Category: Democracy
The scary Trump wannabes
by Wade Rathke January 4, 2021 Pearl River, La. When Kentucky Senator and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the voice of reason for the Republicans, you have to know we’re facing real trouble. McConnell had…
Members of Congress demand prosecution of Trump for election tampering
‘Open-and-Shut Federal (and State) Crime’ “We must hold him fully accountable, even after he leaves office. There must be justice.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, January 4, 2021 Democratic members of Congress late Sunday joined…
Illegal does not mean impossible, and seeking consolation about Trump from legal experts might be stupid
The question at hand is not what the law says, but whether it is possible for a tyrant to violate and overturn the rule of law. by Jeffrey C. Isaac Sunday, December 27, 2020 Thursday’s Washington…
What Trump’s doing Is crazy and dangerous—and it ain’t over yet
Opinion Trump still threatens us, and discussing the election in the past tense is stupid. by Jeffrey C. Isaac Friday, December 11, 2020 Ever since November 7, when the election was more or less authoritatively “called”…
Republicans create circular firing squad
by Wade Rathke December 11, 2020 New Orleans Ok, fair enough. Maybe I spoke too soon when I suggested that some grassroots Republican officeholders at the state and local level deserved our thanks for standing…
Rathke: Politicizing the military is dangerous
New Orleans The role of the military in governments of any stripe can be a powerful thing, though rarely is this good news. In Asia, the military junta’s role in Myanmar has led to genocide…
Rathke: Mass protests are back – what are we waiting for?
New Orleans Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed? If you can make it past the daily Trump wailing wall, there’s one report after another of protests. Not some piddling ten- or twenty-person thing, though there’s…
Rathke: When political parties lose control, welcome to crisis
New Orleans Big ideas and popular demands move political parties, pro or con. Politicians have to put their fingers in the air and see how the wind is blowing, especially if they lack core principles and…
Rathke: We’re so sorry about Louisiana’s Senator John Neely Kennedy
New Orleans Those of us who live in Louisiana or care about the role of the state and its people in public affairs are just as sorry as we can be every time our junior…
Rathke: Voter Purges Coming in Wisconsin and Georgia
New Orleans A Georgia judge allowed a 300,000 voter purge to happen hours ago in that state. A lawsuit filed by Fair Vote Action seeking to prevent the purge will happen later this week on…
On the current status of Trump’s coup attempt—and its future
It may look like this is one frivolity and absurdity after another—and it is. But if this electoral clash reaches the Supreme Court, all bets are off. by Marjorie Cohn Sunday, November 22, 2020 Joe Biden…
Biden given roadmap to revitalize rural America
The plan “lays a foundation for bringing economic vitality to rural communities in the face of racial injustice, economic decline, climate change, and a devastating pandemic.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, November 13 Family Farm…
The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, warn ‘baseless accusations’ of voter fraud by Trump threaten democracy worldwide
Calling on American president to “accept the verdict” of voters, group warns of “far-reaching consequences” beyond U.S. borders. by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, November 12 A group of prominent former world leaders on Thursday expressed…
Women-led marches and rallies in US cities nationwide call for Trump’s ouster and GOP defeat
‘We’ve Had Enough’ From Denver to Durham to D.C. “His presidency began with women marching and now it’s going to end with women voting,” said head of the Women’s March. by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Sunday,…
Dominance or democracy? Authoritarian white masculinity as Trump and Pence’s political debate strategy
Although some commentators cheered Pence’s ostensible civility during the vice presidential debate, Pence persistently ignored the rules to which his campaign had assented, speaking past his time limit, refusing to answer many of moderator Susan Page’s…
‘A threat to a fair election’: Danger posed by armed pro-Trump poll watchers
“This is the stuff of our worst nightmares.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, October 9 Following President Donald Trump’s refusal last month to denounce white supremacists along with his longstanding pattern of undermining democratic norms—and…
Americans aren’t worried about white nationalism in the military – because they don’t know it’s there
There is a long history of links between white nationalist movements and the U.S. military. Bo Zaunders/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images by Jennifer Spindel, University of New Hampshire; Matt Motta, Oklahoma State University, and Robert Ralston,…
Pence joins Trump in refusing to commit to peaceful transition
‘This Is Their Desperate Attempt to Cling on to Power’ “Should Donald Trump and Mike Pence refuse to accept the will of the people, we will be ready to mobilize in unprecedented numbers to demand that…
Trump’s encouragement of GOP ballot watchers echoes an old tactic of voter intimidation
by Mark Krasovic, Rutgers University Newark During the first presidential debate, Donald Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace if he would “urge” his followers to remain calm during a prolonged vote-counting period after the election,…
Marathon protests
by Wade Rathke September 30, 2020 New Orleans There’s something strange and different happening in the world of protests. The average bystander is unlikely to have noticed this, but as a practitioner in this trade,…
NJ Gov. signs millionaires tax into law to fight Covid-19, address inequality, and boost recovery
“We truly are setting an example for the nation on how to build an economy that works for all of us, not just a chosen few.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Wednesday, September 30 Following grassroots…
Sunrise Movement doubles down on 2020 after RBG’s death, with planet and the future on the line
“This moment is a critical opportunity—not only to activate every young voter in swing states but also to catapult emergent Green New Deal champions running for Senate into the spotlight and secure upsets in red states.”…
1 Million+ people in less than 3 days sign petition demanding RBG seat not be filled until 2021
Ginsburg’s dying wish was that her Supreme Court seat not be filled until a new president was installed. “With less than 50 days until the election and voting already underway in many states, it’s important that…
Early AM protest outside Lindsey Graham’s home over RBG replacement
‘He Told Us to Use His Words Against Him’ “In the spirit of RBG, we will not allow a double standard in how our Congress deals with late-term Supreme Court appointments.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer…
