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epacer · 14 days ago

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Cal Ed

With Department of Education’s Future Uncertain, California School Chief Pledges to Resist Funding Cuts

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond vowed on Friday to fight President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, which he said represented a “clear threat to what our students need to have a good education and a great life.”

“We cannot be caught flatfooted,” Thurmond said, during a news conference.

Thurmond made his pronouncement in Sacramento on Friday while flanked by legislators and education and labor leaders holding up signs saying “Education Is For Everyone” and “Protect All Students.”

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has vowed to abolish the department, a long-standing and so far unfulfilled pledge made by Republican leaders dating back to former President Ronald Reagan.

Thurmond said there are concerns that abolishing the department would put at risk some $8 billion that California receives in federal funds for programs serving students with disabilities and those attending low-income schools, both public and private.

“We will not allow that to happen,” he said. “The law will not allow that to happen.”

He observed, for example, that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA, guarantees students in special education programs a “free and appropriate education,” and to receive a range of special education services in an individualized education program drawn up for every special education student.

Thurmond said Trump’s plan to defund the Department of Education would also harm students whose civil rights are violated and investigated through the Office of Civil Rights, including victims of racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, hate and bias toward LGBTQ students.

“To tear down and abolish an organization that provides protections for our students is a threat to the well-being of our students and our families and of Americans,” Thurmond said.

It was also not clear what would happen to student financial aid that the department administers, Thurmond said.

The first line of defense in the fight against Trump’s education plan is the Congress, Thurmond said. He said his department is reaching out to legislators to affirm their commitment to public education — an issue that he says surpasses partisan labels.

“Let me be clear,” Thurmond said. “This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of continuing to assure that students have access to the resources that they are entitled to under the law. And we will continue to do that, and we will work with the members of Congress to ask them to stand and support our students.”

But Thurmond said that the California Department of Education is also preparing for a worst-case scenario: large-scale cuts to federal funding. In that case, he said, he is working with the California Legislature on a backup plan.

“If it comes to it, as a contingency, we are prepared to introduce legislation that would backfill funding for special education programs, Title I programs and programs that are similar in its scope,” Thurmond said. Title I money supplements state and local education funding for low-income students.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, the chair of the Assembly Education Committee, said that the state is prepared to stand up for all the students who are targeted by Trump’s policy proposals and rhetoric. He pointed to the threat of deportations of undocumented immigrants that would hurt large numbers of children of immigrants, as well as threats to other student populations.

“It is the job of every teacher, every school board member, every principal, every elected representative in the state of California who believes in public education, it is time for us to stand up to protect all of these kids,” he said. “When we are facing a bully who is targeting our most vulnerable students, we all need to stand up.”

“We need to get ready now for what is going to start on Jan. 20,” Muratsuchi said, referring to Trump’s second inauguration.

In 2017, California enshrined into state law some federal laws or court decisions to protect the education rights of immigrant students, said Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, deputy director of Californians Together, a statewide coalition that advocates for immigrants and multilingual learners.

In the wake of Trump’s attacks on immigrants, Cruz-Gonzalez said it is important to remind school staff of those protections so that students and families will continue to feel safe and protected when they attend school.

“It’s not enough to know that we have laws on the books,” Cruz-Gonzalez said. “We have to work together in coalition and ensure our superintendents, our school board members and our teachers know what to do to protect these rights.”

The right to public education is the “cornerstone of democracy,” said Chinua Rhodes, school board member at Sacramento City Unified School District.

“This is not just a political battle, it is a moral one,” Rhodes said. “Our schools should not abandon the most needy.” *Reposted article from the Times of SD by EdSource on November 12, 2024

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news365timesindia · 1 month ago

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[ad_1] Harshita Rai GG New Bureau New Delhi, 17th Oct. When the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) selected Nayab Singh Saini as the new chief minister of Haryana in March, many observers were skeptical. The political landscape seemed rife with anti-incumbency sentiments, and a mere change in leadership was not expected to sway the electorate. However, Saini has proven the naysayers wrong by successfully steering the BJP to a remarkable third successive term in the heartland state. Saini, a low-profile OBC leader, took the reins from the established strongman Manohar Lal Khattar, making his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday a moment of significance for both him and the party. Though not a household name in the traditional sense, Saini has emerged as a pivotal figure in Haryana’s political arena, deftly altering public perception in a state many expected to lean towards the Congress. In the recent assembly elections, the BJP won a decisive 48 out of 90 seats, aided by the support of three Independents, including Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal. Born on January 25, 1970, in Ambala’s Mirzapur Majra village, Saini’s political journey spans over three decades, during which he has held various roles within the Haryana BJP. His trajectory from local leader to chief minister exemplifies his ability to connect with the electorate. Saini’s rise to prominence is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of Khattar’s nearly decade-long tenure, which was marred by criticisms related to farmers’ issues, unemployment, and rising inflation. After Khattar’s resignation and subsequent vacancy of the Karnal assembly seat, Saini seized the opportunity, winning the seat in a bypoll held alongside the Lok Sabha elections in May. Faced with the challenge of the Model Code of Conduct shortly after his appointment, Saini wasted no time in making his mark. His cabinet made critical decisions, including the implementation of the Haryana Agniveer Policy, aimed at providing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Agniveers transitioning from military service. Additionally, the BJP committed to purchasing a staggering 24 crops at minimum support price, underscoring its dedication to farmers in the region. Saini’s administration also unveiled initiatives such as the ‘Har Ghar Grahani Yojana,’ which promises cooking gas cylinders at an affordable rate, and pledges of financial assistance for women and guaranteed government jobs for Agniveers. These populist measures resonated with voters, positioning the BJP as a proactive and responsive government. The ruling party’s campaign effectively highlighted alleged corruption and unfulfilled promises during Congress’s rule in other states, all while Saini traversed the state to emphasize the BJP’s accomplishments. His confidence, despite predictions from exit polls, reflected an unwavering belief in his party’s connection with the electorate. Saini famously remarked, “Aath tareekh (Oct 8) ko janata degi jawab, aur yeh (Congress) kahenge EVM hai kharab,” underscoring his conviction that the people would support the BJP. In a departure from traditional practices, the BJP made a bold declaration that Saini would remain the chief minister if the party secured victory, despite competition from other party stalwarts like Anil Vij. His unanimous election as the leader of the BJP legislature party by fellow MLAs, including Vij, signals strong internal support. Nayab Singh Saini’s journey from an unassuming party worker to chief minister embodies a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptability. As he assumes leadership in Haryana, his challenge will be to consolidate this victory and maintain the BJP’s momentum, particularly among the OBC community and non-Jats, while addressing the pressing issues facing the state. The road ahead will test his mettle as a leader, but if recent events are any indication, he may well rise to the occasion. The post Nayab Singh Saini: The Unlikely Hero of Haryana Politics appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.

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news365times · 1 month ago

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shalaka04 · 5 months ago

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UK General Elections 2024: Notable Electors and Their Potential Impact

In the UK general election, Keir Starmer of Labour, Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party, Nigel Farage, and smaller parties might have an impact on the result.

It is anticipated that Thursday's general election would either end the 14-year Conservative Party rule or return the Labour Party to office, ushering in a significant political shift for the United Kingdom. The competition between many powerful and well-known public individuals to lead the nation into the future adds even more intrigue to it. A deeper look at the leading candidates and their interests in this crucial election is provided here.

Keir Starmer: The pragmatic leader of Labour

Keir Starmer, 61, a former director of public prosecutions and human rights attorney for Labour, is the person being positioned as the party's most likely nominee for prime minister. In April 2020, Starmer succeeded Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. She is regarded for having brought the party closer to the center and handled issues like anti-Semitism among its ranks.

Starmer was raised in a working-class home by communist parents who were both nurses and toolmakers. He was given the name Keir Hardie in honor of the Labour Party's founder. Consequently, even if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't often use the appellation, there will always be a certain something about him.

His supporters regard him as a pragmatic who can steer Britain through the turbulent post-decline waters and a safe set of hands. On the other hand, others contend that Starmer, a circumspect politician, represents a leader lacking a defined strategy. They make a concerted effort to discredit him by calling him a dull flip-flopper. All things considered, surveys indicate that Keir Starmer is a strong candidate to lead Labour to victory.

Conservative Leader in the Storm's Eye, Rishi Sunak:

The 44-year-old head of the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, wants to be elected prime minister by the people of Britain. This is his request. Liz Truss, whose economic policies had caused market volatility and ultimately led to her removal from government after just 49 days in office, had suffered the consequences of Sunak's ascent to power.

Sunak, the first Hindu and British Asian prime minister of the United Kingdom, was perceived as a former banker brought in to instill stability in a nation still in shock from the chaotic premierships of Boris Johnson and Ted Truss. While he has made progress in reducing inflation, he has had difficulty delivering on his other key pledges, which include cutting back on undocumented immigration and reducing health waiting lists.

A string of missteps, beginning with the unpopular announcement of the election date and criticism for Sunak's 15-minute attendance at one major event, have completely derailed his campaign. His approval ratings are among the lowest of any prime minister, in part because of this, and his re-election campaign is doubtful.

Nigel Farage: The Immense Stranger

Known for drinking beer and smoking a chain smoke, Nigel Farage is still one of the most controversial figures in British politics. Nigel Farage, who was dubbed "Mr. Brexit" by former US President Donald Trump, had a significant role in the 2016 Brexit referendum. However, the pursuit of a Westminster seat remains unfulfilled.

Leading the hard-right Reform UK party, Farage hopes to steal votes away from the Conservatives in key seats. But his controversial comments on foreign affairs and the racial issues involving the party cadre have plagued his campaign. Farage's electoral performance might be detrimental to the Conservative Party's prospects.

For more information>>

#UKElections2024 #NotableElectors2024 #ElectionImpact2024 #UKVotes2024 #KeyElectors2024 #GeneralElections2024

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guesthypebusinessfinance · 2 years ago

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President Joe Biden is formally working for re-election, and the 3-minute video he launched Tuesday to announce the brand new 2024 marketing campaign centered on financial considerations alongside different points like abortion and defending democracy.It’s an acceptable time, then, to evaluate how Biden has carried out on the financial guarantees he made in 2020. A glance again reveals a productive 27 months in workplace — but in addition a prolonged to-do checklist that is still.A Yahoo Finance evaluation of information tracked by Politifact.com exhibits that 34 of 99 key pledges made by Biden in 2020 centered round core financial considerations like jobs, financial progress, taxes, and retirement. Over half of these pledges are nonetheless works in progress whereas 15 of them have been fulfilled no less than in some kind.Biden himself acknowledged as a lot in Tuesday's video asking People to assist him "end the job, I do know we are able to."Right here’s a number of the highlights of these monetary guarantees — and what’s nonetheless on the docket.A picture from President Joe Biden's 2024 marketing campaign launch video printed on April 25. (Youtube.com/JoeBiden by way of Reuters)Taxes and Social SafetyBiden put Social Safety and taxes on the heart of his message Tuesday, as he did in his State of the Union handle.He prices that conservative Republicans are intent on "reducing Social Safety that you just’ve paid on your total life whereas reducing taxes for the very rich" and promising to guard "bedrock freedoms."It's a cost that Biden has been making for months now - and most Republicans vehemently deny. However the concentrate on the social security web program additionally has echoes of 2020, when Biden promised to increase Social Safety and pledged to level this system in the direction of future solvency.Each of these guarantees stay unfulfilled. In truth, Social Safety is transferring steadily in the direction of insolvency and the prospect of lowered advantages in about 10 years time. President Biden’s current finances proposal lacked a Social Safety plan because it as an alternative centered on shoring up the Medicare belief fund."Why does not the president care?" mentioned Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-LA), who has been main bipartisan talks on the difficulty. He claimed Biden wouldn’t even sit for a gathering on the difficulty.Story continuesThen-candidate Biden throughout a marketing campaign kickoff rally on Could 18, 2019 in Philadelphia. (Drew Angerer/Getty Photographs)The realm the place Biden has saved extra of his guarantees is on the taxation entrance.Throughout his marketing campaign, he promised to lift taxes on America’s largest companies and he has delivered with a brand new 15% minimal tax on the so-called "guide earnings" of huge company that was enacted within the Inflation Discount Act. That change to the tax panorama comes as an even bigger pledge to lift the general company tax price to twenty-eight% is off the desk for now.Biden additionally promised to not elevate taxes on any people making underneath $400,000 a 12 months. Republicans say he has damaged that pledge, whereas truth checkers are extra nuanced of their evaluation. They are saying the way you view that problem often is determined by whether or not you assume elevated company taxes are finally borne by people.VitalityBiden’s important damaged promise from the 2020 marketing campaign, in accordance with Politifact, has to do with the power business.Biden pledged to cease new fracking tasks on federal lands however a federal choose blocked Biden's efforts and lease gross sales have since moved ahead.Biden’s current transfer to approve the Willow challenge, an $8 billion oil drilling effort in Alaska, is one other space that's positive to be a sore spot amongst a lot of his Democratic supporters, particularly youthful voters, because the re-election marketing campaign gears up within the months forward.Demonstraters in opposition to the Biden

administration's approval of the Willow oil-drilling challenge gathered on the Division of the Inside in March. (AP Photograph/Patrick Semansky)Some power guarantees from Biden have been saved. They embrace his aggressive actions to chop U.S. emissions by 2050, establishing new gasoline financial system requirements and rejoining the Paris local weather settlement.The office and health careOn a number of different financial points, Biden’s scorecard can be combined.Whereas Biden usually touts himself as essentially the most worker-friendly President in historical past (he's talking at the moment on the North America's Constructing Trades Unions 2023 Nationwide Legislative Convention), a few of his office efforts have stalled. That features makes an attempt to ensure of 12 weeks paid household and medical go away and enhance the federal minimal wage.Politifact notes that the President saved a key promise to get COVID-19 underneath management as a way to enable renewed financial progress. At the same time as tradition wars proceed to flare over points like masking, the federal government efforts have largely confirmed profitable with many Covid restrictions a distant reminiscence for a lot of People and an unemployment price of three.5% to match pre-pandemic ranges.On health care, Biden additionally has notable some successes to tout. He fulfilled a pledge to permit Medicare to negotiating decrease drug costs. Nonetheless, broader guarantees like enacting a public choice health insurance plan stay stalled.Famed political strategist James Carville prompt these points needs to be core to Biden 2024 message in a current Yahoo Finance Reside look. "Let's simply put it very merely: There are extra people working in America than anytime in 50 years. There are extra people which have health care in America than any time in American historical past....and by these metrics, he is most likely essentially the most profitable President we have had the final 100 years."Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.Click on right here for politics information associated to enterprise and cashLearn the newest monetary and business news from Yahoo FinanceObtain the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or AndroidComply with Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, Linkedin, and YouTube https://guesthype.co.uk/?p=3938&feed_id=8574&cld=6447f12b48e18

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don-lichterman · 2 years ago

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Opinion | Biden’s pledge to close private migrant prisons remains unfulfilled

Comment on this story Comment President Biden vowed in his 2020 campaign to shutter for-profit migrant detention facilities; he repeated the promise after taking office. It hasn’t happened. To the contrary: The administration, overwhelmed by the surge in unauthorized border crossings, now holds roughly 30,000 migrants in detention, about double the count it inherited from the Trump…

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irtv24series · 4 years ago

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Youtube Video Statistics For Movie Irani Hayhat

The Athenians have been offended along with her presence within the war in opposition to them, offered an incentive of ten thousand drachmas for her arrest. As claimed by Plutarch, on the pages of his biography of Themistocles, Artemisia added to her esteem with Xerxes when Ariamenes, his brother and considered one of his admirals, was killed within the battle.

The Persian king, having solely seen that Artemisia sunk a ship while surrounded by Athenians, was also duped by her daring transfer and later praised her for her bravery.

After the disastrous defeat of the Persians at Salamis, Xerxes again called upon his commanders to advise him. This time, nevertheless, he singled out Artemisia for consultation as a result of she alone had given him accurate data and sage recommendation in her earlier counsel.

These encompass the normal maltreatment of widows, political corruption and lots of the troubles linked to metropolis lifestyle. All these matters appeal to a wide African viewers and possess assisted to bring about African co-productions.

The Nollywood enterprise – which came to life in the course of the early Nineties – is usually noticed as being a all-natural inheritor on the Nigerian TV collection which skilled now generated around 14,000 element motion pictures throughout the previous ten years.

These on-line video-motion pictures of your early yrs have now turn into complete characteristic films, and an integral Section of nicely-identified way of life in Nigeria. Neighborhood audiences get pleasure from these homegrown productions relating to way of life within the area.

The Calyndian ship was misplaced with all arms, convincing the pursuing Athenians that she was an ally of their fleet. Apparently, Aminias of Pallene, the final who pursued Artemisia’s ship, wouldn't have stopped his pursuit had he identified that Artemisia herself was on that ship.

Here are more than 6,600 visitors and the pages are considered up to 6,600 occasions for daily. Based on current visitor traffic, you will know that the promoting income on the web site will be able to reach $39.6 USD per day.

The servers of the web site are being hosted in Netherlands and United States. Serial Ghorbaghe Part 1 , directed by Hooman Sidi and produced by Ali Asadzadeh, began filming in 1398 and is scheduled to be screened on the Home Theater Network in December 1399. Ghoorbaghe 1 (سریال قورباغه قسمت اول) is a Iranian Serial that may be very in style.

People have been capable of freely depart their houses, retail shops, eating places, cafes and bars may reopen and groups of as much as 10 could begin gathering.

wonderful health & public well being employees & above all else the Australian individuals,” Health Minister Greg Hunt stated on his Twitter account. danlode all half Health officers say more restrictions may be eased within the coming days. The state of Victoria — epicentre of Australia’s second wave — recorded zero instances for the second day in a row after a 112-day lockdown. Another way to stop getting this web page sooner or later is to make use of Privacy Pass.

ghorbaghe serial It also comes although as Algeria’s president has been flown to Germany for medical care. serial ghorbaghe But opponents say it falls short of fundamental reform. ghorbaghe sequence Victoria and its largest metropolis Melbourne began to reopen earlier this week after recording no new neighborhood-transmitted cases since June.

Thessalus, son of Hippocrates, described Artemisia in a speech, painting her as a cowardly pirate. Where he obtained his data is unknown but in his speech, Artemisia leads a fleet of ships to the Isle of Cos to hunt down and slaughter the Coans, however the gods intervene. After Artemisia’s ships are destroyed by lightning and she or he experiences visions of nice heroes, she flees Cos, her goal unfulfilled.

According to Polyaenus, Artemisia carried two different requirements on her vessels, and would fly the Persian standard whereas chasing Greeks, but would fly a Greek standard when she was being pursued. The solely account we have of Artemisia’s dying is itself quite doubtful.

According to the story, Artemisia fell in love with a person, but he rejects her. It appears difficult to imagine that a lady of such formidable character, a ruler of great renown in her own right and the leader of soldiers into battle, would commit such a questionable act. serial ghorbaghe

Exploring early literature, we discover it replete with myths of ladies who commit suicide because of an unrequited love. It seems extra doubtless that the writer adapted Artemisia’s story to suit the literary traditions of the time.

It is thought that her grandson, named Lygdamis after her father, dominated Halicarnassus after her, and was indeed the very reason that Herodotus needed to flee town, visiting the island of Samos earlier than finally settling in Athens.

Xerxes introduced Artemisia with two attainable courses of motion, asking her which she would recommend. Xerxes would either information his troops in an assault on the Peloponnese himself or personally withdraw from Greece, leaving his common, Mardonius, in cost (Herodotus eight.102).

Once again Artemisia had given the reasoning behind her advice, which appeared to Xerxes to be sound. Upon deciding to take Artemisia’s recommendation, Xerxes additional requested that she accompany his illegitimate children to Ephesus. Though this is the last we find of Artemisia within the accounts of Herodotus, she does appear in other ancient sources.

Ghoorbaghe is one of the hottest and engaging Iranian serials that has a social and dramatic theme. In this sequence; Sahar Dolatshahi, Saber Abar, Navid Mohammadzadeh, Hooman Sidi, Anahita Afshar, Mehran Ghafourian, Navid Pourfaraj, Mohammad Amin Sharabaf, Ehsan Mansouri, Nima Mazaheri and Fereshteh Hosseini have carried out as artists.

He pledged an finish to what he calls the practices of the “gang” of politicians and businessmen in President Bouteflika’s inside circle. Mr Tebboune’s election marketing campaign noticed him vow to “lay the foundations of a new Algeria”.

President Tebboune, 74, came to energy last 12 months in a controversial election that followed the departure of Mr Bouteflika, who resigned in the face of large in style protests towards his bid for a fifth term in office.

The explanation for his sick well being has not been disclosed, but President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had self-isolated and spent time in a navy hospital in Algiers after a number of his aides and colleagues contracted coronavirus.

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yobaba30 · 5 years ago

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~Tim Wise

The racism would have been bad enough.

For Donald Trump to tell a person of color (or four in this case) to “go back where you came from” if you don’t like America under his leadership, would have sufficiently demonstrated the racialized demagoguery that has defined his presidency.

But amid the discussion of Trump’s latest demonstration of race-baiting, there is an even simpler problem with the President’s claim that criticizing America is tantamount to hating it and that one should leave before doing so.

Namely, those who criticize America for its shortcomings are the ones who genuinely love it, and this has always been the case.

Those who refuse to critique the country for its failings are the ones who despise America.

They are not patriots but cult members, blindly devoted to a piece of land upon which they were simply fortunate enough to have been born in most cases. But they carry within them not one iota of understanding as to the principles of the nation.

After all, America is an idea, not just a piece of real estate.

It is an idea that has attracted millions from around the world, even when the nation’s leaders have failed to live up to those principles, as has so often been the case — and as many of us believe the case to be still now.

And why?

Because even when a nation falls short, its potential is what inspires.

It’s like your kids. They may be pretty decent at 11 or 12, but what excites most parents is the potential you see in them to become something truly amazing. And if your children were still the same people at 23 or 35 as they were when they were pre-teens, you wouldn’t hesitate to criticize. You would push them, and not because you hated them — far from it — but because you knew they could be better, do better, and achieve a level of maturity not yet reached.

The same is true with nations.

Those who chant “love it or leave it” are poison to the idea of America, because they would never have pushed America to become in practice what it promised it was on paper.

Indeed, people like that never have, because such prodding requires critique and critique is seen as treason.

These are the kinds of people who would have been satisfied — were satisfied, in fact — with the system of enslavement. To condemn the founders for enshrining it in the Constitution or for owning slaves themselves in many cases would have been deemed insufficiently patriotic, and so the likes of these remained quiet.

This is why they attacked even Thurgood Marshall, the nation’s first black Supreme Court Justice, for daring to abstain from the bicentennial celebration of the Constitution in 1987. When Marshall noted, accurately and inarguably, that the document had been flawed at its inception because of its willingness to legitimize slavery and white supremacy, he was pilloried. Not because he was wrong, but because saying it supposedly demonstrated his contempt for the country he then served on its highest court.

Even as he admonished the country for betraying its principles, and insisted that the principles were what make America special, he was condemned — condemned by people who hate and have always hated those principles.

These are the kinds of people who would have been satisfied with segregation, and the second-class citizenship afforded people of color for most of the nation’s history. People who said “America love it or leave it” didn’t join the civil rights movement to push for change. Because to them, calling for change was tantamount to hating America, and so the likes of these remained quiet.

These are the kinds of people who would have been satisfied with children working in factories and mines, women not being allowed to vote, and companies being allowed to shoot striking workers, among other indignities. Because to condemn these things would have been seen as ungrateful for the majestic wonders of the American experiment, and so the likes of these remained quiet.

At every turn, those who deem themselves conservatives have opted to retain the status quo, whatever it happened to be at a given moment. And if that status quo left millions of Americans out of the American dream, so be it. They should suck it up and shut their mouths because to complain is to hate America.

But all of this is wrong.

Ask yourselves, truthfully, who really loved America more? The cops pictured here in Birmingham, attacking a peaceful demonstrator for daring to challenge racism? Or the man being attacked?

Who really loved it more? John Lewis, pictured here being arrested in Nashville for protesting racial injustice, or the cops arresting him and the white onlookers, most of whom supported his arrest?

Who loved America more? Was it these men: Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael Schwerner, whom Klan-affiliated police officers in Mississippi murdered for daring to register black folks to vote?

Or was it these tobacco-chewing shit kickers — the guys who killed them and then sat back and laughed at their trial, proud of their murderous deeds?

To ask the questions is to answer them.

Those who remain quiet in the face of injustice and unfulfilled promises are the ones who detest the very idea of America. They do not seek to achieve their country in principle, but rather, only to revel in its cheap and gaudy symbolism as a means of feeling superior to others.

To them, love of country is about slapping a flag bumper sticker on your truck that says “these colors don’t run,” not working to make the country’s practice consistent with its promises.

They are the types who think patriotism is blasting Toby Keith lyrics about putting a “boot in your ass” because it’s the “American way,” and reciting the words to the pledge of allegiance before a sporting event. They care nothing for American ideals and care nothing about the Constitution, other than the part about guns. To them, America is like a football team, not a value system.

But what progressives understand and what those four congresswomen understand — the ones being attacked on the campaign trail with chants of “send them back” — is that true love of country demands criticism.

Those who love their nation fight for it to be what it claims to be, precisely because we believe it capable of the feat. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t bother.

Donald Trump is right: If we don’t like it, we can leave. The fact that we don’t — that we stay and struggle to attain our country — is the ultimate act of love.

It is love the likes of which Trump and his minions cannot understand because it goes beyond nationalistic bluster and mindless chants of “U.S.A., U.S.A,” and seeks to make real the blessings of liberty that are too often still unfulfilled.

It is the right that hates America and always has.

They are the ones who do not belong here and do not deserve the promises of democracy, because, at root, they have never believed in it.

#rascism #trump #MAGAts

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uk-news-talking-politics · 5 years ago

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Everything but Brexit: What Johnson's Cabinet means for the country

By Chaminda Jayanetti

Boris Johnson's new Cabinet has been analysed almost entirely through the prism of Brexit. Given the political context and the identity of his new ministers, this is hardly surprising.

Nevertheless, Johnson is clear he wants to put a broader agenda to the public. Even amid the chaos of Brexit, ministers can pursue policy shifts. But that said, whereas David Cameron's first Cabinet included ministers with long-planned reform agendas - Michael Gove's free schools, Andrew Lansley's NHS Bill, Iain Duncan Smith's Universal Credit - Johnson's appointments smack more of loyalty, patronage and Brexit strategising than anything else.

But with deficit reduction apparently now on hold, ministers are likely to have more room to manoeuvre than their predecessors. These are now the most powerful people in the country. What will they do with it?

Tax and spend

Johnson's choice of chancellor could prove to be one of the most meaningful in memory. While both Sajid Javid and Liz Truss rose through the ranks as small state ideologues, at this point in their careers Javid is by far the more willing to spend money. Had Truss been appointed chancellor, the likelihood of significant infrastructure spending would have receded fast. Johnson gave the job to Javid for a reason.

Which Saj is the real one? The Ayn Rand small-state diehard, or the man who, as Stephen Crabb's anointed chancellor in his 2016 leadership bid, pledged £100bn of debt-funded public spending on infrastructure?

Johnson clearly wants to spend money on infrastructure. But day-to-day spending is different - Philip Hammond hamstrung Theresa May's 'burning injustices' agenda by fixating on austerity.

Johnson is now pledging to halt deficit reduction and spend on schools, police and the NHS, whilst also pledging big tax cuts. Supposedly this will be funded by the money saved on EU contributions - but that's just fantasy. Will Javid toss Tory deficit targets out of the window? Will he accept the tax giveaways to high-earners Johnson is promising? Or will he turn out to be another Treasury deficit hawk?

Significantly, Matthew Elliott has been brought in as Javid's adviser. Elliot co-founded the Taxpayers Alliance, the fanatically ideological, covertly funded think tank that built much of the media hysteria against public spending a decade ago.

Public infrastructure is set for an overhaul - that much is certain. But what Javid does on tax and public service spending will decide his relationship with his boss, his party's survival, and the country's future. The early signs are that the taps will bring forth a trickle, not a stream.

Health and care

Matt Hancock sold his soul to save his job. While he's obsessed with elevator pitches for gimmicky health apps, the NHS urgently needs more money.

The government is already committed to increasing NHS spending over the coming years - but this is predicated on a reform agenda centred on controversial 'Sustainability and Transformation Plans' that often include hugely unpopular hospital cuts and closures.

Johnson, forever marked by the infamous £350m Leave campaign pledge, will back extra NHS spending - though its adequacy to meet current and future needs is doubtful. In his first speech as prime minister he pledged 20 new hospital upgrade. That suggests that investment in the health service's crumbling real estate is coming - particularly in Leave-voting target seats.

The new prime minister has also backed social care reform, based on building a cross-party consensus behind a market social insurance system to fund care long term, plus a promise that people will no longer need to sell their homes to fund their care.

This is far too big to pull off until Brexit is fully resolved. If it happens at all, it won't be until long, long after October 31st. Social insurance also won't address needs for the next ten years, and the existing system needs new money fast.

And anyway, the chances of cross-party consensus on care reform are minimal - political attacks sank care reform plans in 2009 and 2017, and with Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party seeking to bring care closer to the tax-funded NHS rather than resorting to marketised insurance models, they will likely do so again.

Education

While the schools sector scratches its head over what Gavin Williamson is doing at the Department for Education, the big questions will be for No.10 and the Treasury. We know that higher spending on schools is coming, but how much and in what form?

His first pledge was a paltry 0.1% increase in spending that would have solved very little. After that was ridiculed for its inadequacy - and in a sign of making policy on the hoof - he then upgraded it to a pledge to reverse all cuts to school funding since 2015 by the year 2022. That much meatier promise will cost nearly £5bn a year - but halting deficit reduction gives him the room to pull it off.

What he hasn't addressed is the crisis in special needs education, which is sinking council finances and cutting children adrift. Williamson is not top of the list of people you'd choose to deal with it.

Welfare

Another soul-seller. The fact Amber Rudd kept not just her Cabinet rank but also her department in Johnson's brutal reshuffle suggests he has no particular agenda of his own here. Rudd has focused on tweaking the Tories' catastrophically broken benefit system, amending Universal Credit and policies such as the two-child limit to avoid some of the worst headlines without actually changing direction.

What the welfare state really needs is almost wholesale reversal of the last ten years - but that's not happening. At best, Javid might allow Rudd the money to scrap the damaging five-week wait for Universal Credit that drives so many claimants to destitution. Or he might not. Watch out also for Rudd's plan to merge the assessment process for the two main disability benefits - another shambles waiting to happen.

Transport

We know public transport investment is on its way. The big questions are what projects and where. Doubts permeate the future of HS2, especially with a small Commons majority and restive rural backbenchers along the planned route. Meanwhile, northern cities are likely to receive a hefty share of new spending, given the post-Brexit politics of transport spending - and the location of Tory target seats. However, lofty pledges and future plans may mean nothing unless new transport secretary Grant Shapps can get to grips with Britain's rail network, whose fragmentation has caused so much misery for commuters in recent years.

Housing

Esther McVey is an appalling choice as housing minister - a small-minded benefits-basher with a record of incompetence and ignorance, who owes her job to being fanatically pro-Brexit. Reversing housing benefit cuts is key to solving the housing crisis, but don't expect McVey to notice.

England essentially has two housing crises - middle class millennials can't afford to buy a house, especially in the south east, while housing benefit cuts and minimal social housebuilding has fuelled a homelessness crisis. The latter is more urgent, but the former is more critical to the Tories' election prospects.

Criminal justice

David Gauke's plan to scrap short prison sentences meant he was one of the few members of May's Cabinet with a progressive policy agenda. His replacement at the Ministry of Justice with centrist prisons minister Robert Buckland gives reason to believe this will continue, provided hardline home secretary Priti Patel doesn't try and intervene.

It seems a lifetime ago that the Tory leadership contest found itself swamped with the most cringing drugs 'scandal' in history. But for all the evident hypocrisy of Britain's drugs laws, it would be a surprise for any government with Patel at the Home Office to significantly relax prohibition.

As for Patel's previous support for the death penalty - there's no bringing that back without leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.

Workers' rights

Arch neoliberals such as Liz Truss and Priti Patel are not occupying roles that give them the opportunity to slash workers' rights. That said, Theresa May's hopelessly unfulfilled agenda of protecting gig economy workers and putting workers' representatives on company boards is likely to die a swift and quiet death.

Climate change

On what may be the hottest day in Britain's recorded history, cool yourself down with the knowledge that there is no sign either Johnson or his pro-fracking new environment secretary Theresa Villiers give a rat's backside about climate change.

#Boris Johnson

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briefnewschannel · 3 years ago

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Biden Gets Low Marks For 'Missed Opportunities' on Justice Reform

Biden Gets Low Marks For ‘Missed Opportunities’ on Justice Reform

Justice reform advocates say they are “dissatisfied” with the Biden administration’s progress, arguing that even some of the easier pledges the president made on the campaign trail have gone unfulfilled, according to a survey released by Law 360. Biden issued more than 100 criminal justice reform promises, including ending mandatory minimum prison sentences, scrapping the federal death penalty,…

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carldavidson · 7 years ago

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Graphic by Carl Davidson Right click on it and open in new tab to get a closer look.

The U.S. ‘Six Party System' 3.0: Revising the Hypothesis Again

By Carl Davidson

Keep on Keepin' On

"Successful strategic thinking starts with gaining knowledge, particular gaining adequate knowledge of the big picture; of all the political and economic forces involved…It's not a one-shot deal. Since both Heaven and Earth are always changing, strategic thinking must always be kept up to date, reassessed and revised."

May 30, 2018 - This statement above was part of the opening to a widely circulated article I wrote twice, about two and four years ago. With the upcoming November 2018 elections, it's time to take my own advice again and do another update. The strategic terrain is always changing, and we don't want to be stuck with old maps and faulty models.

In the earlier versions, I suggested setting aside the traditional ‘two-party system' frame, which obscures far more than it reveals, and making use of a ‘six-party' model instead. The new hypothesis, I suggested, had far more explanatory power regarding the events unfolding before us. Some critics have objected to my use of the term ‘party' for what are really factional or interest group clusters. The point is taken, but I would also argue that US major parties, in general, are not ideological parties in the European sense, but constantly changing coalitions of these clusters with no firm commitment to program or discipline. So I will continue to use ‘parties,' but with the objection noted. You can substitute ‘factions' if you like. Or find us a better term.

For the most part, the strategic picture holds. The ‘six parties', under two tents, were first labeled as the Tea Party and the Multinationalists under the GOP tent, and the Blue Dogs, the Third Way New Democrats, the Old New Dealers, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, under the Democratic tent. In the second version, we had three ‘parties' under each.

First and most important for us on the left was the rise of Bernie Sanders, who showed far more strength than imagined. The second was the dramatic and unexpected flowering of Trump and rightwing populism on the right. Both of these, from different directions, challenged, narrowed and weakened the dominant neoliberal hegemonic bloc, which spanned both the GOP multinationals and the Third Way Democrats. It saw the Blue Dogs disappear and the Tea Party divide into Rightwing Populists and Christian Nationalists. Now here's the new snapshot of the range of forces for today, (including a graphic map). The two main changes are the re-emergence of the Blue Dogs, due to the recent three-way breakup of the Labor-Liberal center bloc, and the powerful growth of the Rightwing Populists under Trump. Starting from the left upper corner of the map:

The Rightwing Populists. This ‘party' has mushroomed via the Trump candidacy and unexpected 2016 victory. Trump, an ‘outlier elite' in his own right, is now directly connected to the Robert Mercer family fortune, the 4th ranking billionaire funding right causes. For example, the Mercers keep Breitbart News afloat and funded the career of Steve Bannon, former Trump ‘strategist' that took him to victory in the last stretch. Now along with Breitbart, Fox news is the hourly mouthpiece for Trump's war against the mainstream ‘fake news' mass media. Trump and his allies are waging political warfare against the ‘Deep State.' This is actually a contest for a new ‘America First' nationalist hegemony against the neoliberal globalists under both tents, the GOP Establishment and the Democrat's Third Way. This also includes the ‘intelligence community,' with a long list of Trump-targetted CIA and FBI ‘corrupt leaders', of which FBI director James Comey was the first to fall. ‘Corruption' was their refusal to pledge loyalty to Trump personally, like an old-style Mafia boss.

Trump also has a strong alliance with the Christian Nationalists (Mike Pence, Betsy DeVos, et al), and the DeVos family (Amway fortune), which represents another billionaire donor to the GOP right. Devos's brother, Erik Prince, has also massed billions from his Blackwater/Xe firms that train thousands of mercenaries to serve as ‘private contractors' for US armed intervention anywhere.

Where these two blocs under the GOP tent grew in strength all during the campaign, the Establishment Neoliberals divided a dozen ways, and they were defeated with some humiliation one by one. After the primaries, they were much weaker and were left with the choice of surrender, voting for Hillary Clinton (HRC) or staying home.

Trump's reach under the Dem tent to form an alliance with the Blue Dogs was more tactical. It stemmed from his appeals to ‘Rust Belt' Democrats and some unions on trade and tariff issues, plus white identity resentment politics. The economic core of rightwing populism remains anti-global ‘producerism' vs ‘parasitism'. Employed workers, business owners, real estate developers, small bankers are all ‘producers', and they oppose parasite groups above and below, but mainly those of ‘the Other' below them—the unemployed (Get a Job! as an epithet), the immigrants, poor people of color, Muslims, and more.

Trump entered politics by declaring Obama to be an illegal alien and an illegitimate office holder (a parasite above), but quickly shifted to Mexicans and Muslims and anyone associated with ‘Black Lives Matter.' This was aimed at pulling the fascist and white supremacist groups of the ‘Alt Right,' using Breitbart and worse to widen their circles, close to Trump's core. With these as ready reserves, Trump reached farther into Blue Dog territory and its workers, retirees, and business owners conflicted with white identity issues—immigration, Islamophobia, misogyny, and more.

Trump's outlook has deep roots in American history, from the anti-Indian ethnic cleansing of President Andrew Jackson to the nativism of the Know Nothings, to the lynch terror of the KKK, to the anti-elitism of George Wallace and the Dixiecrats. Internationally, he combines aggressive jingoism, threats of trade wars, and an isolationist ‘economic nationalism' aimed at getting others abroad to fight your battles for you, while you pick up the loot (we should have seized and kept the oil!).

All this has set up the Rightwing Populists, aligned with Christian Nationalists, in a bid for hegemony over Establishment Neoliberals. So far, Trump is making gains, and the November midterms will bright to light the new balance. Trump's successes, however, also contain his internal weaknesses: the support of distressed white workers. At present, they are forming a key social base of his victories, assuming they will get lush jobs or rising 401Ks of the ‘Make America Great Again!' promises. The problem, however, is that Trump has not implemented any substantive programs apart from tax cuts. These mainly benefit the top 10% and create an unstable class contradiction in his operation, one bound to surface as promises are unfulfilled. His white supremacist demagogy and misogyny has also united a wide array of all nationalities of color and many women and youth against him.

The Christian Nationalists. This is a subset of the former Tea Party made up of several Christian rightist trends, that has gained more coherence with the election of Mike Pence. It's made up of many who are simply conservative evangelicals. A good number, however, are theocracy-minded fundamentalists, especially the ‘Dominionist' sects in which Ted Cruz's father is active. They present themselves as the only true, ‘values-centered' (Biblical) conservatives. They argue against any kind of compromise with the globalist ‘liberal-socialist bloc', which ranges, in their view, from the GOP's Mitt Romney to Bernie Sanders. They are more akin to classical liberalism than neoliberalism in economic policy, and thus stress abandoning nearly all regulations, much of the safety net, overturning Roe v. Wade, getting rid of marriage equality (in the name of ‘religious liberty') and abolishing the IRS and any progressive taxation in favor of a single flat tax.

This is a key reason they attract money from the Koch Brothers, while the Kochs hold Trump and his populists in some contempt. As mentioned above, they also have some access to the Devos fortunes.

Effectively, Christian nationalist ‘prosperity economics' amounts to affirmative action for the better off, where the rise of the rich is supposed to pull everyone else upwards, so long as those below also pay their tithes and pull upward on their ‘bootstraps.' They do argue for neo-isolationism on some matters, but favor an all-out holy war on ‘radical Islamic terrorism,' to the point of ‘making the sand glow.' They pushed for moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and ripping up the Iran nuclear deal. All this is aimed at greasing the skids for the ‘End Times,' the ‘Rapture, ‘and the ‘Second Coming' in the Middle East. With Cruz, Pence and Devos as leaders, they have become the second most powerful grouping under the GOP tent, and the one with the most reactionary platform and outlook, even more so than Trump.

The Establishment Neoliberals. This is the name now widely used in the media for what we previously labeled the Multinationalists. It's mainly the upper crust and neoliberal business elites that have owned and run the GOP for years, including the quasi-libertarian House ‘Freedom Caucus,' the smaller group of NeoCons on foreign policy (John Bolton and John McCain), and the shrinking number of RINO (Republican In Name Only) moderates. The Establishment also favors a globalist, US hegemonist and even, at times, unilateralist approach abroad, with some still defending the Bush-Cheney disaster in Iraq. Their candidates were Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, but when both of these collapsed under fire from Donald Trump, their voice was reduced to that of John Kasich, governor of Ohio. Kasich presents himself as a pragmatic, pro-worker neoliberal, a difficult circle to square. But he had the NSA/CIA's Michael Hayden and many from the ‘Intelligence Community' in his camp near the end. When Kasich was defeated, some went over to Clinton. Under Mitch McConnell's smothering wings, most are riding out the Trump vs ‘Deep State' storms in silence, as best as they can.

This is a big change. Previously dominant in the GOP and anchored on Wall Street, the Establishment forces were seriously weakened by both the Rightwing Populists and the Christian Nationalists. It's possible they could be pushed out entirely, but a lot will depend on the results of Robert Mueller's investigations and the outcome of the 2018 mid-term elections. They could purge a weakened Trump and rebuild. They could try to form a new party with neoliberal Dems. Or they could join the Dems and try to push out or smother those to the left of HRC's grouping.

Now let's turn to the Dem tent, starting at the top of the graphic.

The Blue Dogs. This ‘party', while still small, has grown and gained some energy. This is largely because the United Steel Workers and a few craft unions decided to ‘work with' Trump on tariffs and trade. The USW got firmly behind Connor Lamb for Congress. Lamb's narrow victory was won in a Western PA CD in a rural and conservative area, but with a good number of USW miners. Now that the earlier gerrymandered lines have changed, however, Lamb has to run again in the new 17th CD, which is Beaver County and part of Pittsburgh itself, where Trump has less support. Support for ‘Medicare for All' is strong in this area. Lamb claims to favor it but claims it's unaffordable for now. This is a sore point for a good number of left progressive Democrats. They're likely to vote for him, but put their energies into working for better candidates running for legislative seats in Harrisburg.

The Blue Dog resurgence may not last. On one hand, the DNC Third Way gang currently loves people like Lamb, and want to see more candidates leaning to the center and even the right. On the other hand, Trump is unstable on tariffs. If he doesn't follow through on those he has put out as proposals, and folds up on major infrastructure plans save for ‘building The Wall, the unions involved may turn against him.

The Third Way New Democrats. Formed by the Clintons, with an international assist from Tony Blair and others, this dominant ‘party' was funded by Wall Street finance capitalists. The founding idea was to move toward neoliberalism by ‘creating distance' between themselves and the traditional Left-Labor-Liberal bloc, i.e., the traditional unions and civil rights groups still connected to the New Deal legacy. Another part of the ‘Third Way' thinking was to shift the key social base away from the core of the working class toward college-educated suburban voters, but keeping alliances with Black and women's groups still functional.

Thus the Third Way tries to temper the harsher neoliberalism of the GOP by ‘triangulating' with neo-Keynesian and left-Keynesian policies. But the overall effect is to move Democrats and their platform generally rightward. This had been Hillary Clinton's starting point in her campaign. But caught off guard by the Sanders insurgency, she adopted some positions, at least for the sake of campaigning, from both the former Liberal-Labor bloc and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She kept her ‘Rainbow' allies with her this way.

Now that HRC was narrowly defeated, the Third Way's power in the party has diminished somewhat. Its labor alliances have weakened, with unions now going in three directions. In terms of the current relation of forces in the party apparatus, the Third Way about 60% of the positions but still controls the major money. In California, for example, the Regulars kept control of the state party committee only with extremely narrow margins over Bernie supporters. The key test is the November midterms: Who will inspire and mobilize the much-needed ‘Blue Wave', give it focus and put the right numbers in the right places? The measured moderates? Or the insurgent left? This brings us to the last of the six ‘parties.'

The Social Democrats. This is a better description than simply calling it the Congressional Progressive Caucus, as in the first version. I've also taken off ‘Rainbow' from the second version because this term is more fairly shared with the Third Way, which has kept the older and more pragmatic voters of the rainbow groupings under its centrist influence. And as before, the ‘Social Democrat' title doesn't mean each leader active here is in a social-democrat group. It means the core of the CPC, PDA, WFP and Our Revolution platforms are roughly similar to the left social democrat groupings in Europe.

This is made even more evident with Bernie's self-description as a ‘democratic socialist' in the primaries, where it only seemed to help. It must be noted, however, that the platform is not socialism itself, but best described as a common front vs finance capital, war, and the white supremacist right. This is true of groups like Die Linke (‘The Left') in Germany as well.

Finally, there is the dramatic growth of the Democratic Socialists of America due to their wise tactics in the Bernie campaign. They went all in for Bernie but also lost no opening to make themselves visible. Now with over 32.000 members which chapters in every state, they are winning a few local and statehouse races. They are now a player in their own right.

This is all to the good. The common front approach can unite more than a militant minority of actual socialists. Instead, it's a platform that can also unite a progressive majority around both immediate needs and structural reforms, including both socialists and non-socialists. Apart from winning many state primaries and 46% of the Convention delegates with a positive, high road approach, this party is now noted for two things: first, the huge, elemental outpourings of young people, mainly women, students and the young workers of the distressed ‘precariat' sector of the class, in elemental risings of millions after Trump took office. Second, its organized character, with groups like Our Revolution, Indivisible, and the Working Families Party added to this dynamic and growing cluster.

What Does It All Mean?

With this brief descriptive and analytical mapping of the upper crust of American politics, many things are falling into place. The formerly subaltern groupings in the GOP have risen in revolt against the Neoliberal Establishment of the Romneys and the Bushes. Now they want hegemony. On the other hand, the Third Wayer are seeking a ‘restoration' of the Obama coalition, with its alliances with the Keynesian Labor Liberals, while co-opting and controlling the Social Democrats as energetic but critical secondary ally. The Sanders forces have few illusions about this and don't want to be anyone's subaltern. So they continue to press all their issues and policies of a common front vs finance capital, war, and the white supremacist right, building more organization and more clout as they go.

This 'big picture' also reveals much about the current budget debates, which are shown to be three-sided--the extreme austerity neoliberalism of all three parties under the GOP tent, , the 'austerity lite' budget of the Third Way-dominated Senate Democrats, and the left Keynesian, progressive and social democratic 'Back to Work' budget of the Social Democrats and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The 'Keynesian Labor Liberals' are divided, though they often holding decent programs as positions. But looking for side deals with Trump at the same time may not turn out too well.

We have to keep in mind, however, that 'shifting the balance of forces' is mainly an indirect and somewhat ephemeral gain. It does 'open up space', but for what? Progressive initiatives matter for sure, but much more is required strategically. We are interested in pushing the popular front vs. finance capital to its limits, and within that effort, developing a 21st-century socialist bloc. If that comes to scale in the context of a defeat of the right, the 'Democratic Tent' is also likely to collapse and implode, given the sharper class contractions and other fault lines that lie within it, much as the Whigs did in the 19th Century. That demands an ability to regroup all the progressive forces there and on the outside into a new 'First Party' alliance, one that also includes a militant minority of socialists, which will be able to contend for power.

An old classic formula summing up the strategic thinking of the united front is appropriate here: 'Unite and develop the progressive forces, win over the middle forces, isolate and divide the backward forces, then crush our adversaries one by one.' In short, we have to have a policy and set of tactics for each one of these elements, as well as a strategy for dealing with them overall. Moreover, take note of warning from the futurist Alvin Toffler: 'If you don't have a strategy, you're part of someone else's strategy.' Then finally, as to tactics, ‘wage struggle on just grounds, to our advantage and with restraint.'

To conclude, we still need to start with a realistic view of ourselves as an organized socialist left. Save for DSA, we are quite small as organizations, but now we can see we are swimming in a sea of millions open to socialism. What can we do now? If you can see yourself or your group honestly working to achieve DSA's stated program, by all means, join and make them larger. Or set up Jacobin / In These Times Reading Groups in your living rooms and unite socialists with them. Join or start PDA or WFP chapters everywhere, use base organizations and broad 'Third Reconstruction' alliances and popular rainbow assemblies to build mass mobilizations and defeat the GOP in November.

With both socialists and Rainbow progressives, start at the base, focus on city and state governments, and expand the Congressional Progressive Caucus. You rarely gain victories at the top that have not been won and consolidated earlier at the base. Most of all, in order to form broader and winning coalitions, you need organizations of your own to form coalitions and alliances WITH! Seize the time and Git ‘er done!

Carl Davidson is a national committee member of the Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, a DSA member in the Steel Valley, an activist with Progressive Democrats of American in Western PA's 17th CD, and a LeftRoots Compa. The views expressed here are his own.

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wednesday-editorials · 6 years ago

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Destiny 2: Faction Rallies, Forsaken and Disasters in 3, Oh My...

Saturday, June 9th 2018

Written by: A Curious Wednesday

When it comes to Destiny 2, growing pains have become expected. In a game with more potential than a designated hitter can swing at, this is ultimately very frustrating. With the arrival of Season 3 of D2 and the announcement of Forsaken, the trend of uneasiness continues. In a previous post, I talked about my concerns for Warmind, something that any narrative driven player can relate to.

To briefly recap: the story aspects of Warmind are abysmal at best. You get 5 story missions that introduce you to a new NPC and two new villains. We (wrongfully) assumed that the new host of characters would be properly developed. Ana Bray, for instance, is a legendary guardian who’d been MIA since Crota and Luna, I believe. During that pitched battle, she fired her golden gun with such focused power and will that the light from it lingers still. That battle was supposed to have happened centuries ago. She also has connections to Clovis Bray and is, perhaps, the premiere Gunslinger. Even better than Cayde-6, whom like her, is an original Risen. Now, this is never really conveyed in those 5 missions. None of her legendary feats are ever really mentioned. She’s essentially relegated to a throw-away NPC and Vendor.

Compiling this problem, Zavala, the leader of the Vanguard and Consensus is not developed any further. Instead, he continues to be pigeon-holed as “Den Mother” to all guardians. All you need to do to confirm this, is speak with any of Destiny’s fanbase. Most, if not all, will agree that Zavala is everyone’s overprotective mommy.

When it comes to the two new characters, both are abused and mistreated. Nokris has soo much story potential. He is the exiled son of Oryx and the runt of his brood. He’s the smart one. A necromancer (possibly a male wizard), which is a rarity amongst the Hive/Krill. He attempted to usurp his father’s power and place as king and failed. His co-conspirator, Xol (a worm god, a being of unimaginable power, eternal life and knowledge) is essentially defeated as a strike boss, which is an insult and disservice to Xol and the grandeur that is supposed to be the “Worm Gods”. In fact, both are ultimately just strike bosses. Beating either during the campaign is unfulfilling. Being sent to the Deep by Xol is a joke and possibly the greatest offense for me.

So, with things on the narrative side of the spectrum so weak and lacking, you’d hope that Bungie would make the new season’s Faction Rally topnotch. Personally, I don’t mind the “Renown” mechanic in principle. During the grind to faction rank 50, it adds to the challenge. However, the vehicle for this delivery is problematic. By skewing each firefight in favor of the AI whenever a player has active “Renown” it has ended up making every open-world activity more difficult than it should be. With the arrival of Escalation Protocol, this oversight becomes glaringly apparent. Escalation Protocol is a new feature and endgame mode where you join up with other guardians to take on wave after wave of Hive opponents in increasing difficulty. Ideally, 3 level-capped. 385 light-level guardians should be able to complete all waves if they can communicate and work together.

In practice, it’s usually one fireteam that sparks it once they notice 3 or more random guardians patrolling the Hellas Basin. Since all guardians need to complete Escalation Protocol waves (a least once), any available guardian generally comes running when EP is activated. Currently, this means that 1 team ends up trying to complete an EP with underpowered guardians, culminating in failure and frustration. With the arrival of the first Faction Rally this season and the release of “Renown” its made an already challenging open-world event more difficult, by further handicapping the player in favor of the AI-controlled enemy.

The trend of handicapping the player to up the difficulty is nothing new. Its an established procedure carried over from Destiny. Any time you enter a darkness zone (iow “Boss fight”), for instance, you are effectively de-buffed, weakened by the overwhelming presence of Darkness and cut-off from the Traveler’s Light. You’re left with your own strength and light to see you and your team through. Why does this happen? Perhaps, each of these areas are influenced by the taint of Darkness to such an extent that it manifests physically. At least, that is how I like to think of it. As it adds a narrative reason for the game mechanic.

However, by further handicapping the player, it ultimately diminishes the feeling of grandeur and heroicness that you’d normally experienced as a maxed-out, veteran guardian (player). Destiny did a good job of preserving that feeling of being a walking, talking badass. You were/are the prophesied guardian. The one Saint-14 looked up to, perhaps even idolized. You were the one that did what no other guardian could do. And, if you were capable and competent, you did it alone.

Destiny 2 does a great job of stripping you of that feeling, making the overall experience occasionally frustrating and lackluster. The grind to rank-level 50 is long enough and made worse by the fact that some of us have limited time to invest in D2′s grind. Now, here’s where the two schools of thought diverge. School 1) everyone should have access to and the ability to get everything, so you must level the playing field; School 2) only the dedicated should get everything since they put in the time, effort and hardwork. I, myself, fall into the second camp or a variation of it.

I believe the unexpected problem that is “Renown” could be fixed by tying the effect to a faction’s emblem, class item or both and enabling factions to recruit and have relevance all year around, like they were in Destiny. Thereby, turning Faction Rallies into something special and unique. Something on par with Crimson Days, Festival of the Lost, Sparrow Racing League and the Winter Solstice event. Perhaps, each faction, dependent upon their beliefs structure needs to accomplish something significant. Perhaps, its a month long competition for bragging rights and something else. Something more. Something like supremacy or even, just something as simple as which faction gets the lion’s share of funding for the rest of the fiscal quarter.

In Destiny, factions were always relevant. As soon as you reached level 20, you were allowed your choice of which faction to pledge to, and you could, after a week, decide to pledge your loyalty to a different faction. Rank progress was limited and constricted. You had to work to progress through the rank levels in Destiny. You had to represent your chosen faction on your guardian. As the benefits of pledging to a faction were only available when you, the player, equipped a faction-specific class item and/or emblem.

Once you did that, it was an uphill slog to those coveted exotic items. Uphill, but worthwhile. Like many of the more obscure features of Destiny, you were rewarded for the time you put into it. It wasn’t gifted to you; you earned it. There was no time limit. Thus negating the feeling of artificial pressure. It didn’t matter how long it took you to get those coveted items as long as you were willing to put in the work to get them. It took me 2 years or so to get Dead Orbit’s exotic cloak. I didn’t mind the wait. I also didn’t stick with Dead Orbit exclusively. A more dedicated player would have gotten that item and others much faster.

In Destiny 2, this psychological/societal feature is not present. It’s almost as if the Vanguard took pity on those surviving guardians of the Red War. As if they became Oprah during her final season of her talk show: “you get an exotic! You get an exotic!” “You get raid gear!” “You get trial gear!” This analogy can be and has been applied to Hawthorne. I imagine this is what Hawthorne would shout in her best Oprah impression as she tossed out specially encrypted engrams to the throngs of clamoring guardians with their hands out.

Of course, I know better than to believe that fantasy. There’s no narrative reason for these decisions. There’s no real narrative pull for participating in the Faction Rallies to begin with. There is for Strikes, the Crucible and the Iron Banner. Strikes, from a narrative perspective are high-level, precision operations that makes assassins out of you. In order to protect the remnants of humanity from Darkness. The Crucible, on the other hand, is a way to hone your skills and abilities; to sharpen you. It also serves as a way to resolve grievances. Nothing like a sanctioned fight to the death, to prove your point. “Fight me for what you believe!” The Iron Banner honors the fallen Iron Lords thru glorious gladiatorial combat and serves to further hone your abilities and skills. Of course, the Iron Banner is also not what it used to be. Now that level-advantage is disabled, it's no different from the Crucible. This is too bad, because the added difficulty made participating in previous iterations of the IB savoring. It gave rise to water-cooler moments and bragging rights.

The concept of Faction Rallies overall is neat. However, in practice there’s nothing special about them. The weapons you can claim are ultimately reskinned versions of likely superior Vanguard and Crucible weapons. There is no meaningful choice behind siding with a particular faction. Arach Jalaal of Dead Orbit raves about escaping a defined end and little else. Lakshmi-2 of Future War Cult raves about the inescapability of war and how we all need to prepare for it. Executor Hideo of New Monarchy is obsessed with protecting and preserving humanity’s cradle, Earth. Beyond some ambient dialogue you might chance upon by standing before each vendor, there is no way to know what each faction stands for or why you should care. The experience has devolved into a loot-grab for the shiniest prizes. Oftentimes, this means that New Monarchy wins each faction rally because their armor, vehicles and weapons are the most appealing.

For those of us who know what each faction stands for, this is a deathknell of sorts. I, myself, am a Dead Orbit loyalist. I could be accused of being a fatalist, but by that notion, so too are the Fallen/Eliksni. They abandoned their homeworld after the Whirlwind, just like Dead Orbit and Arach Jalaal want to do. That is something I agree with. In Destiny, it was why all three of my guardians sided with DO. I’ve always distrusted the Traveler. It brought ultimate war and destruction to our doorstep. Through the usage of the former grimoires I learned that it did similarly to the Fallen and Cabal. When those two species/peoples could no longer protect it, the Traveler fled. Abandoned those people to their fates. Dead Orbit believes the Traveler will do that to us, should the time come. I agree. So, they’ve prepared a fleet of ships and supplies. They fund scouts to search out our galaxy for a home untouched by the Darkness and Traveler. And while, each faction acts with the best interest of humanity in mind, DO is the only one pragmatic enough to plan long-term and realize the survival of our species.

Future War Cult are, in some ways, battle-crazed zealots. Fanatics that believe crushing their enemies here, now and in the future is the only guarantee for victory. I consider that to be short-sighted, but still a noble cause. They don’t wish to abandon earth any more than New Monarchy does, but they are willing to if it means our survival. They also have ties to the Vex and some misunderstood, wonky machine monikered, “The Device” that allows individuals to glimpse future, alternate timelines. It’s how they prepare for the wars to come. They prepare, though, which is a key difference. They don’t try to avoid those future conflicts.

New Monarchy, on the other hand is the most obstinate. They are not interested in entertaining a future where humanity no longer resides on earth or in the Sol system. They are not interested in a governing council. They are not interested in exploration, but rather, reclamation. Their shtick is reclaiming what was lost. Reclaim the Earth and Luna. Reclaim the Golden Age. Reclaim Earth’s dominance. Sire tons of children to build up our population numbers. They are interested in the absolute power, authority and rule of one individual. Executor Hideo is a zealot. A diehard. It’s the only way to become an Executor.

Again, without having prior experience, how many of you would know all of this about each faction? All you’d readily know is that NM offers armor reminiscent of medieval regalia and bold colors of red, gold, brown and teal-green. DO offers armor reminiscent to what you’d scavenge in the wild. Something homemade. Its weathered, worn. It’s got miles on it. History. Their colors are black, white and brown. FWC provides modern, mass-produced armor that strikes a balance between full-plate protection and padding (think “kevlar”). Theirs is a further balance between the grandiose of New Monarchy and the practicality of Dead Orbit. FWC believes in standing out. Therefore, their colors are white, purple/blue and gold/orange. This all means that when choosing who to represent, its really a matter of what look you’re going for with your barbie. Maybe, just maybe, one faction has a weapon that is superior to the rest. And that influences your decision.

I’m all for glamorizing my guardian on occasion or when the mood strikes me, but overall, I’m driven by the narrative. Wherever I can find it. It’s why I originally sided with Dead Orbit 4 years ago. It’s why I’m so crestfallen about the state of Destiny 2. Why I’m so apprehensive about Forsaken. If you logically think about it, Bungie has likely already finished working on Forsaken. They’d already finished Warmind by the time they called their “summit”. Which meant that there was no fixing Warmind, further exacerbating the underlying issues plaguing Destiny 2. Issues that many have already brought up via Youtube channel hosts. The likes of My Name is Byf, Mylien Games, Darkside Royalty Lore have all articulated similar points better than I could have.

Forsaken, undoubtedly, will probably be better than everything prior to it. The Taken King elevated Destiny to a new level. It delivered on some of the promises that had until then been cast aside. Therefore, its an educated leap that the same will be true of Forsaken. Nevertheless, if the underlying narrative problems aren’t rectified, it’ll ultimately be a hollow victory. Again, take this season’s Faction Rally as an indication. The “Renown” mechanic sounds like a good idea. It could have been a good idea. The Good Idea Fairy would agree. This, is, however, why we don’t acknowledge “good ideas”. In order for a good idea to be implemented properly, it needs to be tested and tested and measured and reigned in by the physicalities of the circumstances. This is why you only deliver on things you can promise.

By stripping D2 bare in the 11th hour and starting anew, they threw away too much to make way for a different direction. A disastrous direction that they are now scrambling to retract. All the features that Forsaken is adding back in, should never have been removed in the first place. To charge for it is narcissistic at best. If you have doubts, look to this month’s Faction Rally and last month’s Iron Banner (the one about that emote.). Exotic ornaments and catalysts are available dependent upon which faction you choose to pledge to. However, you can only pledge to one. Meaning, if you want them all, you must grind to 50 in each faction ranking system before the Rally event ends. The decision isn’t based upon a narrative reason. It isn’t based upon which faction best suites you. Its based upon the loot offered. If you’ve got a busy life and can only hop into Destiny late at night or on the weekends, you’re s.o.l. Bungie attempted to fix this by making loot rewards from all activities available to all, regardless if said player contributed or not. That didn’t work out well. The playerbase decried this practice. So it was rescinded in the form of a compromise: instead of getting high-level engrams from anywhere, you’re now only rewarded high-level engrams from either the Vanguard or Crucible engram pool.

Previous iterations of the Faction Rally had systems similar to this rally’s “Renown”, skewing combat in the the favor of the enemy and penalizing idiotic player practices. Those proved unsuccessful as well, which is why they were removed. Like the Dodo, “Renown” will likely disappear as well. It will be replaced with some other, newer good idea that will ultimately not pan out as intended and the cycle will continue. Until Destiny 3, where Bungie gives up on their plans of creating a new sub-genre: MMORPG-based FPS and settles on a Call of Duty clone/knockoff/lesser version. Except instead of the “good” CoDs, it’ll be Black Ops IV with no narrative or campaign, entirely multiplayer and group-content driven. Does anyone remember Shadownrun? How can I predict this? Bad things happen in 3s. We’ll experience some other, new Faction Rally system and gimmick before Bungie gives up on that and attempts to circle back to D1 standards for factions, by which point it may be too late.

#destiny #destiny 2 #faction rally #crucible #iron banner #warmind #forsaken #the taken king #my name is byf #mylien games #darkside royalty lore #hoo boi #smh #a curious wednesday #wednesday editorials #commentary #editorial

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