(2019-03-22). 'Florida Man' Jokes Are an Excuse to Laugh at the Poor. truthdig.com 
"Another tedious, liberal, PC scold," you may think as you read the headline for this piece. "Why can't we just have fun and enjoy a hilarious meme in peace?" Well, you can enjoy "Florida man" all you want, but by any objective metric, it's worth noting that "Florida man" memes—just like all "dumb criminal" or "weird crime" stories—are little more than a socially acceptable way of gawking at and belittling the dispossessed and indigent. | At the very least, it's a possibility worth examining—if you would indulge me. The general premise behind "Florida man" memes and jokes is that Florida, for wh…
(2019-03-22). U.S. steps up diplomatic, economic pressure on Venezuela. workers.org 
With Jair Bolsonaro standing at his side in Washington [on March 19], Donald Trump repeated the now standard line — all options are on the table — referring to Venezuela. Bolsonaro, who had said it was necessary to "liberate Venezuela," also confirmed what was already known — his refusal to . . . | Continue reading U.S. steps up diplomatic, economic pressure on Venezuela at Workers.org
(2019-03-22). Might Makes Right: Trump Endorses Israeli Annexation of Golan Heights. therealnews.com 
Trump tweeted that the US should recognize Israel's annexation of Syria's Golan Heights, which Israel has been occupying for 52 years. TRNN's Shir Hever explores what this means for the region…
(2019-03-22). Trump's Secrecy Insulates U.S. Public from CIA Drone War. counterpunch.org 
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(2019-03-22). Media Silent as Israel's Largest Banks Pay Over $1 Billion in Fines for US Tax Evasion Schemes. theantimedia.com Similar revelations about other banks and offshore tax-evasion schemes — such as those contained in the Panama Papers — led to global protests and even the resignations of some world leaders. (MPN) — Israel's three largest banks — Hapoalim Bank, Leumi Bank and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank — have all been ordered to pay record fines, which …
(2019-03-22). 2019 Art & Writing Challenge & Youth Activist Grant. indybay.org Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center at Our Savior's Lutheran | 1035 Carol Lane | Lafayette, CA 94549…
(2019-03-22). Amazon software engineer in second month of protests against conditions. wsws.org Oleg Churyumov has carried out a hunger strike, picketed and written blog posts against the company's imposition of grueling conditions for professional and warehouse workers alike.
(2019-03-22). Putin signs Russian internet censorship bills into law. wsws.org The two laws are part of an international campaign by the ruling class to crack down on the internet.
(2019-03-22). Meteor or alien invasion? Los Angeles skies set ablaze — nothing to panic about, police say (VIDEOS). rt.com 
After detecting odd, unidentified streaks of light disturbing the evening sky, thousands of Los Angeles residents confused the breathtaking wingsuit flying skills of Red Bull Air Force with a meteor flyby, even an alien invasion.
(2019-03-22). Pentagon Deploys B-52 Bombers to Europe in Message to Russia Amid Nuclear Tensions. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — The Pentagon has sent six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Europe for training exercises with European NATO member nations, in a move which officials are presenting as a "message" to Russia. Though officials tried to present this as a response to Russian "aggression," in practice Russia hasn't done anything in quite some time. Rather, the deployment appears …
(2019-03-22). Venezuela: Despite the crisis, Chavez's legacy endures. greenleft.org.au 
Given the media barrage surrounding Venezuela's "humanitarian crisis", recent tensions on the Venezuela-Colombia border, and talks of "military options" and coup attempts, it was hard to know what to expect on returning to the country for the first time in five years. | I envisaged a country on a knife's edge, particularly as I arrived in Caracas on March 5. This was the day after opposition leader and self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaidó re-entered the country and the anniversary of the death of Hugo Chávez, predecessor to elected President Nicolás Maduro. | Yet, the capital was remarkably quiet. It w…
(2019-03-22). SF Bay Area activists demand end to imperialist aggression against Venezuela. indybay.org On Saturday, March 9, a spirited rally and march took place in San Francisco demanding an end to U.S. imperialist aggression against Venezuela.
(2019-03-22). Protests of U.S. Puppet Theft of Venezuelan Diplomatic Bldgs. indybay.org The US appointed puppet tried to take over Venezuelan diplomatic buildings on 3/19/19, only to be met by Gloria LaRiva of ANSWER, Medea Benjamin of Code Pink and others to protest this theft of a foreign country's property by US puppets who promote privatization and theft of Venezuelan oil. See 2 minute video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4WR0V4Y……
(2019-03-22). Art & Poetry: Peace and War. indybay.org Eastside Arts Alliance: 2277 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606-5003, United States…
(2019-03-22). Australian property prices fall faster than during global financial crisis. wsws.org Analysts have warned that a host of global factors could transform the downturn into a full-blown economic crash.
(2019-03-22). Islamophobia and Hate at UCSC in Light of the NZ Terrorist Attack. indybay.org I am one of the students that was called a "terrorist" among other terrible things by a BSOE professor on countless occasions due to my appearance and Palestinian, Muslim heritage. Right at the top, I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who signed the petition demanding UCSC take action in this matter. Your support has given both the other complainant and I tremendous inner-strength. It has helped me claw back some of my humanity, and I genuinely cannot thank you enough.
(2019-03-22). Macron sends the French army against anti-austerity protests. wsws.org The move is a major step toward the implementation of police-state forms of rule in France, as part of a global onslaught against democratic rights.
(2019-03-22). Venezuelans: 'We want to resolve our problems by ourselves'. greenleft.org.au 
"Why don't you go to Venezuela and speak to people living there to find out what is really going on?" | Invariably, any article or post on social media presenting a different view to that pushed by the corporate media would prompt numerous comments such as this — almost always from people not in Venezuela and who, mostly, have never been there. | So Green Left Weekly decided to take up the challenge. | In early March, together with freelance journalist Joe Montero and solidarity activist Lucho Riquelme, I went to Venezuela as part of a fact-finding mission coordinated by the Melbourne-based Latin American S…
(2019-03-22). Warner Bros. CEO's resignation sheds revealing light on Hollywood and #MeToo campaign. wsws.org Kevin Tsujihara, one of the American film industry's most powerful executives, resigned March 18 after texts were made public indicating he had promised to promote an actress' career in exchange for sex.
(2019-03-22). Scientists From Around the World Call for Immediate Halt to Gene-Editing of Humans. theantimedia.com Scientists and ethicists from around the world are warning of the consequences of failing to implement a temporary global halt on gene editing of human eggs, embryos, and sperm. (TMU) — In a letter to the journal Nature, 18 scientists and ethicists from seven countries called for a global moratorium on the type of gene editing that …
(2019-03-21). After Pressure on Twitter, Christine Assange's Account is Restored; Venezuela's Telesur Now Hit. consortiumnews.com UPDATED: The Twitter account of Julian Assange's mother was restored on Wednesday night after her supporters sent a flood of messages to Twitter. Telesur English Hit By Same Restrictions Christine Assange, the mother of WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange,… Read more →
(2019-03-21). Media Blackout as Israel's Largest Banks Pay Over $1 Billion in Fines for US Tax Evasion Schemes. mintpressnews.com Similar revelations about other banks and offshore tax-evasion schemes — such as those contained in the Panama Papers — led to global protests and even the resignations of some world leaders,…
(2019-03-21). Sudan Dissolves State Oil Company, Blasts Egypt's Intrusion. telesurenglish.net Sudan's Prime Minister Mohamed Tahir Ayala dissolved the state-owned Sudanese Petroleum Corporation and dismissed its secretary general, Azhari Ibrahim Bassbar, state news agency SUNA said Wednesday. | RELATED: | Sudan: Opposition Leader Jailed for a Week for Protests | Ayala ordered all the corporation's assets, documents and employees be transferred to the oil ministry, SUNA said, without giving a reason for the move. The Sudanese Petroleum Corporation was responsible for importing p…
(2019-03-21). And Now Algeria. counterpunch.org 
It has now been nine years since protests broke out across the Middle East and North Africa. After citizens took to the streets, the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen all were deposed during the Arab Spring. What about Algeria — the tenth-largest country in the world, the largest in Africa and a country More
(2019-03-21). Chilean Rights Groups Call for Protests to Welcome Bolsonaro. telesurenglish.net Chilean social and political organizations called for demonstrations to reject the presence of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who traveled Thursday to Santiago to participate in the Forum for the Latin American Progress and Development (Prosur), a meeting convened by the right-wing Latin American governments in an attempt t…
(2019-03-21). Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro's Approval Ratings Are Sinking. telesurenglish.net The Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE) released Wednesday results from a survey according to which citizens' rejection of President Jair Bolsonaro increased from 21 percent to 38 percent since he began his term. | RELATED: | Chilean Rights Groups Call for Protests to Welcome Bolsonaro | Fewer and fewer Brazilians trust Bolsonaro and his cons…
(2019-03-21). Guaido's 'Terrorist' Collaborator Arrested in Venezuela: Govt. telesurenglish.net Intelligence services have dismantled a "terrorist cell" that planned to attack and destabilize Venezuela, Minister of Interior Justice and Peace Nestor Reverol announced Thursday. | RELATED: | Video: Elliott Abrams Fumbles on How Juan Guaido is 'President' | Roberto Marrero Borgas, alleged "chief of staff" for self-proclaimed "interim president" Juan Guaido, was arrested in the police operation, the official said. | "The citizen Marrero Borgas is directly responsible for the or…
(2019-03-21). Selected Articles: US Broke its Teeth in Venezuela? globalresearch.ca 
A future without independent media leaves us with an upside down reality where according to the corporate media "NATO deserves a Nobel Peace Prize", and where "nuclear weapons and wars make us safer". | . | . | | | If, like us, this is …
(2019-03-21). Service and Sacrifice: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon proud to serve their homeland and the United Nations. un.org Peacekeepers from Malaysia serving under the United Nations flag in Lebanon face a "a totally new experience" according to the commander of the Malaysian contingent in the country.
(2019-03-21). Greedy Boeing's Avoidable Design and Software Time Bombs. commondreams.org A woman lays on the coffin of her loved one during a memorial service for the Ethiopian passengers and crew who perished in the Ethiopian Airways ET302 crash at Selassie Church on March 17, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All 157 passengers and crew perished after the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 Flight came down six minutes after taking off from Bole Airport. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/defau……
(2019-03-21). Goodbye to the Internet: Interference by Governments Is Already Here. globalresearch.ca There is a saying attributed to the French banker Nathan Rothschild that "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes its laws." Conservative opinion in the United States has long suspected that Rothschild was right …
(2019-03-21). Venezuela and Socialism — Mailbag with Paul Jay. therealnews.com 
Trump says socialism has proven a failure — Paul Jay joins Taya Graham to discuss viewer comments and questions…
(2019-03-21). Electric sabotage: how an electromagnetic weapon works. mronline.org 
E Bombs, or electromagnetic explosive devices, are weapons of rudimentary design and high destructive potential. The first public and verifiable references of their existence and use in warlike conflicts date from 2001 when the United States included them in its extensive arsenal in the service of preventive war in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. | Source
(2019-03-21). Nebraska flood damage losses hit $1.4 billion, more states flooded. peoplesworld.org 
LINCOLN, Neb. — State officials say the flooding that swept Nebraska has caused nearly $1.4 billion in estimated losses and damage. Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that roads, levies and other infrastructure have sustained an estimated $449 million in damage. Damage to private homes and businesses has reached $85 million so far. The flooding has …
(2019-03-21). The Wall Street Bailouts, Bernie and the Washington Post. counterpunch.org 
Glenn Kessler, the Washington Post Fact Checker gave Bernie Sanders two Pinocchios yesterday for saying that the Wall Street banks got a trillion dollar bailout. Kessler raises several points of contention. First, whether the Wall Street banks actually got that much money. Second, whether it can really be called a bailout since the government made More
(2019-03-21). Optional Fatherhood Liberates Christians From Abortion Jihad. counterpunch.org 
Moneyed men can usually win the silence or compliance of troublesome women by paying them off. It's news when this traditional strategy fails, as with Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein and CBS chief Leslie Moonves. And even these recentlyfallen exceptions succeeded for decades in wielding their wealth and clout to keep women they'd misused at bay. More
(2019-03-21). Broadway's "Hamilton" and the Willing Suspension of Reality-Based Moral Consciousness. counterpunch.org 
Ben Cronin: "Hamilton was against slavery the way a Prius-driving Californian with stocks in Exxon Mobil and Nestle is against global warming — notionally." Michelle Obama: "Best piece of art in any form that I have ever seen in my life" Lyra D. Monteiro: "This is everybody's story. Which, it isn't. It's still white history. More
(2019-03-21). The Supreme Court and Dual Citizenship. counterpunch.org 
As AIPAC preps for its annual policy conference entitled "Connected for Good" with an expected attendance of 20,000 committed Zionists, its most zealous Zionist Congressional supporters will also likely be in attendance; that is, those who have signed the loyalty oath as well as those who retain dual citizenship to Israel and are thereby entitled More
(2019-03-21). Kushner, Inc.: Vicky Ward on How Jared and Ivanka's Greed & Ambition Compromise U.S. Foreign Policy. democracynow.org 
House Democrats are continuing to probe how President Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner received a top-secret security clearance despite concerns from the CIA. The New York Times recently reported Trump ordered then-Chief of Staff John Kelly to grant Kushner the clearance despite the judgment of intelligence officials. Kushner failed to report over 100 foreign contacts on his initial application for clearance, which was denied by the FBI after a background check into his financial history and contacts with foreign investors. Kushner later revised his application three times, and was ultimately granted…
(2019-03-21). Uniting Fatah, Not Palestinians: The Dubious Role of Mohammed Shtayyeh. counterpunch.org Political commentators sympathetic to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Fatah Movement, in particular, fanned out as soon as the news was announced of Mohammad Shtayyeh's appointment as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. It is no surprise to witness this gush of support and enthusiasm, for Shtayyeh is a Fatah man, par excellence. Gone are More
(2019-03-21). Will Grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX 8 Planes Affect US-China Trade Relations? Russia's Competing Aircraft Irkut MC-21. globalresearch.ca Following two 737 MAX 8 crashes, killing all passengers and crew members onboard, China was the first nation to ground the planes. | It's the largest buyer of Boeing's most popular passenger aircraft — with 97 of its 371 planes delivered …
(2019-03-21). Islamophobia and Trump's Travel Ban against Muslims. Supreme Court Demeans Unwanted Aliens. globalresearch.ca Stacked with right-wing extremists, the Supreme Court upheld Trump's travel ban against Muslims from the wrong countries by a 5 — 4 majority last June. | At the time, the Court held that the Trump regime "set forth a sufficient national …
(2019-03-21). Foreign Correspondent: How the Media Distort News from Venezuela. progressive.org Whenever officials in Washington, D.C. set out to overthrow a foreign government, mainstream U.S. media outlets are there to give a helping hand.
(2019-03-21). Public Health Challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. counterpunch.org The dramatic health situation in Venezuela, where the national health system has all but collapsed, invites an assessment on how Latin America and the Caribbean are doing regarding the health status of the population. While in the last decades, Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced measurable gains in several health indicators such as life More
(2019-03-21). Stealing Venezuela's Assets: US-based Citigroup to Sell Venezuela's Gold "Placed as Collateral" globalresearch.ca Citigroup Inc is planning to sell several tons of gold placed as collateral by Venezuela's central bank on a $1.6 billion loan after the deadline for repurchasing them expired this month, Reuters reported, citing four sources with knowledge of …
(2019-03-21). Maduro: US Withholding $5bn of Medical Supplies in 'Criminal' Measure. venezuelanalysis.com Maduro's accusations came at a government re-launch of the pharmaceutical sector.
(2019-03-21). Trump Meddles Again, Recognizes Golan Heights as Israeli Land. telesurenglish.net In a new interventionist move, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that is time his country recognizes Israel's alleged "sovereignty" over the Golan Heights, a territory that was captured from Syria in 1967 but has never been internationally recognized. | RELATED: | Politicized US 'Human Rights' Report Singles Out Political Foes | According to Trump, the plat…
(2019-03-21). Huge Defeat for Imperialists: The U.S. Broke Its Teeth in Venezuela. globalresearch.ca The miserably failed "humanitarian aid" delivery into Venezuela on February 23 is another nail in the coffin of the U.S. government's coup attempt against President Nicolas Maduro and the Bolivarian revolutionary process in Venezuela. | Before this day, the U.S. government …
(2019-03-21). Billionaire Philanthropist Faces Multiple Allegations of Sexual Misconduct. truthdig.com This story was co-published with The New York Times. | ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom based in New York. Sign up for ProPublica's Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox as soon as they are published. | Sheila Katz was a young executive at Hillel International, the Jewish college outreach organization, when she was sent to visit the philanthropist Michael H. Steinhardt, a New York billionaire. He had once been a major donor, and her goal was to persuade him to increase his support. But in their first encounter, he asked her repeatedl…
(2019-03-21). Citizenship in the Age of Trump. truthout.org It turns out that walls can't always be seen. Donald Trump may never build his " great, great wall," but that doesn't mean he isn't working to wall Americans in. It's a story that needs to be told. | This past month, for instance, claims of ISIS's near total defeat in Syria have continued to mount. As a result, numerous foreigners who had traveled there to fight for, or support,…
(2019-03-21). Video: The Expanding Global Footprint of US Special Operations. globalresearch.ca Introduction | With the possible U.S. military withdrawal from Syria in the news on a daily basis, the mainstream media has been quick to parrot the DOD's claim that 2,000 troops, mostly special operations forces, are to be withdrawn from the …
(2019-03-21). Trump: U.S. Recognizes Israel's Sovereignty of Golan Heights. truthdig.com JERUSALEM—President Donald Trump said Thursday that it's time for the United States to recognize Israel's sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights, an announcement that signals a shift in U.S. policy and comes ahead of the Israeli prime minister's planned visit next week to the White House. | The administration has been considering recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967. Last week, in its annual human rights report, the State Department dropped the phrase "Israeli-occupied" from the Golan Heights section, instead calling it "Israeli-controlled." | "After…
(2019-03-21). Fukushima: "An Ongoing Global Radiological Catastrophe". "A Huge Coverup". Dr. Helen Caldicott. globalresearch.ca The eight year anniversary of the triple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility passed mostly without comment in mainstream media circles. In spite of ongoing radiological contamination that will continue to spread and threaten human health for lifetimes to …
(2019-03-21). Making Nuclear Weapons Menacing Again. thenation.com Making Nuclear Weapons Menacing Again…
(2019-03-21). Millennials Are the Most Indebted Generation. They Can Thank Joe Biden. truthout.org Joe Biden is trying to appeal to younger voters as he is expected to launch his bid for the presidency. However, for years, Biden made it his mission to block student debt forgiveness, leaving many young people facing a lifetime of debt. | Biden's potential candidacy comes at a time when the U.S. debt crisis is reaching unprecedented levels across all consumer sectors. | Student debt broke $1.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2018 a…
(2019-03-21). On the Anniversary of the Shock and Awe Bombing of Iraq. globalresearch.ca 16 years ago today, I was watching the Iraq Shock & Awe bombing campaign after having interviewed Weapons Inspectors who told us that there were NO WMDs in Iraq while showing us their inspection reports. I was doing research for …
(2019-03-21). The War on Iraq : Five US Presidents, Five British Prime Ministers, More than Thirty Years of Duplicity, and Counting…. globalresearch.ca Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. He had walked into possibly the biggest trap in modern history…
(2019-03-21). Monetary Policy Takes Center Stage: MMT, QE or Public Banks? globalresearch.ca As alarm bells sound over the advancing destruction of the environment, a variety of Green New Deal proposals have appeared in the US and Europe, along with some interesting academic debates about how to fund them. Monetary policy, normally relegated …
(2019-03-21). New Zealand Mosque Massacre: White Supremacy and Western Wars. globalresearch.ca The mass murder and wounding of 97 Muslim worshipers in Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ) which took place on Friday, March 15, 2019, has profound political, ideological and psychological roots. | First and most important, Western countries led by the Anglo-American world …
(2019-03-21). Beware Foreign Policy 'Experts' Who Are Shills for Imperialism. globalresearch.ca Aside from government officials the dominant media is fond of quoting "experts" from foreign policy think tanks when discussing Canada's role in the world. While presented as neutral specialists, these opinion shapers are generally entangled with powerful, wealthy, elites. | Take …
(2019-03-21). Globalising the Christchurch Shootings: Recep Tayyip Erdoƒüan, Gallipoli and Invasion. globalresearch.ca Never let a bloody and opportune crisis pass. In New Zealand, there is talk about gun reform after attacks on two Christchurch mosques left fifty dead. There have been remarks made in parliament about unchecked white supremacy growing with enthusiastic …
(2019-03-21). Palestinian-owned School Demolished by Israeli Forces. globalresearch.ca The owner of the demolished school building, Muhammad Alqam, insists that he issued all necessary permits at the Israeli Jerusalem Municipality before beginning construction. | *** | A Palestinian-owned school building that was under construction, in the Shuafat refugee camp, in occupied …
(2019-03-21). Is It Really All that Surprising that Trump Wants Brazil in NATO? globalresearch.ca Feigning shock and publishing moralizing polemics isn't going to change the fact that it was entirely predictable that Trump's "Fortress America" grand strategy would ultimately see the US seek to expand its premier multilateral security structure across South America in …
(2019-03-21). Alexander Hamilton and the Origins of the Federal Reserve. globalresearch.ca Ever wonder why US banking is what it is—prone to periodic crashes and crises? How banking evolved in the US from 1781 up to the creation of the central bank, the Fed, in 1913? Why the Federal Reserve was created …
(2019-03-21). Monsanto Asks Trump EPA to OK Drift-prone Pesticide on 90 Million Acres of Corn. globalresearch.ca The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it will consider allowing the highly drift-prone pesticide dicamba to be sprayed on up to 90 million acres of corn. | Dicamba is produced by Monsanto, which is now owned by Bayer. Drift …
(2019-03-21). Video: The Illegal NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia. globalresearch.ca 28. Jun Vice President Milo Dubak delivered a blistering speech at the United Nations in Geneva today strongly condemning the illegal NATO bombing of Yugoslavia one week before the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. At the 40th Session of the …
(2019-03-21). For Whom the Bell Tolls? Capital and Labor and the Global Financial Crisis. globalresearch.ca With the onset of the so-called "global financial crisis" in 2008 the world capitalist system suffered a shock that shook its very foundations, threatening the functioning of key financial institutions and the economies at the centre of the system. However, …
(2019-03-21). Video: Nowruz: How Millions Celebrate the Persian New Year. globalresearch.ca During Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration, each vibrant item on the haftseen table has its own symbolic meaning. | Nowruz is one of the oldest holidays in the world that is celebrated every spring. | . | . | * | Note to readers: …
(2019-03-21). Boeing Debacle Shows Need to Investigate Trump-era Corruption. counterpunch.org Once considered the "world's gold standard for aircraft safety," the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was conspicuously slower than the rest of the world to take appropriate action after a tragic airline crash in Ethiopia credibly called into question the safety of the Boeing 737 Max 8. That there were problems with Boeing's software was not unknown More
(2019-03-21). Is Kamala Harris the Centrist We Need? counterpunch.org In 2016 Bruce Dixon recounted that the Democrats have employed a sheepdog in all the recent past elections: "1984 and 88 the sheepdog candidate was Jesse Jackson. In 92 it was California governor Jerry Brown. In 2000 and 2004 the designated sheepdog was Al Sharpton, and in 2008 it was Dennis Kucinich. This year it's Vermont senator Bernie Sanders." The purpose of the sheepdog is to shepherd radical and progressive voters back into the Democratic Party. More
(2019-03-21). All Southern States are Not the Same: Mississippi's Challenge. counterpunch.org Virginia over the past several years has become more purple while Mississippi has remained deep red. Democrats won more legislative and congressional seats in Virginia. As I pointed out in my last piece, that trend was kicked off by a successful constitutional based lawsuit against the racially based gerrymandering that the Virginia legislature had created. Court cases More
(2019-03-21). Trump's Sly Encouragement of Lawless Violence. counterpunch.org Racism is not natural. Babies — black, brown, white — explore the world and each other with wonder, not hate. Racism has to be taught. It is learned behavior. To assume that a person is inherently superior or inferior to another based upon race is unnatural and ungodly. Racism is used for political manipulation and More
(2019-03-21). The Boeing Blackout. counterpunch.org On October 29, 2018, Lion Air's Flight 610, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, crashed into the Java Sea after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 passengers and crew on board. That crash has not been mentioned once on NBC's Meet the Press with Chuck Todd in the twenty episodes since. On March 10, More
(2019-03-21). Dutch Far-right Party Wins Local Election After Utrecht Attack. telesurenglish.net An upstart far-right party shocked the Dutch political establishment by winning the most votes in provincial elections after a preliminary count in the early hours of Thursday, boosted by a possible terrorist attack this week in the city of Utrecht. | RELATED: | New Zealand Bans Military-Style Semi-Automatics | The result shows the enduring strength of…
(2019-03-21). Bolsonaro at Langley: New US Lapdog Pays Homage to the Empire. mintpressnews.com FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA — Brazil's new fascist president, Jair Bolsonaro, touched down in Washington to pay homage at the CIA headquarters and to visit President Donald Trump, with whom he met on Tuesday. All reports are that the meeting between the two heads of state went very well — not surprisingly, given how similar their politics and personalities are. Bolsonaro shares Trump's penchant for racist, xenophobic remarks, calling immigrants from poor countries "the sc…
(2019-03-21). Thom Hartmann: America Has Forgotten the Warnings of FDR. truthdig.com America is having a heated debate about the meaning of the word socialism. We'd be better served if, instead, we were debating the meaning of freedom. | The Oregonian reported last week that fully 156,000 families are on the edge of homelessness in our small-population state. Every one of those households is now paying more than 50 percent of its monthly income on rent, and none of them has any savings; one medical bill, major car repair or job loss, and they're on the streets. | While so…
(2019-03-21). Five Questions For: Pardeep Kaleka on New Zealand, White Supremacy, and What it Takes to Move Forward. progressive.org His father was killed by a white supremacist in a mass shooting at a Wisconsin Sikh temple. Today, Pardeep Kaleka works in communities all over the country teaching about how to heal from hate.
(2019-03-21). More children killed by unsafe water, than bullets, says UNICEF chief. un.org A lack of safe water, is far deadlier for children than war in more than a dozen conflict-affected countries, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday, in a report launched to coincide with World Water Day, marked on 22 March.
(2019-03-21). 'Surrounded by the Fire of War': Remembering NATO's 1999 Aggression in Yugoslavia. progressive.org "NATO's war didn't leave Yugoslavia any better off. It tore apart families and left the region straddled with debt, picking up the pieces."
(2019-03-21). Elizabeth Warren versus Joe Biden. progressive.org Is Biden's not-very-progressive record a huge mismatch for the current political moment?
(2019-03-21). Over 80 Killed as Overloaded Ferry Sinks in Iraq's Tigris River. telesurenglish.net At least 83 people died when an overloaded ferry sank in the Tigris River near Mosul in Iraq, medical sources told Reuters on Thursday. | RELATED: | Mozambique Cyclone: 100s Trapped as Rescuers Race Against Clock | Most of the casualties on the ferry were women and children who could not swim, said the head of Mosul's Civil Defence Authority Husam Khalil. | A separate source in the Civil Defence Authority said the boat had been loaded with twice its capacity, causing it…
(2019-03-21). Macron to deploy French army against "yellow vest" protests. wsws.org This is the first time since the 1954—1962 Algerian war that the army is to be mobilized in policing operations on French soil against the population.
(2019-03-21). Brazil's Mining Tragedy Death Toll Climbs to 209. plenglish.com 21 de marzo de 2019, 13: 29Brasilia, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) The death toll from the January 25 collapse of a dam in Brumadinho municipality, Brazilian state of Minas Gerais (southeast), has now reached 209.
(2019-03-21). Pakistan: 2 Arrested For Fake Blasphemy Lynching Case. telesurenglish.net A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced two men, including a local government official, to life in prison Thursday for their role in the brutal campus lynching two years ago of a university student accused of blasphemy. | RELATED: | India, Pakistan Agree on Border Route for Sikh Pilgrims | Mashal Khan, 23, was attacked and killed by a mob on the campus of a university in Mardan, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, following a dormitory debate about religion. | In February last year, th…
(2019-03-21). Iraq Prepares to Evict US Troops From the Country. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — In the wake of the ISIS War in Iraq, Pentagon officials will tell you what they've been saying all along, that America's intention is to stay in Iraq, and that there is no consideration being given to leaving. It's not clear the US has spoken to the Iraqi government about this, however. While many Iraqis …
(2019-03-21). Amid deepening economic and political crisis, Turkey holds local elections. wsws.org The ruling AKP faces bitter tensions with Washington and Turkey's other NATO allies and an economic crisis triggered by the Trump administration's trade war measures.
(2019-03-21). Trump Gives Netanyahu Part of Syria to Boost Israeli Leader's Flagging Reelection Campaign. theintercept.com Hoping to help Israel's leader get reelected, the U.S. president recognized Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, territory it seized from Syria in 1967.
(2019-03-21). Pouring $6 bn into tank factory, Trump says the M1 Abrams is 'best in the world.' Is it really? rt.com 
US President Donald Trump pledged a hefty sum of $6 billion to upgrade America's M1 Abrams tanks, lauding them as the best tanks ever built. The statement has more PR value than truth to it, military experts have told RT.
(2019-03-21). Decrying 'War Being Waged Against Working People,' Sanders Joins Striking Union Members at UCLA. commondreams.org "What we are seeing all across this country is a war being waged against working people," Sen. Bernie Sanders said while standing in solidarity with striking union workers in Los Angeles on Wednesday. | www.commondreams.org/sites/defau……
(2019-03-21). MoveOn Calls for Democratic Presidential Candidates to Boycott AIPAC Conference. theantimedia.com (CD) — MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group with millions of members, is calling on Democratic presidential candidates to boycott AIPAC's annual conference. "It's no secret that that AIPAC has worked to hinder diplomatic efforts like the Iran deal, is undermining Palestinian self-determination, and inviting figures actively involved in human rights violations to its stage," Iram Ali, campaign …
(2019-03-21). The "American Party" within the Institutions of the European Union. globalresearch.ca "Russia can no longer be considered as a strategic partner, and the European Union must be ready to impose further sanctions if it continues to violate international law" — this is the resolution approved by the European Parliament on 12 …
(2019-03-21). UK Firm Stockpiling Toilet Papers in Case of No-Deal Brexit. telesurenglish.net One of United Kingdom's biggest suppliers of toilet paper is stockpiling toilet rolls as a preparation for a no-deal Brexit. They have stockpiled about 3.5 million rolls in the U.K. warehouses. | RELATED: | UK: 'Stop Brexit' Petition Exceeds 1M Signers, Northern Irish Hint at Withdrawal of Support | The German firm Wepa had been storing extra 600 tonnes of toilet and kitchen rolls over the last three or four months in order to safeguard supplies in Brit…
(2019-03-21). British singer Joss Stone performs a concert in Rojava. greenleft.org.au 
Famous British singer Joss Stone has performed a concert in the Kurdish-controlled part of Syria after sneaking across the border, ANF News reported on March 4. | The British star, whose second album Mind Body and Soul reached number one in the British charts in 2004, posted on her Instagram feed that she was "glad nothing bad happened" as she crossed over. Reports suggest that she performed to people in the city of Derik. | The Mail on Sunday has reported that she was accompanied by Paul Conroy, the war photog…
(2019-03-21). South American Presidents Arrive in Chile to Create Prosur. plenglish.com Santiago, Chile, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Presidents Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), Lenin Moreno (Ecuador) and Martin Viscarra (Peru) will arrive in Santiago on Thursday to attend a controversial summit of South American heads of State and Government on Friday.
(2019-03-21). No, Critics Declare in Response to Trump, Now Is Time to Give Occupied Golan Heights Back to Syria. commondreams.org Critics on Thursday swiftly condemned an announcement by President Donald Trump that he believes the U.S. should recognize Israel's claim over the Golan Heights, the Syrian territory Israel has illegally occupied for over half a century. The ramifications of the decision may reach beyond the Middle East. | www.commondreams.org/sites/defau……
(2019-03-21). Residents demand WestConnex contracts be ripped up. greenleft.org.au 
More than 100 people joined an emergency protest in Sydney's Inner West on March 18 to demand an immediate halt to the $17 billion WestConnex tollway project while its social and environmental impacts are fully investigated. | The snap rally outside the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre was called after media revelations of dramatic ground movement under homes, caused by the shallow tunnelling. | The Coalition Against WestConnex (CAW), a network of community groups, said on March 13 that Stage 3 (the M4-M5 Tunnel) needed to be stopped. | CAW said: "New satellite imaging analysis revealed that the tunnelling is respons…
(2019-03-21). Algeria at a turning point: the people rise up. greenleft.org.au 
Since February 22, Algeria has been rocked by huge and overwhelmingly peaceful protests against the regime of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. | The epicentre of this movement has been the city of Algiers. There have been large protests every Friday, to which the police have had to take a conciliatory attitude because of their sheer size, despite street protests being illegal in the capital. | The Arab Spring of 2011—12 spread to Algeria, producing the largest protest movement for many years. However, through a combination of repression and concessions, such as reducing prices on foodstuffs, the Bouteflika g…
(2019-03-21). US May Soon Freeze Preparations for F-35 Delivery to Turkey. theantimedia.com (TM) — The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia's S-400 air defense system. Reuters reported in an exclusive on Thursday, citing officials. The United States is nearing an inflection point …
(2019-03-21). Venezuela Exceeds Delivery of Housing. plenglish.com Caracas, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela's Great Housing Mission delivers on Thursday about 1,132 homes to the indigenous town of Apoiipoi, overcoming the historic milestone of 2,600,000 houses the Bolivarian government has granted.
(2019-03-21). Ilhan Omar responds to attacks: Rashida and I are here to stay. greenleft.org.au 
Two young Muslim women were elected to the United States House of Representatives in the 2018 election. Ilhan Omar is Black, and a refugee from war-devastated Somalia. Rahida Tlaib is of Palestinian descent, and has family living under Israeli oppression. | Both are outspoken supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which was initiated by the Palestinian grassroots to protest Israel's oppression. | As supporters of BDS, they have been under attack from the Israeli lobby in the US, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which falsely claims BDS is anti-Semitic. Following I…