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Category: Politics

Trump tries reappropriating ‘insurrection’ on Jan. 6 anniversary

Trump tries reappropriating ‘insurrection’ on Jan. 6 anniversary

The Washington Post reports: Republican polling leader Donald Trump observed the third anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by glorifying people charged in the riot, repeating baseless claims that left-wing or government interlopers caused the breach, and attempting to turn the term “insurrection” against his political opponents. The remarks were part of an ongoing escalation of Trump’s and other Republicans’ efforts to minimize, justify and deny the violence of three years ago while also defending…

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The real reasons the GOP suddenly pretended to care about Harvard

The real reasons the GOP suddenly pretended to care about Harvard

Will Bunch writes: The true meaning of Claudine Gay’s ouster can be seen in a story that’s gotten zero coverage in the New York Times or the rest of the mainstream media. At Louisiana State University, whose undergraduate enrollment of just under 29,000 is exactly four times that of Harvard, the looming arrival of a new right-wing GOP governor across town in Baton Rouge has sparked a quiet but significant effort to dismantle diversity efforts and kill anti-racism education in…

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‘He’s a cipher’: How Austin’s need for privacy just backfired

‘He’s a cipher’: How Austin’s need for privacy just backfired

Politico reports: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is one of the most reclusive Pentagon chiefs in recent memory. That’s creating a major problem for him now. Austin’s failure to inform his most senior advisers, congressional leaders and even President Joe Biden of his hospitalization last week due to complications from a medical procedure has erupted into a controversy that’s left senior White House and Pentagon officials infuriated and befuddled. Some Republicans quickly called for investigations or even for Austin to be…

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Pharmacies share medical data with police without a warrant, inquiry finds

Pharmacies share medical data with police without a warrant, inquiry finds

The Washington Post reports: The nation’s largest pharmacy chains have handed over Americans’ prescription records to police and government investigators without a warrant, a congressional investigation found, raising concerns about threats to medical privacy. Though some of the chains require their lawyers to review law enforcement requests, three of the largest — CVS Health, Kroger and Rite Aid, with a combined 60,000 locations nationwide — said they allow pharmacy staff members to hand over customers’ medical records in the store….

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UN warns Gaza is now ‘uninhabitable’ as war continues

UN warns Gaza is now ‘uninhabitable’ as war continues

The Associated Press reports: The UN humanitarian chief has described Gaza as “uninhabitable” three months into Israel’s war with Hamas, warning that famine was looming and a public health disaster unfolding. In a grim assessment of the devastating impact of Israel’s military response to the horrific Hamas attacks on 7 October, Martin Griffiths said that Gaza’s 2.3 million people face “daily threats to their very existence” while the world just watches. He said tens of thousands of people, mostly women…

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Lots of people will vote this year. That doesn’t mean democracy will survive

Lots of people will vote this year. That doesn’t mean democracy will survive

Brian Klaas writes: The greatest paradox of modern politics is that there are more elections than ever before in human history, and yet the world is becoming less democratic. Voting will take place in more than 60 countries this year—an unprecedented number—containing roughly half of the global population. But even with all this voting, democracy is under severe threat, endangered by predatory politicians who rig elections and disgruntled voters willing to hand over power to autocratic leaders. The most pivotal…

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Jan. 6 was an example of networked incitement − a media and disinformation expert explains the danger of political violence orchestrated over social media

Jan. 6 was an example of networked incitement − a media and disinformation expert explains the danger of political violence orchestrated over social media

Social media and cellphones connected President Trump to the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images By Joan Donovan, Boston University The shocking events of Jan. 6, 2021, signaled a major break from the nonviolent rallies that categorized most major protests over the past few decades. What set Jan. 6 apart was the president of the United States using his cellphone to direct an attack on the Capitol, and those who stormed the Capitol being wired and ready for…

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Why is Biden risking a new regional war in the Middle East?

Why is Biden risking a new regional war in the Middle East?

Jeet Heer writes: The Biden administration, under fire for an increasingly unpopular policy of near-unconditional support for the Israeli government as it indiscriminately bombs civilians in Gaza, has resorted to the transparently desperate measure of claiming credit for keeping a terrible situation from getting even worse. The White House line on the Middle East is that Biden, behind closed doors, has used his close ties with Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent potentially reckless escalation that would have led to an even…

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The war in Gaza may widen. The Biden admin is getting ready for it

The war in Gaza may widen. The Biden admin is getting ready for it

Politico reports: Biden administration officials are drawing up plans for the U.S. to respond to what they’re increasingly concerned could expand from a war in Gaza to a wider, protracted regional conflict. Four officials familiar with the matter, including a senior administration official, described internal conversations about scenarios that could potentially draw the U.S. into another Middle East war. All were granted anonymity to speak about sensitive, ongoing national security discussions. The military is drafting plans to hit back at…

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Arab and Muslim Americans weren’t happy with Biden before Gaza war. Now they’re enraged

Arab and Muslim Americans weren’t happy with Biden before Gaza war. Now they’re enraged

Bishara A. Bahbah writes: In the key swing state of Michigan Arab and Muslim voters have been watching closely – and with growing rage – U.S. President Joe Biden’s one-sided support of Israel in a war they say is not being waged just against Hamas, but against Palestinians living in Gaza. These voters who helped him win in 2020 could now help tip the support against Biden, potentially costing him re-election. Michigan is home to the largest population of Arab…

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The promise and risk of South Africa’s case against Israel

The promise and risk of South Africa’s case against Israel

Alaa Hachem and Oona A. Hathaway write: The war in Gaza has now reached the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In the closing days of 2023, South Africa filed an application instituting proceedings against Israel before the ICJ. South Africa alleges that Israel’s conduct in Gaza violates its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide both by committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, and by failing to prevent it, including by failing to…

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If Trump is not an insurrectionist, what is he?

If Trump is not an insurrectionist, what is he?

Jamelle Bouie writes: Last month the states of Colorado and Maine moved to disqualify Donald Trump as a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. In response, Trump has asked the Supreme Court to intervene on his behalf in the Colorado case, and he has appealed Maine’s decision. There is a real question of whether this attempt to protect American democracy — by removing a would-be authoritarian from the ballot — is itself a…

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The people of Solano County, California, versus the next tech-billionaire dystopia

The people of Solano County, California, versus the next tech-billionaire dystopia

Gil Duran writes: It is easy to mock the absurdity of California Forever, the new city that a group of tech billionaires want to build amid cattle pastures 60 miles north of San Francisco. Its wealthy backers frame the project—envisioned as a mega suburb with dense housing and walkable streets set on 60,000 rural acres—as an innovative solution to California’s housing shortage. But their bumbling and villainous antics may ensure it never gets built. The particulars of this caper veer…

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Stakes high as South Africa brings claim of genocidal intent against Israel

Stakes high as South Africa brings claim of genocidal intent against Israel

Patrick Wintour writes: South Africa’s request for an interim measure by the international court of justice to prevent Israel from committing acts of potential genocide – primarily by calling for a halt to combat operations – has suddenly taken on an urgency and relevance that seemed implausible a fortnight ago. Crack legal teams are being assembled, countries are issuing statements in support of South Africa, and Israel has said it will defend itself in court, reversing a decades-old policy of…

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Biden campaign staff protest against his approach to Israel-Hamas war, call for ceasefire

Biden campaign staff protest against his approach to Israel-Hamas war, call for ceasefire

Politico reports: A group of aides hired to reelect President Joe Biden is breaking with him on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a letter first shared with West Wing Playbook, 17 current Biden campaign staffers called directly on the president to push for a permanent ceasefire in the monthslong conflict. “As your staff, we believe it is both a moral and electoral imperative for you to publicly call for a cessation of violence,” the staffers wrote in the…

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Israel PM’s wife Sara Netanyahu accuses Gaza hostage families of ‘helping Hamas’

Israel PM’s wife Sara Netanyahu accuses Gaza hostage families of ‘helping Hamas’

The New Arab reports: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara criticised relatives of hostages in Gaza for “helping Hamas” while accompanying her husband during a meeting with the families on Tuesday, Israeli media reported. Sara Netanyahu told the families of hostages that their public statements critical of her husband’s handling of the war and securing the return of their loved ones was helping Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, according to Israel’s Channel 12. This reportedly provoked angry responses from the…

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