Daily Archives: September 25, 2019

2019-09-25: News Headlines

C.J. Atkins (2019-09-25). Impeaching Trump: Finally convinced, Pelosi opens formal inquiry. peoplesworld.org With the explosive whistleblower revelation that Trump allegedly threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine to get dirt on the family of Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the launching of a formal impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States. Speaking at the Capitol Tuesday evening, Pelosi said that Trump's "enlistment …

RT (2019-09-25). As Democrats begin Trump impeachment, key 'Russiagate' case may be imploding. rt.com President Donald Trump's security adviser Michael Flynn was the first casualty of 'Russiagate' impeachment push, but the case against him seems weaker than ever, after a federal judge voided the conviction of his business partner. | Flynn, a retired general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was forced to resign in February 2017, after less than two weeks of serving as national security adviser. He was snared in an FBI perjury trap as part of surveillance of the Trump campaign — which was predicated on claims it was "colluding" with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. | Though t…

Staff (2019-09-25). Rep. Al Green: "We've Reached Critical Mass" to Impeach Trump. truthout.org | | Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump following allegations from an intelligence community whistleblower that Trump sought help from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to release the whistleblower complaint to the H…

Staff (2019-09-25). Memo Reveals Trump Pushed Ukraine Leader on Biden Claims. truthdig.com WASHINGTON — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the House impeachment inquiry (all times local): | 10: 10 a.m. | The memo summarizing President Donald Trump's call with the Ukraine leader shows the president's lingering fixation on special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. | Trump flippantly refers to the ex-FBI director as a "man named Robert Mueller" and says he turned in "a very poor performance." | The memo also shows that the president made reference to the private cybersecurity firm that investigated Russia's hack of t…

Staff (2019-09-25). "We've Reached Critical Mass": Rep. Al Green on Pelosi Vow to Impeach Trump for "Dastardly Deeds" democracynow.org Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump following allegations from an intelligence community whistleblower that Trump sought help from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to release the whistleblower complaint to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. We get response and look at next steps with Congressmember Al Gree…

Staff (2019-09-25). Daniel Ellsberg: Whistleblowers Preserve American Democracy. truthdig.com What follows is a conversation between famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and Marc Steiner of The Real News Network. Read a transcript of their conversation below or watch the video at the bottom of…

Finian Cunningham (2019-09-25). They're Murdering My Son: Father of Julian Assange Tells of Pain and Anguish. mintpressnews.com John Shipton, the father of imprisoned whistleblower Julian Assange, says that if his son is extradited to the US, "They will murder Julian one way or the other."

Daniel Falcone (2019-09-25). Trump's Iran Policy: A Q&A With Richard Falk. thenation.com Legal scholar Richard Falk on Iran, Saudi Arabia, and American interests abroad.

Andrew Korybko (2019-09-25). Ukrainegate Is Just The Democrats' Latest Gambit To Unseat Trump. globalresearch.ca A manufactured scandal is rapidly growing to epic proportions in the US surrounding one of Trump's recent conversations with new Ukrainian President Zelensky after a whistleblower alleged what the Mainstream Media is reporting to be the American leader's supposedly unethical …

Staff (2019-09-25). Billy Bragg: What the U.K. Supreme Court's Historic Ruling Against Boris Johnson Means for Brexit. democracynow.org The U.K. Parliament has reconvened after the country's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had unlawfully suspended Parliament in order to push through Brexit with or without a deal. Johnson made the unprecedented move late last month, asking the queen to prorogue Parliament in order to limit debate on leaving the European Union, which the U.K. is scheduled to do by October 31. Calls for Johnson's resignation are mounting since the news broke, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calling for a general election and demanding Johnson apologize to the queen and to the country. For mo…

Tracy Keeling (2019-09-25). The British media failed to address the other disgraceful moment Boris Johnson had yesterday. thecanary.co Boris Johnson had a bad day on 24 September, in more ways than one. The UK's supreme court ruled that his prorogation of parliament was unlawful. The British media can't get enough of that story. But Johnson had another scandalous moment…

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2019-09-25). Railroaded by the Judges: Boris Johnson Fails in the UK Supreme Court. globalresearch.ca It delighted Labour supporters and party apparatchiks who had been falling over each other in murderous ceremony at the party conference in Brighton: Prime Minister Boris Johnson would come to the unwitting rescue with his own version of a …

Tracy Keeling (2019-09-25). Pranks, laughter and sex yetis: how Brits are coping with a government in meltdown. thecanary.co The UK is having a pretty tumultuous time right now. The UK's supreme court has ruled that Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was unlawful. Now, parliament has returned; and the government is getting an earful from its opposite numbers. | Frankly, things are a mess. Whether we'll be…

WSWS (2019-09-25). UK Supreme Court rules Johnson's prorogation of Parliament illegal. wsws.org British politics entered uncharted waters yesterday as the Supreme Court—the UK's highest judicial body—declared illegal Prime Minister Boris Johnson's authoritarian prorogation of parliament.

Staff (2019-09-25). What the UK Supreme Court's Ruling Against Boris Johnson Means for Brexit. truthout.org | | The U.K. Parliament has reconvened after the country's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had unlawfully suspended Parliament in order to push through Brexit with or without a deal. Johnson made the unprecedented move late last month, asking the queen to prorogue Parliament in order to limit debate on leaving the European Union, which the U.K. is scheduled to do by October 31. Calls for Johnson's resignation are mounting since the news broke, with opposition Labour…

Jake Johnson, staff writer (2019-09-25). Critics Say Only Full Whistleblower Complaint Will Do as Trump White House Signals 'Redacted Version'. commondreams.org "Congress must be allowed to view the whistleblower report and assess the situation in totality, not in terms that Trump decides on—and which he obviously finds favorable." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/donald_trump_6.jpg

United Nations (2019-09-25). UK's Johnson warns of dystopian digital future, calls on UN to set global standards for emerging technologies. un.org United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday evening focused his address at the UN mainly on the looming threat of artificial intelligence run amok, but also made a brief reference to Brexit — comparing the process of the UK's delayed departure from the European Union to classical Greek mythology.

RT (2019-09-24). Trump authorizes release of 'complete' transcript of call with Ukraine's Zelensky, Dems still not happy. rt.com US President Donald Trump said a full transcript of his recent call with the Ukrainian president is to be released, but Democrats continue with calls for impeachment and plan to interview the whistleblower on the incident. | Trump tweeted on Tuesday that he had authorized the release of the "complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript" of his conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky. In a separate tweet, he said it was a "very friendly and totally appropriate call" and he applied "no pressure" on the Ukrainian leader. | Democrats had been up in arms after a whistleblower complained that Trump had allege…

Melvin Goodman (2019-09-24). The Central Role of the Whistleblower. counterpunch.org The fortuitous emergence of a courageous whistleblower in the Trump White House and Harvard Professor Jill Lepore's pathetically ill-informed review of Edward Snowden's recent book, "Permanent Record," are important reminders of the central and difficult role of whistleblowers in any successful effort to restore our democracy. The information provided by whistleblowers is key to the work of congressional oversight; investigative journalism; and informed political debate. Whistleblowers contributed to the knowledge of the crimes of the intelligence community during the Vietnam War and the exposure of Iran-contra,…

Staff (2019-09-24). Whistleblowers Save our Democracy, Says Daniel Ellsberg. therealnews.com Trump has been exposed by leakers and might face consequences, and Edward Snowden has published a book. Daniel Ellsberg reflects on the bravery of exposing the truth.

Paul Seamus Ryan (2019-09-24). The "Quid" Is a Crime: No Need to Prove "Pro Quo" in Ukrainegate. commondreams.org Through the Mueller investigation, President Trump should have learned the legal risks of seeking foreign support for his election efforts. Instead, he seems only to have learned that he can get away with it. (Photo: Donald Trump/cc/flickr) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/rudyg.jpeg

Martin Garbus (2019-09-24). Edward Snowden Didn't Reveal Anything Confidential in His New Book. thenation.com Edward Snowden Didn't Reveal Anything Confidential in His New Book…

Dr. Paul Craig Roberts (2019-09-24). The Coverup of President John F. Kennedy's Assassination Is Wearing Thin. globalresearch.ca Below is a several years old documentary of 35 minutes summarizing the powerful evidence that the Warran Commission Report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is a cover-up. | All available evidence points to the CIA and the US …

The Canary (2019-09-24). Odds cut on Boris Johnson being shortest serving PM. thecanary.co Bookmakers have cut the odds on Boris Johnson leaving Downing Street this year and becoming the shortest serving prime minister in history.Johnson needs to continue as PM until 20 November to avoid the distinction of holding the office for fewer days than any of his predecessors.On that date he will overtake George Canning, who clocked up 118 days as prime minister before his death in 1827, and who holds the record for the shortest time in office.Johnson is currently on 62 days.(PA graphic)Following today's Supreme Court ruling, the bookmaker Coral has reduced the odds on Johnson being replaced as PM this year fr…

The Canary (2019-09-24). Supreme Court rules prorogation of Parliament was unlawful. thecanary.co Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful, the UK's highest court has declared.A panel of 11 justices at the Supreme Court in London gave their decision on Tuesday in a ruling on the legality of the prime minister's advice to the Queen to prorogue parliament until 14 October.The judges, led by the court's president Lady Hale, heard appeals over three days arising out of legal challenges in England and Scotland — which produced different outcomes.The panel held unanimously that Johnson's advice to the Queen was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating parliament.SNP M…

Al Neal (2019-09-24). Resignation calls grow after U.K. Supreme Court rules Johnson's parliament suspension illegal. peoplesworld.org In a major blow to his fledgling and failing premiership, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's five-week prorogation (suspension) of Parliament was declared illegal by that country's Supreme Court today. Coming just five weeks before Britain's Oct. 31 deadline to leave the European Union, the court's move is the latest episode in the tumultuous battle over Brexit. …

Stephen Lendman (2019-09-24). UK Supreme Court Rules Parliament Shutdown Illegal. Boris Misled the Queen. globalresearch.ca Since taking office on July 24, virtually everything Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson put to a vote was defeated — an unparalleled record of failure over a short period, especially for a new leader. | Notably, Johnson lost every no-deal Brexit/snap …

Staff (2019-09-24). Headlines for September 24, 2019. democracynow.org Greta Thunberg and Youth Activists Take On World Leaders at U.N. Climate Action Summit, Trump Admin Tells U.N. to Drop Term "Reproductive Health and Rights", Trump Ordered Hold on Ukrainian Aid Before Call with President Zelensky About Bidens, U.K. Supreme Court: Boris Johnson's Suspension of Parliament Is Unlawful, U.K., France & Germany Say Iran Responsible for Saudi Oil Attacks as Trump Addresses UNGA, Afghanistan: At Least 40 Civilians Killed by U.S.-Afghan Attack, Haiti: Senator Shoots AP Photographer in Face During Anti-Gov't Protests, Video of Blindfolded Prisoners in Xinjiang Adds to Fears of Mass Human R…

Hans Stehling (2019-09-24). A Damning Verdict by the Supreme Court against Boris Johnson Who Should Now Resign with his Cabinet. globalresearch.ca In a verdict unprecedented in British legal and constitutional history, the Supreme Court consisting of eleven of the most senior justices, today ruled unanimously that the current Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had acted unlawfully in his prorogation (suspension …

teleSUR (2019-09-24). Spain's Top Court Allows Exhuming Dictator Franco's Remains. telesurenglish.net Spain's supreme court gave the government the go-ahead Tuesday to exhume the remains of dictator Francisco Franco and move them from the state mausoleum in which he was buried in 1975. | RELATED: | Spain Orders Hundreds of Municipalities to Remove Franco Symbols | The ruling could end decades of controversy over the burial place of the man who sti…

The Canary (2019-09-24). Johnson vows to press on with Brexit after Supreme Court bombshell. thecanary.co Boris Johnson has vowed to press on with his plans for Brexit despite a devastating ruling by Britain's highest court that his suspension of parliament was unlawful. | The prime minister said he would abide by the finding of the Supreme Court that the five-week prorogation was "void and of no effect" — even though he disagreed with its conclusion. | Following the legal bombshell, Commons speaker John Bercow announced that MPs would return to Westminster on Wednesday with the House sitting at 11.30am. | The ruling prompted immediate demands from the opposition for Johnson to quit amid claims his position had…

Tom Coburg (2019-09-24). Boris Johnson is dead in the water after Supreme Court rules he acted unlawfully. thecanary.co UK prime minister Boris Johnson has suffered a humiliating defeat after the Supreme Court ruled that his attempt to prorogue parliament was unlawful. There are now calls for him to resign. | The ruling: | The Supreme Court ruling was made by eleven justices: Lady Hale, Lord Reed, Lord Kerr, Lord Wilson, Lord Carnwath, Lord Hodge, Lady Black, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lady Arden, Lord Kitchin, and Lord Sales. | Lady Hale, president of the Su…

Jon Queally, staff writer (2019-09-24). As Trump Authorizes Transcript Release, Expert Critics Say 'Anything Short of Whistleblower Complaint Is More Obstruction'. commondreams.org "Anything short of whistleblower complaint is more obstruction." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_call_unredacted.jpg

Ed Rampell (2019-09-23). Red Diaper Baby: Big Brother's still watching you. peoplesworld.org BEVERLY HILLS—The world premiere of Leda Siskind's thought-provoking, topical The Surveillance Trilogy is so perfectly timed—opening the same week that Edward Snowden's book Permanent Record has been published and the Trump administration is mired in an alleged whistleblower scandal—that one of three things must have happened: 1) Trilogy's publicist is a marketing mastermind who contrived …

Jeet Heer (2019-09-23). Trump's Biggest Scandal Might Tear the Democrats Apart. thenation.com Trump's Biggest Scandal Might Tear the Democrats Apart…

The Canary (2019-09-23). Supreme Court to rule on Tuesday on suspension of parliament challenges. thecanary.co Prime minister Boris Johnson is set to find out the ruling of the UK's highest court over the legality of his advice to the Queen to suspend parliament for five weeks.A panel of 11 Supreme Court justices will announce their findings at 10.30am on Tuesday following a historic hearing in London last week.The judges have been asked to rule on whether the prime minister's advice to the Queen to prorogue parliament until 14 October was unlawful. | The judgment in 'R (on behalf of Miller) v The Prime Minister' and 'Cherry and others v Advocate General for Scotland' will be handed down at 10.30am on Tuesday 24 September…

Edward Snowden (2019-09-21). "Never Be Ashamed:" Why I Decided Not To Delete My Old Internet Posts. theintercept.com In this excerpt from his memoir, the NSA whistleblower describes his realization that no one should have to "pretend to be perfect."

Jimmysllama (2019-09-20). Through the Eyes of Jesselyn Radack: A Look at the Vital Role of Whistleblowers and Their Attorneys. mintpressnews.com "By protecting whistleblowers, sources, and online activists, we facilitate robust investigative journalism, hold government to account, protect the freedoms of speech, privacy and the press, and foster the most critical component of democratic society: an informed citizenry." — Whistleblower and Source Protection Program…

Alex Emmons (2019-09-20). William Barr Has Long Tried to Limit What a President Must Share With Congress. The Whistleblower Complaint is No Exception. theintercept.com Barr has been a strong proponent of the "unitary executive," a legal theory that states the president has near absolute authority over the executive branch.

ACLU (2019-09-20). The Supreme Court Considers Mandatory Government Funding of Religious Education. aclu.org A case out of Montana could result in the church-state separation being stripped to the bone. | In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the Supreme Court will address a question that would have been unthinkable to ask even until quite recently: Can a state be forced to underwrite religious education with taxpayer dollars? Although the court has previously allowed the government to adopt school-voucher programs that provide indirect government aid to religious schools, it has never suggested that the U.S. Cons…

Liliana Segura (2019-09-20). Georgia Supreme Court Urges State to Stop Stonewalling In Devonia Inman Case: "Let Justice Be Done" theintercept.com Justice David Nahmias lamented the court's previous refusal to review Devonia Inman's case and expressed grave doubts about Inman's underlying guilt.

Staff (2019-09-20). Headlines for September 20, 2019. democracynow.org Students Across the World Walk Out of Classes in Global Climate Strike, Two Die in Texas as Storm Dumps 40 Inches of Rain on Houston Area, Red Cross: 2 Million Need Humanitarian Aid Every Week Due to Climate Crisis, Bird Population in U.S. & Canada Dropped by Nearly 3 Billion Since 1970, Benny Gantz Declares Victory, Rejects Overture from Netanyahu, Trudeau Apologizes Again as New Blackface Photos Emerge, Funeral Held in Afghanistan After U.S. Drone Strike Killed 30 Civilians, Mostly Farmers, Kashmiris Sue Modi in U.S. Court as Trump Prepares to Appear with Indian PM at Texas Rally, Report: Whistleblower Complain…

Aaron Maté (2019-09-19). UK worsens Julian Assange's persecution as US seeks extradition. thegrayzone.com Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, says that UK authorities are holding Julian Assange in worse conditions than accused terrorists and…

Staff (2019-09-19). Headlines for September 19, 2019. democracynow.org U.S. Secretary of State Blames Iran for "Act of War" Against Saudi Oil Facility, WaPo: Whistleblower Reported "Troubling" Promise from Trump to Foreign Leader, Trump Names Robert O'Brien as Fourth National Security Adviser, U.S.-Backed Forces Kill 30 Afghan Civilians; Taliban Truck Bomb Kills 20, Thousands Fall Ill as Indonesian Fires Spread Toxic Haze, Thousands Lose Power as Hurricane Humberto Lashes Bermuda, Youth Activist Greta Thunberg to U.S. Lawmakers: Listen to Climate Scientists, University of California to Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies, Israeli Election Challenger Gantz Rejects Call to Join Netanyah…

Alexander Rubinstein (2019-09-17). Trump Brushes Israeli Dragnet Surveillance of D.C. Under the Rug. mintpressnews.com "Donald Trump has had a closer relationship with Israeli leaders than any president in American history. I think he genuinely doesn't care that the Israelis spy on the United States. I think he doesn't see the harm in this and does not feel threatened by it." — CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou…

unitedEditor (2019-09-17). Riyadh reaps what it sows: Yemeni drone attack devastates Saudi oil production. uwidata.com Yemen's Ansar Allah has officially claimed responsibility for the drone attacks against ARAMCO oil facilities which resulted in Saudi Arabia's oil production being cut in half. Nonetheless, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump and Saudi officials are claiming that Iran was actually the one responsible for the attack. The world's largest oil processing …

Aaron Maté (2019-09-15). Outing of CIA's Kremlin mole echoes Iraq WMD hoax. thegrayzone.com The outing of a CIA informant inside of the Kremlin raises new questions about the Russia investigation and the intelligence…

Brett Barrouquere (2019-09-04). Rift Exposed: A Desertion Robbed League of the South of Its Longtime Headquarters and Hints that a Member Chose His Real Estate Holdings over Southern Culture. splcenter.org League of the South (LOS), a neo-Confederate organization that advocates for Southern secession, has been roiled by a key defection that resulted in the group losing its headquarters in Wetumpka, Alabama, about 20 miles north of Montgomery.

splcenter (2019-09-03). Hatewatch: Brave in the Dark. splcenter.org Using fake names and fictional avatars, wannabe killers and hatemongers exude courage and commitment to their hateful causes.

ACLU (2019-08-27). New Resource Tool Sheds Light on Government's Prepublication Review System. aclu.org Millions of current and former government employees are subjected to this far-reaching censorship system. | This piece was originally published in Just Security. | For more than three years, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have been litigating a series of Freedom of Information Act requests relating to "prepublication review." Under this far-reaching censorship system, millions of current and former government employees, con…

2019-09-25: Social Media Postees

Rep. Al Green: "We've Reached Critical Mass" to Impeach Trump
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-09-25
| Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump following allegations from an intelligence community whistleblower that Trump sought help from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to release the whistleblower complaint to the H…
truthout.org/video/rep-al-green-weve-reached-critical-mass-to-impeach-trump/

As Democrats begin Trump impeachment, key 'Russiagate' case may be imploding
rt.com | 2019-09-25
President Donald Trump's security adviser Michael Flynn was the first casualty of 'Russiagate' impeachment push, but the case against him seems weaker than ever, after a federal judge voided the conviction of his business partner. | Flynn, a retired general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was forced to resign in February 2017, after less than two weeks of serving as national security adviser. He was snared in an FBI perjury trap as part of surveillance of the Trump campaign — which was predicated on claims it was "colluding" with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. | Though t…
rt.com/usa/469544-flynn-russiagate-rafiekian-impeachment/

Memo Reveals Trump Pushed Ukraine Leader on Biden Claims
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-09-25
WASHINGTON — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the House impeachment inquiry (all times local): | 10: 10 a.m. | The memo summarizing President Donald Trump's call with the Ukraine leader shows the president's lingering fixation on special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. | Trump flippantly refers to the ex-FBI director as a "man named Robert Mueller" and says he turned in "a very poor performance." | The memo also shows that the president made reference to the private cybersecurity firm that investigated Russia's hack of t…
truthdig.com/articles/memo-proves-trump-prodded-ukraine-leader-on-biden-claims/

Impeaching Trump: Finally convinced, Pelosi opens formal inquiry
C.J. Atkins | peoplesworld.org | 2019-09-25
With the explosive whistleblower revelation that Trump allegedly threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine to get dirt on the family of Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the launching of a formal impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States. Speaking at the Capitol Tuesday evening, Pelosi said that Trump's "enlistment …
peoplesworld.org/article/impeaching-trump-finally-convinced-pelosi-opens-formal-inquiry/

Impeaching Trump: Finally convinced, Pelosi opens formal inquiry
C.J. Atkins | peoplesworld.org | 2019-09-25
With the explosive whistleblower revelation that Trump allegedly threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine to get dirt on the family of Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the launching of a formal impeachment inquiry against the President of the United States. Speaking at the Capitol Tuesday evening, Pelosi said that Trump's "enlistment …
peoplesworld.org/article/impeaching-trump-finally-convinced-pelosi-opens-formal-inquiry/

"We've Reached Critical Mass": Rep. Al Green on Pelosi Vow to Impeach Trump for "Dastardly Deeds"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-25
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump following allegations from an intelligence community whistleblower that Trump sought help from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to release the whistleblower complaint to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. We get response and look at next steps with Congressmember Al Gree…
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/25/formal_impeachment_inquiry_trump

They're Murdering My Son: Father of Julian Assange Tells of Pain and Anguish
Finian Cunningham | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-25
John Shipton, the father of imprisoned whistleblower Julian Assange, says that if his son is extradited to the US, "They will murder Julian one way or the other."
mintpressnews.com/theyre-murdering-my-son-father-of-julian-assange-tells-of-pain-and-anguish/262063/

Daniel Ellsberg: Whistleblowers Preserve American Democracy
Staff | truthdig.com | 2019-09-25
What follows is a conversation between famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg and Marc Steiner of The Real News Network. Read a transcript of their conversation below or watch the video at the bottom of…
truthdig.com/articles/daniel-ellsberg-whistleblowers-preserve-american-democracy/

Ukrainegate Is Just The Democrats' Latest Gambit To Unseat Trump
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-25
A manufactured scandal is rapidly growing to epic proportions in the US surrounding one of Trump's recent conversations with new Ukrainian President Zelensky after a whistleblower alleged what the Mainstream Media is reporting to be the American leader's supposedly unethical …
globalresearch.ca/ukrainegate-is-just-the-democrats-latest-gambit-to-unseat-trump/5690041

Pranks, laughter and sex yetis: how Brits are coping with a government in meltdown
Tracy Keeling | thecanary.co | 2019-09-25
The UK is having a pretty tumultuous time right now. The UK's supreme court has ruled that Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was unlawful. Now, parliament has returned; and the government is getting an earful from its opposite numbers. | Frankly, things are a mess. Whether we'll be…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/09/25/pranks-laughter-and-sex-yetis-how-brits-are-coping-with-a-government-in-meltdown/

UK Supreme Court rules Johnson's prorogation of Parliament illegal
wsws.org | 2019-09-25
British politics entered uncharted waters yesterday as the Supreme Court–the UK's highest judicial body–declared illegal Prime Minister Boris Johnson's authoritarian prorogation of parliament.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/09/25/supr-s25.html

Billy Bragg: What the U.K. Supreme Court's Historic Ruling Against Boris Johnson Means for Brexit
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-09-25
The U.K. Parliament has reconvened after the country's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had unlawfully suspended Parliament in order to push through Brexit with or without a deal. Johnson made the unprecedented move late last month, asking the queen to prorogue Parliament in order to limit debate on leaving the European Union, which the U.K. is scheduled to do by October 31. Calls for Johnson's resignation are mounting since the news broke, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calling for a general election and demanding Johnson apologize to the queen and to the country. For mo…
www.democracynow.org/2019/9/25/brexit_british_parliament_billy_bragg

What the UK Supreme Court's Ruling Against Boris Johnson Means for Brexit
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-09-25
| The U.K. Parliament has reconvened after the country's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had unlawfully suspended Parliament in order to push through Brexit with or without a deal. Johnson made the unprecedented move late last month, asking the queen to prorogue Parliament in order to limit debate on leaving the European Union, which the U.K. is scheduled to do by October 31. Calls for Johnson's resignation are mounting since the news broke, with opposition Labour…
truthout.org/video/what-the-uk-supreme-courts-ruling-against-boris-johnson-means-for-brexit/

The British media failed to address the other disgraceful moment Boris Johnson had yesterday
Tracy Keeling | thecanary.co | 2019-09-25
Boris Johnson had a bad day on 24 September, in more ways than one. The UK's supreme court ruled that his prorogation of parliament was unlawful. The British media can't get enough of that story. But Johnson had another scandalous moment…
thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2019/09/25/the-british-media-failed-to-address-the-other-disgraceful-moment-boris-johnson-had-yesterday/

Railroaded by the Judges: Boris Johnson Fails in the UK Supreme Court
Dr. Binoy Kampmark | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-25
It delighted Labour supporters and party apparatchiks who had been falling over each other in murderous ceremony at the party conference in Brighton: Prime Minister Boris Johnson would come to the unwitting rescue with his own version of a …
globalresearch.ca/railroaded-by-the-judges-boris-johnson-fails-in-the-uk-supreme-court/5690174

Critics Say Only Full Whistleblower Complaint Will Do as Trump White House Signals 'Redacted Version'
Jake Johnson, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-09-25
"Congress must be allowed to view the whistleblower report and assess the situation in totality, not in terms that Trump decides on—and which he obviously finds favorable." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/donald_trump_6.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/09/25/critics-say-only-full-whistleblower-complaint-will-do-trump-white-house-signals?cd-origin=rss

UK's Johnson warns of dystopian digital future, calls on UN to set global standards for emerging technologies
United Nations | un.org | 2019-09-25
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday evening focused his address at the UN mainly on the looming threat of artificial intelligence run amok, but also made a brief reference to Brexit — comparing the process of the UK's delayed departure from the European Union to classical Greek mythology.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/09/1047422

Trump authorizes release of 'complete' transcript of call with Ukraine's Zelensky, Dems still not happy
rt.com | 2019-09-24
US President Donald Trump said a full transcript of his recent call with the Ukrainian president is to be released, but Democrats continue with calls for impeachment and plan to interview the whistleblower on the incident. | Trump tweeted on Tuesday that he had authorized the release of the "complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript" of his conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky. In a separate tweet, he said it was a "very friendly and totally appropriate call" and he applied "no pressure" on the Ukrainian leader. | Democrats had been up in arms after a whistleblower complained that Trump had allege…
rt.com/usa/469532-trump-zelensky-biden-transcript/

Whistleblowers Save our Democracy, Says Daniel Ellsberg
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-09-24
Trump has been exposed by leakers and might face consequences, and Edward Snowden has published a book. Daniel Ellsberg reflects on the bravery of exposing the truth.
therealnews.com/stories/dly092319_ellsberg_whistleblower

The Central Role of the Whistleblower
Melvin Goodman | counterpunch.org | 2019-09-24
The fortuitous emergence of a courageous whistleblower in the Trump White House and Harvard Professor Jill Lepore's pathetically ill-informed review of Edward Snowden's recent book, "Permanent Record," are important reminders of the central and difficult role of whistleblowers in any successful effort to restore our democracy. The information provided by whistleblowers is key to the work of congressional oversight; investigative journalism; and informed political debate. Whistleblowers contributed to the knowledge of the crimes of the intelligence community during the Vietnam War and the exposure of Iran-contra,…
counterpunch.org/2019/09/24/the-central-role-of-the-whistleblower/

The "Quid" Is a Crime: No Need to Prove "Pro Quo" in Ukrainegate
Paul Seamus Ryan | commondreams.org | 2019-09-24
Through the Mueller investigation, President Trump should have learned the legal risks of seeking foreign support for his election efforts. Instead, he seems only to have learned that he can get away with it. (Photo: Donald Trump/cc/flickr) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/rudyg.jpeg
commondreams.org/views/2019/09/24/quid-crime-no-need-prove-pro-quo-ukrainegate?cd-origin=rss

Edward Snowden Didn't Reveal Anything Confidential in His New Book
Martin Garbus | thenation.com | 2019-09-24
Edward Snowden Didn't Reveal Anything Confidential in His New Book…
thenation.com/article/trump-snowden-doj/

The Coverup of President John F. Kennedy's Assassination Is Wearing Thin
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-24
Below is a several years old documentary of 35 minutes summarizing the powerful evidence that the Warran Commission Report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is a cover-up. | All available evidence points to the CIA and the US …
globalresearch.ca/the-coverup-of-president-john-f-kennedys-assassination-is-wearing-thin/5690094

UK Supreme Court Rules Parliament Shutdown Illegal. Boris Misled the Queen
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-24
Since taking office on July 24, virtually everything Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson put to a vote was defeated — an unparalleled record of failure over a short period, especially for a new leader. | Notably, Johnson lost every no-deal Brexit/snap …
globalresearch.ca/uk-supreme-court-rules-parliament-shutdown-illegal-boris-misled-the-queen/5690036

Odds cut on Boris Johnson being shortest serving PM
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-09-24
Bookmakers have cut the odds on Boris Johnson leaving Downing Street this year and becoming the shortest serving prime minister in history.Johnson needs to continue as PM until 20 November to avoid the distinction of holding the office for fewer days than any of his predecessors.On that date he will overtake George Canning, who clocked up 118 days as prime minister before his death in 1827, and who holds the record for the shortest time in office.Johnson is currently on 62 days.(PA graphic)Following today's Supreme Court ruling, the bookmaker Coral has reduced the odds on Johnson being replaced as PM this year fr…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2019/09/24/odds-cut-on-boris-johnson-being-shortest-serving-pm/

Johnson vows to press on with Brexit after Supreme Court bombshell
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-09-24
Boris Johnson has vowed to press on with his plans for Brexit despite a devastating ruling by Britain's highest court that his suspension of parliament was unlawful. | The prime minister said he would abide by the finding of the Supreme Court that the five-week prorogation was "void and of no effect" — even though he disagreed with its conclusion. | Following the legal bombshell, Commons speaker John Bercow announced that MPs would return to Westminster on Wednesday with the House sitting at 11.30am. | The ruling prompted immediate demands from the opposition for Johnson to quit amid claims his position had…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2019/09/24/johnson-vows-to-press-on-with-brexit-after-supreme-court-bombshell/

Supreme Court rules prorogation of Parliament was unlawful
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-09-24
Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful, the UK's highest court has declared.A panel of 11 justices at the Supreme Court in London gave their decision on Tuesday in a ruling on the legality of the prime minister's advice to the Queen to prorogue parliament until 14 October.The judges, led by the court's president Lady Hale, heard appeals over three days arising out of legal challenges in England and Scotland — which produced different outcomes.The panel held unanimously that Johnson's advice to the Queen was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating parliament.SNP M…
thecanary.co/breaking-news/2019/09/24/supreme-court-rules-prorogation-of-parliament-was-unlawful/

Spain's Top Court Allows Exhuming Dictator Franco's Remains
telesurenglish.net | 2019-09-24
Spain's supreme court gave the government the go-ahead Tuesday to exhume the remains of dictator Francisco Franco and move them from the state mausoleum in which he was buried in 1975. | RELATED: | Spain Orders Hundreds of Municipalities to Remove Franco Symbols | The ruling could end decades of controversy over the burial place of the man who sti…
telesurenglish.net/news/Spains-Top-Court-Allows-Exhuming-Dictator-Francos-Remains-20190924-0009.html

Resignation calls grow after U.K. Supreme Court rules Johnson's parliament suspension illegal
Al Neal | peoplesworld.org | 2019-09-24
In a major blow to his fledgling and failing premiership, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's five-week prorogation (suspension) of Parliament was declared illegal by that country's Supreme Court today. Coming just five weeks before Britain's Oct. 31 deadline to leave the European Union, the court's move is the latest episode in the tumultuous battle over Brexit. …
peoplesworld.org/article/resignation-calls-grow-after-u-k-supreme-court-rules-johnsons-parliament-suspension-illegal/

A Damning Verdict by the Supreme Court against Boris Johnson Who Should Now Resign with his Cabinet
Hans Stehling | globalresearch.ca | 2019-09-24
In a verdict unprecedented in British legal and constitutional history, the Supreme Court consisting of eleven of the most senior justices, today ruled unanimously that the current Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had acted unlawfully in his prorogation (suspension …
globalresearch.ca/a-damning-verdict-by-the-supreme-court-against-boris-johnson-who-should-now-resign-with-his-cabinet/5690032

Boris Johnson is dead in the water after Supreme Court rules he acted unlawfully
Tom Coburg | thecanary.co | 2019-09-24
UK prime minister Boris Johnson has suffered a humiliating defeat after the Supreme Court ruled that his attempt to prorogue parliament was unlawful. There are now calls for him to resign. | The ruling: | The Supreme Court ruling was made by eleven justices: Lady Hale, Lord Reed, Lord Kerr, Lord Wilson, Lord Carnwath, Lord Hodge, Lady Black, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lady Arden, Lord Kitchin, and Lord Sales. | Lady Hale, president of the Su…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/09/24/boris-johnson-is-dead-in-the-water-after-supreme-court-rules-he-acted-unlawfully/

As Trump Authorizes Transcript Release, Expert Critics Say 'Anything Short of Whistleblower Complaint Is More Obstruction'
Jon Queally, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-09-24
"Anything short of whistleblower complaint is more obstruction." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/trump_call_unredacted.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/09/24/trump-authorizes-transcript-release-expert-critics-say-anything-short-whistleblower?cd-origin=rss

Trump's Biggest Scandal Might Tear the Democrats Apart
Jeet Heer | thenation.com | 2019-09-23
Trump's Biggest Scandal Might Tear the Democrats Apart…
thenation.com/article/trump-biden-whistleblower/

Red Diaper Baby: Big Brother's still watching you
Ed Rampell | peoplesworld.org | 2019-09-23
BEVERLY HILLS–The world premiere of Leda Siskind's thought-provoking, topical The Surveillance Trilogy is so perfectly timed–opening the same week that Edward Snowden's book Permanent Record has been published and the Trump administration is mired in an alleged whistleblower scandal–that one of three things must have happened: 1) Trilogy's publicist is a marketing mastermind who contrived …
peoplesworld.org/article/red-diaper-baby-big-brothers-still-watching-you/

Supreme Court to rule on Tuesday on suspension of parliament challenges
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2019-09-23
Prime minister Boris Johnson is set to find out the ruling of the UK's highest court over the legality of his advice to the Queen to suspend parliament for five weeks.A panel of 11 Supreme Court justices will announce their findings at 10.30am on Tuesday following a historic hearing in London last week.The judges have been asked to rule on whether the prime minister's advice to the Queen to prorogue parliament until 14 October was unlawful. | The judgment in 'R (on behalf of Miller) v The Prime Minister' and 'Cherry and others v Advocate General for Scotland' will be handed down at 10.30am on Tuesday 24 September…
thecanary.co/uk/news/2019/09/23/supreme-court-to-rule-on-tuesday-on-suspension-of-parliament-challenges/

"Never Be Ashamed:" Why I Decided Not To Delete My Old Internet Posts
Edward Snowden | theintercept.com | 2019-09-21
In this excerpt from his memoir, the NSA whistleblower describes his realization that no one should have to "pretend to be perfect."
theintercept.com/2019/09/21/edward-snowden-permanent-record-book/

William Barr Has Long Tried to Limit What a President Must Share With Congress. The Whistleblower Complaint is No Exception
Alex Emmons | theintercept.com | 2019-09-20
Barr has been a strong proponent of the "unitary executive," a legal theory that states the president has near absolute authority over the executive branch.
theintercept.com/2019/09/20/william-barr-has-long-tried-to-limit-what-a-president-must-share-with-congress-the-whistleblower-complaint-is-no-exception/

Through the Eyes of Jesselyn Radack: A Look at the Vital Role of Whistleblowers and Their Attorneys
Jimmysllama | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-20
"By protecting whistleblowers, sources, and online activists, we facilitate robust investigative journalism, hold government to account, protect the freedoms of speech, privacy and the press, and foster the most critical component of democratic society: an informed citizenry." — Whistleblower and Source Protection Program…
mintpressnews.com/jesselyn-radack-whistleblowers-attorneys/261941/

Through the Eyes of Jesselyn Radack: A Look at the Vital Role of Whistleblowers and Their Attorneys
Jimmysllama | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-20
"By protecting whistleblowers, sources, and online activists, we facilitate robust investigative journalism, hold government to account, protect the freedoms of speech, privacy and the press, and foster the most critical component of democratic society: an informed citizenry." — Whistleblower and Source Protection Program…
mintpressnews.com/jesselyn-radack-whistleblowers-attorneys/261941/

Georgia Supreme Court Urges State to Stop Stonewalling In Devonia Inman Case: "Let Justice Be Done"
Liliana Segura | theintercept.com | 2019-09-20
Justice David Nahmias lamented the court's previous refusal to review Devonia Inman's case and expressed grave doubts about Inman's underlying guilt.
theintercept.com/2019/09/20/murderville-georgia-devonia-inman-justice/

The Supreme Court Considers Mandatory Government Funding of Religious Education
aclu.org | 2019-09-20
A case out of Montana could result in the church-state separation being stripped to the bone. | In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the Supreme Court will address a question that would have been unthinkable to ask even until quite recently: Can a state be forced to underwrite religious education with taxpayer dollars? Although the court has previously allowed the government to adopt school-voucher programs that provide indirect government aid to religious schools, it has never suggested that the U.S. Cons…
aclu.org/blog/religious-liberty/religion-and-public-schools/supreme-court-considers-mandatory-government

The Supreme Court Considers Mandatory Government Funding of Religious Education
aclu.org | 2019-09-20
A case out of Montana could result in the church-state separation being stripped to the bone. | In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the Supreme Court will address a question that would have been unthinkable to ask even until quite recently: Can a state be forced to underwrite religious education with taxpayer dollars? Although the court has previously allowed the government to adopt school-voucher programs that provide indirect government aid to religious schools, it has never suggested that the U.S. Cons…
aclu.org/blog/religious-liberty/religion-and-public-schools/supreme-court-considers-mandatory-government

UK worsens Julian Assange's persecution as US seeks extradition
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-09-19
Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, says that UK authorities are holding Julian Assange in worse conditions than accused terrorists and…
thegrayzone.com/2019/09/19/uk-worsens-julian-assanges-persecution-as-us-seeks-extradition/

Trump Brushes Israeli Dragnet Surveillance of D.C. Under the Rug
Alexander Rubinstein | mintpressnews.com | 2019-09-17
"Donald Trump has had a closer relationship with Israeli leaders than any president in American history. I think he genuinely doesn't care that the Israelis spy on the United States. I think he doesn't see the harm in this and does not feel threatened by it." — CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou…
mintpressnews.com/trump-brushes-israel-dragnet-spying-of-d-c-under-the-rug/261913/

Riyadh reaps what it sows: Yemeni drone attack devastates Saudi oil production
unitedEditor | uwidata.com | 2019-09-17
Yemen's Ansar Allah has officially claimed responsibility for the drone attacks against ARAMCO oil facilities which resulted in Saudi Arabia's oil production being cut in half. Nonetheless, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump and Saudi officials are claiming that Iran was actually the one responsible for the attack. The world's largest oil processing …
uwidata.com/5348-riyadh-reaps-what-it-sows-yemeni-drone-attack-devastates-saudi-oil-production/

Outing of CIA's Kremlin mole echoes Iraq WMD hoax
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-09-15
The outing of a CIA informant inside of the Kremlin raises new questions about the Russia investigation and the intelligence…
thegrayzone.com/2019/09/15/outing-of-cias-kremlin-mole-echoes-iraq-wmd-hoax/

Rift Exposed: A Desertion Robbed League of the South of Its Longtime Headquarters and Hints that a Member Chose His Real Estate Holdings over Southern Culture
Brett Barrouquere | splcenter.org | 2019-09-04
League of the South (LOS), a neo-Confederate organization that advocates for Southern secession, has been roiled by a key defection that resulted in the group losing its headquarters in Wetumpka, Alabama, about 20 miles north of Montgomery.
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2019/rift-exposed-desertion-robbed-league-south-its-longtime-headquarters-and-hints-member-chose

Hatewatch: Brave in the Dark
splcenter.org | 2019-09-03
Using fake names and fictional avatars, wannabe killers and hatemongers exude courage and commitment to their hateful causes.
splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2019/hatewatch-brave-dark

New Resource Tool Sheds Light on Government's Prepublication Review System
aclu.org | 2019-08-27
Millions of current and former government employees are subjected to this far-reaching censorship system. | This piece was originally published in Just Security. | For more than three years, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University have been litigating a series of Freedom of Information Act requests relating to "prepublication review." Under this far-reaching censorship system, millions of current and former government employees, con…
aclu.org/blog/free-speech/employee-speech-and-whistleblowers/new-resource-tool-sheds-light-governments