truthout--2020-12-02--Hundreds of Nursing Home Workers Are on Strike

Around 700 workers in 11 nursing homes run by Infinity Healthcare Management are entering their second week on strike .
The workers , who are part of SEIU Healthcare , are demanding higher wages , hazard pay and better staffing .
They are also demanding PPE , which is in short supply and could mean life or death for the elderly as well as for the workers .
Many of whom are women , and they are overwhelmingly people of color .
These sectors are disproportionately represented among essential workers , and are also disproportionately underpaid and treated as expendable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nursing and Rehab Center for 15 years .
She is a cancer survivor and in a high risk category for Covid-19 , as her immune system is still compromised .
Yet , she continues to go to work day in and day out , without hazard pay and for obscenely low wages .
“ We are striking right now .
It ’ s the last thing we wanted to do , but we resorted to it because we couldn ’ t reach an agreement with one of the owners… We are very short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic we were short-staffed .
And we ’ re short staffed because of the wages we are making.
” The base pay at the homes owned by Infinity Healthcare Management is $ 13.30 .
Regans , who has worked at the center for 15 years , only makes 17.35 dollars an hour .
Workers are demanding a two dollar raise , but the company is refusing .
Infinity Healthcare Management is owned by Envision Healthcare Corporation which is in turn owned by KKR & Co. Inc. , a private equity firm which posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is worth $ 21.7 billion on the stock market .
KKR pays its billionaire executives upward of $ 200 million , and the CEO of Envision earns in excess of $ 7 million a year — and in 2016 made over $ 21 million .
There is plenty of money for the executives of these companies but little for the workers .
Regans explains that Infinity “ got 12.7 million dollars from the federal government and refused to give us any of it .
He got that off the sweat of us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the CARES Act , but the workers haven ’ t received a permanent raise .
At first , workers got hazard pay , but in July , hazard pay stopped .
And if you called out sick , you forfeited your hazard pay .
Right now , Regans is working with patients who have Covid in the building .
The 11 nursing homes that are affected by the strike include City View Multicare Center in Cicero , which had 249 coronavirus cases , and Niles Nursing & Rehabilitation in Niles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes are notoriously short staffed due to the low wages provided .
Janice Hill , who has worked at City View Multicare Center in Cicero for 12 years makes $ 14.10 an hour and cares for 33 residents during her night shift .
“ The poverty wages that nursing home workers are paid creates a downward spiral where no one wants to work at a nursing home , which creates a staffing crisis and forces good workers to leave.
” Regans explains , “ I have had up to 24 residents by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care to that many residents .
It ’ s impossible .
You could be the best CNA in the world , but you can ’ t give quality care to 24 residents.
” On Mondays , doctors and nurses joined the nursing home caregivers on the picket line .
“ It is unconscionable for workers to not have the PPE that they need to protect themselves , so they can provide quality care to the residents of these homes , ” said Paul Pater , a registered nurse and chief steward for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital .
“ This particular nursing home network appears not to want to pay the living wage to attract workers … to take care of patients .
So I ’ m here today to support these front-line heroes , and to say it ’ s not enough to call them heroes , but they must get a living wage as well , ” said Dr Peter Orris , professor and chief of occupational and environmental medicine at University of Illinois Hospital .
Nursing home workers are among the essential workers who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most hazardous conditions .
Their labor , blood , sweat and tears create the profit for CEO ’ s who are hiding away in their summer homes at the beach or in the Hamptons : the leeches who suck all the profit from workers and patients are not essential .
They aren ’ t even around .
The nursing home workers deserve 15 dollars an hour — and much much more .
They deserve staffing ratios that allow them to do their jobs : to care for the elderly in this horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing family for fear of the virus .
Nursing homes , like the entire healthcare industry should not be private commodities : these should be public services , free and accessible to the whole population .
And they should not be run by private corporations who only have profits in mind but by patients , their families and workers .
Solidarity with the striking nursing home workers .

Around 700 workers in 11 nursing homes run by Infinity Healthcare Management are entering their second week on strike. The workers, who are part of SEIU Healthcare, are demanding higher wages, hazard pay and better staffing. They are also demanding PPE, which is in short supply and could mean life or death for the elderly as well as for the workers. Many of whom are women, and they are overwhelmingly people of color. These sectors are disproportionately represented among essential workers, and are also disproportionately underpaid and treated as expendable.
Roslyn Regans has worked at Lakeview Nursing and Rehab Center for 15 years. She is a cancer survivor and in a high risk category for Covid-19, as her immune system is still compromised. Yet, she continues to go to work day in and day out, without hazard pay and for obscenely low wages. “We are striking right now. It’s the last thing we wanted to do, but we resorted to it because we couldn’t reach an agreement with one of the owners… We are very short staffed right now. Even before the pandemic we were short-staffed. And we’re short staffed because of the wages we are making.”
The base pay at the homes owned by Infinity Healthcare Management is $13.30. Regans, who has worked at the center for 15 years, only makes 17.35 dollars an hour. Workers are demanding a two dollar raise, but the company is refusing.
Regans explains that Infinity “got 12.7 million dollars from the federal government and refused to give us any of it. He got that off the sweat of us. Our hard labor.” The payment was part of the CARES Act, but the workers haven’t received a permanent raise. At first, workers got hazard pay, but in July, hazard pay stopped. And if you called out sick, you forfeited your hazard pay.
Right now, Regans is working with patients who have Covid in the building.
The 11 nursing homes that are affected by the strike include City View Multicare Center in Cicero, which had 249 coronavirus cases, and Niles Nursing & Rehabilitation in Niles, which had 54 Covid-19-related deaths.
Infinity-run nursing homes are notoriously short staffed due to the low wages provided. Janice Hill, who has worked at City View Multicare Center in Cicero for 12 years makes $14.10 an hour and cares for 33 residents during her night shift. “The poverty wages that nursing home workers are paid creates a downward spiral where no one wants to work at a nursing home, which creates a staffing crisis and forces good workers to leave.”
Regans explains, “I have had up to 24 residents by myself. You cannot give quality care to that many residents. It’s impossible. You could be the best CNA in the world, but you can’t give quality care to 24 residents.”
On Mondays, doctors and nurses joined the nursing home caregivers on the picket line.
“It is unconscionable for workers to not have the PPE that they need to protect themselves, so they can provide quality care to the residents of these homes,” said Paul Pater, a registered nurse and chief steward for the Illinois Nurses Association at University of Illinois Hospital.
“This particular nursing home network appears not to want to pay the living wage to attract workers … to take care of patients. So I’m here today to support these front-line heroes, and to say it’s not enough to call them heroes, but they must get a living wage as well,” said Dr Peter Orris, professor and chief of occupational and environmental medicine at University of Illinois Hospital.
Nursing home workers are among the essential workers who have been consistently under-paid and forced to work in the most hazardous conditions. Their labor, blood, sweat and tears create the profit for CEO’s who are hiding away in their summer homes at the beach or in the Hamptons: the leeches who suck all the profit from workers and patients are not essential. They aren’t even around. The nursing home workers deserve 15 dollars an hour — and much much more. They deserve staffing ratios that allow them to do their jobs: to care for the elderly in this horrible time when many are cut off from seeing family for fear of the virus.
Nursing homes, like the entire healthcare industry should not be private commodities: these should be public services, free and accessible to the whole population. And they should not be run by private corporations who only have profits in mind but by patients, their families and workers.
Solidarity with the striking nursing home workers.
Correction: Infinity Health Care Management was initially identified as being owned by Envision Healthcare Corporation; it is not in fact owned by Envision Healthcare Corporation.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-12-02--Activists Resist Frantic Pipeline Development in Trump’s Final Weeks

The final weeks of the Trump administration have been frenzied for oil and gas pipeline companies .
On November 24 , Enbridge — the largest pipeline developer in North America — filed a lawsuit to block Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer from shutting down one of its major projects , swiftly announcing on the same day plans to move ahead with construction on Line 3 in neighboring Minnesota .
That whiplash could be an indication of the fights to come with a Biden administration pulled between executive ties to the fossil fuel industry , activists who insist the president-elect deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian officials who have pointed to a limited time frame of pipeline profitability amid global climate commitments .
As InsideClimate News has reported , some activists are hopeful that the Biden administration will deliver on a pledge to stop the Keystone XL pipeline .
But that prospect hasn ’ t brought peace to many in the path of pipelines , who say they ’ re not expecting much change under a Biden administration .
In spite of Biden ’ s stated plans , Keystone XL developer TC Energy recently announced its signing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pipeline , which the company said will employ 11,000 union workers when construction begins in 2021 .
Developers of smaller pipelines also appear poised to deliver on construction commitments , such as the Byhalia Connection oil pipeline proposed to run through parts of Tennessee and northern Mississippi , and the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline in Virginia .
On November 18 , developers of that project got the green light to clear land as they await key federal permits , while activists have been dealt orders to cease protest .
Some activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mountain Valley Pipeline ’ s path — an encampment known as Yellow Finch — are defying a Montgomery County judge ’ s order for protesters to leave , in spite of a fee the judge imposed of $ 500 per remaining protester per day .
The camp is situated in a remote hollow at the foot of the Blue Ridge Plateau , Mother Jones reports and has been credited with stopping developers from cutting down trees along a small portion of the pipeline ’ s path .
A spokesperson for Appalachians Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have organized the “ tree-sits , ” told Truthout three protesters remain in the tree-top blockade , and plan to do so until all permits are revoked and construction is permanently halted .
“ This pipeline and others were championed by both Democrats and Republicans and there is no expectation that a change in party leadership on the federal level will impact our fight on the front lines , ” the spokesperson , who identified themself as “ Taylor , ” said .
Taylor declined to provide a last name for fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposing the Line 3 pipeline replacement project have expressed a similar resoluteness .
After state and federal authorities approved a final slew of water-crossing permits , which authorized construction on the pipeline , 12 members of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ( MPCA ) environmental justice advisory group resigned in protest .
“ This project is a clear violation of environmental justice , causing significant trauma to the Anishinaabe people , ” the group wrote in a letter to the agency , noting that they would not collectively “ continue to legitimize and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war on Black and brown people.
” The MPCA issued the final permit on November 30 , and “ can now start construction , ” Enbridge officials announced in a statement .
Meanwhile , law enforcement near an encampment of protesters in Hubbard County appears to be militarizing , said lawyer and founder of the Giniw Collective , Tara Houska , who is Ojibwe .
The Giniw Collective posted pictures on Facebook of the Hubbard County sheriff accepting a delivery of what the group described as “ bolt cutters , saws , blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Line 3 pipeline developer .
The Hubbard County Sheriff did not respond to Truthout ’ s request for comment .
Houska says opponents of the pipeline hoped Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz would continue to challenge the pipeline as he had when he took office in 2019 .
“ But it turns out they are apparently not as brave as Governor Whitmer over in Michigan and are willing to put our children ’ s futures on the line to allow a Canadian corporation to do as it wishes and to suppress the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , referring to Governor Whitmer ’ s decision to revoke easement on Line 5 , a dual pipeline that crosses a narrow waterway linking Lake Michigan with Lake Huron .
Whitmer said Enbridge has violated the terms of its easement by ignoring structural problems , including pipe dented in multiple locations by an anchor dropped and dragged by commercial vessels , perhaps Enbridge ’ s own , leaving Michigan residents at risk of a catastrophic oil spill .
“ Enbridge has routinely refused to take action to protect our Great Lakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them for clean drinking water and good jobs , ” Whitmer said in a statement .
The Great Lakes supply drinking water to over 48 million people in the U.S. and Canada .
Enbridge has since sued Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Federal Court .
Environmental groups have filed a surge of complaints against federal agencies over the past four years , alleging lackluster and irresponsible permitting of fossil fuel infrastructure .
Since 2017 , the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission , for instance , has been sued at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to its issuing of natural gas pipeline permits , according to a Sabin Center for Climate Change database .
In comparison , only four total suits against that agency were filed between 2008 and 2016 .
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Department of the Interior have also been sued regularly .
Jared Margolis is an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity , an organization that ’ s a plaintiff in a handful of suits against federal agencies , including a major case before the Ninth Circuit alleging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act in issuing what ’ s known as a Nationwide 12 permit for the Keystone XL pipeline — a permit environmentalists say serves as a loophole for oil and gas developers to gain approval for fossil fuel infrastructure quickly by allowing for speedy analysis that bypasses public notification and community involvement .
He says the flurry of lawsuits against permitting “ gatekeepers ” like the Army Corps and Bureau of Land Management could result in stricter permit processes during the Biden administration .
An earlier ruling on the Nationwide 12 case this summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily stalling construction on pipelines across the country and leading developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cancel that project .
“ The reason we keep winning is because [ the Army Corps is ] rushing them through and not doing the work correctly , ” Margolis told Truthout .
“ This announcement reflects the increasing legal uncertainty that overhangs large-scale energy and industrial infrastructure development in the United States , ” Dominion CEO Tom Farrell and Duke CEO Lynn Good said at the time in a joint statement .
The Army Corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment .
Margolis says Governor Whitmer ’ s November shut-down order for Line 5 marks the beginning of a new set of logistical and legal challenges , which the Biden administration will be handed as it works toward passing policies to drastically curb greenhouse gas emissions .
Amid the legal delays , segments of pipeline have been left in piles under rain and snow for years , Margolis says , as is the case with Keystone XL .
Exposure to the elements , including UV rays , has worn down layers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained .
“ We need to be looking at this older infrastructure and the danger that it poses.
” In the immediate term , as the latest round of construction begins on long-disputed lines , hundreds of activists are continuing to build community and practice resistance , Houska , the Indigenous attorney and activist said of organizers who continue to resist Line 3 .
“ Our freedom and our bodies are something that ’ s going to be needed in this long fight against the fossil fuel industry and against the destruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The final weeks of the Trump administration have been frenzied for oil and gas pipeline companies. On November 24, Enbridge — the largest pipeline developer in North America — filed a lawsuit to block Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from shutting down one of its major projects, swiftly announcing on the same day plans to move ahead with construction on Line 3 in neighboring Minnesota. That whiplash could be an indication of the fights to come with a Biden administration pulled between executive ties to the fossil fuel industry, activists who insist the president-elect deliver on campaign climate commitments and pressure from Canadian officials who have pointed to a limited time frame of pipeline profitability amid global climate commitments.
As InsideClimate News has reported, some activists are hopeful that the Biden administration will deliver on a pledge to stop the Keystone XL pipeline. But that prospect hasn’t brought peace to many in the path of pipelines, who say they’re not expecting much change under a Biden administration. In spite of Biden’s stated plans, Keystone XL developer TC Energy recently announced its signing of $1.6 billion in contracts to build the pipeline, which the company said will employ 11,000 union workers when construction begins in 2021.
Developers of smaller pipelines also appear poised to deliver on construction commitments, such as the Byhalia Connection oil pipeline proposed to run through parts of Tennessee and northern Mississippi, and the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline in Virginia. On November 18, developers of that project got the green light to clear land as they await key federal permits, while activists have been dealt orders to cease protest.
Some activists who have built an aerial blockade along the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s path — an encampment known as Yellow Finch — are defying a Montgomery County judge’s order for protesters to leave, in spite of a fee the judge imposed of $500 per remaining protester per day. The camp is situated in a remote hollow at the foot of the Blue Ridge Plateau, Mother Jones reports , and has been credited with stopping developers from cutting down trees along a small portion of the pipeline’s path.
A spokesperson for Appalachians Against Pipelines, a group of activists that have organized the “tree-sits,” told Truthout three protesters remain in the tree-top blockade, and plan to do so until all permits are revoked and construction is permanently halted.
“This pipeline and others were championed by both Democrats and Republicans and there is no expectation that a change in party leadership on the federal level will impact our fight on the front lines,” the spokesperson, who identified themself as “Taylor,” said. Taylor declined to provide a last name for fear of legal backlash.
Indigenous and climate activists opposing the Line 3 pipeline replacement project have expressed a similar resoluteness. After state and federal authorities approved a final slew of water-crossing permits, which authorized construction on the pipeline, 12 members of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) environmental justice advisory group resigned in protest.
“This project is a clear violation of environmental justice, causing significant trauma to the Anishinaabe people,” the group wrote in a letter to the agency, noting that they would not collectively “continue to legitimize and provide cover for the MPCA’s war on Black and brown people.” The MPCA issued the final permit on November 30, and “can now start construction,” Enbridge officials announced in a statement.
Meanwhile, law enforcement near an encampment of protesters in Hubbard County appears to be militarizing, said lawyer and founder of the Giniw Collective, Tara Houska, who is Ojibwe. The Giniw Collective posted pictures on Facebook of the Hubbard County sheriff accepting a delivery of what the group described as “bolt cutters, saws, blow torches etc.” directly from Enbridge, the Line 3 pipeline developer. The Hubbard County Sheriff did not respond to Truthout’s request for comment.
Houska says opponents of the pipeline hoped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would continue to challenge the pipeline as he had when he took office in 2019. “But it turns out they are apparently not as brave as Governor Whitmer over in Michigan and are willing to put our children’s futures on the line to allow a Canadian corporation to do as it wishes and to suppress the rights of our citizens,” Houska said, referring to Governor Whitmer’s decision to revoke easement on Line 5, a dual pipeline that crosses a narrow waterway linking Lake Michigan with Lake Huron.
Whitmer said Enbridge has violated the terms of its easement by ignoring structural problems, including pipe dented in multiple locations by an anchor dropped and dragged by commercial vessels, perhaps Enbridge’s own, leaving Michigan residents at risk of a catastrophic oil spill. “Enbridge has routinely refused to take action to protect our Great Lakes and the millions of Americans who depend on them for clean drinking water and good jobs,” Whitmer said in a statement. The Great Lakes supply drinking water to over 48 million people in the U.S. and Canada. Enbridge has since sued Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in Federal Court.
Federal Agencies Under Fire
Environmental groups have filed a surge of complaints against federal agencies over the past four years, alleging lackluster and irresponsible permitting of fossil fuel infrastructure. Since 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, for instance, has been sued at least 16 times for violating bedrock environmental laws related to its issuing of natural gas pipeline permits, according to a Sabin Center for Climate Change database. In comparison, only four total suits against that agency were filed between 2008 and 2016. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Department of the Interior have also been sued regularly.
Jared Margolis is an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, an organization that’s a plaintiff in a handful of suits against federal agencies, including a major case before the Ninth Circuit alleging that the Army Corps violated the Endangered Species Act in issuing what’s known as a Nationwide 12 permit for the Keystone XL pipeline — a permit environmentalists say serves as a loophole for oil and gas developers to gain approval for fossil fuel infrastructure quickly by allowing for speedy analysis that bypasses public notification and community involvement. He says the flurry of lawsuits against permitting “gatekeepers” like the Army Corps and Bureau of Land Management could result in stricter permit processes during the Biden administration.
An earlier ruling on the Nationwide 12 case this summer froze 360 Army Corps permit approvals, temporarily stalling construction on pipelines across the country and leading developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cancel that project. “The reason we keep winning is because [the Army Corps is] rushing them through and not doing the work correctly,” Margolis told Truthout.
“This announcement reflects the increasing legal uncertainty that overhangs large-scale energy and industrial infrastructure development in the United States,” Dominion CEO Tom Farrell and Duke CEO Lynn Good said at the time in a joint statement. The Army Corps did not respond to Truthout’s request for comment.
Margolis says Governor Whitmer’s November shut-down order for Line 5 marks the beginning of a new set of logistical and legal challenges, which the Biden administration will be handed as it works toward passing policies to drastically curb greenhouse gas emissions. Amid the legal delays, segments of pipeline have been left in piles under rain and snow for years, Margolis says, as is the case with Keystone XL. Exposure to the elements, including UV rays, has worn down layers of coating that prevent corrosion, he explained. “We need to be looking at this older infrastructure and the danger that it poses.”
In the immediate term, as the latest round of construction begins on long-disputed lines, hundreds of activists are continuing to build community and practice resistance, Houska, the Indigenous attorney and activist said of organizers who continue to resist Line 3. “Our freedom and our bodies are something that’s going to be needed in this long fight against the fossil fuel industry and against the destruction of our only home,” she said.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-12-02--“Someone’s Going to Get Killed” Over Trump’s Voting Lies, Georgia Official Says

A Georgia election official pleaded Tuesday for President Donald Trump and other GOP lawmakers to stop spreading baseless ideas about election fraud , arguing that Trump ’ s rhetoric is fueling death threats against election workers .
But in direct response to the request from Gabriel Sterling , the voting system implementation manager for the state of Georgia , Trump has only doubled down , making even more unsubstantiated attacks on the integrity of the election .
“ This has to stop , ” Sterling said in a speech at the Georgia Capitol on Tuesday , pleading on behalf of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently been threatened with violence online .
“ Someone is going to get hurt .
Someone is going to get shot .
Someone ’ s going to get killed .
And it ’ s not right .
It ’ s not right.
” Sterling cited an incident in which an election worker in Gwinnett County , Georgia , received death threats from social media users , including an image of a noose directed toward him .
“ It has to stop .
Mr. President , you have not condemned these actions or this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , said in his speech .
“ Senators , you have not condemned this language or these actions .
This has to stop .
We need you to step up .
And if you take a position of leadership , show some.
” Sterling said social media users had said the election worker “ should be hung for treason ” simply for doing his job .
“ His family is getting harassed now .
There ’ s a noose out there with his name on it .
And it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to denounce how those wrongly agreeing with Trump about fraud have targeted lower-profile election officials who do not receive the same protection as he does .
“ I ’ ve got police protection outside my house .
Fine .
You know , I took a higher profile job .
I get it , the Secretary ran for office , his wife knew that too , ” Sterling said .
“ This kid took a job .
He just took a job , and it ’ s just wrong.
” Trump indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sterling ’ s press conference .
But rather than condemn the violence that the election official spoke of , or rein in his baseless claims of fraud , the president actively fueled the conspiracy theories he has been promoting for the past several weeks since Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential race .
“ Rigged Election .
Show signatures and envelopes .
Expose the massive voter fraud in Georgia , ” Trump tweeted , quoting a video of Sterling ’ s speech in the same post .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ] afraid of .
They know what we ’ ll find !
!
!
” The fraud claims that Trump made in his tweet have already been debunked by a number of fact-checking websites .
Absentee voters ’ signatures were checked twice in the Georgia election , and checking them again is impossible , as ballots and envelopes were separated after those checks were made to ensure every voter ’ s right to a secret ballot .
Meanwhile , election workers in a number of states — not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and threats from those agitated by Trump ’ s rhetoric .
Threats against election workers in Pennsylvania , Nevada , Michigan and Arizona have also been reported , according to an analysis from PBS ’ s “ Frontline ” program .
“ What we ’ re seeing this year — more than we have historically — is we have , thus far , baseless accusations of fraud and an unwillingness to acknowledge the results as being what they are , ” Benjamin Hovland , the chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re seeing that spin out on social media , in particular .
You ’ re seeing it be amplified and various pieces of mis- or disinformation being thrown in — various conspiracy theories about the election administration process.
” Trump ’ s lawyers have engaged in violent rhetoric , too .
Earlier this week , Trump campaign lawyer Joseph diGenova singled out former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) director Christopher Krebs , saying he deserved to be “ drawn and quartered ” and “ shot ” for implying the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ anybody who thinks the election went well ” is guilty of acting just as Krebs has .
As has been demonstrated in dozens of court challenges on Trump ’ s behalf , there is no substantial evidence that fraud of any kind interfered with this year ’ s elections .
“ Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so , ” wrote United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephanos Bibas , a Trump appointee , in a court opinion last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Charges require specific allegations and then proof .
We have neither here .
”

A Georgia election official pleaded Tuesday for President Donald Trump and other GOP lawmakers to stop spreading baseless ideas about election fraud, arguing that Trump’s rhetoric is fueling death threats against election workers. But in direct response to the request from Gabriel Sterling, the voting system implementation manager for the state of Georgia, Trump has only doubled down, making even more unsubstantiated attacks on the integrity of the election.
“This has to stop,” Sterling said in a speech at the Georgia Capitol on Tuesday, pleading on behalf of election workers under his supervision who have recently been threatened with violence online. “Someone is going to get hurt. Someone is going to get shot. Someone’s going to get killed. And it’s not right. It’s not right.”
Sterling cited an incident in which an election worker in Gwinnett County, Georgia, received death threats from social media users, including an image of a noose directed toward him.
“It has to stop. Mr. President, you have not condemned these actions or this language,” Sterling, himself a Republican, said in his speech. “Senators, you have not condemned this language or these actions. This has to stop. We need you to step up. And if you take a position of leadership, show some.”
Sterling said social media users had said the election worker “should be hung for treason” simply for doing his job. “His family is getting harassed now. There’s a noose out there with his name on it. And it’s not right,” Sterling added.
Sterling went on to denounce how those wrongly agreeing with Trump about fraud have targeted lower-profile election officials who do not receive the same protection as he does.
“I’ve got police protection outside my house. Fine. You know, I took a higher profile job. I get it, the Secretary ran for office, his wife knew that too,” Sterling said. “This kid took a job. He just took a job, and it’s just wrong.”
Trump indicated on Tuesday night that he was aware of Sterling’s press conference. But rather than condemn the violence that the election official spoke of, or rein in his baseless claims of fraud, the president actively fueled the conspiracy theories he has been promoting for the past several weeks since Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential race.
“Rigged Election. Show signatures and envelopes. Expose the massive voter fraud in Georgia,” Trump tweeted, quoting a video of Sterling’s speech in the same post. “What is Secretary of State and [Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp] afraid of. They know what we’ll find!!!”
The fraud claims that Trump made in his tweet have already been debunked by a number of fact-checking websites. Absentee voters’ signatures were checked twice in the Georgia election, and checking them again is impossible, as ballots and envelopes were separated after those checks were made to ensure every voter’s right to a secret ballot.
Meanwhile, election workers in a number of states — not just Georgia — have begun facing harassment and threats from those agitated by Trump’s rhetoric. Threats against election workers in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan and Arizona have also been reported, according to an analysis from PBS’s “Frontline” program.
“What we’re seeing this year — more than we have historically — is we have, thus far, baseless accusations of fraud and an unwillingness to acknowledge the results as being what they are,” Benjamin Hovland, the chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, told the program. “You’re seeing that spin out on social media, in particular. You’re seeing it be amplified and various pieces of mis- or disinformation being thrown in — various conspiracy theories about the election administration process.”
Trump’s lawyers have engaged in violent rhetoric, too. Earlier this week, Trump campaign lawyer Joseph diGenova singled out former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director Christopher Krebs, saying he deserved to be “drawn and quartered” and “shot” for implying the election was conducted securely.
DiGenova also implied that “anybody who thinks the election went well” is guilty of acting just as Krebs has.
As has been demonstrated in dozens of court challenges on Trump’s behalf, there is no substantial evidence that fraud of any kind interfered with this year’s elections.
“Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so,” wrote United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephanos Bibas, a Trump appointee, in a court opinion last week regarding the president’s allegations. “Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-12-02--Humanity Faces Climate “Suicide” Without US Rejoining Paris Agreement

“ The way we are moving is a suicide , ” United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said in an interview on Monday , and humanity ’ s survival will be “ impossible ” without the United States rejoining the Paris Agreement and achieving “ net zero ” carbon emissions by 2050 , as the incoming Biden administration has pledged .
The Secretary General said that “ of course ” he had been in touch with president-elect Biden and looked forward to welcoming the US into a “ global coalition for net zero by 2050 ” that the UN has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest cumulative source of heat trapping emissions and its biggest military and economic power , Guterres noted , so “ there is no way we can solve the [ climate ] problem … without strong American leadership.
” In an extraordinary if largely unheralded diplomatic achievement , most of the world ’ s leading emitters have already joined the UN ’ s “ net zero by 2050 ” coalition , including the European Union , Japan , the United Kingdom , and China ( which is the world ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieving carbon neutrality “ before 2060 ” ) .
India , meanwhile , the world ’ s third largest annual emitter , is the only Group of 20 country on track to limit temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius by 2100 , despite needing to lift many of its people out of poverty , an achievement Guterres called “ remarkable.
” Along with fellow petrostate Russia , the US has been the only major holdout , after Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement soon after becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledges could bring the Paris Agreement ’ s goals “ within reach , ” provided that the pledges are fulfilled , concluded an analysis by the independent research group Climate Action Tracker .
If so , temperature rise could be limited to 2.1 C , the group said — higher than the Agreement ’ s target of 1.5 to 2 C , but a major improvement from the 3 to 5 C future that business as usual would deliver .
“ The targets set at Paris were always meant to be increased over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Now , ] we need to align those commitments with a 1.5 C future , and then you must implement.
” Reiterating scientists ’ warning that humanity faces “ a climate emergency , ” the Secretary General said that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is imperative to avoiding “ irreversible ” impacts that would be “ absolutely devastating for the world economy and for human life.
” He said rich countries must honor their obligation under the Paris Agreement to provide $ 100 billion a year to help developing countries limit their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat waves , storms , and sea level rise already underway .
The trillions of dollars now being invested to revive pandemic-battered economies also must be spent in a “ green ” way , Guterres argued , or today ’ s younger generations will inherit “ a wrecked planet.
” And he predicted that the oil and gas industry , in its present form , will die out before the end of this century as economies shift to renewable energy sources .
The Secretary General ’ s interview , conducted by CBS News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Pais on behalf of the journalistic consortium Covering Climate Now , is part of a 10-day push by the UN to reinvigorate the Paris Agreement before a follow-up conference next year .
That conference , known as the 26th Conference of the Parties , or COP 26 , was supposed to take place this week but was postponed due to the pandemic .
On December 12 , 2020 , Guterres will mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement by convening a global climate summit with Boris Johnson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the official host of COP 26 , which occurs in Glasgow , Scotland , next November .
A total of 110 countries have joined the “ net zero by 2050 ” coalition , the Secretary General said , a development he attributed to growing recognition of the increasingly frequent and destructive extreme weather events climate change is unleashing around the world and the “ tremendous pressure ” governments have faced from civil society , including millions of young people protesting in virtually every country as well as more and more of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , thought to a certain extent that they could do whatever they wanted , ” Guterres said .
“ But now … we see the youth mobilizing in fantastic ways all over the world.
” And with solar and other renewable energy sources now cheaper than carbon-based equivalents , investors are realizing that “ the sooner that they move … to portfolios linked to the new green and digital economy , the best it will be for their own assets and their own clients.
” For a global economy that still relies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most of its energy and much of its food production , moving to “ net zero ” by 2050 nevertheless represents a tectonic shift — all the more so because scientists calculate that emissions must fall roughly by half over the next 10 years to hit the 2050 target .
Achieving those goals will require fundamental shifts in both public and private policy , including building no new coal plants and phasing out existing ones , Guterres said .
Governments must also reform tax and subsidy practices .
There should be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Secretary General said .
“ It doesn ’ t make any sense that taxpayers ’ money is spent destroying the planet .
At the same time , we should shift taxation from income to carbon , from taxpayers to polluters .
I ’ m not asking governments to increase taxes .
I ’ m asking governments to reduce the taxes on payrolls or on companies that commit to invest in green energy and put that level of taxation on carbon pollution.
” Governments must also ensure a “ just transition ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phase-out of fossil fuels , with workers getting unemployment payments and retraining for jobs in the new green economy .
“ When I was in government [ as the prime minister of Portugal ] , we had to close all the coal mines , ” he recalled .
“ We did everything we could to make sure that those who were working in those mines would have their futures guaranteed.
” The “ cycle of oil as the key engine of the world economy is finished , ” Guterres said .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petroleum might still be used “ as raw materials for different products… but the role of fossil fuels as [ an energy source ] will be minimal.
” As for fossil fuel companies ’ stated ambitions to continue producing more oil , gas and coal , Guterres said that throughout history various economic sectors have risen and fallen and that the digital sector has now displaced the fossil fuel sector as the center of the global economy .
“ I ’ m totally convinced that a lot of the oil and gas that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , “ will remain in the soil.
” This article is part of Covering Climate Now , a global consortium of news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story .

Part of the Series Covering Climate Now
“The way we are moving is a suicide,” United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said in an interview on Monday, and humanity’s survival will be “impossible” without the United States rejoining the Paris Agreement and achieving “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, as the incoming Biden administration has pledged.
The Secretary General said that “of course” he had been in touch with president-elect Biden and looked forward to welcoming the US into a “global coalition for net zero by 2050” that the UN has organized. The US is the world’s largest cumulative source of heat trapping emissions and its biggest military and economic power, Guterres noted, so “there is no way we can solve the [climate] problem … without strong American leadership.”
In an extraordinary if largely unheralded diplomatic achievement, most of the world’s leading emitters have already joined the UN’s “net zero by 2050” coalition, including the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, and China (which is the world’s largest source of annual emissions and has committed to achieving carbon neutrality “before 2060”). India, meanwhile, the world’s third largest annual emitter, is the only Group of 20 country on track to limit temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius by 2100, despite needing to lift many of its people out of poverty, an achievement Guterres called “remarkable.” Along with fellow petrostate Russia, the US has been the only major holdout, after Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement soon after becoming president four years ago.
The new pledges could bring the Paris Agreement’s goals “within reach,” provided that the pledges are fulfilled, concluded an analysis by the independent research group Climate Action Tracker. If so, temperature rise could be limited to 2.1 C, the group said — higher than the Agreement’s target of 1.5 to 2 C, but a major improvement from the 3 to 5 C future that business as usual would deliver.
“The targets set at Paris were always meant to be increased over time,” Guterres said. “[Now,] we need to align those commitments with a 1.5 C future, and then you must implement.”
Reiterating scientists’ warning that humanity faces “a climate emergency,” the Secretary General said that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is imperative to avoiding “irreversible” impacts that would be “absolutely devastating for the world economy and for human life.” He said rich countries must honor their obligation under the Paris Agreement to provide $100 billion a year to help developing countries limit their own climate pollution and adapt to the heat waves, storms, and sea level rise already underway. The trillions of dollars now being invested to revive pandemic-battered economies also must be spent in a “green” way, Guterres argued, or today’s younger generations will inherit “a wrecked planet.” And he predicted that the oil and gas industry, in its present form, will die out before the end of this century as economies shift to renewable energy sources.
The Secretary General’s interview, conducted by CBS News, The Times of India, and El Pais on behalf of the journalistic consortium Covering Climate Now, is part of a 10-day push by the UN to reinvigorate the Paris Agreement before a follow-up conference next year. That conference, known as the 26th Conference of the Parties, or COP 26, was supposed to take place this week but was postponed due to the pandemic. On December 12, 2020, Guterres will mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement by convening a global climate summit with Boris Johnson, who as prime minister of the UK is the official host of COP 26, which occurs in Glasgow, Scotland, next November.
A total of 110 countries have joined the “net zero by 2050” coalition, the Secretary General said, a development he attributed to growing recognition of the increasingly frequent and destructive extreme weather events climate change is unleashing around the world and the “tremendous pressure” governments have faced from civil society, including millions of young people protesting in virtually every country as well as more and more of the private sector.
“Governments, until now, thought to a certain extent that they could do whatever they wanted,” Guterres said. “But now … we see the youth mobilizing in fantastic ways all over the world.” And with solar and other renewable energy sources now cheaper than carbon-based equivalents, investors are realizing that “the sooner that they move … to portfolios linked to the new green and digital economy, the best it will be for their own assets and their own clients.”
For a global economy that still relies on oil, gas, and coal for most of its energy and much of its food production, moving to “net zero” by 2050 nevertheless represents a tectonic shift — all the more so because scientists calculate that emissions must fall roughly by half over the next 10 years to hit the 2050 target. Achieving those goals will require fundamental shifts in both public and private policy, including building no new coal plants and phasing out existing ones, Guterres said. Governments must also reform tax and subsidy practices.
There should be “no more subsidies for fossil fuels,” the Secretary General said. “It doesn’t make any sense that taxpayers’ money is spent destroying the planet. At the same time, we should shift taxation from income to carbon, from taxpayers to polluters. I’m not asking governments to increase taxes. I’m asking governments to reduce the taxes on payrolls or on companies that commit to invest in green energy and put that level of taxation on carbon pollution.”
Governments must also ensure a “just transition” for the people and communities affected by the phase-out of fossil fuels, with workers getting unemployment payments and retraining for jobs in the new green economy. “When I was in government [as the prime minister of Portugal], we had to close all the coal mines,” he recalled. “We did everything we could to make sure that those who were working in those mines would have their futures guaranteed.”
The “cycle of oil as the key engine of the world economy is finished,” Guterres said. By the end of the 21st century, petroleum might still be used “as raw materials for different products… but the role of fossil fuels as [an energy source] will be minimal.” As for fossil fuel companies’ stated ambitions to continue producing more oil, gas and coal, Guterres said that throughout history various economic sectors have risen and fallen and that the digital sector has now displaced the fossil fuel sector as the center of the global economy. “I’m totally convinced that a lot of the oil and gas that is today in the soil,” he said, “will remain in the soil.”
This article is part of Covering Climate Now, a global consortium of news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-12-02--Teaching Civics Is More Difficult When Your Students Grew Up in the Trump Age

This has been an incredibly strange semester as a professor teaching college-level government courses .
Because I research the success or failure of democratic institutions , I feel an increased sense of urgency to explain the workings of government to my students and to convey explicitly that the current political situation is not normal .
At the same time , the shift to online college education in the middle of a pandemic feels paradoxically trivial .
I teach at a community college and most of my students ’ lives are in chaos .
Many are the frontline workers — caretakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifts as their coworkers fall sick from COVID-19 .
In this environment , it seems almost unfair to demand that they turn in any work at all .
The competing demands of civics education in the midst of crisis are a microcosm of the political challenges Americans will face in a post-Trump era .
The transition to a Biden administration has already proven unusually rocky ; the General Services Administration waited a full two weeks before agreeing to recognize the transition and release government funds .
The Trump administration ’ s continued unwillingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk by slowing down the processes of distributing a vaccine .
Weeks earlier , in his acceptance speech , President-elect Joe Biden emphasized that he wants to work to heal partisan divides .
However , if Americans can not agree on the basic rules of democratic competition or the proper functions of our government institutions , this task will be much harder than his optimistic rhetoric implies .
Much of the current White House political propaganda relies on obscuring how government actually works , from the president ’ s erroneous claims that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the “ deep state ” to his overreliance on toothless executive orders .
Given the administration ’ s reliance on misleading information over the last four years , it can be tempting to proclaim that Americans simply need a better civics education .
Surveys by public policy institutes have long chronicled the deficiencies in American political knowledge .
For example , a 2019 survey by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation found that only 40 percent of Americans nationwide could pass a citizenship test .
Recently , Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville ( R-Alabama ) seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education when he incorrectly identified the three branches of government .
However , focusing on a simple lack of political knowledge underestimates the challenges facing educators and the public .
In my job to teach students both the basic values of U.S. democracy and the correct function of U.S. political institutions , I work to keep my own views out of the classroom .
Instead , I try to give students the information and tools to think critically about politics because I want them to form their own opinions on political issues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House have made my traditional teaching approach all but impossible .
In this political environment , even facts about the basic workings of government are politicized .
During his impeachment hearings , President Donald Trump raved that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff had “ committed treason ” and should be “ impeached.
” When my students asked about the tweet , I explained that congressional representatives could not be impeached .
Most of my students come from rural Texas , and many of their parents support Trump .
“ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ untrue ?
” many of them asked .
I struggled for an honest response that would not alienate half my class .
The course textbook , published in 2017 , already belongs to a different era .
The first chapter teaches that Americans all share a common political culture centered around the values of equality , liberty and democracy .
Meanwhile , the president of the United States embraces white nationalists and Republican leaders in the Senate refuse to recognize the results of a legitimate democratic election .
The textbook states that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to adopt platforms that reflect the policy goals of the organization .
This year , the national Republican Party failed to put together a platform and instead pledged to “ continue to enthusiastically support the President ’ s America-first agenda.
” My class ’ s textbook chapter on the “ Powers of the Presidency ” is littered with landmines .
The Senate ’ s power to confirm cabinet appointments is meaningless if presidents can simply install “ acting directors.
” President Trump demonstrated that the congressional power of the purse can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Emoluments Clause has proven to be no more than a parchment barrier to presidential corruption .
Most of the students I teach were 14 or 15 when Trump was elected , and have come of age during a “ post-truth ” presidency .
It is difficult to convey to them that today ’ s presidential and Republican behavior is not normal , when for them it is the norm .
It is becoming farcical to teach how U.S. political institutions are designed to function when government has strayed so far from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reimagining civics education becomes more urgent , the circumstances of my students ’ lives make it so much harder to concentrate .
One student asked for an extension on assignments because her boss had pressured her to work while ill , and she was having a hard time recovering .
Multiple students have lost loved ones or currently have family in the intensive care unit due to COVID .
Another asked to take an “ incomplete ” mark because she was working extra hours to help her unemployed parents make mortgage payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of widespread economic hardship and an out-of-control pandemic , and now may seem like an inopportune time to rehash the ways that the White House and Republican leadership have violated numerous constitutional norms .
Indeed , Biden has signaled that he doesn ’ t want the first part of his presidency to be consumed with investigations of the Trump administration .
However , Trump has so thoroughly strained U.S. institutions that news outlets are now asking whether his refusal to accept the election results technically qualifies as an attempted coup .
Rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maneuverings pose to democracy , Biden waved them off as simply “ an embarrassment.
” While it may be difficult to quantify the damage the Trump administration has done to our democratic norms and institutions — and while it may be tempting to simply try and move on — the Biden administration should make it clear exactly how far U.S. institutions have degraded .
The national conversation on how our government should function and how those in power should be held accountable can not be confined to struggling civics classrooms .

In a political environment shaped by Trump, even facts about the basic workings of government have become politicized.
This has been an incredibly strange semester as a professor teaching college-level government courses. Because I research the success or failure of democratic institutions, I feel an increased sense of urgency to explain the workings of government to my students and to convey explicitly that the current political situation is not normal.
At the same time, the shift to online college education in the middle of a pandemic feels paradoxically trivial. I teach at a community college and most of my students’ lives are in chaos. Many are the frontline workers — caretakers and grocery store cashiers — pulling double shifts as their coworkers fall sick from COVID-19.
In this environment, it seems almost unfair to demand that they turn in any work at all.
The competing demands of civics education in the midst of crisis are a microcosm of the political challenges Americans will face in a post-Trump era. The transition to a Biden administration has already proven unusually rocky; the General Services Administration waited a full two weeks before agreeing to recognize the transition and release government funds. The Trump administration’s continued unwillingness to fully concede defeat puts lives at risk by slowing down the processes of distributing a vaccine.
Weeks earlier, in his acceptance speech, President-elect Joe Biden emphasized that he wants to work to heal partisan divides. However, if Americans cannot agree on the basic rules of democratic competition or the proper functions of our government institutions, this task will be much harder than his optimistic rhetoric implies.
Much of the current White House political propaganda relies on obscuring how government actually works, from the president’s erroneous claims that the election was rigged, to his conspiracy-mongering about the “deep state” to his overreliance on toothless executive orders.
Given the administration’s reliance on misleading information over the last four years, it can be tempting to proclaim that Americans simply need a better civics education.
Surveys by public policy institutes have long chronicled the deficiencies in American political knowledge. For example, a 2019 survey by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation found that only 40 percent of Americans nationwide could pass a citizenship test.
Recently, Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) seemed to exemplify the failures of existing civics education when he incorrectly identified the three branches of government.
However, focusing on a simple lack of political knowledge underestimates the challenges facing educators and the public.
In my job to teach students both the basic values of U.S. democracy and the correct function of U.S. political institutions, I work to keep my own views out of the classroom. Instead, I try to give students the information and tools to think critically about politics because I want them to form their own opinions on political issues.
But those in and around this White House have made my traditional teaching approach all but impossible. In this political environment, even facts about the basic workings of government are politicized.
During his impeachment hearings, President Donald Trump raved that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff had “committed treason” and should be “impeached.”
When my students asked about the tweet, I explained that congressional representatives could not be impeached. Most of my students come from rural Texas, and many of their parents support Trump.
“Why would the president say something so completely untrue?” many of them asked.
I struggled for an honest response that would not alienate half my class.
The course textbook, published in 2017, already belongs to a different era. The first chapter teaches that Americans all share a common political culture centered around the values of equality, liberty and democracy.
Meanwhile, the president of the United States embraces white nationalists and Republican leaders in the Senate refuse to recognize the results of a legitimate democratic election.
The textbook states that one of the primary functions of political parties is to adopt platforms that reflect the policy goals of the organization. This year, the national Republican Party failed to put together a platform and instead pledged to “continue to enthusiastically support the President’s America-first agenda.”
My class’s textbook chapter on the “Powers of the Presidency” is littered with landmines. The Senate’s power to confirm cabinet appointments is meaningless if presidents can simply install “acting directors.”
President Trump demonstrated that the congressional power of the purse can be overridden via a national emergency declaration. The Emoluments Clause has proven to be no more than a parchment barrier to presidential corruption.
Most of the students I teach were 14 or 15 when Trump was elected, and have come of age during a “post-truth” presidency.
It is difficult to convey to them that today’s presidential and Republican behavior is not normal, when for them it is the norm. It is becoming farcical to teach how U.S. political institutions are designed to function when government has strayed so far from its purported ideal.
Even as the project of reimagining civics education becomes more urgent, the circumstances of my students’ lives make it so much harder to concentrate.
One student asked for an extension on assignments because her boss had pressured her to work while ill, and she was having a hard time recovering. Multiple students have lost loved ones or currently have family in the intensive care unit due to COVID. Another asked to take an “incomplete” mark because she was working extra hours to help her unemployed parents make mortgage payments.
Biden is facing the twin catastrophes of widespread economic hardship and an out-of-control pandemic, and now may seem like an inopportune time to rehash the ways that the White House and Republican leadership have violated numerous constitutional norms.
Indeed, Biden has signaled that he doesn’t want the first part of his presidency to be consumed with investigations of the Trump administration. However, Trump has so thoroughly strained U.S. institutions that news outlets are now asking whether his refusal to accept the election results technically qualifies as an attempted coup. Rather than focus on the danger Trump’s maneuverings pose to democracy, Biden waved them off as simply “an embarrassment.”
While it may be difficult to quantify the damage the Trump administration has done to our democratic norms and institutions — and while it may be tempting to simply try and move on — the Biden administration should make it clear exactly how far U.S. institutions have degraded.
The national conversation on how our government should function and how those in power should be held accountable cannot be confined to struggling civics classrooms.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-12-03--Fauci Meets Virtually With Biden’s Transition Team to Discuss COVID

Anthony Fauci , a prominent member of the Trump administration ’ s coronavirus task force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) , is set to formally meet with President-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team on Thursday afternoon .
Fauci has already spoken to some members of Biden ’ s incoming administration , including future chief of staff Ron Klain .
In an interview on MSNBC earlier on Thursday , Fauci said he hasn ’ t spoken directly with Biden since his presidential win , but that he was looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health experts he has assembled to help Biden transition into the White House .
“ I ’ m going to be meeting virtually , talking about just substantive , uncomplicated transition issues like vaccines and the state of the epidemic and things like that , ” Fauci said .
Fauci also said he expects to continue on as director of NIAID , a position he ’ s held since 1984 .
As far as what else he could do for the Biden administration , Fauci said that ’ d be up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an idea of what Biden has in store for him .
“ What contribution I will make in the new administration depends on the new administration , ” Fauci explained .
“ But I can not imagine I ’ m not going to be involved in the COVID-19 response .
I mean that would , I think , be unheard of if that ’ s the case .
But we ’ ll see.
” Fauci ’ s addition to Biden ’ s team of experts would likely be received well by most Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarded as a trustworthy source on matters related to COVID-19 , with a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll showing that 62 percent of Americans feel he ’ s done an “ excellent ” or “ good ” job during the pandemic so far .
Another 17 percent in that poll said Fauci has done a “ fair ” job , while only 13 percent described his work as “ poor.
” In an interview on C-SPAN last week , Fauci was asked whether he ’ d consider taking on a role in the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s had under President Donald Trump .
“ Of course , yes , ” Fauci said in the interview .
“ The answer is absolutely.
” A transition to a new administration would likely make a big difference for Fauci .
Biden takes a significantly more science-based approach to coronavirus than Trump does , such as wearing a mask in almost all of his public appearances .
His campaign for president was also conducted with virtual and socially distant-friendly events , while Trump tended to hold large , packed campaign rallies that appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely find his opinion more respected under Biden , too .
For much of the COVID-19 crisis , Trump tended to disregard Fauci ’ s opinions , and at times expressed hostile opinions about the NIAID director .
During a conference call in October , for example , Trump called Fauci and others who expressed worry about the administration ’ s approach to coronavirus “ idiots , ” though he acknowledged that if he tried to fire Fauci during the campaign it would have set off a metaphorical “ bomb.
” Fauci ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team comes at a perilous time during the coronavirus pandemic .
On Wednesday , it was reported that deaths related to COVID-19 reached 3,157 in a single day , a record high that surpassed the previous one by more than 500 deaths .
More than 13.9 million Americans have received positive coronavirus diagnoses since the pandemic began , with more than 273,000 deaths .

To date, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 273,000 Americans.
Anthony Fauci, a prominent member of the Trump administration’s coronavirus task force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is set to formally meet with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team on Thursday afternoon.
Fauci has already spoken to some members of Biden’s incoming administration, including future chief of staff Ron Klain. In an interview on MSNBC earlier on Thursday, Fauci said he hasn’t spoken directly with Biden since his presidential win, but that he was looking forward to a virtual meeting with the team of health experts he has assembled to help Biden transition into the White House.
“I’m going to be meeting virtually, talking about just substantive, uncomplicated transition issues like vaccines and the state of the epidemic and things like that,” Fauci said.
Fauci also said he expects to continue on as director of NIAID, a position he’s held since 1984. As far as what else he could do for the Biden administration, Fauci said that’d be up to the president-elect — although he did have an idea of what Biden has in store for him.
“What contribution I will make in the new administration depends on the new administration,” Fauci explained. “But I cannot imagine I’m not going to be involved in the COVID-19 response. I mean that would, I think, be unheard of if that’s the case. But we’ll see.”
Fauci’s addition to Biden’s team of experts would likely be received well by most Americans. The infectious disease expert is widely regarded as a trustworthy source on matters related to COVID-19, with a recent Politico/Morning Consult poll showing that 62 percent of Americans feel he’s done an “excellent” or “good” job during the pandemic so far.
Another 17 percent in that poll said Fauci has done a “fair” job, while only 13 percent described his work as “poor.”
In an interview on C-SPAN last week, Fauci was asked whether he’d consider taking on a role in the Biden administration similar to the one he’s had under President Donald Trump. “Of course, yes,” Fauci said in the interview. “The answer is absolutely.”
A transition to a new administration would likely make a big difference for Fauci. Biden takes a significantly more science-based approach to coronavirus than Trump does, such as wearing a mask in almost all of his public appearances. His campaign for president was also conducted with virtual and socially distant-friendly events, while Trump tended to hold large, packed campaign rallies that appeared indifferent to the pandemic.
Fauci would likely find his opinion more respected under Biden, too. For much of the COVID-19 crisis, Trump tended to disregard Fauci’s opinions, and at times expressed hostile opinions about the NIAID director. During a conference call in October, for example, Trump called Fauci and others who expressed worry about the administration’s approach to coronavirus “idiots,” though he acknowledged that if he tried to fire Fauci during the campaign it would have set off a metaphorical “bomb.”
Fauci’s meeting with Biden’s transition team comes at a perilous time during the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, it was reported that deaths related to COVID-19 reached 3,157 in a single day, a record high that surpassed the previous one by more than 500 deaths.
More than 13.9 million Americans have received positive coronavirus diagnoses since the pandemic began, with more than 273,000 deaths.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-12-03--Graduate Student Labor Organizing Is Rising — and So Is Retaliation

Carlos Cruz was paying $ 1,550 per month to live in a 750-square-foot garage-studio without insulation in Santa Cruz while earning a salary of $ 18,000 per year as a graduate student teaching assistant at University of California , Santa Cruz ( UCSC ) .
He was barely scraping by and was going into debt .
Accordingly , in November , he became involved in the burgeoning Cost of Living Adjustment campaign on the UCSC campus .
Cruz , an outspoken first-generation Chicano Ph.D. student in the History Department , is now the only graduate student out of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign facing a suspension from the university .
The university and police reports treat him as a “ ring leader , ” Cruz tells Truthout , “ as if the people don ’ t have autonomy .
As if the people are just waiting for a person to tell them what to do.
” As crises pile on , he says he is “ between places ” — with no secure housing — during the pandemic .
On November 23 , Associate Vice Chancellor Sue Matthews relied on police surveillance and reports to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matthews ’ s decision went against the recommendation of the Campus Conduct Board , which relied on 11 hours of testimony from graduate students and faculty .
Allegations against Cruz included disorderly conduct , obstruction and participation in an unlawful assembly .
In Matthews ’ s decision , she wrote to Cruz , “ In many instances the [ student ] hearing board found that you were not solely responsible for the violations in which you were involved and therefore found you not responsible .
The Student Handbook does not provide that responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged hinge on a determination as to whether you were solely responsible for the events in which you were involved.
” UC Student-Workers Union , UAW 2865 responded to Matthews ’ s decision in an email , claiming that it “ removed any possible doubt that the student conduct code is nothing more than a weapon in the administration ’ s repressive arsenal.
” The university has dropped charges against a white organizer who faced similar allegations .
When contacted for comment by Truthout , Matthews said , “ I am unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this matter because FERPA [ The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 ] precludes me from disclosing information about a student absent certain circumstances.
” Matthews referred Truthout to the university ’ s media relation office , which offered this comment : “ Anyone who believes they have experienced unequal treatment can file a report with our hate/bias response team , Office of Equity and Equal Protection , or through a student grievance .
Our campus works hard to support students in exercising their rights to free speech .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus do not result in any violations of the Student Code of Conduct .
The Student Conduct process begins only when an allegation of a violation is made , at which time we are obligated to investigate and follow our process in order to support the rights of everyone in our UCSC community.
” In response to the decision to uphold Cruz ’ s two-year suspension , supporters organizing under the hashtag # HandsoffCarlos held a noise demonstration at Chancellor Cynthia K. Larive ’ s house at 8 am on Wednesday .
Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says about 45 people were present .
They made noise , listened to speakers and music , and chalked the sidewalk .
Demonstrators also hung a banner that said “ Cindy = Racist ” on the gate to Chancellor Larive ’ s home .
Truthout contacted Chancellor Larive , but she did not respond to requests for comment by press time .
In a May flyer in support of Cruz , Pay Us More UCSC , the group of graduate student workers organizing for a Cost of Living Adjustment , wrote , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruiting these children of immigrant parents as tokens of ‘ diversity ’ to shore up their progressive credentials , while simultaneously reproducing racialized codes of criminality by piling all the weight of their punitive apparatus upon them.
” Larive has the power to drop Cruz ’ s charges at any time .
Cruz says this campaign isn ’ t just about him ; it ’ s about the criminalization of student activism and political dissent .
And it ’ s about paving the way for future disadvantaged Black , Brown and Indigenous people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to affordable education .
This particular graduate student labor controversy arose in November , when the UCSC Graduate Student Association lobbied the administration for a Cost of Living Adjustment of an additional $ 1,412 per month , calculated based on Santa Cruz ’ s notoriously expensive housing market .
By December , without having achieved any concessions , graduate student-workers went on a grading strike .
They withheld 12,000 undergraduate grades , yet the administration still refused to meet .
Although the UAW union contract contains a “ no strike ” clause , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ( an action carried out by workers without authorization from their union leadership ) on February 10 , after Chancellor Larive sent an email threatening disciplinary measures on January 27 .
For weeks , picketing strikers were met with police brutality , according to graduate students .
In addition they faced at least 17 violent arrests , and were surveilled with military-grade equipment , Vice reported .
Cruz told Salon he was targeted by police , explaining he was approached at the picket line by an officer who identified him by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and date of birth .
Strikers organized alongside dining staff to take over dining halls and blocked roadways .
Inspired by UCSC , all 10 UC campuses had launched their own Cost of Living Adjustment campaigns by February .
On February 28 , UCSC announced the termination of 54 student-workers .
Eventually , a total of 82 student-workers were fired or barred for withholding grades .
The strike ended in late April , when other students “ scabbed ” ( took jobs from formerly fired strikers ) and — fearing career jeopardization — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Cruz .
Throughout the coming months , the university held disciplinary hearings that a group of faculty at the UCSC described as using “ racialized language ” and “ employing terms such as ‘ aggressive ’ or ‘ threatening ’ to describe people of color.
” In August , UCSC settled a lawsuit with UAW 2865 that included the reinstatement of teaching assistants .
Cruz says he is able to work while the review of his suspension is pending .
The battles playing out at UCSC are emblematic of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university policies and increasingly unaffordable housing , graduate student-worker labor organizing has exploded over the past several years .
Despite oftentimes aggressive pushback from university administrators , graduate student unions have formed at Brown University , New York University , Harvard University and elsewhere over the past several years .
Student-workers at several other universities beyond UCSC have also gone on strike .
Last December at Harvard , graduate student-workers in the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers went on strike for nearly four weeks demanding fair compensation , adequate health care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjudicating sexual harassment and discrimination complaints , which eventually led to a union contract with most of their demands met this June .
On September 8 , University of Michigan ’ s Graduate Employees ’ Organization went on strike with the unique demand of disarming and partially defunding campus police , among calls for more transparent COVID-19 testing protocols and remote teaching .
The union , however , voted to end the strike in favor of mild concessions on September 16 after the university threatened legal retaliation .
UCSC has perhaps responded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike ’ s wildcat status .
But , following the most recent noise demonstration , the UCSC Cost of Living Adjustment campaign isn ’ t forgetting about their repressed comrade .
Members are actively encouraging people to contact UCSC administrators to demonstrate their collective support for Cruz .
For Cruz ’ s part , if his appeal is unsuccessful , he isn ’ t sure whether he will return to UCSC .
He ’ s interested in forms of knowledge production outside of the university system .
“ This whole issue of ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you don ’ t have this type of degree ’ … caters to capitalism , ” he tells Truthout .
For that reason , he says , he is now dreaming of an educational system that doesn ’ t cater to capitalism , asking , “ What would it look like ?
What would that mean for us ?
”

Carlos Cruz was paying $1,550 per month to live in a 750-square-foot garage-studio without insulation in Santa Cruz while earning a salary of $18,000 per year as a graduate student teaching assistant at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). He was barely scraping by and was going into debt. Accordingly, in November, he became involved in the burgeoning Cost of Living Adjustment campaign on the UCSC campus.
Cruz, an outspoken first-generation Chicano Ph.D. student in the History Department, is now the only graduate student out of thousands of participants in the Cost of Living Adjustment campaign facing a suspension from the university. The university and police reports treat him as a “ring leader,” Cruz tells Truthout, “as if the people don’t have autonomy. As if the people are just waiting for a person to tell them what to do.”
As crises pile on, he says he is “between places” — with no secure housing — during the pandemic.
On November 23, Associate Vice Chancellor Sue Matthews relied on police surveillance and reports to uphold Cruz’s two-year suspension. Matthews’s decision went against the recommendation of the Campus Conduct Board, which relied on 11 hours of testimony from graduate students and faculty. Allegations against Cruz included disorderly conduct, obstruction and participation in an unlawful assembly. In Matthews’s decision, she wrote to Cruz, “In many instances the [student] hearing board found that you were not solely responsible for the violations in which you were involved and therefore found you not responsible. The Student Handbook does not provide that responsibility for the allegations for which you have been charged hinge on a determination as to whether you were solely responsible for the events in which you were involved.”
UC Student-Workers Union, UAW 2865 responded to Matthews’s decision in an email, claiming that it “removed any possible doubt that the student conduct code is nothing more than a weapon in the administration’s repressive arsenal.” The university has dropped charges against a white organizer who faced similar allegations.
When contacted for comment by Truthout, Matthews said, “I am unable to comment or answer any questions related to this matter because FERPA [The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974] precludes me from disclosing information about a student absent certain circumstances.” Matthews referred Truthout to the university’s media relation office, which offered this comment: “Anyone who believes they have experienced unequal treatment can file a report with our hate/bias response team, Office of Equity and Equal Protection, or through a student grievance. Our campus works hard to support students in exercising their rights to free speech. Most student protests and labor demonstrations on our campus do not result in any violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The Student Conduct process begins only when an allegation of a violation is made, at which time we are obligated to investigate and follow our process in order to support the rights of everyone in our UCSC community.”
In response to the decision to uphold Cruz’s two-year suspension, supporters organizing under the hashtag #HandsoffCarlos held a noise demonstration at Chancellor Cynthia K. Larive’s house at 8 am on Wednesday. Cruz, who is appealing the ruling, says about 45 people were present. They made noise, listened to speakers and music, and chalked the sidewalk. Demonstrators also hung a banner that said “Cindy = Racist” on the gate to Chancellor Larive’s home.
Truthout contacted Chancellor Larive, but she did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
The battles playing out at UCSC are emblematic of a larger struggle. In response to neoliberal university policies and increasingly unaffordable housing, graduate student-worker labor organizing has exploded over the past several years.
In a May flyer in support of Cruz, Pay Us More UCSC, the group of graduate student workers organizing for a Cost of Living Adjustment, wrote, “University administrators apparently see no duplicity in recruiting these children of immigrant parents as tokens of ‘diversity’ to shore up their progressive credentials, while simultaneously reproducing racialized codes of criminality by piling all the weight of their punitive apparatus upon them.”
Larive has the power to drop Cruz’s charges at any time.
Cruz says this campaign isn’t just about him; it’s about the criminalization of student activism and political dissent. And it’s about paving the way for future disadvantaged Black, Brown and Indigenous people to participate in the struggle for access to affordable education.
This particular graduate student labor controversy arose in November, when the UCSC Graduate Student Association lobbied the administration for a Cost of Living Adjustment of an additional $1,412 per month, calculated based on Santa Cruz’s notoriously expensive housing market. By December, without having achieved any concessions, graduate student-workers went on a grading strike. They withheld 12,000 undergraduate grades, yet the administration still refused to meet. Although the UAW union contract contains a “no strike” clause, students went on a “wildcat strike”(an action carried out by workers without authorization from their union leadership) on February 10, after Chancellor Larive sent an email threatening disciplinary measures on January 27.
For weeks, picketing strikers were met with police brutality, according to graduate students. In addition they faced at least 17 violent arrests, and were surveilled with military-grade equipment, Vice reported. Cruz told Salon he was targeted by police, explaining he was approached at the picket line by an officer who identified him by his first, middle and last name, and date of birth. Strikers organized alongside dining staff to take over dining halls and blocked roadways.
Inspired by UCSC, all 10 UC campuses had launched their own Cost of Living Adjustment campaigns by February.
On February 28, UCSC announced the termination of 54 student-workers. Eventually, a total of 82 student-workers were fired or barred for withholding grades. The strike ended in late April, when other students “scabbed” (took jobs from formerly fired strikers) and — fearing career jeopardization — some of the strikers abandoned the struggle, according to Cruz.
Throughout the coming months, the university held disciplinary hearings that a group of faculty at the UCSC described as using “racialized language” and “employing terms such as ‘aggressive’ or ‘threatening’ to describe people of color.”
In August, UCSC settled a lawsuit with UAW 2865 that included the reinstatement of teaching assistants. Cruz says he is able to work while the review of his suspension is pending.
The battles playing out at UCSC are emblematic of a larger struggle. In response to neoliberal university policies and increasingly unaffordable housing, graduate student-worker labor organizing has exploded over the past several years. Despite oftentimes aggressive pushback from university administrators, graduate student unions have formed at Brown University, New York University, Harvard University and elsewhere over the past several years.
Student-workers at several other universities beyond UCSC have also gone on strike. Last December at Harvard, graduate student-workers in the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Automobile Workers went on strike for nearly four weeks demanding fair compensation, adequate health care, and an independent third-party grievance procedure for adjudicating sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, which eventually led to a union contract with most of their demands met this June.
On September 8, University of Michigan’s Graduate Employees’ Organization went on strike with the unique demand of disarming and partially defunding campus police, among calls for more transparent COVID-19 testing protocols and remote teaching. The union, however, voted to end the strike in favor of mild concessions on September 16 after the university threatened legal retaliation.
UCSC has perhaps responded the most aggressively in part because of the strike’s wildcat status. But, following the most recent noise demonstration, the UCSC Cost of Living Adjustment campaign isn’t forgetting about their repressed comrade. Members are actively encouraging people to contact UCSC administrators to demonstrate their collective support for Cruz.
For Cruz’s part, if his appeal is unsuccessful, he isn’t sure whether he will return to UCSC. He’s interested in forms of knowledge production outside of the university system.
“This whole issue of ‘you can’t get a job, if you don’t have this type of degree’… caters to capitalism,” he tells Truthout. For that reason, he says, he is now dreaming of an educational system that doesn’t cater to capitalism, asking, “What would it look like? What would that mean for us?”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.