Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

The Guardian view on the US presidential election 2024: a Democratic government is the one we need | Editorial | The Guardian

…A historic president

Since Kamala Harris stepped into the spotlight following Joe Biden’s exit, her campaign has been a masterclass in political jujitsu, deftly flipping Mr Trump’s perceived strengths into glaring weaknesses. With a focus on joy, the vice-president sharply contrasted with Mr Trump’s grim narrative of US decline. In their sole televised debate, Ms Harris skillfully outmaneuvered Mr Trump, who fell into her traps, appearing angry and incoherent. She is confident and composed. He sounds unhinged.

The Trump agenda threatens to dismantle voting rights, women’s rights and minority rights – not just reversing decades of social progress but burying it. Mr Trump was behind the shredding of reproductive rights. The conservative forces rallying to him are now intent on imposing a national abortion ban, with – should he win – dire implications for IVF and birth control. Republicans have been hurt in the polls by being associated with such unpopular policies – a weak spot that Ms Harris should keep exploiting.

The vice-president has energised Democrats with savvy media appearances while appealing to swing voters. Progressives, determined to defeat Mr Trump, remain committed to freedom and equality. But Ms Harris has disappointed those who have urged her to take a stand on US complicity in Israel’s bombing of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. Downplaying war crimes, as arms flow to Israel, has already harmed Democratic chances in key swing states like Michigan.

In a political system where style often rivals substance, perception is crucial. While Ms Harris hasn’t made her race and gender central to her campaign, her victory would be historic: she would be the first woman, and the first woman of color, to be president. Symbolism matters to her base. Her candidacy rallied key constituencies – the young, women, African Americans and Hispanics – who were cooling on Mr Biden. This election is a leap of faith in Ms Harris, who offers a sense of possibility for the future, while Mr Trump clings to a reactionary past.

Protecting democracy

Despite his criminal conviction and being declared a rapist by a judge, Mr Trump remains dangerously close to reclaiming the presidency. Many voters still back a man who was the worst US president ever. But probably not a majority of US voters. Republicans benefit from a skewed electoral system: Democrats have won the popular vote in all but one election since 1992, and secured the overall popular majority for the Senate in every six-year cycle since 1996. Yet the country has often been led by Republican presidents and a GOP-controlled Senate, and therefore a Republican-dominated supreme court. In a close race in November, that could mean Mr Trump doesn’t need to win the election – just a court case.

Mr Biden has been a transformational political figure, but he didn’t transform the country. He aimed to tackle inequality, broken public services and the climate crisis with a $4tn plan funded by taxing the rich. His goal was to restore his party’s political credibility by marrying social liberalism with economic justice. But corporate influence and the Democrats’ slim Senate majority shrank his ambitions. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shifted his focus to national security, as America experienced rising prices. However, Mr Biden made historic investments to green the economy and refocused industrial policy to take on China. Ms Harris’s plans aim to recapture the spirit of Mr Biden’s insurgency.

The US economy is stronger than it has been in decades, yet Mr Trump consistently outpolls Ms Harris on economic issues. This perhaps reflects decades of neoliberalism. Real wages for blue-collar workers have stagnated since the 1970s, while inflation-adjusted house prices have doubled. Polls show 70% of Americans feel significant political and economic reform is needed, putting Democrats at a disadvantage as they are linked to the status quo.

Political hope fades when we settle for what is, instead of fighting for what could be. Ms Harris embodies the conviction that it’s better to believe in democracy’s potential than to surrender to its imperfections. The Republican agenda is clear: voter suppression, book bans and tax cuts for billionaires. Democrats seek global engagement; the GOP favours isolation. The Biden-Harris administration laid the groundwork for a net zero America. A Trumpian comeback would undo it. A Harris win, with a Democratic Congress, means a chance to restore good governance, create good jobs and lead the entire planet’s climate efforts. Defeating Mr Trump protects democracy from oligarchy and dictatorship. There is too much at stake not to back Ms Harris for president.

Source: The Guardian view on the US presidential election 2024: a Democratic government is the one we need | Editorial | The Guardian

Kamala Hits Home Run at CNN Town Hall, Trump Chickens Out – The Dworkin Report

Here are some of my favorite moments from the night:

Speaking on John Kelly’s bombshell claims about Trump’s fascist tendencies, Kamala said, “Frankly, I think of it as he’s just putting out a 911 call to the American people.” And when asked by Anderson Cooper if she thinks Donald Trump is a fascist, Kamala made it very clear: “Yes I do.”

Yes, Trump is a fascist.

Donald Trump should be here tonight to talk with you, and answering your questions. He’s not. He refused to come. But understand that part of his plan is to put in place a national sales tax of at least 20% on everyday goods and necessities.

Trump was too much of a weakling to show up, and tell the truth.

We’ve gotta work across the aisle. And it is my commitment to work with Democrats, with Republicans, with independents, to deal with a number of issues.

A Presidential answer that Trump could never give.

The enemies within—he’s talking about the American people. He’s talking about journalists, judges, nonpartisan election officials…he’s gonna sit there unstable, unhinged, plotting his revenge, plotting his retribution.

He’s talking about us.

The American people deserve to have a president who encourages healthy debate, works across the aisle, but also maintains certain standards. And certainly not comparing oneself in a clearly admiring way to Hitler…

Source: Kamala Hits Home Run at CNN Town Hall, Trump Chickens Out

Boeing Machinists reject offer with no end in sight for strike | The Seattle Times

Boeing Machinists have rejected a contract offer meant to end the nearly six-week strike, with 64% voting against the proposal.

That means 33,000 union members will not go back to work in Boeing’s factories in Everett, Renton and elsewhere. Instead, they’ll remain on the picket line in hopes of securing a deal that meets more of their demands.

“Today’s vote is a culmination filled with many emotions. We have made tremendous gains in this agreement in many of the areas our members said were important to them,” Machinists District 751 President Jon Holden said immediately after the Wednesday night vote.

“However, we have not achieved enough to meet our members demands today. We remain on strike.”

Source: Boeing Machinists reject offer with no end in sight for strike | The Seattle Times

(43) Joe Cocker – Mad Dogs & Englishmen – Space Captain – YouTube

Back from the day when rock was rolling and drugs were the corner stone of any nutritious meal. Joe Cocker and the psychedelic love band Mad Dogs & Englishmen gives their rendition of the classic Space Captain, urging us all to learn how to live together. We still haven’t gotten it, so the message is worth a listen. Enjoy rock history.

(43) Harris, Parton, Ronstadt on Late Show, March 24, 1999 (full, stereo) – YouTube

“Trio II” was recorded in 1994 but not released until 1999, when Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt appeared on Late Show to perform Neil Young’s “After the Gold Rush.” The Glass Harmonica (or Armonica) was played by Dennis James, who remembers the performance in an interview with Rich Bailey in 2002: