Daily Archives: August 2, 2019

2019-08-02: News Headlines

Peter Bloom (2019-08-02). Viral Racism and the Politics of Distraction. commondreams.org It is indisputable that Trump has a history of racism. It is also clear that he uses sensationalist politically incorrect rhetoric to hide a deeper neoliberal agenda of deregulation and corporate power. Just as troubling is that the Democrats similarly exploit this racist spectacle for the same purposes. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/trump_michigan_asylum_seekers.jpeg

Robert Fantina (2019-08-02). The MEK: Illusion vs. Reality. counterpunch.org The oddly named People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (known as the MKO or MEK), whose sole purpose is the overthrow of the people's government of Iran, has been busy. Some of their members, who seem to be mainly elderly, are technologically savvy, and use social media to further their disgraceful cause. But they don't just More

RT (2019-08-02). Now urine for it: Hunt is on for ANOTHER Walmart peeing bandit. rt.com A 15-year-old who urinated on a wine shelf at a Texas Walmart may face felony charges after video of the teen and his friends chortling over the pee puddle was posted on social media, according to local authorities.

Doug Johnson Hatlem (2019-08-02). The Big Lie Democratic Centrists Are Telling About 2018. counterpunch.org Dave Wasserman of Cook Political Report tweeted it in response to Nancy Pelosi's attack on The Squad. John Hickenlooper unloaded a flatly false version of it during the first night of this week's Democratic debates. David Axelrod stated this falsehood as fact on CNN before the start of the second night of debates. Nate Silver More

Glen Black (2019-08-02). People are celebrating the 'loony mudslide' that buried UKIP. thecanary.co While the Lib Dems won Brecon's by-election on 1 August, the Monster Raving Loony Party stole the show. 334 people voted for its candidate, Lady Lily the Pink, meaning the party came second to last — above UKIP. And the reaction on social media has been priceless. | "The seco…

RT (2019-08-02). 'Leningrad Lindsey': Russia-baiting senator gets taste of own medicine as xenophobic hashtag trends. rt.com A trending Twitter hashtag, created to shame Lindsey Graham for his alleged un-American ways, has brought Russia-baiting full circle, with the senator now on the receiving end of the mass paranoia he helped foment.

teleSUR (2019-08-01). Ecuador: Ola Bini's NGO Office Sacked, Tech Equipment Stolen. telesurenglish.net The offices of the non-governmental organization Center for Digital Autonomy (CAD) in Ecuador, founded by Swedish programmer and digital privacy activist Ola Bini, were sacked Wednesday night, according to his attorney, Carlos Soria. | RELATED: | Ecuador: Ola Bini Released as Court Grants Habeas Corpus | "Ola Bini's workplace was 'burglarized' Wednesday and the 'thieves' took computer equipment with which the CAD works," Soria tweeted, adding that this is just a tactic to "intimidate.

Staff (2019-08-01). When Trump Calls People "Filth," He's Laying Groundwork for Genocide. truthout.org | | In a few taps on a keyboard, President Trump tried to strip the humanity of a whole city. On July 27, he tweeted that Baltimore was, "a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" and "no human being would want to live there." Imagine waking up and hearing your president say that you are not a real human? | Ten days earlier, thousands chanted "Send her back! Send her back!" about Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Bla…

Glen Black (2019-08-01). Saboteurs claim they saved the life of an otter that was being hunted illegally. thecanary.co Tense footage shows the moment that hunt saboteurs 'saved the life' of what they said was an otter. Although otters were made a protected species more than 40 years ago, the activists claim people are still hunting them illegally. | "An otter was seen… fleeing": | Saboteur groups said they caught the Culmstock H…

teleSUR (2019-08-01). Bolsonaro Supporters Attack Glenn Greenwald's Mother. telesurenglish.net Arlene Greenwald, the mother of journalist and author Glenn Greenwald, was attacked via social media Thursday by supporters of Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro. | RELATED: | Brazil: Minister Moro Seeks Deportation of Glenn Greenwald | A blogger named Oswaldo Eustaquio questioned the terminal cancer Glenn's mother is suffering from and wrote on his Twitter account that Glenn lied about his mother's health situation. Eustaquio concluded she was in good health based of her Facebook p…

John Shafthauer (2019-08-01). Allegedly 'skint' nation finds £2.1bn to spend on preparations for being even skinter. thecanary.co So the good news is that the allegedly skint Great Britain has found another £2.1bn down the back of Treasury's sofa. The bad news is we've already spent it — namely on something which is almost certainly going to see us vomiting money like a busted cash machine. | Magic money tree: | The last decade has revolved around Tory politicians saying: No, we don't have any money for poor people; no, we don't have any money for the NHS; no, we don't have any money for dis…

teleSUR (2019-08-01). Venezuela Rejects US Smear Campaign Against Public Officials. telesurenglish.net On Thursday, Venezuela's foreign ministry has denounced the smear campaign, coming from the U.S., that has without evidence portrayed top officials as involved in criminal activities. | RELATED: | Another US Military Plane Enters Venezuelan Airspace | The latest accusation came on Wednesday via Twitter from the notorious U.S. migration agency ICE. On their official…

Ed Sykes (2019-08-01). Labour mayor set to take power back from big banks and hand it to the people. thecanary.co North of Tyne metro mayor Jamie Driscoll promised before his election that he'd set up a locally-owned ' People's Co-operative Bank'. Now in power, this plan has just moved one step closer to reality. | The first step towards creating a customer-owned bank: | During his campaign, Driscoll promised to: establish an independent cooperative to begin the process of…

Middle East Eye (2019-08-01). Facebook Dismantles Saudi-Linked Network of Fake Accounts. theantimedia.com More than 350 profiles and pages linked to the Saudi government with some 1.4 million followers were taken down by Facebook on Thursday.

RT (2019-08-01). Tulsi Gabbard dismantles Kamala Harris over her prosecutor record during Dem debate. rt.com Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard slammed rival Kamala Harris for her actions as California's top cop during the second round of debates, winning over viewers across social media.

RT (2019-08-01). Tulsi most-Googled candidate during debate… raising questions over 'muted' Twitter trend. rt.com While presidential challenger Tulsi Gabbard was the most searched for candidate on Google during the second round of Democratic debates, her rankings on Twitter stoked accusations that results were being manipulated.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-08-01). 33 House Democrats Demand Resignation of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Over Secret Facebook Group. commondreams.org In a letter Thursday to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, 33 House Democrats demanded that U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost resign over her participation in a secret Facebook group in which members of the federal agency shared racist, sexist, and violent comments about migrants and members of Congress. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/provost.jpg

RT (2019-08-01). #KamalaHarrisDestroyed trends on Twitter after annihilation by Tulsi Gabbard, 'Russian bots' blamed. rt.com Twitter deemed presidential hopeful Kamala Harris utterly "destroyed," after fellow candidate Tulsi Gabbard landed dizzying verbal haymakers on the former California prosecutor. Naturally, 'Russian bots' were swiftly blamed.

Rick Sterling (2019-07-31). Tulsi Gabbard vs Google Goliath. dissidentvoice.org Introduction The Tulsi Gabbard presidential campaign has filed a major law suit against Google. This article outlines the main points of the law suit and evidence the the social media giant Google has quietly acquired enormous influence on public perceptions and has been actively censoring alternative viewpoints. Tulsi Now vs Google Tulsi Now, Inc vs …

Slava Zilber (2019-07-31). Amid ongoing process against Chris Williamson, let's remember his firm opposition to regime-change efforts abroad. thecanary.co On 30 July, the Campaign for Chris Williamson tweeted: | In a total subversion of due process, @DerbyChrisW has been referred to @UKLabour's National Constitutional Committee for expulsion. We understand this to be unlawful and against Labour's rules. Legal action against the part…

Binoy Kampmark (2019-07-30). Permissible Deviance: Facebook's FTC Fine. dissidentvoice.org It was something of a shrug moment. One of the world's largest digital platforms had been fined $5 billion for privacy violations by the Federal Trade Commission, claiming it had violated its 2012 order. The FTC order also requires the company "to restructure its approach to privacy from the corporate board-level down, establishing strong new …

Mat Ward (2019-07-30). 10 new political albums that will make you smile. greenleft.org.au The world is a dark place in July 2019, but it's inspiring some great protest music to give you hope and raise a smile. Here are the best new albums that related to this month's political news. What albums would you suggest? Comment on Twitter, Facebook, or email. | VARIOUS ARTISTS – DEADLY HEARTS 2.jpg: | 1. VARIOUS ARTISTS – DEADLY HEARTS 2 : | From July 7 to 14, Australia held…

Staff (2019-07-29). Baltimore Residents: Trump's Attacks on the City Are Rooted in "Racism and White Supremacy" democracynow.org President Trump is facing widespread outrage after describing Baltimore as a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" in tweets attacking Congressmember Elijah Cummings, one of the most prominent African-American lawmakers in Washington. Trump tweeted that Cummings's district is "considered the Worst in the USA," and said "no human being would want to live there." Trump's initial tweets came after Fox News ran a story about Baltimore and after Cummings criticized the conditions of immigration jails along the Mexican border. Officials across Baltimore and Maryland denounced the president's remarks, and The Balti…

Staff (2019-07-29). Democrats Use Trump's Tweets to Hide Neoliberal Policy Failures. therealnews.com The reactions to Trump's tweets show that the "Diverter in Chief" has effectively derailed the conversation around Baltimore City, and has allowed establishment Democrats to avoid their own culpability in the segregation and poverty in our cities…

Kathryn Casteel (2019-07-29). Texas sheriff who stars on reality show fails to publicly address sexist images posted on Facebook by one of his top officers. splcenter.org Stories about law enforcement officers disciplined for posting offensive images or words on Facebook are increasingly popping up in the news.

Katie Halper (2019-07-26). MSNBC's Anti-Sanders Bias Makes It Forget How to Do Math. fair.org When MSNBC legal analyst Mimi Rocah ( 7/21/19) said that Bernie Sanders "made [her] skin crawl," though she "can't even identify for you what exactly it is," she was just expressing more overtly the anti-Sanders bias that pervades the network. MSNBC's Mimi Rocah ( 7/21/19) explaining how Bernie Sanders makes her "skin crawl." | The hostility is so entrenched, in fact, it seems to have corrupted MSNBC's mathematical reasoni…

Josmar Trujillo (2019-07-26). The 'Total Anarchy' of Wet Cops. fair.org by Josmar Trujillo "Total Anarchy": The headline has changed, but the tweet remains (Twitter, 7/22/19). | The family of Eric Garner, the Staten Island father infamously choked to death by a New York City cop in 2014 (Extra!, 1—2/15), was told last week by the Justice Department that charges would not be brought against that officer. Family members and activists responded with fury, mostly aimed at Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose refusal to fire the officer, Daniel Pantaleo, allo…

Rosa Pergams (2019-07-24). Facebook cafeteria workers demand decent wages, 8-hour day. liberationnews.org Software engineers come out on picket line in solidarity.

Hatewatch Staff (2019-07-17). Retaking Everything: The Story of Identity Dixie. splcenter.org A small Facebook campaign predicated on keeping Confederate monuments in place has morphed into a group of more than 200 ardent, secretive separatists planning to make the South a separate nation. And Hatewatch has learned the identities of some of the group's leaders and members.

2019-08-02: Social Media Postees

The Big Lie Democratic Centrists Are Telling About 2018
Doug Johnson Hatlem | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-02
Dave Wasserman of Cook Political Report tweeted it in response to Nancy Pelosi's attack on The Squad. John Hickenlooper unloaded a flatly false version of it during the first night of this week's Democratic debates. David Axelrod stated this falsehood as fact on CNN before the start of the second night of debates. Nate Silver…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/02/the-big-lie-democratic-centrists-are-telling-about-2018/

Viral Racism and the Politics of Distraction
Peter Bloom | commondreams.org | 2019-08-02
It is indisputable that Trump has a history of racism. It is also clear that he uses sensationalist politically incorrect rhetoric to hide a deeper neoliberal agenda of deregulation and corporate power. Just as troubling is that the Democrats similarly exploit this racist spectacle for the same purposes. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/trump_michigan_asylum_seekers.jpeg
commondreams.org/views/2019/08/02/viral-racism-and-politics-distraction?cd-origin=rss

The MEK: Illusion vs. Reality
Robert Fantina | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-02
The oddly named People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (known as the MKO or MEK), whose sole purpose is the overthrow of the people's government of Iran, has been busy. Some of their members, who seem to be mainly elderly, are technologically savvy, and use social media to further their disgraceful cause. But they don't just…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/02/the-mek-illusion-vs-reality/

People are celebrating the 'loony mudslide' that buried UKIP
Glen Black | thecanary.co | 2019-08-02
While the Lib Dems won Brecon's by-election on 1 August, the Monster Raving Loony Party stole the show. 334 people voted for its candidate, Lady Lily the Pink, meaning the party came second to last — above UKIP. And the reaction on social media has been priceless. | "The seco…
thecanary.co/trending/2019/08/02/people-are-celebrating-the-loony-mudslide-that-buried-ukip/

'Leningrad Lindsey': Russia-baiting senator gets taste of own medicine as xenophobic hashtag trends
rt.com | 2019-08-02
A trending Twitter hashtag, created to shame Lindsey Graham for his alleged un-American ways, has brought Russia-baiting full circle, with the senator now on the receiving end of the mass paranoia he helped foment. | …
rt.com/usa/465664-lindsey-graham-leningrad-twitter-trend/

Now urine for it: Hunt is on for ANOTHER Walmart peeing bandit
rt.com | 2019-08-02
A 15-year-old who urinated on a wine shelf at a Texas Walmart may face felony charges after video of the teen and his friends chortling over the pee puddle was posted on social media, according to local authorities. | …
rt.com/usa/465616-teen-urinates-wine-walmart-viral/

When Trump Calls People "Filth," He's Laying Groundwork for Genocide
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-08-01
| In a few taps on a keyboard, President Trump tried to strip the humanity of a whole city. On July 27, he tweeted that Baltimore was, "a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" and "no human being would want to live there." Imagine waking up and hearing your president say that you are not a real human? | Ten days earlier, thousands chanted "Send her back! Send her back!" about Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Bla…
truthout.org/articles/when-trump-calls-people-filth-hes-laying-groundwork-for-genocide/

Ecuador: Ola Bini's NGO Office Sacked, Tech Equipment Stolen
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-01
The offices of the non-governmental organization Center for Digital Autonomy (CAD) in Ecuador, founded by Swedish programmer and digital privacy activist Ola Bini, were sacked Wednesday night, according to his attorney, Carlos Soria. | RELATED: | Ecuador: Ola Bini Released as Court Grants Habeas Corpus | "Ola Bini's workplace was 'burglarized' Wednesday and the 'thieves' took computer equipment with which the CAD works," Soria tweeted, adding that this is just a tactic to "intimidate.
telesurenglish.net/news/Ecuador-Ola-Binis-NGO-Office-Sacked-Tech-Equipment-Stolen-20190801-0038.html

Bolsonaro Supporters Attack Glenn Greenwald's Mother
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-01
Arlene Greenwald, the mother of journalist and author Glenn Greenwald, was attacked via social media Thursday by supporters of Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro. | RELATED: | Brazil: Minister Moro Seeks Deportation of Glenn Greenwald | A blogger named Oswaldo Eustaquio questioned the terminal cancer Glenn's mother is suffering from and wrote on his Twitter account that Glenn lied about his mother's health situation. Eustaquio concluded she was in good health based of her Facebook p…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bolsonaros-Supporters-Attack-Glenn-Greenwalds-Mother-20190801-0029.html

Venezuela Rejects US Smear Campaign Against Public Officials
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-01
On Thursday, Venezuela's foreign ministry has denounced the smear campaign, coming from the U.S., that has without evidence portrayed top officials as involved in criminal activities. | RELATED: | Another US Military Plane Enters Venezuelan Airspace | The latest accusation came on Wednesday via Twitter from the notorious U.S. migration agency ICE. On their official…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-Rejects-US-Smear-Campaign-Against-Public-Officials-20190801-0019.html

Facebook Dismantles Saudi-Linked Network of Fake Accounts
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2019-08-01
More than 350 profiles and pages linked to the Saudi government with some 1.4 million followers were taken down by Facebook on Thursday.

Facebook Dismantles Saudi-Linked Network of Fake Accounts

Tulsi Gabbard dismantles Kamala Harris over her prosecutor record during Dem debate
rt.com | 2019-08-01
Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard slammed rival Kamala Harris for her actions as California's top cop during the second round of debates, winning over viewers across social media. | …
rt.com/usa/465523-tulsi-trending-attacks-harris-twitter/

#KamalaHarrisDestroyed trends on Twitter after annihilation by Tulsi Gabbard, 'Russian bots' blamed
rt.com | 2019-08-01
Twitter deemed presidential hopeful Kamala Harris utterly "destroyed," after fellow candidate Tulsi Gabbard landed dizzying verbal haymakers on the former California prosecutor. Naturally, 'Russian bots' were swiftly blamed. | …
rt.com/usa/465579-kamala-harris-destroyed-tulsi/

33 House Democrats Demand Resignation of U.S. Border Patrol Chief Over Secret Facebook Group
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-08-01
In a letter Thursday to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, 33 House Democrats demanded that U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost resign over her participation in a secret Facebook group in which members of the federal agency shared racist, sexist, and violent comments about migrants and members of Congress. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/provost.jpg
commondreams.org/news/2019/08/01/33-house-democrats-demand-resignation-us-border-patrol-chief-over-secret-facebook?cd-origin=rss

Tulsi most-Googled candidate during debate… raising questions over 'muted' Twitter trend
rt.com | 2019-08-01
While presidential challenger Tulsi Gabbard was the most searched for candidate on Google during the second round of Democratic debates, her rankings on Twitter stoked accusations that results were being manipulated. | …
rt.com/usa/465587-tulsi-trending-google-twitter/

Tulsi Gabbard vs Google Goliath
Rick Sterling | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-07-31
Introduction The Tulsi Gabbard presidential campaign has filed a major law suit against Google. This article outlines the main points of the law suit and evidence the the social media giant Google has quietly acquired enormous influence on public perceptions and has been actively censoring alternative viewpoints. Tulsi Now vs Google Tulsi Now, Inc vs …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/07/tulsi-gabbard-vs-google-goliath/

Amid ongoing process against Chris Williamson, let's remember his firm opposition to regime-change efforts abroad
Slava Zilber | thecanary.co | 2019-07-31
On 30 July, the Campaign for Chris Williamson tweeted: | In a total subversion of due process, @DerbyChrisW has been referred to @UKLabour's National Constitutional Committee for expulsion. We understand this to be unlawful and against Labour's rules. Legal action against the part…
thecanary.co/feature/2019/07/31/amid-ongoing-process-against-chris-williamson-lets-remember-his-firm-opposition-to-regime-change-efforts-abroad/

Permissible Deviance: Facebook's FTC Fine
Binoy Kampmark | dissidentvoice.org | 2019-07-30
It was something of a shrug moment. One of the world's largest digital platforms had been fined $5 billion for privacy violations by the Federal Trade Commission, claiming it had violated its 2012 order. The FTC order also requires the company "to restructure its approach to privacy from the corporate board-level down, establishing strong new …
dissidentvoice.org/2019/07/permissible-deviance-facebooks-ftc-fine/

10 new political albums that will make you smile
Mat Ward | greenleft.org.au | 2019-07-30
The world is a dark place in July 2019, but it's inspiring some great protest music to give you hope and raise a smile. Here are the best new albums that related to this month's political news. What albums would you suggest? Comment on Twitter, Facebook, or email. | VARIOUS ARTISTS – DEADLY HEARTS 2.jpg: | 1. VARIOUS ARTISTS – DEADLY HEARTS 2 : | From July 7 to 14, Australia held…
greenleft.org.au/content/10-new-political-albums-will-make-you-smile

Democrats Use Trump's Tweets to Hide Neoliberal Policy Failures
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-07-29
The reactions to Trump's tweets show that the "Diverter in Chief" has effectively derailed the conversation around Baltimore City, and has allowed establishment Democrats to avoid their own culpability in the segregation and poverty in our cities…
therealnews.com/stories/democrats-use-trumps-tweets-to-hide-neoliberal-policy-failures

Baltimore Residents: Trump's Attacks on the City Are Rooted in "Racism and White Supremacy"
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-07-29
President Trump is facing widespread outrage after describing Baltimore as a "disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" in tweets attacking Congressmember Elijah Cummings, one of the most prominent African-American lawmakers in Washington. Trump tweeted that Cummings's district is "considered the Worst in the USA," and said "no human being would want to live there." Trump's initial tweets came after Fox News ran a story about Baltimore and after Cummings criticized the conditions of immigration jails along the Mexican border. Officials across Baltimore and Maryland denounced the president's remarks, and The Balti…
www.democracynow.org/2019/7/29/donald_trump_elijah_cummings_baltimore_tweets

Texas sheriff who stars on reality show fails to publicly address sexist images posted on Facebook by one of his top officers
Kathryn Casteel | splcenter.org | 2019-07-29
Stories about law enforcement officers disciplined for posting offensive images or words on Facebook are increasingly popping up in the news.
splcenter.org/news/2019/08/01/texas-sheriff-who-stars-reality-show-fails-publicly-address-sexist-images-posted-facebook

The 'Total Anarchy' of Wet Cops
Josmar Trujillo | fair.org | 2019-07-26
by Josmar Trujillo "Total Anarchy": The headline has changed, but the tweet remains (Twitter, 7/22/19). | The family of Eric Garner, the Staten Island father infamously choked to death by a New York City cop in 2014 (Extra!, 1–2/15), was told last week by the Justice Department that charges would not be brought against that officer. Family members and activists responded with fury, mostly aimed at Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose refusal to fire the officer, Daniel Pantaleo, allo…
fair.org/home/the-total-anarchy-of-wet-cops/

Facebook cafeteria workers demand decent wages, 8-hour day
Rosa Pergams | liberationnews.org | 2019-07-24
Software engineers come out on picket line in solidarity.
liberationnews.org/facebook-cafeteria-workers-demand-decent-wages-8-hour-da/

Retaking Everything: The Story of Identity Dixie
Hatewatch Staff | splcenter.org | 2019-07-17
A small Facebook campaign predicated on keeping Confederate monuments in place has morphed into a group of more than 200 ardent, secretive separatists planning to make the South a separate nation. And Hatewatch has learned the identities of some of the group's leaders and members.
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/07/17/retaking-everything-story-identity-dixie