truthout--2020-10-01--Amy Coney Barrett Signed Anti-Abortion Letter From Extremist Group Against IVF

Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump ’ s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the United States Supreme Court , signed onto an anti-abortion open letter in 2006 penned by an organization that believes live begins at fertilization , even when outside of a person ’ s womb .
The group ’ s views are so extreme that they even believe assisted reproductive methods like in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) , which discards excess fertilized embryos , should be a criminal offense , The Guardian reported .
The open letter was produced as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called St. Joseph County Right to Life .
Published in South Bend , Indiana , the ad included hundreds of signatures of support from individuals in a region of the state called Michiana ( near the Michigan-Indiana border ) .
Among the signers were Barrett and her husband , Jesse .
“ We , the following citizens of Michiana , oppose abortion on demand and defend the right to life from fertilization to natural death .
Please continue to pray to end abortion , ” the ad said .
The ad also decried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legalizing abortion , as “ barbaric ” and a “ raw exercise of judicial power.
” Speaking to The Guardian about the matter this week , Jackie Appleman , executive director of the St. Joseph County Right to Life , confirmed that the organization is indeed morally opposed to IVF .
“ Whether embryos are implanted in the woman and then selectively reduced or it ’ s done in a petri dish and then discarded , you ’ re still ending a new human life at that point and we do oppose that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t clear whether Barrett subscribes to the same views on IVF , as what she signed didn ’ t explicitly address that issue .
But her support of the group suggests that she ’ s willing to partner with organizations holding such extreme ideas in pursuit of an anti-abortion agenda .
IVF is an option common for individuals who are having difficulty getting pregnant .
According to Pew Research , 33 percent of Americans have either used IVF to conceive a pregnancy or know someone who has .
Since 1996 , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person used IVF to get pregnant .
A White House spokesman immediately responded to revelations of Barrett ’ s endorsement of the ad by suggesting that , regardless of her views on abortion or IVF , Barrett would be impartial .
“ As Judge Barrett said on the day she was nominated , ‘ A judge must apply the law as written .
Judges are not policymakers , and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold , ' ” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for supporters of reproductive rights to be worried .
Barrett , who was appointed in 2017 by Trump , has rendered a number of unfavorable opinions on abortion .
There ’ s also reason to believe she would seek to overrule Roe v. Wade if afforded the opportunity to do so , given that Trump promised in 2016 to appoint a justice to the Supreme Court in 2016 who is opposed to the ruling .
“ I think the best evidence of her position on Roe v. Wade is that President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are committed to reversing Roe , and there ’ s no reason not to believe him , ” Katie Watson , an attorney and bioethicist at Northwestern University ’ s Feinberg School of Medicine , said to NPR last month .
A recent NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll released earlier this week found most people would oppose ending abortion rights , with 66 percent saying they do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned .

Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the United States Supreme Court, signed onto an anti-abortion open letter in 2006 penned by an organization that believes life begins at fertilization, even when outside of a person’s womb.
The group’s views are so extreme that they even believe assisted reproductive methods like in vitro fertilization (IVF), which discards excess fertilized embryos, should be a criminal offense, The Guardian reported.
The open letter was produced as a full-page newspaper advertisement by an anti-abortion group called St. Joseph County Right to Life. Published in South Bend, Indiana, the ad included hundreds of signatures of support from individuals in a region of the state called Michiana (near the Michigan-Indiana border). Among the signers were Barrett and her husband, Jesse.
“We, the following citizens of Michiana, oppose abortion on demand and defend the right to life from fertilization to natural death. Please continue to pray to end abortion,” the ad said.
The ad also decried Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision legalizing abortion, as “barbaric” and a “raw exercise of judicial power.”
Speaking to The Guardian about the matter this week, Jackie Appleman, executive director of the St. Joseph County Right to Life, confirmed that the organization is indeed morally opposed to IVF.
“Whether embryos are implanted in the woman and then selectively reduced or it’s done in a petri dish and then discarded, you’re still ending a new human life at that point and we do oppose that,” Appleman said.
It isn’t clear whether Barrett subscribes to the same views on IVF, as what she signed didn’t explicitly address that issue. But her support of the group suggests that she’s willing to partner with organizations holding such extreme ideas in pursuit of an anti-abortion agenda.
IVF is an option common for individuals who are having difficulty getting pregnant. According to Pew Research, 33 percent of Americans have either used IVF to conceive a pregnancy or know someone who has. Since 1996, more than 1 million births have happened after a person used IVF to get pregnant.
A White House spokesman immediately responded to revelations of Barrett’s endorsement of the ad by suggesting that, regardless of her views on abortion or IVF, Barrett would be impartial.
“As Judge Barrett said on the day she was nominated, ‘A judge must apply the law as written. Judges are not policymakers, and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold,'” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said.
Yet there are plenty of reasons for supporters of reproductive rights to be worried. Barrett, who was appointed in 2017 by Trump, has rendered a number of unfavorable opinions on abortion. There’s also reason to believe she would seek to overrule Roe v. Wade if afforded the opportunity to do so, given that Trump promised in 2016 to appoint a justice to the Supreme Court in 2016 who is opposed to the ruling.
“I think the best evidence of her position on Roe v. Wade is that President Trump has said he will only appoint justices who are committed to reversing Roe, and there’s no reason not to believe him,” Katie Watson, an attorney and bioethicist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, said to NPR last month.
A recent NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll released earlier this week found most people would oppose ending abortion rights, with 66 percent saying they do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned.
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.
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truthout--2020-10-01--Progressive Groups Are Mobilizing to De-Escalate Far Right Violence at the Polls

In preparation for potential voter intimidation this year , the Women ’ s March , Working Families Party , Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project , United We Dream and other organizations are mobilizing “ election defenders ” to de-escalate tense situations as well as provide voters with personal protective equipment and water on Election Day .
“ So far , more than 6,000 people across the country have signed up to be election defenders , ” Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell told Truthout .
“ Trump is operating from a place of weakness , not strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a contested election is for voters to repudiate him at the polls by an overwhelming margin .
And if Trump still tries to steal the election , you can expect us to raise our voices like never before.
” Grace Aheron , communications director of Showing Up for Racial Justice ( SURJ ) , told Truthout that the election defenders who signed up through her organization are now “ coordinating teams in their cities and counties across the country to protect the integrity of our election.
” Mobilization efforts are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the first presidential debate on Tuesday .
“ I ’ m urging my supporters to go in to the polls and watch very carefully , because that ’ s what has to happen , ” he said at the debate .
“ I am urging them to do it.
” In addition Trump told the far right paramilitary group the Proud Boys , who have said on tape “ Hitler did nothing wrong , ” to “ stand back and stand by.
” Already , roughly 20 Trump supporters had descended on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , intimidating early voters and election staff .
The demonstrators gathered from a “ Trump Train ” parade , according to The New York Times ; some chanting “ Four more years , four more years !
” and holding Trump flags , while others drove circles around the voters .
Election officials provided escorts for voters and moved the line indoors .
In Philadelphia , election officials turned away one woman from a satellite election station who claimed to be monitoring polls as part of the Trump campaign .
Of this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , satellite stations — where mail-in ballots can be requested , completed and submitted — are distinct from polling booths .
Officials do not certify poll watchers to enter and surveil satellite stations .
Trump ’ s summoning of poll watchers isn ’ t unique to this year ; in 2016 , too , Trump called for his supporters to stake out polling places .
White supremacists and neo-Nazis responded with plans to monitor the polls , but did not mobilize in force .
The grassroots coalition isn ’ t taking chances this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high as they are , voter suppression already more rampant than ever , and the nationalist right emboldened by conspiracy theorists and the President himself , we can ’ t depend on anyone else ensuring people are able to vote freely and safely , ” organizers wrote in a description of their three-pronged virtual training series .
While Trump prepares to scapegoat a loss , Biden expressed faith in the voting process during the debate .
“ The fact is , I will accept it , and he will too , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Because once the winner is declared after all the ballots are counted , all the votes are counted , that ’ ll be the end of it.
” In any other year , this standard response would be reasonable .
But Trump ’ s disregard for the electoral process is characteristic of despots , from Hitler to Mussolini to Belarus ’ s Lukashenko .
Truthout contributor Mark Bray , an author and historian of human rights , terrorism and fascist movements , says we can ’ t treat this election as any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has articulated his plan to mobilize fascists for voter intimidation , reject the outcome of the election , and hold on to power ( while not denouncing white supremacy ) .
If he and his followers won ’ t recognize the vote , then ‘ just vote ’ is a woefully insufficient response.
” There ’ s a strong precedent for statements like Trump ’ s , which sow deep distrust in the electoral process .
“ Fascists historically have taken such matters into their own hands since they don ’ t consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national will , ” Bray told Truthout .
And liberal governments , fearing destabilization and revolution , have historically stepped aside as fascists take over .
Alarm bells often sound too late , Bray says , since the dominant media “ is not often attuned to politics outside of conventional elections ” and “ have no framework to interpret such a threat.… They are ill-equipped to contextualize this threat within the broader fascistic politics of Trump and his supporters.
” Whether Trump ’ s supporters will disrupt polls on a wide scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , from Trump ’ s “ joking ” about holding power beyond his term limit , to enfeebling the integrity of mail-in ballots without evidence , it ’ s clear that voter intimidation may be the tip of the iceberg of what ’ s to come .

In preparation for potential voter intimidation this year, the Women’s March, Working Families Party, Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project, United We Dream and other organizations are mobilizing “election defenders” to de-escalate tense situations as well as provide voters with personal protective equipment and water on Election Day.
“So far, more than 6,000 people across the country have signed up to be election defenders,” Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell told Truthout. “Trump is operating from a place of weakness, not strength, and the single best way to avoid a contested election is for voters to repudiate him at the polls by an overwhelming margin. And if Trump still tries to steal the election, you can expect us to raise our voices like never before.”
Grace Aheron, communications director of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), told Truthout that the election defenders who signed up through her organization are now “coordinating teams in their cities and counties across the country to protect the integrity of our election.”
Mobilization efforts are likely to ramp up following Trump’s call-to-action during the first presidential debate on Tuesday. “I’m urging my supporters to go in to the polls and watch very carefully, because that’s what has to happen,” he said at the debate. “I am urging them to do it.” In addition Trump told the far right paramilitary group the Proud Boys, who have said on tape “Hitler did nothing wrong,” to “stand back and stand by.”
Already, roughly 20 Trump supporters had descended on a polling booth in Fairfax, Virginia, intimidating early voters and election staff. The demonstrators gathered from a “Trump Train” parade, according to The New York Times; some chanting “Four more years, four more years!” and holding Trump flags, while others drove circles around the voters. Election officials provided escorts for voters and moved the line indoors.
In Philadelphia, election officials turned away one woman from a satellite election station who claimed to be monitoring polls as part of the Trump campaign.
Of this, Trump said during the debate,
As you know, today there was a big problem. In Philadelphia, they went in to watch. They’re called poll watchers, a very safe, very nice thing. They were thrown out. They weren’t allowed to watch. You know why? Because bad things happen in Philadelphia. Bad things. And I am urging my people.
However, satellite stations — where mail-in ballots can be requested, completed and submitted — are distinct from polling booths. Officials do not certify poll watchers to enter and surveil satellite stations.
Trump’s summoning of poll watchers isn’t unique to this year; in 2016, too, Trump called for his supporters to stake out polling places. White supremacists and neo-Nazis responded with plans to monitor the polls, but did not mobilize in force.
The grassroots coalition isn’t taking chances this year. “With the stakes being as high as they are, voter suppression already more rampant than ever, and the nationalist right emboldened by conspiracy theorists and the President himself, we can’t depend on anyone else ensuring people are able to vote freely and safely,” organizers wrote in a description of their three-pronged virtual training series.
In 2016, too, Trump called for his supporters to stake out polling places. White supremacists and neo-Nazis responded with plans to monitor the polls.
While Trump prepares to scapegoat a loss, Biden expressed faith in the voting process during the debate. “The fact is, I will accept it, and he will too,” he remarked. “You know why? Because once the winner is declared after all the ballots are counted, all the votes are counted, that’ll be the end of it.”
In any other year, this standard response would be reasonable. But Trump’s disregard for the electoral process is characteristic of despots, from Hitler to Mussolini to Belarus’s Lukashenko.
Truthout contributor Mark Bray, an author and historian of human rights, terrorism and fascist movements, says we can’t treat this election as any other. Bray tweeted: “Trump has articulated his plan to mobilize fascists for voter intimidation, reject the outcome of the election, and hold on to power (while not denouncing white supremacy). If he and his followers won’t recognize the vote, then ‘just vote’ is a woefully insufficient response.”
There’s a strong precedent for statements like Trump’s, which sow deep distrust in the electoral process.
“Fascists historically have taken such matters into their own hands since they don’t consider bourgeois elections to be legitimate representations of the national will,” Bray told Truthout. And liberal governments, fearing destabilization and revolution, have historically stepped aside as fascists take over.
Alarm bells often sound too late, Bray says, since the dominant media “is not often attuned to politics outside of conventional elections” and “have no framework to interpret such a threat.… They are ill-equipped to contextualize this threat within the broader fascistic politics of Trump and his supporters.”
Whether Trump’s supporters will disrupt polls on a wide scale this time around remains to be seen. But, from Trump’s “joking” about holding power beyond his term limit, to enfeebling the integrity of mail-in ballots without evidence, it’s clear that voter intimidation may be the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come.
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--2020-10-01--Researchers Say Trump Is the “Largest Single Component” of COVID Misinformation

President Trump is the largest individual driver of falsehoods and misinformation surrounding COVID-19 , according to researchers at Cornell University , who recently analyzed 38 million articles about the coronavirus pandemic in English-language media from around the world .
Trump ’ s name appeared in articles that contained misleading information nearly 38 percent of the time , the researchers found .
The president ’ s name was mentioned so often that he was given his own category within the study .
One other category — broadly labeled “ misinformation/conspiracies ” — accounted for 46.6 percent of misinformative articles .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unsubstantiated claims on how to treat or even cure COVID-19 , researchers concluded that it was reasonable to blame him for most of this misinformation , which they described as an “ infodemic.
” “ It is apparent from the data that mentions of President Trump within the context of COVID-19 misinformation comprise by far the largest single component of the infodemic , ” they wrote , noting that mentions of Trump “ comprised 37.9 % of the overall infodemic , well ahead of ‘ miracle cures , ’ which comprised 26.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial proportion — possibly even the majority — of the ‘ miracle cures ’ topic was also driven by the president ’ s comments , so a substantial overlap can be expected between these topics , ” the researchers added .
“ We conclude therefore that the President of the United States was likely the largest driver of the COVID-19 misinformation ‘ infodemic . '
” Trump ’ s misleading statements on the coronavirus pandemic are infamous , including several examples of false narratives about its trajectory and unproven cures over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , suggested early on that warmer temperatures in the spring of 2020 would end the pandemic altogether , a notion that had no scientific basis ( and which has obviously since been proven untrue ) .
He also said , without any proof , that exposure to sunlight could help in the treatment of the virus .
The president has also pushed a number of other ineffective , unproven and sometimes deadly remedies for how those who contracted coronavirus could treat it .
He constantly pushed the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies found the drug had no effect in helping people and may have even resulted in higher mortality rates .
Trump also suggested using disinfectants “ by injection inside ” the human body as a route for scientists to consider researching , which prompted disinfectant manufacturers to release several statements warning consumers not to use their products in that way .
Although the president was identified in the Cornell study as being the biggest culprit of misinformation when it came to coronavirus , researchers did not just fault him for misleading the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role by acting like stenographers for world leaders .
“ By choosing to uncritically report statements and remarks made by influential persons , without necessarily verifying or discounting the accuracy of those claims , [ media professionals ] risk unwittingly facilitating the dissemination of misinformation , ” the paper said , noting also that fact-checking only accounted for 16.4 percent of articles that contained misleading content .

From hydroxychloroquine to sunlight, Trump has promoted many false whoppers about how to treat the virus.
President Trump is the largest individual driver of falsehoods and misinformation surrounding COVID-19, according to researchers at Cornell University, who recently analyzed 38 million articles about the coronavirus pandemic in English-language media from around the world.
Trump’s name appeared in articles that contained misleading information nearly 38 percent of the time, the researchers found. The president’s name was mentioned so often that he was given his own category within the study.
One other category — broadly labeled “misinformation/conspiracies” — accounted for 46.6 percent of misinformative articles. But because Trump was such a frequent purveyor of unsubstantiated claims on how to treat or even cure COVID-19, researchers concluded that it was reasonable to blame him for most of this misinformation, which they described as an “infodemic.”
“It is apparent from the data that mentions of President Trump within the context of COVID-19 misinformation comprise by far the largest single component of the infodemic,” they wrote, noting that mentions of Trump “comprised 37.9% of the overall infodemic, well ahead of ‘miracle cures,’ which comprised 26.4%.”
“However, a substantial proportion — possibly even the majority — of the ‘miracle cures’ topic was also driven by the president’s comments, so a substantial overlap can be expected between these topics,” the researchers added. “We conclude therefore that the President of the United States was likely the largest driver of the COVID-19 misinformation ‘infodemic.'”
Trump’s misleading statements on the coronavirus pandemic are infamous, including several examples of false narratives about its trajectory and unproven cures over the past several months. Trump, for example, suggested early on that warmer temperatures in the spring of 2020 would end the pandemic altogether, a notion that had no scientific basis (and which has obviously since been proven untrue). He also said, without any proof, that exposure to sunlight could help in the treatment of the virus.
The president has also pushed a number of other ineffective, unproven and sometimes deadly remedies for how those who contracted coronavirus could treat it. He constantly pushed the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment, for instance, even after numerous studies found the drug had no effect in helping people and may have even resulted in higher mortality rates. Trump also suggested using disinfectants “by injection inside” the human body as a route for scientists to consider researching, which prompted disinfectant manufacturers to release several statements warning consumers not to use their products in that way.
Although the president was identified in the Cornell study as being the biggest culprit of misinformation when it came to coronavirus, researchers did not just fault him for misleading the public. Several media companies also played a role by acting like stenographers for world leaders.
“By choosing to uncritically report statements and remarks made by influential persons, without necessarily verifying or discounting the accuracy of those claims, [media professionals] risk unwittingly facilitating the dissemination of misinformation,” the paper said, noting also that fact-checking only accounted for 16.4 percent of articles that contained misleading content.
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--2020-10-01--Trump Isn’t Keeping His Fascist Plan Secret. He’s Trying to Derail the Election.

In the 1930s , when a New York publishing company was thinking of bringing out an unexpurgated English-language edition of Hitler ’ s Mein Kampf , its editors first approached the radicals of New York ’ s New School for Social Research , who assembled a specialist team of anti-fascist German refugees to do the translation .
Why would the refugees do that — one might think — hadn ’ t they suffered enough ?
But the translators agreed readily .
They wanted the world to know what Hitler was thinking , to take his ideas seriously , to grasp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ normal ” right-wing politics that had come before .
We should look at Trump ’ s comments in Tuesday ’ s presidential debate in the same spirit and take them as seriously as he does .
We should think about the exchange when Trump was asked , “ What are you prepared to do to reassure the American people that the next president will be the legitimate winner of this election ?
” He answered , “ Don ’ t tell me about a free transition… .
We won ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because these ballots are going to be all over.
” Trump wasn ’ t saying he would reject an election that Biden won .
Rather , he was threatening to use the office of the president to prevent there from being a decisive outcome against him .
Trump was talking about postal votes when he said , “ Take a look at what happened in New Jersey .
Take a look at what happened in Virginia and other places .
They ’ re not losing 2 percent , 1 percent , which by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election could be won or lost with that .
They ’ re losing 30 and 40 percent.
” Translated from Trump lingo , it seems that the president sees a way to win the election , and it ’ s more specific and in fact cleverer than most of his opponents give him credit for .
But that doesn ’ t mean his plan will work .
When votes start to be counted , many Republican electors will vote in person , and many Democrats will vote by post .
Normally , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who they vote for .
This year is different .
COVID makes postal voting safer .
But the trend to vote that way will be lower among Republicans who ’ ve been listening for six months while their president has discredited mail-in votes .
In-person votes will be counted first .
So , even if by the time all postal votes have been counted , Biden can be shown to have won by , say , seven or more clear percentage points , Trump may be ahead on election night .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes than it is to challenge in-person votes .
What if the security envelopes are marked , or there are no security envelopes at all ?
What if the envelope arrives but the postmark is almost invisible ?
Trump wants Republican vote counters to object to every postal vote they can , raising the natural 1 or 2 percent rejection rate to more like 30 or 40 percent .
If that happens , then we may never get to the point where anyone can say with any clarity that Biden did in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state after state is going to be bogged down in partisan recounts .
Could this plan be Bush v. Gore the sequel ?
Actually , Trump could have several further advantages that would put him on stronger ground even than George W. Bush .
For one thing , Trump is calling on his supporters to attend the polls in person and “ watch ” ( by which he likely means “ demonstrate ” ) .
“ I ’ m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called poll watchers , a very safe , very nice thing.
” There ’ s a long and honorable tradition of neutral observers traveling to watch disputed elections in semi-democratic states .
That ’ s not what Trump is getting at .
He ’ s not planning to mobilize neutrals ; he ’ s calling out his own base .
A model for this kind of behavior happened in Fairfax , Virginia , where , in September , a group of Trump supporters walked into the polling place waving flags and shouting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the megaphone of Trump ’ s Twitter account with its 86 million followers that we should see this as a real threat .
In addition , in 2000 the Supreme Court was split 5-4 on partisan lines .
That ’ s why it seemed so shocking when it was revealed that Amy Coney Barrett was not merely an extra partisan vote , but a former researcher on Bush v. Gore .
Finally , Trump signaled at the debate to his armed supporters that if the election does go the way of Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play their part in backing him .
It ’ s in that context that Trump ’ s “ stand by ” order was given to the Proud Boys .
This is perhaps the most troubling feature of the next few weeks .
In 2000 , protests over the election largely stayed within the bounds of legality .
Vote counters and judges were subject to protests and counterprotests , but save for the exception of the so-called Brooks Brothers “ riot ” ( in which two dozen Republican staffers in their suits did little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) no one was attacked .
Certainly , no one was killed .
In turning to his street supporters , Trump is calling on people who feel no doubts about using violence .
For since 2016 , attacks on left-wing demonstrators have become ever more frequent .
The best known remains the killing of anti-fascist protester Heather Heyer at Charlottesville , when James Alex Fields Jr. drove his car at protesters after being photographed earlier brandishing a shield with Mussolini ’ s fasces symbol , complete with an executioner ’ s axe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ white supremacists have attempted to disperse anti-racist protests by driving their cars at demonstrators .
At the heart of Trump ’ s plan is the idea of using crowds of hostile people to bring the election counts to a halt , to so foul up the reality of which votes went to which candidate that no one could say any longer what was fake and what was real .
However , massive voter turnout — particularly in-person voting — could thwart Trump ’ s plan .
So could a widespread understanding that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after election night , and it ’ s more likely than ever this year .
Above all , Trump ’ s campaign can only succeed if his people are in the streets and everyone else is at home .
In spring 2020 , we saw a glimpse of that danger , when Trump called on his supporters to “ Liberate Minnesota .
Liberate Michigan .
Liberate Virginia.
” What followed immediately afterward were some of the most inspiring protests for racial justice that the United States has seen .
If November follows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan , then we will need the same insurgent spirit again .

Trump has signaled to his armed supporters that if the election is contested, he expects their backing.
In the 1930s, when a New York publishing company was thinking of bringing out an unexpurgated English-language edition of Hitler’s Mein Kampf, its editors first approached the radicals of New York’s New School for Social Research, who assembled a specialist team of anti-fascist German refugees to do the translation. Why would the refugees do that — one might think — hadn’t they suffered enough? But the translators agreed readily. They wanted the world to know what Hitler was thinking, to take his ideas seriously, to grasp how different his politics was from the “normal” right-wing politics that had come before.
We should look at Trump’s comments in Tuesday’s presidential debate in the same spirit and take them as seriously as he does. We should think about the exchange when Trump was asked, “What are you prepared to do to reassure the American people that the next president will be the legitimate winner of this election?”
He answered, “Don’t tell me about a free transition…. We won’t know. We might not know for months because these ballots are going to be all over.”
Trump wasn’t saying he would reject an election that Biden won. Rather, he was threatening to use the office of the president to prevent there from being a decisive outcome against him.
Trump was talking about postal votes when he said, “Take a look at what happened in New Jersey. Take a look at what happened in Virginia and other places. They’re not losing 2 percent, 1 percent, which by the way is too much. An election could be won or lost with that. They’re losing 30 and 40 percent.”
Translated from Trump lingo, it seems that the president sees a way to win the election, and it’s more specific and in fact cleverer than most of his opponents give him credit for. But that doesn’t mean his plan will work.
Normally, there is no correlation between how people vote and who they vote for. This year is different.
When votes start to be counted, many Republican electors will vote in person, and many Democrats will vote by post. Normally, there is no correlation between how people vote and who they vote for. This year is different. COVID makes postal voting safer. But the trend to vote that way will be lower among Republicans who’ve been listening for six months while their president has discredited mail-in votes.
In-person votes will be counted first. So, even if by the time all postal votes have been counted, Biden can be shown to have won by, say, seven or more clear percentage points, Trump may be ahead on election night.
It’s much easier to challenge postal votes than it is to challenge in-person votes. What if the security envelopes are marked, or there are no security envelopes at all? What if the envelope arrives but the postmark is almost invisible? Trump wants Republican vote counters to object to every postal vote they can, raising the natural 1 or 2 percent rejection rate to more like 30 or 40 percent.
If that happens, then we may never get to the point where anyone can say with any clarity that Biden did in fact win by seven clear points, because state after state is going to be bogged down in partisan recounts.
Could this plan be Bush v. Gore the sequel?
Actually, Trump could have several further advantages that would put him on stronger ground even than George W. Bush.
For one thing, Trump is calling on his supporters to attend the polls in person and “watch” (by which he likely means “demonstrate”). “I’m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully,” he said. “They’re called poll watchers, a very safe, very nice thing.”
There’s a long and honorable tradition of neutral observers traveling to watch disputed elections in semi-democratic states. That’s not what Trump is getting at. He’s not planning to mobilize neutrals; he’s calling out his own base.
A model for this kind of behavior happened in Fairfax, Virginia, where, in September, a group of Trump supporters walked into the polling place waving flags and shouting, “Four more years.” So powerful is the megaphone of Trump’s Twitter account with its 86 million followers that we should see this as a real threat.
In addition, in 2000 the Supreme Court was split 5-4 on partisan lines. That’s why it seemed so shocking when it was revealed that Amy Coney Barrett was not merely an extra partisan vote, but a former researcher on Bush v. Gore.
Finally, Trump signaled at the debate to his armed supporters that if the election does go the way of Florida in 2000, he expects them to play their part in backing him. It’s in that context that Trump’s “stand by” order was given to the Proud Boys.
This is perhaps the most troubling feature of the next few weeks. In 2000, protests over the election largely stayed within the bounds of legality. Vote counters and judges were subject to protests and counterprotests, but save for the exception of the so-called Brooks Brothers “riot” (in which two dozen Republican staffers in their suits did little more than shout and wave their arms) no one was attacked. Certainly, no one was killed.
Since late May, more than 100 white supremacists have attempted to disperse anti-racist protests by driving their cars at demonstrators.
In turning to his street supporters, Trump is calling on people who feel no doubts about using violence. For since 2016, attacks on left-wing demonstrators have become ever more frequent. The best known remains the killing of anti-fascist protester Heather Heyer at Charlottesville, when James Alex Fields Jr. drove his car at protesters after being photographed earlier brandishing a shield with Mussolini’s fasces symbol, complete with an executioner’s axe.
Since late May, more than 100 white supremacists have attempted to disperse anti-racist protests by driving their cars at demonstrators.
At the heart of Trump’s plan is the idea of using crowds of hostile people to bring the election counts to a halt, to so foul up the reality of which votes went to which candidate that no one could say any longer what was fake and what was real.
However, massive voter turnout — particularly in-person voting — could thwart Trump’s plan. So could a widespread understanding that it’s normal for results to change after election night, and it’s more likely than ever this year.
Above all, Trump’s campaign can only succeed if his people are in the streets and everyone else is at home. In spring 2020, we saw a glimpse of that danger, when Trump called on his supporters to “Liberate Minnesota. Liberate Michigan. Liberate Virginia.”
What followed immediately afterward were some of the most inspiring protests for racial justice that the United States has seen. If November follows a path that’s anywhere near Trump’s plan, then we will need the same insurgent spirit again.
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.
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truthout--2020-10-01--India Hits 6 Million COVID Cases as Modi Government Represses Dissent

As India becomes just the second country to hit 6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases , we speak to journalist Rana Ayyub in Mumbai , who was recently hospitalized after testing positive for the disease .
India ’ s lead pandemic agency says an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus — 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion .
“ It doesn ’ t feel like India is even talking about the pandemic , ” says Ayyub , a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ More than the fear of the pandemic , people in this country are fearing the massive unemployment and the fact that they are going without food.
” This is a rush transcript .
Copy may not be in its final form .
AMY GOODMAN : The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 1 million this week , and the World Health Organization warned the actual toll is likely much higher .
More than half the deaths occurred in just four countries : the United States , Brazil , India and Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases with more than 80,000 new coronavirus cases reported in just 24 hours .
India now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world , behind only the United States .
India ’ s official death toll is rapidly approaching 100,000 .
India ’ s lead pandemic agency said Tuesday an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus , 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion .
This comes amidst protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted Wednesday after a 19-year-old gang-rape victim who died was cremated against her family ’ s wishes .
The victim was from the Dalit community , one of the so-called lower castes .
Her brother said the accused men were all members of a privileged caste .
Last week , farmers blocked highways and railway tracks to oppose agricultural reforms they say will leave them at the mercy of corporate agribusinesses .
This week , Amnesty International announced it ’ s forced to shutter operations and lay off all staff , after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group published two critical reports about the country ’ s human rights violations .
Amnesty staff say there ’ s a , quote , “ incessant witch-hunt ” of human rights groups by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist government .
This is David Griffiths , director of the Office of the Secretary General at Amnesty International .
AMY GOODMAN : For more , we go to Mumbai , India , where we ’ re joined by Rana Ayyub , an Indian journalist who ’ s a global opinions writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is titled Gujarat Files : Anatomy of a Cover Up .
She has just recovered from COVID .
She was hospitalized for the coronavirus .
Rana , if you can talk about your own situation and what ’ s happening in India today as India becomes only the second nation in the world , after our country , the United States , to surpass 6 million infections ?
RANA AYYUB : Well , Amy , great to be back on the show .
Well , I mean , I recovered .
I recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one must understand that I am a privileged upper middle class in India , also a public voice , so I had to put a tweet just saying that I was not getting a hospital bed , and I was provided one .
But that ’ s not true of the rest of India , which is 80 % of the Indian population , which still does not have access to beds and access to the basic medical facilities .
That somebody like me had to actually put out a tweet when my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wasn ’ t getting any hospital bed , I mean , I shudder to think : What does a less privileged in India do at a time like this ?
We have more than 6 million cases .
You know , the lockdown has been lifted .
There is massive unemployment .
The farmers are on strike .
But it doesn ’ t feel like India is even talking about the pandemic , is even talking about COVID-19 , because the only thing that India is doing right now , as opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to fight its human rights activists , dissenters , incarcerate them .
There is the injustice that is happening in this country .
I don ’ t think the Indian government or Indians , by and large , are even concerned about what ’ s happening .
When I go on the field as a reporter — I mean , right after I tested negative and I went on the field , I asked people what does it feel about , you know , the fact that we have 6 million cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there ’ s no money to buy food .
There is massive unemployment .
People are worried about their next meal .
They ’ re not worried about social distancing , as we talk about , because , like I said in my last interview to you , the social distancing is a privilege that most Indians can not afford .
People are , at this point of time — I ’ ve been also doing relief work , besides the journalism that I do , and I have seen the poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surviving on one meal in two days .
So , more than the fear of the pandemic , people in this country are fearing more the massive unemployment and the fact that they could be looking at — you know , they are going without food , and they are looking at poverty and looking at unemployment .
NERMEEN SHAIKH : Rana Ayyub , it ’ s not just — as you ’ ve said , it ’ s not just that most Indians don ’ t have access to health facilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you ’ ve pointed out , that the impact of the lockdown and what ’ s happened in the wake of this pandemic has been devastating for the poor .
In particular , the closure of schools — NERMEEN SHAIKH : — has heavily impacted children in India , together with the closure of early childhood development centers , where millions of children used to go and get access to at least minimal amounts of food — NERMEEN SHAIKH : — immunizations , clothes , etc .
These centers are still closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing reports , of millions of poor children across the country who have been forced to work in conditions almost the equivalent of slave labor , often getting paid the equivalent of just several cents an hour for doing extremely dangerous work , from rolling cigarettes to scavenging garbage .
Meanwhile , Mukesh Ambani , the billionaire and the richest person in the country , has reportedly made $ 12 million an hour since March .
RANA AYYUB : Yeah , yeah .
The poor are getting poorer .
The rich , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bezos or whether it is Mukesh Ambani , I mean , they have — you know , the government has been very kind to them .
In its latest earnings report , for the second quarter of 2020 , I think Mukesh Ambani , like you said , showed a massive surge in his income .
It has been able to raise about 1.5 lakh crores from strategic investors like Facebook and Google , by selling 33 % stake in — across all the platforms .
And this is happening while farmers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three new acts which have been passed by the Indian Parliament under Narendra Modi without taking the note of the opposition members .
Now , these laws are assailed on the grounds of being illegal and wholly unconstitutional , with a petition — with various petitions stating that the acts are anti-farmer , anti-agriculturalist , and brought at a time when the country is literally grappling with a pandemic .
And this law has been brought with the sole intention to benefit big corporates like the Ambanis and the Adanis , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian government ’ s largesse .
And these acts will pave way for the cartelization and the commercialization of agricultural producers .
And if they ’ re allowed to stand , it is going to ruin India , while the corporates in India will continue to gain .
No wonder the likes of Mukesh Ambani will keep gaining every hour throughout the pandemic , and the farmers , who are right now , as we talk — are protesting bare feet in the national capital without having their meals for days at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Indian government has arrested Rahul Gandhi , the leader of the opposition , for protesting against the gang rape of a Dalit girl .
So , this is — I mean , each time I speak on television , I talk about the world ’ s largest democracy .
I don ’ t even know if I call it a democracy anymore .
We saw what happened the last one week .
Amnesty has been forced to shut down in India , because Amnesty has literally been an eyesore for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in India , for speaking about the poverty that we speak about .
Now , this is a government that wants us to praise Mukesh Ambani NGO and not to talk about the farmers issue , which is why organizations like Amnesty India have been forced to shut following a lockdown .
It is the same Amnesty India which gave a damning report on the anti-Muslim carnage in February , when the pandemic had just about started maintaining a stronghold in India , when Trump was visiting India .
He was visiting Narendra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference in New Delhi , while , miles away , Muslims were being slaughtered , after members of the ruling party gave threatening , provocative speeches .
Amnesty India actually put out a report saying how the government was complicit in the attack on Muslims .
And that ’ s what has been happening in India .
In India , everything except the pandemic is being taken care of .
Dissenters are being taken care of .
Human rights activists are being incarcerated .
Our actors , the cinematic icons of India , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have stood by students , are being fixed .
They are being fixed in false cases of smoking marijuana .
I mean , that ’ s what the government ’ s priority is right now .
Our news media has prostrated before those in power .
It is not asking the questions that you and Nermeen are asking to me right now .
I wish that was the case that I could go on an Indian news channel and these questions were asked to me .
But at this point of time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies that are being said by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
We are in a mess right now , Amy .
NERMEEN SHAIKH : So , Rana , can you talk about that , the complicity of the news media , and in particular the broadcast news media , with the Modi government ?
It ’ s been extremely — it ’ s been striking , especially this last weekend as these farmers ’ protests erupted across the country .
NERMEEN SHAIKH : The broadcast media was exclusively focused on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implicated the country ’ s top — one of the top actresses , Deepika Padukone .
And there were scenes of , you know , journalists ’ cars racing after her car , following her every move .
And this was happening not only in the midst of the farmers ’ protests , but also in the wake of these rapes , a series of rapes , not just of the Dalit woman who died yesterday .
And today another victim of gang rape , another Dalit woman , has died .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinarily brutal violence against women , rapes of women and girls , the youngest among them a 3-year-old .
NERMEEN SHAIKH : So , could you talk about this , the complicity of the media with the Modi government ; the violence against women , especially in Uttar Pradesh ; and the extraordinary focus in the media on these celebrity — which many say are trumped-up — scandals , and against Deepika Padukone , who in fact is one of the only actresses who appeared at JNU , at Jawaharlal Nehru University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with student protesters , some of whom have now been arrested ?
RANA AYYUB : Yeah .
I mean , last year — I mean , I think , two years ago , Reuters Foundation came up with a report that India is the most unsafe place for women .
And instead of debating this , because we have seen — we saw the Nirbhaya case , that almost led to the UP , the Congress government , you know , being routed out of power .
So , the nationalist news anchors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of the safety of women , went on a rampage on how a Western organization was out to defame Indian culture and how there was — the Indian activists were behind this report .
But what they refuse to see , that today , a Dalit woman , who was 19 years old — her name was Manisha Valmiki .
Her surname suggests that she came from a Dalit family .
She was in hospital for 12 days .
And today the director general of police where she was raped and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rape .
The forensics says it wasn ’ t even a rape , which is why we are not surprised that she was burned , allegedly , cremated , overnight in Uttar Pradesh , where the family was not even allowed to be present .
And there was this mound of clothes , and there was — over which her body was placed when she was burned last night .
This is what India is doing to its daughters .
But , unfortunately , the Indian media is not asking the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said during the emergency , when Indira Gandhi asked the media to bend , it crawled .
At this point of time , the media has not even been asked to crawl .
It is prostrating before Narendra Modi .
And it doesn ’ t feel — it feels like the Indian media is living in an alternate world .
Like , you talked about Deepika Padukone .
This stems from the suicide of a Bollywood actor , Sushant Singh Rajput .
And ever since his suicide , women have been — there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women who surrounded him , the first being his girlfriend , who was accused of abetting his suicide by not being there for him and by taking him to a psychiatrist .
There is a medieval witch hunt of Rhea Chakraborty , followed by Deepika Padukone , who ’ s one of the biggest superstars in India , who had the guts and the spine to stand with the students ’ movement in February when it was opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill .
Deepika did not say a word , but she went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yesterday , when I was supposed to write my Washington Post column , I spoke to a couple of India ’ s biggest film directors .
And they said what they are doing to Deepika Padukone — I mean , there ’ s a surveillance on her WhatsApp , and there is a word in which , allegedly , she has asked for weed .
And that ’ s what the government is using to nail her and to fix her .
And she ’ s not the only one .
Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very , very vocal against the government , there are two cases against him .
Multiple film stars that I spoke to for The Washington Post piece believe — tell me that they are feeling claustrophobic , because Bollywood , as a medium , has the ability to sway the masses .
And the government knows that the mass media , whether — it has been able to control the Indian news television channels and the newspapers , but it also had to control the film industry , which is why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry in India is being labeled as a drug cartel to discredit and delegitimize it , so that those who have been criticizing the government fall in line .
That ’ s what ’ s happened with Deepika Padukone .
She ’ s a woman .
Of course , how dare a woman speak !
Which is why she ’ s being fixed in the case .
I mean , Indian celebrities , whether it ’ s Priyanka Chopra or all of our Indian celebrities , when George Floyd was killed in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter.
” A Dalit woman was gang-raped , brutally killed , her body burned last night .
Not a single celebrity is tweeting “ Dalit lives matter.
” That ’ s because they ’ re scared to talk .
They know that if they talk , they will be fixed .
They know that if they talk , Indian media will start a witch hunt against them .
I mean , there are images of Indian actors , like Rhea Chakraborty , with about 100 cameramen pouncing on her , and those images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them sluts .
You label them all sorts of names on your television channels .
I mean , I feel — some days I feel ashamed to be a part of this news media , which has refused to ask the right questions .
And all of this , mind you , is happening through the farmers ’ protests , which is so important , which is at the heart of the problem in India right now .
NERMEEN SHAIKH : And , Rana Ayyub , we just have 30 seconds , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in India acquitting all the suspects involved , including high-ranking officials in Modi ’ s government — involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992 , which led to riots and violence unprecedented since India ’ s partition in ’ 47 ?
RANA AYYUB : Well , Nermeen , I was in Bombay when the carnage took place .
I was 9 .
And for somebody like me and for Muslims in India , when yesterday the court , a special CBI court , acquitted everyone who , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Babri Masjid , that led to the carnage of a thousand Muslims , and despite the video — there are people who are saying on video , on televisions , that , “ Yes , we did it , ” the court ’ s saying , “ No , you are acquitted.
” I mean , it ’ s — we have the first time in the history of the world that the accused are saying “ We did it , ” and the courts are saying , “ No , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of where Muslims and Dalits in India stand right now , where the criminal justice system in India stands right now , where we are as a democracy .
And I think that , like I keep saying , that the world should now turn its attention to India , because what ’ s happening in America , you see a mirror image of that happening in India .
It ’ s about time that — AMY GOODMAN : And I wanted to end with that , Rana , that mirror image .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States .
Do you see the Hindu nationalism of Modi , the parallels with the white supremacy that President Trump refuses to condemn , in fact advocates ?
RANA AYYUB : Absolutely .
I think Trump and Modi are mirror images of each other .
When Trump came to India , and when he had this massive rally with Narendra Modi , they were speaking the same language .
When Mr. Trump spoke about Islamic terrorism , the entire crowd in Mr. Modi ’ s rally was jubilant .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He refuses to talk about racism .
Mr. Modi believes that there ’ s no such thing as Islamophobia in India .
Mr. Modi has not spoken a word about the gang rape of a Dalit woman in India .
Mr. Modi has enabled the attack on Muslims in India .
I think this is a mirror image .
And you also see the masses who support Modi and Trump .
These are people who feel victimized in their own country despite being a majority .
So , both Trump and Modi are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , you know , which believes that it has a first right to all the resources in their country , which is why I think India and America are in absolutely similar position .
But the world should know that if the world ’ s largest democracy goes down under , ripples will be felt by the world , which is why it ’ s time for the world to concentrate on India .
AMY GOODMAN : Rana Ayyub , I want to thank you for being with us , Indian journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for The Washington Post , author of the book Gujarat Files : Anatomy of a Cover Up .
And we ’ re very thankful that you , at least yourself , have recovered from COVID , though India is number two , behind the United States , in the world for COVID infections .
When we come back , tomorrow marks two years since Washington Post correspondent Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey .
Stay with us .

As India becomes just the second country to hit 6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, we speak to journalist Rana Ayyub in Mumbai, who was recently hospitalized after testing positive for the disease. India’s lead pandemic agency says an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus — 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion. “It doesn’t feel like India is even talking about the pandemic,” says Ayyub, a global opinions writer for The Washington Post. “More than the fear of the pandemic, people in this country are fearing the massive unemployment and the fact that they are going without food.”
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 1 million this week, and the World Health Organization warned the actual toll is likely much higher. More than half the deaths occurred in just four countries: the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico. On Monday, India topped 6 million cases with more than 80,000 new coronavirus cases reported in just 24 hours. India now has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world, behind only the United States. India’s official death toll is rapidly approaching 100,000. India’s lead pandemic agency said Tuesday an antibody study suggests more than 60 million people in the country have already been infected with the coronavirus, 10 times the official count but still a small fraction of its population of 1.3 billion.
This comes amidst protests in several parts of India. Demonstrations erupted Wednesday after a 19-year-old gang-rape victim who died was cremated against her family’s wishes. The victim was from the Dalit community, one of the so-called lower castes. Her brother said the accused men were all members of a privileged caste.
Last week, farmers blocked highways and railway tracks to oppose agricultural reforms they say will leave them at the mercy of corporate agribusinesses.
This week, Amnesty International announced it’s forced to shutter operations and lay off all staff, after the Indian government froze its bank accounts after the group published two critical reports about the country’s human rights violations. Amnesty staff say there’s a, quote, “incessant witch-hunt” of human rights groups by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. This is David Griffiths, director of the Office of the Secretary General at Amnesty International.
DAVID GRIFFITHS: They’re simply seeking to silence those who criticize them, those who call out human rights abuses in the country. We have seen a steadily intensifying series of attacks for several years. That is certain.
AMY GOODMAN: For more, we go to Mumbai, India, where we’re joined by Rana Ayyub, an Indian journalist who’s a global opinions writer for The Washington Post. Her book is titled Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up. She has just recovered from COVID. She was hospitalized for the coronavirus.
Rana, if you can talk about your own situation and what’s happening in India today as India becomes only the second nation in the world, after our country, the United States, to surpass 6 million infections?
RANA AYYUB: Well, Amy, great to be back on the show.
Well, I mean, I recovered. I recovered very well. But then again, one must understand that I am a privileged upper middle class in India, also a public voice, so I had to put a tweet just saying that I was not getting a hospital bed, and I was provided one. But that’s not true of the rest of India, which is 80% of the Indian population, which still does not have access to beds and access to the basic medical facilities. That somebody like me had to actually put out a tweet when my oxygen levels dipped a bit, that I wasn’t getting any hospital bed, I mean, I shudder to think: What does a less privileged in India do at a time like this?
We have more than 6 million cases. You know, the lockdown has been lifted. There is massive unemployment. The farmers are on strike. But it doesn’t feel like India is even talking about the pandemic, is even talking about COVID-19, because the only thing that India is doing right now, as opposed to confronting and battling this pandemic, is to fight its human rights activists, dissenters, incarcerate them. There is the injustice that is happening in this country. I don’t think the Indian government or Indians, by and large, are even concerned about what’s happening.
When I go on the field as a reporter — I mean, right after I tested negative and I went on the field, I asked people what does it feel about, you know, the fact that we have 6 million cases. They’re not bothered, because there’s no money to buy food. There is massive unemployment. People are worried about their next meal. They’re not worried about social distancing, as we talk about, because, like I said in my last interview to you, the social distancing is a privilege that most Indians cannot afford. People are, at this point of time — I’ve been also doing relief work, besides the journalism that I do, and I have seen the poverty from close quarter. There are people surviving on one meal in two days. So, more than the fear of the pandemic, people in this country are fearing more the massive unemployment and the fact that they could be looking at — you know, they are going without food, and they are looking at poverty and looking at unemployment.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: Rana Ayyub, it’s not just — as you’ve said, it’s not just that most Indians don’t have access to health facilities. It’s also the case, as you’ve pointed out, that the impact of the lockdown and what’s happened in the wake of this pandemic has been devastating for the poor. In particular, the closure of schools —
RANA AYYUB: Right.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: — has heavily impacted children in India, together with the closure of early childhood development centers, where millions of children used to go and get access to at least minimal amounts of food —
RANA AYYUB: Right.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: — immunizations, clothes, etc. These centers are still closed. Now, there are reports, increasing reports, of millions of poor children across the country who have been forced to work in conditions almost the equivalent of slave labor, often getting paid the equivalent of just several cents an hour for doing extremely dangerous work, from rolling cigarettes to scavenging garbage. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani, the billionaire and the richest person in the country, has reportedly made $12 million an hour since March.
RANA AYYUB: Yeah, yeah. The poor are getting poorer. The rich, the rich billionaires, whether it is Jeff Bezos or whether it is Mukesh Ambani, I mean, they have — you know, the government has been very kind to them. In its latest earnings report, for the second quarter of 2020, I think Mukesh Ambani, like you said, showed a massive surge in his income. It has been able to raise about 1.5 lakh crores from strategic investors like Facebook and Google, by selling 33% stake in — across all the platforms.
And this is happening while farmers in India are out protesting, protesting against three new acts which have been passed by the Indian Parliament under Narendra Modi without taking the note of the opposition members. Now, these laws are assailed on the grounds of being illegal and wholly unconstitutional, with a petition — with various petitions stating that the acts are anti-farmer, anti-agriculturalist, and brought at a time when the country is literally grappling with a pandemic. And this law has been brought with the sole intention to benefit big corporates like the Ambanis and the Adanis, who have been at the receiving end of the Indian government’s largesse. And these acts will pave way for the cartelization and the commercialization of agricultural producers. And if they’re allowed to stand, it is going to ruin India, while the corporates in India will continue to gain. No wonder the likes of Mukesh Ambani will keep gaining every hour throughout the pandemic, and the farmers, who are right now, as we talk — are protesting bare feet in the national capital without having their meals for days at a stretch. While I’m talking, the Indian government has arrested Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition, for protesting against the gang rape of a Dalit girl.
So, this is — I mean, each time I speak on television, I talk about the world’s largest democracy. I don’t even know if I call it a democracy anymore. We saw what happened the last one week. Amnesty has been forced to shut down in India, because Amnesty has literally been an eyesore for the Indian government for speaking about human rights in India, for speaking about the poverty that we speak about. Now, this is a government that wants us to praise Mukesh Ambani NGO and not to talk about the farmers issue, which is why organizations like Amnesty India have been forced to shut following a lockdown.
It is the same Amnesty India which gave a damning report on the anti-Muslim carnage in February, when the pandemic had just about started maintaining a stronghold in India, when Trump was visiting India. He was visiting Narendra Modi. They both had a press conference in New Delhi, while, miles away, Muslims were being slaughtered, after members of the ruling party gave threatening, provocative speeches. Amnesty India actually put out a report saying how the government was complicit in the attack on Muslims.
And that’s what has been happening in India. In India, everything except the pandemic is being taken care of. Dissenters are being taken care of. Human rights activists are being incarcerated. Our actors, the cinematic icons of India, who have stood by dissenters, who have stood by students, are being fixed. They are being fixed in false cases of smoking marijuana. I mean, that’s what the government’s priority is right now.
Our news media has prostrated before those in power. It is not asking the questions that you and Nermeen are asking to me right now. I wish that was the case that I could go on an Indian news channel and these questions were asked to me. But at this point of time, Indian news channels are only repeating the lies that are being said by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are in a mess right now, Amy.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: So, Rana, can you talk about that, the complicity of the news media, and in particular the broadcast news media, with the Modi government? It’s been extremely — it’s been striking, especially this last weekend as these farmers’ protests erupted across the country.
RANA AYYUB: Yeah.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: The broadcast media was exclusively focused on this drug scandal that you mentioned, which implicated the country’s top — one of the top actresses, Deepika Padukone. And there were scenes of, you know, journalists’ cars racing after her car, following her every move. And this was happening not only in the midst of the farmers’ protests, but also in the wake of these rapes, a series of rapes, not just of the Dalit woman who died yesterday. And today another victim of gang rape, another Dalit woman, has died. In August, there were several reports of extraordinarily brutal violence against women, rapes of women and girls, the youngest among them a 3-year-old.
RANA AYYUB: Yeah.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: So, could you talk about this, the complicity of the media with the Modi government; the violence against women, especially in Uttar Pradesh; and the extraordinary focus in the media on these celebrity — which many say are trumped-up — scandals, and against Deepika Padukone, who in fact is one of the only actresses who appeared at JNU, at Jawaharlal Nehru University, in Delhi earlier this year in solidarity with student protesters, some of whom have now been arrested?
RANA AYYUB: Yeah. I mean, last year — I mean, I think, two years ago, Reuters Foundation came up with a report that India is the most unsafe place for women. And instead of debating this, because we have seen — we saw the Nirbhaya case, that almost led to the UP, the Congress government, you know, being routed out of power. So, the nationalist news anchors of India, instead of discussing the state of the safety of women, went on a rampage on how a Western organization was out to defame Indian culture and how there was — the Indian activists were behind this report.
But what they refuse to see, that today, a Dalit woman, who was 19 years old — her name was Manisha Valmiki. Her surname suggests that she came from a Dalit family. She was in hospital for 12 days. And today the director general of police where she was raped and killed said that it wasn’t even a rape. The forensics says it wasn’t even a rape, which is why we are not surprised that she was burned, allegedly, cremated, overnight in Uttar Pradesh, where the family was not even allowed to be present. And there was this mound of clothes, and there was — over which her body was placed when she was burned last night. This is what India is doing to its daughters.
But, unfortunately, the Indian media is not asking the right questions. You know, it was said during the emergency, when Indira Gandhi asked the media to bend, it crawled. At this point of time, the media has not even been asked to crawl. It is prostrating before Narendra Modi. And it doesn’t feel — it feels like the Indian media is living in an alternate world.
Like, you talked about Deepika Padukone. This stems from the suicide of a Bollywood actor, Sushant Singh Rajput. And ever since his suicide, women have been — there’s been a witch hunt against women who surrounded him, the first being his girlfriend, who was accused of abetting his suicide by not being there for him and by taking him to a psychiatrist. There is a medieval witch hunt of Rhea Chakraborty, followed by Deepika Padukone, who’s one of the biggest superstars in India, who had the guts and the spine to stand with the students’ movement in February when it was opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Deepika did not say a word, but she went and stood in solidarity with the students. Yesterday, when I was supposed to write my Washington Post column, I spoke to a couple of India’s biggest film directors. And they said what they are doing to Deepika Padukone — I mean, there’s a surveillance on her WhatsApp, and there is a word in which, allegedly, she has asked for weed. And that’s what the government is using to nail her and to fix her.
And she’s not the only one. Indian film director Anurag Kashyap, who has been very, very vocal against the government, there are two cases against him. Multiple film stars that I spoke to for The Washington Post piece believe — tell me that they are feeling claustrophobic, because Bollywood, as a medium, has the ability to sway the masses. And the government knows that the mass media, whether — it has been able to control the Indian news television channels and the newspapers, but it also had to control the film industry, which is why it is now being labeled — the film industry in India is being labeled as a drug cartel to discredit and delegitimize it, so that those who have been criticizing the government fall in line. That’s what’s happened with Deepika Padukone. She’s a woman. Of course, how dare a woman speak! Which is why she’s being fixed in the case.
I mean, Indian celebrities, whether it’s Priyanka Chopra or all of our Indian celebrities, when George Floyd was killed in America, they were tweeting “Black lives matter.” A Dalit woman was gang-raped, brutally killed, her body burned last night. Not a single celebrity is tweeting “Dalit lives matter.” That’s because they’re scared to talk. They know that if they talk, they will be fixed. They know that if they talk, Indian media will start a witch hunt against them. I mean, there are images of Indian actors, like Rhea Chakraborty, with about 100 cameramen pouncing on her, and those images go on television channels. You label them sluts. You label them all sorts of names on your television channels.
I mean, I feel — some days I feel ashamed to be a part of this news media, which has refused to ask the right questions. And all of this, mind you, is happening through the farmers’ protests, which is so important, which is at the heart of the problem in India right now.
NERMEEN SHAIKH: And, Rana Ayyub, we just have 30 seconds, but the latest news about a special court in India acquitting all the suspects involved, including high-ranking officials in Modi’s government — involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, which led to riots and violence unprecedented since India’s partition in ’47?
RANA AYYUB: Well, Nermeen, I was in Bombay when the carnage took place. I was 9. And for somebody like me and for Muslims in India, when yesterday the court, a special CBI court, acquitted everyone who, on video, led a rally to demolish the Babri Masjid, that led to the carnage of a thousand Muslims, and despite the video — there are people who are saying on video, on televisions, that, “Yes, we did it,” the court’s saying, “No, you are acquitted.” I mean, it’s — we have the first time in the history of the world that the accused are saying “We did it,” and the courts are saying, “No, you stand acquitted.” And that speaks volumes of where Muslims and Dalits in India stand right now, where the criminal justice system in India stands right now, where we are as a democracy. And I think that, like I keep saying, that the world should now turn its attention to India, because what’s happening in America, you see a mirror image of that happening in India. It’s about time that —
AMY GOODMAN: And I wanted to end with that, Rana, that mirror image. You’re also an astute observer of the United States. Do you see the Hindu nationalism of Modi, the parallels with the white supremacy that President Trump refuses to condemn, in fact advocates?
RANA AYYUB: Absolutely. I think Trump and Modi are mirror images of each other. When Trump came to India, and when he had this massive rally with Narendra Modi, they were speaking the same language. When Mr. Trump spoke about Islamic terrorism, the entire crowd in Mr. Modi’s rally was jubilant. Mr. Trump refuses to condemn white supremacy. He refuses to talk about racism. Mr. Modi believes that there’s no such thing as Islamophobia in India. Mr. Modi has not spoken a word about the gang rape of a Dalit woman in India. Mr. Modi has enabled the attack on Muslims in India. I think this is a mirror image.
And you also see the masses who support Modi and Trump. These are people who feel victimized in their own country despite being a majority. So, both Trump and Modi are playing to the victimhood of this majority community, you know, which believes that it has a first right to all the resources in their country, which is why I think India and America are in absolutely similar position. But the world should know that if the world’s largest democracy goes down under, ripples will be felt by the world, which is why it’s time for the world to concentrate on India.
AMY GOODMAN: Rana Ayyub, I want to thank you for being with us, Indian journalist who’s a global opinions writer for The Washington Post, author of the book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up. And we’re very thankful that you, at least yourself, have recovered from COVID, though India is number two, behind the United States, in the world for COVID infections.
When we come back, tomorrow marks two years since Washington Post correspondent Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey. Stay with us.


truthout--2020-10-01--DHS Officials Were Told to Portray Kyle Rittenhouse in a Positive Light

Officials within the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) were directed to respond in a positive and defensive manner to inquiries regarding Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old who shot and killed two Black Lives Matter protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , in late August , according to an internal document .
Rittenhouse had traveled from Illinois to demonstrations in Kenosha , which began in response to the police-perpetrated shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man who was shot by law enforcement seven times in his back as he tried to enter his vehicle .
The document , obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to describe Rittenhouse ’ s actions in terms that emphasized legal presumption of innocence .
One of the talking points , for example , suggested that Rittenhouse “ took his rifle to the scene of the rioting to help defend small business owners.
” Officials were also instructed to describe the teenager ’ s actions as a matter of self-defense , and that he had traveled across state lines to promote “ law and order ” — a phrase that is frequently used by President Trump in his reelection campaign rhetoric .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from DHS or came as a directive from the White House .
NBC News also reported that several former DHS officials , from both Democratic and Republican administrations , decried the contents of the document , noting that it is highly unusual for officials to be told to opine on an ongoing investigation .
“ It is as unprecedented as it is wrong , ” Peter Boogaard , a former DHS spokesman during the Obama administration , said .
Rittenhouse is presently being charged as an adult for a number of crimes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide , as well as first-degree recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor charge of possessing a dangerous weapon by someone under 18 .
In Wisconsin , it is illegal for a person under 18 to possess assault rifles under most circumstances , which Rittenhouse had used on August 25 to shoot and kill Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum .
Trump came to the shooter ’ s defense during an August 31 press briefing .
“ He was trying to get away from them , I guess , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to Huber and Rosenbaum .
In addition to offering talking points about Rittenhouse , the DHS document also told officials not to describe Patriot Prayer , an extremist group that has attacked demonstrators at uprisings in Portland , Oregon , as racist .
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Patriot Prayer as a “ far-right group active in the Pacific Northwest.
” Its rallies regularly include members of the Proud Boys , another noted hate group , and one that Trump refused to condemn in a presidential debate earlier this week .

The document urged officials to argue Rittenhouse was promoting “law and order” after he shot and killed two protesters.
Officials within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were directed to respond in a positive and defensive manner to inquiries regarding Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old who shot and killed two Black Lives Matter protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in late August, according to an internal document.
Rittenhouse had traveled from Illinois to demonstrations in Kenosha, which began in response to the police-perpetrated shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot by law enforcement seven times in his back as he tried to enter his vehicle.
The document, obtained by NBC News, told DHS officials to describe Rittenhouse’s actions in terms that emphasized legal presumption of innocence. One of the talking points, for example, suggested that Rittenhouse “took his rifle to the scene of the rioting to help defend small business owners.”
Officials were also instructed to describe the teenager’s actions as a matter of self-defense, and that he had traveled across state lines to promote “law and order” — a phrase that is frequently used by President Trump in his reelection campaign rhetoric.
It is not clear whether the document originated from DHS or came as a directive from the White House. NBC News also reported that several former DHS officials, from both Democratic and Republican administrations, decried the contents of the document, noting that it is highly unusual for officials to be told to opine on an ongoing investigation.
“It is as unprecedented as it is wrong,” Peter Boogaard, a former DHS spokesman during the Obama administration, said.
Rittenhouse is presently being charged as an adult for a number of crimes, including first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide, as well as first-degree recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor charge of possessing a dangerous weapon by someone under 18.
In Wisconsin, it is illegal for a person under 18 to possess assault rifles under most circumstances, which Rittenhouse had used on August 25 to shoot and kill Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum.
Trump came to the shooter’s defense during an August 31 press briefing.
“He was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like,” Trump said, referring to Huber and Rosenbaum.
In addition to offering talking points about Rittenhouse, the DHS document also told officials not to describe Patriot Prayer, an extremist group that has attacked demonstrators at uprisings in Portland, Oregon, as racist.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Patriot Prayer as a “far-right group active in the Pacific Northwest.” Its rallies regularly include members of the Proud Boys, another noted hate group, and one that Trump refused to condemn in a presidential debate earlier this week.
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