Why There’s a Real Chance My Texas Town Might Ban Fracking
Candice Bernd, Truthout: The history of the quirky Texas town of Denton’s struggle with fracking reveals why the gas industry’s propaganda about “responsible drilling” is deceitful and why a total ban on fracking is necessary. Denton residents understand this from years of personal experience.
The Corporate Assault on Direct Democracy
Ron Fein, Truthout: When direct democracy actions like ballot initiatives threaten corporate interests, increasingly, corporate lawyers run to court to prevent citizens from getting the chance to vote. More often than not, the corporations win. But it doesn’t have to end this way.
Bachmann’s War on Islam: I’m an Enemy. How Did That Happen?
Mahbod Seraji, Truthout: “I tossed and turned in bed wondering what Michele would do if she were president … Hearing the roaring applause of her audience horrified me. The only thing more dangerous than a stupid leader is a stupider follower, I thought, feeling nauseated.”
Beating Climate Change by Retooling the Economy: The Story Begins in Navajo Country
Mary Hansen, YES! Magazine: A proposed community-owned solar project on an abandoned coal mine in Arizona illustrates how cooperative economics make it possible to stop extracting fossil fuels – without leaving workers behind.
Victoria Law | Against Carceral Feminism
Victoria Law, Jacobin: Carceral feminism describes an approach that sees increased policing, prosecution and imprisonment as the primary solution to violence against women. But relying on state violence to curb domestic violence only ends up harming the most marginalized women.
Gareth Porter | History of Key Document in IAEA Probe Suggests Israeli Forgery
Gareth Porter, Inter Press Service: An intelligence document the IAEA is investigating not only remains unverified but can only be linked to Iran by a far-fetched official account marked by a series of coincidences related to a foreign scientist that that are highly suspicious.
The Post-Michael Brown Agenda Provides Goals for the Movement to End Racist, Militarized Policing
Kevin Zeese, Popular Resistance: Throughout the nation the issue of police brutality, including killings of unarmed people, is a common problem. To turn this moment of awareness and activism into an effective movement, we need an agenda to transform policing so police play a constructive role in the community.
California, the Golden State, Is Actually the Poorest of All
Keith Griffith, Equal Voice: California, the home of Silicon Valley and more billionaires than any other state, is the poorest state in the country. That’s according to an October 16 report from the Census Bureau, which also finds that Mississippi has a poverty rate below the national average.
Economic Update: Capitalism, Inequality and Martin Luther King
Richard D. Wolff, Truthout: This episode looks at Detroit’s water shutoffs, corporations prioritizing profit at people’s expense, US senators making money, the economics of Ebola and hedge funds that pay fines with pensioners’ money. We also interview Dr. Obery Hendricks, Jr., who discusses Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lifelong criticism of capitalism and preference for democratic socialism.
Citizenfour: Inside Story of NSA Leaker Edward Snowden Captured in New Film by Laura Poitras
Amy Goodman and Nermeen Shaikh, Democracy Now!: Laura Poitras filmed more than 20 hours of footage as Edward Snowden debriefed reporters Glenn Greenwald and Ewen MacAskill. That footage – most of which was unseen until now – forms the backbone of her new film, Citizenfour.
Watch the Video and Read the Transcript
Pacific Climate Change Warriors Block World’s Largest Coal Port
Lyndal Rowlands, Inter Press Service: Climate Change Warriors from 12 Pacific Island nations paddled canoes into the world’s largest coal port in Newcastle, Australia, Friday to bring attention to their grave fears about the consequences of climate change on their home countries.
BuzzFlash
Few People Killed in US Drone Strikes Identified as Terrorists
Mark Karlin, BuzzFlash at Truthout: The CIA and White House have a drone policy that appears to be a bit like throwing spaghetti on the wall, except that in this case people are injured and die.
Why We Can’t Have Nice Things: Notes on a Wretched Election Season
Ferguson Protests: Amnesty Report Criticizes Police Excesses
Read the Article at The Guardian
Fracking Threatens Millions of Californians
George Carlin: The Truth About Republicans
How Native Americans Could Save the Democrats’ Senate Majority
Read the Article at Mother Jones
Can a “Homeless Bill of Rights” End the Criminalization of LA’s Most Vulnerable Residents?
Read the Article at The Nation
The Spectacular Implosion of GOP’s Senate Hopes in Oregon
Spirit In Action 