(2018-08-10). Here's What Al Capone's Biographers Think of Donald Trump. alternet.org 
While interpreting presidential pronouncements can be difficult work these days, we—as Capone's most recent biographers—feel a certain duty to place his comments in context. | Amid a recent flurry of distressing and disturbing statements from President Donald Trump, one of his more bizarre utterances has gotten lost in the shuffle. Spe. . .
(2018-08-10). Neocons Concoct Threat Of "Iranian Hackers" To Justify Preemptive "Counterattack" Against Iran. iranian.com Recent warnings of an imminent Iranian cyberattack on the U.S. are dubious at best — aimed at ending the U.S.' isolation through dishonest intelligence, while justifying a U.S. "preemptive counterattack" on Iran's infrastructure in a bid to further destabilize the nation. [dropcap]S[/dropcap]everal reports in both American and Israeli media have recently been circulating the claim that Iran is increasingly […]
(2018-08-10). Newly Released Cables Reveal Cruelty and Pointlessness of CIA Torture Under Gina Haspel. alternet.org 
Trump's CIA director played a role in Bush-era torture of terror suspects. Newly released cables reveal more information. | When Trump nominated Gina Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, she was confirmed despite public outrage over her involvement with Bush-era CIA torture operations at a black site prison i. . .
(2018-08-10). The CIA's Double Standard Revisited. counterpunch.org The Central Intelligence Agency has practiced a double standard for many years. Former CIA director David Petraeus escaped a jail sentence despite providing eight notebooks of highly classified information, including names of covert operatives, to his biographer-mistress. Conversely, Reality Winner, a former Air Force linguist, has been in jail for the past year, awaiting sentencing for leaking a classified report about Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Everyone in the United States is talking about Russian interference in the U.S. elections. (2018-08-10). Kobach Recuses Himself From Kansas Vote Count Amid Public Pressure. truthdig.com Governor Jeff Colyer has called the secretary of state's handling of ballots in their primary battle "inconsistent with Kansas law."
(2018-08-10). Banning Alex Jones and Infowars. counterpunch.org He is treated as the bogeyman of conspiracy entertainment, and Alex Jones has become a prominent figure for advancing a host of unsavoury views. High on his list of incendiaries is the claim that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting never took place and was the work of paid fantasists, with the victims' parents being More
(2018-08-10). On the Iraqi Protests, Now in Their Second Month. counterpunch.org Friends keep asking for comments on the continuous popular protests in the Iraqi southern provinces. It feels unsafe for activists in the Iraqi Anti-Occupation movement to give a worthy account of events on the ground. Less so to analyze their significance and potential beyond recognizing that a huge psychological shift is underway amongst the youth. More
(2018-08-10). Cables From Secret CIA Black Site Read Like Gina Haspel's Torture Journal. mintpressnews.com 
Critics say this "detailed account" of the CIA director's role "in horrendous acts of torture" further confirms "that she is totally unfit to lead the agency."
(2018-08-10). Who is Missing the President? counterpunch.org Anderson Valley Advertiser News Service… An arrest warrant has been filed by the U. S. Department of Justice for American organist and music historian David Yearsley, long-time columnist for the radical Northern California weekly the Anderson Valley Advertiser, as well as for the leftist website, CounterPunch. After being subpoenaed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Yearsley found More
(2018-08-10). Ex-Federal Prosecutor Explains Why Rudy Giuliani's Demands on Robert Mueller Are a Bluff. alternet.org 
Giuliani has said he wants to control the subject matter of Mueller's questions if he interviews Trump. Elie Honig explains why that is a hollow demand. | As speculation continues about when Special Counsel Robert Mueller will finally get Trump and his lawyers to agree to a sit-down and interview over the Russia investigation, former prosecutor, New York City mayor and Trump loyalist Rudy Giuliani is (2018-08-10). Arrest of Republican congressman on corruption charges heightens political conflict in Washington. wsws.org The prosecution of Chris Collins is a political shot by the US intelligence agencies across Trump's bow.
(2018-08-09). 'Corrupted With Power': Democratic Lawmaker Smacks Down Devin Nunes Over Secret Recording. alternet.org 
Rep. Eric Swalwell has had enough of Devin Nunes' naked partisanship. | House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) is once again embroiled in controversy following the release of a secret recording of his remarks at a fundraiser for GOP Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. In the recording, he stated that Republicans must keep the House in order to protect Trump from Special Counsel Robert Mueller — even while admitting collusion with a foreign power can be a criminal matter. And his Democratic committee colleague, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is furious. In conversation with CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday, Swalwell made his views on the matter quite clear: Nunes is abusing his authority and needs to be removed. "Paul Ryan should condemn this because this goes to the corruption that Donald Trump promised Americans he would clean up," said Swalwell. "And when I go. . .
(2018-08-09). The Bonfire of Humanity. counterpunch.org What's the difference between an alcoholic or a junkie… and the American Deep State War Machine? Nothing. There isn't any. Both are deep in the grip of addictions. Neither can exist without its drug of choice. Alcohol or Heroin for the addict; money for the War Machine. Each will do anything for the fix it More
(2018-08-09). North Carolina Republicans' Scheme to Change Election Rules in Their Favor Blows Up in Their Faces — Again. alternet.org 
GOP lawmakers in the North Carolina legislature keep passing new laws modifying how judicial elections work. It is not going well for them. | Ever since liberals won a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2016, a truly insane battle has been raging in the state for the judiciary and the electoral process. Republican lawmakers keep changing and re-cha. . .
(2018-08-09). Watch: Arkansas Officer Tells Group of Black Residents They 'Don't Belong in My City'. alternet.org 
The department is trying to claim racism wasn't a factor in the firing. | An England, Arkansas officer has been fired after resident Demarcus Branch posted a video of the cop's racist behavior to social media. Officer Mike Moore had reportedly been harassing black residents since he started on the force. Branch first sent a video documenting the officer's behavior to the police department, who didn't respond. "You don't belong in my cit. . .
(2018-08-09). Chicago's Violence Is Fueled by Neoliberalism. truthout.org More than 70 Chicago residents were shot — and at least 14 killed — during the first weekend of August as a wave of violence gripped parts of the city's South and West Sides. Chicago's crime rate is often sensationalized — Chicago is not, as it is often depicted, the most violent city in the country, or even the second or third most violent city in the country — but for those who live here, our city's violence is a revolving tragedy. Every week brings fresh stories of anguish and heartbreak, followed by the same pointless statements of politicians who have done nothing of substance to address the problem. And every week, parents on the South and West Sides, whose heartbreak and fears for their children should propel a city to action, are met with indifference, vilification and claims…
(2018-08-09). Headlines for August 9, 2018. democracynow.org Saudi-Led Airstrike in Yemen Hits Bus Carrying Children, Killing Dozens, U.S. Airstrike in Afghanistan Kills a Dozen Afghan Soldiers "By Mistake", Israeli Airstrikes Kill Three in Gaza, Including Mother and Her Toddler, In Colombia, Nikki Haley Escalates Anti-Venezuela Rhetoric, U.S. to Impose New Sanctions on Russia, Senate Committee Asks Julian Assange to Testify about Russian Meddling in Election, Virginia & Charlottesville Under States of Emergency Ahead of White Supremacist Rallies, Longtime DRC Leader Joseph Kabila Will Not Run for Re-election, Argentine Senate Rejects Legislation to Legalize Abortion, NY C…
(2018-08-09). Julian Assange reportedly asked to give secret interview to US Senate Intelligence Committee. wsws.org WikiLeaks said it received a request for Assange to answer questions about supposed "Russian interference" in the 2016 election.
(2018-08-09). The demise of another Bernie Sanders fraud. wsws.org The latest effort by Sanders—with the assistance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—to give a "progressive" gloss to the corporate-controlled Democratic Party has reached its predictable end in Michigan and Kansas.
(2018-08-09). Primary results show rightward shift of both Republican and Democratic parties. wsws.org The congressional primaries confirmed the headlong move to the right by the Democratic Party signaled by the rise of a cadre of former military and intelligence operatives running as Democratic candidates for Congress.
(2018-08-09). PayPal closes pro-Palestinian group's account in collusion with Israeli government. wsws.org PayPal's action is part of a broader censorship drive by US technology and social media giants, working closely with US and Israeli intelligence agencies.
(2018-08-09). Assange should secure immunity before taking risk of testifying to Senate — whistleblower Kiriakou. rt.com 
Julian Assange should ensure he's granted immunity from prosecution before testifying to the Senate Intelligence Committee, former CIA officer John Kiriakou told RT, citing previous US attempts to charge those who did testify.
(2018-08-08). VIPS Asks Twitter to Restore Van Buren's Account. consortiumnews.com The Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity in a memo to the Twitter board of directors questions its decision to suspend the account of one of its members without due process. August 8, 2018 TO: Twitter Board of Directors FROM: Veteran… Read more →
(2018-08-08). Notorious Ferguson Prosecutor Ousted in a Night of Victories and Disappointments for Insurgent Candidates. theintercept.com 
Progressive activists came away from Tuesday with a slew of wins and a handful of losses, with some too close to call.
(2018-08-08). Headlines for August 8, 2018. democracynow.org Tight Races in Ohio & Kansas Remain Too Close to Call, Judge Certifies Class-Action Suit Against GEO Group over Wage Theft, Court Rules Family of Mexican Teen Killed by Border Patrol Can Sue Agent, Colombia: Right-Wing President Iván Duque Sworn Into Office, Ethiopian Gov't Signs Deal to End Hostilities with Oromo Liberation Front, Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Photographer Shahidul Alam for Covering Protests, California Youth Arrested at Sit-in in Gov. Brown's Office Demanding Climate Action, Puerto Rico Proposes Transporting 3,200 Inmates to Prisons on U.S. Mainland, Tennessee: Lawyers Ask Supreme Court to Sta…
(2018-08-08). Do Historic Victories & Tight Races in Primaries Mean Dems Could Retake Senate & House in November? democracynow.org 
Voters headed to the polls Tuesday for a special election in Ohio and primaries in Michigan, Kansas, Missouri and Washington. A special election in Ohio's 12th Congressional District remains too close to call, but Republican Troy Balderson has already claimed victory over Democrat Danny O'Connor to serve the remainder of former Republican Congressmember Pat Tiberi's term. Balderson leads by just 1,754 votes, and thousands of absentee and provisional ballots still need to be counted. O'Connor is hoping to pull off a major upset. President Trump won the district in 2016 by a margin of more than 11 percent. In Michi…
(2018-08-08). US Senate Intelligence Committee calls Julian Assange to testify – WikiLeaks. rt.com 
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has requested that persecuted WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange testify before committee staff. The committee is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. |
(2018-08-08). Assange's Senate testimony could 'destroy conspiracy theory that Russia hacked DNC' — journalist. rt.com 
If he accepts the Senate's request to testify, Julian Assange may provide evidence that would upend allegations that Russia hacked the DNC, putting to rest two years of Russiagate hysteria, journalist Patrick Henningsen told RT.
(2018-08-07). VIPS Plead for Humanitarian Asylum for Julian Assange. consortiumnews.com Memorandum for: The US Embassies of Ecuador and the United Kingdom, and the U.S. State Department From: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity Subject: Humanitarian Asylum for Julian Assange For six years, WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange has been effectively imprisoned without… Read more →
(2018-08-07). SPLC releases new Intelligence Report, including special section on 'Confronting Hate'. splcenter.org In this issue of the Intelligence Report, we shine a light on those facing hate who are often overlooked in our special section Confronting Hate.
(2018-08-07). Headlines for August 7, 2018. democracynow.org U.S. Reimposes Sanctions Against Iran, Brazil's Workers' Party Nominates Lula as Presidential Candidate, Rick Gates Testifies He and Manafort Committed Crimes, Voters Head to Polls in Missouri, Kansas, Michigan & Washington State, Tennessee Democrats Celebrate "Blue Wave" That Swept Shelby County, Massive Student Protests Sweep Bangladesh Demanding Safer Roads, Canada Criticizes Saudi Arabia over Arrest of Feminist Activists, Mendocino Complex Now Largest Fire in California History, Social Media Platforms Remove Alex Jones, Citing Hate Speech, The Dream Defenders Organize National Protests Against GEO Group, Gunm…
(2018-08-07). Pilger Excoriates Media on Assange Silence. consortiumnews.com Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and investigative reporter John Pilger takes the gloves off on the continuing attempts to upend WikiLeaks and arrest its founding publisher, Julian Assange, in this interview with Dennis Bernstein and Randy Credico. Pilger talks about Assange's deteriorating… Read more →
(2018-08-07). 'Impostor!' Voters baffled as Ron Estes faces Ron Estes in Kansas primary. rt.com 
Kansas voters who haven't done their research might regret it when they go to vote in the state's 4th Congressional District Republican primary today and find two candidates named Ron Estes listed on the same ballot.
(2018-08-06). Pompeo vows to 'enforce' Iran sanctions as 90-day grace period ends. rt.com 
A part of US sanctions on Iran has kicked in after Washington gave businesses there 90 days to wind down their activities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said they would be rigorously enforced as the period expired on Monday.
(2018-08-04). Journalists Are All Julian Assange. consortiumnews.com As Ecuador threatens to expel Julian Assange, CN Ed. Joe Lauria will speak in a 50-hr. online vigil for Assange on Sat., 8pm EDT. In 2010, Bob Parry, late CN founder & editor, wrote this incisive essay on Assange's vital work. … Read more →
(2018-08-01). 'Not Good for a Democracy'. progressive.org James Clapper, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under George H. W. Bush and Director of National Intelligence under President Barack Obama speaks out against the current President.