The youth vote saved this country in 2020. And if I may be so bold … we need young people and first-time voters to step up again. This is a heartfelt request from a man who dearly loves his country and deeply fears where we are heading. I would also ask that if you know a young voter, please forward this to them. In the last presidential election, 50 percent — yes, half — of Americans aged 18-29 cast ballots. That’s a huge increase from 2016, when only 39 percent voted. The youth of this country quite literally saved us from four more years of Trump. In the upcoming election, 41 million members of Gen Z (those born 1995-2012) will be eligible to vote, 8 million for the first time. A survey from Harvard found that the majority support President Biden, though that support isn’t as strong as it was in 2020. When you break it down by gender, Biden leads by 6 points among young men and 30 points among young women. Recently my friend Jon Stewart posted an illuminating discussion he had with a young voter. First, let me say how pleased I am that he has returned to “The Daily Show,” even if only once a week. Stewart’s mix of news and humor is a powerful force in politics. Stewart also posts pre-show clips from what’s called “After the Cut,” an online segment in which Stewart takes questions from the audience. In this particular clip, an audience member told Stewart she thinks a lot of people her age (she’s 22), are “not happy with the choice of candidates we have in November.” She went on to explain, “We feel like our vote, our voice doesn’t matter.” We here at Steady have discussed the importance of the youth vote and young people’s dissatisfaction with their choices in November. What we haven’t delved into is her second point: that members of Gen Z do not believe their voices are being heard. Stewart emphatically told her that her voice counts. “Oh, it so matters,” he assured her. “Advertisers look at demographics, but the largest demographic that they look at is 18-24. That’s the one that means everything to them — use that power. I’m 61, I’m not even listed anymore. Don’t discount the power that you guys have. This is the fight. No generation ever feels empowered, or seen, or any of those things.” I think Stewart hit the proverbial nail, hard. It’s understandable that a group of people new to the voting rolls might not recognize their political clout. Gen Z is not a monolith — no voting bloc is — but one thing its members do have in common is a naivete about the power they can wield. They will decide one of the most important elections in our history, if they vote. And on the issues most important to them — the economy, climate change, gun control, and abortion — they are more closely aligned with President Biden than Donald Trump. But they have to be assured, convinced that their vote will make a difference. That is a tall order when they get most of their news from doom scrolling on social media. So Stewart met them where they are, leaning into rather than discounting the malaise that many are feeling. “I suggest trusting your discomfort, because you clearly feel it. But discomfort is a wonderful motivator,” he advised. “Action is the antidote to anxiety. And if you feel anxiety, it will lessen as you take action. Small actions, like a little bit every day. Honestly, that discomfort will spur you on. I am sure of it and your generation.” Great advice, and I couldn’t agree more. Small actions can yield big dividends. Encourage the young people you know to register to vote, learn where candidates stand on issues, volunteer at a local food bank … anything that will engage this new generation of voters and show them that their votes and their voices can and will make a difference. Democracy depends on it.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Jon Stewart Would Like A Word
BOUGHT & PAID FOR! LOUISIANA MAGA Scalise Took $40K in Campaign Cash From PAC of CEO Accused of Oil Price Rigging
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise received a $40,000 campaign donation from the political action committee of a Big Oil CEO who allegedly colluded with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to drive up energy prices, the watchdog Accountable.US noted Monday.
Scalise (R-La.)—who has made opposing efforts to protect public lands from fossil fuel drilling a top legislative priority—took the money from the Williams Companies PAC, whose board includes Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott Sheffield, who was accused last month by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of holding private conversations with the OPEC cartel in which he allegedly assured members that his company would throttle production, creating an artificial scarcity in a bid to boost oil prices.
The majority leader ranks fourth among all House lawmakers in 2023-24 campaign contributions from oil and gas interests, according to the watchdog OpenSecrets. His $325,833 in Big Oil contributions trails only Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who took $572,421; former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who received $335,399; and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who got $328,019.
"If Congressman Scalise wants to protect American consumers he should start by holding accountable Big Oil price gougers."
"Big Oil CEOs are out for themselves and the politicians who support their quest to drill for profit at the expense of the American people," Accountable.US spokesperson Chris Marshall said in a statement Monday. "So if Congressman Scalise wants to protect American consumers he should start by holding accountable Big Oil price gougers."
The FTC alleges in a complaint that "Sheffield has, through public statements and private communications, attempted to collude with the representatives of [OPEC] and a related cartel of other oil-producing countries known as OPEC+ to reduce output of oil and gas, which would result in Americans paying higher prices at the pump, to inflate profits for his company."
The regulator subsequently barred Sheffield from joining the board of ExxonMobil, which bought Pioneer, over the alleged collusion.
"Mr. Sheffield's past conduct makes it crystal clear that he should be nowhere near Exxon's boardroom," FTC Bureau of Competition Deputy Director Kyle Mach said in a statement last month. "American consumers shouldn't pay unfair prices at the pump simply to pad a corporate executive's pocketbook."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the upper chamber's floor Monday to reiterate his call for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Big Oil collusion and price fixing.
"It's not hard to feel the frustration—the sheer exasperation—felt by millions when America's biggest oil companies rake in record profits but still raise prices at the pump. It is deeply, deeply unfair—and now we have reason to believe that in some cases it may be unlawful," the senator said.
Schumer called the FTC allegations against Sheffield "very, very troubling."
"This is what frustrates Americans so much about Big Oil: Even when they're making money hand over fist they'll keep raising prices on us, they will keep squeezing us for everything we've got," he said. "And now they may—may—have crossed the line into unlawful behavior."
"So the DOJ needs to step in and determine if any laws against collusion or price-fixing have been broken," Schumer added. "At minimum, the American people deserve to know if Big Oil executives are conspiring with each other or with OPEC behind our backs to illegally raise prices at the pump."
Top News: House Dems Help GOP Target ICC Officials
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024 ■ Today's Top News
US Senate Hearing Highlights Impacts of 'Horrific Anti-Abortion Crusade'Sen. Patty Murray described the event as "a close accounting of the trauma Republicans are inflicting on women and families across our country, and the damage they are doing to basic reproductive healthcare."By Jessica Corbett
42 House Dems Help GOP Pass Bill Targeting ICC Officials Over IsraelThe ACLU warned the legislation would "harm free speech protections" and "undermine the rule of law and the independence of the ICC."By Brett Wilkins
Climate Groups Call for Rich to Pay More as International Meetings Begin"We have to put the social justice element upfront," an architect of the 2015 Paris agreement said as the world's climate delegates gathered in Germany.By Edward Carver
ACLU Plans Lawsuit Over Biden's Trumpian Attack on Asylum Rights"It was illegal when Trump did it, and it is no less illegal now."By Brett Wilkins
Nagasaki Mayor Withholds Israel's Invitation to Peace Ceremony"Given the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and international opinion, there is a risk of unpredictable disruption occurring at the ceremony," Mayor Shiro Suzuki said.By Brett Wilkins
Incessant IDF Strikes Making Gaza Aid Deliveries 'Virtually Impossible': Oxfam"When hunger claims many more lives, nobody will be able to deny the horrifying impact of Israel's deliberate, illegal, and cruel obstruction of aid."By Jake Johnson | ||||||||||||||
JOIN THE MOVEMENTAs a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. | ||||||||||||||
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■ More News'Victory': Gas Drilling Project Paused After Greenpeace Occupies Platform in North SeaYOU DEFINE YOUR HUMANITY IF YOU REFUSE TO CONDEMN THIS! Displaying Photos of Kids Starved by Israel, Sanders Explains Boycott of Netanyahu Speech 'What Dictators and Pariah States Do': Republicans Advance Bill to Sanction ICCScalise Took $40K in Campaign Cash From PAC of CEO Accused of Oil Price RiggingU.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise received a $40,000 campaign donation from the political action committee of a Big Oil CEO who allegedly colluded with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to drive up energy prices, the watchdog Accountable.US noted Monday. Scalise (R-La.)—who has made opposing efforts to protect public lands from fossil fuel drilling a top legislative priority—took the money from the Williams Companies PAC, whose board includes Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott Sheffield, who was accused last month by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of holding private conversations with the OPEC cartel in which he allegedly assured members that his company would throttle production, creating an artificial scarcity in a bid to boost oil prices. The majority leader ranks fourth among all House lawmakers in 2023-24 campaign contributions from oil and gas interests, according to the watchdog OpenSecrets. His $325,833 in Big Oil contributions trails only Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who took $572,421; former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who received $335,399; and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who got $328,019. "If Congressman Scalise wants to protect American consumers he should start by holding accountable Big Oil price gougers." "Big Oil CEOs are out for themselves and the politicians who support their quest to drill for profit at the expense of the American people," Accountable.US spokesperson Chris Marshall said in a statement Monday. "So if Congressman Scalise wants to protect American consumers he should start by holding accountable Big Oil price gougers." The FTC alleges in a complaint that "Sheffield has, through public statements and private communications, attempted to collude with the representatives of [OPEC] and a related cartel of other oil-producing countries known as OPEC+ to reduce output of oil and gas, which would result in Americans paying higher prices at the pump, to inflate profits for his company." The regulator subsequently barred Sheffield from joining the board of ExxonMobil, which bought Pioneer, over the alleged collusion. "Mr. Sheffield's past conduct makes it crystal clear that he should be nowhere near Exxon's boardroom," FTC Bureau of Competition Deputy Director Kyle Mach said in a statement last month. "American consumers shouldn't pay unfair prices at the pump simply to pad a corporate executive's pocketbook." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the upper chamber's floor Monday to reiterate his call for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Big Oil collusion and price fixing. "It's not hard to feel the frustration—the sheer exasperation—felt by millions when America's biggest oil companies rake in record profits but still raise prices at the pump. It is deeply, deeply unfair—and now we have reason to believe that in some cases it may be unlawful," the senator said. Schumer called the FTC allegations against Sheffield "very, very troubling." "This is what frustrates Americans so much about Big Oil: Even when they're making money hand over fist they'll keep raising prices on us, they will keep squeezing us for everything we've got," he said. "And now they may—may—have crossed the line into unlawful behavior." "So the DOJ needs to step in and determine if any laws against collusion or price-fixing have been broken," Schumer added. "At minimum, the American people deserve to know if Big Oil executives are conspiring with each other or with OPEC behind our backs to illegally raise prices at the pump." | ||||||||||||||
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■ OpinionElon Musk Shows Us Why Individuals Can't Save the World"Live by public will, die by public will," is a mantra the faux libertarian techno billionaires should memorize. They are not our saviors, but rather obstacles to a better future for consumers and workers alike.By Manuel Pastor A Fascist Donald Trump and the Lawyer's DilemmaTrump’s assault on democracy’s essential institutions has always been open and notorious. Examples abound—and they are laced with lies. If you were an attorney committed to defending democracy, could you defend this man?By Steven Harper No, I Will Not Be Attending Netanyahu's SpeechThese children and thousands more are the direct result of Netanyahu’s policies—Netanyahu, the man Speaker Johnson has invited to address Congress.By Bernie Sanders | ||||||||||||||
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How rich Philanthropists exert undue Influence over pro-Palestinian Activism at Universities
IN MASSACHUISETTS, we need to question ROBERT KRAFT's actions, withdrawals of
funding and his advertisements.
Should a donor, such as Robert Kraft, have a right to demand that others support the
unconditional embrace of ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE?
ISRAEL have provoked a sorely needed challenge of our morality.
It's not partisan. It will define our HUMANITY!
How rich Philanthropists exert undue Influence over pro-Palestinian Activism at Universities
By Fahad Ahmad, Toronto Metropolitan University qne Adam Saifer, University of British Columbia | –
(The Conversation) On university campuses across North America, a new anti-war movement has emerged. Camped-out students are pressuring their universities to divest from companies that profit off the Israeli war machine, to cut ties with Israeli institutions and to publicly condemn Israel’s deadly military campaign in Gaza.
Away from the student encampments, unsympathetic alumni and donors are pressuring university administrators to suppress this student movement.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced he would cease donations to Columbia University. Hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman, dissatisfied with Harvard University administration’s response to a student statement criticizing Israel, led a highly publicized campaign to oust the university’s first Black president, Claudine Gay.
At Toronto Metropolitan University, several donors threatened to withhold scholarships and donations to the law school in response to a student letter in solidarity with Palestinians.
More recently, Ernest Rady, the man behind the University of Manitoba’s largest-ever donation, publicly condemned the convocation address delivered by the medical school’s valedictorian.
The valedictorian called for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza and an end to the killing of Palestinian medical professionals and journalists. The university responded by denouncing the valedictory speech and removing it from their media channels.
Donor influence over university policy on pro-Palestinian student protests is an alarming case of the growing footprint of private philanthropy in higher education. It poses a grave risk to free inquiry, critical thinking and the democratic ideals of universities.
Philanthropy goes beyond mere do-gooding
Philanthropy refers to the mobilization of private resources for the public good.
WXYZ Detroit Video: “Protesters speak after encampment is raided at Wayne State Univeristy”
As governments have scaled back public spending, philanthropists have stepped in. They are widely celebrated for making financial contributions to social, cultural and educational institutions.
For example, the Gates Foundation has been praised for spending billions on health and education. The names of billionaire businessmen like Schulich, Sprott and Munk grace post-secondary institutions across Canada.
Our work, however, shows that philanthropy’s “goodness myth” obscures the fact that “philanthropic wealth and power emerge through social relations of colonial and capitalist accumulation, which produce the very societal harms … that are the target of philanthropic interventions.”
Scholars have long cautioned against philanthropy’s undemocratic and unaccountable nature. Stanford political scientist Robert Reich calls it “a plutocratic exercise of power.”
Philanthropic donations are publicly subsidized through charitable tax receipts. However, spending is directed according to donors’ preferences. Philanthropy therefore allows wealthy people to exchange financial capital for social and symbolic capital. This grants philanthropists undue influence over public policy, including matters related to post-secondary education.
Mega-donations and Canadian universities
The neoliberal turn in higher education has resulted in a stagnation or decline in provincial funding to post-secondary institutions.
In addition to raising student fees and cutting costs, universities are seeking philanthropic donations to fill funding gaps. These donations boost university trust, capital, endowment and research funds, even though they constitute a small portion of university revenues.
Canadian universities’ growing dependence on philanthropic donations coincides with a significant expansion in the number and size of philanthropic foundations.
Foundations are charitable institutions used by the wealthy to make donations. From 2013 to 2022, the total assets of philanthropic foundations in Canada rose from approximately $56 billion to $123 billion. This growth ushered in a new era of “mega-donations” to universities. In just the last five years, the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, the University of Waterloo and McGill University have received individual donations of $100 million or more.
Mega-donations provide post-secondary institutions with the financial resources to help them realize their goals. In the process, however, university administrators are rendered accountable to the whims and political priorities of wealthy philanthropists. When balancing donor interests against their own academic principles and organizational priorities, the balance all too often tips in favour of the donors.
In 2020, for example, the dean of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law blocked the hiring of a human rights scholar in response to pressure from a major donor (and sitting judge) who disapproved of the scholar’s research on Israel/Palestine.
The need to increase public funding
Scholars of the philanthropic sector have long pointed to the power imbalances in donor-grantee relationships. Philanthropy is uniquely characterized by upward accountability — institutions like universities that are reliant on big donations are compelled to sacrifice the needs of students and faculty at the altar of donor wishes and priorities. Administrators are driven by fear of losing philanthropic funding.
Philanthropists clearly understand this power when they demand that post-secondary institutions discipline student protests supporting Palestine.
When university administrators accede to donor demands, they punish students for enacting the core values and principles their institutions profess. This cultivates the conditions for wealthy elites to introduce their ideological biases into public academic institutions.
There is a long history of wealthy people controlling organizations and institutions through giving and withholding donations. Elites across the political spectrum have used their philanthropy to un-democratically shape public policy and “capture” social movements.
This structural dependence on philanthropy explains why donors are able to pressure university administrators into suppressing the anti-war student movement against Israel’s campaign in Gaza. Safeguarding against this creep of private forces into the university requires a recommitment to increased public funding of post-secondary education.
Fahad Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology, Toronto Metropolitan University and Adam Saifer, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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