alternet--2020-11-12--Here's the real danger lurking in Trump's world-historical tantrum

Over the past week , Donald Trump has successfully sent a large chunk of the 78 million-plus Americans who voted for President-elect Joe Biden — the actual winner of the actual presidential election — into an emotional tailspin .
Trump is still doing what the mainstream media gently describes as `` refusing to concede '' , but is in fact better described as throwing the world 's biggest and most childish tantrum , screaming `` WE WILL WIN ! ''
on Twitter and floating an endless stream of baseless conspiracy theories about the election .
Trump tantrums more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no surprise .
But what terrifies so many Biden voters — an astonishing number of people are complaining of panic attacks or lost sleep on social media — are the real moves Trump 's team and many Republican politicians are taking that make this less like a typical tantrum and more like a genuine attempted coup .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has trolled reporters by talking about Trump 's `` second term '' .
General Services Administration head Emily Murphy , a Trump appointee , is refusing to sign paperwork that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin work .
Trump 's campaign is continuing to file relentless and frivolous suits , even though they 're getting promptly thrown out of court , making false allegations of `` voter fraud . ''
Relatively few Republican elected officials will even admit that Biden won , and a healthy number are backing Trump 's false accusations that Democrats stole the election .
But what really sent a lot of people around the bend was Trump 's petulant firing of various leaders at the Pentagon and in U.S. intelligence services , replacing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nunes ' Camp for Incompetent Conspiracy Theorists .
This triggered a fear response , largely due to outdated American notions of what a `` coup '' looks like , borne from half-remembered '70s-era news footage of tanks and military fatigues in foreign countries .
So let 's rest assured : Trump is going to leave office , one way or another , on Jan. 20 .
Sadly , it almost certainly wo n't be because he forces the Secret Service to drag him out , since he knows better than anyone what would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation .
Trump 's one shot to invalidate the election required him to act before the ballots were counted , and now that 's over , there 's really nothing he can do .
No doubt he has some faint hope that yelling a lot is enough to steal an election , but he 's bound to fail .
Mostly , the public chest-thumping and administrative tricks are designed to trick people into believing that some election reversal is still possible , both to troll the left and , perhaps more importantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 425 million to over $ 1 billion in debt — can shake down his gullible supporters for more cash before he 's pushed out the door .
Coups are hard , and they tend to fail .
Donald Trump and a bunch of Nunes toadies sure are n't organized and focused enough to pull it off in the face of nearly insurmountable obstacles .
Trump will be slinking out of the White House in about nine weeks .
But that does n't mean his reality TV-style failed coup is n't dangerous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is pushing his already vitriolic and authoritarian followers further down the path towards rejecting democracy entirely .
`` NOW 73,000,000 LEGAL VOTES ! ''
Trump tweeted late Wednesday evening , only slightly exaggerating his vote haul , which is indeed a depressing 72.4 million people .
Of course , Biden has 77.6 million votes and counting , putting him well over 5 million votes ahead .
But of course the implication of all Trump 's prattling about `` legal '' and `` illegal '' votes — language that is being picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that Democratic votes are somehow not legal .
This is , it should go without saying , preposterous .
But it 's the clear message being sent by all the outrage from Trump and his minions at the pedestrian fact that Democrats voted and that those votes are being counted .
This outrage is being fueled , unsurprisingly , by racism , as evidenced the way the rage is focused especially on cities like Philadelphia and Detroit , which are far bluer than the bright red rural districts that surround them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer to securing a second term than he was on Nov. 4 , but he is likely driving his supporters to feel even more hostile to the very concept of democracy , and especially of the right to vote being extended to Americans they see as less American than they are .
A poll released Wednesday by the Economist and YouGov shows that 86 % of Trump voters believe that Biden did not legitimately win the election .
Biden did win , of course — and won by overcoming a significant Republican-directed efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and harder to count the votes .
Trump 's fans do n't hold this illogical belief because of any evidence that Biden ran anything but a squeaky clean campaign .
Unlike the incumbent , after all , Biden did n't have the power to cheat by doing things like slowing down the mail .
After thoroughly canvassing election officials in every state , the New York Times found no evidence of voter fraud .
The `` evidence '' being presented by Trump 's lawyers so far is so laughable the cases are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's people are so desperate to find someone , anyone , who will claim there was fraud that they 've been floating million-dollar rewards and cold-calling voters at random , begging them to say that their own vote was illegal .
( I got such a phone call on Thursday morning . )
No , the reason that Trump voters are clinging to this idea that Biden 's win is `` illegitimate '' is the not-remotely-subtle implication that Biden 's voters are `` illegitimate '' — because they 're disproportionately not white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or just because they 're liberals .
Trump fans are sharing memes that show that Democratic voters tend to be more concentrated in cities than Republican voters , as if `` more people per square mile '' should mean less of a right to vote .
Trump will leave office , but this notion that Republican votes should be the only `` legal '' and official ones , will linger on after he 's gone .
Bitter resentment about having to share power with people who are n't white , Christian or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place .
He has spent the past five years encouraging his supporters in their bigoted belief that they 're the only Americans who count — and therefore the only Americans whose votes should count .
His last weeks in office look like they will be defined by his bitter , pugnacious insistence that any vote , anywhere , that was n't for him should be illegal .

Over the past week, Donald Trump has successfully sent a large chunk of the 78 million-plus Americans who voted for President-elect Joe Biden — the actual winner of the actual presidential election — into an emotional tailspin. Trump is still doing what the mainstream media gently describes as "refusing to concede", but is in fact better described as throwing the world's biggest and most childish tantrum, screaming "WE WILL WIN!" on Twitter and floating an endless stream of baseless conspiracy theories about the election.
Trump tantrums more than a roomful of tired toddlers, so this is no surprise. But what terrifies so many Biden voters — an astonishing number of people are complaining of panic attacks or lost sleep on social media — are the real moves Trump's team and many Republican politicians are taking that make this less like a typical tantrum and more like a genuine attempted coup.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has trolled reporters by talking about Trump's "second term". General Services Administration head Emily Murphy, a Trump appointee, is refusing to sign paperwork that would allow the Biden transition team to begin work. Trump's campaign is continuing to file relentless and frivolous suits, even though they're getting promptly thrown out of court, making false allegations of "voter fraud." Relatively few Republican elected officials will even admit that Biden won, and a healthynumber arebacking Trump's false accusationsthat Democratsstole the election.
But what really sent a lot of people around the bend was Trump's petulant firing of various leaders at the Pentagon and in U.S. intelligence services, replacing them with loyalists apparently trained at Rep. Devin Nunes' Camp for Incompetent Conspiracy Theorists. This triggered a fear response, largely due to outdated American notions of what a "coup" looks like, borne from half-remembered '70s-era news footage of tanks and military fatigues in foreign countries.
So let's rest assured: Trump is going to leave office, one way or another, on Jan. 20. Sadly, it almost certainly won't be because he forces the Secret Service to drag him out, since he knows better than anyone what would happen to his combover in such a situation. Trump's one shot to invalidate the election required him to act before the ballots were counted, and now that's over, there's really nothing he can do. No doubt he has some faint hope that yelling a lot is enough to steal an election, but he's bound to fail.
Mostly, the public chest-thumping and administrative tricks are designed to trick people into believing that some election reversal is still possible, both to troll the left and, perhaps more importantly, so Trump — who is anywhere from $425 million to over $1 billion in debt — can shake down his gullible supporters for more cash before he's pushed out the door.
Coups are hard, and they tend to fail. Donald Trump and a bunch of Nunes toadies sure aren't organized and focused enough to pull it off in the face of nearly insurmountable obstacles.
Trump will be slinking out of the White House in about nine weeks. But that doesn't mean his reality TV-style failed coup isn't dangerous. It's very much is — because Trump is pushing his already vitriolic and authoritarian followers further down the path towards rejecting democracy entirely.
"NOW 73,000,000 LEGAL VOTES!" Trump tweeted late Wednesday evening, only slightly exaggerating his vote haul, which is indeed a depressing 72.4 million people.
Of course, Biden has 77.6 million votes and counting, putting him well over 5 million votes ahead. But of course the implication of all Trump's prattling about "legal" and "illegal" votes — language that is being picked up by all manner of Republican politicians — is that Democratic votes are somehow not legal.
This is, it should go without saying, preposterous. But it's the clear message being sent by all the outrage from Trump and his minions at the pedestrian fact that Democrats voted and that those votes are being counted. This outrage is being fueled, unsurprisingly, by racism, as evidenced the way the rage is focused especially on cities like Philadelphia and Detroit, which are far bluer than the bright red rural districts that surround them.
The result is that Trump is no closer to securing a second term than he was on Nov. 4, but he is likely driving his supporters to feel even more hostile to the very concept of democracy, and especially of the right to vote being extended to Americans they see as less American than they are.
A poll released Wednesday by the Economist and YouGov shows that 86% of Trump voters believe that Biden did not legitimately win the election. Biden did win, of course — and won by overcoming a significant Republican-directed efforts at both making it harder to vote and harder to count the votes.
Trump's fans don't hold this illogical belief because of any evidence that Biden ran anything but a squeaky clean campaign. Unlike the incumbent, after all, Biden didn't have the power to cheat by doing things like slowing down the mail. After thoroughly canvassing election officials in every state, the New York Times found no evidence of voter fraud. The "evidence" being presented by Trump's lawyers so far is so laughable the cases are getting bounced out of court almost immediately. Trump's people are so desperate to find someone, anyone, who will claim there was fraud that they've been floating million-dollar rewards and cold-calling voters at random, begging them to say that their own vote was illegal. (I got such a phone call on Thursday morning.)
No, the reason that Trump voters are clinging to this idea that Biden's win is "illegitimate" is the not-remotely-subtle implication that Biden's voters are "illegitimate" — because they're disproportionately not white, because they disproportionately live in cities, or just because they're liberals. Trump fans are sharing memes that show that Democratic voters tend to be more concentrated in cities than Republican voters, as if "more people per square mile" should mean less of a right to vote.
Trump will leave office, but this notion that Republican votes should be the only "legal" and official ones, will linger on after he's gone. Bitter resentment about having to share power with people who aren't white, Christian or conservative is what fueled Trump's rise in the first place. He has spent the past five years encouraging his supporters in their bigoted belief that they're the only Americans who count — and therefore the only Americans whose votes should count. His last weeks in office look like they will be defined by his bitter, pugnacious insistence that any vote, anywhere, that wasn't for him should be illegal.


alternet--2020-11-12--White House Election Night party was a giant superspreader event

From tightly packed MAGA rallies to a White House Rose Garden ceremony honoring the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett — now a U.S. Supreme Court justice — in October , President Donald Trump has repeatedly drawn sharp criticism from medical experts for gatherings that failed to live up to social distancing standards during the worst pandemic in over 100 years .
And now , yet another Trump gathering is being slammed as a superspreader event : the Election Night party held in the White House .
According to NBC News ' Peter Alexander , the list of Trump allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 3 and have since tested positive for COVID-19 includes White House Chief Staff Mark Meadows ; Ben Carson , secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development ; White House Political Director Brian Jack ; Corey Lewandowski , Trump 's former campaign manager ; Dave Bossie , a Trump campaign adviser ; and Healy Baumgardner , a Trump ally .
On Twitter , Alexander 's colleague at NBC News , Monica Alba , also listed all of them as attendees at the Election Night event — noting that three unnamed White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Alba noted , however , that it is `` hard to say '' for certain where all of them `` got the virus . ''
These infections follow a long list of COVID-19 infections in Trumpworld in October .
The president himself tested positive for the novel coronavirus less than a week after his first presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden , which was held on September 29 and was moderated by Fox News ' Chris Wallace .
Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his illness and received experimental treatments not available to the public .
Trump allies who also tested positive for COVID-19 around that time included White House adviser Kellyanne Conway ; former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie ; White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany ; First Lady Melania Trump ; North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis ; Republican National Committee Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel ; Sen. Mike Lee of Utah ; Trump adviser Hope Hicks ; and Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien .
Republican Herman Cain , a Trump ally , died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
Cain had attended a June 20 Trump rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma and was seen not wearing a protective face mask at that event .

From tightly packed MAGA rallies to a White House Rose Garden ceremony honoring the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett — now a U.S. Supreme Court justice — in October, President Donald Trump has repeatedly drawn sharp criticism from medical experts for gatherings that failed to live up to social distancing standards during the worst pandemic in over 100 years. And now, yet another Trump gathering is being slammed as a superspreader event: the Election Night party held in the White House.
According to NBC News' Peter Alexander, the list of Trump allies who attended that Election Night event on November 3 and have since tested positive for COVID-19 includes White House Chief Staff Mark Meadows; Ben Carson, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; White House Political Director Brian Jack; Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager; Dave Bossie, a Trump campaign adviser; and Healy Baumgardner, a Trump ally.
On Twitter, Alexander's colleague at NBC News, Monica Alba, also listed all of them as attendees at the Election Night event — noting that three unnamed White House aides who were in attendance as well have tested positive for COVID-19. Alba noted, however, that it is "hard to say" for certain where all of them "got the virus."
These infections follow a long list of COVID-19 infections in Trumpworld in October. The president himself tested positive for the novel coronavirus less than a week after his first presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden, which was held on September 29 and was moderated by Fox News' Chris Wallace. Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland because of his illness and received experimental treatments not available to the public. Trump allies who also tested positive for COVID-19 around that time included White House adviser Kellyanne Conway; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany; First Lady Melania Trump; North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis; Republican National Committee Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel; Sen. Mike Lee of Utah; Trump adviser Hope Hicks; and Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien.
Republican Herman Cain, a Trump ally, died of COVID-19 in an Atlanta hospital on July 30. Cain had attended a June 20 Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was seen not wearing a protective face mask at that event.


alternet--2020-11-12--MSNBC’s Chris Hayes spits fire at Republicans for letting America be ‘thrashed’ by COVID-19

As President-elect Joe Biden 's lead over President Donald Trump continues to grow in both the electoral vote and the popular vote , many pundits are analyzing the reasons for Biden 's victory .
At the top of the list of reasons is Trump 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic , which Biden has repeatedly slammed as disastrous .
MSNBC 's Chris Hayes clearly shares Biden 's view , and during an angry , scathing commentary on his Wednesday night show , the news host argued that Trump and other Republicans have failed their country miserably during the worst pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his commentary by noting the current popular vote count , pointing out that Americans of all political stripes are suffering because of the pandemic .
`` This is an enormous , complicated country , '' Hayes explained .
`` 72 million people voted for Donald Trump , and 77 million and counting — that will go up — voted for Joe Biden in the tallying completed so far .
And Trump voters and Biden voters , we share this country together .
What it means to be American is to share this place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best form of patriotism is that you love your country not because it 's better than other counties — you love it the same way you love your family : because it 's yours .
And you fight for it because it 's yours .
And this country , our country we all share together , is in unbelievable distress right now . ''
The MSNBC host went on address the fact that in the U.S. , the pandemic has been going from bad to worse in one state after another .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , '' Hayes angrily noted , adding that per-capita , the U.S. has some of the worst COVID-19 infection rates in the world .
The U.S. clearly leads the world in the number of COVID-19 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore .
But on a per-capita basis , the infection rates in the U.S. are — as Hayes pointed out — also appalling .
And Hayes slammed not only Trump , but also , other Republicans who continue to hold superspreader events that ignore social distancing guidelines .
Hayes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 150 countries doing better than us… .
We should be demanding the best of our country and our leadership .
But instead , this corrupt , defeated government has surrendered . ''
Chris Hayes : If The GOP Loves Our Country , It Needs To Fight Covid-19 | All In | MSNBC - YouTube

As President-elect Joe Biden's lead over President Donald Trump continues to grow in both the electoral vote and the popular vote, many pundits are analyzing the reasons for Biden's victory. At the top of the list of reasons is Trump's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which Biden has repeatedly slammed as disastrous. MSNBC's Chris Hayes clearly shares Biden's view, and during an angry, scathing commentary on his Wednesday night show, the news host argued that Trump and other Republicans have failed their country miserably during the worst pandemic in over 100 years.
Hayes opened his commentary by noting the current popular vote count, pointing out that Americans of all political stripes are suffering because of the pandemic.
"This is an enormous, complicated country," Hayes explained. "72 million people voted for Donald Trump, and 77 million and counting — that will go up — voted for Joe Biden in the tallying completed so far. And Trump voters and Biden voters, we share this country together. What it means to be American is to share this place."
Hayes added, "The best form of patriotism is that you love your country not because it's better than other counties — you love it the same way you love your family: because it's yours. And you fight for it because it's yours. And this country, our country we all share together, is in unbelievable distress right now."
The MSNBC host went on address the fact that in the U.S., the pandemic has been going from bad to worse in one state after another.
"Americans are all being thrashed by this virus," Hayes angrily noted, adding that per-capita, the U.S. has some of the worst COVID-19 infection rates in the world. The U.S. clearly leads the world in the number of COVID-19 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. But on a per-capita basis, the infection rates in the U.S. are — as Hayes pointed out — also appalling. And Hayes slammed not only Trump, but also, other Republicans who continue to hold superspreader events that ignore social distancing guidelines.
Hayes told viewers, "There are more than 150 countries doing better than us…. We should be demanding the best of our country and our leadership. But instead, this corrupt, defeated government has surrendered."
Watch the video below:


alternet--2020-11-12--Inside the world of a dark-web drug seller

In today 's bifurcated illicit drug trade , it 's increasingly common for transactions to occur anonymously , online—on the 0.01 percent of the deep web known as the dark web , which is inaccessible on most browsers .
For buyers and sellers with Tor , cryptocurrency and PGP , dark-web markets offer an intuitive , Amazon-esque user interface , with escrow and review features to keep everyone honest .
Such markets are a logical first stop for newbies with technical know-how .
But the added protection of the markets comes at an extra cost—one that many customers are happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust and a one-to-one connection with a seller .
In the fentanyl era , it remains easy and common to demonize drug sellers .
But the one I interviewed—a 30-something , soft-spoken white man in the eastern United States , whose identifying details are omitted for obvious reasons—could n't be less like the bloodthirsty predator stereotype we hear about in elementary school drug prevention assemblies and mainstream media .
Over the course of our conversation , I was struck by his meticulousness , insight and palpable concern for customer health and safety .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally , his answers illustrate why he is ethically ok with his work .
Our interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity .
David Poses : How long have you been doing this and how did you get started ?
A friend got into some low-level dealing when Silk Road was coming up [ in the early 2010s ] .
I went along and grew it from there .
Do you sell drugs in person or only online ?
Strictly online .
Is this your only occupation , or do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( legitimate ) business .
Great .
What and where is it ?
LOL .
What kinds of drugs do you sell ?
Heroin and a little coke ; meth , occasionally .
What 's your most popular item ?
Two-gram bags of heroin .
Do you add fentanyl or other synthetic analogues to your heroin ?
Never .
Most of my customers are trying to steer clear of fentanyl .
How do you know it 's not fentanyl or laced with fentanyl ?
I run a few different kinds of tests on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' than fentanyl test strips ] .
If the shit is cut , I let customers know .
Actual heroin and genuine pharmaceutical opioids seem to be increasingly hard to find .
Is that your experience as well ?
Right now , yeah .
For one thing , synthetics are cheaper .
COVID is n't helping .
Do you work with more than one supplier ?
I got a few contacts for dope and one for coke and meth .
I got somebody who 's got a hand in everything—dope , coke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name it—but it 's pretty inconsistent and the pills are all pressed .
Plus , I end up paying more for the `` one-stop shopping , '' and that means so do you .
Do you have to specify `` no fentanyl '' when you order from a supplier ?
It 's understood .
But you still end up with fentanyl sometimes ?
Uh huh .
What happens then ?
Well , you ca n't return the shit , if that 's what you 're asking .
If a test shows synthetics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , if I can , I 'll move it at a lower price .
How does it work when you buy drugs ?
Are you meeting guys like Felix Gallardo or Pablo Escobar in fancy hotel rooms ?
Nothing like that .
I 'm not moving that level of product where guys like that would even know who I am .
Do you think any sellers are getting pure heroin ( ie , heroin of any purity without synthetics ) and cutting it with fentanyl or carfentanil ?
Or is everyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obviously doing that , but I think it 's happening higher up the totem pole .
I do n't know that for sure .
It 's just common sense .
If you 're dealing with customers , you 'd have to be pretty fucking stupid to be doing that—especially if you 're selling online , sending it in the mail .
What do you mean by that ?
You send somebody something that powerful and they do n't know it is , you 're gon na kill somebody sooner or later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's in it , and then they drop dead and they 're right next to the package .
Is that your biggest concern ?
Someone dies and the mailer is found ?
No question .
Not just because I do n't want anybody handing my packs to John Q .
Law .
I always tell my customers to do a test shot first and be careful , because I do n't want anybody dying .
Is buying online safer than on the street ?
There 's added protection on both ends online because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but you still got risks .
I do n't think people get ripped off as much online as they do on the street .
But I hear stories all the time from people who fell for one of those `` too good to be true '' deals .
They send money and get nothing .
Are they getting ripped off by actual sellers ?
Or is it the online equivalent of me on the street at two in the morning in the 1990s : desperate , no one I know is out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who says they have dope and I end up with nothing ?
That .
If a dealer did that , it 'd be all over the forums in two seconds flat .
I find it fascinating that , in a lawless environment , the forums and markets , with their reviews and escrow systems , are able to do what ca n't be done in real life .
It would n't work otherwise .
Would you sell on the street if the internet did n't exist ?
No fucking way .
Walk me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or direct ?
Tell me about both .
And what 's your ratio of direct versus online orders ?
It 's almost all direct since Empire Market exit scammed [ in August ] , and that 's better all around .
I do n't need to drop any more percentages than I have to , and neither do my customers .
If it 's on a market , I see the order .
If it 's direct , you send proof of payment ( bitcoin and Monero ) and say what you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms ] .
No matter how it comes in , if it happens before 9 am , it ships that day .
Note : The subject further explained that the shipping process is no different than a legal business but safeguards make each step exponentially more complex .
Everything from buying packing/shipping supplies and postage to actual shipping is `` extremely fucking complicated for good reason . ''
He referred to instances of online drug businesses being `` taken down by John Q Law '' and , for reasons that may be obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he learned from these episodes , or the `` military-grade stealth '' he employs to avoid detection .
Orders are shipped five days a week , with expedited shipping available for an added fee .
The subject has tracking info for all shipments .
However , it is not given to customers , and he only tracks packages when a problem arises—even doing that is `` complicated . ''
How would you describe the state of affairs in dark-web markets since Empire Market 's exit scam ?
Do you think there 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direction you seem to have taken ?
I 've been around the block long enough to see Empire 's exit scam coming a mile away , so I did n't get my clock cleaned the way a lot of other people did .
I do n't think there 'll ever not be markets because if you 're new to online , you 're gon na look for that until you establish trust [ with a seller ] .
Which markets do you currently sell on ?
Less than I used to but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you feel about the sex and violence known to be trafficked on certain markets ?
I wo n't do business anywhere that has any of that .
Is violence part of your job ?
No , and I hope it stays that way .
Do you own a gun ?
I 'm not stupid .
Are people in your life aware of your profession ?
A few .
How do they feel about it ?
They worry .
Do you worry ?
What do you think ?
What 's the closest you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just say it involved a customer getting kicked out of a place after a pack shipped .
Do you use drugs ?
I 'll have a drink every now and then but nothing crazy .
I quit partying when I started doing this on a full-time basis .
Did you ever have a problem with drugs ?
No .
Why do n't you sell methadone or buprenorphine ?
You ca n't get any kind of quantity for it to make sense .
Sometimes a customer will try to sell bottles or films but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to tell you the truth , if they 're taking that stuff so they wo n't do heroin , I do n't want to be a part of them fucking their shit up .
What about your other customers ?
What if your products fuck their shit up ?
I try not to think of it that way .
How do you think of it ?
People are going to do drugs and that can be dangerous .
I 'm here to make it less dangerous .
So , this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they should buy them from a reputable person like you who is n't going to rip them off or kill them .
Bingo .
What if a customer has to rip someone off to pay you for their drugs—does that bother you ?
Honestly , it does but it 's really not my business .
I guess it could also be said that guys on Wall Street rob people all the time and when they buy cars and houses , Porsche dealers and real estate agents probably do n't lose sleep over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you feel about the War On Drugs ?
Bad for you .
Good for me .
Do you think the drug war will ever end ?
No .
Why ?
There 's too much money in keeping drugs illegal .
You have any idea how many people are on that payroll ?
Do you give money to any pro-drug war organizations ?
LOL .
Is that a `` no '' ?
Put it to you this way : I protect my interests .
How do you feel about advocacy organizations that are obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also doing great things for the harm reduction movement .
Look , I 'm all for harm reduction .
I 'm just saying : If drugs were suddenly legal , guys like me would be out of business in two seconds flat .
Because drugs would be commoditized and corporations would take over ?
Yeah .
That does n't seem to be entirely happening with weed .
Maybe not yet .
It will .
Do you have an exit strategy—a goal or a plan for if the shit hits the fan ?
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know about you ?
People forget that this is a business .
I want my customers to be happy and I do n't want any problems .
You do n't have to ask , When 's my pack coming ?
200 times a day , but you should do a test shot .
And please , for the love of God : Destroy .
The .
Pack .
Before .
You .
Do .
Anything .
Else .
This article was originally published by Filter , a magazine covering drug use , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Filter on Facebook or Twitter .

BY DAVID POSES
In today's bifurcated illicit drug trade, it's increasingly common for transactions to occur anonymously, online—on the 0.01 percent of the deep web known as the dark web, which is inaccessible on most browsers.
For buyers and sellers with Tor, cryptocurrency and PGP, dark-web markets offer an intuitive, Amazon-esque user interface, with escrow and review features to keep everyone honest. Such markets are a logical first stop for newbies with technical know-how. But the added protection of the markets comes at an extra cost—one that many customers are happy to do without once they've established trust and a one-to-one connection with a seller.
In the fentanyl era, it remains easy and common to demonize drug sellers. But the one I interviewed—a 30-something, soft-spoken white man in the eastern United States, whose identifying details are omitted for obvious reasons—couldn't be less like the bloodthirsty predator stereotype we hear about in elementary school drug prevention assemblies and mainstream media. Over the course of our conversation, I was struck by his meticulousness, insight and palpable concern for customer health and safety. Though he is unquestionably and unapologetically working illegally, his answers illustrate why he is ethically ok with his work.
Our interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
David Poses: How long have you been doing this and how did you get started?
A friend got into some low-level dealing when Silk Road was coming up [in the early 2010s]. I went along and grew it from there.
Do you sell drugs in person or only online?
Strictly online.
Is this your only occupation, or do you do something else?
I have another (legitimate) business.
Great. What and where is it?
LOL.
What kinds of drugs do you sell?
Heroin and a little coke; meth, occasionally.
What's your most popular item?
Two-gram bags of heroin.
Do you add fentanyl or other synthetic analogues to your heroin?
Never. Most of my customers are trying to steer clear of fentanyl.
How do you know it's not fentanyl or laced with fentanyl?
I run a few different kinds of tests on it [including methods "more sophisticated" than fentanyl test strips]. If the shit is cut, I let customers know.
Actual heroin and genuine pharmaceutical opioids seem to be increasingly hard to find. Is that your experience as well?
Right now, yeah. For one thing, synthetics are cheaper. COVID isn't helping.
Do you work with more than one supplier?
I got a few contacts for dope and one for coke and meth. I got somebody who's got a hand in everything—dope, coke, acid, ecstasy, pills, you name it—but it's pretty inconsistent and the pills are all pressed. Plus, I end up paying more for the "one-stop shopping," and that means so do you.
Do you have to specify "no fentanyl" when you order from a supplier?
It's understood.
But you still end up with fentanyl sometimes?
Uh huh.
What happens then?
Well, you can't return the shit, if that's what you're asking. If a test shows synthetics, I'll make it clear to customers and, if I can, I'll move it at a lower price.
How does it work when you buy drugs? Are you meeting guys like Felix Gallardo or Pablo Escobar in fancy hotel rooms?
Nothing like that. I'm not moving that level of product where guys like that would even know who I am.
Do you think any sellers are getting pure heroin (ie, heroin of any purity without synthetics) and cutting it with fentanyl or carfentanil? Or is everyone in the same boat as you?
Somebody is obviously doing that, but I think it's happening higher up the totem pole. I don't know that for sure. It's just common sense. If you're dealing with customers, you'd have to be pretty fucking stupid to be doing that—especially if you're selling online, sending it in the mail.
What do you mean by that?
You send somebody something that powerful and they don't know it is, you're gonna kill somebody sooner or later. They open the pack and do what's in it, and then they drop dead and they're right next to the package.
Is that your biggest concern? Someone dies and the mailer is found?
No question. Not just because I don't want anybody handing my packs to John Q. Law. I always tell my customers to do a test shot first and be careful, because I don't want anybody dying.
Is buying online safer than on the street?
There's added protection on both ends online because you're not doing business face-to-face, but you still got risks. I don't think people get ripped off as much online as they do on the street. But I hear stories all the time from people who fell for one of those "too good to be true" deals. They send money and get nothing.
Are they getting ripped off by actual sellers? Or is it the online equivalent of me on the street at two in the morning in the 1990s: desperate, no one I know is out, so I give my money to someone who says they have dope and I end up with nothing?
That. If a dealer did that, it'd be all over the forums in two seconds flat.
I find it fascinating that, in a lawless environment, the forums and markets, with their reviews and escrow systems, are able to do what can't be done in real life.
It wouldn't work otherwise.
Would you sell on the street if the internet didn't exist?
No fucking way.
Walk me through an order.
On a market or direct?
Tell me about both. And what's your ratio of direct versus online orders?
It's almost all direct since Empire Market exit scammed [in August], and that's better all around. I don't need to drop any more percentages than I have to, and neither do my customers.
If it's on a market, I see the order. If it's direct, you send proof of payment (bitcoin and Monero) and say what you want on [several secure, anonymous communicating platforms]. No matter how it comes in, if it happens before 9 am, it ships that day.
Note: The subject further explained that the shipping process is no different than a legal business but safeguards make each step exponentially more complex. Everything from buying packing/shipping supplies and postage to actual shipping is "extremely fucking complicated for good reason." He referred to instances of online drug businesses being "taken down by John Q Law" and, for reasons that may be obvious, didn't want me to share what he learned from these episodes, or the "military-grade stealth" he employs to avoid detection. Orders are shipped five days a week, with expedited shipping available for an added fee. The subject has tracking info for all shipments. However, it is not given to customers, and he only tracks packages when a problem arises—even doing that is "complicated."
How would you describe the state of affairs in dark-web markets since Empire Market's exit scam? Do you think there'll be consolidation, or more splintering like the direction you seem to have taken?
I've been around the block long enough to see Empire's exit scam coming a mile away, so I didn't get my clock cleaned the way a lot of other people did. I don't think there'll ever not be markets because if you're new to online, you're gonna look for that until you establish trust [with a seller].
Which markets do you currently sell on?
Less than I used to but I'd rather not say.
How do you feel about the sex and violence known to be trafficked on certain markets?
I won't do business anywhere that has any of that.
Is violence part of your job?
No, and I hope it stays that way.
Do you own a gun?
I'm not stupid.
So, yes?
Yeah.
Are people in your life aware of your profession?
A few.
How do they feel about it?
They worry.
Do you worry?
What do you think?
What's the closest you've come to getting caught?
Lets just say it involved a customer getting kicked out of a place after a pack shipped.
Do you use drugs?
I'll have a drink every now and then but nothing crazy. I quit partying when I started doing this on a full-time basis.
Did you ever have a problem with drugs?
No.
Why don't you sell methadone or buprenorphine?
You can't get any kind of quantity for it to make sense. Sometimes a customer will try to sell bottles or films but it's not worth the hassle and, to tell you the truth, if they're taking that stuff so they won't do heroin, I don't want to be a part of them fucking their shit up.
What about your other customers? What if your products fuck their shit up?
I try not to think of it that way.
How do you think of it?
People are going to do drugs and that can be dangerous. I'm here to make it less dangerous.
So, this is a public service. If someone uses drugs, they should buy them from a reputable person like you who isn't going to rip them off or kill them.
Bingo.
What if a customer has to rip someone off to pay you for their drugs—does that bother you?
Honestly, it does but it's really not my business.
I guess it could also be said that guys on Wall Street rob people all the time and when they buy cars and houses, Porsche dealers and real estate agents probably don't lose sleep over it.
Thank you.
How do you feel about the War On Drugs?
Bad for you. Good for me.
Do you think the drug war will ever end?
No.
Why?
There's too much money in keeping drugs illegal. You have any idea how many people are on that payroll?
The DEA?
Everybody.
Do you give money to any pro-drug war organizations?
LOL.
Is that a "no"?
Put it to you this way: I protect my interests.
How do you feel about advocacy organizations that are obviously trying to end the drug war and also doing great things for the harm reduction movement.
Look, I'm all for harm reduction. I'm just saying: If drugs were suddenly legal, guys like me would be out of business in two seconds flat.
Because drugs would be commoditized and corporations would take over?
Yeah.
That doesn't seem to be entirely happening with weed.
Maybe not yet. It will.
Do you have an exit strategy—a goal or a plan for if the shit hits the fan?
Both.
What do you most want readers to know about you?
People forget that this is a business. I want my customers to be happy and I don't want any problems. You don't have to ask, When's my pack coming? 200 times a day, but you should do a test shot. And please, for the love of God: Destroy. The. Pack. Before. You. Do. Anything. Else.
This article was originally published by Filter, a magazine covering drug use, drug policy and human rights. Follow Filter on Facebook or Twitter.


alternet--2020-11-12--The GOP's formula for destruction is back in play — here's how Democrats can beat it

The broad contours of the next two years of American politics are pretty clear .
They 're going to suck for the left .
And things could get worse after that .
But there is hope .
The GOP 's nonsensical claims that widespread voter fraud denied Trump a second term represent Birtherism 2.0 .
They ca n't claim that a white guy from Scranton who 's been a prominent figure in DC for the past 40 years was born in Kenya , but for the 86 percent of Trump voters who believe that Joe Biden did not legitimately win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same .
This belief will animate the next , more extreme iteration of the tea party movement .
In fact , some of the Republican operatives organizing these `` stop the steal '' protests are veterans of that Astroturf campaign .
If Democrats manage the difficult task of sweeping runoff elections for two Georgia Senate seats in January , they will be constrained by the filibuster .
Sen. Joe Manchin ( D-WV ) has already signaled that he would not support eliminating it .
Others would no doubt join him if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as is likely , Republicans hold onto the Senate , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will follow the playbook he developed during the Obama years , refusing to bring bills with bipartisan support to the floor and blockading Biden 's judicial nominees .
Either way , requiring 60 votes to pass legislature will be the norm .
Given that the pandemic is now completely out of control , McConnell would probably have no choice but to negotiate a bipartisan Covid relief and economic stimulus package , assuming one does n't pass before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would only be able to make progress through executive actions and during `` fiscal cliff '' negotiations over must-pass bills to keep the government operating or avoid a debt default .
If Dems manage to win control of the Senate , they would also be able to do certain things -- like rolling back the Trump tax cuts -- through budget reconciliation , which ca n't be filibustered .
The executive branch wields a lot of power , and with control of the House , Democrats would be able to achieve smaller parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be like a breath of fresh air after the past four years .
But the party 's base wants them to govern .
They want a new voting rights act and an expansion of public healthcare and aggressive climate legislation , among other priorities .
None of that will be possible , and Democrats -- especially progressives -- will find themselves frustrated .
This is the formula Republicans developed during Obama 's presidency : Demoralize the Democratic base while firing theirs up with a steady stream of disinformation about the administration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnout for the midterms , the GOP will try to deliver the kind of electoral shellacking in 2022 that they achieved in 2010 .
Because they did well in state legislative races this year , Republicans will also have an opportunity to redraw congressional maps in a bunch of states and strengthen the gerrymanders they put in place after the 2010 Census .
If the GOP can hold the Senate and claw back control of the House , 2023 and 2024 will be even more disheartening .
But that bleak outcome is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they start organizing now , keep their base engaged and break that cycle of turning out for presidential elections and then sitting out the midterms .
They have a good Senate map in 2022 , and if they ended up with 52 or 53 Senate seats , after two more years of relentless Republican obstruction , they would almost certainly have the votes to kill the filibuster .
There is one reason to think this may be possible : Donald J. Trump .
First , because Trump has driven huge Democratic turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and in off-year contests in 2017 and 2019 .
Voting tends to be habit-forming .
And whether or not Trump is serious about declaring that he intends to run in 2024 , he will remain a loud , obnoxious presence in American politics .
It 's possible that by remaining the clear leader of the Republican Party , he will help Democrats remain engaged , while at least some of the irregular Republican voters he turned out will stay home if he is n't on the ballot himself .
There is reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling of relief that most Americans are feeling after delivering a defeat to Donald Trump was nice , it will be short-lived .
It was a major battle in a longer war .
The next engagement will be in Georgia , and then the ( broad ) left must start organizing for 2022 .
Thanks to the many veto-points built into our system , progress is never easy .

The broad contours of the next two years of American politics are pretty clear. They're going to suck for the left. And things could get worse after that. But there is hope.
The GOP's nonsensical claims that widespread voter fraud denied Trump a second term represent Birtherism 2.0. They can't claim that a white guy from Scranton who's been a prominent figure in DC for the past 40 years was born in Kenya, but for the 86 percent of Trump voters who believe that Joe Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election, the effect is the same. This belief will animate the next, more extreme iteration of the tea party movement. In fact, some of the Republican operatives organizing these "stop the steal" protests are veterans of that Astroturf campaign.
If Democrats manage the difficult task of sweeping runoff elections for two Georgia Senate seats in January, they will be constrained by the filibuster. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has already signaled that he would not support eliminating it. Others would no doubt join him if they weren't the deciding vote.
If, as is likely, Republicans hold onto the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will follow the playbook he developed during the Obama years, refusing to bring bills with bipartisan support to the floor and blockading Biden's judicial nominees. Either way, requiring 60 votes to pass legislature will be the norm.
Given that the pandemic is now completely out of control, McConnell would probably have no choice but to negotiate a bipartisan Covid relief and economic stimulus package, assuming one doesn't pass before the inauguration. Aside from that, Democrats would only be able to make progress through executive actions and during "fiscal cliff" negotiations over must-pass bills to keep the government operating or avoid a debt default. If Dems manage to win control of the Senate, they would also be able to do certain things--like rolling back the Trump tax cuts--through budget reconciliation, which can't be filibustered.
The executive branch wields a lot of power, and with control of the House, Democrats would be able to achieve smaller parts of their agenda. And competent government will be like a breath of fresh air after the past four years. But the party's base wants them to govern. They want a new voting rights act and an expansion of public healthcare and aggressive climate legislation, among other priorities. None of that will be possible, and Democrats--especially progressives--will find themselves frustrated.
This is the formula Republicans developed during Obama's presidency: Demoralize the Democratic base while firing theirs up with a steady stream of disinformation about the administration. With the Democrats' typical decline in turnout for the midterms, the GOP will try to deliver the kind of electoral shellacking in 2022 that they achieved in 2010.
Because they did well in state legislative races this year, Republicans will also have an opportunity to redraw congressional maps in a bunch of states and strengthen the gerrymanders they put in place after the 2010 Census. If the GOP can hold the Senate and claw back control of the House, 2023 and 2024 will be even more disheartening.
But that bleak outcome isn't a foregone conclusion. Dems could govern if they start organizing now, keep their base engaged and break that cycle of turning out for presidential elections and then sitting out the midterms. They have a good Senate map in 2022, and if they ended up with 52 or 53 Senate seats, after two more years of relentless Republican obstruction, they would almost certainly have the votes to kill the filibuster.
There is one reason to think this may be possible: Donald J. Trump. First, because Trump has driven huge Democratic turnout in the 2018 midterms, the 2020 election and in off-year contests in 2017 and 2019. Voting tends to be habit-forming. And whether or not Trump is serious about declaring that he intends to run in 2024, he will remain a loud, obnoxious presence in American politics. It's possible that by remaining the clear leader of the Republican Party, he will help Democrats remain engaged, while at least some of the irregular Republican voters he turned out will stay home if he isn't on the ballot himself. There is reason to be hopeful.
But while the feeling of relief that most Americans are feeling after delivering a defeat to Donald Trump was nice, it will be short-lived. It was a major battle in a longer war. The next engagement will be in Georgia, and then the (broad) left must start organizing for 2022. Thanks to the many veto-points built into our system, progress is never easy.


alternet--2020-11-12--Democrats — and the U.S. — won’t have a future if Biden adopts a centrist agenda

President-elect Joe Biden has called the November 2020 U.S. election a `` battle for the soul of the nation . ''
In offering himself up as a contrast to President Donald Trump , Biden made a clear distinction between his political agenda and statesman-like behavior , and that of Trump .
Ultimately , millions more Americans chose Biden over Trump and gave him a larger mandate than any other presidential candidate in American history .
Biden 's victory was possible in large part due to an alliance between Bernie Sanders–backing progressives and the centrist liberals who longed for a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a battle for the soul of Joe Biden .
For years , the two major parties had tacked toward the center when running candidates for president .
It seemed logical to assume every four years that most American voters would prefer someone who tried to appeal to the mass of voters in the middle rather than one end of the political spectrum .
But since Ronald Reagan , the Republican Party has shifted further and further to the right , culminating in Donald Trump 's extremist right-wing presidency—a `` reign of terror '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To keep up , Democrats moved to the right as well , hoping eventually they would catch up to a now-mythical centrist majority that would ensure their electoral victories .
Instead , Americans were becoming disillusioned with politics and simply not participating .
In 2016 , there were three blocs of eligible voters : those who voted for Trump , those who voted for Clinton , and those who did n't vote .
While Trump 's share was the smallest of the three , the latter was the largest grouping .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency unfold , progressives worked hard alongside liberals and even anti-Trump Republicans this past year to convince disillusioned American voters that everything was at stake in 2020 and that the future of the nation depended on their participation .
Voter turnout surged all over the nation , but it grew particularly in swing states among those demographics who identify as progressive—such as young people of color .
For example , in Philadelphia , whose Democratic votes helped deliver the critically important state of Pennsylvania for Biden , a young Black organizer with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` As usual , the Democratic Party played to a mythical swing voter while taking Black and brown voters for granted . ''
He explained , `` It was up to our progressive movement to street canvass Philadelphia 's early vote centers and distribute water and face masks and answer voters ' questions . ''
Although Biden clearly and decisively won the presidency—notwithstanding pandemic-related delays to casting and counting votes—his party did not win much beyond the White House .
Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives and failed to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped .
The centrists wasted no time in blaming progressives for those losses .
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) in an interview with the New York Times countered with cold hard facts : `` Every single candidate that co-sponsored Medicare for All in a swing district kept their seat .
We also know that co-sponsoring the Green New Deal was not a sinker . ''
Indeed , the ranks of young progressives of color in Congress increased .
While one can indeed counter that it is easier to run as a staunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse urban centers than it is to run for president of the entire nation , Trump proved that even with a narrow agenda and forceful populist rhetoric , it is possible to win a national election .
Indeed , Biden won voters all across the nation by running on a platform that was deeply influenced by progressives .
Now , Biden 's task is to make sure that the Democratic Party 's political future is assured in two years at the 2022 midterm elections , and just as importantly in four years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new White House bid for 2024 .
More importantly , he needs to ensure that millions of Americans do not fall through the financial fissures wrought by the devastating pandemic , that climate catastrophe can be avoided , that the torture of immigrants can end , that devastating wars are terminated and more .
He can protect both his party 's political future and his people 's well-being by moving decisively to the left , not to the right ( which is often erroneously labeled `` the center '' ) .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising the minimum wage , taxing the wealthy and corporations , adopting the Green New Deal , legalizing immigration , and ending wars that are actually popular .
But forceful red-baiting propaganda unleashed by right-wing forces have scared centrist Democrats like Abigail Spanberger ( D-VA ) , whose explanation of her party 's down-ballot losses was the use of the word `` socialism . ''
Spanberger lashed out against progressives , saying , `` We need to not ever use the word 'socialist ' or 'socialism ' ever again . ''
But Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , except to unequivocally denounce the idea of `` socialism . ''
He reveled in the fact that he beat the socialist candidate Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) in the primary elections .
None of the down-ballot candidates explicitly identifying as socialists lost their races , and in fact , the left did quite well on election night .
The fact is that Republicans will say and do anything to win elections and label Democrats `` socialist , '' whether or not it is true .
Allowing the extremist right wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party simply gives Trump and his backers the leverage that they can and will use to crush liberals and progressives alike .
Biden and Democrats can and should thread the needle by proudly adopting progressive and popular policies and brushing off accusations of being socialist without taking the bait .
If Medicare for All is socialist , then so is 'Medicare for Some , ' which is what we currently have .
If raising the minimum wage is socialist , then Florida voters just proudly claimed the mantle in deed while denouncing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is as socialist as Franklin Delano Roosevelt 's original plan for which it is named .
If ending war is considered socialist , then so is Trump , who pledged to bring troops home .
It is not difficult to make the case for progressive policies simply because they are popular .
The only case to be made against tacking left is through fearmongering propaganda , which Republicans are adept at .
Will Biden do what needs to be done to ensure his party and nation 's future ?
Among the first items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of Trump 's worst executive orders .
This is an easy and uncontroversial first step .
But Biden faces serious pressure to veer rightward .
He appears to be bending to Republican power in forming his Cabinet .
According to an Axios report , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) `` would work with Biden on centrist nominees but no 'radical progressives ' or ones who are controversial with conservatives . ''
Conservative and centrist media pundits have warned Biden repeatedly that he would need to tack to the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` unity '' as a reason to justify landing in the center .
But voter concerns do fit not neat geometrical shapes where the right and left can be folded into a middle ground that means rejecting both ends of the spectrum .
The middle ground can be centered on a rejection of cruelty , abuse , corruption , corporate greed , war , racism , misogyny , homophobia , and dishonesty .
The middle ground can be centered on popular policies that directly benefit people .
In other words , Biden needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he can do so without explicitly labeling himself as such .
The future of the nation and planet depend on it .
Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder , host and executive producer of `` Rising Up With Sonali , '' a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations .
This article was produced by Economy for All , a project of the Independent Media Institute .

President-elect Joe Biden has called the November 2020 U.S. election a "battle for the soul of the nation." In offering himself up as a contrast to President Donald Trump, Biden made a clear distinction between his political agenda and statesman-like behavior, and that of Trump. Ultimately, millions more Americans chose Biden over Trump and gave him a larger mandate than any other presidential candidate in American history. Biden's victory was possible in large part due to an alliance between Bernie Sanders–backing progressives and the centrist liberals who longed for a return to the Obama years. Now begins a battle for the soul of Joe Biden.
For years, the two major parties had tacked toward the center when running candidates for president. It seemed logical to assume every four years that most American voters would prefer someone who tried to appeal to the mass of voters in the middle rather than one end of the political spectrum. But since Ronald Reagan, the Republican Party has shifted further and further to the right, culminating in Donald Trump's extremist right-wing presidency—a "reign of terror" that looks like none other in history. To keep up, Democrats moved to the right as well, hoping eventually they would catch up to a now-mythical centrist majority that would ensure their electoral victories. Instead, Americans were becoming disillusioned with politics and simply not participating. In 2016, there were three blocs of eligible voters: those who voted for Trump, those who voted for Clinton, and those who didn't vote. While Trump's share was the smallest of the three, the latter was the largest grouping.
After three years of watching Trump's disastrous presidency unfold, progressives worked hard alongside liberals and even anti-Trump Republicans this past year to convince disillusioned American voters that everything was at stake in 2020 and that the future of the nation depended on their participation. Voter turnout surged all over the nation, but it grew particularly in swing states among those demographics who identify as progressive—such as young people of color.
For example, in Philadelphia, whose Democratic votes helped deliver the critically important state of Pennsylvania for Biden, a young Black organizer with the Working Families Party named Nicolas O'Rourke wrote, "As usual, the Democratic Party played to a mythical swing voter while taking Black and brown voters for granted." He explained, "It was up to our progressive movement to street canvass Philadelphia's early vote centers and distribute water and face masks and answer voters' questions."
Although Biden clearly and decisively won the presidency—notwithstanding pandemic-related delays to casting and counting votes—his party did not win much beyond the White House. Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives and failed to win an outright Senate majority as they had hoped. The centrists wasted no time in blaming progressives for those losses. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in an interview with the New York Times countered with cold hard facts: "Every single candidate that co-sponsored Medicare for All in a swing district kept their seat. We also know that co-sponsoring the Green New Deal was not a sinker." Indeed, the ranks of young progressives of color in Congress increased.
While one can indeed counter that it is easier to run as a staunch progressive for lower office in densely populated diverse urban centers than it is to run for president of the entire nation, Trump proved that even with a narrow agenda and forceful populist rhetoric, it is possible to win a national election. Indeed, Biden won voters all across the nation by running on a platform that was deeply influenced by progressives.
Now, Biden's task is to make sure that the Democratic Party's political future is assured in two years at the 2022 midterm elections, and just as importantly in four years, as Trump has already considered launching a new White House bid for 2024. More importantly, he needs to ensure that millions of Americans do not fall through the financial fissures wrought by the devastating pandemic, that climate catastrophe can be avoided, that the torture of immigrants can end, that devastating wars are terminated and more.
He can protect both his party's political future and his people's well-being by moving decisively to the left, not to the right (which is often erroneously labeled "the center"). It is progressive policies like Medicare for All, raising the minimum wage, taxing the wealthy and corporations, adopting the Green New Deal, legalizing immigration, and ending wars that are actually popular. But forceful red-baiting propaganda unleashed by right-wing forces have scared centrist Democrats like Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), whose explanation of her party's down-ballot losses was the use of the word "socialism." Spanberger lashed out against progressives, saying, "We need to not ever use the word 'socialist' or 'socialism' ever again." But Biden did not use those words during his campaign, except to unequivocally denounce the idea of "socialism." He reveled in the fact that he beat the socialist candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the primary elections. None of the down-ballot candidates explicitly identifying as socialists lost their races, and in fact, the left did quite well on election night.
The fact is that Republicans will say and do anything to win elections and label Democrats "socialist," whether or not it is true. Allowing the extremist right wing to dictate the direction of the Democratic Party simply gives Trump and his backers the leverage that they can and will use to crush liberals and progressives alike.
Biden and Democrats can and should thread the needle by proudly adopting progressive and popular policies and brushing off accusations of being socialist without taking the bait. If Medicare for All is socialist, then so is 'Medicare for Some,' which is what we currently have. If raising the minimum wage is socialist, then Florida voters just proudly claimed the mantle in deed while denouncing it in word. The Green New Deal is as socialist as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's original plan for which it is named. If ending war is considered socialist, then so is Trump, who pledged to bring troops home. It is not difficult to make the case for progressive policies simply because they are popular. The only case to be made against tacking left is through fearmongering propaganda, which Republicans are adept at.
Will Biden do what needs to be done to ensure his party and nation's future? Among the first items on his agenda appear to be reversing many of Trump's worst executive orders. This is an easy and uncontroversial first step. But Biden faces serious pressure to veer rightward. He appears to be bending to Republican power in forming his Cabinet. According to an Axios report, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) "would work with Biden on centrist nominees but no 'radical progressives' or ones who are controversial with conservatives." Conservative and centrist media pundits have warned Biden repeatedly that he would need to tack to the right. They cite Biden's talk of "unity" as a reason to justify landing in the center.
But voter concerns do fit not neat geometrical shapes where the right and left can be folded into a middle ground that means rejecting both ends of the spectrum. The middle ground can be centered on a rejection of cruelty, abuse, corruption, corporate greed, war, racism, misogyny, homophobia, and dishonesty. The middle ground can be centered on popular policies that directly benefit people. In other words, Biden needs to reshape himself into a left-wing populist, and he can do so without explicitly labeling himself as such. The future of the nation and planet depend on it.
Sonali Kolhatkar is the founder, host and executive producer of "Rising Up With Sonali," a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations.
This article was produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute.


alternet--2020-11-12--This senator just revealed the results of a Jeffrey Epstein probe: 'A disgusting failure'

Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has been very outspoken about the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , complaining that he should have been prosecuted much more vigorously .
And on Thursday , the Nebraska Republican issued an official statement about the completed U.S. Department of Justice investigation of Epstein 's plea deal with prosecutors — slamming former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta 's 2008 deal with Epstein as a travesty .
The department itself has not released the results yet , but Sasse obtained the information as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee .
The investigation concluded that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Epstein case , Sasse revealed , but the angry senator argued that Acosta 's actions in the Epstein case were much worse than that .
`` Letting a well-connected billionaire get away with child rape and international sex trafficking is n't 'poor judgement ' — it is a disgusting failure , '' Sasse said in his statement .
`` Americans ought to be enraged .
Jeffrey Epstein should be rotting behind bars today , but the Justice Department failed Epstein 's victims at every turn . ''
Acosta was a federal prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plea deal in which Epstein agreed to plead guilty to a single state charge of solicitation — and in exchange , would not be prosecuted for federal sex charges .
Acosta went on serve as labor secretary under President Donald Trump from 2017-2019 , and he held that position when , in July 2019 , Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges .
Those charges brought Acosta a great deal of renewed scrutiny for the 2008 plea bargain , of which Sasse has been vehemently critical .
Trump also had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , though they reportedly had a falling out for unclear reasons .
Sasse said in his statement : `` The DOJ 's crooked deal with Epstein effectively shut down investigations into this child sex trafficking ring and protected his co-conspirators in other states .
Justice has not been served .
The full report needs to be released to the public . ''
Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10 , 2019 .
Attorney General William Barr described Epstein 's death @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has been very outspoken about the late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, complaining that he should have been prosecuted much more vigorously. And on Thursday, the Nebraska Republican issued an official statement about the completed U.S. Department of Justice investigation of Epstein's plea deal with prosecutors — slamming former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta's 2008 deal with Epstein as a travesty.
The department itself has not released the results yet, but Sasse obtained the information as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee.
The investigation concluded that Acosta showed "poor judgement" in the Epstein case, Sasse revealed, but the angry senator argued that Acosta's actions in the Epstein case were much worse than that.
"Letting a well-connected billionaire get away with child rape and international sex trafficking isn't 'poor judgement' — it is a disgusting failure," Sasse said in his statement. "Americans ought to be enraged. Jeffrey Epstein should be rotting behind bars today, but the Justice Department failed Epstein's victims at every turn."
Acosta was a federal prosecutor when, in 2008, he approved a plea deal in which Epstein agreed to plead guilty to a single state charge of solicitation — and in exchange, would not be prosecuted for federal sex charges.
Acosta went on serve as labor secretary under President Donald Trump from 2017-2019, and he held that position when, in July 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. Those charges brought Acosta a great deal of renewed scrutiny for the 2008 plea bargain, of which Sasse has been vehemently critical. Trump also had a well-documented friendship with Epstein before his plea deal, though they reportedly had a falling out for unclear reasons.
Sasse said in his statement: "The DOJ's crooked deal with Epstein effectively shut down investigations into this child sex trafficking ring and protected his co-conspirators in other states. Justice has not been served. The full report needs to be released to the public."
Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019. Attorney General William Barr described Epstein's death as an apparent suicide.


alternet--2020-11-12--Teachers are on a tightrope with no safety net

After more than a month into New York City 's experiment with reopening schools in a hybrid format that has students alternating between classrooms and their homes , teacher Sapphira Hendrix still finds herself working until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning , planning lessons and responding to students .
One night in particular , she recounts , when finishing up a lesson plan for her Advanced Placement course , she glanced at the clock and noticed it was 4:30 a.m. `` I realized I had just finished my work for the night at about the same time I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my day . ''
Hendrix says this was one of the moments she finally was struck with the absurdity of what educators in her community , and in many school districts across America , are doing to carry their work in a pandemic .
`` This is n't healthy or sustainable , '' she says .
When New York City schools opened their doors with a plan for students to cycle in and out of classrooms and learn remotely the rest of the time , many doubted this big city would pull it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students had questions about the logistics of an undertaking so enormous by a Department of Education that has struggled for years , even without a pandemic .
Hudson High School of Learning Technologies in Manhattan , where Hendrix works , seems like a great example of a school that 's doing hybrid learning right .
Founded in 2010 , this relatively new school serves a disproportionately high-poverty ( 84 percent ) population of students , yet has a high rate ( 43 percent ) of students taking Advanced Placement courses .
Educators I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have banded together and created a school learning plan that 's functioning well during the pandemic , mixing in-person and remote learning and providing their students with high-quality education .
And yes , we can look to a school like HHSLT to find lessons in making miracles happen in unbelievably challenging times .
But too often , when we hear stories of educators who are reaching above and beyond , we applaud them briefly and move on from the story too soon .
A closer look reveals that educators are suffering beneath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hybrid opening has required .
What 's happening at HHSLT symbolizes what 's happening citywide and across the country : a group of people with little resources creating something out of nothing , who desperately need and deserve more support .
Hendrix , a math teacher who also serves as the school 's programmer , is tasked with creating the school 's continuously changing schedules , making sure students have a schedule that provides them with a diversity of subject matter and propels them toward graduation , and providing teachers with the increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes and when .
`` All of this planning to reopen schools , and I doubt they asked any programmers for advice , '' Hendrix says , reflecting on the impossible nature of doing the job this year .
Even after countless summer meetings discussing program options , the real planning could n't even begin until after August 7 when the district closed the opt-in window for parents to choose in-person learning for the first quarter .
This led to a frantic race to make it all happen .
`` On August 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a handful of teachers [ were planning to work remotely as well ] , '' Hendrix told me .
`` So I started to plan for that . ''
Because the district continued to allow parents to opt out of in-person learning on a rolling basis , the student numbers still changed daily , with more students switching to remote learning , all while more teachers were approved for accommodations to work remotely .
By the end of the summer , the number of HHSLT students who were expected to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hendrix had to reprogram on a daily basis , and still does .
Even months after the start of school , she still has to notify 10-15 teachers of program changes every evening .
She considered taking a childcare leave because the taxing workload was not sustainable .
`` It felt like my job was never complete .
I could never finish and move on to my next task . ''
Glen Pandolfino , a global studies and economics teacher at HHSLT , moves room to room throughout the day in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them remain in their `` pods . ''
He describes what it 's like to instruct with a mask on as being difficult to be engaged and be heard .
Technology has helped .
`` I ca n't get over how well the staff uses digital education , '' he says .
`` I 'm an old-school teacher , but it [ hybrid learning ] is forcing me to do things differently , and I appreciate it [ digital education tools ] a lot more .
And I appreciate the younger teachers taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this . ''
When I ask Pandolfino if he feels like kids are learning , he chuckles in a warm way that makes me feel like I 'm his student .
`` Oh yes , they are learning great content . ''
He goes on to tell me about the political revolution project his students are working on that they are presenting to each other the following Monday—his excitement about the project is palpable .
Pandolfino says that despite all the challenges , he 's really proud of the work his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
`` I think we are doing a good job of providing some semblance of 'normal ' for the students , '' he says , and that an `` even bigger lesson '' the teachers convey is that , `` Whether in-person or online , the kids understand we are there for them . ''
Dr. Jody Wurzel , the school 's guidance counselor , agrees that this school year has been the most trying one of her career—and it is n't even December yet .
But even with the strange new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out awkwardly around a big room—during Dr. Wurzel 's walk-throughs of classes , she is able to sense kids are happy and at ease .
`` I 'm so glad to see the kids here , and engaged to the best they can be , '' she told me .
`` You can see a smile through a mask .
As a counselor , I [ now ] have to be able to look into [ students ' ] eyes and see the emotions there , instead of their mouths .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of a face and assess through that—the eye contact , the cheekbones moving , the tone of their voice . ''
She described her visit to an advisory class earlier in the day , where she saw kids helping each other from a distance , laughing with each other .
`` I was able to feel the energy walking into that room .
And in an entire classroom of kids , not one of them was in distress .
They were all happy , taking everything they could from the time they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to be managing the impossible—but these educators ' successes do n't exist in a vacuum .
For solutions to work for students in the long term , the work of educators needs to be paired with considerations of how parents and communities can support schools and educators so they can do this work on a sustainable basis .
Educators are the strongest army right now trying to create normalcy for America 's kids , but at what expense ?
How many of them will be able to continue this way without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budgets , without protections from layoffs ?
If these are the people who are solving the education system 's Rubik 's Cube on a daily basis , what can we do as a society to make sure we do n't lose them ?
We can start by asking teachers what they need .
What better experts are there on this than educators themselves ?
They can best tell us what models make sense and what resources we need to provide .
`` All of these decisions about how to return to the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school building , without their input , '' Hendrix laments .
`` We 're just not heard .
We have no voice . ''
She also comments on the criticism educators have taken for the parts of the model that have n't worked—the lack of staffing and ballooning class sizes .
`` It 's so unfortunate that teachers are being blamed for the shortcomings of the system , '' she says .
Of course , teacher burnout was a common issue even before the pandemic .
Its causes have always been multifaceted—ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a frenzied environment with too little rest and inability to regroup .
Schools chronically lack resources , budget , time for the lessons , and time to prepare .
Insert the pandemic and hybrid learning model , and all of these causes intensify drastically .
This year , in-person teachers struggle without breaks , without a home classroom , and with health and safety fears .
Remote teachers struggle with technology issues and ballooning class sizes .
Both types of teachers struggle with the time necessary to adjust curricula to support virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-year teacher this year , '' Hendrix said , referring to the stress , strain , and amount of planning involved .
Many teachers feel that their workload is invisible to society .
While across the country , people are discussing the education of children on a daily basis , our communities and leaders are not addressing teachers ' well-being and quality of life .
This huge oversight will have a grave effect on our education system if we do n't focus on it before it 's too late .
According to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burnout ( called `` dissatisfaction '' in the report ) is the number one reason educators leave the system before retirement , and the leading cause of teacher shortages .
The effects of the way our teachers are treated and the lack of support they receive have undeniable consequences for our education system .
According to an analysis of the report by the Graide Network , `` Teacher burnout leads to reduced educational quality , because it increases the numbers of underqualified or straight-up unqualified teachers in the system . ''
The message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hybrid learning plan work as best they can , but our teachers are likely not okay .
Yes , they are getting the work done—but their physical , emotional , and mental health may be suffering in the process .
To continue on this path without providing educators the support and resources they need is a huge disservice not only to our educators but also to the future of our schools .
Our children deserve a proper education , but they deserve to learn from teachers whose basic needs are met , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4:30 a.m .
It 's the educators doing the saving now , but we need to save our educators too .
This article was produced by Our Schools .
Emily James is a writer and former teacher in New York City .
She currently works as a member rep for the United Federation of Teachers .
On Twitter , follow her at @ missg3rd .

by Emily James
After more than a month into New York City's experiment with reopening schools in a hybrid format that has students alternating between classrooms and their homes, teacher Sapphira Hendrix still finds herself working until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, planning lessons and responding to students. One night in particular, she recounts, when finishing up a lesson plan for one of her classes, she glanced at the clock and noticed it was 4:30 a.m. "I realized I had just finished my work for the night at about the same time I normally would be getting up to start my day."
Hendrix says this was one of the moments she finally was struck with the absurdity of what educators in her community, and in many school districts across America, are doing to carry their work in a pandemic. "This isn't healthy or sustainable," she says.
When New York City schools opened their doors with a plan for students to cycle in and out of classrooms and learn remotely the rest of the time, many doubted this big city would pull it off. Educators, parents, and students had questions about the logistics of an undertaking so enormous by a Department of Education that has struggled for years, even without a pandemic.
Hudson High School of Learning Technologies in Manhattan, where Hendrix works, seems like a great example of a school that's doing hybrid learning right. Founded in 2010, this relatively new school serves a disproportionately high-poverty (84 percent) population of students, yet has a high rate (43 percent) of students taking Advanced Placement courses. Educators I've spoken to at the school say they have banded together and created a school learning plan that's functioning well during the pandemic, mixing in-person and remote learning and providing their students with high-quality education.
And yes, we can look to a school like HHSLT to find lessons in making miracles happen in unbelievably challenging times. But too often, when we hear stories of educators who are reaching above and beyond, we applaud them briefly and move on from the story too soon. A closer look reveals that educators are suffering beneath the taxing workload and unreasonable dedication this hybrid opening has required. What's happening at HHSLT symbolizes what's happening citywide and across the country: a group of people with little resources creating something out of nothing, who desperately need and deserve more support.
Hendrix, a math teacher who also serves as the school's programmer, is tasked with creating the school's continuously changing schedules, making sure students have a schedule that provides them with a diversity of subject matter and propels them toward graduation, and providing teachers with the increasingly complex rosters of who is in their classes and when.
"All of this planning to reopen schools, and I doubt they asked any programmers for advice," Hendrix says, reflecting on the impossible nature of doing the job this year. Even after countless summer meetings discussing program options, the real planning couldn't even begin until after August 7 when the district closed the opt-in window for parents to choose in-person learning for the first quarter. This led to a frantic race to make it all happen.
"On August 10, 25 percent of students were remote, and a handful of teachers [were planning to work remotely as well]," Hendrix told me. "So I started to plan for that."
Because the district continued to allow parents to opt out of in-person learning on a rolling basis, the student numbers still changed daily, with more students switching to remote learning, all while more teachers were approved for accommodations to work remotely.
By the end of the summer, the number of HHSLT students who were expected to learn remotely had increased to 51 percent. Hendrix had to reprogram on a daily basis, and still does. Even months after the start of school, she still has to notify 10-15 teachers of program changes every evening.
She considered taking a childcare leave because the taxing workload was not sustainable. "It felt like my job was never complete. I could never finish and move on to my next task."
Glen Pandolfino, a global studies and economics teacher at HHSLT, moves room to room throughout the day in order to minimize the students' exposure and help them remain in their "pods." He describes what it's like to instruct with a mask on as being difficult to be engaged and be heard.
Technology has helped. "I can't get over how well the staff uses digital education," he says. "I'm an old-school teacher, but it [hybrid learning] is forcing me to do things differently, and I appreciate it [digital education tools] a lot more. And I appreciate the younger teachers taking time out to help me learn all of this."
When I ask Pandolfino if he feels like kids are learning, he chuckles in a warm way that makes me feel like I'm his student. "Oh yes, they are learning great content." He goes on to tell me about the political revolution project his students are working on that they are presenting to each other the following Monday—his excitement about the project is palpable.
Pandolfino says that despite all the challenges, he's really proud of the work his staff has done to make school happen this year. "I think we are doing a good job of providing some semblance of 'normal' for the students," he says, and that an "even bigger lesson" the teachers convey is that, "Whether in-person or online, the kids understand we are there for them."
Dr. Jody Wurzel, the school's guidance counselor, agrees that this school year has been the most trying one of her career—and it isn't even December yet.
But even with the strange new environment—with the six-foot distance and students spread out awkwardly around a big room—during Dr. Wurzel's walk-throughs of classes, she is able to sense kids are happy and at ease.
"I'm so glad to see the kids here, and engaged to the best they can be," she told me. "You can see a smile through a mask. As a counselor, I [now] have to be able to look into [students'] eyes and see the emotions there, instead of their mouths. I have to be able to look at the top of a face and assess through that—the eye contact, the cheekbones moving, the tone of their voice."
She described her visit to an advisory class earlier in the day, where she saw kids helping each other from a distance, laughing with each other. "I was able to feel the energy walking into that room. And in an entire classroom of kids, not one of them was in distress. They were all happy, taking everything they could from the time they had together."
Schools like HHSLT seem to be managing the impossible—but these educators' successes don't exist in a vacuum. For solutions to work for students in the long term, the work of educators needs to be paired with considerations of how parents and communities can support schools and educators so they can do this work on a sustainable basis.
Educators are the strongest army right now trying to create normalcy for America's kids, but at what expense? How many of them will be able to continue this way without the support from elected officials, from local budgets, without protections from layoffs? If these are the people who are solving the education system's Rubik's Cube on a daily basis, what can we do as a society to make sure we don't lose them?
We can start by asking teachers what they need. What better experts are there on this than educators themselves? They can best tell us what models make sense and what resources we need to provide.
"All of these decisions about how to return to the building were made without anyone who works in a school building, without their input," Hendrix laments. "We're just not heard. We have no voice."
She also comments on the criticism educators have taken for the parts of the model that haven't worked—the lack of staffing and ballooning class sizes. "It's so unfortunate that teachers are being blamed for the shortcomings of the system," she says.
Of course, teacher burnout was a common issue even before the pandemic. Its causes have always been multifaceted—ranging from lack of autonomy within the classroom to a frenzied environment with too little rest and inability to regroup. Schools chronically lack resources, budget, time for the lessons, and time to prepare. Insert the pandemic and hybrid learning model, and all of these causes intensify drastically.
This year, in-person teachers struggle without breaks, without a home classroom, and with health and safety fears. Remote teachers struggle with technology issues and ballooning class sizes. Both types of teachers struggle with the time necessary to adjust curricula to support virtual learning.
"Everyone feels like a first-year teacher this year," Hendrix said, referring to the stress, strain, and amount of planning involved.
Many teachers feel that their workload is invisible to society. While across the country, people are discussing the education of children on a daily basis, our communities and leaders are not addressing teachers' well-being and quality of life. This huge oversight will have a grave effect on our education system if we don't focus on it before it's too late.
According to a 2017 Learning Policy Institute report, teacher burnout (called "dissatisfaction" in the report) is the number one reason educators leave the system before retirement, and the leading cause of teacher shortages. The effects of the way our teachers are treated and the lack of support they receive have undeniable consequences for our education system. According to an analysis of the report by the Graide Network, "Teacher burnout leads to reduced educational quality, because it increases the numbers of underqualified or straight-up unqualified teachers in the system."
The message is clear: Schools are making the hybrid learning plan work as best they can, but our teachers are likely not okay. Yes, they are getting the work done—but their physical, emotional, and mental health may be suffering in the process.
To continue on this path without providing educators the support and resources they need is a huge disservice not only to our educators but also to the future of our schools. Our children deserve a proper education, but they deserve to learn from teachers whose basic needs are met, who have not been up until or since 4:30 a.m. It's the educators doing the saving now, but we need to save our educators too.
This article was produced by Our Schools. Emily James is a writer and former teacher in New York City. She currently works as a member rep for the United Federation of Teachers. On Twitter, follow her at @missg3rd.
This story has been updated to correct a description of Hendrix's class.


alternet--2020-11-12--Kevin McCarthy slammed for his 'delusional cult behavior' as he continues to live in Trump's fantasy

Kevin McCarthy slammed for his 'delusional cult behavior' as he continues to live in Trump's fantasy land

Although some prominent Republicans are acknowledging that Democrat Joe Biden is now president-elect of the United States — including former @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove — President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ the election results , making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and vowing to fight @ @ @ @ @ end .
And many Republican Trump enablers in Congress are afraid to publicly acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy .
Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma is arguing that Biden @ @ @ @ @ briefings .
But when McCarthy was asked , at a news conference , if the @ @ @ @ @ briefings , he went into Trump loyalist mode and said , `` He 's not @ @ @ @ @ n't know if he 'll be president January 20 . ''
McCarthy is being lambasted @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
Here are some of the responses :

Although some prominent Republicans are acknowledging that Democrat Joe Biden is now president-elect of the United States — including former President George W. Bush, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah and veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove — President Donald Trump is still refusing to accept the election results, making baseless claims of widespread voter fraud and vowing to fight in court until the bitter end. And many Republican Trump enablers in Congress are afraid to publicly acknowledge that Biden won, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma is arguing that Biden needs to begin receiving intelligence briefings. But when McCarthy was asked, at a news conference, if the president-elect should be receiving such briefings, he went into Trump loyalist mode and said, "He's not president right now. Don't know if he'll be president January 20."
McCarthy is being lambasted unmercifully for that comment on Twitter. Here are some of the responses: