Daily Archives: August 19, 2019

2019-08-19: News Headlines

Norman Markowitz (2019-08-19). Against fascism and war: The Communist Party USA's third decade. peoplesworld.org As the Communist Party USA's second decade ended, World War II, the greatest war in human history, began. In all major capitalist countries, the mass media blamed the war on the Soviet Union's signing of a non—aggression pact with Nazi Germany and condemned Communist Parties' support for the Soviet Union. Was there truth to the …

Gareth Porter (2019-08-19). U.S. States: We Weren't Hacked by Russians in 2016. globalresearch.ca A "bombshell" Senate Intelligence Committee report released in July repeated the familiar claim that Russia targeted the electoral websites of at least 21 states—but statements from the states themselves effectively undermine that narrative. | It turns out the reality is dramatically …

teleSUR (2019-08-19). Iran Urges European Partners to Fulfill Nuclear Commitments. telesurenglish.net Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on Monday his call for the Union Europe to meet its commitments in the nuclear pact. | RELATED: | Iranian Oil Tanker Leaves Gibraltar Despite US Pressure | "Our ties with the European Union are important, in particular, for the commitments to the nuclear agreement, which Europeans must fulfill," said the Iranian Foreign Minister, from Helsinki, Finland. | With this statement, Zarif recalled the little support of the Europea…

RT (2019-08-18). 'Racism Witch Hunt!' Trump rips into NYT leak scandal, calling it 'evil propaganda machine'. rt.com US president Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on the "failing New York Times" on Sunday, accusing the paper of engaging in a "Racism Witch Hunt" following leaked comments from the news outlet's executive editor. | "The failing New York Times, in one of the most devastating portrayals of bad journalism in history, got caught by a leaker that they are shifting from the Phony Russian Collusion Narrative (the Mueller Report & his testimony were a total disaster), to a Racism Witch Hunt," the president said on Twitter. | "'Journalism' has reached a new low in the history of our Country. It is nothing more than an…

RT (2019-08-18). 'Racism Witch Hunt!' Trump rips into NYT leak scandal, calling it 'evil propaganda machine'. rt.com US president Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on the "failing New York Times" on Sunday, accusing the paper of engaging in a "Racism Witch Hunt" following leaked comments from the news outlet's executive editor. | "The failing New York Times, in one of the most devastating portrayals of bad journalism in history, got caught by a leaker that they are shifting from the Phony Russian Collusion Narrative (the Mueller Report & his testimony were a total disaster), to a Racism Witch Hunt," the president said on Twitter. | "'Journalism' has reached a new low in the history of our Country. It is nothing more than an…

Andrew Korybko (2019-08-18). Russia and China Divided over Kashmir Crisis. globalresearch.ca Kashmir issue has been internationalized and Pakistan sought the meeting of UNSC and with China's backing, UNSC is convening after 50 years on Kashmir issue. Russia seems to be backing Indian claims while China went all out in Pakistan's favor….

RT (2019-08-17). Steele dossier 'pumped myths' into the US justice system — former Trump adviser Carter Page. rt.com The former MI6 agent credited with launching Russiagate concocted dangerous lies and myths that made a mockery of the US justice system and misled the American people, former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page has told RT. | Page, a primary suspect in the now-debunked theory that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin, said that former MI6 agent Christoper Steele had "pumped myths into the criminal justice system," sparking a two-year investigation based on falsehoods. | "[The Steele dossier] was just a complete myth. Complete lies that were misleading the American public," Page…

RT (2019-08-17). Steele dossier 'pumped myths' into the US justice system — former Trump adviser Carter Page. rt.com The former MI6 agent credited with launching Russiagate concocted dangerous lies and myths that made a mockery of the US justice system and misled the American people, former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page has told RT. | Page, a primary suspect in the now-debunked theory that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin, said that former MI6 agent Christoper Steele had "pumped myths into the criminal justice system," sparking a two-year investigation based on falsehoods. | "[The Steele dossier] was just a complete myth. Complete lies that were misleading the American public," Page…

RT (2019-08-17). Pentagon to name new facility after Curtis 'Bombs Away' LeMay. rt.com The US Strategic Command, which oversees America's nuclear arsenal, plans to name a new facility after the legendary but controversial bomber General Curtis LeMay, who notoriously said there are 'no innocent civilians.' | The new 900,000 square-foot Strategic Command headquarters at the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, one of the most secure buildings on Earth, will be named after LeMay, STRATCOM's chief of military construction told the Washington Free Beacon. The previous HQ a…

WSWS (2019-08-17). Questions continue over Russian nuclear accident. wsws.org The dangers associated with the rapidly accelerating global arms race are clear, even as questions remain over the nature of the nuclear explosion that occurred in Russia's far north last week.

Jim Kavanagh (2019-08-16). Dead Man's Hand: The Impeachment Gambit. counterpunch.org The two-year Mueller investigation of Donald Trump's alleged collusion ("largely synonymous with conspiracy") with Russia is over. Nothingburger. The 448-page Mueller Report has been published in full, and made into a dramatic hour-and-twenty-minute stage performance adapted by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright with a cast of Hollywood stars. Yawn. Then there was the seven hours of More

Staff (2019-08-16). North Korea Suspends Talks With South Korea Because of U.S. Sanctions. therealnews.com While U.S.-North Korea nuclear talks fail to proceed because of a lack of unanimity within the Trump administration, the North suspended peace talks with the South because of the U.S.'s refusal to lift economic sanctions, says Tim Shorrock…

Dave Lindorff (2019-08-16). Did the US really intend to destroy the Soviet Union with its nuclear monopoly? nationofchange.org 74 years ago by the United States dropped the only two atomic bombs exploded in war on cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, recalling those events, remember that the US still refuses to renounce a strategy of first-strike use of its nuclear arsenal. This has me pondering two questions that should raise enormous doubts in …

Aaron Maté (2019-08-16). Trump worsens threat of nuclear catastrophe with Russia. thegrayzone.com MIT professor Ted Postol warns that Trump's withdrawal from the INF treaty threatens nuclear 'catastrophe.' Guest: Theodore Postol, award-winning Professor…

Aaron Maté (2019-08-16). How Obama helped Trump escalate nuclear tensions with Russia. thegrayzone.com The Trump administration has dangerously withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). MIT professor emeritus Ted Postol explains how…

James Carden (2019-08-15). Progressives Are Right to Endorse a 'No First Use' Nuclear Weapons Policy. thenation.com Progressives Are Right to Endorse a 'No First Use' Nuclear Weapons Policy…

Staff (2019-08-14). United States and Turkey Agree to a Syrian "Safe Zone," Betraying the Kurds. therealnews.com Baris Karaagac discusses how the U.S allowed the Turkish government seize land in northern Syria to counter Russian and Iranian influence in spite of former Kurdish allies…

Mehdi Hasan (2019-08-14). Here Are Five Lies About Iran That We Need to Refute to Stop Another Illegal War. theintercept.com The Trump administration is lying about Iran and its nuclear program. The media has to debunk this false drumbeat for war.

Aaron Maté (2019-08-12). What do we know about Russia's alleged influence campaign? thegrayzone.com What have US intelligence officials proven to date about their claims of a sweeping Russian interference effort and Russian government…

Staff (2019-08-12). "The Next Step Is the Kremlin": Why Moscow Protests Have Putin's Government Worried. democracynow.org Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia's…

Norman Stockwell (2019-08-09). How We Learned to Hate the Bomb. progressive.org For nearly three-quarters of a century, "The Progressive" has been a consistent voice against nuclear madness.

Staff (2019-08-08). Kashmir Under Siege: India Moves to Annex Territory, Heightening Tensions with Nuclear Rival Pakistan. democracynow.org Tensions are escalating over the disputed region of Kashmir following India's revocation earlier this week of its special status, which granted the area some autonomy. Kashmir remains on lockdown, with internet and other communications blocked and leaders placed under house arrest. The Modi government has also deployed tens of thousands of additional troops in Kashmir. Pakistan announced Wednesday it would expel India's ambassador and stop its newly appointed envoy from assuming his position in New Delhi. It also announced it was cutting off all bilateral trade with India. We speak with three guests: Sanjay Kak,…

splcenter (2019-08-03). Weekend Read: The SPLC fights an internal threat to our democracy. splcenter.org In his recent testimony before Congress, Special Counsel Robert Mueller pointedly warned the nation about Russia's ongoing attempts to meddle in our nation's elections.

Eoin Higgins (2019-08-01). Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard. theantimedia.com The Kamala Harris' campaign jumped to tie Gabbard and her campaign to a nebulously defined and unclear Russian conspiracy.

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-17). Peace Action Endorses Ayanna Pressley for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 17, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation's largest grassroots peace organization, and its affiliate Massachusetts Peace Action, endorsed Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts' 7th district. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and …

2019-08-19: Social Media Postees

U.S. States: We Weren't Hacked by Russians in 2016
Gareth Porter | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-19
A "bombshell" Senate Intelligence Committee report released in July repeated the familiar claim that Russia targeted the electoral websites of at least 21 states–but statements from the states themselves effectively undermine that narrative. | It turns out the reality is dramatically …
globalresearch.ca/u-s-states-we-werent-hacked-russians-2016/5686657

Iran Urges European Partners to Fulfill Nuclear Commitments
telesurenglish.net | 2019-08-19
Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on Monday his call for the Union Europe to meet its commitments in the nuclear pact. | RELATED: | Iranian Oil Tanker Leaves Gibraltar Despite US Pressure | "Our ties with the European Union are important, in particular, for the commitments to the nuclear agreement, which Europeans must fulfill," said the Iranian Foreign Minister, from Helsinki, Finland. | With this statement, Zarif recalled the little support of the Europea…
telesurenglish.net/news/Iran-Urges-European-Partners-to-Fulfill-Nuclear-Commitments-20190819-0002.html

Against fascism and war: The Communist Party USA's third decade
Norman Markowitz | peoplesworld.org | 2019-08-19
As the Communist Party USA's second decade ended, World War II, the greatest war in human history, began. In all major capitalist countries, the mass media blamed the war on the Soviet Union's signing of a non–aggression pact with Nazi Germany and condemned Communist Parties' support for the Soviet Union. Was there truth to the …
peoplesworld.org/article/against-fascism-and-war-the-communist-party-usas-third-decade/

'Racism Witch Hunt!' Trump rips into NYT leak scandal, calling it 'evil propaganda machine'
rt.com | 2019-08-18
US president Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on the "failing New York Times" on Sunday, accusing the paper of engaging in a "Racism Witch Hunt" following leaked comments from the news outlet's executive editor. | "The failing New York Times, in one of the most devastating portrayals of bad journalism in history, got caught by a leaker that they are shifting from the Phony Russian Collusion Narrative (the Mueller Report & his testimony were a total disaster), to a Racism Witch Hunt," the president said on Twitter. |…
rt.com/usa/466771-trump-new-york-times-leak/

Russia and China Divided over Kashmir Crisis
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2019-08-18
Kashmir issue has been internationalized and Pakistan sought the meeting of UNSC and with China's backing, UNSC is convening after 50 years on Kashmir issue. Russia seems to be backing Indian claims while China went all out in Pakistan's favor….
globalresearch.ca/alt-media-entering-new-era-russia-china-divided-kashmir/5686570

'Racism Witch Hunt!' Trump rips into NYT leak scandal, calling it 'evil propaganda machine'
rt.com | 2019-08-18
US president Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on the "failing New York Times" on Sunday, accusing the paper of engaging in a "Racism Witch Hunt" following leaked comments from the news outlet's executive editor. | "The failing New York Times, in one of the most devastating portrayals of bad journalism in history, got caught by a leaker that they are shifting from the Phony Russian Collusion Narrative (the Mueller Report & his testimony were a total disaster), to a Racism Witch Hunt," the president said on Twitter. |…
rt.com/usa/466771-trump-new-york-times-leak/

Steele dossier 'pumped myths' into the US justice system — former Trump adviser Carter Page
rt.com | 2019-08-17
The former MI6 agent credited with launching Russiagate concocted dangerous lies and myths that made a mockery of the US justice system and misled the American people, former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page has told RT. | Page, a primary suspect in the now-debunked theory that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin, said that former MI6 agent Christoper Steele had "pumped myths into the criminal justice system," sparking a two-year investigation based on falsehoods. | "[The Steele dossier] was just a complete myth. Complete lies that were misleading the American public," Page…
rt.com/usa/466725-carter-page-russiagate-going-underground/

Questions continue over Russian nuclear accident
wsws.org | 2019-08-17
The dangers associated with the rapidly accelerating global arms race are clear, even as questions remain over the nature of the nuclear explosion that occurred in Russia's far north last week.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/08/17/nyon-a17-a17.html

Steele dossier 'pumped myths' into the US justice system — former Trump adviser Carter Page
rt.com | 2019-08-17
The former MI6 agent credited with launching Russiagate concocted dangerous lies and myths that made a mockery of the US justice system and misled the American people, former Donald Trump campaign adviser Carter Page has told RT. | Page, a primary suspect in the now-debunked theory that Donald Trump's presidential campaign colluded with the Kremlin, said that former MI6 agent Christoper Steele had "pumped myths into the criminal justice system," sparking a two-year investigation based on falsehoods. | "[The Steele dossier] was just a complete myth. Complete lies that were misleading the American public," Page…
rt.com/usa/466725-carter-page-russiagate-going-underground/

Pentagon to name new facility after Curtis 'Bombs Away' LeMay
rt.com | 2019-08-17
The US Strategic Command, which oversees America's nuclear arsenal, plans to name a new facility after the legendary but controversial bomber General Curtis LeMay, who notoriously said there are 'no innocent civilians.' | The new 900,000 square-foot Strategic Command headquarters at the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, one of the most secure buildings on Earth, will be named after LeMay, STRATCOM's chief of military construction told the Washington Free Beacon. The previous HQ a…
rt.com/usa/466686-base-name-bomber-nebraska/

North Korea Suspends Talks With South Korea Because of U.S. Sanctions
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-16
While U.S.-North Korea nuclear talks fail to proceed because of a lack of unanimity within the Trump administration, the North suspended peace talks with the South because of the U.S.'s refusal to lift economic sanctions, says Tim Shorrock…
therealnews.com/stories/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-korea-because-of-u-s-sanctions

Did the US really intend to destroy the Soviet Union with its nuclear monopoly?
Dave Lindorff | nationofchange.org | 2019-08-16
74 years ago by the United States dropped the only two atomic bombs exploded in war on cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, recalling those events, remember that the US still refuses to renounce a strategy of first-strike use of its nuclear arsenal. This has me pondering two questions that should raise enormous doubts in …
nationofchange.org/2019/08/16/did-the-us-really-intend-to-destroy-the-soviet-union-with-its-nuclear-monopoly/

Dead Man's Hand: The Impeachment Gambit
Jim Kavanagh | counterpunch.org | 2019-08-16
The two-year Mueller investigation of Donald Trump's alleged collusion ("largely synonymous with conspiracy") with Russia is over. Nothingburger. The 448-page Mueller Report has been published in full, and made into a dramatic hour-and-twenty-minute stage performance adapted by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright with a cast of Hollywood stars. Yawn. Then there was the seven hours of…
counterpunch.org/2019/08/16/dead-mans-hand-the-impeachment-gambit/

Trump worsens threat of nuclear catastrophe with Russia
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-08-16
MIT professor Ted Postol warns that Trump's withdrawal from the INF treaty threatens nuclear 'catastrophe.' Guest: Theodore Postol, award-winning Professor…
thegrayzone.com/2019/08/16/trump-worsens-threat-of-nuclear-catastrophe-with-russia/

How Obama helped Trump escalate nuclear tensions with Russia
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-08-16
The Trump administration has dangerously withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). MIT professor emeritus Ted Postol explains how…
thegrayzone.com/2019/08/16/how-obama-helped-trump-escalate-nuclear-tensions-with-russia/

Progressives Are Right to Endorse a 'No First Use' Nuclear Weapons Policy
James Carden | thenation.com | 2019-08-15
Progressives Are Right to Endorse a 'No First Use' Nuclear Weapons Policy…
thenation.com/article/nuclear-weapons-no-first-use-john-bolton-donald-trump/

United States and Turkey Agree to a Syrian "Safe Zone," Betraying the Kurds
Staff | therealnews.com | 2019-08-14
Baris Karaagac discusses how the U.S allowed the Turkish government seize land in northern Syria to counter Russian and Iranian influence in spite of former Kurdish allies…
therealnews.com/stories/united-states-and-turkey-agree-to-a-syrian-safe-zone-betraying-the-kurds

Here Are Five Lies About Iran That We Need to Refute to Stop Another Illegal War
Mehdi Hasan | theintercept.com | 2019-08-14
The Trump administration is lying about Iran and its nuclear program. The media has to debunk this false drumbeat for war.
theintercept.com/2019/08/14/trump-iran-worst-lies/

What do we know about Russia's alleged influence campaign?
Aaron Maté | thegrayzone.com | 2019-08-12
What have US intelligence officials proven to date about their claims of a sweeping Russian interference effort and Russian government…
thegrayzone.com/2019/08/12/what-do-we-know-about-russias-alleged-influence-campaign/

"The Next Step Is the Kremlin": Why Moscow Protests Have Putin's Government Worried
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-12
Up to 60,000 protesters gathered Saturday in Moscow in the largest demonstration Russia has witnessed in years. Although the protest was officially authorized, dozens of protesters were arrested in the capital, and dozens more were also arrested in demonstrations across the country. Saturday's protest was organized to denounce the recent barring of opposition candidates from running in an upcoming election for Moscow City Council. We speak with Nina Khrushcheva, professor of international affairs at The New School. She is the co-author of "In Putin's Footsteps: Searching for the Soul of an Empire Across Russia's…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/12/the_next_step_is_the_kremlin

How We Learned to Hate the Bomb
Norman Stockwell | progressive.org | 2019-08-09
For nearly three-quarters of a century, "The Progressive" has been a consistent voice against nuclear madness.
progressive.org/dispatches/how-we-learned-to-hate-the-bomb-stockwell-190809/

Kashmir Under Siege: India Moves to Annex Territory, Heightening Tensions with Nuclear Rival Pakistan
Staff | democracynow.org | 2019-08-08
Tensions are escalating over the disputed region of Kashmir following India's revocation earlier this week of its special status, which granted the area some autonomy. Kashmir remains on lockdown, with internet and other communications blocked and leaders placed under house arrest. The Modi government has also deployed tens of thousands of additional troops in Kashmir. Pakistan announced Wednesday it would expel India's ambassador and stop its newly appointed envoy from assuming his position in New Delhi. It also announced it was cutting off all bilateral trade with India. We speak with three guests: Sanjay Kak,…
www.democracynow.org/2019/8/8/kashmir

Weekend Read: The SPLC fights an internal threat to our democracy
splcenter.org | 2019-08-03
In his recent testimony before Congress, Special Counsel Robert Mueller pointedly warned the nation about Russia's ongoing attempts to meddle in our nation's elections.
splcenter.org/news/2019/08/03/weekend-read-splc-fights-internal-threat-our-democracy

Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard
Eoin Higgins | theantimedia.com | 2019-08-01
The Kamala Harris' campaign jumped to tie Gabbard and her campaign to a nebulously defined and unclear Russian conspiracy.

Kamala Harris Team Accused of "Inventing Conspiracies" About Tulsi Gabbard