-insurgency
> against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.
> 
> While the U.S. was the foremost operator of armed, unmanned aerial
> vehicles (UAVs) in the world for more than a decade, launching the first
> drone attack in 2001, today more than a dozen countries possess this
> technology. The U.K., Israel, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt,
> Nigeria, and Turkey have all used armed UAVs to kill targets since 2015.
> Efforts by Washington to control proliferation through restrictions on
> drone exports have failed to slow down a global race to acquire the
> technology. Meanwhile, the U.S. has set a precedent of impunity by
> carrying out hundreds of strikes that have killed civilians over the
> last decade.

[...]

> It might seem strange that a group who regularly uses suicide bombers
> would want to publicize its reliance on killing from afar. But it shows
> how the most basic human instinct,  self-preservation, continues to
> influence warfare. Armed drones appear to eliminate a key deterrent to
> combat: the chance that your own people could be harmed.
> 
> The U.S. pioneered the technology and showed the world how it could be
> used. Others have watched and learned. Turkey won’t be the last country
> to manufacture its own drones, and its public will not be the last to
> see them as a source of pride.

As far as we know now, all of the Democratic Party presidential candidates 
are down with the drone war (including the so-called "anti-war" candidate 
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard). We know that when the US extrajudicially assassinates 
a so-called "terrorist" via drone many nearby innocent civilians die. The 
same would be true of drones from other countries. So if some other country 
flew drones to hunt down an American so-called "terrorist" and that attack 
killed innocent Americans in the process, on what grounds would the US 
object? And who would fail to see the hypocrisy?





Louis Proyect reviewed Jeffrey St. Clair's book about Bernie Sanders and 
the 2016 Sanders campaign ("Bernie & The Sandernistas: Field Notes From a 
Failed Revolution") and offered us a reminder of why Sanders failed. Not 
only was Sanders not a "class warrior" as Proyect says, Proyect pointed out 
Sanders' support for drone war:

Proyect quoted St. Clair:

> What might a real movement have done? If Sanders could turn 30,000
> people out for a pep rally in Washington Square Park, why couldn’t he
> have had a flash mob demonstration mustering half that many fervent
> supporters to shut down Goldman Sachs for a day? If he could lure 20,000
> Hipsters to the Rose Garden in Portland, why couldn’t he turn out 10,000
> Sandernistas to bolster the picket lines of striking Verizon workers? If
> Sanders could draw 15,000 people in Austin, Texas, why couldn’t his
> movement bring 5,000 people to Huntsville to protest executions at the
> Texas death house? If Sanders could draw 18,000 people to a rally in Las
> Vegas, why couldn’t he just as easily have led them in a protest at
> nearby Creech Air Force Base, the center of operations for US predator
> drones? Strike that. Sanders supports Obama’s killer drone program.

Proyect followed with:

> Yes, that’s right. Sanders favors the use of drones against
> “terrorists”. To make sure that everybody understood he was only for
> socialist drones, he told Chuck Todd on “Meet the Press”: “Look, a drone
> is a weapon. When it works badly, it is terrible and it is
> counterproductive. When you blow up a facility or a building which kills
> women and children, you know what? … It’s terrible.” To start with,
> collateral damage is the middle name of Predator Drones. To think that
> innocent people won’t be killed is a self-delusion. But beyond that, how
> does the USA get away with using them as an unlicensed weapon unlike any
> other nation in the world. Back in 1968, candidates like Eugene McCarthy
> and Robert Kennedy declared that the USA should not be the policeman of
> the world. What a sad commentary on today’s “socialists” when their idol
> supports the Pentagon’s primary weapon in the “war on terror”.

Although she doesn't describe herself as a socialist, much the same could 
be said of another Democratic Party candidate, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), 
who receives praise from RT show hosts Peter Lavelle and Lee Camp, comedian 
Jimmy Dore and his co-hosts, Democratic Party candidate Mike Gravel, and 
The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald despite that Rep. Gabbard has given clear 
support for drone killing (and the civilian deaths that come with drone 
war), some occupations, and despite that she echoed pro-war propaganda in 
her 2018 Intercept interview with Jeremy Scahill. Here's what she said in 
that interview:

> Jeremy Scahill: I’m wondering what your position, I know that in the
> past you have said that you favor a small footprint approach with strike
> forces and limited use of weaponized drones. Is that still your position
> that you think that’s the — to the extent that you believe the U.S.
> military should be used around the world for counterterrorism, is that
> still your position?
> 
> Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Well, when we’re dealing with the unconventional
> threat of terrorist groups like ISIS, al Qaeda and some of these other
> groups that are affiliated with them, we should not be using basically
> what has been and continues to be the current policy of these mass
> mobilization of troops, these long occupations and trillions of dollars
> going in, really abusing the Authorization to Use Military Force and
> taking action that expands far beyond the legal limitations of those
> current AUMFs.
> 
> So, with these terrorist cells, for example, yes, I do still believe
> that the right approach to take is these quick strike forces, surgical
> strikes, in and out, very quickly, no long-term deployment, no long-term
> occupation to be able to get rid of the threat that exists and then get
> out and the very limited use of drones in those situations where our
> military is not able to get in without creating an unacceptable level of
> risk, and where you can make sure that you’re not causing, you know, a
> large amount of civilian casualties.

I don't see how one can sharply critique Sanders' position on drone warring 
and its consequences yet somehow reach the conclusion that Rep. Gabbard's 
endorsement of much the same thing is acceptable "anti-war" campaigning. 
I'm not accusing Proyect of doing this, as I don't know what his position 
on Rep. Gabbard is. But I'll post about this on Proyect's Marxist mailing 
list and we'll see what comes of it.

Rep. Gabbard has remained consistent on these points and has never raised 
an objection to her 2018 Intercept interview (including in her May 2019 
Intercept interview with Glenn Greenwald). It's not clear to me when her 
supporters will quit using pro-war or anti-establishment language to 
describe her campaign which endorses some of the same war positions her 
establishment counterparts endorse.




Why you can't trust the Democrats: Democrats attend anti-Medicare for All 
retreat hosted by HMO lobbyists

https://theintercept.com/2019/05/11/health-care-lobbyists-luxury-retreat/
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/11/staffers-top-democrats-reportedly-attended-luxury-retreat-hosted-lobbyists-fighting

> Center Forward’s big idea on Medicare Part D, for instance, is to
> maintain lobbyist-authored provisions of the law that bar the government
> from bargaining for lower prices for medicine. Such restrictions cost
> taxpayers and patients as much as $73 billion a year while boosting the
> profits of drugmakers. Center Forward endorses the idea with a
> testimonial from Mary Grealy, a lobbyist for a trade group that
> represents pharmaceutical companies.
> 
> The retreat, held the weekend of April 5-7 in Middleburg, Virginia,
> continued Center Forward’s approach.
> 
> The schedule shows that the health care discussion was led by Center
> Forward board member Liz Greer, a lobbyist at Forbes Tate; the firm
> manages the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future coalition
> designed to undermine Medicare-for-All. Paul Kidwell, a lobbyist from
> the Federation of American Hospitals, and Larry Levitt, from the Kaiser
> Family Foundation, also spoke. No proponents of Medicare-for-All were
> included. Kidwell’s trade association is part of the Partnership for
> America’s Health Care Future group opposing single payer.
> 
> [...]
> 
> “The host list speaks for itself,” said Wendell Potter, president of
> Business Initiative for Health Policy. “This event wasn’t about fixing
> the health care system. It was about protecting the health care
> industry, no matter the cost to patients, families, workers, or
> employers.”
> 
> “The industry is the root cause of our health care crisis. A
> congressional staffer serious about finding solutions wouldn’t touch
> that retreat with a 10-foot pole,” he added.

Just another reason why you can't take seriously any notion that the 
Democrats can be made to work for the public interest by reforming that 
party from within.




Another Bayer (current owner of Monsanto) loss in court -- $2B lawsuit goes 
to family facing cancer

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/13/monsanto-cancer-trial-bayer-roundup-couple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGPr80hX24
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/14/historic-verdict-jury-orders-monsanto-pay-record-2-billion-couple-roundup-cancer

> A California jury ruled Monday that Monsanto must pay a record $2
> billion in damages to a couple that was diagnosed with cancer after
> using the company's weedkiller Roundup.
> 
> "We were finally allowed to show a jury the mountain of evidence showing
> Monsanto's manipulation of science, the media, and regulatory agencies
> to forward their own agenda despite Roundup's severe harm to the animal
> kingdom and humankind," said Michael Miller, an attorney for Alva and
> Alberta Pilliod.
> 
> The jury ruled that Monsanto—which was acquired by the German
> pharmaceutical giant Bayer last year—is liable for the Pilliods'
> non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), the third such ruling in less than a
> year.

Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIkblNUBbZw -- Bayer stock is down 
following $2B court victory. But this is likely to be temporary and not 
long-lasting.




Exploitation: '996' workplan (9am-9pm 6 days a week) is losing employees

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-tech-labour/opting-out-some-of-chinas-996-tech-tribe-quit-seek-less-stress-idUSKCN1SM0HX 
--

 > In April, protests from tech employees against excessive overtime
> surfaced online, sparking an equal pushback from industry magnates such
> as billionaire Jack Ma of e-commerce giant Alibaba. The protests point
> to a mindset shift in the tech industry, whose penchant for long hours
> has been praised by Western executives as a reason for China's economic
> rise. But the shift could also have a cost for tech firms, venture
> capitalists and analysts say. According to job-hunting site Maimai, the
> tech sector was the only industry out of thirteen surveyed to see more
> people leave than join between October 2018 and February 2019.
> 
> "One of the highest costs in an organization is high employee turnover.
> A culture that is less focused on hours put in, may also become more
> effective if the focus is turned to output versus input," said Rui Ma, a
> San Francisco-based investor who has funded startups in China and North
> America. For some companies and employees, working 996 became a badge of
> honor and Silicon Valley heavyweights such as Sequoia Capital's Mike
> Moritz highlighted it as a competitive advantage over the United States.
> But a 996 backlash surfaced publicly in April, when a group of
> programmers launched an online protest against the practice.
> 
> Supporters published a crowdsourced list of companies that engage in
> long overtime hours, which included big tech names such as Baidu,
> Tencent Holdings, and delivery service app Ele.me. The protest prompted
> a public debate about work hours in China's tech industry, and spurred
> reactions from at least 10 Chinese tech moguls, including Ma, who
> initially defended the practice. Chinese state media said 996 violated
> the country's labor laws, which mandate an average working week of 44
> hours.

 From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmMnIgD_qWk quoting Jack Ma:

> To be able to work 996 is a huge bliss.

and 
https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-04-16/jack-ma-and-richard-liu-voice-support-for-intense-996-work-culture-and-people-are-not-happy-about-it-101404611.html

> I personally believe 996 is good luck. Many companies and people don’t
> even have a chance to 996. If you can’t 996 when you’re young, when can
> you 996? If you haven’t done 996 in your life, should you feel proud? If
> you don’t wish to expend extra effort, how can you achieve the success
> you want?




WikiLeaks/Assange:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48335692 -- Ecuador hands over 
Assange's stuff to the US and WikiLeaks says Ecuador certainly has tampered 
with that stuff before handing it over to the US.





Russiagate

https://www.blackagendareport.com/muellergate-report-review -- recommended 
reading with one minor exception, a quote from Stephen Cohen about citing 
tweets in footnotes:

> Moreover, if you read the footnotes, and as a scholar, I always look at
> the footnotes—and there's hundreds of them—it's amazing how many of
> Mueller's footnotes are to newspaper accounts and even tweets. I've
> never seen what purports to be a scholarly research work footnote
> tweets.

Perhaps a lot of what Cohen has read predates Twitter. But by now people in 
power and people whose writings are worth reading do say things online and 
there's good reason to source quotes, so that means providing a URL 
pointing to some social media website such as twitter.com.

The larger context of Cohen's objection isn't made clear and it's not clear 
that this Cohen quote needed to be in Garrison's BAR article.




Russiagate returns to its roots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBINSSDpgLs -- Media stokes fears of 
"Russian meddling" before EU elections.

Sir Julian King, EU commissioner for security:
> Winter isn't the only thing that's coming -- so is the risk of
> interference with our elections.
France 24 TV claims they're going to "investigate the claims of Russia's 
attempt to influence and undermine the democratic system in Europe" in one 
piece, DW (Deutsche Welle) "fears that Russia is infiltrating the very 
heart of European democracy", Bloomberg claims they're "starting to see the 
early signs of a repeat in the US elections in regard to Russian hacking 
and Russian tampering", and the BBC complains that RT & Sputnik have been 
talking in their published reports about the EU elections: "They [RT & 
Sputnik] have been picking up the theme consistently over the past few 
months. They do seem to be pushing slightly anti-establishment messages.". 
So covering the news is evidence of interference with the election 
according to the BBC.

But, really, where is the evidence to back up the fearmongering? There's no 
evidence presented by corporate-friendly media to back up any of the 
suspicions or claims they've raised. This is consistent with what we've 
seen so many times before. Social media reps aren't picking up the baton on 
this:

Clara Sommiere, Google EU's Public Policy Teams:
> So far, we haven't seen any interference on the platforms.

Richard Allan, head of Global Public Policy for Facebook:
> [There have been no] published accounts of attacks specifically related
> to the EU election today.
Yoel Roth, Head of Site Integrity, Twitter:
> We are always seeing a baseline level of it but nothing that has
> coalesced around specific topic, theme, or group or even country.




Russiagate: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard receives donations from people having some 
connection to Russia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tllZP0XqpAs -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is 
running for president and she has received donations from 3 donors with 
some connection to Russia which is fueling baseless speculation that 
Gabbard is now a "Putin puppet":

Stephen Cohen (Russian Studies professor, New York University) donated $1,000.

Sharon Tennison (Pres. of the Center for Citizen Initiatives and vocal 
Putin supporter who was, nonetheless, arrested in Russia in 2016) donated 
about 5 times, total sum unknown.

An anonymous donor who is a comic and former RT producer known only as 
"Goofy Grapes" donated $1,000.

This story likely really has more to do with her making the establishment 
nervous in her speeches and reception as being "anti-establishment" or 
"anti-war". In addition her support for domestic agenda items including 
Medicare for All make the corporate Democratic Party nervous. I still 
maintain with regards to war there's some evidence that the establishment 
has not that much to fear since she's apparently down with the drone war 
and pro-war propaganda (which lie about the ability to bomb with precision) 
like "surgical strikes". I wrote about this in 
https://digitalcitizen.info/2019/02/13/is-tulsi-gabbard-really-anti-war-no-shes-pro-drone-and-for-surgical-strikes/







War: Douma attack revealed to be a staged event but with real war 
consequences after US, UK, and France coordinate attack in response. 
Washington now warns that another Syrian attack is imminent (sans evidence).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLRQSfSKoJo -- Jimmy Dore does a good job 
of laying out the case on this: the OPCW apparently left out of its report 
that its scientists concluded the famous yellow/orange canister bombs were 
placed, not dropped, to where they ended up being.

Related:
https://www.blackagendareport.com/corporate-media-and-resistance-peace -- 
Danny Haiphong's recent report on corporate media and "resistance"



Trump talks about the military-industrial complex on Fox News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgughGXtMPI -- Pres. Trump tells Fox News 
that "they [the Military-Industrial Complex] do like war":

> Pres. Trump: You do have a Military-Industrial Complex, they do like
> war. You know, in Syria with the Caliphate [...] so, I wipe out 100% of
> the Caliphate, I say 'I wanna bring our troops back home!' [and] the
> place went crazy! They want to keep-- you have people here, in
> Washington, who never wanna leave! Someday people will explain it--
> 
> Fox News Interviewer: Well this is--
> 
> Pres. Trump: You do have, and they call it, the Military-Industrial
> Complex.

This interview came from the same network Sen. Elizabeth Warren won't go 
on, won't let Fox News interviewers ask her questions in a town hall forum 
(she gave Fox News' invitation a "hard pass").


Anti-war/anti-imperialist talk; another instance of near-deplatforming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz3LUevTLu0 (9m08s) -- Max Blumenthal 
debunks the White Helmets (RT is also a good source of info on this topic).


Indonesia: Protests continue over election results

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPkiKvBD07A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeUw8uVK2gA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF9p0YA0hyA

-J


From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Thu May 23 17:42:42 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 12:42:42 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Amnesty International declares Julian Assange "not
	a prisoner of conscience"
Message-ID: <006201d5118e$ee69b170$cb3d1450$@comcast.net>

Francis,

You should write an article detailing how Amnesty International has become a
tool of UK and US foreign policy.

 

Amnesty International declares Julian Assange "not a prisoner of conscience"

May 23, 2019

Another important dispatch from The Greanville Post. Be sure to share it
widely.

  _____  

 
<https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Authornames1Laura
Tiernan.jpg>
https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Authornames1LauraT
iernan.jpg

 
<https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Julian-assange.jp
g>
https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Julian-assange.jpg

Assange: By judicial harassment, technical blockages, banking boycotts, and
extra-legal procedures, the Empire has substantively reduced Wikileaks'
ability to conduct business. But now they need to set an example.

LIBERAL BETRAYALS DEPT.-

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a multi-award-winning investigative
journalist and publisher, is locked up in HM Prison Belmarsh in London in
solitary confinement. US extradition proceedings have begun. If extradited,
he will face charges under the Espionage Act for publishing information that
exposed US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The charges being prepared by the US Department of Justice carry the death
penalty.

Chelsea Manning, who courageously blew the whistle on US atrocities by
giving information to WikiLeaks, endured seven years of torture in a
military prison and was jailed again last week for refusing to testify
against Assange.

But according to Amnesty International (AI), neither Assange nor Manning are
"prisoners of conscience" and their defence is not being actively pursued by
the human rights charity.

In a letter to the Julian Assange Defence Committee (JADC) on May 17,
Amnesty International UK declared, "Julian Assange's case is a case we're
monitoring closely but not actively working on. Amnesty International does
not consider Julian Assange to be a Prisoner of Conscience."

  _____  

Amnesty International's abject behaviour is emblematic of liberalism's
cowardly and stealthy colaboration with the global imperialist system. The
betrayal of Assange, and free speech (as seen among Democrats) is hardly
news to those who understand the nature of liberalism and its thick web of
goody-two-shoes organisations pretending to stand in opposition to state
criminality. Assange and the Syrian war are a litmus test separating real
from phony progressives.-Ed.

AI's curtly worded letter followed an urgent appeal by Maxine Walker on
behalf of the JADC. Her letter drew attention to multiple human rights
violations against Assange. "We cannot state strongly enough that Julian
Assange is in great peril", she wrote.

Walker cited AI's April 11 statement that "Assange should not be extradited
or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, where there are concerns that
he would face a real risk of serious human rights violations due to his work
with Wikileaks."

Since then, Walker challenged, "no further statements appear to have been
made by you. His name appears not to have been mentioned in your material
for World Press Freedom Day, an extraordinary omission given his current
situation and that Julian Assange was awarded the 2009 Amnesty International
UK Media Award for New Media."

Her letter continued: "The UK government has ignored, indeed poured scorn,
on the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 2015 ruling that 'the
deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange is arbitrary and in contravention of
articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'."

The UN Working Group, Walker pointed out, had described Assange's
imprisonment in Belmarsh as having "furthered the arbitrary deprivation of
liberty of Mr. Assange." They judged his 50-week sentence in a supermax
prison had "contravene[d] the principles of necessity and proportionality
envisaged by the human rights standards."

Walker's letter concluded, "It is urgent that organisations concerned with
human rights should become more vocal and active on this case. One statement
is not adequate to deal with the threats to Julian Assange and the wider
implications for free speech, freedom of information and the protection of
journalists."

AI's two-paragraph reply was received by Walker three days later. It linked
to a statement by AI's Deputy Director for Research for Europe, Massimo
Moratti, published on May 13, supporting Sweden's reopening of "preliminary
investigations" into fabricated "rape" allegations against Assange.
Headlined, "Julian Assange rape allegations must be treated with utmost
seriousness," Moretti declared, "It is vital that the allegations against
Julian Assange are properly investigated in a way that respects the rights
of both the complainant and the person under investigation."

This is a travesty.

For nearly nine years, bogus "rape" and "sexual molestation" allegations
against Assange have been wielded by Sweden and Britain to smear the
WikiLeaks founder and secure his extradition to the US. Assange was always
willing to travel to Sweden to answer the allegations against him, but
Swedish authorities refused to guarantee against his onward extradition
under fast-track "temporary surrender" arrangements in place with the US. It
was the threat of US extradition which forced Assange to seek political
asylum in Ecuador.

Assange has already been questioned by Swedish police and prosecutors-in
August 2010 in Stockholm and at Ecuador's embassy in London in November
2016. On both occasions, the preliminary investigation was closed with not a
single charge laid. Under Swedish law, Assange can be charged prior to an
extradition request. Yet even now, Sweden has submitted no charges and is
seeking a European Arrest Warrant for blatantly political objectives.

AI deliberately conceals the political context of Assange and Manning's
incarceration: international geopolitics, illegal wars of occupation, regime
change, assassination threats by US politicians against Assange-none of this
exists. Having pointed to Sweden, AI simply states that it does not regard
the world's most persecuted journalist a Prisoner of Conscience. It believes
he, "should not be extradited to the USA, where he faces a real risk of
serious human rights violations. due to his work with Wikileaks." It's just
that they are not "actively" pursuing the case.

AI seizes on the Swedish allegations as a pretext to wash its hands of
Assange, but what of Manning? The World Socialist Web Site contacted AI on
Tuesday to ask why it had also refused to list Manning as a Prisoner of
Conscience. AI's UK press officer contacted their US office before
explaining via email that "detention for not testifying before a grand jury
is not itself illegal." And neither is chopping off heads in Saudi Arabia,
which has not prevented AI from actively campaigning on that issue.

AI hastened to tell the WSWS that "we understand Chelsea's motivations for
declining [to testify] when she has already testified at length on these
issues," adding that the "excessive sentencing and cruel treatment of her
previous incarceration served as a stark reminder of the lengths that those
in power will go to in order to keep others from speaking out."

Yet they have not posted a single statement on Manning since 2017.

AI defines a Prisoner of Conscience as "someone who has not used or
advocated violence but is imprisoned because of who they are (sexual
orientation, ethnic, national or social origin, language, birth, colour, sex
or economic status) or what they believe (religious, political or other
conscientiously held beliefs)."

Assange and Manning have been thrown in prison because of their
"conscientiously held beliefs" that all people have the right to know about
war crimes, state corruption, mass surveillance and antidemocratic intrigues
by the world's most powerful states. "I can either go to jail or betray my
principles," Manning has explained. "I would rather starve to death than
change my opinion."

If Assange and Manning are not prisoners of conscience, then who is?

AI told the WSWS they do not maintain an international list of POC
designates. But a partial list published on Wikipedia shows the majority
come from Russia, Iran, China, the former Soviet republics and Saudi Arabia.
Just one POC is listed in the United States, none from Britain and none from
France where journalists are presently being threatened with jail for
exposing French military involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen that has
claimed over 100,000 lives.

On its website, AI states, "We protect people, defending their right to
freedom, to truth, and to dignity. We do this by investigating and exposing
abuses where they happen." The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
"remains fundamental to Amnesty's work." "It provides the bedrock of most of
our campaigning, and it helps us to hold authorities to account when rights
are abused."

When it comes to Assange and Manning, AI holds no authority to account,
remains silent in the face of outrageous human rights violations and helps
to magnify the government-media smear machine. Virtually all of the UDHR's
thirty articles have been breached by the US, UK, Australia, Sweden and
Ecuador in their treatment of Assange and Manning.

The most egregious violations of Assange's rights relate to the following
principles: Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security
of person; Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Article 9: No one shall be
subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile; Article 10: Everyone is
entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and
impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and
of any criminal charge against him; Article 14: Everyone has the right to
seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution; Article 15: No
one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to
change his nationality; Article 17: No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of
his property; Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through
any media and regardless of frontiers.

Written in 1948, the preamble to the UDHR states that "it is essential, if
man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion
against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the
rule of law." Emerging from the blood and filth of fascism and a World War
that claimed 60 million lives, the imperialist powers erected an
international framework of economic, political and legal mechanisms to guard
against a new descent into war, social upheaval and revolution.

If the framers of the UDHR sought insurance against recourse to "rebellion",
this aim was shared by those who established Amnesty International. Its
founder, barrister Peter Benenson, wrote in 1960, "The important thing is to
mobilise public opinion quickly and widely, before a government is caught up
in the vicious spiral caused by its own repression and is faced with
impending civil war." It was also important to choose POCs carefully: "The
technique of publicising the personal stories of a number of prisoners of
contrasting politics is a new one. It has been adopted to avoid the fate of
previous amnesty campaigns, which so often have become more concerned with
publicising the political views of the imprisoned than with humanitarian
purposes."

The unstated premise-clear in AI's silence on Manning and Chelsea-is that
the "political views" of these two prisoners should not be publicised and
the institutions of western capitalist "democracy" must be defended,
especially from any popular and revolutionary threat from below. Eight years
ago, Amnesty International hailed WikiLeaks and the Guardian for their role
in publishing documents that played a "catalytic role" in sparking the 2011
Arab Spring, especially in Tunisia. Today, the Guardian is the Witchfinder
General, gruesomely smearing Assange as a Russian stooge and "rapist", while
AI has thrown Assange and Manning to the wolves.

A political chasm has opened. In Britain, all of the establishment
parties-Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Scottish National Party-along
with the pseudo-left Socialist Workers Party and Socialist Party are ranged
against Assange, with a host of NGOs and human rights groups in tow. The
Swedish allegations merely serve as a convenient pretext for their naked
defence of imperialism. Sweden is the "Pontius Pilate option" for those like
Dianne Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn, who declared to the media on April 13 that
"there can be no hiding place from those kind of accusations" and that
Assange should be sent to Sweden if an extradition request is received.

Lest anyone doubt the role of Sweden's re-re-revived "preliminary
investigations", consider the words of Heather Barr, Acting Co-Director of
the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch UK, who issued a statement
on April 16 that should be entered onto a rollcall of shame: "When
WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange was arrested in London last week so he
could face charges in the US, it raised deep concerns around media freedom.
Amid these concerns, however, let's remember that Assange is also accused of
rape."

Barr's statement effectively overrode HRW's earlier condemnation of
Assange's arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy, endorsing his lengthy
incarceration in Belmarsh Prison ("UK, Deciding Assange's Fate, Should Give
Sweden Time to Evaluate Rape Case") while making false and defamatory
statements against Assange. Barr makes repeated reference to rape "charges"
against Assange-charges that have never existed!

The political line-up on Assange confirms the central contention of the
Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site: Assange and
Manning's freedom rests on the independent political mobilisation of the
working class. It is to the great mass of working people, youth and all
genuine defenders of democratic rights that the fight to free Assange and
Manning must be taken.

***

Appendix: An exchange of letters

The following is an exchange of letters between the Julian Assange Defence
Committee's Maxine Walker and Amnesty International UK.

Julian Assange Defence Committee

14 May 2019

Dear Amnesty International UK

I am writing to you on behalf of the Julian Assange Defence Committee, which
was set up to oppose his extradition to the USA and to galvanise opposition
to it.

We cannot state strongly enough that Julian Assange is in great peril.
Indeed you may have seen the interview with WikiLeaks editor-in-chief
Kristinn Hrafnsson following his and Pamela Anderson's recent visit to
Belmarsh in which Mr Hrafnsson states, 'It is a question of life and death,
that's how serious it is.'

We are aware that you made a statement after his arrest in April in which
you said:

"Amnesty International believes that Julian Assange should not be extradited
or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, where there are concerns that
he would face a real risk of serious human rights violations due to his work
with Wikileaks."

You recognised in this statement the potential violations of his human
rights should such an extradition take place including the ultimate
violation, that of his right to life.

However, we also note that no further statements appear to have been made by
you since then. His name appears not to have been mentioned in your material
for World Press Freedom Day, an extraordinary omission given his current
situation and that Julian Assange was awarded the 2009 Amnesty International
UK Media Award for New Media. Julian Assange has won many such awards in
recognition of WikiLeaks' pivotal role in exposing US and UK war crimes and
violations of human rights that have taken place in those wars including
torture, murder and inflicting large numbers of civilian casualties.

The UK government has ignored, indeed poured scorn, on the UN Working Group
on Arbitrary Detention 2015 ruling that "the deprivation of liberty of Mr.
Assange is arbitrary and in contravention of articles 9 and 10 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights'. After Julian Assange's arrest in
April, the Working Group also stated, ' The Working Group regrets that the
Government has not complied with its Opinion and has now furthered the
arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange.' It expresses concern that
Mr. Assange has been detained since 11 April 2019 in Belmarsh prison, a
high-security prison, as if he were convicted for a serious criminal
offence. "This treatment appears to contravene the principles of necessity
and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards."

It is urgent that organisations concerned with human rights should become
more vocal and active on this case. One statement is not adequate to deal
with the threats to Julian Assange and the wider implications for free
speech, freedom of information and the protection of journalists. We would
ask you: to prioritise this case in your publicity and campaigns; to lobby
MPs who should be raising concerns about this case and his prison conditions
(and are not doing so); to encourage your supporters to write to him in
prison.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes
Maxine Walker

NOTICE THAT THE AI RATS DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE COURAGE OR DECENCY TO SIGN A
LETTER. THE SEND AN ANONYMOUS IMPERSONAL REPLY.

Dear Maxine,

Thank you for your email regarding Julian Assange.

Our latest statement, following the re-opening of the Swedish Prosecution
Authority's investigation into a rape allegation against Julian Assange, can
be found here;
<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/julian-assange-rape-allegati
ons-must-be-treated-with-utmost-seriousness/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank>
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/julian-assange-rape-allegatio
ns-must-be-treated-with-utmost-seriousness/

Julian Assange's case is a case we're monitoring closely but not actively
working on. Amnesty International does not consider Julian Assange to be a
Prisoner of Conscience. AI does, however, continue to believe that he should
not be extradited to the USA, where he faces a real risk of serious human
rights violations, including in relation to the likely conditions of his
detention, due to his work with Wikileaks.

We hope this explains our position.

Kind regards,

Supporter Communications Team

Amnesty International UK,

The Human Rights Action Centre,

17-25 New Inn Yard,

London,

EC2A 3EA

 

 

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From fboyle at illinois.edu  Thu May 23 17:44:11 2019
From: fboyle at illinois.edu (Boyle, Francis A)
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 17:44:11 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Amnesty International declares Julian Assange
 "not a prisoner of conscience"
In-Reply-To: <006201d5118e$ee69b170$cb3d1450$@comcast.net>
References: <006201d5118e$ee69b170$cb3d1450$@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <BN6PR11MB15220FFEF08E6B8514D0E06CA0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

I already have. Fab.

Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
504 E. Pennsylvania Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820 USA
217-333-7954 (phone)
217-244-1478 (fax)
(personal comments only)

From: David Johnson <davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2019 12:43 PM
To: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net; karenaram at hotmail.com; Boyle, Francis A <fboyle at illinois.edu>
Subject: Amnesty International declares Julian Assange "not a prisoner of conscience"

Francis,
You should write an article detailing how Amnesty International has become a tool of UK and US foreign policy.

Amnesty International declares Julian Assange "not a prisoner of conscience"
May 23, 2019
Another important dispatch from The Greanville Post. Be sure to share it widely.
________________________________
[https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Authornames1LauraTiernan.jpg]<https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Authornames1LauraTiernan.jpg>
[https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Julian-assange.jpg]<https://www.greanvillepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Julian-assange.jpg>
Assange: By judicial harassment, technical blockages, banking boycotts, and extra-legal procedures, the Empire has substantively reduced Wikileaks' ability to conduct business. But now they need to set an example.
LIBERAL BETRAYALS DEPT.-
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a multi-award-winning investigative journalist and publisher, is locked up in HM Prison Belmarsh in London in solitary confinement. US extradition proceedings have begun. If extradited, he will face charges under the Espionage Act for publishing information that exposed US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The charges being prepared by the US Department of Justice carry the death penalty.
Chelsea Manning, who courageously blew the whistle on US atrocities by giving information to WikiLeaks, endured seven years of torture in a military prison and was jailed again last week for refusing to testify against Assange.
But according to Amnesty International (AI), neither Assange nor Manning are "prisoners of conscience" and their defence is not being actively pursued by the human rights charity.
In a letter to the Julian Assange Defence Committee (JADC) on May 17, Amnesty International UK declared, "Julian Assange's case is a case we're monitoring closely but not actively working on. Amnesty International does not consider Julian Assange to be a Prisoner of Conscience."
________________________________
Amnesty International's abject behaviour is emblematic of liberalism's cowardly and stealthy colaboration with the global imperialist system. The betrayal of Assange, and free speech (as seen among Democrats) is hardly news to those who understand the nature of liberalism and its thick web of goody-two-shoes organisations pretending to stand in opposition to state criminality. Assange and the Syrian war are a litmus test separating real from phony progressives.-Ed.
AI's curtly worded letter followed an urgent appeal by Maxine Walker on behalf of the JADC. Her letter drew attention to multiple human rights violations against Assange. "We cannot state strongly enough that Julian Assange is in great peril", she wrote.
Walker cited AI's April 11 statement that "Assange should not be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, where there are concerns that he would face a real risk of serious human rights violations due to his work with Wikileaks."
Since then, Walker challenged, "no further statements appear to have been made by you... His name appears not to have been mentioned in your material for World Press Freedom Day, an extraordinary omission given his current situation and that Julian Assange was awarded the 2009 Amnesty International UK Media Award for New Media."
Her letter continued: "The UK government has ignored, indeed poured scorn, on the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 2015 ruling that 'the deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange is arbitrary and in contravention of articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'."
The UN Working Group, Walker pointed out, had described Assange's imprisonment in Belmarsh as having "furthered the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange." They judged his 50-week sentence in a supermax prison had "contravene[d] the principles of necessity and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards."
Walker's letter concluded, "It is urgent that organisations concerned with human rights should become more vocal and active on this case. One statement is not adequate to deal with the threats to Julian Assange and the wider implications for free speech, freedom of information and the protection of journalists."
AI's two-paragraph reply was received by Walker three days later. It linked to a statement by AI's Deputy Director for Research for Europe, Massimo Moratti, published on May 13, supporting Sweden's reopening of "preliminary investigations" into fabricated "rape" allegations against Assange. Headlined, "Julian Assange rape allegations must be treated with utmost seriousness," Moretti declared, "It is vital that the allegations against Julian Assange are properly investigated in a way that respects the rights of both the complainant and the person under investigation."
This is a travesty.
For nearly nine years, bogus "rape" and "sexual molestation" allegations against Assange have been wielded by Sweden and Britain to smear the WikiLeaks founder and secure his extradition to the US. Assange was always willing to travel to Sweden to answer the allegations against him, but Swedish authorities refused to guarantee against his onward extradition under fast-track "temporary surrender" arrangements in place with the US. It was the threat of US extradition which forced Assange to seek political asylum in Ecuador.
Assange has already been questioned by Swedish police and prosecutors-in August 2010 in Stockholm and at Ecuador's embassy in London in November 2016. On both occasions, the preliminary investigation was closed with not a single charge laid. Under Swedish law, Assange can be charged prior to an extradition request. Yet even now, Sweden has submitted no charges and is seeking a European Arrest Warrant for blatantly political objectives.
AI deliberately conceals the political context of Assange and Manning's incarceration: international geopolitics, illegal wars of occupation, regime change, assassination threats by US politicians against Assange-none of this exists. Having pointed to Sweden, AI simply states that it does not regard the world's most persecuted journalist a Prisoner of Conscience. It believes he, "should not be extradited to the USA, where he faces a real risk of serious human rights violations... due to his work with Wikileaks." It's just that they are not "actively" pursuing the case.
AI seizes on the Swedish allegations as a pretext to wash its hands of Assange, but what of Manning? The World Socialist Web Site contacted AI on Tuesday to ask why it had also refused to list Manning as a Prisoner of Conscience. AI's UK press officer contacted their US office before explaining via email that "detention for not testifying before a grand jury is not itself illegal." And neither is chopping off heads in Saudi Arabia, which has not prevented AI from actively campaigning on that issue.
AI hastened to tell the WSWS that "we understand Chelsea's motivations for declining [to testify] when she has already testified at length on these issues," adding that the "excessive sentencing and cruel treatment of her previous incarceration served as a stark reminder of the lengths that those in power will go to in order to keep others from speaking out."
Yet they have not posted a single statement on Manning since 2017.
AI defines a Prisoner of Conscience as "someone who has not used or advocated violence but is imprisoned because of who they are (sexual orientation, ethnic, national or social origin, language, birth, colour, sex or economic status) or what they believe (religious, political or other conscientiously held beliefs)."
Assange and Manning have been thrown in prison because of their "conscientiously held beliefs" that all people have the right to know about war crimes, state corruption, mass surveillance and antidemocratic intrigues by the world's most powerful states. "I can either go to jail or betray my principles," Manning has explained. "I would rather starve to death than change my opinion."
If Assange and Manning are not prisoners of conscience, then who is?
AI told the WSWS they do not maintain an international list of POC designates. But a partial list published on Wikipedia shows the majority come from Russia, Iran, China, the former Soviet republics and Saudi Arabia. Just one POC is listed in the United States, none from Britain and none from France where journalists are presently being threatened with jail for exposing French military involvement in the ongoing war in Yemen that has claimed over 100,000 lives.
On its website, AI states, "We protect people, defending their right to freedom, to truth, and to dignity. We do this by investigating and exposing abuses where they happen." The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) "remains fundamental to Amnesty's work." "It provides the bedrock of most of our campaigning, and it helps us to hold authorities to account when rights are abused."
When it comes to Assange and Manning, AI holds no authority to account, remains silent in the face of outrageous human rights violations and helps to magnify the government-media smear machine. Virtually all of the UDHR's thirty articles have been breached by the US, UK, Australia, Sweden and Ecuador in their treatment of Assange and Manning.
The most egregious violations of Assange's rights relate to the following principles: Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person; Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Article 9: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile; Article 10: Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him; Article 14: Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution; Article 15: No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality; Article 17: No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property; Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Written in 1948, the preamble to the UDHR states that "it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law." Emerging from the blood and filth of fascism and a World War that claimed 60 million lives, the imperialist powers erected an international framework of economic, political and legal mechanisms to guard against a new descent into war, social upheaval and revolution.
If the framers of the UDHR sought insurance against recourse to "rebellion", this aim was shared by those who established Amnesty International. Its founder, barrister Peter Benenson, wrote in 1960, "The important thing is to mobilise public opinion quickly and widely, before a government is caught up in the vicious spiral caused by its own repression and is faced with impending civil war." It was also important to choose POCs carefully: "The technique of publicising the personal stories of a number of prisoners of contrasting politics is a new one. It has been adopted to avoid the fate of previous amnesty campaigns, which so often have become more concerned with publicising the political views of the imprisoned than with humanitarian purposes."
The unstated premise-clear in AI's silence on Manning and Chelsea-is that the "political views" of these two prisoners should not be publicised and the institutions of western capitalist "democracy" must be defended, especially from any popular and revolutionary threat from below. Eight years ago, Amnesty International hailed WikiLeaks and the Guardian for their role in publishing documents that played a "catalytic role" in sparking the 2011 Arab Spring, especially in Tunisia. Today, the Guardian is the Witchfinder General, gruesomely smearing Assange as a Russian stooge and "rapist", while AI has thrown Assange and Manning to the wolves.
A political chasm has opened. In Britain, all of the establishment parties-Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Scottish National Party-along with the pseudo-left Socialist Workers Party and Socialist Party are ranged against Assange, with a host of NGOs and human rights groups in tow. The Swedish allegations merely serve as a convenient pretext for their naked defence of imperialism. Sweden is the "Pontius Pilate option" for those like Dianne Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn, who declared to the media on April 13 that "there can be no hiding place from those kind of accusations" and that Assange should be sent to Sweden if an extradition request is received.
Lest anyone doubt the role of Sweden's re-re-revived "preliminary investigations", consider the words of Heather Barr, Acting Co-Director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch UK, who issued a statement on April 16 that should be entered onto a rollcall of shame: "When WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange was arrested in London last week so he could face charges in the US, it raised deep concerns around media freedom. Amid these concerns, however, let's remember that Assange is also accused of rape."
Barr's statement effectively overrode HRW's earlier condemnation of Assange's arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy, endorsing his lengthy incarceration in Belmarsh Prison ("UK, Deciding Assange's Fate, Should Give Sweden Time to Evaluate Rape Case") while making false and defamatory statements against Assange. Barr makes repeated reference to rape "charges" against Assange-charges that have never existed!
The political line-up on Assange confirms the central contention of the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site: Assange and Manning's freedom rests on the independent political mobilisation of the working class. It is to the great mass of working people, youth and all genuine defenders of democratic rights that the fight to free Assange and Manning must be taken.
***
Appendix: An exchange of letters
The following is an exchange of letters between the Julian Assange Defence Committee's Maxine Walker and Amnesty International UK.
Julian Assange Defence Committee
14 May 2019
Dear Amnesty International UK
I am writing to you on behalf of the Julian Assange Defence Committee, which was set up to oppose his extradition to the USA and to galvanise opposition to it.
We cannot state strongly enough that Julian Assange is in great peril. Indeed you may have seen the interview with WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson following his and Pamela Anderson's recent visit to Belmarsh in which Mr Hrafnsson states, 'It is a question of life and death, that's how serious it is.'
We are aware that you made a statement after his arrest in April in which you said:
"Amnesty International believes that Julian Assange should not be extradited or subjected to any other transfer to the USA, where there are concerns that he would face a real risk of serious human rights violations due to his work with Wikileaks."
You recognised in this statement the potential violations of his human rights should such an extradition take place including the ultimate violation, that of his right to life.
However, we also note that no further statements appear to have been made by you since then. His name appears not to have been mentioned in your material for World Press Freedom Day, an extraordinary omission given his current situation and that Julian Assange was awarded the 2009 Amnesty International UK Media Award for New Media. Julian Assange has won many such awards in recognition of WikiLeaks' pivotal role in exposing US and UK war crimes and violations of human rights that have taken place in those wars including torture, murder and inflicting large numbers of civilian casualties.
The UK government has ignored, indeed poured scorn, on the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 2015 ruling that "the deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange is arbitrary and in contravention of articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights'. After Julian Assange's arrest in April, the Working Group also stated, ' The Working Group regrets that the Government has not complied with its Opinion and has now furthered the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Assange.' It expresses concern that Mr. Assange has been detained since 11 April 2019 in Belmarsh prison, a high-security prison, as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence. "This treatment appears to contravene the principles of necessity and proportionality envisaged by the human rights standards."
It is urgent that organisations concerned with human rights should become more vocal and active on this case. One statement is not adequate to deal with the threats to Julian Assange and the wider implications for free speech, freedom of information and the protection of journalists. We would ask you: to prioritise this case in your publicity and campaigns; to lobby MPs who should be raising concerns about this case and his prison conditions (and are not doing so); to encourage your supporters to write to him in prison.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Maxine Walker
NOTICE THAT THE AI RATS DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE COURAGE OR DECENCY TO SIGN A LETTER. THE SEND AN ANONYMOUS IMPERSONAL REPLY.
Dear Maxine,
Thank you for your email regarding Julian Assange.
Our latest statement, following the re-opening of the Swedish Prosecution Authority's investigation into a rape allegation against Julian Assange, can be found here; https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/julian-assange-rape-allegations-must-be-treated-with-utmost-seriousness/<https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/05/julian-assange-rape-allegations-must-be-treated-with-utmost-seriousness/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank>
Julian Assange's case is a case we're monitoring closely but not actively working on. Amnesty International does not consider Julian Assange to be a Prisoner of Conscience. AI does, however, continue to believe that he should not be extradited to the USA, where he faces a real risk of serious human rights violations, including in relation to the likely conditions of his detention, due to his work with Wikileaks.
We hope this explains our position.
Kind regards,
Supporter Communications Team
Amnesty International UK,
The Human Rights Action Centre,
17-25 New Inn Yard,
London,
EC2A 3EA


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From fboyle at illinois.edu  Thu May 23 17:44:52 2019
From: fboyle at illinois.edu (Boyle, Francis A)
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 17:44:52 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] FW: FW: Amnesty International: Imperialist Tool
In-Reply-To: <BN6PR11MB1522A810FF17D260EF852374A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
References: <A577E3DDF9C35E4DA9C0B5E0346A12F00985AD99@CITESMBX4.ad.uillinois.edu>
 <BN6PR11MB1522D609CD2841F7DA0AEE5CA0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
 <CAM7ZqkhFik6PXHYD7_g3VEwS9ykvgAODZqrNiKR_ufRuCoZwUg@mail.gmail.com>
 <BN6PR11MB1522DA70F520FA798AE32894A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
 <BN6PR11MB1522A810FF17D260EF852374A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <BN6PR11MB152275CFE03A78C11DC17B77A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

Feed: Global Research
Posted on: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 10:14 AM
Author: Francis A. Boyle
Subject: Amnesty International: Imperialist Tool

Dear Amnesty Friends: I am in receipt of the response by three members of the AIUSA Middle East Coordination Group to my message that was entitled “NGOs As Western Tools.” You will note that they never denied any of the basic facts set forth in my original message.…

View article...<http://www.globalresearch.ca/amnesty-international-imperialist-tool/5309437?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amnesty-international-imperialist-tool>
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From karenaram at hotmail.com  Thu May 23 17:47:59 2019
From: karenaram at hotmail.com (Karen Aram)
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 17:47:59 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Amnesty International: Imperialist Tool
In-Reply-To: <BN6PR11MB152275CFE03A78C11DC17B77A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
References: <A577E3DDF9C35E4DA9C0B5E0346A12F00985AD99@CITESMBX4.ad.uillinois.edu>
 <BN6PR11MB1522D609CD2841F7DA0AEE5CA0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
 <CAM7ZqkhFik6PXHYD7_g3VEwS9ykvgAODZqrNiKR_ufRuCoZwUg@mail.gmail.com>
 <BN6PR11MB1522DA70F520FA798AE32894A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
 <BN6PR11MB1522A810FF17D260EF852374A0010@BN6PR11MB1522.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
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Message-ID: <MWHPR08MB23824D10FB7634B4740E6A3BA3010@MWHPR08MB2382.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>



Just now posted on FB…….


On May 23, 2019, at 10:44, Boyle, Francis A <fboyle at illinois.edu<mailto:fboyle at illinois.edu>> wrote:

Feed: Global Research
Posted on: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 10:14 AM
Author: Francis A. Boyle
Subject: Amnesty International: Imperialist Tool

Dear Amnesty Friends: I am in receipt of the response by three members of the AIUSA Middle East Coordination Group to my message that was entitled “NGOs As Western Tools.” You will note that they never denied any of the basic facts set forth in my original message.…

View article...<http://www.globalresearch.ca/amnesty-international-imperialist-tool/5309437?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amnesty-international-imperialist-tool>

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From jbn at forestfield.org  Thu May 23 23:57:56 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Thu, 23 May 2019 18:57:56 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Notes
In-Reply-To: <37460a86-e91a-5cec-af56-2274e10edabd@forestfield.org>
References: <37460a86-e91a-5cec-af56-2274e10edabd@forestfield.org>
Message-ID: <2d99f6a3-1d10-0335-dbf0-fbfeb17ddcf3@forestfield.org>

I wrote:
> WikiLeaks/Assange:
> 
> https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48335692 -- Ecuador hands over 
> Assange's stuff to the US and WikiLeaks says Ecuador certainly has tampered 
> with that stuff before handing it over to the US.

With 17 new criminal charges now heaped upon Julian Assange in a 
superseding indictment today, there is also a clear call for people to pick 
what side they're on from many including WikiLeaks editor Kristinn 
Hrafnsson, The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald, former NSA contractor & leaker 
Edward Snowden, and journalist John Pilger:

Hrafnsson wrote https://twitter.com/khrafnsson/status/1131663637687558146
> I find no satisfaction in saying ‘I told you so’ to those who for 9
> years have scorned us for warning this moment would come. I care for
> journalism. If you share my feeling you take a stand NOW. Either you are
> a worthless coward or you defend Assange, WikiLeaks and Journalism. [1]
[1] https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1131654395840618496 -- Reuters coverage


Greenwald wrote https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1131658856264818689
> All those who spent the last 2+ years proclaiming to be so very
> concerned about attacks on a free press will now have to decide whether
> they really meant it, or whether - due to feelings about Assange - they
> will cheer the Trump Administration's frontal assault on press freedom:
> [2][2] https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/1131657376183083010 -- CNN coverage


Snowden wrote https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1131657973745496066
> The Department of Justice just declared war––€”not on Wikileaks, but on
> journalism itself. This is no longer about Julian Assange: This case
> will decide the future of media. [3][3] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/us/politics/assange-indictment.html


Pilger wrote https://twitter.com/johnpilger/status/1131674378788319244
> The war on Julian #Assange is now a war on all. Eighteen absurd charges
> including espionage send a burning message to every journalist, every
> publisher. The target today is #Assange. Tomorrow it will be you on the
> New York Times, you on the BBC. Modern fascism is breaking cover.


From stuartnlevy at gmail.com  Sat May 25 04:27:44 2019
From: stuartnlevy at gmail.com (stuartnlevy)
Date: Fri, 24 May 2019 23:27:44 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in
 Venezuela
In-Reply-To: <6E.C4.01504.9D478EC5@momentum-soi-01-mta2.prod.aweberint.com>
Message-ID: <5ce8c3fc.1c69fb81.7f939.c68f@mx.google.com>

The NY Times pushed for the Iraq war by passing anonymously-sourced lies from the Bush administration, and now they are doing likewise with lies about Venezuela from the Trump administration.   FAIR calls it. -- Stuart
-------- Original message --------From: FAIR <fair at fair.org> Date: 5/24/19  17:48  (GMT-06:00) To: stuartnlevy at gmail.com Subject: NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in Venezuela 

	
		
			
			
				
					
						
					
					
						
						NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in Venezuela
						view post on FAIR.org
						
						by Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz
The New York Times (5/2/19) publishes sensational charges about an official enemy, based on documents only the Times has seen, vouched for by unnamed intelligence agents. What could go wrong?
Judith Miller and Michael Gordon published their now infamous New York Times article on September 8, 2002, falsely claiming on the basis of unnamed “American officials” that Iraq had acquired “aluminum tubes” with the aim of producing “an atomic bomb.”
Disgraced by her regurgitation of bogus claims, Miller left the Times in 2005, but her spirit is “alive and well” at the “paper of record.” Nicholas Casey follows faithfully in Miller’s footsteps, authoring dubious, anonymously sourced stories that coincidentally happen to further US regime-change objectives.
In a recent piece headlined “Secret Venezuela Files Warn About Maduro Confidant” (5/2/19), the Times’ Andes bureau chief claimed, on the basis of a leaked Venezuelan intelligence “dossier” that only his paper has seen, that Venezuela’s Industry minister and former Vice President Tareck El Aissami has active links to Hezbollah and drug trafficking. Casey wrote:
The dossier, provided to the New York Times by a former top Venezuelan intelligence official and confirmed independently by a second one, recounts testimony from informants accusing Mr. El Aissami and his father of recruiting Hezbollah members to help expand spying and drug trafficking networks in the region.
Unsurprisingly, the article has been endorsed by Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, widely considered the point man for Trump’s Latin America policy, and whose zeal for regime change in Caracas appears unperturbed by elementary facts or international law. In a May 16 tweet, Rubio openly celebrated the fact that Venezuelan President Maduro “can’t access funds to rebuild electric grid,” thereby dispensing with any pretence that US sanctions are not directly aimed at the Venezuelan population.
The claims of an alleged relationship between Caracas and Hezbollah are, however, entirely unoriginal, having been repeated by corporate journalists and national security pundits without evidence for years.
Attempts to tie Venezuela to demonized Middle Easterners are nothing new (The Hill, 1/13/17).
“Hezbollah has a long and sordid history in Venezuela,” wrote Foreign Policy (2/2/19) earlier this year. Newsweek claimed in a 2017 article (12/8/17) that the Lebanese political party “was involved in cocaine shipments from Latin America to West Africa, as well as through Venezuela and Mexico to the United States,” while The Hill (1/13/17) labeled El Aissami a “fan of Iran and Hezbollah,” rehashing US allegations going back to 2008.
Likewise, corporate media claims about Hezbollah presence in Latin America have not been exclusive to Venezuela, with similar baseless rumors circulating about the Lebanese political party operating in the so-called Tri-Border Area of Paraguay (Extra!, 9–10/07).
Such stories just happen to buttress similar unsupported claims by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Hezbollah has “active cells” in Venezuela. Pompeo and other senior administration officials have repeatedly warned that a military option to remove the Maduro government is “on the table,” while self-proclaimed “interim president” Juan Guaidó has requested “cooperation” from the Pentagon’s US Southern Command.
Casey himself has a long-established track record in dodgy Venezuela reporting, ranging from ludicrous stories about Cuban doctors (FAIR.org, 3/26/19) to false claims that private media like Globovision and El Universal “toe a government line.” (See FAIR.org, 5/20/19.)
Suspect sources
New York Times depiction (5/2/19) of Tareck El Aissami with an airplane. (photo: Yuri Cortez/Agence France-Presse)
According to Casey’s “dossier,” Tareck El Aissami conspired with his father, Carlos Zaidan El Aissami,
in a plan to train Hezbollah members in Venezuela, “with the aim of expanding intelligence networks throughout Latin America and at the same time working in drug trafficking.”
We should begin by recognizing that Casey provides no proof of the authenticity of the alleged documents, and there is no reason why readers should take the assurances of unnamed “former top Venezuelan intelligence official[s]” at face value, especially those currently outside Venezuela collaborating with Washington. Similar sources were used to craft the fraudulent case for war in Iraq.
For instance, former Venezuelan intelligence czar Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal, who broke with the Maduro government in 2017, is facing extradition to the US from Spain on cocaine-smuggling charges. In February, the ex-general gave an interview to Casey and the Times (2/21/19) in which he accused El Aissami of similar drug trafficking and Hezbollah links. Nowhere in the article did Casey think it relevant to mention that Carvajal plans to cooperate with US authorities, and thus has reasonable motive to fabricate information that improves the conditions of his plea bargain.
Taking refuge in anonymity, which the Times’ own handbook describes as a “last resort,” Casey leaves open the question of whether his source is Carvajal or another ex-official collaborating with the US who authored the dossier after leaving Venezuela, since no date is provided. From “Curveball” to North Korean defectors, corporate media have been consistently guilty of not examining sources’ motives so long as their “information” bolsters US foreign policy interests, even at the cost of tens or hundreds of thousands of lives.
Urea-gate?
Beyond the issue of sourcing, the alleged “dossier” has a troubling number of logical and factual inconsistencies. A case in point is the alleged testimony from an unnamed National Guard officer about a 2004 raid near the border with Brazil, which reportedly found more than 150 tons of urea in a warehouse. Casey disingenuously refers to urea as a “precursor substance used to make cocaine,” when in fact over 90 percent of industrially produced urea is used for fertilizer. Casey does concede later on that urea has non-cocaine purposes, but cannot conceive of the possibility of the substance being stored in a given location only to be used elsewhere.
The narrative function of the urea bust, which for some reason was not reported until a mysterious dossier was handed to the New York Times 15 years later, is to provide a link to Walid Makled, allegedly the owner of the urea warehouses, and a drug trafficking kingpin of sorts. Even assuming that the urea was meant for cocaine production, and not for more mundane agricultural purposes, a key fact is that Makled is currently serving a jail sentence in Venezuela for drug trafficking. This inconvenient reality, noted but not explained by the Times, on its face seriously undermines the idea that the current Industry minister, supposedly a close associate of Makled, is a powerful figure running a drug ring at the heart of the Venezuelan state.
That aside, it’s worth reviewing the “links” that Casey presents between Makled and El Aissami:

According to the “dossier,” El Aissami’s brother, Feraz, went into business with Makled.
The government gave “contracts” to a company “tied to Mr. Makled.” (Casey doesn’t think it relevant to explain the nature of these “ties” or “contracts”)
The US government offered a similarly vague level detail regarding El Aissami’s alleged “ties” to drug-running when it sanctioned the then-vice president in 2017, and even Casey admits that Washington “never revealed the evidence.”
“Two people familiar with [El Aissami’s] family” identified Haisam Alaisami as being El Aissami’s cousin, with Alaisami supposedly telling prosecutors he was a legal representative of Makled’s company. Beyond the anonymous genealogy, no concrete evidence is presented linking El Aissami to Alaisami, and hence to drugs.

In the absence of any externally verifiable evidence, what Casey presents as bombshell revelations of solid links to drug trafficking come out looking like 15-year-old gossip from unnamed sources.
Hezbollah hysteria
While Casey’s story provides very questionable allegations on links to drug trafficking and to Hezbollah, the connection between both is even more dubious.
The dossier concludes with informant testimony on the family’s ties to Hezbollah…. One of the sources of the information was the drug lord, Mr. Makled, who described Mr. El Aissami’s involvement in the scheme, according to the intelligence memo.
After establishing highly questionable ties between Tareck El Aissami and Walid Makled, largely based on their shared Syrian ancestry, Casey’s “dossier” then claims it is none other than Makled who “reveals” El Aissami’s supposed Hezbollah plot.
According to the alleged “documents,” El Aissami and his father were “involved in a plan to train Hezbollah members in Venezuela, ‘with the aim of expanding intelligence networks throughout Latin America and at the same time working in drug trafficking.’”
As’ad AbuKhalil on Politically Incorrect (11/30/01)
The unspoken assumption is that Hezbollah, which is a resistance movement and political party that forms part of the the elected Lebanese government, would be interested in conducting such illicit activities halfway around the world. Here Casey displays a geopolitical illiteracy on par with top Trump administration officials since, according to Middle East expert As’ad AbuKhalil, “there is no agenda or reason for Hezbollah to have an international presence.”
“For what purpose? Doesn’t the party have enough on its plate in Lebanon itself?” he asked, while acknowledging that the party does have sympathizers and supporters worldwide.
On the assertion that Hezbollah is engaged in drug trafficking, the University of California at Stanislaus professor is equally skeptical. “There has been no credible story in Arabic or in Western languages about Hezbollah’s involvement in drugs,” he stressed:
Hezbollah publicly and organizationally took a stance against drugs and issues fatwas against drugs not only among members but even in Shiite areas of Lebanon.  Hezbollah has even allowed Lebanese government agencies to penetrate deep into its strongholds [this year] to search for drug traffickers.
Casey and his editors cleverly shield themselves from any reputational damage over the ludicrous nature of these allegations with a rather significant proviso buried in the 14th paragraph of the article:
Whether Hezbollah ever set up its intelligence network or drug routes in Venezuela is not addressed in the dossier. But it does assert that Hezbollah militants established themselves in the country with Mr. El Aissami’s help.
In other words, what was originally presented as anonymously sourced claims about Hezbollah spying and drug trafficking in Venezuela turn out to be little more than speculation about intent to carry out such activities.
In giving credence to these allegations, the Times repeats the propaganda of top Trump administration officials and the Israeli government about the “global terrorist ambitions” of Iran/Hezbollah, which is in league with Venezuela’s socialist “narco-dictatorship.”
Having played a key propaganda role in recent US regime change operations in Iraq, Syria, Libya and elsewhere, corporate media outlets like the New York Times are all too eager to beat the drums of war once again. With Washington actively threatening military force in both Iran and Venezuela, Nicholas Casey lends a hand in manufacturing public consent for not one but two illegal wars.

Featured image: New York Times depiction (5/2/19) of Tareck El Aissami and Nicolás Maduro at an economic conference. What are they whispering about? Drugs or terrorism, no doubt. (photo: Marco Bello/Reuters)
You can send a message to the New York Times at letters at nytimes.com (Twitter:@NYTimes). Please remember that respectful communication is the most effective.
						
					
				
			
			
		
	




FAIR/Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
124 W. 30th Street, Suite 201
New York NY  10001
USA


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From stuartnlevy at gmail.com  Sat May 25 04:27:44 2019
From: stuartnlevy at gmail.com (stuartnlevy)
Date: Fri, 24 May 2019 23:27:44 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Fwd: NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in
 Venezuela
In-Reply-To: <6E.C4.01504.9D478EC5@momentum-soi-01-mta2.prod.aweberint.com>
Message-ID: <5ce8c723.1c69fb81.13942.ed54@mx.google.com>

The NY Times pushed for the Iraq war by passing anonymously-sourced lies from the Bush administration, and now they are doing likewise with lies about Venezuela from the Trump administration.   FAIR calls it. -- Stuart
-------- Original message --------From: FAIR <fair at fair.org> Date: 5/24/19  17:48  (GMT-06:00) To: stuartnlevy at gmail.com Subject: NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in Venezuela 

	
		
			
			
				
					
						
					
					
						
						NYT Parrots US Propaganda on Hezbollah in Venezuela
						view post on FAIR.org
						
						by Lucas Koerner and Ricardo Vaz
The New York Times (5/2/19) publishes sensational charges about an official enemy, based on documents only the Times has seen, vouched for by unnamed intelligence agents. What could go wrong?
Judith Miller and Michael Gordon published their now infamous New York Times article on September 8, 2002, falsely claiming on the basis of unnamed “American officials” that Iraq had acquired “aluminum tubes” with the aim of producing “an atomic bomb.”
Disgraced by her regurgitation of bogus claims, Miller left the Times in 2005, but her spirit is “alive and well” at the “paper of record.” Nicholas Casey follows faithfully in Miller’s footsteps, authoring dubious, anonymously sourced stories that coincidentally happen to further US regime-change objectives.
In a recent piece headlined “Secret Venezuela Files Warn About Maduro Confidant” (5/2/19), the Times’ Andes bureau chief claimed, on the basis of a leaked Venezuelan intelligence “dossier” that only his paper has seen, that Venezuela’s Industry minister and former Vice President Tareck El Aissami has active links to Hezbollah and drug trafficking. Casey wrote:
The dossier, provided to the New York Times by a former top Venezuelan intelligence official and confirmed independently by a second one, recounts testimony from informants accusing Mr. El Aissami and his father of recruiting Hezbollah members to help expand spying and drug trafficking networks in the region.
Unsurprisingly, the article has been endorsed by Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, widely considered the point man for Trump’s Latin America policy, and whose zeal for regime change in Caracas appears unperturbed by elementary facts or international law. In a May 16 tweet, Rubio openly celebrated the fact that Venezuelan President Maduro “can’t access funds to rebuild electric grid,” thereby dispensing with any pretence that US sanctions are not directly aimed at the Venezuelan population.
The claims of an alleged relationship between Caracas and Hezbollah are, however, entirely unoriginal, having been repeated by corporate journalists and national security pundits without evidence for years.
Attempts to tie Venezuela to demonized Middle Easterners are nothing new (The Hill, 1/13/17).
“Hezbollah has a long and sordid history in Venezuela,” wrote Foreign Policy (2/2/19) earlier this year. Newsweek claimed in a 2017 article (12/8/17) that the Lebanese political party “was involved in cocaine shipments from Latin America to West Africa, as well as through Venezuela and Mexico to the United States,” while The Hill (1/13/17) labeled El Aissami a “fan of Iran and Hezbollah,” rehashing US allegations going back to 2008.
Likewise, corporate media claims about Hezbollah presence in Latin America have not been exclusive to Venezuela, with similar baseless rumors circulating about the Lebanese political party operating in the so-called Tri-Border Area of Paraguay (Extra!, 9–10/07).
Such stories just happen to buttress similar unsupported claims by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Hezbollah has “active cells” in Venezuela. Pompeo and other senior administration officials have repeatedly warned that a military option to remove the Maduro government is “on the table,” while self-proclaimed “interim president” Juan Guaidó has requested “cooperation” from the Pentagon’s US Southern Command.
Casey himself has a long-established track record in dodgy Venezuela reporting, ranging from ludicrous stories about Cuban doctors (FAIR.org, 3/26/19) to false claims that private media like Globovision and El Universal “toe a government line.” (See FAIR.org, 5/20/19.)
Suspect sources
New York Times depiction (5/2/19) of Tareck El Aissami with an airplane. (photo: Yuri Cortez/Agence France-Presse)
According to Casey’s “dossier,” Tareck El Aissami conspired with his father, Carlos Zaidan El Aissami,
in a plan to train Hezbollah members in Venezuela, “with the aim of expanding intelligence networks throughout Latin America and at the same time working in drug trafficking.”
We should begin by recognizing that Casey provides no proof of the authenticity of the alleged documents, and there is no reason why readers should take the assurances of unnamed “former top Venezuelan intelligence official[s]” at face value, especially those currently outside Venezuela collaborating with Washington. Similar sources were used to craft the fraudulent case for war in Iraq.
For instance, former Venezuelan intelligence czar Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal, who broke with the Maduro government in 2017, is facing extradition to the US from Spain on cocaine-smuggling charges. In February, the ex-general gave an interview to Casey and the Times (2/21/19) in which he accused El Aissami of similar drug trafficking and Hezbollah links. Nowhere in the article did Casey think it relevant to mention that Carvajal plans to cooperate with US authorities, and thus has reasonable motive to fabricate information that improves the conditions of his plea bargain.
Taking refuge in anonymity, which the Times’ own handbook describes as a “last resort,” Casey leaves open the question of whether his source is Carvajal or another ex-official collaborating with the US who authored the dossier after leaving Venezuela, since no date is provided. From “Curveball” to North Korean defectors, corporate media have been consistently guilty of not examining sources’ motives so long as their “information” bolsters US foreign policy interests, even at the cost of tens or hundreds of thousands of lives.
Urea-gate?
Beyond the issue of sourcing, the alleged “dossier” has a troubling number of logical and factual inconsistencies. A case in point is the alleged testimony from an unnamed National Guard officer about a 2004 raid near the border with Brazil, which reportedly found more than 150 tons of urea in a warehouse. Casey disingenuously refers to urea as a “precursor substance used to make cocaine,” when in fact over 90 percent of industrially produced urea is used for fertilizer. Casey does concede later on that urea has non-cocaine purposes, but cannot conceive of the possibility of the substance being stored in a given location only to be used elsewhere.
The narrative function of the urea bust, which for some reason was not reported until a mysterious dossier was handed to the New York Times 15 years later, is to provide a link to Walid Makled, allegedly the owner of the urea warehouses, and a drug trafficking kingpin of sorts. Even assuming that the urea was meant for cocaine production, and not for more mundane agricultural purposes, a key fact is that Makled is currently serving a jail sentence in Venezuela for drug trafficking. This inconvenient reality, noted but not explained by the Times, on its face seriously undermines the idea that the current Industry minister, supposedly a close associate of Makled, is a powerful figure running a drug ring at the heart of the Venezuelan state.
That aside, it’s worth reviewing the “links” that Casey presents between Makled and El Aissami:

According to the “dossier,” El Aissami’s brother, Feraz, went into business with Makled.
The government gave “contracts” to a company “tied to Mr. Makled.” (Casey doesn’t think it relevant to explain the nature of these “ties” or “contracts”)
The US government offered a similarly vague level detail regarding El Aissami’s alleged “ties” to drug-running when it sanctioned the then-vice president in 2017, and even Casey admits that Washington “never revealed the evidence.”
“Two people familiar with [El Aissami’s] family” identified Haisam Alaisami as being El Aissami’s cousin, with Alaisami supposedly telling prosecutors he was a legal representative of Makled’s company. Beyond the anonymous genealogy, no concrete evidence is presented linking El Aissami to Alaisami, and hence to drugs.

In the absence of any externally verifiable evidence, what Casey presents as bombshell revelations of solid links to drug trafficking come out looking like 15-year-old gossip from unnamed sources.
Hezbollah hysteria
While Casey’s story provides very questionable allegations on links to drug trafficking and to Hezbollah, the connection between both is even more dubious.
The dossier concludes with informant testimony on the family’s ties to Hezbollah…. One of the sources of the information was the drug lord, Mr. Makled, who described Mr. El Aissami’s involvement in the scheme, according to the intelligence memo.
After establishing highly questionable ties between Tareck El Aissami and Walid Makled, largely based on their shared Syrian ancestry, Casey’s “dossier” then claims it is none other than Makled who “reveals” El Aissami’s supposed Hezbollah plot.
According to the alleged “documents,” El Aissami and his father were “involved in a plan to train Hezbollah members in Venezuela, ‘with the aim of expanding intelligence networks throughout Latin America and at the same time working in drug trafficking.’”
As’ad AbuKhalil on Politically Incorrect (11/30/01)
The unspoken assumption is that Hezbollah, which is a resistance movement and political party that forms part of the the elected Lebanese government, would be interested in conducting such illicit activities halfway around the world. Here Casey displays a geopolitical illiteracy on par with top Trump administration officials since, according to Middle East expert As’ad AbuKhalil, “there is no agenda or reason for Hezbollah to have an international presence.”
“For what purpose? Doesn’t the party have enough on its plate in Lebanon itself?” he asked, while acknowledging that the party does have sympathizers and supporters worldwide.
On the assertion that Hezbollah is engaged in drug trafficking, the University of California at Stanislaus professor is equally skeptical. “There has been no credible story in Arabic or in Western languages about Hezbollah’s involvement in drugs,” he stressed:
Hezbollah publicly and organizationally took a stance against drugs and issues fatwas against drugs not only among members but even in Shiite areas of Lebanon.  Hezbollah has even allowed Lebanese government agencies to penetrate deep into its strongholds [this year] to search for drug traffickers.
Casey and his editors cleverly shield themselves from any reputational damage over the ludicrous nature of these allegations with a rather significant proviso buried in the 14th paragraph of the article:
Whether Hezbollah ever set up its intelligence network or drug routes in Venezuela is not addressed in the dossier. But it does assert that Hezbollah militants established themselves in the country with Mr. El Aissami’s help.
In other words, what was originally presented as anonymously sourced claims about Hezbollah spying and drug trafficking in Venezuela turn out to be little more than speculation about intent to carry out such activities.
In giving credence to these allegations, the Times repeats the propaganda of top Trump administration officials and the Israeli government about the “global terrorist ambitions” of Iran/Hezbollah, which is in league with Venezuela’s socialist “narco-dictatorship.”
Having played a key propaganda role in recent US regime change operations in Iraq, Syria, Libya and elsewhere, corporate media outlets like the New York Times are all too eager to beat the drums of war once again. With Washington actively threatening military force in both Iran and Venezuela, Nicholas Casey lends a hand in manufacturing public consent for not one but two illegal wars.

Featured image: New York Times depiction (5/2/19) of Tareck El Aissami and Nicolás Maduro at an economic conference. What are they whispering about? Drugs or terrorism, no doubt. (photo: Marco Bello/Reuters)
You can send a message to the New York Times at letters at nytimes.com (Twitter:@NYTimes). Please remember that respectful communication is the most effective.
						
					
				
			
			
		
	




FAIR/Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
124 W. 30th Street, Suite 201
New York NY  10001
USA


Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options






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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sat May 25 14:53:41 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sat, 25 May 2019 09:53:41 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Rodney Davis Memorial Day message excerpt
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyGDk5vFxNGknvyJB829mzX+bg_3rzMvLO3TSooT4z7gOw@mail.gmail.com>

"We remembered the life and service of Petty Officer Logan Palmer by
dedicating the Harristown post office as the Logan S. Palmer Post Office.
Logan died serving our country when a tanker collided with the USS John
McCain in 2017. *The year Logan died, our nation lost more service members
to accidents than we did in combat. That’s unacceptable. *

Last Congress, we ended the decade-long cuts that had depleted our military
readiness and contributed to the increase of accidents. We can’t go back.
We owe it to our service members and their families to adequately fund our
military."

Actually, it is acceptable for Davis and most of his colleagues, for
obvious reasons.
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Sat May 25 15:28:41 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Sat, 25 May 2019 10:28:41 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Shut Down the Business School
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyFpvZT1U=n_d8oiMRO4oeKHyvmEXe+fiDXw3NMtnX+ixg@mail.gmail.com>

*https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/shut-down-the-business-school/
<https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/shut-down-the-business-school/>  *

*In your latest book you call for the Business School to be replaced by
what you call the School for Organising. Before getting on to the latter,
could you say what the basic problem with the Business School is, as you
see it? Why do you focus in on this particular organisation within society?
What is so important about the Business School?*

The rise of the Business School is something that is not really commented
on that much. But it is an astonishing change in higher education globally,
particularly in the U.K. What we have seen in the last twenty or thirty
years is the globalisation of a particular form of higher education which
teaches and mostly reproduces a set of assumptions about global capitalism
and the way that business should operate. In the book I claim that there
are now something like thirteen thousand Business Schools globally and
their turnover, in terms of fees, is something in the region of four
hundred billion dollars. So we are talking about a very big sector, a set
of institutions that has enormous purchase in terms of the number of people
it teaches about the way that their society should be structured.

The key problem for me is the way that the Business School essentially
encourages us not to question the existing order. The quick summary, I
suppose, is to say that these are schools for capitalism. They teach
capitalism and very often teach capitalism in the most crude and
unreconstructed way, particularly in the areas of finance where many of the
instruments of financialised capitalism that caused the last financial
crisis, are being taught as if they were acceptable within the Business
School. Now, I’m not saying the Business School is the only reason that we
have the particular problems with capitalism that we have at present but it
is clearly one of the amplifiers, one of the megaphones, one of the
producers of the ideology that supports a particular economic and social
structure and I think, and an increasing number of people think, that that
economic and social structure is causing us huge problems in terms of the
generation of inequality, the production of environmental externalities,
the assumptions about leaders and led which are resulting in the kind of
populism and nativism that we are seeing right the way across the global
north. It is clear to me that the structure that we have is broken and yet
we have a set of instructions that seem to be blithely carrying on as if
there were no problems or if they do acknowledge those problems they
largely reduce it to corporate responsibility and tinkering around the
edges. What I think is we need major revision. Well not just revision, I
think we need revolution in terms of the way we educate our young people
about their economic life and possibilities.
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From brussel at illinois.edu  Sat May 25 16:51:35 2019
From: brussel at illinois.edu (Brussel, Morton K)
Date: Sat, 25 May 2019 16:51:35 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Shut Down the Business School
In-Reply-To: <CAOiGAyFpvZT1U=n_d8oiMRO4oeKHyvmEXe+fiDXw3NMtnX+ixg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAOiGAyFpvZT1U=n_d8oiMRO4oeKHyvmEXe+fiDXw3NMtnX+ixg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <773E8627-5FF1-493D-BEBA-74D8C8B9F042@illinois.edu>

Of equivalent concern is what is taught in Economics departments, another favorite Major of undergraduates in the USA, and in graduate school.

On May 25, 2019, at 10:28 AM, David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net<mailto:peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:

https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/shut-down-the-business-school/

In your latest book you call for the Business School to be replaced by what you call the School for Organising. Before getting on to the latter, could you say what the basic problem with the Business School is, as you see it? Why do you focus in on this particular organisation within society? What is so important about the Business School?

The rise of the Business School is something that is not really commented on that much. But it is an astonishing change in higher education globally, particularly in the U.K. What we have seen in the last twenty or thirty years is the globalisation of a particular form of higher education which teaches and mostly reproduces a set of assumptions about global capitalism and the way that business should operate. In the book I claim that there are now something like thirteen thousand Business Schools globally and their turnover, in terms of fees, is something in the region of four hundred billion dollars. So we are talking about a very big sector, a set of institutions that has enormous purchase in terms of the number of people it teaches about the way that their society should be structured.

The key problem for me is the way that the Business School essentially encourages us not to question the existing order. The quick summary, I suppose, is to say that these are schools for capitalism. They teach capitalism and very often teach capitalism in the most crude and unreconstructed way, particularly in the areas of finance where many of the instruments of financialised capitalism that caused the last financial crisis, are being taught as if they were acceptable within the Business School. Now, I’m not saying the Business School is the only reason that we have the particular problems with capitalism that we have at present but it is clearly one of the amplifiers, one of the megaphones, one of the producers of the ideology that supports a particular economic and social structure and I think, and an increasing number of people think, that that economic and social structure is causing us huge problems in terms of the generation of inequality, the production of environmental externalities, the assumptions about leaders and led which are resulting in the kind of populism and nativism that we are seeing right the way across the global north. It is clear to me that the structure that we have is broken and yet we have a set of instructions that seem to be blithely carrying on as if there were no problems or if they do acknowledge those problems they largely reduce it to corporate responsibility and tinkering around the edges. What I think is we need major revision. Well not just revision, I think we need revolution in terms of the way we educate our young people about their economic life and possibilities.
_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net<mailto:Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

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From jbn at forestfield.org  Sat May 25 22:36:44 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Sat, 25 May 2019 17:36:44 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] NfN #421 notes
Message-ID: <de20961e-681c-bbbb-d386-adac7ea965a8@forestfield.org>

News from Neptune #421
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFOOen0pllw

A "Trade War for Profit" edition

Barbara Gregorich on "Walt Whitman – labourer, journalist, poet, social 
radical"
https://rdln.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/walt-whitman-labourer-journalist-poet-social-radical/

https://lists.csbs.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2019-April/289268.html -- 
Post on Marxism mailing list
https://lists.csbs.utah.edu/listinfo/marxism -- Marxism mailing list 
(subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, etc.)



Associated Press on "Nancy Pelosi to be awarded JFK Profile in Courage Award"
https://apnews.com/262594f1de234b1989fa2a15745579de
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/04/07/nancy-pelosi-to-be-awarded-jfk-profile-in-courage-award/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nancy-pelosi-is-awarded-the-2019-kennedy-profile-in-courage-award/2019/04/06/51386298-5883-11e9-814f-e2f46684196e_story.html
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/massachusetts/articles/2019-04-07/nancy-pelosi-to-be-awarded-jfk-profile-in-courage-award
and many other copies of the same story.



Police expected to seize Julian Assange's belongings from the Ecuadorian 
embassy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XIG8XGHvFc -- RT report from RT UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwI1YmXl_yk -- George Galloway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNbX0QM_fU8 -- WikiLeaks editor Kristinn 
Hrafnsson

"War on Journalism" mentioned in RT report on Assange case and new charges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnZQzgZWyJs

Eric Fisher on " Cubs Signs Three-Year Deal With Boeing That Includes 
Series Of Military Recognitions"
https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2018/01/12/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Cubs-Boeing.aspx

Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FPhCEMXHJ8 -- "NBC's Bernie 
[Sanders] Bashing Segment Sponsored by Defense Contractor [Boeing]" from 
Jimmy Dore

Rickets (weak or soft bones in children)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickets

Marshall Auerback on "Boeing Might Represent the Greatest Indictment of 
21st-Century Capitalism"
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/04/boeing-might-represent-the-greatest-indictment-of-21st-century-capitalism.html 
-- which points to 
https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer

Recent Dean Baker articles on Trump's trade war with China
https://fair.org/home/dean-baker-on-trumps-trade-war-leo-fitzpatrick-on-wireless-merger/
https://truthout.org/articles/trumps-trade-war-with-china-is-waged-to-make-the-rich-richer/



MMT (Modern Money Theory) debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3TdbaMf38Y -- The Real News debate with 
Dean Baker & Randall Wray
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/02/modern-monetary-theory-isnt-helping -- 
Doug Henwood on "Modern Monetary Theory Isn’t Helping"

Medicare for All (American implementation of single-payer universal health 
care) costs
https://pnhp.org/resource/single-payer-faq/ -- Physicians for a National 
Health Care Program (PNHP) has multiple entries on costs in their 
frequently-asked questions (FAQ) list including:

https://pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq#aging_population -- How will we 
contain costs with the population aging?

https://pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq#40percent -- Since we could finance 
a fairly good system, like the Norwegian, Danish or Swedish system, with 
the public money we are already spending (60% of health costs), why do we 
need to raise the additional 40% (from employers and individuals)?

https://pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-faq#administrative_costs -- The 
insurance industry says that PNHP’s figures on administrative costs are 
outdated. Is this true?

https://pnhp.org/resource/single-payer-faq/#malpractice -- What will happen 
to malpractice costs under national health insurance?

https://pnhp.org/resource/single-payer-faq/#raise_taxes -- Won’t this raise 
my taxes?
> Currently, about 60% of our health care system is financed by public
> money: federal and state taxes, property taxes and tax subsidies. These
> funds pay for Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, coverage for public employees
> (including police and teachers), elected officials, military personnel,
> etc. There are also hefty tax subsidies to employers to help pay for
> their employees’ health insurance. About 20% of health care is financed
> by all of us individually through out-of-pocket payments, such as
> co-pays, deductibles, the uninsured paying directly for care, people
> paying privately for premiums, etc. Private employers only pay 21% of
> health care costs. In all, it is a very “regressive” way to finance
> health care, in that the poor pay a much higher percentage of their
> income for health care than higher income individuals do.
> 
> A universal public system would be financed in the following way: The
> public funds already funneled to Medicare and Medicaid would be
> retained. The difference, or the gap between current public funding and
> what we would need for a universal health care system, would be financed
> by a payroll tax on employers (about 7%) and an income tax on
> individuals (about 2%). The payroll tax would replace all other employer
> expenses for employees’ health care, which would be eliminated. The
> income tax would take the place of all current insurance premiums,
> co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket payments. For the vast
> majority of people, a 2% income tax is less than what they now pay for
> insurance premiums and out-of-pocket payments such as co-pays and
> deductibles, particularly if a family member has a serious illness. It
> is also a fair and sustainable contribution.
> 
> Currently, 47 million people have no insurance and hundreds of thousands
> of people with insurance are bankrupted when they have an accident or
> illness. Employers who currently offer no health insurance would pay
> more, but those who currently offer coverage would, on average, pay
> less. For most large employers, a payroll tax in the 7% range would mean
> they would pay slightly less than they currently do (about 8.5%). No
> employer, moreover, would gain a competitive advantage because he had
> scrimped on employee health benefits. And health insurance would
> disappear from the bargaining table between employers and employees.
> 
> Of course, the biggest change would be that everyone would have the same
> comprehensive health coverage, including all medical, hospital, eye
> care, dental care, long-term care, and mental health services.
> Currently, many people and businesses are paying huge premiums for
> insurance so full of gaps like co-payments, deductibles and uncovered
> services that it would be almost worthless if they were to have a
> serious illness.

Dean Baker on "Can We Pay for Single Payer?"
https://democracyjournal.org/arguments/can-we-pay-for-single-payer/
http://cepr.net/publications/op-eds-columns/can-we-pay-for-single-payer

Related: I'm still trying to find the source for this so I'll summarize the 
point rather than quote it: Doug Henwood once wrote that business leaders 
might object to Medicare for All on the basis of Medicare for All being a 
government take-over of an industry and thus fear for their own industry -- 
the cost savings and reduced administration inherent in a proper Medicare 
for All system are trumped (no pun intended) by the fact that any proper 
Medicare for All system would mean relegating HMOs to non-medically 
necessary work (cosmetic surgeries, for instance). Any plan that competed 
with medical care which is also covered under Medicare for All would be 
made illegal. Business leaders might look at that and conclude "Is my 
business next for the chopping block?" and then object to being nationalized.



Cedric Johnson on "The Panthers Can't Save Us Now"
https://catalyst-journal.com/vol1/no1/panthers-cant-save-us-cedric-johnson

Cedric Johnson on "What Black Life Actually Looks Like"
https://jacobinmag.com/2019/04/racism-black-lives-matter-inequality

Steven Colatrella on "Capitalism in the United States and in Europe"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/12/24/capitalism-in-the-united-states-and-in-europe/

-J

From galliher at illinois.edu  Sun May 26 23:21:39 2019
From: galliher at illinois.edu (C. G. Estabrook)
Date: Sun, 26 May 2019 18:21:39 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Should AWARE meet at Cafeteria&Company
 this afternoon re no-war-on-Iran letter?
In-Reply-To: <5ceb0303.1c69fb81.3b932.036b@mx.google.com>
References: <5ceb0303.1c69fb81.3b932.036b@mx.google.com>
Message-ID: <48F96E85-8252-450D-9209-DDB918C1EA7C@illinois.edu>

Sorry I couldn't make it. 

Perhaps we should establish this as a regular meeting time & place.


> On May 26, 2019, at 1:30 PM, stuartnlevy via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Though very late, I'll suggest:  should AWARE meet this afternoon at Cafeteria and Company (downtown Urbana, 208 W Main) to consider approving the  letter to Durbin and Duckworth against war on Iran?
> 
> (I'm not suggesting hammerhead this time,  as Carl and I found last week that they were closed. It may be too wet today to sit outside.)
> 
> 
> -- Stuart
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace


From r-szoke at illinois.edu  Mon May 27 03:46:49 2019
From: r-szoke at illinois.edu (Szoke, Ron)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 03:46:49 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] The prophet spake unto them, saying . . .
Message-ID: <DM5PR1101MB2283066A3AA2AC6DAF086E9B8C1D0@DM5PR1101MB2283.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

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From naiman.uiuc at gmail.com  Mon May 27 11:38:03 2019
From: naiman.uiuc at gmail.com (Robert Naiman)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 06:38:03 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] =?utf-8?b?TGV04oCZcyBIYXZlIGEg4oCcQmx1ZSBGbHU=?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_if_War_Criminal_Biden_is_the_Dem_Nominee?=
Message-ID: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>

https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10158296898172656



Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee



Let me be clear. In my heart I am with the “Bernie or Bust” people. Put me
down as a “Bernie or Bust” fellow traveler.

But I cannot say it out loud. There are people I like who are “abortion
rights or bust.” There are people I like who are “labor rights or bust.” I
do not want to stand directly against these people if I can avoid it. Not
because I am afraid of them. Not because I wouldn’t stand against them to
do the thing that is right, if I thought that were necessary. But because I
am also their fellow traveler. I do not want to hurt abortion rights in the
United States. I do not want to hurt labor rights in the United States.



I am 53 years old. I have been a left-wing activist since I was 18. I
gripped the hand of a woman while she experienced an abortion. I was with
the Staley workers in Decatur when their union was busted, after a worker
was killed in the plant when management pushed him to do something that he
knew was unsafe to do. I was with the NYU graduate employees when the NYU
administration busted their union, after the Bush NLRB gave them
encouragement to do so. I do not need any lectures from any dogshit
liberals about what any of these things mean.

I also know that every other day, NARAL and Emily’s List and the
pro-Hillary labor unions are sending me a postcard telling me that they
would be very happy to hang me and the foreign civilians I’m trying to
protect from U.S. war crimes from any tree at any time, if they thought it
would serve their interests as they perceive them for three seconds. That
is their worldview. That is who they are. That is how they roll. CWA,
AFSCME, “PCCC” [sic], that is how they roll.

That is why I cannot submit to the hegemony of the dogshit liberals now.
Not because I care about what happens to me. But because I could not look
the foreign civilians threatened by U.S. war crimes in the eye, if I did
not do everything I could reasonably do to try to protect them now.
Including trying to protect them from the dogshit liberals, perhaps the
most important task of all.



So I claim that we need a “soft,” “moderate” version of “Bernie or Bust”
for people who want to try to maintain good relations with the dogshit
liberals, even though the dogshit liberals would love nothing more than to
put us all in concentration camps. Call it “Bernie or Bust Lite.”



Let’s have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem nominee.



Labor unions do this all the time. If you had a “strike,” you might get in
trouble. Work to Rule. “Mawonaj,” as the Haitians say. Nod and smile. Your
kid has a stomach ache. What are the blood-soaked mercenary DNC war
criminals going to do, inspect your kid’s stomach? If they ask you for
money, well, you’d love to give, but things are tight right now. Junior is
sick. Maybe next time. Make phone calls, knock on doors? Well, you’d love
to, but you’re very busy right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Maybe
tomorrow. Fil mishmish. In the season of the apricots.



If the blood-soaked corporatist-militarist DNC Democrats want to Go Alone,
without our input, without our say-so, it’s a free country. Let them Go
Alone. Without our dollars, without our door knocks, without our phone
calls. Mazl tov. Good luck. Have fun with that.
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From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Mon May 27 13:03:19 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 08:03:19 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
	=?utf-8?b?TGV04oCZcyBIYXZlIGEg4oCcQmx1ZSBGbHU=?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_if_War_Criminal_Biden_is_the_Dem_Nominee?=
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <002701d5148c$8ebbb1a0$ac3314e0$@comcast.net>

Great statement Bob,

 

I couldn’t agree more.

 

David J.

 

From: Peace-discuss [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2019 6:38 AM
To: Peace-discuss List
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10158296898172656

 

Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee

 

Let me be clear. In my heart I am with the “Bernie or Bust” people. Put me down as a “Bernie or Bust” fellow traveler. 

But I cannot say it out loud. There are people I like who are “abortion rights or bust.” There are people I like who are “labor rights or bust.” I do not want to stand directly against these people if I can avoid it. Not because I am afraid of them. Not because I wouldn’t stand against them to do the thing that is right, if I thought that were necessary. But because I am also their fellow traveler. I do not want to hurt abortion rights in the United States. I do not want to hurt labor rights in the United States. 

 

I am 53 years old. I have been a left-wing activist since I was 18. I gripped the hand of a woman while she experienced an abortion. I was with the Staley workers in Decatur when their union was busted, after a worker was killed in the plant when management pushed him to do something that he knew was unsafe to do. I was with the NYU graduate employees when the NYU administration busted their union, after the Bush NLRB gave them encouragement to do so. I do not need any lectures from any dogshit liberals about what any of these things mean. 

I also know that every other day, NARAL and Emily’s List and the pro-Hillary labor unions are sending me a postcard telling me that they would be very happy to hang me and the foreign civilians I’m trying to protect from U.S. war crimes from any tree at any time, if they thought it would serve their interests as they perceive them for three seconds. That is their worldview. That is who they are. That is how they roll. CWA, AFSCME, “PCCC” [sic], that is how they roll. 

That is why I cannot submit to the hegemony of the dogshit liberals now. Not because I care about what happens to me. But because I could not look the foreign civilians threatened by U.S. war crimes in the eye, if I did not do everything I could reasonably do to try to protect them now. Including trying to protect them from the dogshit liberals, perhaps the most important task of all. 

 

So I claim that we need a “soft,” “moderate” version of “Bernie or Bust” for people who want to try to maintain good relations with the dogshit liberals, even though the dogshit liberals would love nothing more than to put us all in concentration camps. Call it “Bernie or Bust Lite.”

 

Let’s have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem nominee.

 

Labor unions do this all the time. If you had a “strike,” you might get in trouble. Work to Rule. “Mawonaj,” as the Haitians say. Nod and smile. Your kid has a stomach ache. What are the blood-soaked mercenary DNC war criminals going to do, inspect your kid’s stomach? If they ask you for money, well, you’d love to give, but things are tight right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Make phone calls, knock on doors? Well, you’d love to, but you’re very busy right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Maybe tomorrow. Fil mishmish. In the season of the apricots.

 

If the blood-soaked corporatist-militarist DNC Democrats want to Go Alone, without our input, without our say-so, it’s a free country. Let them Go Alone. Without our dollars, without our door knocks, without our phone calls. Mazl tov. Good luck. Have fun with that. 

 

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From rwhelbig at gmail.com  Mon May 27 13:09:52 2019
From: rwhelbig at gmail.com (Roger Helbig)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 06:09:52 -0700
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
	=?utf-8?b?TGV04oCZcyBIYXZlIGEg4oCcQmx1ZSBGbHU=?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_if_War_Criminal_Biden_is_the_Dem_Nominee?=
In-Reply-To: <002701d5148c$8ebbb1a0$ac3314e0$@comcast.net>
References: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>
 <002701d5148c$8ebbb1a0$ac3314e0$@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <CALZ0NqX8yjxy_m-eP96YhZLvEfEBzo5nHokc2t_tpkOU=C9qRQ@mail.gmail.com>

Enjoy another 4 years of Trump foilowed by 4 more years of equally bad
- now, what exactly makes Joe Biden a war criminal.

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 6:03 AM David Johnson via Peace-discuss
<peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>
> Great statement Bob,
>
>
>
> I couldn’t agree more.
>
>
>
> David J.
>
>
>
> From: Peace-discuss [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss
> Sent: Monday, May 27, 2019 6:38 AM
> To: Peace-discuss List
> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee
>
>
>
>
>
> https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10158296898172656
>
>
>
> Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee
>
>
>
> Let me be clear. In my heart I am with the “Bernie or Bust” people. Put me down as a “Bernie or Bust” fellow traveler.
>
> But I cannot say it out loud. There are people I like who are “abortion rights or bust.” There are people I like who are “labor rights or bust.” I do not want to stand directly against these people if I can avoid it. Not because I am afraid of them. Not because I wouldn’t stand against them to do the thing that is right, if I thought that were necessary. But because I am also their fellow traveler. I do not want to hurt abortion rights in the United States. I do not want to hurt labor rights in the United States.
>
>
>
> I am 53 years old. I have been a left-wing activist since I was 18. I gripped the hand of a woman while she experienced an abortion. I was with the Staley workers in Decatur when their union was busted, after a worker was killed in the plant when management pushed him to do something that he knew was unsafe to do. I was with the NYU graduate employees when the NYU administration busted their union, after the Bush NLRB gave them encouragement to do so. I do not need any lectures from any dogshit liberals about what any of these things mean.
>
> I also know that every other day, NARAL and Emily’s List and the pro-Hillary labor unions are sending me a postcard telling me that they would be very happy to hang me and the foreign civilians I’m trying to protect from U.S. war crimes from any tree at any time, if they thought it would serve their interests as they perceive them for three seconds. That is their worldview. That is who they are. That is how they roll. CWA, AFSCME, “PCCC” [sic], that is how they roll.
>
> That is why I cannot submit to the hegemony of the dogshit liberals now. Not because I care about what happens to me. But because I could not look the foreign civilians threatened by U.S. war crimes in the eye, if I did not do everything I could reasonably do to try to protect them now. Including trying to protect them from the dogshit liberals, perhaps the most important task of all.
>
>
>
> So I claim that we need a “soft,” “moderate” version of “Bernie or Bust” for people who want to try to maintain good relations with the dogshit liberals, even though the dogshit liberals would love nothing more than to put us all in concentration camps. Call it “Bernie or Bust Lite.”
>
>
>
> Let’s have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem nominee.
>
>
>
> Labor unions do this all the time. If you had a “strike,” you might get in trouble. Work to Rule. “Mawonaj,” as the Haitians say. Nod and smile. Your kid has a stomach ache. What are the blood-soaked mercenary DNC war criminals going to do, inspect your kid’s stomach? If they ask you for money, well, you’d love to give, but things are tight right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Make phone calls, knock on doors? Well, you’d love to, but you’re very busy right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Maybe tomorrow. Fil mishmish. In the season of the apricots.
>
>
>
> If the blood-soaked corporatist-militarist DNC Democrats want to Go Alone, without our input, without our say-so, it’s a free country. Let them Go Alone. Without our dollars, without our door knocks, without our phone calls. Mazl tov. Good luck. Have fun with that.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

From naiman.uiuc at gmail.com  Mon May 27 21:18:25 2019
From: naiman.uiuc at gmail.com (Robert Naiman)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:18:25 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
	=?utf-8?b?TGV04oCZcyBIYXZlIGEg4oCcQmx1ZSBGbHU=?=
	=?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_if_War_Criminal_Biden_is_the_Dem_Nominee?=
In-Reply-To: <CALZ0NqX8yjxy_m-eP96YhZLvEfEBzo5nHokc2t_tpkOU=C9qRQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>
 <002701d5148c$8ebbb1a0$ac3314e0$@comcast.net>
 <CALZ0NqX8yjxy_m-eP96YhZLvEfEBzo5nHokc2t_tpkOU=C9qRQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CALMNhNRd8juZT5cgcCekjiAcrq2S8q3H78CJAuQi5+Pr+0QABQ@mail.gmail.com>

"what exactly makes Joe Biden a war criminal."

@DickDurbin: Tell America what @JoeBiden knew before Biden voted for the
Iraq war
https://www.change.org/p/dickdurbin-tell-america-what-joebiden-knew-before-biden-voted-for-the-iraq-war

The Other Reason Biden Shouldn’t Run
Biden used his leadership to get a Democratic-controlled Senate to give
then-President Bush in 2002 the unprecedented authority to invade a country
on the far side of the world that was no threat to the United States.
by Stephen Zunes
April 2, 2019
https://progressive.org/dispatches/the-other-reason-biden-shouldnt-run-Zunes-190402/

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 8:10 AM Roger Helbig <rwhelbig at gmail.com> wrote:

> Enjoy another 4 years of Trump foilowed by 4 more years of equally bad
> - now, what exactly makes Joe Biden a war criminal.
>
> On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 6:03 AM David Johnson via Peace-discuss
> <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> >
> > Great statement Bob,
> >
> >
> >
> > I couldn’t agree more.
> >
> >
> >
> > David J.
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Peace-discuss [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net]
> On Behalf Of Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss
> > Sent: Monday, May 27, 2019 6:38 AM
> > To: Peace-discuss List
> > Subject: [Peace-discuss] Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden
> is the Dem Nominee
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10158296898172656
> >
> >
> >
> > Let’s Have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem Nominee
> >
> >
> >
> > Let me be clear. In my heart I am with the “Bernie or Bust” people. Put
> me down as a “Bernie or Bust” fellow traveler.
> >
> > But I cannot say it out loud. There are people I like who are “abortion
> rights or bust.” There are people I like who are “labor rights or bust.” I
> do not want to stand directly against these people if I can avoid it. Not
> because I am afraid of them. Not because I wouldn’t stand against them to
> do the thing that is right, if I thought that were necessary. But because I
> am also their fellow traveler. I do not want to hurt abortion rights in the
> United States. I do not want to hurt labor rights in the United States.
> >
> >
> >
> > I am 53 years old. I have been a left-wing activist since I was 18. I
> gripped the hand of a woman while she experienced an abortion. I was with
> the Staley workers in Decatur when their union was busted, after a worker
> was killed in the plant when management pushed him to do something that he
> knew was unsafe to do. I was with the NYU graduate employees when the NYU
> administration busted their union, after the Bush NLRB gave them
> encouragement to do so. I do not need any lectures from any dogshit
> liberals about what any of these things mean.
> >
> > I also know that every other day, NARAL and Emily’s List and the
> pro-Hillary labor unions are sending me a postcard telling me that they
> would be very happy to hang me and the foreign civilians I’m trying to
> protect from U.S. war crimes from any tree at any time, if they thought it
> would serve their interests as they perceive them for three seconds. That
> is their worldview. That is who they are. That is how they roll. CWA,
> AFSCME, “PCCC” [sic], that is how they roll.
> >
> > That is why I cannot submit to the hegemony of the dogshit liberals now.
> Not because I care about what happens to me. But because I could not look
> the foreign civilians threatened by U.S. war crimes in the eye, if I did
> not do everything I could reasonably do to try to protect them now.
> Including trying to protect them from the dogshit liberals, perhaps the
> most important task of all.
> >
> >
> >
> > So I claim that we need a “soft,” “moderate” version of “Bernie or Bust”
> for people who want to try to maintain good relations with the dogshit
> liberals, even though the dogshit liberals would love nothing more than to
> put us all in concentration camps. Call it “Bernie or Bust Lite.”
> >
> >
> >
> > Let’s have a “Blue Flu” if War Criminal Biden is the Dem nominee.
> >
> >
> >
> > Labor unions do this all the time. If you had a “strike,” you might get
> in trouble. Work to Rule. “Mawonaj,” as the Haitians say. Nod and smile.
> Your kid has a stomach ache. What are the blood-soaked mercenary DNC war
> criminals going to do, inspect your kid’s stomach? If they ask you for
> money, well, you’d love to give, but things are tight right now. Junior is
> sick. Maybe next time. Make phone calls, knock on doors? Well, you’d love
> to, but you’re very busy right now. Junior is sick. Maybe next time. Maybe
> tomorrow. Fil mishmish. In the season of the apricots.
> >
> >
> >
> > If the blood-soaked corporatist-militarist DNC Democrats want to Go
> Alone, without our input, without our say-so, it’s a free country. Let them
> Go Alone. Without our dollars, without our door knocks, without our phone
> calls. Mazl tov. Good luck. Have fun with that.
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Peace-discuss mailing list
> > Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> > https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From galliher at illinois.edu  Mon May 27 21:43:49 2019
From: galliher at illinois.edu (C. G. Estabrook)
Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:43:49 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] 
 =?utf-8?b?TGV04oCZcyBIYXZlIGEg4oCcQmx1ZSBGbHU=?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_if_War_Criminal_Biden_is_the_Dem_Nominee?=
In-Reply-To: <CALMNhNRd8juZT5cgcCekjiAcrq2S8q3H78CJAuQi5+Pr+0QABQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CALMNhNSp6ctBtUL7qNhk1j+j-WUBFWbL-2x2w5j7OGzzwquJQw@mail.gmail.com>
 <002701d5148c$8ebbb1a0$ac3314e0$@comcast.net>
 <CALZ0NqX8yjxy_m-eP96YhZLvEfEBzo5nHokc2t_tpkOU=C9qRQ@mail.gmail.com>
 <CALMNhNRd8juZT5cgcCekjiAcrq2S8q3H78CJAuQi5+Pr+0QABQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CE6332EC-3172-423E-83F0-46B2F2E98FB3@illinois.edu>

I wouldn’t vote for Biden under any foreseeable circumstances.


> On May 27, 2019, at 4:18 PM, Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> "what exactly makes Joe Biden a war criminal."
> 
> @DickDurbin: Tell America what @JoeBiden knew before Biden voted for the Iraq war
> https://www.change.org/p/dickdurbin-tell-america-what-joebiden-knew-before-biden-voted-for-the-iraq-war
> 
> The Other Reason Biden Shouldn’t Run
> Biden used his leadership to get a Democratic-controlled Senate to give then-President Bush in 2002 the unprecedented authority to invade a country on the far side of the world that was no threat to the United States.
> by Stephen Zunes
> April 2, 2019
> https://progressive.org/dispatches/the-other-reason-biden-shouldnt-run-Zunes-190402/
> 
> On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 8:10 AM Roger Helbig <rwhelbig at gmail.com> wrote:
> Enjoy another 4 years of Trump foilowed by 4 more years of equally bad
> - now, what exactly makes Joe Biden a war criminal.
> 


From mkb3 at icloud.com  Tue May 28 17:07:36 2019
From: mkb3 at icloud.com (Morton K. Brussel)
Date: Tue, 28 May 2019 12:07:36 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] GAZA PBS program cancelled
Message-ID: <01BAFC03-ED41-4DB4-8EFD-BFC2130FFFB4@icloud.com>

Surprised by this cancellation?  Allison Weir explains…

Recently, hundreds of PBS stations around the United States were scheduled to broadcast a powerful new Frontline documentary: One Day in Gaza. But viewers tuning in found that it had been replaced by a slightly updated Frontline report on Robert Mueller that had been broadcast two months before and had been streaming online ever since.

PBS no longer has the Gaza film listed on its schedule.

The documentary was to be aired on the one-year anniversary of events that took place on May 14, 2018, when tens of thousands of men, women, and children in Gaza gathered with the intention of deploying the tactics Gandhi had used in freeing India from British control.


Full report:

https://israelpalestinenews.org/?mailpoet_router&endpoint=view_in_browser&action=view&data=WzQwLDAsODMxMCwiY2EwYTNhYjI5NzZkNGIwMWU3NGRlY2Y2MTg4YTFiYzkiLDI4LDBd
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From davidgreen50 at gmail.com  Tue May 28 21:52:15 2019
From: davidgreen50 at gmail.com (David Green)
Date: Tue, 28 May 2019 16:52:15 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] GAZA PBS program cancelled
In-Reply-To: <01BAFC03-ED41-4DB4-8EFD-BFC2130FFFB4@icloud.com>
References: <01BAFC03-ED41-4DB4-8EFD-BFC2130FFFB4@icloud.com>
Message-ID: <CAOiGAyGW-vBYhRQn2n=3mt-TBbxwtFCYrnYeD_50HVb1eCYVqg@mail.gmail.com>

The link provided does not work, but this one does:

https://ifamericaknew.org/cur_sit/view-the-frontline-documentary-on-gaza-that-pbs-pulled.html


On Tue, May 28, 2019 at 12:08 PM Morton K. Brussel via Peace-discuss <
peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> Surprised by this cancellation?  Allison Weir explains…
>
> *Recently, hundreds of PBS stations around the United States were
> scheduled to broadcast a powerful new Frontline documentary: One Day in
> Gaza. But viewers tuning in found that it had been replaced by a slightly
> updated Frontline report on Robert Mueller that had been broadcast two
> months before and had been streaming online ever since.*
>
> *PBS no longer has the Gaza film listed on its schedule.*
>
> *The documentary was to be aired on the one-year anniversary of events
> that took place on May 14, 2018, when tens of thousands of men, women, and
> children in Gaza gathered with the intention of deploying the tactics
> Gandhi had used in freeing India from British control.*
>
> Full report:
>
>
> https://israelpalestinenews.org/?mailpoet_router&endpoint=view_in_browser&action=view&data=WzQwLDAsODMxMCwiY2EwYTNhYjI5NzZkNGIwMWU3NGRlY2Y2MTg4YTFiYzkiLDI4LDBd
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
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From cgestabrook at gmail.com  Wed May 29 00:12:20 2019
From: cgestabrook at gmail.com (C G Estabrook)
Date: Tue, 28 May 2019 19:12:20 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Criminals
Message-ID: <BBA97C03-27D1-42F4-AAB6-FF90A15F8434@gmail.com>

https://thegrayzone.com/2019/05/24/bipartisan-war-congress-trump-syria-iran-russia-hezbollah/?fbclid=IwAR3R5Xkv3OtT80QGI9DJtT08QX38kEzuoaf9iXPcTSQt9AdVDAvh4ReLRhs

"...Among the signatories are 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker...

"The letter was notably not signed by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Tulsi Gabbard, both 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who are running left-wing, anti-war campaigns.

"The Congressional call does not even feign concern for the humanitarian situation of Syrians, or make any pretense of supporting the 'Syrian people.' Rather, it is entirely framed within a chauvinistic perspective of expanding American power, protecting Israel, and weakening 'US adversaries’…"

###



From niloofar.peace at gmail.com  Wed May 29 04:57:25 2019
From: niloofar.peace at gmail.com (Niloofar Shambayati)
Date: Tue, 28 May 2019 23:57:25 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to
 stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>

Thanks, Midge, for reminder. I encourage everyone to contact Ammons and
Bennett directly about this and tell them what we expect from them. Carol
was awful last time around. She needs to be pushed.

Niloofar

On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM Mildred O'brien via Peace <
peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

> Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness slip).  Too
> bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber stamped the AIPAC bill 2
> years ago (as if dissent would have made a difference).
>
> Midge
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>; Peace-discuss <
> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>
> Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
> Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now
> to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
>
> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
>
> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill.
> She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be
> proved wrong.
>
> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand
> about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His
> appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he
> will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
>
> DG
>
> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>
>
> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
> Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this
> why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote
> to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's
> destroying our planet?
>
> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to
> block this assault on our right to protest.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: *Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent* <info at rightsanddissent.org>
> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest
> bill
> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>
> Robert,
>
> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill
> winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.
>
> HB1633
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
> would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries,
> and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a
> "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on
> organizations that support these grassroots protests. *Please see below
> for more details about the bill.*
>
> *Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill?* It's
> not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to
> file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee.
> But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> Then come back to this email and...
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear...
> but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. *The key is to
> remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, *and check "record
> of appearance only"
>
> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate
> interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in
> the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>
> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't
> give up our right to dissent without a fight.
> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>
> *Click here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>...
> and then return to this email and click here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to
> submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and
> committee*. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your
> info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
> appearance only"
>
> *The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out
> your witness slips today!*
>
> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>
> Sue
> More about HB1633:
>
> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also
> available here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).
>
>
> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>
> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil
> society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633.
> The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally
> designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens
> to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal
> that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by
> existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences,
> including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called
> “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative
> Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice
> activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>
> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most
> underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These
> bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the
> most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in
> particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests
> against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by
> unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by
> unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have
> a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies,
> and unchecked corporate abuse.
>
> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but
> the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover
> large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
> unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened
> criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or
> on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a
> class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
> imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is
> punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature
> of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>
> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of
> one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same
> penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many
> people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that
> mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws
> that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties,
> HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of
> nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is
> antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>
> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten
> physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put
> profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical
> infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate
> interests to establish special protections for some private industries
> engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest.
> These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental
> justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.
> Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular
> political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>
> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective,
> this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that
> is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties
> and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in
> animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to
> seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First
> Amendment-protected points of view.
>
> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at
> 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> 350 Chicago
>
> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>
> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>
> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4
> Youth)
>
> Chicago Area Peace Action
>
> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>
> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)
>
> Clean Power Lake County
>
> Climate Defense Project
>
> Color Of Change
>
> Crossroads Fund
>
> Defending Rights & Dissent
>
> Earth Defense Coalition
>
> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>
> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>
> Faith In Place Action Fund
>
> Food & Water Watch
>
> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>
> Frack Free Illinois
>
> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>
> Grassroots Collaborative
>
> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>
> Greenpeace USA
>
> Indivisible Chicago
>
> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>
> Illinois Green Party
>
> Illinois People's Action
>
> Lifted Voices
>
> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>
> Moms Demand Action
>
> National Lawyers Guild
>
> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>
> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>
> Native Organizers Alliance
>
> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>
> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>
> Occupy Rockford
>
> Palestine Legal
>
> Reform for Illinois
>
> Save Our Illinois Land
>
> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>
> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>
> Southern Illinois DSA
>
> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>
> The People's Lobby
>
> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>
> Water Protector Legal Collective
>
> Will County Progressives
>
> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>
> X-Lab
>
> *Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for
> activists here
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.*
>
>
> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>
> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to
> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
> be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>
> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out
> your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of
> appearance only".
>
>
>
> *The  vote will be Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm  So Please Take Action Now!*
>
>
>
> Photo Credits:
>
> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
> Donate
> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
> *Get in Touch:* hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>
> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>
> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
> <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/>
> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
> _______________________________________________
> Peace mailing list
> Peace at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
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From naiman at justforeignpolicy.org  Thu May 30 12:02:54 2019
From: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org (Robert Naiman)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 07:02:54 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] "Joe Biden's poll numbers are sinking like a stone"
Message-ID: <CALMNhNT5xNanSB_PKqGyuWj6HXiY0XQ9mo+LHdV9Y_ZF3LOZQQ@mail.gmail.com>

https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10158306202327656

Can someone here please turn this into a "meme"?

"Joe Biden's poll numbers are sinking like a stone,
Joe Biden's poll numbers are sinking like a stone,
Joe Biden's poll numbers are sinking like a stone,
His wars keep dragging on..."
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From stuartnlevy at gmail.com  Thu May 30 17:25:16 2019
From: stuartnlevy at gmail.com (Stuart Levy)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 12:25:16 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace]
 Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
 <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <e3a18fce-8c67-4980-5cb4-b41d427c99f4@gmail.com>

FYI, this bill passed the House many weeks ago.   Note that *Carol
Ammons voted against HB1633*.  But the public mobilization wasn't very
far along then, and it passed there by a large margin.

It looks to me (not a lawyer) as though it would also have meant a
felony charge for people participating in a wildcat strike at a coal
mine, and large fines against any organization involved in organizing
one -- not only for things like pipeline protests.   A very broad bill.

Since the bill got through the house and went to the senate, lots more
activism has been happening.   There were several series of Senate
committee hearings called; there'd be a wave of calls to state senators,
and floods of witness slips in opposition (and a much smaller number in
support); and the hearings would be postponed.   This happened at least
three times.   A bunch of organizations were involved, including Sierra
Club.

The promoters kept adding amendments trying to make the bill look less
dangerous.

Our Sen. Bennett is co-chair of the criminal law committee where it was
slated to be heard; they would have had to approve it before it could go
to the floor of the full senate.

I haven't heard a statement directly from Bennett on this, but his staff
said several weeks ago that he was against the bill, and he recognized
that there was a lot of opposition to it from his district.

Finally this Tuesday afternoon there was a last-chance hearing.  
Something like 5900+ witness slips were filed in opposition to it.   It
got through one subcommittee, went to the full criminal law committee,
and was tabled there.   So for this session, I *think* it's dead!

We will need to keep watch in future.  It did have a lot of co-sponsors
and someone will likely bring it back it next year.


On 5/28/19 11:57 PM, Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss wrote:
> Thanks, Midge, for reminder. I encourage everyone to contact Ammons
> and Bennett directly about this and tell them what we expect from
> them. Carol was awful last time around. She needs to be pushed.
>
> Niloofar
>
> On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM Mildred O'brien via Peace
> <peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:
>
>     Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness
>     slip).  Too bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber
>     stamped the AIPAC bill 2 years ago (as if dissent would have made
>     a difference).
>
>     Midge
>
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     From: David Green via Peace-discuss
>     <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>     <mailto:peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>>
>     To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
>     <mailto:naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>>; Peace-discuss
>     <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>     <mailto:peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>>
>     Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>>
>     Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
>     Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent:
>     slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
>
>     I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state
>     rep.offices.
>
>     I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this
>     bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will
>     be happy to be proved wrong.
>
>     Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically
>     grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive
>     functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of
>     cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be
>     happy to be proved wrong.
>
>     DG
>
>     On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace
>     <peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:
>
>
>         The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
>         Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty
>         disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled
>         Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right
>         to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 
>
>         Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the
>         fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 
>
>         ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>         From: *Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent*
>         <info at rightsanddissent.org <mailto:info at rightsanddissent.org>>
>         Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
>         Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois
>         anti-protest bill
>         To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org
>         <mailto:naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>>
>
>         Robert,
>
>         I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this
>         terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois
>         legislature... but here we go again. 
>
>         HB1633
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>         would create draconian new penalties for protests at
>         pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical
>         infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by
>         association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on
>         organizations that support these grassroots protests. /Please
>         see below for more details about the bill./
>
>         *Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the
>         bill?* It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially
>         because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for
>         the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best
>         way to convey your opposition.
>
>         *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in 
>         Subcommittee.*
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         Then come back to this email and...
>
>         *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill
>         in Committee*
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not
>         very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for
>         most. /The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent
>         to the bill, /and check "record of appearance only"
>
>         HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other
>         corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is
>         scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee
>         on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>
>         Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and
>         we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight.
>
>
>               Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>
>         *Click here
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>...
>         and then return to this email and click here
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to
>         submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee
>         and committee*. The process takes a minute and is important,
>         it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being
>         present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the
>         Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill
>         out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info,
>         mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
>         appearance only"
>
>         *The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so
>         please fill out your witness slips today!*
>
>         Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>
>         Sue
>
>
>             More about HB1633:
>
>         Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following
>         letter (also available here
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).
>
>
>         To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>
>         The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and
>         other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose
>         Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising
>         reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy
>         the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to
>         silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary
>         proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct
>         already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have
>         dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is
>         part of a national trend of so-called “critical
>         infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American
>         Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to
>         neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB
>         1633.
>
>         Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some
>         of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their
>         right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized
>         voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests
>         in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are
>         playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests
>         against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most
>         affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms
>         have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large
>         infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to
>         peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies,
>         and unchecked corporate abuse.
>
>         HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical
>         infrastructure, but the definition of “critical
>         infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths
>         of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
>         unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already
>         overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone
>         trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to
>         damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony
>         punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
>         imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to
>         property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor,
>         depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>
>         Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal
>         damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be
>         eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a
>         $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including
>         lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass
>         incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify
>         laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed
>         unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By
>         creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could
>         serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal
>         justice reform.
>
>         Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not
>         threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens
>         corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice
>         and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based
>         on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to
>         establish special protections for some private industries
>         engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and
>         protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus
>         against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens
>         the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact
>         legislation based on animus towards particular political
>         speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>
>         We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform
>         perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep
>         penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing
>         criminal law. These new steep penalties and special
>         protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted
>         in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is
>         inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to
>         penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected
>         points of view.
>
>         Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights &
>         Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org
>         <mailto:sue at rightsanddissent.org>.
>
>          
>
>         Sincerely,
>
>         350 Chicago
>
>         350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>
>         American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>
>         Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth 
>         (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth)
>
>         Chicago Area Peace Action
>
>         Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>
>         Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP) 
>
>         Clean Power Lake County
>
>         Climate Defense Project
>
>         Color Of Change
>
>         Crossroads Fund
>
>         Defending Rights & Dissent
>
>         Earth Defense Coalition
>
>         Eco-Justice Collaborative
>
>         Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>
>         Faith In Place Action Fund
>
>         Food & Water Watch
>
>         Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>
>         Frack Free Illinois
>
>         Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>
>         Grassroots Collaborative
>
>         Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>
>         Greenpeace USA
>
>         Indivisible Chicago
>
>         Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>
>         Illinois Green Party
>
>         Illinois People's Action
>
>         Lifted Voices
>
>         Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>
>         Moms Demand Action
>
>         National Lawyers Guild
>
>         National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>
>         National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>
>         Native Organizers Alliance
>
>         Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>
>         Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>
>         Occupy Rockford
>
>         Palestine Legal
>
>         Reform for Illinois
>
>         Save Our Illinois Land
>
>         Shawnee Forest Defense!
>
>         Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>
>         Southern Illinois DSA
>
>         Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>
>         The People's Lobby
>
>         Vinyard Indian Settlement
>
>         Water Protector Legal Collective
>
>         Will County Progressives
>
>         WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>
>         X-Lab
>
>         *Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our
>         toolkit for activists here
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.*
>
>
>          
>
>
>                   To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>
>         Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>
>         *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in 
>         Subcommittee.*
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill
>         in Committee*
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows
>         you to "testify" against a bill without being present in
>         Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois
>         general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out 
>         witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>
>         The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it!
>         Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the
>         bill and "record of appearance only".
>
>         *The  vote will be
>         Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
>         So Please Take Action Now!*
>
>          
>
>          
>
>         Photo Credits:
>
>         People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> 
>
>
>         Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
>
>         Donate
>         <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>
>
>         *Get in Touch:* hello at rightsanddissent.org
>         <mailto:hello at rightsanddissent.org> | 202.552.7408
>
>         Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>
>         We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
>
>         <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/>
>         <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>
>
>
>         _______________________________________________
>         Peace mailing list
>         Peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:Peace at lists.chambana.net>
>         https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
>     _______________________________________________
>     Peace-discuss mailing list
>     Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>     <mailto:Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
>     https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>     _______________________________________________
>     Peace mailing list
>     Peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:Peace at lists.chambana.net>
>     https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

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From niloofar.peace at gmail.com  Thu May 30 18:07:58 2019
From: niloofar.peace at gmail.com (Niloofar Shambayati)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 13:07:58 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace]
 Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <e3a18fce-8c67-4980-5cb4-b41d427c99f4@gmail.com>
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
 <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>
 <e3a18fce-8c67-4980-5cb4-b41d427c99f4@gmail.com>
Message-ID: <CAFLceazDzuobRt7afWN+jdw+zhhc784xha43yOkBniTpTL0PDg@mail.gmail.com>

Stuart,

Thanks for the background. It's reassuring to know that Ammons and Bennett
have acted responsibly.


Niloofar



On Thu, May 30, 2019 at 12:25 PM Stuart Levy <stuartnlevy at gmail.com> wrote:

> FYI, this bill passed the House many weeks ago.   Note that *Carol Ammons
> voted against HB1633*.  But the public mobilization wasn't very far along
> then, and it passed there by a large margin.
>
> It looks to me (not a lawyer) as though it would also have meant a felony
> charge for people participating in a wildcat strike at a coal mine, and
> large fines against any organization involved in organizing one -- not only
> for things like pipeline protests.   A very broad bill.
>
> Since the bill got through the house and went to the senate, lots more
> activism has been happening.   There were several series of Senate
> committee hearings called; there'd be a wave of calls to state senators,
> and floods of witness slips in opposition (and a much smaller number in
> support); and the hearings would be postponed.   This happened at least
> three times.   A bunch of organizations were involved, including Sierra
> Club.
>
> The promoters kept adding amendments trying to make the bill look less
> dangerous.
>
> Our Sen. Bennett is co-chair of the criminal law committee where it was
> slated to be heard; they would have had to approve it before it could go to
> the floor of the full senate.
>
> I haven't heard a statement directly from Bennett on this, but his staff
> said several weeks ago that he was against the bill, and he recognized that
> there was a lot of opposition to it from his district.
>
> Finally this Tuesday afternoon there was a last-chance hearing.
> Something like 5900+ witness slips were filed in opposition to it.   It got
> through one subcommittee, went to the full criminal law committee, and was
> tabled there.   So for this session, I *think* it's dead!
>
> We will need to keep watch in future.  It did have a lot of co-sponsors
> and someone will likely bring it back it next year.
>
>
> On 5/28/19 11:57 PM, Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss wrote:
>
> Thanks, Midge, for reminder. I encourage everyone to contact Ammons and
> Bennett directly about this and tell them what we expect from them. Carol
> was awful last time around. She needs to be pushed.
>
> Niloofar
>
> On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM Mildred O'brien via Peace <
> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>
>> Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness slip).
>> Too bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber stamped the AIPAC bill
>> 2 years ago (as if dissent would have made a difference).
>>
>> Midge
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
>> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>; Peace-discuss <
>> peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
>> Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>
>> Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
>> Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now
>> to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
>>
>> I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.
>>
>> I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill.
>> She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be
>> proved wrong.
>>
>> Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand
>> about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His
>> appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he
>> will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.
>>
>> DG
>>
>> On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <
>> peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the
>> Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this
>> why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote
>> to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's
>> destroying our planet?
>>
>> Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to
>> block this assault on our right to protest.
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>> From: *Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent* <info at rightsanddissent.org>
>> Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
>> Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest
>> bill
>> To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>
>>
>> Robert,
>>
>> I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill
>> winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.
>>
>> HB1633
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>> would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries,
>> and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a
>> "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on
>> organizations that support these grassroots protests. *Please see below
>> for more details about the bill.*
>>
>> *Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill?*
>> It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask
>> you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the
>> committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition.
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> Then come back to this email and...
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear...
>> but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. *The key is to
>> remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, *and check
>> "record of appearance only"
>>
>> HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate
>> interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in
>> the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
>>
>> Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't
>> give up our right to dissent without a fight.
>> Please take action against this anti-protest bill now:
>>
>> *Click here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>...
>> and then return to this email and click here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>..... to
>> submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and
>> committee*. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you
>> to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
>> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
>> be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your
>> info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of
>> appearance only"
>>
>> *The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out
>> your witness slips today!*
>>
>> Stay Loud, Stay Strong,
>>
>> Sue
>> More about HB1633:
>>
>> Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter (also
>> available here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>).
>>
>>
>> To Members of the Illinois Senate:
>>
>> The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil
>> society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633.
>> The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally
>> designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens
>> to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal
>> that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by
>> existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences,
>> including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called
>> “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative
>> Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice
>> activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633.
>>
>> Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most
>> underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These
>> bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the
>> most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in
>> particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests
>> against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by
>> unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by
>> unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have
>> a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies,
>> and unchecked corporate abuse.
>>
>> HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but
>> the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover
>> large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the
>> unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened
>> criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or
>> on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a
>> class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years
>> imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is
>> punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature
>> of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3).
>>
>> Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of
>> one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same
>> penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many
>> people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that
>> mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws
>> that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties,
>> HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of
>> nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is
>> antithetical to criminal justice reform.
>>
>> Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten
>> physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put
>> profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical
>> infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate
>> interests to establish special protections for some private industries
>> engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest.
>> These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental
>> justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.
>> Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular
>> political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely.
>>
>> We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform
>> perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for
>> conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new
>> steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical
>> infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is
>> inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize
>> individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view.
>>
>> Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at
>> 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> 350 Chicago
>>
>> 350 Kishwaukee (IL)
>>
>> American Friends Service Committee - Chicago
>>
>> Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4
>> Youth)
>>
>> Chicago Area Peace Action
>>
>> Chicago Food Policy Action Council
>>
>> Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)
>>
>> Clean Power Lake County
>>
>> Climate Defense Project
>>
>> Color Of Change
>>
>> Crossroads Fund
>>
>> Defending Rights & Dissent
>>
>> Earth Defense Coalition
>>
>> Eco-Justice Collaborative
>>
>> Extinction Rebellion Chicago
>>
>> Faith In Place Action Fund
>>
>> Food & Water Watch
>>
>> Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice
>>
>> Frack Free Illinois
>>
>> Friends of Bell Smith Springs
>>
>> Grassroots Collaborative
>>
>> Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens
>>
>> Greenpeace USA
>>
>> Indivisible Chicago
>>
>> Indivisible South Suburban Chicago
>>
>> Illinois Green Party
>>
>> Illinois People's Action
>>
>> Lifted Voices
>>
>> Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
>>
>> Moms Demand Action
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter
>>
>> National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter
>>
>> Native Organizers Alliance
>>
>> Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice
>>
>> Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS-
>>
>> Occupy Rockford
>>
>> Palestine Legal
>>
>> Reform for Illinois
>>
>> Save Our Illinois Land
>>
>> Shawnee Forest Defense!
>>
>> Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter
>>
>> Southern Illinois DSA
>>
>> Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment
>>
>> The People's Lobby
>>
>> Vinyard Indian Settlement
>>
>> Water Protector Legal Collective
>>
>> Will County Progressives
>>
>> WindSolarUSA, Inc.
>>
>> X-Lab
>>
>> *Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our toolkit for
>> activists here
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>.*
>>
>>
>> To take action against this anti-protest bill:
>>
>> Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips:
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee.*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> *Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee*
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to
>> "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links
>> above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll
>> be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633.
>>
>> The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out
>> your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of
>> appearance only".
>>
>>
>>
>> *The  vote will be Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm  So Please Take Action Now!*
>>
>>
>>
>> Photo Credits:
>>
>> People over pipelines by Fibonacci Blue
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>>
>> Eat Pray Protest by David Geitgey Sierralupe
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff
>> Donate
>> <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427>
>>
>> *Get in Touch:* hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408
>>
>> Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821
>>
>> We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER.
>> <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/>
>> <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace-discuss mailing list
>> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>> _______________________________________________
>> Peace mailing list
>> Peace at lists.chambana.net
>> https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing listPeace-discuss at lists.chambana.nethttps://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
>
>
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From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Thu May 30 19:21:54 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 14:21:54 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace]
 Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CAFLceazDzuobRt7afWN+jdw+zhhc784xha43yOkBniTpTL0PDg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
 <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>
 <e3a18fce-8c67-4980-5cb4-b41d427c99f4@gmail.com>
 <CAFLceazDzuobRt7afWN+jdw+zhhc784xha43yOkBniTpTL0PDg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <00bf01d5171c$f17cd1b0$d4767510$@comcast.net>

The main / primary  sponsor of this bill is Democrat Jay Hoffman from Madison county near East St. Louis. He is a real nasty piece of neo-liberal crap and is one of Dick Durbin’s boys.

 

David J. 

 

 

From: Peace-discuss [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 1:08 PM
To: Stuart Levy
Cc: Robert Naiman; Peace Discuss
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill

 

Stuart,

 

Thanks for the background. It's reassuring to know that Ammons and Bennett have acted responsibly. 

 

 

Niloofar

 

 

 

On Thu, May 30, 2019 at 12:25 PM Stuart Levy <stuartnlevy at gmail.com> wrote:

FYI, this bill passed the House many weeks ago.   Note that *Carol Ammons voted against HB1633*.  But the public mobilization wasn't very far along then, and it passed there by a large margin.

It looks to me (not a lawyer) as though it would also have meant a felony charge for people participating in a wildcat strike at a coal mine, and large fines against any organization involved in organizing one -- not only for things like pipeline protests.   A very broad bill.

Since the bill got through the house and went to the senate, lots more activism has been happening.   There were several series of Senate committee hearings called; there'd be a wave of calls to state senators, and floods of witness slips in opposition (and a much smaller number in support); and the hearings would be postponed.   This happened at least three times.   A bunch of organizations were involved, including Sierra Club.

The promoters kept adding amendments trying to make the bill look less dangerous.

Our Sen. Bennett is co-chair of the criminal law committee where it was slated to be heard; they would have had to approve it before it could go to the floor of the full senate.

I haven't heard a statement directly from Bennett on this, but his staff said several weeks ago that he was against the bill, and he recognized that there was a lot of opposition to it from his district.

Finally this Tuesday afternoon there was a last-chance hearing.   Something like 5900+ witness slips were filed in opposition to it.   It got through one subcommittee, went to the full criminal law committee, and was tabled there.   So for this session, I *think* it's dead!

We will need to keep watch in future.  It did have a lot of co-sponsors and someone will likely bring it back it next year.



On 5/28/19 11:57 PM, Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss wrote:

Thanks, Midge, for reminder. I encourage everyone to contact Ammons and Bennett directly about this and tell them what we expect from them. Carol was awful last time around. She needs to be pushed.

 

Niloofar

 

On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM Mildred O'brien via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness slip).  Too bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber stamped the AIPAC bill 2 years ago (as if dissent would have made a difference).

Midge


-----Original Message-----
From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>; Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill

I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.

 

I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong. 

 

Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.

 

DG

 

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

 

The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 

 

Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>

 






Error! Filename not specified.







Robert, 

I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.  

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill. 

Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition. 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 

Then come back to this email and... 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 

I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 

HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m. 

Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight. 


Please take action against this anti-protest bill now: 


 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here... and then return to this email and  <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 

The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today! 

Stay Loud, Stay Strong, 

Sue 


More about HB1633: 


Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter ( <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> also available here). 

To Members of the Illinois Senate: 

The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633. 

Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse. 

HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3). 

Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform. 

Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely. 

We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view. 

Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org. 

  

Sincerely, 

350 Chicago 

350 Kishwaukee (IL) 

American Friends Service Committee - Chicago 

Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth) 

Chicago Area Peace Action 

Chicago Food Policy Action Council 

Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)  

Clean Power Lake County 

Climate Defense Project 

Color Of Change 

Crossroads Fund 

Defending Rights & Dissent 

Earth Defense Coalition 

Eco-Justice Collaborative 

Extinction Rebellion Chicago 

Faith In Place Action Fund 

Food & Water Watch 

Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice 

Frack Free Illinois 

Friends of Bell Smith Springs 

Grassroots Collaborative 

Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens 

Greenpeace USA 

Indivisible Chicago 

Indivisible South Suburban Chicago 

Illinois Green Party 

Illinois People's Action 

Lifted Voices 

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization 

Moms Demand Action 

National Lawyers Guild 

National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter 

National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter 

Native Organizers Alliance 

Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice 

Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS- 

Occupy Rockford 

Palestine Legal 

Reform for Illinois 

Save Our Illinois Land 

Shawnee Forest Defense! 

Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter 

Southern Illinois DSA 

Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment 

The People's Lobby 

Vinyard Indian Settlement 

Water Protector Legal Collective 

Will County Progressives 

WindSolarUSA, Inc. 

X-Lab 

Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our  <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> toolkit for activists here. 

 



Error! Filename not specified.



 




To take action against this anti-protest bill: 


Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips: 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 

The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633. 

The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only". 

The  vote will be
Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
So Please Take Action Now! 



 


Error! Filename not specified.



 


Error! Filename not specified.



Photo Credits: 

People over pipelines by  <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Fibonacci Blue  

Eat Pray Protest by  <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> David Geitgey Sierralupe 

Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff 






 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Donate


Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408 

Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821 

We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER. 


 <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/> Error! Filename not specified.

 <https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=RightsDissent> Error! Filename not specified.

	

Error! Filename not specified.

_______________________________________________
Peace mailing list
Peace at lists.chambana.net
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_______________________________________________
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Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

_______________________________________________
Peace mailing list
Peace at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace

 

_______________________________________________
Peace-discuss mailing list
Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
https://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/peace-discuss

 

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From davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net  Thu May 30 19:33:16 2019
From: davidjohnson1451 at comcast.net (David Johnson)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 14:33:16 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace]
 Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
In-Reply-To: <CAFLceazDzuobRt7afWN+jdw+zhhc784xha43yOkBniTpTL0PDg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1646684428.3306978.1558524241437@mail.yahoo.com>
 <CAFLceaxpCKe33VtwF6VfH98b3_hLsiGZRVSWXQdm2us9XpdapA@mail.gmail.com>
 <e3a18fce-8c67-4980-5cb4-b41d427c99f4@gmail.com>
 <CAFLceazDzuobRt7afWN+jdw+zhhc784xha43yOkBniTpTL0PDg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <00cc01d5171e$88566a00$99033e00$@comcast.net>

Of the 72 Democrats, 28 ( including Carol and Will Guzzardi of Chicago  ) voted NO, and 9 abstained.

 

35 Democrats and every single Republican voted YES.

 

David J.

 

 

 

From: Peace-discuss [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 1:08 PM
To: Stuart Levy
Cc: Robert Naiman; Peace Discuss
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] HB 1633 looks dead for now ... Re: [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill

 

Stuart,

 

Thanks for the background. It's reassuring to know that Ammons and Bennett have acted responsibly. 

 

 

Niloofar

 

 

 

On Thu, May 30, 2019 at 12:25 PM Stuart Levy <stuartnlevy at gmail.com> wrote:

FYI, this bill passed the House many weeks ago.   Note that *Carol Ammons voted against HB1633*.  But the public mobilization wasn't very far along then, and it passed there by a large margin.

It looks to me (not a lawyer) as though it would also have meant a felony charge for people participating in a wildcat strike at a coal mine, and large fines against any organization involved in organizing one -- not only for things like pipeline protests.   A very broad bill.

Since the bill got through the house and went to the senate, lots more activism has been happening.   There were several series of Senate committee hearings called; there'd be a wave of calls to state senators, and floods of witness slips in opposition (and a much smaller number in support); and the hearings would be postponed.   This happened at least three times.   A bunch of organizations were involved, including Sierra Club.

The promoters kept adding amendments trying to make the bill look less dangerous.

Our Sen. Bennett is co-chair of the criminal law committee where it was slated to be heard; they would have had to approve it before it could go to the floor of the full senate.

I haven't heard a statement directly from Bennett on this, but his staff said several weeks ago that he was against the bill, and he recognized that there was a lot of opposition to it from his district.

Finally this Tuesday afternoon there was a last-chance hearing.   Something like 5900+ witness slips were filed in opposition to it.   It got through one subcommittee, went to the full criminal law committee, and was tabled there.   So for this session, I *think* it's dead!

We will need to keep watch in future.  It did have a lot of co-sponsors and someone will likely bring it back it next year.



On 5/28/19 11:57 PM, Niloofar Shambayati via Peace-discuss wrote:

Thanks, Midge, for reminder. I encourage everyone to contact Ammons and Bennett directly about this and tell them what we expect from them. Carol was awful last time around. She needs to be pushed.

 

Niloofar

 

On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM Mildred O'brien via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

Me too to all of this said below (including submitting witness slip).  Too bad there wasn't one when the legislature rubber stamped the AIPAC bill 2 years ago (as if dissent would have made a difference).

Midge


-----Original Message-----
From: David Green via Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>; Peace-discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Cc: peace <peace at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Tue, May 21, 2019 10:10 am
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] [Peace] Defending Rights & Dissent: slip now to stop Illinois anti-protest bill

I have submitted my witness slip, and contacted both state rep.offices.

 

I doubt that Carol Ammons will step up and make a fuss about this bill. She has little or no history of challenging Madigan. I will be happy to be proved wrong. 

 

Scott Bennett is a prosecutor who like to opportunistically grandstand about sexual predators and to attend police-supportive functions. His appointment as state senator was a matter of cronyism. I also doubt that he will oppose this bill; I will be happy to be proved wrong.

 

DG

 

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 8:23 AM Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:

 

The fact that this bill is a going proposition in the Democratic-controlled Illinois legislature is pretty disturbing. Is this why we have a Democratic-controlled Illinois government? So they can vote to take away our right to protest the fossil fuel industry that's destroying our planet? 

 

Please slip against the bill, and ask Rep. Ammons to lead the fight to block this assault on our right to protest. 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sue at Defending Rights & Dissent <info at rightsanddissent.org>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Subject: The vote is tomorrow: take action to stop Illinois anti-protest bill
To: Robert Naiman <naiman at justforeignpolicy.org>

 






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Robert, 

I guess you might be tired of hearing from me about this terrible bill winding its way through the Illinois legislature... but here we go again.  

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbafc3727-fefb-4e51-9adf-0b9e6bdea52b/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> HB1633 would create draconian new penalties for protests at pipelines, refineries, and other sites deemed "critical infrastructure." The bill also includes a "guilty by association" provision that would impose catastrophic fines on organizations that support these grassroots protests. Please see below for more details about the bill. 

Can you take two minutes to file 2 witness slips against the bill? It's not as easy as signing a petition, especially because I need to ask you to file two witness slips, one for the subcommittee, one for the committee. But this is the best way to convey your opposition. 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6a31c7fb-568b-4365-9e7f-fd471b8bab06/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 

Then come back to this email and... 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T43f80b4c-ab9a-4d0f-9c8f-22d23fed3185/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 

I agree the forms ask for too much information and are not very clear... but it is easier than driving to Springfield for most. The key is to remember to check yourself as an Opponent to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 

HB1633 is backed by ALEC, the extractive industry and other corporate interests, and has bi-partisan support. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Criminal Law Committee on Tuesday, May 21 at 5 p.m. 

Let's show that people power can overcome corporate greed, and we won't give up our right to dissent without a fight. 


Please take action against this anti-protest bill now: 


 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf2a6fb76-65b0-43f5-8867-ea98212a5e74/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here... and then return to this email and  <https://default.salsalabs.org/Taacf8218-43e5-4ead-9734-82b4dce2512d/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> click here..... to submit OPPOSITION witness slips to HB1633 for the subcommittee and committee. The process takes a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out the witness slips against HB1633. Fill out all your info, mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill, and check "record of appearance only" 

The hearing for the bill is TOMORROW, Tuesday, May 21 so please fill out your witness slips today! 

Stay Loud, Stay Strong, 

Sue 


More about HB1633: 


Fifty Illinois and national organizations signed the following letter ( <https://default.salsalabs.org/T0ce9aaca-8499-4dc0-bec0-1555ac0c0aa9/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> also available here). 

To Members of the Illinois Senate: 

The undersigned racial justice, criminal justice reform, and other civil society groups and individuals urge you to oppose Illinois House Bill 1633. The bill undermines the promising reform efforts in Illinois and nationally designed to remedy the harm caused by mass incarceration, and it threatens to silence already marginalized voices. HB 1633 is an unnecessary proposal that creates new draconian penalties for conduct already covered by existing criminal statutes and could have dire unintended consequences, including for youth. HB 1633 is part of a national trend of so-called “critical infrastructure” legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that is intended to neutralize climate justice activism. We urge you to oppose HB 1633. 

Critical infrastructure bills disproportionately affect some of the most underrepresented communities, criminalizing their right to protest. These bills target many already marginalized voices, in reaction to some of the most high-profile protests in recent history. Native Americans—women, in particular—are playing an important role as “water protectors” in protests against pipelines; low-income communities of color are most affected by unchecked environmental pollution; family farms have the most to lose by unfair land-grabs for large infrastructure projects. These communities have a right to peacefully resist environmentally unsafe and unjust policies, and unchecked corporate abuse. 

HB 1633 is purportedly designed to protect critical infrastructure, but the definition of “critical infrastructure” is overly broad and would cover large swaths of the state in urban, suburban, and rural areas, creating the unintended consequence of ensnaring many in Illinois’ already overburdened criminal justice system. For example, someone trespassing in rail yards or on el-tracks without intent to damage or destroy could be charged with a class 4 felony punishable by a fine of $1,000, one to three years imprisonment, or both. Currently, criminal trespass to property is punishable as a Class B or Class A misdemeanor, depending upon the nature of the offense (720 ILCS 5/21-3). 

Additionally, the bill does not distinguish between criminal damages of one dollar or a million dollars. Each would be eligible for the same penalty of ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. At a time when many people, including lawmakers, have recognized the deleterious effects that mass incarceration has had on society and have attempted to rectify laws that have criminalized certain conduct or imposed unreasonable penalties, HB 1633, is a giant step backwards. By creating a whole new class of nonviolent offenders who could serve serious prison time, it is antithetical to criminal justice reform. 

Environmental advocacy, including civil disobedience, does not threaten physical infrastructure or safety, it threatens corporations that put profits and pollution ahead of justice and the environment. Critical infrastructure bills are based on model legislation crafted by corporate interests to establish special protections for some private industries engaged in controversial practices that attract opposition and protest. These bills, including HB 1633, are rooted in animus against environmental justice advocacy because it threatens the profits of these corporations.  Whenever states enact legislation based on animus towards particular political speech it has a chilling effect that will be felt widely. 

We urge you to oppose HB 1633. From a criminal justice reform perspective, this bill is damaging, as it creates new steep penalties for conduct that is already covered under existing criminal law. These new steep penalties and special protections for so-called critical infrastructure are rooted in animus towards anti-pipeline protesters. It is inappropriate for states to seek to legislation in order to penalize individuals for their First Amendment-protected points of view. 

Please direct questions to Sue Udry, Defending Rights & Dissent, at 202.552.7408 or sue at rightsanddissent.org. 

  

Sincerely, 

350 Chicago 

350 Kishwaukee (IL) 

American Friends Service Committee - Chicago 

Area Consortium of Educational Service For Our Youth  (DBA:A.C.E.S. 4 Youth) 

Chicago Area Peace Action 

Chicago Food Policy Action Council 

Chicago SE Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke (SSCBP)  

Clean Power Lake County 

Climate Defense Project 

Color Of Change 

Crossroads Fund 

Defending Rights & Dissent 

Earth Defense Coalition 

Eco-Justice Collaborative 

Extinction Rebellion Chicago 

Faith In Place Action Fund 

Food & Water Watch 

Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice 

Frack Free Illinois 

Friends of Bell Smith Springs 

Grassroots Collaborative 

Greater Highland Area Concerned Citizens 

Greenpeace USA 

Indivisible Chicago 

Indivisible South Suburban Chicago 

Illinois Green Party 

Illinois People's Action 

Lifted Voices 

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization 

Moms Demand Action 

National Lawyers Guild 

National Lawyers Guild – Chicago Chapter 

National Lawyers Guild - St. Louis Chapter 

Native Organizers Alliance 

Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice 

Nuclear Energy Information Service -NEIS- 

Occupy Rockford 

Palestine Legal 

Reform for Illinois 

Save Our Illinois Land 

Shawnee Forest Defense! 

Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter 

Southern Illinois DSA 

Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment 

The People's Lobby 

Vinyard Indian Settlement 

Water Protector Legal Collective 

Will County Progressives 

WindSolarUSA, Inc. 

X-Lab 

Read more about "Critical Infrastructure" bills in our  <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tbd6072d7-b107-4930-97e0-78e8044732e2/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> toolkit for activists here. 

 



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To take action against this anti-protest bill: 


Today I am asking you to submit 2 witness slips: 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6aecc2f8-1180-4eb5-8386-aac64cf0a00e/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in  Subcommittee. 

 <https://default.salsalabs.org/Tf3458f02-ca8b-42a7-9995-864e8739375c/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Click here to file a witness slip to OPPOSE the bill in Committee 

The process takes just a minute and is important, it allows you to "testify" against a bill without being present in Springfield. The links above will take you to the Illinois general assembly website where you'll be able to fill out  witness slips in OPPOSITION to HB1633. 

The form is not the easiest to understand, but you can do it! Fill out your info and mark yourself as an OPPONENT to the bill and "record of appearance only". 

The  vote will be
Tuesday, May 21 at 5 pm 
So Please Take Action Now! 



 


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Photo Credits: 

People over pipelines by  <https://default.salsalabs.org/T9d63a693-3646-41d8-8b95-c7273e3eab91/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Fibonacci Blue  

Eat Pray Protest by  <https://default.salsalabs.org/T35b7d08d-fe59-4c6c-b38c-1f06918fe2ab/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> David Geitgey Sierralupe 

Repeal the Patriot Act by DRAD staff 






 <https://default.salsalabs.org/T647670b5-f7e6-4657-8224-747db112e4c5/a73233ab-83f8-4f98-ba57-2cebd3646427> Donate


Get in Touch: hello at rightsanddissent.org | 202.552.7408 

Donations to DRAD are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 27-0042821 

We will never, ever share your info with anyone. NEVER. 


 <https://www.facebook.com/bordc/> Error! Filename not specified.

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From r-szoke at illinois.edu  Thu May 30 20:16:34 2019
From: r-szoke at illinois.edu (Szoke, Ron)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 20:16:34 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Phony quotationism strikes again
Message-ID: <DM5PR1101MB2283AE023BBF2EB016C1D13D8C180@DM5PR1101MB2283.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>

I have a little history with this stuff.  A few years ago I was sent a supposedly horrifying "quotation" from Pelosi -- something that sounded favorable to socialism, as I recall, with no mention of the source.  I replied to the senders with a promise to send my personal check for $100 to the first person who could prove to me that she had actually said it -- of course with appropriate documentation of where & when it was said, to what audience, etc.  There was no response other than one pathetic note saying that she was awful anyway. 

I remember posting a few weeks ago a reference to a small book titled _They Never Said It_, a collection of supposed "quotations," mostly from liberal-lefty writers, that the compilers were unable to find anywhere in their published works: FDR, Marx, Lenin, etc.  Apparently these passages were expected to be horrifying in revealing the true, secret motives & agendas of those "quoted."  I don't have the book before me at the moment. 

~~ Ron


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From r-szoke at illinois.edu  Thu May 30 20:32:20 2019
From: r-szoke at illinois.edu (Szoke, Ron)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 20:32:20 +0000
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Danville prison library purged
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May 31 00:33:13 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Thu, 30 May 2019 19:33:13 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Notes
Message-ID: <4dcc317e-295e-abcc-8300-0c3df1e73cdd@forestfield.org>

Notes for News from Neptune to spur discussion. Have a good show guys.


Exploitation/Labor: NPR asks "Why Suburban Moms Are Delivering Your 
Groceries". The "gig" economy exploits everyone but the highest levels of 
management.

https://www.npr.org/2019/05/25/722811953/why-suburban-moms-are-delivering-your-groceries 
-- It's like the 'picking & packing' jobs at Amazon but these jobs are 
carried out at your local grocery stores instead of a robot-filled 
warehouse where humans aren't allowed a pee break without risking their job 
(you might think I'm making this up, but I'm not).

> Having time like this with her family is a major reason that [Hilary]
> Gordon, 47, works as a shopper for the grocery delivery app Instacart in
> a suburb of Sacramento, Calif. "I find it fun. It gives me something to
> do. I'm not out spending money. And I love the flexibility," she says.
> 
> Instacart is one of a slew of similar apps — DoorDash, Postmates, Shipt
> — paying tens of thousands of workers like Gordon to deliver packages,
> food or groceries to strangers. Similar to those who drive for
> ride-share apps Uber and Lyft, delivery workers can choose when to work.
> But they don't have to invite strangers into their cars.
> 
> This draws women — often in their 40s and 50s — who now make up more
> than half the contractors working for major food delivery apps.
> 
> Instacart told NPR that more than 50% of people who shop for the app are
> women. DoorDash said women make up more than 50% of its "dashers" in
> rural and suburban areas and more than 60% in urban areas. Target's
> Shipt declined to share this statistic. Postmates said an April survey
> of its workers showed 48% were female and 38% had a child at home.
> 
> Gordon and a half-dozen other women shared with NPR details of working
> for delivery apps, which painted a picture of the epitome of gig work:
> accessible but high intensity, with pay that's quick but unpredictable
> and hours that are flexible but unreliable.
> 
> "I tell people it's a great thing to have, if you're looking for extra
> money but you don't really need it," said Christina Lewkowitz, 50, who
> works for Instacart, DoorDash, Shipt, Deliv and a vineyard in
> Sacramento.

It seems the future is filled with such "independent contractors" meaning 
workers who are just like employees except firms don't need to pay them as 
much money, firms don't cover kind of 'benefits', and the workers are 
always effectively in competition with each other to push down the cost of 
their labor for the firm:

> After splitting up school drop-offs with her husband, Gordon parks her
> Subaru SUV in a grocery store parking lot. Her Instacart shift today is
> 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. She's got her shopping sneakers on and a fully charged
> phone — watching the screen for incoming grocery orders, which she will
> both shop for and deliver.
> 
> The first "batch," as they call it, is a bust: $8 with no tip, for seven
> items, to be taken 4 miles. But the store is 8 miles away. Instacart
> says it pays 60 cents per mile for delivery to the customer, but it
> doesn't pay for the drive to the store in the first place. The company
> explains that it can't be sure that the worker, for example, isn't doing
> a non-Instacart gig until they begin shopping.
> 
> Before accepting an order, Gordon estimates the cost of gas for the
> drive to and from the store. She looks out for addresses known to
> require climbing stairs and orders that include very heavy items, like
> 50-pound bags of dog food or 13 cases of water.
> 
> Logging miles is a big cost of the job. Some days Gordon might drive 100
> miles, filling up the tank at least once a day. For every order, she
> does quick math to calculate the gas expense. This $8 order doesn't cut
> it. Gordon picks one of her canned responses to Instacart: "Pay too low.
> I will not work for free!"
> 
> "It's really hard to say yes to that, because you feel like then they're
> thinking, 'Oh, well, see, they'll work for that' — and I don't want to
> work for that," Gordon says.
> 
> But you can't skip too many orders — the app will think you stopped
> working. Gordon gets a good one: eight items for $9.87 plus a promise of
> a $6 tip. But most importantly, it's only 1.5 miles of driving. She can
> knock it out in about 20 minutes.
> 
> Shopping for other people is a bit like a scavenger hunt, except the app
> is timing you. You rush through the whole store, scanning every item
> that goes in the basket and messaging the customer with updates.

[...]

> Gig workers are often independent contractors who don't get benefits
> like health insurance or sick leave. And when families piece together
> multiple jobs and gigs to make a living, "the system of workplace
> benefits that's been in place does not adequately cover nearly as many
> workers," Shelly Steward [of the "Future of work initiative"] says.

[...]

> Gordon is one of the Instacart regulars who get "early access" to a full
> week's worth of shifts so she can get hours predictable and long enough
> to make the work worth it for her. But to qualify, she commits to doing
> this "gig" full time, because early access requires working at least 90
> hours in three weeks or 25 hours over three weekends.
> 
> Instacart says it has announced a pilot of a new way to qualify, which
> would encourage good customer ratings instead of long hours.
> 
> Even for full-timers like Gordon, signing up for shifts is "anxiety
> inducing." She describes frantic clicking on Sunday mornings, when the
> schedule opens, selecting all the hour slots before they get claimed,
> within minutes.
> 
> And after all that, as any gig worker knows, having more hours doesn't
> ensure a huge paycheck bump. It might be a slow day, or long distances
> might make orders not worth the cost of gas. Workers also consider the
> less obvious costs of these jobs. Is the order too complicated and time
> consuming? Too heavy?
> 
> Once, Gordon accidentally accepted a Costco batch with 81 cases of
> water. She says Instacart told her she could do multiple trips, but she
> refused and had to return — and ultimately give up — the whole order. So
> today, Gordon is eagle-eyed, spotting 13 cases of water in an otherwise
> appealing $32 batch.
> 
> One final thing she always checks is whether she knows the delivery
> address. Many delivery workers keep a mental track of locations that
> require climbing stairs, like apartments without elevators. On Gordon's
> mental list are also a house with the guy who greeted her in a robe, and
> an older man who pressured her into bringing his groceries inside and
> said he'd been tracking her.
[...]

> Today, Gordon delivered eight orders in 10 hours and made $133, before
> extra bumps for heavy orders and good reviews. Today was OK. There was
> one day when she made $50 in six hours. That wasn't worth it. Gordon's
> best day's haul was $255 — when she worked almost 12 hours.




Capitalism: Millions of senior citizens can’t afford food — and they’re not 
all living in poverty. Why? Student loan debt, "the high cost of health 
care, housing, utilities, and transportation".

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/millions-of-senior-citizens-cant-afford-food-and-theyre-not-all-living-in-poverty-2019-05-16 
-- "Even seniors with incomes above the federal poverty line struggle to 
afford food in the U.S."

> An alarming 1 in 12 seniors aged 60 and older — 5.5 million or 7.7% of
> the senior population — didn’t have enough food in 2017, the latest year
> for which data was available, according to a new study by Feeding
> America, a nonprofit organization that operates more than 200 food
> banks.
> 
> Economic constraints lead some seniors to eat less or skip meals, an
> epidemic that will negatively affect more than 8 million food-insecure
> seniors in the U.S. by 2050, according to “The State of Senior Hunger in
> America” report.
> 
> New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi are the three states with the
> highest number of seniors — more than 10% of the state’s senior
> population affected by the hunger crisis, followed by D.C., North
> Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Rhode Island, it added. Two-thirds of
> hungry seniors have incomes above the federal poverty line
> 
> Two-thirds of all hungry seniors (65.3%) have incomes above the federal
> poverty line ($12,140 a year, or $1,012 per month for a single person
> household in 2017). And younger seniors — aged 60 to 64 — are twice as
> likely to be food insecure as seniors who are 80 or older.
> 
> While food insecurity is associated with income, it isn’t just limited
> to people living in poverty, researchers found. Some seniors end up
> skipping meals due to the high cost of health care, housing, utilities
> and transportation, the study suggests.
> 
> There’s a number of economic factors that could be contributing: A
> staggering 3 million senior citizens aged 65 and up are paying off their
> student loans, totalling up to $86 billion, CBS news reported. And many
> are having their Social Security benefits wiped out to pay off their
> debt.
> 
> Not all seniors are all aware or able to access public-health benefits.
> Around 5 million households with a senior receive, on average, $125 per
> month in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, yet
> only 2 in 5 SNAP-eligible seniors are enrolled in the program.

Remember when Chávez had Venezuelan state-owned oil company CITGO give 100 
gallons of home heating oil to 5,000 poor Americans on the East Coast? RT 
did a report on it -- in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scgsTsOUrBQ -- 7 
years ago when that CITGO program was running (and while the Obama 
administration was chastising Chávez for making the American government 
look bad). Chávez said:

> Chávez: You know, President Obama, I feel sorry for you: just ask the
> black communities of your country what you mean to them -- you're the
> greatest disappointment of recent years. Go ask the poor people of your
> country. You're a great disappointment to them. 

77-year-old Bronx resident Alice Maniotis was interviewed about the heating 
oil she received as part of this program. Her words still carry meaning for 
us today in light of the recent Venezuelan attempted coup:

> Maniotis: All I know is that he [Chávez] was kind, he was kind to the
> people of the United States and I'm sure he rules differently like Obama
> rules differently, and who are we to tell these people [Venezuelans] how
> they should live? I mean are they invading our country? But they're not!
> They're being generous to give us what comes out of their earth at no
> charge, so could you really have ill feelings against them? I'm thankful
> for it. I really am.

And Maniotis spoke on what poor young people face:

> Maniotis: It's time that we stop minding everybody else's business and
> took care of business here. We have children that are graduating from 
> college with 80, 90, 100 thousand dollars that they have to pay back. 
> It's ruining them. And they can't get a job.

But the corporate media of today would have us stop paying attention to RT 
because it comes from Russia, and we're supposed to fear Russia. Corporate 
media is still pushing the line that Russia somehow interfered with the 
2016 US election and put Trump in office (aka "Russiagate").

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, n'est pas?




Rumors of War: OPCW's leaked redactions from their published report on the 
alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, Syria are getting covered only in 
some alternative media not at all in corporate media

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe7kqlKUI-g -- recent "Going Underground" 
segment (RT)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5KZwaybZ-Q -- recent RT report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsWMGDuF3k -- news from BBC producer 3 
months ago which claims the Douma chemical attack video was staged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwqHmPcXpMI -- RT's report on a series of 
discrepancies in the Douma OPCW chemical attack study.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptwEIX3yHeI -- Grayzone report

https://www.blackagendareport.com/freedom-rider-no-chemical-attacks-syria 
-- recent report from Black Agenda Report (quoted below)

Margaret Kimberley, BAR editor and senior columnist, lays out the 
controversy quite well:

> The corporate media march in lock step with the United States and its
> allies around the world. They have a tacit agreement to exclude any
> information which might inconvenience pro-war, pro-interventionist
> narratives.

[...]

> Anyone with common sense should doubt these reports [of Syria gassing
> its own people]. Assad had no reason to do anything which guaranteed
> military attacks on his country. Furthermore, persons with credibility
> and expertise had already provided evidence that these claims are
> nothing but false flags meant to get public buy-in for aggression.

[...]

> The claims and counter claims always merited serious scrutiny. But a
> leaked document from the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical
> Weapons (OPCW) makes the case that even supposedly disinterested parties
> take the side of the U.S. and its allies if enough pressure is applied.
> 
> The leaked report makes clear that there were serious questions about
> the 2018 reports, even among OPCW staff. The New York Times and the rest
> of their partners in propaganda wanted to make the case for the once and
> future war and accused the Syrian government of dropping chlorine gas
> devices onto an apartment building. But the leaked document shows that
> there were serious doubts expressed by the some of the expert
> investigators. “…there is a higher probability that both cylinders were
> manually placed at both locations rather than being delivered by
> aircraft.”
> 
> There are many dots to connect here and they point away from the “Assad
> is gassing his own people” tale. The OPCW was pressured into taking on
> the role of judge and jury and assigning blame, rather than merely
> reporting on its technical findings. The politicization of its work dove
> tailed nicely with charges of Syrian gas and Russian poisonings against
> former KGB operatives. As the old saying goes, there is no such thing as
> coincidence.




War: Pres. Trump declares "emergency" to get $8.1B of weapons to Saudi 
Arabia over Congressional objections; Sen. Elizabeth Warren (who is running 
for US President) tries to play both sides.

jbn: Senator Warren continues to get favorable press from corporate 
outlets, pitching her as a "progressive" choice for the Democratic Party. 
Consider CNN's coverage of her stump speech 
(https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/18/politics/elizabeth-warren-townhall-takeaways/index.html) 
which tells us that she thinks it's a good idea to keep private insurance 
companies involved in healthcare delivery (which is what ObamaCare nee 
RomneyCare does and what keeps the HMOs in charge), or that she pushes for 
reparations when that appears to solve no real economic problems but offer 
another chance to push identity politics over class-based economic critique 
(which is very much the point of identity politics), and she's pro-war. 
Looking at this last point in more detail, let's consider some recent 
developments:

 From 
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/24/8-billion-weapons-middle-east-3323593
https://archive.fo/00Shk -- archive of Politico's article (preferred if you 
don't run Javascript)

> The Trump administration on Friday notified Congress it plans to sell
> $8.1 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United
> Arab Emirates without congressional approval — a move that has incensed
> members from both parties who have sought to cut off military aid for
> the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen.
> 
> The decision covers 22 pending transfers of munitions, aircraft parts
> and other supplies "to deter Iranian aggression and build partner
> self-defense capacity," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a
> statement. "These sales will support our allies, enhance Middle East
> stability, and help these nations to deter and defend themselves from
> the Islamic Republic of Iran."
> 
> Normally such sales are subject to congressional approval. But Trump is
> using a loophole in the Arms Export Control Act that allows him to
> bypass the process in case of emergency. The move is similar to Trump's
> declaration of a border emergency this year, which allowed him to divert
> military funds to pay for border barriers.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's reaction in 
https://twitter.com/ewarren/status/1132350371274248193

> Congress voted to tell @realDonaldTrump to end the United States' 
> complicity in Yemen's ongoing humanitarian crisis. His response? Veto 
> the resolution, then declare a fake "emergency" to keep selling weapons 
> the Saudis will use to kill more civilians.
> 
> It's revolting to suggest that we need to help the Saudis kill civilians
> in order to stand up to Iran. Our only "emergency" is a President who
> cares more about making money for his defense contractor buddies than
> the democratic will of Congress or the moral catastrophe in Yemen.

Jimmy Dore's response to Sen. Warren from 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pewTJMS6HTw
> It's revolting that you think we need to "stand up to Iran".

Twitter user M4AllNann replied to Sen. Warren in 
https://twitter.com/M4AllNann/status/1133181930969608192
> Then. Why. Did. You. Vote. To. Increase. His. Military. Budget?!?!

jbn: M4AllNann referred to Sen. Warren's vote for the National Defense 
Authorization Act (NDAA) where Sen. Warren joined the majority (89 for, 8 
against) authorizing hundreds of billions of dollars for what Warren now 
calls "Trump's defense contractor buddies". Some more info on this bill:

 From 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/senate-pentagon-spending-bill.html

> In a rare act of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, the Senate passed a
> $700 billion defense policy bill on Monday that sets forth a muscular
> vision of America as a global power, with a Pentagon budget that far
> exceeds what President Trump has asked for.
> 
> Senators voted 89-9 to approve the measure, known as the National
> Defense Authorization Act; the House has already adopted a similar
> version.

[...]

> The 1,215-page bill sets policy on a range of military matters as
> diverse as whether the Air Force can buy new fighter jets and pay raises
> for service members. It provides $640 billion for basic Pentagon
> operations — $37 billion more than President Trump sought — and another
> $60 billion for war operations overseas in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and
> elsewhere.
> 
> The measure also includes a string of provisions to streamline the
> management of the Defense Department; along with boosting military
> spending, overhauling the Pentagon has been a high priority for Mr.
> McCain.

[...]

> The bill also reflects Mr. [John] McCain’s expansive vision of the role
> of the United States in world affairs. It authorizes $500 million to
> provide security assistance, including weapons, to Ukraine; $100 million
> to help Baltic nations “deter Russian aggression” and another $705
> million for Israeli cooperative missile defense programs — $558.5
> million more than the administration’s request.

jbn: Pres. Obama's $115B+ sales offers to Saudi Arabia (according to a 
Reuters report 
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-security-idUSKCN11D2JQ from 
September 7, 2016) went unchallenged by Sen. Warren even on Twitter.

jbn: It looks like Sen. Warren's tsk-tsking isn't reflected in her voting 
record. What matters more?





Venezuela: The Pro-coup protestors were the product of Raytheon and the 
Pentagon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX3yiZ3SFwQ -- Venezuelan pro-coup 
protestors were "astroturf" (bought protestors supplied by organizations 
that stand to benefit from the coup).

Related: A two-part story from The Real News on how "Guaidó Out of Gas"
Part 1 of 2 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_EEFJe-owc
Part 2 of 2 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmucdDrT9DQ



Banks: Bloomberg says "US Banks are terrified of Chinese payment apps"

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-payment-systems-china-usa/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJh_Uir5EMI

Chinese consumers can conduct "messaging, shopping and sending money back 
and forth, all without cash [...] using Alipay [from AliBaba] and WeChat". 
As Bloomberg describes it:

> The future of consumer payments may not be designed in New York or
> London but in China. There, money flows mainly through a pair of digital
> ecosystems that blend social media, commerce and banking—all run by two
> of the world’s most valuable companies. That contrasts with the U.S.,
> where numerous firms feast on fees from handling and processing
> payments. Western bankers and credit-card executives who travel to China
> keep returning with the same anxiety: Payments can happen cheaply and
> easily without them.

[...]

> Perhaps the clearest opportunity lies in siphoning off some of the fees
> that U.S. merchants pay to accept cards and mobile payments—about $90
> billion a year, according to the Nilson Report, an industry newsletter.
> That money gets parceled out to card networks such as Visa Inc. and
> Mastercard Inc., payment processors and banks, which pocket the largest
> share.
> 
> In China, analysts expect third-party payment providers to earn about 40
> percent of such fees by 2020. If apps were to start grabbing market
> share in the U.S. at roughly the same rate they did in China, it would
> take a $43 billion revenue bite out of a business banks count as among
> their most profitable.

So bank account holders (including anyone loaning money from a bank) has a 
choice -- gamble on whatever skimpy protection FDIC-insured accounts gets 
you or trust a slightly different set of private companies to hold your money.

Viewed in this way, this is hardly anything new: it's merely another step 
in the degradation of services via privatization. The real story here comes 
down to wealthy banks fearing that they'll lose the cut they get with every 
traditional credit card transaction and fee collection.

Viewed in the way the Huawei story is being reported now (that story 
similarly boils down to inter-company bickering over patents and 
development of 5G towers), there will likely be an element of nationalism 
injected into this. We're supposed to fear Huawei because China will spy on 
your data and we're supposed to trust American companies (if there really 
is such a thing, companies are typically multinational). But Snowden gave 
us the documents so we know better. We know that spying is happening by 
governments which collude with private companies such as the NSA PRISM 
program in which Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, AOL, 
Apple, and others are all "providers" (companies that provide data 
describing their users to the NSA) -- see 
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Prism_slide_5.jpg for 
one example and the Wikipedia page on "Global surveillance disclosures" for 
plenty of other examples.





Assange: He's in such dire straits that he has been moved to the Belmarsh 
prison hospital and was not well enough to participate in a video hearing 
from prison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmfGvVgn4vY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJPbZuaqh8w -- RT reports "he can barely 
talk" as he was moved to the prison hospital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKIwS8s0Gq8 -- WikiLeaks ambassador talks 
to RT on Assange's health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MuzOj46F1M -- Alan Dershowitz says the "US 
government made a foolish tactical blunder by indicting Assange under the 
Espionage Act". Dershowitz makes good points here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh6v1Q_C5B4 -- Ex-prison Pepsi Watson on 
how Assange is likely to be treated in Belmarsh -- nothing good.

Related: John Pilger comments on Assange-related matters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUka8nV89pY -- John Pilger talks with RT on 
how if the US charges against Assange aren't won The Guardian and The New 
York Times could be next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pJIsTatG_A -- Assange charges are ridiculous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSrD2af3od8 -- Political influence behind 
Sweden's Assange case:

> John Pilger on Sweden's case against Assange: I have no information on
> the pressure applied by the United States on Sweden but it's a good
> question you ask -- why is Sweden doing this? -- I mean, he's [Assange]
> answered all the questions, they've gone through their process. Swedish
> prosecution officials have sat down with him and discussed this case.
> Then what are they doing? Why are they doing this? Apart from the fact
> that the most damning evidence in the Swedish case has been suppressed
> by the prosecutor and that is the SMS messages exchanged between the two
> women, both of whom deny they were raped. Julian Assange is being given
> special treatment. It's not absolutely certain that the Swedes will
> issue a European arrest warrant yet, they may. But that would be
> foolish. Because that argument has already gone through the courts in
> this country and has been discredited. They changed the law so that that
> charade wouldn't happen again. So, again, what are they doing? Are they
> handing Julian Assange's lawyers more ammunition? I don't know. Behind
> this is undoubtedly great political influence.




Russiagate: US accuses Russia of "probably" violating nuclear testing 
moratorium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj_qj4_me_A -- US Director of Defense 
Intelligence Agency, Robert Ashley Jr. said this:

> Robert Ashley Jr.: United States believes that Russia probably is not
> adhering the nuclear testing moratorium in a manner consistent with the
> zero-yield standard. Our understand of nuclear weapon development leads
> us to believe Russia's testing activities would help it improve its
> nuclear weapons capabilities.
Russia has noticed an interesting pattern in this choice of accusation:

> Russian Foreign Ministry: Unfortunately, such verbal attacks,
> transmitted by the world's media, have become commonplace. As a rule,
> they occur when Washington is determined to withdraw from another
> international treaty or has been accused of not complying with one. We
> cannot rule out that Washington is preparing to use this as cover for
> the resumption of its own full-scale tests of nuclear weapons.
Which, interestingly, fits with a pattern of provocation which Patrick 
Clawson from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy brought up in a 
talk called "How to Build US-Israeli Coordination on Preventing an Iranian 
Nuclear Breakout" -- here the US made vague & evidenceless claims of 
Russian weapons development, and in the past the US has provoked other 
countries into attacking:

> Patrick Clawson: I, frankly, think that crisis initiation is really
> tough. And it's very hard for me to see how the United States President
> can get us to war with Iran. Which leads me to conclude that if, in
> fact, compromise is not accompanying that the traditional way America
> gets to war is what would be best for US interests. Some people might
> think that Mr. Roosevelt wanted to get us into World War II as David
> [Makovsky] mentioned, you may recall we had to wait for Pearl Harbor.
> Some people might think that Mr. Wilson wanted to get us into World War
> I, you may recall we had to wait for the Lusitania episode. Some people
> might think that Mr. Johnson wanted to send troops to Vietnam, you might
> recall we had to wait for the Gulf of Tonkin episode. We didn't go to
> war with Spain until the Maine exploded. And, may I point out, that Mr.
> Lincoln did not feel he could call off a whole army until Fort Sumter
> was attacked which is why he ordered the commander of Fort Sumter to do
> exactly that thing which the South Carolinians had said would cause an
> attack. So if, in fact, the Iranians aren't going to compromise, it
> would be best if somebody else started the war. One can combine other
> means of pressure with sanctions. I mentioned that explosion on August
> 17th. We could step up the pressure: I mean, look people, Iranian
> submarines periodically go down. Someday one of them might not come up.
> [holds out his arms and shrugs his shoulder in a gesture as if he were
> saying "I don't know"] Who would know why? 

This is entirely consistent with the hedging language ("highly likely", 
"overwhelmingly likely", "high confidence") coupled with no evidence used 
in so many Russiagate accusations:

> British Prime Minister Theresa May on the Skripal poisoning: The [UK]
> government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was
> responsible [for the Skripal poisonings].
> 
> British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on the Skripal poisoning: Our
> [UK's] quarrel is with Putin's Kremlin [...] and we think it
> overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision.
> 
> Former Commander, US European command Curtis Scaparrotti on the Douma
> chemicals attack: We also believe that it's highly likely that they're
> complicit with the chemicals use.
> 
> US National Security Adviser John Bolton on the need to carry out a
> Venezuelan coup: What Mike Pompeo said yesterday -- I think we have
> very, very high confidence it was accurate: it reflects the role Russia
> has in Venezuela.



Internet: Why is Amazon Inc. being given control over the .amazon top-level 
domain name?

http://www.circleid.com/posts/20190528_icann_otd_amazon_decision_denounced_by_andean_community/ 
-- Amazon Inc applied for a .amazon top-level domain name and ICANN (the 
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers -- the organization 
which controls the global domain name system) approved creating .amazon 
after a 30-day public comment period. The Andean Community (Bolivia, Peru, 
Colombia, and Ecuador) are raising a public complaint with ICANN. If this 
goes through, you can expect more branded top-level domain names -- .nike, 
.coke, .alibaba, etc. Who would get .god?

-J
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From jbn at forestfield.org  Fri May 31 22:26:06 2019
From: jbn at forestfield.org (J.B. Nicholson)
Date: Fri, 31 May 2019 17:26:06 -0500
Subject: [Peace-discuss] NfN #422 notes
Message-ID: <ab830878-8934-5a28-0637-e9784018393f@forestfield.org>

News from Neptune #422
A "Wait 'til Next Year" edition
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HDN27-74eg

A list of links to items referenced on the show.



Maggie Astor on "After Mueller’s Remarks, More 2020 Democrats Call for 
Impeachment"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/us/politics/impeaching-trump-democrats.html

Katie Glueck on "Four Years After Beau Biden’s Death, His Father Bonds With 
Voters in Pain"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/us/politics/joe-biden-beau-biden-death.html

Related: Andrew Cockburn on "No Joe!: Joe Biden’s disastrous legislative 
legacy"
https://harpers.org/archive/2019/03/joe-biden-record/



Rep. Rodney Davis on "Honoring our fallen with actions this Memorial Day"
https://votesmart.org/public-statement/1249395/herald-review-honoring-our-fallen-with-actions-this-memorial-day
https://herald-review.com/opinion/davis-honoring-our-fallen-with-actions-this-memorial-day/article_1b1919fd-2754-53e8-bd80-f459e7932263.html

Related: Ryan Voles "Davis proposes designating Harristown post office as 
'Logan S. Palmer Post Office'"
https://herald-review.com/news/local/davis-proposes-designating-harristown-post-office-as-logan-s-palmer/article_7d1eaf35-659b-5690-8c3a-0fc1cb4a37c2.html

Andrew Cockburn on "The Military-Industrial Virus: How bloated defense 
budgets gut our armed forces"
https://harpers.org/archive/2019/06/the-pentagon-syndrome/

Robert Faturechi, Megan Rose, and T. Christian Miller on "Years of 
Warnings, Then Death and Disaster: How the Navy failed its sailors"
https://features.propublica.org/navy-accidents/us-navy-crashes-japan-cause-mccain/

Marshall Auerback on "Boeing Might Represent the Greatest Indictment of 
21st-Century Capitalism"
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/04/boeing-might-represent-the-greatest-indictment-of-21st-century-capitalism.html 
-- which points to 
https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer

Marshall Auerback on "This is Hell!" in episode "Capitalism and the Boeing 
737" (May 18, 2019)
https://thisishell-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/mp3/20190518A.mp3
Show RSS feed: https://thisishell.com/rss.xml

Putin Spring 2018 speech
https://www.c-span.org/video/?441907-1/russian-president-vladimir-putin-state-nation-address 
-- from March 1, 2018

You can download this speech using https://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/ -- 
youtube-dl -- so you can avoid running C-SPAN's non-free Javascript code 
and play the speech anytime you like, even offline. This particular 
recording comes with English translation over the Russian audio.

Articles about this speech:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/01/vladimir-putin-threatens-arms-race-with-new-missiles-announcement
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/world/europe/russia-putin-speech.html



Robert D. McFadden on "Thad Cochran, 81, Lawmaker Who Brought Largess to 
Mississippi, Dies"
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/obituaries/senator-thad-cochran-death.html

Obama nuclear weapons spending
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2015/02/obamas-trillion-dollar-nuclear-weapons-gamble/104217/
https://www.armscontrol.org/blog/ArmsControlNow/2016-02-09/Last-Obama-Budget-Goes-for-Broke-on-Nuclear-Weapons
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2017-07/news/trump-continues-obama-nuclear-funding

Andrew Cockburn's "Kill Chain: Drones and The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins"
ISBN-10: 1250081637
ISBN-13: 978-1250081636

Sheryl Gay Stolberg on "Senate Passes $700 Billion Pentagon Bill, More 
Money Than Trump Sought"
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/senate-pentagon-spending-bill.html




Alina Selyukh on "Why Suburban Moms Are Delivering Your Groceries"
https://www.npr.org/2019/05/25/722811953/why-suburban-moms-are-delivering-your-groceries

Jeanette Settembre on "Millions of senior citizens can’t afford food — and 
they’re not all living in poverty"
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/millions-of-senior-citizens-cant-afford-food-and-theyre-not-all-living-in-poverty-2019-05-16

Debra Pressey on "A dynamic duo: Scharlaus to be honored for helping 
community blossom"
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2019-05-22/dynamic-duo-scharlaus-be-honored-helping-community-blossom.html




David Brown on "Weapons worth $8B headed to Middle East over Congress' 
objections"
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/24/8-billion-weapons-middle-east-3323593
https://archive.fo/00Shk

Sen. Elizabeth Warren's reaction
https://twitter.com/ewarren/status/1132350371274248193



Leo Panitch on The Real News' "Reality Asserts Itself"
https://therealnews.com/series/reality-asserts-itself-leo-panitch

Kenneth Surin on "Israel/America or Netanyahu/Trump?"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/15/israel-america-or-netanyahu-trump/
Other Kenneth Surin articles on CounterPunch: 
https://www.counterpunch.org/author/ksurin0990/

Ben Norton on "Bipartisan Thirst for More War: 75% of US Congress Calls on 
Trump to Boost Intervention in Syria, to ‘Pressure’ Iran and Russia"
https://www.globalresearch.ca/bipartisan-thirst-more-war-75-congress-calls-trump-boost-intervention-syria-pressure-iran-russia/5678548
https://www.21cir.com/2019/05/bipartisan-thirst-for-more-war-75-of-us-congress-calls-on-trump-to-boost-intervention-in-syria-to-pressure-iran-and-russia/




Cedric Johnson on "What Black Life Actually Looks Like"
https://jacobinmag.com/2019/04/racism-black-lives-matter-inequality




Jim Kavanagh on "Swedish Sex Pistol Aimed at Assange"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/31/swedish-sex-pistol-aimed-at-assange/

Other Jim Kavanagh articles on CounterPunch: 
https://www.counterpunch.org/author/jimkav4905/

Related: Jonathan Cook on "Endless Procedural Abuses Show Julian Assange 
Case Was Never About Law"
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/31/endless-procedural-abuses-show-julian-assange-case-was-never-about-law/

-J