Political poetry for the tense moments of our time
Derek Chauvin is not the only one on trial,
To think anything else is simply denial.
There is copious evidence,
Showing this officer’s malevolence.
Will the nation’s justice system again be defiled?

Part 1: We talk with Lewis Gordon, Professor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut. He works in the areas of Africana philosophy, existentialism, phenomenology, political theory, postcolonial thought, theories of race and racism, and philosophies of liberation.

We discuss the Derek Chauvin trial. “There is a difference between enforcing the law and being the law.” Chauvin's actions were torture, and define the difference between law enforcement on a white population and a black population. Blacks are presumed to be guilty, while whites are innocent, and are assumed to have made a mistake. We have a dual legal system as a result. This attitude also translates to non-police whites being 'presumed' deputies in order to enforce laws.

Part two: a conversation with Mel Goodman
Melvin A. Goodman is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and a professor of government at Johns Hopkins University.  A former CIA analyst, Goodman is the author of Failure of Intelligence: The Decline and Fall of the CIA and National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism. and A Whistleblower at the CIA. His most recent book is “American Carnage: The Wars of Donald Trump” (Opus Publishing), and he is the author of the forthcoming “The Dangerous National Security State” (2020).” Goodman is the national security columnist for counterpunch.org.
​
We talk about the announcement that Biden is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. This will put an end to a 10 year war for the US. This is controversial among military leaders, because they do not want to let go of a war, even if it is lost. While the initial reason for intervention in Afghanistan was logical, that is, to punish al Quaeda for 911, that goal was reached early on. To then attempt to build an American style government in Afghanistan was not feasible. We talk about those Afghanis who helped the US troops should be treated.
Links:
The Strategic Importance of Leaving Afghanistan
 https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/04/20/the-strategic-importance-of-leaving-afghanistan
​Bernie Sanders says Putin is murdering Navalny 'in front of the world' for exposing the 
Russian president's 'vast corruption' 
https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-sanders-putin-murdering-navalny-in-front-of-the-world-2021-4

Political Poetry by Skip Tenczar

43 percent of Republicans won’t take the covid shot,
No matter the facts their minds are firmly wrought.
The Donald is their pilot,
Who took his jab in private.
Perhaps these folks already bought their cemetery plot.

Part one:
Time to leave Afghanistan: a conversation with Army Captain Dan Berschinski.
 US Army  May 2007 - Apr 2013, 6 years
Tacoma, WA & Afghanistan, Rifle Platoon Leader who led a 35-soldier infantry platoon. Was responsible for planning, resourcing, and executing training from individual level up to platoon level during pre-deployment period. During deployment he was responsible for conducting combat operations. 
Our conversation:
Captain Berschinski: I lost both my legs fighting in Afghanistan. Staying there doesn't honor our troops. Joe Biden once correctly advocated for a vastly smaller footprint in Afghanistan. Let's hope, as president, he has the courage to be correct again.
The reason for leaving Afghanistan is clear: the scope of what the US was trying to do has grown over time, and is not achievable for many reasons. Leaving as a military force does not mean abandoning the Afghanis completely, but changing what we do there. Neither should the US abandon those who helped us while the US was engaged. We have an obligation to the locals.
Links:
 https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2021/04/13/war-afghanistan-veteran-joe-biden-intelligence-pull-out-column/7191660002/
https://www.commarts.com/project/19573/dan-berschinski

​Part two;  The pivotal race for NYC mayor: We talk with Lincoln Mitchell and Robert Hennelly
bio: Lincoln Mitchell  is a political analyst, pundit and writer based in New York City and San Francisco. Lincoln works on democracy and governance related issues domestically and internationally. He has written seven books, is a frequent contributor to CNN Opinion and writes “The American Angle” for Brussels Morning. He retains an affiliation with Columbia University's Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies and teaches in Columbia’s political science department as well. He is also a co-host of the 'Say It Ain’t Contagious' Podcast on baseball and social justice.
​Bio: Robert Hennelly is a reporter for The Chief Leader, columnist at salon.com, insidernhj.com, and found @stucknation

We talk about the number and variety of Democratic candidates for the mayor's position. NYC is a huge financial center, a cultural center, and home to many very rich people. The voter demographic is complicated: high-status, working class, but liberal. The main issues for NYC are: how to go on in a post-Covid, environment, policing problems, new ways of working, among others. But it is necessary that NYC by a leader in reinventing how large cities continue.

https://www.thecity.nyc/22233474/the-race-for-nyc-mayor-whos-running-to-run-this-town-in-2021
Andrew Yang Is Top Pick for New York City Mayor Among Key Voting Group A new poll shows the former tech entrepreneur is the No. 1 choice for Democrats age 50 and older  https://www.wsj.com/articles/andrew-yang-is-top-pick-for-new-york-city-mayor-among-key-voting-group-11618783200
NY Mayor's race is getting petty
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/04/the-new-york-city-mayoral-race-is-getting-petty.html
Dark Money in NYC mayor's race
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/politics/new-york-mayor-race-super-pacs.html
Tirschwell quits, calls city politics ‘broken’
https://www.crainsnewyork.com/mayoral-race-2021/tirschwell-quits-calls-city-politics-broken 
NYC mayoral candidate Ray McGuire supports lifting charter-school caphttps://nypost.com/2021/04/18/nyc-mayoral-candidate-mcguire-supports-lifting-charter-school-cap/

Political poetry from Skip Tenczar

The merchants of death have no contrition,
They just want to sell more ammunition.
The mass shootings continue
Tearing through innocents' tissue.
When will it be time for some prohibition?

rethink the week Guests

Dean Spiliotes, Professor at SNHU, Civic Scholar/Presidential scholar
Rick Newman, NH lobbyist, and former State Representative
Daniel Block, Executive Editor, Washington Monthly
David Atkins is a writer and activist from California. He is a contributor to the Washington Monthly’s Political Animal, elected DNC Member, and president of The Pollux Group, a qualitative research firm.

Public reading a post from Facebook.  David Gray lives in Austin Texas.
From new friend David Gray: "I need to drive my two-year-old to daycare tomorrow morning. To ensure we arrive alive, we won't take public transit (Oscar Grant). I removed all air fresheners from the vehicle and double-checked my registration status (Daunte Wright), and ensured my license plates were visible (Lt. Caron Nazario). I will be careful to follow all traffic rules (Philando Castille), signal every turn (Sandra Bland), keep the radio volume low (Jordan Davis), and won't stop at a fast food chain for a meal (Rayshard Brooks). I'm too afraid to pray (Rev. Clementa C. Pickney) so I just hope the car won't break down (Corey Jones).
When my wife picks him up at the end of the day, I'll remind her not to dance (Elijah McClain), stop to play in a park (Tamir Rice), patronize the local convenience store for snacks (Trayvon Martin), or walk around the neighborhood (Mike Brown). Once they are home, we won't stand in our backyard (Stephon Clark), eat ice cream on the couch (Botham Jean), or play any video games (Atatiana Jefferson).
After my wife and I tuck him into bed around 7:30pm, neither of us will leave the house to go to Walmart (John Crawford) or to the gym (Tshyrand Oates) or on a jog (Ahmaud Arbery). We won't even walk to see the birds (Christian Cooper). We'll just sit and try not to breathe (George Floyd) and not to sleep (Breonna Taylor)."
These are things white people simply do not have to think about."
David Gray
​
Discussion Part 1:
We begin our discussion on the topic of policing and white priviledge. What we see with the problems of policing now is not new: the only difference is that we now actually SEE it, because of the prevalance of video devices available to everyone. The problems need to be addressed, but this is likely to be more effective at the local level. At the national level, Republcans are panicking, because they see that the demographics in the US are changing. The US Supreme Court is very ideological, and becoming more politicized. However, they may perceive “the threats” of change (packing, term limits, ethics rules), and may moderate this tendency somewhat.
Discussion Part 2:
We examine the desire of the vaccine manufacturers, who want to preserve their intellectual property rights, even though the government paid for the development of vaccines. We talk about “vaccine passports”, and what characteristics these should have in order to be valid. We also take on the topic of the “Anglo-Saxon Caucus”.
Links:
US and China want to cooperate on climate change
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/548861-us-china-say-they-are-committed-to-cooperating-on-climate-change
term limits for Supreme Ct. Justices
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/548868-most-in-new-poll-want-to-end-justices-lifetime-appointments
The American Legion Calls For Ending The Forever War  Https://Www.Theamericanconservative.Com/State-Of-The-Union/The-American-Legion-Calls-For-Ending-The-Forever-War/
After criticism, Biden says he will raise U.S. cap on refugee admissions  https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/biden-says-he-will-raise-us-cap-refugee-admissions-2021-04-17/
Biden withdrawal from Afghanistanhttps://thehill.com/policy/defense/548758-five-questions-about-biden-withdrawal-from-afghanistan

Are Republicans Too Optimistic About The 2022 Midterms?  https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021/04/11/are-republicans-too-optimistic-about-the-2022-midterms/
The Conservative Supreme Court Is Out of Touch with an Increasingly Secular America  https://washingtonmonthly.com/2021/04/11/the-conservative-supreme-court-is-out-of-touch-with-an-increasingly-secular-america/

infrastructure or jobs?
https://theconversation.com/infrastructure-or-jobs-controversy-over-name-of-biden-proposal-highlights-long-tradition-in-politics-158866

voting in America
Jim Crow’s Ominous Lessons on Voter Suppression
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/jim-crow-lessons-voter-suppression.html
Activists protest Texas' voter bills at Greater Houston Partnership building downtown
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Activists-protest-Texas-voter-bills-at-Greater-16109017.php?sid=5d446c7e24c17c505fd6d461&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news_a&utm_campaign=HC_MorningReport\

FED EX
Indianapolis FedEx shooting: Who were the eight victims?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56789254
Indianapolis gunman bought rifles despite earlier gun confiscation
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56791321
Gunman a former employee
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56770200
FedEx to ‘reevaluate’ its policy requiring employees to lock up phones during shifts following Thursday’s shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis 

being Black in America
The Myth of the Dangerous Traffic Stop Is Killing Black Men in America
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/daunte-wright-dangerous-traffic-stop-myth.html
dismantle the current way we police
https://www.salon.com/2021/04/18/if-black-lives-matter-dont-simply-reform-policing--dismantle-the-system-entirely/
It is Derek Chauvin who is on trial, not America
https://www.salon.com/2021/04/17/america-is-not-on-trial-derek-chauvin-is/

covid news
As mask mandates end, Oregon bucks trend with permanent rule https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-oregon-6f7f919d27644d02c330da5a8648af95

Johnson & Johnson asked other drugmakers to help it study blood-clot risks, and Moderna and Pfizer declined, report says  https://www.businessinsider.com/jj-asked-help-study-blood-clots-moderna-pfizer-refused-wsj-2021-4?nr_email_referer=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Business_Insider_select&pt=385758&ct=Sailthru_BI_Newsletters&mt=8&utm_campaign=Insider%20Select%202021-04-17&utm_term=INSIDER%20SELECT%20-%20ENGAGED%2C%20ACTIVE%2C%20PASSIVE%2C%20DISENGAGED%2C%20NEW

Five global concerns for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/548774-five-global-concerns-for-the-johnson-johnson-vaccine-pause
Least Vaccinated U.S. Counties Have Something in Common: Trump Voters https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/17/us/vaccine-hesitancy-politics.html
Covid: Canada sounds the alarm as cases overtake US   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56779428
America hits the vaccine wall: Thousands of appointments go unfilled as states across the nation warn that ‘hesitancy’ to get the shots threatens to derail rollout Daily Mail
Dire need of beds, oxygen’: India’s capital under siege from COVID-19  https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-under-siege-covid-19-hospitals-overwhelmed-2021-04-18/
Covid-19 Pushes India’s Middle Class Toward PovertyThe pandemic sent 32 million people in India from the middle class last year. Now a second wave is threatening the dreams of millions more looking for a better life. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/business/economy/india-covid19-middle-class.html
President Biden, Support a People’s Vaccine Project Syndicate
Who Owns Vaccines? The Baffler

Marjorie Taylor Greene the Anglo Saxon Caucus
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/548835-taylor-greene-defends-america-first-effort-pushes-back-on-critics
well maybe not
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/republicans-blast-caucus-anglo-saxon-traditions.html
aside: can't stop reading this!!!!

Political poetry by Skip Tenczar

Greg Abbott doesn’t want to offend the infectious,
So, there’ll be no vaccine passports in Texas.
Ron DeSantis did the same
Because he doesn’t want to shame
Big donors without masks who drive Lexus.

Arnie aside: can't stop reading this!!!!public reading a post from Facebook David Gray lives in Austin Texas
From new friend David Gray: "I need to drive my two-year-old to daycare tomorrow morning. To ensure we arrive alive, we won't take public transit (Oscar Grant). I removed all air fresheners from the vehicle and double-checked my registration status (Daunte Wright), and ensured my license plates were visible (Lt. Caron Nazario). I will be careful to follow all traffic rules (Philando Castille), signal every turn (Sandra Bland), keep the radio volume low (Jordan Davis), and won't stop at a fast food chain for a meal (Rayshard Brooks). I'm too afraid to pray (Rev. Clementa C. Pickney) so I just hope the car won't break down (Corey Jones).
When my wife picks him up at the end of the day, I'll remind her not to dance (Elijah McClain), stop to play in a park (Tamir Rice), patronize the local convenience store for snacks (Trayvon Martin), or walk around the neighborhood (Mike Brown). Once they are home, we won't stand in our backyard (Stephon Clark), eat ice cream on the couch (Botham Jean), or play any video games (Atatiana Jefferson).
After my wife and I tuck him into bed around 7:30pm, neither of us will leave the house to go to Walmart (John Crawford) or to the gym (Tshyrand Oates) or on a jog (Ahmaud Arbery). We won't even walk to see the birds (Christian Cooper). We'll just sit and try not to breathe (George Floyd) and not to sleep (Breonna Taylor)."
These are things white people simply do not have to think about."
David Gray

part one: 
Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, the voice of Texas, dean of the Austin press corps.

We discuss with Scott the recent push in Texas toward secession from the US. It should be noted that Texas receives many billions of dollars more from the federal government than it contributes. There has also been a 'revolt' against Gov. Greg Abbott about his effort to increase voting opportunities during the pandemic, leading to a record voter turnout. A constitutional amendment has been proposed to limit the governor's powers. A transgender sports bill has also been proposed, with pushback from the NCAA, who has threatened to boycott Texas by moving important sports events.

part two: 
Bill Curry former nominee for Gov of Ct., advisor to Bill Clinton, and leader in the nuclear freeze movement , and progressive pundit
Lincoln Mitchell  Lincoln Mitchell is a political analyst, pundit and writer based in New York City and San Francisco. Lincoln works on democracy and governance related issues domestically and internationally. He has written seven books, is a frequent contributor to CNN Opinion and writes “The American Angle” for Brussels Morning. He retains an affiliation with Columbia University's Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies and teaches in Columbia’s political science department as well. He is also a co-host of the Say It Ain’t Contagious Podcast on baseball and social justice.

We discuss with Bill and Lincoln the “Defund the Police” campaign, and whether the name/slogan is a detriment. We note the continuing propensity of police to kill Black people. It is certainly necessary to examine the circumstances in all killings involving the police.

topics/links
Pro-Trump secession rhetoric on the rise
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/pro-trump-republican-secession-rhetoric-texas-elsewhere-more-punchline-ncna1259016


Robbins: Country catching up to Bernie Sanders’ way of thinking


Corporations bet on both sides
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/georgia-voter-suppression-law-coca-cola-delta-corporate-spending-politics.html
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/ceos-executives-donations-voting-laws-zoom-meeting.html

What Did the U.S. Get for $2 Trillion in Afghanistan? https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/09/world/middleeast/afghanistan-war-cost.html

What America Will Leave Behind in Afghanistan  Biden has good reasons for his decision to withdraw troops. But it still involves serious risks and painful sacrifices.
 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/afghanistan-biden-troops-withdrawal.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/the-war-in-afghanistan-promises-to-win-but-no-vision-for-victory/2021/04/14/89acb8d6-9c6f-11eb-b7a8-014b14aeb9e4_story.html

Democrats to introduce bill to expand Supreme Court from 9 to 13 justices  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/democrats-introduce-bill-expand-supreme-court-9-13-justices-n1264132

Is the Supreme Court abusing the shadow docket?
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a36099436/supreme-court-shadow-docket-california-churches-covid-19/

"Defund the police" reemerges as wedge issue
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/548348-defund-the-police-reemerges-as-wedge-issu
Former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter charged with manslaughter of black motorist Daunte Wright 
Daunte Wright shooting: How can  you mistake a gun for a Taser?  https://www.bbc.com/news/56734989
Black Army Officer sues VA police   https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/caron-nazario-black-army-officer-sues-police-virginia.html
Republicans Are Making Millions Pushing Trump’s Election Lies 
Republicans are in a messy divorce with big business. Democrats could benefit 
My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell says Costco has stopped selling his products https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/547944-my-pillow-ceo-mike-lindell-says-costco-has-stopped-selling-his?rl=1https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-lindell-free-speech-website_n_60779d5ee4b08e452a172f0b
​Schumer looks to amend the filibuster rule
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/548345-schumer-lays-groundwork-for-future-filibuster-reform
unions face difficulty in securing wins
https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/548344-unions-struggle-to-secure-wins-under-biden
Poll: Majority say higher income Americans should pay more in taxes
https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/548303-poll-majority-say-higher-income-americans-should-pay-more-in
U.S. spy chiefs warn of ‘unparalleled’ China threat in return to Congress  https://news.trust.org/item/20210414133410-05x38
Michael Hudson: America’s Neoliberal Financialization Policy vs. China’s Industrial Socialismhttps://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/04/michael-hudson-americas-neoliberal-financialization-policy-vs-chinas-industrial-socialism.html
NIH director says J&J vaccine pause will give researchers time to do more study on certain groups   
Buffalo Bills To Require Vaccine Passport For Fans, Allowing For Full Capacity At Stadium 
Former world leaders call on Biden to suspend Covid-19 vaccine patents  https://www.ft.com/content/43fd53f5-2b82-4e41-981c-8544a6ce996b

olitical poetry by Skip Tenczar
​I’m not a big fan of Governor Sununu,
But he’s done a good job with something so new.
At getting vaccination,
Our state is leading the nation.
Though I’m a Democrat, I give credit when due.


A public reading a post from Facebook David Gray lives in Austin Texas
From new friend David Gray: "I need to drive my two-year-old to daycare tomorrow morning. To ensure we arrive alive, we won't take public transit (Oscar Grant). I removed all air fresheners from the vehicle and double-checked my registration status (Daunte Wright), and ensured my license plates were visible (Lt. Caron Nazario). I will be careful to follow all traffic rules (Philando Castille), signal every turn (Sandra Bland), keep the radio volume low (Jordan Davis), and won't stop at a fast food chain for a meal (Rayshard Brooks). I'm too afraid to pray (Rev. Clementa C. Pickney) so I just hope the car won't break down (Corey Jones).
When my wife picks him up at the end of the day, I'll remind her not to dance (Elijah McClain), stop to play in a park (Tamir Rice), patronize the local convenience store for snacks (Trayvon Martin), or walk around the neighborhood (Mike Brown). Once they are home, we won't stand in our backyard (Stephon Clark), eat ice cream on the couch (Botham Jean), or play any video games (Atatiana Jefferson).
After my wife and I tuck him into bed around 7:30pm, neither of us will leave the house to go to Walmart (John Crawford) or to the gym (Tshyrand Oates) or on a jog (Ahmaud Arbery). We won't even walk to see the birds (Christian Cooper). We'll just sit and try not to breathe (George Floyd) and not to sleep (Breonna Taylor)."
These are things white people simply do not have to think about."
-
David Gray


part one: a conversation with Mark Joseph Stern who covers courts and the law for Slate.


We discuss how the Supreme Court has established a “shadow docket”, a method for the court to rule on matters brought before the court that have not been ruled on by lower courts. This is a method to rule in secret, because no briefs are filed, no discussion has ensued, and no information is produced about the opinions of the individual justices on the matter. Laws are changed in secret.


Links:
The Supreme Court Broke Its Own Rules to Radically Redefine Religious Liberty
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/supreme-court-religious-liberty-covid-california.html
What It Feels Like When a Federal Court Gives a Professor the Right to Misgender You
An interview with “Jane Doe.” 
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/transgender-student-misgender-amul-thapar-jane-doe.html


Part 2: A conversation with Harold Meyerson, editor at large at prospect.org
We have a conversation about the attempts to unionize the warehouse workers at Amazon. What will be needed to make unionization easier, and allow workers to organize. We discuss an NLRB 'with teeth' a change in penalties for employers who discourage workers' attempts to unionize, among other reforms. A change in filibuster rules must happen.
Links:
The Shifting Class Composition of Unions
https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/shifting-class-composition-of-unions/
Labor after Bessemer
https://prospect.org/labor/labor-after-bessemer/
What is the matter with Manchin?
https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/whats-the-matter-with-manchin/

Political verse from Skip Tenczar
Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz
Met with St. Peter at the pearly gates.
Peter asked the men,
“Do you realize greed is sin?”
The three then knew their eternal fates.


Part one:
We have a conversation with Nick Sybert about the characters of business executives. He and his co-researchers have identified several characterstics of executives that they refer to as dark personality traits: psychopathy, machiavellianism, narcissism. These, along with a pattern of short-term expectations in the corporate world, contribute to such things as earnings manipulation and other ethical lapses.

Bio: Nick Seybert  Associate Professor
Department of Accounting and Information Assurance
Robert H. Smith School of Business  University of Maryland, College Park-- 
​Links:
Jaw-dropping study: Executives who manipulate earnings are hired for their lack of ethics  Your bad boss may be that way for a reason .https://www.fastcompany.com/90621991/jaw-dropping-study-executives-who-manipulate-earnings-are-hired-for-their-lack-of-ethics 


Part Two: We talk with Rand Wilson about unionization in the context of the attempt to unionize warehouse workers at Amazon in Bessemer, Alabama. We discuss the successes, despite the failure of the vote in the end. We talk about the intermediate successes.

Bio: Rand Wilson is an organizer and chief of staff at SEIU Local 888 in Boston.

Links:
The Message from the Amazon Union Defeat in Alabama Is Clear: Keep Organizing  The union’s loss in Bessemer shows the urgent need for both labor law reform and organizing at a mass scale.
  https://inthesetimes.com/article/amazon-union-defeat-alabama-bessemer-rwdsu-pro-act

side reading:
US unions not fazed by Amazon setback and vow to keep up the organizing fight   Labor groups point to progress in a wide range of industries as evidence that workers across America are ready to unionize
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/13/us-unions-amazing-organizing-effort-drive

Median Worker Makes $3,250 Less Per Year Than in 1979 Due to Decline in Unions
https://truthout.org/articles/median-worker-makes-3250-less-per-year-than-in-1979-due-to-decline-in-unions/

Get the Federal Government to Fund Union Organizing. Now.  The most obvious and brilliant idea to revive organized labor, fast.https://inthesetimes.com/article/government-fund-union-organizing-amazon

Amazon Vote Deals Blow to Expanding Labor Union Membership  Unionization rates are trending down in the private sector, despite increased focus in Washington
https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-vote-deals-blow-to-expanding-labor-union-membership-11618047000

Political poetry from Skip Tenczar
Matt Gaetz gave a speech so shrill,
To Trump supporters embracing the red pill.
Gas mask Matt’s in trouble
So he makes his case in a bubble.
Perhaps someday he’ll go on Dr. Phil.


def. of red pill: used to refer to a process by which a person's perspective is dramatically transformed, introducing them to a new and typically disturbing understanding of the true nature of a particular situation.

Bio: Stephanie Leiser is a Lecturer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Her general area of interest is in public finance, budgeting, and financial management, and she has particular expertise in state and local tax policy, tax incentives for business, and other issues related to the taxation of business. Prior to joining academia, she worked as a tax policy analyst for the Michigan legislature.
We discuss the plan to raise corporate taxes to pay for the new infrastructure plan.
We talk about the nominal tax rate, versus the real tax rate, which is what corporations use after using their loopholes. We also discuss the global business tax, and a minimum corporate tax.
​The corporate tax was created on the principle that people and companies should be taxed based on what they receive in benefits – and US corporations have received an awful lot.
Links:  https://theconversation.com/biden-wants-corporations-to-pay-for-his-2-trillion-infrastructure-plans-echoing-a-history-of-calls-for-companies-to-chip-in-when-times-are-tough-157295

Part Two: We talk with Robert Azzi, about his editorial titled: “I am the other.”We talk about the racism in NH and in the rest of the United States, and how it affects all of the population. Specifically, he includes people who seem to deemphasize their ethnicity, particularly those in the public sphere.
Bio: Robert Azzi is a photojournalist, columnist and public speaker who lives in Exeter NH. An Arab American Muslim, he writes on issues of identity, conflict, and  racism.

Our deadline poet offers us this and a link
Huge pickup trucks are all over the place
With oversize wheels and bearded face.
Some are macho bling,
Not a gas-saving thing.
Drive a hundred miles the gas gauge reads trace.
https://interestingengineering.com/the-uss-obsession-with-full-sized-pickups

Rethink the week: our guests, and short Bios.
Val Endress, Professor at Rhode Island College
Dean Spiliotes, Professor and Presidential Scholar at SNHU
Stephen Pimpare, Senior Lecturer. UNH,is a nationally recognized expert on poverty, homelessness, and U.S. social policy,
Bob Hennelly, Award-winning investigative journalist, analyst, broadcast and print reporter for more than 30 years; covering federal, state and local politics and international affairs.


Discussion:
Our guests discuss several topics of great interest:
The necessity for labor law reform
The lack of news coverage for the Amazon union organizing effort, and the pattern used by Amazon to fight it: similar to voter suppression.
Cheating in vote manipulation.
The Infrastructure bill being proposed.
Biden's Supreme Court Commission, and its effect, if any.


Links:
The Message From the Amazon Union Defeat in Alabama Is Clear: Keep Organizing  The union’s loss in Bessemer shows the urgent need for both labor law reform and organizing at a mass scale.    https://portside.org/2021-04-10/message-amazon-union-defeat-alabama-clear-keep-organizing
Median Worker Makes $3,250 Less Per Year Than in 1979 Due to Decline in Unionshttps://truthout.org/articles/median-worker-makes-3250-less-per-year-than-in-1979-due-to-decline-in-unions/

Get the Federal Government to Fund Union Organizing. Now.  The most obvious and brilliant idea to revive organized labor, fast.https://inthesetimes.com/article/government-fund-union-organizing-amazon


Dumb son of a bitch’: Trump attacks McConnell in Republican donors speech  At Mar-a-Lago, former president also goes after Fauci and Chao … and claims party ‘can’t have these guys that like publicity’  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/11/donald-trump-mitch-mcconnell-dumb-son-of-a-bitch-republicans-fauci-chao-mar-a-lago?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1618140411Putin-style democracy’: how Republicans gerrymander the map  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/11/putin-style-democracy-republicans-gerrymandering-electoral-map-democrats-census‘No community should suffer this’: Florida’s toxic breach was decades in the making  A leak at an abandoned fertilizer plant is just the latest development at a site that has polluted the area since it was builthttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/11/florida-piney-point-fertilizer-plant-toxic-leak
Biden Creates Commission to Study Supreme Court Reform"To restore our democracy, we must expand the Supreme Court," says Rep. Mondaire Jones.  https://portside.org/2021-04-09/biden-creates-commission-study-supreme-court-reform‘Suddenly I’m breathing’: hope as Haaland takes on crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans  The interior secretary has announced the formation of a new unit to investigate the ‘epidemic’ of violencehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/11/deb-haaland-interior-missing-murdered-native-americans-unit
Are Covid passports a threat to liberty? It depends on how you define freedom https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/10/covid-passports-threat-to-liberty-freedom-pandemic
Republican ‘attacks’ on corporations over voting rights bills are a hypocritical sham https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/11/republican-attacks-on-corporations-over-voting-rights-bills-are-a-hypocritical-sham
It’s in the Interest of Everyone in the US to Vaccinate the World as Quickly as Possible’ CounterSpin interview with Peter Maybarduk on global vaccination  https://fair.org/home/its-in-the-interest-of-everyone-in-the-us-to-vaccinate-the-world-as-quickly-as-possible/
China quiet on global minimum corporate tax rate backed by G20 as questions over Hong Kong’s tax-haven status arise https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3128823/china-quiet-global-minimum-corporate-tax-rate-backed-g20
​US gun violence: Biden takes action on ‘international embarrassment’ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56672892


As we shovel out hundreds of billions in federal COVID relief, lets use "excess death" as the essential heat map for where it goes. https://www.insidernj.com/covids-bigger-picture/

Inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago office: Former president's desk offers a glimpse into life after the White House
https://www.yahoo.com/news/off-wall-donald-trump-border-153159673.html

Life expectancy in adulthood is falling for those without a BA degree, but as educational gaps have widened, racial gaps have narrowed  https://www.pnas.org/content/118/11/e2024777118

Divided court blocks California’s COVID-related restrictions on in-home religious gatherings  https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/04/divided-court-blocks-californias-covid-related-restrictions-on-in-home-religious-gatherings/
A divided Supreme Court on Friday night granted a request by a California pastor to put COVID-related restrictions on in-home Bible study and prayer meetings on hold. The ruling, issued just before midnight, was the most recent in a series of challenges, dating back almost to the start of the pandemic, to restrictions on in-person gatherings. Chief Justice John Roberts indicated that he would have denied the request; Justice Elena Kagan filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor.

Political verse from Skip Tenczar: 

​They are intent of fighting our Joe
No bills he supports are ever a go.
Like petulant kids,
Who are on the skids.
They are nothing more than the Party of NO.

Part one: Scott Braddock
bio: Scott Braddock is the Dean of the Austin Press Corps, and Editor of the Quorum Report.
We discuss with Scott Braddock the push in Texas to limit voting opportunities, and the restrictive new voting law being pushed by the Republicans. We also discuss the Rent Relief Program in Texas, which, while funded by the feds, is not successful in reaching those in need. Republicans who had criticism of Trump, are now “protesting” the conditions of migrants, in an attempt to smear Biden. Currently, the migrant children are primarily from central America, and are asylum seekers and are legally requesting aid.
Part two: We have a conversation with Bill Curry and Paul Glastris.
We discuss the progress of Joe Biden in pushing his agenda to change the US. The moment is dictating the actions necessary. Any Democratic president would need to behave as Biden does at this time. The country is changing, and the world has changed. Biden is actually delivering on Trump's empty promises.
Bio:
Bill Curry two time nominee for Gov. of CT, advisor to Bill Clinton, progressive writer and pundit
Paul Glastris  Paul is editor in chief of the Washington Monthly, a position he has held since April 2001. He is co-author of the book The Other College Guide and editor of the e-book Elephant in the Room: Washington in the Bush Years. From September 1998 to January 2001, Paul was a special assistant and senior speechwriter to President Bill Clinton. He wrote over 200 speeches for the President, including the education sections of the 1999 and 2000 State of the Union addresses and the President’s signing remarks for the 1998 Higher Education Act reauthorization. He also co-wrote the president’s address to the Democratic convention in Los Angeles in August 2000. In November 1999, he traveled with President Clinton to Turkey and Greece and co-wrote the president’s landmark address to the Greek people. Paul also co-founded the President’s “DC Reads This Summer” program, which has placed over 1,000 federal employees as volunteer reading tutors in Washington, DC public schools. He also promoted several administration policy initiatives, including a new food stamp rule that allowed the working poor to own cars. Before joining the White House, Paul spent 10 years as a correspondent and editor at U.S. News & World Report. 
Links:
Joe Biden Is Waging Class Warfare Without the War
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/biden-tax-increases-infrastructure-bill-wages-class-warfare-without-the-war.html
Global Vaccine Equity Is Much More Important Than ‘Vaccine Passports’ Scientific American
What the Hell Are You Supposed to Do With Your Vaccine Card?  https://slate.com/technology/2021/04/covid-19-vaccine-card-laminate-save-copy.html
Biden Can Go Bigger and Not ‘Pay for It’ the Old Way Stephanie Kelton, NYT (Furzy Mouse).
Biden on “caregiving infrastructure”:
The Problem With Boycotting Georgiahttps://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/the-problem-with-boycotting-georgia.html
A Better Corporate Tax for America Janet Yellen,
1 big thing: Dimon calls on companies to be policymakers Axios. Oh.
Corporate America tears down Biden’s infrastructure plan Politico
alabama Kim Kelly  @GrimKim· 12h
UPDATE: The @NLRB has finished going through the challenged ballots in the Bessemer Amazon union election. Vote counting will begin by Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Out of a 5,800-worker potential unit, 3,215 ballots were cast—a pretty huge turnout.