2021-03-30: News Headlines

Lawrence Wittner (2021-03-30). Opposition to Abolishing Nuclear Weapons—and What Could Help to Overcome It. counterpunch.org Given the fact that nuclear war means the virtual annihilation of life on earth, it's remarkable that many people continue to resist building a nuclear weapons-free world. Is the human race suicidal? Before jumping to that conclusion, let's remember that considerably more people favor abolishing nuclear weapons than oppose it. Public opinion surveys—ranging from polls

WSWS (2021-03-30). Tennessee teachers cannot trust Governor Lee with the $4 billion in COVID-19 relief funds! wsws.org The experience of educators in Tennessee and across the US has exposed that not even the most minuscule reform will be achieved without teachers entering into struggle and putting forward their own demands.

Ron Forthofer (2021-03-30). Reimagining US Foreign Policy. dissidentvoice.org Since the end of WWII, especially since the breakup of the Soviet Union, it appears as if US political leaders feel they are trapped in a time warp and are unable to break free. They seem to believe that they must repeat the same disastrous foreign policy of regime change over and over. Since 9/11, …

Joseph Pisani, Bill Barrow (2021-03-30). 'Lighting a fuse': Amazon vote could spark more union pushes. peoplesworld.org What happens inside a warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, could have major implications not just for the country's second-largest employer but the labor movement at large. Organizers are pushing for some 6,000 Amazon workers there to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union on the promise it will lead to better working conditions, better pay, …

Liberation Staff (2021-03-30). VIDEO: "This racist violence is disgusting" — ANSWER organizer discusses success of March 27 day of action. liberationnews.org Photo: Protesters on March 27 in Honolulu, Hawaii Nicole Roussell, ANSWER Coalition national staff organizer, is interviewed by CGTN to discuss the nationwide day of protest held on Saturday, March 27 against anti-Asian violence. Roussell discusses how war-mongering propaganda and the long history of racism against Asians in the United States is fueling this crisis.

Peoples Dispatch (2021-03-30). Actions in 60 cities stand with Asian community against racism, war. peoplesdispatch.org On March 27, activists in over 60 cities and towns across the United States held actions in solidarity with the Asian community in response to the horrific, racist and misogynist massacre that took place in Atlanta on March 16. The actions were organized by the ANSWER Coalition and took place across the country, from big cities like New York City to small towns like Sequim, Washington. The demonstrations drew significant …

Andrew Bacevich (2021-03-30). America Longest War: No Bang, No Whimper, No Victory. counterpunch.org "Ours is the cause of freedom. We've defeated freedom's enemies before, and we will defeat them again… [W]e know our cause is just and our ultimate victory is assured… My fellow Americans, let's roll." — George W. Bush, November 8, 2001 In the immediate wake of 9/11, it fell to President George W. Bush to

Peoples Dispatch (2021-03-30). Actions in 60 cities in solidarity with Asian community against racism, war. peoplesdispatch.org On March 27, activists in over 60 cities and towns across the United States held actions in solidarity with the Asian community in response to the horrific, racist and misogynist massacre that took place in Atlanta on March 16…

Crystal Moreno-Garcia (2021-03-30). PSL's Colin Dodson runs for Urbana, Illinois, City Council. liberationnews.org Allies of the PSL asked the local branch to consider running a candidate in the Urbana Ward 2 election to complete an informal progressive slate of Urbana City Council candidates.

Orinoco Tribune (2021-03-30). New Sputnik V Shipment Arrives in Venezuela — Mass Vaccination Advances. globalresearch.ca This Monday, March 29, the third shipment of Russian Sputnik V …

_____ (2021-03-30). Virginia Public Sector Workers Organize To Make Their New Bargaining Rights A Reality. popularresistance.org When Virginia changed its law last year to allow local government workers to bargain collectively, it was a leap forward in a time when the trend is generally in the opposite direction. | As always, the devil is in the details—and there's a lot of devilry here. But the change presents a substantial opening for unions. Now teachers, firefighters, and sewer workers are getting organized and pushing local governments to bargain over such issues as pay and staffing. | Bargaining is still banned for state employees. But the new law, which takes effect May 1, allows cities, counties, and towns to bargain with the…

John Stanton (2021-03-30). Biden's Shameful Push for War with China and Russia: Ignoring History, Denying Reality. counterpunch.org "One of the most delightful things about Americans is that they have absolutely no historical memory." — Zhou Enlai `In the autumn of 1862, the governments of France and Great Britain proposed to Russia, in a formal but not in an official way, the joint recognition by European powers of the independence of the Confederate

Jason Ditz (2021-03-30). Pentagon Would Face Costly Lawsuits If US Ended Afghanistan War. news.antiwar.com Since February 29 of 2020, the US has had a peace deal in place, intending to withdraw from Afghanistan on May 1 of 2021. The US military was always averse to that, but seems to have been basing its contracts on the idea it wouldn't happen. | Former financial officials are warning that if the US does leave Afghanistan, either on May 1 or any time in 2021, the Pentagon would be facing down a "

Medea Benjamin (2021-03-30). Are Progressives Ignoring Foreign Policy? zcomm.org Many progressives are ignoring U.S. aggression around the world despite its involvement in many wars and expanding arsenal of nuclear weapons…

Jonathan Cook (2021-03-30). Five Lessons From Israel's Election. zcomm.org With the triumph of the far-right in Israel, the backing of "peace partners" in the Gulf, and no likely obstruction from the White House whoever its occupant, the Palestinians have become a non-issue…

Towards increasing Networking (2021-03-30). Starting Tomm (Wed): Online events with Chomsky, Jeff Chang, Frida Berrigan & many others. indybay.org Here are some 17 online events taking place over the coming month (and starting tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31), featuring people such as Noam Chomsky, Jeff Chang, Frida Berrigan, Hazel Henderson, Dave Zirin, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and many others. | These events are hosted from various locations all across the country, as well from Canada, Ireland, and the UK (however, the listed times are all for our "Pacific time zone"). Of course, feel free to share this info with others who might be interested in it.

Zachary Conti (2021-03-30). IMF Head: Global Recovery Uncertain as People Face Income Drops. indybay.org International Monetary Fund head Kristalina Georgieva warned of an uncertain global recovery as the world struggles with the COVID spurred economic crisis. The IMF Managing Director stated concern that average incomes in developing countries faced drops of 20% and 11% in advanced economies. "This loss of income means millions of people will face destitution, homelessness, and hunger," reported Georgieva during her curtain raiser speech ahead of the Spring IMF and World Bank meetings.

Staff (2021-03-30). Headlines for March 30, 2021. democracynow.org First Witnesses Testify in Murder Trial of Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin, Who Killed George Floyd, Civil Rights Groups File Second Legal Challenge to Georgia Voter Suppression Bill, WHO Says COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Began in Animal Hosts, Rather Than Laboratory Escape, CDC Director Warns of "Impending Doom" as Coronavirus Cases Rise Across U.S., CDC Extends Federal Eviction Moratorium to June 30, Wealthiest 1% of Americans Account for One-Third of Unpaid Taxes to IRS, Protests Erupt in Mexico Demanding Justice for Salvadoran Refugee Killed by Police, Suez Canal Reopens After Salvage Teams Clear Stuck Container Ship, 60 Ch…

teleSUR (2021-03-30). Venezuela and Russia Set High-Level Cooperation Meetings. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami on Tuesday inaugurated technical meetings to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Russia as part of high-level intergovernmental talks. | RELATED: | He thanked the Russian assistance in the fight against the pandemic, including the access to Sputnik V and EpiVacCorona COVID-19 vaccines. | Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov welcomed the 76th anniversary of cooperation and political dia…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Iran Rejects Ending 20% Enrichment for Some Sanctions Relief. news.antiwar.com A report from Politico on Monday said the Biden administration was ready An unnamed Iranian official responded to the report and

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). New Report Reaffirms US Recognition of Golan Heights as Israeli Territory. news.antiwar.com On Tuesday, the State Department

Rick Rozoff (2021-03-30). NATO Warplanes Intercept Russian Aircraft Ten Times in One Day From Arctic to Black Sea. news.antiwar.com The North Atlantic Treaty Organization reports that yesterday the military bloc scrambled fighter jets ten times over the North Atlantic (for once adhering to its name), North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea, intercepting a reported six groups of Russian bombers and fighters. That is, across the entire western flank of Russia. Although the North …

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Classified War Games to Simulate Global Conflict With China and Russia. news.antiwar.com According to Pentagon officials told CNN that the war games will be headed by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Miley. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will be briefed as the exercises play out. | The scenarios that could be simulated in the war games include major cyberattacks, a Russian advance…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: US Preparing to Offer New Proposal to Iran. news.antiwar.com According to Citing people "familiar with the matter," the report said the proposal could be put forward as early as this week. One source said the proposal asks Iran to halt some nuclear activity, such as new advanced centrifuges and the enrichment of uranium at 20 percent, in exchange for some relief from US sanctions, although details are still being worked out…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). Report: EU Set to Sanction Iranian Officials. news.antiwar.com According to Citing three unnamed European diplomats, the report said the sanctions are expected to be agreed on Wednesday. If implemented, the sanctions would come at a sensitive time, as a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, i…

Dave DeCamp (2021-03-30). US Ambassador to Palau Travels to Taiwan in First Envoy Visit Since 1979. news.antiwar.com The US ambassador to Palau Palauan President Surangel Whipps arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day with US Ambassador John Hennessey-Niland. Palau, unlike the US, is one of the few countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. | Unsurprisingly, Beijing denounced the visit from Hennessey-Niland and said it hurts US-China…

Karen J. Greenberg (2021-03-30). Will We Ever Move on from the War on Terror? counterpunch.org In the first two months of Joe Biden's presidency, you could feel the country holding its breath. Sheltered in place, hidden behind masks, unsure about whether to trust in a safe-from-pandemic future, we are nonetheless beginning to open our eyes collectively. As part of this reemergence, a wider array of issues — those beyond Covid-19

Andrew J. Bacevich (2021-03-30). America's Longest War Winds Down. thenation.com America's Longest War Winds Down…

Mat Ward (2021-03-30). 10 new albums from strong women (and woke men). greenleft.org.au Here's a look back at March's political news and the best new music that related to it. You can also listen to a podcast of this column, including all the music,