• 
• • Daniel Ellsberg
  • guardian.co.uk, Monday 10 June 2013 06.30 EDT

In my estimation, there has not been in American history a more important leak than Edward Snowden’s release of NSA material – and that definitely includes the Pentagon Papers 40 years ago. Snowden’s whistleblowing gives us the possibility to roll back a key part of what has amounted to an “executive coup” against the US constitution.

Since 9/11, there has been, at first secretly but increasingly openly, a revocation of the bill of rights for which this country fought over 200 years ago. In particular, the fourth and fifth amendments of the US constitution, which safeguard citizens from unwarranted intrusion by the government into their private lives, have been virtually suspended.

The government claims it has a court warrant under Fisa – but that unconstitutionally sweeping warrant is from a secret court, shielded from effective oversight, almost totally deferential to executive requests. As Russell Tice, a former National Security Agency analyst, put it: “It is a kangaroo court with a rubber stamp.”

For the president then to say that there is judicial oversight is nonsense – as is the alleged oversight function of the intelligence committees in Congress. Not for the first time – as with issues of torture, kidnapping, detention, assassination by drones and death squads –they have shown themselves to be thoroughly co-opted by the agencies they supposedly monitor. They are also black holes for information that the public needs to know.

Continue reading Edward Snowden Stands for the Bill of Rights →

Experts say the safety net for the poor and vulnerable should be strengthened, not cut. Not even a little.

The Senate pushed its version of a Farm Bill through a procedural cloture vote on Thursday, paving the way for a full Senate debate on the massive piece of legislation that will guide agricultural and food policy over the next five years.

A worker unloads a pallet of food at a warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/MCT) Advocates for the poor, however, are up in arms as representatives from both major political parties are readying dramatic cuts to the nation’s food assistance program that will negatively impact millions of the nation’s most vulnerable families.

As the new Farm Bill moves towards its final stage in the Senate, proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threaten to cut at least $4 billion from the key program over the next decade.

Michigan’s Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who authored large portions of the Senate’s bill, has defended the slashed funding to SNAP by saying the cuts are not nearly as drastic as those put forth by the GOP-controlled House.

But anti-poverty advocates, not to mention numerous economists, say the current economy demands increased support for those living on or near the edge of hunger, not an erosion of the life-saving assistance.

Continue reading Democrat and Republican Senators Agree to Cut Food Stamps →

Central Labor Councils to AFL-CIO:

Act to Expand Social Security Financing & Pass Improved Medicare for All

Four central labor councils have passed an identical resolution calling
upon the September AFL-CIO convention to organize an offensive campaign
for expanding Social Security financing and passing improved “Medicare For
All” legislation.

The resolution, which was initiated by the Troy Area Labor Council, has
also been passed by the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, the
Greater Green Bay Central Labor Council and the Capital District Area
Labor Federation in Albany, NY.

The resolution calls upon the AFL-CIO to organize a Solidarity Day march
on Washington and on the West Coast “to demand an expansion of Medicare to
cover everyone and to defend Social Security by removing the cap on income
and tax all income in a similar fashion.”

The resolution calls for taxing all income for the purpose of Social
Security including dividends, interest, capital gains, and rental income
as well as removing the cap on wages and salaries now set at $113,700.
Currently, those who earn up to $113,700 pay 6.2% in Social Security taxes
on every dollar.  Those who earn over that amount do not pay taxes on
their earnings above that level even if they make millions.  Currently the
income of the wealthy in dividends, interest, capital gains, etc. is not
taxed at all for Social Security.

On Medicare the resolution calls for “implementing a single Payer Medicare
for All system as outlined in HR 676,” Congressman John Conyers’ single
payer legislation which has 42 House co-sponsors.  The legislation would
cover everyone for all medically necessary care without co-pays,
deductibles or premiums.  The removal of the private health insurance
industry would bring costs under control while expanding care.

In Minnesota, the Machinists’ State Retirees’ Council (IAM) is sending the
resolution to all central labor councils in that state.  In Pittsburgh,
the president of a steelworkers local (USW) is submitting it to the
Allegheny County Labor Council.

The AFL-CIO convention opens September 8th in Los Angeles, CA.  Central
Labor Councils, Area Labor Federations, and State AFL-CIO Federations as
well as international unions may submit resolutions. Resolutions can be
sent to Elizabeth Shuler, Sec.-Treas. AFL-CIO, 815 16th St. NW,
Washington, DC 20006.   #30#

The resolutions can be found here:

http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/tools/clc_resolutions

Read rest of story for Text of Resolution.

Continue reading Central Labor Councils Pass “Resolution for Action in Defense of Social Security and Medicare” →

More than 150 arrested at NC legislature during Monday protests

Published: June 3, 2013 Updated 5 hours ago

A demonstrator is arrested for an act of civil disobedience inside the Legislative Building on Monday, June 3, 2013. The sixth in a series of protests led to the arrest of 151 people, the largest mass arrest since the N.C. NAACP began organizing the weekly civil disobedience events in April.

By John Frank — jfrank@newsobserver.com

RALEIGH — Jennifer Ferrell stopped so her husband could take her picture. Then she waved goodbye to her 3-year-old twins and marched into the Legislative Building to get handcuffed.

“I’m excited. I’m not nervous,” the 34-year-old Raleigh resident said as she walked in a line of demonstrators. “I’m passionate. I’m not crazy.”

For weeks now, Ferrell heard about protesters getting arrested at the statehouse to demonstrate against the Republican majority’s legislative agenda. And like many Monday, she felt compelled to add her voice to the chants and her wrists to the handcuffs. “I knew it was time to stop watching and do it myself,” she said.

Authorities arrested 151 people in the rotunda between the legislative chambers during the latest “Moral Monday” protest – the largest mass arrest since the N.C. NAACP began organizing the weekly civil disobedience events in late April.

The number is nearly the equivalent to the arrests at the four prior protests combined and brings the total above 300 this session.

The crowd of spectators also exploded, with hundreds rallying on the mall outside the legislative building, listening to speakers condemn Republican legislative leaders. “That’s extreme,” shouted the Rev. William Barber, the N.C. NAACP president, into a loud speaker as he listed legislation Republicans have approved this year. “That’s immoral, and we must stand up and wake up right here, right now.”

Police estimated the crowd at 1,000 – about five times more than the last protest – but organizers counted 1,600.

Continue reading Arrests Escalate at 6th Week of Protest at NC Legislature →

New Hampshire AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676

“On Saturday, May 4th the New Hampshire AFL-CIO unanimously passed a
resolution supporting HR 676 and the adoption of a national single payer
health care system that covers all Americans for all necessary medical
care including prescription drugs and dental,” reported President Mark
MacKenzie.

New Hampshire is the 42nd State AFL-CIO Federation to endorse HR 676,
Expanded and Improved Medicare for All, sponsored by Congressman John
Conyers (D-MI).

“HR 676 will save hundreds of billions of dollars by eliminating the
private health insurance industry with its high overhead and profits,”
said MacKenzie.

“As President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO I am proud to have our members
actively participate in the movement to win passage of HR 676 and to make
health care a human right.”

On May 21, 2013, HR 676 gained another co-sponsor in Congress with the
addition of Danny Davis (IL-7). HR 676 now has 42 co-sponsors.

Continue reading New Hampshire AFL-CIO Endorses HR 676 →

The Labor Movement across Pennsylvania flexed its muscle on primary election day, propelling many of our endorsed candidates to victory.  In municipal, school board, and judicial races, and in two special elections for state house, it was a good day for working families, and for the candidates who support us.

“Elections have consequences;” said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale.  “After seeing the consequences of recent election cycles, labor members and a majority of voters from across the Commonwealth stood together yesterday in so many of these elections, and delivered victories for Pennsylvania’s workers.”

In the special election for House District 42, Dan Miller (D – Allegheny) won a commanding 20-point victory over his opponent to fill the seat of newly elected State Senator Matt Smith.   Kevin Schreiber (D – York), running in the 95^th House District to replace Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, also won on Tuesday by an impressive 15-point margin.

“The voters in HD 42 and HD 95 spoke loud and clear, in what will become a referendum opposing the failed policies of the Corbett Administration, in favor of a pro-worker, pro-community agenda;”  added Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder.  “The PA AFL-CIO would like to give special credit to the Allegheny and York / Adams Central Labor Councils, who spearheaded these Special Elections through their early recommendations and affiliate-field mobilization.”

Central Labor Council bodies from across the Commonwealth also endorsed in many local elections, and worked hard to propel their candidates to victory.

Continue reading Labor Endorsed Candidates Advance in PA Primary →

Oil, gas drilling damage in 161 Pa. water supplies

SCRANTON (AP) — Oil and gas development damaged the water supplies of at least 161 Pennsylvania homes, farms, churches and businesses between 2008 and the fall of 2012, according to state records obtained by a newspaper.

The (Scranton) Times-Tribune first requested the records in late 2011 under the Right to Know law, but the Department of Environmental Protection mounted legal challenges and didn’t release the records until late last year.

The Times-Tribune analyzed nearly 1,000 letters and enforcement orders written by DEP officials. The determination letters are sent to water supply owners who complained that drilling activities polluted or diminished the flow of water to their wells.

About 17 percent of the investigations across the five-year period found that oil and gas activity disrupted water supplies either temporarily or seriously enough to require companies to replace the source. According to the letters, faulty wells channeled natural gas into the water supplies for 90 properties. Three of those cases were tied to old wells, one of which caused an explosion at a home after gas entered through a floor drain and accumulated in a basement.

The department repeatedly argued in court filings that it does not count how many determination letters it issues or track where they are kept in its files. The DEP has also fought efforts by The Associated Press and other news organizations to obtain similar records.

Continue reading PA DEP Forced to Reveal Drilling Damage in 161 PA Water Supplies →