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House Democrats Ride the $15/hr Wave into 2020
Brief #49—Economics
By Leo Elliot
With a Wink, Trump Guarantees Foreign Interference in 2020 US Elections
Brief #4—Technologys
By Charles A. Rubin
From Walls to Ceilings – Our Nation’s Budget Deficit Under Trump
Brief #48—Economics
By Samuel C. O’Brient
Elizabeth Warren: The Woman with All the Plans
Competing House Resolutions Shine Light On Right To Boycott Under First Amendment
Brief #95—Civil Rights
By Rod Maggay
US Sanctions Myanmese Officials Responsible for Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya
Brief #67—Foreign Policy
By Colin Shanley
EPA Admin Wheeler rejects scientific consensus and danger to public health
Brief #62—Environmental Policy
By Quixote Vassiliakis
What is Impeachment?
Investigating the President Blog
Post #4 What is Impeachment?
by Rudy Ralph Martinez July 31st, 2019
Disuse of “Black Identity Extremism” Category Creates New Problem For The FBI
Brief #94—Civil Rights
By Rod Maggay
A Surprising Endorsement in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District
Brief #12—Gun Control
Policy Summary
As endorsements begin to roll out for candidates in the 2018 midterms, the gun advocacy PAC, Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence, raised eyebrows for two of their endorsements. Specifically, their endorsements of Republican Representatives Leonard Lance and Chris Smith in New Jersey came as a surprise to many as Lance’s reelection is now being contended by Democrats, who haven’t held the seat since 1978. The endorsement highlights Lance’s ideological shift and willingness to work across the aisle.
Analysis
The PAC was founded by Gabby Giffords after she was left wounded by gun violence in 2011 meeting with her constituents. Since 2013, Giffords has been able to enact more than 200 new pieces of gun legislation in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Their main mission is to promote bipartisan solutions to the gun epidemic in America. Here you can find the full list of candidates Giffords endorses.
Their political goal to work towards a bipartisan solution has caused some surprise in New Jersey as Republican incumbent Rep. Lance has been endorsed by Giffords in a race that many are calling a tossup. This endorsement may be enough to give Lance a slight edge over the democratic candidate, Tom Malinowski come November.
Looking at Lance’s record, he has deviated from his party by working on 6 different bills for the advancement of gun control, including banning bump stocks and voting ‘no’ on the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act which would allow concealed carry in any state. In 2012 Rep. Lance campaigned on his high approval rating by the NRA, showing his evolution on common sense gun control in just six years.
Although there is still work to be done to reach bipartisan solutions to America’s ever-growing gun violence epidemic, Giffords works to endorse candidates on both sides of the aisle which in turn can encourage more efficient gun legislation and less inaction by Congress.
Engagement Resources
- March For Our Lives – an organization started after the Parkland school shooting which aims to unify advocates for gun control around relevant issues. You can also find more information about the Road to Change tour on their website. Consider donating or canvassing during the midterm elections on these issues with this organization.
- Everytown – A movement of Americans working to end gun violence and build safer communities.
- Vote.gov – A resource to utilize if you need to register, are unfamiliar with voter ID requirements, or election processes so you can be ready by November.
Contact
This Brief was written by U.S. RESIST NEWS Analyst Sarah Barton: Sarah@usresistnews.org
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A Broken Student Loan System: Betrayal of the American Dream
Brief #26—Education
Policy Summary
Seth Frotman, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s Assistant Director and Student Loan Ombudsman, has resigned after sweeping changes were made in recent months by the Bureau’s new leadership headed by CFPB Director, Mick Mulvaney. Frotman addressed his resignation letter to Mulvaney, who was appointed by President Trump over deputy director Leandra English, stating that the Bureau abandoned the very consumers it was responsible for protecting by: (1) Undercutting enforcement of the law, (2) Undermining the Bureau’s independence, and (3) Shielding bad actors from scrutiny. He accused the Bureau of failing to enforce laws that protect borrowers and suppressing reports illustrating that the largest banks were ripping off students and saddling them with legally dubious account fees. Frotman further stated that the Bureau repeatedly undermined and censored career staff members who were taking action to secure relief for consumers, undercutting the organization’s own independent authority to oversee the market and bending to political pressure instead. According to Frotman, it was clear that the new political appointees had the primary goal of protecting the Trump administration’s investment in special interests and serving “the wishes of the most powerful financial companies in America” at the expense of student borrowers. Frotman’s deputy, Michael Pierce, also resigned on Monday. LEARN MORE
Last year, Navient (the nation’s largest student loan servicer) was involved in lawsuits filed by a federal regulator and two state attorneys general. According to the complaint, Navient has misled and misinformed its 12 million borrowers for years, charging students dubious fees and illegally cheating borrowers out of their rights to lower payments in order to drive up debt. There were routine oversight lapses adding up to systematic failures, similar to the mortgage servicing industry’s bungling of borrower accounts and property foreclosures during the 2008 recession. LEARN MORE
Mulvaney’s personal relationship with Navient remains dubious at best. Earlier this year, Mulvaney announced that Frotman’s office would be dismantled and folded into the financial education unit. The student loan office was created after the 2008 financial crisis and has reimbursed borrowers who suffered from illegal lending practices and servicing failures with $750 million. CFPB was also ending an effort to consider new rules for companies that collect student loan payments. Additionally, the Education Department further cut off information-sharing agreements with CFPB, accusing it of overstepping its authority of overseeing student loans.
Analysis
Today, 42 million student borrowers collectively owe $1.5 trillion dollars. Frotman’s resignation draws enormous attention to the sweeping changes in the Department of Education under the Trump administration. In Paying the Price, education scholar and professor Sara Goldrick-Rab describes the crisis facing millions of students as the “new economics of college.” Although a college degree has now become mandatory in order to access the middle class and to rise out of poverty, Goldrick-Rab points out how the U.S. has repeatedly failed to create a realistic financing system for students to obtain their degrees. In many cases, students straddle the medium where their family income is too high to qualify for federal student loans but too low to pay for the full costs of college tuition, forcing these students to take out private loans with high interest rates from banks instead. Just as the nation values a high school education for everyone, college education should be thought of as a collective responsibility in an increasingly educated workforce.
For-profit industries operate as voucher-driven models, allowing private providers to exploit students with less scrutiny and no public governance. Such providers often recruit students through mass marketing and the media; yet, rarely provide a quality education for students, most of whom lack equitable access to forms of payment other than loans and who are often low-income and/or students of color. Repaying loans is challenging enough without powerful financial servicers adding to the burden with their own incompetence and knowingly insidious practices. Furthermore, unlike other products, student loans are not typically underwritten based on the borrower’s ability to repay at loan origination. Because repayment is based on a quality education which leads to employment, there should be a process to ensure that for-profit programs are of sufficient quality that they do not burden students with enormous debt that cannot be repaid.
In a thorough 2018 study by Goldrick-Rab titled Still Hungry and Homeless in College, data revealed that 1 in 3 students at four year colleges and 40-50% of students at community colleges have gone hungry while enrolled at college. In the wealthiest country in the world, it is outrageous and nonsensical that our students are being forced to choose between receiving an education and their basic sustenance.
Resources
- Center for Responsible Lending – A nonprofit, non-partisan organization that works to protect homeownership and family wealth by fighting predatory lending practices.
- Young Invincibles – Research and advocacy organization focused on advancing economic opportunity for young adults
- Chronicle of Higher Education – Leading source of news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators.
- Inside Higher Ed – Leading digital media company serving the higher education space.
This Brief was developed by U.S. RESIST NEWS Analyst Tina Lee. Contact: Tina@usresistnews.org
Photo by Andre Hunter
President Disregards America’s Tradition of Offering Asylum
Brief #50—Immigration
Policy Summary
In accordance with the travel ban covered in Brief 46, Trump claims he wants to “ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas.” Trump finds it absurd that the US offers refuge and asylum when “no other country” does it. In June 2018, Trump announced that it would order the US Immigration Courts to stop granting asylum to victims of domestic abuse and gang violence who come to the US seeking safety. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions backed this by saying survivors of “private crimes” were not eligible for asylum in the US.
There are over 100,000 people in line to be processed for resettlement in the US during this fiscal year. Many of them have already made it through the intense vetting process and have waited years only to be told they must endure another waiting period. Now, they must wait again. Upon leaving their home because of discrimination, a woman and her husband and 6 kids had fled Sudan to Jordan only to be rejected by the US. She went on to tell reporters, “to be discriminated by a nation we see our future in, is so disheartening.”
Analysis
The US has been a symbol of hope, equality and a light at the end of a tunnel since its founding; a nation built on immigrants through and through. The American Dream is well-known around the world for individuals who want to start a new life, grow their business, give their children a better life, and especially those in danger or escaping their homeland in search of refuge. Individuals such as the woman from Sudan who fled her homeland due to violent prejudices only to face more discrimination from the one nation she had laid all her hope in prove how strong the notion of the American Dream is. She endured so much in the hopes that an end to her struggles would be found in the sanctuary that is the US and to turn away individuals like her would be to bury the American Dream as it has become known to the world and discount how far our immigrant ancestors have come.
Resistance Resources
- The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law: a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to defend and reform – as necessary – the US systems of democracy and justice, focusing on upholding the Constitution and US laws while maintaining national security.
- Stay up to date with the National Immigration Forum who advocates for the value of immigrants and immigration to the US and promotes responsible immigration policies and addresses those that hinder the success of immigrants.
- The National Immigration Law Center: an organization that exclusively dedicates itself to defending and furthering the rights of low income immigrants and strives to educate decision makers on the impacts and effects of their policies on this overlooked part of the population.
This Brief was authored by Kathryn Baron. For inquiries, suggestions or comments email kathryn@usresistnews.org.
Photo by Jose Fontano
Judge Demands Stalled Deportations and a Plan Amidst Chaotic Reunification Process
Brief #49—Immigration
Policy Summary
On August 16, Federal Judge Sabraw of San Diego extended a freeze on deportations of recently reunited families. Prior to the court ordered reunification of families who were separated at the US-Mexico Border in accordance with Trump’s Zero Tolerance Policy, Judge Sabraw banned the deportation of parents who had children taken from them at the border and were being held in US Custody. Referring to Brief #47, the US Government still deported a sizable amount of parents without their children upon varying grounds. Sabraw and the ACLU – an organization that has remained a prevalent advocate for individuals seeking asylum and unaccompanied minors at the border – discussed the potential of bringing back deported parents who were forced to leave without their children to pursue asylum with them. ACLU representative, Lee Gelernt was a strong advocate for this and voiced that those who were deported should be allowed to return to accompany their children through the asylum process, especially those who were misled to believe that if they agreed to deportation they would be reunited with their children. In the week of frozen deportations, lawyers can make the trying decision of whether an adult should be deported with their child(s) or to allow a minor to remain in the US to pursue the possible right to stay.
Thus, the next day, on August 17, Judge Sabraw ordered that the government alongside the ACLU shall devise a structured plan to address the rights of parents and children who were separated at the southern US border. Claiming that delaying deportations does not “unfairly or unduly tax available government resources,” Sabraw believes it is the morally correct and just thing to do throughout this process as there are numerous families fleeing their homeland violence and thus should have their stories heard while they seek asylum. The government is opposed to delaying deportation because parents ‘waived’ the rights of their children to pursue asylum after the adults signed – many unknowingly and under duress – deportation forms.
Separating families in the first place violated their rights as a family, so Sabraw felt the need to reiterate his points, as he had already ordered a delay in deportations that was taken lightly. There are still around 70 children who were separated at the border that have not yet been reunited with their parents because they cannot be identified and/or located; 3 weeks after the court first ordered the US Government to reunite families.
Analysis
In many regards, the need for a structured plan to address the rights of parents and children is a necessary step regardless of any prior events. As the Trump Administration had already proven challenged in reuniting families for a multitude of reasons, as they struggled to meet their deadline(s). What is more disheartening is that Judge Sabraw, had to firmly reiterate his call for an extension of deportations as it was essentially ignored in his last Executive Order (a week before deportations and dates for reunification). In a nation that is built upon immigrants and stands for liberty and justice, Sabraw should not have had to explain the rationale for stalling deportations of parents with children who were still in Federal Custody, let alone, repeat himself. Separating families should not have been a matter of parties or a difference in withstanding political views, but that of a moral dilemma. As Sabraw said, “no matter how nice the environment is, it’s the act of separation from a parent, particularly with young children, that matters, and it’s time that is the issue.”
Resistance Resources
- The ACLU: a non-profit with a longstanding commitment to preserving and protecting the individual rights and liberties the Constitution and US laws guarantee all its citizens. You can also donate monthly to counter Trump’s attacks on people’s rights.
- Families Belong Together: an organization that has dedicated its mission to ensuring families are together, especially reuniting children with their families. This organization contributes all its efforts to counter Trump’s separation of children from their families.
- Kids in Need of Defense: an organization that promotes the protection of children as they migrate alone in search of safety and ensuring children’s rights are upheld and respected.
Photo by tom coe
Who Should Decide Industry Standards For Privacy Recognition Software To Prevent Misuse and Abuse?
Brief #56—Civil Rights
Policy Summary: In July 2018, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) published a blog post about the results of an experiment they conducted using Amazon.com’s facial recognition software known as “Rekognition.” The ACLU purchased the software directly from Amazon.com just as an ordinary purchaser would and then used Amazon’s recommended default settings to build a face database and search tool. The ACLU used a publicly available database of 25,000 arrest mugshots for its face database. The ACLU then scanned photos of every current Member of Congress. 28 Members of Congress were falsely identified as having previously committed a crime. LEARN MORE
Analysis: The results of the ACLU’s bold experiment appear to have set the stage for a battle on the future of facial recognition software. Amazon.com has been engaged in the testing, marketing and sale of its facial recognition software since late 2016 and since that time Congress had been reluctant to get involved in the policy discussion regarding the use of the technology tool. In response to the test conducted by the ACLU, Amazon.com released a statement that said, “The ACLU continues to distort the facts to suit [its] purposes.” The statement went on to list the successes the tool has had in helping to find missing children, fight human trafficking, fight financial fraud as well as a number of other incidents that contributed to public safety. On July 27, 2018, twenty – five Members of Congress co – signed a letter to Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos asking him to address the concerns of the software’s impact on communities of color. While Congress finally waded into the issue of facial recognition technology, although belatedly and only after being prodded by the ACLU’s test, it was Amazon.com’s response that caught everyone’s attention.
In a blog post, Amazon.com stated, “It is a very reasonable idea, however, for the government to weigh in and specify what temperature (or confidence levels) it wants law enforcement agencies to meet to assist in their public safety work.” This statement referred to the recommended confidence level setting that users of the software should use because the confidence level setting determines the rate of error. A higher setting should logically have a lower error rate while a lower setting increases the chances of false positive matches, as when the ACLU’s test (conducted at a lower setting) falsely identified members of Congress of having committed a crime. This is significant because Amazon.com was now stating that the government and law enforcement agencies alone should determine any standards for the proper use of the software. However, this is contrary to what Amazon had been doing when they had been marketing the software to law enforcement agencies. They had been recommending to the government the proper setting to use to prevent inaccurate face matches but now it was being forced to backtrack when Members of Congress were falsely identified. The contrary actions and statement by Amazon illustrate that the next stage in the future of facial recognition technology is going to be what standards will be implemented to prevent abuse and who will ultimately decide on those standards – the government or the tech companies themselves. The decision is far from settled and could have far reaching consequences. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources:
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – petition to try and persuade Amazon from selling the software.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation – non – profit group webpage on mass surveillance technology issues.
- Electronic Privacy Information Center – non – profit group webpage on domestic surveillance issues.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact Rod@USResistnews.org
Photo by Illia Cherednychenko
Income Inequality under Donald Trump Indicates Superficiality of Current Economic Growth
Brief #21—Economic Policy
Policy Summary
Throughout his time in office, Donald Trump has never shied away from touting the economic growth that the country has seen during his presidency. He’s boasted about job growth and the healthy stock market and G.D.P. It doesn’t stop there, though Trump has continuously touted the benefits of the global trade war brought on by his administration’s tariffs, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
The numbers and statistics that Trump hasn’t been touting, though, tell a different story. Income inequality, according to reports, has reached its highest point since the 1920’s. The Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank recently published a report that found that the CEO of a typical large American company is paid a salary roughly 312 times larger than that of its typical worker. While the average pay of the CEOs of the 350 largest firms in the U.S. increased by 17.6% this past year, that of their workers increased by only 0.3%.
Further data published by the Bureau of Employment Statistics indicates that the past fiscal year has brought a clear slump in real wages for American workers. Between 2014 and 2015, during Barack Obama’s final years in office, wages rose considerably, a trend that continued through to 2016. Average inflation-adjusted hourly pay began to decrease early in Trump’s presidency, though and this past June saw wages hit their lowest point since 2013.
This data also indicated that the slight economic growth and decreasing unemployment rates have given rise to a slight increase in nominal wages, which have risen 2.7% during the past year. While it is not an inherently negative thing for them to have risen, it is not an indicator of sustainable economic growth, nor of future positive trends. Even with this increase, most American workers still are not receiving the share of economic output that they should be. It should also be noted that nominal wages by themselves cannot generate a higher standard of living for the workers receiving them. We are currently seeing the prices of goods and services rise at a higher rate than that of nominal wages, creating more problems for workers.
Analysis
All evidence and data presented by the EPI points to the conclusion that the increase in CEO pay is not due to an increase in productivity on the part of the executives benefitting. EPI co-founder and economist Robert Reich emphasizes this concept in his 2015 book Saving Capitalism, where he addresses the flawed concept that someone’s productivity level is dictated by their salary. Worker productivity may be increasing but if it is, American workers as a whole are not enjoying the benefits of the economic growth that they are helping generate but are being forced to watch excess profits be turned over to the CEOs of their companies. History has seen many policymakers, including those at the Federal Reserve, cite weak productivity as a primary reason for slow economic growth but considerable evidence points to the contrary, indicated that it is more likely due to the CEOs who use their power to set pay to grab more and more profits.
The central problem involving the slow growth of nominal wages is that when the prices of goods and services rise at a higher rate, workers have increasingly less buying power. The recent hike in prices is likely a further consequence of the trade war, which has resulted in the prices of many important goods being raised while more and more workers are laid off.
Furthermore, we have seen economic inflation give rise to a spike in oil prices which has only caused further problems for the workers whose wages aren’t rising quickly enough. The demand for oil continues to grow throughout the global economy, but the supply does not, primarily due to events in Russia, Venezuela and the Middle East. This hasn’t been helped by President Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, which has led to further conflict and higher oil prices.
The current state of income inequality in the United States that has been dubbed the ‘Trump Slump’ can be summed up with a simple equation-when we combine an economy overwhelmed by steep inflation with nominal wages that are not rising quickly enough to keep pace, we are left with a workforce whose overall real wages are stagnate.
President Trump, so far, has implemented no policies to help spur wage growth or reduce inflation. All the while, corporations are gaining more and more power and influence while worker unions are losing theirs. All this points to the overwhelming conclusion that any economic growth that the United States has enjoyed Trump is not sustainable.
Resistance Resources
- The Economic Policy Institute is a liberal think tank that researches and analyzes economic policies and proposals.
- Strike Debt is an activist group that works to help citizens resist debt and fighting for economic justice.
- Fight For $15 is a union-led group dedicated to increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
This Brief was submitted by U.S. RESIST NEWS Analyst Samuel O’Brient Contact Sam@usresistnews.org
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Check Your State: Register to Vote and Confirm or Change Registration
Register to Vote and Confirm or Change Registration
Learn if you’re eligible to vote, how to register, check, or update your information at USA.gov
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California Wildfires Contend With Environmental Politics
Brief #39—Environment
Policy Summary
Northern California is on fire. Throughout the summer, over 500,000 acres of Northern California has been up in flames, and has so far amounted in at least eight fatalities. One of the three massive fires has since been contained, but two are still burning, and the smoke generated is looming even as far as Oregon and Ohio. Many homes, schools and other structures are also reported to have been destroyed and it is unclear when the fires will die down. Though, it is certain that wildfires are becoming a pattern in California; the state which still has not fully recovered from the 2017 wildfires that ripped apart Santa Rosa and wine country. And while the current fires may be contained soon, it is also uncertain whether or not this can be of any consolation to California residents and Americans at large, as more wildfires are predicted to hit the state in the coming years.
Analysis
Democratic governor Jerry Brown has begrudgingly called the growing intensity and frequency of California wildfires the state’s “new normal,” while president Trump has refused to acknowledge climate change as a factor in the wildfires, instead naming “bad environmental laws” the culprit. The President alleged that these laws “diverted” water to the Pacific ocean rather than to firefighters giving assistance. Firefighters have not reported any lack of water on the ground, rather “fire tornadoes.”
The scientific evidence put forth by various fire analysts and fire scientists argue that the warmer it gets, the more fires there are to be seen. Rising temperatures and prolonged heat waves are also a factor, scientists say. A signal of a shifting climate, they help set up the conditions that lead to more devastating fire seasons.
While California is currently experiencing some of the most devastating fires, with the one in Mendocino considered the fourth-worst in the state’s history, many other wildfires will strike other states in the United States and beyond should climate change worsen. And research suggests that as Republican community members begin to see more consequences in their own lives at the behest of climate change, their views on the issue will, too, follow. Whereas, Republican politicians do still appear beholden to fossil fuels, with the Trump administration just enforcing a clean energy rollback.
Hopefully right wing America will change their stance on climate change and what incites such wildfires to occur, because by NASA’s estimation, warmer temperatures are on the horizon, and it will scorch everyone.
Engagement Resources
- United Way of the Bay Area – Helps fire victims by creating funds for long-term needs, such as rebuilding homes.
- Direct Relief – Non-profit organization that dispatches medical aid of all kinds to disaster-stricken areas.
This Brief was developed by U.S. RESIST NEWS Analyst Zoe Stricker. Contact: zoe@usresistnews.org
Facebook’s Business Model Does Not Encourage Protecting Personal Data
Brief #55—Civil Rights
Policy Summary: On April 21, 2010, Facebook launched Version 1.0 of the Graph API on its platform. This version remained in use on Facebook until it was closed on April 30, 2015. The Facebook Graph API worked at the application developer level which allowed third – party app developers “Extended Permissions” to a users personal data in order to build and tailor apps that may be of interest to users. Facebook subsequently entered into data sharing partnerships with as many as sixty companies including Apple, Amazon, Blackberry, Samsung, Huawei and a host of other companies. These agreements allowed the companies to harvest Facebook users personal data, by using the Graph API tool, and to use that info to integrate popular Facebook features on their hardware devices and own websites. Facebook later admitted in April 2018 that four Chinese companies were among the companies that they had entered data sharing partnership agreements. As of August 2018, Graph API 3.1 is the latest version available on Facebook. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE
Analysis: When the Graph API was first introduced Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said “We are building a web where the default is social.” The use of Graph API Version 1.0 on Facebook as a developer tool has been highly controversial. One feature included in this version was its “Extended Permissions.” This allowed any third – party developer access to more than just the info of an original user. Since the Graph API categorized the characteristics of connected and multiple users into searchable data sets (hometown, games, religion, work history, relationships, etc.), a search of those data sets through the originating user would include all of their connections and their own personal data even though those connections did not consent or give access to the developer.
This has been the root of Facebook’s problem with data sharing and privacy. There does not seem to be a general interest in user privacy at the company despite Zuckerberg and Facebook’s claims to the contrary. The actions of Facebook have been to slowly move the needle towards the ease of sharing data and info and then to backtrack only when there is public outrage. The Graph API is evidence that the default of gathering info on anyone at anytime is preferable over keeping unwanted intruders at the door. And the data sharing agreements with the nearly sixty companies, including a foreign company with close ties to the Chinese government, shows that Facebook simply cannot comprehend the concept of data privacy.
If Mark Zuckerberg’s personal tendency for more “social experiences” and “sharing” does not align with the American public’s demand for more privacy and control over personal data, then maybe the time has come for Zuckerberg to relinquish control over Facebook and have the company run by a CEO who is more attune to what the public wants in terms of their social and digital media experiences. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) – non – profit group’s webpage on Facebook privacy issues.
- Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFF) – non – profit group webpage on how to get involved to help educate people on their digital rights.
- Fight For The Future – non – profit group working to expand the Internet’s power for good.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact Rod@USResistnews.org.
Photo by Tim Bennett
President Trump Resorts To Bullying Tactics When Confronted With Racial Issues
Brief #54—Civil Rights
Policy Summary: On August 3, 2018, President Donald Trump remarked on his Twitter account that “Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made LeBron look smart which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!” Don Lemon, a CNN broadcaster, and LeBron James, an NBA athlete, are both African – American.
On Friday, August 10, 2018, the President used his Twitter account to again attack and mock African – American NFL players and the decision by individual players to engage in a form of silent protest during the playing of the national anthem before the game. The President stated “Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define.” Most of the players who have engaged in a form of silent protest before the national anthem are African – American. A number of African – American players demonstrated before the start of some of the NFL’s 2018 pre-season games. The NFL had crafted a national anthem policy that would have been in place for the 2018 season but that policy was put on hold indefinitely after the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) filed a grievance that, as of August 2018, had not yet been heard.
On August 14, 2018, President Trump issued a statement regarding former White House aide Omarosa Manigault – Newman. He said “When you give a crazed, crying lowlife a break, and give her a job at the White House, I guess it just didn’t work out. Good work by General Kelly for quickly firing that dog!” Ms. Manigault – Newman is an African – American woman who had worked with President Trump on two reality television shows and in the White House as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison. She was later fired from the White House position and just released a book on her time working for the Trump Administration. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE
Analysis: The latest remarks from President Trump towards African – American public figures is another illustration of the President’s tactics when confronted with uncomfortable racial issues. The underlying theme in both incidents is how the President attacks the public personalities. Instead of addressing the merits of the message of NFL protests, LeBron’s interview or Ms. Manigault – Newman’s tell – all book, the President issued a remark that implied that the African – American people involved are not smart or stable enough to know what they are talking about or know what they are doing. His decision to attack the intelligence and knowledge of African – Americans and equate one African – American woman as no better than an animal is nothing more than an attempt to revive tired and disgusting stereotypes that African – Americans are an inferior race or closer to an animal and less than a full human being.
Finally, the President’s comment on the ongoing NFL protests is simply wrong. The players knew full well that their protests were about the systemic oppression against people of color and minorities, police brutality and the inequalities of the criminal justice system. For President Trump to state that the players are unable to define their protest is categorically false. The implied racial insults and casual degradation of people of color without addressing the merits of their message is just another way for the President to try and belittle his critics without actually confronting the uncomfortable truth of what these American citizens have to say. LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE, LEARN MORE\
Engagement Resources:
- kaepernick7 – former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s foundation website promoting education and social activism to fight global oppression.
- Malcolm Jenkins Foundation – NFL player’s foundation committed to youth development in underserved communities.
- EricReid35 – NFL player’s infopage on how to get involved and make an impact in your community.
- LeBron James Family Foundation – NBA player’s foundation to positively affect children and young adults through educational programs.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact Rod@USResistnews.org.
Photo by Adrian Curiel