(2019-02-08). Venezuela: From Oil Proxy to the Bolivarian Movement and Sabotage. globalresearch.ca Michel Chossudovsky talks to Bonnie Faulkner on Guns and Butter. | We discuss the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, its history as an oil proxy nation since the discovery of oil in 1918, through successive dictatorships, coups d'etats, a …
(2019-02-08). Denver teachers' strike set for February 11. fightbacknews.org Denver, CO – The Denver Teachers Classroom Teacher's Association (DCTA) announced in a press conference, held in the driving snow in front of the Colorado State Capital Building, that the teachers' strike will begin on Monday, February 11. This would be the first time since 1984 that Denver teachers would walk off their jobs and set up picket lines. | The DCTA and the Denver School Board have been negotiating the union's demand for an increase in base pay, as opposed to the school board offer to give a small increase in the budget of its haphazard system of bonuses. When the district offered less than1% of its bu…
(2019-02-08). This Day. US Blockade of Cuba Came into Effect 57 Years Ago. globalresearch.ca The United States' economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba celebrates today 57 years of its official enactment, repudiating the international community which considers this policy anachronistic and a violation of human rights. | According to historical notes, on February 3, …
(2019-02-08). 'America First' Means Nuclear Superiority. globalresearch.ca The US president's annual State of the Union address traditionally focuses on domestic issues but it also throws some light on the foreign policy priorities. President Trump's speech on Tuesday adhered to the pattern and if anything, the portions on …
(2019-02-08). A "Twelve Step Method" to Conduct Regime Change: From Chile (1973) to Venezuela (2019). globalresearch.ca Flashback, Chile (1970-73) | On 15 September 1970, US President Richard Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger authorised the US government to do everything possible to undermine the incoming government of the socialist president of Chile, Salvador Allende. Nixon …
(2019-02-08). "Raising Voices for Yemen" Defendants to Appear in New York City Criminal Court on February 25. globalresearch.ca On January 2nd, 2019, eleven people from New York, New Jersey, Maine, Illinois and Iowa protested the the Saudi-led, U.S.-supported bombardment and siege of Yemen by nonviolently blocking the doors of the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations …
(2019-02-08). Masters and Slaves: A Tale of Two Families. globalresearch.ca In 2003 I was asked by Kentucky State Senator Georgia Davis Powers to help research and write a book about her great aunt Celia Mudd, who was born into slavery but ultimately inherited the Lancaster property in Bardstown and became …
(2019-02-08). The American Left Resurgent: Prospects and Tensions. globalresearch.ca The American political system is experiencing a crisis of hegemony. The moderate, bipartisan center that had been the mythical linchpin of American politics during the "long Cold War" is facing the possibility of a terminal decline.1 Donald Trump's election …
(2019-02-08). Economics: A Retrospective Book Review. globalresearch.ca Why read about a book that was published in 1948 and a text book at that? | For two reasons; first It wasn't just a textbook…. it was the economic textbook for most of the world for over half a century, …
(2019-02-08). Resolutely Promised Prosecutions of Climate Criminals May Force Urgent Climate Action. globalresearch.ca Eminent climate scientist Professor James Hansen has published a must-read, 55-page summary of the worsening climate emergency. | In short, to correct the Earth's presently disastrous energy imbalance we must urgently reduce the atmospheric CO2 to 342-373 ppm CO2 from the …
(2019-02-08). Venezuela — The Straw that Breaks the Empire's Back? globalresearch.ca Venezuela in the limelight, on practically all the written, audio and visual mainstream media, as well as alternative media. A purposeful constant drip of outright lies and half-truths, "fake news", as well as misleading information of all shades and hues …
(2019-02-08). Al-Nusra Front: Islamic State's Breakaway Faction in Syria's Idlib. globalresearch.ca During the eight-year proxy war in Syria, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of al-Nusra Front, has emerged as the second most influential militant leader after the Islamic State's [alleged] chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In fact, since the beginning …
(2019-02-08). Peace in Afghanistan? The Taliban's Moscow Travels Have Turned Them into Seasoned Diplomats. globalresearch.ca From the caves of the Hindu Kush mountains to conference rooms in swanky Moscow hotels, the Taliban have come a long way in their national liberation struggle and are proving themselves by the day to be the most capable stewards …
(2019-02-08). How the Age of Billionaires Ends. counterpunch.org Every month or so there's a stunning new headline statistic about just how stark our economic divide has become. Understanding that this divide exists is a good start. Appreciating that a deeply unfair and unequal economy is problematic is even better. Actually doing something about it — that's the best. As 2020 presidential hopefuls start More
(2019-02-08). Ten Years After the Financial Crash. indybay.org US economic statistics are dubious since financial markets are based on financial products and money out of nothing. Tax havens, micro-second betting, stock buybacks, and corruption through lobbying are market- distorting and cause revenue shortfalls.
(2019-02-08). Finally, Washington Is Now Law-Bound to Compensate Its Victims! globalresearch.ca Since most of us are aware of the way Washington approaches its alleged fight against terrorism, murdering tens of thousands of civilians in the process, it seems that the relatives of all those who perished under American bombs in Afghanistan, …
(2019-02-08). Letter from the US: Teachers strike blow against school privatisation. greenleft.org.au 
After six days of strikes and mass mobilisations in the streets, Los Angeles teachers, joined on the picket lines and demonstrations by parents and students, won an important victory, Barry Sheppard writes from San Francisco, as they held the line against further privatisation of the public schools. | A front-page New York Times story on January 29 was headlined "Strike Throws Cold Water on a City's Embrace of Charter Schools". The article began: "Carrying protest signs, thousands of teachers and their allies converged last month on the shimmering contemporary art museum in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Clad…
(2019-02-08). 50 Days Until America's 'Brexit Prize' Becomes Reality. globalresearch.ca Brexit should be a wake-up call to all British people. When Vote Leave said Britain should 'take back control' — perhaps they were right because what the campaigning actually showed us was that Britain is being covertly turned into a …
(2019-02-07). Virginia Is the Latest State to Go #Red4Ed. progressive.org The movement has kicked off thanks to the efforts of an big-tent organization that has embraced all types of teachers, education professionals, and community members.
(2019-02-07). The South Dakota Legislature's Transphobia. aclu.org Members of the legislature have renewed their attack on transgender students with three separate bills targeting their civil rights. | After a short-lived victory in January, transgender students in South Dakota are once again being targeted with legislation that would put them at greater risk and, at the same time, cause serious damage to the state's reputation and economy. | On Jan. 24, lawmakers in the state Senate scuttled a bill requiring transgen…
(2019-02-07). When Colleges Confine Free Speech to a 'Zone,' It Isn't Free. aclu.org Arkansas State University's policy requiring preapproval from the school for protest anywhere on campus violates the First Amendment. | On certain college campuses, administrators have created "Free Speech Zones" — spaces where people are allowed to speak, protest, or gather signatures for causes they believe in. While it may sound like these zones are designed to promote speech, they actually do the opposite by confining political expression to designated areas, often in out-of-the-way locations on campus. | That's why this week, in a legal challenge to Arkansas State University's "Free Expression Areas" <...
(2019-02-07). Why Is Islam the Fastest Growing Religion of the Modern Era? globalresearch.ca What bothers me is not that we are unable to find solutions to our problems, what bothers me more is the fact that neoliberals are so utterly unaware of real structural issues that their attempts to sort out tangential problems …
(2019-02-07). Meeting in Moscow: The Taliban Meets the Afghan Opposition. globalresearch.ca It had the semblance of a play lacking key actors. They were deemed the difficult ones, and a decision was made to go through with the performance. The Taliban were willing to talk with their adversaries, but they were keen …
(2019-02-07). The US Syria Withdrawal and the Myth of the Islamic State's "Return" globalresearch.ca At face value — the notion that the US occupation of Syria is key to preventing the return of the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) to Syrian territory is unconvincing. | Regions west of the Euphrates River where ISIS had previously thrived …
(2019-02-07). Why I Defend Jeremy Corbyn but Don't Support Him. globalresearch.ca In Defence of Jeremy Corbyn | First off, let me get the 'defending Corbyn' bit out of the way. I do defend Corbyn's defence of the downtrodden and the dispossessed, a rare quality in Britain's despicable, dishonest and hypocritical political class. …
(2019-02-07). Global Day of Action: US Hands Off Venezuela! globalresearch.ca No U.S. War on Venezuela! | We cannot be silent in the face of the latest U.S. aggression against the Venezuelan people. Nicolás Maduro is the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, chosen twice by the people as part of …
(2019-02-07). Venezuela Seizes 'US Weapons Shipment' as Trump Vows to Support 'Noble Quest for Freedom'. globalresearch.ca Donald Trump has expressed full support for the Venezuelan opposition to oust President Nicolas Maduro from power, just as the country's authorities announced they'd seized a cache of weapons, allegedly delivered from the US. | The US-made weapons were discovered at …
(2019-02-07). Trump Nominates Fossil Fuel Industry Lobbyist David Bernhardt as Secretary of Interior. therealnews.com 
Trump is not draining the swamp with Bernhardt's nomination. Rather, he shows he is filling it with polluters, says Jesse Coleman, senior researcher at Documented
(2019-02-07). Student climate strike: 'It's our future'. greenleft.org.au 
After the successful School Strike 4 Climate Action last November 30, where more than 15,000 students walked out of school, organisers have called another strike for March 15 as part of a Global Day of Action — and they are asking others to join in. | Richard Lane and Maureen Murphy spoke to Year 9 student Lilly Murphy, who has been involved in the School Strike 4 Climate Action, about the climate strike movement. | *** | How did you get involved with the Student Strike 4 Climate Action? | A few of my school friends knew about it due to social media. There were also a few signs around school. | One of them…
(2019-02-07). Activists Avoid Jail in U.K. After Blocking Plane From Deporting Migrants. theintercept.com On Wednesday morning, a group of British activists entered Chelmsford Crown Court, about 30 miles northeast of London, carrying backpacks and tote bags stuffed full. The Stansted 15, as the group has become known, had arrived for a sentencing hearing, and some of them had come prepared to face years in jail. In December, the activists were found guilty of committing a terrorism-related offense after they broke into an airport and blocked the departure of a government-chartered plane that was set to deport migrants and asylum-seekers. | But the group need not have packed their bags. Twelve of the defendants receiv…
(2019-02-06). Chicago Teachers Union on strike at charter school operator CICS. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – Top CICS bureaucrats have put management greed ahead of student need, forcing a strike at four unionized schools in the profitable charter operator's 14-school stable, February 5. | CICS management was also busted over the weekend for working to line up strikebreakers, offering to pay temporary workers $21.75 per hour to scab, an annual pay rate more than $10,000 greater than the low-wage paraprofessionals to whom management has refused to provide a living wage. Some of those low-wage paraprofessionals make barely $30,000 per year or less, despite bachelors or masters degrees and years of servi…
(2019-02-06). Why Oakland Teachers are Ready to Strike. progressive.org More than 80 percent of teachers have cast a ballot — the highest turnout in the union's history — and 95 percent have voted to authorize a strike.
(2019-02-06). London says 'hands off Venezuela'. greenleft.org.au 
Hundreds have mobilised to attend pickets and mass meetings in defence of Venezuela's sovereignty and to demand an end to the British and US governments interference during a time of difficulty in Venezuela. Starting with a picket at the Prime Minister's Office and continuing with two mass meetings of the progressive left, anti-war, student and labour movement, a week of protests ended with a picket of the BBC headquarters and a further action planned against the Bank of England who have illegally seized US$1.2 billion of Venezuela's gold. The events highlighted that the attacks on Venezuela are of global importa…
(2019-02-05). UPDATE: Hundreds of Students Walkout to Oppose Johns Hopkins' Ice Contract. therealnews.com 
Baltimore County public school teachers will rally at a Baltimore County Board of Education meeting on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 5 to protest austerity measures, including budget and staff cutbacks. | The Real News will be covering events live on Twitter and the District will livestream the meeting, which begins at 6: 30. | Teacher protests have swept the nation over the past year—most recently in Virginia, where teachers staged a one-day walkout, and Los Angeles, where teachers won pay raises and class size…
(2019-02-05). UPDATE: Students and Faculty Plan Walkout Over Johns Hopkins' ICE Contract. therealnews.com 
"ICE is a racist institution that terrorizes black and brown communities and violates the human rights of the families it separates," says one Hopkins professor.
(2019-02-01). The Charter School Next Door. progressive.org What happens when public education becomes a marketplace?
(2019-02-01). How Los Angeles Teachers Organized and What They Won. progressive.org "It's really hard to overstate the incredible feeling of empowerment, solidarity, and joy that you saw in school site picket lines and at the massive rallies that we held every single day."
(2019-02-01). LAUSD Board approves cap on new charter schools. fightbacknews.org Los Angeles, CA – As of January 29, UTLA strike victories continue. At a contentious public LAUSD meeting the Board voted 5-1 for a "moratorium on new charter schools." A loud but small rally by the pro-charter forces chanted and gave misleading speeches promoting their lies. The LAUSD boardroom was packed, with many waiting outside and watching on remote TV. The pro-charter forces packed the room hoping to pressure the board members to vote against a resolution to cap new charter schools. To counter, Eastside Parents Against Privatization leader Eloisa Galindo and Julie Regalado spoke in support of a moratorium…
(2019-02-01). A Modern-Day Lynching?: "Always in Season" Looks at 2014 Hanging in NC & Legacy of Racial Terrorism. democracynow.org 
As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, we look at "Always in Season," a disturbing new documentary that examines lynching in the United States both past and present. It interviews Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, which built the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery to remember the more than 4,000 African Americans lynched in the United States. It also looks closely at the case of Lennon Lacy, a 17-year-old African-American high school student who, on August 29, 2014, was found hanging from two belts attached to a wooden swing set in a largely white trailer park…