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Comment by Derwin Sherwood on May 14, 2013 at 0:38

Just because Darwin said the way of the world is survival of the fittest doesn't mean the government should conduct policy in that manner.

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on May 3, 2013 at 11:06

Obama Unveils Trade, Commerce Cabinet Picks
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President Obama has unveiled his picks for the last two vacant economic posts of his administration. Mike Froman, currently deputy national security adviser for economic affairs, has been tapped to be the new U.S. Trade Representative. Penny Pritzker, a billionaire hotel heir and prominent Obama fundraiser, would be the new Commerce Secretary. At the White House, Obama said both nominees will fight to protect the middle class.

President Obama: "One of the reasons I’m proud to nominate them is they don’t forget what matters. They know this is not about just growing balance sheets. It’s about growing opportunity for people. It’s about growing a sense of security for the middle class. And, most of all, they operate with integrity and they understand that public service is a privilege, and you’ve got to do it right when you get involved on behalf of the American people."

Both choices immediately drew criticism from progressive groups. In a statement, the watchdog Public Citizen said: "Given that Michael Froman has been instrumental in pushing President Barack Obama’s trade policies backward to the corporate agenda that Froman also championed during the Clinton administration, this choice doesn’t inspire confidence."

As a heir of the Hyatt Hotel chain and former head of the Chicago Board of Education, Pritzker has come under scrutiny for her clashes with labor unions. She also served on the board of the failed bank Superior, which played an early and critical role in promoting subprime loans that ultimately saddled millions with crushing debt and helped crash the economy. In a petition opposing her nomination, the group CREDO Action called Pritzker "an anti-worker business mogul who should not be appointed."
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/5/3/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on April 25, 2013 at 20:14

Hundreds of Low-Wage Workers Strike in Chicago
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Hundreds of low-wage workers walked off the job in Chicago on Wednesday to call for an increased hourly wage and the right to form a union without intimidation. Beginning at dawn with a rally at Chicago’s Union Station, the strike hit retail and fast food giants including McDonald’s, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret and Sears. Calling for a wage hike to $15 an hour, the workers moved through Chicago’s shopping district with a chant of "We can’t survive on $8.25." Lorraine Chavez of the Workers Organizing Committee of Chicago said low-wage workers are being overburdened with substandard pay.

Lorraine Chavez: "Many workers have two or three jobs, and they are still qualified for poverty-level assistance like food stamps and rental assistance. So they’re working full-time, and they’re simply unable to even pay for the bare necessities of life."

More than 400 workers took part in a similar one-day strike in New York City earlier this month

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/4/25/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on April 23, 2013 at 21:24

12 Arrested at Anti-Guantánamo Protest in New York
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In New York City, 12 people were arrested Monday at a die-in on the steps of the federal courthouse in response to the more than two-month-long hunger strike by prisoners at Guantánamo. The military has admitted more than half of Guantánamo’s 166 prisoners are on hunger strike, with 16 being force-fed, a tactic widely viewed as torture. Defense lawyers say nearly all prisoners are on hunger strike. On Monday, protesters with the group Witness Against Torture wore orange jumpsuits and lay on the steps of the courthouse holding signs with the names of Guantánamo prisoners who have died waiting for release. Democracy Now! spoke to Jeremy Varon and Bill Ofenloch.

Jeremy Varon: "We’re here today at the federal courthouse in New York City in response to the hunger strike that’s currently taking place at Guantánamo. More than half the prisoners at the camp are on hunger strike, some since February 6, protesting their indefinite detention without charge or trial."

Bill Ofenloch: We’re trying to get Guantánamo closed and the prisoners who are free to be released to actually be released. The majority of them are there without any charges, and they’re cleared for release."

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/4/23/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on March 29, 2013 at 13:18

Brazil Forcibly Evicts Indigenous Group to Prepare for World Cup
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Brazil is continuing to face controversy over its upcoming hosting of two world athletic events. A stadium in Rio de Janeiro set to host part of the 2016 Olympics has been closed indefinitely because of problems with its roof. The news comes days after Brazilian riot police forcibly evicted an indigenous community from a former museum next to another stadium that will host the next World Cup. A group of indigenous Brazilians had been living in the building next to Maracaña stadium for more than six years and said they wanted to use it to showcase their culture. Instead, police armed with batons, tear gas and pepper spray raided the building so it can be destroyed.
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/28/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on March 21, 2013 at 0:55

Report: NYPD Devotes Over 1 Million Hours to Pot Arrests
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A new report says the New York City Police Department is dedicating vast amounts of time and energy to arresting hundreds of thousands of people for the low-level misdemeanor of marijuana possession. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, from 2002 to 2012 under Democratic Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the NYPD spent more than one million hours of police officer time arresting roughly 440,000 people for marijuana possession. According to the report: "That is the equivalent of having 31 police officers working eight hours a day, 365 days a year, for 11 years, making only marijuana possession arrests." Critics of the city’s marijuana arrest policy say it disproportionately targets people of color and diverts resources from more serious offenses.

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/20/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on March 4, 2013 at 22:15

U.S. Apologizes for Strike That Killed 2 Children in Afghanistan
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The United States has apologized after the mistaken killing of two young boys in Afghanistan. The victims, 11 and 12 years old, were collecting firewood with their donkeys when a helicopter opened fire. It was at least the second deadly attack by the U.S.-led occupation force on Afghan civilians in less than a month. A recent U.S. air strike in Kunar province killed up to 10 civilians.
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/3/4/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on February 26, 2013 at 18:21

When the US government or NATO comes into your house with the HIV virus mascaraing as a mandatory flu vaccine you'll be gald people like me have guns.

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on February 22, 2013 at 13:20

U.N. Rejects Haiti Cholera Compensation Claims
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The United Nations has refused to pay compensation to victims of cholera in Haiti despite claims it is at fault for an epidemic that claimed nearly 8,000 lives. The cholera outbreak that sickened roughly 620,000 Haitians has been linked to U.N. peacekeepers who responded to Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. But the United Nations says it will not pay hundreds of millions of dollars sought by thousands of victims and family members. U.N. spokesperson Martin Nesirky made the announcement Thursday.

Martin Nesirky: "In November 2011, a claim for compensation was brought against the United Nations on behalf of victims of the cholera outbreak in Haiti. Today the United Nations advised the claimants’ representatives that the claims are not receivable, pursuant to Section 29 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The secretary-general again expresses his profound sympathy for the terrible suffering caused by the cholera epidemic and calls on partners in Haiti and the international community to work together to ensure better health and a better future for the people of Haiti."

The lead lawyer for the cholera victims, Mario Joseph, responded to that announcement, saying: "It is disgraceful that the U.N. will not even consider compensating the thousands of families who have lost their children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters due to the U.N.’s wrongdoing."
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/2/22/headlines

Comment by Derwin Sherwood on January 2, 2013 at 19:07

Grounded Oil Rig Sparks Fresh Concerns over Arctic Drilling
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An oil drilling rig belonging to Shell has run aground on an island in the Gulf of Alaska, providing what environmentalists say is further proof of the perils of Arctic oil drilling. The rig hit shore Monday night after crew members towing the vessel were forced to disconnect it amid stormy weather. Concerns mounted over a possible spill of diesel fuel and other contaminants on board. The rig’s crew had previously been evacuated. Marilyn Heiman, director of the Pew Environment Group’s U.S. Arctic Program, said the incident "calls into question our readiness to drill in such a remote and risky region. The Obama administration needs to impose Arctic-specific safety, training and spill response standards. Clearly we’re not there yet."
http://www.democracynow.org/2013/1/2/headlines

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