What Will Start the Revolution?

by C.A. Matthews

These questions keep popping up recently: When will the Revolution begin? What will start the Revolution? What will happen if Revolution comes (or not)?

The “why” we need to have a Revolution is simple enough: Trump is inaugurated again, and it’s no-hold-barred fascism in seconds flat.

Peaceful people are being kidnapped off the street without a trial or due process and flown to a privately-run prison in El Salvador, to be tortured under the auspices of a fellow fascist leader. Permanent residents who speak out against the US supporting Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people are being whisked off the street and disappeared somewhere across the country in privately-run ICE prisons. Folks with decent-paying jobs in cities like Seattle are living in their cars because they can’t afford rents.

Bernie Sanders is herding Dems back into their useless duopoly faction in order to maintain the illusion that there is actually an “opposition party” in Congress. Worse yet, Bernie, who once boasted how much he was against the Iraq War, has voted to continue sending arms to Israel. He won’t even call it a “genocide” in Gaza. Really, Bernie has sunk so low to please the oligarchy that he’s forgotten all about the ordinary working class people.

It really does sound like the end times, doesn’t it?

 

To learn what will start the Revolution, please continue reading the rest of this article by copying or clicking on this Substack link: 

https://therevolutioncontinues.substack.com

There you'll see related article and video links, all the graphics, and be able to leave comments. You can become a free or paid subscriber and receive weekly posts in your email box, along with occasional special articles just for paid subscribers, too.

Subscribe to The Revolution Continues on Substack today. Power to the people!

 

This article is the 512th blog posting of The Revolution Continues. We began in June 2015, and we're still going strong. Please keep reading, sharing, and subscribing to help TRC continue for another ten years.

You can make a donation at https://paypal.me/camatthews or at Buy Me a Coffee or at Ko-fi. Every little bit helps since this is my only source of income. Thank you.

 

The Best Conspiracy Theory Ever (Isn’t One)

by C.A. Matthews

I’m as sick as a dog (sorry canines) and trying hard to put out a post this week that makes coherent sense. Please forgive me if it gets ranty or if it ends abruptly.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes, I was going to point out that all this craziness that Trump, Vance and Musk (The Three Muskrateers?) are putting out there for public consumption is nothing new. Really, it’s been done before by different a-holes with different names utilizing different industries, lobbyists, foreign entities, and government agencies.

Remember the subprime mortgage fiasco of 2008? The “too big to fail” banks were bailed out by the US government. They bailed out the billionaires but not the ordinary folks, and many families lost their homes. If your brain has blocked out that unpleasantness, I apologize for bringing it back into your consciousness, but it’s necessary.

In other words, most of this DOGE-ing nastiness of Musk’s is predictable in its unpredictability...

 

To learn more about the best conspiracy theory ever (that really isn't one no matter what some might say), please continue reading the rest of this article by copying or clicking on this Substack link: 

https://therevolutioncontinues.substack.com

There you'll see related article and video links, all the graphics, and be able to leave comments. You can become a free or paid subscriber and receive weekly posts in your email box, along with occasional special articles just for paid subscribers, too.

Subscribe to The Revolution Continues on Substack today. Power to the people!

 

 

This article is the 511th blog posting of The Revolution Continues. We began in June 2015, and we're still going strong. Please keep reading, sharing, and subscribing to help TRC continue for another ten years.

You can make a donation at https://paypal.me/camatthews or at Buy Me a Coffee or at Ko-fi. Every little bit helps since this is my only source of income. Thank you.

While You Were Being Distracted...

February is Black History Month. This MLK quote tells us what's wrong with our world today.

While you were being distracted by the political street theater in Washington, D.C., several important things were happening in the real world this past week that you should know.

Our wetlands, rivers and streams are in mortal danger along with our entire drinking water supply, for that matter. https://earthjustice.org/news/press/2020/trump-administration-announces-scheme-to-make-americas-waters-burn-again

https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-clean-water-protection-2644896051.html

The Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to deny Green Card holders government aid. (These are legal residents, many married to American citizens.) https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/5-4-ruling-supreme-court-allows-trump-plan-deny-green-n1124056

Freedom of the press is under attack with new developments in the mistreatment of imprisoned journalists Julian Assange and Glenn Greenwald (video). https://youtu.be/Doq971L7Rjw

There were worldwide peace protests about possible war with Iran and many more climate strikes.

Trump says he's open to cutting  Social Security and Medicare--and, in fact, he already has (video). https://youtu.be/-iKWJgr4EmI

Children of US troops born overseas while their parents are serving won't automatically become US Citizens. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-us-troops-kids-born-overseas-dont-get-automatic-citizenship-2019-8

The oil and gas/fracking industry has been polluting our soil and ground water for decades with their radioactive wastes, studies recently reveal. https://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/60922-americas-radioactive-secret

And, of course, the Queen of Distraction made yet another rude comment about a candidate running for the White House in order to... grab headlines? Because she honestly believes Bernie Sanders shouldn't hang out with the "popular kids" in high school? Who really knows? But her lies distracted you once again from knowing anything about the vital things happening in our world, and that's all that matters to the mainstream media and the establishment. 

Our guest blogger takes a closer look at this latest attempt at distraction made by the Queen so you don't waste your time trying to decipher the madness behind it. Instead, you can concentrate your energies on tackling important problems like saving the planet from endless wars for oil, the coming climate catastrophe, and corporate polluters. 

You do realize that if all life on Earth is nuked by hydrogen bombs or poisoned by chemicals in our water or wiped out through a series of natural disasters and forest fires that it won't make a bit of difference if Trump is found guilty of any paper-pushing crimes or not, don't you? Priorities, people!

The Voice from the Tomb

by Coast Watcher

“Help! I lost and I can’t shut up!” 

That was the text of a popular meme making the rounds of social media not long after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. The target of the meme was, of course, Hillary Rodham Clinton whose nomination for president was decided by the Democratic Party central committee weeks before she’d even declared her candidacy.

Clinton’s incessant cries along the themes of “It’s my turn!” and “Vote for me because I’m a woman!” permeated the whole media spectrum during that long campaign season. Her “Hillbot” followers added to the cacophony by insisting that anyone who didn’t vote for Clinton was misogynistic. “Blue no matter who?” Their sense of entitlement is mind-blowing.

Now Clinton’s back, emerging from the crypt like some ghastly Shakespearean

revenant, wailing and gnashing her teeth in fury as she fulminates against front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders. Clinton never does anything without reason, and it’s obvious she’s trying to suppress the burgeoning popularity of Senator Sanders whose steady record of saying the same socially-pertinent things for over forty years is finally beginning to penetrate mainstream media and the public consciousness. Such a strong socialist message is, of course, anathema to Clinton and the capitalist philosophy she supports.

Early poll results ahead of the primary season show Sanders has a strong lead in several states. Some counts show him leading by as much as twelve points. Since there’s an ugly rumor making the rounds which claims the DNC will yet again fly in the face of public opinion and select rather than elect the nominees for president and vice-president, Sander’s popularity becomes a matter of concern for the Democratic Party—if it still chooses to appear functionally democratic.

Apparently Joe Biden is the Chosen One this time with Elizabeth Warren as his running mate. Given the seriously messed up nature of the Democrats' politics it’s not entirely beyond the bounds of reason to suppose that Clinton may be substituted for Warren, even though Clinton has not campaigned this electoral season; hence, another reason for her noisy public showing ahead of the primary races. If the DNC’s rumored scheme should indeed be real, it remains to be seen how Bernie Sanders and his followers will react to being denied yet again, especially if the Sanders faction arrives in Milwaukee on July 13 with a sizable majority of the delegates.

Almost certainly it will result in the Democratic Party fragmenting. Few voters 
will trust it again, and third parties will probably benefit from this situation. It’s highly unlikely that the impeached Trump will be convicted by the Senate, but with the opposition in such disarray, he’ll get yet another term of office in which to inflict yet more damage to the lives of ordinary people and the environment both in America and around the world. Some claim Trump will even declare himself "President for Life," although if it does happen—and it’s a big if—it’s likely to spark either an army coup d’etat or a second civil war. And let’s face it: Even if Trump is convicted, it’s practically guaranteed he’ll be pardoned by a shiny new President Pence.

Bernie Sanders isn’t the only target for Clinton’s ire. HRC has claimed that Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian plant and a traitor to her country. This outrageous lie is leveled at an honorable Member of Congress and a reserve officer in the United States Army who served two tours in Iraq. Congresswoman Gabbard has responded by launching a lawsuit against Clinton for libel and defamation of character, claiming damages of $50 million. Aside from being a justified lawsuit, Gabbard’s action will likely draw Clinton’s fangs and render any attacks she might launch against Sanders ineffective.

Will a third party—perhaps the Greens—attract and unite the Left in effective
opposition to the world-destroying capitalist state? I sincerely hope so. In any event there will be no place in any Left-leaning party for Hillary Rodham Clinton. She’ll be reduced to a mere shadow, muttering from the whitened sepulcher within which lies the Democratic Party. 

RIP HRC/DNC.

Bio: Coast Watcher doesn't kid himself any when it comes to the Dems' motives. They're not big fans of the democratic-socialist from Vermont and will do whatever it takes to install their corporate puppet as their nominee. The time has come to take corporate cash out of America's  electoral processes and send any candidates who accept lobbyists' bribes straight to the doghouse.

Related Video on Gabbard's lawsuit against HRC:
https://youtu.be/tdCYWbYtzXc 


https://youtu.be/AtgwNRTdbfc

***

In 2016, when I stepped down from my position as Vice Chair of the DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders instead of Hillary Clinton, they threatened it would be the end of my political career. They said Hillary and her elite and powerful friends will “make sure you are destroyed.” They failed. Hillary calling me a “Russian asset” is not only intended to smear my reputation and derail my campaign for president, it’s also intended to silence any voice that dares to speak out against the establishment status quo. Your voice. That’s why today, I sued Hillary Clinton for defamation. Hillary Clinton’s high priced attorneys and friends in high places won’t make it easy, but we cannot let the establishment elite sideline the will of the American people. Will you stand with me today and help me hold Hillary Clinton accountable for her lies? DONATE » We tell our kids to walk away from bullies. Ignore them. But what if that bullying behavior is not just about harm to the individuals involved? What if it’s a deliberate attempt to corrupt our democracy? What if its effect is to silence and sideline the will of the American people? You stand up. You call it out, and then you hold the bully accountable. Hillary Clinton and her establishment friends are playing high school popularity politics instead of serving the American people. And when a warmonger responsible for getting us into no-win wars that make our country less safe accuses me — a soldier, a veteran, a sitting member of Congress — of treason, I will defend against it. Will you take a stand with me? DONATE » In solidarity, Tulsi

***

From Friends of the Earth:

From the raging bushfires in Australia to the utter destruction caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, climate chaos is devastating communities worldwide. Now, we have just 10 years to take action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and revitalize our planet’s resources.

We cannot afford small steps forward. Just last week, scientists confirmed the last decade was the hottest ever recorded. If we continue with business as usual, it will only get hotter.

The good news: Last year, progressive Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Earl Blumenauer alongside Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a resolution to declare a climate emergency. The resolution recognizes the scale of this crisis and is an important first step in addressing this unprecedented emergency. But we need your help convincing Congress to take bold action on climate NOW!

Demand bold climate action: Tell Congress to declare a climate emergency!

Trump’s desire to sell out our environment, wildlife, and communities couldn’t be any clearer. From attempting to rollback clean water standards to gutting Endangered Species Act protections, Trump has shown he’s all in for Big Polluter profits. While Trump is the climate denier-in-chief, the science is with environmentalists like you, C.A..

More than 11,000 leading climate scientists around the world decided that they could no longer stay silent and released a paper calling on the governments of the world to declare a climate emergency. It’s time for the U.S. to catch up.

Our legislators in Congress must acknowledge this crisis and pass a Climate Emergency Resolution! But our Representatives will only act if they feel pressure from constituents like you. Can we count on your support?

Fight for our planet: Tell your Representative to co-sponsor the Climate Emergency Resolution!

Over 1,000 local governments and more than two dozen nations have declared a climate emergency. The United States government should too!

Trump and the Big Polluter cronies he’s placed throughout our government are holding us back from taking climate action. But they aren’t stronger than the groundswell of grassroots support for bold climate action that includes people like you and me!

We must be loud and fast! And we need you with us.

Help send 30,000 messages to Congress: Demand passage of the Climate Emergency Resolution NOW!

Standing with you,
Karen Orenstein,
Director of climate and energy,
Friends of the Earth Action

***

Thanks to activists like you, we’ve sent thousands of emails to Congress demanding that they rein in Trump’s warmongering with Iran. Because of you, the House of Representatives passed Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s (D-Mich.) war powers resolution — a bipartisan House majority made it clear that it opposes war with Iran.

But we can’t stop now. We need a chorus of voices across the country rising up to say we don’t want war. Write a Letter to the Editor saying #NoWarWithIran using our quick and easy tool.

The American people do not want to be dragged into another decades-long, costly war. The cost of war with Iran could easily cover Medicare for All, universal pre-k, or free college educations. We don't want another bloody and expensive war. We want people and peace to be put first.

We can get this message out through Letters to the Editors (LTEs)! LTEs are a particularly powerful form of activism: they get out ideas that the paper may not have covered, bring new facts to light, and, typically, represent the community’s opinion, meaning that our representatives keep a close eye on them. And LTEs are short and so easy to write! Read our resource on writing an LTE before submitting yours.

Write a Letter to the Editor Now!

Thanks for all you do,
Tristan and the Beyond the Bomb Team

P.S. Did you catch the debate last night? Tensions in Iran took up the first half hour but we need every voice across the nation saying NO to war with Iran and now is the time.

 

Changing the Narrative

Changing the Narrative

We're changing the narrative this week and giving you, our dear readers, a glimpse into alternate narratives that are more vital than the false ones pushed by the mainstream media, a.k.a. the oligarchy's propaganda machine. 

Our first guest blogger gives us a look into how many Americans struggle to survive in our current economic system, a struggle our elected officials seem to be completely oblivious to, putting us all at risk. Linda wonders if we can wake  up politicians to our reality. It seems a daunting task, but it's one we can't afford not to tackle.

In our second piece, we'll gain insights from our friend north of the border, Vegematic, whose country is now on the wrong side of a Trump tariff policy. Who will suffer the worse from imposing trade tariffs on Canada? Surprise! It's probably the US, especially Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, all states that do a lot of business across the border. But those states can afford to lose a few more jobs, right? (I'm joking, of course. No state needs more economic woes.)

New on the blog this week, a page for Ohio Green Party gubernatorial candidate Constance Gadell-Newton. With a Republican and a "Republican-lite" running to maintain the status quo in the statehouse, Constance is the only progressive running for the governor's office, and many Ohioans are interested in knowing more about her and her platform. A link to an excellent video interview Constance did on the Tim Black Show is provided as well. 

Lucas County Greens promoting Constance in the King Wamba Parade

The mainstream media will, of course, not share Constance's progressive narrative with voters (and the smear tactics have already begun, believe it or not), so please feel free to share this page and the information contained on it with others, particularly Ohio voters. They deserve to know they actually have a choice in November and can vote for the greater good, not the lesser evil.

No one said changing the corporate narrative would be easy, but we can do it if we work together. Power to the people--not the corporations! 

--C.A.M.

A Way of Bringing Elected Officials to Our Reality

by Linda Hansen

I'm disabled, and living on Social Security Disability. At the beginning of the year, my disability check went up a whopping $20 per month while elected officials in Washington DC voted to give themselves a raise of $20,000.00, which is an extra $1,666.00 per month. To think what everyone receiving Social Security could do with an extra $1,666.00 a month!

I'm one of the fortunate ones. Prior to Medicare coming out of my check every month, I bring in $1,012.00 a month. I know people on Social Security that receive $730 a month, and I wonder how in the world they make it. I have a hard enough time paying rent, paying utilities, keeping my vehicle in good condition so  I can drive to the store or laundromat, buying insurance, and getting my medications every month on what I bring in.

I was homeless, living out of my vehicle with my ESA (emotional support animal) until I found the room where I currently live that I can barely afford, but I was able to keep my emotional support dog with me. While homeless, I applied for and was approved to receive food stamps--a whopping $15.00 per month.

Sadly, even though I'm no longer homeless, I don't qualify for more SNAP benefits because utilities are included in my monthly rent.

It's a crying shame that senior citizens and disabled Americans are barely able to survive on the small “entitlement” (as defined by elected officials in Washington DC) check we receive every month while the officials give themselves such a huge raise, all on the taxpayers' dime. If our elected representatives were more concerned with actually representing us, We the People, instead of catering to lobbyists and whomever gives them huge, expensive gifts, maybe we'd get something accomplished in Congress?

I am proposing that every member of Congress, in both chambers, take a complete leave of absence and live as the bottom 99% do for a full year. They would have to put their children into public schools, leave their fancy homes, see regular physicians at regular hospitals and clinics, drink the same water and breath the same air that the rest of us do. They would have to go to homeless shelters to live, give up credit cards and not use any money in savings for the entire year.

Not only would they have to live like an average American citizen, they would have to go apply for the benefits that we use to survive on and see if they could do it with how things cost. I'm proposing a full year because, quite simply, thirty days isn't anywhere near long enough for them to get a full idea as to what we go through.

They need to fully appreciate the experience of being homeless and trying to “pull yourself up by your boot straps,”,“work harder,” and “stop buying $600 cell phones.” Heaven help them if they get seriously ill and need to see a doctor! Nope, anything tied to their life in Washington DC would be off limits. All assets frozen for one year. And, yes, I would also include the current occupant of the White House and his immediate family. No one is exempt.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this proposal would actually cause Congresspeople to get off their rumps and do something about free childcare, free college tuition, free healthcare, raising minimum wage, and possibly putting a freeze on necessary items like rent, utilities, etc. so that those of us who have been drowning can actually get caught up and start breathing again?

BIO: Linda Hansen is a freelance writer for hire. She specializes in blogs, re-writes, social media and proofreading.  She can be found playing with her Labraheeler, Rocky, when she’s not busy writing. Linda can be found online at https://twitter.com/witornado and https://lmhansen2018.wordpress.com

 ***

Contemplating the Unthinkable
by Vegematic Deluxe

Back in the spring of 2016 in the midst of the excitement and optimism of the Bernie campaign, I witnessed something that deeply troubled me. The endless free publicity a long shot fringe candidate in the Republican primary was receiving. Compared to a virtual blackout of Bernie Sanders, whose poll numbers were astonishing, it left no doubt that any pretense of a free press in America was over. Trump was beyond horrifying. The failed casino owner and loud-mouthed game show host spewed racist and hateful invective. Surely, I thought, the American people couldn't be stupid enough to fall for this known con artist.

The course of the next few months were a roller coaster ride for those of us who were enthralled with the bright and hopeful vision that Sanders offered. Having viewed Brunch with Bernie on Thom Hartmann's show for a couple of years, I knew who he was and already considered him the most decent and honest senator in Washington. There is no need to rehash here the corporate machinations that cheated Bernie out of the nomination. It was heartbreaking then and even more heartbreaking in hindsight.

Trump's "election" brought forth the ugly demons of America's past with a vengeance that was both shocking and repulsive. The oceans of national treasure already wasted on a bloated military were increased, as were the nuclear weapons hanging over humanity like Damacles' sword for decades. The wealthiest were showered with even more tax cuts, the EPA was staffed with oligarchical climate deniers and corporate yes men. America's descent into totalitarianism had begun.

When I used to read books about the Third Reich in high school, the question would invariably come up, "Why did no one stop Hitler?" As Trump continues to ignore the rule of law and create chaos, I do not think it is hyperbole to ask that same question. Will anyone stop him when 5000 children disappear instead of 1500? When Betsy Devos has completely decimated education? When deregulation of the banks causes a massive collapse? After he starts the next war? When?

The astonishing lawbreaking and corruption continues unabated and unchallenged while the courts are being stacked like pancakes with Trump sycophants. The checks and balances required for a modern democracy to function are failing badly. The ever-present racial and class divisions in America have been exacerbated to levels not seen in a century. On the verge of climate catastrophe, carbon extraction is being accelerated at an unprecedented pace. At a time when we need more cooperation in order to confront humankind's desperate condition, we are being served a large dose of enmity for "the other."

Those of you who know me from You Tube or my previous column here know that I am Canadian. Yesterday, while reading comments under a video about the tariffs being placed on Canadian steel, I discovered something truly horrifying. Dozens of comments from Trump supporters threatening and insulting Canada. Sadly, many proud Canadians took the bait and engaged them. Soon it escalated into an insult filled screaming match ending with a Trump supporter saying America should nuke us.

Suddenly I had a gut wrenching frightening thought: Where have I seen this before? What historical parallels could I draw? The answer was almost too frightening to contemplate, yet there it was. The US and Canada share the longest undefended border in the world. Our ties run deep. Friendship, family ties, and brothers-in-arms since WWI, we have forged a common bond between us. America has a trade surplus with Canada. Why on earth would Trump want to stir division and hatred with a staunch ally?

Then it hit me. Since well before the election of 2016, one would have to be blind not to notice similarities between Trump and Hitler. His ex-wife told the press that he slept with a copy of Mein Kampf on his nightstand. Could Canada become Trump's Poland? Could Trump actually desire to invade Canada? 

At first I dismissed the thought as imaginative paranoia, but being the son of a Polish immigrant father who survived the Nazi invasion, the thought kept nagging at me. Canada has abundant natural resources. Water, minerals, oil, lumber. America has the largest military the world has ever known. It is ruled by an increasingly unstable leader desperate to cling to power. Am I right to be concerned? That really depends on you, my dear American friends. If he wanted to do this, would you be able to stop him? Would anybody?

BIO: Vegematic is an artist and You Tuber extraordinaire with a growing audience of independent thinkers. You can enjoy his excellent commentary on the Vegematic Deluxe  channel.  Like his videos and subscribe to his channel today.

***

Another narrative that needs airing in this LGBTQ Pride Month: International Sex Workers' Day rally in in DC for equality and labor rights.

 http://www.dcmediagroup.us/2018/06/03/sex-workers-rally-labor-rights-international-whores-day/

***

The Revolution Continues has set up an easy way to donate to the cause of keeping it ad-free. Three years without obnoxious ads (that many news sites have to cover costs) has been great, but the editor does have to pay for internet, electricity, etc. Any amount you can donate to keep this progressive site going without those awful ads is appreciated. Thank you.

You can donate via Paypal at http://paypal.me/camatthews 

Power to the people and not the corporations!

 ***

From Climate Hawks Vote:

Did you see the shocking new report on Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico? Despite the official death toll from Maria being just 64, the actual death toll was likely more than 4,600!

Please email your member of Congress to let them know you haven’t forgotten and urge them to do more to speed recovery.

A study by academics at Harvard rigorously reviewed death rates in the months following Maria. Their conclusion: the actual death toll as a result of Maria was more than 70 times the official death toll, mostly due to disruption of health care and lack of electricity.

Meanwhile, more than half a year later — as a new hurricane season is set to begin June 1 — some parts of the island remain without power. And powerful corporate interests are trying to use the recovery to privatize essential government services.

Let there be no mistake: this disaster was not solely an act of nature. Human-made climate change fueled the hurricane’s intensity. Then, apathy and indifference by the Trump Administration and too many members of Congress led to a delayed and inadequate emergency response.

As a climate hawk, you recognize that aggressive efforts to reduce global warming pollution must be paired with swift and just responses to climate fueled disasters.

The United States has failed that test so far with Puerto Rico.

Now what?

There is no silver bullet — or single action to take at this point. We need to:

• Continue to push for more aid — and forgiveness of debt — to address the continued challenges posed to Puerto Ricans.
   
• Advocate for rebuilding the Puerto Rico power grid in a manner that keeps it in public hands and emphasizes distributed, renewable energy.
   
• Investigate the Trump Administration’s incompetence and malfeasance in the recovery process, to help ensure that the victims of the next natural disaster get better treatment.
   

As one step you can take today, please email your member of Congress and ask them to do more and do better when it comes to addressing the challenges facing Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Maria.

Email Congress

Our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico—and those fighting for them in the halls of Congress—need our continued support, our determination, our anger, and our love. They need us to not forget them.

Your fellow climate hawk,

RL Miller

References

Puerto Rico Maria Death Toll, CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/29/us/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-death-toll/index.html

“Study Puts Puerto Rico Death Toll at 5,000 from Hurricane Maria in 2017,” NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/29/615120123/study-puts-puerto-rico-death-toll-at-5-000-from-hurricane-maria-in-2017

“Trump is Responsible for Puerto Rico,” Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/05/30/trump-is-responsible-for-puerto-rico/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6cfb1d186ba3

From Replace NAFTA:

  Together, we’ve changed the national narrative so much that NAFTA’s job outsourcing incentives and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) regime could very well be removed from NAFTA.
And the corporate lobby is freaking out.

We usually ask you to contact your member of Congress, but right now we have a quick ask for your state legislators that could make a big difference at this critical point in the NAFTA renegotiations.

Ask your state legislators to sign a simple letter supporting the elimination of ISDS in NAFTA.
The infamous, corporate-funded American Legislative Education Council (ALEC) — yes, that pay-to-play group that pushes state policies to benefit corporations and their lobbyists— organized a pro-ISDS letter from state legislators.

They managed to scrape together just 12 state legislators to sign.

In response to ALEC’s pathetic effort, in just a matter of days, already more than 45 state legislators from 18 states have signed our letter opposing ISDS — the provision in NAFTA that empowers corporations to sue our governments before panels of three corporate lawyers.

Our letter reiterates that the National Conference of State Legislatures — the national body that represents state legislatures — has long opposed including ISDS in trade agreements on a bipartisan basis.

Let’s bury ALEC’s latest pro-corporate push.
Urge your state legislators to join this letter today.

Talk soon,

Ryan Harvey
National Field Director
Replace NAFTA

*** 

Straws Can Be Devastating For Wildlife. Let's Create a Citizen Tsunami to Limit Starbucks Straw Pollution!

Sign Now

Care2 is celebrating World Oceans Week by taking action for our blue planet every day from June 3 - 9. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is growing exponentially and is now twice as large as Texas. At least two sperm whales have been found dead with dozens of pounds of plastic trash in their stomachs. The turtle from the heart-breaking image above had a cocktail straw stuck up its nose. For World Oceans Week, we need to build a massive movement to save our blue planet from plastic. Stephanie is a Care2 community member and works at a Starbucks in New Jersey. She loves her job, but hates the huge number of straws used by the store. She knows straws are largely unrecyclable and can be devastating to wildlife. Support Stephanie's efforts and sign her petition to urge Starbucks to significantly limit its use of plastic straws. The movement to save our seas from plastic trash is growing. Over a hundred cities have already banned styrofoam take-out containers, and California has banned single-use grocery bags. But we need more leadership from the world's largest corporations. Sign Stephanie's petition to ask Starbucks to step up for our oceans. Thank you for taking action for our blue planet, Aaron V. The Care2 Petitions Team

P.S. Stephanie's petition has already gotten the attention of Starbucks leadership, so it's time to increase the pressure. Please add your name to her campaign now.