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marmar
marmar's Journal
marmar's Journal
July 14, 2015
from In These Times:
The AFT’s Endorsement of Hillary Clinton Is an Insult to Union Democracy
BY LOIS WEINER
On Saturday, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) announced that its executive council “overwhelmingly” endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president. It did so, the official announcement says, on the basis of interviews (not released to members) and the results of a poll.
The decision couldn’t be more wrongheaded, and it’s one that members should demand the union executive council rescind. We should propose instead a decision reached by a very different process: a referendum of members that follows and is informed by debate in union outlets.
Every local should be charged by the executive council with providing space and place for members to air their opinions. The national union should encourage use of its magazine and website for this debate. In this discussion the leadership will have the opportunity to persuade members that endorsing Clinton is the wisest choice, but it will be obligated to carry out the will of the membership as expressed in the referendum.
What is most destructive in the AFT’s endorsement of Clinton is that it has disempowered members at precisely the moment when we most need revitalized teachers unions to save a system of education that is being destroyed as a public good by powerful elites and the politicians they control.
Instead, a rushed decision was made without any semblance of legitimacy. The questions and answers about the process offer few specifics except that the national union conducted polls of members and interviews with (some) candidates. According to the union, the endorsement was made based on this information, though people who know Washington politics have been aware for many years of the public love fest between AFT President Randi Weingarten and Clinton. The process of seeking member opinion was an embarrassingly transparent cover for Weingarten’s longstanding desire that Clinton be the AFT’s candidate. ........(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18184/AFT_endorsement_clinton
The AFT’s Endorsement of Hillary Clinton Is an Insult to Union Democracy
from In These Times:
The AFT’s Endorsement of Hillary Clinton Is an Insult to Union Democracy
BY LOIS WEINER
On Saturday, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) announced that its executive council “overwhelmingly” endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president. It did so, the official announcement says, on the basis of interviews (not released to members) and the results of a poll.
The decision couldn’t be more wrongheaded, and it’s one that members should demand the union executive council rescind. We should propose instead a decision reached by a very different process: a referendum of members that follows and is informed by debate in union outlets.
Every local should be charged by the executive council with providing space and place for members to air their opinions. The national union should encourage use of its magazine and website for this debate. In this discussion the leadership will have the opportunity to persuade members that endorsing Clinton is the wisest choice, but it will be obligated to carry out the will of the membership as expressed in the referendum.
What is most destructive in the AFT’s endorsement of Clinton is that it has disempowered members at precisely the moment when we most need revitalized teachers unions to save a system of education that is being destroyed as a public good by powerful elites and the politicians they control.
Instead, a rushed decision was made without any semblance of legitimacy. The questions and answers about the process offer few specifics except that the national union conducted polls of members and interviews with (some) candidates. According to the union, the endorsement was made based on this information, though people who know Washington politics have been aware for many years of the public love fest between AFT President Randi Weingarten and Clinton. The process of seeking member opinion was an embarrassingly transparent cover for Weingarten’s longstanding desire that Clinton be the AFT’s candidate. ........(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18184/AFT_endorsement_clinton
July 14, 2015
(In These Times) “Scott Walker is a national disgrace,” says Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, the United States’ largest union alliance, in response to Governor Scott Walker’s announcement of his presidential ambitions. His statement, composed of only six words, was released shortly before Walker’s announcement.
Trumka’s expression of disgust should come as no surprise to those familiar with Walker’s union-busting policies. As governor of Wisconsin, Walker has consistently opposed unions in his state. He is perhaps best known for his attack on the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin workers in 2011.
According to The Nation, the state budget Walker signed into effect on Sunday attacks even the most basic of workers’ rights, including a guarantee that factory and retail workers “must get at least 24 consecutive hours of rest for every seven-day stretch” of work.
Among other policies Walker signed into effect is the overturning of Wisconsin’s 100 year-old-minimum wage law, which once required employers to guarantee workers a living wage “sufficient to enable the employee … to maintain himself or herself under conditions consistent with … reasonable comfort, reasonable physical well-being, decency and moral well-being.” ...........(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18187/richard_trumka_on_wisc._gov._scott_walkers_presidential_run_walker_is_a_nat
“Scott Walker is a national disgrace”
(In These Times) “Scott Walker is a national disgrace,” says Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, the United States’ largest union alliance, in response to Governor Scott Walker’s announcement of his presidential ambitions. His statement, composed of only six words, was released shortly before Walker’s announcement.
Trumka’s expression of disgust should come as no surprise to those familiar with Walker’s union-busting policies. As governor of Wisconsin, Walker has consistently opposed unions in his state. He is perhaps best known for his attack on the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin workers in 2011.
According to The Nation, the state budget Walker signed into effect on Sunday attacks even the most basic of workers’ rights, including a guarantee that factory and retail workers “must get at least 24 consecutive hours of rest for every seven-day stretch” of work.
Among other policies Walker signed into effect is the overturning of Wisconsin’s 100 year-old-minimum wage law, which once required employers to guarantee workers a living wage “sufficient to enable the employee … to maintain himself or herself under conditions consistent with … reasonable comfort, reasonable physical well-being, decency and moral well-being.” ...........(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18187/richard_trumka_on_wisc._gov._scott_walkers_presidential_run_walker_is_a_nat
July 14, 2015
from In These Times:
Barcelona's new mayor, Ada Colau, thinks what her city needs is a “tourist cap”—a moratorium on new hotel licenses and a limit on the number of tourists entering the city.
Colau proposed these restrictions June 1, soon after winning office on a left-wing slate backed by Podemos and the Barcelona en Comú Party. Once considered a source of vigor for the local economy, tourism is now seen by many Barcelonans as a scourge, responsible for overcrowded streets, disorderly behavior (including incidents of streaking) and an increasing cost of living.
“(Tourists) have urinated onto my balcony, they have set fire to laundry, someone defecated in the building’s hallway,” Nando Prieto, whose building now rents rooms to tourists, told Vice. The English-language newspaper The Local reports that a growing market for short-term tourist apartments is “leading to rampant real estate speculation.”
“Investors have been snapping up whole apartment blocks and kicking out the locals, many of whom are elderly,” says resident Vicenç Forner. ................(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/article/18149/should-cities-ban-tourists
Tourism cap in Barcelona?
from In These Times:
Barcelona's new mayor, Ada Colau, thinks what her city needs is a “tourist cap”—a moratorium on new hotel licenses and a limit on the number of tourists entering the city.
Colau proposed these restrictions June 1, soon after winning office on a left-wing slate backed by Podemos and the Barcelona en Comú Party. Once considered a source of vigor for the local economy, tourism is now seen by many Barcelonans as a scourge, responsible for overcrowded streets, disorderly behavior (including incidents of streaking) and an increasing cost of living.
“(Tourists) have urinated onto my balcony, they have set fire to laundry, someone defecated in the building’s hallway,” Nando Prieto, whose building now rents rooms to tourists, told Vice. The English-language newspaper The Local reports that a growing market for short-term tourist apartments is “leading to rampant real estate speculation.”
“Investors have been snapping up whole apartment blocks and kicking out the locals, many of whom are elderly,” says resident Vicenç Forner. ................(more)
http://inthesetimes.com/article/18149/should-cities-ban-tourists
July 14, 2015
(Bloomberg) A SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. employee posed for years as an animal-rights activist, joining protests against the company over its use of captive killer whales, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Peta, based in Norfolk, Virginia, said that a California activist who identified himself as Thomas Jones has been taking part in the group’s activities. He protested a SeaWorld float at New York’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 2013, held anti-SeaWorld signs outside the company’s San Diego theme park, and got hauled away by police at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, Peta said.
Peta officials said they believe Jones is another man: 28-year-old Paul McComb, who has worked in a number of positions at SeaWorld since at least 2008, including as a human resources representative, according to a job history posted on the website Jresume.com.
The claim, if true, could mark another public-relations black eye for SeaWorld, which has faced withering criticism of its marquee attraction -- trained killer whales performing for guests. The company has endured a critical documentary, boycotts and the loss of sponsorships. Attendance and revenue have suffered. ................(more)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-14/seaworld-employee-posed-as-animal-activist-for-years-peta-says
SeaWorld Employee Posed as Animal Activist for Years, Peta Says
(Bloomberg) A SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. employee posed for years as an animal-rights activist, joining protests against the company over its use of captive killer whales, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Peta, based in Norfolk, Virginia, said that a California activist who identified himself as Thomas Jones has been taking part in the group’s activities. He protested a SeaWorld float at New York’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 2013, held anti-SeaWorld signs outside the company’s San Diego theme park, and got hauled away by police at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, Peta said.
Peta officials said they believe Jones is another man: 28-year-old Paul McComb, who has worked in a number of positions at SeaWorld since at least 2008, including as a human resources representative, according to a job history posted on the website Jresume.com.
The claim, if true, could mark another public-relations black eye for SeaWorld, which has faced withering criticism of its marquee attraction -- trained killer whales performing for guests. The company has endured a critical documentary, boycotts and the loss of sponsorships. Attendance and revenue have suffered. ................(more)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-14/seaworld-employee-posed-as-animal-activist-for-years-peta-says
July 14, 2015
http://www.truth-out.org/art/item/31790-time-travel
Time Travel with Donald Trump (cartoon)
http://www.truth-out.org/art/item/31790-time-travel
July 14, 2015
An Alabama woman claims police repeatedly shocked her and her teenage daughter with Tasers as the girl suffered from a seizure during a hip hop concert.
The woman, whose name was not released, filed a federal lawsuit last week against five police officers and the police chief from Rainbow City and three others from Gadsden, as well as the Center Stage venue where the concert was held, reported AL.com.
The 32-page suit claims police used a Taser at least three times on the child’s chest as police officers pinned her to the ground Jan. 16 while she endured a grand mal seizure, and other police officers who were nearby failed to intervene.
When the girl’s mother tried to help, officers knocked her to the ground, handcuffed her, shocked her with a Taser and then arrested her.
The city attorneys for each town declined to comment on the suit, and representatives from Center Stage – where recording artist Kevin Gates performed during the incident – did not return calls seeking comment. ..................(more)
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/alabama-cops-tasered-girl-during-seizure-at-concert-and-arrested-mom-for-trying-to-help-suit/
Alabama cops Tasered girl during seizure at concert and arrested mom for trying to help: suit
An Alabama woman claims police repeatedly shocked her and her teenage daughter with Tasers as the girl suffered from a seizure during a hip hop concert.
The woman, whose name was not released, filed a federal lawsuit last week against five police officers and the police chief from Rainbow City and three others from Gadsden, as well as the Center Stage venue where the concert was held, reported AL.com.
The 32-page suit claims police used a Taser at least three times on the child’s chest as police officers pinned her to the ground Jan. 16 while she endured a grand mal seizure, and other police officers who were nearby failed to intervene.
When the girl’s mother tried to help, officers knocked her to the ground, handcuffed her, shocked her with a Taser and then arrested her.
The city attorneys for each town declined to comment on the suit, and representatives from Center Stage – where recording artist Kevin Gates performed during the incident – did not return calls seeking comment. ..................(more)
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/alabama-cops-tasered-girl-during-seizure-at-concert-and-arrested-mom-for-trying-to-help-suit/
July 14, 2015
July 13--Chicago Transit Authority officials announced Monday that the later Purple Line Express train won't go beyond the recently concluded trial period, saying ridership numbers didn't justify continuing the pilot program.
CTA officials worked with the city to launch a six-week-long pilot program that ran from June 1 through July 10 to help test demand for later service.
To test interest, the pilot program added an extra evening train along the Purple Line Express between the Loop and Evanston/Wilmette, running roughly an hour and half later than usual.
"At the conclusion of the pilot, the CTA's ridership analysis showed that unfortunately, the ridership fell short of the pilot's goals," said Jeff Tolman, the CTA's spokesman, "with an average of only 89 passengers per train for a round trip versus the 468 passengers per train for a round trip needed to justify making the service permanent."
He said the CTA would not continue the service due to a "lack of demand." .....................(more)
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/14036808/cta-ridership-fell-short-on-purple-line-pilot
Chicago: CTA Ridership Fell Short on Purple Line Pilot
July 13--Chicago Transit Authority officials announced Monday that the later Purple Line Express train won't go beyond the recently concluded trial period, saying ridership numbers didn't justify continuing the pilot program.
CTA officials worked with the city to launch a six-week-long pilot program that ran from June 1 through July 10 to help test demand for later service.
To test interest, the pilot program added an extra evening train along the Purple Line Express between the Loop and Evanston/Wilmette, running roughly an hour and half later than usual.
"At the conclusion of the pilot, the CTA's ridership analysis showed that unfortunately, the ridership fell short of the pilot's goals," said Jeff Tolman, the CTA's spokesman, "with an average of only 89 passengers per train for a round trip versus the 468 passengers per train for a round trip needed to justify making the service permanent."
He said the CTA would not continue the service due to a "lack of demand." .....................(more)
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/14036808/cta-ridership-fell-short-on-purple-line-pilot
July 14, 2015
Published on Jul 7, 2015
On Reality Asserts Itself, Chris Hedges discusses his new book with Paul Jay; in part one they focus on the revolutionary significance of the life of Tom Paine, a man who understood the moral imperative of revolt and was willing to pay the price
Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt - Chris Hedges (pts. I-III)
Published on Jul 7, 2015
On Reality Asserts Itself, Chris Hedges discusses his new book with Paul Jay; in part one they focus on the revolutionary significance of the life of Tom Paine, a man who understood the moral imperative of revolt and was willing to pay the price
July 14, 2015
Published on Jul 11, 2015
In this episode of the Keiser Report Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss Grexits, glitches and equity disasters as the times in which we live get interesting. In the second half Max interviews Ben Dyson of Positive Money about the role of the European Monetary Union in the Greek economic disaster.
Keiser Report: Confuctitious Loans
Published on Jul 11, 2015
In this episode of the Keiser Report Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert discuss Grexits, glitches and equity disasters as the times in which we live get interesting. In the second half Max interviews Ben Dyson of Positive Money about the role of the European Monetary Union in the Greek economic disaster.
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