September 15, 2020 |
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Former President Barack Obama on Monday night cautioned freshman members of the U.S. House against pushing for broadly popular, sweeping reforms by suggesting that voters will reject progressive policies due to their supposed high costs—despite evidence to the contrary.
At a meeting organized by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Obama told several first-term members both that they should continue to pursue “bold” policy agendas—but also injected the familiar right-wing and centrist canard concerning the cost of such programs.
“He said we [as Democrats] shouldn’t be afraid of big, bold ideas—but also need to think in the nitty-gritty about how those big, bold ideas will work and how you pay for them,” one attendee told the Washington Post.
The two ideas struck many critics as contradictory. Some slammed the former president for appearing to try to tamp down the ambition, passion, and sense of urgency many freshman including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) have brought to their work—hoping to combat a climate crisis fueled by corporate greed and politicians’ complicity; a for-profit health insurance system which has left tens of millions of Americans without healthcare; and rising economic inequality.
Obama’s remarks also put him at odds with a number of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, at least 10 of whom support a Green New Deal and a majority of whom have backed a Medicare for All plan, including several who have co-sponsored Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) bill in the Senate.
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According to the Post, the former president mainly expressed concern with how voters will react to progressive policies that require financial investment.
However, the majority of the public supports the proposals, and most Americans surveyed by YouGov in January said that the wealthiest people in the country and corporations should be taxed at a higher rate in order to fund a Green New Deal. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed by The Hill also said that the top marginal tax rate should be raised to 70 percent in order to combat inequality and fund progressive policies.
On social media, some critics added that Obama’s comments crystallized the results of his two terms in the White House, during which he pushed for healthcare reforms that insulated the private insurance industry; bailed out the U.S. financial system without holding big banks accountable for causing the 2008 financial meltdown and leaving working Americans still struggling through a foreclosure crisis; and failed to propose ambitious targets for reducing fossil fuel emissions.
“No president since FDR has been handed as many opportunities to transform the U.S. into something that doesn’t threaten the stability of life on this planet,” wrote author Naomi Klein on Twitter, quoting a 2009 article she wrote for The Nation. “He has refused every one.”
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September 15, 2020 |
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Simone Johnson is undergoing knee surgery tomorrow.
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Johnson revealed the news on her Twitter account today, writing the following: “so tomorrow i’m having knee surgery for the third time. as not fun as surgery is, i’m looking forward to my knees not popping out anymore. that said, please send me video games suggestions, movie suggestions (preferably scary) or anything else to help pass the time.”
Johnson, daughter of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, signed with the WWE back in February and has been training at the WWE Performance Center. She has not appeared on NXT television, but has been seen in the crowds during Raw, SmackDown, and NXT shows.
The Rock announced earlier this month that he and his family, excluding Simone, had all tested positive and were recovering from COVID-19. While his two younger daughters only had mild symptoms, Rock said that he and his wife, Lauren Hashian experienced harsher symptoms.
September 14, 2020 |
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Former President Obama is heading to Georgia on Friday to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and other Democrats mere days before the midterm elections.
Georgia Democrats announced Monday that Obama will host a Get Out the Vote rally in Atlanta on Nov. 2 at the Forbes Arena at Morehouse College. The other Democratic candidates were not named in the announcement.
Obama previously endorsed Abrams, as did former President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE.
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The former president will also be campaigning in Florida on Friday for Democratic candidates Andrew Gillum and Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonNASA, SpaceX and the private-public partnership that caused the flight of the Crew Dragon Lobbying world The most expensive congressional races of the last decade MORE.
Abrams, the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representative, is in a virtual tie with her Republican opponent, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
Kemp led Abrams by 49 percent to 47 percent in a poll last week, within the polls margin of error.
Political handicapper The Cook Political Report rates the race as a “toss up.” An average of polls complied by RealClearPolitics has Kemp up by 1.5 points.
Kemp has tied himself closely to President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE, who has endorsed the Republican.
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September 14, 2020 |
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GOP Michigan Senate candidate John James poked fun at former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) after Giuliani accidentally misnamed him in his endorsement ahead of next week’s midterm elections.
Giuliani, who is now serving as President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s personal lawyer, endorsed James on Thursday night, but twice referred to him as “Don” on Twitter.
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“Don James is running for Senate in Michigan. He is a combat veteran, a successful business man and believes in lower taxes, more jobs, effective health care and safety and security,” Giuliani wrote.
James jokingly referred to Giuliani as “Randy” in a tweet late Thursday night thanking him for his support.
“Thanks, Randy! While you were leading NYC through the aftermath of 9/11, I was at West Point training to bring terrorists to justice,” James wrote.
The national GOP has rallied around James, a veteran and business owner, in his bid to unseat Sen. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowSheldon Whitehouse leads Democrats into battle against Trump judiciary Bill aims to help farmers sell carbon credits Senate Democrats pump brakes on new stimulus checks MORE (D).
Vice President Pence has made multiple appearances in the state to bolster James’s candidacy, as have Donald Trump Jr.Don John TrumpTrump Jr. calls elderly supporter who was assaulted Trump Jr. hits Howard Stern for going ‘establishment,’ ‘acting like Hillary’ Trump Jr., GOP senator lash out at Facebook for taking down protest pages on stay-at-home orders MORE and Kid Rock.
President Trump has also endorsed James.
Stabenow, however, has consistently led James in the polls and held a 9-point lead in a survey on Monday.
Democrats likely need to retain the seat if they have any hope of taking back the upper chamber. Michigan is one of 10 states won by Trump in 2016 that features a Democratic Senate incumbent running for reelection.
Trump won the state by roughly 10,000 votes.
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September 14, 2020 |
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Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE is urging Americans to “exercise our birthright” and vote, telling her Twitter audience, “Today, we say enough.”
In a series of tweets, Clinton said Americans aren’t just voting against “radicalism, bigotry, and corruption” on Tuesday, but for “fantastic candidates all over the country.”
“If they win, they’ll do great things for America,” Clinton added. “Let’s exercise our birthright as Americans today, put those people in office, and continue the hard work of saving our democracy.”
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Clinton has recently stepped up her presence in the national spotlight, appearing in media interviews with greater frequency to criticize the GOP and President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.
Late last month, Clinton left the door open to a possible 2020 run, saying at an event that even though she doesn’t want to run, “I’d like to be president.”
She and her husband, former President Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson ClintonWill the ‘law and order’ president pardon Roger Stone? Five ways America would take a hard left under Joe Biden The sad spectacle of Trump’s enablers MORE, will be embarking on a 13-city tour over the next year, hosting discussions about current events and politics across the country.
In recent weeks, Trump has campaigned across America and made the midterms a referendum on himself and his presidency.
At his rally Monday night in Ohio, Trump said “in a sense, I am on the ticket.”
September 14, 2020 |
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Rep. Jim RenacciJames (Jim) B. RenacciOhio is suddenly a 2020 battleground Democrats fear Ohio slipping further away in 2020 Medicare for All won’t deliver what Democrats promise MORE (R-Ohio) on Tuesday took a veiled swipe at Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) after the congressman lost his Senate bid to Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownHillicon Valley: Senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests | Amazon pauses police use of its facial recognition tech | FBI warns hackers are targeting mobile banking apps Democratic senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests Some realistic solutions for income inequality MORE (D).
Though Renacci did not explicitly name Kasich, he blamed the outgoing governor for dividing the state and the country with his criticism of President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.
“We jumped into a race and we actually were able to get a message out, which I think is important,” Renacci said in his concession speech, according to WEWS in Cleveland.
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“And look, when you have the loudest voice in the Ohio Republican Party dividing the country against this president, I am still very proud to stand with this president,” he continued. “I am proud to stand with his agenda. I am proud that we were able to campaign on that agenda.”
“When you have the loudest voice in Ohio who does not support the president, it causes the divisions that we’ve seen in Ohio,” Renacci added. “And again, that is probably the biggest issue that we need to be able to change.”
Renacci said the state must “pull together” in the wake of Tuesday’s elections in order to maintain economic gains from recent years.
Brown handily defeated Renacci to secure a third term in the Senate.
Republican Mike DeWine, meanwhile, won the state’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Richard CordrayRichard Adams CordrayPoll: Biden, Trump neck and neck in Ohio On The Money: Trump officials struggle to get relief loans out the door | Dow soars more than 1600 points | Kudlow says officials ‘looking at’ offering coronavirus bonds Ex-CFPB director urges agency to ‘act immediately’ to help consumers during pandemic MORE. DeWine will replace Kasich, who is term-limited.
Kasich largely stayed out of the two statewide races, but has remained in the national spotlight as one of the most prominent GOP critics of the president. He has repeatedly hit Trump over his tone and his policies.
A 2016 presidential candidate, Kasich has yet to rule out a 2020 bid.
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September 14, 2020 |
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A diverse coalition of progressive activists, academics, and politicians gathered in Brussels Monday to present a humane alternative to both the failing European political establishment and the xenophobic right.
“The EU needs to become a realm of shared prosperity, peace, and solidarity for all Europeans. We must act quickly, before the EU disintegrates.”
—DiEM25
Featured speakers at the “Citizen Takeover of the EU” gathering included former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, actress and political activist Pamela Anderson, Croatian philosopher Srećko Horvat, and human rights lawyer Laura Alvarez, wife of U.K. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25)—which organized the event—said the goal was to present a long-term vision for a democratic European Union that can defeat both the “xenophobic, anti-European, forces gaining ground” and the “inane establishment.”
“Europeans are losing their faith in the possibility of European solutions to European problems. At the same time as faith in the EU is waning, we see a rise of misanthropy, xenophobia, and toxic nationalism,” DiEM25 said in a statement. “If this development is not stopped, we fear a return to the 1930s.”
“That is why we have come together despite our diverse political traditions—Green, radical left, liberal—in order to repair the EU,” the statement continued. “The EU needs to become a realm of shared prosperity, peace, and solidarity for all Europeans. We must act quickly, before the EU disintegrates.”
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At the Brussels gathering on Monday, Varoufakis introduced DiEM25’s “transnational list” of candidates to contest European parliamentary elections in May.
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The group of candidates—titled the European Spring—will run on “A New Deal for Europe,” a far-reaching agenda of progressive reforms including: a Green New Deal to confront the climate crisis, a ban on tax havens within the EU, and a “Constitutional Assembly that will draft Europe’s first democratic constitution.”
“Today, we are celebrating the beginning of this campaign,” Varoufakis said in a speech. “We are the only democrats with a coherent program… that can single-mindedly transform this Europe from a continent which is in the clasps of a two-faced authoritarianism into a continent that works for the many.”
Watch the introduction of the European Spring candidates:
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September 14, 2020 |
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President Donald Trump on Friday called the International Criminal Court’s decision not to probe alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, including those committed by U.S. troops and the CIA, “a major international victory,” and issued a not-so-subtle threat against any entity that would attempt to investigate “American, Israeli, or allied personnel for prosecution.”
His statement reads, in full:
As Common Dreams reported, the ICC’s decision to reject the request from ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to probe possible war crimes and crimes against humanity followed bullying efforts by senior members of the Trump administration—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton—who targeted ICC staff over the possible investigation. The administration even revoked Bensouda’s entry visa, it was reported last week.
While welcomed by the Trump White House, the court’s decision drew outrage from a number of human rights organizations, including the U.K.-based group Reprieve.
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“Today’s decision,” sad the group’s deputy director Katie Taylor, “will be a grave disappointment for survivors of war-on-terror era torture who have waited nearly two decades for justice.”
The ACLU, which represents victims of torture in Afghanistan whose cases would have fallen under the probe, was equally outraged.
“It is outrageous that victims of war crimes are far less likely to get justice for well-documented atrocities because of the Trump administration’s authoritarian efforts to sabotage an investigation before it could even get started,” said Jamil Dakwar, director of the group’s human rights program.
“No one except the world’s most brutal regimes win when we weaken and sabotage international institutions established to fight impunity and hold the human rights abusers accountable,” he said.
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September 14, 2020 |
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All eyes turned to the White House Thursday after the House of Representatives “made history” by sending a resolution to end U.S. complicity in the Saudi-led assault on Yemen to President Donald Trump’s desk.
“The grassroots movement that propelled this landmark legislation through Congress has generated momentum that can’t be stopped by the president’s anticipated veto.”
—Kate Gould, Friends Committee on National Legislation
“President Trump has threatened to veto the resolution, but he could and most certainly should change his mind,” Paul Kawika Martin, senior director for policy and political affairs at Peace Action, said in a statement following the 247-175 vote.
While 16 Republicans joined the 231 Democrats who all voted in favor of the resolution, all 175 “no” votes came from the GOP. Read the full roll call here.
“For Trump, this vote poses some theoretically simple questions,” added Martin. “Does he want to continue violating the Constitution to support a famine-inducing intervention responsible for the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet? Does he think arming and advising countries that give U.S. weapons to al Qaeda is an acceptable cost of doing business?”
Passage of the Yemen War Powers resolution came after the GOP’s failed attempt to sabotage the legislation by inserting language condemning the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The Republican amendment resoundingly failed.
Kate Kizer, policy director of Win Without War, said the movement to end America’s role in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis won’t stop if Trump vetoes the Yemen resolution.
Kate Gould, legislative director for Middle East policy with the anti-war group Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), echoed Kizer in a statement celebrating Thursday’s vote.
“This bicameral success is the strongest signal Congress has sent to date that the Saudi-led coalition must stop the slaughter and starvation of Yemeni men, women, and children,” Gould said. “The grassroots movement that propelled this landmark legislation through Congress has generated momentum that can’t be stopped by the president’s anticipated veto, and it won’t stop until American complicity in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis ends.”
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September 14, 2020 |
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Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif denounced U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration for their total silence after Saudi Arabia beheaded 37 people this week.
“After a wink at the dismembering of a journalist,” Zarif tweeted Tuesday, referring to murdered reporter Jamal Khashoggi, “not a whisper from the Trump administration when Saudi Arabia beheads 37 men in one day—even crucifying one two days after Easter.”
Zarif added that members of the so-called “B team”—which consists of U.S. national security adviser John Bolton, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—are effectively above the law.
Zarif’s tweet came shortly before he spoke Wednesday at an Asia Society event in New York, where he slammed the Trump administration’s efforts to destroy the Iran nuclear deal and accused the “B team” of plotting a war with Iran.
“The B team wants the United States to take crazy measures,” Zarif said. “And it won’t be the first time that the United States has taken adventurous measures.”
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In a tweet on Wednesday, Zarif urged Trump to “be careful.”
“You campaigned against costly stupid interventions,” Zarif said. “The conniving cabal of warmongers and butchers, the infamous #B_Team, are plotting for way more than what you bargained for.”
As Common Dreams reported Tuesday, the Saudi regime’s mass execution was its largest in three years.
In a statement, Amnesty International called the beheadings yet another “chilling demonstration of the Saudi Arabian authorities’ callous disregard for human life.”
“The use of the death penalty is always appalling but it is even more shocking when it is applied after unfair trials or against people who were under 18 at the time of the crime, in flagrant violation of international law,” said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East research director at Amnesty International.
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