LOTS OF POSTS IGNORED BY BLOGGER.....

OR REMOVED ON THEIR WHIM!

ALL POSTS ARE AVAILABLE ON

MIDDLEBORO REVIEW AND SO ON

BLOGGER DOESN'T LIKE TRUTH OR FACTS!

BLOGGER DOESN'T LIKE FUND RAISERS AND DELETES

POSTS THAT INCLUDE FUNDRAISING THAT 'VIOLATES THEIR

UNDEFINED COMMUNITY STANDARDS SO ALL 'FUND RAISING'

IS DELETED - CONTRIBUTE AS YOU ARE INCLINED TO SUPPORT

IMPORTANT ISSUES! THESE ARE NOT SOLICITATIONS

Good Jobs & Worker Power

MeidasTouch Network Jun 17

Written by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

We just wrapped our 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention, a gathering of our 65 affiliated unions and state and local labor federations across the country. It showcased the power of our fighting labor movement in this moment, and provided the opportunity for us to chart a path forward.

This moment and that mission were reflected in our theme—With You: It’s Better in a Union—because it’s going to take all of us joining together to build a better future. And it was reflected by our hosts, the Twin Cities labor movement, who have shown the country where the community has shown all of us what it means to come together as a community to defend your neighbors and co-workers against attacks on our rights and freedoms.

The convention is also where our Federation elects its leadership, and I was honored to be re-elected as AFL-CIO President, alongside Fred Redmond as Secretary-Treasurer. In my acceptance speech I told the story of my dad and how landing a good union job changed everything for our family. We went from living paycheck to paycheck to living the union difference. Better wages. Benefits. Stability. A future. That’s what a union makes possible. And that’s what we are fighting like hell to win for every working person in this country.

THE NEXT BATTLEGROUND: CORPORATE GREED AND AI

Our economy is at the most significant crossroads since the industrial revolution—and it’s because of AI. In my remarks, I laid out the challenges workers face from greedy tech CEOs rushing out development and implementation of AI without even thinking about workers. We know this first-hand: from workers’ stories across industries, from how corporations talk about their plans, and even from a moment I sat in Congress with a bigtech billionaire crew, who not only never once mentioned workers, but as soon as I talked about the impact on working people, Elon Musk started making origami.

AI is in every workplace from algorithmic grocery pricing we heard about from UFCW President Jones, to Hollywood film sets SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree spoke about, to transportation.

But what happens with AI and workers is not inevitable, it is a choice. And we are laying down a marker for business and politicians that working people will not pay the price for a technology revolution they aren’t included in. We are going to fight for worker-centered AI guardrails and collective bargaining over AI deployment.

GOOD UNION JOBS

Whether you’re an auto worker in the south, a barista at Starbucks, a video game worker, or just thinking about organizing your workplace for the first time, everyone deserves a good union job.

AFT President Randi Weingarten helped open the convention with a rousing speech introducing labor’s vision for the next four years that lifts up all workers.

SEIU President April Verrett reminded us: it’s not enough to just survive. We are building a movement that demands workers can thrive. Not scraping by. Not working two jobs to afford groceries. Thriving. That is the standard we are fighting for.

And as North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey said, the government’s job is to lift workers into the middle class, not push them down. Good jobs, union wages and apprenticeships build real careers. That is what working people deserve and what we will demand.

This includes, as President Downey of the Operating Engineers spoke about, that investments in our nation’s energy infrastructure empowers working people.

Actors Equity Association President Brooke Shields reminded us that no matter what industry we work in, we all deserve to be able to go home safe at the end of our shift, sharing her story of having to work through injuries on set.

FRONTLINE SOLIDARITY

But a good job can’t protect us, our families, or our coworkers from being targets of the Trump administration.

The Machinists showed us what solidarity looks like when they rallied to defend their member Maximo Londonio after ICE took him from his family for months. Because that’s what a union does. That’s what solidarity is: it shows up for its members and their families when they need it. As LIUNA President Brent Booker explained, “An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers.”

ORGANIZING

None of this can happen if we don’t organize. In Minnesota, we were reminded that Prince knew the power of a strike—and the power of collective bargaining and SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin inspired us with a keynote address on the power of solidarity, service and collective action.

One of the first things the Trump administration did was to attack federal workers and AFGE President Everett Kelley proudly told the convention that in the face of the biggest act of union busting in American history not only did they survive but they grew to the largest membership they ever had!

As UAW President Shawn Fain says, “Density is destiny.” The more workers who join together, the more power we have.

And UNITE-HERE President Gwen Mills reminded us that non-union workers are watching. They see what we’re building. They want in. And it is on us to make sure they can.

We also heard from our AFL-CIO Sports Council about new leagues that are unionizing and a historic new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA. And how when the Metrodome in Minneapolis collapsed it was rebuilt with a diverse union workforce and is operated by union members as well.

At our 2022 convention, we set a goal to organize 1 million new workers in 10 years, but we did it in three. So we’re doubling that goal and cutting the time in half to organize 2 million more workers over the next 5 years.

CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE FIGHT AHEAD

Despite this progress, there are still new attacks happening every day and more fights ahead. As Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond made clear, the gains workers have made are indelibly linked to the fight for civil rights. And when diversity, equity, and inclusion are attacked by the Trump administration, they are coming after every worker.

The Voting Rights Act and other civil rights laws came out of a triumph of organizing. It was a victory the people of the civil rights movement fought and died for over decades. Now, it’s under attack. But as America’s unions did then, we stand with them in the fight to preserve it. We won’t back down.

Union P.O.W.E.R.

To keep the fight going and the wins coming, we launched our 2026 political program, Union P.O.W.E.R at the convention.

PROTECT: Protect the vote and ensure every member can safely cast their ballot.

ORGANIZE: Organize new labor strongholds led by workers.

WIN: Win crucial races that determine the future of workers’ rights.

ENGAGE: Engage our base through authentic peer-to-peer contact.

RIGHT NOW: Mobilize Right Now. Action today creates victory tomorrow.

We are going to mobilize 2 million more union voters than the last midterm elections and are recruiting 50,000 Union Peacekeeper volunteers to protect every vote.

We also sent a warning to politicians that abandon working people with a resolution condemning Governor Spanburger’s veto of collective bargaining legislation that would have helped people join AFSCME, AFT, CWA, IAFF, NEA, SEIU, UNITE HERE and UFCW.

With You: It’s Better in a Union—because none of this works if we’re not all in it together. I am looking forward to continuing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Meidas Mighty as we take our country back.

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

NONE DARE CRITICIZE ISRAEL! 

SACRIFICING THE US CONSTITUTION FOR AIPAC!

Civil Rights, Commentary, Free Speech, Israel, Press Freedom, U.S., U.S. Congress

Legislating Silence

November 27, 2024

Robert Inlakesh reports on how U.S. Congress plans to target critics of Israel.

U.S. Capitol. (White House/Adam Schultz)

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

By Robert Inlakesh
MintPress News

A coalition of civil rights groups is sounding the alarm over three proposed bills that, they argue, represent an audacious attempt to stifle dissent and curb free expression in the United States. The legislation — H.R.6408, H.R.9495 and S.4136 — claims to combat terrorism by targeting the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed to be in violation.

But critics insist the true aim is more insidious: to suppress organizations that are critical of Israel. Championed by lawmakers with deep ties to AIPAC, the bills, if passed, could pave the way for an unprecedented crackdown on dissent under the guise of national security.

While federal laws already prohibit supporting proscribed terrorist organizations, these bills would expand the government’s reach over nonprofits under the appearance of countering such threats.

H.R.6408 and H.R.9495 have already passed the House of Representatives, with S.4136 poised to add further amendments to the legislative effort. Critics have dubbed H.R.9495 the “nonprofit killer bill” and it is drawing sharp condemnation from groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

In a letter signed by over 300 nonprofits, the ACLU called on Congress to reject the legislation, warning of its potential to erode constitutional rights and empower government overreach.

CAIR echoed these concerns in a press release, labeling the bills “undemocratic” and accusing them of undermining fundamental freedoms. With growing opposition, the fate of these controversial bills may hinge on the ability of civil rights advocates to mobilize public and legislative resistance.

Critics argue that the legislative push embodied by H.R.9495 and H.R.6408 hand unprecedented authority to the U.S. Treasury Secretary, enabling them to unilaterally revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations accused of “supporting terrorism.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) warns that this could be done using classified evidence without formal charges or sufficient opportunity for organizations to defend themselves.

Despite this criticism, both bills have cleared Congress, with H.R.6408 — billed by its supporters as a response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel — receiving less attention but facing similar backlash. The Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee contends the legislation creates “virtually no limitations or accountability” on the Treasury secretary’s discretion, allowing decisions based on viewpoints that differ from those of the administration in power.

Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, a Neoconservative Washington-based think tank, has claimed that pro-Palestinian student protesters take “guidance and support” from American nonprofit organizations.

Columbia student pro-Palestine encampment on April 23, a day after a raid by the NYPD. (Pamela Drew, Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Schanzer claims that one such charity, American Muslims in Palestine, carries a “striking resemblance to the Hamas charities that were dismantled here more than a decade ago.” Schanzer was likely referring to the Holy Land Foundation, who were subjected to a highly politicized trial that led to their designation as a terrorist organization in the post-9/11 era.

Republican Congressman David Kustoff, the sponsor of H.R.6408, has received nearly $230,000 from pro-Israel lobby groups. A vocal advocate for legislating away anti-Semitism, Kustoff’s initiatives have drawn condemnation for silencing criticism of Israel on college campuses. After the bill’s passage, Kustoff claimed, “Recent reports indicate there are U.S.-based nonprofits suspected of providing support and funding to terrorist groups.”

Senators John Cornyn and Angus King, beneficiaries of significant donations from pro-Israel donors, introduced S.4136, a bill that proposes suspending the tax-exempt status of organizations accused of terrorism support. Cornyn has received at least $488,888 from pro-Israeli donors, and Senator Angus King’s top donor from 2019-2024 was AIPAC.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, who has received over $178,000 from pro-Israel donors, sponsored H.R.9495, which opponents have labeled the “nonprofit killer bill,” warning it could lead to government overreach and stifled dissent.

If the U.S. Treasury Department chooses to follow the advice of AIPAC, it could usher in an era of unprecedented scrutiny for any charity critical of Israel. Historically, targeting such organizations, along with universities, rights groups, and media outlets, required the cumbersome step of designating them as terrorist entities. The proposed legislation, however, threatens to streamline this process, turning what was once a legal labyrinth — a process of checks and balances ensuring that Americans’ civil rights are protected — into a fast track for silencing dissent.

This shift dovetails with President-elect Donald Trump’s fiery rhetoric about cracking down on university campuses that allow protests against Israel to occur. The bills — crafted primarily by Republican lawmakers — seem designed to dovetail with Trump’s ideological crusade, poised to gain traction under his return to the presidency. Trump’s promises to take aim at institutions deemed insufficiently supportive of Israel loom large over this legislative push.

Central to these concerns is Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, a hedge-fund manager with a storied and, at times, controversial career. As George Soros’s former top investor, Bessent made waves in 2014 when he reportedly threatened to resign over the Open Society Foundations’ proposal to divest from companies tied to Israel. According to The Wall Street Journal, Bessent’s ultimatum effectively quashed the idea.

The fears surrounding this legislative shift are not entirely speculative. Recent government actions, such as the designation of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network as a terrorist organization, have already showcased the state’s willingness to stretch the bounds of such classifications.

With these new bills poised to pass, critics worry that the target list will grow to encompass not just pro-Palestinian nonprofits but also any group that dares to criticize Israel. For many, the specter of an all-encompassing crackdown looms, threatening the very foundations of free expression and dissent.

Robert Inlakesh is a political analyst, journalist and documentary filmmaker currently based in London. He has reported from and lived in the occupied Palestinian territories and hosts the show “Palestine Files.” Director of “Steal of the Century: Trump’s Palestine-Israel Catastrophe.” Follow him on Twitter @falasteen47

This article is from MPN.news, an award-winning investigative newsroom.  Sign up for their newsletter.

The views expressed are solely those of the author and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.

CONSORTIUM NEWS

Happy Anniversary: Civil Discourse Turns Two

JOYCE VANCE JUN 8

I sent out the first Civil Discourse newsletter on June 7, 2022. The House January 6 committee hearings were about to start, and two days later, they did. Nothing like good timing!

Like so many of you, I was struggling to stay on top of everything that was happening in our country. I was desperately concerned there would be no accountability for the Trump era, no accountability for the events that culminated with the insurrection on January 6, 2021. I was worried about other issues too, ranging from climate change to civil rights to gun violence to protecting the right to vote. It was becoming clear to me that it was essential if we were ever going to find solutions for the issues I cared about that we first fight to save democracy and fight for the rule of law.

That night, I wrote to you about my goals for Civil Discourse: “I’ll help you stay up to date on important developments and what they mean. We’ll track down the facts and make sure we understand more than just the headlines. And I’ll link you to primary sources so you can access information and develop your own analysis on the issues that matter the most to you. We’ll have a community forum where we'll be able to privately discuss our questions and work through some of the complicated issues. We can use what we learn to help combat disinformation.”

I didn’t realize what a big job I was taking on or how many issues would confront us. I can only hope I’ve achieved a small part of what I so naively envisioned doing.

That first email I sent went to the 24 recipients who had signed up in anticipation of the newsletter. Only 75% of them opened it. But as people shared the newsletter and I mentioned it on Twitter, 6,000 people subscribed and it was read 14,400 times. Two years later, there are more than 290,000 subscribers and tens of thousands more who read the newsletter.

Last year I wrote to you on our first anniversary, “We started with a simple question: In an era where it’s essential that we take intentional care of our fragile democratic institutions, how do we deal with all of the issues that are competing for our attention?”

A few days later, on June 8 of last year, Donald Trump was indicted, for the first time, by federal prosecutors who charged him in a 40-count indictment alongside Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. The proverb says, may you live in interesting times. We certainly do.

In his first inaugural address as Governor of California, Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance, it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” Joe Biden issued the challenge more directly this week while commemorating D-Day in France, "When we talk about democracy, American democracy, we often talk about the ideals of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness," he said. "What we don't talk about is how hard it is … The most natural instinct is to walk away — to be selfish, to force our will upon others, to seize power, never give it up. American democracy asks the hardest of things — to believe that we're a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

In the short life of Civil Discourse, we’ve gone from the January 6 hearings, to the first federal indictment of a former president, to his first criminal conviction in state court in New York just over a week ago. It is hard to imagine what the next year will bring or how important it will be for the future of our country.

Thank you for being here with me for all of it. And I get it. I know that many of you are here for the chickens, so I promise they’ll be with us too.

Here’s to another year of Civil Discourse.

We’re in this together,

Joyce