Page 260 – Toward Freedom

On January 1, Rex Tillerson retired from oil giant Exxon Mobil after 41 years, the last 10 as CEO and chairman of the board. When he appears in January before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to be considered for U.S. Secretary of State, Exxon Mobil will be preparing to appear before a jury at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, just blocks away. There, the company will face allegations that security forces under its employ engaged in serious human rights abuses, including murder, torture, sexual violence, kidnapping, battery, assault, burning, arbitrary arrest, detention and false imprisonment. The complaint specifically names Rex Tillerson. read more

A 10-Point Plan to Stop Trump and Make Gains in Justice and Equality

George Lakey January 25, 2017 George Lakey

I was among the 100,000 who marched in San Francisco’s Women’s March the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration. While enthusiasm for the struggle seemed high, an important question was looming: What’s the strategic plan, as we head into the Trump era? Although there’s no simple answer, I offer this 10-point plan — fully open for discussion and debate.

Big Trump Protests Are Fine, But Here’s a To-Do List for Lasting Change

Sarah van Gelder January 20, 2017 Sarah van Gelder

As the Trump regime rolls out, the need for building local power becomes startlingly clear. Many will march in the Women’s March on Saturday, and that promises to be an important statement against normalizing the Trump administration. But after the big events are over, what next?

Throw Sand in the Gears of Everything

Frances Fox Piven January 20, 2017 Frances Fox Piven

Source: The Nation

As many are saying, we woke from a nightmare to find it was our new reality. A gaggle of inflated far-right self-promoters and operatives, big businessmen and their toadies, and homegrown fascists will control the presidency and determine the Supreme Court majority, maybe for a generation or more. The Congress is firmly in Republican hands, save for the uncertain possibility that Senate Democrats will muster the gumption to filibuster. And that possibility could also evaporate with the 2018 midterm elections, when as many as 20 or more Democrats will have to defend their seats. No wonder that everyone I speak with searches for someone to blame—Clinton or Comey or white women or the white working class or the Bernie troops—and then asks plaintively: What do we do now? read more

The Hidden Dance Between China and the United States

Immanuel Wallerstein January 17, 2017 Immanuel Wallerstein

Most politicians, journalists, and academic analysts describe the relations of China and the United States as one of hostile competition, especially in East Asia. I disagree. I believe that the top of both countries’ geopolitical agenda is reaching long-term accord with the other. The major bone of contention is which of the two prospective partners will be the top dog.

‘The Power to Create a New World’: Trump and the Climate Challenges Ahead

Zarefah Baroud January 17, 2017 Zarefah Baroud

The catastrophic climate change is no longer a subject for argument, at least on a mainstream level within the science community. Yet, as temperatures continue to rise, American efforts to combat global warming sadly seem to decline.