(2019-01-27). Robert Reich: 3 Signs Trump Is Becoming a Dictator. truthdig.com This post originally appeared on RobertReich.org. | The "rule of law" distinguishes democracies from dictatorships. It's based on three fundamental principles. Trump is violating every one of them. | The first principle is that no person is above the law, not even a president. Which means a president cannot stop an investigation into his alleged illegal acts. | Yet Trump has done everything he can to stop the Mueller investigation, even making Matthew Whitaker acting Attorney General — whose only distinction to date has been loud and public condemnation…
(2019-01-27). Denouncing U.S. Regime Change Agenda in Venezuela. zcomm.org On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged to send $20 million to the Venezuelan opposition in the form of humanitarian aid to address the shortages of food and medicine caused in part by harsh U.S. sanctions. Pompeo made the announcement while speaking at the OAS, the Organization of American States. Pompeo's speech was Read more…
(2019-01-27). Vermont's GOP Governor Says He'll Sign Legislation Protecting "Roe" truthout.org Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican who favors some restrictions on abortion access, came out in support of a bill introduced Wednesday to protect abortion rights in the state. | The bill, which would protect abortion rights should conservatives on the US Supreme Court strike down Roe v. Wade, was introduced on the house floor by Reps. Ann Pugh (D-South Burlington) and Maxine Grad (D-More…
(2019-01-27). Trump's 'Axis of Evil': Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, and Elliott Abrams. theantimedia.com 
(CD) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on countries to "pick a side" on Venezuela, urging them to back opposition leader Juan Guaido in a Saturday speech at the UN Security Council in New York. "Now, it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either …
(2019-01-26). Trump's 'Axis of Evil': Pompeo, Bolton & Abrams. commondreams.org 'This is truly an ominous development for the poor people of Venezuela.' | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/un-venezuela-01-26-2019.jpg…
(2019-01-26). Trump-bashing Iraq war architect Elliott Abrams to lead US regime change in Venezuela. rt.com 
Washington seems so dead-set on regime change in Venezuela, the State Department has just appointed a former diplomat with a sordid track record in Latin America and Middle East to spearhead "restoring democracy" in Caracas.
(2019-01-26). "All Options Are on the Table": Trump Intensifies Anti-Maduro Push. theantimedia.com 
(ANTIWAR.COM) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be heading to the UN Security Council Saturday with a very clear agenda: trying to sell the 15 members on recognizing Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president, instead of Nicolas Maduro. This is unlikely to happen uniformly, as Russia and China have already expressed support for Maduro. This is part of an …
(2019-01-26). Long-time Trump adviser Roger Stone arrested in Mueller probe. wsws.org Stone has been indicted on charges of lying to Congress about his alleged communication, through intermediaries, with WikiLeaks.
(2019-01-25). Pompeo, Hypocrisy and War. counterpunch.org On January 2 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Brazil, and his Department noted that in discussions with Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo they "highlighted the importance of working together to address regional and global challenges, including supporting the people of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua in restoring their democratic governance and their human rights." Pompeo More
(2019-01-25). Watch the 14th Vigil for Assange. consortiumnews.com Julian Assange's lawyers filed a petition with the Inter-American Court for Human Rights and WikiLeaks is mentioned in a new Mueller indictment unveiled Friday, two of the topics that were discussed on the 14th Vigil on Friday. Guests included Peter… Read more →
(2019-01-25). How Washington's Devastating "Economic Blockade" of Venezuela Helped Pave the Way for Coup Attempt. democracynow.org 
Venezuela remains in a state of crisis as opposition forces—with the backing of the United States—attempt to unseat the government of Nicolás Maduro. On Thursday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the military continues to stand by Maduro. His remarks came one day after President Trump announced that the U.S. would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's new leader. Guaidó, the new head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president on Wednesday during a large opposition protest. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the U.S. to r…
(2019-01-25). Stone's lawyer claims no collusion, analysts say Mueller putting the squeeze on Trump associates. rt.com 
Roger Stone will fight criminal charges against him, and "categorically" denies any wrongdoing. Stone's arrest, two analysts told RT, has nothing to do with collusion, and everything to do with taking down Trump. |
(2019-01-25). Roger Stone's indictment offers more proof of no contacts between him and Julian Assange — WikiLeaks. rt.com 
The indictment of Roger Stone, former adviser to Donald Trump, who was arrested by the FBI, has revealed more evidence that Trump's campaign had no "back channel" with WikiLeaks, the whistleblower organization said.
(2019-01-25). Confirming US Orchestration, Report Details Pence's Key Phone Call to Venezuelan Opposition Leader. commondreams.org "The U.S. had been planning this coup in Venezuela. It was the Trump administration that told the little-known opposition leader Juan Guaid√≥ to declare himself (unelected) 'president.'" | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/pompeo_0.jpg…
(2019-01-25). Washington escalates coup provocations in Venezuela. wsws.org Secretary of State Pompeo is to speak to the UN Security Council Saturday on Venezuela, a patent propaganda gesture aimed at preparing intervention.
(2019-01-25). Antiwar Hero Medea Benjamin Disrupts Pompeo Speech on Venezuela. theantimedia.com 
(CJ Opinion) — Before they launch missiles, they launch narratives. Before they drop bombs, they drop talking points. Before they implement crushing starvation sanctions, they demonize and condemn. Before they invade, they propagandize. Before the killing starts, manipulation paves the way. For this reason, the front line of any antiwar movement is a fight against the establishment …
(2019-01-24). Everybody Does It: The Messy Truth About Infiltrating Computer Supply Chains. theintercept.com 
The danger of China compromising hardware supply chains is very real, judging from classified intelligence documents, even if a Bloomberg story on the matter is highly disputed.
(2019-01-23). Assange Lawyers File Petition to Get US to Reveal Charges and Stop Ecuador From Extraditing Him. consortiumnews.com Lawyers for the WikiLeaks publisher want the OAS independent body to keep Assange from being sent to a courtroom in the U.S. and to end his isolation. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Julian Assange's lawyers have filed an… Read more →
(2019-01-23). Laverne Cox: Trump's Military Ban Is Part of Larger, Years-Long Attack on Transgender People. democracynow.org 
The pioneering trans actress and activist Laverne Cox responds to the Supreme Court's revival of President Donald Trump's plan to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. She spoke on Tuesday at the National Day of Racial Healing as part of a conversation moderated by Amy Goodman.
(2019-01-23). ACLU: Trump's Anti-Trans Ban Has No Military Justification, Is Driven by Animus & Discrimination. democracynow.org 
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court revived President Donald Trump's plan to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court lifted two lower court rulings that had blocked the ban from going into effect on constitutional grounds. Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented. A third injunction remains in place for now. We speak to Chase Strangio, staff attorney at the ACLU, which is challenging the Trump administration's ban on servicemembers who are transgender.
(2019-01-22). Amid a Deteriorating Landscape for Abortion Rights, a Critical Victory in New York. aclu.org On Tuesday, New York passed the Reproductive Health Act, finally bringing state law in line with Roe v. Wade. | On the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that secured the right to abortion, the nationwide picture could not look grimmer. That's what makes Tuesday's victory in New York, which protected and expanded abortion rights in the state through the Reproductive Health Act, so important. | Across the country, anti-abortion politicians have been eroding abortion rights in state after state. Since 2011, they have…
(2019-01-22). SPLC statement on Supreme Court's decision to lift injunctions against Trump's transgender military ban. splcenter.org The U.S. Supreme Court's decision today to temporarily lift injunctions against the Trump administration's ban on open service by transgender Americans is just that: temporary.
(2019-01-19). Brett Kavanaugh is a Threat to Racial Justice and Voting Rights. zcomm.org In light of the proliferation of laws that pose obstacles to voting, the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to further eviscerate the Voting Rights Act…
(2019-01-16). Was that the Onion or Reuters Quoting Mike Pompeo on Venezuela? zcomm.org This Reuters article says "The Maduro regime is illegitimate and the United States will work diligently to restore a real democracy to that country," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi, where he is on a tour of Middle East countries. " [emphasis added] The Onion might have simply changed "countries" above to "dictatorships" or, Read more…
(2019-01-10). Farewell to bblum6. zcomm.org Bill Blum passed away early last month in Virginia. Many Z Net readers will know his canonical book, Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since WWII, or remember his regular newsletter Anti-Empire Report. My first contact with Bill came in 1995 when I wrote him about something he had written on the Cold War. Read more…
(2019-01-09). New Documents Reveal a Covert British Military-Intelligence Smear Machine Meddling In American Politics. grayzoneproject.com The Integrity Initiative has mobilized an international disinformation campaign across Europe. Now, with government and right-wing foundation money, this massive…
(2018-12-04). With INF Ultimatum, Trump's Maximalist Approach Strikes Again. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — December 4, 2018 — In response to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that the U.S. will formally announce its intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 60 days if Russia does not come into compliance with the treaty by then, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy […]
(2018-11-29). On Julian Assange and the Political Economy & future of Europe. zcomm.org Interview on the socio-economic transformations taking place within the core of the European Union and how much time is left until it disintegrates…
(2018-11-26). Crucifying Julian Assange. zcomm.org Chris Hedges and Joe Lauria, journalist and editor-in-chief, Consortium, discuss efforts to force #WikiLeaks publisher, #JulianAssange, out of the Ecuador Embassy in London and extradite him to the USA to stand trial.