A nation that contents itself to eat McDonald’s has the government it deserves. Our representatives in Congress with few exceptions are like Big Macs, bad for you, bad for the fear you eat with each bite of the butchered cow that was slaughtered to feed you, bad for the fear of all the trees in the Amazon which are felled to feed your habit, and bad for Earth which needs her lungs to breathe. We seem not to know how to stop.
Our insatiable habit is to keep electing the government we think we deserve, expecting better results, yet year after year we see the outcome. Now our government has perpetrated the greatest crime of all. I do not refer to the pitiable Kabuki of an “impeachment trial” meant to decapitate Grendell, and whimped out on by the ice cream empress Pelosi and all the whimpublicans in Congress. I refer to a Pentagon budget in the trillions while our people, if they are lucky enough still to have a job are paid starvation wages, while others die of starvation and disease, living in tents by the railroad tracks all over the United States because our government can’t be bothered to house them, or educate them out of their sad delusions, or help them learn how to think critically, or manage their finances to have a crack at basic survival. That’s the crime behind our Golden Arch.
Of all industrialized nations, not only are we last in healthcare, we have the worst worker benefits. the worst income inequity, and we are by far the largest incarcerater in the world. We require forced labor of prisoners at anywhere from 86 cents to $3.45 per day: in five states, prisoners are forced to work for free under the draconian provisions of the 13th amendment, many doing dangerous work, fighting California’s wildfires for example, work they are barred from doing on release.
And our life of crime is our chief export. Making the rest of the world’s people miserable seems to be a specialty. Twenty years of misery exported to Afghanistan, more years in Iraq, bombing Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and those are just the wars for fun and profit. The economic wars spread their largesses to Venezuela, Haiti, Iran, 30 emiserated counties in all, not to mention Cuba. I leave Cuba with its now 60 year’s blockade for last because in my lifelong travels it is the only country I have visited that is a victim of U.S. economic sanction. I can attest with my own eyes that the results look very much like a shooting war. It just takes a little longer.
Like the Marshall Islands, whose people have been irradiated for all eternity, Haiti is another laboratory country, namely a country where we like to experiment with horror to see what effect it has on the people living there. Conveniently, laboratory countries are often populated by people of color. Thanks to the Clintons and many before and around them, Haiti now provides an excellent picture of what happens to a country when its president refuses to step down. Jovenal Moise has been replaced one week ago; his people have taken to the streets. His police is arresting them as they demonstrate. Throughout his “presidency”, violence has been waged against opponents of his dictatorship. State sanctioned gangs have massacred people in opposition communities. Both police and military trained in repressive measures by (you guessed it) the United States, have attacked and arrested demonstrators and journalists, making use of live ammunition.
Thanks to the events of January 6 and February 13, Americans are now in a much better position to understand what that feels like.
ACTION
Using e-mail and tweets, express support for Haiti to your representatives and public officials.
Demand Biden end economic sanctions worldwide.
Push Congress (remember them?) and Biden to undo #45’s damage.
Oppose Feinstein for voting for changes to social security.
THIS WEEK'S ROSES AMONGST THE THORNS
China and India announce joint troop withdrawal from Kashmir border.
Venezuela parliamentary commission charges Guidó.
Damning UN report urges UK to unfreeze Venezuelan gold.
UN Special Rapporteur urges U.S. to lift blockade against Venezuela.
Palestinian groups call on ICC to take swift action.
U.S. firms behind Agent Orange stand trial in France.
Claiming fight is not over, women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released after 1000 days from Saudi prison.
With 10-point declaration, global coalition of top energy experts says 100% renewables is possible.
‘End this human atrocity’ says amnesty after Biden signals goal to close Gitmo.
Muslim Advocates files brief on #45’s anti-Muslim motives in detaining Gitmo prisoner.
GAO report shows Biden should scrap #45’s economic sanctions on Venezuela.
Under Biden, U.S. DOJ drops lawsuit filed under #45 challenging California’s net neutrality law, which could set the baseline for future federal rules.
Net neutrality to come back under Biden.
Applause as Biden plans ending Medicaid work requirements. targeting one of #45’s most cruel policies.
Thousands of advocates push Biden to end fossil fuel era.
Dems have massive COVID support so they can keep minimum wage hike.
New House bill reaffirms strong Congressional support for trillions in special drawing right as part of global COVID responses from Washington.
Mask wearing and lockdowns eliminate fluunivserities season this year.
Youth plaintiffs to take landmark case to Supreme court after Ninth Circuit denies en banc review to Juliana vs. U.S.
Ecologists and trade unionists demand just transition towards less air traffic.
Beyond Nuclear files federal lawsuit challenging high-level radioactive waste dump targeted at Texas-New Mexico Border.
Attorneys and anti-nuclear groups ask Biden administration to take fresh look at risky plans for plutonium pits.
In what might be one of the largest antimonopoly cases of this century, Justice Department files antitrust action against Google and its parent, Alphabet for controlling more than 878% of US search market.
BAP Solidarity Network demands Biden end war in Afghanistan.
Biden removes all 10 members of anti-worker Federal Services Impasses Panel.
Bden can be pushed for fundamental change at USDA and beyond.
The Black anti-war movement demands Biden take concrete steps to end the wars at home and abroad.
At confirmation hearing, Sanders call out Neera Tanden’s vicious attacks on progressives.
Progressives applaud FAIR Act reintroduction aimed at ending ant-worker, anti-consumer forced arbitration.
New York’s new law covering 67,000 fast food workers is a leap forward for just cause for all.
N.Y.C. taxi drivers shut down Brooklyn Bridge in demand for debt forgiveness.
Calls continue to drop charges against the 646 mass-arrested on interstate 94 in Minneapolis.
Press freedom groups call on DOJ to drop Assange charges.
Free Assange demands grow as Biden DOJ says it will continue to seek extradition.
Amnesty International joins civil liberties groups to ask Biden to drop case against Assange.
Local Georgia prosecutor launches criminal probe into #45’s request to ‘find the votes.”
Study finds increase in anti-Zionism at U.S. universities.
Court rules Arkansas’ Israel boycott pledge law is unconstitutional.
Philadelphia educators defy district.
After threatening strike, Chicago teachers set ‘n standard’ with safer school reopening plan.
St. Louis inmates take over units after weeks of complaints.
Wrongly jailed Queens youth organizes own defense from prison.
In study detailing #45-inflicted death and misery Lancet panel declares Medicare for all only way forward.
B of A announces net-zero emissions target financing goal.
Climate activist target major banks in fight to defund toxic Line 3 Pipeline
Tribes reclaim control of national bison range at long last.
Newly elected Orleans Parish DA cleans house of predecessor’s filth.
Baltimore democratizes economy one ice cream pint at a time at Taharka Bros. worker-owned co-op.
Fences and protesters return to Berkeley’s People’s Park as UC tries bid to expand yet again.
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