RSN: Norman Solomon | Why Joe Biden Was Afraid to Face California's Democratic Party

05 June 19

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RSN: Norman Solomon | Why Joe Biden Was Afraid to Face California's Democratic Party 

Norman Solomon, Reader Supported News
Solomon writes: "Joe Biden's glaring absence from the California Democratic Party convention has thrown a national spotlight on his eagerness to detour around the party's progressive base."
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Massive Protests Greet Trump on His Second Visit to the UK
D. Parvaz, ThinkProgress
Parvaz writes: "Hundreds of thousands of protesters descended on central London Tuesday, during President Donald Trump's second state visit to the United Kingdom."
READ MORE

White House Orders Hope Hicks, Former Aide to Defy Subpoena
Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press
Excerpt: "The White House on Tuesday again directed former employees not to cooperate with a congressional investigation, this time instructing former aides Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson to defy subpoenas and refuse to provide documents to the House Judiciary Committee."
READ MORE

'It All Takes a Toll': Eric Garner's Family Suffers Indignities of Trial Process
Oliver Laughland, Guardian UK
Laughland writes: "Five years on, after protests around the country and millions of dollars paid to the family, no one has been held liable for Garner's death."
READ MORE

Texas Teacher Confused About Twitter Kept Trying to Report Immigrant Students to Trump
Rafi Schwartz, Splinter
Schwartz writes: "A Fort Worth, TX, teacher was put on administrative leave and could lose her job for sending a series of anti-immigrant tweets to President Donald Trump in what she mistakenly believed was a private conversation."
READ MORE

Tiananmen, 30 Years Later
Dennis Kosuth, Jacobin
Kosuth writes: "30 years ago, the Chinese government began its massacre of hundreds of student and worker activists at Tiananmen Square. The government wants to erase this history from memory, because they fear students and workers again taking to China's streets."
READ MORE

A coyote in a field. (photo: Karen Nichols/AP)

The Relentless Slaughter of Wolves Paved the Way for a Predator That Refuses to Die
Darryl Fears, The Washington Post
Fears writes: "As the Trump administration seeks to strip away legal protections for the last remaining wolves, state officials are contending with the consequences of a massacre carried out without regard to science."
READ MORE

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RSN: Exxon Mobil's Response to Climate Change Is Consummate Arrogance, Vietnam Is Sentencing Corrupt Bankers to Death by Firing Squad, Money Talks: The John Roberts Project, et al

It's Live on the HomePage Now:
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Jeffrey Toobin | Money Talks: The John Roberts Project
Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker
Toobin writes: "If you think that the Supreme Court's decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission was bad, just wait: worse may be on the way."
READ MORE

Tom Engelhardt | The Bermuda Triangle of National Security
Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch
Engelhardt writes: "No, Virginia, Flight 370 was not commandeered by aliens and Vladimir Putin is not Joseph Stalin's younger brother."
READ MORE

US Built "Cuban Twitter" to Stir Up Political Unrest
Sarah Gray, Salon
Gray reports: "For two years the U.S. Agency for International Development ran a "Cuban Twitter" social media network, whose intent was to propagate dissatisfaction with the the Cuban government."
READ MORE

Vietnam Is Sentencing Corrupt Bankers to Death by Firing Squad
Patrick Winn, GlobalPost
Winn reports: "Amid a sweeping cleanup of its financial sector, Vietnam has sentenced three bankers to death in the past six months."
READ MORE

Nearly 500,000 More Americans Speak Out Against Federal Plan to Strip Wolves of Protections
Defenders of Wildlife
Excerpt: "More than 460,000 Americans filed official comments calling on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to scrap its controversial proposal to remove federal protections from the gray wolf."
READ MORE

Bill McKibben | Exxon Mobil's Response to Climate Change Is Consummate Arrogance
Bill McKibben, Guardian UK
McKibben writes: "If Exxon Mobil and its ilk keep their promise to dig up their reserves and burn them, then the planet will no longer function effectively."
READ MORE

How Wolves Change Rivers

350.org

An incredible video about the interconnectedness of land and life. Don't miss it!

When Wolves Kill Deer, It's Actually One Of The Most Environmentally Friendly Things They Could Do

upworthy.com

Sorry if you're one of THOSE, goose-stepping to the GOP lunacy to restrict voting rights, yet watching the wholesale disenfranchisement is not what our Founders envisioned.

Maybe it's time to re-think who the 'enemy' to voting really is and more importantly WHY!

(photo: AP)

The Real Reason for the War on Voting

By Charles Pierce, Esquire

16 February 14

he invaluable Rick Hasen has noticed something about the conservative reaction to the report of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. Among its other recommendations, the commission suggested expanding the opportunities for early voting, and Hasen notes that the reaction to this suggestion on the right is based in something more profound than a simple fight for partisan advantage.

But conservative critics of early voting runs don't just mistrust early voters; they mistrust voters in general. As I explained here, there is a fundamental divide between liberals and conservatives about what voting is for: Conservatives see voting as about choosing the "best" candidate or "best" policies (meaning limits on who can vote, when, and how might make the most sense), and liberals see it as about the allocation of power among political equals. Cutting back on early voting fits with the conservative idea of choosing the "best" candidate by restraining voters from making supposed rash decisions, rather than relying on them to make choices consistent with their interests.

Right on cue, Jonah Goldberg thunders in with his contribution to the debate, and there is nothing I would like more in the world than to have Jonah stuck in an elevator with, say, John Lewis so he could explain to Lewis his theories on limiting the franchise. Either that, or I hope he runs out of gas sometime on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Consider how Jonah Goldberg put it in a 2005 Los Angeles Times column: "Voting should be harder, not easier-for everybody. ... If you are having an intelligent conversation with somebody, is it enriched if a mob of uninformed louts, never mind ex-cons and rapists, barges in? People who want to make voting easier are in effect saying that those who previously didn't care or know enough about the country to vote are exactly the kind of voters this country needs now."

File that one away for the next time he writes something stupid about liberal elites. "Uninformed louts." Like these people, I guess.

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Charles Pierce | The Real Reason for the War on Voting

Charles Pierce, Esquire
Pierce writes: "The invaluable Rick Hasen has noticed something about the conservative reaction to the report of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration."
READ MORE

NSA Monitored US Law Firm in Trade Case
Associated Press
Excerpt: "The National Security Agency was involved in the surveillance of an American law firm while it represented a foreign government in trade disputes with the United States, The New York Times reported in a story based on a top-secret document obtained by former NSA systems analyst Edward Snowden."
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Jury Fails to Reach Verdict on Murder Charge in Michael Dunn Trial
Steven Hsieh, The Nation
Hsieh writes: "After more than thirty hours of jury deliberations, a Florida judge declared a mistrial on the first-degree murder charge in the trial of Michael Dunn, accused of fatally shooting Jordan Davis - an unarmed, black teenager - during a dispute over loud rap music."
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Does Comcast Own Washington?
John Cassidy, The New Yorker
Cassidy writes: "With big cable companies already hugely unpopular, someone unfamiliar with Washington might assume that the merger has no chance of getting regulatory approval - but that would be an error."
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Volkswagen Workers Reject UAW in Tenn.; Union Looks for Plan B to Enter South
Lydia B. DePillis, The Washington Post
DePillis reports: "Late on Friday night, 712 employees at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga voted against joining the union - more than enough to overwhelm the 626 who voted in favor."
READ MORE

Wolf Hunt Stand-Off in Sweden Heightens Rural Tensions
Tom Sullivan, Agence France-Presse
Sullivan reports: "Farmers and hunters in Sweden are crying foul over a wolf hunt ban which they say threatens their way of life and may lead to civil disobedience."
READ MORE

Three Years Later, A Harrowing Visit To Fukushima
Anthony Kuhn, National Public Radio
Kuhn reports: "Workers and labor activists say that Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, is subcontracting the work out to avoid taking direct responsibility - financial and otherwise - for the dangers the workers face each day at the plant."
READ MORE

Romeo: A Lone Wolf’s Tragedy in Three Acts

Romeo: A Lone Wolf’s Tragedy in Three Acts

This, that, greed, deregulation, et al

Media Matters for America's photo.

Republicans are out to destroy our economy so they can attempt a fascist takeover of the country!

 

And this is why you see right-wing media complaining that Obamacare will allow people to choose to work less.

h/t Citizens UnTied and The Reprimand Project

Deaf Dogs Rock shared Sandy Brown's photo.

Buddy is a deaf boxer in foster care in TN. Kimberly Warren Is the contact email and he is being fostered by her in Shelbyville , Tennessee, Buddy is about 3 years old and has been in foster care for at least 2 years. I am a trainer Sandy's dog training and I remote collar trained him so that he could communicate with humans. He comes with the remote system and a free training session at my training center to train an adopter.

Buddy is a deaf boxer in foster care in Tennessee. If interested message Kim at the MTSN on Facebook/

Island In Scotland to be First 100% Self-Sustaining Place on Earth

nationofchange.org

Virescent mountains, verdant valleys, and clean energy. Sound like a scene from The Sound of Music or a fictional novel about utopia? It is neither. It is in fact, the description of the one place on

Occupy Wall St.'s photo.

Fight the noise of the greedy. http://goo.gl/MG9iLR

Daily Kos

This is what happens when regulators don't regulate.

'Significant' spill of coal slurry taints creek in West Virginia

dailykos.com

Officials of the state's Department of Environmental Protection don't yet know how much coal slurry has leaked from a facility in Kanawha County, West Virginia...

Horrifying video!

VIDEO: Explosion And Fire At Chevron Natural Gas Well In Pennsylvania

By Ari Phillips on February 11, 2014

CREDIT: WXPI.COM screenshot

 

At around 6:45 this morning a fire was reported at a Chevron natural gas well in Greene County, Pennsylvania, just north of the West Virginia border. As of early afternoon, one person had been injured and another was still missing, according to statements from the company.

Twenty workers were on the scene at the time of the fire. While Chevron did not initially know the cause of the blast, the fire chief on scene recently said it was caused by natural gas. According to Chevron spokeswoman Lee Ann Wainwright, the well was in the final stages of being put in production.

Environmental Action shared Lifest's photo.

Another reminder of the important role played by wolves in our ecosystem!

 

 

 

What he said.

 

 

 

 

Be Spiritual And Rich's photo.

As I see it!

 

I love this Quote! "I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all" ~ Leo C. Rosten.



 

More this, that and the other.......that Karma Thing!

Bill Moyers

In this report on the new Yankee Stadium, Bill Moyers explains how taxpayers in the poorest district in the company were asked to subsidize the private profits of one of the wealthiest franchises in organized sports.

 

Bill Moyers: Stadium Funding Deals Only Enrich the Plutocrats

billmoyers.com

An Emmy Award-winning moment from the height of the 2008 financial crash that's still very relevant today.

Stop Telling Lies About Liberals And We'll Stop Telling The Truth About You shared American Liberal's photo.

(chs)

 

Don't let the republicans rob you of your rights ... Vote! American Liberal

Horse Plus Humane Society shared Hendrick Boards's photo.

 

DONATE 1 SHARE to help save a blind horse! ➨ http://hendrickboards.com/s/blind-angelThis little filly stumbled into an auction ring, looking confused and frightened. When she walked right into an obstacle, it was obvious she was a completely blind, baby foal who was heartlessly dumped at the auction. The auctioneer started trying to sell her off, but it was obvious the little baby was worthless to all those in the crowd. Her price went down to $5. A humane observer who was attending the auction couldn’t sit on their hands and do nothing any longer, so they bid on her, saving her for only $5.00... We have parterned with Horse Plus Humane Society in creating the JUST GIVE apparel collection to help save her life! Click the link to get your tee and help save her! ➨ http://hendrickboards.com/s/blind-angel

It's already long past the moment, but not yet too late to vote the Republicans out this Fall, and Fall 2016

Tar Sands Action shared Tar Sands Blockade's photo.

Go Ohio!

Eight Ohio farmers and local business leaders blocked the driveway leading to a fracking waste disposal site operated by K&H Partners of West Virginia. The ei...ght held a banner reading “Our Water, Our Lives! Their Poison, Their Lies!” and forced at least two trucks carrying toxic frack waste to divert during the two hour rally. The blockade was supported by more than 150 local residents. Be sure to LIKE --> Appalachia Resist to follow more action from Ohio. Read more about yesterday's action: http://appalachiaresist.wordpress.com/athens-county-rallies-at-kh-for-local-control-over-injection-wells/All eight were arrested by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and charged with trespassing.
 

NFL: dodging taxes since the Happy Days!

The NFL earned more than $9 billion in revenue in 2013, but hasn't paid a dime in taxes since 1966. LIKE our page: US Uncut! Source: http://bit.ly/18vFi2e

 

 

 

Watch the Devastating Anti-Chris Christie Super Bowl Ad Democrats Will Air Tonight

Stop Telling Lies About Liberals And We'll Stop Telling The Truth About You shared Snarky In the Suburbs's photo.

Words of wisdom from Glenda ~N

 

 

Or as my mom says, "What goes around comes around."

 

"I am a rodent, NOT a meteorologist." http://www.pinterest.com/pin/143481938102828233/

Howling For Wolves

Only 3rd time in history that both Super Bowl teams have animals as mascots. Nice, but we'll take wolves. Why no wolves in NFL?

Read more: http://bit.ly/1k1DZfI

 

 

Earthjustice

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! If you have a stunning nature photo you are particularly proud of, send it our way! Earthjustice supporter Herbert Steierman did - check out his gorgeous photo of a Madagascar Kingfisher!

Just send it us via a Facebook message along with information on where and when you took the photo (you can send more than one!). We just may profile your photo in our quarterly Earthjustice Magazine along with your name and credit!

Click SHARE or LIKE and start snapping those photos! TELL US >> What one word comes to mind when you saw this photo?

350.org

In a matter of 48 hours, hundreds of actions to stop Keystone XL have sprung up all across the US. This is going to be big.

Click here to find an action near you: http://350.org/kxlvigil

and click LIKE to thank all the organizers working all weekend to make these actions happen. Y'all are going to make the difference in this fight.

 

Stop Telling Lies About Liberals And We'll Stop Telling The Truth About You shared Addicting Info's photo.

(chs)

Do you think if it was put to them this simply, this clearly, they might just see it?

 

 

Keep this in mind next November. Thanks to Americans Against The Republican Party for sharing.

 

 

 

Whether or not you are wasting time watching the super bull, you probably have an idea that there are a few taxpayer dollars involved, simply with all the security measures alone. Heck, our tax dollars probably even paid to take Rudy Guiliani out of his embalming fluid. Anyway, did you know that the NFL, a billion dollar money machine, has tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization? Think about that when you are struggling to pay your taxes.
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/30/senators-seek-to-punt-nfls-tax-exempt-status

Senators Seek to Punt NFL's Tax-Exempt Status

usnews.com

Sen. Angus King says $30 million salary for NFL commissioner is one reason he joined push.

 

 

 

Other 98%'s photo.

 

 

It gets less funny the more you think about it. Thanks to We Are Teachers. for the share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop Telling Lies About Liberals And We'll Stop Telling The Truth About You shared Howard Scott Pearlman Signs's photo.

Nathan expects that all will do their duty

 

Please Share and do your part !

 

 

Howling For Wolves

Get Active for Wolves, Minnesota! MN precinct caucuses are scheduled across the state on Tuesday, 2/4. This is your chance make wolves a part of your party's platform and action agenda. Let's get resolutions to suspend wolf trapping/hunting and to support non-lethal methods introduced across the state!

Find a caucus: http://bit.ly/LE5EVE

Sample Resolution for Wolves: http://bit.ly/1nEvR4Z

 

 

 

 

Urgent Dogs and Cats at the Garland Shelter, TX shared Raleigh County Humane Society's photo.

 

 

 

350.org

Chris Hayes from MSNBC knocks this one out of the park. It's time to reject the logic of addiction.

The whole thing is ABSOLUTELY worth watching: http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/keystone-xl-time-to-end-the-addiction-132949571674

Definitely hit LIKE and SHARE if you think today is the day for the US to clean up it's fossil fuel addiction. Not tomorrow, not after we frack more -- TODAY.

 

 

 

 

 

Think Progress

BOOM

Obama Calls Out Fox News In Pre-Super Bowl Interview: ‘You And Your TV Station’ Keep Scandals Alive

thinkprogress.org

"These kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them," Obama said.

 

 

 

US Uncut added a new photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Bernie Sanders

Today's news from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.):

Revolving Door: Federal ethics rules are intended to limit lobbying by former senior officials within one year after they leave the government. Yet even after the ethics rules were revised in 2007 following a lobbying scandal, more than 1,650 congressional aides have registered to lobby within a year of leaving Capitol Hill, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

NSA Spying: It was a packed house at the Montpelier City... Hall Saturday as Sen. Bernie Sanders held a town meeting about constitutional rights and privacy. Sanders focused his talk on the National Security Agency’s surveillance of telephone and email records, according to reports.

NSA Spying: David Cole, a Georgetown University law professor, said the NSA’s collection of the cellphone records of Americans should be a matter of concern to everyone because the government conducted it in secret and invaded people’s privacy. Heidi Boghosian, the National

Lawyers Guild executive director, said corporations are also collecting vast amounts of data. Rep. Peter Welch, part of Sanders’ Saturday panel, said the U.S. has been living a “bizarre reality” since 9/11 in which the nation’s 16 intelligence agencies are operating under secret budgets, the Vermont Press Bureau reported in the Times Argus and Rutland Herald.

Tar Sands Pipeline: Vermont's two U.S. senators sharply criticized an environmental impact statement from the U.S. State Department that appears to support construction of the hotly debated Keystone oil pipeline from Canada to Texas. Both Sens. Sanders and Patrick Leahy say the pipeline would enable a big increase in oil production and add to greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change, The Associated Press reported on Saturday.

Continue reading today's news: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/newswatch/020214See More

News February 2

sanders.senate.gov

It was a packed house at the Montpelier City Hall Saturday as Sen. Bernie Sanders held a town meeting about constitutional rights and privacy. Sanders focused his talk on the National Security Agency’s surveillance of telephone and email records, according to reports .