Daily Archives: March 4, 2019

2019-03-04: News Headlines

John Pilger (2019-03-04). John Pilger: From Room 101 the Prisoner Says No to Big Brother. mintpressnews.com Whenever I visit Julian Assange, we meet in a room he knows too well. There is a bare table and pictures of Ecuador on the walls. There is a bookcase where the books never change. The curtains are always drawn and there is no natural light. The air is still and fetid. | This is Room 101. | Before I enter Room 101, I must surrender my passport and phone. My pockets and possessions are examined. The food I bring is inspected. | The man who guards Room 101 sits in what looks like an old-fashioned telephone box. He watches a screen, watching Julian. There are others unseen, agents of the state, watching and listen…

Robin Mathews (2019-03-04). SNC-Lavalin: The Tip of an Enormous "Deep State" Iceberg. Attack on the Rule of Law in Canada. globalresearch.ca SNC-Lavalin, the large Canadian engineering firm at the centre of the present Liberal government crisis engendered by the treatment of former Attorney General/Minister of Justice and Minister of Veterans Affairs, Jody Wilson-Raybould, is merely the tip of an enormous …

John Pilger (2019-03-04). The Prisoner Says No to Big Brother. counterpunch.org Whenever I visit Julian Assange, we meet in a room he knows too well. There is a bare table and pictures of Ecuador on the walls. There is a bookcase where the books never change. The curtains are always drawn and there is no natural light. The air is still and fetid. This is Room 101. Before I enter Room 101, I must surrender my passport and phone. My pockets and possessions are examined. The food I bring is inspected. More

Consortiumnews (2019-03-04). The Prisoner Says 'No' to Big Brother. consortiumnews.com The refusal by Australia's foreign ministry to honor the UN's declaration that Julian Assange is the victim of "arbitrary detention" is a shameful breach of the letter and spirit of international law, says John Pilger. By John Pilger in Sydney,… Read more →

teleSUR (2019-03-04). Juan Guaido Arrived in Venezuela Without Obstacles. telesurenglish.net The Venezuelan lawmaker and self-proclaimed "interim president", Juan Guaido arrived at the Maiquetia airport Monday without any obstacles. | RELATED: | Who Is US Intelligence Official Advising Guaido on His 'Regional Tour' | The opposition lawmaker was banned from leaving the country as an investigation is going on over his attempt to usurp governmental po…

teleSUR (2019-03-04). Report: Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou Sues Canadian Government. telesurenglish.net Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese technology company Huawei, is suing the Canadian government, its border agency and the national police force over her high-profile detention. Meng claims they detained, searched and interrogated her before telling her she was under arrest. | RELATED: | Canada Moves Forward With Huawei Exec Extradition Case | Meng's lawyers said Sunday they had filed a notice of civil claim in the supreme court in British Columbia. | Meng, the daugh…

WSWS (2019-03-04). Freedom for Julian Assange depends upon the intervention of the working class. wsws.org The following speech was delivered by Socialist Equality Party National Secretary, James Cogan, to the SEP's March 3 rally at Sydney's Martin Place to free Julian Assange.

WSWS (2019-03-04). "Julian Assange will never obey Big Brother" wsws.org John Pilger gave this speech at a rally organised by the Socialist Equality Party for Julian Assange in Sydney on 3 March.

WSWS (2019-03-04). Sydney rally issues strong demand for the freedom of Julian Assange. wsws.org James Cogan declared: "We are sending a clear message to Julian Assange today and he will hear it—you are not alone, you have not been abandoned, you have not been forgotten. You will be freed."

SouthFront (2019-03-04). John Bolton Defends Monroe Doctrine as Juan Guaido Lobs New Threats at Venezuela Gov't. mintpressnews.com Self-proclaimed Venezuelan president Juan Guaido is to return to the country on March, 4 to lead new protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government. In returning he is risking arrest, as he was prohibited from leaving the country by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.

teleSUR (2019-03-03). Warning About False Flag Operations Against Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Together with Venezuela's opposition, the United States government is planning a new false flag operation along the Colombian border, socialist leader and protector of the Venezuelan state of Tachira, Freddy Bernal, said Sunday. | RELATED: | Who Is US Intelligence Official Advising Guaido on His 'Regional Tour' | "I have direct information from officers of the Colombian National Police that other attacks are coming along the Colombian-Venezuelan border and they are tryin…

Peoples Dispatch (2019-03-03). Thousands of adivasis marched in India, to safeguard forest-dwelling rights. peoplesdispatch.org Thousands of adivasis from across India marched in New Delhi to demand an overhaul of the order to evict people from forest lands, by the Supreme Court, that could displace nearly 2 million people…

Jimmysllama (2019-03-02). Whats Behind Australia's Decision to Suddenly Grant Julian Assange a Passport? mintpressnews.com The real question here is why the Australian government is playing nice by issuing Assange a passport since it has refused to acknowledge evidence of a sealed indictment or provide him with any sort of substantial assistance to get him home in the last eight-plus years.

RT (2019-03-02). 'Raving' Democrats, 'sick' CNN and deep state 'bulls**t': Trump channels old campaign energy at CPAC. rt.com US President Donald Trump delivered a speech to conservatives that was short on 'presidential' ceremony and long on the jokes and one-liners that fired up his base in 2016. Here're some highlights. |

Jason Ditz (2019-03-02). US Promises to Defend Philippines Against China in South China Sea. theantimedia.com (ANTIWAR.COM) — In comments on Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the US still considers the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty to be fully intact, and would adhere to it in the event Philippines forces come under fire in the South China Sea. US officials have repeatedly made clear that they intend to support the Philippines militarily …

WSWS (2019-03-02). US Federal Court subpoenas whistleblower Chelsea Manning. wsws.org The subpoena provides no information as to what prosecutors intend to ask Manning, but all indications are that it is part of an effort by the US Department of Justice to escalate its pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Philip M. Giraldi (2019-03-01). How Pro-Israel Foundations in Washington are Pushing a US War with Iran. mintpressnews.com "As an ex-CIA case officer who worked on the Iran target for a number of years, I was shocked when I read the Times' article, primarily because it sounded like a repeat of the fabricated intelligence that was used against both Iraq and Iran in 2001 through 2003," says Philip M. Giraldi.

David Rosen (2019-03-01). Remember the Maine? CIA Intervention in Venezuela. counterpunch.org In January 1897, Frederic Remington, a 19th-century painter famous for his depictions of the Old West, was on assignment in Havana for William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal to illustrate Spanish atrocities against Cubans. He sent a telegram to Hearst, noting: "Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return." Hearst replied: "Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." More

Consortiumnews (2019-03-01). JOHN KIRIAKOU: Neither Rain, Sleet, nor Snow Will Stop the Post Office From Spying on You. consortiumnews.com It's called the "Mail Cover Program" and it's run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Yes, even…

Consortiumnews (2019-03-01). Watch the 18th Vigil for Julian Assange. consortiumnews.com The 18th Unity4J vigil for Julian Assange was held Friday evening. In this edition we broke down Trump lawyer Michael Cohn's testimony regarding WikiLeaks, Australia's repressive press law, as well as other news. You can watch it here: Read more →

Bacardi Jackson, Senior Supervising Attorney for SPLC Action Fund (2019-03-01). SPLC Action Fund: Grand jury investigation of school officials into alleged 'school safety' crimes erodes democracy, politicizes tragedy. splcenter.org The Florida Supreme Court recently ordered a statewide grand jury to investigate school officials in light of last year's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people. The high court's order was in response to a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Lee Fang (2019-03-01). Google Hedges on Promise to End Controversial Involvement in Military Drone Contract. theintercept.com Following months of protests from its employees, Google announced last summer that it would not renew its contract with the military on Project Maven, an initiative to use artificial intelligence to improve the targeting and surveillance capabilities of drones on the battlefield. | In an email sent this week by Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president for global affairs, the Silicon Valley giant appeared to hedge on its commitment to fully cut ties with the drone initiative.In an email sent this week b…

Shared by Jocelyn Dombroski (2019-02-26). The "Permanent War State" Aims to Plunder Venezuela — Wilkerson and Jay. therealnews.com Trump promises "democracy and freedom" to Venezuela, delivered by Elliott Abrams who brought you illegal wars, coups, and support for dictatorships; and Mike Pompeo and VP Pence, both with deep ties to the Koch brothers who need Venezuelan heavy crude to feed their Texas refinery — Col. Larry Wilkerson joins TRNN's Paul Jay…

splcenter (2019-02-19). New hate map helps users explore landscape of hate. splcenter.org The Southern Poverty Law Center has introduced an updated, interactive hate map equipped with new features to help people better understand the hate groups operating in their state and across the country.

Bill Blum (2019-02-16). Unequal Justice: Kavanaugh's Vote on Abortion Access Bodes Ill for Roe. progressive.org It hasn't taken Kavanaugh long to show his true colors. The big reveal came on February 7, when he voted against a "stay" that will keep a draconian Louisiana abortion law from taking effect.

Melissa Crow, Senior Supervising Attorney of the SPLC's Immigrant Justice Project (2019-02-15). SPLC statement on Supreme Court's denial of Trump administration's request to immediately enforce asylum ban. splcenter.org The U.S. Supreme Court today denied the Trump administration's request to immediately enforce a new policy of denying asylum to migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry.

Yanis Varoufakis (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…

Chris Hedges (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.

2019-03-04: Social Media Postees

SNC-Lavalin: The Tip of an Enormous "Deep State" Iceberg. Attack on the Rule of Law in Canada
Robin Mathews | globalresearch.ca | 2019-03-04
SNC-Lavalin, the large Canadian engineering firm at the centre of the present Liberal government crisis engendered by the treatment of former Attorney General/Minister of Justice and Minister of Veterans Affairs, Jody Wilson-Raybould, is merely the tip of an enormous …
globalresearch.ca/snc-lavalin-deep-state/5670325

The Prisoner Says No to Big Brother
John Pilger | counterpunch.org | 2019-03-04
Whenever I visit Julian Assange, we meet in a room he knows too well. There is a bare table and pictures of Ecuador on the walls. There is a bookcase where the books never change. The curtains are always drawn and there is no natural light. The air is still and fetid. This is Room 101. Before I enter Room 101, I must surrender my passport and phone. My pockets and possessions are examined. The food I bring is inspected.
counterpunch.org/2019/03/04/the-prisoner-says-no-to-big-brother/

The Prisoner Says 'No' to Big Brother
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2019-03-04
The refusal by Australia's foreign ministry to honor the UN's declaration that Julian Assange is the victim of "arbitrary detention" is a shameful breach of the letter and spirit of international law, says John Pilger. By John Pilger in Sydney,… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/03/04/the-prisoner-says-no-to-big-brother/

John Pilger: From Room 101 the Prisoner Says No to Big Brother
John Pilger | mintpressnews.com | 2019-03-04
Whenever I visit Julian Assange, we meet in a room he knows too well. There is a bare table and pictures of Ecuador on the walls. There is a bookcase where the books never change. The curtains are always drawn and there is no natural light. The air is still and fetid. | This is Room 101. | Before I enter Room 101, I must surrender my passport and phone. My pockets and possessions are examined. The food I bring is inspected. | The man who guards Room 101 sits in what looks like an old-fashioned telephone box. He watches a screen, watching Julian. There are others unseen, agents of the state, watching and listen…
mintpressnews.com/from-room-101-the-prisoner-says-no-to-big-brother/255825/

Juan Guaido Arrived in Venezuela Without Obstacles
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-03-04
The Venezuelan lawmaker and self-proclaimed "interim president", Juan Guaido arrived at the Maiquetia airport Monday without any obstacles. | RELATED: | Who Is US Intelligence Official Advising Guaido on His 'Regional Tour' | The opposition lawmaker was banned from leaving the country as an investigation is going on over his attempt to usurp governmental po…
telesurenglish.net/news/Juan-Guaido-Arrived-in-Venezuela-Without-Obstacles-20190304-0015.html

Freedom for Julian Assange depends upon the intervention of the working class
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-03-04
The following speech was delivered by Socialist Equality Party National Secretary, James Cogan, to the SEP's March 3 rally at Sydney's Martin Place to free Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/03/04/jcra-m04.html

Report: Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou Sues Canadian Government
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-03-04
Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese technology company Huawei, is suing the Canadian government, its border agency and the national police force over her high-profile detention. Meng claims they detained, searched and interrogated her before telling her she was under arrest. | RELATED: | Canada Moves Forward With Huawei Exec Extradition Case | Meng's lawyers said Sunday they had filed a notice of civil claim in the supreme court in British Columbia. | Meng, the daugh…
telesurenglish.net/news/Report-Huawei-CFO-Meng-Wanzhou-Sues-Canadian-Government-20190304-0004.html

Sydney rally issues strong demand for the freedom of Julian Assange
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-03-04
James Cogan declared: "We are sending a clear message to Julian Assange today and he will hear it–you are not alone, you have not been abandoned, you have not been forgotten. You will be freed."
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/03/04/rall-m04.html

"Julian Assange will never obey Big Brother"
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-03-04
John Pilger gave this speech at a rally organised by the Socialist Equality Party for Julian Assange in Sydney on 3 March.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/03/04/pilg-m04.html

John Bolton Defends Monroe Doctrine as Juan Guaido Lobs New Threats at Venezuela Gov't
SouthFront | mintpressnews.com | 2019-03-04
Self-proclaimed Venezuelan president Juan Guaido is to return to the country on March, 4 to lead new protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government. In returning he is risking arrest, as he was prohibited from leaving the country by the Venezuelan Supreme Court.
mintpressnews.com/john-bolton-defends-monroe-doctrine-as-juan-guaido-lobs-new-threats-at-venezuela-govt/255853/

Warning About False Flag Operations Against Venezuela
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2019-03-03
Together with Venezuela's opposition, the United States government is planning a new false flag operation along the Colombian border, socialist leader and protector of the Venezuelan state of Tachira, Freddy Bernal, said Sunday. | RELATED: | Who Is US Intelligence Official Advising Guaido on His 'Regional Tour' | "I have direct information from officers of the Colombian National Police that other attacks are coming along the Colombian-Venezuelan border and they are tryin…
telesurenglish.net/news/Warning-About-False-Flag-Operations-Against-Venezuela-20190303-0019.html

Thousands of adivasis marched in India, to safeguard forest-dwelling rights
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-03-03
Thousands of adivasis from across India marched in New Delhi to demand an overhaul of the order to evict people from forest lands, by the Supreme Court, that could displace nearly 2 million people…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/03/03/thousands-of-adivasis-marched-in-india-to-safeguard-forest-dwelling-rights/

Whats Behind Australia's Decision to Suddenly Grant Julian Assange a Passport?
Jimmysllama | mintpressnews.com | 2019-03-02
The real question here is why the Australian government is playing nice by issuing Assange a passport since it has refused to acknowledge evidence of a sealed indictment or provide him with any sort of substantial assistance to get him home in the last eight-plus years.
mintpressnews.com/whats-behind-australia-decision-suddenly-grant-julian-assange-passport/255809/

'Raving' Democrats, 'sick' CNN and deep state 'bulls**t': Trump channels old campaign energy at CPAC
RT | rt.com | 2019-03-02
US President Donald Trump delivered a speech to conservatives that was short on 'presidential' ceremony and long on the jokes and one-liners that fired up his base in 2016. Here're some highlights. | …
rt.com/usa/452863-trump-cpac-speech-bullshit-cnn/

US Federal Court subpoenas whistleblower Chelsea Manning
WSWS | wsws.org | 2019-03-02
The subpoena provides no information as to what prosecutors intend to ask Manning, but all indications are that it is part of an effort by the US Department of Justice to escalate its pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/03/02/mann-m02.html

US Promises to Defend Philippines Against China in South China Sea
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2019-03-02
(ANTIWAR.COM) — In comments on Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed that the US still considers the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty to be fully intact, and would adhere to it in the event Philippines forces come under fire in the South China Sea. US officials have repeatedly made clear that they intend to support the Philippines militarily …

US Promises to Defend Philippines Against China in South China Sea

How Pro-Israel Foundations in Washington are Pushing a US War with Iran
Philip M. Giraldi | mintpressnews.com | 2019-03-01
"As an ex-CIA case officer who worked on the Iran target for a number of years, I was shocked when I read the Times' article, primarily because it sounded like a repeat of the fabricated intelligence that was used against both Iraq and Iran in 2001 through 2003," says Philip M. Giraldi.
mintpressnews.com/how-pro-israel-foundations-in-washington-are-pushing-a-us-war-with-iran/255782/

JOHN KIRIAKOU: Neither Rain, Sleet, nor Snow Will Stop the Post Office From Spying on You
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2019-03-01
It's called the "Mail Cover Program" and it's run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Yes, even…
consortiumnews.com/2019/02/28/john-kiriakou-neither-rain-sleet-nor-snow-will-stop-the-post-office-from-spying-on-you/

Watch the 18th Vigil for Julian Assange
Consortiumnews | consortiumnews.com | 2019-03-01
The 18th Unity4J vigil for Julian Assange was held Friday evening. In this edition we broke down Trump lawyer Michael Cohn's testimony regarding WikiLeaks, Australia's repressive press law, as well as other news. You can watch it here: Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2019/03/01/the-18th-vigil-for-assange-live-here-at-4-pm/

Remember the Maine? CIA Intervention in Venezuela
David Rosen | counterpunch.org | 2019-03-01
In January 1897, Frederic Remington, a 19th-century painter famous for his depictions of the Old West, was on assignment in Havana for William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal to illustrate Spanish atrocities against Cubans. He sent a telegram to Hearst, noting: "Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return." Hearst replied: "Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."
counterpunch.org/2019/03/01/remember-the-maine-cia-intervention-in-venezuela/

Google Hedges on Promise to End Controversial Involvement in Military Drone Contract
Lee Fang | theintercept.com | 2019-03-01
Following months of protests from its employees, Google announced last summer that it would not renew its contract with the military on Project Maven, an initiative to use artificial intelligence to improve the targeting and surveillance capabilities of drones on the battlefield. | In an email sent this week by Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president for global affairs, the Silicon Valley giant appeared to hedge on its commitment to fully cut ties with the drone initiative.In an email sent this week b…
theintercept.com/2019/03/01/google-project-maven-contract/

SPLC Action Fund: Grand jury investigation of school officials into alleged 'school safety' crimes erodes democracy, politicizes tragedy
Bacardi Jackson, Senior Supervising Attorney for SPLC Action Fund | splcenter.org | 2019-03-01
The Florida Supreme Court recently ordered a statewide grand jury to investigate school officials in light of last year's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people. The high court's order was in response to a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
splcenter.org/news/2019/03/01/splc-action-fund-grand-jury-investigation-school-officials-alleged-%25E2%2580%2598school-safety%25E2%2580%2599-crimes

The "Permanent War State" Aims to Plunder Venezuela — Wilkerson and Jay
Shared by Jocelyn Dombroski | therealnews.com | 2019-02-26
Trump promises "democracy and freedom" to Venezuela, delivered by Elliott Abrams who brought you illegal wars, coups, and support for dictatorships; and Mike Pompeo and VP Pence, both with deep ties to the Koch brothers who need Venezuelan heavy crude to feed their Texas refinery — Col. Larry Wilkerson joins TRNN's Paul Jay…
therealnews.com/stories/the-permanent-war-state-aims-to-plunder-venezuela-wilkerson-and-jay

New hate map helps users explore landscape of hate
splcenter | splcenter.org | 2019-02-19
The Southern Poverty Law Center has introduced an updated, interactive hate map equipped with new features to help people better understand the hate groups operating in their state and across the country.
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2019/new-hate-map

Unequal Justice: Kavanaugh's Vote on Abortion Access Bodes Ill for Roe
Bill Blum | progressive.org | 2019-02-16
It hasn't taken Kavanaugh long to show his true colors. The big reveal came on February 7, when he voted against a "stay" that will keep a draconian Louisiana abortion law from taking effect.
progressive.org/dispatches/unequal-justice-dear-brett-your-ideology-is-showing-blum-190216/

SPLC statement on Supreme Court's denial of Trump administration's request to immediately enforce asylum ban
Melissa Crow, Senior Supervising Attorney of the SPLC's Immigrant Justice Project | splcenter.org | 2019-02-15
The U.S. Supreme Court today denied the Trump administration's request to immediately enforce a new policy of denying asylum to migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry.
splcenter.org/news/2019/02/15/splc-statement-supreme-court%25E2%2580%2599s-denial-trump-administration%25E2%2580%2599s-request-immediately-enforce