A bipartisan group of secretaries of state are condemning a proposal to allow armed Secret Service agents at election polling stations. The proposal has already been approved by the House as part of the Homeland Security Department reauthorization bill. On Friday, 19 secretaries of state wrote a letter to Senate leaders urging them to drop the proposal, calling it “unprecedented and shocking.” For more, we speak with Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law [ https://lawyerscommittee.org/ ]. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/3/13/state_election_leaders_to_senate_armed[with embedded video, and transcript]
Charterize, Privatize, Christianize: The DeVos-Backed Policies That “Gutted” Michigan Public Schools
Published on Mar 13, 2018 by Democracy Now!
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is facing new criticism after she struggled in a recent “60 Minutes” interview to explain why schools in her home state of Michigan are faring poorly under the policies she has championed. DeVos is a billionaire Republican activist and the sister of Blackwater founder Erik Prince. She once served as chair of the American Federation for Children in Michigan, where she promoted school choice and worked to expand the state’s use of private charter schools. Many educators say the results of DeVos’s policies in Michigan have been disastrous. For more, we speak with Allie Gross, a reporter with the Detroit Free Press. She covered education in Michigan as a freelance reporter and was a Teach for America teacher in a Detroit charter school. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/3/13/charterize_privatize_christianize_the_devos_backed[with embedded video, and transcript]
Critics of Bayou Bridge Pipeline in Louisiana Decry State Surveillance Effort Targeting Protesters
Published on Mar 13, 2018 by Democracy Now!
In Louisiana, newly disclosed documents reveal a state intelligence agency regularly spied on activists opposing construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline, which would carry nearly a half-million barrels of oil per day across Louisiana’s wetlands. The documents show the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness regularly drafted intelligence memos on anti-pipeline activists, including a gathering of indigenous-led water protectors who’ve set up a protest encampment along the pipeline’s route. Other newly revealed documents show close coordination between Louisiana regulators and the company building the pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners. This comes just one week after a U.S. district judge in Baton Rouge ordered a temporary injunction against construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline in order to “prevent further irreparable harm” to the region’s delicate ecosystems, while court challenges proceed. For more, we speak with Pastor Harry Joseph of the Mount Triumph Baptist Church. We also speak with Pamela Spees of the Center for Constitutional Rights [ https://ccrjustice.org/ ] and Anne Rolfes, founding director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade [ http://www.labucketbrigade.org/ ]. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/3/13/critics_of_bayou_bridge_pipeline_in[with embedded video, and transcript]
Trump Replaces Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo at State; Torturer Named New Head of CIA
Published on Mar 13, 2018 by Democracy Now!
President Trump has ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and said he will replace him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Trump announced the news on Twitter this morning. He also said CIA’s deputy director Gina Haspel will be tapped to succeed Pompeo at the CIA. Both would need to be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed Gina Haspel will become the first woman to head the CIA. Gina Haspel was directly involved in the CIA’s torture program under the George W. Bush administration. She was responsible for running a secret CIA black site in Thailand where prisoners were waterboarded and tortured. We air President Trump’s remarks and highlights from Democracy Now! coverage on Pompeo and Haspel. https://www.democracynow.org/2018/3/13/trump_replaces_rex_tillerson_with_cia[with embedded video, and transcript]
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom
Issued on: March 13, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom. They discussed the United Kingdom’s investigation into the chemical weapon attack on a private citizen and his daughter on British soil. President Trump stated the United States stands in solidarity with its closest ally and is ready to provide any assistance the United Kingdom requests for its investigation. President Trump agreed with Prime Minister May that the Government of the Russian Federation must provide unambiguous answers regarding how this chemical weapon, developed in Russia, came to be used in the United Kingdom. The two leaders agreed on the need for consequences for those who use these heinous weapons in flagrant violation of international norms.
Libs on fire at SXS-Left as London Mayor Kahn pushes censorship, Schwarzenegger wants to sue oil companies for “first degree murder”. Then, Hillary lashes out at married women who don’t vote for her as she has another awkward physical collapse, the opioid crisis is exploding as doctors are being bribed to get patients hooked, Rex Tillerson is finally fired by Trump, and bipartisan globalist Michael Gerson, Washington Post & chief speech writer for George W Bush, goes on the warpath against Christian Trump supporters (he calls slimy, immoral sycophants).
[from Alex Jones and his merry band of batshit bullshitters]
Tuesday, March 13th 2018[, with an appearance by Lee Stranahan, and Paul Joseph Watson co-hosting the fourth hour]: Tillerson Out - President Trump is replacing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with Mike Pompeo. The president is also increasingly acting as his own chief-of-staff, running the White House on his own terms to avoid isolation. Commentator Brittany Pettibone explains her recent ban from the UK - and what it means for free speech worldwide.
President Donald J. Trump is Working to End Human Trafficking “My Administration will focus on ending the absolutely horrific practice of human trafficking. And I am prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government, whatever we can do, in order to solve this horrific problem.” - President Donald J. Trump March 13, 2018 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-working-end-human-trafficking/
It's been a busy day at the White House. Rex Tillerson is out as Secretary of State. So is Steve Goldstein, who served under him at the State Department, and Trump's personal aide John McEntee. Who's next?
Breaking news today as President Trump has initiated major White House shake ups including the firing of Rex Tillerson. President Trump also went to California to view border wall prototypes and address the marines and armed forces. Roger Stone talks about the most recent attempt at fake news on him, as a story broke on Infowars goes viral.
[from Alex Jones and his merry band of batshit bullshitters]
New Bombshell: Trump aide Roger Stone sought Assange meeting in 2016
The Beat with Ari Melber 3/13/18
Breaking news: A third source says Roger Stone was trying to contact Julian Assange during Trump's 2016 campaign. Stone documentary filmmaker, Morgan Pehme, makes this revelation live on “The Beat.”
In a Special Beat report, MSNBC Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber demolishes the legal case against Trump lawyer Michael Cohen – explaining why whatever one thinks of Cohen, he probably did not violate election law with the payment to Stormy Daniels.
In 2014, the body of a 15 year-old Indigenous girl — Tina Fontaine — was found wrapped in plastic at the bottom of a river in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Last month, her accused murderer was acquitted. Racism is still ugly and is still alive amongst us. That verdict set off protests from indigenous people, and their supporters, who say the Canadian government doesn’t do nearly enough to protect their communities. Which is why a group called the Bear Clan Patrol has been keeping watch at night in Winnipeg and other cities, ever since Fontaine’s death.
Fashion's Crippling Impact On The Environment Is Only Getting Worse (HBO)
Published on Mar 13, 2018 by VICE News
The fashion week tents have been packed up and the models sent home until the next collection debuts, but one deeply entrenched industry trend shows no sign of stopping: Fast fashion, which has become one of the biggest sources of pollution in the world.
According to a recent report, the textile industry emits more greenhouse gas emissions than international shipping and aviation combined. And the amount of waste the industry generates, as well as how much water and resources it uses, is increasing.
Since 2000, global clothes production has more than doubled, and the average person now buys 60 percent more items of clothing every year and keeps them for about half as long as they did 15 years ago.
In the USA, over 85 percent of those clothes end up in a landfill. China, which produces 50 percent of the world's textiles, and imports the largest amount of recycled clothing, has been dealing with pollution from the industry for decades: Most recycled clothing from around the world is up routed there and turned into recycled yarn. But starting this year, China will begin implementing a ban on the import of 24 solid materials, including textiles.
Nate Herman, the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for the American Apparel & Footwear Association told VICE News things are going to get much worse. “They have cut the source materials for recycled fabrics. It will have a very negative effect on our efforts to make the industry more sustainable,” he said.
But recycling clothes currently is extremely difficult — much of our clothing is from blended fabrics or synthetic materials, meaning that it is often more time and resource intensive to recycle them than to just produce new clothes.
Some experts, such as Ellen MacArthur whose foundation is leading the charge on creating a circular economy for textiles and who estimates that waste generated from textiles is worth $500 billion a year, believes that the fashion industry needs to go beyond just better recycling.
House Dems outline new revelations on Russia probe
All In with Chris Hayes 3/13/18
After Republicans unilaterally decided to end the House Intel Committee Russia investigation, Democrats detail more than 30 key witnesses who were not interviewed - along with unanswered questions and new revelations.
Trump administration departures continue apace, more expected
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Rachel Maddow updates what has become a giant wall of high profile Trump administration departures and reports on expectations of more exits before the week is out.
Trump team fails to help Trump avoid controversial fundraiser
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Rachel Maddow reports on Donald Trump attending a fundraiser in California co-hosted by Elliott Broidy, deputy national finance chairman of the RNC who is caught up in Robert Mueller's probe into whether foreign money made its way into Trump's campaign.
Manafort placed under house arrest; weight of evidence cited
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Rachel Maddow reports on a newly released court document in which former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is put under house arrest with the judge noting that Manafort could face the rest of his life in prison.
Surprising revelations in Democrats' new Trump Russia report
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Rachel Maddow reports on a 22-page status report released by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee outlining avenues of inquiry they intend to pursue even as committee Republicans have already rushed to close the investigation.
Trump swaps Tillerson for obsequious Pompeo with clumsy firing
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Rachel Maddow looks at contrasting reports of how Rex Tillerson was fired from his job as secretary of State, the relationship Donald Trump has with Tillerson's replacement, Mike Pompeo, and how the Trump Russia scandal colors the context of this development.
Tillerson wouldn't take tweet for an answer, forces Trump call
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent, talks with Rachel Maddow about the circumstances of Donald Trump's firing of Rex Tillerson and the foreign policy stakes around Trump administration upheaval.
Role in torture program an issue for Trump nominee for CIA chief
The Rachel Maddow Show 3/13/18
Senator Ron Wyden talks with Rachel Maddow about his objections to the elevation of Gina Haspel to director of the CIA and his concerns about the secrecy of the U.S. torture program and Haspel's role in it.
Tight Pennsylvania House race comes down to the wire
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams 3/14/18
The special election for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional district between Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Rick Saccone came down to just a tiny percentage of votes. Our team of analyst and reporters breaks it all down.
Former CIA Director John Brennan shares his thoughts on personnel changes at the State Department and CIA after it was announced this morning on Twitter Donald Trump had fired his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and replaced him with current CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
Democrat Conor Lamb declares victory in PA special election
The 11th Hour with Brian Williams [early a.m. 3/14/18 [continuing coverage of the Pennsylvania special election]
With NBC News and other news organizations still saying the PA special election is too close to call, Democrat Conor Lamb declared victory over Republican Rick Saccone in a speech to supporters after Tuesday's vote.
Citizen Journalists Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson dispel the liberal myth that Republicans lack a sense of humor and offer tips for aspiring conservative comics.
Late Night White House Press Briefing: When Is The Impeachment?
Published on Mar 14, 2018 by Late Night with Seth Meyers
Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds an impromptu press briefing to answer burning questions, like "When Trump is hiring someone, what does he want to see on their resume?"
Donald trump used Twitter to inform Rex Tillerson he was Out, Fired with a Tweet !!! And showing his True Colors he hired Swamp Dweller Gina Haspel to Head up the CIA !!!
Trump Personal Assistant Reportedly Fired Over Security Issue John McEntee is reportedly being investigated for “serious financial crimes.” A longtime personal assistant to President Donald Trump was reportedly fired and escorted out of the White House on Monday, with one report claiming the ouster was due to a criminal investigation. John McEntee was unceremoniously removed from his position because the Department of Homeland Security is investigating him for “serious financial crimes,” CNN reported, citing an unidentified source familiar with his termination. The alleged crimes are said to not be related to Trump. The Wall Street Journal, which was the first to break the news of McEntee’s ouster, reported that he was removed because of an “unspecified security issue,” citing an unidentified White House official. McEntee wasn’t allowed to collect his belongings ? including his jacket ? before being escorted out, according to the Journal. The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McEntee previously served as an aide to Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, and the Trump campaign announced Tuesday that he will rejoin the organization as a senior adviser for campaign operations. He’ll work alongside Katrina Pierson, who served as the 2016 campaign’s national spokesperson and will now oversee the campaign’s national grassroots outreach. If there was any issue with McEntee inside the White House, Trump’s campaign hasn’t acknowledged it. “As we build out our operations for the 2018 mid-term elections and the 2020 reelection campaign, we are pleased to welcome back two outstanding members of our 2016 team,” Brad Parscale, the Trump for President campaign manager, said in a statement. “We need the help of proven leaders such as Katrina and John to promote the President’s growing portfolio of achievements across the country. News of McEntee’s reported removal came Tuesday morning, when Trump also announced he had moved to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. He said he had nominated Gina Haspel to be the new director of the CIA. The news also came nearly a week after it was reported that several White House staffers were either terminated or reassigned because of issues related to their security clearances. More than 30 White House staffers were stripped of their top-level security clearances, pending the completion of a background check. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law who is a senior Trump adviser, also had his clearance downgraded. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-mcentee-trump-reportedly-fired_us_5aa7d246e4b087e5aaedf006
Here’s A First Look At ‘Sorry To Bother You’ Starring Lakeith Stanfield The movie hits theaters this summer. The trailer for “Sorry to Bother You,” the semi-dystopian movie that explores what it’s like to work in corporate spaces while black, is finally here. Set in Oakland, the film follows Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield), a black telemarketer trying to navigate an alternate-reality version of a very white corporate office. Green finds, as many black people do, that he must code-switch to excel. But the comedic sci-fi twist takes this idea a bit further. Cassuis’ co-worker, played by Danny Glover, reveals to him that true success can be found in literally imitating a white man’s voice. “If you want to make money here, use your white voice, and I don’t mean ‘Will Smith white,’” he says in the trailer, which you can watch above. From here on, Cassius literally changes his voice, accent and tone to mimic a white man’s, immediately skyrocketing into success and falling into a macabre world where the stakes only get higher. A mixture of comedy and social commentary, “Sorry To Bother You” explores the dangers and benefits of approximating whiteness. “Sorry to Bother You,” directed by Boots Riley, is out July 8. The film also stars Tessa Thompson, Terry Crews and Omari Hardwick, among others. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sorry-to-bother-you-trailer_us_5aa6baf3e4b03c9edfae760f
Trump says he will wait for 'the facts' on Sergei Skripal poisoning before condemning Russia Trump says he will wait for the "facts" and whether "we agree with them" on the poisoning of a double agent on British soil. US president says he will speak to British prime minister Theresa May later on Tuesday. May has said it is "highly likely" Russia is responsible. Trump: "as soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we will condemn Russia or whoever it may be." http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-condemn-russia-or-whoever-for-sergei-skripal-poisoning-2018-3
Putin 'wants everyone to know it's him' with brazen nerve agent attack in the UK, experts say Experts think Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind an attack on a former double agent named Sergei Skripal. They told Business Insider that Putin most likely chose a Russian-made nerve agent to brazenly claim ownership of the attempted murder while officially denying it. Russia has been linked to 15 similar cases of poisoning and a raft of geopolitical aggression since Putin came to power. There is little the UK can do to directly hit back at Russia for the attack, something that may have motivated the Kremlin to push the envelope. http://www.businessinsider.com/sergei-skripal-attack-putin-wants-everyone-to-know-its-him-2018-3
'You cannot imagine the horror, it's so bad': Russian scientist who developed Novichok describes agonising convulsions caused by poison used on Sergei Skripal Former Soviet chemist Vil Mirzayanov has described the effects of Novichok, a type of nerve agent which he helped create. Britain yesterday said Novichok was the chemical used to poison Sergei Skripal, a double agent who defected from Russia to Britain. Mirzayanov said even low doses of Novichok cause agonising convulsions and pain akin to torture and is "impossible to imagine." He also said he is certain that Putin ordered the Skripal attack. http://www.businessinsider.com/novichok-scientist-vil-mirzayanov-describes-nerve-agent-used-on-sergei-skripal-2018-3
Power Briefing: Tillerson axed and undersecretary who released department response also reportedly fired Two U.S. officials say the White House has fired one of Rex Tillerson’s top aides after he contradicted the official account of the secretary of state’s dismissal by President Donald Trump. The officials said Steve Goldstein, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, was informed of the move shortly after he released a statement in his name saying that Tillerson was ‘unaware of the reason’ for his termination. Goldstein had also told reporters that Tillerson learned of his firing Tuesday morning from Trump’s tweet announcing he was nominating CIA chief Mike Pompeo to lead the State Department. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook-power-briefing/2018/03/13/rex-tillerson-fired-state-department-254312
Trump picks Gina Haspel as first female CIA director—her history with torture could hamper her confirmation Trump will nominate career CIA officer Gina Haspel to be the agency's first female director. Haspel's Senate confirmation process will be complicated by her role in the CIA's black site program, in which terrorism suspects were extrajudicially detained and tortured. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/trump-to-nominate-gina-haspel-to-be-first-female-cia-director.html
5 high-profile departures in 2 weeks for Trump's 'no chaos' White House Rex Tillerson, secretary of state Gary Cohn, National Economic Council director Hope Hicks, White House communications director John McEntee, personal aide to the President Josh Raffel, White House communications aide https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/13/politics/trump-departures-white-house/index.html
House Intelligence Committee Democrats say they have 'ample evidence' of collusion between Trump and Russia Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee will release a report of their own on the committee's Russia investigation, according to Rep. Adam Schiff. Republicans released a draft report on the investigation on Monday in which they claimed they had found no evidence of collusion between President Donald Trump and Russia during the 2016 presidential election. The Democrats, however, claim that they have found "ample" evidence. One Republican on the committee said his party had "gone completely off the rails" with regard to the investigation. http://www.businessinsider.com/house-intelligence-democrats-have-evidence-of-trump-russia-collusion-2018-3
Stormy Daniels friend describes listening in on her phone calls with Trump A close friend of Stormy Daniels is confirming her affair with Donald Trump more than a decade ago — saying he listened in on their phone conversations — and defending her efforts to get out of the $130,000 hush agreement she made shortly before the 2016 election. The account given by Keith Munyan, a 56-year-old photographer who is among four people listed in the nondisclosure agreement as knowing about the alleged relationship, is the latest development in what has become a daily public relations skirmish between the porn star and the president of the United States. The agreement does not bar Munyan from speaking publicly about the matter. In a telephone interview late Monday with The Washington Post, Munyan mostly corroborated details Daniels already revealed in a recently published interview she gave to In Touch magazine in 2011: that she and Trump met at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in 2006; that he offered to get her on“The Apprentice” reality TV show; and that he also offered her a condominium in a proposed Trump Tower in Tampa. [...] https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/stormy-daniels-friend-describes-listening-in-on-her-phone-calls-with-trump/2018/03/13/ff004956-26af-11e8-ab19-06a445a08c94_story.html
How School Walkouts Test Student Rights And School Responsibilities Wednesday morning, at 10 o'clock, students at schools across the country will walk out of their classrooms. The plan is for them to leave school — or at least gather in the hallway — for 17 minutes. That's one minute for each of the victims in last month's school shooting in Parkland, Fla. The walkout has galvanized teens nationwide and raised big questions for schools about how to handle protests. The organizers, Women's March Youth EMPOWER, have made it clear: While this walkout is meant to honor the victims in Parkland, as well as anyone who's experienced gun violence, it is also a political call to action. "It's about protesting Congress' inaction when it comes to gun violence," says Kaleab Jegol, a 17-year-old high school senior and protest coordinator from Ohio. Organizers have posted their demands online, including an assault weapons ban and expanded background checks. Jegol knows, their protest isn't sitting well with some school leaders. In Needville, Texas, Superintendent Curtis Rhodes issued a stern warning to students and parents: [...] https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/03/13/591858922/how-school-walkouts-test-student-rights-and-school-responsibilities
Best Buy is punishing customers who return too many items — and it's a disturbing trend sweeping across the retail industry Best Buy, Home Depot, Victoria's Secret, and other retailers use a third-party company to discreetly track how often shoppers return purchases. Many shoppers are unaware their returns are being tracked. The third-party company, The Retail Equation, keeps "return activity reports" on customers dating back several years. Best Buy has used The Retail Equation to ban customers from making returns or exchanges. http://www.businessinsider.com/best-buy-punishes-customers-for-too-many-returns-2018-3
Liberals have 'hatred for our country' and 'hatred for God': Republican candidate slams Democrats on the eve of Pennsylvania's special election Pennsylvania state Rep. Rick Saccone, the Republican candidate in the special election for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, railed against liberals during a rally on Monday. He reportedly accused them of being "energized for hate for our president" and that they "have a hatred for God" The election will be held on Tuesday. http://www.businessinsider.com/rick-saccone-liberals-hate-god-and-trump-2018-3
Girls trip! Hillary Clinton takes private jet for sight seeing tour and stay with maharaja friend in India - after claiming Trump won because his voters 'don't like black people' and 'told their wives not to vote for her' Hillary Clinton in in the final stages of a tour of India which included a speaking engagement in Mumbai, the country's economic powerhouse, and a stay with a playboy maharaja Bill Clinton is not on the trip and the failed 2016 presidential candidate was accompanied by Huma Abedin She used the speaking engagement to claim that one of the appeals of Trump's campaign was if'you don't like black people succeeding' Also told India Today Conclave 2018 that wives had been told not to vote for her http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5492301/Girls-trip-Hillary-Clinton-plays-tourist-India-aide-Huma.html
Trump floats the idea of creating a 'Space Force' to fight wars in space President Donald Trump floated the idea of developing another service branch, the Space Force. Trump said the idea started as a joke, but then he decided it was "a great idea." "Space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air, and sea," said the president. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/trump-floats-the-idea-of-creating-a-space-force-to-fight-wars-in-space.html
Family of slain Democratic staffer Seth Rich sues Fox News The family of slain Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Fox News, one of the network's reporters, and a wealthy Texas businessman over their roles in the publication of a baseless conspiracy theory about Rich's 2016 death. http://money.cnn.com/2018/03/14/media/seth-rich-lawsuit-fox-news/index.html
Costly health care drives the US to spend double the rate of other high-income nations U.S. spending on health care is nearly twice the rate of 10 other high-income countries, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Health-care spending ballooned to nearly 18 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product in 2016, compared with a range of about 10 percent to 12 percent in the other 10 nations studied, according to the JAMA paper. The U.S. had the highest pharmaceutical spending per capita among its peers. President Trump has repeatedly accused drugmakers of "getting away with murder." https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/13/us-health-care-spending-is-twice-the-rate-of-other-high-income-nations.html