Daily News Digest December 3, 2021
Daily News Digest Archives
Images Of the Day:
What Restricting Abortion is Really All About
Lake Mead
Another Example Capitalism as a Failed System: World Capilalism Was Aware of the Danger of Cornovavirus Threat Over 5 Years Ago and Did Nothing!: Under Capitalism — Human Lives Don’t Matter Capitalism Does Not, and Never Has, Worked for the Masses! In Its Death Agony, Capitalism Is Traveling About The World Like The Four Horsemen of the The Apocalypse, Spreading Racism, War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. The future of Humanity Is Now At stake!
Since World War I, ‘the war to end all wars’, there have been perpetual wars for perpetual peace, this Laura Gray’s cartoon from the front page of The Militant August 18, 1945, Under the Banner Headline: “There Is No Peace”
During This Economic Crisis, Capitalism’s Three-Point Political Program: 1.Austerity,2. Scapegoat Blacks, Minorities, and ‘Illegal’ Immigrants for Unemployment, and 3. The Iron Heel! For Decades, Blacks Have Been Subjected to The Iron Heel! Currently, the US Capitalist Class is Divided Over When — Not If, to Apply It to Everyone!
Due to Years of Austerity, Cuts to Public Health Care, And An Anti-Science and Profiteering President, The United States Now Leads the World In Coronavirus Cases and Deaths in the World!
Always Remember: That President Obama, With a Majority Democrat Legislature Supported the Wall Street Bailout and Remember, That he Established, in writing, the United States Capitalist Austerity Program. — The Race to the Bottom/Pauperization of the 99%!
Democracy?: As the Capitalist Robber Barons Steal from the 99%, Only the 1% Voted For Austerity! The 99% Should Decide On Austerity — Not Just The 1% Who, Profit From Austerity!! Under Austerity, All of the World Will Eventually Be Pauperized, Humbled, and Desecrated Like Greece and Puerto Rico.! Socialism Means True Democracy, that the 99% Will Rule, Not the Few!
Quotes of the Day:
While Omicron is bad news for humanity, it is very good news for the Big Pharma capitalists, who are happy to keep riding the pandemic gravy train for as long as they can, irrespective of the resulting chaos and loss of life:“In reports to investors these corporations have predicted strong profits on developing booster shots to respond to new variants. It is not in their financial interest to eradicate the virus. In a modern take on evolution, one can conceptualize a symbiotic relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and biotech investors, both united in their parasitism of the bodies of working class people.” — Omicron variant: A Menace of Capitalism’s Making
Videos of the Day:
Watch a Never-Before-Aired James Baldwin Interview From 1979 Buried by ABC at the time, the segment reveals a unique glimpse into Baldwin’s private life—as well as his resounding criticism about white fragility, as blisteringly relevant today as it was in 1979.
Abortion Under Attack: Supreme Court Hints It Will Uphold Mississippi’s Ban, Threatening Roe v. Wade
As France Honors Black Artist Josephine Baker, Far-Right Pundit Éric Zemmour Launches Presidential Bid
United States:
The United States is not a Democracy (A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly)! Only the 1%, through. their ownershipof the Reublicrats, who profit from war and the war budget, voted for War and the war budget — A policy, which Gore Vidal called a Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace. — The 99% Should Decide On War — Not Just The 1% Who Profit From War! Under a Democracy, The 99% would have the right to vote on the policy of Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace! The United States takes from the poor and gives to the Rich. Tax the Rich! — They Can Afford To Pay!
Since Congress Lifted Crude Export Ban in 2015, US Has Dropped ‘Climate Bomb’ Port Arthur, and the entire Gulf Coast, has become a sacrifice zone!on World Oil and gas exports from the Gulf Coast have surged by nearly 600%, and fossil fuel production in the Permian Basin has grown by 135%. After Congress lifted a ban on crude exports in late 2015, oil and gas production in the Permian Basin soared while domestic consumption remained flat—leading to a massive build-out of pipelines and other infrastructure that culminated in the U.S. “flooding global markets” with fossil fuels at the expense of humanity, in general, and vulnerable Gulf Coast communities already overburdened by pollution, in particular.
Environment:
California Drought: State Water Project Will Deliver No Water to Most Communities Next Year Newsom may impose mandatory conservation rules, state water officials say In a stark indicator of California’s worsening drought, the Newsom administration announced Wednesday that cities and farms should expect to receive virtually no water next year from the State Water Project, a massive system of dams, pipes and canals that typically provides water to 27 million people from Silicon Valley to San Diego.
Megadrought Spurs First-Ever Federal Colorado River Cutbacks The Biden administration today will declare a water shortage on the Colorado River for the first time ever, triggering cutbacks in the Southwest due to a decadeslong drought that experts say is a sign of what’s to come. Bureau of Reclamation officials will announce that water levels in the river’s main reservoirs have dropped so low they have triggered mandatory delivery reductions in Arizona and Nevada. The announcement comes as heat waves and wildfires are scorching the West, presenting the Biden administration with another crisis. A 20-year “megadrought” in the seven-state Colorado River Basin has caused Lake Mead and Lake Powell to drop to levels not seen since they were originally filled a half-century ago. “This drought has come on faster and harder than last time,” said Ellen Hanak, the director of the water policy center at the Public Policy Institute of California, referring to the last Golden State drought that ended in 2016. “We are in year two, but we’re in as bad a shape as year three of what was a record drought last time.” Today’s announcement means Arizona and Nevada will face the first round of cuts next year under operating guidelines agreed to by the basin states — Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. Arizona’s share of the river’s water will be cut by nearly a fifth, or 18%, mainly affecting the state’s farmers. Nevada will lose approximately 7% of its allocation.
Eco-Fear: Mental Health in the Age of Climate Emergency As a climate student, I understand the isolation that comes with carrying a burden much of the world prefers to ignore—particularly those with the power to alleviate it. Human beings today face climate challenges on an incomprehensibly enormous scale. Given the gravity of the situation we’re in, the guilt we carry about our part in creating it, and infuriating, long-standing government inaction, it’s no surprise that feelings of hopelessness and despair abound. This dark cloud has become so widely felt and acknowledged in recent years that it’s even been given a name: “eco-anxiety,” defined by the American Public Health Association (APHA) as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” While eco-anxiety can be ignited in anyone by events as small as watching the nightly news, those deeply involved in the climate space are more vulnerable than others. As climate activists, our work is needed now more than ever: we must begin learning to live with our eco fear by talking with each other, forging connections within our communities, and taking direct action to combat the climate crisis.
Climate Justice Doesn’t Start With Politicians. It Starts in the Streets. The outcomes of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) continue to be debated across the globe, although a clear consensus has emerged among activists that it was largely a failure. There may be some hope down the road, however, as coal appears to be on its way out and grassroots pressure to transform climate policy is on the upsurge. Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, attended COP26 and witnessed personally the power of protests in the streets, which, she says, was the real leadership on display in Glasgow. In this exclusive interview with Truthout, Morgan shares what transpired in Glasgow, what mechanisms can be implemented to end fossil fuel use, and how the end of the fossil fuel economy has the potential to challenge capitalism.The only reason we got where we did in Glasgow was because the youth, Indigenous leaders, activists and countries on the climate frontline forced concessions that were grudgingly given.
Civil Rights/Black Liberation:
“The Black Agenda” Glen Ford
Black politics are key to recognizing the most important social dynamics of the United States. Over the past forty years, no commentator has been as deeply insightful about the paradoxes and personalities of Black American public life as the late journalist and radio host Glen Ford. In this stunning overview, Ford draws from his work for Black Agenda Report, one of the most incisive and perceptive publications of the progressive left, to examine competing struggles for class power and identity in the Black movement.
China is Not Colonizing Africa Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
International media cannot be trusted to give accurate information. Skepticism is especially warranted when China is the topic and allegations of colonizing Africa make headlines.
Interview: Malcolm X and Young Socialist, 1965 Editors, The Black Agenda Review
A 1965 interview with Malcolm X demonstrates how his encounters in Africa had a profound impact on his thinking about the domestic struggles of Africans in the Americas.
Eritrea Versus AFRICOM: Defending Sovereignty in the Face of Imperialist Aggression Dina M. Afsaha, Tunde Osazua
The rapid expansion of AFRICOM on the African continent should be a cause for concern as African nations are quickly surrendering their sovereignty to the US. As the only country without a relationship to AFRICOM, Eritrea bears the brunt of US vilification. We must salute Eritrea’s ongoing project of national liberation.
Enes Kanter Exposes Connection Between Sinophobia and Anti-Black Racism Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
Recent remarks made by an NBA player show that Sinophobia represents backward foreign policy and invitations to amplify racist tropes in the U.S.
The Drone Ranger gallops into Glasgow
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR Poet in Residence
“Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back”
Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book. This week’s featured authors are Jessica Luther and Kavitha A. Davidson . Luther is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, the New York Times Magazine, Texas Monthly, Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, and Vice Sports, among others. Davidson is a sportswriter and host of The Lead, an in-depth daily sports news podcast produced by The Athletic. She is on the board of directors at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center. Their book is Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back: Dilemmas of the Modern Fan.
Democracy Scores Another Victory Over the U.S. in Honduras Black Alliance for Peace
The people of Honduras secured a victory against U.S. interference with the convincing win of Xiomara Castro as their new president. The Black Alliance for Peace explains the election’s significance.
#NoMore Censorship of Africa’s Roving Digital Army of Peace Simon Tesfamariam
The removal of Twitter accounts advocating for peace in the Horn of Africa shows the connection between the state and big tech companies. Freedom of speech is an illusion when communications are controlled by corporations which follow governmental dictates.
White Supremacy, Nazism and Fascism R U.S. Philippe Gendrault, Wendy C. Ong
Only the United States and Ukraine voted against a UN Resolution denouncing the “glorification of Nazism.” History proves that racism in all its forms is foundational to this country and continues to be affirmed.
Potential Legislation on China Amounts to a New Cold War Aída Chávez
The $250 billion “Innovation and Competition Act” leverages industrial policy to ratchet up militarization and potentially instigate global conflict with China.
Ethiopia: The West’s Diplomats Meet in Secret to Decide How to Help the TPLF Jeff Pearce
Former and current diplomats from the US, EU and UK met with representatives of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Despite claims of impartiality it is clear that the US/NATO axis have given the green light for overthrow of the Ethiopian government.
WHO Stands with African Nations and Calls for Borders to Remain Open World Health Organization Scientists in Southern African nations revealed the presence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant but the good deed was punished with worldwide travel bans. The World Health Organization makes clear that the rationale for the ban is of dubious benefit and needlessly harms the targeted nations. The role of rich nations in hoarding vaccines and the continued patents on vaccines increase harm for Africans who are now the target of blame. Pledges to “follow the science” disappeared when Africa became the focus of attention.
Anti-Communism, Anti-Blackness, and Imperialism
Charisse Burden-Stelly, PhD
In this talk prepared for the Albuquerque Anti-War Coalition ‘s Anti-Communism & Imperialism panel discussion, Dr. Charisse Burden Stelly discusses how anti-communism and anti-Blackness are intrinsically intertwined structures of white supremacist and capitalist control.
A Totally Different Form of Living: On the Legacies of Displacement and Marronage as Black Ecologies
Justin Hosbey, J.T. Roane
This is a brief reflection on water, swamps, bayous, wetlands, and Black life in the United States, and the forms of freedom and racialized unfreedom that these ecologies have facilitated. Our ongoing collective project is to produce “deep maps” that center Black ecologies in the ways we think about the environment in and beyond the US South. Following water’s varied capacities— stagnant open pools, circuitous underground rivers, swift streams, or open ocean with its tides and currents—we draw together Tidewater Virginia and the Mississippi Delta, particularly New Orleans, to discover new possibilities of regional social and political affiliation outside of domination, extraction, and violence.
